iKandies Joins the Wedding Scene!

Recently, iKandies discovered that Etsy.com, THE place to sell and buy things handmade by artists from around the world, added a wedding section to their online site.  This section is a one-stop destination to assist shoppers through the maze of wedding planning.  From wedding trends, to advice, to real wedding stores, Etsy Weddings is sure to spark your wedding creativity.  For instance, in the Wedding Trends section you'll find examples of wedding decorations like these Pomaders.  You'll also find these unusual Alternative bouquets.
Of course, we can't forget the jewelry!  Etsy has beautiful Wedding jewelry selections for the entire bridal party.  In addition, Etsy has also introduced a Wedding Registry.  According to a recent Etsy blog, the registry "makes it easy for couples to choose gifts that match their distinct taste and lifestyle."
iKandies is not going to be left out of all the wedding hubbub! Although we've added an iKandies' wedding section to our shop where you will find jewelry pieces appropriate for any wedding, many of our other jewelry items could be worn by members of the bridal party, including mother of the bride and mother of the bride groom. Here's an example of our newest addition to our wedding section:

Our jewelry designs are unique so we do not mass produce them.  But if you see an item that would be perfect for your wedding or special occasion and you want several of the same thing, please convo us and we'd be happy to duplicate it for you.  We want your wedding to be as unique and perfect as you are!

Button, Button Who Has the Button?

Acrylic Peach Button Bracelet

 One of iKandies more recent sales was a unique button bracelet.

 At the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show early in 2011, I came across a vendor selling all the pieces needed to make a button bracelet. 

This included a base metal bracelet blank base, mother of pearl buttons in creams and greys and metal buttons. 

The pearl and metal buttons were layered in different ways on the bracelet base and these designs made quite a statement. I was inspired by the idea but wanted to brighten it up a bit. So as I was designing my take on a button bracelet, I remembered the acrylic flowers I had used in a necklace design and decided to incorporate them into my bracelet.

The finishing touch was to add some beadwork the middle of each flower or button component.  And Viola!  My Acrylic Peach Button Bracelet and Acrylic Burgundy Button Bracelet were born!

Acrylic Burgundy Button Bracelet

 For my next button project, I thought I'd try to create a design using these gorgeous Czech glass buttons...

Glass buttons from vintage molds

Acrylics are Hot!

iKandies just sold two of our acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces. They have been a popular item at the artfairs we've participated in this summer and now they're gaining popularity on Etsy. Take a look and let us know what you think...

We're designing  more of these beautiful necklaces for our Etsy site.  We thought it might be fun to show these "creations" in progress..

The first step is to select the color pallet. In this case, Debi chose these colors, with the focus on the pastel pinks and green.  Spring Green seed beads, size 6, were selected as the base for the necklace.

After stringing the base to a desired length using the seed beads and Fireline, Debi added a small loop at one end with smaller seed beads. This will be one half of the "clasp" that will keep the necklace closed. 

Then she began laying out the leaves and flowers and attaching them.

Not only is color important, but equally important is the placement of the components on the base, the sizes of the leaves and flowers that are selected, the textures and the variety of shapes.  Acrylic birch and japanese leaves were used along with pansies, trumpet and five-petaled flowers. Some of the larger flowers were crowned with smaller cup shaped flowers creating a whole new flower resembling a tulip.

Most of the leaves and flowers have a matte finish and some of the trumpet flowers have been hand dipped into pastel contrasting colors making them appear to be more life like.

Check our website iKandies or our  Etsy site where our newest acrylic flowers and leaves necklaces will soon appear!  By the way, matching earrings are available, too!  Enjoy! 

iKandies is blogging again!

Well, it's been a long time since I posted on iKandies Beads on the Block blog. Been working on our website and Etsy site, and boy, did they need a remake!  Our website, iKandies, has been reduced to just a few informational pages.  A sample of our jewelry designs that are for sale appear on the home page but traffic is being redirected to our Etsy site.  The iKandies site provides information about our company, our designers and our shop policies.  We also feature new designs we've added to the Etsy site. 
   Over 60 items are now available for sale on our Etsy site.  We've added newer, more descriptive photos of our designs.  We are featuring a sale at least once a month and are offering special coupons for first time buyers once they make a purchase. 

Abalone and Sterling Necklace

Fall Acrylic Necklace

Here's a sample of two of our newer listings:






We plan to add new items on a regular basis so please visit  iKandies and our Etsy shop today!

About Our Designers... Featuring Debi's Designs

Debi, my sister and one of ikandies designers, was the first to join me in using jewelry design to express our creativity.

Debi is shown here working on her acrylic  "Fall Garden" necklace.

She started creating her own necklaces as accessories for special occasions. Friends commented on her jewelry and so she began beading for others. Many of her necklaces feature gemstones combined with seed beeds or Swarovski crystals. She favors the "chunky" necklace look and says that she's more inspired if she's beading while at the beach, one of her favorite vacation spots!

Her husband created this wonderful tray that transforms her workshop into a portable one.

She has used her love of Swarovski crystals and Vintaj Brass to create several vintage styled necklaces.  Here's one of her favorites:





Debi has attended classes at the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee for the past several years to learn new skills in metal smithing, chain maille and lampworking.

Fall Flower Garden

I just posted my latest creation on our Etsy site, "Fall Flower Garden Necklace".  Debi, my sister and one of the ikandies designers, and I saw a similar necklace in a recent issue of Bead and Button Magazine. We hadn't worked much with Lucite, and the flower and leaf combination inspired us.  So we began our search for the perfect Lucite flowers.  The best selections were found on Etsy sites, where we purchased some beautiful hand dyed flowers from Groovy Chick Supplies and leaves from Silk Studio.  We made two necklaces, mine in fall colors and Debi's in purples and blues.  Mom saw Debi's necklace and fell in love with it, so Debi decided to make her a one. We made our purchases from Bellas Beads and More and JJBugs Beads.  Although Bellas Beads and More do not advertise discounts or free items, they added about 10 "free" flowers and leaves to my order.  Groovy Chick Supplies states in the Policy section of their Etsy site that they'll include a few extras in orders over 30 items and they offer to sell larger quantities at a discount.  Be sure to check all these sites if you're looking for high quality Lucite flowers and leaves in translucent and matte finishes!