Inspired by.... The Bucolic Plague

Wow - I can't believe almost a month has passed.

I am so glad school is over so I'll be able to finish reading my books! I now have 3 in progress!
And I'll have time to work on my jewelry projects.

This month's book was the Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. It's a tongue-in-cheek memoir of two professional men from Manhattan who decide to run a farm in upstate New York. It's a quick, engrossing book that had me laughing out loud as I shared anecdotes with whomever would listen.

The creativity and talent of the other members of the group is astounding. I almost feel like my simple pieces are not worthy of the group. That said - I am still excited with the materials I found and what I created in a short amount of time.

I had only read about half of the book when I wandered around the local bead shop (Island Bead in Eastport, NY) waiting for inspiration to hit me. And there they were - little glass goldfish reminiscent of Josh's drag queen costume. (I expect you can find out more about that in his first book, I Am Not Myself These Days:  A Memoir, which I plan to read sometime in the future.)

I found some 4mm neon orange candy jade beads and amber swarovski crystal in my stash.
Then I wrapped lots of fish and round beads to create dangling earrings and an ankle bracelet.
There are 3 lonely fish left - maybe the future holds a long chain necklace.

These dangle from my
 handcrafted ss earwires.

Hoping this is a hit in The Hamptons!

I love the way the gold pops out in this photo.
 Depending on the angle the coating on the fish looks gold or silver.

I have since finished (and loved) the Bucolic Plague and can't wait to start our next book, The Cookbook Collector, by Allegra Goodman. I'm looking forward to having the time to plan out my next project instead of putting it together at the last minute.          

I'm also very jealous of the folks who get to meet up in person with Andrew Thornton at the Allegory Gallery.  Check out Andrew's blog for more info -  http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/
ps - Check out the other participants!
Sarajo Wentling http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jeanne Steck http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/
Mary Harding http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/
Judy Campbell http://www.macmillanmarie.blogspot.ca/
Michelle Mach http://www.michellemach.com/blog/
Mary K. McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Andrew Thornton, Amy Roadman, and Laurel Ross http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

A Rumor of Gems - Inspired By Reading Design

As if I didn't have enough to do, I decided it would be fun to join an online book club organized by Andrew Thornton.
Ah - but this is no ordinary book club. Each month we read a different book which should inspire us to create.
Click here to find out more about the club and upcoming titles
http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2013/03/inspired-by-reading-book-club.html


For the month of May we read (or are still reading) A Rumor Of Gems, by Ellen Steiber. It's a very engrossing story of magic and relationships set in an old town, but in modern times. I tend to be very literal and became obsessed with the moonstones.  With little time before a weekend show, I put together two very simple pieces with amazonite, moonstone and sterling silver.

Finally, I wanted to create a labradorite bridge. Instead settled for this bracelet with beautiful labradorite from my stash. I just had to highlight it's brilliant flash with apatite. There are some great charcoal gray shell pearls and, of course, sterling silver.

 I can't wait to see what some of the other participants have created. I'm sure they'll be a bit more creative then me.

A promise...

My goal was - still is - to post weekly. But alas, here I am a month later.
It's been a very busy, stressful time at work.  Just 20 days left of school - then retirement!
Retirement - that word invokes stress, but it is also a promise. A promise of moving from one stage of my life to another. I don't believe I will leave completely put teaching in the past. I've had a few propositions - things to consider.

In the meantime, I look forward to the time to devote to creating jewelry, time to take classes, explore new or perfect current techniques, time to expand the business.
I look forward to time to read, to participate in my 3 bookclubs (what was I thinking?)
I look forward to time to travel, time to do whatever I want.

Rainy Saturday Morning

... Wondering why I'm up so early on Saturday morning. It's 7 am now - been up since 5:30 and I've actually been pretty productive.

*I'm pleased to say I now have one clean flat surface in my "studio". It is just a 14x19" snack table. but it does provide clear work space! 

*I've inventoried and put away several orders from the last few months.

*Found some gold-filled jump rings.

*Found some great stone focal beads.

Unfortunately there's still a lot more to be done.

Including creating bracelets to fill customer orders.

In case you're wondering how I get anything done - it's simple - I just move to another clean surface!

I'm really looking forward to June and retiring from teaching - my goal is to clean my "office" and create a real studio.

Hope you all are having a great Saturday!

Time To Party! Bead Soup Blog Party, That Is!

My partner Tracie Dean sent me this amazing collection of red, white and silver beads.

Since it was close to Valentine's Day, I immediately did a few quick wraps with the cinnabar heart and red ceramic beads.  Threw them on a ribbon and had the perfect necklace for a first grade teacher to wear to school.

The other beads presented a bit more of a challenge.









I knew the clasp Tracie sent was too pretty to hide in the back, so I had to figure out a way to feature it in front.
She also included some beautiful matching 2-hole connectors. I added seed beads, glass pearls, and sterling silver rounds.  The result was a very romantic 24" necklace.  My designs are usually symmetrical so, I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I love the oval focal - I think it's a dyed "jade". 
It told me it wanted to be wrapped. I know it's not the best wrap - It's still a pretty new skill for me, but I am excited with the results. I must admit that I am still wrapping chain links. Yes - that is a totally handcrafted sterling chain. I'm not sure how long it will take to finish so here it is...

Don't forget to visit Tracie's blog to see what she created with the blue soup I sent her.  http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com/

and Lori to see what the other artists have created with their soups.
http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

It's Here!!! Bead Soup Blog Party 2nd Reveal

And I'm embarrassed to say - I'm late to the party.
Here I am at 5am frantically working to finish up three pieces.  Yep - Type A overachiever who procrastinates and lets life get in the way. I'm sorry - I'm just too brain dead after teaching 1st graders to come home and be creative.  Thank you Common Core Standards. (but that a whole nother blog)

My goal is to finish making chain, take photos and post a new blog by noon.
So, please, please, please check back later.

In the meantime take a peak at the gorgeous blues I sent my partner, Tracie Dean @ http://homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com/

See you all later!!!

Check out all the other wonderful artists' creations.
Here's the link to the 2nd reveal - http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/
And the first reveal - http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html

Thanks so, so much to Lori Anderson for taking on the huge task of organizing the Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY

About a month ago, I decided my business page needed more fans. Actually, I'd known it for a while, but finally decided to try to do something about it. So with just 110 fans, I set a modest goal of 125 and offered an earring giveaway to any fan who also commented on the giveaway post. How hard could it be to get 15 people to like my page????
Apparently, very hard :(  Here we are 5 weeks later and I have just 116 fans.

Please visit my facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/GemsByJeanneMarie?fref=ts

Please click "like" for the page.

Then read and comment on the post for the earring giveaway. It's that simple!

The earrings will be similar to these.
Completely handcrafted. (yes earwires, too)
And... you get to choose your color!

Hope to see you on Facebook soon!!!

 https://www.facebook.com/GemsByJeanneMarie?fref=ts