NATURE'S FOREST

     The creative challenge this November, for the B'Sue Boutiques Creative Group on Facebook, is "Nature's Forest".  When I think of a forest, I think of the beauty of the night.  At night, there is a gentle beauty that can be found in the darkness of a deep blue sky dotted with stars.  A view of clarity and depth that goes on forever.  The distant sounds of an owl.  All one has to do is look up and listen.

     That experience is the inspiration for this necklace.

     To me, regardless of the season, the view of Nature's Forest, looking above, is consistent. Something that can be counted on in an ever changing world.

    

Swinging Chandeliers and Shoulder Dusters

 Earrings that are so long that they touch your shoulders.  Lots of movement in the design.  Called Chandeliers or Shoulder Dusters.  I have been wearing this style of earrings since the 1980's, and still do.

They are so flirty and fun.

I purchased the pair above in the Soho district of NYC in the early 1980's.  They are all metal, and pierced.  A bit heavy, four inches long from top to bottom.  Probably the shortest pair that I own. 

                             

 Here are a pair of bodacious Shoulder Dusters.  Over six inches long!

 

  They are truly my favorites.  I remember wearing these in the 1980's at a party.  I thought I was all that and a bag of chips too.  Amazing what a pair of pretty earrings can do.

  Many of the same Brass stampings are still available today from my favorite purveyor of parts, Brenda Sue at bsueboutiques.com.

Here are few that could be used to make a pair of earrings like these.

Speaking of Brenda Sue, I purchased a pair of Chandelier Earrings from her several years ago that she had created.  I need to ask her when she created them.  They fascinate me.  The delicate vintage brass filigree, yellow enameled butterflies, and crystal accents combine to create such a romantic pair of earrings.  They are over four inches long. 

 Summer on my ears.

A couple more pairs of Shoulder Duster earrings, that are over six inches long, have been in and out of my jewelry box over the years. 

 The dark blue pair are made of plastic faceted beads, and are very lightweight.  The beads are strung together.  

  They say "time to dress up" to me.

These hoop earrings are a combination of shells, wood, glass and metal beads. 

I purchased all of these earrings over the years. 

 I plan to make a pair of them. 

A Bodacious, "Oh My Gosh" pair.

  Chandelier Earrings are the monthly challenge for the Facebook B'sue Boutiques Creative Group.  I am SO doing this!

FUN! FUN! FUN! The Creative Ladies of Glenwood Retirement Community

 

Look at those smiles!

I was invited to "teach" a jewelry making class last week with the ladies from the Glenwood Retirement Community.  We have gotten together once before, so I knew it would be a great time.

There was no teaching needed.  These gals dug right into the components to string a necklace.  We had lovely teal and red rock colored pieces that had come from Arizona provided for the class, along with the cord.  These large focal beads looked as if they had been plucked from the Arizona rocks and sky.

I brought along some beads and spacers to compliment the colors, and the findings to add cord ends and a clasp.  

 

Making necklaces.

 Showing their creations!

They had such a good time.  I had such a good time!  We laughed.  The time flew by.

Each time I am scheduled to spend time with them, I will make a similar piece as an example for them to use as an idea to get their creative juices flowing.  I have a giveaway at the end of the class.  Under each person's towel, I place one of my business cards with a number on it, before the class starts.

At the end of the class, the Activities Director, Teresa, will pull a number from the container that I bring.  I could not find my regular chips with numbers on them, so in a hurry, I placed number stickers on the inside of some Miller Lite beer caps.  My husband's favorite beer, so they were handy.  So, Teresa pulls one of the caps out, not knowing that they were being used for the winning number.  She says "Miller Lite"?  and looks at me confused.  She turns it over, finds the number, and we all laughed and laughed together.

What an uplifting and joyful afternoon.  My thanks to all of the ladies, and especially to Teresa!  Girl, you are the Best!

OH yeah, a picture of me was required.  I quickly disguised myself with a mustache.  I am lucky the tube didn't stick there!

What a Surprise!

What a surprise today when I found out that my Jewelry was featured in a Blog Post!  I think that Courtney enhanced my Jewelry with her Beauty!  Thank you Courtney!

Give her Facebook page a like for me.  Randomosity 740

Here is the post: 

Twisted Sisters Boutique presents Mulligan Stew Jewelry

Courtney and her friend Jenna are bringing a combination of music and fashion to Marietta...in their own style.  You can find out more about them, Fashion tips, and much more by visiting their site Randomosity 740

A New Year and A New Look

I made this necklace in December 2013.  Icy, cold winter sunsets with shades of pale pink, inspired me to create this piece at that time. 

I have taken it to several venues to sell.  No one purchased it.  So.. a few weeks ago, I brought it home to keep it for awhile, with plans to offer it for sale at another time.  When I got home, I noticed that it seemed to tangle easily.  I found that frustrating and decided that the design needed to be changed.  Maybe that was why it had not sold.

To the workshop it went.  I removed several pieces, played around with the design, and ended up with a three piece set.

No more tangle issues.  And what I think to be more of a streamlined design for the necklace, with the bonus of matching pieces.  Sometimes it makes sense to re-purpose my own work.

I have included this redesign in the "New Year...New Look" Challenge with the Facebook Creative Group, lead by Brenda Sue of B'Boutiques.  Here is the link to her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/brenda.s.lansdowne .