Please hit photos to enlarge--

jean: now a "Designer blogger" for Nina Designs!!! 

This is thrilling to me because I love everything about Nina Designs.

I was very happy to be selected!!!, however I have to tell the truth ... it was a real challenge as they sent me not only the components--which are actually BRONZE! but the leather, too! I do not think of myself as good with fibres and leathers.

However, I said to myself, "I think I can, I think I can..." and so on, like the little engine that could.

Then I got to work. The suede-like finish of the leather was amazingly soft and that really helped. Nina Designs is nothing if not consistently high quality. That is one of the major reasons why I have been loving this company for years, now.

So anyway...

I came up with a plaited bracelet with a knot on one side and a loop to close it. Phew! I was thrilled! I hope you like it!

One tip for neophytes like me. When you braid or plait, keep the tension consistent.  I did this by cutting three strands of suede and knotting them, just guessing  at how long I would need the suede to be to make a bracelet.  [Note: I had a generous amount from the bundle they sent left over to use for another day].

I then took a nail and gently insinuated it at the top of my soon-to-be braided bracelet, where the knot was, and used a board I had put the nail on to make my bracelet. At the end, I had extra sueded leather, so I fashioned a loop for the clasp from one of the pieces and knotted the tassel to include the loop.  Please kindly think I am keeping that technique a "designer secret".  At any rate, if you like the bracelet, give it a try.  So that is the story of jean and the suede! I am NO LONGER AFRAID  of  SUEDE ! I am down with getting it together with leather! And so on!

I went on to add the charms in the manner which you can see. I did not use some lovely closures and a toggle which were also sent to me.  However they were just as pretty as everything else. I just had to create my bracelet  and earring set a certain way, which I enjoyed doing. I was definitely not working--I was playing! My favorite way to create!

Now I would like to offer you a list of the items I received and their item numbers, to make it convenient for you if you wish to go to Nina Designs and make something like this!

The bronze components! They truly looked fabulous in every way to me!   I believe Nina will have a great hit with these, as many of the items are also offered in other metal colors as well as the bronze. But as for bronze, we all know that this wonderful metal provides a great way to be able to spend less and get the most for your money!

Here is what I received to work with:

VNA 851 Bronze Butterfly Wing Pendant
VNA 751 Bronze Bird on a Perch Charm

VNA 815 Bronze Leaf Charm
VNAC657 Bronze Tulip Hook & Eye Crimp Clasp

( a petite and completely lovely set I chose not to use--If I had made a necklace I might have used the suede in one piece, cut to necklace size, and it would have fit this clasp very nicely) VNTC68 Bronze Toggle Clasp ( another lovely set which I have used in other colors of metal from Nina Designs previously, but was fixating on my suede clasp!)

VNT2197 1 PR Bronze Hook Earring with Hammer Finish on Front : this amazing style has always been one of my favorites! Glad to see it in bronze--it is glorious!

Note: many of these items are available in other metals as I said. It is really worth your while to check out the site to see.

Additionally, when I got my package from the site, the sweet Juanita (who works for Nina Designs) wrote: "All of these components are SOLID BRONZE-Except the leather that is"!

I would not make the following observation if it were not true: I thought I was working with gold, plated over bronze. I had to double check the item numbers before I believed I got straight bronze! It totally shimmers!

That is how fine these pieces are. There are FAQS on how to care for your bronze on the site. This is great, as well. Very helpful.

The suede I received is item :UL720 and is actually Deer Hide Leather Cord, Caramel. Sold in 12 ft bundles, 2 mm wide, approximately 1 mm thick.  So it is no wonder I thought that is was so soft. It is what we are all familiar with in the beautiful moccasins some of us love to wear so much. It has a smooth side and a rough side.

I was SO happy to have the lovely butterfly wing for the bracelet as a fabulous centerpiece focal charm. It was also cool to be able to make earrings which go together in sensibility but which are not exactly "the same". A little bird charm, and a tiny leaf on pretty, pretty ear wires. Makes sense to me! It all goes together in a very earthy manner, but chic as well.

Above:
from a different angle:

I really like the butterfly wing, as you can tell it is a Monarch butterfly. Or so it appears, to me.

Also, I have a "thing about negative space".  All of these charms employ it so very well.

In my book, I quote my mother, who used to teach flower arranging. She always taught her students that when you arrange flowers, you should place your flowers in your arrangements leaving enough space so that "a butterfly could easily fly though", in and out.  Just as in nature. That is one very beautiful way to explain what negative space is, and how important it can be to making something pretty.--jean, with thanks to Nina Designs!

The materials above were provided as part of the Nina Designs blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company.