Something Sublime

Bead Show Booty

I took a day off and drove across town to the bead show.  After sitting in traffic caused by a fender bender, stopping for gas (all that sitting!), taking a wrong turn and ending up downtown instead of where I was supposed to be...I finally got back on track and arrived at the show.

I met up with my friend, Diane Cook, and her friend, Carrie and, oh....what goodies were in store for us!

This time around, I was looking for something interesting...something unique...something that makes my heart go "pitter-patter."

This Roman era glass pretty much did the trick!  When I spotted these unstrung pieces, all kinds of ideas began racing around in my head.

I've always had an affinity for glass...since my days working with stained glass.

I was told this glass is coming from areas in/around Afghanistan.  This iridescence comes from years of being buried in the ground.  My guy also had some wonderful, old trade beads, which I love.

These were traded amongst tribes that lived in Bali.  The turquoise was especially popular for them.  I like it too.

 

Faceted pearls are a favorite but they're usually pretty small in size.  When I spotted these incredible strings, in big, fat, raspberry rounds, I couldn't pass them up.

I picked up a few strands of beautiful baroque pearls, as well.  These have an incredible luster.  I could only get my bead trader to go down so far in price.  He insisted that he was obligated to take care, not only of his wife, but his "girlfriend"...who turned out to be his twelve year old daughter.   Needless to say, these put a dent in my budget!  It's nice to support a family man.

These stones were just too gorgeous to resist.  They're quartz with inclusions that look like moss.  The remind me of the inside of a geode.  I was in the process of spending every last dime when I ran into a few other friends...you know who you are (Jennifer, Melissa, CeCe)...who saved me from complete bankruptcy.  But, what a way to go!

Don't forget to check out my One World One Heart giveaway...here.

Crowned Gems In Las Vegas

I'm SO excited to be teaching my Crowned Gems class in Las Vegas, Feb. 21, at Art & Soul.  I'm coming a little late to the dance (it's less than a month away!) but, that's ok.  This funky "plant man" is a sample of what we'll be doing.

I'm happy to have the opportunity to meet some of you and spend some time getting to know you.  Even though I love blogging, there's nothing like seeing you in person.  Glenny has generously offered a discount on my class but, although registration will continue, the discount ends Feb. 1st...that's only a few days away!  I think this will be a very intimate, fun time of creating and I hope you can make it.  Click here for registration.

Preview Of A Valentine

What will you wear for Valentine's day?  Something red?

Or maybe something blue?  Something very old and rare?

Garnets?  Pearls? Kisses and hugs?  I'm adding things to my Etsy shop for your Valentine pleasure. 

Tell me how many beads there are
In a silver chain
Of evening rain,
  Unraveled from the tumbling main,
And threading the eye of a yellow star: -
So many times do I love again.
~Thomas Lovell Beddoes

One World One Heart

It's that time again!  Lisa Swifka, brave and intrepid creator of One World One Heart, is once again hosting this wonderful giveaway event.  It's a great way to connect with other bloggers from all over the world.

This year's theme is "Magic Carpet Ride." 

The idea here is for the larger community of bloggers to drop in on one another and visit...sort of like an open house.  To quote Lisa, "it's about finding kindred spirits."

So, it's more than a giveaway but the giveaway part is really fun!  In that spirit, I'm offering this as my giveaway item:

"Vintage Rose"

sterling, vintage brass flowers, vintage aurora borealis crystals, freshwater pearls

If you'd like a chance to win, please leave a comment to this post...only to this post and only one comment per person, please.  The event ends Feb. 15th so I'll be drawing a name and posting about it after that.  From past experience, I know there will be a lot of comments.  I always try to answer my blog comments individually but I won't be able to do that with WOWH.  Please know that I'm honored to have you here and treasure each one.  I'll be dropping in on your blogs, as well!

Last Of The CHA Jewelry

"Blue Moon"

By now, my Objects and Elements gals are at the big CHA winter trade show and having a wonderful time, I'm sure!  Make sure and stop by Susan's booth, 3708, if you can.

These are the last of the pieces I did for them to take to the show.  This one was inspired by our recent blue moon.  Did you know...presently, a blue moon is defined as the second full moon in a calendar month.  Our next full moon will be August, 2012.

Anyway.....Jen, our fearless design team leader, asked the design team members to create some jewelry using the brand new O&E line of charms.  The charms, along with some other new goodies from O&E, will make their debut at the CHA show...very exciting!

"Fiesta Tassel Necklace"

One of Jen's requests for this line of jewelry was to keep it fairly simple.  She wanted something that was "do-able" while at the same time showcasing the charms and keeping to our own styles.

She mentioned sari silk, leather cord and color...all things I love to work with.

I did this piece with a particularly lovely piece of sari silk.  The tassel was made with multiple pieces, in different colors.  It's such a great material to work with...very versatile.

"Fiesta" earrings

If you haven't seen the O&E blog lately, take a look.  Susan has created an incredible, new talisman bracelet using her charms and a million other bits and parts.  It's really amazing.  Also, you'll get a sneak peek at one of Susan's fabulous new jewelry kits.  If you're at CHA, and see some of my jewelry there, do me a favor and take a photo for me!

Stephanie Rubiano-So I Gathered

Somebody's been playing with enamels!  My uber-talented friend, Stephanie Rubiano, is offering to give away a piece of her fabulous enamel jewelry.  All you have to do is visit her blog and leave a comment on her "January Give Away" post.  I gotta tell you though, I'm hoping you lose and I win!  Don't you love it?!

Vegas, Baby! Take A Class With Me

So, who wants to take a class with me in Las Vegas?!  I'll be teaching for Art & Soul this February, in Vegas.  That's right...in a few short weeks.  I'm packing my jewelry tools, Wife Whisperer is packing his "How to Win at Black Jack" book and we're heading for Vegas.

 
I'm going to be teaching this class...Crowned Gems, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010.  It's one that I'm very excited about, especially since this is the first time Art & Soul will be in Vegas.

I've you've ever wanted to learn how to work in steel wire, here's your chance.  I'm going to be telling all my secrets!  With the economy being what it it, steel wire is a great alternative to sterling, or even copper.

I'll show you how to embellish your own darling little gem type to create a beautiful necklace.  We're going to add crowns, hats, wings and trim using rivets and other cold attachments.  Don't know how to rivet?  You will when we're finished...

We're also going delve into links, clasps and lots of other fun stuff.

Attention to detail is most important in making beautiful jewelry.  I'll show you how to give your pieces that finished, professional look.  Besides all of that, it's just going to be a lot of fun.

And...it's in Vegas...baby!  There's not much time left to sign up...click here to register.    If you register now, you'll receive a special 20% discount...click here to see.  I'd love to see you there!

More CHA Jewelry

"After The Fall" double wrap necklace

As promised, here are a few more of the pieces I did for the CHA winter trade show.  Susan and the gals will be showing there at booth #3708.  They'd love to see you if you're able to stop by.

They'll be showing the new Objects and Elements line of charms and jewelry kits...you could be among the first to see them in person! 

I designed nine pieces of jewelry which will be displayed at the show, along with the other O&E design team members, showcasing the charms.  They'll also be showing Susan's fabulous ICE Resin.

 This necklace was created using nearly all O&E elements and, of course, the new charms.  I used a single strand of sari silk to suspend a vintage charm keeper.  Along with the new O&E charms, I added handmade acorns (with real caps!), a vintage rhinestone crystal and a hand formed resin paper oak leaf.

The recycled sari silk has long been a favorite material of mine.  The colors are so luscious and saturated.

The bronze clasp is another O&E element, stacked with more sari silk, an African brass ring, vintage faceted glass beads from my stash and a long O&E mini bolt and nut.

"Balance Bronze Bangle with Apatite"

It can be hard to find bronze wire and I love working with what O&E stocks.  I'm really crazy for these bangles.

I made several of them, to be worn together...

...and designed them so they would balance, on the arm.  I hate it when the focal of an unbalanced bracelet twirls to the bottom when wearing it.

These bangles twirl evenly with sort of a zen feeling of symmetry.

"Balance Bronze Bangle with Carnelian"

I absolutely adore this rough carnelian.  The color and texture are quite sublime!

And, again, the charms are the perfect match for this line of jewelry.  Check 'em out...here.  The jewelry kits will be available sometime after the show.  Oh, the suspense...!  Meanwhile, Jen is showing a "charm a day" on the Objects and Elements blog.  Every day, she's posting a new piece that one of the design team has made for CHA.  I'll post the rest of my CHA pieces here soon.

Thank you, again, those of you who bid on my Haiti auction and made donations.  Sherry Smyth...you are the winner of Kecia's drawing for one of her "Patchwork of Love" pendants!

Sending A Little Help To Haiti

I'm happy to announce the winning bidder in my Help for Haiti auction is......Cindy Eagan!

Thank you, Cindy, for your bid.  Some of you generously sent me donation money to add to the bid and I will also be adding my own personal donation to the total.  Thank you all for your heartfelt generosity.  Every little bit helps and this donation will be a blessing to the Haitian people.  I'll be sending $665 along to Hope For Haiti asap.

Rebecca Sower  has such a heart for Haiti.  She's started a brand new blog called Haiti by Hand.    She'll be featuring art auctions from some of your favorite artists and stories and information from Haiti.  Please stop by and give her your support.

Help For Haiti-Auction Deadline Revised

As I watch horrific images on the news of Haitians suffering, my prayers go out to them.  When I logged onto the internet tonight, the headline was "Aid slowly reaching Haitians as desperation grows."   This photo haunts me and there are so many more like this. 

In the interest of getting a donation out sooner, I've decided to move the deadline for my auction from Saturday, the 23rd to this Monday, the 18th at noon central time.  I really hope this doesn't inconvenience anyone but my heart is breaking over the incredible, and immediate, need of the Haitian people.  This will give everyone the weekend to put in a bid or, if you'd rather, make a donation.  Monday afternoon, I will send our total donation in to Hope For Haiti.

Hope for Haiti is a wonderful organization that ensures 95% of donations directly reach the people who need it.  They were instrumental in helping after the hurricanes of 2008.  You might recall that I auctioned a piece of my jewelry at that time with the proceeds going to Hope For Haiti.  Please, take a look at what kinds of disaster relief, among other programs, that they offer the people of Haiti.  There are many scam charities out there but, be assured, Hope For Haiti is  not one of them.  If you would rather make a donation than bid on the auction, please send a payment to my email account...mocknet@sbcglobal.net...and I'll combine it with my personal donation and the winning bid.  I've already had several readers do this and am so delighted at your compassion and generosity!  If you'd like to bid, please click here and leave your bid in the comments section.

In case you missed it in my previous post, my friend, Kecia Deveny, has generously offered to hold a drawing for my auction bidders.  One of you will win one of Kecia's lovely "Patchwork of Love" pendants.  If you've bid on my auction, leave a comment on Kecia's post...here...to be entered into her drawing.  No worries if you forget, I'll be giving Kecia the names of my bidders at the end so she can draw.  With a little sweet-talking, I think I can convince Kecia to include you donors in that drawing, as well.  Thank you, Kecia!  And, thank you, my readers, for your sweet, generous natures.  I'm sure Haiti is coveting our prayers right now...

Update:  My sweet friend, Stephanie, followed my lead and is holding a similar auction on her blog "So I Gathered."  She's auctioning off one of her incredible butterfly boxes so, if you've ever wanted one (who wouldn't want one?!), now's the time to bid and help Haiti.