Treasures of the Earth Gem Show Haul!!!!

Copper Wire Wrapped Cuff - Inspired by Swirled Fudge!

Poking my way thru some awesome images at Pixabay - (an awesome public domain image site where the posters allow you use their images! ) one afternoon last week, I found this:

This was posted by Shirley of whom I became a fast fan.
I immediately slobbered on myself, because - I am REALLY watching what I eat. (not a diet - i don't believe in them - a life change. 6 lbs so far!)

I got lost in this image - maybe because I was craving something sweet. It became a birds eye view of a map, houses, hilltops, river beds, lakes, I wanted to go there. What would I wear if I went there? (this is how my mind works) Something just as delicious of course!

I let this image which had already taken me to someplace wonderful, take me by the hand, and lead me further into my creativity.


Then this popped up in my head. I RAN to my work table and started sorting thru beads and wire. I couldn't get this finished fast enuff. I was afraid the creativity would melt away like chocolate on a hot summer day, and I would never get it finished

 It's a creamy, dreamy, chocolate cuff of stoneware and ceramic, with a touch of swarovski crystals.

Thanks for going on this trip with me. Inspiration can come from many places.  Where does yours come from?

Trunk Show - April 25th, 2011

Having another trunk show in a couple of weeks - am nervous as all get out.
Any suggestions from your trunk shows that made them a success or mebbe what you would have done differently?

Packed full of crystals - Wire wrapped cuff

I made this over the weekend during my down time at the market. I will admit, I am in love with the free form wire wrapped cuffs. The designs are limitless.




This one is uber random and packed. It is so busy, you can look at it for hours.



I have this love affair with copper to the point, I believe I could walk away from sliver all together and not look back. I have so many ideas in my head for more of these cuffs. Colors, themes, simple and extreme, I could just make these exclusively. Hrm...should I use the wire wrapped cuffs and pendants as my calling card? Should I market these items more and use the other pieces as filler? Would I be limiting myself as an artist to focus on one design, or would I be challenging myself to better the design?

So many questions.....

Copper and dyed crazy lace agate pendant

If I had to choose just one thing to make, it would be pendants. As much as I love the big bulky necklaces, I have the best time making pendants.

Blue dyed lace agate coin is the focal and I have added in the wraps, a fresh water pearl, citrine, lepidolite, crystals and a jasper fan. This one is all about harmony and balance.



Leigh says it reminds her of a treasure hunt, or an artifact from something like an Indiana Jones movie. What does it remind you of?

Fun bracelet with spring dangles!

Remember the chain bracelets I got last week? I got to play around with them and have come up with a couple designs.

This is the Springtime Anytime bracelet






These are fun vintage pearl buttons around the bracelet and I have added Czech cubes, swarovski crystals, daisy glass beads and a fresh water pearl.

I have worked up an autumn one, and I have two more bracelets left. I think I will do one for each season!

Bead Trends deadline for submission is tomorrow, with categories of bracelets and dangles...I am gonna submit!

Stay tuned!

Fun Finds on Vacation

While on vacation I picked up a couple fancy jasper arrowheads to wrap. My brother picked up one as well. This morning before we took him to the air port I made him this.






It is his fancy jasper arrowhead along with a couple of fancy jasper beads I had and accented with sterling. He is wearing it right now!




we went to a great little rock shop while we were out running around, and I picked up these crystals, a nice cube of calcite, a tourmalated quartz point and a piece of unpolished sodalite. Can't wait to wrap them crystals!!!

I need a few days sleep to re coop from vacation, will see you all on monday!!

Commissioned piece - Sugilite

My friend Vanessa gave me two donuts - one for me, one for her.

She had seen my Green Man necklace and wanted something similar but with a donut. She called these Pink Sugilite. I have never heard of it and was thrilled. I have done days of searching to find out more information and wanted to share it with you.

While searching for sugilite I only found the classic purples that we all know and love, it wasn't till I did a search for lavulite, another name for sugilite, did I find examples like the donuts pictured.

Sugilite or Lavulite is a beautiful stone and a fairly recent find in the gemstone world. Named after Ken-ichi Sugi, the discoverer of the gem, sugilite was introduced in 1944. Found on Iwagi Islet in Japan, it has since been found in Canada, Africa, Australia, Italy and India.


Most of us know it like this with it's beautiful opaque waxy luster and hues that range from a pale grayish lavender to a deep dark purple. I myself perfer the darker shades, which is probably why when I was first introduced to sugilite, I got it confused with charoite all the time. Has that ever happened to you?

I had to get the researching out of my way so I could concentrate on her necklace design. Here is how it turned out.














I added the silver bells I got from Rings & Things to give it a whimsical feel, along with garnet heishi cut beads and black crystals.

It is a fun and simple design so not to draw away from that beautiful focal.

Finding Inspiration - Creating for the model

We've all had em. Those lows. Those valleys where creativity refuses to dwell. Hitting those lows, leaves me hoping for any sliver of inspiration to needle it's way into the folds of my brain and create the spark that ignites creativity once more. Sometimes - it never comes.

Recently I was in this pre-dic-a-mint. While making jewelry for the Awakening C.H.A.N.G.E. Runway Revolution, I was at a stand still. A vapor lock. I didn't know what to do. I was makeing pieces for specific individuals, I honestly didn't know much about. I was desperatetly trying to get a feel for this person and wasn't connecting.

Of course I had heard of them, but that was about as far as it got. I didn't know anything about their lives, their impacts -only that two had movies made about them, neither of which I have seen.

So I began the trusty google search. I looked for pictures and articles about these women to get a better feel for them. Who am I talking about?

Frida Kahlo
Eva Peron
Nina Simone

It wasn't long before I started to get mental images of jewelry that I could make. The hunt began for components that I may have laying around, or would it require a trip to Michales. I ended up having to go to Michaels for alot of the stuff because I didnt' have time to make any online orders. Out of this process of research I came up with three distinct styles. These styles could easily be incorporated into my designs, and I could start collections named after these women.

All with a little research, and looking for inspiraiton.

Here is what I came up with to represent these women.

Frieda - Global Nomad Base metal focal, 20 mm natural wood beads, 3/0 red toho accent strand, all from Michaels Arts and Crafts







Eva - Re purposed pearl necklace, 8mm facted Czech crystals, Jill MacKay earrings for the focals, I used them as connectors (from Michaels)





Earrings - Jill MacKay from Michaels




Nina - Re purposed wooden necklace pieces. Wire wrapped tops, loaded with pearls from Sedona Stones



What lengths do you go to for your inspiraiton?

Rings & Things blogger challenge - Sterling connector

Ever have one of those e-pif-anys when you are working on a project and the answer just comes. The heavens part and a single sun beam lights up the world around you, and you know what you need to do.

I was working on the Summer Breeze necklace, all my 'ingredients' scattered out in front of me, along with the other July blogger challenge packets, and that is when it happened. Everyonceinawhile I would look up from what I was doing and look at the packets, sigh and go back to work - nuthun - no inspiration. After about the 20th time looking up, it hit me, plain as day!

Mentally I smacked my forehead, out loud I sed - "Well Duh!, how could you not have thought of this!" I put down Summer Breeze and started to work before my muse got mad and left me again. She is a fickle one in the summer.

Here is what I used -

24 ga sterling wire

Connector, Sterling Silver, Pointed, 39mm, 2 Loop (Limited Stock) (Sterling Silver)

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Topaz/ Aurora Borealis)

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Montana/ Aurora Borealis)

Bead, Glass, Firepolish, Round, 4mm (Assorted)

Bead, Cast, Turkish Style, 4mm (Antiqued Silver)

Bead, Metal, Spacer, Coil (Silver Plated)

Clasp, Sterling Silver, Lobster (Sterling Silver)

Chain, Footage, Flattened Drawn Cable, 4.8mm (Silver Plated)

Cord End, Suede, Fold-Over (Silver Plated)

Rattail™, Standard (Size #1 Weight) (Black) (Remember this from a thousand challenges ago, I finally used it!)


Here she is kids - My Heart over Montana

Rings & Things blogger challenge - July *bong*

That title makes me think of Law & Order. I said it in my head with my mocking announcer voice and magically I heard the *bong* from Law & Order.

Wonder what that means???? Mebbe I should turn my head from side to side to view the piece so I get a better understanding of what it is I am trying to convey.

I looked and looked at the Gold Filled Connector. Turned it over in my fingers absent mindedly trying to think of how to use it, but not to it's full capacity. Give it new meaning and new life outside of what it is intended.

*think* *think*

Nothing.

I set it off to the side and began and clean and organize my workspace. I am the worlds worst at keeping organized. One thing I have found is when I have no inspiration, when I clean it helps. The other thing that motivates me to clean is we are going out of town for a few days this week. We are going back to NY to visit with family and friends. I am so excited I just pee'd my pants! I haven't been 'home' in over two years and I am on pins and needles wanting to get up there. I wanted to make something new and fun to wear while I was up there and thought if I cleaned up a little, I would get that inspiration to hunker down and get to work. Normally when I go thru and regroup and re categorize my things, I always stumble upon something that makes me say - "Oh wow, I forgot about you!"

As was the case this morning. As I was cleaning I found a washer. One of those little things I find while out walking that I tuck away for a rainy day. As soon as I touched it, the cleaning stopped and the work began. I dug out my wire, and a couple crystals and this was the outcome -

High Voltage





Here is what I used:
Connector, Gold Filled, Round, 34mm, 4 Loop (Closeout) (Gold Filled) - Rings & Things

Wire, ColourCraft®, 20g, 15yd (Black) - Rings & Things


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal AB - Art Beads

I threw it on a ribbon and called it done.

For part two of the blogger challenge, I feel I copped out a bit with these, but I wanted something new, simple, and versatile. These are great for running around, and for going out to dinner. Jeans and Silk, know what I mean :)





Here's what I used:

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Topaz/ Aurora Borealis) Rings & Things

Filigree, Tower (Antiqued Copper Plated) Rings & Things


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads

There is 2 down and a few more to go. Still have so many ideas knocking around, can't wait to use the pouch of beads!!! Designer Beads!! That makes me a designer!!

Ok Kids - off to do a days work!

My Matisse

A couple of days ago I posted about the pendant I had received as part of the blogger group outreach from ArtBeads. I had been given several jewelry supply categories to choose from, and when I saw this bead, I knew what I had to do. The bead I had chosen was the 30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude from the Artist Masterpiece Pendants - Russian Pendant collection. When I got home from work last nite I sat down and got to work.

I already had the design in my head, all I needed to do was put it together.

Here is what I used.

30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude - ArtBeads
White jade roundells - Sedona Stones
Faceted black crystal roundells - Firemountain Gems
Lapis roundells - O'Mega Gems
6mm blackstone - Firemountain Gems
Silver plated Oval Link Chain - ArtBeads
Silver plated 3 Strand + 3 Link Chain - ArtBeads

The pendant is stunning, I can't stress enough how wonderful it is.

The 3 strand +3 Link chain however beautiful it is, will work your patience. The three small strands between the triple links has a tendency to bunch up and knot. I have now dubbed it the diva chain. It is beautiful and knows it, and will make you work for it.

The oval link chain, I have to admit, I am a bit disappointed in. It doesn't have that beautiful finish like on the diva chain. It is not as smooth and shiney as I had hoped. It almost has an 'orange peel' appearance to it. Will it stop me from buying it again? I doubt it.

And here she is kids - My Matisse!

I love working with multi-strands. I love the busy look. I think I captured a fun multilayer look w/o taking away from the focal.




I changed up the 3 link + 3 strand chain a bit at the focal. I snipped out the middle link and added a triple stack of the faceted crystals on a hand wound link.







I do love her!

Rings & Things blogger challenge - Hammered Oval Cable (Gunmetal)

This was another one that fell in my lap. I had been thinking about the cable chain in the blogger challenge pack from Rings & Things for a while, wanting to incorporate it into a piece and make it work as part of the focal.

*think* *think*

I was a bit mixed about the chain, not due to the quality or the design, was very lovely in that respect. I was mixed because the links were closed. So to remove a link, say to make a matching pair of earrings, I was forced to damage 2 links in the process. If I had not wanted to make the earrings, then I would have been set :) Just a bit fickle sometimes.

I removed two links and set aside for earrings, and then thought about what can I do with the now opened links.


*think* *think*

Oh, Ok, I know - I will scrub the finish off of them - they flake if bent too much, and make earrings from these too......more to come on this one....

Ok back to the project. Now I have my chain links and what am I going to do with them.
Grabbed some fun warm colors to incorporate, and let the fun begin.



Here is what happened with morning while drinking coffee and listening to Andreas Vollenweider






And the earrings to go with them



and i am wearing it today :)

That duck has taken wing

Remember that duck? That depressed duck? I'll refresh your memory -



These little guys came out of a glueable challenge from Rings & Things. It was a happy mistake and I was sure I would find use for them later. Well as luck would have it, I did.

I toss and turn alot in my sleep thinking, planning, plotting the next day and the next project. Alot of my ideas come to me as I dream, and I wake up and jot them down, or I just get up and start to work. I was mulling over these damn'd buttons, obsessing. There were'nt sturdy enuff to be a real button, they would have been cute as an accent button on a purse, hat or corner of a skirt, but it wasn't right, something wasn't right with my thought process.

Stay away from the button...

Then it hit me - the ducks take flight, and their feathers ruffel in the breeze. hrm... *think* *think* I don't have any feathers. This doesn't look like a real duck tho - so it don't have to look like real feathers, it just needs to represent a movement....hrm.....*think* *think*


*snap*


Taken Flight -



I tied the buttons on with waxed linen cord and tied on several pieces of the cord between the buttons and knotted a crystal onto the end of each.







I tied the two ends thru the last button and used it as the 'clasp'. It is a pull it over your head type necklace. I have work it with a black crew neck and blue skirt.....it is really cute!!!!!