Beady-Ize Builds Baubles: Wish Bone Earrings

I just made these wish bone earrings and listed them for sale in my store yesterday. (Click on an image to go to that item for more information.)

These are a lot of fun to make, and the potential for variation is practically limitless. They are extremely light-weight and, being made with 20 gauge sterling silver wire, they are comfortable in the ear, won't stretch your lobe like thicker gauge wire can.

Unearthing Inspiration

This past weekend I've thought a lot about inspiration. I've been away for a short vacation to the scenic Sierra Nevada's near Yosemite, an absolutely gorgeous area of California, and one that is, fortunately, not battling wildfires right now.

I know that some people purposely set out to "get inspired". They take walks through the woods or a park, stroll along the shore, go to museums and galleries, garden, meditate, go to Paris.... So, before I left for my mini-vacation I thought, oh good, time away from my usual surroundings to spend contemplating among the pines and redwoods, get my creative juices flowing again.

Hm. Didn't happen. I guess I can't purposely set out to get inspired. My problem is that I over-think everything. But tomorrow morning, when I open my industrial-looking, gray metal drawers to paw through all the ziplock baggies containing all of my beautiful gemstones and beads, my mind will reel with design ideas that will tumble over each other in a torrent. I'll have to force myself to slow down and focus, breath deeply and relax. Otherwise the excitement, and, yes, the inspiration that I will feel when I come face-to-face with these raw materials will overwhelm me. How unpoetic.

Think of all the money I'll save on vacations that I can spend on beads!

Who am I? And other "blue" thoughts.

I just made these earrings over the weekend. I am infatuated (or is it the real thing?) with the combination of aqua and blue. These are made with apatite and sapphire.

If I had to absolutely choose one style of jewelry to make I think I'd have a nervous breakdown! When I'm working on something with very organic-looking gemstones and dark, oxidized sterling silver I think, these are my favorite materials. But then I'll feel a desire to shift gears and pull out my beautiful Swarovski crystals and gold filled findings and think, you guessed it, these are my favorites. And there are so many styles in-between. I love them all and feel such a rush when whatever I'm working with comes together in a way that I find pleasing to my eye.

What is this love affair with making jewelry all about? So many people are involved it's incredible! Will it be a passing phase, or is it around to stay?

Regaining Perspective on the 4th

The 4th of July was even more meaningful for us this year; we have a Blue Star Service Banner in our front window which represents a family member serving in the military. Serving in the Navy in Baghdad is our son, my step-son (shown in photo on left, being promoted to Lieutenant Commander just a few days ago). Saying that we are proud of him and his service to our country doesn't half cover what we feel. It's an honor to display the Blue Star and we never forget the sacrifice that he and his wife and kids are making, and the fact that we miss having him close by. We've heard the phrase "being in harm's way" over and over again during the war, but it carries with it new meaning as we pray every day for the safety of our own loved one as well as all who are serving.

So, what's right with the world?

I've met some amazing people online thru my Etsy store, from all over the world. There are days, like yesterday, when I get such nice emails from my "customers" (they feel more like friends) that I'm practically glowing by the end of the day.

You know the old saying, "It's nice to be nice to the nice". Or something like that.... By the way, there's a whole lot of 'nice' going on in Australia!

I love the bumper sticker that says "practice random acts of kindness". If more people did that instead of practicing some version of road rage (life rage, consumer rage, get-out-of-my-face rage) it could possibly spiral out of control into a veritable lovefest! Well, that may be an exaggeration, but without a doubt it would have a positive domino effect. I'm trying to be one of the dominoes in that line up.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful!

Photo is circa 1964. Note the rat crawling up my left shoulder. What's that all about?!? The glasses were, uh well, they were... I only needed them to see. I believe everyone should publish at least one embarrassing photo of themselves. Kinda takes the sting out of it.

I moved to Sacramento, CA, by way of Nebraska, when I was eight years old and have been here ever since. I've never lost my love for the mid-West, however: open spaces, farmland - I still love it and feel like something breaks free inside of me when I'm in that environment.