Crazy Coiling Class

Last Saturday I spent six hours at the ArtCenter Manatee in Manatee County Florida with 9 other jewelry makers taking a workshop wire coiling and making a Crazy Coil Bracelet.

Our teacher was the talented Stacy Perry of Hodgepodgerie and it was a great class.  We spent the day learning to use an electric drill to coil wire at lightening speed, manipulating wire every which way, add in some jump rings till it all came together this way...

This was the first time I made my own toggle and bar, and that was an added bonus.
I love it. What about you?
Stacy has some great tutorials on her website, including supplies, and tons of information on metal and wire jewelry making. She also has an Etsy shop with a nice sample of goodies.

Today I attended another workshop on forging metal, but more about that in another post.

Hello Spring 2013... Stringing, that is!

I know the North East is blanketed in snow and I hear there is another storm on the way... I hope everyone stays safe and makes the best of Mother Nature's winter visits. But take heed, spring is around the corner...

For me, Jewelry Stringing Spring 2013 arrived in my mail box yesterday and I can now reveal that two of my bracelets were selected to be featured as part of their Bracelet Designs on page 24 and 25.

I am thrilled!

Carved Nephrite beads, 

Vintage brass beads, 

Red Botswana Agate, 

Red Tibetan beads, 

Brass Toggle and spacer beads.

Magnesite Butterfly and Melon bead,

Czech pressed glass flowers, 

Czech fire polished rounds,

Copper chain, ring and trigger clasp.

Wishing you all a Happy Spring!

You have heard Ringo Starr's Octopus's Garden, now see mine...

I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade   

My Octopus's Garden...

A Clematoons cartoon featuring Mr Starr's song!

He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you.

Octopus's Garden by Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey), 1969 (Lyrics from Lyrics007)

Did you know that July 7th 2012 was his 72nd birthday?
Makes me feel old! Not the songs but the fact that he is 72 years old!
Have a great week!

I Went Shopping.... and look what I bought....

Remember the big sale on October 2nd hosted by 'Love my Art Jewelry', well, I went shopping at Melinda Orr's store and checked out her collection of fabulous clasps.

It was difficult to choose, but finally settled on four, and here is what I made with one of them... A Copper hook and eye, but not any old hook and eye. Melinda is known for her artistic textured metal work and check out this oversized eye ... so gorgeous that the clasp becomes the focal piece of your jewelry.

Perfect for fall!

I have had this strand of faceted Brandy Opal squares for the longest time, and when I saw this clasp, I knew I had to get them together. Add some copper coins and ....Viola!

I got three more clasps and I am waiting for just the right beads ... I promise, I will show them to you when I get done.

Here's What's New at Sundancegems!

Sundancegems is the name of my jewelry shop/brand.
And it has nothing to do with the other more famous Sundance.
I remember working on setting up my website in November of 2004 and coming up with a name while sitting at the computer. Why Sundancegems? It's the name of the subdivision I live in and I love working with gemstones. It's that simple.

I thought I would show you some of my latest additions to the shop.

Turquoise Kebabs

A Grizzly Bear in the Forest

Mookaite Bangle

So, what do you think? 

Happy Wednesday!

Regina

If Only It Were True!

Happy Sunday morning to you all! It has been a long time!

First, let me explain my long absense from my blog. It was all due to Taxes and Travel. March madness to me meant getting my books ready for my CPA and completing the filing of my taxes, both personal and business, and then April brought travel, a three week trip to Sri Lanka. Got back on Thurday, still suffering from jet lag, and trying to get my internal clock back on EST in time for work on Monday. But more about my travels in future blogs...

I must however tell you what my CPA said to me after she had completed my taxes. "You have to stop buying so many beads!" Excuse me??? Or she continues I have to sell more jewelry! Hello??? Again easier said than done. Anyway, I have an appointment with her in September, yes, September, to discuss my bead addiction and my business strategy...

Now to the topic at hand...

At work, whenever my colleagues receive magazines with jewelry for sale, they always send it on to me so that I can get a look at the competition and also be inspired. It was in one of the magazines that I saw a pendant made a combination of the following 5 gemstones: 

Amethyst (Amethyst worn as jewelry is thought to keep the wearer calm, free from addiction, sober and stable, also helping to alleviate anxiety);

Crystal Quartz Crystal Quartz has been associated with many spiritual powers since ancient times);

Obsidian (Obsidian is thought to cure depression and grief);

Sodalite (Sodalite is considered a grounding stone, calming emotions and increasing decisiveness by focusing the mind);

Tourmaline (Tourmaline is considered a gemstone for creative people) 

These are some of the attributes that I could find in my searches,

and it was being sold as helping with weight-loss!

How you ask? Well, the theory behind it is that these stones help control addictions (to calories) help focus your thoughts and help you stick to your diet and exercise programs and Viola! You loose weight.

If only it were true? If only it was that easy? 

But, if you believe, it should come true! 

What do you think? Do you believe in the power of natural gemstones?

I must admit the idea is intriguing. Maybe it could help with my bead addiction.

Giveaways Galore!

Here are some great giveaways happening this weekend, so take some time to visit these blogs for some fabulous prizes.

First stop, say Hi to Andrew, back from Tucson and giving away some of his famous family's newly unveiled beads. These goodies are from Green Girl Studios, and my favorites are the peacock toggle and the little elephant charm. What a wonderful collection!

Picture courtesy of Andrew Thornton

Second stop, say Hi to Carol, she is giving away one of her gorgeous signature bracelets. I have not quite got the hang of making these wire beads, so to win such a bracelet would be awesome.

Picture courtesy of Carol Bradley

Third stop, say Hi to Julie, who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and giving away this unique and charming bracelet, made using the flattened bowl of a vintage silver spoon.

Happy weekend everyone, I get three days off! Bankers, what can I say! But I got to get working on my taxes, so it will not be much of a holiday.

The King of Petrified Mud!

Did you know that Jasper was petrified mud? Petrification is the term used when organic material turns to stone. Mud is just an organic soup (I like the way the word soup has been used in 2 of my 3 posting this year, got bead soup in the brain! can't wait!) that turns to stone, a process that takes over 100 years...

I love Jasper!

I love the variety of colors and markings found in Jaspers from different locations around the world. The wide range of colors and markings are caused by different combinations of various elements, such as Iron, Copper, Manganese, etc.

So what better topic to write about than to introduce you to the many lovely Jaspers available to beaders and some of the jewelry I made with these beautiful gemstones.

I start with the King!

Owyhee Jasper

Owyhee Jasper Necklace with Champagne Freshwater Pearls

Owyhee Jasper comes from the privately owned Owyhee Gem Mine in Southern Idaho close to the Oregon border, and obviously derives its name from the Owyhee River. The Jasper looks much like the desert landscape it comes from, and pieces with the 'blue sky' are valued higher than those without. You can see why it is known as the 'King' of Jaspers.

The blue and brown Owyhee Jasper looks great with Copper

Owyhee Jasper Earrings with brass filigree leaves

These earwires are from Shels Jewelry Supplies handmade by Michelle. I love them!

Good Bye Summer, Hello Fall!

For the second morning, we Tampa Bay residents woke up to a cool 65 deg. F.

Slept last night with the air conditioner turned off and the windows open... very nice.

As I resized a bracelet for a client, I thought, this bracelet says it all.... 

Good bye Summer and hello Fall.

Enjoy the weekend!

Serenity Bracelets

Serenity is defined as a sense of calmness, peace, tranquility, or a similar restful state of mind. Something that we all strive to achieve, inspite of the hectic lives we lead.

I try to find time for yoga sessions once a week and the best part of the session is always the breathing exercises that helps me relax, focus and hopefully strengthen me mentally.

Serenity Bracelet with Coral, Turquoise and Moss Agate

The relaxing breath exercise, called the 4-7-8 method is simple, let me show you how...

• Get the tip of your tongue on the roof of the mouth behind the two front teeth and keep it there.
• Exhale completely through the mouth with a 'whoosh' sound.
• Inhale through the nose, for the count of 4, lower chest first, then upper chest should expand.
• Hold your breath for the count of 7.
• Exhale through mouth with a 'whoosh' sound for a count of 8.
• Repeat, at least three times... feel yourself reaching an inner peace!

These numbers 4-7-8 inspired me create a bracelet with 4 Sponge Coral Nuggets, 7 faceted rondelles of Moss Agate, and 8 Turquoise nuggets. This bracelet has an Om (aum) charm hanging from it. Om comes from Sanskrit, and affirms a Divine presence in the Universe and the union of our mind and body and spirit!

My next Serenity Bracelet is made using two of my favorite gemstones, Tiger Eye and Turquoise. I used 4 Tiger Eye coins, 7 Turquoise rondelles and 8 faceted Tiger Eye rounds. This bracelet has Copper beads and a beautiful sun toggle clasp.

Serenity Bracelet with Tiger Eye and Turquoise

So what do you think, will wearing a Serenity Bracelet help someone slow down, remind to breathe calmly, and lead to inner tranquility?