Presentation

Presentation is part of it...

How often do we get into the mode of just get her done, and forget about the way it looks?  For me it all the time!  Housework, myself, as well as my work.  So many times I will make a beautiful piece of jewelry and not take the time to take a picture that will present and showcase for the best.  Here are a few examples of what I mean.

 

 

On the left with the burlap is how I posted it onto facebook!  I think back now & wonder why did I do that?  Really!  If my goal is to sell the bracelet, why do this?

 

Obviously I was in a get her done kind of mode.  I got the picture, but I did not do the bracelet justice.  It looks bla to say the least.    The next two photos are much better.  They actually show case the bracelet. Being aware of the lighting and the background were also a factor. 

 

By all means I am well aware that I am NOT a photographer at all!  (So be kind & do not remind me!)  I am just saying, (mostly to myself) slow down, you have made something pretty, now show it as pretty! 

 

I have also found through a lot of trial and error that outdoor filtered light works best for me.  With all my jewelry having an organic & earthy feel to it I like to use natural backgrounds. 

 

Here is another of my bracelets that I took on three diffrent backgrounds.  What do you think is the better look.

 

I am intrested in your thoughts.  Please feel free to leave a comment.  Both of these bracelets are one of a kind, in inventory and ready to ship!  Just contact me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging is Hard!

Blogging is hard.  Months & months pass and I do not even think about my blog, then out of nowhere I think I should get busy!  I have been loving the fall and all the fun festivals that I have had the pleasure to participate in. 

 Have a few new bracelets, ready to go!  What'cha think? 

 

Flower Power


A big & chunky ceramic center bead eched with flowers, encircled by
ceramic roundellets of a matching glaze and spaced with a new jade bead inbetween. 
 

 All Mixed UP

 

A little copper, a little brass, a little leather and a

big beautiful faceted aquamarine stone!

 

Pearls are Pretty

 

 

 

Three large pearls spaced with clear crystals and encircled with

clear glass maybe quartz disc like bead and a hand forged sterling clasp.

Feeling Special!

Just got back from the beach!  A little sand between the toes always makes me bring shells, pearl, and all things beachy!  This bracelet has two strands of Mother of Pearl separated with crystal rondelle , the third strand is labradorite

 that is also spaced with the crystals.  This piece also sports a sterling clasp that was handcrafted by yours truly! 

Another reason I am feeling special is....

well this would be nothing to some, but for me...I am in awe!  My blog has 2 followers!  Silly right?  I was almost embarrassed when a friend from my jewelry class found this blog.  Oh no, I thought, what if she finds terrible punctuation, awful spelling, and unforgivable grammar!  I am sure she found all those things I listed and even more.

But, Terry was very sweet and said kind things when she mentioned her finding my blog.  Though it is what she did not say that gave me the gentle reassurance that I needed to not quit blogging and hide under a rock.  I have found that this blog is a looking glass into my life, my thoughts, my feelings, and pictures of my work.  I enjoy blogging!  I enjoy sharing the part of me that not many see even though it makes me feel truly vulnerable.  You know what though...I going to put on my big girl panties & keep at this!

Thank you for being a part!

Turquoise & Silver

When I was a young girl my dad loved John Wayne. Still today my dad at 76 wears cowboy boots!  Funny thing, for a few years I have been looking for a pair of really awesome cow boots for myself. Lots are out there - I just cant afford my taste! 

This turquoise & sterling linked bracelet would be the perfect piece for those boots.  It is thought that turquoise can be the bringer of good fortune - and who couldn't use a little good fortune?  The sterling, well it just makes the bracelet shine. 

Circles are fun.

As far back in history as you look you can always find circles in design.  Sometimes I wonder why, but other times I am just glad we have them.  Circles are fun in all design.  They give interest & dimension.  these gray quartz earrings are circles of fun as well. 

I really like how the circle on the ear wire sets the tone for the gray quartz to follow.  These earrings easy & fun for you to wear!

! Explataion Mark !

I love simple, ,yet bold enough to a statement.  This little necklace is just that a Biwa pearl and a round pearl dangling from a suade cord says all that needs to be said.

Black & White beach classic

The beach is one of my favorite places in the world, I love it with my husband & son, I also love it when it is me all alone!  I feel a inner peace I am at beach,  It is like the waves bring in tranquility & take away your worries. I always finding myself thanking God for the beach & all its glory. 

I truly believe the reason that I love working with pearls, mother of pearl, and shells is that it reminds me of my favorite place.  But on the other hand, pearls are just pretty.  They always have been, they always will be. 

Another always has been always will be is black and white.  Classic, beautiful, sexy, and just a perfect combination.  Here I am showing a little bracelet with my favorites together.  I hope you enjoy!  And yes I know - bundle together next time as my  son likes to say!

Bundle It !

My director of marketing, a.k.a. my 8 year old son said, Mommy if you REALLY want to make some money you need to bundle your jewelry when you sell it!  Also, he told me that you need to put things that look good together next to each other when displaying!!  What is not to love about a little boy that has a action plan. 

Lately my action plan has gotten off track when it has come to blogging!  It is time to make a commitment.  How I wish I were one of those blogger's that can get on each & every day &really put out engaging & well delivered material.  That is not me : (. 

What I can do is a few pictures up of what I am doing in my studio!  I would take a picture of these two Biwa Pearl on antiqued copper

chain pieces together, but before I could, I sold the necklace at a trunk show this past weekend!  I did however display the pieces together & had her try on the bracelet as well!  This is a learning process for me, and I am so happy to have it!  Time to get back to work!

Carved Medallions

I think that medallions are a marvelous way to accent a piece of jewelry.  It draws your eye in and gives some pop without the bling!  Now bling is not a bad thing, but some ladies are not as comfortable with it as others, or they may just not to always wear it. 

This necklace pops out because of the medallion.  You got to love the birds that are carved into the piece.  All the different blue toned gemstones and silver bring this piece together and will be worn & treasured for a long time to come. 

Sweet & Simple

Some days bigger is better, then other just a little something works best.  I really like these amber toned glass earrings for just that reason.  They are just simple, and sweet, great for a day you need just a small touch of sparkle!

Got the Blues?

These little beauties just made a bad day great!  Here outside of Atlanta it is a cold, rainy, Monday!  Had a few - well really more than a few things go wrong today.  Just wanted to get back in bed & start over - but couldn't.  \

Then low & behold - these little gems just stuck their little faceted selves into my eyesite.  I knew immediately what to do!  What do you think?  They just chased the blues away! 

Always in Style

Fashion is always changing! Thank goodness - right!  Who would like to be stuck in the 80's time warp?  One thing is for sure diamonds & pearl are timeless.  They will always be in!  Since I do not work with diamonds - yet - this little bracelet in pearls will do just fine!  I love the black leather band that is adjustable for a fit of lose or snug, it  also makes the pearls just pop right out!

Recycled Glass

I think it is wonderful that glass is being recycled.  It is used for counter tops, tiles, and even landscaping rocks.  My favorite though is recycled glass beads.  Take a look ta this rocking red recycled glass bracelet. 

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Ceramic Beads

When I first started beading I started with glass beads.  It is strange, but I could not make anything that was remotely pretty.  Then I found stones, pearls, crystals, and silver.  I could not stop.  I would bead all night long, until the we hours of the morning.  I was in heaven on earth. 

Just recently I have discovered ceramic beads and a recycled glass.  They have so much character & fun to play & bead with.  What are your thoughts?

Purely Pink

It is so gloomy here today outside Atlanta.  Not cold, just yucky, foggy, & gross.  This little pink number though, is just the opposite.  The rose quartz is yummy & the crystals just make it shine. 

Howe Original by toni

Gumballs?

This trio of faceted jade will bring back memories of eating gumballs as a kid.  They sit beautifully on a braided strands of waxed irish linen.  This necklace will brings fun to all it is worn with.

Green with envy

There is just something about this light green carved jade medallion that I love.  I am very drawn to it.  It makes me think of an Ancient Asian culture from long ago.  I have played around with it for quite some time trying to figure out how it should be presented.  To me, the suede is right on with the character of this piece and allows the bracelet to fit almost any wrist!

I have another little something something I am envying today as well!  No more little boys book bag in the middle of the floor when he comes home!   I got my sweet husband to stop long enough to put up the coat rack I made.  The coat rack I made from scrap pieces that I had left over from various projects.  The bench is a modified Ana-white.com design.  Her things are wonderful & fun to build. 



Pretty in pink - earrings

These are just sweet & simple earrings to go with the rose quartz bracelet from yesterday. 

I almost forgot to post today because I have been caught up in getting shelves in my craft closet.  My sweet husband worked all morning installing them,  So thankful for him, his talents, and his ability not to scream at me when he all the stuff I had.  Here are a few pictures to let the world know the chaos I had going on.  It's scary!

Seriously - that's just half of the closet!  And yes I was beading on the floor in the middle of all the stuff.  I could not walk into the room without falling down, but I could always find a place to sit and bead.  Oh what a strange girl I am!

The stuff out of the closet & down the hall.

Cleaned out, and new shelves in.

Everything back in it's new spot - LOVE IT!

Do you see all the unused space - humm what do I need to do next?? 

SHOP for more SUPPLIES!

Pretty in Pink

Today is pretty in pink with some rose quartz.  The diffrent sizes & shapes look so good with the diffrent color varations in the stones.  The sterling silver also gives it a extra little pop of wow!

Moonstones

Moonstone gives a lot of bang for the buck.  It picks up light and shimmers its translucent glow.  This necklace is pairs faceted moonstome with amystine in the center.  The leather cord is adjustable and gives it a versitility when you wear it.  The earrings are moonstone chips and quartz. 

Oh Honey!

Today was 18* when I woke up.  Let me remind you - I live in the south for a reason.  I do not like the cold.  It was good though, I am spending the day in my jammies! 


I love the beautiful & deep color of honey jade.  Today I have paired it with various shaped amber czech glass.  The glass is transluncent to the opequet jade.  This pairing is so nice in both the bracelet as well as the earrings.

Golden Girls

Sparks of gold, browns , and clear stones mixed with the same hues of glass on this beaded bracelet.  had fun making this mixed up piece, a first of this kiind.  I like the results. 

Earrings  to go with the bracelet.  Quartz, smokey topaz & a little honey jade.  The picture does not do the earrings justice! 

Happy New Years

Being out of town without Internet access makes a New Years Challenge to post a design a day quite the challenge in itself!  Not to worry though,,,I will post two today! 

The New Year makes me think about my family & how way to soon my little boy will be all grown up.  As much as I hate it, I look forward to seeing the person he is rapidly becoming.  He is my special gift from God!  Thank you Lord!

The first post is a silver wrapped birds nest with our birthstone crystals in it.  We are all cozied up together! 

Today's post is a bracelet with a green stone - have no clue which green stone - and silver. The coloration is gorgeous.

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