Concepts and photo shoots and fashion shows, oh MY!

It's been a busy month. Building your own business takes a lot of effort and time, not to mention building technical skills and finding a niche. I've been very pleased to have found a great circle of creative talent, here in Jacksonville! They're very active and pursuing new venues and looks while building their own businesses as well. I'm having such a great time!

My friend Christy at Christy Whitehead Photography invited me to be part of an innovative photo shoot at a new wedding venue just outside of Jacksonville -- with a big red barn, a covered bridge, and lots of farm equipment to boot. What a thrill! This down-the-back piece was designed just for that event. It features genuine chandelier crystals and wire wrapped focals as a stunning exclamation point for an open-backed dress.

Another fun event this month was the Jacksonville "Relay for Life" Fashion show, hosted by Sarah Dial Photography and The Majestic Planner. You can see photos from the fashion show in this album on Facebook. I was paired with designer Robyn Crews of Reused422 and designed necklace sets to go with her super cute rompers and casual fashions. What fun! We had a night of glamorous fashion to raise funds ($1500!) for the Relay for Life drive with the American Cancer Society. I was there remembering my dad, who died in 2006 from aggressive lung cancer that spread throughout his body, and my grandmother, who died of cancer in 2001.

Last but not least, Bethany Walker of Mady Joe Photography asked to use some of my pieces for a Bridal shoot at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine's historic district. How could I refuse!! Take a look at her beautiful images here , here, and here. I'll try to post some when I get a chance. WHEW!! Now that I have a chance to breathe, I think I'll work on some pieces that I've been ruminating on for a while...

Vintage bling gets a face-lift!

With spring rolling around, several of my photography and makeup artist friends have been itching to get outside, try out new lenses, and capture some of the gorgeous Florida weather for their portfolios. To my GREAT delight, they've asked me to contribute some new pieces to feature on their models. I love it!! Designing for a photo shoot or fashion show is fun because I get to dream up something new and exciting, and a little "out there." Now, I absolutely LOVE doing custom work, and working inside the constraints of budget, and the customer's vision, as well as designing to fit a particular look, but with fashion designing my mind gets to wander a little, or in this case a LOT!

Here's a sneak preview of a new line I'm starting, featuring metals in all their glory, and surprise! Chandelier crystals! This is the first piece. I purchased these vintage crystals from a salvage vendor on Etsy, one of my favorite places to pick up material for design work. The small beads were obviously hand faceted, and were attached to the crystals by their usual brass findings. Separating them helped me to finish out the concept for this piece. The frame is 16 gauge copper, and the crystals are wired on with smaller gauge copper. The chain is also solid copper. The resulting focal area of the piece is about 5 x 5 1/2, which might be called massive by some, but since I'm sort of known for being a little bit of a loudmouth, or at the least too talkative, it's probably no surprise to the people I know and interact with in my business. By the way, please check out my shop on Etsy, or fan my Facebook page to keep up with new creations and listings. This one is going to the photo shoot this week, then will be listed when I get some good photos of it next week.

I Love a Challenge, don't you?

Quick Shout Out... about the Rings and Things Design challenge!!

Aren't these Gorgeous!!

One week from today, on Thursday, March 24th, they'll do a drawing & pick 15 lucky participants. Then they'll send those 15 people a packet of these satin-finish copper beads.

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Those 15 will have 1 month to provide photos of the jewelry they make with these beads. Out of all those entries, Rings & Things will pick a Design Challenge winner to receive a surprise pack of our jewelry supplies! What's not to like about THAT?

So, right now, run over the the Rings and Things Blog and enter. You have nothing to lose, but awesome beads to gain! WOohoo!

Of Bridal Shows and Wedding Models, part 2!

Instead of a cheesy Hollywood sequel, today's "Part 2" post continues the bridal show theme, and my recent opportunity to create pieces for the fashion show portion of the Ultimate Bridal Fantasy Show at the Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine's World Golf Village. What a fun show! My friend, Faythe, International Makeup Artist and owner of A Glamour Bride, was over-seeing the affair for the bridal show. I was excited to be working with Bridals and More, a local Mom and Daughter bridal store. Their inventory is GORGEOUS! Check out the photo of the models in part one. Their selection is amazing!

My first set features cornflake (or "keishi") pearls embracing crystal clear glass beads for sparkle. What's fun about this set is the AB (Aurora Borealis, or rainbow) finish that makes the beads look like soap bubbles! With the warm softness of the cream-colored pearls and the iridescent finish on the glass beads, the necklace has a shimmer that will only (barely) mirror the glow on the bride's face.

Next, two strands of glass pearls are lassoed by

rhinestone spacers, and accented by crystal drops for an elegant collar. Everything about this necklace can be customized, from the color of the pearls, to the metal, gold silver or even copper can be used, and my spacer supplier has 1000s of different styles that we could use as well. The depth of the scallops can also be altered.

The clasp is a fold-over magnetic clasp. It will not come off if, for some reason, Aunt Ethel tackles you with one of her big rib-snapping hugs (you know the one).I'll make matching complementary earrings, of course.

My next creation is more contemporary. Many brides will choose a traditional gown, to please their family, and then add a snazzy necklace set to suit their personality. Whatever floats your boat! It's your day. LIVE IT!

This set has hand-knapped quartz

rectangular beads, and I wanted to accent their roughness with the beauty of flowers.

These little brass beauties are filled with sparkly seed beads, and are framed with gold and silver chain. The scalloped chain is graduated, meeting in the back with two strands ended in crystal.

Last, and certainly not least, is a custom order I was creating at the same time as all of the other pieces for the Bridal show. A lovely Etsy bride ordered a hair comb from my shop, and hers was my 100th sale during my time on Etsy.

To celebrate, I made her some matching hair pins as extras for her hair stylist, in case they wanted to use them during her hair trial and on the "big day." It's so much fun to create these bridal hair accessories! Part sculpture and part jewelry, the end effect with an "updo" is stunning, and can be the finishing touch for the bridal look. Can't wait to see her lovely photos.

I really enjoy working with brides. The joy, anticipation and the thrill of a wedding is contagious. It's like creating the embodiment of their happiness. Tall order, but inspiring nonetheless. To capture the essence of their personality, and their optimism for their new life is pure satisfaction.

Of Bridal Shows and Wedding Models...

I was recently picked to design the bridal jewelry for the fashion show at The Ultimate Bridal Fantasy Show, held at the convention center in the Renaissance Resort at the World Golf Village. A daunting task, for sure, when I was informed there were nine (9!) models, and no opportunity to see the dresses beforehand to get an idea of the designs I needed to create! Well, as most things do, everything turned out just right.
Here are a few photos of the pieces made for the show, as well as the beautiful models. Photography of the models by Stephie Joy Photography.

First item up for consideration is a piece I started for a bride married last September. When her design needs changed, I liked where this one was going, so I soldiered on. Freshwater pearls and rhinestones accent faceted Swarovski Crystal flowers and pendants, and are held together by an Argentium Silver swirled wirework frame. I balled the ends of the frame with my torch for a more delicate presentation. Meant to sit at the collarbone, the chain is adjustable to fit different shapes and sizes.

Next up is a bridal comb that could be a matching piece to the one above, or separate. It's a small comb, but it makes a statement. Rhinestones and crystals and swirls of silver will add a glimmer to your updo, or serve as an anchor for a birdcage veil.

My next creation is a reproduction of a reproduction. I've created and produced a reproduction of Scarlett O'Hara's necklace from the Bar-B-Que in Gone With the Wind, and it's available for purchase in my shop. I love the design, so I decided to render it with the same findings, but in pearls, rhinestones, and crystal. Success! The result is as delicate as the original piece, but suitable for a bridal set.

Fourth in line is a simple strand of not-so-simple elements. These netted beaded beads are a design from a tutorial by Beadinfinitum.com In these beads, I used Moonstone, with a pretty blue flash, teardrop seed beads, czech glass, and silver-lined seed beads. Paired with mother-of-pearl coins and alternated with crystal, this simple necklace is elegant, intricate and graceful. Matching earrings complete the set.

This is Part 1 of my amazing January Bridal journey. Part 2, coming soon! Probably tomorrow...

A medieval tradition among the Troubador poets of Provance equated the hunt of the hart (male deer) with the hunt of the heart(pursuit of the beloved [or love itself] by the lover).

In Medieval times, the hart was a highly respected animal, and had great symbolic and mythological significance. It was often compared to Christ for its suffering; a well-known story tells of how St. Eustace was converted to Christianity by seeing a crucifix between the antlers of a stag while hunting. Images of the stag dominate historical texts, testifying to the prominence of the deer in culture. It signified royalty, and only kings and the aristocracy were allowed to hunt for this magnificent animal.

It's hard to come up with words to describe this necklace. Honey-colored tumbled agate and bold rounds of red agate accent a breathtaking hand-carved stag pendant. The wire wrapping for this piece is in anti-tarnish 18 gauge brass wire, and the individual yellow agate beads are also wrapped with brass wire. The pendant features a stag in flight, bounding over the land, full of grace and power. It is rendered in a medieval style image, and, sadly, the photos do not give it justice. The earrings are matching red agate rounds, with luminous yellow tumbled agate on brass kidney wires. I will be sad to part with it, but it will be a great addition to the wardrobe of just the right lady.

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From Concept to Creation....

My newest creation was a fun collaboration between a beautiful bride and myself. After creating her bridesmaids' necklaces for her September wedding, we started to work on her bridal necklace (still under construction) and a necklace originally for her rehearsal dinner, but now to be worn as a statement piece at a friends wedding.

The color palette includes coral, green, champagne, crystal, pink, and cream. Wired gemstone and glass flowers have been on the top of my list for creating for a while, and with her own hand drawn design concept in hand, plus a nod to her bridesmaid necklaces, I created a handful of flowers, wired them to an anti-tarnish trellis of sorts, and nestled them in between juicy apple-green and other czech glass "leaves". Strawberry quartz is the focal color, with a central flower and "buds" hanging from the crystal leaf vines, and accents of crystal, seed beads, and organza round out the design. I'm really pleased with the result, and, more importantly, so is the bride!

Ariel's treasure lost but now found...

This necklace was a custom creation commissioned by a pretty lady in Texas for a beach-themed formal event. The trick was to make flowers, but keep it beachy. So, why not use beachy to make the flowers? I was up for it.

The natural beauty and colors of these shells and coral are what makes the necklace. They're showcased in all their glory, and highlighted by gold, czech glass and recycled "sea glass" beads. These beads are not sea glass, but recycled glass designed to LOOK like real sea glass. They're also available in cobalt, which is a very rare sea glass color, and very beautiful.

The conch-like shell at the bottom is wrapped around the top with glass and pearls to tie it in with the focal "flower" and gold heishi plays hide-and-seek with different loose beads for extra sparkle. Closeup photos of this necklace set can be viewed in my "sold items" portfolio in my Etsy shop, here.

I really should take the time to learn the names of these beautiful shells, and go to the local shell conventions that showcase and sell these treasures from the deep. I'd like to use them in future creations. The textures and colors are striking, and will be sure to start conversation wherever they are worn, don't you think so?

If you are interested in a creation all your own, please contact me through my Etsy shop, click "Request Custom Item" or this link.

WOWsers, now THAT's a STATEMENT necklace!

I had the opportunity recently to work with a lovely Etsy customer from California. I had at first bid on making a blue agate tangled chain necklace for her, which I completed in April. Check it out! Then she requested another tangled chain necklace, this time in bright, cheery, summery colors. I was thrilled! the hunt for the perfect beads turned up some sunshine yellow and apple green dyed magnesite, and when complementary beads were added, WOW!! Where the first

necklace was silver, gold, and gunmetal, this one has no antiqued finishes at all. There's a double pendant, for balance, and big bold chains everywhere. I really liked the finished product.

My lovely customer was invited to be a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding, so another statement necklace was in order. This time, we went over the top. 8 strands of glass pearls, rhinestones, and amethysts are woven into a 4-strand braid, with 18mm rhinestone balls entwined in the mix. A rhinestone and pearl brooch accents the side, and the sides are silver satin ribbon. Under the main swag of the necklace are two additional strands, one with faceted crystal beads, and one with silver glass pearls. On the bottom pearl strand are vintage chandelier crystals. Their brilliance and flash were fantastic!

These are the boldest statement necklaces I've made to date. Weighing in at 1 1/2 pounds, the pearl one is by far the largest! When I jumped back into jewelry three years ago, I never anticipated these babies! I think that's why custom orders are so fun. You get to know someone, their tastes, and you see things through their eyes. By learning about the statement or vision they are trying to create, you get to participate in their special event, and sometimes it's the most important day of their lives. It's a very gratifying experience!

A June Bride

A June bride Blushes with a light rouge Butterflies fill her stomach As she awaits the moment Of destiny before her. Her train of white Buries the room like snow. Her smile makes the Room glisten. She takes a deep Breath as the time Soon comes, To join the man of her dreams In Holy eternity. By TheFuzzyOne (About TheFuzzyOne) © 2002 TheFuzzyOne (All rights reserved)

These braided pearl bridesmaids' necklace sets were commissioned by a lovely bride through Etsy's "Alchemy." Etsy has a great forum for submitting any request for handmade goods under the sun (you can't imagine the requests I've seen!) and artisans like me lurk there to bid on the custom work opportunity. Thankfully, my customers can also request a custom item directly on my front page in my shop, here. The color palette for these necklaces was "warm, with some chocolate," and with the variety of glass pearls available, easily found by a search through Etsy's sellers. Dark and light chocolate, gold, champagne, ivory and cream glass pearls create an eye-popping symphony of warm, sensual colors that will complement the groomsmen's cummerbunds and highlights in the floral arrangements. The combination is luscious and warm. Gold chain and rings provided the structure for supporting the pearl braid, and a lobster claw clasp kept the necklaces adjustable "just in case." The earrings echo the style of the dangle attached to the extender, and feature hand forged wires.

Working with brides is very exciting, because I feel like I'm participating in their big day, though vicariously. Making their jewelry is a joyous event, and an investment of time well worth the effort. Best wishes to Meagan, and her husband-to-be!!

A little Glitz and Glamour goes a long way....

One of my favorite things to do is work with brides on their wedding and attendant jewelry. Recently, I've had the pleasure of working with a lovely local bride who is getting married this Friday in St. Augustine, Florida. She was looking for a bracelet to match the pattern in the sash on her dress, and wanted to have as much sparkle as possible. She sent me photos of the sash, and we agreed to meet at the bridal store so I could take a look.

My husband is always saying "Brevity is the soul of wit," and with my tendency to be long-winded, that's not always a welcome contribution to our conversations, but in this instance, as in many, many others, he was totally right. The bride's dress was simple, with clean lines and beautiful sea shell ivory silk, and absolutely devastatingly beautiful on her! I made some notes, measured her wrist, we talked a little about the styles she liked, she showed me some pictures, and I left to work on her creation. I'll admit, at first I was a little overwhelmed with the task. After looking around, we settled on a design that mirrored the little rosettes in the sash, as well as on the bustle leading down the back of the dress from the bodice to the end of the train.

Here the the finished product. Crystal clusters are alternated with Swarovski crystal rhinestone balls, and accented by crystal spacers. Each is an individually wired segment, ending at a beautiful 4 strand sterling silver clasp. I'm not much of a photographer, but I'm hoping you can see for yourself how it turned out. The bride was thrilled, and that's good enough for me!

Carnaval...Dancing Quartz, Agate and Sodalite necklace set

Experience the fun and frivolity of Carnaval with this quartz, agate and sodalite set. The huge seafoam green dyed quartz pendant (a whopping 60mm!) is accented by sodalite, marbled with navy blue, echoed with colonial agate, and surrounded by swirls of tiny droplets of agate and sodalite. You'll find yourself dancing in spite of yourself!

The development of this necklace was so much fun. I've begun a new proces of designing, where each element comes together and ruminates for a while, then is created. I have project bags littering my worktable, awaiting the birth process. Stay tuned! More coming soon!