Something new and oh so perfect for Mother's Day or the bride who wears blush.  Palest pink rose quartz lariat necklace.  Finished with gold vermeil flowers for a beautiful design you'll wear all summer long.

Well, here's something new--check out my new website to see my latest designs.
Hope you'll stop by and let me know what you think of the design! 

Rickie Voges Design

Still working on a whole new line-up of designs to replenish my etsy store after my big clearance is over on June 1.  In the meantime, stop by my etsy store for 50% off of everything for the next two weeks--May 17 thru June 1.  Use coupon code NIFTY50 at checkout for your special pricing on all purchases over $25.

So here's a sneak peak at some of my newest designs, not in the shop until June...for more information on my new work, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rickie-Voges-Designs/452535968112078

 Lovely double strand chrysoprase and sterling silver necklace with a pendant focal featuring a hand forged bezel and artisan lampwork cabochon by Catherine Ondrey.

 Whimsical little frog from the torch of Corina Tettinger (Corinabeads), combines with small intricate beads from the torch of Ama Nishi (ChaChaBeads) and all sterling silver for a summer time bracelet that is sunshine bright! 


 Lovely tourmalines and sterling silver necklace with a fabulous artisan lampwork focal by Manuela Wutschke and a cascade of tourmaline gemstone teardrops--sweetly old fashioned.

 This stunning hollow blown art glass urchin by Lori Lochner is the centerpiece of a stunning necklace on a rose quartz strand with 22k gold vermeil nautilus, starfish and sand dollar toggle clasp.

Every now and then I check in here and realize blogging regularly isn't my 'thing'.  I don't give it up entirely, but my posts are so random that I'm pretty much talking to myself!  :-)  That's okay, at least it gives me a record looking back at when I'm actually designing (at intervals that are becoming further and further apart).  This week I got the 'jewelry bug' again.  Some of my lampwork artist friends are luring me back with stunning beads that make my fingers itch--Julie Wong Sontag, Lori Lochner, Tiffany McCoy and two new to me, Russian artists--  Anastasiya Krylova, and Polina.  I also have some new bronze and brass findings from a wonderful designer==Anna Chernykh.  The Russian artists seem to be blossoming in profusion recently and I could spend hours admiring their work at the Russian 'Esty' site--Masters.ru.  We'll see if I can keep the muse alive long enough to bring some of my ideas to fruition of if the muse will fizzle and sputter along.  Here's a sample of what I'm working on... You can see more on my facebook page--  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rickie-Voges-Designs/452535968112078  or my etsy store www.rickitic.etsy.com   It's all Tiffany today, but I'm working on something with Lori's and Julie's beads that I hope will be ready for prime time soon! 

Necklace with artisan lampwork by Tiffany McCoy, bronze findings by Anna Chernykh, Afghan lapis lazuli heishi and Arizona turquoise.

 Bracelet featuring artisan lampwork by Tiffany McCoy with rough cut Amazonite slice wheel beads and 22k gold vermeil.

  Copper bracelet featuring lampwork by Tiffany McCoy and my own hand forged link with a pearl and Swarovski charm. 

A Little Project..a Little Reward

Between projects here at home, I found a little time to play with some of my beautiful artisan lampwork beads in my stash.  I've been hoarding the last few beads from a set I purchased from Manuela Wutschke several years back and finally decided it was time to put them in a design--turns our I actually had enough to make two bracelets--can't decide which I love best, so I just finished both of them. 

One has beautiful carved black agate or jade or onyx beads (not sure what the stone is, but the carving is lovely).  I combined the lampwork, black beads and sterling silver with a finishing touch--a tassel that I made myself with beads and chain...  I'm not sure why, but these beads remind me of exotic koy fish--I love the dramatic color combination.

 
Now here is the second bracelet---these beads were very interesting to me--the detail on one reminds me of a music staff--like a fragment of some lost symphony.  I know, quite the imagination, eh?  I combined these three beautiful lampwork beads with a lovely carved black bead and a Hill Tribe silver heart and clasp. 

 

I'm off to sort thru some 'artifacts' of my own, or in other words, cleaning out my closet, in an attempt to purge what needs to go an what to hoard a little longer.  :-)  

And the Winner is....

Drumroll please!!!  The winner of the drawing is Elizabeth!!!  PM me your email and address on facebook. 

I've decided that I want to send a small runner-up gift to the other commenters, so let me know your email addresses via a private message on facebook or an email so I can send you a little THANK YOU as well!  :-)

Beautiful Fall Colors

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year.  I love the cooling day, chilly mornings and changing color of the trees and grasses.  It's like Mother Nature washes everything in brilliant sunshine before going on holiday for the winter--going out in a blaze of glory.  Fall color takes a little longer to get here in Southern California--it seems to come in fits and starts, wrestling with summer in a fight that inevitably will arrive, despite the protestations. Last Spring I bought some gorgeous lampwork beads from artist Carey OHalloran--the colors are my perfect ode to fall, so they inspired me to put them into two beautiful necklaces a few weeks ago...which one do you prefer--or would you wear them together--layered for a dramatic song of autumn.

 

THERE ARE ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT ON MY BLOG TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING FOR A FREE BRACELET...HURRY UP AND ENTER!!!!

Layering

I love to layer jewelry, and my knotted gemstone designs are perfect for layering--the necklaces especially.  Typically the bracelets I knot are multi-strand to begin with but the necklaces are so versatile depending on the length--they can be one, two and sometimes even three strand alone, or layered with multi-length and strand designs to an endless variety of lengths and looks...  

 Single strand labradorite...35"

 Same necklace doubled...

Multiple strands shown together--coin pearls, carnelian and grossular green garnet--complimenting in color, with a variety of shapes and textures for a sophisticated combination of gemstones and color.

Try it---you'll love mixing and matching with your own creative twist!

 

 

It's a DRAWING FOR A FREE BRACELET What's Not to Like About FREE?

So far only four people have entered my drawing for a free bracelet?  I know everyone isn't into lampwork--some of you like my knotted gemstone jewelry, but try it, you'll like it!  All you have to do is say hi! Just 14 days until the drawing to win a lovely lampwork bracelet from my site.  Come on over post a little howdy and see what happens!  No strings attached.

Here's what you're entered to win---

 

 Drawing October 15. 2014

 

Sells Are Slow, So Come Let me Give Something Away!

What to do?  Is my work just hidden in an over-crowded marketplace, or have I lost it?  I've had so little time to design or market lately that my sales (and ego with it) has plummeted. I look at the inventory of gemstones and precious metals I have stashed. feel guilty and think--I really need to 'design'--so I give it a go.  On the other hand, so much is going on, with so many distractions, some days my heart isn't into it.  I don't think I've lost my creative touch.   Sometimes the investment of time is overwhelming, especially when I'm lost in a crowd of jewelry offerings on etsy?  Maybe my aesthetic isn't working for this market? I do have trouble deciding whether to do artisan lampwork designs or work with only gemstones--hard as I try, I can't give one or the other up!  Which probably confuses my customers... Just thinking out loud---I really have to get off the fence and figure what I want to and should be doing with all those precious minutes in my life and maybe this isn't it, right now.  Not that I would want to never make anything again--but maybe just gifts, (and things I want for myself), now and then, with a streamlined stash; and that would satisfy. Or maybe I need to move into galleries, instead of the internet--haven't really explored that direction yet.  I've had lots of creative outlets over my many years, they've come and gone, ebbed and flowed, and been replaced by something better...for me.  Change is good when it's taking you to something better.

 So which is more cumbersome--trying to design jewelry in fits and spurts , or trying to destash the raw treasures staring me in the face.  Hanging onto it all isn't an option if I'm on to something new.  Today, both are overwhelming...so like Scarlett O'Hara, I'll "think about it tomorrow."
   

In the meantime,  I'm going to do a give away.  If you're so inclined,  enter with a short comment on this blog post. Let me assure you, the Yee Murdock artisan beads are lovely , with copper and sterling mixed metal findings.

I'll have a drawing to pick a winner when 15 people have commented or by October 15th, whichever comes first, lol. 

Excuses, Excuses and More Excuses!

I know, I know, anyone who still reads this must think I'm a total flake...and, well, I wouldn't blame you!  I think about my blog, but just rarely get over here.  I could say I'll be around more often, but let's just say--I'll try!  These two guys take a lot of my time and interest these days--

who can blame me for wanting to hang out with my sweetheart and our precious grandson instead of digging in like a hermit with my beads and baubles?  With two precious grandsons to melt my heart and make me smile, and play 'til I'm exhausted--don't blame me for forgetting about beads, and blogs and everything else most of the time.  It won't last long enough, so I'm going to savor it while I can!

 

I have managed to find a little time lately to work on a few simple designs, just to try and get back in the swing of things.  I've gone back to my lampwork roots for now, and put the gemstones on the back burner, but who knows what will strike my fancy next week.      

 

I enjoy so many things that settling down is difficult, especially when I have the luxury of choice these days.  But a recently returned art glass artist tempted me back to my beads and now I'm getting excited about all the new ideas and beautiful art glass that seems to be having a revival--at least for me.

 So, tell me how you've been?  I have my excuses, what are yours?  Maybe I'll try a contest, or tutorial or something to draw you out of your shell, so you'll talk to me again?  Or maybe I'll go back onto hiding....

    Whatever you're doing, I hope you are happy, and healthy and enjoying every day! 

They just keep coming....

I think my beads are happy to be out of the closet and being useful...the ideas just keep coming for additional things to use them for...too little time to play, but more than none!

And a little more....

I found a little more time for a few quick designs--so it's earrings, earrings, earrings....turquoise, ametrine, champaign quartz and even a pair of ruby beauties...

Alive and Kicking

Well, it's time for my annual re-boot. It's been about a year since I've posted, and I have a very good reason--at least I think it's a good reason. I've dedicated this past year to being a good grandma and taking care of Baby Ben. Born last August, his parents ended up needing a fulltime babysitter and letting someone else do it was not my idea of a good thing, so volunteer I did to give up a year tending Ben. Such a rewarding time--I've loved every minute, but there was no energy left for much else and especially not a messy workroom full of beads and baubles to play with in fits and starts. Finally though, a friend opening a boutique, shook me out of my stupor and motivated me to work up a small line of Southwest inspired work for her little shop on the way to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Now, of course, my mind is awash with new ideas, and I'm trying to find balance between beads and baby, and everything else in my life. We'll see how long it lasts!

You may have noticed a trend here--my obsession with turquoise. It's been a long time, but I'm glad to be back playing with beads for today and we'll see what tomorrow brings!