I'M SO EXCITED!!!! It's Jewelry Affaire Magazine

What am I so excited about???? 

The new issue of Jewelry Affaire magazine is out and my submission, Jazzymyn's Secret was selected for publication!  When I received an e-mail from Managing Editor, Beth Livesay that my necklace had been chosen, I wanted to jump up and down but I also had a feeling of accomplishment....that a goal had been attained.  Seeing your work and name in print in a premiere magazine was definitely an exciting event for me.  But don't get me wrong....I still have more goals to accomplish. 

 
For those of us that create jewelry (and there's so many mediums), any goal you set for yourself will help you grow and keep your creative spirit exciting!

Until then..........Happy Beading!

Il est Temps OR It's Time to Reveal!!!

Finding out who my Partner was............

Cynthia Tucker from Sea of Glass

(Please visit her blog)

The excitement of receiving my Bead Soup......

My Bead Soup from Cynthia Tucker
from Sea of Glass

Then..................

The creative results.............

Ocean View

The ocean colors of Cynthia's Lampwork Beads are breathtaking.  She knew I have a love affaire with the ocean and beach.  The turquoise shell-shaped beads add to this perfect ocean theme.  I don't  usually work with ribbon and the gorgeous hand-dyed silk ribbon created a challenge for me but it was oh so right for this necklace!

A piece of 14 gauge copper wire was loosely wrapped with 16 gauge copper wire. 
I attached some hand-stamped metal word charms and some beachy charms along with some czech glass daggers.
Two links from a chain were used to dangle more beachy charms and czech glass daggers.

BUT.............there's more
Beachy Goodness
(because Cynthia was so generous)

Lampwork beads with beachy charms and czech glass faceted rounds dangle from
links of copper tubing and 14 gauge wire that are attached to single links of copper chain.
Very Beachy!!!

The pièce de résistance.......
Two gorgeous seashell beads reflecting ocean waves

Holes going through the middle of the ocean created a challenge...I didn't want my ocean twirling so I fed 20 gauge copper wire through the holes twice.
Links from antiqued brass chain with small brass bead dangles complete these lovelies.

Please go to Pretty Things
the official Bead Soup Blog Party Site
for links to each participants blog.......
you won't want to miss a single one!!!!

Until then............Happy Beading!

About Life: 9/11 -- Never Forget

No words can fully describe that day 10 years ago......

So we are always grateful

On the path to healing

         

5 Gals and a Guy

I'm one of the 5 Gals.....all of us beading friends.  The Guy is mon husband.

The 5 Gals did a very fun show in Bend Oregon....the Pomegranate French Flea Market.  When the show started, a surprise visitor arrived....mon husband.  So, while we participated in the Flea Market, he took a walk and explored Bend, had lunch, and walked some more!

After the show, we planned dinner at the Pine Tavern and mon husband was now going to be joining us 5 Gals.  It was so nice of them to include him!

After dinner, mon husband could not find the car.....lost in Bend, Oregon?  How could that have happened?  Are you sure you can't remember?  What if it was stolen?

2 Gals had an idea.....take my key fob.  So, while mon husband and I walked through Bend in what he thought was the direction of the car, the 2 Gals started driving through Bend pressing the key fob in hopes of seeing some flashing lights and possibly a trunk opening!

The 2 Gals found the car and mon husband said, "I was going in the right direction!"  Of course all 5 Gals had fun with the whole incident for the rest of the evening!!!

It was great of him to show up at the French Flea Market and show his support but getting lost in Bend was more excitement than we expected.

Until then...............Happy Beading!

La Boîte. Il est arrivé!!!!! OR The Box....It Arrived!!!!!

In this case, pictures will tell more than a thousand words...well I did use some of my own words along with the pictures but not a thousand!!  Cynthia, thank you so much for such an awesome Bead Soup!

Enjoy!

Until then..........Happy Bead Soup Beading!

Mystified....A Bead Soup Blog Party Teaser

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words....but in this case, it doesn't say a whole heck of a lot.  What does it look like to you?  Could there really be bead soup in that swirling tornado of color?

I not only had fun putting Cynthia's bead soup together, I also had fun packaging it.  Hope Cynthia likes it all.

Coming up next.....Lost in Bend, Oregon or 5 gals and a guy!

Until then..............Happy Beading!

Is it Really Bead Soup Blog Party Time Again?

It's fun, it's challenging, it invites friendship, it provides a medium to promote your blog, and you get a really kewl surprise from your partner!

To find out more about the BSBP, go to Pretty Things.

My partner is Cynthia Tucker and she is a glass beadmaker and instructor.  Check out Cynthia's blog, Sea of Glass and her Etsy shop, Sea of Glass Lampwork.  You will find some amazing beads there.  Cynthia has many interests from quilting to vintage tea cups to egg coddlers....really!

It's time to put my bead soup ingredients together so I can simmer it awhile...

Until then.....Happy Beading!

Let's Talk Pearls.......

Pearls....they've been on my mind lately and I'm not sure why other than the fact that I love pearls and how fun they are to incorporate into my jewelry making.  I like to add a single pearl dangle onto my bracelets no matter what the style is.     

I'm in no way a pearl expert and knowing a little bit about them would really be to my advantage.  Do you buy certain pearls because you like their shape, their color, their size, or how they're drilled?  I thought I'd do a little reading-up on them and also share that information with you.  OK, there's a lot of information there....maybe more than you want or have time to read....pick one thing about pearls that you want to know more about and read on.

Coco and her Pearls

So Versatile

Pearls have evolved with Time

I love the way pearls go with just about everything.....dress them up or dress them down.  They look good with a sequined dress or a pair of jeans and a t-shirt!  Pearls have an elegance about them and in turn make the wearer very elegant! 


   Until then...........Happy Beading!

Vintage Costume Jewelry.....Is it Right or Wrong?

You've seen it....vintage costume jewelry and it's in absolutely perfect condition. No stones missing, no scratches in the metal, the clasp is intact....that kind of stuff.

A lot of jewelry artists are incorporating these pieces in their creations, just as I'm attempting to do.

So, my question is......do these vintage pieces have to be in perfect condition in order to sell your jewelry creation if they are only a part of the total design package?  Is part of the beauty of these pieces the fact that maybe they aren't so perfect?  Does it allow us to embellish these pieces in other ways that we might not have done if they were in perfect condition?

Maybe this topic isn't THAT important as not everyone that creates jewelry wants to incorporate vintage costume jewelry as part of their piece.

Picture Courtesy of 
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

So, what do you think?       



   Until then........Happy Beading!

A Handy Man

Watching an emtpy room transform into a beautiful new workspace was possible because of A Handy Man.  They say that a picture is worth a thousand words....or something like that.  So I think I'll let the pictures tell the story...

 

Until then............Happy Beading!!

Lonely No More

OK, I was feeling a little guilty about Margot not only having to fill the role as my Dream Assistant but not having a friend!  Displaying jewelry, travelling to shows, always having to look your best is a big responsibility.  Sometimes you just need someone you can lean on a little bit........

When I spotted Babette (she's on the left), I knew she'd be the perfect friend for Margot!!   I was a little nervous when I introduced her to Margot but they hit it off immediately!  Now Margot doesn't have to travel to shows or be on display by herself. 

They're both the perfect props for my jewelry and find that they both add interest to my display table at shows.

It was a match made in mannequin heaven!

   Until then..................Happy Beading!

Coming Up............

Can Margot really be happy by herself?  Did she really look her best in her debut appearance?

This and more about my Dream Assistant will be coming in a post very soon!

Until then...........Happy Beading!