It's summer...pull out the canning jars.

I was raised in the country and we canned everything we couldn't eat fast enough.  There is even a family story of a near feud between two of my great aunts due to canning jars not being returned.  When I was a kid the jars often contained SWEET jam or SWEET pickles.  If the jars were empty we drank SWEET tea or SWEET lemonade out of the jars. In the spirit of summer time canning I have made these SWEET pottery cuff beads and I have included a quick tutorial on how to make a cuff bracelet faster than you can peel a bowl of peaches. 

In a mix of blues, browns and greens

In Indian Summer

 Super simple, just take a leather cuff and punch one hole to match up with each of the holes on the bead and then punch an additional hole approx. 1/4 inch from the outside of the first two holes.  I just hold the bead in the center of the leather and I use an ice pick to make a small prick in the leather where the hole will need to go.

 Then I begin sewing the bead to the leather, I use waxed linen thread from the box chain craft stores (look where they sell leather).  After stitching thru the bead and leather a few times I tie it off in the back.

 Here are a few good shots of the knot in the back.  I find that the wax string stays tight and does not come undone.

 

Repeat with the other side and cut off the ends when you are done.  And faster than you can peel a bowl of peaches you have a SWEET cuff bracelet.  Enjoy!

 

I also wanted to share two beautiful designs using my cross beads.  The first is a Elli cuff bead made into a great bracelet by Southern Grace Jewelry and a beautiful necklace with one of my worldly mix cross pendants by Topa Topa Designs.  Enjoy!

Boho and Colorful

I just finished a batch of Boho and Colorful pottery beads that I have made into sets of four.  The large cuff bead is gently curved to hug your wrist and is approximately 48 mm or nearly two inches.  The pendant bead is 39 mm and the two smaller earring beads are 21mm.  They are in a mix of fun bright green, cobalt blue, tango orange aqua, and some yellow.  I just finished a fun set for myself and after wearing a few times I have received lots of compliments. I just added some colorful beads I had in my stash to complete.  I have these in the shop, I hope you enjoy creating with them.

Spring is in the air

It has been in the 80's here in Texas, and the flowers are blooming everywhere.  We had a great show of Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brushes, they are always the first to welcome Spring in Texas.  

I have a farmers tan already (tan from mid arm down) from working outside.  I have been busy making beads and I just finished a field of flower cuff beads with pendant beads to match.  I hope to have these listed in a few days but if you see something you like just message me and I will list your choice first.  These should be fun to wear with all your Spring and Summer outfits.  They would also make a great gift for mothers day.  The birds are singing outside my window now and I am enjoying the quite of the morning.  I hope you enjoy this new batch of beads.

New designer spotlight

Laura Rendall states that creating art with her hands has always been her passion. She is new to Etsy and has recently opened Korále Art because she wanted to create unique jewelry pieces that incorporated different forms of art. The beads she uses come from places such as Austria and the Czech Republic and have a historic past.  The pendants and focal pieces she uses are created by artists here in the USA who use everything from wood to porcelain to clay. See below designs using Captured Moments pottery beads .  Also check out and follow my Pinterest Board with lots of designs using Captured Moments pottery beads.

Antique white with leaf design

In Blueberry

Rosemary bead in Seagreen

Washer bead in the color Worldly Mix

Sharing Cute Leather Cuffs

Anyone who has read my blog before knows that I refer to my beads as "the kids" well some of my kids have headed West.  These cute cuffs were made with my pottery focal beads by Emily Laurita, her shop is Rocking 27 Boutique.  Emily is a small town girl born and raised in Colorado, her fiancé and her work on a ranch based in New Mexico. She love to create jewelry and home decor when she has any free time.  I hope you enjoy seeing these cute cuffs.  I have lots of beads in my shop if your inspired to make a cuff yourself, or head over to Emily's shop for one ready to wear.

Meet the Almendra, an Almond shaped bracelet focal bead made of pottery

 Meet the newest shape Almendra, why Almendra? It is a beautiful almond shaped bead and being from Texas we speak some Spanish.  Almendra means almond in Spanish. These are a large focal bracelet bead, that is approx. 33X62mm (approx. 1 1/4 inch by 2 and 1/2 inches).  Curved to fit your wrist. It has holes on the sides, add a chain, leather or even macrame to finish into a bracelet. These are hand made of pottery by me a few at a time, the clay is textured, cut, dried, sanded, fired, glazed and ready for your creation. It is a 4-6 week process to turn mud into these beautiful beads.  I have a few listed in the shop and they are ready to ship.  I have more drying and will bisque fire soon, I have made them in different textures and colors also.   

Here is a peek inside the kiln, I finally thought to photograph it before unloading.  No matter how many times I fire a load it is always exciting to open the door after it has cooled and unload the beads. The upper right photo is a bowl of beads waiting to be photographed and listed.

I made just one for myself, I like the color combination and the different matte and shiny portions of the glaze.  I had a strand of 16mm round fire agate beads that I have been wanting to use and I love how this turned out.

 I also made some little tear drop shaped beads, they are drying and I will have some in the shop soon.  They will be fun to make earrings to go with the new Almendra cuff beads.

Introducing Belle

Belle is a new shape in my line of pottery cuff beads.  Why Belle? Much like a Southern Belle, this shape of pottery cuff bead is beautiful, with a flirtatious curve to hug your wrist.  She is also flamboyant in size much like the Southern Belles' hooped skirts and wide brimmed hats.  The bead is approx. 1 inch by 2 and 1/2 inches.  Available in many colors and textures. 

Aqua Fresca

Purple

Blueberry

TuTu Tango

Tamale Red

This design is by MagpieARTicles on Etsy, she used a 3 piece set for the pendant designs below. and added accent beads and antique brass chain.  Send me photos of what you create using my beads and I will post them on an upcoming blog.