Postcards from Delaware

This Spring I had an opportunity to show some of my jewelry to buyers for the new Delaware Travel Center on I-95 in Newark Delaware. I met with them and they were excited about my children's line and crocheted line. It has been an interesting several months for me. We corresponded by email several times. I began by sending them my w-9 and a copy of my invoice. Then I actually received an order from them. I filled the order, packed the order very carefully and with love and placed the order in the hands of the U.S. Postal Service. My small, carefully packed box remained "lost" for about a week along with the many packages of goods received by the new center. My order was located and lovingly put on display. Next thing I know, I woke up to a front page article in The News Journal about the opening of the new Delaware Welcome Center. The article mentions that the souvenir shop Postcards from Delaware sells goods from local artisans.I am excited to be one of the local artisans selected. The travel center is big and beautiful. You can see photos and read about the opening here at http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BL&Date=20100618&Category=PHOTOS01&ArtNo=61
www.delawareonline.com. One week after the opening I happened to be on I-95 in Newark and I couldn't resist visiting the shop. Unfortunately, it was closed at 10:30 p.m. That didn't stop me from peering into it and spotting my two jewelry lines. My children's jewelry line was sitting in front of the cash register with bar codes on each necklace. My crocheted line is in a glass rectangle with a bio of me. This line is there along with other local artisan work and signage about Delaware being home to a large group of local artisans. I am happy to be included with these fine artisans. I am excited about this new endeavour.

An AHa Design

I had an aha moment when I was talking to a friend about a custom order. In the course of the conversation, she told me that she wanted the focal piece of the necklace to be detachable so that the focal could be worn on a slider or a silver chain. I knew I could do this, but had to give it some thought. I found Fire Mountain Gems carried a sterling silver snap bail that would allow me to do this very easily. I had an aha moment when it occurred to me to use this clip bail now and more often in the future. This bail would give my customers more flexibility with their jewelry.

The result is a gorgeous amethyst and mint green Swarovski crystal with sterling accents. This sterling silver center piece has symmetrical spirals at the top of it. I hammered it on my anvil until I got the perfect texture. It is filled with crystals that are of shades of purple, amethyst, and opal violet as well as a mint green. One the the palest purples contains a hint of pink. The hand hammered sterling silver focal piece made by me is detachable and I think you will agree that it is perfect for a silver slider or chain. For dressy occasions, it belongs on the necklace of crystals. The necklace was originally inspired by a pair of earring that resembled the silver and crystal centerpiece. I decided to use the design as a centerpiece for a necklace. I love the mint green colored beads that are added to provide some contrast in color. The colors in the necklace remind me of a field of summer lavender.

Braids Return!

I am excited to see that braids are popular in hair styles this Spring. I have always loved braids and I love to use braids in my jewelry design. This 17 inch (43.2 cm) necklace is made by crocheting beads on non tarnish silver wire. The blue beads were strung onto sterling silver wire, crocheted, and then 3 strands were braided together. It is unique and stunning. Crocheted necklaces are my passion. Braiding is also a love of mine. The different shades of blue and the silver colors compliment each other. The necklace is held together with a beautiful 22 mm by 19 mm sterling plated toggle clasp. The beads include lapis chips, cat's eye beads, and round soladite beads.

I love to use soladite and lapis because blue is one of my favorite colors. Soladite is one of the compoents of Lapis Lazuli. Soladite is considered a semi-precious stone found in all shades of blue. This is due to the white calcite in its content.

It is believed that Soladite can help with boosting your immune system, and change the way you feel about yourself by helping you adopt a simpler life, less hectic. Blue is a calming color.

I also like to use cat's eye beads because they change hue as they capture and reflect light. These beads have a band of light running through the center that resembles a cat's eye. All who know me know that I love cats too so naturally I would be attracted to beads with cat in the name.

Fall Musings

I love to crochet beads into necklaces. This Fall copper is my favorite metal. In this crocheted necklace Chinese turquoise and really interesting metal findings are blended together. I have also worked with silver wire and gems and minerals which are royal blue like lapis and blue cat's eye beads. Another popular combination is black snowflake agate and sterling silver. Variations of these necklaces can be found at the Rehoboth Art League throughout the year.