Musings of a jewelry designer and momma. I want to better my world and make it sparkle at the same time. I love junk and "trash" and defying the terms daily. We can reuse and we can remake and we can enrich our experience by realizing that sometimes we don't just throw it away but give it new life.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Be Back Blogging Soon
Monday, May 19, 2014
18th WV WINE AND ARTS FESTIVAL
I hope you will join us this weekend for the 18th Annual WV Wine and Arts Festival held on the grounds of historic Boydville in downtown Martinsburg WV.
Look for me in the grey tent! I will have lots of repurposed hand made jewelry, wine charms made out of vintage buttons, beaded boho headbands that are so much more, leather and gemstone adjustable bracelets and lots of really cool vintage fabric button earrings as well as some hand crafted wine infused soaps from Wild Rose Soap Co.
Here is the link from Travel WV regarding the details and line up regarding music and ticket info.
An excerpt from their page regarding the festivities-
Annual Wine and Arts Festival At Boydville
Ticket price:
$20.00 – adults (21 and over)
$10.00 (13 yrs – 20 yrs)
FREE (children 12 yrs and under)
10% military discount w/ID.
Saturday, May 24
11:00am-7:00pm
• 12:30-1:30 – The Hokums
• 1:45-2:45 – Tabasco Bustelo
• 3:00-4:00 – Ghost Hotel
• 4:15-5:15 – She Town Six
• 5:30-6:30 – Billy Thompson
Sunday, May 25
1:00-6:00pm
• 1:00-2:00 – Willie Barry and the Chaperones
• 2:5-3:15 – CassieRaye Band
• 3:30-4:30 – Gypsy Ramblers
• 4:45-5:45 – Bugsy Cline and the Blue Devils
An eclectic mix of blues, jazz, acoustic, soul, rockabilly and roots performed by regional artists.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Earth Day Recap and Show schedule
I want to take a moment and thank everyone for coming out to see us for Earth Day! My mom joined me in my booth and we had a fabulous time and enjoyed meeting all sort of great folks. I even got to put faces to all the wonderful crafty crafters I chat with online! My momma treated me to one of Sarah's yummy cupcakes. I talked about her shop here (Showtime Earth Day Celebration) A big thanks to Bill and Stephanie Unger and all the Earth Day folks that do such a great job with the festival.
I have lot of wonderful treasures and busy making new items to bring to my first market Charles Town WV.
Too windy unfortunately to get any really good pics at the show. My beaded headbands/bracelet/necklace/anklet/belts were big hits at the show.
As well at the button earrings.
I'll try get some up on the store site soon. I did manage to make a few more twisted leather bracelets and I hope to get those up soon too.
My show schedule has been updated and posted to facebook and my site.
It's here too.
Too windy unfortunately to get any really good pics at the show. My beaded headbands/bracelet/necklace/anklet/belts were big hits at the show.
As well at the button earrings.
My show schedule has been updated and posted to facebook and my site.
It's here too.
5/31
6/28
7/19
8/30
10/4
6/7 North Mountains Arts Fest Hedgesville, WV
October 11th & 12th
Berkeley Springs, WV
Winter Market Berkeley Springs Farmers Market
Nov-Dec 2014 Location TBA
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Join us at the 6th Annual Panhandle Earth Day Celebration at Morgans Grove Park, Shepherdstown WV Saturday April 26 11:00 am
There are some great things happening there and we are going to have lots of fun.
info from their FB page.
The 6th Annual Panhandle Earth Day Celebration will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014, at Morgan's Grove Park, just outside of Shepherdstown, West Virginia. There will be Music, Art, Crafts, Food, Kid's Activities, Demonstrations, Educational Talks, Environmental & Conservation groups, Activists, Vendors, Gardeners, a Farmers Market, a Community Swap, Free Recycling and more! This is a family friendly, community-oriented event.
Bands this year include: The Boatmen - The Green Boys - Herb & Hanson- The Outpatients - The Gypsy Ramblers - Strung Tight - Sacred Groove - The Rolling Coyotes - Paul the Resonator - Sunrise Project - Roderick Deacey
For more information, please visit: http://
If you would like to support this free event, please consider donating at:http://
If you would like to volunteer, please email mail@earthvibeproductions.
I will be joining lots of talented crafters and bringing new items never offered before.
Here are a few pics of the things I am bringing.
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| Vintage fabric and buttons turned into earrings with surgical stainless post and hypoallergenic rubber and stainless backings |
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| wine charms from vintage metal buttons sold in sets of six |
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| these are 7/8 and look lovely. the fabrics are all vintage from the 60s through 90's I try to upcycle or use scrap fabric when possible |
Meet Debbie Smith of DHS Designs
A little about Debbie in her own words:
Always enjoyed doing crafts but it was always for family or for things around the house. A couple of years ago I was inspired to make some jewelry for myself. When family and friends asked it I could make pieces for them it gave me the confidence that maybe just maybe there are others out there that might like what I make also.you can contact her through her FB page or see her at the show.
And this sweet lady....serious pun intended is Sarah Arzt who makes sweet, confections and cakes, yup cakes! And they are yummy!
https://www.facebook.com/touchofconfection
I asked her a few questions about her business.
What do you make?
From custom birthday cakes and cupcakes, to cake pops in all sorts of flavors, to fun cookie varieties, to all sorts of things dunked in chocolate, I am happy to help you find just the right 'touch'.
How did you get into making sweets?
After being an adjunct professor at Shepherd University for the last six years, I am leaving my day job to focus on my company. I started getting into cake decorating when my kids were really little: I had more free time than free money and figured I could make their birthday cakes myself. Over the years, the cakes became the centerpiece of the birthday table as my kids challenged me with their ideas. I was also raised with the idea that you should never show up to a gathering empty handed, and pretty much everyone likes dessert, so that's what I would bring. I co-lead my daughter's Junior Girl Scout troop, assist with my son's 4H group, advise for my youngest daughter's Daisy Girl Scout troop and run the craft room at Shepherdstown's Summer Community Bible School.
Where do you sell?, facebook.com/touchofconfection and www.touchofconfection.com. I don't have an online shop since most things I do are custom and require a lot of discussion before hand.
What you are bringing to the show? Oh, my list keeps changing! Cupcakes and cakepops for sure, haven't figured out the finalist on flavors yet (but salted chocolate caramel will probably make that cut!), Chocolatiers, which are vanilla cream, peanut butter, chocolate wafer cookies stacked up and dunked in chocolate...with sprinkles, have to have sprinkles. Chocolate covered marshmallows, maybe some caramel and chocolate covered marshmallows.
I will also have my Birthday Bag: I will be accepting donations to build Birthday Bags that will be donated to the local Food Pantry. The idea is that in each bag is everything a parent would need to throw a birthday party for their child: cake mix and frosting, invitations, decorations, party favors and candles. Birthdays are so important, I want every child to be able to celebrate theirs regardless of the families situation.
here are some pics of some yummy items.
SEE YA THERE!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Show Time! Panhandle Earthday Celebration April 26th
I just wanted to pop on an give you guys a bit of info regarding my upcoming show schedule. And talk briefly about the first show I am attending and one I am very excited to be a part of.
Mark your calendars for The Panhandle EarthDay Celebration at Morgan's Grove Park on April 26th.
Here is a handy link to their site that will give you everything you need to know about attending this event,
Panhandle Earth Day Celebration
Did I happen to mention that its FREE! YUP, no charge. If you are like me with a modest budget and looking for fun wholesome things to do with your family this spring and summer, this festival should top your list. A big huge party to celebrate Earth day with lots of great activities for kids, terrific music and arts and crafts as well as info booths that focus on sustainability. There is even going to be a really really free market swap event and recycling opportunities for everything. April 26th Morgan's Grove Park, Shepherdstown WV. 11am -7pm
Next week I will do a small feature about some of my fellow makers attending the show with me.
I hope you will check back then!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Daftcrafts #HappyHandmade Week #59
I love to bring you guys weekly picks from the Daft Crafts #happyhandmade link up.
http://www.daftcrafts.net/2014/04/happyhandmade-week-fifty-nine.html
We are in the 59th week and here are my picks. Click on the links to bring you to the great handmade items.
She has the most beautiful colors of hand dyed yard and is a super sweet lady.
And I just adore this cross stitch sugar skull. from Craftypodes. Its so bright and funky and really unique.
Framed Cross-Stitch Sugar Skull
And I just love this saying from Bugaboobear Designs I know a few great mermaids to gift this to!
Always Be Yourself
http://www.daftcrafts.net/2014/04/happyhandmade-week-fifty-nine.html
We are in the 59th week and here are my picks. Click on the links to bring you to the great handmade items.
Princess Averie on PureWool 3 ply
I' m not a hooker but if I were I would totally be into this purple beauty from Fairytale Knits.She has the most beautiful colors of hand dyed yard and is a super sweet lady.
And I just adore this cross stitch sugar skull. from Craftypodes. Its so bright and funky and really unique.
Framed Cross-Stitch Sugar Skull
And I just love this saying from Bugaboobear Designs I know a few great mermaids to gift this to!
Always Be Yourself
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Re purposed
Today I thought I would take a moment and tell you a little about the way some of my designs come together and what re purposed material might go into a finished piece of jewelry. The necklace I call "Lousia" is a good example as any I have in my collection to give you an idea of how my stuff is made and what items end up making into a piece of my jewelry. This necklace was a collaboration between my mother and I, as she works with me on some designs. She has a great eye for design and color. We love working together to bring alive beautiful pieces of wearable art. If you would like more info on this necklace click on the link "repurposed necklace" below the pics
This necklace is a good example of the type of recycling I get to do. The pendant is composed of three different pieces: a very old glass clip on earring, the silver tone leaf broach and a small pewter bar with shell inlaid. The backing was removed from the clip on earring and laid flat. Then the broach had all of it backing removed and any rough edges filed down. Then the three pieces were wired together and held in place. The piece is finished with a combo of crackle glass beads, large acrylic beads and glass pearls. The toggle is leaf motif that play well with the the leaf theme in the broach. Now its a solid piece of affordable and unique jewelry. The clip on glass earring was a great find. A hand blown circle of opaque and clear glass that resembles lace. The bar of pewter with the shell inlaid was a broken piece that laid in a drawer for years. I loved the theme and motif of the broach but the pin back no longer worked and it seems to be happy as the new centerpiece in this unique find. I am always looking for unique elements to add to my designs. I love to re purpose, fix or improve a piece and make it wearable and useful again. Do you have an item you would like to breathe new life into? Contact me, maybe I can help.
Repurposed Necklace
This necklace is a good example of the type of recycling I get to do. The pendant is composed of three different pieces: a very old glass clip on earring, the silver tone leaf broach and a small pewter bar with shell inlaid. The backing was removed from the clip on earring and laid flat. Then the broach had all of it backing removed and any rough edges filed down. Then the three pieces were wired together and held in place. The piece is finished with a combo of crackle glass beads, large acrylic beads and glass pearls. The toggle is leaf motif that play well with the the leaf theme in the broach. Now its a solid piece of affordable and unique jewelry. The clip on glass earring was a great find. A hand blown circle of opaque and clear glass that resembles lace. The bar of pewter with the shell inlaid was a broken piece that laid in a drawer for years. I loved the theme and motif of the broach but the pin back no longer worked and it seems to be happy as the new centerpiece in this unique find. I am always looking for unique elements to add to my designs. I love to re purpose, fix or improve a piece and make it wearable and useful again. Do you have an item you would like to breathe new life into? Contact me, maybe I can help.
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| Repurposed Necklace |
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Here are some other examples of re purposed that have been designed by me over the years.
Mix of materials- a cornucopia of beads: African trade, semi precious stone,
glass, vintage, bone, clay, wood- chunky and colorful and one of a kind.
memory wire bracelets made with a mix of vintage glass and acrylic pearls and other beads with tones of pink, orange and copper accents.
Vintage mother of pear shell bead and mix of tiny shell chip beads
These are part of a lot of vintage mother of pearl shell beads. I made the ear wires and found these chunky beads as part of a broken necklace stash in a little antique store in the Shenandoah Valley of Va.
A vintage silk ribbon paired with a bronze tone bird and rose charm and a strand of vintage bronze metal beads.
A Large faceted teardrop necklace with a pendant that had its former life as part of a sparkling chandelier. I was able to acquire two of these and holding onto the last one to make another show stopper.
The vintage shell made it into this piece as well. The nugget was also a part of a broken stash and I paired it with some hazel wood beads and some flat shell discs. The piece reminds of my 1950's Polynesian beach decor and fashion.
Here are some other examples of re purposed that have been designed by me over the years.
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| Mix of materials- a cornucopia of beads: African trade, semi precious stone, glass, vintage, bone, clay, wood- chunky and colorful and one of a kind. |
|
| memory wire bracelets made with a mix of vintage glass and acrylic pearls and other beads with tones of pink, orange and copper accents. |
|
| Vintage mother of pear shell bead and mix of tiny shell chip beads |
|
| These are part of a lot of vintage mother of pearl shell beads. I made the ear wires and found these chunky beads as part of a broken necklace stash in a little antique store in the Shenandoah Valley of Va. |
|
| A vintage silk ribbon paired with a bronze tone bird and rose charm and a strand of vintage bronze metal beads. |
|
| A Large faceted teardrop necklace with a pendant that had its former life as part of a sparkling chandelier. I was able to acquire two of these and holding onto the last one to make another show stopper. The vintage shell made it into this piece as well. The nugget was also a part of a broken stash and I paired it with some hazel wood beads and some flat shell discs. The piece reminds of my 1950's Polynesian beach decor and fashion. |
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