As I'm sure most of you will remember I did a post back in the beginning of September regarding my gorgeous Turquoise Song pendant...which came from Artbeads.com.
I added the pendant to a double strand necklace as a focal...everything about the pendant reminded me of the swirling ocean...I've been drawn to water all my life...which is why I added the pieces to the necklace!I was asked a question by Lisa, you can find her here... A Bead A Day, a great blog which I visit regularly...back to the question, Lisa was wondering if I was going to keep the necklace for myself???I thought about it but I know if I did I wouldn't wear it, you see I have arthritis in my neck...I can't wear anything that heavy...so...what I decided to do is keep the pendant for myself and put it on either a leather cord or a sterling silver chain, most likely the chain! The double strand necklace will be offered for sale at my shows, but I couldn't part with the pendant!!!! I may have to split the necklace as I'm not sure there are many women who could wear such a heavy piece...will see what happens!I have three posts waiting for photos...I take terrible ones inside so I was waiting for a sunny day or at least not raining, how about that! Having said that if the weather continues I may have to give in and take the photos inside!So...stay tuned for some gorgeous beads to come...Cheers
Here is a "sneak peek" preview from the photographer...I will publish something similar in color when I receive it, but for now...the happy couple with their wedding party! Click on the photo to see a larger shot...
Cheers
After much anticipation, Michael's & Melissa's wedding day was everything I expected and wanted, if possible even more! I know they felt the same way... The weather was a beautiful, sunny day, clear blue skies while the evening was crisp & cool, which helped to cool down the venue...the air conditioning was turned on well before the arrival of guests but the dance floor, with the exception of dinner, wasn't empty all evening...The hall was beautifully decorated in white, black and fuchsia, the food was excellent, the DJ was amazing...as I mentioned the dance floor was full all evening...that doesn't happen very often, at least not at functions I've attended!!! :0)The Melissa had a round wedding cake at the top with tiered cupcakes below...all done in white with fuchsia flowers on top of the cake...beautiful to look at and delicious as well, the cupcakes were lemon chiffon and black velvet...supplied by my son-in-law, who's business caters weddings!The bouquets were gorgeous fuchsia roses and cala lilies with lime green accents, and the boutonnieres were fuchsia roses ...all done by a friend of mine! Definitly colors that popped against Melissa's gown, Micheal's tux as well as the black dresses and suits of the attendants and groomsmen!The happy couple are honeymooning in Las Vegas until Saturday morning...I just know they are loving it!!!I will be posting photos once I get them...I didn't take any myself, sorry I just didn't have time, besides Melissa had a professional photographer with them from noon until 11:00pm that night so I will post some photos once I get them. As well my daughter took some, she is "slightly" challenged :0) when it comes to uploading photos and emailing them so it may take a while for me to get them...but...I will post photos as soon as I receive them!Thank you to everyone who wished them well...Cheers
I know it took forever but here is the finished piece the" Turquoise Song necklace" ...life kept getting in the way of my creativity, what with my three Markets, custom orders and creating the jewelry for my soon to be daughter-in-law's bridal attendants ...my son is getting married on September 12th...I've been a bit short on time!All along I've been rather indecisive as too what I actually wanted, in fact I've put together and taken apart my ideas 6 times before I decide on the necklace below... I'm rather happy with the results...
I've also added a photo of just the necklace as I decided there should be more than one way to wear the pendant and the necklace...as a combo yes...but besides being attached to the stone necklace, the pendant would be great hung simply from a black leather cord, black ribbon, or combine both the leather and ribbon! Or hang the pendant from a sterling silver chain...I tried all these ways and a few more which is the reason I felt the pendant shouldn't be limited to being worn one way! The best of both worlds!I didn't photograph the necklace with the pendant on a bust as one of the bails came off and I had to glue it back on twice...I didn't want to delay this post anymore so I decided to show the necklace and pendant as is!
As you can see ...I've used the amazonite nuggets, as well as some amazonite chips, and the African jade nuggets... from Artbeads.com I've used my stunning Turquoise Song wood pendant, the malachite jasper rice beads, 4 sterling silver shell beads, and the sterling silver fish toggle . I've also used lead and nickle free pewter sun faces, along with a few sterling silver beads.I enjoyed myself browsing through Artbeads.com where you will find many wonderful products, check out their unique and interesting pendants of which there are many...in fact I think they have one of the most amazing selections of hand crafted pendants I've ever seen. This was an interesting experience for me, I enjoyed the whole process, would definitly do it again...I met interesting people along the way...I found a great new place for beads & supplies...a girl can't have too many places to shop! To top it all off a stunning pendant/necklace!!!!!!Cheers
It took some time but every thing has finally arrived for my necklace...Below is a gorgeous strand of natural amazonite nuggets wrapped with an equally gorgeous strand of natural, African Jade, at the bottom right hand corner is a beautiful strand of rice shaped Malachite Jasper stones, which are wrapped around smaller amazonite stones. 
As well you can see the sterling silver fish toggle, four sterling silver shells and six tubes with a sunburst design on them, all are from Artbeads.com . I've added a close up photo below as they are rather cramped in the photo above...
Everything was purchased with my wonderful Turquoise Song pendant in mind but I've been known to change my mind many times...so who acutally knows what I'll use???I have to prepare for my Market tomorrow, loading the van etc., once I'm all finished I'll sit down and read for awhile which will relax me...I have to be up at 4:00am so it is always an early Thursday night!!! Cheers
I thought I would keep everyone up to date with what I'm doing with my lovely pendant from Artbeads.com . I've a number of ideas swirling around in my head and I'm not sure exactly which will emerge...The stones you see in the photo below are from a collection of un-drilled stones I have...I do think they work well so I searched for just the right stones and I think I found them...I will post the photo when they arrive.
I've just made my first purchase from Artbeads.com...I have to say it is a great place to purchase products, as you can imagine I purchased more than I intended to, I couldn't help myself as they have an amazing selection of product.While browsing I found this fabulous Hill Tribe silver starfish clasp...I love it, unfortunately it is out of stock... :0( This would be the perfect clasp for me to use as a signature clasp. I can't wait until it is back in stock!!!!! I would love to use it for this pendant as the colors and movement make me think of the ocean, crashing all around! We will see...I've ordered a sterling silver fish clasp set, if for some reason I don't end up using it with this pendant I know I'll use it for something else.As I mentioned, I've ordered a number of other great products from Artbeads.com with this order ...they have all the beading basic as well as many truly unusual and interesting products...when the package arrives I will post a photo so you can see what I bought. Believe me I could have purchased much more than I did... :0)Cheers
I've been patiently waiting for this interestingly, unique pendant to arrive since the end of June...it was well worth the wait... isn't it stunning!
The online bead store Artbeads.com, where this pendant came from, has many of what they are calling "Canvas On Wood Pendants". These wonderful pendants are actually small prints of artists paintings, they are printed on canvas, using pigment paints then covered with two coats of water resistant-varnish. Each pendant is an amazing work of art, don't you think!
The name of my pendant is "Turquoise Song" by Charlie Clingman ...I chose this particular pendant, as most of you will know because of the color combination...I do love turquoise anything! The second reason is because it is a wonderful work of abstract art, which I find I'm very attracted to. The third reason is because I think it will be great challenge to me to come up with an extraordinary way to use this pendant in a piece of jewelry, while at the same time, not taking anything away from the beauty of it...the pendant must be the focal of what ever I decide to do with it! The way the two bails were used will present a challenge in itself.
I'm going to take sometime to let the pendant sit on my desk so I can look at it...I don't want to rush into anything... something will come to mind! It is a given I will be using a sterling silver toggle maybe a Bali toggle, or wouldn't a sterling silver toggle with emeralds embedded in it stunning?I'm not sure at this point what else I'll be using...probably sterling silver beads, maybe semi-precious stones similiar in color to the ones I've added in the photo, how about leather and silk, or what about hand forged fused fine silver links? Or a combo of all/some of the above...regardless of what I use it will be fun. Don't you just love a personal challenge...I do!Cheers
I'm a bit behind on my postings, picture taking and just about everything else, but that really isn't anything new...On June 27th the North Bay Downtown Farmer's Market Busker was a singer who had been part of the Market entertainment for a number of years...he moved away and was back for a short while this summer so he agreed to perform twice, once on June 27th and again July 25th...his name is Matt Amond and he is a great "one man show"!!! 
As you know... as a Busker tips are your payment, Matt chose tho donate his tips for the day to the North Bay Food Bank...way to go Matt!
Friday July 3rd my daughter and I started our third Market...this one is on the beautiful shores of Lake Rosseau. I particularly love this Market as it is almost like a mini vacation every Friday. There is a huge children's play area, which my grandson loved for the last two years...he is getting a bit older and not interested anymore. 
Below is the beach front before the swimmers and volley ball players arrive...there are life guards, as well as councilors who play games with the kids, everyone has a great time...part of the vendor's view! 
Early in the morning before it gets crowded...this is part of the vendor's view...can't ask for anything better!!! 
The NBDFM on Saturday July 4th was nice and sunny but that darn old north wind just won't go away...our Buskers for the day was the C-Denny Band...
The above photo is a file photo from their previous visit...it really was sunny on Saturday...I just for got my camera!Our third Market is put on by the Callander Legion...hence the name is the Callander Market...it runs from 9:00am to 1:00pm every Sunday, in the Legion parking lot. I don't have any photos yet, hopefully next week...this market is very new, only three days old, so there is much to learn and figure out, right now the vendors and Market goers are not consistent. I'm hoping everyone will have patience while the Market goes through its growing pains. I've taken on the task of Buskers Coordinator but I'm having a difficult time coming up with Buskers, not sure if it is because it is on a Sunday or because it is new and not a great deal of people milling around? Regardless, I will keep going as I feel very strongly this could be a great Market for the community of Callander!
Here is my first attempt to make earrings using the RAW, which as many of you will know is the right angled weave...the design is courtesy of a tutorial by Carol Ladine Lagoski...the tutorial was well written, great photos and easy to work with...most important for me the whole process was enjoyable. If it isn't fun I won't be doing it! Since these I've made a quartz crystal pair as well... 
Cheers!
