Okay, I know, I have been terrible about blogging.  I had a rough summer with the drought and all and just somehow ran out of time. 
No, I have not finished my sweet surpises bracelet yet. :(  I do however, have some new designs to share with you.  I have been
working on this for over a year now and finally have listed some pieces using .999 fine silver.  I am using real wasp nests and real fungus.  I hope to have more in my shop available soon.  Inspired by nature!  I also have more good news.  One of my designs will be published in bead trends magazine in the April issue of 2013!! Yea!

I won 2nd place in the Myths and Legends Contest

I haven't forgotten about my sweet surprises post.  The kids have had a lot going on with school getting out shortly.  I will be working on the bracelet again soon.  I did want to share that this necklace:

won 2nd place in the Myth and Legends Contest on Deviantart.  Come join Devious-Jewellery to see beautiful creations from many artists.

Sweet Surprises Con't.

Have you ever tried to match a color of something that is vintage??  It can be a little difficult at times.  Thankfully, I had some

nice vintage copper coated brass filigree mounts and they match the copper picture frame perfectly!  I also had a gorgeous

crazy lace gemstone that I think blends nicely.  I mounted that in sterling silver plated brass filigree. 

I mounted them both in the center of what I had so far.

Stay tuned....... I think it needs more??  Any thoughts?

Sweet Surprises

I received this message thru Etsy one day and thought it was definitely worth sharing.  One reason is because it put the biggest smile on my face and Yes it brought me lots of encouragement.  The second reason is I will be sharing a tutorial so to speak. 

This is what it said:

Just wanted to drop you a line of encouragement. I love your work. I see a lot of people on here who are making jewelery and are over pricing it cause they think they are some sort of artist. You, ma'am, are an artist and with very reasonable prices. Keep up the good work and I wish I had seen your site before my wife's birthday (March 2). :-)

Your friend down south,

Ronnie

I responded:

OMGosh, Thank you so much! I'm blushing! That means a great deal to me. I appreciate you took the time to write and that little bit of encouragement goes a long way!!!
Thanks again
Rene

We had a few more messages back and forth and then he surprised with me this:

I do have something I just got from my mother...its a copper foil and solid copper Victorian framing that went around a small folding picture frame that was hinged so you could fold it. One side of this one had come apart and my mother told me that she was told it was gold...but alas, twas not...twas copper. :-D She gave me 2 of them and I am keeping the one that is still intact. But I took the foil and solid copper of the other to have it tested. Now, IMHO, I think...no, I know, that you could make something pretty out of it and both the foil and the solid will bend easily and it has a beautiful Victorian style to it.. I would be more than happy to mail it to you as it will fit easily inside an envelope. All I want is to see your finished product with it. :-) I would love to see it go to good use(and make some money with it) as it is actually from the Victorian era. Behind the picture of my grandmother was an old tin type picture of someone I don't know who it is, but it is old. If you want it, it is yours for the asking.

Yep - I asked!  Here is an example of what Ronnie is talking about.  This is a partial one that has lost the other half of it and someone added a picture frame mount so they could hang it.

This is a picture of what Ronnie actually sent me.  It was flat however, I slightly curved it while trying to figure out what in the world I was going to do with it!

Follow along as I make something from a beautiful piece sent by a beautiful person (a stranger mind you) who asks nothing but gives freely!  If only the world was made up of more kindness. 

Okay, so here we go - I hope I don't ruin it:  This is the first piece I'm thinking of using.  Sterling silver plated filigree that I have also curved slightly so that the frame outlines it!

I'm thinking bracelet.........stay tuned.

The Flight of Steampunk

  This bracelet was featured -

here:

http://xerposa.com/flight-of-steampunk-bracelets-for-a-queen.

If you have a chance have a look around their blog - it is awesome.

Come visit me at Gallery Night in Valley Junction!

The Historic Valley Junction Art Association invites you to join them Friday, April 13th from 5:00 - 9:00p.m.
Its an Art Lover's Paradise.  Visit www.valleyjunction.com
I will be there featuring some of my jewelry at MHUKA Designs.  They have some gorgeous art there from Africa!!
Would love to meet you and chat!!!

Upcycled - Jewelry Inspired by Mom!

I can't help but make jewelry that is inspired by my mom! She had such an affect on my life and I miss her so. She loved many things but one of her favorites was Native American Crafts!
Porcupine Quills was one of her favorites! Here are a few of mine:

Upcycled Ivory Piano Key Jewelry

I'm bringing back some of my upcycled Ivory Piano Key Jewelry!  Here are a few samples of what's to come!

2012 New Ring Design!

This is my latest ring design with a variety of centers.  It can look Goth with an evil eye.  The ring can look Tribal or Native American with turquoise and it can look Victorian Gothic with stones. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsBloom

Steampunk Bracelet Cuff for the Year of the Dragon using a Year of the Dragon Gemstone

Steampunk Dragon Bracelet Cuff, Year of the Dragon, Opalite Gemstone, Couture Bracelet Cuff, Gothic, Sterling Silver Plate, Handmade.

Big, Bold and Beautiful! Make a statement! A gorgeous vintage 1800's silver pocket watch was used as a focal which has guilloche styling stripes. The watch is enclosed with layers of sterling silver plated brass components. Embellishing the top is a sterling silver plated dragon to celebrate The Year of the Dragon.  He protects his Opalite glass Cab.

Year of the Dragon Gemstones

Opal. Opals are said to assist in spiritual journeys, as well as stimulating change and manifesting your ideas. For Dragons, who are believed to live in great balance with their spirituality, these are powerful gemstones for spiritual exploration.

Opal beads are hard to come by, but you'll be able to find a variation called Mountain Opal which is actually a vein of opal that has been cut with the surrounding "parent" rock. Opal cabochons, both artificially created and natural, can be purchased from some gemstone dealers.

Sapphire. Sapphires come in many different colors, including green, orange, pink white and yellow, but blue sapphires are said to help one use their full creative potential!

Since sapphire beads can be more expensive than other gemstones, you can always buy just a few of them and then enhance them with your favorite deep blue seed bead.

Amber. Amber is fossilized tree sap or resin, so it's not technically considered to be a gemstone or a crystal. Like sapphires and opals, it comes in a wide range of colors including green, golden, honey (a beautiful opaque light yellow), red and black. The red amber is believed to offer peace and promote self-love and acceptance. I've heard of amber being referred to as the "human" gemstone, because it is naturally warm to the touch. When worn directly against the skin, amber is said to be able to transform negative human energies into positive energies. 

Amber comes in a variety of beads and cabochons, some of which have been carved with beautifully intricate designs. Be aware when purchasing amber that the pieces with real inclusions (like bits of bugs and leaves) are very rare and hard to come by, and should be priced higher than other pieces of amber. If you find a piece of amber with inclusions at a price so low that it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't genuine!

Jennifer from Beading Daily

Watch for some designs using some of these beautiful gemstones in the near future at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsBloom

Year of the Dragon

The Dragon is a Symbol of Power!

Therefore in Chinese astrology the dragon person born under this Chinese Zodiac sign tends to be a "doer" – they do things and achieve power by getting things done.
A dragon can breathe out fire so the person born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon can be a hothead. Watch out if you make them angry!
However, the dragon has a soft underbelly and so in Chinese astrology the dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a "soft spot" to them. They may get angry at someone who annoys them but they also show great compassion to people in need.
A dragon has a long tongue which is often seen.
So in Chinese astrology the dragon person born in this Chinese Zodiac year has a sharp tongue – they will say things that can be quite sarcastic and biting.
The person born in the Chinese Year of the Dragon can be quite a confronting person but if you can reach their "soft heart" they are worthwhile allies.

Here are a few of my pieces in honor of the Year of the Dragon

Steampunk Valentine Heart Necklace

Sharing my latest Valentine Design.  A Steampunk Heart Necklace!  This is one of my favorites to date.  This style typically doesn't last long so if you like it, you might want to head on over to my shop - http://www.etsy.com/listing/92213723/steampunk-heart-necklace-brass-valentine.
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and you won't want to miss it!!

All my Special Olympics kids are going to State

I am so proud that I have to share this!  I am a coach for special olympics.  This past Sat. all my kids had their area meet for basketball.  If you place first in your area you get to go to State and compete.  Every single one of the kids got 1st which has never happened before.  Whoohoo!  There was also a movie that recently aired on ABC!  The title is A Smile as big as the Moon! It was a movie based on a true story about a special needs teacher who was also a football coach.  This teacher pushed for the impossible so the kids could go to space camp at Nasa.  It was a wonderful and inspiring movie and if you have the chance to see it, it is a must!

Wedding Jewelry - New for 2012

These are a new edition for me this year!  The great thing about these necklaces is they are so versatile.  I can do a custom order on these.  Made to look old in the Victorian style.  You can order one with your birthstone color.  I can do them all antique silver or antique brass.
The necklaces go great with a Gothic theme, Steampunk, Victorian!  My jewelry is made with great care and there is no glue used on these!!

You can purchase or custom order here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsBloom

Leapin Lizards - I love designs inspired by nature

I just have to share this new design.  I love animals and I really love dragonflys in the summer.  I have a lot of plants in my yard that attract butterflys, dragonflys and hummingbirds.  During the summer on certain days you can see hundreds of dragonflys swarming in the backyard and neighborhood.  Although I made this dragonfly look like lunch he really flys away to enjoy another day! LOL

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91117835/lizard-bracelet-nature-dragonfly-the

Tim Adam Handmadeology

If you haven't been to the website by Tim Adam's Handmadeology then get over there. 
http://www.handmadeology.com/
He has lots of Etsy selling tips which are excellent.  So many different subjects and ideas and news that is informational and helpful.
I am particulary enjoying this information about Pinterest
http://www.handmadeology.com/how-to-get-more-pinterest-followers/
I am new at Pinterest and Blogging so the information is very helpful.   Hmmmm, I wonder if they would like to do an article on Blogging.  So many things to learn here too! 
Right now Handmadeology is having a weekend handmade challenge and I am going to give it a try.  If you can help me out and click on this link http://www.handmadeology.com/weekend-handmade-challenge-january-14-2012/ that would be awesome!!  It will also explain the challenge.
Thanks so Much

Upcycled Poison Pendant Necklace

You would never know there was a hidden compartment in this one!  Perfect for a dab of perfume so you smell heavenly all day!  Made with an upcycled vintage earring.

My new jewelry design for 2012!

My new design of jewelry for 2012 is:  Secret Compartment Jewelry.  There will be many different styles to choose from.  Pendant necklaces, rings and I even have an idea for a bracelet.  The secret compartment can be used for secret notes, a cotton ball with perfume on it and even tiny pills.  I will post pictures of some of the jewelry designs periodically.  However, to see all of my secret compartment jewelry check out my etsy store.  

How to add pictures!

Okay, so this is just a test to figure out what I'm doing!  I am going to try and add a picture.
Well that seemed to work!  I made this one yesterday.  I purchased some vintage glass crystals and am slowly making some jewelry with them.  I like the way this turned out.  Simple but sophisticated.