Wedding Fun

I am part of the amazing etsybloggers team.  This group helps promote each other as artists and as creative people by blogging about their crafts and each others.  Part of this involves having different blog topics that we do bi-monthly.  I am participating in a the second topic for the month of September.  It's all about weddings.  So here it goes.  I was asked to include a picture from my wedding and also to include something from my shoppe that could be used for a wedding.  I really wish I knew how to make jewelry 9 years ago.  I would have worn something more interesting than pearls.  However, these are my Mom's pearls so they are special to me and I guess that's all that matters.

This gorgeous necklace is made with cream colored Swarovski Crystal Pearls and vintage crystals.  The crystals came from a necklace that was my great aunt's that I deconstructed.  I believe that they are around 75-80 years old.  I also added a sterling silver toggle heart clasp to this beauty and there is a bezel set cubic zirconia at the drop.  I love this necklace and it would have been something I could have created and worn myself on my special day.

Colors of Fall Artbeads-Style

I got another invitation from Artbeads to participate in their Blogging for Beads program.  I have been working with them for the past year or so.  As the summer comes to a close, they wanted me to be inspired by all the gorgeous colors of Fall and create keeping this in mind.

I went out on a limb with this task.  Normally, I check out what colors will be popular for the upcoming seasons and create with this in mind.  This time I used the Color Scheme Designer.  I decided I wanted to use a tetrad of colors that would complement copper.  So this is what I came up with:

I really fell in love with the Copper Heart Shaped Leaf Pendant  and I think it really highlights the 12 mm Malachite rounds and the 8 mm Olive Jade rounds nicely.  Then I added some carnelian roundelles and some darker red carnelian rounds with some 6 mm fuschia Swarovski rounds.  


I think I will go out on a limb and try some more bold color combinations in the future.  


Happy Fall!


Disclosure: I participate in Blogging for Beaders with Artbeads.com and have received the products free of charge from them. I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Yoga For A Cure: Part Two

"Yoga for the Cure 2," the second local fund-raiser to benefit a Pottstown participant in the three-day Breast Cancer Walk For The Cure, is being planned for October 1, 2010 (Friday) from 7-9 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown, 750 North Evans Street, Pottstown PA.


The event will be a relaxing evening of gentle yoga followed by tea, coffee, desserts, henna tattoos, chair massage, and giveaways.  The money to be raised will be part of a $2,000 goal for participants walking 20 miles daily for three consecutive days to combat breast cancer.


A similar yoga fund-raiser conducted during June raised $640.


A suggested donation for the event is $20.00, and advance reservations are requested.  Organizers are also looking for people who are willing to donate products, gift certificates, or services for the giveaway raffles.  For more information or to make a reservation, call Barbara at 484-525-5204.  If you plan to attend, here is one of the items being raffled off:

Handcrafted ceramic pendant (made by Gaea Designs) paired with ceramic and Bowenite rounds.  Sterling silver chain and clasp.  Last time, I provided a breast cancer awareness bracelet and earrings set.  I thought something yoga related would be a nice addition to this event.

Namaste'

Working With Copper

I have been experimenting with using copper lately.  Typically I use sterling silver or silver plated metal in my creations, but now I'm starting to use more copper.  The copper really warms up the pieces.  I am especially fond of using turquoise, carnelian, and copper together.  So very pretty, in my humble opinion!

How Do You Celebrate The End Of Summer?

Labor Day is just around the corner.  Traditionally, it marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year.  Around our house, we are trying to soak up the last bits of summer by going to the pool one last time; by having one last outdoor BBQ with friends; by hitting the beach for just one more jump in the cool ocean waves.  

We are also getting ready to start another year of school.  This is a big year for us.  My oldest son is starting second grade and my little baby (oh where did the time go???) is starting preschool this year.  It's only 2 mornings a week, but it seems like just yesterday that I was dropping off my older son, clinging to my leg, at his first day of big boy school.  We have gathered our backpacks, lunchboxes, pencils and erasers, and our first day of school outfits...not that boys this age care so much about that "just right" outfit.  I can't wait to capture the first days of school on film for prosperity.  

As far as creativity goes, I have been working on many new jewelry pieces for the Fall months.  I love using the reds, oranges, and greens.  To me, it symbolizes change.  All the deeper hues of the colors we use other times of the year.  I love the crisp scent of the air, wood burning in an outdoor fireplace, the colors of mums and pumpkins.  Everything is just so beautiful and I love to spend time outside this time of year.  I hope everyone enjoys the change in the weather and all the beautiful colors!

"A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least, but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart."  -Hal Borland

Looking Forward To Fall/Winter....

I know that it's only August, but now is the time that I am starting to think about the cooler weather months.  I love Fall especially.  The gold, rust, and copper colors are really beautiful and I love watching the leave change their colors, going to pick pumpkins, and decorate my house for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  I also start to think about what colors are going to be upcoming designer trends; the colors that YOU will start to see in the department stores, fashion, and runway magazines.  Consumers will want to start to look for jewelry and accessories that will coordinate with the new lines of clothing.  So in order to help you out, I will do all the dirty work for you.  I will keep up to date on what colors you will start to see and design jewelry accordingly.  For the Fall/Winter months a few colors start to stand out in my mind: Tandoori Masala, Calendula, California Buckwheat, Calypso, Indian Ruby, and Cast Bronze.

Here are a few pieces of jewelry that I created that incorporate a few of these colors:

This double-stranded necklace is created using goldstone ovals and turquoise (california buckwheat and calypso) & also amber heishi beads (tandori masala).  Just a little fact about amber....it's actually created from fossilized tree sap.  This necklace is highlighted nicely with copper clasp and focal bead.

This is another favorite creation of mine.  Crab fire agate ovals are paired with turquoise rounds (indian ruby and calypso).  There are also some fire polished black glass beads along with some silver plated spacers to add some interest.  The sterling silver round pendant is so much fun for the upcoming months.

Both of these great necklaces, along with some of my other creations are available for sale on my etsy shoppe.  Please don't hesitate to contact me about any of your special needs or if you would like me to create a custom, one-of-a-kind necklace for you or for a loved one.

Thanks for looking.

The Lucky Earrings Winner is.....

mkokopelli. Congrats!  I will be emailing you to get your information so I can mail out these
earrings to you :