The Greening and Cookie Madness..

Hello there! I have been a busy girl lately. I have found my way out of the mile-high stacks of Girl Scout cookies that completely engulfed my house. My days have been filled with sorting, counting, and organizing!

I had a good helper, although she wasn't very good at counting- she really just wanted to have herself a cookie snack.

In the midst of the cookie madness, I have managed to squeak out a few new designs.
I love these new earring creations!




These green ones are my new favorite! They look so old and mysterious!


This beautiful matching necklace and earrings are created with vintage carved bone beads.
The necklace features an old locket.


These designs are now available in my shop.
More new designs are on their way soon!

------------------------------

Spring is very, VERY slowly headed my way.
Here in Michigan, it takes a little longer for Mother Earth to shake the Winter from her hair.
The cold sinks deeper into her bones and it is harder for her to stretch her limbs and awaken.
The wind is still bitter and the air still crisp,
but...
there are signs of green just beginning to show.


Tiny green sprouts are emerging from a blanket of last fall's brown leaves.


The greening has not yet made a huge impact on the landscape. This field remains unplowed, but in a few months it will be taller than myself with green cornstalks.




We have discovered a fox's den. Soon this will be hidden among the knee deep grasses, but we shall keep a watchful eye to see if any new pups appear.

Arriving home a few days ago, I was greeted with an extra sweet surprise. A package was waiting for me from my dear friend Julie of MermaidenCreations. She makes the most magical soldered jewelry featuring feathers, snakeskin, even Waterhouse paintings (not to mention her witch hats-yes, I will own one someday!)
Last summer I had found this beautiful yellow butterfly wing and mailed it to her for her secret stash.
(Doesn't everyone have a stash of wings, bones, and other treasured oddities?)
Well, she created a pendant from my butterfly wing and sent it to me!
Isn't she sweet?
It is like having my own little piece of Spring to wear and I simply adore it!

I promise not to stay away too long, and will post some pictures of my creations in the works very soon!

Stalkers and Valentines...

I love Valentine's Day.

Perhaps it is because I am head-over-heels in love, or because I am a hopeless romantic. Perhaps it is because my birthday is near Valentine's Day and I know when I start seeing red and pink hearts in the stores that my birthday is near.
Whatever the reason, I love it.
I slip love notes in my husband's lunch box and bake cupcakes for my little ones. It is a wonderful excuse to splurge on candy and treats for my Valentines. And this year I have a few extra-secret surprises up my sleeve for them.

This year I have also created a few pieces of Valentine's Day inspired jewelry.
Hopelessly romantic with a little bit of my rustic edginess to them.


They echo the fact that my heart has been pierced by Cupid's arrow.

And I haven't forgotten that men need a Valentine treat to let them know that they are special, too. This stag antler pendant is perfectly romantic and masculine at the same time.

And I think purple has, unofficially, become a Valentine's Day color. This amethyst point necklace is perfect for a Valentine, or for a February birthday girl.

All of these jewelry creations are now available in my Etsy shop.

I am also very excited to be featured in a Solo Exhibit by Beatrice and Violet on Etsy Stalker this week! Violet has been so sweet in our communications and asked me the most interesting questions in my interview. I have been overwhelmed and delighted to the core to read all the kind words that others have written about my jewelry. It has been a wonderful experience.

You can read my interview and enter for a chance to win this moon pendant here.

I am working an a thousand projects at once (as usual), one of which is a horse stable for my daughter's birthday next week. And perhaps a painting or two! I'll be back very soon to share more of my creations with you.

Autumn is Calling Me...

My favorite time of year is beginning to show it's face. The leaves are just beginning to turn, and the apples are heavy on the trees. What is it about autumn that I love so much? I have such a feeling of giddy nostalgia and there is a certain spookiness that hangs in the air as Halloween approaches. I could, quite happily, live in eternal autumn.

Here are a few of my latest creations that speak "fall" to me...


"Archimedes in Love"

"Woodland Copper Moon"

"The Poet"


"Feral Tendencies"

I will be selling my goodies at the Saline Oktoberfest Celebration this saturday September 25, from 10 am to 7 pm. If you are in the area, come by and say HI! After 7 pm, my husband and I will most likely be found in the Bier Garten slurping up spaetzle and German beer. :)

And the Winner Is...

Well, I finally persuaded the Mad Hatter to pull the winner's name from his magical, feathered hat (we all know that time does not work the same in Wonderland as it does in our mundane world and he couldn't understand why I was in such a rush). And the winner of my copper barrette is...

Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor

Congrats to you, Jennifer!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a peek at some new items in my shop this week!



I love this new style of barrette and have many more to be listed soon! I got the inspiration for this style while watching The Lord of the Rings (again!).

Spellbound

This is one of my new favorites (they change almost weekly). A custom order for a great customer and even better friend. I love it's silvery smokiness.

The chain is adjustable so that it can be worn long or short. The lovely lady who now wears this recieved it as a Mother's Day present, so I wanted to make sure it was extra special! It also has matching earrings...

I had so much fun with this piece! It has inspired me to work more often with the large baroque crystals.