Redsigning Rhinestones

 "I never let a rhinestone go unturned." ~Dolly Paron~

These rhinestone earrings are actually buttons from a vintage sweater I bought in a thrift shop years ago. I never wore the sweater, but I love the buttons. When I was going though all my knick knacks the other day, I came across these forgotten little treasures. Rhinestones are big in many fashion styles. You could say they're a trend, but really they are classic as classic can be.

Rhinestone Drop Earrings with Sterling Silver Wires

The stone itself is about 12mm, set in a stainless steel back with prongs holding it. I bent one of the prongs and looped it through an ear wire. Voila'
Every time I wear these dazzling sparklers, compliments abound.  They go with everything, even my p.j.'s
Moral of the story: One woman's clutter is another woman's treasure.

HEART OF LOVE

  
The story of how the Heart of Love pendant came about is quite lovely. I have always loved heart-shaped things—rocks, jewelry, heart everything. What’s not to love?

Sometimes an artist experiences a dry spell creatively, where the genius within just needs a time out. There doesn’t seem to be anything stirring the imagination, and maybe that is as it should be. When one is silent or still, a visionary process can still be occurring inside, on some level. But tell that to the loud, outer mind that keeps shouting, “Get to work!”

I was fortunate enough to be raised by a mother who was a gourmet French chef, so food and cooking are in my blood and are a real passion. I poured this passion into part-time catering. One day when I happened to be in a creative dry spell with my jewelry work and was feeling frustrated that nothing was inspiring new designs, I had catered a fine meal. I was cleaning the kitchen, sweeping the floor and listening to some discussion of spirituality on a cd, when I heard, “Heart of Love,” in reference to our heart’s purpose to love unconditionally in life. That’s all it took for me to visualize a tiny silver heart, meticulously crafted with a top bale shaped like a tear drop (Tear of Joy) and a heart imprint on the backside.

Moral of the story: At the most unexpected times, life, inspiration, and art can flow beautifully through us. We just have to open our hearts and allow it in.

Jewelry Making from Ecuador

My youngest daughter Julia went to Ecuador last year, where she lived with an indigenous tribe for a month. There she learned their art in jewelry making.

He turned into a Prince, but she left him there.

Awhile ago I had asked her if she could make me a pair of earrings, much like the style she had learned in Ecuador.

A few weeks ago I had received a birthday package from her with a beautiful pair of earrings she had made me, exactly like I had pictured from what she had learned in Ecuador.

My birthday gift.

What I find most amazing is a culture of people who live in the most simplest of ways, to create something with so much detail and complexity.

Moral of the story:  Everything we know comes from a place within, which has no limits, no matter what our outer conditions are.

Keep Calm and Bead On

Kids are amazing. Give them something to do creatively and they're on it.

Elijah Beading

My youngest grand son, Elijah, the liveliest of my three grand children, was visiting from Denver this past weekend. First thing he said when he woke up the next morning was, "Grandma, I want to make something with your beads." Anything to keep this little guy engaged, happy and CALM.   

Back in the day when I was raising the kids, I beaded simply for the calm of it. After they settled in for the night, I went to the dinning room table and beaded. There's a repetition and rhythm in stringing objects on a cord, that gets one meditating, thinking, drifting off into an imaginary place of world leaders beading at summits.
Well, anythings possible! 

So next time you pass the isle in a craft store that holds many a beads, consider picking up a few. You just never know where it'll take you.

"Grandma, you were right. I do feel calm."

Moral of the story:  Never under estimate the power of just being and beading. I make a living at it now.

A TOSS UP: Earrings or Shoes?

 

When I first starting making and selling jewelry, much to my surprise, people came back for more, particularly earrings. I soon realized a good pair of earrings held the same status as a good pair of shoes. You can never really have enough of them. 

As with shoes, which can make or break an outfit, a pair of knock out earrings will do the same. I once left the house with a beautifully tailored dress for a very special event. In my hurry and haste I had forgotten one thing, to note what my feet were wearing. I had arrived with a pair of bright green flip flops and no extra pair of shoes in the trunk to save face. I was, to say the least, mortified. But, I did have a pair of knock out earrings on, so in one sense I did end up saving my face. I believed most people hadn't even noticed my bright green flip flops with my beautifully tailored navy dress. All they noticed, were my lovely silver crafted earrings. Right?

Moral of the story: Never underestimate the power of a really good pair of earrings.