If you are interested, here is the link to a new pendant I've listed on Etsy: http://ping.fm/VI32P
Have a wonderful New Year's Eve, everyone!

If you would like to take a peek, here is a link to a new listing in my Etsy shop: http://ping.fm/AXDUC

Today, I worked on samples of jewelry for a bride to review for her wedding party. The gowns are a gorgeous champagne color, with burgundy accents. Here are my designs...with strict budget limitations:

The pearls appear pink, but they are actually more champagne.

Below is an additional design...I'm guessing it is out of budget, but I just couldn't help myself!!

I don't normally use swarovski crystals ... so, this is a new look for me! I think I like it, for a change!

A General Update

Well, my stepson & his fiancee have decided to get married in Las Vegas. So, our next adventure will be to travel there for the wedding. Actually, we were supposed to leave yesterday...but that's OK...we'll just have to drive a little faster!

Will & Crystal are flying out, but we're taking the camper, a 31ft Hitchhiker 5th wheel, which I love. It is so nice to sleep in my own bed with my own clothes in my own drawers! It is very comforting to me to have my own "stuff" around me! Hopefully, the trip will be uneventful, relaxing and refreshing.

We had planned to celebrate my Grandmother's 100th birthday in Pompano Beach (9/26). Then the wedding plans came into view...and we were struggling with how to manage all of this and not lose our jobs (LOL!). Well, Grandma solved the problem for us by flying to Germany to visit with other members of her family for her birthday! Can you imagine, flying to Germany at 100 years old! Well, she's a heck of a lady, let me tell you!

I stumbled on a blog of interesting recipes earlier...I thought I would share with you. http://www.triedandtruecookbook.blogspot.com/ Then, I need to finish loading the camper so we can leave, hopefully in an hour or so. (I call it a camper, but it really is a vacation home on wheels!) I'm so ready for this trip...

Middletown Peach Festival

Well, Saturday was the Sixteenth Annual Middletown (DE) Peach Festival. What a beautiful day it proved to be. It was a great day for me, as I had quite a bit of interest in my jewelry. Honestly, sales were down about 1/3 from last year, but I was very pleased with how I was received by the attendees.

Delaware's state flower is the peach blossom. Although the peach industry is insignificant now, in the early to mid 1800's, Delaware was a major peach shipper/supplier.

There was a threat of rain, but it held off...and the temperatures were perfect. Middletown's main street was a bustle of activity from just after 9:00 until almost 4:00. Of course, the parade came first...Miss Delaware, the local politicians, bands, etc. After that, folks began to walk the streets and shop. This was my 3rd Peach Festival...and I have noticed that the Fair is getting a little larger each year. A very nice event for a family outing.

My booth neighbor was my friend, Dolores Michels, who takes the most fantastic photographs. (http://www.doloresmichels.com/) I think she will go far...she has been photographing for NASCAR for a couple of years now, and is becoming a regular with them. She then prints her photographs out on a very high quality cotton paper with archival inks that will last 100 years. Honestly, they look like paintings. They are just gorgeous!! Her brother began a framing business in order to appropriately frame them...and his frames are first class

Unfortunately, the wind began gusting mightily at about 3:00, so we did begin packing up shortly after that. I'm hoping that the rest of the shows I have scheduled for the remainder of the year are as pleasant as this one!

Controlling Bead Inventory

I’ve been trying to figure out how to manage and organize all of my beads and I think I finally have part of it figured out…although, I’m still trying to work on storage.

I purchased plastic boxes with separators….about 8 x 11 or so, like many places sell. I think most craft stores sell them and Harbor Freight sells them for a couple of bucks a piece, too. So, I’ve been putting each kind of bead in a section in a box. I then got one of those labelers that prints a nicely typed label. I have marked each box with a number and each section of the box has a number assigned to it. I decided to do it like the old “Battleship” game…each row is a letter and each column is a number, so the first section in the 1st box would be 1A1.

I then had an “angel” friend (Thank you, Andy!!) VOLUNTEER to count all of my beads and label all of the boxes for me! (I think I have close to 40 boxes. Each box has between 12 and 31 sections.) She made a list of what is in every box along with the count.

I also purchased Art Affair software (which, by the way, I LOVE). Now I am putting each of the beads into the computer inventory. Where I don’t have the original invoice, I go online and try to find the same or a similar bead and estimate the cost. I know this isn’t perfect, but at least I’ll be able to put the correct info in for new purchases. This also allows me to cost out my pieces correctly and I can keep instructions and photos, too, along with sales information.

When I get “caught up” (do we ever get caught up? LOL!!), then I can print out a lovely catalog of all of my finished pieces so that I leave it with someone or whatever.

By the way, I tried Jewelry Designer Manager Pro/Deluxe for several years. I really like Art Affair better. It seems easier to use and has more functions. It even includes a calendar for keeping track of shows. Oh, and both keep vendor info, too and associate the vendor with the bead. That way, you’ll know where to buy more!!

Advanced Silversmithing (March 2008)

Jerry and I made these rings as our first project in the advanced class. (Jerry's is the malachite on the left). He chose to leave his band smooth. Mine (the black sardonyx) has a textured band. These are not quite finished, as we want to narrow them a little, then the need to be polished.





These are the bracelets we made for our 2nd advanced class project. Jerry chose the pretty blue sodalite cabachon. He did a great job--since it was to be my bracelet, he let me design it. He did a great job--I love it! I am equally proud of my rhodonite bracelet, on the right. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Don, I would highly recommend it!


And, here is our class--except Jerry is to Don's right, and out of sight. I'm the photographer. The location is Sparkles Bead Shop in Newark, DE.

Beginning Silversmithing (November 2007)

Don Norris came to Delaware to teach beginning silversmithing to a small group of us. My Significant Other and I were very pleased with what we made. (Above) Jerry made the pendant in the top photo and I made the pendant in the lower photo. My photo isn't very good, colorwise, but these are sodalite cabachons.

Latest Goodies 12/07

A lovely "Eni-style" coiled bracelet made of larimar and freshwater pearls.

A charm bracelet for a young girl's Christmas gift.

An ankle charm bracelet!

An unstructured bracelet with lovely, faceted sodalite beads.

Originally designed for a Christmas gift, however it was slightly redesigned and earrings were made to match.

Some of my newest pretties:

Grandma's 99th Birthday!!

We made a quick trip in the 5th wheel to Pompano Beach Florida to celebrate my Grandmother's 99th birthday! My parent's met us there and we all had a wonderful time! I certainly hope that I'm doing as well at 99 as my Grandmother!!

Canadian Splendor

This piece features the richness of Canadian jade and tourmaline, the softness of pink opal, and the incredible beauty of ocean jasper, including a handcrafted toggle clasp, set in fluid fine silver! A faceted tourmaline briolette dangle creates sexy movement! The beauty of the stones just sets this piece off!

Tiger Eye

I thought I was going to have to wad up all of this wire and throw it away. . . this bracelet just didn't seem to work until it was almost finished. . . Now, I just love it (except it is for someone much smaller than I!!) A great office executive piece!

More Goodies!

I was told this stone is "Stripe of the Tiger" in chinese, but I"ve also seen it called Moka Jasper. This bracelet turned out very well, and is designed to fit a small wrist.
This pair of earrings reminds me of the shape of "paisley", with golden yellow honey jade and calcite beads!
A gorgeous ruby red abalone shell pendant! This is a 2-tone pendant, with the woven bezel in 26g sterling silver.

Sensational Tourmaline!

The tourmaline in this pendant is really terrific--there is a lovely chatoyancy (or shimmer) to the mossy green stone. The rounded border wire is hand coiled in 28g sterling silver and embellished with little polished tourmaline chips.

Middletown Peach Festival

Last Saturday (8/18) was the Middletown Old Tyme Peach Festival in Middletown, DE. Turnout, I thought, was very good. Let me tell you, we had a fabulous day! And I was under a big, leafy maple tree--didn't even put up my ez-up!


Dolores, of Dolores Michels Photography & Design, was next to me with her fantastic photographs! Until you have seen them, you will just think she's "another photographer". But, honestly, her photos will knock your socks off! She has this knack for getting her subjects (insects, trees, birds, whatever) to pose for her. And then she has this technique she uses that makes her photos look like paintings. You really should make an effort to see her work if you can.


Then, Joe, of Pens n Things, was next to her with his exotic wood pens. The pens are stunning. What a great gift idea for those who have everything! He has Olivewood that can only be found in Bethlehem (need a gift for your Minister??) He even has mesquite wood pens!! (A great idea for the barbecue enthusiast!) Joe will be at the Arden Fair on Sept. 1.


Next to Joe was Kathleen of Oh Baby, Tye Dye!!. Tye dye is making a comeback, and Kathleen has a very nice selection! She has baby onesies, ladies tops--rib knit--t-shirts. She has a full range of sizes, really nice tops and a fantastic knack for color. I have 2 of them--they wash very well--and she preshrinks them. Kathleen will be at the Arden Fair, too.

My latest. . .

These gorgeous turquoise beads are beautifully set in sterling silver. The necklace is 16.5", the earrings are about 2". A very feminine look. The turquoise beads came from Turquoise Magpie.
(Necklace is SOLD!!)








Gorgeous 14kt gf lavender/mauve tourmaline drop earrings. The earwires are "slip resistant". These lovely tourmaline flat drop beads came from Turquoise Magpie.






I have never seen Kyanite this gorgeous! The stones are translucent and a gorgeous blue! (The photo does no justice to the color--the sun was not shining. The blue is a rich, brilliant sapphire blue.) The beads came from Spectrum gems.






Dalmation jasper and faceted black onyx drop 14kt gf earrings. These earrings are great to wear anywhere with anything.

Lobster Fest!

Jerry and I traveled to Rockland, Maine, for the Lobster Fest! We had a wonderful time--and fabulous weather. Here is a photo of "The World's Largest Lobster" sculpture, and King Neptune! The lobster was fantastic!!

Very Nice Comment

A friend of mine hosted a jewelry party for me last weekend. One of her guests sent her an email note that included this comment:

"I had a great time and was truly amazed at the craftsmanship of Dee's jewelry. I'll spread the word about her fine work and definitely attend another party if I'm invited. . . "

Thank you for your very kind words! I hope you enjoy wearing your jewelry as much as I enjoy making it!

Whimsy

These earrings turned out so well! Gorgeous golden Thai sapphire faceted rondelles. . . all hand coiled in 24g 14kt goldfilled wire. They are about 3 1/4" long. Just a bit of whimsy. . . Imagine wearing these with a lovely yellow & orange floral sundress!