Spring Begining Necklace & Earrings

Spring Beginning

I love working with Amate Studios TM jewelry pieces. Their hand-made findings are the best findings I've ever had the pleasure of using. Here I selected handmade the Heart Dangle (SO-DE-018), silver plated Base Elements by Amate Studios TM. The Large Square Pendant is handmade pewter (PE60600120) was a perfect mate for the earrings.

I created this set the other night to show samples of what I was teaching Saturday. All the pieces turned out good, even my "defective" pieces embellished with Swarovski crystals which made them perfect! 10-11 showed up for this pendant class & everyone of them left with a fully cured resin pendant. Overhead several of them already making plans for Christmas gifts with their attempts! That if the ultimate compliment to any teacher!

The resin makes it hard to get the close up I really want but here is my feeble attempt.

You can see if you look close enough, the veining on the substrate within the pendant. Only those who have worked with this substrate will know what the material within is. For now, it's mine & my students special little secret! One of my students, Sally Carloss, a beautiful young lady who attends my church (CrossRoads Assembly of God) got to attend the class. We ended up spending most the day together.....time really flies when you're having fun! This technique will be taught at my church as well....I'm thinking this necklace/earring set would make the PERFECT Mother's Day gift for the ladies in my church to create themselves! Oh yes, they're ready for a challenge!! AND, Sally will be my helper!

The Missing Crystals

Once upon a time, I sat in front of the computer making out an order for precious gems from Artbeads. Yes, my eyes were glazed over, but I managed to pick out enough gems to create 3-4 jewelry pieces. Oh boy, the order was placed! Now the waiting begins. Artbeads rec'd my order & had it shipped Sept. 14th. Well now, I waited & waited......waited & waited some more. Finally I contacted Artbeads to let them know I hadn't rec'd my package from them (wonder how many times they've heard that story?). The communication was outstanding. Artbeads resent my order.

Now, the REST of the story!

Last night (Oct. 1) I sat on the front lawn with my two dogs while watching planes fly overhead, crickets chirp, cars passing by, neighbors going in & out of their houses.

One neighbor, a nurse who works night shift & sleeps all day was one of those people going to get something out of her van. She sees me in the yard playing with the dogs & shouts, "I have something for you, does ARTBEADS sound familiar?" I stood there looking completely stunned. She then said she'd bring them right over as she headed to work. Needless to say, I WAITED for her.

She drove up with a package from Artbeads (alas, the MISSING package). Seems the mail carrier left the package in her mailbox instead of mine. I looked at her in disbelief that she would hold onto my package so long. I told her that I had been waiting for the package since it was mailed out on 9-14. Told her I had contacted Artbeads about the lost order & that they were sending out another one. She apologized profusely, then headed to work. Okay, shake it off Ronnie....the little white padded envelope brought me back to reality & I got all excited (I know, it doesn't take much!).

The dogs & I went into the house with the package from Artbeads safely in my hands. The grass went flying off my heels as I darted across the yard & into the house. Ooooppppsss, forgot to keep the door open enough for the dogs! Sammy & Subria safely inside.

I opened up the outer package to find a beautifully wrapped gift. A sticker with the name of Artbeads sealing the gift tight. Opening the package carefully, a business card was exposed, then the beads and lastly a free subscription to a beading magazine. How wonderful! Every bead was packaged so carefully in little crates to keep them from rubbing while being transported. BOY o' BOY! I've got WORK to do!!!!

Getting my sketches out (I designed with these particular beads in mind), I began to work. Earrings done. Pendant drop finished.....working on the chain to hold the pendant. It's turning out beautifully. The crystals are making the piece pop! Oh the shine from Swavorski crystals is spectacular!

Today is FRIDAY. My motorcycle class for this weekend was canceled so I've got all weekend to work on building my jewelry inventory back up after last weeks shows! I'll also be working on some mixed media necklaces and whipping up some Swavorski dreams!

Ciao

Very Productive Day

As soon as I received my package of jewelry findings from CA, I created these beautiful Swarovski "Crystallized" Easter Eggs. The picture doesn't show the 'sparkle' these beauties have. I've got 2 sets left for sale. Contact me via email vgoffdesigns@yahoo.com if you'd like to purchase them before Easter gets here! All the parts for these earrings was purchased from Firemountain Gems.

I began the afternoon after lunch in my studio. I just had the best time! Sammy & Subria kept checking up on me to make sure I was still alive after several hours. Both have a pet bed in my studio so they can catch some doggie naps while I work.

I started off working on my shoes for the "Sole Sistas Swap" that is due in Memphis next Saturday. I took my before pictures & the fun began. I bought some sandals at our local Goodwill store......so I had plenty of shoe samples to choose from. I kept coming back to these sandals so that was a 'sign' that they were THE ones to be altered. Pulled out my metallic paints & started painting the strips of leather. White gesso was used on the sole since I plan something for that area. Can't spill all the beans just yet.....but when the swap hostess allows me to, I'll post the images on my blog.

Bought some metal chains today to create some necklaces. Not that I NEEDED them, but they were on SALE. Anyone knowing women, they KNOW women can't resist a sale of any kind. Okay, well perhaps a tool sale.....WAIT a minute, I'm a TOOL JUNKIE! HAha When Van goes into a tool place, I'm almost walking in his shoes! So much for manland remaining a 'man's' place.

Bought some items to work on a garden themed project. Get this, I'm NOT A GARDEN maiden! I'd rather be inside working in my studio than outside working in any garden. Not my idea of rest. Okay, granted I'm currently working with a Master Gardner to help me with my 20'x3' area that greets people when they come to our house......I've filled her in on all the questions she had for me: soil type, drainage, flowering or non-flowering.......decisions, decisions! Since I'm not a yard fairy, she's picking out bushes, etc. that require life on it's own. Left up to me, plants die in my presence! Well, soon I hope to have a nice entrance way bordering the sidewalk. BACK to the project....got off topic a tad don'tcha think? Since I know what is typically done in a garden, my project will be just fine.......I just won't be putting it into real life practice!

The better part of the early evening went into creating some turquoise jewelry. I don't usually wire & end cap each bead but I did with these beads. Just looked so right dressed up. Dreamer was created using silver beads in-between each turquoise capped bead. I love the way it turned out. Indian Romance was created using wiggly links. This turned out beautiful as well! These items were purchased from Firemountain Gems and are completely lead free.

After several days of working on a Katie Hacker inspired piece from her book "EXPOSED" I finally finished a bracelet called Beach Front. This was a blast to make so I'll be making several in different colors. I've already had someone mention she'd love to see this in pink. Oh boy, I have lots of PINK! Heck, you name it and I've got it......probably!

I've been commissioned to create several pieces that will involve a pendant with a loved one's picture in it collaged with items they love to further personalize it. I'm always nervous creating specialize commissioned pieces. A lot of love goes into each piece I create......you just pray that the person receiving it feels as blessed.

Tomorrow is a brand new day. I will begin working on my already ALTERED shoes. Hope to finish them by Monday night at least to have them in the mail by Tuesday morning. Of course pictures will be shot of them after the altering. The before & after pictures will be stunning.

Jamie (daughter) asked me today if I'd go to the Peter Pan ballet tomorrow at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.......I just might go! Who knows, my shoes just might grow wings & fly to Memphis!

Ciao!

"Precious" Jewelry Set

I was asked to create a jewelry combo for a door prize by a dear professor (and friend) at school.

I came up with these pieces. The jewelry is in silver & pink shell which was just the right mixture of color. Dainty & elegant. The bracelet is in a little gift bag behind the earrings & necklace. To make this a complete finished set, a gift bag dressed in the same warm pink colors was necessary. I used the cuttlebug to emboss the same colored cardstock as was displaying the jewelry. With a new cuttlebug flower folder, I embossed the flowers on white cardstock & used chalk to highlight the flowers & stems. Swarovski crystals further highlighted the flower centers. Using a Stampin Up word, sparkle, finished everything off perfectly.