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Thursday, January 31, 2013

What's on my Work Table


My work table has been busy.
I've been making silverware necklaces to replenish what I have sold.  
I love making them but lately have been having trouble finding old 
silverware to re-purpose that is not priced at antique shop prices.

These are a few of the latest

What have you been up too?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Do your family and friends look at you funny?

They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.  I think it must be true.  The first time I remember a friend looking at me funny was about 15 years ago. We were in a fabric store and on the counter was a little bowl with the most precious tiny lace appliques that would be perfect for my project.  At 10¢ a piece I was in Heaven!  At first I just got the, what is she doing stare and then the have you lost your mind look!  But that's OK!

Since I started making jewelry, they have all become used to me searching for lost treasures. Be it a single earring, a bit of chain, a butterfly wing or something broken, it might be just the perfect thing!  Now they are interested in helping find that unique item too.

We all have our treasures, some harder to explain than others.

Have you had this happen to you?  
What was the treasure?

I would love to hear your story.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A Necklace for my Sister!

When my sister, Judy asked that I make a pink necklace for her, my first thought was but I don't have anything pink to use.
I began looking through my stash to see what I could come up with.  Not many pink beads to choose from-but there was one orphan clip on earring. Surprise! It was pink and bling and I do love my bling.  I knew this had to become the focal.

Earring
I usually pull out all the possible items I might use and begin to audition them on my bead pad. Freshwater pearls, rhinestone roundels,  Czech glass pink beads, vintage crystal beads from our grandmother's necklace and four larger pink beads from the first beading class I ever took were included in the final mix.  The design seems to have a mind of  its own and begins to take shape.  As I begin to put it together, it might  take a different turn and end up entirely different than the way I had first envisioned.  I love wire wrapping and using bronze wire.  These have become a staple in most of my designs.  I begin by wrapping a few of the beads and most time the focal is the last to be added. 
After playing for a while this was what I came up with. 
She loved the necklace and I got a surprise!  
When she originally gave me the earring, she said that she had found it and thought I might be able to use it in something.  When I told her it was the earring that she had given me, she said that it had belonged to our mother.  How nice that it made its way to Judy's necklace.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Published!

One of my goals for 2012 was to have my jewelry published.  So in July I finally got my nerve up and sent three pieces in for consideration.  It was hard to put myself out there and take a chance. Everyday, I was expecting to see my pieces returned.

So I was very surprised one night in September-I received three emails-all from Beth Livesay, Editor of Jewelry AffaireCan I say I was nervous to open them?  You bet I was!  WOW! All three pieces were to be published! The first to appear in January 2013 and the other two in April 2013.  I could not wait to share the news.  I was home by myself and to my dismay it was 8:30 at night. Too late to call anyone! So it had to wait.

 The magazine is here and I am so proud and happy-Validation!

"Puttin' on the Ritz"
Go for it!