Atomic Bazaar Craft Show!

I've been looking forward to this craft show since last year when I went to Sarasota to check it out!  It's got a good bit of funk & "oddities" and the show is very lively.  Please stop and say hello.  We'll be in the Bayfront Room, which is conveniently located near a huge parking lot! 

The show will be held at the Sarasota Municipal Building, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236.  This is the building you're looking for …  

Hope to see you at the show! 

A new club in town!

After months of planning and plotting, we've officially opened our new blog, Art Jewelry Elements, the brainchild of Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions. The purpose of the group is to focus on the importance of handmade elements (or components).  Here are some other thoughts from Jennifer ... 

"Our goal is to build a community of people who love art jewelry, love making art jewelry, who aspire to make art jewelry, and to those who just like looking at pretty pictures. We will focus on building your art jewelry business, getting published, challenging you to stretch yourself and flex that creative muscle, lots of tutorials, tool and product reviews, studio organization, giveaways, news, trends, and so much more."

Besides Jennifer and me, the other members of the Team are Linda Larsen of Objects and Elements, Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio, Kristi Bowman of Dreamsome Designs, and Melinda Orr of Melinda Orr Designs.


Please visit us today because we have a great giveaway ... but you have to play to win! 

 

Cathie Carroll ... my Bead Soup Pardner!

I'm so excited to participate in the Bead Soup Party Swap again.  I think one of the reasons is that it encourages me to stretch in directions I might not ordinarily go.  I think another reason is that I know what I'm going to send Cathie.  I've been working on some things in the studio in preparation for Bead Fest Philly and have come up with a great clasp ... and that's all I'll say!  I can't wait to experiment on her!  LOL

I think Cathie and I might be clones.  Her love of fabric and her expression of it's beautiful qualities appeals to me so much.  Fabric was my first love.  Here are some of Cathie's magical pieces.  I especially love her Poetry Pieces where she hides a message in the piece for you to find.  I can imagine these would be a great purchase for yourself, but imagine receiving something from a loved one with a special message!  Wouldn't that be cool!  I know it's going to be hard, but please stop drooling on your keyboard!

Sharon of Livewire Jewelry

When I saw these earrings on Sharon's blog, I just had to have them.  I love milky, opalescent beads and was drawn to Sharon's design.  The earrings are even more beautiful in person because there's a halo around the perimeter of the bead that you can only see when they're hanging. Sharon's attention to detail is the finishing touch! But I mentioned to Sharon that I was buying these as a birthday present to myself.

When I opened the box, look what else was inside! A birthday present of more beads and pendants from Sharon and a nice little note that she had made several of the pieces with her little ol' hands.  Beautiful!

And, here are those milky opalescent beads again ... oh boy!  Look at Sharon's resin piece.  It's amazingly delicate in feel and look.  Wow!

The packaging was delightful.  I should have taken a photo of the silk velvet ribbon that adorned the box, but I couldn't wait to tear into it!  Thank you, Sharon.  You made me feel very special! :-)  I'll think of you and your thoughtfulness every time I wear your beautiful earrings ...