Blue Bird Necklace

I truely love old things, and this necklace captures that weathered character.  It has such a beautiful, soft, color palette.  The vintage style faceted blue glass beads and the antique brass findings, which have been painted with patina, blend beautifully together.  Needless to say, this wonderful necklace has a lot of interesting textures!!!  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

Designs Underway

I have an unbelievable mess on my desk, and it all looks so good!!!  No master plan as of yet, just a collection of visual stimulation.  I love the impact that copper makes when paired with natural woods and pops of jewel tones or pastels.  And then, of course, beautiful turquoise with copper, the perfect compliment.  I know one thing for sure, the Bead Soup sent to us from Dana Hickey of Magpie Approved has many possibilities, and that is my favorite part of the creative process.  The magic has begun and the transformation moment is happening.  There is happiness in creating things you love.

Zoe's Stunning Necklace!!!

This stunning necklace was made by our creative jewelry-making friend, Zoe.  We are always thrilled to have her at the store creating beautiful things.  This necklace is filled with side-drilled crystals, large Chinese Shell Crystals, and then finished with silk fiber, a perfect compliment and a cool blend of textures.  The Shell Crystals can be found here in our Store.  So, "Happy Birthday, Zoe".  You make us laugh a little harder and smile a little bigger.  You are an awesome friend.

New!!! SeaGlass Rings

New SeaGlass rings!!!  This is a sampling of the beautiful SeaGlass we carry.  Among other things, they would be lovely for designs that reflect the ocean.  The weathered and frosty appearance adds softness to jewelry, they just seems to have an allure about them.  It's exciting to think about the many things that can be designed with them.  You can find this SeaGlass here in our Store.

 

I Love This Necklace!!!

Is this necklace cool or what!?  Yesterday, we just had to go to the "Two Friends and Junk" roadshow at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Joplin, MO.  There were many vendors with a modge-podge of everything.  It was jam-packed, and of course, I believe "more is more", and I was surrounded in it - it was good.  We inched our way through the crowds, although easily distracted by shiny things, to find "Kristin's Laboratory".  There we found our friend/customer/instructor, Kristin Girard's repurposed booth loaded with one-of-a-kind mixed media jewelry.  There I purchased the necklace above, which is repurposed from overalls.  Giving new life to old materials makes this a fun and unique piece.  I know the amount of time and thought that goes into Kristin's jewelry, and this piece makes me happy!!!  Kristin, you score phenomenally high on the creative-o-meter!!!  You can find more of Kristin's work here in her Etsy Store.

It's All About The Surface!

Our class today "The Art of Texturing Metal" was taught by Peggy Lierheimer, a talented metalsmith artist and teacher.  The class was very inspiring and energized with creativity.  As we watched the process of designing, many interesting textures were made, and beautiful bracelets were created by adding playful finishing touches.  After all, "It's all about the surface".

 

And then, we needed...Mascapone Marble Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Buttercream!!!   YUMMM!!!!!

Colorful Artisan Wire-Wrapped Necklace

Bright and colorful magnesite rondells and Mother Of Pearl links are combined together for a truely warm and lovely summer or tropical destination necklace.  Clear chinese crystals are added for that special sparkle.  This light-hearted, fun necklace can be found here in our Etsy Store.

Butterfly Necklace

It's funny how an observation can cause an idea to spring to life, this time that observation was butterfly wings!  Hand-cut, textured copper sheet is the base of this "mix and match" artisan piece.  Color has been added to the butterfly wings, along with crystal embellishments, and then paired with a beautiful vintage crystal flower brooch.  A lovely blend of textures.  You will find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

It's All About Malachite!

Add touches of green into your jewelry this spring.  Malachite is favored for its natural beauty and rich color combinations.  Makes me think of emeralds, seaglass, and beautiful oxidized copper!  This magnificent colored gemstone is a basic copper carbonate, vividly banded with two or more tones of green.  The beautiful green color comes from the copper contained in the stone (which is an altered form of copper).  Water presence also affects the shade:  more water in the copper makes it lighter, and less makes it darker.  Malachite is not as hard as other stones, so it should be cleaned with warmed soapy water, and not with any cleaners containing ammonia.  Oh yes, known to ward off "the evil eye ;)".  You can find these stones here on our Website. 

Crocheted Beaded Necklace

I love the vintage look of antique copper jewelry.  This stunning necklace was made by crocheting with wire and beads, creating a lacy appearance.  It was then finished with an antique copper flower filigree with a crystal dangle.  Lots  of fun and interesting textures!  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

Vintage Spoon Jewelry Class

Create beautiful jewelry with pieces from the past.  In this class, taught by Kristin Girard, you will make a bracelet and a necklace from Vintage Spoons.  Come and join us on Saturday, March 2, from 2-5pm.  For further information about signing up, check here on our Website.

 

Reveal #3 AJE Earring Challenge 2

What's not to love?  These earrings are in full bloom.  The lampwork beads adorned with flowers are made by Saralee Rhodes of Mad About Beads.  Resin trumpet flowers and a crystal hang from an enameled headpin, and jingle with movement.  Flowers always add a special touch to jewelry.

Reveal #3 AJE Earring Challenge 1

Original design ideas compared to the finished products are usually never the same - but BETTER!  Dangling from copper chain are hammered copper inspirations with luminous, beautiful lampwork beads, made by Jennifer of Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry.  This added splash of color is nestled onto handmade copper headpins.  A BEAUTIFUL way to add decoration to copper!

Pink Pearl Wrapped Pendant Necklace

This elegant necklace is a display of beautiful art!  A one-of-a-kind soft pink boroque pearl is beautifully wire-wrapped with 14KGF wire.  The chain is 14KGF and mixed with Swarovski crystals.  These are the details that make this necklace so very special.  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.

In Celebration Of Valentine's Day

Everyone LOVES receiving Valentines!!!   Especially as pretty as this one.

 

 

This mixed metal centerpiece was given to me a couple of Valentine Years ago.  It was sitting on my worktable where I have been contemplating on what to do with it.  Then, I noticed next to it, a beautiful strand of amethyst/citrine, and also lampwork beads that had been sitting there for a while.  VOILA, there it was, and it was finished!  The moral of the story is: it wasn't planned, which makes for unexpected results.  A jewel in my collection of treasures!!!

“So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Neverland!”

                                                                                                      ~Peter Pan~

I Heart This Necklace!!!

Modern-Vintage, fresh and timeless!  This necklace has a nice sized resin heart pendant with a beautiful floral design,  which has been finished with a soft pink hued jade.  It would look wonderful now and in the Springtime.  So feminine, I heart this necklace!!!
 

“Fill your paper with breathings of your heart”

                                                                                                        ~William Wordsworth~

Soups On!!!

Our Soups have reached their destinations, and when we opened up ours "We Fell in Love".  It would be impossible not to be inspired by the wonderful bead soup sent by Dana Hickey of Magpie Approved.  We love these copper, handmade treasures!!!  There are many ideas dancing through our heads.  I'm sure a lot of happy surprises will emerge with a little torch time.  With that said, "Onward to Creating!"

 

Mixed Metal Steampunk Heart

Following the mixed metal trends, this classic heart-shaped pendant is a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' roll!  Looks great on a ribbon or a chain.  You can find this heart here in our Etsy Store.
 

“In art, the hand can never execute anything higher than the heart can imagine.”

                                                                                                       ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

What's In Your Heart?

This silver-plated heart blank is decorated with a single red rose, hearts, crystals, and pearls, and speaks of love.  It is finished with leather, crystal chain and more pearls.  This necklace has matching earrings and can be found here in our Etsy Store.

This heart blank can be personalized by adding your distinctive flair!  Fill your heart with your favorite photo or altered art.  They can be found here on our Website.  What's in your heart?

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.  Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”

                                                                                                                ~Carl Jung~

Steampunk Heart Collection

A one-of-a-kind steampunk inspired heart collection.  Each heart has a message.  The copper heart says "I pledge allegiance to the heart", the silver heart says "The key to love is in the heart", and the brass heart is "The queen of hearts".  Love these!!!  You can find these hearts here in our Etsy Store.

 

“A light heart lives long.”

                                  ~William Shakespeare~



Bead Soup Preview

We are excited to have Dana Hickey of Magpie Approved as our bead soup blog partner.  Above is a preview of the packages filled with Soup that we sent to Dana on Friday.  We also are happily anticipating the goodies that have been sent to us!  Afterall, who doesn't love receiving surprise packages in the mail?!



Wired Pendant Heart Class

Peggy Lierheimer was at our store today teaching the Wired Pendant Heart Class.  There were so many different results!!!  Our guests twisted and wrapped to their hearts' content and created the artistic and unique free-form hearts as seen above.

Our Valentine Dessert "Chocolate Mousse"

 

“Every great achievement is the victory of a flaming heart.”

                                                                                          ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

 

"Box of Chocolates" Heart Pendant

This beautiful antique copper heart-shaped pendant blank is filled with pearls and crystals, then colorfully wrapped with a red leather bow.  This sweet necklace has no calories!!!

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

                                                                                                 ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Hearts, Hearts, And More Hearts

I have always had a weakness for hearts!!!  You could say I love, love, love hearts, and Valentine's Day is simply filled with them. In celebration of this ‘love’  holiday, we will display a collection of heart jewelry and heart ideas every day up until Valentine's Day.

 

"There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate."

                                                                                                                   ~Robert Frost~

 

Copper Collage Necklace

I love collage jewelry!!!  It's so much fun to use a variety of materials and create a rustic look.  This pendant has been enhanced with added patina and finished with a copper colored silk chain.  You can find this necklace here in our Etsy Store.



Leather Trends For Spring

The new Spring trends are full of leather looks.  I love the look of this fashionable multi-strand, leather bracelet.  Paired with the contrast of the purple lampwork makes this bracelet very beautiful - so rugged, yet so chic!!!



Thank You - We Value Your Patronage

Our thanks to Beth for her wonderful comment left on our Button Bracelet Post on our Blog in January and a Dry Gulch Gift Certificate has been issued to Beth.  We wish we could select everyone to win one of our gift certificates and we would like to thank all who commented on our blog.  We love hearing from all of you as all of your comments and ideas have been so very nice.  We are looking forward to hearing from everyone as our blog grows.

Reveal #2 AJE Earring Challenge - 2

These handmade earrings are lampwork cabachons that have been bezel set in sterling silver and copper.  The gemstones are turquoise mosiac teardrops topped with copper caps.  Flameworked by Jennifer and hand metal-smithed by Catherine of Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry.

 



Reveal #2 AJE Earring Challenge - 1

These whimsical earrings feature lovely ruffled lampwork flower beads by Jennifer of Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry.  They are coordinated with torch-fired hammered copper rectangles dipped in enameling, then wrapped with rustic enameled headpins.



Wire Crochet Bracelet Class

 

Beautiful and unusual bracelets were created by combining beads with wire crochet, yielding unexpected results!!!   They were all so very cool.   Our thanks to Kristin Girard for making our Wire Crochet Bracelet Class a fabulous and fun afternoon!!  If you would like to see more of Kristins lovely work, you can find it here in Etsy.

 

 

And, of course, we are happy to announce, “WE HAD CUPCAKES” !!!

 

Colorful and Bold New Magnesite

Just in...beautiful new magnesite in various different dyed colors, including a beautiful turquoise.  These would work well in "cowgirl" jewelry, or just bright and fun "lets make a statement" jewelry.  These beads can be found here in our website.