Happy Memorial Day!

I promised myself I'd get better with the blogging thing...but I've been stuck in the studio so long trying to get out custom orders, I'm usually just too darn tired to make any sense. The days just seem to fly by.

Thought I'd at least take the time to show you a couple of new designs. One, the first one is a minor victory for me, so I wanted to do a happy dance on my blog! For some time I've been trying to make a ring that's the same style as my folded cuffs. I wanted it to look like a cuff for the finger, kind of a mini me thing. One of my customers requested one as a special order this week, and I took the challenge. Probably my inspiration was not wanting to disappoint her, because I took my time and concentrated really hard,(and held my mouth just right! lol!) and it turned out pretty cool! I'll be making more!

Waverunner Ring

I also made an addition to my Life Series...another ring....guess I have a thing for rings (hey, that rhymes!) but it's the first one for this series. This one is called Love amid the Chaos, made with brass and sterling silver. The woven and soldered base of the ring represents the chaos, with all the twists and turns and general disorganization and the heart on top is the love that gets us through it all. If you've had a lot of chaos in your life, or some of it lately, you understand that family and close friends or significant other is what gets you through it!

Love Amid the Chaos

Well, I guess I'd better stop and get on with the day.

Toodles,

Strong Women - Real and Fictional

Wow, it's been a while since I blogged last. I really must do better! I've been busy working on my custom orders and a new series called "Strong Women - Real and Fictional." I've always had an admiration and facination for strong women. Women who overcame the odds to become famous in some way. Or...women who fought battles for others, like the fictional characters we grew up with. I mean, who didn't want to be Wonder Woman? Anyway, I can think of a few off the top of my head...some provide inspiration and some don't. So I've been researching famous women and have read some very interesting bios. I already knew who the first strong woman design was going to be named after but what follows that is still being decided. Here's my first of the series, named after Zena, warrior queen.

The Zena Cuff

It's Sterling silver with copper wire that's been hammered and made to look like leather strips. I can just imagine the warrior queen wearing something like this, can't you?

And speaking of strong women.....kerijoy, the artist who was featured in my last blog is certainly one of them. Maybe I should name a special cuff for her! I'm so in love with her creations and I finally have 3....yes, 3!...of them on my wall! They are so wonderful and everyone loves them. Be sure to check out her site at http://kerijoy.etsy.com.

Well, I have promised myself to update this blog more frequently, and I will.

toodles for now,

Wall Dancers - Featured Artist Kerijoy

I met a lovely lady this week on Etsy who does the most incredible wall art. I think I'm going to own a few of these lovely "ladies" before too long. But besides being drawn to her wonderful designs, I was inspired and in awe of her story. I can't tell the story as well as she can, so I'm going to quote her....

" I began the "Wall Dancers" in February 2003. After 15 years of being a Senior Designer, I lost my "passion" for my art. Just when I said "No Mas!" and "I knew' where my life was going (silly me!) - Our Higher Power decided to display a sense of humor and I've been 'along for the ride' ever since! I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February 2002 that kept me literally bed-bound. It's been a 6-year tough battle but my ‘choice’ was not to take the victim role. The first dolls were actually made in bed with me in my jammies! I was told by all of my doctors that "these were impossible to do" and still to this day they still wonder 'how I do it.' ~smiling~ You just have met the "Rainman-Of-ETSY!"

Defying the odds, and making the most of her blessings, Keri has put so much personality into her wall dancers that you want to smile everytime you see one. She's a true artist, with all the talent and passion that makes what she creates a labor of love. Check her out. You'll fall in love with her "ladies"!

Your Friendship is Timeless

Lil Junk Food Junkie

Artsy Babe

BEE Positive Babe

http://kerijoy.etsy.com/

I know you will enjoy her Wall Dancers as much as I do! And if you want to know what to get me for my birthday.....Artsy Babe is my fave! Toodles...

New Series

I've been pretty busy with custom orders lately...which is a nice thing. Sometimes, however, it leaves little time to create on my own. I started the Life series, and am still making pieces to add to it, but because it's so personal and based on my feelings about life, I'm slow to add to the collection because I really have to feel it. I did add one piece, which I will share with you. If you've been following the series, you know what inspired it. This one is about my own life. It's a sterling silver version of the original life cuff...but I added a feature or two to from my own perspective. If you look closely, you'll see a couple of lone silver balls, somewhat separate from the other design elements. These represent the two people in my life who are now lost to me. My dear friend, Cherie (who inspired the series originally) and my Dad. I made the cuff in silver because, though there have been ups and downs...who hasn't had them...my life has been very blessed.

I'm also starting a new series dedicated to women. I'm not sure what the name of the series will be, but each piece represents a woman, real or fictional, that we all know. I've completed a couple of pieces and as soon as I photograph them, I'll post them for you to see.

Toodles for now,

I'm It!

Ok, so this week we're playing tag with fellow bloggers, and I got tagged "it". I'm supposed to share 7 random or wierd facts about myself and then tag 7 other people, who will then do the same. I was tagged by another Etsy artist, Tatsuko. So here goes! 1. They keep telling me grey is the new blonde, so I stopped highlighting my hair and am letting the grey show. Um..... 2. My grandbaby is visiting and I can't get over how much she looks like my son when he was her age. I pulled out all the pics of him as a baby, and I swear you can't tell them apart! By the way, I had him when I was 12 years old! lol! 3. I love being alone. Most people need other people around, but I cherish my alone time. I can read, do my art, daydream....whatever I want. 4. I really dislike telephones. I can blog, email, forum, all day...but do not like it one bit when the phone rings. In fact, sorry to say, I often ignore it and let it go to message. 5. I'm a food-a-holic and have a truckdriver's appetite. I don't care much for snacks, but when I sit down to a meal...I want a big one! None of this nouveau, designer food for me. Give me a big bowl of pasta! 6. I need white noise. Every TV in the house is on all day long, as I roam from room to room. Usually, I have no clue what's on...nor do I even watch it...just need the noise. 7. I drink coffee all day long. My family knows not to talk to me until I've had at least one cup...or is that one pot?....If I don't get my coffee, I'm incoherent! Wow, it's hard to think of 7 things! At least 7 I want to put out there for everyone to see!!!! So...I'm tagging the next seven: 1. Mickey - http://ImagesbyM.blogspot.com 2. Marcy - http://StudioMarcy.blogspot.com 3. Pam - http://whimsicalpam.blogspot.com 4. Wendy - http://dharmadesigns.blogspot.com 5. Stacy- http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com 6. Patty- http://pattylakinsmith.blogspot.com 7.Heather - http://hpalleiko.blogspot.com Movin' on....... Toodles for now...

New Etsy Artist

A friend of mine has finally made her fabulous photos available for buying. She is just starting out on the Etsy site, so check her out. She is offering blank cards/envelopes with the prints on the front, or you can buy the print for framing. Below are a couple of samples, proving just how talented she is!

http://www.imagesbym.etsy.com/

On another note, I just finished a few new things. One I'm particularly proud of. I actually wore it to the club last night to test it out before listing it, and someone saw it and bought it! I did pursuade her to let me list it as reserved for her so that others could see it. Check it out.

Well, no other news, except my grandaughter is coming for her first visit to Florida next month, and I am really excited! (She's bringing her parents with her) She was born in June, and I haven't seen her since she was a week old except in pictures. Definitely not enough nanna time for me!

Toodles for now

Art Jewelry Collective

Gee, I can't believe it's been so long since I've last posted. Shame on me! Actually, I've been pretty busy with my Etsy store and have been creating some new items to list. Last posting I talked about the Art Jewelry Collective, which I joined. They are a very active group and I really like what they're all about. We are currently working on a web site, have been posting on Flikr, and have been doing our best to get the members creations front and center on the Etsy site. I have volunteered for the Treasury group, and have been lucky enough to catch a couple. These artists are so good, it's really fun putting together a grouping for the Treasury, though I admit I feel like a stalker, waiting around for a slot to open up. Here's a couple that I've done so far:

These are just a few of the artists in the collective. Click on the links on the left under Art Jewelry Collective for links to their site. Or go to http://www.artjewelrycollective.etsy.com/ I've listed a couple of new items, as well as some custom pieces that I wanted to show you as well. I'm hoping to be able to keep adding new ones all month.

Well, I hope it won't be as long as this time to post again! Toodles.