Luscious Lampwork

It's time to take a look at some of the dazzling lampwork I have in my stash and see what I can do with some of my beauties...so out came my box of Manuela Wutschke's beads that I've been hoarding and here's my latest effort....if you think I like bold colors, you might be right!

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...

Not more Knots!!!

Something different--a knotted necklace that is close to choker length with a pendant centerpiece. I've used a beautiful agate slab with green copper colored druzy edging combined with peacock pearls--it's a yummy combination and looks great on. All knotted on #8 weight silk cord.

Yes, I'm afraid so--seems I'm knot crazy (not crazy?!?) these days. Since we're still wandering around in limbo, knotting supplies take up a minimum of space. I find knotting therapeutic--giving me an outlet for my creativity.
This is my first try at earrings knotted on silk cord. These wonderful mother of pearl nuggets seemed to lend themselves perfectly to the dangle-y style.
Ohhh...a triple length (51") coin pearl necklace that can be worn long, doubled or even tripled for three great looks. The color didn't come thru so well in this picture, but they are a soft minty green with an irridescent/opalescent quality that catches the light beautifully.
Next I tried a triple strand necklace with the lovely natural mother of pearl nuggets that glow and shimmer with the swarovski crystals that cushion each stone. Shortest strand is 16", the longest is 20". I love this look.
Black Onyx ovals cushioned with black diamond swarovski bicones can be worn as a single long 36" strand or doubled for a dramatic statement .
I should have brightened this photo a little more--this little double strand bracelet is such wonderful colors--lime, navy, bronze and peacock opalescent coin and mid-sized fresh water pearls are knotted for a light and breezy bracelet you will barely know is there.

Lots of variety and experimentation keep me a happy gal.

What's the World Coming Too???

Well, did you fall off your chair--two posts in one week! I was so inspired working with Judy's beads that I've decided to put three new listings in my estsy store. Two of my gemstone necklaces strung on silk cord and knotted that are long enough to double as a two strand or wear opera length at 36". This first piece is delightfully whimsical with multi-shaped gemstones of all variety---peridot, aquamarine, garnet,carnelian, rose quartz, smokey quartz,turquoise and freshwater pearls to name a few.
Then there is this one, with turquoise briolettes. These necklaces are wonderful to layer together as well. The turquoise necklace has a sterling toggle clasp, and the multi-gemstone has a vermeil toggle.
Love this 39" lariat made with faceted labradorite rondells that have been wirewrapped with sterling silver into a gemstone chain and finished off with two beautiful champaign colored freshwater pearls. Quite the statement on.

Working hard....or hardly working.....

In spite of the fact that I continue to be a mostly 'absentee landlord' of this blog space...and contrary to the popular opinion that I have fallen off the face of the earth...I'm back for another hit and miss update. After 7 weeks tending to my mother as she recovered from her pelvic fractures, I continued my 'time out' while I joined my husband in the Palm Springs area where he has been working on a project for the past several weeks.
I brought along a smattering of my jewelry supplies, in case the mood struck me, but without a good camera and some motivation they stayed packed away in their suitcase--until I heard from Judy Carlson of Jujee beads with an invitation to participate again this spring in her Scuba Show at Long Beach. Intrigued, I agreed to try my hand after an all too long layoff...wondering if I still remembered what to do and how to do it.
Thanks to a pandora's box full of inspiring lampwork, I've been crazily creating for the last 10 days or so and having so much fun, I'm really sorry to be finished and ready to ship the finished designs back to her.
I'd almost forgotten how much I love playing with my little treasures. As you can see, I still don't have my best camera or editing program to show off my little designs to their best advantage...
but I still wanted to share with you a sample of my handiwork and say, I'm not finished forever. Although at the price of sterling silver these days, I'm mighty glad to have a sizable stash to draw from...and wondering how to ever restock when I run out! Everything here is off in the mail tomorrow.
and that's a good thing. We are leaving the desert the end of the week, so it's time to clean up, pack up and leave for the next adventure.
Here's hoping it doesn't take me so long to dig out my suitcase full of goodies again...but no promises, just taking it one day at a time.....