by Cindy on January 30, 2008
Have you been to a Sugarloaf Craft Festival? This juried art show may have a strange name, but they are a great place to see a variety of art work in one place. I think I may have attended one maybe 10 years ago and I finally went again this past weekend. They come to cities all over from VA to CT, so there may be one near you.
There was a jewelry designer at the show who had some pretty pieces using lampwork beads. Of course that caught my eye. One particular necklace incorporated a large lampwork cone-shaped bead. That cone bead stuck in my head throughout the day, and I knew I wanted to make something using that shape. That night I set to work and made a cone out of wire, really just a simple shape. Actually, finding something in the size cone shape that I needed was a bit tricky until my husband suggested using a wine bottle stopper! That seemed to work and I was able to then make a little bell dangle. Peeking out from the cone is a Thai silver bead that actually jingles! I made a necklace combining a few unique beads from Thailand, and silver wire. This is a long necklace that is just right over sweaters or to layer with another simple necklace. The only thing is I’m not quite happy with the chain….I need something textured or slightly more bulky. Once I get the right chain I plan to oxidize the piece. This was a fun one to make, really anything goes so I do plan to make more.
Wow, this turned in to a lot of writing about just one piece of jewelry…but if you ever wondered where I get my ideas, here’s an example!
While at the show I met a wonderful pair of photographers/authors. The husband and wife team, Carl Sams and Jean Stoick are wildlife photographers from Michigan. They were promoting their videos and books and of course their amazing photography. You couldn’t help but stop and admire their captivating display of photographs: owls, squirrels, birds, you name it. I was particularly impressed by their books and picked up several copies of “Stranger in the Woods” which they were happy to personalize and sign. If you check out their website you’ll get a glimpse of the incredible pictures there were able to capture. It’s amazing how the animals grew to trust them over time and that they were able to take the pictures of the animals approaching the “stranger” which was a snowman. Highly recommended if you are a parent, teacher or animal lover! 🙂
by Cindy on January 25, 2008
I’m back to post a few pictures of this week’s creations. A mosaic is a fun, catch-all way to work with anything from pearls and crystal to sea glass and gemstones. The first mosaic-style jewelry that caught my eye were the ornate, intricately coiled wire pieces by the well-known artist, Eni Oken. She’s featured on the Links page on the website. There are several up and coming jewelry designers whose work is equally breath taking: Iza Malczyk and Magdalena’s Atelier. Please visit their sites to see fine examples of time-consuming wire coiling and exquisite design. I recently found a project by Kate Ferrant Richbourg of Beadissimo and knew that this type of casual, wire weaving would be just the style of mosaic for me. I’ve named this necklace “Clear as Day”, and it has a bit of a Shabby Chic look to it. Speaking of which, I was just thinking that one day it would be great to have an all-white room….pale, muted whites mixed with ironstone platters and time worn sea shells. Back to the sea….I’m dreaming of that warm weather again.
The next piece includes pretty, pale pearls as well. I’ve surrounded the tubular lampwork focal with a nice cluster of both pearls and tiny Swarovski crystals. I had fun making these bunches of dangles. I think I’ll make more to compliment other lampwork focals that I’ve collected and have stashed away….
Have a great weekend everyone!
~ Cindy
by Cindy on January 23, 2008
Have you heard of the latest way to enjoy a “girl’s night out”? This concept has been around a few years but this is my first time dishing over dinner. There are places popping up all over where you can go and quickly put together a gourmet dinner and bring it home to pop in the freezer for later. Dinner Done, Let’s Dish and Super Suppers are a few that have cropped up in northern VA. One of my friends organized a night out for the moms in her son’s preschool and invited me along. On our drive over we discussed that somehow rather than just enjoying a night “off” at a restaurant, we felt compelled to remain productive. So while enjoying time with other Moms, we were still doing something that would save us time later.
I met a nice bunch of ladies and together we prepared dishes such as French Onion Salisbury Steaks, Spinach and Feta Braided Bread and Greek Chicken Pita Wraps with Lemon au Jus. Now these are not our ordinary, every day dinners! What a welcome relief these will be when I wonder “what’s for dinner?” in the near future. In fact, we agreed we might just have to try one out tomorrow! If the meals turn out as wonderful as they looked when cooked later, this would a fun (yet of course productive) night out to schedule on a regular basis.
Now that you’re all caught up on what’s cooking around here, I hope to post a few of my latest jewelry projects tomorrow. 🙂
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