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?

Handmade Business Success Tips!

I am always looking for ways to improve on my art, my marketing, working my business and so much more. I scour the interwebs, go to meet ups, talk to other business owners, hit the book stores, you get it.

Found this article on twitter, and added to my bookmarks to come back to it again and again as reference. I wanted to share it with you too!


I try my best to not gloss over articles, because I think, "Been there, done that". Each author has a different perspective of the way business has worked for them, and for others, and it is worth a look.

10 Essentials For Handmade Business Success is the article I just read. Topics like - "Develop consistent systems" or "Toot your horn" that make great points. But my favorite is "Find time for fitness". I love how this is not only focused on the business aspects,  but on you as well! You are the business, you as a person. Fitness is as important for your body as marketing is for sales. Think about it.

Give it a look see if you get some time. I hope it has point of interest that will help you become more of a success than what you are now!

Clusters, Clusters, CLUSTERS!!!!

I can't stop with the clusters. I am in love with them!

Each time you look at them, you find something new.

Each time you move, there is a tiny rustle from the beads. Like a tiny whisper - we are here!! Puts a confident spring in your step.

Solid colors, or color combinations, the list goes on and on. I think I may have found my niche :)

Faceted Fancy Jasper in a New Autumn Necklace

The weather has been glorious the past few days. Really putting me in the mood for fall.

I grabbed that fall muse by the hand and ran down the path of creativity giggling all the way. I have been very happy with myself the past few days, being able  to find time to create more jewelry and get it posted online.

This one is really a favorite of what I have been doing. These stones together have a beautiful offering of peace and gentleness. TTiny faceted fancy jasper beads are the accent to the piece, with a rose colored ceramic pendant. I added the tree agate, because summer is not yet over, and there is still plenty of green to be had. It is a nice splash of color, just like what is in my yard, and the fancy jasper is the leaves that have just started to fall, and are scattered around.

Notice how there are three seed beads between each of the stones, expect for in one spot. I do this intentionally. It is a signature so to speak. Yes there is a pattern, but everyonceinawhile, I like to mess it up, to remind myself, I am not perfect. I still have so much to learn and so much to do - if I was perfect, what else would there be?

Do you have a signature or message that you put into your designs, something that is a little bit of you?