Clownin' Around Lampwork Bracelet

I just love the colors in this beautiful focal lampwork bead. Focal bead is made by: The Shard Gallery. It measures 21mm x 33mm and the colors are a brilliant orange, red, gold, white and turquoise with a touch of clear glass. The tiny bubbles inside gives it the appearance of the colors floating in fluid. I tried other colored beads with this but the genuine turquoise just set the whole focal bead. Any other color just seemed to take away from it's beauty. Sterling silver bali curved tube beads, a couple of cute sterling bali round beads, some bali spacers, a sterling lobster clasp and extension chain finished off this bracelet nicely. For an added touch I attached a handwrapped sterling silver beadcap and an orange AB czech glass crystal beads with a tiny turquoise bead for a lovely charm.

WOW, doesn't this bracelet and all the colors remind you of the clowns at the circus? This bracelet was just recently featured on: The Shard Gallery Website. If you are interested in purchasing this bracelet, it is for sale at my Etsy Shop: Naturally Charming.

We are definitely making the move to Wisconsin. Our target date for leaving is: August 15, 2007. We will be having a couple of garage sales before we leave hoping to weed out a collection of things that we have accumulated in the five years we've been in Florida. I am somewhat of a packrat and I am totally addicted to garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets so you can imagine all the things that I will be getting rid of. I'm in the process of sorting and organizing all of my pattern magazines that I've collected over the years; ie. quilting, sewing, beading, crocheting...and the list goes on. I have started listing some of the patterns on my other Etsy website: The Foolish Craftsman.

Be sure to check it out for upcoming specials and goodies. I will be adding things on a daily basis so check back frequently.

English Lavender Garden Bracelet

Can't you just smell the lavender in bloom? I love the lampwork beads in this bracelet. I bought these beads from FerrariOriginalBeads at Etsy. http://ferrarioriginalbeads.etsy.com/. They have gorgeous beads so check them out. I'm sure you'll find something you like. I handwrapped these beads in sterling silver wire and added a couple of fancy sterling beads that I had been saving for that something special. This was that time I think. The square beads are a beautiful amethyst crystal glass that I also have had for some time. I finished the whole piece off with more sterling rings, bali spacers and a very lovely floral sterling silver toggle clasp. If you're interested in purchasing this bracelet, please check out my Etsy Shop at: Naturally Charming .

My Etsy Trades for Baby Things

Etsy is such a great place to shop or sell handcrafted items. I have two grandchildren who will be born sometime in September. My son and his fiance are expecting around the 15th of September and my husband's daughter and her fiance are expecting around the same time. It has gotten to be kind of comical because it appears that the race is on between the two families now.

Each week, as the girls go to their doctor appointments, I get a new report of how they are each progressing. Recently, both doctor's have figured they are both further along than realized therefore, the due dates have changed frequently. Unfortunately, since these will be our first grandchildren....it's become a bit of rivalry for being the first. The good news is: my son is having a boy, my stepdaughter is having a girl...so at least, we'll have one of each. Maybe if we're lucky they'll both go into labor at the same time and they'll have the same birthday.

Anyway, I've been doing some shopping for baby items that I want to buy for my new grandchildren and I've been doing it on Etsy. Yesterday, I posted in the forum asking for baby items that I might be able to trade for. I got several responses and I've made a few choice trades. I traded a beautiful rose quartz necklace for a lovely rag quilt and I've also traded two ankle bracelets for two chenille bibs with little fishies on it.

I'm going to leave you with both of their shops on Etsy. The quilt was from:Susan's Treasures and the bibs are from: Our Kid's Boutique . I want to say Thank You to both of you for making this such a wonderful transaction.

Gray Mist Lampwork Bracelet

I am so pleased with how this bracelet turned out. The focal bead is a One Of A Kind lampwork bead created by Cindy Craig at: Artglass Adornments . The gray part of the bead is kind of transparent with swirls of white and blue colors going through it but the beautiful part of this bead is on the inside: a luminous color of aquamarine/teal blue and it is so sparkly and beautiful to look at. It shows through both sides of the beads. I decided to add some sterling silver bali curved tube beads, rose beads, a couple of twisted rings and some 6mm Swarovski crystal bicones to add to the sparkle and luminosity of the focal. I finished it off with an extension chain and lobster clasp of sterling silver with a small handwrapped charm at the end of the extension chain. I tried to get the camera to pick up the dazzling colors in this bracelet but I think it didn't do it justice. It truly is a beautiful bracelet and it has a mysterious quality to it. If you're interested in purchasing this bracelet, you can do so in my Etsy Shop: Naturally Charming. I have more wonderful lampwork beads by talented artist on Etsy and I will be showing them off as I complete each design so stay tuned for more surprises.

Lemony Flower Jasper Olive Jade Pendant and Earring Set

This is the other pendant that I had so I decided to do something unique and unusual with this one as well. I started with some sterling silver cable chain and handwrapped some olive ab czech glass crystals and a oblong tab of flower jasper. I continued on with that theme along one side of the necklace and on the other side I added a couple of larger olive czech glass crystals and some beautiful sterling silver beadcaps in between the flower jasper beads. The end result is very beautiful, I think. I added a simple pendant of olive jade as a focal point for the necklace.

The earrings carry the same theme with the olive ab czech glass crystals and flower jasper beads. I added the olivine swarovski crystal bicones to give it a little more pizzazz. The ear wires are french style and sterling silver. If you are interested in buying these you can do so by going to my Etsy Shop at: Naturally Charming.

Turquoise in Motion Necklace

This is a little different style for me but I wanted to try something quite unique with some pendants that I have. I thought they required a chain but with some added flash. I handwrapped some turquoise and red mountain jade beads into the sterling silver cable chain and attached a beautiful heart toggle in sterling. Then I wirewrapped the pendant in sterling silver wire and added some jade charms and another larger round turquoise bead with a Hill Tribe silver bead cap. I think the end result is very stunning. The pendant is quite unique as it has a very nice striation of lines and markings all the way through the stone to the backside so that the back is just as beautiful as the front. If you are interested in buying this pendant and necklace you can find it listed in my Etsy Shop: Naturally Charming .

Gemstones Galore

I finally got these photographed tonight. These are the ones I found in downtown Melbourne, FL the other day. Click on the picture to enlarge so you can get a better look. From left to right:

1. First three are Silicon Carbide - Discovered in 1891 by E.G. Acheson. Man-made fro a compound that forms extremely hard irridescent crystals that are insoluble. Information on the metaphysical properties of silicon carbide is unavailable.
2. Next one on top - Ruby in Fuchsite - Encourages one to follow their bliss. Allows one to remain at ease after tense emotional or physical situations. Due to fuchsite's flakey texture, do not prepare elixirs from this stone in the traditional manner of soaking the stone in water.
3. Onyx - green/gold - Excellent for scrying or carving magical amulets. A stone of inner strength, allowing one to focus and follow through. A stone of physical strength, allowing one to gradually build up one's vitality.
4. Tiger Iron - Accelerates and enhances all healing functions. Diminishes one's tendency to procrastinate. Helps to alleviate fears associated with "survival" issues.
5. Bottom left - Amethyst - A physical representative of the Violet Ray of transformation, with strong protective qualities. Enhances psychic abilities and channeling. Stimulates the pineal and pituitary glands, and the endocrine system.
6. Aquamarine - Aids creative self-expression. Enhances inspiration, peace, calmness and love. Calms nerves, reduces fluid retention. Strengthens kidneys, liver, thyroid and spleen.
7. Citrine - "The Merchant's Stone" - Allows the bearer to increase and maintain wealth. Enhances the body's healing energy. Never needs clearing or cleansing, and will not accumulate or retain negative energy or vibrations.
8. End piece - A carved whale bead in jasper - Holds an aspect of solar energy and a connection to the solar plexus chakra. An intense stone of protection against negativity. Helps one to be grounded to the stabilizing energies of the Earth.

Jewelry Design Station

So this is where I spend alot of my time each day, working on the computer. I try to spend a few hours each day on answering email, listing jewelry, editing photography, promoting my jewelry designs and my Etsy Shop, writing in my blog and keeping up with current events. Between the computer and designing my jewelry, I keep pretty busy each day. I generally am up pretty late each night as well, due to the fibromyalgia...I don't sleep very well and when I do it's only for a few hours because of the pain.

Designing jewelry has literally given me a reason to get up in the morning. I was always very active in my life before I fell in 1999 and injured my low back, then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and COPD in 2002. My life changed very dramatically then as I became less able to get around or do the things that I loved to do. When I decided to start doing jewelry again, I felt like my mind was coming alive again, I became creative again and I was thrilled to be learning new techniques. Now I try to learn a new technique at least once a week. I really enjoy some of the bead magazine that teach you how to do different techniques.

My workspace is very nice as you can see in the picture up above on the left. My husband built my work table. I decided I didn't want a table that I had to sit at all the time...I wanted something that would be comfortable for me to stand at when I needed to be up and moving...this table stands about 37" high and the table top is 66" x 34". I have several storage boxes with drawers stacked towards the back wall of the table and underneath the table there are two shelves on each side with storages boxes as well. I also have a closet with two sets of rolling drawers stacked about 4 1/2' high full of beads and supplies.

All my cameral equipment, lighting, jewelry displays and props can be stored underneath the table. All my jewelry design books, magazines and my photo portfolio of my designs sit on top of my two filing cabinets where they are easily accessible for reference when needed. As well as keeping a portfolio of all my jewelry that I design, I also keep a catalog of each piece and what exactly went into it and what it cost me to design so I know exactly what I have invested in each piece. It also helps me so I don't duplicate my designs by mistake as each one is one of a kind.

As you can see, I'm very serious about what I'm doing and very conscientious about it. I try to be professional yet enjoy what I'm doing. I really love my little workshop and that's important to me as I spend most of my days in this room.

Jewelry Beads Hunting...

Yesterday was such a beautiful day. I spent the day searching for new beads and ideas for my jewelry designs. While I was downtown Melbourne, I ran into Natasha, my friend from Etsy. We ended up spending the afternoon together looking for beads, visiting with merchants and promoting our jewelry. It turned out to be a very good day. I found some really beautiful seashells and some gorgeous gemstones for wirewrapping. My favorite fine was a tumbled piece of ruby in fuchsite approximately 28mm x 22mm x 11mm. It has alot of ruby in it and has a beautiful emerald green color to the fuchsite. I can't wait to get it wrapped. This piece will be for my own personal collection as it is my birthstone. Maybe if it turns out great...I'll go back and get another piece to sell. We also found something called silicon carbide and I have to say it is so absolutely stunning. I bought 3 pieces of it and can't wait to do something with them. I will get a photo so I can post it here for you all to see. The colors are so breathtaking...lots of turquoise, purple, green and so sparkly. It's fragile though so it will have to be wrapped carefully so as not to break or crumble. It's going to take some thought as to how to do this but I will figure it out, I'm sure. So I will get back to work here and design some jewelry....it's so easy to get off track these days.

Meeting Natasha...

I had the most lovely day today. I met a wonderful woman from Russia who just happens to live here in Palm Bay, FL where I live. We originally met on Etsy but decided to meet for lunch today and I'm so glad that I did. We have a lot in common as we both have shops at Etsy and we are both very creative and craftsy. I learned alot about marketing and promoting for my jewelry, thanks to her. If you would like to see some of her designs you can find them at: Tender Things and her name is Natasha. She has many wonderful things for sale. I also have a couple of possible sales. One of the waitresses at the restaurant asked me to come back on Thursday to see some of my earrings. I will bring extras just in case some of the other waitresses would like to buy something as well. We both left several of our business cards with the restaurant owner.

On my way home from lunch, I stopped at Goodwill, one of my favorite places to bargain hunt. This time I went in the other side where you can buy by the pound. As I was checking out at the counter, I noticed that there was a huge grocery bag full of junk jewelry and I asked the clerk how much they were. She replied that I could have the whole bag for $ .50 if I would like. There were a few pieces lying on the counter as well and I said I would give her a $1.00 for all of it. She agreed so I have found a treasure trove of wonderful little surprises. Tons of beads, pendants, etc. I'm so excited because I love tearing apart old jewelry and redesigning it into new designs. So I have alot of work ahead of me. It's been a very good day.

Don't forget to check out Natasha's shop at Etsy. You'll not be disappointed!

Bracelet Forest Wonderland

This is such a beautiful bracelet. The focal lampwork bead is by: Sun Daisy Gems. She makes lovely beads. This one in particular has a luminous glow to it. The colors are so clear and true. I added a dark green cat's eye beads to bring out the greens in the focal bead. Sterling silver bali curved beads, barrel beads, spacers, a lobster clasp and sterling extension chain for adjustability. You'll find this wonderful bracelet in my Etsy shop.

Well, the 4th has come and gone, and so my birthday as well. The holiday was a huge success at my daughter's home. Lots of family and friends, terrific food, lots of fun, great music and entertainment. The weather started out a little rainy but only for an hour, then it rained itself out for the rest of the day. Bright sunshine and clear skies. My daughter, Nellie and her boyfriend were the perfect hostess and host. A good time was had by all...

On Friday, my birthday, Nellie took me out for a late lunch at Red Lobster. It's been a long time since I've eaten at Red Lobster but they only get better each time I go. I had the lobster and shrimp linguini alfredo, a caesar salad and of course, their wonderful cheese garlic biscuits. I tried a new beverage that was tea and cranberry which was delicious. (No sugar added) We had a wonderful time chatting, catching up on the past couple of days since the party. She brought me a beautiful birthday present - which I will keep a secret for right now until I can photograph it and show you. It will be worth the wait, I assure you!

My husband's been in Wisconsin/Minnesota for a few days now...we have decided to move back to the northcountry again. We are from Minnesota originally and miss the lakes and trees and the change of seasons. Living in Florida is nice but we are both tired of the heat, the heat, and the heat....and the weather in general which is usually hot and humid. Anyway, he's looking for a house for us to buy and also has a big job interview with Miracle Ear Inc selling hearing aids. It's a great opportunity and my husband loves working with the elderly and he's a great salesman.

My son and his fiance are expecting and their son is due Sept 30 of this year so we want to be home in Minnesota for the birth. This way we'll be able to play grandma and grandpa to our new grandson. We also have a granddaughter who will be born in October this year. We've been anxiously awaiting grandchildren for some time now and we finally get our wish. I will continue to update any information we get on both pregnancies.

Happy Birthday America!

Check this out for the best fireworks show ever! It's truly the most fun too! http://www.maylin.net/fireworks.html Well, it's official...it's the 4th of July...our nation's birthday today and she is 231 years young. Will we survive the Bush Administation and all of the crap that they have put this country through in the last 6 years. It's strange but I was never much interested in politics until I hit my 50's. I had never voted in an election, never paid attention to what was going on in our government...until 9/11...it woke me up, big time! I will never be complacent ever again in regards to our country, our government, nor our elected officials of this country. I am proud to be an American but I am not very proud of our President or his administration. In fact I am furious that he is allowed to continue his blatant disregard for our constitution and the laws of this great nation. Today I'm going to celebrate this country's birthday with my family and friends over at my daughter's home. Lots of good food, games, swimming, partying and just all around good fun. I hope you all have a great day today. Let's keep it safe...and drive responsibly. If drinking, get a designated driver to take you home safely. God Bless America !!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Okay, I know...it's not the 4th yet...but I get so excited that I have to start celebrating early. This little guy was sent to me today and I thought he was so cute, I just had to share him with you. Been having some problems in my right shoulder and arm, lots of pain and not being able to lift the arm very far before it feels like it's being ripped apart. Went to the neurologist today and he wants to get an MRI done so we can see what's going on. Not exactly what I wanted to hear...was hoping that a cortisone shot might be recommended but no such luck. I'll post more on this as I find things out... Wednesday my husband leaves for Minnesota/Wisconsin to do some house hunting. We've decided to move back up north. Weather here in Florida is just too hot for us. Me, always running 20 degrees hotter than the rest of mankind...plus the heat and humidity are just too hard on my lungs...really aggravates the COPD. I'm still going to my daughter's party and it will be a wonderful day. We'll be celebrating my 55th birthday as well as our country's birthday. I'll be back tomorrow to post more of the days' events.

Sew Sassy Creations: About Etsy

Sew Sassy Creations: About Etsy

July is my favorite month...

Three more days until the 4th...my very favorite holiday of the year...partly because I always get to celebrate my birthday on that holiday. My birthday is the 6th, and was always celebrated on the 4th because it was easier to get all the relative together for that day! Great big family reunions and picnics were always planned. Relatives would come in from all over to attend the reunions. This year the 4th will be celebrated at my daughter's new home. Her first really big entertainment event in the new house. They have a lovely backyard with a nice inground pool with a brand new deck added on. My husband helped build it. Lots of people, family and friends will be attending. Backyard barbecue, open bar, games to be played, live music, the works. Her boyfriend owns a restaurant and he's an awesome chef so we know the foods going to be wonderful! This year is my Big 55 birthday! Makes me think of the Speed Limit! I'm the baby in the family so I've watched my siblings go through this milestone...didn't seem so traumatic for them. Is it just me? This year seems even bigger than my 50 birthday! Will this be the year that my jewelry design dreams finally come true? I have my shop now and I'm selling a few pieces each week...will it continue?