~Dream Create Inspire~

I have those three words in a vinyl decal sitting in my studio. They have been sitting there for over two years! I am not brave enough to put them on my wall because I want them to be perfect! I just know I am going to put them up and they will end up askew.

Although I face this dilemma, the words do keep inspiring me. It is true that if you Dream and Create from those dreams you will inspire someone! I hope to be an inspiration to some of you, as some of you have been an inspiration to me.


I am having fun mixing different medias together to create true one of a kind jewelry pieces. In this particular piece I have a ceramic focal from Artisan Clay, I have a Jade Scott charm, Unicorne lampwork glass dew drops, some Amazonite and one of my own funky little lampwork beads. I mixed all these with Vintaj brass wire and finished it off with one of my handmade clasps.

I love the soft colours and the bracelet is very comfortable to wear. I am thinking I should most likely list it soon ;)

 This necklace was fun to make! I am loving plain chain right now with a Punchy focal and dangles. This particular pendant is from Martha of Menagerie Studio. She has a true gift with Polymer clay. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like her pendants. Shabby Chic fun! The Polymer Clay flowers are from TooAquarius, a lovely lady from Saskatchewan, my neighboring province. I just ordered a few more flowers to make a special project I have in mind. If I manage to pull it off, I will make sure you all get to see it.

I used Vintaj chain and another one of my handmade clasps. They are so fast and easy to make, and add a little extra handmade element to my pieces. The bright pink bead, if I recall, is dyed Jade or "Candy" Jade. A nice offset punch of colour.

 I of course had to include this funky necklace made with one of my wood pendants. This one has a real Vintage feel with the Bird and egg image. I pulled from the soft teals colours to choose my dangles. I used a Recycled glass bead and some lampwork glass discs form Blue Seraphim on Etsy. I wire wrapped some 3mm copper beads to make it fuller and used those same beads on each side of the lampwork discs to hold them in place.

I used copper for this one. I think it's some of the new Industrial chic chain from Michael's. I loved the texture or etching on the rings of the chain, anything with texture is always more appealing to me.

You can of course find more of my pendants in my supply Etsy shop. More Skye Jewels. Feel free to request special designs or creatures, I have a lot of images and only a small fraction of them listed.



I am also having a sale in my supply shop, for the first 5 people to come shop you get Buy 2 Get 1 Free!! and today is the last day for free shipping when you purchase three. Only one order has been used up so there is still 4 left...
Help me reach 150 sales!! I am soooo close!!

Thanks for coming by!! I love to hear your comments, so please leave one ;)

Marie

My Garden and a Sale!!

 I thought I would share a few of the things that have bloomed in my garden this summer. My poppies may be long gone, but they certainly left an impression! The blooms were so large! There was nothing that stood out as much as they did in my garden. The pods are ripening and I hope to be able to plant more of these next year!

 I really enjoy gardening, but it has certainly been a trial and error thing the last few years. I am not used the the extremely Rocky soil in our garden. I have dug up enough rocks to border my entire garden with a very thick row of rocks! It does look nice though :)

Now on to the SALE!! I did post it on Facebook, but I have not had any takers yet. So head on over to my shops, but three things in either one or both shops {combined} and I will ship for free! I will refund the shipping once the payment has come through. Head on over and get a little something special for yourself :)

I will have photos of new jewelry soon, I just have to get the time to take them. I think I have about 6 new pieces that have not been photographed yet. So come back soon and check it out!!

Marie

A Few Tantalizing Treats!!

 I thought it would be fun to show you a few things that I have been up to! I have not really had anything new to post lately, between going away and taking care of the kids during summer holidays it has been hard to do the things I want to do for me! I know there are some Mothers out there who know exactly what I am talking about!! When do I get to do something for me!!

 I was lucky to be featured on the Art Bead Scene Blog with the wonderful Art of my friend Heather Powers of Humblebeads. She created some amazing pieces with some of my pendants and charms. Please go see the post, you will LOVE Heather's Jewelry!!

 I was reading some of the comments from the post and I thought I would post a few things to go along with the "favorites" that were mentioned!!

Someone mentioned Dragonflies... Others mentioned Butterflies and Birds... I also noticed Trees, Nature and do I recall Abstract??

Well here is what I picked to show you. I also have a lot of flowers and some other kinds of butterflies and birds. Special requests are always welcome!!

 Something new I have come up with is my double sided charms! These are simply an example. I have a few more but no time to list  them!! At least that's how it feels lately.

So as you can see one side has a burgundy background and the other is black. The fleurs de lys coordinate well. I normally drill them on one corner and if it flips over, you have a matching image on the other side!!

The other images I am using are a little more "country" or "rustic" or "vintage" if you will. I will hopefully have time to list some in my shop soon :)

 These next ones are a new idea!! I have about 5 of these and hope to list them soon too. They are like the regular tiles but have an added layer of Tim Holtz Crackle paint on the back and sides. I really like the way they look, I do however need to test them for durability. I did varnish the crackle but I don't know if that will keep it from coming off. After I test one, I will let you know if they are "list" worthy!! In the meantime enjoy the two examples I have up for you, the back you see is the actual back of the first tile, but they all look different of course.

I have a couple of flowers as well as the birds, those look really shabby chic! I really like them. I hope they are really durable, because I think they could be fun!!

Thanks for all your wonderful visits and continued support!!

Marie

Some Newbies and The Secret Garden

 I wanted to share some new pieces I made last week. I am a big fan of Cherrie of EnLaLumiere and her wonderful combination of Czech glass. I thought I would give it a try and see what came of it. Of course, I had to add some Jade Scott, I have been hoarding these and thought it was about time I let some go. The top one is a combo or earth tones to coordinate with the colours inside the Cherries pendant. Lots of green and orange mixed with Copper. The bottom one has a lot of the same, only I added some fun red recycled paper beads. I really like the way these turned out, they are certainly not my usual style, but it's nice to stray from the ordinary on occasion.

 Let's not forget there are two days left to vote!! Today and tomorrow until midnight. I need your help to win! Please go over to the Vintaj Blog and vote for #10 :) I am fighting hard to keep the lead, but I can't make it without your help!!

Thanks so much to all of you!!

Marie

Secret Garden Vintaj Challenge!!

I love my Vintaj Findings!! The colour and texture, there is nothing I like working with more!! I am once again in the Vintaj Challenge and I need your votes!! Please go visit the LINK and vote for #10!!

This is what the Secret Garden is to me. A hidden garden with an old lock waiting to be opened. I gave more details on what inspired me with the submission, so please go have a look!

I antiqued the lock and key with Ranger dabbers and Alcohol inks!! I think they really look old! All those flowers are Polymer Clay by TooAquarius on Etsy. I met her at the bead show we had here in town.

Please hurry on over and help me win!!!

Marie

Bead Trends July Designer Highlight!

This has to be one of the most fantastic moments in my entire Career!  Two years ago, I had not even picked up a bead, let alone imagined being in a magazine!! Now here I am more than a year's worth of publications under my belt and the Bead Trends Designer Highlight!! I was almost in tears when Tatia {the Editor of Bead Trends} contacted me. I had dreamed of this since the first issue I held in my hands and now it was going to come true!! Since magazines take over 6 months to prepare, I got this e-mail less than a year after I started designing. I have now been creating jewelry for a year and a half and I have never felt more in my element than right now!! I am so blessed and I never forget how truly blessed I am! Thanks to all my friends, fans and customers for the support and the encouragement!

 Just a couple of examples of the wonderful things you will be able to find in the July issue!! I have 8 items total so have a good look and enjoy :)

In celebration of this achievement I am offering you a sale in my Jewelry Shop!! Go now and get 1/2 price on your second and third items in my shop!! {equal or lesser value} No limits. {Coupon Code BTDH}



Thanks so much to you all!!
 Marie
 The Bead Trends Blog has Photographer's Favorites... BLOG ...one of my designs is included!!

Fantastic New Things!!

I feel like my business it taking me somewhere great right now. I am starting to get my name out there and get some recognition and be able to share my art with the world! That is the greatest reward in all this, having other people enjoy my work and want to hold it in their hand. It makes me so happy to see other people smile after discovering something that was made just for them.

 This art is truly a labour of love for me. I crave the creating process and the result that comes through. I find such deep satisfaction in looking at a finished piece.

I want to thank everyone who has had a hand in my growth and development as an artist. Anyone who has inspired me in any way. Everyone of you who has purchased something from one of my shops and those of you who had faith in me from the beginning. You have all touched me in some way and thus have had a hand in helping me become the person and artist I am now.

I am getting a working day today and have the opportunity of catching up on a few things. I thought I would start with a blog post, lol, I should never let it go for more than two or three days, but life gets away from me and I sometimes come back and realize that time has slipped away and I can not get it back. So have faith, keep checking back and I will return :)

Lately I have had a fascination with anything and everything sea related. It mostly started recently when my friend Amanda and I decided to join our talents and names together to create "Sea & Skye". Keep checking back for more on that but you can start by checking our Facebook Page. We have a new blog and will be doing fun things there. We of course hope you will join us! So the fascination has brought about a few new things and different styled items once again. I have been adding sea shells and starfish and sand dollars in my work and I am loving the results. I feel the need to bring more blue into my work, so I am not straying too far from the favorite greens but simply adding a touch of Sea and a touch of Skye to my work. You will have to check my shop for all the Sea inspired items listed lately.

On another note, I was able to experience something unique and deeply moving this weekend. My Mother got re-married! My Mother and Father split when I was 16 and my Mother was perfectly content being alone. She was never one to NEED companionship. She loves to read and write and be involved with her church. She was happy to be close to my sister and I and the Grand-kids. So when she met Germain she was surprised and happy! I could not be happier for her. Now I don't need to worry about her as much as I did :)

I made her wedding jewelry, of course, and she looked lovely in it! These are the pieces I made for her...

A three strand bracelet with lightly yellow dyed pearls and Amethyst...

 Matching earrings... my Mom loves the pieces I make using Vintaj brass, so of course I used it for her set. If you wonder why these colours? Well, the colours of the Amethyst and yellow pearls match her dress perfectly! My Mother has always been the most practical person you would ever meet! She bought a beautiful dress and made sure that it was something she could wear again :)

 Matching necklace, about 16" long. Perfect length to go above the neck of the dress and not overwhelming so the dress would stand out!

And the complete set!! Congratulations Mom and Germain!! I truly wish you all the best!!


Marie