Meditative Beading

I have been perfecting the art of wrap bracelets since my last post. As you can see in my Etsy shop, they have improved! In fact, I made the Sparkly one for myself and wore it to yoga class and got four orders right away!


I continue to make these bracelets and just love them! Even the process of making them is so meditative. I put on some good music and find my groove. I'm now able to produce a 4x around wrap bracelet (with 4mm beads) in about 4 hours. Once or twice around may take me 1 to 1.5 hours to create. So I've gotten much more efficient! The size of the beads largely dictates how long it takes to make a bracelet.


The material I use to string the beads on has changed as well. I'm no longer using hemp to string the beads on as it just got so fuzzy and messy looking. Silk cord as well would do the same thing.....even if I waxed it beforehand. So I found a really super strong product that hasn't let me down yet. The only drawback is that it doesn't come in a wide range of colors. There's also another product I have found that works just as well. It too is super strong and it comes in many more colors.


Here's a few examples of my latest works that are not posted on Etsy. Loved this one so much I had to keep it for myself, plus I had made it too small for any other wrist but my own. Clean lines and small beads give it a very delicate and minimal look. Just created a few days go, not listed yet, but will be. The first in a line of 1x around wrap bracelets that boast chunkier beads and metal accents.

This bracelet was a commissioned piece by a fellow yogi who loves Chan Luu bracelets, but hates the price, so I created my interpretation of the piece using amazonite beads and faceted czech glass beads plated in 24 karat gold.

Please be sure to check out my shop regularly as I have been adding lots of new product lately. The change in seasons from winter to spring always brings about a creative surge. You can also follow me on Twitter for the latest updates http://twitter.com/#!/LUXELutherYOGA .

Feeling the pull to create something beautiful!

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!!

After a VERY long bit of time off, I have returned with some fresh, new, handmade items for sale. While going through my yoga teacher training, I was captivated by a particular style of bracelet that so many people were wearing.......and get this; they were spending upwards of $300 on one of these bracelets!!! The very frugal shopper in me said that was ridiculous and swore that I would learn how to make this type of bracelet or just find it really inexpensively elsewhere.


The type of bracelet I'm talking about are the leather wrap bracelets that essentially weave beads into the design. They are very cool looking and super comfortable to wear......a perfect yoga accessory! Here's an example of what I'm referring to.

I just love the look of these bracelets, but seriously, how much money does it really cost to make one of these to justify a price tag of $300???!!!! Well, I decided to find out.

I marched myself to the craft store, picked up some leather cord, hemp thread/cord, silk cord, beads and buttons. All of which maybe cost me about $20. I got to work trying to figure out how to marry the components together and make it look like all those fabulous bracelets I'd already seen. My first few attempts were pretty good, but I wasn't satisfied.....the weave wasn't tight enough! As I continued to toy with my latest crafting endeavor I realized the justification for the steep price tag.........these bracelets take FOREVER to make. A bracelet that wraps around twice, can take as long as 3 hours to make! I have made only two bracelets that wrap around 5 times and they took me about 2 days to complete. Next time I'll log exactly how many hours the really long ones take, but it takes a long time! And as we've all been told, time is money.

Here are some examples of my latest creations that you can purchase on Etsy.

Not bad, but I need to figure out how to use the silk cord I picked up instead of the hemp. It lays flatter and doesn't fuzz with wear. I'm sure there is a trick that makes the silk cord easier to use, but I'm not sure what it is yet. I'm sure I'll figure it out......I figured out how to make these bracelets all by myself, didn't I? Yes, I did! In time, the answer will come and maybe one of my fellow Etsian's will clue me in.



Until next time......


Thanks for reading!


Kristen

Hiatus

As I'm sure anyone can tell from my lack of posting that I've pretty much taken some time off to focus my attention on other things. I'm currently getting 200 hour certified in yoga and simply have no time to create much of anything or even update my shop. Sorry.

I did create a bunch of new inventory prior to the start of my training, however between the amount of time it takes to get decent photos, uploading and resizing and then composing something catchy about my products......a whole day is spent. Mind you, it's always time well spent and I look forward to diving back in once I've completed my studies.

For the time being, here are some previews of what I've been working on. They won't be posted to Etsy for a while, but at least you know what's going to be available.


Until next time.....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen

Addicted to Beading

I told myself a LONG time ago that no matter what, I would NEVER become addicted to beading. I thought it was really strange that there were actually people who liked to sit there and bead.....for HOURS.....and they had massive collections of beads and findings and all the things that go along with the hobby of beading.

Nope....it wouldn't be me.....not a chance. I'm not going to be sucked in by a bead or two.

Then it happened. I was in the craft store one day looking for ribbons and charms for my bookmarks and was caught off guard by some silver doughnut beads. I pictured something crystaline suspended in the center of those beads and thought it might look nice. I refused to buy beading wire and crimp tubes, because they require tools. Nope, I went for clear elastic cord and found some clear pink glass cubes to be suspended. I bought my stash and took it home. The rest is history.

I still create the same basic bracelet I started with, just with different beads in the center. It's always been a big hit with those who come across the bracelets. As far as my bead stash, I have two HUGE bead organizers; each with 5 boxes FULL of beads.....and the collection keeps growing.

Ebay and Etsy have been my best friends for supplies. Oh what I wouldn't be able to do without them!!!! And to think that I never pictured myself a beadaholic. Crazy.

Until next time......

Thanks for reading!!!

Kristen

LUXE Luther Creations Fundraiser Catalog

Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I last posted. Apologies. I've been a bit sidetracked with the fundraiser catalog that I've been putting together for an Irish Dance Class that needs to raise money to get themselves to Ireland in 2011.

It is such an honor that to be asked to do this. My neighbor's daughter is in the Irish Dance class and all the girls are super talented. It's amazing to watch them dance! The speed and agility with which they dance is incredible!

I have hand selected some of my favorite pieces from my collection as well as create a few new ones for the catalog. Several of the pieces have an Irish theme as it is for an Irish Dance Class. It was only fitting to include those pieces. I love the Irish culture and the myth and lore that surrounds it as well.

In addition to the catalog, I have created an online shop on Etsy where customers can order the fundraiser items of their choice. Here is the link: http://www.mulkerins.etsy.com/

Here is a preview of some of what you will find in the catalog:

Wow! It's been a while!

I really need to update this!

Here's the latest......I hosted a LUXE Luther Jewelry party on June 25th and had a pretty good turn out and sold lots of stuff.....many of my newer designs! Here are some pictures from the party!

I decked out the backyard with paper lanterns and arranged seating areas with small tables, candles and even a table lamp.



Foodies included veggies and dip, cheeses and meats along with figs, grapes and yogurt covered pretzels. Oh, and of course LOTS of wine!



Here we have one of two jewelry tables with assorted necklaces and bracelets. I didn't have an earring tree, so I used my fireplace screen as a place to hang earrings. It worked out beautifully!



Here is the second jewelry table with some of my newer designs featured on it. Long link necklaces, twisted strands of pearls and yoga inspired necklaces.


We all had such a great time! The backyard came out exactly as I envisioned it and the weather couldn't have been more PERFECT.......that too was just as I had envisioned it!


Until next time.....


Thanks for reading!


Kristen

Oh Boy.....a trip to the craft store is in the VERY near future!

Uh oh, I have to go to the craft store to pick up some supplies for a birthday party tomorrow where close to 20 tweens will be making charm bracelets under my supervision. I've never done this before, so it should be a unique experience.

In any case.....the craft sore.....I might as well call it a candy store, because that's what it's like for me. I get nuts looking at all the beads and findings and and and EVERYTHING! The last time I went to the craft sore I dropped WAY too much money there.....like $130 on BEADS!!!! Okay, so the Swarovski crystals certainly tipped the scales, but it still would've been about $100 without them....EASILY!

Well the store opens in about 30 minutes and I still need to get dressed and get myself and my daughter fed before we go. Trying to get an early start to our day. I'll post teaser pics of what I picked up as I usually get hit with divine inspiration at the store to create something wonderful.

Until next time....

Thanks for reading!

Kristen