Visit my Etsy Shop

Visit my Etsy Shop
Click Photo to Visit my Etsy Shop

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Easter Island Necklace and Earrings

As I announced on my blog yesterday, I was featured on the Earrings Everyday Blog yesterday.  It was quite an exciting day for me.  For those of you that missed that blog, here is a picture of the earrings that were featured there.






The pendants are by Barbara Hanselman.  I recently found her work and love it.  I have a pretty good little stash of it already and am having a lot of creative fun working with it.  Barbara finishes these with terra sigillata instead of ceramic glazes so they are ‘open’ to absorb the essence of the wearer. You can even drop essential oils on them which will infuse making them wearable aroma therapy. How cool is that?


 They seemed to be accepted very well and I was thrilled and humbled by the comments they received.

So here is the debut of the matching necklace.  This pendant actually has a face on both sides.  A note that Barbara included with it says, "A Talisman with Two Faces looking in opposite directions personifies change as well as transitions; it suggests being able to see into the past with one face and into the future with the other.  Double faced beads are also symbols of a "middle ground" where the individual can feel centered and exist totally in the now.  Carrying or wearing an image with opposing faces in any culture is purported to help stabilize the mind and make the wearer purposeful; able to focus on the task at hand."


As you can see, the faces are a bit different on each side and the necklace can be worn with either side out so there is no way to put it on wrong.



Gypsy Earrings with Howlite and Vintaj Patina

I love these new connectors that I found.  I used my new Vintaj patinas on these and sealed them with the glaze.  I just recently got those howlite melon balls too.  Something about them just appealed to me - I do wish they weren't quite so big, but oh well - it is what it is.

Enjoy


Saturday, May 26, 2012

Let the Gypsy in You Come Out and Play

Made these this week.   I started them earlier in the week and was having a real challenge getting my dangles to come out the right length in relation to each other.  I wanted to hammer my own headpins and put the spade on the end -- hey that's harder than it looks.

Anyway, I tried again this morning, and they just came together first try.  Go figure.

I added another pair of Cheryl Harris' lampwork beads and voila!  Let me say something about her lampwork.  What I really, really love about it is that she makes smaller beads - I have way too many beads that are so large I will probably never use them - they are beautiful handmade beads, but for me, they are just too large.  Cheryl makes a smaller bead which I love.  Go Cheryl!


I love these connectors.  They are either brass or copper, I can't tell which, that had a thin silver plating applied.  I removed most, but not all, of the silver on purpose and they look really cool.
Enjoy.

Earrings Every Day Blog - I'm a Guest Today

Recently I was invited by Kristi Bowman to make a guest appearance on the Earrings Every Day Blog.  So, I got busy and made some special earrings just for the occasion.  CLICK HERE to visit Earrings Everyday and see what I made.

I'd put a picture of them here, but that would ruin the surprise.


Friday, May 25, 2012

Daisy Chain Giveaway and Challenge Blog Hop

Here is another great giveaway and challenge by Jo Tinley of Daisy Chain. She makes the greatest copper and silver components and also beautiful finished jewelry - but, she is from England, so she makes "jewellery".



CLICK HERE to go to her blog.  That is where you need to enter.  The Blog Hop will be June 29 so mark your calendars.


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Kristi Bowman Blog Hop Giveaway....

Kristi Bowman is having a Blog Hop Giveaway.  She is offering a chance to win one of five of her Big Hole or Donut Focal copper components.  She will also have some available for purchase if you are not a winner.  She will then be hosting a blog hop to show off what you have made with the focal piece.  Looks like great fun.


Be sure to hope over to her blog and enter for your chance to win.  Click Here to go there.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

New Earrings

Another pair of the hanging crescent beaded earrings.  These are made with Pam Cresswell's beads.  She is a stoneware artist - on etsy as Indian Creek Studio


I like the deep blue/purples in these with the creamy crackle beads.  

Friday, May 18, 2012

Second Post on the Coffee and Tea Necklace

Okay, I had a do-over.  I liked the coffee - tea theme necklace, but something wasn't quite right about it.  After consulting with Natalie Pappas she confirmed what I thought so I did it over.  The part that didn't look quite right to me was the back of the necklace.  I like these beads much better.  They look like chocolate.


Now, what do you think.  Is it better now or was it better before?

Coffee Tea Necklace

Made this necklace yesterday with a cup and saucer pendant that I found while moving into my new studio.  "Break Time" kept going through my mind as I recalled some nice watches I obtained recently.  I had intended to make bracelets with these, but thought I'd give a try putting it into this necklace.

I also used a fantastic little hand-sculpted teapot that Natalie Pappas made.  I put a flat silver organic shaped "plate" underneath it and a silver "top" on the pot.

I am loving going through my stash and then being able to find it.  I am organizing my hand made components so that they are in the open.  I can't be inspired by them if I can't see them.



Enjoy.  Now, I'm off to get a haircut.  Most of my family is in town for my niece, Amanda's, high school graduation.  My sister is having a big party at her house tomorrow to give us an opportunity to get together and visit.  Amanda is an amazing young woman.  She is smart, independent, capable, and is on her way to college in the fall.  I love her.  Isn't she a cutie?



Thursday, May 17, 2012

Studio




My husband built a studio for me in the loft of our two-story garage for our 32nd wedding anniversary.  I have been busy moving into it over the past week.   I'm only about half done as I am working very hard not to "junk" it up.  I love it.

Here is the really cool part.  He built it almost completely with repurposed or salvaged building materials.  For example, that hardwood floor came from the dumpster of a small neighborhood shopping strip.  Remember the restaurant that we walk by every day where they keep water and dog bones for the dogs?  Yep, there.

The walls and the two light fixtures came from a building materials recycling center here in Kansas City.  The four white shelving units were left by someone in the neighborhood on the curb and we found them first.  They do that a lot in my neighborhood - if you don't want it, just set it out and someone will pick it up.  My neighborhood is part of mid-town around the Plaza area and the University of Missouri at Kansas City.  There are a lot of young professionals and it costs a fortune just to buy a house in this area so I guess people think its not worth messing with once they don't want it any more.  I hate that philosophy and we moved in here way before the area took off and became so expensive but I do enjoy keeping a look out for good stuff.  Last summer we found a set of dining room chairs that I sold at my sister's and my fall yard sales for $150.00.  Go figure.

The walls came from salvaged aluminum over styrofoam panels so it is very well insulated.  The air conditioner was something we already had as was the rug.  The trim and the paint were new! and the lightbulbs!

He made a lapboard siding look on the outside wall going into the studio from a neighbor's fence that was being torn down.  I don't have  a picture of that yet, but will try to get one.


Anyway, this is what I've been doing for the last week.  I've also managed to make a few new pieces.

The chakra bracelet is something I've been planning for some time.  The research into the meaning of the components was something that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I guess it is my legal training but I still love a good learning experience about something that I know nothing about.  I have reprinted my short synopsis below the pictures in case you are interested in knowing what I discovered.

There are seven basic chakras - parts of the body, but what I found fascinating was that there are at least two other chakras too - in the spiritual realm - above the head and below the feet.  So, of course, I had to include those too.  The Om bead is by Melanie Brooks, the chakra beads by Ingrid and Marti, and I got the large crystal (glass) bead - which is amazing - from Artebellasupplies on Etsy.

Om
The symbol (Om) is a sacred syllable which represents "Brahman" which is definied as the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism -- omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath. Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple premise or in some form or another on family shrines. Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one's being, the atman or soul.

The Lotus
Native to eastern Asia and Australia, the lotus is widely cultivated for its fragrant pink or white flowers. It is sometimes called the Indian lotus or the sacred lotus, and it is also known in Egypt and in Africa as the white lotus, the Egyptian water lily and the white lily. Throughout many cultures, the lotus has been a powerful image and a spiritual symbol. In Hindu, Buddhist and Egyptian religions, the lotus is considered a sacred flower. Among its many meanings and significance, the lotus is a symbol of "spontaneous" generation, and so it also represents divine birth, spiritual development and creation itself. The bud of the lotus symbolizes potential, specifically of a spiritual nature. Because the lotus rises from unclean water to blossom as a pure, uncontaminated flower, it is a symbol of purity and resurrection. In the same way the lotus flower goes through much in its growth before emerging from dirty water to become a beautiful flower, the individual consciousness does the same on its path to enlightenment as the so-called impurities of unenlightened thinking gradually fade.

The Chakra
There are seven main energy centres (chakras) of the body. These chakras are like spirals of energy, each one relating to the others. Using the seven colors of the spectrum, Color Therapy aims to balance and enhance our body's energy centres/chakras and also to help stimulate our body's own healing process. Color Therapy uses colour to re-balance the Chakras that have become depleted of energy. Color therapy can be shown to help on a physical level; however there are deeper issues around the colors on the psychological and spiritual levels. Color has a profound effect on us on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Violet - governs the CROWN chakra, at the top of the head. -- Beauty, Creativity, Inspiration
Indigo - governs the BROW chakra or third eye, in the centre of the forehead. -- Intuition, Mysticism, Understanding
Blue - governs the THROAT chakra. Knowledge, Health, Decisiveness
Green - governs the HEART chakra. Balance, Love, Self Control
Yellow - governs the SOLAR PLEXUS chakra, situated below the ribs. -- Wisdom, Clarity, Self-Esteem
Orange -- governs the SACRAL chakra situated in the lower abdomen. -- Happiness, Confidence, Resourcefulness
Red -- governs the BASE chakra situated at the base of the spine. Vitality, Courage, Self Confidence
Crystal -- Higher Crown/Soul (Core) Star Chakra is sometimes referred to as the eighth chakra, it is the first of the non-physical chakras or transcendental chakras above your head.
Brown -- governs the ROOT chakra. The earth chakra is located approximately 12 to 18 inches below the soles of the feet. Often called the earth star chakra... it is not within the actual physical body but is part of the etheric body. This chakra aligns you with the magnetic core of the earth...
This chakras meaning is all about the idea of 'grounding', especially in a metaphysical way. This chakra is where you connect to Mother Gaia to resource and reground your body. Its strong properties keep you grounded and protected, and secures your aura within the physical world.

Last, but certainly not least, I made a couple more pairs of earrings in the style originally inspired by Marina Rios.  So many possibilities - the first three pairs I made sold quickly, so here are a couple more versions.  No doubt there will be more.


ENJOY!












Justice is doing great.  No pain meds, NSAID or tranadol, for a week and no whimpering or evidence of pain at all.  I am sooooo happy!!!!


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Palamino Horse Necklace


Another necklace featuring Ingrid's beautiful porcelain work.  This time I have used a couple of Lynda Cogbill's beautiful lampwork beads, a gorgeous carved bone bead, two Kazuri beads, carved buri, Mookaite, Glass daggers, wild horse jasper and wood.  This pendant has some very exciting colors for me -- I really liked the blending of the deep reds, mustard yellows, and brownish greens in this piece.  And, those yellow seed beads are pretty cool too - they are vintage French beads.  They are not yellow -- they are pumpkin or squash yellow.   Just got 'em.  Enjoy.





Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hippocamp Necklace - Horse of the Sea

I have used another one of Ingrid's rustic porcelain pieces in this necklace.  I am a big fan of mythology, I love dragons and have an extensive collection of antique buttons in all materials depicting all form of dragons and other mythological creatures.  So when she listed this, I felt my heart begin to beat fast.

Hippocamps were the horses of the sea.  They were depicted as composite creatures with the head and fore-parts of a horse and the serpent like tail of a fish.  The ancients believed they were the adult-form of the fish we call the "sea-horse".  They were the mounts of nymphs and sea-gods and Poseidon drove a chariot drawn by two or four of the creatures.

In addition to Ingrid's lovely pendant, I have used one of Ingrid's embossed beads in the same glaze, a wonderfully textured stoneware bead by Marti Conrad, a fiber bead made by Carolyn Saxby (these were a gift from Sophie), a gorgeous lampwork bead by Lynda Cogbill and paint brush jasper ovals and rounds.  The creamy white disc bead is one of the wonderful colors of Mookaite.  I also added a twisted  sea urchin stick to represent Poseidon's trident.

There are some fabulous art beads in this necklace.  I hope you like it.




You will recall that Mom lost her Belgian Turvuren, Maggie, a few weeks ago.  Well, I would like to introduce you all to Latte, Mom's new baby.  She is a Chihuahua mix and weighs about 14 lbs.  She is settling right in to Mom's house, but let me tell you, Mom's house is pretty easy to settle into.  She is an old fashioned Mom that thinks she needs to be waiting on her youngin's all the time.


Monday, May 7, 2012

Horse Bracelet

I made this bracelet using one of Ingrid's (potterygirl1) rustic porcelain two-horse connectors.  I love it, it even has her fingerprints all over it - molded in the porcelain - a testament to her handmade goodiness.

I paired it with paint brush jasper and lots of my wirework.


Let me say again - I am no seed beader......but remember this necklace and earrings?

One of my good customers wanted this set, but she also wanted a bracelet to go with it.  She wanted it made like the new bead and leather bracelets are that are so popular now, but they are made with larger beads, not Size 8 seed beads.  And, I needed to work in the pattern.  Well, I figured I've overcome bigger obstacles than that and this is what I came up with.

The hardest part of making it was threading my needle three times.  But, I am very pleased with the way it turned out and she loves it.

Update on Justice.  She has been off the NSAID for about 36 hours now (she's still on the Tramadol) and she hasn't whimpered from pain in about three days.  She feels good, throws herself down on the grass on our walks and scratches her back and even manages to get into Jebadiah's face and scream at him when he's just being himself.  It is so wonderful - WONDERFUL - to have her feeling so well and apparently not in any pain.  Have I mentioned to you all that I love her, and Jeb and Sophie.....


Friday, May 4, 2012

Crayon Challenge



Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting a "One Crayon Color Challenge".  There are 66 participants.  The purpose is to pick a color from the crayons shown and create with it.  I chose orange.

 I made a necklace, bracelet and earring set from a wonderful set of stoneware by Marti Conrad.  I also used handmade lampwork beads made by Deb Houde of Overland Park, KS and handmade lampwork by Lynda Cogbill.


I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures.





It was a challenge for me because I wanted to use the lampwork and the stoneware components in the same pieces without them becoming too large or heavy.  And, I wanted to try to figure out something new to do with the two holes on either side of the bracelet focal.  It took me a few days, but I am pleased with the result.



Hosted by:

Red

Bobbie Rafferty   http://beadsong.blogspot.com

Orange

Rebekah Payne   http://treewingsstudio.com

 Yellow

Blue

Rebecca Anderson  http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache  http://allprettythings.ca
Charissa Sloper   http://blog.obsidiansoda.com
Sandi Volpe   http://sandivolpe.com

 Green

Jenny Davies Reazor   http://www.jdaviesreazor.com
Elizabeth Auld  http://beadsforbusygals.com

Purple

Jennifer Judd Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

Brown

Diana Ptaszynski   http://suburbangirlstudio.com

Black

Birgitta Lejonklou  http://lejonklou.blogspot.com/