SMOKE IN MY EYES

Just as I finally feel like I'm getting in to the groove of making more jewelry and ATC's(will post those later) , it will be time to go back to work in another 30 hours or so! I can really get used to this slow pace. It has been a very relaxing few days, and I've really enjoyed it! I finally sat down and created a piece that I've been pondering for a while, with this gorgeous pendant from Melissa of ChinookDesigns! I don't like how these photos don't really show the purplish hue of the pendant, and that was a REAL challenge for me to work with, but I came up with this and was pretty happy with the overall color combo and design. This, my friends, is a very unorthodox color combo for me, but I'm glad I did it, and now my narrow mind is a little more open. It's really growing on me. I call it "Smoke". The pendant reminded me of the swirls created by smoke floating in the air...and the color is kind of like it also. And, I used to smoke. I smoked for 18 years, and quit 15 years ago....best thing I EVER did, BUT, let me tell you, I used to LOVE to do it! But that's another whole story! Anyway, I'm still smoke free, except for the necklace!!!

available on etsy

HELP!

This is the reason I haven't been creating jewelry....I have a ton of work , aka, writing, for upcoming submissions that I have to get done, and I keep stopping to try making ATC's . This is my very first attempt....I know they are not so good, but I had to start somewhere. The one with the tree is not done, but I thought i would put myself out there and show you what's going on......and to anyone in the mixed media, altered art, ATC dept of blogland out there who sees this, pleeaase help with any comments or suggestions. I really don't know what the he-- I'm doing!
On other news, I do keep stopping by the bead table, and keep adding to the ongoing clutter , transferring that from my head to the table, as you can see.....and am very frustrated that I can't finish anything because I SHOULD finish other things first!
I have the next few days off, and will be doing some vacationy kind of things, I'm hoping the slower pace helps center me a bit.
Pleeeaaase don't forget to spread the word about my giveaway or enter yourself right here, there is still lots of time!!!

MIDNIGHT MADNESS AND A GRATEFUL GIVEAWAY!!!!

It's approaching midnight, and I vowed I would go to bed by then tonight. I have a really bad habit of staying up way too late, and paying for it throughout the next day, since I have to get up at 6:00 for work........so here's the deal.......I've been thinking about this for a while and have decided to have a giveaway in celebration of my first publication, and what better item to give than one of the pieces that got me published, my "Always Faithful" necklace! I really wanted to do this because I am so very grateful that I was published in a bead trade magazine, something that last year I would have never thought possible, but because of all of you, such good things have happened with my jewelry and you have all been such good friends, I don't know of any other way to say thanks. You have all helped me grow as an artist and an individual. Your kindness and encouragement are overwhelming. I know that being published to some may not be a big deal, but to me, every jewelry accomplishment is a big deal. From other life experiences, I have learned to try to be grateful for everything I have......so I'd like you to have also!
The necklace features a beautiful Lotus pendant by Gaea, and it hangs from a handmade bezel of another Gaea floral link and sterling silver wrapped wire and Hill Tribe beads. The chain is made of Hill Tribe cylinders, more Gaea beads, fancy jasper rounds, and a wire wrapped clasp. All the metal is sterling silver.
So this is all that I want you to do.......there are 4 chances to win......

1. Leave me a comment on this post.

2. Blog about the giveaway on your blog and include a link to here.

3.Join my google friend connect badge on the right.

4. Heart my etsy shop and tell me the piece you like best.

Let me know the ways you entered!

I will take entries until 5:00 pm Saturday, July 19th. I will announce the winner on Monday, July 21st. I might even throw in something extra!!

That's it folks......oh, and don't forget to leave me an email or contact so I can get in touch with you!
Please spread the word and have fun. I would love to meet more kind souls such as yourselves, I consider myself blessed because of you!!

ERIN PRAIS-HINTZ

The sweet Erin of Tesori Trovati, Treasures-Found , sent me this absolutely beautiful necklace tailored just for me! I recently won a giveaway on her blog, and the prize was a necklace created by her specifically for the winner, and a box of artisan chocolates!!! WOOOOOEEEEEEE!!! Here you see my lovely package that came today! The necklace is gorgeous, a pendant she made with resin, with some sparkly flowers inside, accented with swarovski crystals and pearls, and all in my favorite color hues of blue. The best part is the stamping on the back, "Keep The Faith", which means soooo much to me. I am planning my outfit to wear to work tomorrow around this necklace. It's just such a great idea that you could wear this necklace two ways, but leave it to the ingenious Erin for that!!
Let's mot forghet the chocolates........ohhhhhhhh......TO DIE FOR!!!!!
Handmade artisan truffles from a company called Moonstruck, she sure knows how to pick them, absolutely luscious!! Lets see, 5 hours gone by, 3 pieces left!!!

Thank you Erin for this wonderful gift, and the caring that went into it, it shows in all the little details........and of course it came with the most touching note.

I am touched Erin

Thank you !!!

ME AND THE BIRDS AGAIN

Yes, so I have a thing for birds! A while ago, I did a swap with Lynda of Diva Designs! She makes the most incredible polymer clay pendants I've ever seen!! Even the backs have gorgeous subtle designs in them.....just stunning! So this is one that I asked her for, and I finally had an idea of something to make that I was happy with. I used a large green raku bead , those gorgeous Gaea beads that I stained with ink(like Gaea told me!) to highlight the crazing, some wood beads, lovely little green cube ceramic beads from LeAnn of Summer Studio Pottery, irid. green druk beads, tiny rectangle peridot beads , and some handmade sterling components......ohhhh, and a couple of the neatest pcs of amber beads(vintage) that I think i've ever seen. I mixed sterling and copper and really felt it worked out well. I'm going to try to break away from the green for the next piece I make.......I've made it a goal!!

SIMPLE LOVE

I don't know about anyone else, but when it starts to get hot, well......not hot, but HUMID, I really don't like to wear a lot of jewelry. I do like to wear something simple though, and short, and light, so I made a few of these, combining one of my favorite hand made links with some of the charms that I made a while ago when I was doing the charm exchange. I was really happy with the way this simple little necklace and bracelet came out, and now have about a bizillion combinations going on in my head......and my head is saying, hurry, hurry!!!!, but the body is saying, breathe, and go to bed. Tomorrow I plan on doing some sterling silver hand forged charms. I love to anneal the metal and the beautiful subtle colors it produces.....I thought about stamping designs, such as a flower or leaf, but sometimes I'm really not into all the foo foo ish stuff, just really wanted something simple. Do you think it is too simple with just letters, or would you prefer foo foo designs? I will continue with these because I like them, but I think I need to get a realistic view of what people are attracted to......so I value your opinion greatly, you are my friends! Have a SIMPLY LOVELY day everyone!

available on etsy
handforged and annealed copper with glass drops

FLEA MARKET FINALLY

I finally got to the flea market today. As always, when I go, I get all jittery and nervous just thinking of it while I'm driving there! I get really excited, and as soon as I get there my head starts to spin with all the lovely sites! I get really hyper!! Sunday is the only day I can go, and that's usually only about once a month. Chris is the only vendor that I see most of the time. We have been doing business for years and years, and she is very fair and knows her stuff! I went crazy today trying to pick, and this is what I chose.........A pretty pink quilted oblong box to use as a prop and to stash beady goods, vintage postcards, brass buttons, lots of mother of pearl buttons, a super luscious strand of ruby fire polish czech glass, some tiny black glass beads, an unusual strand of amber, a pair of silver plate medallions of some sort, a FABULOUS old book with some lovely illustrations, and a very unique silk screened folded piece framed in wood!! WOW, I sure had fun! A lot of these things I bought to use in artist trading cards, which I've started to make and hope to share with you soon. That was my day, a nice mind altering Sunday!