It's An Eye Candy Kinda Day

I've spent the morning listing a few new bracelets to my Etsy store, and it's been a while since I shared recent works here on my blog...so.....

Hammered & patinaed vintage spoon bowl cuff bracelet

Upcycled silverware spoon handle bracelet featuring an artisan cupcake lampwork bead

Ok...this is sort of a joke in our family.  Every single show, someone asks if I make western themed jewelry...so here you go...now I can say I do! :)

These hand stamped spoon bowl bracelets are quickly becoming my favorite.  We always sell

all that we bring to shows...down to the one I'm wearing for the day!

I'm not giving up on summer!  

Vintage beaded pearl charm...love this!

And of course I've done cancer awareness bracelets!

From my favorite poem by E.E. Cummings

"Paint the town red" stamped spoon bowl bracelet

And finally, a few of the new components I've started creating.

Whew...listing is almost as demanding as art shows!  All of the above (and more) can be found on our Etsy store HERE

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!  I'm off to enjoy the 80 degree temperatures we're having today!

It Was Just One of Those Days...

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....you know, the kind where you should've just stayed in bed?  Yep, that about sums up yesterday's show.  Don't get me wrong, we did well, and I love venturing to new shows, and meeting new people, but everything went wrong...and I mean EVERYTHING...to the point that it would have been hilarious any other day...

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I wake up early...3 a.m. early, but I was ready to go...feeling good about EVERYTHING...that's what I get  for being so cocky! :)  We had a great spot...on the corner, in front of an awesome historic home renovated into The Lake House Restaurant.  So, you're wondering what went wrong?

Well, as quaint as the town of Clarksville, VA is...I failed to take into account possible gale force winds...ok maybe not gale force, but damn close!!

Now, Virginia isn't usually chilly in October...but of course yesterday was freezing and windy!  Because we had to set up in the parallel parking spaces, we had nothing to stake our tent or sides to.  I really wasn't worried, as we have it weighted down pretty well...or so I thought!  Three of us finally got the sides up without getting blown in to the land of Oz, and began setting up.  By this time, I can't feel my hands, and because I'm vain and wanted to look cute...it's not like I brought gloves, wrist warmers, or anything remotely warm!  Dear, sweet, husband walked over to grab me a cup of coffee that I could soak my hand in drink to warm up a little before the crowds flocked.

Disaster #1 for the day?  Our sign easel was blown down the street...in pieces, I might add!

I think it can be repaired.  Actual easel is history, but I think even though the frame is in pieces, it broke at the corners, and came off of the backing.  The actual banner has a few scuffs, but it will survive.  I will not mention how badly a brad through the finger felt later in the day when I picked it up to load back in the van.

Granted, it really doesn't have much weight to it, but it's never been a problem at outdoor show before.  Oh well, I wasn't going to let one hiccup ruin my day before it started!

Day was going beautifully, and had quite a few interesting conversations with customers (my husband says I always attract the "colorful" people wherever I go) but I was constantly on guard, as they left the street open (first I've ever seen where that's done) and I was afraid I was going to get sideswiped a couple of times.

Wind was a problem all day.  Just little things, such as knocked over display busts, etc...nothing major.

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2 p.m.:  Enter gale force winds!  Seriously, It was everything all 3 of us could do to hold on to the tent so that it wouldn't blow into the street and hit cars driving down the road.  I know my tent is cheap crap, but due to four children who think they need to eat three times a day...and every day at that :) ...it's not in the budget right now, so I'll forge on with what I have!

2:30 p.m.:  The good Lord gave me a sign that it was time to pack up before we killed some poor unsuspecting soul with our para sailing tent, when this also took a loss on to the sidewalk...

Our "new" (2nd time out) earring display.  We upcycled a cracked and needing love oval window frame from a Habit For Humanity resale store, and we worked our butts off to put this together.  The easel my husband made and then the oval is screwed to the easel.  I guess it weighs at least 50 + lbs...it's MASSIVE!

Anyway...down it went, earrings to the sidewalk, and we hurried over to access the damage...it wasn't pretty!  I'm not a crier, but I was tempted when I saw that a lot of the more detailed pairs were broken....beyond repair, and I literally had to turn and walk away when I saw that the only artisan lampwork I've ever owned were broken.  I was able to salvage 2 of the best (still chipped) matching beads that I can wear myself.

Here are the victims in their splendid glory:

Both from Modern Trails on Etsy

Again, the damage to the display can be repaired, so it's not a total loss.  But, needless to say, we totally broke down and came home after the sign from above...chapped lips, frozen fingers, windburned skin and all! :)

In the long run, I'll look back on this particular show and laugh...in fact, I can almost chuckle about it now...I'm sad that some of my work was lost, but A LOT of it found new, well-loved homes before the catastrophe!

**Pssttt...my oldest is out for the evening and I snagged her laptop so I could post photos to make me feel a little better!

Thinking Aloud....

Just a thought...

1.  As much as I LOVE designing  & making jewelry, I'm debating on starting an Etsy shop with bead sets & components.  The Blog Hop really opened my eyes to how diverse jewelry design can be, and my partner Tari, of Clay Buttons, proved that what I thought were "dainty" beads can really be turned into anything!!  Just take a look:

Pictures of Tari Sasser's work from the Bead Soup I sent her...amazing!!

Of course I'll still be a regular at shows, and hopefully soon, I can find a reliable, affordable site host to boot!  There's so much to work out like pricing (DEFINITELY not my strong point), set sizes, did I mention pricing? :) 

Any suggestions, advice...and slaps in the face are more than welcome!!

I've Led A Sheltered Life

I realized some time ago, that I've never worked with lampwork beads...well other than the mass produced "generic" versions at the beginning of my beading journey...and they proved to be not so fun to work with.  I know, I know, I've committed a cardinal sin in the bead realm!

Since, I've drooled for hours at the gorgeous artisan glass, but never bit the bullet...nor could I even begin to make a decision on which to try out...until last night.  There are SO many talented "torchers" out there, that I really had no clue where to even start...so I let my eyes make the decision for me.

Here's my small purchase that I can't wait to receive:

Are these not amazing??  They remind me of wintry tutus.  Can't wait!

Snatched up these as well...I mean, how could I not?

Both were purchased from Modern Trails on Etsy.  Beautiful!!!  I left plenty of her mesmerizing work for everyone else...although I was tempted!  Now, I'll be watching the darn mailbox and stalking the mailman til they arrive...I have a one track mind like that!

Bead Soup Partner

This year I'm participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party Blog Hop.  I'm excited, to say the least.  I received my "bead partner" via email, and about broke my neck to check out her blog.  Enter apprehension...



Tari of Creative Impressions in Clay is more than accomplished!!  Her work is full of color and whimsical!  Just take a look:

Told ya!  You can browse her funky selection HERE.

I finally got Tari's soup out in the mail yesterday.  I made my mix weeks ago, but due to an unforeseen road block with the school system (that's a whole other blog post) I had my plate quite full!!

Anyway....here's "the goods!!!"

 

On Gilded Wings

What a dreary Monday morning.  Rainy, bleak, house full of girls, not feeling especially creative...need I say more?

Then, I heard the familiar sound of more than envelopes being put in the mailbox (it's a gift...or I order too much online!)  So I high tailed myself out to investigate....and look what found it's way to me...

Nothing like a little shimmer to brighten your Monday morning!  These interesting beauties are gold silk worm cocoons from Larkspur Funny Farm on Etsy. 

Of course, I had to play with these immediately!  How could I resist? 

On Gilded Wings earrings.  My own polymer clay lentils wrapped with golden silk cocoon, with brass textured beads, copper findings and a trio of "grungy" pearls.

And the start of a necklace (which is rare for me, as I tend not to create "matchy" pieces.)

That's all I had time for before the gaggle of girls demanded my attention!  I also ordered some hand dyed silk cocoons & silk rods...so stay tuned!

You can also check out Larkspur's Blog...Grace was awesome to work with...and has the best name ever!!





First Day of Summer...

Summer Soltice...Ahhh...Finally!!!  My favorite day of the year...where I can look forward to at least 3 good months of heat, sunshine and overall happiness!!

...And what did I create?  Well, falling leaves necklaces of course!  I'm a rebel like that!

A trio of yellow, taupe and burgundy domed leaf imprints.  Accented with raw copper hand wrapped beads on a copper neck wire.

I'm always under the philosophy "go big or go home" when it comes to jewelry.  So here we have a solitary large domed leaf imprint in jade green.  Green wooden rondelles and twisted closed jumps...on a stainless neck wire.



Enjoy the first day of summer...think I'll celebrate on the back deck with a bottle of blackberry wine tonight!

For Once...I Have Nothing to Say!

It's been quite awhile since I've picture shared...that, and I have absolutely nothing witty or exciting to share!

Leaves & berries necklace.  Polymer clay leaves with cerise turquoise rondelles.

Polymer clay sea urchins, with patina added.  Not exactly the vision I had created in my mind...but it works.  Copper wire balls also with a little patina thrown in for good measure.

This is what happens when our yard needs a good mowing...I wander around picking weeds to imprint.  Polymer clay hollow lentil & toggle with wood, brass & clay accents.

Still searching for the perfect urchin...Dark coral polymer clay with a wash of antique white and silver.

Organic aged & distressed, then accent painted.  Brass & polymer accents.

Shipwrecked.  Sea green urchins with gold coral, yellow & green jade, urchin stick, and bronze & creamy pearls.  Wire wrapped formed connectors (still getting the hang of wire wrapping).

Polymer and pearl bracelet.

Experimented with tri-colors.  Polymer focal and toggle with copper, green glass & chrysocolla beads.

Shipwrecked chandelier earrings.

So, there you have it!  A sampling of what occupies my time & thoughts these days.  I've been trying to branch out from my typical danity pieces, and loving it!!

A Little Mixing It Up Is Good For The Soul

I finally have gotten around to snapping a few pictures of my new work...kinda grungy, but I like them in gypsy-ish, woodsy kind of way!  Not my usual sort of work, but I like branching out, and attempting new ideas.  Granted, there are still kinks to be worked out...and they are time consuming...so...we'll see where this path takes me!

"Brass" polymer clay bee hollow medallion with brass chain and findings and mysterious aqua faceted stone (I have no clue what it is...I *think* it might be candy jade) and aqua shell spear dangle & robin's egg blue ceramic round charm.

Close up of the bee.  Many, many layers of patina...it started out as a grayish brown clay.

Honeycomb "brass" polymer clay lentil

Carved (completely by accident, as I was trying to shave of the roughness and my knife slipped & decided to go "whole hog" on it) clay toggle clasp.

Fleur De Lis pendant.  this one is still in the works...just not happy with the finished look of the necklace.  Hollow polymer clay "brass" lentil with teal cut glass and peach marble accents.

Closeup...it's missing something...I just can't put my finger on it yet...so it's hanging out (literally) in my view while I mull it over.

Stamped polymer toggle.  Aged & distressed.

Silver hollow polymer ginkgo pendant.  Pearl & Swarovski charms.

Carved & distressed toggle clasp.

So, while it's a far cry from a PMC finished piece...it'll occupy my creativity...for now!  And because I have an addictive personality, I just ordered 10+ patina colors!!