Cell Phone Charms Become Incense Bottle Decorations

Smoking Bottle Incense Holder with Hanging Beads

When I was going to set up and try to sell my wares at a craft show, I bought some cell phone charm straps to decorate as an added little bauble that people might pick up. I made an assortment of really nice beaded designs with sterling silver beads, Swarovski crystal colors, little beaded dragonfly charms and other pretty beaded dangle decorations.

Retired Cell Phone Charm Turned Incense Decoration

Today you don't see many people with charms hanging from their cell phones, so what now?

Then the other day I had this great idea!

I love incense and have several types of incense burners in my home, including bottle incense holders. They came with a large split ring or key chain type ring and a little golden cord that hung on the side. You put the incense stick into the split ring and then insert the stick in the bottle so that the smoke comes out of the top and the ventilation holes.

Incense Bottle with Decorative Beads

Over the years the silver split ring had become blackened from the smoke and the little golden cord had become frayed. So I took one of those charms with decorative hanging beads, attached it to a new split ring and look how nice and decorative it looks??!!

A Variety of Decorative Hanging Beads

These are great little gift ideas for someone who loves burning incense and has a bottle burner, a smoking bottle or wine bottle incense burner. Find these at Bead Lovers Korner on Etsy in the Beaded Gift Ideas Section!

Uses for cell phone charms

• Purse Decoration
• Zipper Pull
• Ceiling Fan Pulls 
• and NOW Incense Bottle Decoration

What great ideas for decorations with beads have you had lately? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear your ideas!

Renewing Old Charms in Jewelry Designs

Pacific Opal Starfish Earrings

I used to make Pandora Style dangles, but they have never done that well for me, although there was a time when some symbols were popular or customizing with birthstone colors meant a special gift for someone to personalize their European Style bracelet. As trends change and new sellers arrive with cheaper and lower quality bead dangles, I have sold less and less and built up a collection of little charms and beads that were just sitting around doing nothing.

Tropical Pineapple Earrings

I don't know what possessed me to make bead earrings, since there are about 500,000 to choose from between Etsy and Ebay, but that is what I have been doing. Giving NEW and Unique life to otherwise abandoned charms and beads!

Kokopelli Turquoise Dangle Earrings

I had been on such a roll making rosaries over the past few months, that the Beaded Jewelry section of my Etsy Shop (especially the earrings) was looking kind of sparse. I took great care to make sure that my new earring designs were not like any others, in hopes that whoever is looking for a unique gift or fashion style would find them.

Cross and Prayer Earrings

• Which ones do you like best?
• How do you refresh old and tired stock?
• I would love to hear your thoughts!

Coffee and Jewelry

Carlo Biagi Enamel Coffee To Go European Bead

In trying to come up with inspiration for a new blog post all I could think of was needing another cup of coffee. Yes, I am caffeine addicted, as are many others in the world, but I prefer the word connoisseur as opposed to addicted. And guess what, you can also embrace your love of coffee by adding beads to your European style bracelets, necklaces, traditional charm bracelets and other jewelry too!

Carlo Biagi Coffee To Go Clip On Charm

When I first started drinking coffee I preferred Folgers. It didn't seem to have that burned taste when it sat on the warmer for awhile. Then I graduated to Hawaiian Kona coffee and occasional flavors like hazelnut or cinnamon. At some point I was introduced to Starbucks, and now I can't seem to break away from the smoothness of this high quality arabica coffee. Believe me I have tried because it is very expensive... but no matter what brand I try, I always go back to Starbucks.

Carlo Biagi Coffee Cup European Bead

Do you love a good cup of coffee too? Personalize your jewelry by adding a Sterling Silver bead to your European Bracelet or select one of the clip on charms for your link charm bracelet!

Carlo Biagi Coffee Cup with Cz Heart Charm

I recently started carrying beads, charms and findings from Green Girl Studios and I discovered that they have an awesome pendant devoted to coffee as well!

Java Coffee Cup Pendant by Green Girl Studios

There are so many ways to personalize your jewelry with a symbol of this delectable beverage. So enjoy your morning cup of Java and tell me about your favorites!

Sci Fi Series Jewelry Accessories

Lightsaber Crystal Earrings

A couple of months ago I watched a movie called "Trekkies", a film about the devoted fans and the phenomena of the Star Trek franchise. As I watched this documentary and recalled the fun times I had attending Star Trek conventions when I was younger (yes, I did that and no I didn't dress up - but only because I didn't have a costume), I thought "What am I doing selling beads? I should be selling Star Trek stuff!" I have always loved space related science fiction, I saw "Star Wars" six times in the movie theater when it came out back in 1977!!

Yet, I have all these beads, and I love beads too! Then the "Creativity Muse" visited me and voila I combined my two passions!

Sci Fi Ray Gun Earrings

This Science Fiction Ray Gun was created with a bunch of left over beads that I have in my "orphans" box. I have never been this excited about something I made. I have some other ideas in store as well, so let's see what 'strange new world' I discover with this Sci Fi series of jewelry and accessories!!

Crystal Boutonniere for the Groom

Wedding Boutonniere for the Groom

Everyone wants to have the most unique and memorable wedding, with many styles and themes to choose from, it is sometimes difficult to decide. Today I am featuring Rayvenwood Manor, a fellow Artist from the Central Florida Etsians who specializes in custom Swarovski Crystal Boutonnieres and Bridal Bouquets made with Swarovski Crystal Beads.

Designed for 'TheVampire Diaries'

Through The Artisans Group, Rayvenwood Manor created an all clear Swarovski Crystal Boutonniere for the wardrobe stylist of "The Vampire Diaries". Made with twelve Swarovski Crystal Beads in the color of your choice.

Vampire Bat Gift Box

This Limited Edition is handmade with Swarovski Crystal beads and comes in a gorgeous Vampire Gift Box. Great for Wedding Party members of Gothic Style Weddings, including the Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen, Fathers and more.

James Bond material for your Man

Matching Crystal Bridal Bouquets are also available, as well as bridesmaid bouquets in the same or smaller crystal quantities, flower girl bouquets, other boutonnieres, and corsages.

Purple Agate Gemstone Pendant Necklace

Ravyenwood Manor also brings you a variety of unique and alternative Gothic jewelry, haute couture Victorian fashion accessories with heirloom quality. These objects of desire make the perfect gift to cherish for eternity and beyond.

Art Nouveau Fairy Earrings

Check out all the unique creations and wedding accessories at:
Rayvenwood Manor Etsy Shop. 

Great for your out of the ordinary style.

Rosary Beads for Prayer

Turquoise Chain Link Rosary

Several years ago I was trying to think of another product to add to my offerings of beads and supplies, something that was different but would complement what I already had for sale. As I contemplated this the words "Prayer Beads" began to form in my mind. I thought "That is perfect!", since I already have so many pendants or supplies that are spiritually related.

I bought a book and searched the web, for insight and background knowledge, about all the different types of prayer beads that are used today. I read the book, but got side tracked and never made a move to try making anything. Earlier this year something just came over me, I like to think it was Divine Guidance, but it was a powerful need to start doing this and I spent the whole day learning more details and put it into motion.

Sapphire Swarovski Pocket Rosary

While I am not Catholic, with all the strife and events that have happened this year, according to Glenn Beck "We are all Catholics now!". It doesn't really matter, it is the worship of God and the support of that worship that is important. So I started with making Rosary Beads. 

Violet Swarovski Chain

I am not sure what is is, maybe it is the comfort of repetition or just knowing that something I make could be used in a more worthwhile way other than body decoration. I love the way it feels to take separate beads and wire to create a chain, and the simplistic beauty of the finished piece is extremely satisfying. I guess that is how someone feels when they knit or crochet.

Swarovski Rosaline Pink Rosary Bracelet

If you are reading this, then you already realize the importance of prayer and building a relationship with The Divine. Especially in a world that seems to be on the edge, prayer is purifying and comforting.While my beads hold no power themselves, it is my hope that they will help the receiver realize the power of prayer and strength within.

To find the Rosaries and Chaplets that I have made, please visit the Beaded Gifts Ideas section of the Bead Lovers Korner Etsy Store

Collage Art a Personal Statement

"Time is of the Essence"

Every day people speak about issues concerning the world, write blogs about politics or campaign for human rights, animal rights and more. Today I am featuring an artist who makes a statement through his unique Collage Art that is made from recycled materials. Matthew Hoffman of Material Whirl Collage creates Unique Collage Art that not only touches on national or worldwide issues, it also holds expression of personal thoughts and feelings that we all hold deep within.

"Six Times as Much"

Each collage is made entirely from recycled paper and cardboard from a variety of items including magazines, discarded advertising, and dry packaging materials. Wrinkles, creases, odd cuts, and ragged edges add to the unique appeal of this process.

"Scandal"

Each piece of Matthew's Collage Art is signed and dated, and is suitable for framing or affixing to a blank note card, some (but not all) are blank enough on the back to be mailed as postcards.

See the entire collection of Matthew's art by visiting:
Blog: Click Here---> The Material Whirl: Saving the planet one recycled collage at a time
Etsy Shop: Click Here---> Material Whirl Collage Shop

Have you re-charged your crystals?

Quartz Crystal in the Sun

I am absolutely no expert on Rock or Quartz Crystal, but let me tell you what I know from experience....

I had some Quartz Crystals that were laying around, uncared for and forgotten. I found them and cleaned them up with mild soap and water, bringing back the pure clear color. I know that crystal has energy and I wanted to revitalize them, not for any purpose really except just to honor them. Also, I had read somewhere about it being helpful to have one on my desk. So anyway, I called a friend who knows more than me about this stuff and she suggested I put them in the sun for several hours and also over night during the last full moon.

After that I put them on my desk, and I just realized that I have had the most abundance of creativity EVER since I took some time to care for them and charge them up!! I am thanking the crystals for their help and energy!

My stones are sunbathing today!

So, I put them back in the sun today - they are probably drained from all the mental clarity they gave me! I also put the little Lapis Lazuli Pyramid with them for company, and a recharge too!

If you have some crystals that are stored away, take them out and give them some love - they will return it to you with mental clarity, inspiration and energy!