Fun and Games at the Carnival

I became inspired by this beautiful paper pinwheel my mother had been saving as it reminded her of her childhood. I saw it and knew what I had to do next- create a collection based on the carnival. It would be bright, cheerful, and playful. Tonight, I finished my first piece, Color Wheel, for this new collection. The collection will be called Vintage Carnival Collection and it is inspired by old fashioned love and fun. I imagine a young couple on their first date stopping by each of the games while their attraction for each other grows. Each necklace is based on a game played at carnivals from days gone by. Vintage beads make up a majority of this collection. The colors and textures of vintage beads really cannot compare to those of today in my opinion. Not to say that modern beads aren't beautiful because many beads are just that. There is something about the vintage ones that are just a little bit more special. I will be adding to this collection on Etsy. I hope you will find excitement and a playful curiosity looking at this new collection. It's really very fun and different. I am having a great time choosing beads and funk-ifying each piece.

Treasured Items

I featured some items in an Etsy treasury. Creating it was a blast. I can't wait to do it again! Cote d'Azur was featured in the treasury. It is a necklace inspired by Parisian fashion. Cote d'Azur is a sweet, pretty necklace that has a vintage flair. This was a difficult necklace to list on Etsy. It's truly beautiful in person and very unique. I have never been to Paris and do not have any plans to visit soon, but I am very inspired by places in France and the culture of its people. Perhaps it's the quaint little villages and street cafes or the history of its buildings. I just think Paris is truly beautiful and special. That is what I kept in mind making Cote d'Azur and this treasury. I hope you enjoy it all!

My Jewelry

So... I wanted to start blogging by discussing why jewelry is such an important part of my life. A friend taught me how to bead and I was instantly addicted. I love all the colors and textures the beads can have. Necklaces showcase the beads and to me, represent wearable art. I used to paint and draw, but now, all my creative juices go into beading. I spend hours and sometimes days just figuring out what pattern or style I should use for a necklace. Jewelry represents life to me... I know that sounds weird. Think about it though... jewelry sort of marks an event. Jewelry can mean so much to a person. I have treasured pieces given to me by my grandmother that belonged to ancestors gone. I wear those pieces and feel a special bond with them. Jewelry is passed down and cherished from generation to generation. Every event or phase in one's life can be seen in the jewelry one wears. I have pieces that, for a while, didn't suit me, but lately, I have been drawn to them. I still remember what jewelry I had on when I got married or what I wore to someone else's wedding. I remember the memories attached to certain pieces I received as gifts. In my line, I hope to reflect an aspect of each and every person's soul, so people feel connected to the jewelry I have made.

This past Sunday, two of my best friends got married (to each other). They were beautiful and so happy. The jewelry she wore was from Pakistan and represents the culture of her spouse, who was raised in the country. I thought it was such a sweet sentiment to wear the jewelry and clothing of his culture. He doesn't have many family members here, so the wedding was mostly her side. I'm sure he appreciated seeing a little touch of home throughout the event. Of course, I had to take photos of the gorgeous jewelry. I've been inspired looking at her jewelry and may just do a piece of my own based on it. I hope you enjoy looking at the amazing pieces she wore as much as I do!

pictures of jewelry my good friend wore to her wedding this past Sunday

EtsyVeg

I just became a proud member of the EtsyVeg team. I've been vegetarian for 11 years and creating jewelry for 10 now. Both are very important influences in my life, so it's lovely to be able to bring the two together in one group!