Friday, July 20, 2012

Lemonade

'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'

   I have always thought this was a silly thing to say. I mean, what else would you do with a lemon?!?

   However, through out the past week this phrase kept running through my head. Over and over. In quite possibly the most annoying way. This week I've had several things I thought were certain to happen, but did not.  A week's worth of lemons. A huge BAG of lemons, you could say.
 
   During a self hosted pity party (a few invites were sent, but everyone declined), I found myself strolling with my son through Von's .... the most incredible bead store I've ever set eyes on... and older woman stopped and engaged me in conversation:

   "May I asked just what you are planning to do with all those different beads?" she asked.
   "Well," I said, "the pearls are for wedding party gifts that will have a personalized disc hanging at the end for each bridesmaid...these crystals will be threaded within leather bands for a bracelet...the colorful, big beads are for kids book bag tags..."
   "Oh my!!!" she squealed.  "I tell ya, creativity is just something you either have or you don't!"
   "Uh. Well.  I disagree.  I'm an art teacher and I think if things are made simple enough to understand, anyone can learn to be creative.  Everyone has it in them, some just need more guidance than others on how to see it and use it." I said.
    She reached out and touched my arm.
   "Oh honey!  Your kids are soooo lucky to have you as a mom! You just keep doing what it is you are doing!" she said.
    Just then my son looked up at me with a smile beaming across his face and he hugged my leg. 

   And that's when I realized a tall, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade can make everything in life better.  I just needed that cup of sugar in the form of a stranger's kind words.  

   I'll have mine with an umbrella....for the sake of creativity. 

Life is what you make it.










  

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Project Redo

This jewelry endevor has given me many opportunities that I will cherish. 
A necklace created for a new mom, a bracelet designed by friends for a cancer survivor, a bracelet from a husband for his wife to honor their family....all some of my top favorites.

But recently I was asked to take an existing bracelet and give it a redo. 
And it easily made the top five favorite creations.
This bracelet was a gift honoring her children.  It was beautiful and simple.  But the customer wanted to add some honor to it as well as funk-tify it a bit.  And THAT was right up my alley.

With a little designing here and consultation there....shaaa-zaaaam!


               
   ....anniversary and pearl....                .....turquoise briolette.....

             
                   ....children.....                        ...birthstones and stamped disc...
                           

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Simple and Versatile

     I would definitely not think of myself as a fashion forward gal.  Shoot, I'm thankful for days when I can style my hair and add a dab of makeup (major bonus if it's done in peace and quiet).  I go for comfort.  And if some sort of style falls into that comfort, then I give myself a pat-on-the-back and make sure to make some sort of public appearance outside the house.  So some days I find it humorous that I design and create jewelry because I literally wear the same three earrings and two necklaces throughout the week. 

     Nothing crazy or funky.  In fact they are very simple.  And versatile.

     So while browsing Pinterest one evening, I came across a pin that had these great fashionable leather wrapped bracelets.   The incredible site Rings&Things showed a great tutorial. 


     And... well... I was addicted. So many reasons to love these popular bracelets, but my numero uno reason is because they are simple. And versatile.  They go with everything! You can wear them solo, stack them, and my favorite....personalize them with handstamped discs.  Seriously.  They go with yoga pants or the little black dress.  So incredibly comfortable. 

Availble on Etsy
Available on Etsy

And then I broke into my bead stash and got a little crazy...
Topaz Czech single wrap (not yet listed on Etsy)
Blue-Green single wrap (not yet listed on Etsy)

I even took this project on a recent vacation and sat on the floor of our cabin
while the kids played the game of LIFE...
Double wrap Czech crystals