jewelry – Page 3 – Karla's Cottage

Beading and lessons

By Karla Nathan / March 2, 2024

While staying with Sissy, I spent most evenings beading after being with Bobbie during the day (I was painting while sitting with Bobbie, it helps me to stay busy).

Sissy would cook something healthy and delicious, we’d watch some tv, pet pups, and play with jewelry supplies. Sometimes we’d cry together, too.

I will treasure these times with both of my sisters. While tragically sad, these days were also shining moments in my lifetime.

The three of us all love making jewelry, but Bobbie was just too ill at the time. Although she couldn’t make any pieces then, we could still talk about beads and design and we looked through what she’d been working on previously.

She had racks and racks of bracelets and necklaces in every color of stone.

I took her advice and ordered some high quality gems from Tejas beads, and was so pleased when they arrived.

Thanks for the tip, Bobbie, these are beautiful.

I already miss having my big sister to look up to and talk about things with. I don’t know if she had any idea what an influence she had on my life. From an introduction to painting as a child, to finding peace in adversity. And finally, in learning about how to gracefully face some of the biggest challenges life offers.

She left this world bravely and with little complaint. Typically, I whine about any tiny thing. I’m going to try to learn from her last weeks and be a stronger person. She was quite an example of calmness throughout her life, but even more so at the end of it. And she looked good while doing it. She kept up her skincare routine, wore lipstick, her sparkly watch, and pretty rings through it all.

I’ll follow her example of excepting what we cannot evade, being calm under pressure. Then put on some lipstick then order more great beads from Tejas.

The jewelry in my booth at Good Juju in the Old West Bottoms of KC

Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / January 6, 2024

The bracelet making binge I was on kept going past my days in the hospital while I kept my sister company. I found that it nice to have my supplies out on the dining room table while the fam was here for the holidays.

Keeping busy keeps me happy.

And it’s a very portable craft, all I need is cord and a box of gemstone beads.

Plus I just love making them. I had to practically twist my own arm to make myself stop.

I’ve been lucky with jewelry sales at Good Juju.

I carry a variety of new, vintage, hand made, fine jewelry and costume.

While I always do a flip flop turn around for my booth every month, I’ve discovered that the jewels do their best up front and together, not mixed in with other things.

As tempted as I am about mixing it up and moving it around, I stop myself and keep the jewelry shelves up front where they work best. But I do switch up displays on top of and in the shelving.

This month, I’ve included some great vintage shoes, purses, and other tidbits.

I like the combos.

I’ve changed up the colors on the shelves too, and have been happy with the new look.

One thing that never goes well for me are the earrings I make. I’ve tried soooooo many ways to display them. Each is silver with real stones and under $20. Often, way under.

Maybe it’s time to give up on my earrings and offer the space to things to sell better?

I’m not ready to give up yet. Mostly because I like making them so much. Eventually, I’ll have to decide though. For now, I’ll stick with the mix.

First Friday weekend is going on today, if you come down, say hi!

Mosaics with genuine stones and some beading

jewelry

By Karla Nathan / November 26, 2023

While visiting sisters in Indiana, we of course, did some crafting. These are mosaic pendants made with genuine stones. The top photo is freshwater pearls and crushed opals.

Sissy made this one. Emerald, garnet, labradorite, Ruby, sapphire, citrine, and smoky quartz, I think. We top each with a mix of crushed opals and moonstone.

This one is mine. It has rainbow sparkle from some of the bigger chunks I left when I was hitting opals with a hammer.

When I ran out of bezels to mosaic in, we turned to beading bracelets. They still need the knots trimmed, glued, then tucked into the spacers. I have enough beads left to make a couple more.

When I get back to Kansas, I’ll be delving into my beads and gems to keep crafting, I do love making both styles of jewelry. In the past, I have used memory wire or wove beads on to leather cords, the stretch cords are new to me. Yep, I know, I’m rather late to this game, huh? They’ve been around a while. But it’s a brand new addiction for me!

(Like I needed another one!)

Generosity and Joy

collections, jewelry, vintage paper/collage art, wallpaper

By Karla Nathan / September 10, 2023

I cannot begin to tell you my absolute dumbfounded joy when I was gifted with boxes of beauty.

Where to even begin? This is just a portion of the bountiful gorgeousness that came my way.

I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Thank you, Liz!

Crowning Glory

Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / August 17, 2023

I have been making more crowns. They don’t sell in droves, more of a steady trickle, but at least I move a few each Good Juju first Friday weekend. Enough that I get to make more.

The one this kid is wearing is kinda steam punkish.

And this guy is sporting a rose quartz stone on his noggin.

A gifted shelf

Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / May 5, 2023

On my last post I was talking about trying get shoppers to notice that my furniture is also for sale at Good Juju. But not this piece!

It was a gift from my neighbor, Lily, who makes the aromatic candles. And it is ideal for my jewelry display!

Or so I hope. Last month I tried to market my sparklies from the new, smaller space and that TANKED. I’m always up for a shuffle or a redo to make the most of my displays, but honestly, it’s just a guessing game for me.

I will let you know how it goes.

Crowning glories

antiques/junking, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / April 21, 2023

Last week, I made some crowns.

And since I had been painting statues and figures, everyone was treated to a crown for their head.

Even if a head was all they had, no body. And even the wildlife was crowned.

A few were steam punk style, but most were simply on the regal side.

Oops

Chandeliers, collections, Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / March 22, 2023

Maybe you remember a few posts back, where I said I should be slapped for even thinking I might need more space at the mall?

Welp, I went for it anyway.

I keep telling myself it is only 3×3’, not a big deal. And it is only for my jewelry, vintage, handmade, and new silver.

Was it a good idea? Who the heck knows. I might be, well I probably am crazy to take on more.

I was excited about the whole decorating aspect of it and happy to have a reason to steal the awning from our chicken coop. But did I really need a second spot at the mall?

As if that generous dollop of insanity wasn’t enough, lookee here. I’m also making bath products to sell there.

Playing with Precious Metal Clay

jewelry

By Karla Nathan / March 8, 2023

This is my first attempt with precious metal clay. I partnered up with a friend who has a clay studio and another who has a small kiln.

We experimented with adding stones, and that didn’t go too well, these are actually amethyst, peridot, and garnet. After firing, they turned dark. I still like them, they look like marcasites.

Melissa has a wonderful studio to work in, complete with a show. Her husband was making pottery while we worked.

This is one before firing. The clay powder is mixed with an emulsifier and water that make it clay- like. When put in a kiln, the moisture bakes off and you are left with solid silver.

Here is another crappy, not fired yet, one I did. Fingers crossed that the emerald chips stay green!

But oooh, look at these! Melissa’s look professional. Well, she is a professional ceramic artist, so might know a bit about clay and it shows.

And look! The citrines retained their yellow!

There was copper to try too. I look forward to seeing how that ring turns out.
I’ll show you when this batch gets fired.

Holiday Decor is My Fave!

antiques/junking, Good JuJu, Hand painted, Hearts, holiday decor, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / January 28, 2023

Lately, I have been leaving jewelry making supplies out on one studio table. That way, when I feel the whim, I can quickly make a piece without dragging out boxes. The room is a wreck anyway from using a chunk of it as storage, so I have kind of given up on keeping my poor studio tidy.

My most recent creations have been Valentine themed. Either with hearts, or just an air of dress up and romance.

The last few months at Good Juju have been absolutely delightful for me. I simply adore decorating for Christmas, Valentine’s, and Halloween. I tend to be into flowery and over the top, romantic, even gaudy stuff that isn’t exactly what the crowd there loves on a regular basis. The venue leans toward rustic or primitive and my corner screams “fussy” to a lot of the shoppers.

I do throw in lots of neutrals and even natural woods and browns, but they end up buried under my foofiness. And holidays were a good reason to have the exception.

I guess I still have Easter to look forward to…. But after that, it will be a long stretch til fall when I have an excuse to make things my way. Till then, I’ll try to reign myself in a little and focus more on neutrals.