Dream-catchers

Since I last posted I've been to Michigan for a couple weeks.  We worked hard, spent lots of time with family, and got to see the new weanling my brother in law bought to keep their baby company.  An adorable little fellow with lots of spunk.  Wish I was still there but glad I'm home too.  Those who live distant from family, but also like where they live will get that statement.

On the jewelry front I'm excited to be sharing a booth at "Taste of Suffolk" this Saturday (Sept 13th) with my friend Kenzie.  Between the two of us we will have jewelry, candles, wall hangings, dream-catchers, and more.  Now the challenge is to get enough inventory built and hope it is what people "can't live without". :)  Here is the link to the event.  http://www.suffolkva.us/TasteofSuffolk/   Hope to see you there if you are in the area.

The new baby:

New projects:

                        

                        

          

There will be some seasonal pieces available also.

New friends and new projects

It seems weeks go by between posts, I'm trying to get better.  Well, in addition to all the normal life stuff I've made a new friend and expanded the H and L Creations line to include Dreamcatchers.

First my new friend.  I teach classes at Michael's.  For the last class 10 students signed up, 2 students showed up.  I was prepared for a lecture format but the low attendance allowed me to give each one personal attention.  That attention turned into conversation and resulted in a partnership for a September event; "A Taste of Suffolk".  McKenzie is a young, creative, inspiring, woman; with a 4 month old son and husband in the military.  She keeps me on my toes, motivated to push the boundaries and venture into new territory.  A larger class would likely not have given us time to connect.  Again I realize God always has a plan and it is always the best.  I am thankful for my new friend.

Dreamcatchers; spell check thinks it is suppose to be two words but I keep finding it spelled as one so I'm going with that.  If any of you know which is correct please leave a comment to let me know.  Moving past the spelling issue; below are the first 2 dreamcatchers I made.  I took them to a local church event where they had games for the kids, live music, free corn on the cob, and a variety of vendors; including us (H and L Creations).  I got a lot of nice comments on the jewelry; but the dreamcatchers caught the eye of adults and kids alike; girls and boys.  I think this is an indicator that they would be a good item to put in the inventory for the show.  I like the traditional round dreamcatchers but the variety is limitless; so won't be sticking with just one shape.  I have a great source for horseshoes; my sister has horses.  My husband is great at cleaning and painting metal.  O.K. now that all the work is done it is my turn; start making horseshoe centered dreamcatchers.  How fun is this; and again endless possibilities.  Here are the first 2, will post more pictures in a couple weeks (I'm out of town and need to be home to get the horseshoes cleaned property ).  I'm so excited about this new venture.  What do you think of the first 2 passes at it?

Steampunk...ish

I like the latest wire pieces a lot but I wanted to change it up a little.  Using the same basic technique but making a bolder statement with the bulkier look that is popular today.  I have also been collecting some pieces I could use to venture into the Steampunk venue; just putting my toes in so to speak, nothing radical.  I don't know that this even qualifies as Steampunk but that is what it makes me think of.  Like it enough to try a few more, what do you think?

Update on the Custom Set

This set was first featured in my July 5th post.  It is my first commissioned piece.  My friend picked the main stones and left the details to me.  That always makes me a little nervous.  Fast forward to a couple days after the wedding (the event she needed the jewelry for) and I got a very exciting report.  A little history; my friend lives in Michigan not too far from Ann Arbor, college town (University of Michigan), very artsy area.  The Ann Arbor Art Festival had recently taken place and at the wedding (she was not the bride) she was asked if she bought the set at the Art Festival.  Since I'm relatively new in the jewelry design world, the idea that someone thought what I made came from a source where much more experienced artists sell, I was THRILLED!  Such a confidence builder and it just feels good.  Don't want to get too confident; just brave enough to push the envelope but not so much that I get arrogant (that is never attractive).  Thanks for letting me share my excitement.  Same technique, different styles to come.

Wire and Crystal Dragonflys

The delicate colorful dragonfly draws the attention of many artists who attempt to duplicate their beauty.  In a continuing effort to expand the H and L Creations line I joined those trying to capture the look of the dragonfly.  Crystals wrapped in cooper form the body and wings.

Curiosity caused me to do a little research on the dragonfly.  Here are a few interesting facts:

• They are among the fastest flying insects in the world.
• Who records such facts?

• They don't walk well.
• Why would you bother walking if you could fly?

•  Their wings are very strong.
• So delicate looking, proof looks can be deceiving.

What do you think?  Did we capture the look?

The Latest Wire Wrap

I got to spend over 2 weeks in Michigan recently.  Had good intentions to do some marketing and a show or two.  However, since I'm use to spending the entire summer in Michigan those 2 weeks went by very fast.  No shows, very little marketing, and no time to play with wire or beads.  That said, it was still a great vacation.  Spent time with family, played with the new colt; and celebrated my nephew's engagement to his girlfriend (we love her, very happy she said yes).

A couple days before heading back to VA my sister wore a necklace I made, a friend of ours liked the style and size; just needed different colors.  After matching some stones to the dress it will be worn with, the turquoise set emerged.  While I was on a roll I decided to make the black and red set.  I was a little hesitant about the large black stones on this one but I think the scale worked well once it was assembled.  This is a style that I wasn't sure about at first but not only does it get great reviews; I'm having fun with it.

If you have any interest in a unique necklace/earring set send me a note with colors and, if applicable, a theme.  I'll make something up and provide you pictures and pricing.  I anticipate sets to cost between $30 and $40 plus shipping.

Feedback always appreciated.

Empty Nest

I'm not sure how old they were when I first saw them but it only took a couple weeks for the baby Doves to grow up and leave the nest.  I thought they would fly and then come back to the safety of the nest for a few nights; sort of a gradual process.  Not so much.  I knew at least one of them could fly because he was in a different cubby, which he could only have reached by flying.  The next time I looked there was only one baby and Mom and Dad were sitting on the fence only a few feet from my back door.  I think they surprised me more than I surprised them; almost close enough to touch but they didn't flinch.  So I went back inside and then out the front door to take a look around.  Long story short, one baby flew away (probably not very far) and the other one "flew" off the car onto the driveway.  Now there was a helpless little bird on the ground.  Kept checking on him, he left the driveway and went into the back yard (no outside for my dog for a while).  I finally decided he couldn't stay on the ground over night; too many cats in our neighborhood.  Put a towel in a box to make a nice cozy bed, put gloves on, and headed out to "help".  Got about 5 feet from the baby and asked if he was going to let me catch him.  He looked at me as if he understood what I said; perked up and flew up to my neighbor's fence.  That was an answer to prayer, I knew he didn't have to spend the night on the ground.  Mom and Dad came back to watch over him too.  So there are 2 young Doves flexing their wings and enjoying life and I am thankful to have been able to watch them grow.

Back to jewelry on the next post.  I hope you enjoyed the Doves.