Earrings

The weather is still really nice here, so I've been out in the shop more than usual. I've really been trying to pull out some beads that I'm not sure why I purchased!?! Not because I don't like them, I do, but they are colors that I struggle with. Namely pink, I just don't do pink. So with Valentine's Day around the corner, I went with pink and hearts.

These are the earrings that I created for the 52 Pairs of Earrings a Year group. The hearts are sawed out of sterling silver then textured. The hearts dangle beneath a wire wrapped pastel pink lampwork disc. The earrings are oxidized, which really makes them look so much nicer. I like the contrast in color, the light pink against the dark wire.

Tender Heart Oxidized Sterling Silver and Pink Lampwork Earrings

these will be in my Etsy shop later today

I'm still not digging all the pink beads I have, what was I thinking! (banging head again the table). But I'm happy with the outcome of these earrings!

Have a great weekend!

Just to Nice Not Too

Typically in January I like to "take off" from creating any new jewelry. You know, to catch up on house work that has been neglected since before the holidays, work on tax stuff, and in general to have a little down time with no deadlines or upcoming shows, plus it's usually freezing out in my shop. However, these last couple of days we have been experiencing some unseasonably warm temperatures. Today especially, 55 degrees and sunny! Just gorgeous for the end of January! I took this opportunity to get out in my shop, with the doors and windows open, to work on some new pieces. Today's outing was totally unplanned, there were not any sketches or ideas about what I wanted to start, and my bench was a complete disaster! I sat for a few minutes, completely uninspired. Then, I started to straighten up, and low and behold there were beads and links I had forgotten about and the clean up session quickly moved into a creation. Love it when that happens!

XOXO Chunky Sterling Silver & Lampwork Glass Bead Wire Bracelet

This isn't the bracelet that I worked on, but with Valentine's Day coming up thought I'd share it. Still need to photograph the bracelet from today. Hopefully soon.

So glad that I had the chance to go out and create with no pressure or feeling like I should be doing something else. How about you, do you like to create on a whim or do you like to have an idea in mind, even if it changes midstream? I'd love to know.

Earrings A Pair a Week

One thing I can't live without is earrings. There are some things I just don't do and running around without earrings is one of them. I even keep an extra pair in my car, just in case. So, they other evening on Kristi Bowman's blog, she showcased a pair of earrings that she had created for a Flickr group she joined, 52 Pairs of Earrings A Year. The group is open to anyone and the goal is to make more art - regularly, specifically earrings. This suits me perfectly! So I joined (a little late) and hope to post at least one pair of earrings a week.

My preference for earrings is something simple, all metal, not to big, not too small, a pair that I can put on with any outfit and just go. So this is my first pair for this year. They are in my Etsy shop, but these are just my style.

Full Moon - Shiny Sterling Silver Earrings

Looking forward to coming up with a new pair of earrings every week and seeing what everyone else does as well.

Want to join?

Good to Be Back

Dear! I can hardly believe it's been 2 whole months since my last post! And equally as long since I've checked in on any of the blogs that I follow, or don't follow, at this point. I know I've missed a lot, including signing up to participate in the BSBP, but hopefully I'll catch up in the next week or so.

There is no excuse for my absence except that there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. I kept busy through the holidays, but since then I've been doing a lot of reading and some crochet. I've also been trying to get some pieces listed in my Etsy shop, which has proved to be a little bit of a learning curve, to get noticed. At any rate, I'm excited to get back to blogging and following. I can't wait to see what you've been up to and share what I've been doing.

Business

The majority of today was spent attending to the business end of creating. That would be the part that I don't like...photographing, editing, tagging, and pricing my new pieces.

This week I've been spending some quality, not quantity, time in the workshop! I am a member of the Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour, which is a self guided tour of local artist studios, open the weekend of Thanksgiving. While, I'm feeling a little ill prepared...which always seems to be the case...I really want to present some pieces that I've created out of pure enjoyment, and not necessarily prepare for the masses. This means that some pieces are just a little different than what I usually create, but fabulous nonetheless.




I'm also trying to stay on top of adding a couple new items a week to my Etsy shop. This week it's earrings

Fly Free

Fairy Wings

I'm hoping that since I got all caught up today with the business end, that I can slip away this weekend and create a few more new pieces.

Have a great weekend!

Playing Catch Up

Can you believe it's November?!? I feel like I've lost days. Does anyone else have this same problem? I'm sure I'm not alone. Anyway, I wanted to share the bracelet that was published in the glossy pages of Bead Trends. Unfortunately, I'm a little late with this, as it was in October issue.

This bracelet was a last minute submission. Of course, it was made several months ago, and I wasn't working with any plan in mind. Just putting beads together and "playing" with the wire, trying to get out of a slump. I was super happy with the outcome of the bracelet! It reminded me of fall, dusk settling in with a big harvest moon peeking through the tree tops.

The bracelet was barely finished when it had to be sent away. So I was happy to see it arrive safely home and getting in back in the fall made me appreciate it even more.

Harvest Moon Rising - Oxidized Copper & Lampwork Wire Bracelet

available in my Etsy shop

Funny how I feel like some of my favorite work comes from times when there is no plan. What about you? Do you ever just grab beads and go with it? What's the outcome?

To Clean or Not To Clean

That is the question? I mean, can anybody really work in this mess?

Well, apparently I can...and very well, at that! Thank goodness this disarray doesn't carry over into my home.

It was a super productive day in the workshop. Before I started today, I set a goal for myself and a time limit...and ta da, success! I love it when everything works out so perfectly. And another little sign that all the planets were aligned today...I was getting ready to drill holes in these birds I sawed out, placing them side by side so as to mark the holes in about the same spot, a sign...do you see it?

I know it's upside down and all, but the wings form a heart! Love the little things!

Hope you had a great day also: )

Going to Market

These pretties are on their way to The Artful Bean, a local coffee house and gallery, that carries my work. These pieces along with a few more will be displayed for sale, while the ones that are there will come home for a nice bath in the tumbler and hopefully find their way to Etsy.

A First

A couple weeks ago, I posted that a fellow jewelry artist had referred one of her clients to me. The client had a shell, that held special meaning to her, from a trip to Hawaii. She wanted the shell set, so that she could wear it as a pendant. I was anxious to get to work on getting the shell pendant done, but at the same time I was nervous due to the fragile nature of the shell.

The pendant is finished with no problems...thank goodness, and I'm really happy with the outcome.

back

Unfortunately, I delivered the finished pendant to an empty porch. Due to both the client and I having busy schedules, we were unable to meet so that I could give her the pendant. I hope that she is as happy with the results as I am.

Have a great weekend!

I Got Sucked In

Typically I'm not one to really follow trends or the latest craze, but I fell into the latest feather frenzy. At the last art show, I was chit chatting and checking out my friend Dawn's newest jewelry creations, when a pair of earrings caught my eye.

The discs are dapped and enameled and she created a feather dangle with a spiral. Super cute...yes? They get lots of wear!

So I've been forced to eat my words, when I said that the feather "thing" is just nuts and I'll never "do" feathers. Never say never...

What I am a sucker for is handmade soap. I love this soap and I purchase several bars every year from Honey Bee Lake Apiaries.

It's made locally, using honey from her bees. Only problem is...I only see them at this art show and they don't have a website so when I'm out, it's for a long time : ( This year I was smart and got her phone number so I can replenish, amazing what happens when I use my head, LOL!

Purchases and getting to know other local artists is what I love about exhibiting in smaller shows. What about you? Do you prefer the bigger shows where there are a lot more attendees or smaller more intimate shows?