Trying to keep my promises...

Well, I did say I'd post some jewelry today and yes, I have gotten rather busy..first off a simple pair of earrings in sterling silver and onyx for pierced ears. I've had these beautiful woven sterling earwires for quite some time and could never decide how to use them...I think I was trying to make them too busy. They just needed a simple gemstone drop..that's what I decided anyway.

This bracelet is a remake of one I made several years ago with some of Jena Fulcher's lovely beads. It had broken some time ago during a show and I put it away where it lay forgotten and forlorn. So back together again with only a few small adjustments and I'm happy to put it back in my inventory. If no one wants it, I'll have it to wear myself, since I love this color combination....

Here's another old favorite that I redesigned with a set of some of my favorites from Gayle Hood of Graciebeads. I adore these beads and when they didn't sell awhile back I put them away to redo and just finally got around to it. I love the sterling and brass beads I used with these interesting original beads and I might just keep these for myself too...do you get the idea I love bright colors...you got it!

Once upon a time I got a lovely large set of beads from Melanie Moertel that I've rationed out a few at a time. I think I made two other bracelets from this set and this is the third and final edition. They seem perfect for this fall's fashions--so much brown and opulent detail on detail...pattern on pattern fashion, like a Turkish spice market. I've combined them with oxidized sterling silver and a stunning custom clasp from Donna Millard, I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

The pink coral bracelet below is my 'version' of a gemstone charm bracelet. I've used pale sponge coral beads combined with a sterling silver and angelskin coral charm and sterling toggle clasp.

It felt really nice this week to reacquaint myself with my gemstones, and lampwork and silver, oh my! Pandora's box...I'm baaaaaaaaaaack!

Room with a View

Did I mention it was a crazy summer??? I won't bore you with the details, but besides our daughter's wedding in Brazil, we sold our house and were planning to relocate to another state, but along the way there were a few glitches--ever fluid business plans, a flood, and just a little illness thrown in for good measure...so after a summer that would make the antics of the three stooges look tame, we've settled down...for awhile....while we "review the situation". And I have to admit, our temporary home is a lovely place to take a breather. We are at the beach, with this inspiring view out the picture window of my great room. I've taken the room hostage with my jewelry supplies, and finally, finally after a 6+ month hiatus started to play with my little treasures once again.

We're the second house from the beach, with an unobstructed view, so I get my dose of inspiration, and lots of sand to sweep up every day as well. We're enjoying long strolls in the sand and beautiful sunsets, sunshine and fog, the peaceful sound of waves to lull us to sleep, and the fresh salt air to wake us up...but most of all , we're enjoing taking a break from the craziness and deciding on our next move---and who can complain with such a lovely space to figure out what's next?

p.s. I should even have some jewelry to show tomorrow---two new bracelets. I won't say I'm back in the saddle, but at least I have made a start! Oh, happy day!!!!

Emily and Diego

Click on the picture below for a slideshow:

(CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE PICASA ALBUM OF THE WEDDING)
Yes, I know, the wedding was two months ago....and I'm just finally posting a few pictures from the wonderful event. More about my summer later on, let's just say, it's been interesting and rootless. So take a look at the highlight of the summer--Emily and Diego's wedding in Brazil. There were two 'weddings' and a reception. As many of you know, marriage in the temple is typically the only ceremony for an LDS couple, but Brazilian law requires a government representative be at all weddings to be legally valid. So on Friday morning we had a very small family 'legal' marriage (to satisfy the government of Brazil) at the Vila Sao Francisco where we stayed in Sao Paulo. Immediately after we departed for the 'real wedding', Emily and Diego's wedding/sealing in the Sao Paulo Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This was a small intimate family wedding as well, which is in keeping with our LDS tradition. (Our weddings are more the making of sacred covenants than a big party.) The day was flying by and after a few pictures on the temple grounds, it was time to return to the Vila Sao Francisco for the wedding reception. Thankfully winters in Sao Paulo are mild, although often rainy...but the rain held off, the guests came and we celebrated their nuptials with a wonderful evening of family and friends on the glass covered patios of our lovely Sao Paulo vila. The bride and groom were glowing and it was a beautiful day, filled with love, and the hopes, dreams, and prayers for a life filled with love and happiness for the beautiful Emily and Diego.