2009: off to a solid start!
With the expected flurry of activity surrounding the holidays, today is my 1st post of 2009 (now that the dust has settled).
I’ve got a few different things in the works. I’m most excited about a collaboration I have going withMarni of Nella Bella Beads. I have an incredible strand of lampwork glass beads that Marni has created, and I’m making them into jewelry. The first piece I made was this gorgeous bangle bracelet:
I have a necklace I’m working on as well, that will be STUNNING when it’s finished.
I’ve made a necklace for myself with a gorgeous cobalt blue lampworked bead also created by Marni.
While I’m aching to create more jewelry, I’m also trying to balance this with expanding my internet presence. I am now selling my jewelry on Handmade Fusion and Art Fire, as well as iCraft, etsy and DaWanda. More on these to come in the near future.
I’ve also started a Twitter page, I have my own business page on Facebook, I have a MySpace profile, I’m on Ning, and I’m trying to figure out Squidoo. Then there are the blogs at WordPress and Blogger. It’s a lot to keep track of!
7/12/08-my 36th birthday
Today is my 36th birthday, and I’ve never been happier. On the creative business front, I’m investing more money into Swarovski crystals and have been creating some more upscale designs, that I absolutely love. I call them the cluster series, because each necklace has a cascading cluster of individually wrapped loop beads for a focal piece. The earrings are also a cascading cluster. I’ve made two Swarovski sets, one in various shades of blue, and another in black, icy gray, and crystal AB finish. I absolutely adore them, and they turned out fabulous!
I also have other sets without Swarovskis in them. These are generally a flower-theme with the beads, as I’ve bought a few strands of pretty little bellflower beads which work great in this design. Sometimes I accent the chain with beads, sometimes I don’t and leave the chain shorter. I like them both. Yesterday I made a set in shades of blue with the bellflower beads, and also beaded a simple bracelet to go along with it. I’m working on the photographs right now in Photoshop so I can list them for sale at etsy and iCraft, as well as DaWanda.
New Technique: working with Resin
I’ve been working with new materials for the past few weeks now, and it’s time to share what I’ve achieved. The pendant at the left is a one-of-a-kind, which means I couldn’t replicate it if I tried. I’ve tried to come up with similar looks but haven’t yet. I’m using Easy Cast Casting Epoxy, and I absolutely love it. It allows me a certain creative freedom I don’t get with beads. I adore the swirled look. With the purple colored back this pendant reminds me of clouds. Anyone looking to try their hand at resin should check out http://www.resinobsession.com/. 
The woman who owns the site has a terrific assortment of supplies, and everything I’ve ordered from her has been top quality. Now, this pendant is not for sale (it’s for ME!!), but I do have one currently listed at Etsy:——————————————>
It reminds me of creamsicles or orange sherbert (sherbet?). Maybe I’m anxious for summer to get here….clouds, creamsicles…..
That’s it for now…I will try to post more regularly.
