5 Reasons to Re-Vamp Grannies Jewels

Every since I started making jewelry, my grandma has been sending me loads of her old jewelry….this could potentially be a dreamy situation,  right? In my case, honestly it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.  BUT when it’s good it’s WonderFull, this is one of my success cases which I finished re-vamping today.  I started with just the red flowers.

Here’s  5 Reasons why I think YoU should take a Peek into the Abyss of Grannies Jewels…

1. 1. You are creating an astronomical chance that nobody will ever be able to duplicate your piece just by going to the local bead shop. Or even come close. What an origional resource!
2.  As you sift through piles of old jewelry, remember to be open to the inspiration within each piece you come across, even if you deem it as hidious.
3. You have a potential chance that sections of your new creation will already be made just by simple reattachments!
4.  There all all kinds of gizmos, links of old chian, earring backs, little jewels and trinkets that are on everything…even if the piece as a whole is…well, hidious.

5. Finally, I have seen a huge comeback of the modern antiqued look happening in several circles and I predict it to be an upcomming trend that will be thriving in full force. 

So, call grams or take a look at your local pawn, thrift shop for some odd and ends…you never know what will be there!!!!

Arizonia Dreamin’…A Shoppers Guide to the Tucson Gem Show

Staring out at my misty Northern California landscape, I can almost feel the golden Arizona sun pulling me south into a state of captivity…the Tucson Gem Show beckons my arrival.  In only a handful of days I will be scoping out one of the most glorified gem shows on the planet. Only spending three days there, I decided that the efficiency of my time is of up most importance.  So here I have summarized my plan of attack so that I can shop enjoyably still have energy to hang out with friends and dance under the desert sky.

First on the list is, well, to make a list. I happen to be a list freak, but if you aren’t keen on takin’ tabs, here’s a simple way. Go through your inventory and see if there is any stone, color, shape, metal, finding that you are short of. simple and it makes sense so you don’t duplicate too much on what you already have. At the show, you can review to make sure you at least got the important things.

Next, I would suggest acquiring a Tucson Gem Show Guide. This will show you the “it” spot for your personal conquest. In person, they will be at most major hotels in the Tucson area (pick one up for a resource). But if you like to plan, like me, you can go online at www.colored-stone.com to check out the Tucson Gem Show Guide online and take some time to really notice what stands out, look at websites, see exact locations etc… highly recommended.

So now that you are all squared with where you’ll be shopping, get together your paperwork, copies of resale license, business license and business cards. This will be your ticket to the exclusive wholesale shows.

After each day of shopping, while it’s fresh in your mind, try to categorize your findings by price so you can remember when you get home. Plastic baggies and a sharpie are brilliant ways to do this. Plus, don’t forget to put your receipts somewhere safe!  And when you get home…well that’s a whole other story. But be nice to yourself and pick up your studio before you leave, maybe even go get yourself a couple extra bead organizers…I’m sure you’ll use ‘em!!

Peace and take care!!

Sea Speaks in Visions

I just finished this elaborate seascape piece last night. It is created for a dear friend of mine who has inspired me greately throughout the years.  I love the free form wraped abalone including tighter coiles throughout which give it a fresh from the sea appeal. The drop is a mother of pearl, which also has a very organic shape and matches the abalone in an oceanic rhymic way.  For the neckline, I twisted three strands together, one of purpley toned pearls and blue apatite, one of blue irredecent sead beads and one of grey silk cord on which I hung thai silver dropletts.

ReVamping My Studio

Ever feel like the space you live/work in doesn’t suit you? Well it should!! Surrounding yourself with your creative output as much as possible is important for the flow of ideas and defining self expression.

That’s what I decided when I looked around my studio recently (first picture) and thought, wow, here I am trying to make creative, free form jewelry and my studio is drab and inspirational. So, after that thought, I rummaged around for scrapes of fabric, plants, candles, feathers and anything colorful and fluffy that I can gaze at during a moment of “what next”.  I even managed to salvage a dying orchid in the process, which now sits on my desk. Another exciting aspect is now when people come over to my studio space to check things out or callaborate on a piece, they are welcomed with the warmth of what I have to offer. Ahhhh…so much better!

And as my good friend Melissa says…”It’s not messy, It’s Creative!”…so don’t sweat the small stuff, just stay organized.

dusk awakening

bali silver, black tourmaline, watermelon tourmaline…still availible at my shop

Sultry Vamp

Elegant and alluring…red garnet, onyx, pyrite, labradorite and all natural brass…available

Amazon Rain

brass, pyrite, labradorite, clear quartz…still available

Golden Abyss

A wavy, circular pyrite disk, lava rock and more pyrite. Lots of texture…availible at my shop

multitudes of greens bracelet

chrysocolla, aquamarine, yellow-green turquoise, peridot and brass

Turqouise Oracle

dazzling southwestern turquoise paired with rings of all natural brass…still availible at my shop

Carnelian Butterfly

carnelian, blue quartz, all natural brass

Asian Moon

moonstone, blue adventurine, turqouise, labradorite,  faux cinnabar, all natural brass…still availible at my shop

Turquoise Goddess

Bright, sky blue turquoise, tigers eye and white howlite, sterling silver…availible at my shop

Pirate Earrings

blue goldstone, red garnet, silver

Indian Medallian Pendent

gorgeous…and still availible, see my shop for more details. Indian medallian, red jasper, serpentine, shell, sterling silver

Flourite Fusion

Rainbow Flourite, aquamarine, clear quartz

Fancy Tease

hematite, crystal, gun metal chain…please see my shop for more details…

Earth Dance

pyrite, lapis, natrual brass

Sea of Enchantment

abalone, flourite, pearl, iolite

Earthly Embrace

Turqouise, carnelian, black ebony wood, citrine

Two beauties wearing Goddess Adornments!

I just found this picture from a long time ago. These two girls were the first two to buy necklaces from me before I launched into a business. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope to find you again someday…

Desert Sand Earrings

orange calcite, sky blue turquoise and marbalized agate, ear hooks all natural brass

mother of pearl lotus earrings

mother of pearl, sterling silver

silk tribal tassel earrings

colorful silk handmade tassesls with eastern influenced metal

Brass Kalidescope

all natural brass

Ancient enchantment

beautiful quartz point, aquamarine, charite, moonstone, labradorite

Woodland Treasure

fuchite, moukite, jasper

Pandora’s Box

deep orange carnelian and light green peridot

Odyssey

rutilated quartz, garnet, all natural brass

LunaTic

Moonstone, moukite, aquamarine

Heaven on Earth

exquisitely  enchanting…amethyst, kynite, iolite and all natural brass

Gypsy Hoops

surprisingly light, silver hoops wire wrapped with hematite

Flutterby

Eclectic and charming. made of all natural brass, orange agate and blue apatite.

Eye of the Agate

A funky textured piece with tribal motion. Made of Agate, horn and bone

Dreamscape

A creamy blend sparkling golds and sea greens. Made of opal and all natural brass.

Embrace of Grace

and odyssey of crystals

aquamarine, amethyst, labradorite, moonstone and drusey.

Dream Garden

A dreamy collection of stones for anyone who loves the starlight. The beautiful golden citrine in the center makes it shine eternally.

Damsel Wings

This power piece was created as a bold statement that might so happen initiate a night to shine! Made with antiqued natural brass and a delicate malachite fan.

Going To the Tuscon Gem Show!!

Okay, well it still is three weeks away, but I am so excited!! If you all don’t know, the Tuscon Gem show is the most incredible stone, crystal, mineral, gem show out there. I am looking forward to spending three entire days immersed in beads galore. And you can bet on the fact that I will find the most amazing additions for my new pieces this year.  Stay tuned, I will take some pictures so you can see how massive it is! Until then, the countdown begins….

Here is an outstanding crystal photo from the gem show about three years ago.

Super Sexy Earrings with Thai sivler and natural brass

Elegantly antiqued brass goes stunningly with Thai silver. The design gives off a tribal edge. Perfect for belly dancing!!!

Chakra Mandala

Delicately contours the natural shape of the neck all while beautifully balancing your inner being