Ramblings

Thanks to for all the well wishes, of course the Arts & Jazz Festival was great! I can get stressed about the little stuff. This is the first time I have exhibited at a show where there are live bands. And I'll just say it made for a fabulous weekend! Great music, food, drink, and I meet lots of new people.

After the show, I headed north to PA for a relaxing week. We have a lot to cram in these last few weeks of summer. However, there is another show looming, so I had to set a goal for myself. If I can squeeze in at least 2 hours a day in the studio...can it be done?...we'll see.

At any rate, take a peek at the last couple pieces I managed to get finished before last weekends art festival.

Hopefully this weekend I can persevere through the heat and keep my goal...studio time.

Have a great weekend!

New at the Artful Bean

Take a peek at some of the new pieces that are displayed at The Artful Bean, a local art gallery/coffee shop. Quite a few pieces that were there found new homes over Memorial Day weekend, so these pieces have been added to fill in the gap.

Silver Lining

Scrambler

Dots

Dancing Moonlight

Time Flies

Where does it go? It's been a whirlwind of activity! The spring is such a hectic time. Softball begins, tis the season for art shows, school hosts lots of events in the spring in preparation for the end of the school year, hubby is super busy at work, and then there are my normal day to day activities. Shew! However, while being pulled in 20 different directions I have managed to create.

Ring Around the Rosey

Horizon - Textured Sterling Discs

Clear Blue

Hopefully the next post will not be SO far in the distant future. Have a great week!

More Goodies from Artbeads.com

It seems like a long time ago now, but way back in the beginning of December, some beautifully packaged silver arrived from Artbeads.com. As part of the Artbeads.com blogging community, I had an opportunity to choose from their wide array of Bali Silver and Hill Tribe Silver components. I was so excited about receiving the components I had chosen. When I opened the package....what to my wondering eye should appear, but bodaciously beautiful, ornate Bali components. Wow! They were so lovely and the box bead so BIG! That blew my sketches right out of the water! When ordering, I think about what kind of design I want to create with the components so that when they arrive, half the work is already done. The box bead was destine for a bracelet until I laid my eyes on it. I felt like it sat up too high for the bracelet I had planned. So I quickly got to work on another sketch and I totally love how the pieces turned out!

And be sure to check out Artbeads.com, they are having a 10th Anniversary Sale. Save 25% off ten of their most popular jewelry categories. To take advantage enter code SCW25P-10A during checkout...but hurry...sale ends 9am, Jan. 12.

Icy Path Necklace

The Large Ornate Box Bead was used as the focal bead in this necklace. It is knotted onto black cord and embellished with my handmade beaded tendrils. This necklace is also unique because the length is adjustable. The ring is large enough so that the clasp can slip through and hook to the opposite side if you wanted to wear the necklace shorter. I love a versatile necklace, get more bang for your buck!

Icy Paths Earrings

The Hill Tribe Hammered Cones are an excellent focal for these earrings. The tendrils really fill these cones out and the hammered texture compliments the hammered clasp and ring in the necklace.

Dark Skies Necklace

I guess I was hung up on black when working on these pieces. This necklace is designed for the Bali Square Beaded Toggle Clasp and the Bali Large Bicone Bead with Granulation to be worn adjacent each other, resting on the collar bone. This necklace has a lot of texture and both of these beads add Wow Factor. Again this necklace could be worn two different ways. Either the loops or the single strand can be worn in the front.

Look for these piece to hit my Etsy shop tomorrow. I'm hoping to work on a few more pieces this week. I'm so excited to get back to my passion, I didn't realize how much I missed it:)

The legal mumbo jumbo...these products were received free of charge from Artbeads.com, the products have been honestly reviewed and I have not been paid for endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Some New Stuff...

I've been a busy little bee...getting new pieces ready for the upcoming Holiday Shows. I have neglected my house and focused all my attention on making jewelry and taking care of my children's needs, of course.

Cirque de Soleil - Sterling Wirework & Lampwork Bracelet

Also, lately I have been doing a lot more piece with copper wire. I really like the looks of it especially for the fall and winter months. Because it's inexpensive, I don't feel so bad when I have waste...such as when I make a irreversible mistake. Oops! And, the show that I did a couple of weeks ago people were steady asking for pieces made with copper. In fact, I sold ALL the pieces I had brought with me that were copper. To be quite frank I was stunned...in the past I rarely sold any copper pieces.

Dream - Oxidized Stamped Copper Bracelet

Months ago I purchased additional supplies so that I could embark on making stamped jewelry. However, I didn't initially have success and quickly became frustrated. Hence, the stamps got pushed to the back of the drawer and quickly forgotten about. But, I still drool over some of the stamped necklaces and bracelets, therefore giving the stamps a second try...and I'm happy to say that the persistence has paid off. I am really happy with the looks of the stamping on this bracelet. It still needs improvement but with a little more practice it should get better.

And just when I couldn't be any busier I made this necklace. It was inspired by Sally Stevens necklace that appeared in the Summer issue of Step by Step Wire. I totally LOVE it... I made it so that it can be worn long or I can wrap the chain twice and wear it short. So...I'm gonna keep it for myself! Not to mention orange and red are my favorite colors.

New Designs

As promised here are a few of my latest designs. I will be listing these in my Etsy shop shortly.