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. :)

Catching Up...

I am busy listing new items this week. There are many more to come!

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This treble clef barrette is a custom order for a customer, however, it has inspired me to do some other treble clef pieces.

Mina's Treasure

"You are but mortal woman.
Time is now to be dreaded - since once he put that mark upon your throat."
~Bram Stoker's Dracula

Catching Up and Checking In

I hope you all haven't forgotten about me. My adventures in blogland seem to get pushed to the back burner when my life gets hectic. We had Kindergarten graduation and now summer vacation is officially underway! I am now trying to find a new balance between my business and little ones who are home all day long needing attention. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the choice to work from home was made so that I can be here for my little ones. I am working on creative ways to get my work done and still supply them with wonderful memories of summer fun. We have been going outside in the morning and having fun, and then coming in for the heat of the day. They work on art projects or have some rest time while I get some jewelry projects done. I cannot tolerate the heat (I am like a flower, you know, and wilt when it gets too warm...) so this plan seems to work pretty well. I am getting ready for several large art shows this summer and am furiously trying to stock up on inventory.
Here are a few goodies that I have been working on~

This is a vintage assemblage locket that I just love. Inside I tucked photos of two of my great-uncles, both military men. One was missing-in-action in WWII and the other led a very interesting life as a Merchant Marine.

This belt buckle was created by my husband, Pudge. Wouldn't it make a great Father's Day present for some lucky dad?

Introducing my newest eye ring color! To be listed this weekend in my Etsy shop! I think this one is going to be popular!

As you can probably see, I have discovered Picnik for photo editing. Where have I been?? I could have used this ages ago. I think I am hooked. I love experimenting with it's different effects. I absolutely love the 60's effect!

I promise to do better with keeping in touch and will post pictures of some special order work soon (hint...think horses)!

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.

Objet d'Art

“I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.” ~Marie Antoinette

The short life of Marie Antoinette was most certainly wrought with sadness and tragedy. She reigned as Queen of France during the French Revolution and was beheaded at the age of 38. She was interested in science, nature, and history, and had a very strong personality.

Through all the death, accusations, and scandal that surrounded her, she continued to have an air of dignity. The stories of Marie's excesses are vastly overstated, in fact, in the midst of France's growing financial crisis, she and her husband attempted to make drastic reforms and changes to aid France's people.

This interesting creation features a lovely picture of Marie nestled in the body of a vintage women's watch. A lovely, antique, white washed key and a vintage silver heart hang below. The necklace features mother of pearl and beautiful brown pearls, all wrapped in a darkly oxidized sterling silver. And what piece honoring Marie would be complete without ribbons?

Copper Pendants and Some Vintage Love...

Things have been quite hectic for me lately. My daughter has been on spring break, I've been painting our porch (which has turned into a much larger project than originally anticipated...and is still not finished), and we spent a few days at my parents' house. There has not been much jewelry making going on this week.


This weekend we went to an absolutely HUGE rummage sale at an area high school. This was my 5th year in a row going to scour for bargains. I remember going with my mom when I was quite young. My husband is as much of a treasure hunter as I am, and we have so much fun picking through the goodies together. This year, we bought new directors chairs for my jewelry booth at local art shows. We also found some great wood plantation shutters that will be cut apart and made into barrette and brooch displays for my booth. I'm thinking that project may be a future "how-to" blog post.


Well, I did manage to whip off a few things this week...






This last one is a keeper. The vintage skeleton key says Germany along the bottom of it, so, being as I was born in Germany, I simply had to keep it. Not to mention that amazing shimmery crystal. The ring that they are suspended from is the result of an afternoon spent with my trusty torch. I also made a ring for my lovely friend Mermaiden and considered posting a picture of that as well, but thought leaving it a secret would be much better!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Ok, it is time to announce the winner of my necklace naming contest. And the winner is...drumroll please.....

Mermaiden Creations!!

The name ideas that you all provided were great! I loved reading them. There seemed to be a theme of moon, sun, blood. That is very understandable from the style of the necklace. But, the one entry that made me stop in my tracks and gasp was Mermaiden's. She said:

"Sorry, my friends, this piece is called 'Initiation'. Oh yes it is."

Oh yes it is, my dear mermaid friend. The shadow filled images that are invoked with that word are the perfect bit of mystery that I was looking for.

So, "Initiation" it is. Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestion. Oh, and I would like to extend a special prize to my fellow Fantasy Artist Team Member "K" from The Haunted Studio Under the Stairs. His name idea was "Heche en Mexico". For him I have a swift kick in the arse.

This Week in the Studio...and a Contest...

What a busy week!! I am desperately trying to stock up for summer art shows in the midst of kids, teaching jewelry classes, and having a new roof put on our house. I am so excited about our beautiful old home getting a new roof! I shall post pictures as it moves along. Here is a sneak peak at some of the beauties that I will be listing in my Etsy shop this week.

"Quite Contrary" made almost entirely from vintage bits and baubles that I have found on my treasure hunts.

Copper and vintage blue pearl adjustable ring

Steampunk rings

Unnamed sterling silver and red crystal necklace~ what is your name idea?

**Edited 3-22-10**

I've decided to turn this into a small contest! Post your name ideas here for my sterling silver and red crystal necklace and if I pick your name, I'll send you a handmade adjustable copper ring with your choice of bead colors!

Etsy's Front Page

How exciting!! My second time on the front page and this time I was lucky enough to actually see it! I watched my Vintage Garden necklace jump up 1016 views and 76 hearts, and after almost an hour on the front page it sold. I actually have 2 other necklaces that are similar to this one in the works right now.