Weisbaden, Germany 2008

Isn't this a cool fountain?

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button

I've been trying my hand at bezel setting. I love the antique buttons. I love that you can add some more beauty with a nice bezel (Jen Kahn's technique). They are little bits of antique art.

As Proud As A Mother Can Be

I know this is not about jewelry, but as a part of my life, my son, Cameron, has made a mother proud. Cameron, who hasn't gotten to play football much in the past school season for Loyola, has just gotten his 15 minutes, and what a 15 minutes it was! He played well, made his team mates proud, his coach proud and especially Roderick and I. We're just beaming!!!

Charm Swap Bracelet

While our overseas members are still receiving their charms from the swap, I realized I haven't posted a picture of the completed. This photograph is from Bev Gallerani, because although I have put two together already for the fund raiser, I haven't put my own together. I'm in the process of making a chain, in amongst the other things I working on. I have a show in November.

Summer Beauty in Fall

I live in rural Northern Maryland in the horse country farm area. We're surrounded by the usual crops of wheat, soybean and corn. But this year, unusually, what has popped up as a late crop was much more beautiful that the usual. No only was there one field, which was kind of spotted last year on a back road, but this year there were five, six or even seven fields, as far as the eye can see. Sunflowers.......field after field after field of sunflowers. Take a look at summer as fall is already upon us and the trees are already changing. There remains, still, some last hope of the summer days.

Sunflower Bounty

On The Street Where You Live

These little Bohemian houses were inspired by our trip to Germany, Luxembourg, and the Czech Replublic. These are just a few of the ones I've made. They were made into beads to hang for earrings or a pendant.

Finished Charms

Etsy Metal Clay Charm Swap

Our Etsy Metal Clay Team had to have our charms sent to Teresa by tomorrow for her to sort. There are 24 of us participating. Those who wanted to participate were to send charms and they will be sorted and send back for us to put together our own bracelet (or whatever piece of jewelry we want to make) and we will also make one for a charity (to be determined -- we are in the process of deciding).

So these are the first half of the charms I made. These are my little signature charm, but each one is a one of a kind. The sides have words or definitions and the backs have a stamped or molded design. I should have showed the progressive process, but only thought of it after the first batch was fired and polished.

A Birthday Quote

"One of the trickiest things about life is that, at times, it happens so slowly.
Yet... if... it... happened... any... faster... you'd... already... have... everything... you... ever... wanted... without... learning... to... enjoy... the... ride."

Thanks Catherine

Birthday Wishes From My Friend

Nothing to Say, But Something to Look At

I like to take pictures of architecture when I on vacation. I'm not the kind of person who takes pictures of people. I'll even wait for people to move away to get a picture of something. This is a picture of some beautiful chimney stacks in Luxenbourg. We were there on Spring Break in 2008. What craftsmanship!!

I'm working in the studio, trying to fill my orders from the BMAC, so nothing to write today. xo

The Girls....The ETSY Metal Clay Team

Another post about the Philadelphia Buyers Market. Five of us jumped into being exhibitors at the BMAC (that's the formal name). Lis-el Crowley, Janice Donner, Lori Magno, Christine Street and myself. We are from Connnecticut, Boston, California and Maryland. Little did we know of each other prior to getting to Philadelphia and even more so, little conversation, only email, but boy how well we meshed. We worked together, shared a suite, eat together and helped each other like we had been pals for a long time.

Thank you girls, it was great!! I love you all.
(Look at these great posters Lori did for us)!

The Beginning

Well my first step! A baby step, but a step!
Just got back from the Philadelphia Buyers Market Show. Wow, what an experience. Lots of orders (for a first timer). I met some incredible artists......Beth Taylor from A Quirk of Art, from Pennsylvania. She has amazing found (or is it "reclaimed" now) object art jewelry. Total fell in love with her art. Ashleigh George of Michigan (but originally from Africa), she is the sweetest. (Her husband does safaris, isn't that the neatest job) We connected because although our work is completely different, we do some of the same....hearts, words, etc. in our jewelry. Also had the opportunity to talk to Tavia Brown from Tavia Metal, she had a lovely display. All the artists I had to opportunity to talk to were amazing and more than willing to share their experiences.

I also met a very handsome couple who own a couple galleries and a restaurant, Diane and Madis Sulg, of Maddi's Gallery, who just happened to win the 2009 Niche Top Retailers award and also will be carrying some of my art jewelry. They are located in North Carolina near Lake Norman. So HUGH congratulations to them!

The other galleries who pick me up at the show are 'A Thousand Faces' in Nashville, 'Enchantment' in New Jersey and 'This Little Gallery' in Pennsylvania. I look forward to serving these communities.