back in the swing…

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. I lost my momentum sometime this spring: very little jewelry making and no blogging, and it’s taken a little while to get the motivation. However, I’m feeling quite active tonight – I made 5 pairs of earrings while watching TV and have started working on updating the website (moved to a new host) and working on the etsy shop. A couple of craft shows have also occured and I have one coming up in 2 weeks that I’m really excited about, plus Bead Fest and Intergem are in a few weeks! Happy beading and Happy Independence Day.

2009 shows

I have been accepted into 3 shows so far for 2009, so I have created a show schedule, located to the right under “sidebars”. Check back frequently so you can keep up with me.

new collection coming

I’ve been thinking about creating a new collection all winter, and since my trip to Intergem yielded so many appropriate beads, I’ve been working hard. I don’t know if it’s the coming season, or just wanting to do something a little different, but I’m creating a bridal collection.

I’ve made jewelry before for brides and their attendants, and it’s always fun – there’s the challenge of working with a specific color palate, working under a deadline (my most difficult challenge usually) and creating a design that matches what the bride has in mind. My bridal collection is a mix of ready-to-wear, with the option of customizing designs to match the colors/theme of the wedding. I am planning to post some things to etsy in the near future.

crystal quartz & freshwater pearl earrings

                                                        

something blue - blue mystic quartz, tanzanite & freshwater pearl earrings

feeling accomplished

I got a lot of stuff done tonight, since it’s too cold to go anywhere. I cataloged the majority of the new beads I got at Intergem this weekend, I photographed the new beads and photographed the new designs I made last night. Hopefully I can keep up the momentum – I need to post some new items to etsy.

freshwater coin pearls, crystal quartz & moonstone earrings

pink amethyst & blue topaz briolettes

fun at Intergem

Yesterday, my friend Judy of Juma Jewelry and I were waiting at the door in time for the opening of Intergem’s spring show. We headed immediately for the wholesale room, to visit our favorite vendors: Sanjay of Shri Impex and Helena of Pearl Concepts. We both walked away with items we needed – small rondelles in various colors, briolettes in mystic quartz and pink amethyst and center-drilled freshwater coin pearls, as well as some things we just wanted – London blue topaz small rondelles, aquamarine briolettes, and for me, my first Tahitian pearl. We also discovered some new vendors, S. I. Gems and Beads, where I got micro-faceted, deep honey colored citrine rondelles and from Divinity Imports, smooth London blue topaz briolettes of incredible size and clarity. I think I can safely say that we had a good day.

Swiss blue topaz smooth briolettes and pink amethyst faceted teardrops

  

moss aquamarine and mystic quartz briolettes