She's Gonna Do Seashells...again...

Ah yes, it's time to think of seashells again...they're really some of my favorite things. Lampwork seashells and assorted ocean themed beads really float my boat. Here are a couple from last season with beautiful lampwork beads by Dawn Scannell. I just got a fresh batch of her beauties yesterday in the mail and I'm salivating. My fingers are itching to try a couple of new designs and I'm definitely in an ocean themed mood.

We're still finishing up the business move, but I'm hoping that next week I'll get a little time at the workbench to play with my new treasures. In the meantime enjoy last years goodies and I'll be back with the 2009 editions before you know it!

Who knows maybe my March giveaway will be something with seashells--waddayathink???

My How Time Flies.....

when you're having fun?!? Doesn't this look like chaos?!? You see here my own personal version of 'the Office".

Well, the week has flown by, but not really because I was having 'fun'...I've been helping my husband pack up his business for a move from one location to another and it's been quite a project. I come home every night rather late and I'm bone tired. I'm not used to dragging around boxes full of files and invoices and all manner of other things. I'm sure if I did this more often, I'd be in better shape, lol. So, no new jewelry this week so far! And no time for a tip of the week...unless I can steal a few hours in the morning to put something together with pictures. Sometimes life has a way of getting in the way of my fun! So I'll count my blessings that it only gets in the way sometimes! Most of the time, no, all of the time, I'm a very lucky gal!

Tip of the Week--Finishing Touches

So, everybody knows the the perfect accessories can dress even the simplest outfit up or down, right? The right shoes, or purse or jewelry can take you from nice to fabulous.

One of the compliments I've gotten most often on my jewelry designs is---I love your clasps, where did you find them? Clasps are one of my favorite finishing touches and just like the perfect accessory, can take an outfit from nice to fantastic. Just the right clasp can kick your design up a notch. Sometimes I know the exact clasp I'm going to use to finish my design and other times I have to try several clasps before I'm happy with the finished look. Be it plain or very fancy the proportion to the rest of the design is always important, as well making sure the shape of the clasp compliments the beads and gemstones in the design. Also, does it fit the theme of the bracelet or the look I'm going for. Just like a belt is more than just an accessory to hold your pants up, a clasp is more than just a way to keep the bracelet around your wrist. I think the way your finish your designs shows that your care about your creations.

So, would you like to know some of my favorite online places to look for that 'just perfect' clasp? Some of my favorite places--- http://www.pacificsilverworks.com/ (minimum order, but I'm not sure they require a resale certificate) http://www.sakisilver.com/ (wholesale only with minimum orders, but they do give you a list of their retailers), http://clasmeyer.com/ (minimum orders, but not sure you need a resale license to purchase) http://www.pegasusimports.com/ (true wholesaler with resale license required and minimum order) and here is the retail resource for some really nice clasps if you don't purchase in bulk or wholesale--- http://www.fusionbeads.com/ (check out their springall clasps in the designer section and they also sell sakisilver clasps at retail as well). Oh and two more good sources I almost forgot--- Sadco http://www.sadco.us/index.asp?Page=main and Nina Designs http://www.ninadesigns.com/ .

Alright, now you're on your own!!! I hope I gave you someplace new to go out and find your perfect finishing touch!

Once Upon A Dream

Don't we all need a little fantasy and romance in our lives now and then. I think it's definitely something that gives us pleasure . Once Upon A Dream $136 is just the accessory to set the dream in motion. As I was working with the pink amethyst gemstones for this piece, it seemed to me that the light color of the stones, and elegance of the design that was coming together totally spoke of romance and elegance. This would be a perfect accessory for the bride or bridesmaid, even mother of--..or maybe to wear out dinner and dancing, to the theater or wear ot to the Oscar's later this month, should you have that coveted invitation. I kept it simple--using only the one gemstone--pink amethyst (truly a soft lavendar color) faceted twist spriral briolettes and large carved oval stones, and beautifully detailed granulated Turkish sterling silver beads, caps and clasp. Perfect for you anytime you're in a romantic mood.

Hopefully you can see from my pictures, that the way the stones are faceted gives a lot of light and sparkle to enhance the gemstones, and the contrast of the darkly emblished sterling silver findings adds drama and some beautiful details to frame the stones.

After the spring rains come the sunshine and flowers so...I'm looking ahead with this newest lampwork and sterling silver bracelet--Wildflowers in Ojai Meadow. $88.00 Gabrielle Servage was reading my mind with her beautiful squeezed beads covered in wildflowers--just like a spring meadow in the high desert of Southern California. The wildflowers come in a riot of color after our springtime rains and then fade quickly, under the heat of the blazing sun. But, oh, those few glorious weeks and days each spring of green hillsides and fields of wildflowers are a joy to behold. We won't have to wait long--with last weeks rain and more this week, the color will come fast and furious. I'm getting ready to drink in the springtime, and savour every precious minute. It fills my soul with joyous wonder and hope, it revives the spirit--and all it costs is being aware of the world around you. So plan on taking a little time to enjoy Mother Nature's wonderful gift when it comes to a meadow near you!

Happy Tuesday!

Drumroll Please.......................

First, let me say thank you so much to all who participated--I wish all of you could have won the bracelet...but all I have is one. I really appreciated hearing from so many of you--and thanks for making my week! My husband ended up pulling the name out of the bowl, so if you have any complaints, please refer them to him, lol!

...And the winner is...ELIZABETH...send me your shipping information at my email-- rspv@aol.com and I'll get your rose quartz bracelet packed and ready to ship quick as a minute.

Thank you all!!!! I think I'll have to do this again very, very soon...maybe I should make it a monthly drawing for some goodie or another! Please stop by for the jewelry design 'tip of the week' in the next few days--I'll be talking about 'finishing touches' this week.

One More Day....

Isn't that a song from Les Mis? Well, I'm not coming from the same place with my 'one more day'. No revolution here, just one more day until the drawing.

This is my day off from everything but family and church, and I almost forgot to post at all! Needed to be to church a little early this morning---8:20 early, to play the piano for a 'last-minute, make sure we're ready' choir practice--they did just great, and I didn't detract, which is enough! Why the piano, not the organ you ask, since I play both--the organ is a bit more difficult to stay on pitch with, and so ususally preferred by our choir director. Hey, we're all volunteers here, so you get what you pay for, lol! Too much information,right!

Then when we got home at noon, I cozied up my husband and took that rare as gold, Sunday afternoon nap--I was cold, he was warm...our daughter was out for the day, so no more 'sponsibilities. The dog took his cue from me and curled up beside the two of us and took a nap too! I think the cat was out in the greenhouse luxuriating in the intermittant sunshine, so that no errant raindrops could surprise his afternoon nap...and he wouldn't get herded by our rascally Australian shepherd either! I guess it's time to do penence for such a lovely, lazy respite and make a super delish dinner for my favorite pillow--my wonderful guy with a warm shoulder. Children and animals flock to him, which tells you all you need to know!

The sun is once again hidden in thick dark clouds--portending another rain this evening or tomorrow, I'd guess, but for now it's dry and we had a lovely spot of sunshine to welcome us this morning. I'm off to try my culinary skills in the kitchen and enjoy the rest of my cozy afternoon! Ta,ta...'til tomorrow!