Trinket #273 - Envy Earrings

Yep, straight from the junk box. These faceted acrylic beads shine just enough to make them pass in a dressy situation, plus they are a fantastic shade of deep emerald green. Now I just hope I can find something just the right level of trashy to wear them with.

Trinket #267 - Citrine Candy Corn Earrings

Okay, they're not really supposed to be candy corn, but the teardrop shape combined with the gradual darkening near the bottom of each bead made it so candy corn was all I could see. It's either that, or I have a bad case of Halloween on the brain. (Probably the latter - I did pick up four masks and a basket full of glow sticks FOR NO REAL REASON at Target today. Someone hide my debit card!)

Trinket #263 - Smokey Quartz Earrings

In a strange fit of impulse-buying (remember that catalog mega-sale I mentioned?) I picked up a few faceted stones with my last gem order. Though they are not normally my thing, I think they may be growing on me. Take these smokey quartz for example - they have a strange, irregular cut that reminds me of handmade Art Deco era jewelry. The coolest thing about these stones? No two on the strand are alike!

Trinket #262 - Peridot, Quartz, and Labradorite Earrings

Today's trinket is a medley of natural gemstones acquired recently from a catalog mega-sale. This is the first time I've purchased labradorite, but I know now that it will be a regular - it is AMAZING! Apparently, it is the stone of spiritual awakening.

Gemstonegifts.com has this to say about its metaphysical properties:

The FLASH will remind you of this stones purpose.  Like "a flash of light in the darkness", Labradorite will help reveal your spiritual destiny to you.  Not only will it reveal your path, but it will help you to develop the wise use of your psychic abilities so they are not abused.This often happens during the dream state, when you are better able, and more willing, to receive outside information.

Said to represent the "temple of the stars" , it brings clarity of thought, and the wisdom of other worlds and universes to us. On an individual level, it brings forth each person's strengths to share with the world, and each other. (to carry the message... to those who still suffer...)

This stone is very good for enhancing night vision, and can be of great help in developing the ability to see auras.

• Self Esteem: Labradorite promotes strength of will and a feeling of inner worth about your own abilities, while relieving insecurity and apprehension about your value as a spiritual being. 
• Creativity: Labradorite helps to combine intellectual thought with intuitive wisdom enhancing discernment in all situations. This gemstone elicits creativity by inspiring you to come up with original ideas and solutions to problems.
• Diet: Labradorite is an excellent gemstone for those seeking to lose weight as it balances and regulates metabolism.
• Career: Brings patience, which leads to better focus and concentration. This stone enhances perseverance, very helpful for those who are facing a period of sustained work, such as students at exam time, and for those who are prone to overwork.

Trinket #259 - Fall Gemstone Earrings

These beauties are made with a pair of new earring forms I picked up last week specifically to highlight certain gems. They're doing a great job here of showing off petite teardrops of carnelian, citrine, and peridot.

On a side note, I am not getting bored with making jewelry, but I am EXTREMELY bored of photographing it. In hopes of pulling myself far away from a rut, I'm going to be making a conscious effort over the next week to try and challenge myself with new and different photo techniques. Patience, please - this could be painful to watch...

Trinket #252 - Feather Earrings

Apparently I am old or something, because it took my eleven year-old daughter to inform me that feather earrings are a current trend. In fact, she's been begging for some for the past three months. I decided I'd attempt to fill her request today by using what I had on-hand and seeing what I could do with it. In this case, I used two naturally shed chicken feathers, some silver wire, and a pair of silver ear hooks. Not bad for a first attempt, but those feathers are certainly difficult to secure. I'm sure I will be trying a few different ways of wrapping feathers in the near future - my little flock has let go of dozens of lovely supplies over the past week or two.

Trinket #247 - Hemp and Glass Necklace

I'm getting that traveling itch again. I realized today that I have an airline credit for a ticket I had to cancel a year ago that needs to be used by October 9th or I'll lose it. (Not helping one bit.) Anyway, that gypsy jones inspired this bohemian hemp and glass necklace. Maybe I'll get a chance to wear it on a trip soon?

Trinket #246 - Confetti Earrings

Tonight's creation was made with a variety of beads dug out from the depths of the junk box (yet again), some head pins, and a soundtrack of The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" album. Fitting.

Trinket #245 - Junk Box Earrings

A medley of things found in the bottom of the supplies box. This trinket is made from some sort of giant shiny disks, originally intended to adorn costumes of some sort, scraps of silver chain, and eye pins bent to form ear hooks. Also shown - my favorite yellow purse.

REALLY long day, really quick trinket.

Trinket #238 - Frosted Glass Earrings

Long day, quick trinket. These were two frosty glass beads that I found in the junk box and paired with some gunmetal head pins and ear wires. Simple, but classy.

Trinket #237 - Antiqued Glass Bracelet

I found a little box of beads last night that I completely forgot I had. Tonight, they're starring in this 1920's inspired bracelet. My new favorite are the matte amber glass beads! I'll definitely be using these again soon.

Trinket #236 - Bone Skulls and Bronze Earrings

I didn't really think about these much, I just sort of picked a few things out of the supply stash that complimented each other and tried to put them together in a way that wasn't too boring.

I've been using all of my focus during the day lately on writing and editing projects, so the trinkets have turned into a "veg out" activity each evening. This could actually be a good thing in the long run as it prevents me from criticizing or censoring my projects before starting them. I can't make any promises that the projects will be good, but they will certainly be relaxing.

Trinket #235 - Dark and Twisted Pendant

A quick little pendant made from antiqued bronze wire and faceted glass beads. I'm waiting on a shipment of ribbon necklaces, so this is temporarily suspended from a black hemp cord.

Trinket #229 - Evil Eye Pendant

This is a simple evil eye charm made from a painted wooden bead, silver seed beads, and two bead spacers. Sadly, I know lots of people who could use this right now.

Trinket #228 - Snowflake Obsidian Earrings

I'm trying out a few new things this week, and this is the first attempt at a simple drop earring. I'll be test-driving these tomorrow and will be sure to make a full report.

Trinket #223 - Junk Box Jumble Bracelet

It was very meditative to simply string beads tonight. I used a mix of beads in black, silver, purple, and gray from the junk box and combined them with a clear elastic cord to make this comfortable little bracelet.

Trinket #206 - Yellow Turquoise and Black Faceted Glass Earrings

If you think there's something awfully familiar about these earrings, it's because I went with the same style I used by accident yesterday, only with a different set of beads. I really like how the wire twisting down and around the stones not only makes the piece more structurally sound, but adds a nice element of grace. Oh, and today you get to see my earlobe.

Trinket #205 - Rose Quartz and Faceted Glass Earrings

Today's trinket was actually a happy accident. My daughter got a new pink dress today and asked if I could make her some earrings to go with it. I picked out the beads, strung the whole thing together, and then realized that I had cut each wire twice the length that I needed. Instead of wasting that silver, I wrapped it down and around the beads, finishing in a swirl around the base of the earring. The result? A fun design that I've never tried before!

Trinket #203 - Retro Dice Earrings

They're not exactly fuzzy, but they do evoke the feeling of cruising in a classic car while listening to some Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley... These little dice came from the recent shipment of loot, which, as you can tell, was quite a mixed box of goodies!

Trinket #200 - Step Right Up! Turquoise Nugget Earrings

First of all, I cannot believe that I've stuck with this project for 200 days. Seriously. I am stunned. I have always considered myself as a sufferer of "Creative A.D.D." because I lose interest in projects after a few weeks. It's a freaking miracle that I was somehow able to finish five books, but this project, for some strange reason, has been an even bigger shock. I am definitely proud.

Next, if you're not yet aware of my love for a sideshow, you surely have been missing out! I picked out these two turquoise nuggets to match the bracelet I made a few days ago, and I noticed that the dark veining on them looked so clear and defined that it almost seemed to be drawn on - much like a tattoo. I guess you can see where that train of thought led me!