Devine Designs Jewelry

I thought I'd start out today by showing off my new lampwork beads that I can't wait to create with. All these new beads came from a (new to me) lampwork artist, Jennifer Powers of "Quinlan Glass". She has shops on Ebay, Etsy, as well as her own website. What I like about her work, is the quality of the beads, beautiful colors and patterns, different shapes, and a fair price. The first set, "candy apple" I think will make a nice summery bracelet, possibly with matching earrings. The second set, which is my favorite, with the beautiful heart focal, I plan a rather detailed piece. A necklace with all hand forged links of sterling silver, with I think will be oxidized and put together for a funky stylish look. The last set, "mardi gras"; I'm not sure yet; the beads are so pretty, I had to have them! They will probably look best in a necklace. We'll see. Here's a look at a bracelet that I made yesterday. I think I'm still on a "gre...

Here's how I start my day. Get up, start the coffee, feed the cats..... Gotta have that coffee! My typical morning includes 2 mugs like this. Why does is look like mud? It's that creamer! So I'm trying to be healthy, and I'm buying the generic fat-free half & half. What's the deal with it? I can never get my coffee to that light, creamy color and taste no matter how much cream I instill. O.k. o.k., I know, it's the fat content that I'm missing. Well, not really, I already have enough of that around my mid-section, that's why I'm buying the fat-free version! And I've tried those "others"; fat-free french vanilla, Irish cream, etc. Yeah, they taste real good and give me the false sense of fullness, and have me speeding around my house like I'm on drugs or something, until my blood sugar crashes and I feel sick. Why not try a weaker strength coffee you ask? Does this mean anything to you? Alright, I have to admit, I'd given up ...

It never fails, that the "universe" is looking out for me. Just when I'm feeling lazy, uninspired to create, or just plain bored, does something good happen or someone brings joy into my life. Thank you, thank you, Moon of http://www.MixedMediaJewelry.com for nominating my blog as "Blog Fabulous!" I appreciate it and am glad to know that other's are reading and enjoying my blog. Go stop over at her blog and check out her great lampwork beads that she makes! So, in order to pass the "goodness" along, I'd like to nominate a few of my favorite blogs that I read and follow. First of all, my friend Lisa, at http://lisaslovlies.blogspot.com/. Her blog is always funny, honest, and she makes beautiful gemstone jewelry as well. My next choice is for Casey and her blog, http://beewhour.blogspot.com/. "Just me.. the crazy rancher's wife".. a blog about the life of a cattle rancher's wife and her daily rants and raves. Very inte...

Actually, yesterday that is! Happy (belated) St. Patrick's Day! We went to my favorite place yesterday for my birthday. The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is only about a 2 hour drive for us, and on your birthday, you can get in for free! And you wouldn't believe how many people were celebrating birthdays yesterday. We left super early, to beat the crowds and the heat. As it turned out, it was a beautiful day. We went on all of our favorite attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's flight.....just to name a few. Then it was off to our favorite pizza place, "Uno" Chicago style pizza; deep dish, love it, and we don't have one near our home so every time we're in Orlando, that's where we want to eat. Sorry, no photos here, I was hungry, tired, hot, and just about ready to come home. It was a fun day; I love to escape the realities of every day life, and be a kid!

It seems like just when I'm about to give up, or I loose my desire to create something new; that's when it seems that God, or the universe turns things my way. That's what happened yesterday. I had an appointment at a local boutique to show my jewelry in the morning, and I was much pleased with the result. The shop owner did indeed purchase (outright) a number of pieces and sounded interested in future purchases! (Oh, happy me!) So I had a few checks to deposit in the bank, and since I was on a roll, I decided to take my jewelry into the bank with me. What a good idea! The bank was slow and I got to show off my jewelry, made a couple of sales; then a customer came in the bank, looked at my stuff, asked if I did home shows, and took a business card with her! (Hey, I thought: "maybe I should just set up my jewelry at the bank!") So, this gives me hope, to "keep on keeping on", as I like to say, not to give up, and most of all, never be afraid to step out o...

Spring, in Florida? It's hard to comment on a season that you sort of don't have here. I mean typically we have warm, hot, and the rainy season. I guess you could say that it is now spring and our spring here on the gulf coast could look like summer to many others in different parts of the U.S. Temperatures could range from the 60's to the 80's. The trees look basically the same. Lots of green, although some have retreated for the "so called winter", and some grass appears dead, dry, like hay. But we do have the birds, beaches and some of these: I must say that I do like spring, and having been transplanted from the northern states of the U.S., I can appreciate when the snow melts, the birds come back, it starts to warm up, the trees begin to bloom, and flowers come back to life. As far as spring activities; well, it does give me a chance to make some jewelry that is season related; thus my "Springtime Splendor earrings": http://www.etsy.com/view_lis...

This month's featured shop is Designbynora.etsy.com. Nora lives in Los Angeles, California and has a Bachelor degree in Art, concentrating on Graphic Design. Her shop features polymer clay earrings, belts, and purses. Check out a few of the purses that I found: Betty's Purse: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16110526 Love the look of the red faux ostrich leather! Tina's Purse: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20637945 Yet another red purse! And here's one for the gothic/wild side: Christina's purse: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16329502 (Makes me want a new purse.) O.k. everybody, go out there and shop!