A New Project

My newest project doesn't have anything to do with jewelry making or crochet.

Our neighborhood was starting to be overrun with feral cats. They were everywhere and multiplying rapidly. A neighbor volunteers for a local no-kill shelter so she and another neighbor started trapping them, having them neutered and then releasing them into the wooded area behind our neighborhood.

 

In the meantime, a litter of kittens had been born.After they were weaned, the mother was trapped, spayed and released, The kittens were then caught. There were 3 little cuties. Someone took one right away, but the other 2 need a place to stay until they are old enough to be neutered and put up for adoption. That is where I came in. 

                                

My animal shelter friend already had as many fosters as she could handle, plus her own dogs and cats, so she asked me if I wouldn't mind fostering them for a few weeks. How could I resist?

Of course, my 10 year old tabby, Emma, absolutely hates them. I guess she has forgotten that she was rescued as a feral kitten in the woods by the same shelter and now has a cozy, warm, loving home with us.

My youngest son has been helping me work to socialize them so that they have a better chance at being adopted quickly.  The little orange one should have no problem. He is friendly to a fault. All he wants is attention. The black one, on the other hand, has finally stopped hissing at me whenever I get too close. I think that it is all an act since when you pick him up he doesn't really fight to get away and will settle down after a bit.

So, that is what I have been working on lately. How about you?

Happy New Year

I hope everyone is having a great New Year so far. It has been quite a while since I posted so I thought that the New Year would be a good time to get back to it. Hopefully it will be a trend that will continue on a semi-regular basis.

I have been trying to build up both my Etsy shops the past few months.My crochet shop, Morning Sky Creations, is very depleted right now. I'm trying to do a little bit of crocheting every day to gradually get if filled back up.

My jewelry shop, Morning Sky Jewelry, is doing a little better. Over the summer I made myself a crochet beaded wrap bracelet. I not only love wearing it, but I love making them. Once I started I couldn't start. The first ones I made using mainly seed beads and some stone chips. Then I made a few using Czech fire polished stones and those are the ones that I really love. 

Wrap Bracelet with Multi Color Seed Beads

Wrap Bracelet with Teal & Orange Firepolished Crystals

This is one of my favorites. I had ordered some Oxblood Red crystals for an idea I had. The supplier ended up sending me a freebie of some Czech fire polished copper luster beads. I ended up abandoning my original idea and combining the two. I love this bracelet. It was very hard for me to list it instead of keeping it for myself. I will have to look into ordering more beads to make another.

Wrap Bracelet with Oxblood and Copper Czech Firepolished Beads

One of the best things about these items is their versatility  They can be worn not only as bracelets, but also as wrap around anklets, or single or double strand necklaces. 

A New Crochet Technique

I had tried crocheting with wire some time ago, but I didn't like the results. When my local craft store started carrying silver plated Artistic Wire I thought I would give it another try. This time I was much happier with the results. 

These bracelets are made by first string on the beads then crocheting chains. When I have the number of chains that I need I braid them together to form a fun, contemporary bracelet.

The bracelets in the first 2 photos are made with non tarnish silver plated wire and the bottom one is made from black coated wire.

Reusable Market Tote Bags

I have a new addition to my crochet shop, Morning Sky Creations. I have been making reusable crocheted market bags. These bags are not only great for shopping, but also for the beach as well as an all around tote bag.

Sea Foam Green Bag with Flower Applique

Camouflage Bag

I'm really enjoying making these bags and I'm amazed myself at how much I can fit in one. Because they are crocheted they have a lot of give to them. Please leave a comment if you have any ideas for colors and/or color combinations that you would like to see.

Donations To The American Cancer Society

I will be donating 10% of sales (excluding shipping) from my shop to The American Cancer Society through the end of October. I will have my donation targeted to Breast Cancer in honor of all the women and men in our lives affected by this devastating disease.

If you would like to donate directly without making a purchase you can click here.

Bead Crochet Bangle Bracelets

I came across these great beads in 2 different sizes and I knew that I had to make a chunky bead crochet bangle from the. In lower light these beads appear purple with a rainbow finish, but when held up to the light they appear a translucent red, almost like pomegranate seeds.

Purple Spiral Bead Crochet Bangle Bracelet

I found the beads for this bangle when I was online shopping for supplies for a custom bracelet. I loved all the colors and how they blended together so seamlessly. The bead mix is called Summer Sunset and I think that the name describes these colors perfectly.

Summer Sunset Bead Crochet Bangle Bracelet

Grandmother's Bracelet For A Friend

Last week was a friend's birthday. Her third grandchild was due any day and she was so excited. I thought, what could be a better gift than a grandmother's bracelet. I made a shiny aluminum chainmaille bracelet of byzantine segments. The segments are divided by Swarovski crystals, each one representing the birthstone of a grandchild.

I just gave her this special gift and she loved it. It made me so happy to see how thrilled she was to receive it. As an added bonus, it is also a mother's bracelet. Her birthday and the birthdays of her 2 daughters are in the same months as her grandchildren. So this is a double duty bracelet.

Fourth of July Sale

I am having Fourth of July sales in both of my Etsy shops. Today only 15% off your entire purchase (excluding shipping) by using coupon code JUL4TH.

If you are looking for some great jewelry that can be worn for work or play please visit my jewelry shop, Morning Sky Jewelry.

Shopping for some 100% cotton eco friendly washcloths or scrubbies?

Maybe you need a cute cover for your Kindle, ereader, ipod or other gadget.

Tired of chasing all those reward cards and credit cards around your purse?

Visit Morning Sky Creations and take a look at what we have that is just right for you.

Shiny Aluminum Chainmaille Jewelery

A few weeks ago I posted about the amazing aluminum rings that I bought. Well, this is what has finally become of them.

Thick Byzantine Bracelet

Shaggy Loops Bracelet

Beez to Butterflies Bracelet

All three bracelets are for sale in my Zibbet shop as well as a wide selection of copper chainmaille and bead crochet. Stop by and have a look.

Trying Out Aluminum

One of my biggest loves is making chainmaille. I had been coiling, sawing and tumbling my own rings. It takes time, but I loved being able to do whatever weave I wanted without having to order rings and wait for them to ship. (Different weaves require different ring sizes.)

Fast forward to today. I am back to work full time, my youngest son is involved in sports year round and I have a very old home that I am trying to maintain. The thing that fell by the wayside, besides cleaning, was chainmaille making. And I really miss it! So, I decided to try purchasing my rings. With the price of silver sky high, I tried to give aluminum a try.

My precut rings just arrived and they are beautiful!!! Keep an eye on my Zibbet shop shop to see what they become.