Talkin' to Myself

Yep, that's pretty much it--just talking to myself.  Isn't that how it should be, after disappearing for so long? I seem to have these little interludes of motivation and then fall by the wayside again.  You know once it's on the web, it never dies, so let me share some fun stuff!  I'm going to be a grandma again--this will make our second grandchild.  One almost three year old gorgeous, exhuberant boy and another baby boy-in-waiting to be arriving in mid-September.  We are all so excited. One family in Texas, the other in California--that will be the hard part on the grandparents---how to be both places often enough to enjoy both families.  I guess that is always the way...Since one set of grandparents live in Brazil, I won't complain about not being close enough!

Mitch and I have a peaceful respite here at the beach while he pursues some of his business dreams, still in California, in spite of my best efforts, lol.  Texas had my vote--our son's family, warm friendly people, and a vibrant, optimistic mind-set that won my heart...I think it was a whole summer full of nothing but 100 degree plus weather that nixxed the deal, and sent us scurrying back to California to regroup. 

Enough of the family stuff, here are a couple of new designs inspired by my walks on the beach...

Life's a Beach

Well, yes, I live at the beach and although I really don't like getting in the water, I love walking along the beach, picking up shells, sanddollars and smooth stones and enjoying the peaceful lifestyle.  It's a whole different pace of life and every day is beautiful whether it is sunny with blue skys or foggy with gray skys (and fog horn).  We live just across the harbor from a Navy base and every morning I get to hear the national anthem exactly at 8 am waifting across the water into my upstairs bedroom window. Now that's a stirring wake-up call!

Here are some the the designs inspired by my beach house all jumbled together--I like to wear them like that.

Something Old....Something New

Back from the dead?  No, just awakening from a loooooong sleep.  Life is always full of twists and turns, and it's been awhile since I've been in a place where I could do much but just take care of life.  No guarantees I'll be around alot, just sayin' I'm here today and maybe tomorrow too!  I'm still enjoying the relaxing pace of knotting gemstones on silk cord, but I've also gone back to my early love of artisan lampwork, dug thru my stash and added that back to the mix. 

Hence, something old--a gorgeous focal pendant by artist Catherine Ondrey that I've held on to for several years, knowing that she doesn't intend to do anymore work in this style and something new---a double strand necklace with faceted turquoise stones to feature her beautiful focal.

There's a few more tricks in my bag...maybe...

Black Friday

Are you out and about chasing the sales or home recovering from all the fun and family yesterday? Here's a little something I just added to my etsy store...a pendant from Manuela Wutschke with a beautiful Peruvian Opal nugget as the finishing touch. Today is the final day of my websale in my etsy store if you're looking to snag a bargain! http://www.rickitic.etsy.com/

I'm definitely NOT out chasing the sales...this is not my favorite shopping day...I like to search out my bargains throughout the year and I'm not good at getting up a o'dark thirty for a chance at a deal. Hat's off to those dedicated souls out there who do, I'm just not motivated enough!!!

I love this pendant and the gold rolo chain it is hung from...I might have to keep it if someone doesn't snag it soon!

Oh, for you bargain hunters out there, check out the destash lampwork beads in my vintage/ destash store--- http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/ I'm downsizing a few of my treasures--someone else needs to enjoy them and make them sing!

Happy Black Friday, have a wonderful weekend, will you have any cash left for Cyber Monday? Now, go have some leftovers while they're still tasty and fresh! Everyone to the kitchen for a slice of pumpkin pie, smothered in whipped cream of course!

NEPTUNE'S RETREAT

These fabulous lampwork beads by Manuela Wutschke have been staring at me for a very long time. I'd take them out and play with them...rearrange them, think about them, admire them..then put them away. Nothing that I did with them every pleased me...nothing seemed to be right....

They are wonderful hand formed shapes and loaded with incredible detail--all of Manuela's bead are and if you've followed me very long you know she is at the top of my list of favorite lampwork artists.

As you see, I have finally finished them and I am so delighted with the way they came together yesterday when I once again started pulling and putting back, replacing and adjusting beads that might bring these stunning beauties together into a necklace that would make me happy. So I present to you my final, finished, fabulous necklace--Neptune's Retreat, in honor of the inspiration here at my little beach house by the sea.

Sunshine and lollipops...

Or perhaps I should say orange drops. These luscious carnelian drops look good enough to eat. These cheerful little beads reflect my mood today and the weather outside. It's been a sunny and warm Sunday--with a clear blue sky, gentle waves lapping the sand, and a practically perfect summer-like day.

Yesterday was busy, today is a lazy day. After having my spirit fed as I attended church earlier, the rest of the day has been quietly spent enjoying the beauties of nature and reflecting on the wonderful blessings in my life. Today my little world is worry free...like Scarlett O'Hara...I'll think about what comes next...tomorrow.

Oh yes, this necklace is knotted on a silk cord, with tiny swarovski crystals cushioning each drop and finished off with a sterling clasp. At a generous 40" length, it can be a single strand or double strand necklace....or wrap it around your wrist for a 5 strand bracelet that is simply delicious!

Be sure to stop by all these wonderful blogs tomorrow---it's a group I belong to that did a Jewelry Swap and remake. I didn't get to participate this time, but I'm sure you're going to see some great ideas and beautiful jewelry here when they have the big reveal tomorrow!!!!

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Jen Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/

Johanna Rhodes http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.com/

Laurel Steven http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com/

Loretta Carstensen http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/

Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

Marianna Boylan http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com/

Norma Turvey http://www.moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com/

Sharon Misuraco http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com/

Stacey Curry http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/

Tyne Bodenburg http://www.tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com/

Snow Angels and other winter dreams...

It's only a tiny bit early to be thinking of snow angels. I clicked into my ebay account today and to the top it said 47 days to Christmas--tell me it ain't so!!!

Time to dig into my winter wardrobe, time to think about gifts and decorating and baking and all the fun things that kick start the winter holidays...and I'm caught totally off balance this year. Ah well, I went into my stash box and found some holiday beads just begging to be played with. This is the first--my little Snow Angel with some precious artisan lampwork beads by the fabulous ( and m.i.a. for sometime now) Barbara Gorko. She does the most whimsical, sweeeeet figural beads and flowers around. These have been sitting in my stash for awhile--the pink rosebuds one place and the precious snow angel another. They finally found one another and all it took was a chain and some icy moonstone marquise gemstones for a little winter whimsey to set me on the path.

I love the garland of roses around her head and feet, the pale pink buttons and her transparent blue wings...my little snow angel is definitely a girly girl--no doubt about it!

***don't forget to enter the drawing for an amazonite bracelet--every comment counts***

And the Answer is.....

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments. I loved hearing how you approach design and what choices you would make, and I really appreciate your taking the time to think about my question and give me your input. So, here's where my ideas took me--- After much consideration, it came down to the wonderful sterling forged connectors with a sprinkling of the yummy coral discs. It gives a lightness and space between each stunning bead so they are appreciated on their own merits, while still tying them together as a whole statement.

My pictures really don't do these lovely beads justice, each being a work of art, connected by color and form. Why did we (Eileen and I) decide on the coral? First off, these irregularly shaped coral discs captured the 'feel' of these unique lampwork focals. Second, red is one of the colors that speaks to the lovely lady I was designing this neck piece for. Third, they didn't overbear the beads with detail of their own, but where they were placed they added a pop to frame the finished design.

So now you have the end of my story...there wasn't a 'right' or 'wrong' choice, just the choice I made this time. I LOVE having choices, don't you???

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!