Gearing Up For The Scott County Art Crawl

I work well under stress!

Tom and I are selling our house.  We are moving to the lake and at the same time I am getting ready for 

The Scott County Art Crawl.

I am also rehabbing my arm from frozen shoulder syndrome after having Hydroplasty.  I have never been very good at taking care of myself properly and I suppose that will never change.  

So in-between playing painter and cleaning lady I get to find some jewelry desk time.  One thing is certain my creative juices keep flowing despite the stress level or pain.  They have a mind of their own and ask to be created.

This latest design of mine has been brewing for nearly a year.  Not sure why it has taken this long for me to finally give it it's due course.

What I can say about this design is this.  They are long, sexy and very earthy.  I do more classic pieces also and always have them for sale in my show but I do really love earthy jewelry.  I am still at a bit of a quandary as what style to call them.  I would love to entertain your thoughts on the matter.

I have also slipped in a few new bracelets into the mix.  

More designs will be coming this week.  A very good start to 

The Scott County Art Crawl.  

October 5th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. 

 In my home.  I am number 19 on the Art Crawl Map.  I will have maps at my home so you can visit the many artists in the Scott County area.

Looking for some of my art bead components.  You can find them here.

Donna Millard Art Glass

Outwest

Scorched Earth

Angel Whisperer

I also purchase many of my stones from

Dakota Stones.

Hope to see you at the Crawl!!!!!

Helga Gets a Makeover

Meet Helga, my ratty old bust.  

  

She was covered with all this ugly blue fabric. 

I bought Helga a few years ago at my local thrift store for $20.00.  I have seen old busts go for $500.  I was not really loving the blue fabric on it.  I remember seeing some photographs of busts with a craypaper look....old and ratty.  They looked like mine so today I thought I would see what Helga was really made of.

Reminds me to never judge a book by its cover.  

She is a beauty...yup full of water stains, rust, missing screws, and she has a lovely pose (lopsided) but she is a highly sought after item by jewelry artists for displays and photography.

She Does Bite !!!!!!

 Good thing my Tetanus is updated.

So I thought I would try her out.  Not sure these are the best photos but a start.  Will have to figure out the best backdrop to take photos with her.

My latest creation from some of my purchases at the 

Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee.

This is a layered necklace.  Can be worn individually or together.  Choker & Long Necklace.

Made with some earthy green & brown ceramic beads that are chunky.  Some wavy chips that I bent, copper fish and Swarovski Crystals.

I Think Helga Approves!!!!

Looky Looky I Made The Front Cover Of Bead Chat Magazine

I joined a Facebook group of jewelry artists a little over a year ago called Artisan Whimsy.  This group started on facebook and has since then also started a Ning Group and now began putting out this lovely magazine you see below. Link just below.

Bead Chat Magazine

It is full of fabulous eye candy, education, inspirational stories on artist and artisan component sellers.

My favorite part about this group is the friends I have made.  I now have 100's of beading friends across the world!!!!!  They are supportive and have taught me so many things.  I credit this group for encouraging me to become published for the first time and for expanding my skills.

It was very exciting to head to my group one morning to see what everyone was up to (one of my daily activities) and to my surprise I see my earrings made the front cover!

Thank you Artisan Whimsy Team......I know how much work this magazine has been!

These earrings are made with some lovely components by Scorched Earth on Etsy.

They also gave in a lovely 2 page spread with my Scorched Earth Earrings and my Chunky Pearl Statement Necklaces.

I love the interview they did with Heidi Kingman.....she is one of my new friends that I made through The Artisan Group.  She is inspiring as she is always educating herself and trying new things.  She really puts what she learns to work.  She is amazing technically!

Thank you Artisan Whimsy for using me on the front cover and inspiring me to become more!!!!

And More Bracelets.

The bracelet binge continues!!!!!  

I guess when on a role you just have to run with it.  

More lovelies with  Angel Whisperer focals and one fun one with Scorched Earth Components.

Harvest Moon is set with an Angel Whisperer focal....love you Birgitta!  Woven with peanut beads, Czech Glass, AA Sunstone, Lampwork from Bokamo and sweet little Ginko leaf charm.

Purchase Harvest Moon Bracelet Here.

I do love peachy blush pink.  It is one of the soft pastel colors that I like to make jewelry with.  Another lovely Tree Of Life focal by Angel Whisperer.  Drop is by Scorched Earth, gorgeous lampwork by Studio Juls, Czech Glass and by the way......swoon over those blush pink rondelles.  I do love stone so I had to add this peachy pink quartz.

Purchase Tree of Life Bracelet Here.

Mother Earth Bracelet with another great focal from Birgitta!  Lampwork by Jeff Plath from tfbeadstore on Etsy, Scorched Earth as part of the clasp, Turquoise, Chrysoprase and Swarovski Crystals for a little bling.

Purchase Mother Earth Bracelet Here.

Swooning over this Art Nouveau Cuff by Angel Whisperer.  Set with Czech Glass, Lampwork by Jeff Plath, Jade and Swarovski Crystals.  This one sold immediately.

Grassy Green Bracelet with some fun primitive components from Scorched Earth on Etsy.  Set with Lampwork by Juli Cannon of StudioJuls, Green Garnet, Czech Glass and a sweet little Trinity Brass Bird in Flight.

Purchase Grassy Green Bracelet Here.

I am hoping to get to some necklaces shortly but a few bracelets might slip into the mix!!!

Bracelet Binge

Bracelets Bracelets & More Bracelets

I have been on a binge lately!!!!!!  
I have numerous ideas in my head for some new bracelets.  For now they are stored away as some of the work is putsey for the ones I want to make and I have to be in the mood to do those.

These are some of my latest with lovely focals by Birgitta from Angel Whisperer on Etsy.

  

Mindfull Blooms bracelet is made with a lovely iron flower from The LipStick Ranch, Czech Glass,  teal lampwork by Jeff Plath from Taylors Falls Bead Store, red lampwork by Steve from Bokamo set with some sunstone and a crazy wire wrapped bead.

Sweet Orient bracelet has a sweet Trinity Brass dragonfly, Czech Glass, lampwork by Jeff Plath from Taylors Falls Bead Store and faux beach glass

Ammonite Sky bracelet is made with lampwork by StudioJuls, ammonite charm by Green Girl Studios, Czech Glass, Greek Mykonos and some sueded cording.  Very earthy and everyday.

This lovely Crystal Cross Bracelet is made with Swarovski Crystals, lampwork by Jeff Plath from Taylors Falls Bead Store, Captured Moments link & Czech Glass.

Yes it has been a fun weekend of bracelets and you cant go wrong with Birgittas lovely bracelet focals!

Come On Arm Move - Please!

I won't deny it.  I abuse my body.  I always have! 

 I have taken it for granted that things are always going to work the same for my lifetime.  I beat my body down as a young gymnast and I work until I am in pain and ignore all of my symptoms.

So this is frozen shoulder.  

It is debilitating, painful and frustrating.  It has gotten a little worse since these photos were taken and more painful.  Typical me wait till the last minute when it affects everything before I do something about it.

This is my second round of Frozen Shoulder.  My first was a result of an injury in Tae Kwon Do, another abuse to my body.  It took over 2 years to resolve itself.  I gave up on all therapies out of frustration and it eventually released. 

However this time is different.  This one affects my dominant arm!  The arm I make all my jewelry with, photo edit, market myself on the computer and do all of my everyday activities with.

So all that being said and my whining done.  
I finally have an appointment to see an Orthopedic Surgeon (my last resort) on August 15th.  I have exhausted all the homeopathic therapies and it is time to move on.

I will keep you all a breasted to my progress and hope you will continue to follow me if in fact I have a lengthy rehabilitation. 

For today - I make jewelry when I can - remain hopeful and inspired by my many jewelry making friends!!!!!

What To Wear Wednesday On Hold

My What To Wear Wednesday is on Hold 

I have been dealing with this frozen shoulder for the last 6 months.  It has become quite painful.  Orthopedic Surgeon appointment on the 15th of August.   As soon as I find some recovery from it I will get it back up and running.  I have to save all my arm moving for my jewelry making right now.  I will be back soon.  In the meantime enjoy a few of my newest creations.

Olive & White Chunky Faux Pearl Statement Necklace & Earrings. Olive set it sold.

Purchase White one Here

Senore Dendritic Rhyolite Necklace & Earrings.  These are SOLD.

Lapis & Outwest Lampwork Bracelet.

Purchase this bracelet here.

Reworked Vintage Up-cycled Necklace with lovely rich Czech Glass.

Purchase this necklace here.

Have fun Browsing!!!!!

YaY! Jewelry

What To Wear Wednesday

What To Wear Wednesday

I do like to go back to Garnet Hill's fashion as I think it pairs so nicely with jewelry.  It is simple, tailored and sophisticated and they are having a big sale!

This week I chose

Bob Hoffmeyer & Alicia Marinache  for my guest jewelry designers this week.

First up is the simple yet sophisticated designs of Bob Hoffmeyer from The Hoffmeyer Collection.  I love stone jewelry and he pairs them up lovely and simply with a high level of sophistication.

This lovely sheer linen Easy Open Neck sweater by Garnet Hill is simple and pairs perfectly with Bob's lovely Crazy Lace Agate & Glass necklace from The Hoffmeyer Collection. Lovely pairing for a simple sophisticated statement.

Necklace can be Purchased here.

&

Sweater can be Purchased here.

Alicia Marinache of All Pretty Things is the designer of these lovely dangle earrings with an etched and patina'd finish.  This very textural top by Giselle from Velvet by Graham & Spencer pairs perfectly and adds some contrast in color with the darker azure blue patina and brassy gold finish.  I love these vintage feeling earrings paired with a more modern top.  I think they make a modern meets old world statement.

Earrings can be purchased here

&

Top from Garnet Hill can be purchased here.

I paired this asymmetrical dress shift dress from Garnet Hill with an asymmetrical necklace made by me from YaY! Jewelry on Etsy.  The large statement size flower with a Zinnia in mind was tied with Golden Coral onto a estate sale find brooch.  I paired it with some Juicy Druzy stone, Orange Calcite and Pineapple facetted Jade rondeles. Center of the Zinnia is a Greek Mykonos Donut.

Garnet Hill Dress can be purchased here.

& 

YaY! Jewelry Golden Zinnia Necklace can be purchased here.

Thank you Alicia and Bob for allowing me to add your beautiful jewelry into my What To Wear Wednesday Weekly Blog Post and to my viewers.......Have Fun Shopping!

Variety Is The Spice of Jewelry Design

  A month ago I made some jewelry for Dakota Stones product launch of their new wavy coin.  The jewelry was made to give customers ideas for how they can utilize these newly shaped stones.  

Art Beads has a large selection of Dakota Stone's product line and they were so kind to give me a spotlight of my jewelry designs using many of the beads they carry. The goal was to give their customers inspiration on the great textural pieces that can be created using Dakota Stones.

See Promotion Here

This is what they had to say as taken from Art Beads Website!

"Find fabulous examples of jewelry created with Dakota Stones gemstone beads right here! These high-quality gemstones are the perfect way to start creating something special - a jewelry design full of beauty, meaning and creativity. Designer Kristin Oppold of Yay! Jewelry designed these pieces for Dakota Stones, to showcase how their beads bring a unique element to any design. Since each bead is one-of-a-kind, your jewelry will be, too. Find inspiration from these exquisite designs and then explore what you can create with Dakota Stones gemstones. "

What I really love about Dakota Stones is the variety of shapes, cuts and stone types they have.  You can really come up with some great textural pieces.  

This is one of my favorites that I made with their wavy coin.

This Rose Quartz Wavy Coin Love Bracelet is up for sale in my Etsy Shop and can be purchased 

HERE

Simply Stated Rose Quartz & Copper Necklace can be purchased 

Here

So if you are looking for a great variety of stones and wanting to delve into making some very textural pieces please head over to

ART BEADS

large selection of Dakota Stones high quality beads.

What To Wear Wednesday

This week I was hoping to get my inspiration for my blog from my many jewelry making friends from my 
Creative Bead Chat Group  
& 
The Artisan Whimsy Group. 

This pool of highly talented jewelry designers and art bead sellers have been very instrumental in my growth as a jewelry designer and an artist.

I couldn't pick from just one guest jewelry designer this week so here they are.

I couldn't resist this lovely knotted olive drab dress by Damir Doma on SSENSE online can be worn in 2 ways. SSENSE.COM is a very fashion forward website that is young and hip with a Urban Chic feel.  I think it pairs nicely with the longer Spring Willow necklace made by SJDesigns Jewelry on Etsy. Sarajo Wentling is the designer and she meticulously embossed and handpainted the leaves in the designs and set them on Vintaj Brass with an earthy twig which is perfection.

SJDesigns Necklace can be purchased HERE.

&

SSENSE Dress can be Purchased HERE.

I think this pop of Swarovski sparkle is perfect for this very simple yet stylish tank by Pierre Balmain on SSENSE online.  Denim Delight necklace is made by my friend Aime Biondolillo from Aimees Jewelry Treasures online.  It makes a statement in it's triple strand design and in it's sparkle!

This lovely SSENSE tank can be purchased HERE.

&

Aimee sparkly Denim Delight Necklace can be purchased Here.

I couldn't help myself with this mandala printed dress by Helmut Lang!!!!!!!!  Man I wish I was still in my twenties!  I love the asymmetry and of course the color of this rockin dress from SSENSE online.  I like the play of the peachy pink orange with the muddy hyacinth.  I think the silver adds a bit of a spark and contrast for the warm colors in the dress.  I included Linda Youkman's lovely multistrand bracelet from Lindys Designs on Etsy it has a nice softness with the Cherry Quartz & Rose Quartz  and included my long spikish earrings made by me from YaY! Jewelry to add a little extra edge to this already fabulous dress.

This lovely bracelet by Lindy's Designs can be purchased Here.
&
This rocking Helmut Lang dress on SSENSE dress can be purchased HERE.
&
These earrings from YaY! Jewelry can be purchased HERE.

You may note that the SSENSE is having a BIG SALE right now!!!!!!  
Have fun shopping my friends jewelry and these great fashions from SSENSE.

What To Wear Wednesday

Picking jewelry and taking the time to get it right can take time.  Because I am a jewelry artist I am always being the good marketer and thinking who will see what I am wearing and where will I be.  So I do spend a little time picking out what I wear before I leave the house as this is the nature of my business.  I have sold jewelry off of my neck so it is worth a little extra time for me.  

Going monochromatic really is the easiest way to pick your jewelry.  So if you are in a hurry go that route. Shades can be on the same spectrum.  If you have more time think about a complimentary color or multicolored.

This azure blue dress by Anthropologie is very striking.  It has a carefree flow to it and I think goes perfect with Cherrie Fick's lovely beach themed necklace and matching earring from her Etsy Shop called Enlalumiere.  I can picture this well put together lady walking on the boardwalk shopping her favorite shops and heading to her local coffee shop.  I think she would turn the heads of many ladies.  Yes, I say ladies as we really notice what women are wearing.

Cherrie's Necklace can be purchased Here and Earrings Here.

Anthtopologie's Solana Dress Can be purchased Here.

The above peachy pink color happens to be a favorite of mine as of late and I think it has more to do with my love of Sunstone than of really the color itself.  Color or stone this lovely sheer top from Anthropologie would be a great summer staple for those hot humid summer days.  Set this with a lovely chunky statement necklace from YaY! Jewelry to add some vavoom to this relatively conservative top and I think you have a great mix.  I think copper has a great constrast for the softness of the color.  This necklace will give this top just the right amount earthy carefree feel with the Fossil Coral, Sunstone and Riverstone while at the sometime making a big statement. And this is a 

BIG SEXY NECKLACE.

YaY! Jewelry's Necklace can be purchased HERE and Earrings Here.

This lovely feminine Janie Tunic can be purchased HERE.

I hope you are enjoying my What To Wear Wednesdays.  I love fashion and its evolving nature,  it always keeps my jewelry thinking fresh and innovative.  God permitting I will be making jewelry for my lifetime.