Wire storage: The Perfect Solution!

What a tangled web of coiled wire I had!

After searching for months for what might be a convenient and easy-to-use wire storage solution, I finally found this large card box with dividers.  I labeled the dividers according to the gauge of my wire, and voila, coils of wire all neatly organized, not tangled, and easily accessible.

I used the final slot for my twisted wire, copper wire, and gold-filled wire...but it would be easy to have a separate card storage box for each different metal.

Let me know what you think of this solution and how it works for you if you give it a try.  BTW, I purchased this particular box at Office Max.

-Dana @ Coil and Flame

& DLPom Handcrafted Expressions

Self-Importance: A Social Comment

I don't generally use my blog to rant or rave about the things that go on in daily life that annoy me.  Goodness knows there could be plenty of topics if I chose to focus on them. 

However, I had several experiences yesterday that really make me wonder about people and the direction society is headed.  What has happened to graciousness in this world?  What has happened to concern for others?  And, what has happened to common courtesy and patience?

There was the lady at the hair salon who reamed out the hairdresser because she thought her long hair had been trimmed 1 inch too short after it had dried.  She made me 20 minutes late for my appointment while she continued to complain.

There was another lady, drinking so much wine while she had her hair colored, that she was stumbling and spilling everywhere.  She was becoming more demanding by the second for the staff to keep waiting on her every need.

Then, there was my elderly neighbor who was honked at, shouted out, and suffered through several obscene hand gestures because she had pulled over on a residential street to save a baby bird.

By the end of the day, I was appalled that so many people thought the world should be revolving around them.

My message is this:  Be kind and think of others.  All of us will have a better world to live in because of it.

~D.

Bracelets Galore!

I've been on a bracelet kick the last few days.  Once I got all my bead boxes open, I sat on the floor in my crafting room and just mixed and matched for hours.  There is something therapeutic about playing with beads!

My first creation was the bracelet to match the lampwork earrings I posted previously.  I designed it around a large, Thai Karen Hill Tribe puffed seashell.  It has floating roap rings for a little movement and is the perfect summer bracelet.


Summer Shore Lentil Lampwork Bracelet

The second bracelet was a very unexpected combination.  I picked up these stunning botswana agate square beads and paired them with merlot garnets.  It turned out to be a very striking design, if I do say so myself!  The colors in this bracelet are very transitional from summer, to fall, to winter.


Earthworks Agate and Garnet Bracelet

 Until next time.

~Dana

Summer Lentil Lampwork Jewelry!

These blue and green lentil-shaped lampwork beads just spoke to me the other day, and I had to turn them in to something summery, fun, and one-of-a-kind.  The earrings are really quite simple - suspended from rope rings and my own hand-formed and hammered earwires.  The matching bracelet is spectacular...I'll leave that for my next jewelry post.  Happy shopping at my original bead shop, DLPom Handcrafted Expressions on Etsy.

Summer Shore Lampwork Earrings in Sterling Silver on Etsy

~Dana

Soap, Soap, Soap SALE!

Time to do a little soap rack clearing.  New bars are moving in, and it is time to clear out inventory to make room.  Also, I'm reworking my soap labeling...so the old labeled soap has to go!

In order to expedite this effort, I'm having a 15% Off Soap Sale while supplies last.  Just use coupon code "FIFTEENOFF" at checkout.

Happy soap shopping on Etsy!  Just click the banner to go!

Dana @ SoapSense on Etsy

Drumroll...Introducing...Coil and Flame by DLPom

A slightly different artisan jewelry design style...modern, minimal, and yet so classic! Click on the banner above to visit. Enjoy!

-Dana

Bangle Bracelets: The Tricky Science of Measuring for Your Size

There is nothing worse than a bangle bracelet that falls off...or worse yet, one that you can't get over your hand. Since bangle bracelets are "all the rage" right now, it pays to know your size when purchasing online. Actually, measuring for a bangle bracelet is a mix of science and art. Here are a few tips and alternative ways to measure your hand for a bangle bracelet.

First of all, everyone's hand is shaped differently. But what you need to do is measure around the widest part of your hand with a tape measure. In the photo, the widest part of my hand is just below the pinky knuckle across to where the thumb meets the hand. You may have to experiment a little to see where the widest part of your hand is...just be sure not to measure at too large an angle.

My hand is small - only 8 inches. However, I find that a 7-1/2 inch circumference bangle bracelet fits perfectly. Why the difference? Because your hand can probably collapse down a little more than what you measured with the tape. Again, everyone's hand flexibility is a little different.

Alternatively, you can measure with a strip of paper and then line that up with a ruler. Or even better, measure the diameter of a bangle bracelet you already own, and go up or down from there.

Good luck with your next bangle bracelet!

Dana @

Coil and Flame: http://www.coilandflame.etsy.com/
DLPom: http://www.dlpom.etsy.com/