Woodland brush Theme

Been playing around some more with the inks and arte metal. Here is a pair of earrings I made and a couple necklaces. I entered the first necklace into Vintaj's design challenge.

Lots to do today. Need to string some more sets, price them and get packed up. Want to make a few more polymer clay pieces as well. I haven't done a show since October, so my things are a mess. Looking forward to Cedar Rapids though. Love going there!

Thanks!!!

Thank you all so very much for the comments you made here and on my facebook page or the Vintaj blog. Jayla was just in awe at all the comments and replies. She was so excited to get to work this weekend and make some more. I added them to my website last night and had 2 sold within 10 minutes. It was great!

I will be at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids this weekend on Friday from 4-7 and Saturday 10-4. I will be busy this week getting beads strung, priced and displayed, but hope to have some new things so show this week.

Have a great week!

What an honor!!!

Jayla has been looking forward to this day ever since Jess from Vintaj mentioned that she would like to feature her work on their blog. I asked her a few questions about her designing process and they posted a little entry about her today. Check it out here! As she says in her interview, she LOVES reading comments (don't we all ;) so if you have time, leave her a little message. She was asked to stay over at a friends house tonight, but she couldn't decide if she wanted to because we are getting some more hearts today and she wanted to make some more pendants :) Have a great weekend!

Messy Work Station

Thought I would let you in on something new I tried this weekend. I have had these patina's that I bought from MissFickleMedia for a long time and haven't had a chance to try them out yet. Well this weekend, I put on my apron and gave it a try. I think the chain turned out super cool. Will share my after-pictures soon...

And here is my messy bead-making station...

Puppy Pictures

I haven't updated you with puppy pictures for awhile. The weather here in Iowa has been super great these last few days, but I think that might be ending :( We have had Nala outside a lot and she is LOVING it! I love the length of her hair right now. We have had her groomed once and it looked super bad. BUT now we understand that you have to cut it really short so that it can grow out or else you will be getting her hair cut all the time.

I am feeling sad because tomorrow she is getting "fixed" and will be staying overnight at the vets. For some reason I am so sad about it and the house will be so different. Gonna make plan sot go out, so I won't be at home reminded how sad and lonely she is with out me ;) I am horrible, I know. I will get to pick her up Thursday morning at 9:00. I am sure some of you have been through this...

After running around all day, she was exhausted!

Bright Necklace

So Jayla has been begging me to make a necklace out of the pendant she made last weekend. I have kind of been putting it off because those bright colors aren't normally what I work with. I told her to go to the "bead stash" and find some beads that matched. On Saturday morning I sat down and put together this necklace. I think it turned out really nice. I painted the leaf from Vintaj to match. Guess we had more beads that matched than what I thought.

She had so much fun, that she made a couple more this weekend. I didn't help her at all, besides baking the clay in the kiln. She placed the cubic zirconia's and decided on the inks to use. I think she did a pretty good job.

Finally Friday

Short and sweet update... Had a chance to get a few more boro sets added to the website.

Here they are

Sale on St Patty's Beads

Should have had these made sooner so you could WEAR them on St. Patty's day, but sorry, I didn't. I do have them for TODAY though on sale if green is your color ;) Click on the links to see. Only for today, then they will go back up to $33 and $15.

Focal

Set

Wonderful Wednesday

Adding some new jewelry to the website. Made some new pairs of earrings with some beads I got in Galena this weekend, and this necklace. You can check them out here.

Heart Necklace

I couldn't help myself yesterday, I had to make a necklace using the heart I made on Saturday. I think I really like how it turned out. I used some of the arte metal findings and brass from Vintaj, a few of my lampwork beads, seed beads, a butterfly piece that I also made on Saturday and of course the heart pendant. Jayla's instructions to me as she was on her way out the door were to make something the the heart SHE made ;) Thanks for all the comments you made about my posts from yesterday. I appreciate it. I have some new beads to show off soon!

Fun times in Galena!!!

What a blast I had on Saturday taking the Arte Metal Madness Workshop in Galena. Learned so many new techniques, met some wonderful new people and of course loved seeing all the wonderful inspiration as you can see below. It's always good to see Jess (the instructor), Trish (her mother) and I finally got to meet Betsy (part of the Vintaj staff) They were all so great and nice. I have a few pictures, but to see some more please visit Vintaj's blog to see some more.

The class was in a studio above Vintaj Earth. That store alone is worth the trip to Galena! But combine the studio, with Vintaj Earth AND Galena Beads ~ it's a wonderful combination!!!! I know not everyone has the chance to visit, that's why I feel so fortunate that I live only a couple hours away.

A picture of our class...

Look at how cute they have this set up!

Jess talking about applying wax. (sorry Jess, it's the only one I have of you ;)

My plate of goodies...

I came home and Jayla was so excited to make something. I knew she would be so I stopped on my way home Saturday night and bought some clay for her. Sunday morning she made a polymer clay piece. I need to order some more of those large hearts. Poor little girl... was so excited to get it out of the kiln and add the color. As I went downstairs to get it out, I could smell this wasn't good. Yep, I totally burned it!!! I did have one more for her, so she was good to go. No more for me though ;(

She did a great job...

Here are all the goodies bags we got throughout the day. Someone commented at the class it was like Christmas each time we got a new bag, and it totally was!!! After the class I went over to Galena beads and bought some new czech beads and picked up the latest issue of stringing. So worth the day, trip and money! I came home so inspired. I always do after I visit Galena.

Thanks again Jess, for a great class!!! It was great to see you guys again. Can't wait to get my Vintaj order and start making and applying all the new things I learned. If any of you have a chance to take a class there, I highly recommend it!

Ready for the weekend!

Have a few new sets to show. I bought yet another new "silver" glass which produces beautiful metallic colors. I wrapped it around some deep red and pale, peachy pink.

OK, so thanks to everyone who entered the contest and shared their jewelry pieces with me. I loved seeing each and every one. You guys rock and are so creative!!!! My kids randomly drew the names from those who sent me pictures. The winners are ... Lorri, Dianne and Kristen. Just place an order and I will apply a $50 credit to it. Thanks again for sending the pictures. As always, I love seeing what you make. I will add some of these to my gallery on my website soon.

I am so excited for Saturday. I am taking a trip to Galena to take a class Vintaj ARTE METAL MADNESS I am so excited and can't wait to learn some new techniques, meet new people and show you what I made. Be on the lookout next week for photos.

Peachy Pink

Rojo Red
Focal
Spice

Winners announced soon

I have one last picture to share with you from a customer. This is from Dianne. I love the style and choice of colors. Very nice. I am at school today, but will draw a winner for the gift certificates later and announce tomorrow.