Thursday, December 23, 2010

It's Almost Christmas

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here already! It seems like the summer was just arriving, and now we see snowflakes (which aren't necessarily my favorite).

During this season my prayer is that we never forget why we celebrate Christmas. It's the birth of the Ultimate Gift, Christ, that allows us to even enjoy the gifts that we give each other. Remember those that are less fortunate than yourself, and be mindful that things could always be worse. And if you don't have the dinero to buy a gift, give the best free gift out there....LOVE!
Today's or this weeks creative venture is a charm bracelet. I made it last week, before I had some other things I needed to get done, which I will be blogging about next week!

The chains and charm pieces are from various necklaces and bracelets. It is surprisingly light, as the charms are hollow, and it gives the pleasant jingle as charm bracelets often do. It seems like charm bracelets are the fad these days, and the last one I created went faster than the smell of flatulence on a windy day...LOL! It is a tad difficult for me to find the charms and chains from different sources that I believe work well together, and these happen to.



Again folks, I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas day! Be safe in your travels, and try to enjoy the predicted snowy weather!

Pearls of Wisdom:
This holiday season as you celebrate with family and friends may you remember the King of kings and His Kingdom. For the freedom and liberty He has freely given to us all is the true reason for the season! ~The Edmondson Family

Be blessed!!!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Honing In On Other Skills

This week I have been focusing on honing in on my sewing skills. I am not the perfect sewer yet, but I am looking forward to being able to sew some things that I have been wanting to wear.

So today's creation is a jean skirt that I made out of an old pair of jeans. Ha! I guess I am still in the same vain...finding something old, and making it new! But really, I was excited about this one. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time.

The pair of jeans I purchased a long time ago...let's say 7 years ago. I had to either throw them away or finds something to do with them as they were starting to get holes. And you all know me, I am always looking for ways to make old things fabulous again!

As you can see, they are sort of utility like (they have the carpenter look at the bottom, and in the back), but that is what gives them such great character! I decided to leave the buttons on at the bottom to allow the skirt to remain super long, and to keep the flare. I opened up the seams in the middle, closed the front, and stitched it back together. I needed to do a little bit of hand stitching at the bottom to avoid from breaking or changing the needle on my machine.

I picked out fabric that I absolutely love. I got the fabric a while ago, but didn't know what to use it for. I didn't notice that the pattern was a leaf motif at first, but I like it anyway! I sewed the fabric on the back of the skirt to fill in the gap that was left from opening the seam, and then sewed the bottom to match up with the skirt, and VIOLA...we have a skirt!!!


Front of the skirt


Back panel with fabric. I used the same fabric for my journal!


Me, after rocking my skirt to a Christmas party with my church fam! I love you guys!

I have been super lazy about taking before pics of things, and I do apologize. I will do so for the next creation I will be making very shortly.

Have a great weekend! If it's snowing or hailing or anything of the sort where you are, please take your time and be careful!

I look forward to updating you on more creative adventures next week!

Pearls of Wisdom:
Honing in on different endeavours can expand your horizons for the passions of life! Wet your appetite for something different, and try something new!!!

Be Blessed!


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Doing It Afraid!

Last night I had the privilege of speaking in front of my class members. I was shaking in my boots...afraid. These are all people that I admire for their various gifts, talents and strengths, and I was just sheer nervous.

A friend of mine told me not too long ago though, if it something that you know that you are supposed to do, just do it afraid! That was later confirmed by another friend, and I took it to mean that this is something that I must simply get used to...just doing it afraid!

Last night, I did it afraid, and praise the LORD, things went well!
I am starting to realize that it is only me that stands in the way of my success. I guess I fall into the category of those that are more afraid of success, than failure...although I have had my moments of being in limbo between the two.

So creatively, I was able to get another pair of earrings made. I made them late last week, but was unable to get them posted due to other obligations. The round gilded pewtered like bronze piece is from a bracelet, and the hanging chain from a necklace. Neither of the pieces were broken when I received them, but I wanted to add my little flair to them, as usual :)


The original bracelet


New pair of earrings! I'm into the chains people!

I also made a bracelet out of the same pieces. I have a few finishing touches to put on it, and then I will post.

Pearls of Wisdom:
If you are called to do it, DO IT AFRAID!!! A little nerves is not a bad thing. It shows the value of the MASTERS strength, and not your own!

Be blessed!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Definition Of A Friend

It's rare that you have friends that have the ability to tell you just how it is, whether that "is" is lovely or not so great. They care about your feelings and take measures to make sure that they express their care for you in a multitude of ways. They are honest and although the truth they state may hurt, they are looking out for your best interest...always.

I am truly blessed to have an arsenal of friends that have my back. They speak the truth in love and desire to see me flourish to what God desires.

Thank you all for being who you are! My prayer is that I give and sow into you as much as you give and sow into me.

Today's creation is two pairs of earrings. I decided to show them in the same entry since they are so similar. Both pairs derived from a broken necklace. With a little bit of handy work, I was able to salvage some of the pieces. These four pieces ended up being earrings. I don't normally go the bling bling route, but knew I couldn't allow these pretty pieces to go to waste.


I arranged the pieces differently to create two different pieces!

I do pray that you all enjoy, and continue to make this artistic journey with me. Thanks, and have a great evening. Until next time...

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the honouring of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of similarities." ~Anonymous

Be blessed!


Sunday, November 28, 2010

And The Winner Is...

Hey beautiful people!

I decided to video blog this entry. It has taken me some time, but I finally have gotten to choose the winner of a piece of jewelry for the quarter.

AND THE WINNER IS.....
PATSY

Patsy blogs about her artwork over at heARTwork (www.patsypat.blogspot.com)! She does some really good stuff while keeping the mindset of Christ! Congratulations Patsy! I will be sending you a follow up email.

So there you have it folks. I pray that you all have had a fabulous Thanksgiving, and I look forward to sharing some more creations this week!

Pearls of Wisdom:
Remember to give thanks for all things large and seemingly small daily. Your small may be someones large!

Be blessed!


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Truth Is...

The truth is, there have been times where I wished I was someone other than who I am. Perhaps a queen on a remote island, a traveler of many lands who speaks a multitude of languages, a wife with a plethora of children, or even living the glamorous life, withholding none of my goodness unto men.

After brief daydreams, the simple truth is that I am who I was created to be. I am well equipped to reign on this throne that I have been given at this moment, moments to come, and decades more. And when my reign has come to an end, I will have left a legacy for my children to pass on. One that will accomplish even greater things that I have! And then, I will have lived the glamorous life, one that withheld no good thing!

So, I have decided to make another pair of earrings. I have to say, I enjoy making earrings the most. I like the challenge of making two things look exact, and the therapeutic comfort that comes along with repetition.

The square piece came from either a bracelet or a belt. I can't quite remember and to my dismay, I did not take photos of the original piece from the purchased broken lot of jewelry. I took it's original studs off, and replaced them with pearls. I re-strapped them on with wire, and hung chain from the necklace I used to make the earrings I posted about last.
I took off the studs and replaced them with pearls

The finished product!

There you have it! I pray you all have a great day filled with endless possibilities that only your creativity plugged into the Creative Source could bring!

Pearls of Wisdom:
You don't need to know where God is taking you. You just need to know what to do next, and then the next things after that. Enjoy each moment with Him, allowing Him to guide your every step! ~Someone other than myself, with my tweek :)
Be blessed!


Monday, November 15, 2010

Back In The Swing of Things

It's been a rough few weeks, but thank the Lord, I am back in the swing of things!

Today's creation I have been thinking about for a few weeks. Although I didn't sketch it out in my journal, I sketched it out plenty of times in my head. The execution was pretty effortless, and the finished product was what I hoped it would be.

The main oval shaped piece hails from a belt that was purchased from a broken lot of jewelry. The chain pieces came from a necklace that was in the lot of jewelry given to me by one of my mentors.
The original necklace

The finished product!

So there you have it folks! I look forward to keeping you all abreast of the creative things that are on the horizon!


Pearls of Wisdom:
"Art is beauty, the perpetual invention of detail, the choice of works, the exquisite care of execution." ~Theophile Gautier

Be blessed!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

November Already?

Hola Compadres! It is hard to believe that we have passed the fall months and are now approaching old man winter. I wasn't particularly fond of last winter. I had to do much of the shoveling (by choice). Who in the world would have their 60 year old mother outside shoveling snow by herself. That would be oh so cruel.

Anywho, it's been more than a week since I have blogged last. Last week was extremely busy. I spent most of my time editing close to 200 pictures for my friends that are expecting twins. I was going to bed at approximately 3am and waking up at about 7am. Then, I danced at a baby shower on Saturday and sang until I could sing no more on Sunday.

Since the last time I blogged, I have had many great things take place. A mentor of mine gave me plenty of broken jewelry that I will be able to put in my arsenal of products. Thanks Sis. Naffessa! I may have gained a few customers as a result of my friends baby shower I attended. People were really pleased with their photos and inquired about having theirs taken.

So, that is what has been going on amongst a few other things!

Today's creation is a ring. This is actually something that I was sort of re-vamping. My mentor was in love with the ring and didn't want to give it away, but wasn't happy with it beginning to tarnish. I decided to burnish the edges where it was tarnishing to bring out the copper tone that was underneath the plated silver. It's now a copper accented ring.

The copper undertone makes the petal like structure pop!

I was glad to be able to make this ring new for it's owner. It just goes to show that sometimes you don't have to get rid of old things, but just have a mind to restore them to fit what you want them to be for you today!

Have a great evening! Until next time....

Pearls of Wisdom:
Let's make sure that we are looking at the treasure in what some call trash. Underneath it all, you might just find a gem!
Be blessed!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Keeping Busy

The last couple of days have been wonderful! I haven't had the chance to blog, but have been working still.


I have been wanting to make a skirt out of some jeans for quite some time now, and I have finally leaped off the ledge to do so. I have opened up the hems and started to pin back together. I will be starting to sew in the next day or so.


I have also been doing some knitting. I like to knit or crochet a scarf or two every fall season. I have mastered the scarf, and may be looking to start a project that is not linear soon.


Today's creative piece is a pair of earrings. I liked those other pearl and chain earrings that I made a few weeks ago so much, I decided to make another pair. This go round I decided to use both regular and green pearls. And instead of having pearls dangling from the bottom, I decided to have a single pearl dangling in the middle of the triangle made with the chains at the top. As with the other earrings, the chains were previously a broken belt.



Green has been my color of choice this season


NEWS:
I have decided to still give away free jewelry to those that are commenting. I will be doing so quarterly instead of monthly because I don't have a whole bunch of folks commenting. However, I will be choosing a name to send free jewelry to for the month of September.


I pray you all have a wonderful evening, and until we meet again....ta ta!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." ~William Shedd
Likewise, our gifts are safe if we keep them for ourselves, but that is not what our gifts are for. Share your gifts today. Your gift may be the driving force to change someones world!

Be blessed!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Alternate Creative Ventures

Today I digressed a bit from jewelry to take a bit of time with Buddy. Buddy (for those that are not aware) is my camera.

I love photography, especially black and white photography. To me it tells a story that has occurred in a still moment. Much like visual art of various kinds, it leaves room for the viewer to have some creative license.

So today, I was more than happy to help a couple of friends of mine tell the story of birth. They will soon be welcoming two beautiful babies into this world. I am honored to help them celebrate and create memories!

Congratulations Lori and Rashaan! I love you all!


We will be blessed by your presence twins!
Pearls of Wisdom:
"Everyone knows that by far the happiest and universally enjoyable age of man is the first. What is there about babies which makes us hug and kiss and fondle them, so that even and enemy would give them help at that age?
~Desiderius Eramus
Babies are gifts given to us by God. It is His ultimate display of love through and for us!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Bracelet-Part 3

TADA! Here you have it folks! The unveiling of the bracelet that I have been working on for the past few days last week.

I chose to pair the delicate crushed pearl center with a rather bulky chain so I could stay with the theme of the pieces I have been doing. The clasp is the original clasp that went with the belt I took the center piece from.



I hope you all like! I am looking forward to using the center piece of this belt for other projects (hairpin and necklace for starters).

Pearls of Wisdom:
Good things come to those who wait! What is it good that you are waiting for?
Be blessed!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Bracelet - Part 2

Hey Folks!

Well, it's day two of this bracelet journey. I explained that these few blog entries would be short as this week is extremely hectic.

So today, I decided to take some pearls and smash them into pieces. I started off with a mix of a purple and off white pearl. I love the colors, but it wasn't contrasting enough with the metal belt piece. Instead, I decided to use a mixture of dark and light green pearls. Although I have been using a lot of green, the contrast here was greater.


A close up of the first set of pearls I crushed.
There you have it good people. I look forward to showing you the next couple of days of this project. Have a wonderful and safe evening!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse gift will find a fitting place."
~ Margaret Mead

Be blessed!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Slow Start

As I spoke of yesterday, I am starting a new bracelet!

There are a couple of steps that I will be doing to create this bracelet, so I thought that I would blog in segments. The segments will keep each blog entry this week short and sweet, but also build some excitement for you at the end of the week.

So, I got the base for this bracelet at a thrift store in Southern Jersey called Villiage Thrift. It was a chain belt with a native american motif pieces fit into where a cobechan would noramally be. I liked the wooden painted pieces, but thought I would like to put something else in that space. I popped out the pieces and took off the metal pieces that created the chain.

I was left with one metal piece that I needed to bend in order for it to form to the wrist. I then chose out the type of chain I wanted to use.

The belt I took apart. If you look to the left you will see it's original clasp, which I will use in the new bracelet!


I popped out the piece in the middle. At the bottom you will see the empty metal piece and at the top you will see the pieces popped out.

Tomorrow I will be crushing some pearls to put in the center of the metal piece. Have a wonderful evening/morning yall!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"If we focus on being some other place because we think it's better, then we will neither enjoy where we are nor do what we must to succeed." ~ John C. Maxwell
Before you take a gander at the grass on your neighbor's lawn, are ou the best you can be where you are? Are you taking the time to enjoy where you are now, and are you doing what you need to do in the space you are now to succeed in the future?

Be blessed!



Monday, October 11, 2010

Cheat Day 2

Hola Compadres!

I am taking the liberty to have a cheat day today. Today was busy, and this upcoming week will prove to be the same. Although I have a cheat day today, this week I will be working to create a bracelet. The project will probably take me all week, so I will be showing you all the progress of the bracelet each day. It's a little more detailed than some of the other jewelry I have made.

So today's creation was made about a year ago. At that time I was not in the same vain as I am now. I was still using natural gems, but I was into making daintier pieces. None of the pieces used to make this bracelet were found. By the time I made this piece, I was pretty fast at making these types of items. It may have taken me about 4 hours total.



Goodnight good people!

Pearls of Wisdom:
Find something that you love to do, and get to doing it! You would be surprised how it relieves you of your everyday stressors!

Be blessed!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

A Beautiful Mess!

Dictionary.com defines mess as, "to busy oneself without purpose or plan; work aimlessly or halfheartedly; putter, to waste time; loaf, to meddle or interfere; to involve or associate oneself (esp. for immoral or unethical purposes)".

As I thought about this definition and the recent work I have been doing with broken, found, and unwanted jewelry...I thought of myself. I can identify with the definition of mess...I've been a mess, and still am at times. However, what I realize is that what is seen as a mess to some is absolutely beautiful in the eyes of GOD. So today, I am grateful to be a beautiful mess, working to be all that I was created to be!!!!

Truthfully, I see the broken, found and unwanted jewelry much the same. It's a mess when I get it...torn, cracked and burned, amongst other things. However, what a awesome thing to be able to turn something tattered into something stunning. Being able to see the outcome, is priceless!

So today's bracelet comes from so many different sources. I posted a while back about some earring that I was trying to make out of a bracelet a friend gave me. The project didn't work so well as earrings, but was perfect as part of a toggle. I burnished the other end so it would match. I saw so much potential in these charms on a dress a friend gave me. The dress fared well without them too! I took the jump rings off a broken belt, and the chain is from another piece of broken jewelry from the lot I purchased weeks ago.



The bracelet, and part of the finished toggle

The other part of the toggle, and the mess of a belt I got the jumprings from


The dress I got the charms from. Can you see where they were?

Vwala...there you have it! A new piece of jewelry to be worn! You folks have a great day, and I look forward to posting more!

Front view Side View

Front and back view

Pearls of Wisdom:
LOVE HIMSELF loves mess...including me and you!

Be blessed!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

More than Jewelry

If you would have asked me years ago if I thought that I would be making jewelry, my answer would have been no. I don't even know how I got into jewelry making, but now find that I am coming into my own on that front.

If you have met me in the last few years you would think that I just make jewerly, and that could be the furthest from the truth. The truth is, I like to use a multitude of mediums. I like to use whatever material is going to get my thoughts across to others. That medium may be a pencil, pen, paint, via camera, sand, rice, trash...pretty much anything that you could think of.

So today's creative thought comes from a card that I made for a friend that is doing the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk. I decided to actually make the card instead of buying one, and this is what I came up with. Of course I used a sneaker because she will be walking, and I used the color pink because of the cancer walk. I doubled up on some string to make the shoe-laces, and a silver pen to do a bit of details.


The card coming out of its envelope


I thought she would like a fun envelope, so I made that too!

That's it for this evening everyone! I pray that you have a wonderful evening and look forward to more creations tomorrow!!!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~ Scott Adams

Be blessed!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Taking Care of Business

Today was another productive day. I managed to take care of the business that I set out to handle today.

Today's earrings are quite simple. The top piece is from a bracelet, and the bottom piece is from a belt. They both hail from the broken lot that I purchased about a month ago.



There you have it for the day folks...a simple and easy post! Enjoy your weekend!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Be blessed!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Grateful For Simple Things!

What a great day! There was nothing in particular that happened, but it has just been a great day! To be alive is great! To have great health is great! To be in right mind is great! To have a phenomenal family (including biological, friends, and spiritual) is great! To be able to see, hear, smell, taste, love, laugh, cry, and feel (among other things) is GREAT!!! I think we often bypass the simple things in life and look for the complicated luxuries. The truth is, simple things become beautiful luxuries when you remain grateful for them!

So, in my gratefulness, today I was thankful that I am still in my creative niche. Thank YOU LORD that you continue to give me a plethora of ideas daily. Thanks for my grind that I always strive to give back to YOU!!!

Creativity brings about another chandelier necklace today. This was another piece that I made last week, but did not have the time to post about. The chain portion is was a broken belt. The bottom chandelier portion is from a broken bracelet that I decided to cut to get the effect you see. The square wavy stones are green serpentine, and the small round stones are semiprecious rulite quartz. I am partial to this piece. I have been looking for a way to use these particular green serpentine stones for a while, and now was the perfect time.


It's green serpentine!!!!!!

Well...ta ta for the evening folks. I have some cooking to finish for tomorrow's dinner, and studying to do for next weeks class.

Pearls of Wisdom:
As I grew older, I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art. ~ Albrecht Durer

Be blessed!

Monday, September 27, 2010

A Six Day Lull

It's been 6 days since I posted last. I knew that to be about the case when I blogged last week and said I had a busy week ahead. Although I didn't blog, I completed a few new projects, and started on a few others.

Today's post short and sweet is featuring a hair clip. I have been wanting to make hair clips for a while, but wasn't finding the right base material. Well, I found something that works pretty well at the moment. The medallion piece is from a broken belt, and I have placed some rhinestones on the base of the clip to match the jazz of the piece on top. I planned on wearing it to a dedication ceremony that was held for my uncle Den Den yesterday, but it didn't work with my outfit. So I ended up taking a pic of it for your viewing pleasure today!

I love the sparkles!!!


Here is an idea of what it looks like on

I am back, and I don't foresee another lull of this magnitude for a while. So, let's keep it moving!!!!

Pearls of Wisdom:
"We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy." ~ Walter Anderson

Be blessed!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

This Week

Today, like the rest of this week was extremely busy. I won't complain though. As a matter of fact, it is a blessing that I am busy with purpose!!!

Because of that, this week I may be showing some things that I didn't necessarily make on the particular day that I am blogging. As with usual "cheat" days, it will be something that I has not been seen on the blog.

So today's piece was made a few weeks ago. I took this piece to the piazza as well. This was the start of me making "chunky" jewelry, and I would dare to say that this is the chunkiest of them all..lol! This piece wasn't actually "found" or "broken" jewelry, but purchased pieces with my vision in mind. The stones are serpentine and the chains are bronze and silver plated!



I don't know much about Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex in the City"...I wasn't really a fan of the show. However, from some of her outfits, I think that this would be a great addition to her collection. So...eat your heart out Carrie!!!!!

Pearls of Wisdom:
Just because something is old doesn't mean that it lacks value. There is beauty in the old as well as the new. Let's look and find the greatness in both!

Be blessed!

Monday, September 20, 2010

A Weekend Filled

This weekend passed was truly filled with fun, family and friends!

It started off on Saturday morning with dear friends Becky and Tom at the Pitman Craft Fair. It was a gorgeous day for the event. The vendors and those that were visiting the fair were super friendly. I ended up purchasing some local honey for my horrible allergies, as well as an alpaca hat for my nephew's first birthday.


There were vendors that stretched for as far as I could see.


This kettle corn man stuck his tongue out at me in good fun!!

I saw plenty of jewelry vendors, but the best thing was that they were all so different. It reminded me that there is a place for everyone in the creative world...even in a small radius!

And when I left I got a surprise that made my lips pucker and turn up with a smile! There were two little ladies selling lemonade for twenty five cents. In an atmosphere with plenty of entrepreneurs, they were on their way to entrepreneurship themselves. I hadn't seen a deal like that in a long time, and they were simply the cutest, so I decided to partake of a cup. As I dug for my change one of the little girls said, "You can have it for free!". I gave them my money and asked their mom or sister (not quite sure which she was) if I could take a picture to post here. I hope they get to see themselves!!! Keep up the great customer service skills ladies...they will take you far!


Entrepreneurs in the making!!!



Mmmmmm......tasty!

Sunday I spent getting a good word, talking with Mel, and visiting family in PA to celebrate baby P's first birthday. Happy Birthday P...auntie loves you!!!



That alpaca hat looks good on you baby P!

Okay, Monday's jewelry piece is a pair of earrings. Metal mini washers, jumprings, and pearls make for an interesting combination. I wasn't quite sure that I would get what I had pictured, but nonetheless, I was pleased with the outcome. The bulk of the earrings (middle metal piece) comes from a belt I took apart. The pearls of course were added for a dainty touch.


There you have it for the evening folks. There are only a couple of days left in the month of September for you to be entered in a drawing to win free jewelry. So COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT!!!

Pearls of Wisdom:
People expect good service but few are willing to give it. ~ Robert Gately
Let's strive to give the service that we desire to get!!!!

Be blessed!!!