Path of Life

I made a new bracelet design a few nights ago in the studio. I really like it! Here, I strung some blue crazy lace agate ovals, blue agate rounds, some Czech glass spacers that almost have the look of sterling silver, a copper "Path of Life" charm, and a few art beads from some of my favorite artisans: A copper raku ceramic pinch bead by Duane Collins of Elements Pottery and a "Soul Sister" lampwork bead by Kelley Wenzel of Kelley's Beads.

Instead of attaching a traditional clasp, I made an adjustable slide closure with a strand of soft suede lace and a large-hole copper bead. Can you see how I did that there? It's really simple to do. I ended my beading with two sterling rings that I fed the suede lace through. Then, I strung the large hole bead onto both ends of the suede. Lastly, I made sure I could slip my hand through the bracelet before finishing the suede off with a couple of knots.

Summer Bliss

When I received my ice cream cone pendant from Melanie of Earthenwood Studio for the design team challenge, it immediately brought to mind fun outdoor activities, laughter and happy times. It made me think of all my favorite things to do in the Summertime. For me, the best part of Summer is enjoying the warm weather and doing fun things like going to the beach, walking along the boardwalk eating ice cream, playing carnival games at a Summer fair, riding a roller coaster or two, eating an ice cream cone....that's after the roller coaster, and maybe a few rounds of mini golf! And...did I mention eating ice cream on a cone? Somehow, you can NOT do any of these Summer activities without ice cream being involved. It's the epitome of Summer and fun times. I love Summer and I love ice cream and who doesn't, right? It's pure bliss!

Here is the necklace I made with Melanie's pendant. I call it "Summer Bliss" and I would totally wear this doing the above mentioned activities and have a ball doing it.

"Summer Bliss"

Ice Cream Cone Pendant: Earthenwood Studio.

Ceramic Mermaid Beads: Gaea.

Happy Summer! 

Now, check out what the rest of the design team did with their ice cream...



Andrew ThorntonGaea Cannaday Denise Yezbak MooreErin Prais-Hintz Heather PowersLorelei Eurto Lori AndersonJean Yates Marie Dodd Guest Designers:   Michelle Mach and Amy Sprite   

Nora

Just wanted to share some cute pictures we took of Nora today. We often find her in her crib like this in the morning for the past few weeks. She's getting good at rolling over from her back to her belly now and holding her upper body up. She didn't used to like being on her stomach at all, but now she seems to enjoy it. Oh, she's also sitting up on her own, too! It's exciting watching her develop...

Bees and Blossoms

Modern Vintage is probably the hottest rising jewelry trend these days. Mixing old items or vintage-inspired components with new beads that still give a design a feeling of an era gone by. Although, I understand the appeal of vintage items (and hunting for them), I'm not that into actual old things myself. I do however, like modern, vintage-inspired jewelry! There's a feminine, romantic feeling to vintage jewelry that really appeals to me. I don't think I've met a jewelry style I didn't like, so I had to give it a try. Here's my take on modern vintage style: A sweet Spring charm bracelet called Bees & Blossoms.

Bees & Blossoms

I wanted the multiple strands of Ceylon seed beads to look like strands of tiny strung pearls. I used an antique brass filigree button for the closure. I love the sweetness of these antique brass charms that dance around the entire bracelet. Of course, the design would not be complete without this flower stoneware art bead by Golem Design Studio. I want to thank Artbeads.com for the supplies and the inspiration to make this piece. Enjoy!

Required legal disclaimer: Artbeads.com has sent me the above mentioned beads, pendants, materials and/or findings to create with as part of their design partner blog program. I have not been paid by Artbeads.com to participate. Thank you.

Mother's Day and Baby Babbles

On Sunday, I had my first OFFICIAL Mother's Day! Yay! (Last year I was pregnant) Here's me and my 6 month old daughter, Nora.

I had a wonderful mother's day. We had a delicious brunch at this restaurant, Finz in Salem, MA. Yum!

Here we are again. Nora's in her pretty pink dress from earlier in the day. She looked so sweet! Through spit-ups and diaper changes this outfit didn't last long, though. lol! Welcome to motherhood, Erin.

I'll leave you with this cute video of Nora talking in her baby babbles(and other funny things she does.) Enjoy! :)

Springtime Frills

The beauty of Spring is truly amazing! I'm captivated by it every year. The weather is warm, the birds are chirping and the flowers and trees are in bloom. There are bursts of color everywhere and the air feels light and uplifting. It has me feeling energized and wanting to create things, like this bracelet I'm calling Springtime Frills. I stayed up way too late last night in the studio, but I couldn't help myself. I was feeling inspired by these Spring components from Earthenwood Studio.

Springtime Frills

Birds nest charm and new crackle egg component by 

Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio.

Are you feeling that Spring fever yet?
You can find Melanie's new crackle egg components for a limited time at her Etsy Shop and bird nest charms on her website.

Earthenwood Design Team - Key to My Affection

It's been quiet on the jewelry front around here. Every spare second I have is being devoted to writing our upcoming jewelry book. I tell ya, I've never worked so hard on something in my entire life. It's all I think about and to tell you the truth, it's all I want to think about. It's the highlight of my life, my jewelry-making career to be creating this publication with Lorelei. I can't wait til we are able to share more. ANYWAYS. That's not what this post is about! lol! I'm rambling off topic here.

There's been no time for ordering beads or going to the bead store these days. Luckily for me, I have Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio! She sends me her gorgeous handmade creation every month and for that, I'm grateful. Melanie has started a new line of components called Earthen Oxide.

 

I got to play with this red resin heart key with a love description on it. 

Here's the piece that I made. I'm calling it "Key to My Affection".

A long, simple necklace. I love these brass heshi African trade beads! They give this necklace a cool vibe. I wish I had more of them in my stash. I strung the brass heshi up on some rust color waxed linen cord. I made a knotted bail for the key pendant. The turquoise beads add a shot of color, along with one of Melanie's new crackle-glazed ceramic links. You can find Melanie's crackle items in her Etsy Shop right now.

I love being apart of the Earthenwood Design Team! 

Thank you to Melanie and thank you to you for being here with me.

Here are the other fabulous members of the team: 

Andrew Thornton

Gaea Cannaday
Denise Yezbak Moore
Erin Prais-Hintz
Heather Powers
Lorelei Eurto
Lori Anderson
Jean Yates
Marie Dodd