Stick pearl earrings in 2010 calendar

It’s probably a bit early to shill for calendars, but I wanted to show you my stick pearl earrings — they’re appearing on the May 20th page of the Beading Bead-a-Day Calendar for 2010. I designed the earrings two years ago and thought the calendar would be a nice opportunity to showcase them.

These earrings aren't a typical design for me. I tend to prefer symmetry, so it was a stretch to try an organic style. But I like how they're really lightweight even though they're huge.

I'd like to make a pair in silver, too. Diagonally drilled stick pearls can be hard to find — the shape just isn't that common. I should probably check Eclectica first (that's where I found the purple strand).

It's satisfying to see my design in print after all this time. And many thanks to Bill Zuback, who shot the earrings and these photos, too. These images are way better than what I can shoot with my old digital camera.

Keshi pearl necklace

My necklace is on the cover of the July 2009 issue of BeadStyle. It's an honor. And pressure, too. Even though stuff beyond my control — like the cover lines, the competition, etc. — has an impact on newsstand sales, I feel like the main image is what sells the magazine.

About the necklace: I bought the pearls at the JANY show from Lucky Gems. They carry unusual shapes, colors, and sizes (check out their dancing squares, for example). I'm all about the supplies — my approach is to start with the best gemstones I can get my hands on. I suppose everyone says that, but if you've ever been with me as I deliberated over a strand of gemstones, eyeing individual beads, you've seen how my mind works. I liked the luminescent pinks and blues in these pearls, which are the size of large cornflakes.

I got some design help from Jane, who talked me through my crystal quandaries (bicones or rounds? pinks or blues? matching or complementary?). She also helped me figure out which cones to use and gave me a thumbs-up on the chain I picked for the bracelet. You can find instructions for the projects (as well as for two earring options) in the magazine.