New 'Simplify' Line

I am in awe at the way nature strikes a perfect balance of simplicity and complexity. The biological and scientific aspects of nature are incredibly complex and I admire those who understand them. However, in my quiet observations I find nature to be beautifully simple as well. Nothing needs to tell the a seed to grow into a mighty oak tree, nobody texts the birds to let them know it's warm enough to return home to the North. And it doesn't take an interior designer to decide for a tulip to bloom into a gorgeous orangey-red color. Everything in nature just knows what to do all on it's own and that is what I love about it so much. It is perfectly created!
Nature has inspired me to simplify my life. I do my best to avoid over-scheduling my life. I try to cut back on unnecessary spending. I continually limit my choices of clothes in my closet and jewelry in my box. I love a simple life! I love to be free from wordly and superficial cares.
All of this is what inspired my new jewelry line 'Simplify'. I wanted to create a line of jewelry that was very minimal and affordable with a rustic-feminine twist. This is the perfect never-take-off jewelry. Wear it everyday (it's made to last)! Enjoy simplifying your life with this new and exciting line of jewelry. All of the following are listed in my Etsy shop... new additions will be made as inspiration comes.

'Wishes' Earrings $22

'Three Wishes' Necklace $32

'Rustic Studs' Earrings $18

'Rustic Nugget' Necklace $30

Custom Bracelet Done

It's done...and I'm happy! Here are some detailed pictures. This bracelet if for my customer's niece for a wedding gift. The handles are from the bride's great grandmother's collection. I made the charms. The oval one has the wedding date engraved on the back. I really like all of the details on the handles. The handles are a lot thicker than the one I made with my own silverware (see pics in a recent post from the past), and it took a lot to get them to bend. I wanted to curve the ends in a little more but just couldn't make it happen. That's it...have a great Easter weekend!

Nature's Harvest!

The gem show was amazing as always! This time around I focused more on finding cabachons and I feel like I struck gold. =) I am astonished that I didn't buy a single strand of freshwater pearls. I love, love, love pearls...and I have the stash to prove it! I browsed the heaping tables full of them on the look out for any colors that caught my eye. They were all lovely, of course, but I think I wanted to save my money for any lucky cab finds. I realized that I cannot leave the gem show feeling completely satisfied with out one really good 'guilty' purchase. Well, I found an incredible strand of teeny tiny turquoise beads I had to have; sorry, they're all mine!!! Here are some pictures and details of my trip:

turquoise nuggets, rainforest jasper, citrine, and aquamarine

nature's paintbrush, serpentine, moldovite, turquoise, rock butte, and labradorite

turquoise

rock butte (jasper, I think) the landscape quality of this stone is amazing!

nature's paintbrush (jasper?) I see an adorable little flower

moldovite (a type of meteorite)

This is actually what the moldovite looks like, beautiful! I think it is going to have to have an open back setting to show the amazing detail. They are all like this.

This is a rare hand-cut jade from South Central Asia, I am kicking myself for not writing down where exactly is is from. It is gorgeous, matte, and varigated...luscious!

Another one of those rare hand-cut strands, but this one is turquoise. It was very expensive (my guilt purchase). They are incredibly tiny... I knew that if I didn't buy them I would really regret it. They are also from South Central Asia (once again, kicking myself for not writing down exactly where they are from. I'll find out!).

This is what I did with my new teeny tiny turquoise beads. I made a teeny tiny silver pendant to dangle from them. It is very sweet and very simple!

My mind is swarming with ideas for how to use my stones. I am just finishing up a custom order and then I can play with my ideas. I am in the beginning stages of developing two new jewelry lines to compliment my seasonal lines. I cannot wait to spend some time in my sketchbook! This is a pretty busy week for me, I am looking forward for it to be over so that I can spend all of the time I want in the studio. Later!

Just Some Pictures

It feels so good to be prepared for an upcoming busy week. I spent yesterday afternoon making this custom necklace which I am delivering on Tuesday and a practice piece for commission for which I have a meeting tomorrow night. The gem show is finally here (tomorrow); I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of my custom family necklaces, it is reversible!

This side is simple

This side has the family names

My customer also wanted her pets' names included. I made each of them a little tag and put it in the back.

I made a simple pair of earrings just in case she wants a pair to match.

I have never made jewelry out of antique silverware before, but I have been commissioned to do a bracelet for a new bride. I had been given a few pieces of antique silverware so I thought I'd do a practice piece. I am glad I did because i learned a lot making this one.

My favorite part is the little floral detail on the backside of the spoon handles. I think it is adorable how it quietly surprises on the inside of the bracelet.

In case you were wondering...we got two inches of snow last night...ISH!

An Afternoon with Sisters!

I had such a nice time with my sisters yesterday. One of them is visiting from the Chicago area and four of us got together (I have 6 sisters total and one brother...yikes!) and spent the afternoon walking around a local nature center. It was (finally) a beautiful day. We walked paths and chased around three of my rambunctious little nephews. I wish I had more pictures to post of our day, but I only took three. I've been pestering Meagan to send me all of hers...she has tons of them, including a really cute one of all four of us girls.

Me (left) & Samantha (right)

My sweet little baby niece, Isabella (Sam's daughter)

I have lots to do today. I have an appointment with a gallery this afternoon, I need to work on a custom order and work on my practice piece for an upcoming custom order. I have been commissioned to make a bracelet out of antique spoons for an acquaintance's co-worker. I have never made anything out of antique silverware so I wanted to practice a little before my meeting on Monday. I just happened to have been given a baggie full of antique silverware by a co-worker and found two matching pieces. It seems to be a simple project, but there is always a catch! I am just waiting to catch it =) I am glad to have an opportunity to practice one first. TTFN

Too Cute Not to Post

So, as I mentioned earlier I have been resting in bed all morning. My kitties are, as always, right by my side. We often find these two all piled up on top of each other slumbering. This is Max (gray one) and Ruthie (black one). Maggie is sleeping somewhere by herself, as usual.

Some Kind of Sick Joke!

Happy April 1st!

Mother Nature seems to know this day as "April Fools". Well, she pulled a fast one on us today...this is a view from my front window! Lovely isn't it (catch the sarcasm)! The worst of it is that it has been unseasonably cold and absolutely gray for the past couple of weeks. I am not usually one to complain about winter not ending...but come on! It's April. We've had weather just like this since November. Where's the sun and Spring rain? Hopefully this will be the last of this kind of weather!


So, I've caught some kind of mild bug that just enough of a nuisance to keep me in bed half the day. I feel icky in the morning, but then anxious to get on with my day by the afternoon. Then icky before bed and then again in the morning. ??? I hope this doesn't drag on (like the weather...bitter? not me) =) And for all of those hoping...no, I am not pregnant! (people always seem to jump to that conclusion if I ever mention even a headache or slight fatigue).

I have every reason to hope that next week (at the latest) I will find myself on early morning walks, sunny-warm afternoons in the studio, and lazy evening strolls with my husband! Let's hope!