I'm Back

I'm Back

 Ancient Protector Necklace

Well at least as back as I can be.  Some of you knew that I am now living on a lake and to be more specific Prior Lake.

We had been looking for a lake home for over a year and saving our pennies.  One of my wish lists was to have a dedicated studio with a attached garage and cement floor.  Look out you might get what you ask for.  I have a view of my lake from my studio window and an attached garage and cement floor!!!!  WooooHooo.  

I am still moving in so more photos on that later.  But after being closed for more than 2 months to sell, move and clean my new and old house, along with my recovery from frozen shoulder.  I am now back open with an exciting new line of jewelry!

Between the Lines Collection

Tribal Chic Necklace

Some exciting things will be happening with this line in 2014 but mums the word on that until March!!!!!

Tribal Chic Earrings

In the meantime you can find many of these designs in my shop. 

Beachside Baby Choker Necklace

Beachside Baby Earrings

Sunstone Sunburst Necklace

Sunstone Sunburst Earrings

Wise One Necklace

Inspired by my sisters love of Willie Nelson with some added Whimsey.

I love to use Artisan Made Beads.  

You will find Outwest, Numosity, SLArtisan Accents, 

Bubby McGurk, Angel Whisperer, Scorched Earth and some really lovely high quality stones from Dakota Stones in these designs.

More To Come!  So Glad To Be Back In The Saddle!

OK I couldn't resist !!!!

YaY! Jewelry

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!!!!!