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Showing posts from March, 2010

Spring Break -The Doorway to Inspiration - Vintaj

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My "Spring Break" started today! Usually I have to wake up early to get my children ready for school, but for the next ten days I can sleep in. My favorite time to design is at night, so "Spring Break" for me means late nights on the couch designing fabulous jewelry. I was beyond thrilled with the package that arrived in the mail yesterday from Jess and the girls at Vintaj Natural Brass Company . I believe that I am Vintaj's number one fan. I designed eight necklaces for " Bead Star" this year. Seven of the designs are made from Vintaj. It is my favorite medium to work with. Every finding can be used in unlimited ways. You can twist, turn, link, wrap - the possibilities are endless. The pictures posted today are the "goodies" which arrived in my package. The new Vintaj Jewelry Technique Book is amazing! The contents of this book include a "How To" section on 1) filigree wrapping 2) Focals - texturing, wrapping, relief

Are You Trendy?

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I like search through the pages of fashion magazines to see what the current trends are in the costume jewelry market. It is always interesting to see what materials, colors and designs are in style. When designing for a beading magazine you really need to stay up to date on fashion trends. This can be hard when you are designing 6 months to a year ahead for the jewelry magazine publications. Currently there is a trend of Lucite & petal jewelry and chunky bold bracelets. Gold tones are also making a come back. The photos featured in my blog today are pieces that are fun and funky. Many of the designs are edgy with an 80's vibe. The gold petal bracelet and necklace are created by Citrine by the Stones . The lucite jewelry is made by Lydell NYC , Gemma Redux , and RJ Graziano . Lucite jewelry is great for spring and summer. You can also wear them during the winter months at holiday parties. The bracelets take me back to my "Heavy Metal" days. The cuffs are ma

Jewelry Affaire - Call for Artwork

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Jewelry Affaire has published a call for artwork for their next issue. The magazine is published two times a year. If you are interested please contact Beth Livesay at Stampington & Company . My necklace and earrings are featured on the call.

Where Do You Create?

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Over the past couple of days Erin Strother and I have been chatting about where we design our jewelry. She has an office in her house where she creates. As for me, I design on the couch in my family room. I know this seems strange, but it enables me to be in the same room as my husband and kids. I dream of some day having a fabulous studio where I can keep all my beads, painting supplies and sewing materials. I recently purchased a copy of "Where Women Create" Spring 2010 published by Stampington & Company . I discovered that Gina Galvin has the studio of my dreams! It is a French conservatory that sits on the grounds of her 130 acre property in Grand Blanc, Michigan. This space is unbelievably beautiful and inspiring. It features ornate wrought iron, a domed roof and floor to ceiling windows everywhere. It over looks her lush landscaped property! Gina is the owner of Peacock Park Design a home decor company. She searches for fabulous antiques and has th

Vintaj Brass Class Room Auction Project

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Every year my children's school has their annual "Spring Gala". The gala consists of dinner, dancing and a silent auction. This years event will be held at the "Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace" . This venue is absolutely beautiful. The ballroom is a replica of the White House's " East Room" . The children in each class room are required to make an art project to be auctioned off during this event. While attending CHA this year, I saw Vintaj Natural Brass Company 's fabulous new line of altered blank canvases. I knew what 6B's class project would be. The children used Vintaj's 3" by 3" blank canvases which were painted using Ranger Ink Adirondack Dabbers and Alcohol Inks . After they used a paint brush to lightly highlighted their creation with "Pearl Ex ". Next they selected charms and embellishments that were riveted onto the piece. The result is absolutely beautiful. The children created 28 i

Peacock Pandemonium

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I must have birds on the brain! First ducks and now Peacocks. I have been in search of peacock pendants for about two months now. I have not found anything that has blown me away yet. Maybe this is my excuse to start dabbling in Ice Resin and make my own pendants. It seems the peacock is creating a fashion trend. When I received this months issue of Orange Coast Magazine I was pleasantly surprised to see this fabulous Peacock dress designed by Diane Von Furstenberg . The colors are vibrant and beautiful. Necklaces designed with gem tones are always in style. I have a passion for purses (especially "Chanel"). This stunning alligator and peacock clutch is designed by Paige Gamble . The cosmetic photographs are visually inspiring. I am inspired by the color and texture of these designs. Let me know if this fashion trend inspires you.