The idea

This is not my idea at all. Doing a button clasp in this style is completely inspired by Lorelei who did a kick butt video tutorial on making a button clasp. Unfortunately, I can' t for the life of me find the link to it right now. Anyways, when I was at the San Antonio bead show people asked me how to use buttons. Well describing it is a whole different ball game than doing it! I needed examples, I needed to do it, and really, truly humility kicks in. I have been so spoiled by all of you out there that have had such lovely vision of what my humble pieces can become.

One of the things I struggled with was that my clasp attempts wobbled in the button. I really wanted to have the eye and shephards hook to be very stable in the clasp. No wiggling, no wobbling. And that's where the light bulb flashed on. Wind a bit of small gauge wire back through the clasp and voila the clasp became very stable!

And the result is that this clasp looks a little like it has been sewn on. At least it does to me.

Bottom line is that for my next bead show, I am definitely going with examples of ways to work with my pieces. And I am very grateful to all of you who've shown me inspired ways to use my pieces.

Thank you!

Here it is! The link to Lorelei's button clasp tutorial.

Look what I found!

Late Sunday, when I was frittering away time on the blogs, I came across necklaces by two designers who used some of my porcelain pieces. I am always tickled pink when I see what other people do with my little things.





This heart pendant went all the way to Australia. Vicki, of Sasha + Max, made this piece. I love it’s simplicity. And I love how the wood beads pick up the brown in the pendant. Vicki is from Sydney, one of the best cities in the world, second only to Melbourne. Vicki is an interior designer by day and Sasha and Max are her assistants (Maine coon cats, by the look of them). Sasha and Max have been known to be quite naughty in directing the purchase of jewelry components. If you don’t know Vicki, you should check out her blog where you can see all sorts of beautiful jewelry design.

These two pendants went all the way to Finland and were transformed into, what I think are very elegant necklaces by Gunilla, at gbkoru. What I find so interesting about these two pieces is that Gunilla used essentially the same colour palette and achieved two very different feels. The first is all winter, snow and ice, and the second is definitely cool sea breeze. If you read Gunilla’s blog, you can get a very good feel for where these cool colour choices come from. She’s got some fabulous photos of snow and ice in Espoo.


But wait there is more!

Just today I saw this bracelet by Lorelei. The square focal bead went all the way to upstate New York. Lorelei always pleasantly surprises me with her mix of materials. This beautiful bracelet kind of has it all. Glass, ceramics, brass, and my favourite, chirimen cord. I think this would be very fun to wear.



Thanks Vicki, Gunilla, and Lorelei. It makes my day to see you all elevate my little pieces into wearable works of beauty! You make me smile.

Lorelei & Cristi and thank you my friends

I know I've said it before but each time I see one of my little pieces in your work my heart skips a beat. It is that vision that is expanded beyond my small view that I find inspiring. Recently Cristi and Lorelei posted images of their designs using my components. Beautiful. Clearly both are very talented designers and I feel honoured to see my components used in their work.


I'm starting a montlhy art market this Saturday. It is daunting. I've never put my jewelry components and buttons out locally. Often when I'm asked what I do and tell people that I make porcelain buttons and jewelry components, I am met with a blank stare. Not everyone. I do have dear friends here who understand what I do. Each time I see one of my components in your beautiful work, it is like a gift.


It is late. I should be in bed. But I am truly grateful to all of you that I've had the good fortune to know here. I'll be carrying that with me into what I am finding a bit of a scary adventure.

Thank you

Test Driving the Components

In my last kiln load I made some tiny little, very thin, very light weight charms with the idea that they'd be good for earings. So while my daughter, Sarah, was here over the weekend I made up a couple of pairs to test out their weight. This pair went home with Sarah this morning. I'm pretty pleased with them although I won't be turning my hand to making jewelry any time soon. I am soooo sloooow.

One of the other pieces I made just for me was this bracelet. Lorelei generously shared the tutorial for this on her blog recently. This is my variation on it. Not nearly as elegant or well made as Lorelei's. But it was fantastic to be able test out the components I make in someone else's design. Thanks, Lorelei!

I've had it on all day and I've actually been in my jammies most of the day. Who says you can't dress up a little in your jammies. Now you might ask why I was in my jammies. But there isn't really any good reason. Just complete disinterest in normal things like getting dressed. I did however brush my teeth and my hair rather early this morning. And most importantly I did not go to the post office or the grocery store in my jammies.

It has been very quiet here without Sarah. And a little sad not having my jewelry maker companion. But the dogs have kept me company and I'm returning to my normal routine.

Cheers, LeAnn

Magic Earings

I got up this morning, put on my rattiest t-shirt and jeans, and set out to clean. But I thought why not a stylish fun pair of earings? These ones are from Lorelei and I'll bet she didn't know when she swapped them for beads that they were magic!



Proof. This is my dining room table before I put the earings on. ( I know shocking, shameful) But.....

This my dining room after :)

Not convinced? Look at this. This is the shadow the earings make. Absolute magic!

Seriously, though this has got to be one of the most comfortable pair of earings I've ever worn. These are not just pretty earings. Usually I can only wear earings for a couple of hours before my ears start hurting. Not these. I'm coming up on 8 hours and not a twinge. They are like wearing feathers. And they are just so so nice!

And you too can own a pair of her great magical earings. Just stop by her Etsy shop.

Thanks, Lorelei!