Janine's Jewels

New Blog on my Website

2011-04-13T14:22:00.006-04:00

I can't believe that it's been a year since I've updated this blog. But I've started a new blog that is on my website for Gentle Spirit Creations.
Please go there to stay up to date!

During the past year, I have been so blessed. I am so glad that God continually bestows His grace on me. So, I made this pendant. I need the constant reminder that God will give me the grace that I need for each moment of each day. And that's all I need.

I hope to see you over at the website with the new blog! God bless!

Janine

Who Are You Listening To?

2010-04-20T08:05:00.002-04:00

My husband and I went to Longwood Gardens last weekend. It was so beautiful!! The tulips were amazing. And planted in such gorgeous ways. Large patches of similar colors and varieties together. Almost like a patchwork quilt in some places.

And then there was this one red tulip in the field of fuchsia ones. I wondered how in the world that ever happened. Everything at Longwood is done with such precision....perfection. Did it happen by accident? Or did they intend to make us smile? Or maybe one rogue Longwood employee enjoyed a joke?

No matter how it got there, it did bring a smile to my face and we enjoyed the proud way that the red tulip swayed in the wind above the others. But it made me think. Often I feel like that lone tulip. Like I never quite measure up. That I'm not good enough. Or that I'll never make the team.

But why do I feel that way?! God is so gentle and kind. He keeps working in my soul....drawing me closer to Him. He loves me....more than I can ever grasp....so much that He gave His all on the cross for me. He has made me whole, complete and clean. Because of Jesus, I have been reconciled to Him. So, God is not the one that is making me feel that way.

So, is it people? When I think of those around me, they are so kind and loving. I have been blessed with a family that loves me and encourages me. My friends are the best. Yes, I have been hurt by others, but all in all, I have been blessed. Those around me seem to build me up.

Is it society? I don't fit in in many ways with society. I really am like that red tulip. But do I care what society thinks of me? Not really. :)

So, who am I listening to when I feel like I don't measure up...like I am a failure...like I'll never be good enough? It is that lying serpent. He's been doing this since the Garden of Eden. And I still fall for it! Satan, the accuser of our souls, is active in our minds. He loves to make me insecure and depressed. He loves to see me squirm. He knows that I am God's child...His beloved Princess. And yet Satan can make me live in defeat if I listen to his messages.

I suppose most of you fuchsia tulips out there learned this lesson long ago. But this tall, red tulip feels lighter and blessed today! I don't have to listen to those thoughts anymore. God has made me His own and He loves me!

So, who are you listening to today?

Raven Beauty

2010-01-25T14:40:00.009-05:00

My creative juices are beginning to flow again! For awhile there, I just didn't feel like making anything. Maybe it was just the gloomy weather. But this past weekend, I just felt like making another bracelet.

This one was little tough on my hands. I need to get stronger muscles! And maybe yet another set of hefty jewelers piers. The wire of the bracelet is thick and difficult to work with. But I made it subject to my will. Lol. After shaping it, I hammered it to bring out it's beauty.

The swirls were fun to make too. I started out making ones like I usually do and then went a little crazy. It reminds me of the swirling waves of the ocean.

Then the beads. I knew I wanted to make it black and clear so that it would go with a lot of outfits. It is always exciting at this point because I just start wiring beads on. I'm never sure how exactly it will turn out until I'm done.

Now I'm thinking about a matching necklace and earrings. What do you think?

Item # 1277 $119

If you are interested in this item, please email me at janine@gentlespiritcreations.com. Credit cards are accepted.

More info is also here.

Just Keeping Warm

2010-01-04T16:53:00.006-05:00

This sweet female cardinal sat on a branch in wind with gusts of 11 mph in 15 degree weather. It's hard for me to believe that she could keep warm! But she sat there calmly, surveying the scene about her.

Why can't I be calm like that when the fierce winds of life assail me? Why do I get worried or depressed when things look bad?

Maybe it's because I doubt. I forget the Lord's provision.

Matthew 6:26
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

I put my trust in the wrong place.

Isaiah 26:3
"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."

I can't believe that things looked great to that cardinal. How could it? The ground is frozen. Plants aren't yielding any seeds or fruit. Those little feet had to be freezing. And yet, maybe things looked great!? God was caring for her. She just had eaten some seed from our feeder and there was more there. And for that moment, she was even safe from enemies.

And I think that's the key. For that moment....

God is teaching me so much through this hobby of photography. I'm taking a closer look at what He has created. He DOES pay attention to the details of the lives He has created. And we created beings can trust Him. He will give us what we need for each moment.

So, in this cold winter day, I'll snuggle up in something warm and bask in the light of God's love and grace.

Salvation for All who Believe

2009-12-09T11:53:00.008-05:00

I started making these Salvation Bracelets after a short-term mission trip to Brazil. While there I made Salvation Bracelets with the Brazilian children using leather straps and plastic beads. They loved them! And they loved hearing about Jesus' great love for them.

After returning home, I kept wearing my bracelet as a memento of the trip. But I decided to find out if it was possible to make a pretty Salvation bracelet. This is what I came up with. It is Sterling Silver and Swarovski crystals. (Available in small, medium or large for $63) It is a Salvation Bracelet that I can wear and feel pretty at the same time.

It serves as a reminder of God's great love for us. Each crystal color stands for a part of the Salvation message:

Black: sin. Rom 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Red: Jesus’ blood. Rom 5:8&9 “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Clear: clean. 1 Cor 6:11 “…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…”

Blue: baptism. Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Green: growth. 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Yellow: heaven. Rev 21:21 “…The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, pray and ask for His forgiveness. He loves you and gives Salvation to all who believe in Him.

Anya Handbag

2009-11-21T20:18:00.006-05:00

I haven't sewn anything for 7 months. But I needed something to do that would take my mind off of waiting for my first grandchild to be born! So, I decided to make another handbag.

This is a pattern that I have wanted to make for months. I love the design. The pattern is called "Sandra Sue's Purse-O-Nality" by Palm Harbor Patterns. I bought some cotton fabric that is coffee themed. The fabric is really fun, and I'll have to use it in a purse soon.

But I really wanted to make a handbag out of the cheetah print microsuede again. The first one I made was too small for me and found a new home.

Here is the new Cheetah bag. The microsuede seemed a little easier for me to use this time since I had sewn with it before. This was the first time that I have used a satiny fabric for the lining. I love it. The whole bag has a gleem to it, and it also feels so soft!

I've named it the "Anya Handbag" after my granddaughter that is yet to be born.

Ok, Anya, now that I've finished the handbag, you'd better come soon. If you don't, I may have to begin another project!

Maryland Autumn

2009-11-09T22:19:00.002-05:00

What a fabulous show we had this Autumn. I so enjoyed the colorful leaves, especially since I had a goal of capturing them with my camera.

It is sad to see the leaves on the ground now. But I have so much to look forward to! My first grandchild is due at any moment. In fact, the due date is today! I can't wait to meet that sweet, little one and to hold her.

And Christmas is right around the corner! What a joy to know Jesus and to be able to worship Him. I will love celebrating His arrival.

So, even though the leaves are just about gone, there is much anticipation in my soul!

Dream Big

2009-10-09T15:27:00.005-04:00

I dream about things I want to do. Then I think, no, I should just be content. But I think it's good to dream, as long as you are also content. lol.

So, I made this pendant from fine silver. To me it says, "It's okay to dream. Go ahead and dream big. And while you are at it, go for it. Maybe you'll actually see those dreams fulfilled."

That's how I feel about being a jewelry artist. I always dreamed about being able to sell my work and see others enjoying it, and it has become a reality! I'm so grateful to those around me that allowed me to dream and go for it.

The beautiful, lustrous pearl just adds beauty to an already lovely thought. Enjoy dreaming!

If you are interested in this item, please email me at janine@gentlespiritcreations.com. You can also see more of my work on Facebook.

Photography

2009-09-27T17:54:00.004-04:00

Wow! It's been a long time since I updated my blog. Sorry!

I've taken up a new/old hobby. It's new because I've renewed my interest in it. I've loved photography ever since I was a child. My parents bought me a really little camera as a girl and then a Nikon EM as a teenager. Oh, I had fun with that Nikon. I even took a Black and White photography course in college. Got an "A" in the class too!! lol

But then life got busy with marriage and kids. And most of my photos were of the babies!! Developing the film was expensive.

Then came digital cameras. I hated the first ones! The photos from them looked awful!! But they have sure improved. I could only afford the point and shoot versions and I enjoyed them.

But, this summer I was able to get a Nikon D90. What an amazing camera!!!! My interest in photography has been renewed with a passion. And there is no expense of film development.

Mostly, I seem to be drawn to nature photography. I'm learning so much about God's creativity and his attention to detail. He is amazing!!

If you would like to see more of my photos, check out my Flickr page. I'll try to do better keeping up the blog too!

Solar Quartz

2009-06-08T16:22:00.004-04:00

When I saw these big, round beads at the gem show, I just knew that I had to buy them. And then I looked at the tag and saw the name. They are called Solar Quartz! Isn't it gorgeous?! My husband, Matt, is an amateur astronomer. He often has me look through the telescope at deep sky objects that he has found. And this stone DOES remind me of several of them. Here's a photo that I found online that looks like these stones. You can find it here.

Then the challenge was to make this stone into a pendant and necklace. These crackle quartz beads look great with it! And I added some white jade and sterling silver beads. But it still needed something to bring out the color in the nucleus of the pendant. I tried several stones, but they just didn't work. Finally I thought of trying some of the pearls that I have on hand. They are absolutely perfect!

This made into a lovely necklace. The stone pendant is so intriguing. Really a great piece. Of course, I made a bracelet and earrings to match.

Show-stopper Earrings

2009-05-13T21:08:00.007-04:00

Black Shell, Swarovski Crystal and Pearl, and Sterling Silver Earrings.

These lovely earrings are a real show stopper! The black shell oval beads really reflect the light as do the crystals. I made these from Sterling Silver wire that I shaped and hammered. Then I used extra fine Sterling wire to wrap each bead to the frame. Lots of work, but so worth the results! A real touch of class. One-of-a-kind. Item # 1230. $95

Swarovski Crystal, Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings
Item # 1229 $38

Daylily Pendants

2009-03-30T21:41:00.004-04:00

I have a dear friend, Chris, who loves daylilies! It is such a joy to watch her speak of them. Her eyes sparkle and she gets so animated. And her daylilies are beautiful! Last year I enjoyed strolling through her garden and admiring the precious flowers that God created and she tended. I decided to capture daylilies in a pendant. But I couldn't do it in one. I made two, but even so, I think this is a concept that I could explore for a very long time! Such beauty in those flowers!

She described her daylilies like this, "Adam Eaton is a creamy white that sparkles with 'diamond dust' when the sun hits it. And Derrick Carr is a purple so rich and deep it is almost black." The pendant shapes signify a petal from a daylily.

In the first pendant, which I named Daylily Delight, I chose to use gold-filled wire swirls and the sparkly gold-filled bead to represent the diamond dust. There are some daylilies that have lovely creamy petals that become purple and then yellow inside called Doodle Bug. I included a black pearl bead to represent the dark ends of the stamens and a green crystal for the leaves of the plants. The Sterling has a beautiful patina that makes this pendant look like an antique treasure. The gold-filled wire is bright and sparkly. Amethyst, Pearl, Swarovski crytals and pearls, Gold-filled beads and wire, and Sterling Silver wire and bail. 52mm long. Item # 1219 $105

The second pendant, Divine Daylily, was inspired by another of my friend's daylilies called Derrick Carr. This divine pendant features deep garnets and onyx. Crystals too, so it is very sparkly. This is a dense 3-dimensional pendant that looks very rich. Garnets, Onyx, Pearls, Swarovski crystals and pearls, Sterling Silver. 45mm long. Item # 1218 $98

These are photos of Chris' daylilies. Aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait to see them this year. And, of course, I really love to see her too!!

Thanks, Chris, for the inspiration!

Family Bracelet

2009-03-26T23:10:00.002-04:00

What a lovely way to celebrate a family. This bracelet features large (8mm) Swarovski crystals for each family member's birth month. Gorgeous Sterling silver beads and 14K Gold-filled beads make up the rest of the bracelet. The toggle is a heart to show the love you feel for the family. Complete with a "Family" charm and a hand stamped Gentle Spirit Creations tag.

These bracelets make great gifts for those special women in our lives. But it's also a wonderful way to celebrate our own families. I love wearing mine. I included crystals to represent Matt and me, as well as our boys, in my bracelet.

This design shows 5 birthstone crystals. Designs will vary for each family. Will need wrist measurement. Please allow 4 weeks for special orders. Item # 1189 $125

My Ode to Spring

2009-03-22T19:50:00.005-04:00

I'm so thrilled that Spring is here! Today we went for a walk and enjoyed sunny, warm weather. I saw signs of Spring.....crocuses, daffodils, trees budding and little flowers in the grass.

I made the above pendant and named it, Flower Song. The amethyst reminds me of the crocuses and the rose quartz, crystals and pearls make me think of tulips. Oh, I love the tulips!

I've enjoyed making pendants that incorporate wirework and stones. I plan ahead what I'm doing, but as I make it, each piece takes on a life of it's own. This Flower Song Pendant, I didn't antique but left it bright silver. It's a bright, sunny Spring day.

But this blue set, is darker, like a rich evening. These pieces I didn't plan entirely in advance. I just went with it and saw where it would lead me. When I look at it, it just seems like it is joyous in wild abandon! I've named it Unbridled Joy. This set is mine. It signifies the joy that Jesus has put in my heart. And if I let Him reign supreme in my life...it's an Unbridled Joy!

I'm so grateful for Spring. And I love that God has put this creativity in my heart. I hope you enjoy it too.

Wild Safari Bag

2009-03-04T21:50:00.005-05:00

I'm ready to go on a safari! Well, at least I have a stylish bag for it. I fell in love with this fabric. I used to keep a nature journal and this fabric looks like a journal from a safari. Can you imagine what it must be like to go on a safari and see these majestic animals in their natural habitat?

And I used to have a bag when I was a teen that was a basic canvas bag with a large giraffe printed on it. I loved and used that bag until it needed to be thrown away! So, I really enjoyed using the giraffe print fabric too. The lining fabric has lots of giraffes on it.

This is yet another different pattern. It has the drawstring effect as a design element, but the real closure method is a magnetic snap. I had to learn to install eyelets. Matt helped me figure it out. Took quite awhile to install all 24 of them, but it was worth the effect.

I was hoping to find a giraffe charm to embellish with, but couldn't find any. But isn't that a great elephant? I wanted to do more embellishments, maybe some Swarovski crystals, but they just didn't seem to go. Sometimes I just have to leave well enough alone.

So, what do you think, too wild?

Black and Shiny!

2009-02-27T15:18:00.006-05:00

This is one set that is indispensable! It would go with almost everything. You'd reach for it to go with that little black dress, but also to go with a black tee shirt and jeans and so much more!

Onyx, Hematite and Sterling Silver. I hand wired the Onyx pendant. I hammered the wire and it sparkles. The Onyx is shiny and the Hematite sparkles! Very pretty.

Necklace is $95, Bracelet is $68, Earrings are $35.

Flying Jewels From Heaven

2009-02-23T19:47:00.005-05:00

Here is my Spring bag. I decided to feature butterflies, which I think of as jewels from heaven...that fly! I found most of the vintage artwork on the Graphics Fair y blog. I made the collage in my publisher program. Then I printed it on the printable fabric an appliqued it. My sweet mother-in-law had given me some vintage buttons. They look great with it! Of course I had to add some sparkle with Swarovski crystals.

One the other side I used embroidery done by my new machine. It is an amazing thing to watch. And I am so pleased with the results.

I redesigned my tag to include a butterfly. And then I copied my niece, Tiffany's, idea of putting a surprise picture inside the bag. I love extra details and embellishment.

And this pattern is just the best! I love it. I think it is stylish and yet very functional. Many pockets. It's called the Brentwood Bag.

So.....today I bought jungle fabric! I'm in a quandary. I love this pattern, but feel like I should make a different one. Still deciding.

My New Machine

2009-02-20T13:10:00.002-05:00

Well, I had another birthday. Can't believe how time is flying. And it seems that the older I get, the less I know!

Anyway, my sweet husband, Matt, blessed me with an amazing new sewing machine for this birthday. I've been using my mom's old Kenmore circa 1972. It worked great. But once my friend, Jennifer, showed me all the cool things that machines now do, I was hooked! One great feature is the automatic needle threader. My aging eyes were having difficulty with that, and now it is a breeze!

And this machine, Husqvarna Viking Platinum 955E, also does embroidery! I love to embellish things, so this feature will be so much fun.

Thanks, Matt! What a wonderful gift for me.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-16T21:55:00.004-05:00

I found a book of Vintage Christmas cards. These girls called out saying they wanted to be on the side of a handbag! I had heard of printable fabric, but had never tried it. It works great! It is actual fabric that works in an inkjet printer. Amazing! I had also never appliqued, but decided to try that too. Used fusible web and satin stitch with metallic thread. This project was a stretch for me with so many new techniques! But the sales lady at Patches (Mt Airy) was so helpful. I think her advice saved me from disaster in many instances. I still need to go and show her the finished product.

Look at the fabric that I used for the lining. It is absolutely gorgeous. What a sweet surprise when you open the bag! I made a label for inside the bag too. Just having fun!

Now I am really festive, every time I leave the house with my handbag. Such a wonderful time of year....remembering how much God loves us! So much that He left heaven to come as a baby to a poor couple. All so that He could show His infinite love by dying on the cross for us. What an absolutely amazing thought! Thank you, Jesus!

Speculaas Cookies

2008-12-06T20:54:00.003-05:00

Lovely, lovely cookies! Thanksgiving weekend we went to a craft show and a man was selling these cookie molds. They came with a recipe for Springerle cookies, which I had never heard of. But I was fascinated and just had to try it.

Well, the recipe calls for oil of anise, which I can't find anywhere. So I ordered it online at a really cool site that has these molds. But in the meantime, I found another recipe that uses these molds and it's called Speculaas. I modified the recipe slightly. Used nutmeg instead of mace and orange peel instead of lemon.

Speculaas originated in Holland, which is where my ancestors are from. So, making these really seemed special. And then I read more about them online and found out that they are traditionally eaten during the Feast of Saint Nicholas, which, get this, is on December 6th! I actually made the cookies on the right day! That just made the whole experience even more fun. And we all really like the flavor too!

One-of-a-kind Pendant

2008-11-12T16:25:00.009-05:00

So many stones so little time...... I have a weakness for pretty stones. It is so much fun to take a slab of stone and cut and polish until a gem appears. I'm never sure how a stone will turn out because as I cut it, the stone changes. In the picture below I am using my lapidary machine. As you can see, I hold the stone by hand onto the rotating laps. The laps start out very coarse and I continually change them to finer grits until there is a shiny polish.

I do enjoy having my hand in each part of the jewelry making process. I wasn't content to buy pendants and then incorporate them into necklaces. No... I had to learn lapidary and wirewrapping. Each process is quite time consuming, but there is such satisfaction in holding a completed necklace and knowing that I worked at each step!

The stone pictured above is Sage Amethyst. It has a bluish cast to it. It reminds me of a snowy winter day. It would look lovely with so many outfits. Very versatile. The pendant and heavy sterling chain is $109.00.

When you look at my jewelry, you can be sure that I have enjoyed each process and have done it to the best of my ability. It's a joy to share my creations with you!

Mom and Me

2008-10-29T14:13:00.004-04:00

My wonderful mom just recently found this picture. Don't I look happy? I guess I've loved jewelry all my life! I'm laughing and my little hand is a blur as I reach for Mom's lovely necklace. I must say that I have come to my love of jewelry honestly. My mom has always been a classy dresser and she wears just the right jewelry for each outfit.

Now she wears jewelry that I have made for her. (I just hadn't made any yet in the first picture or I'm sure she would have been wearing it!) The second picture was taken at my son's wedding. Mom is lovingly wearing the jewelry that I made for her for the event. She has always been such an inspiration to me. She is my biggest fan and loves the jewelry I make.

But, she inspires me in so many ways. She loves Jesus with her whole heart and lives each moment for Him. She loves her family and makes sure that we know it. And on top of all that, she keeps herself healthy and beautiful! What more could I ask for in a mom? Nothing...she's the best!

Thanks, Mom, for being you. And thanks for letting me play with your necklace!

Felting Fun

2008-10-23T11:07:00.019-04:00

I've just discovered felting! I've seen felted purses and just didn't get it. So I read about it and found it fascinating. So, I had to try it.

This called for a simple project since I am not an accomplished knitter. I found a great book (photo below) in the library that explained the process well and had several simple projects. So, off to Wal-Mart I went for yarn. For felting to work, wool yarn must be used. Well, Wal-Mart was almost completely sold out of wool yarn! This was almost my only choice. Thankfully I like it!

So, I began knitting. I experienced several droppped stitches and had to start over twice. And then, the flap didn't turn out right. I'm still not sure what the directions meant there. But I'm thinking of that mistake as an interesting design element. : )

Felting happens when you wash the knit item in hot water and allow it to agitate. The fibers begin to tangle together. Then you rinse it in ice cold water and the fibers shrink and become very dense. The result is a thicker fuzzy fabric that is intriguing.

Matt usually finds my endeavors interesting. His reaction to my excitement over the felting process was, "Huh." Oh, well, I think it's cool. Have any of you done felting?

More Rings

2008-10-17T14:10:00.011-04:00

I've been working on more rings. Still learning the technique. I'm almost ready to make some to sell. They seem to hold up really well and I think they are beautiful!

The blue ring's main stone is Dumortierite like the stones in the bracelet that I featured earlier. The ring is also Swarovski pearls and crystals. And of course Sterling Silver.

The aqua ring is all Swarovski crystals and Sterling Silver. Boy, does it sparkle. And I really like the composition.

Labradorite is the stone in the next ring. Do you see the flash of color, the iridescensce? It's one of my favorite stones. The stone seems to glow. Love it!

Smokey Quartz is the main stone in the last ring. I added a touch of Tigers Eye and Swarovski Pearls and Crystals.

I am so enjoying these rings. They are difficult to photograph. But I found those lovely roses hold them up pretty well!

So, which ring do you like best?

Surprise Flowers

2008-10-16T16:18:00.026-04:00

Yesterday the UPS man brought my package. Only it wasn't the package of jewelry making supplies that I expected. Instead it was a box from ProFlowers. It wasn't my birthday or any special day. I had no clue who it could have been from. In fact, my first thought was that it was delivered to the wrong house.

But no, my name was actually on the box! So I opened the package to find 24 beautiful roses. Oh they are lovely!

What was even better was the note. It was from my son, Jonathan. He just wanted to say that he loves me and looks forward to seeing me soon! Isn't that wonderful?!

Oh, the Lord has blessed me in so many ways. And one of them is my son. Thank you, Jonathan, and thank you Lord, for blessing me this way!

Colored Leaves

2008-10-14T14:21:00.016-04:00

I love this pattern! And I fell in love with this fabric when I found it. It is a Robert Kaufman fabric. Glorious colored leaves with surprises of blue! And then the brown has gazelles and leopards. How fun is that? And this purse just begged for a lot of bling.

This pattern includes so many nice features. It has a zippered top that opens nice and wide. It also has an inside zippered pocket and a pocket designed for a cell phone. I added two more pockets and a hook for my keys. It's just right for me and I love using it this fall! The pattern is designed by Monica Poole and is her "Sophia" pattern.

Matt took some pictures of me with my fabulous handbag. My friends' sweet baby was with us at the time. She just couldn't resist crawling up to me and touching the bag. We kept putting her close to Matt and he would begin to take the picture again and she'd scoot back up the hill. She's in most of the pictures. Oh, how cute she is. Totally loveable.

I suppose it just won't work for me to carry this during the winter. Oh no... guess I'll have to use some of the gorgeous Christmas fabric out there! LOL.

Blue Jean Bracelet

2008-10-13T11:02:00.005-04:00

Aren't these gorgeous stones? I love the blue color...it would look great with jeans, but is so lovely that it can be dressy too. The ovals are Dumortierite. This stone was named for Eugene Dumortier (1803-1873) who was a French paleontologist. It was first found in the mountains of France. Now it is mined in several parts of the world, even Nevada.

I have paired the dumortierite with lustrous blue pearls. The sterling silver beads and toggle complete the bracelet.

Yet another creation that I would love to keep. I make each piece of jewelry to be the quality that I would want and I think, in so doing, I become attached. But, I must admit, I so enjoy seeing others wearing my labors of love!

Mt Airy Festival

2008-10-07T16:33:00.004-04:00

What a beautiful day we had on Saturday for displaying at the Mt Airy Festival! Here are photos of our display. My wonderful husband and I had the joy of working together all day. It was great to meet the lovely people of Mt Airy. And we made some sales! Lots of brochures were handed out. All in all it was a successful day.

Special thanks to the great people at Patches Quilting and Sewing shop for allowing us to set up on their front lawn! These are really sweet people and it's a fantastic shop. If you haven't been there before, you should stop by.

If all outdoor festivals had weather this nice, I think we would do a lot of them! But, we still enjoy the home showings the most. If you would like to have a private showing in your home, just let me know!

Cheetah Handbag

2008-09-30T20:50:00.005-04:00

Someone told me that once you make one handbag, you become addicted and you can't stop. I'm beginning to believe it!

I decided to try making a bag out of microsuede. It feels so soft and looks like leather. It's a little harder to sew, but it wasn't too bad. The animal print has a subtle metallic gold running through it. And the black part is shiny. I like the way it turned out.

Except the bag is a little too small for all the stuff that I carry. This seems to be a problem of mine. I guess I need to try carrying less stuff. But its like throwing things away. Every time I get into a cleaning fit and toss things, I want them later! So, I try to carry less in my bag, but....

Matt said this bag looks like something I could have bought in a store. I think he meant it as a compliment, but I want the bags I make to be more special than something I could buy at Target. Maybe if I add rhinestones or something.

Well, I'm already cutting out another purse. Help...I'm addicted!

Luscious Gold and Crystals

2008-09-10T13:12:00.004-04:00

Oh, do these crystals sparkle! And the gold is so gleaming. This pendant is smaller than the silver and onyx one that I made. It's about the size of a quarter. Just perfect to put on an 18" chain.

And these earrings are just the thing for wearing with that pretty black dress.

The 14K gold-filled wire was a joy to work with. It seemed to flow through my fingers! Love it!

Hide and Seek

2008-09-05T13:26:00.003-04:00

My wonderful hubby loves to play "Hide and Seek." But not the usual child's game. Geocaching is the high tech version. As Matt loves to say, "Geocaching is using multi-million dollar technology to find Tupperware containers in the woods." It's amazing really. People have hidden containers all over the world for others to find with their GPS. It's fun!

But I must admit that what I really like about it is spending time with Matt and hiking through the woods. It's how we spent hours on Labor Day. Strolling through the woods with family and friends and appreciating God's beautiful creation, what more could I want?
Philip had fun too and Emily enjoyed having a ride on his big shoulders!

For more information about geocaching you can go to http://www.geocaching.com/
Do any of you go geocaching too?

Wedding Bliss

2008-08-30T12:02:00.009-04:00

Oh, how glorious was Jonathan and Johanna's wedding! Such a handsome groom and lovely bride. It was a joy to watch these special people pledge their love and commitment to God and to each other. How sweet to see two people who have waited for just the right one follow God's plan. Thank you, Jesus!

And the beautiful bride gave me the pleasure of making her jewelry for the special day. Thank you, Johanna. It was such a blessing to me to see you wear it.

I made a special pendant that is two hearts joined together. At first it was at the front of the necklace. But after trying it on, Johanna and her mom thought it might look good in the back. So, I reworked the necklace to include a pearl drop in the front and made the pendant to be a removable pendant in the back. What a wonderful idea! I am thrilled with the result. As Johanna stood at the front of the church, it looked fabulous through her veil. Then, later when she removed the veil, there was the pendant!

So many women wear their hair up for their weddings. I must say that I think Johanna and Ramona had a wonderful idea. I may have to start a bridal line of jewelry!

I can't believe that the wedding is over. It seemed to happen so fast. But, the journey of their marriage has just begun. I pray that God will richly bless them with love, joy, and peace. I pray that they will be used in a mighty way to spread the love of Jesus.

The journey begins!

Learning A Lesson

2008-08-24T22:47:00.005-04:00

Isn't she a beauty?! Misty has been a wonderful companion for the last 10 years. What a blessing she has been to our family. But I certainly hope she has learned a lesson this week! Thursday night she had an encounter with a skunk! Oh how awful! She came back into the house and we immediately scooted her into the garage. Matt began brushing her and spraying her with Febreeze. I looked online for advice as to what to do. Washing with a mixture of peroxide, baking soda and liquid soap was what several people recommended. So, Misty had to put up with the indignity of being scrubbed with the solution. She looked so ashamed! Thankfully it was warm outside and she spent the night in the garage. Wouldn't you know, we were scheduled to leave the next day for the weekend. So our sweet neighbor had to put up with her. (She should get an award.)
Well, we are home again. The smell still lingers on Misty and our home has an odor. But it is not as bad as I feared. I dreaded it all weekend! My only hope is that she has learned a lesson, oh and I also hope that the odor leaves! Please, no more skunks!

Rings!

2008-08-13T17:43:00.000-04:00

I decided to give making wire rings a try. It's been really fun! I've worn them for awhile and most are working out well. One of my rings, not pictured here, has problems. The crystals are breaking off.

I'm learning! I guess it's not a good idea to use square wire in the crystals. As the wire moves its broke the crystals. So, I'll keep working on it. I am enjoying wearing them. Just need to make them tougher!

Now I'm Sewing!

2008-08-02T10:41:00.003-04:00

Jennifer has inspired me! After seeing the fun that she had making my dress, I decided to try sewing again. I have sewed in the past, but it's been about 20 years since I've done anything besides patching things. So, with apprehension, and pep talks from Jennifer, I decided to jump into handbag making!

I love looking at the fabric bags that are available in the stores now, with their bright fabrics and fun details. But usually something about them doesn't suit me. So, I made my own! I stumbled around quite a bit, had to pull out a lot of seams, but had fun and I'm happy with the results.

The upper photo shows my first bag. I love it, but it is too small for all the stuff I carry. I guess I could carry less. But I love to have my cell phone, camera, camera charger, wallet, sunglasses, (you get the picture) with me at all times. I must admit that when I scaled down and used this purse for a couple days, my shoulder didn't hurt!
But, on to the next bag. This one is definitely bigger! I call it the Happy Hobo bag. I went for brighter material. And glued rhinestones in places. It was interesting installing a zipper when I haven't done it in so long. Made some mistakes, but it came out okay. I think if I ever made this bag again, I'd add a zippered divider pocket in the middle. Gotta love pockets in handbags!

I really enjoyed making these. Now I feel torn. Make jewelry or make handbags. Hmmm.....

Wedding Dress Saga - The End!

2008-07-19T11:04:00.009-04:00

Well, it's time to end the dress saga! The wedding is over! It was beautiful and wonderful. Johanna was a gorgeous bride and Jonathan was extremely handsome. I'll do a post about them too.

But look at this amazing dress that Jennifer made for me! It was just perfect and I felt special wearing something that was made just for me. Thank you, Jennifer, my friend.

And of course, the jewelry... well, it matched perfectly and made me feel like a princess.

So now that all the big events are over (Jonathan's college graduation, Jeremy's Marine boot camp graduation, and Jonathan and Johanna's wedding) I should be able to make new jewelry creations! I can't wait to see what I come up with!

Jewelry for My Mom

2008-07-07T21:24:00.013-04:00

I t's been so much fun making jewelry for our son's wedding! My lovely mother is wearing a blue and white dress. So here is the jewelry I made to match her dress. I mailed the jewelry to her, and I can't wait to see her in it!

And, don't tell anyone, but I was tempted to keep it for myself. Of course, Matt, my dear husband, would tell you that I usually am.

Thankfully, I'll get to see these pieces again on my wonderful mom! Can't wait to see you again, Mom.

Wedding Dress Saga 2

2008-06-28T14:50:00.010-04:00

Below is the pattern for my new dress. I've taken the liberty of putting two patterns together. The top and skirt will be the same color, cocoa. It looks the color of cocoa mix before water is added. The collar, sleeves, and a border at the bottom of the blouse will be a sheer chiffon of a slightly darker color.

Jennifer is working hard at this project! She is such a sweet friend.

So, of course I needed to make a new set of jewelry to go with the new dress. Again, I've used the new wire wrapping techniques that I have been enjoying. The necklace has a smoky quartz oval in the middle. The gold-filled frame has Swarovski pearls and crystals wrapped onto it. I've named it "Romantic Dream Necklace."

To complete the set I made earrings, a two stranded bracelet, and even tried my hand at making a ring! This ring is the third one I made. The other two are still great, but not quite the look I was wanting. The ring is shown on the fabric swatches from the fabric of my dress. I hadn't made rings before, but it's so much fun. I'm sure you'll be seeing more rings from me!

Just two more weeks until Jonathan and Johanna will tie the knot! May God richly bless them with His joy, love, and peace.

Wedding Dress Saga

2008-06-17T20:14:00.007-04:00

I thought I had a wedding dress all picked to wear to our son's wedding. So, I made the necklace shown here. I had so much fun making the necklace. It is Cubic Zirconia, Pearls and Gold-filled wire. I made the frame from wire, hammered it and then wired all the CZs and pearls to it. It really shimmers!

But, then I had Philip take photos of me in the dress. I made a decision. Pink is definitely not my color. I knew that. But was settling for this dress anyway. It's not easy finding a dress that fits when you are almost 6 feet tall!

Thankfully, I am being rescued by my dear friend, Jennifer. She is a wonderful seamstress and has offered to make a custom fit dress for me to wear to the wedding! So, while she is doing that, I'll be designing some new jewelry. Guess I'll offer the pink one for sale.

I returned the pink dress today! I will NOT be a big pink blob!

Our Marine

2008-05-27T10:16:00.001-04:00

He's done it! Jeremy has graduated from Marine boot camp. I am so proud of him. He graduated as a Private First Class because he was promoted meritoriously. His Senior Drill Instructor told us that he was a joy to work with! Seems that he excelled in all areas at boot camp. Oooh Rah!

When we arrived home from South Carolina, we were greeted by our wonderful neighbors and friends. They decorated the whole cul-de-sac! And they had a great cake for us. Jeremy felt so loved! Thank you all!

Yesterday was Memorial Day. I must admit that I got even more choked up than normal. Being a mom of a Marine will do that! I'm proud that he is willing to serve our country in this way. But, I do ask for prayers for his safety as he serves.

Well, he left for boot camp as a sweet, rascally son and guess what? He is still that sweet rascal, but he does have a lot of bearing. I'm quite sure that he will serve our country well. Thank you, Lord.

The Beauty of Custom Designs

2008-05-18T21:43:00.002-04:00

A dear man once emailed me and asked if I would make a custom design for him. His lovely girlfriend had just lost her mother. He wanted to do something special for her. Could I make a hummingbird pendant? Her mother had loved hummingbirds and he wanted this pendant to commemorate her life.

Well, I had not done any custom pendants before. And I had never done a hummingbird. But I was willing to try! I was so nervous as I sat in my studio and began the hummingbird. I actually prayed, "Lord, this man wants to have something special for this friend of his that is grieving. Please help me."

This picture shows the results! I was pleased and surprised, and know that the Lord gave me the vision and the ability for the piece. My customer was pleased as well!

So, custom work....I used to be reluctant to do it. But now, if you have an idea, run it by me. Who knows what will come of it!

Who Me?

2008-05-13T19:19:00.005-04:00

Look what we found on the sidewalk at the Wal*Mart in Frederick! I decided to take Philip's picture by it and while we were standing there, a woman from Wal*Mart came up to us and asked if we were the ones that parked the Wienermobile there! After telling her no, she said, "I guess the Oscar Mayer people just dropped off the Wienermobile and left." I must ask you, do I look like someone who would drive that?!

Wirework and Crystal Pendant

2008-05-10T13:21:00.006-04:00

Here's my latest creation. I'm having a hard time knowing if it was better before I oxidized it or after. The first picture shows it all shiny, before oxidizing. When I tried it on it was just a bright shininess that didn't really show any detail. So, I went ahead and used liver of sulfur on it. That makes it totally black. Then I had to work pretty hard to make it shiny again.

Now the Swarovski crystals really pop and the weaving shows up. I like it much better. But Philip, my son, liked it better bright. I'd love to hear your opinion. Wish you could see it in person. Not sure if you can tell from the photos. Here's a picture of me in the necklace and the matching earrings. Somehow, I always need earrings to match! I think I've almost got this new wirework technique learned to the point where I could make things for sale. Sure having fun!

Pink Dogwood Petals and Driving

2008-05-09T15:04:00.006-04:00

My poor car! It's been so neglected this week. My Nissan Altima is covered with pollen and now pink dogwood petals. It hasn't been driven all week! But I couldn't resist sharing this picture. The colors are so beautiful. Even though it was raining today, God's lovely colors came through and brightened up the day!

So, why hasn't my car gone anywhere? Well, our youngest son, Philip has his driver's permit. Now we go everywhere in his car with him driving. I get to go do all my errands riding in his VW Passat. Here he is as he chauffeurs me around town. I think I could get used to being treated like an important person being driven everywhere. But, my favorite car might not be recognizable soon!

My Son, the Graduate

2008-05-05T11:17:00.004-04:00

How proud I am of our son, Jonathan! He graduated with High Honors! What a joy to watch him cross the stage, shake the hands of the university president, and grasp his diploma. What a thrill to hear his name, along with "High Honors". Jonathan has been such a blessing in my life and I praise and thank God for him. Way to go, my sweet son!
My wonderful husband, Matt, is also pictured. He had the joy of watching Jonathan graduate on his birthday. He said it was a great present. Happy Birthday, Hubby!
And, as you may notice, the jewelry I made for the occasion fit the bill.

Onyx Silver Swirls

2008-04-25T14:25:00.000-04:00

I've finished the swirl set! I started out with 18 gauge wire and made a shape like the one I had sketched. Then I forged the wire by hammering it flat, which also made it very reflective. The onyx beads were added by wiring them in place with 28 gauge wire. I love the way the pendant looks with the onyx beads that I added to the sterling silver chain. Of course, I had to have earrings to match, so I made them with handmade earwires.

I decided that it looked great with another shirt too. It was so much fun to create this set with just wire, onyx beads, chain and my tools. What satisfaction to create something that I can enjoy wearing and matches my new clothes.

Shopping & Creating

2008-04-24T14:13:00.003-04:00

I needed to buy some new clothes so I can look great for my oldest son's college graduation next week! So, I found this beautiful shirt that has black swirls in it. Of course, I want to design my own jewelry to go with it. I'm enjoying learning how to do more wirework. I sketched out how I want the pendant to look. I'll make it out of sterling silver wire and onyx. It'll be fun to make something to go with this outfit!

My Marine Recruit

2008-04-22T15:30:00.001-04:00

Our son called home last night from Marine boot camp! He had earned a phone call because he tied for first during rifle shooting qualifications. He's an expert! I'm so proud. In one way it's strange to think of my little boy shooting. I mean, I resisted any toy guns in our house for years. Our sons finally got toy rifles at a Civil War reenactment, many thanks to their grandparents. ;) All these years I taught him to not fight and now he's a warrior. But you know, if anyone is going to protect our great country, I want it to be an expert rifleman. I know our boy will do his best to keep us safe. Oh God, please keep him safe too!

So, how does this relate to jewelry? I guess there are other jewels than just the ones we wear. One of my jewels is my son, the soon to be Marine. Oooo Rah!

Hello Everyone!

2008-04-21T16:36:00.003-04:00

A dreary day here. But still creative. I'm thinking of ways to create a stargazer lily pendant. There is such intricate detail in each lily. Praising God today for His creativity!