Sharing Information

I am not a food expert...

I didn't go to school to study nutrition
I am not a scientist
and I am not a doctor

I am your sister, mother, neighbor, friend, co-worker, girlfriend, wife...
No different.

So the information I share is from my experiences. It is not intended to be used as medical fact. What works for me, might be lethal for you.

What I have done on my journey is gather information that interested me and then followed my own path. I have experimented and studied, asked questions and consulted my own doctors. I am happy to share some of my findings, thoughts, feelings and tips...

Please take what you need and leave the rest...

Something's Coming...

Something has been brewing, creatively, for quite some time now...

Not sure what it is, but I have been feeling it for a while.

I stopped painting full time several years ago and have since created a collection of jewelry...which has been my primary artistic and professional focus since then.

It's been great and I continue to enjoy crafting jewelry but I have been feeling like there is something new about to bubble up...It's hard to explain but if feels like a stirring inside.

Anyway, above is a sneak peek at some miniature, "Goddess" sculptures I have been playing around with. Are these my new creative path? I'm not sure...

More on that soon...

Photo Jewelry Series – Part Three of Three

These are the two products I use to secure and seal my photographs when creating my photo jewelry.

They can each be found at most national craft retailers or online.

The Glossy Accents is thick and great for filling in a "well" or covering small beads, findings or paper layers. It has it's own applicator and can fit in small areas. A very tiny amount can be applied to the back of your photograph to secure it to the piece of jewelry before covering the top.

The Triple Thick is thinner and easier to spread over larger surfaces. I use a clean, soft, synthetic craft brush to apply it. It gives a uniform look to a wider surface. You must take care not to over-brush the top or your photo might smear.

I also sometimes use a spray fixative (found at any art store) to "fix" or seal my photographs or paper art before finishing with one of the above products.

Be sure to experiment with any product you use and get comfortable with it. There can be a slight learning curve and it will make for happier creating if you feel secure with your supplies.

Photo Jewelry Series – Part Two of Three

These are an example of the earrings from the photo jewelry collection I created a few years ago.

Mounted on a small, flat, matte-black charm...the photos highlighted my love for photography and nature.

I selected pictures that I felt would reduce well and then cut two sections out of the same image for each pair of earrings.

I didn't want them to "match" but I wanted them to coordinate.

What I ended up with was two pieces of the same image...tied together by their common colors and themes.

I attached them to hand made sterling silver ear wires and created a small silver plated scroll charm to cover the utilitarian loop.

After signing the back of each they were ready to go!

Photo Jewelry Series – Part One of Three

Inspired by the incredible nature photos taken by a friend of mine a few years ago I created a line of jewelry using photographs.

The collection started with her photos and soon evolved into an outlet for my own.

At a local jewelry supply company I found pendants with a shallow well perfect for laying a photo in. They were in a base metal so I had them all silver plated. I reduced a series of pictures on my computer and cut them to the right size and shape.

I stuck with straight lines for this first go around…I wasn’t ready to fight with circles and ovals.

With a tiny bit of gel medium I adhered the photo to the metal charm and then flooded the top with the medium. (details of the products I used with be available in the third post of this series)

Once the medium dried there was a shiny, thick coating. All that was left to do was to create a decorative bail out of wire and design something for them to hang from.

I opted to hand braid exotic yarns in a variety of colors that were secured with vintage buttons.

After signing the back, they were complete.

A small framed, custom work of art!

Creative Jewelry Show Display – Zipper Pulls

When I started selling zipper pulls at my jewelry shows people weren’t really sure what they were supposed to do with them.

Also, they are small and can get lost on a table full of jewelry.

I decided to create a display that wouldn’t take up too much room but that would show how they are used.

I decided to sew a zipper into a piece of fabric and mount that into a small frame. I put the zipper at an angle so that the zipper pull would hang against the fabric and not the actual zipper.

This worked perfectly.

It was inexpensive, transported and stored easily and was eye-catching. If you don’t sew you could easily re-purpose an old piece of clothing with a zipper and with a little glue transform it into a display.

Get creative!

Creative Uses for Surplus Beads and Findings Series - Vintage Key Rings

Large split rings like the ones used for key rings are readily available at jewelry supply stores and websites.

They come in all different shapes, sizes and finishes and are very inexpensive.

Stack some pretty, loose, surplus beads on wire and attach to the ring directly or with some chain…and there you have a pretty, one-of-a-kind key ring.

I like to have multiple strands and think small spacer beads add to the look. I also recommend wire wrapping the loop for durability.

I punch a hole on a business card and attach the ring …then slip it into a baggie for protection. Sometimes I have a small basket of these by my check out station at shows…just as a little something a customer can pick up.

They also make a nice thank you gift for a loyal customer

Creative Uses for Surplus Beads and Findings Series - Zipper Pulls

I always have a stash of loose beads and findings…treasures left over from a project or rescued from an old piece of jewelry. Usually too pretty to discard but maybe not enough to support their own project.

I have found several uses for these ones and twos and in the next series of posts I will share some of my ideas.

Enjoy!

It is always a good idea when doing craft shows , fairs or festivals to have a selection of lower priced items on hand. Something someone could pick up as a small gift for a friend or as a treat for them selves.

I think that this is the perfect use for your surplus beads and findings. It allows you to utilize your supplies to the maximum and benefits your customers by letting them purchase something pretty for a lower amount…when they might have not been able to before.

Zipper pulls are useful, decorative and fun and they are thoughtful gift for any age. By simple stacking a few beads and spacers on a strong headpin or piece of wire, you can create a small piece of art. I recommend wire wrapping the top instead of creating a simple loop as it is stronger and more durable.

The beaded piece can be attached to a variety of findings…but basically anything that can be attached to a loop…slide hook, split key ring, fishing lure holder. There are a bunch of findings that can be found at jewelry supply sites…very inexpensively.

I take one of my business cards and punch a hole in the top corner. I attach the zipper pull to it and slip it into a protective baggie. I also include a small sheet explaining what it and what it’s used for.

At a show, sometimes I throw them all in a basket by the check out…and sometimes I lay some out on the table. Either way people always enjoy hunting for the perfect one!

I think they also make a nice little thank you gift for a special customer.

Simple Contrast

This is a picture I took on a recent trip to California.

While the flower itself is so pretty…it was the contrast of light and dark and the simple color pallet that drew me to this particular photo.

I think the feeling of this could translate into beautiful jewelry.

The rose…creamy and ivory set against the deep black reminds me of a more romantic time. It makes me think of some kind of light focal piece framed by onyx, jet black or midnight bluestone.

In a necklace that could mean a beautiful light pendant dangling from a strand of dark beads. For a bracelet it could be multiple strands of dark stones secured with a light clasp. For earrings it could be a dark bead with a waterfall of light strands flowing from beneath.

Mostly it is about the contrast of dark to light and a simple color pallet…

classic…in shades of two colors.

Color combinations don’t have to be complicated…play with the intensity of just a few colors and see what magic can happen.

Creative Jewelry Packaging Series - Hand Made Felt Pouches

Felt is a wonderful thing!

It is so soft, comes in a ton of colors…and the best part is it doesn’t have to be hemmed.

When I made some special silver necklace charms I knew I wanted some kind of pouch to package them in. I decided to create one myself that would fit my needs in a more custom way.

I knew it needed to be something that would be very easy to create and something I could make over and over.

First I made a pattern out of paper to find the right size. I ended up with a long rectangle.Then all I needed to do was fold up the bottom and sew along three sides…just a quick straight line.

The excess on top folded over and was secured with a small piece of organza ribbon. They were so simple to make I ended up with a whole bucket full in one sitting.

I preferred to do more of an assembly line…cut all felt, sew all pieces, cut all ribbon, etc.

The color or pattern can be chosen to complement your pieces…for a more natural, earthy look…tie with raffia, for a more modern, contemporary look tie with metallic thread…or for a more romantic look tie with a thin strip of lace…

Presto! A small pouch …inexpensive, custom…perfect.

Creative Jewelry Packaging Series - Small Wood Boxes

When you take a lot of time and care to create a very special, hand crafted piece of jewelry it is important to think about how that little creation will be packaged for the recipient.

At most national art and craft stores, in their unfinished wood sections, you can find small, unfinished wood boxes in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes…most prices around $1 or less.

There are so many things that can be done to incorporate these inexpensive boxes into your presentation...

• hand paint them in a color or theme to coordinate with your piece of jewelry

• decoupage them with decorative papers or tissue

• stain them with a wood stain or simply clear varnish

• spray paint them and add your signature or write a personal note or poem

• glue fabric or trims on them

The list goes on and on…

Just think what a special experience the recipient would have receiving one of your creations, wrapped in colorful tissue paper, carefully tucked inside a beautifully decorated box .

It is a complete presentation!

Vegas, Baby - An Inspiring Destination

You never know where you will find inspiration.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas I was reminded about how much creative inspiration can be found in that special city...not generally what it's known for.

I grew up there and now as an adult it is so obvious what a huge influence the fantasy and drama of Vegas had on me both creatively and artistically.

My love of color, being drawn towards over scale, over the top design and of course my need for sparkle and glitter.

I think it's easy to forget that each person has such different life experiences and that they can be expressed through their art or craft. That each is important and valuable...but different.

On this trip, being surrounded by all of that "theater" made me want to rush home and create ANYTHING!

I am sure some day soon there will be photos of Las Vegas inspired creations here!