Monday, February 12, 2024

February Mini-Challenge: Hearts

I have a hard time designing with hearts.

There, I said it. 

I know that a lot of jewelry designers really enjoy working with hearts, but I'm not one of them. In fact, a couple years ago, one of my Wonder and Whimsy Monthly Challenges was to design with them. (The results of that challenge can be seen here.)

At the beginning of this month, I thought I would revisit that challenge. After all, it's the month of Valentine's Day, and I really really wanted to make a new line of jewelry to debut on my Etsy store. (Yep, I'm working on revitalizing my Etsy store, too.)

The two main criteria of this challenge: 

1. Include hearts
2. Make something that I actually like

To my surprise, I had some success! And thus my February Romance Collection was born.











I had more ideas than I had time, and I rushed to get these made and listed to my store before Valentine's Day. I was successful, though--these all went live last week. Hurray!

Truth be told, I really enjoyed tackling this challenge. I think keeping things on the daintier, less-elaborate side really helped me appreciate the heart's form, making it easier to keep them from getting gaudy or chintzy or over the top. Well, except for the giant brass heart. That one was just fun.

All right, time for me to go make lunch. Thanks, everyone, for stopping by. I enjoyed this little mini-challenge format... I might have to try this again sometime.

Happy February, everyone!

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Wonder and Whimsy Challenge Reveal: Autumn Succulents

 I just... wow.

Despite my best intentions, apparently my last few months just disappeared. I was sick both Thanksgiving (with Covid) and Christmas (with something that closely resembled the flu). The rest of that time was spent attempting to catch up with life--which was surprisingly hard, with lingering coughs and aches and general sick-induced malaise. Blah.

But! Things are looking up. And, I am very very pleased to finally share what I made for this challenge. (Disclaimer: I did post these pictures to Instagram back in October, but it doesn't feel "official" until I show them here.)

So, without any further ado! Here was the inspiration for this challenge:



And here are the (many) things that I made!

Necklace 1





Necklace 2








Necklace 3






Bonus: Bracelet







Thank you so, so much for stopping by my blog to see what I made! I super appreciate your patience. Even as I dedicate myself to increasing my online presence elsewhere (my store! Instagram!), I will always have a soft spot for this blog. 

...Hopefully it won't be three months before my next post. Hah!

Either way, have a wonderful day, everyone!

Monday, October 30, 2023

Quick Note about My Upcoming Challenge Reveal...

...It is coming! 

It might not happen until tomorrow, but it is coming!

I'm currently taking pictures and posting them to Instagram (@anafiassa)... if you want a sneak peak at what I made, feel free to check there first. Otherwise, just hold tight! I'll be sure to put them here soon.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a great day!

Monday, October 2, 2023

Wonder and Whimsy October Challenge: Autumn Succulents

Happy October, everyone!

For this month's challenge palette, I decided to do something a little unexpected. Where I live, October means Autumn--which usually means Autumn colors.

However, I wasn't really feeling like using fall colors just yet. So! I picked a palette based on succulents instead.




I really do love this mix of colors... I'm a sucker for purples and blues, after all. They might not be your standard Autumn colors, but I think they have lots of promise just the same. 
Come back on Monday, October 30th, to see what I end up making. 

Until then, have a wonderful October everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 29, 2023

Wonder and Whimsy Challenge Reveal: Purple Mountains

Guess what time it is!

That's right... it's time for a blog reveal. The reveal for this month's Wonder and Whimsy Palette Challenge, to be precise. I've actually been able to do this for three months now, and I'm excited to be settling into more of a blogging rhythm. Hurray!

As a reminder, the palette I chose this month was a mix of warm yellows and cool purples--the perfect palette for the transition from Summer into Autumn.

I called this palette: Purple Mountains.



As shown before, here are the beads that I chose to go with this palette:


And, for fun, here is a quick sneak peak of what I made:


Oh, look... it's a bunch of beaded chain. I wonder what that could mean? (If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you probably know that what means.)

Which leads me to this... the final reveal!


Yep! It's one of my signature tassel necklaces! The first one I've made in quite some time. I must say, it felt good to be making a tassel again!



I also made these fun matching earrings... they're made with the same colors (and some of the same beads), but just different enough to not be entirely matchy-matchy.

And now, for more pictures--just because I can.







Thanks so much for stopping by today to see what I made for this challenge. Be sure to stop by next week to see what October's palette challenge is going to be. I'll give you a hint: it probably won't be what you expect!

Thanks again, everyone... I appreciate all of your support, and for continuing to read my blog. Here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend!