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Deborah Simmons Jewelry Studio Visit!

One of my dearest friends, Deborah Simmons recently started her own jewelry business, and is now selling her wonderful earrings on ETSY! Deb and I have been friends and neighbors for almost 10 years, and its been so much fun to watch her evolution into a first class jeweler. I currently own 3 pairs of her beautiful earrings, and refer to them as my 'BLUEJEAN EARRINGS' as a way of saying I can wear them with anything!!! Her designs are simple, elegant, and classic.

I thought it would be fun to show you a more indepth view of who Deborah is and where she creates her art. She has a charming corner in her garage created from old worn doors and a vintage window that she calls her studio. Here she keeps precious findings in seashells, gold remains in a mud-bowl crafted by her son, and tools lined up on a small ledge, waiting to be used... One senses the importance of family, nature and spirit when seeing her space.

A matt board is filled with inspirational images and ideas, giving a peek into her process. Treasures like this antique cross, which she loves for its simple lines and worn quality beckon from the corners awaiting transformation into something new. Nearby outside, a quiet corner of her garden allows for contemplation and ideas to take form...

Deborah keeps her finished pieces in vintage cigar box trays, here displayed like a work of art in itself. A favorite corner of her home sings quietly with the same grace and style that she herself has and that her jewelry shows. Muses, of all forms, human and animal keep her busy, and inspired! Please take a peek at her Shop to see more of her lovely work! BEST OF LUCK DEBORAH!!!

More OnLine Window Shopping...

A delightful Georgian Micro Mosaic bracelet from Susan Dean, owner of Antiques & Uncommon Treasure. What every girl needs don't you think???

Jewelry That Tells Stories...

Jivan Astfalck of the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, creates jewelry that melds historical and autobiographical material, fiction and fairy tales. "...enigmatic, yet suggestive of the wounds of history and of the trauma and healing processes that are part of our relationships with others, these objects are sites of memory and fiction, history and thought, visible traces providing connections with the invisible and imagined in a complex web of relationships." Shown in order are: Daphne‚s Dream; On Memory and Loss - ChickenBones; Vanitas; and Sleeping Beauty.

Anne Arden McDonald, and a Request For Fabric!

This is a truly long overdue post, on a wonderful artist! Anne Arden McDonald lives in Brooklyn and works in a variety of media, including photography, sculpture, drawing, and installation work. She is best known for her 'self portrait' series that reflect her interest in installation and performance. Her photos evoke feelings of space, quiet, and mystery... One cannot help but wonder about the spots chosen and her position within... Anne also has created delightfully composed 'watch cases' using her own photos and found objects, showing us pieces of stories within glass. In February she wrote me: "I've been working on making cyanotypes--little dresses made of fabric and lace and leaves and paper, contact printed into cyanotypes". Little dresses that become yet another canvas for her mysterious photos and techniques. I am also in love with her line of Jewelry, organic found pieces of nature cast into rings and earrings.

Now she is working on an installation out on Governor's Island and LOOKING FOR FABRIC THAT'S FALLING APART TO BUILD A GIANT DRESS, WHITE OR CREAM, SOLID OR WITH LIGHT PATTERNS - STAINS ARE FINE - ANY MATERIAL - FANCY OR PLAIN. Here is an opportunity for you to contribute to a wonderful artists work while cleaning out your closets! If you are able to help Anne, please CONTACT HER HERE! Best of Luck Anne, and we look forward to seeing your project in its completion!!!

Tactile Jewels...

I wish I knew more about this work by Hanna Hedman... Her jewelry looks wonderfully tactile and organic!

Corsage Love...

I just love photos like these! They make me want to pull out all my old silk flowers, threads and lace and make something magical!!! Japanese images via A Bearded Man.

BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS...

This morning I discovered that Juju blogged about Laura Walker's handmade buttons, and I decided to do a Button Theme Post! Laura's Buttons, made of porcelain, are available on ETSY!


I am a huge fan of Elsita's artwork, and she also recently did a post on her own handmade buttons made of 'Shrink Plastic'! Her whimsical drawings and designs translate beautifully in this medium!
I found these handpainted buttons on re:make, hard to resist names like 'The Enchanted Forest' and 'A Clover And Two Ladybugs'!
Melissa Becker has a wonderful line of buttons that remind me of old pewter buttons from yesterday...
KupKup has delightful 'Petit Patisserie' felt buttons for sale! They look so delicious, how could you resist?
Mudcakes presses lace and other textures into her buttons - making them feel airy and romantic!

I'm in love with these OctopusMe Buttons! Who couldn't use a few extra appendages on their shirt???

Want to make your own beaded buttons? Here is a link to a Workshop where you can make your own...! Anyone else care to jump on the Button BandWagon with me???

Wearing The Bird

I LOVE this necklace featured in Camilla Staerk's 2006 S/S collection!

Blossoms to wear...

Wonderful Blossom's to wear by Lisa West of New Zealand.

Beaded Flower Necklaces...

Apple Blossom and Lilac beaded necklace KITS from Beading With Varvara! So pretty for spring...!

Stringing For A Cure!

My good friend Andrew Thornton has donated his wonderful talents and skills in a special online auction of necklaces benefiting Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Andrew explains: "Each dollar raised from the auctions will go towards my friend Rachel participating in the 3 Day Journey benefiting the Susan G Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. Each of the auctions include a necklace I created for Stringing Magazine. So, I've decided to title this project, 'Stringing for a Cure'." Please take a LOOK at the wonderful pieces Andrew has created and be a part of this marvelous fund raiser!

Jocelyn's Necklace!

Off to teach Soldered Jewelry at the CASTLE this weekend! Today I want to share the necklace my dear friend Jocelyn made while she was visiting me a couple of weeks ago. She specifically wished to learn more about 'wire-work' and putting together different elements. I think she did an amazing job! Her necklace is about 28 inches long, so she can wear it double-wrapped or long. Notice the wire-wrapped ribbon elements and the wonderful cascading bead centerpiece! BEAUTIFUL!!! Happy leap-year Birthday Jocelyn!!!

Tactile Treasures!

These amazing wearable crochet pieces by Kjoo on Etsy are pure pleasure for the eyes! The artist, Maria from Portugal, displays a wonderful sense of color and play in her work! I love all the little bits and pieces, that remind me of deep ocean marvels... I am particularly attracted to her sets of 'customized supplies' as she calls them, (first image) small beads made of felt, crochet and eyelets, that would look wonderful along a sweater, down a skirt, or just dangling on a necklace! She is surely an artist to watch!!!

(link via Bits and Bobbins)

VALENTINES BLESSINGS...

Link

A Modern Valentine...

I bought this painted porcelain cameo a few months ago from Lindsey Carr's Little Robot Etsy Shop. I love it and immediately made it into a simple pendant to wear as a necklace. Lindsey also has a wonderful BLOG where she shares among other delights, amazing little THEATRES, with moving parts!!! Her sense of detail is supreme, and of course I adore her personal perspective of whimsy!

Swedish Whimsy

Unusual and whimsical jewelry by Serena Holm from Sweden.

Woodland Jewelry...

I usually don't care for contemporary jewelry, but these pieces by Terhi Tolvanen are quite compelling... I love the use of textiles, and other media to represent natural elements in nature!

Preview of Halloween Treats!

Here are a few of the 'Treats' I will have on this Saturday's HALLOWEEN AND VINE show in Petaluma! If you are in the area please come by and say Hello! Hope to see you!!!

Mundane To Profane!

These jeweled treasures are by Kristin Beeler. I love how she has made the commonplace (a bit of thread, a fly, scraps of paper and twisted wire) into the profane! Truly lovely!!!
Link via the FABULOUS Susanna!

Jewelry Fit For A Queen

My dear friend Judy introduced me to Bay-area Jewelry designer Carla Labat, and I am hooked! Carla's inspiring 'Large-Scale' jewelry would surely appeal to Marie Antoinettes sensibilities! Made from vintage fabrics, trims, buckles, and appliqués found in Paris Flea Markets, her jewelry is reminiscent of 18th century theatre costuming with a modern twist. Surely one doesn't have to be a 'Queen' to wear such treasures... Time to raid my trim drawers!!!