Genny's World

Christmas is Coming!

2010-11-28T21:45:00.003-05:00

The wonderful Thanksgiving holiday is over for another year. Usually I'm brought into the Christmas season kicking and screaming but this year my son-in-law decorated the house and took us all to see the Christmas light exhibit in Columbia, SC. Just what I needed to get me going! As you can see we also decorated a pretty gingerbread house today!
Also is a pic of my Tri-color Beez to Butterflies done in gold, silver and rose gold Parawire. It's so much fun to do and even more fun with new colors!

Free Beading Tutorials

2010-11-07T14:03:00.001-05:00

Free Beading Tutorials

This is a link to a site that has a lot of great links. I can't vouch for them all but the ones that I've tried are worth going to!

My Charming Bracelet

2010-09-07T23:08:00.000-04:00

Busy, busy, busy! I've been doing so many pieces of jewelry the past few weeks. In addition I've had so many orders for jump rings that I'm a little overwhelmed. If I had all the wire I needed I wouldn't be as stressed. I'll put the order in tomorrow and hope that it'll come in with enough time to get the orders out in a timely manner. The above picture is of a charm bracelet done with a lot of wire wrappping! I love making these. It does have a sea theme but I had to throw in my little Scottie dog, too.

The past 3 months and Zentangles

2010-08-16T12:01:00.004-04:00

Back from Robbinsville for awhile. I've also traveled to Irmo, SC for a small family reunion. I've been busy traveling, making jewelry, teaching and working. How do I ever fit it all in? I've no idea....
A new thing that I like doing, it's very relaxing, is Zentangles. It's a form of organized doodling. Try googling "Zentangles". You'll be surprised what you'll get.

Off to Robbinsville

2010-05-06T09:36:00.003-04:00

Well I'm almost ready to go! I'm off to see my daughter and her family in South Carolina. After that is the retreat in the mountains of North Carolina! I'm almost packed..........at least the jewelry making part is packed. Now just my cloths, toiletries, etc. My friend, who house sits, is amazed at the amount of items I can fit in my car! He's packing the car, for me, right now!
Most of the above jewelry is for sale at Hair Envy on Oslo Road in Vero Beach. The ladies do like their sets!
If you're in the Fort Pierce/Vero Beach area check it out. While you're on line check out my classes for the end of May! The Etsy store is closed until I get back.

http://www.new-bel.com

Centipede Crystal Chainmaille Bracelet

2010-04-25T13:26:00.002-04:00

I just needed to post this picture of one of my favorite bracelets to make. It's called the Centipede bracelet. Its made with copper Parawire rings (I make and sell them!), 6mm Swarovski 2x AB crystals and a copper toggle clasp. The crystals almost "glow" they are so shiny!

Busy Week

2010-04-25T13:04:00.002-04:00

It's been a busy week! I taught 3 classes, recertified my BLS/CPR and took a knitting class! I also visited with some friends and now I'm in Oviedo enjoying my family. I took some time out to cut some rings out of 20g 2.75mm sterling silver wire. I did up this slinky, shiny double Byzantine bracelet. I'm still debating whether I should use some LOS on it. I just bought LOS from Rio and I'm anxious to use it! I'm anxious to try it! What do you think?

2010-04-21T00:12:00.002-04:00

I'm offering two new chainmaille kits on my website. The earrings are Snow & Ice. The bracelet kit is a Byzantine weave. Both kits have jump rings made from Parawire which is a non-tarnish wire. Go to my website http://www.new-bel.com to order.

Small World

2010-04-15T17:15:00.003-04:00

I've been on the internet for fourteen years but it still has me in awe! I love imagining someone sitting half-way around the world sitting there on their computer looking at my website or my blog. It is amazing that there is a room somewhere in Abu Dahbi where a person is getting a glimpes into my world! Amazing! Equally amazing is that I get to see part of their world.
Ok enough of my speculating on who is silently visiting me. Welcome, and I hope that you enjoy your time here with me in Florida!
Business has been pretty brisk lately. That is very good!
I just got back from visiting with my two daughter's and their families for the Easter holiday. While my youngest daughter was visiting my home we to a trip to West Palm Beach. While there we went to Rapids Water Park. Even 20 years ago I couldn't imagine walking around a park in my bathing suit. I guess I'm getting old enough to not care! We all had a great time. I even got swept off my feet in the wave pool! Best thing about that is no sand in my suit! I've lived most of my life within a mile of the ocean and remember the feel of all that sand creeping in places you don't want it!
Yesterday I started to experiment with some jump rings and Swarovski squares. I've seen a similar pattern with the Swarovski crystal rings but I didn't have any of those. I'm one for working with what I have at hand! I used copper Parawire rings that I made. I got the five squares that I had on hand at a Craig's List buy. Of course I didn't have enough to finish and I had to order more squares. I'm not sure what kind of clasp I'll use when I finish. Any suggestions?

Long time no see

2010-04-03T12:42:00.004-04:00

Wow, how time does fly! It's difficult to believe that I haven't posted here for 5 or 6 months! I've been very busy first with retreats then the holidays and some health challenges scattered in between! Business has been flowing nicely and my muse seems to have stuck with me through it all! (Please don't leave me now!)
The crocheted piece in the above picture was done for a turquoise challenge on one of my beading groups. As you know I'm mostly a wire worker (chainmaille, wrapping, etc) but I find beading very soothing so I do go to the beads when I'm stressed or upset.
This being said I found myself inspired by a post from one of my groups about Free Form Peyote. For some reason this has alway intimidated me. I guess it the freeness of it. The lack of a set pattern to follow. I spent the greater part of the day, this Wednesday, making this bracelet. I'm proud of it and my oldest daughter is now wearing it. She just loves dragonflies!
I wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter! Genny

Passing Time

2009-10-19T07:40:00.004-04:00

Much time has passed since my last post. I'll just say that I've been really busy traveling and learning! I've attended a bead cruise in March and a bead retreat in June. I've traveled in New Orleans, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, upstate NY, Long Island, PA, back to SC and on to Oviedo. I've remained home for the past three months with only one trip back to Oviedo. I've had my rest and I'm ready to get back on the road!
Between the Bead Cruise in March and the Bead Retreat in June I've had some wonderful teacher and I've made some real pretty pieces and I've taught myself some nice techniques.

2009-01-10T19:45:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe that the holidays have come and gone! I'm done with my traveling for now. I came home from the holiday travels to Orlando and South Carolina with a cold so I've been taking it easy all week. The family are all on the mend. The majority of them were ill for the season. The grandchildren are growing fast! Aren't they adorable? You can see B is a future rock hound and D is just so pretty!

Chain Maille Kits for Sale

2008-11-29T10:45:00.004-05:00

I'm presenting some kits on my website that can turn you into a chain mailler in no time! Using the provided jump rings and instructions you can turn a pile of rings and some crystals into a beautiful bracelet that will mystify your friends. I'm always getting comments like "How did the crystals get in there?" or "How do the crystals stay in there? Are they on a wire?"
You can learn the answer to both these questions in the easy to read color instructions. If you're curious my web site is:

http://www.new-bel.com/Kits.html

A Nice Blog

2008-11-28T15:19:00.003-05:00

I found this blog that has cool wooden animals that this man makes for his children. He also sells them and I think going back to a simpler type of toy will benefit the kids! They have enough with batteries and things that talk back. These more simpler toys will get their imagination going!
http://dadswoodentoys.blogspot.com/

Off Again

2008-11-25T11:14:00.005-05:00

Whew! I've just barely unpacked from my trip last week and I'm off again! This time to Oviedo to be with my family for the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm so thankful to have them to be with over the holiday. Of course I wish I could be with all my family. That's the big problem with our mobile world. Everyone lives so far apart that families can't be together except in extraordinary circumstances. Oh well, I'm happy to have them all healthy and safe and I'll get to see them when I'm able.

The silversmithing class is coming to an end. I made this Rivoli ring this week. I used a blue Swarovski Rivoli and set it in sterling silver. There are some errors but the next one will be better.

Retreat Planning

2008-11-20T17:43:00.005-05:00

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! This past week just flew by and I have been having fun! We had a combined meet-up of members from both Florida Jewelry Artist Retreat Group and Florida Beaders group at The 3 Bears Bead Shop in Umatilla, Florida. There were four of us able to make it and we all had a great time! We started out getting acquainted then went bead shopping, then we talked about our coming retreat, and then went bead shopping, then went to lunch and then back to bead shopping! We also got a little time in for learning. Alice W actually had a real student who did a very good job wrapping a beautiful ring! Bebee G, Alice S and myself worked on perfecting our wrapped loops. As the sun went down, Alice S and myself went to Bebee's beautiful home on the St. John's River and spent the night there. This is where the January Jewelry Artist's retreat will be held and boy, will it be a good one!
The above pictures are of a pretty wire crocheted necklace and earrings along with a Byzantine necklace with a dichroic glass pendant made by my friend, Tammy Walkoff.

Snow and Ice

2008-11-14T13:59:00.003-05:00

I forgot to mention that the cabochon on the chain is Mother-of-Pearl and I made the setting in my silversmithing workshop at my rock and gem club!
The above pictures are of a necklace that I completed yesterday. I call it Snow and Ice.

Time Flies!!

2008-11-14T13:47:00.003-05:00

I've been reminded, by a friend, that I've neglected this blog and boy was she right!!!
I can't believe that I haven't posted since July! Since then my granddaughter has grown so much! She's almost four months old now and I got to see her in October. I'll see her again right after Christmas. Not soon enough!
I arrived home to FL from my summer travels to NY, TN, NC and SC in mid-August. I was just in time for a visit from TS Fay. No damage here but lots of flooding in Fort Pierce! September was spent getting settled, teaching and catching up on my jewelry making. October I traveled with a friend up to GA (yes I traveled again!) to William Holland School of Lapidary Arts. I had a week long class with a great teacher, Howard Siegel, in fused chain making. I did make some really nice stuff. I'll post pictures here. I got to see my daughter and family on that trip and visited all my beady haunts, too! I've been teaching and making more jewelry. I think I'm addicted. A day isn't a day unless I've completed at least one piece of jewelry!
The three pieces I posted are all from Wm Holland. They are all made with fine silver and are fused. If you'd like details just email me.

Baby Time

2008-07-30T14:17:00.005-04:00

It's been a very busy month. I worked at my old job until July 16th. During that time I was involved with seeking out old high school buddies. The Seton Hall High School (Patchogue, NY) class of 1959 is planning a 50th (can you imagine!) reunion. I'm on the contact committee and have had fun locating old friends. We had one meeting where we were able to get together and plan. Of course, no one has aged, NOT! I also was able to have dinner with an old friend and her husband. That was such a thrill. I can't wait for the reunion next year!
I left NY and traveled to South Carolina. My daughter had not had her baby, yet, so I was able to help once she was in the hospital. Daphne Elizabeth arrived at 12:07PM on the 23rd of July just one day after her brother's 4th birthday and one day before her mom and dad's 9th wedding anniversary! It'll be a busy month for them that's for sure!
Mother and baby are doing well and so far Daphne is a very good baby! My jewelry making has taken a back seat to baby and big brother but I will get back to it asap!
The necklace in the picture is one of my better sellers in NY. It's made with Mykonos beads strung with seed beads and glass beads. I love it and I now have to make another on for me!

Travel Time

2008-06-28T21:22:00.005-04:00

Again, it's been a while since I posted. Let me play catch-up. I left my home in early June. I went to Mary's house and then to Jackie's baby shower. We will soon be welcoming Makenzie Sloan. From there I journeyed to Liz's and enjoyed myself watching Brandon in his karate classes. Moving on my next stop was Cosby, TN. I had a wonderful time at my first bead retreat! What a great group of women! We had Jim
Mc Intosh teach us wire wrapping. We taught each other different techniques and projects. I learned bead crochet, Kumihimo, Viking Knit and polymer clay. I taught the Cellini bracelet project. I haven't finished any of the projects but I will! I'm still working on the bead crochet. I'm still working on my St. Petersburg lariat so since nothing is finished I'm choosing to post a picture of a necklace that I made with the St. Petersburg stitch. My daughter was given this one as a Christmas gift.
After that inspiring gathering I drove the remainder of the way to NY. I've been working at my old job as a dialysis nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital for the past two weeks. It is really great to see everyone again. I've attended a small conference held by the American Nephrology Nurse Association. I renewed some old friendships, had a great dinner, learned something new and earned some continuing educations points.

2008-05-27T19:19:00.002-04:00

Since returning from California I've been busy! Recovering from my once-a-year cold was not too bad after starting on antibiotics. Next time I take a flight I'm loading myself up with vitamins and some type of immunity booster.
Well, anyway, my busyness consists of, what else, teaching and jewelry making. I'm really enjoying the silver smithing class! I've made four rings and the bracelet that you see above. They are by no means perfect but I always give myself learning room. With the price of silver I can afford to scrap it unless the mistake is really glaring! Maybe in a year or so I'll look at them and not be able to stand them and then scrap it but for now I'm enjoying wearing them. More pictures to come!

Black Tourmaline

2008-05-18T15:01:00.002-04:00

Digging in Ocean View Mines resulted in the beautiful piece of black tourmaline. Since my 4 y/o grandson did some digging along side me that day I made this pendant for him. He still talks about the day he "went inside the mountain"!

2008-05-18T14:31:00.002-04:00

Wow, how time passes! I feel like May just started and here it's half over! I've been to San Diego and back. I celebrated Mother's Day with my son and his beautiful family.
The two pictures above are pieces made by a budding jewelry designer and she's only 8 years old! Emma took immediately to the patterns. She easily followed directions for the Victorian Garden, made for her mom, and then proceeded to make one for herself! The yellow cat's eye and leopard beaded bracelet is her own design. She made it from start to finish with no help from me! The beads were given to her by my good friend, Linda. She is into all things science and math. Boy am I proud!

On the Road Again!

2008-04-25T11:01:00.006-04:00

The traveling season is here again! In the next few months I will have visited Orlando, FL, San Diego, CA, Columbia, SC, and Long Island, NY. I'll be back at my old job in NY for six to eight weeks. I'll also be teaching jewelry making while I'm there! I'll spend the remainder of the summer in SC helping my daughter adjust to being mother of two instead of one! It'll be my pleasure to spend the time with her, my grandson and my new granddaughter! Speaking of my grandson....he has started taking karate lessons! At just 3 1/2 he is soooo excited about this! I could just hear the excitement in his voice while he was telling me all about the stripes he will get on his belt with each class! I can't wait to see him in his class!

The Spider Web or Dream Catcher is a piece done after reading the instructions on one of my Yahoo wire groups. I love it and call it Dream On! I've told the tale of the little copper butterfly being tempted by the sparkles in the center of the web. You can see that he or she gave into the temptation and can be seen flying away with one of the pretties!
I've been teaching classes these past two weeks. The above blue cab was made during one of the two wire wrap classes that I taught and the necklace is Helm's Weave or Parallel Weave that was Saturday's class. Always a big hit is the Victorian Garden Bracelet. That was Wednesday's class and I'll be teaching it again on Monday 4/28 and 5/28 at Beads & Baubles in Fort Pierce, FL. For more info on my classes go to:

http://www.new-bel.com/Classes.html

Busy Month

2008-04-12T22:23:00.005-04:00

I've had a great month but very busy! I traveled to Irmo, SC for Easter celebrations and some R&R. I visited with my daughter and her family. My 3 1/2 y/o grandson is such a great kid! He's getting to be a regular boy instead of a toddler. It's wonderful to see the transformation. Funny, how fast they grow up! Soon he'll be a big brother when his sister arrives sometime in July! He's just getting used to the idea and we'll see how he adjusts. He, like most of the young males in this family, is enamored with Grease, the movie! He stands on the coffee table (oh my!) and sings Grease Lightning! He still insists that Greased Lightning is the man singing (John Travolta) and not the car. Each night after his bath he has his mom fix his hair Danny Zuko style. How cute!
I got to go to Beckham's Barn and drool over all the beautiful rocks! I picked up some slabs to make a few cabochons, lepord jasper, tiger eye, agate and few others. I've started on the lepord jasper already. I also went to the bead shop on Harbison. It's fairly new and I'll be teaching some wire classes there this summer when I'm there to assist my daughter with the new arrival. She is a distributor for Kazuri beads so I took the oportunity to pick up a few. I made some pendants and strung them on 18" neck wires. They are for sale in my Etsy store. I love them!

Gift Cabochons

2008-03-14T21:11:00.002-04:00

These two picture jasper cabochons were made by and given to me by my friend and mentor Linda. Linda lives in CA and got me started in jewelry making. I've had so much fun and have met so many great people since I started making jewelry. So much thanks for everything, Linda!
I wrapped the two cabs with square copper wire and half round copper wire.

2008-03-12T19:32:00.002-04:00

Here we are! Two friends and me on dress-up night on the cruise. We had a real nice time.

Wire, wire, oh wire!

2008-03-11T23:05:00.003-04:00

As I said earlier I didn't take to wire wrapping right off the bat. I think the thought of having to buy all that sterling silver and gold-filled wire turned me off. I've since discovered that I don't have to use those wires. Almost any soft wire gives me the results that I want! Of course taking the classes from Eni Oken on the cruise last week really got my enthusiasm up! I am humbled by her expertise! I bought all her tutorials on a cd and I've been trying them out. Today I made use of the turquoise donut that I bought at Wm Holland school last year. This is the picture of it. It took me about 3 hours while watching TV. It is Eni's design. Her tutorials are easy to read and follow. That CD was such a good investment!
Today I finished up some of the aquamarines that I got at Ocean View mine. I'm in the process of wrapping one of them. My cabbing class is finished. I think I want to repeat it in the fall. Hannah is such a great teacher and I learned so much from her and I know if I take it again I'll learn that much more.
I also had a couple of very nice ladies come to my home, today, with some beautiful cabs that they made at the St. Lucie Co. Rock & Gem Club's open workshop. They want me to wire wrap them! I'm so flattered. We seem to agree on less is more and I can't wait to start wrapping them!
Tomorrow is another class. The beautiful Victorian Garden is the project at Beads & Baubles in Fort Pierce.

Tailored Cabochon

2008-03-10T11:35:00.003-04:00

I learned wire wrapping up in William Holland Lapidary Arts School in Young Harris, GA in Sept of 2006. When I first started ww I wasn't too sure that I liked it. I had a great teacher but I left thinking that I wouldn't be doing too much of that! I did pieces off and on for the past 1 1/2 years but it wasn't until the past month that I've gotten into it full force. I have collected so many cabs and I have been making some of my own cabs that I have had a lot to choose from. My one big draw back was the wire. Sterling silver is so expensive. I try to keep some sterling in stock but it's usually round for making jump rings. I didn't want to go to the expense of buying the square and half round wire needed for wrapping! Finally I decided to try it with the round wire. I used my favorite wire Para Wire and started wrapping using a smaller gauge for the actual wrap. They turned out great! So I kept going. I'm not fond of all the "frou, frous" at the top. I'm more the tailored person. The picture shows a picture jasper cab I came up with last week and I'm really happy with it! Now back to work to make more!

Bead Cruise 2008

2008-03-10T00:20:00.003-04:00

I have been a real slacker where my blog is concerned! Being home has been good for me. Of course I don't stay put for very long! I left on a cruise 3/1 and I just got home. It was so much fun! I was a cruise virgin and I certainly did enjoy my first cruise. I went with a group of beaders. We took classes while at sea. My classes were taught by Eni Oken, a world renowned wire worker and Marsha DeCoster also world renowned in the beading world. I've come back so much more knowledgeable! Aside from the great classes I have to say that everyone of the people that I met during the cruise was a pleasure. From my fellow beaders to the ship's staff to the people in Jamaica they were all interesting, polite and fun. Our waiter, "Ping", had us in stitches every night. He was so entertaining. It seems he is from Thailand. He works for six months at a time and has two months off. Whew, what a schedule! He has a wife and two children that must miss him a lot.
A comment on the picture. I made this bracelet tonight. I used beads made by my NY friend Lea Avroch. They are so beautiful. The color is a deep teal with flecks of silver. The beads have such depth and shine that I sit mesemerized stareing at them!
they kind of remind me of the water's of the Carribiean.
I keep thinking and going back to the cruise in my mind. My body even seems like it is still on the ship!
I will try to be better and post here more often!

Daisy Chain Bracelet

2008-01-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

Now I'm really home! It's always bittersweet to come home. On one hand I'm happy to be here with my "things" (computer, Tivo, TV, bed, kitchen, tools, etc). I can move around or not as I please. I don't have to be nice to anyone.....except myself. On the other hand I miss everyone! I've been in the company of at least one of my grandchildren everyday for the past month and I miss them! I never get "too much" of them! My children and their spouses are all such good and interesting people that I don't tire of their company, either.
I've unpacked, organized and reorganized my jewelry making supplies and I'm gearing up for a full month of teaching! The picture here is of a bracelet I call Daisy Chain. It is made with the pattern Victorian Garden. My teacher, Linda Wilder, of La Mesa, CA taught me this while I was there in early December. It is a big hit and this is my version of it with all pearls instead of the pearl and crystal combo. If you're in the Fort Pierce, FL area I will be teaching this at Beads and Baubles the end of January. If you're in the San Diego area this pattern is taught at the Bouncing Bead in La Mesa.

Back From My Travels......Well Almost!!

2007-12-30T19:20:00.000-05:00

I left home and Florida on December 1st. Since then I have been to California, back to Florida, not home but Orlando, then on to South Carolina. I finally got home last night. I had a wonderful time with my family. I saw all of them except for Nick and Nicholas since I wasn't able to fit NY into my travels this month!
While I was in California enjoying my son and his family we all took a day and went to the Ocean View Mine in Pala, CA. It cost $60 for each adult and $50 for each child. I felt the price was fair for the adults but $50 for a 4 y/o child was very unfair. He didn't do any digging or searching for gems. He did enjoy the mine tour and he's still talking about how he went "into the mountain". I didn't find any "gem quality" stones but I found some pretty tourmalines and aquamarines. My 8 y/o granddaughter is really into things like that and she found most of the nice pieces. I'm gonna make her a nice pendant from one of the stones. All in all it was a good time and worth doing. Now I need to find more adventures like this.
I had a Christmas celebration at each home I went to! We all opened gifts and enjoyed each other's company. It was such an uplifting time. Being close to family, no matter how many miles separate us, means so much to me! Now it's not over yet! Tomorrow I leave for Orlando and go to my daughter's home once again for the New Year's Eve celebration. It will be especially nice since Oliver's mother, sister and brother-in-law will be there from France! They will be in the USA for three weeks and I do enjoy their company, too.

2007-11-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a while since I've entered anything! Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas holidays are fast approaching! I've been busy both making and selling my pretty jewelry. I did a couple of fairs and flea markets. I've been teaching classes. The Egyptian Coil was very well received and I'll be teaching it again this week. I got home from Oviedo Friday night and I'm just getting organized for my CA trip and after that, Christmas.

I'm, again, not putting up a tree! This is my fourth Christmas here in Florida and my fourth year not putting up a tree. The two trees I have are sitting nicely in their boxes in the shed. Last year I put up a few lights on the windows but I don't think I'll even do that this year.

The reasons that I haven't been putting up Christmas decorations are:
1. I'm never home very much to enjoy them.
2. My family, as I brought them up to do, stay in their own homes for Christmas. They and the children stay home and enjoy the spirit of family at this most family oriented holiday! I join one of them. I try to even it out and spend the holiday with a different family each year.

2007-10-16T13:01:00.000-04:00

Well, the bathroom is all fixed and painted. My check list of things to do is getting a little bit smaller. Not small but smaller! My neighbor pointed out to me that the palm tree in my side yard is going to fall. It seems that the large amounts of rain loosened the earth so much that, in spite of the braces to hold the tree straight, the tree's roots are pulling up. I hear that palm trees have short roots. I had my gardener look at it and all he wants to do is chop it down! I'm hoping to save it but I can't spend too much money doing it! I hate taking down trees especially a beautiful palm! What to do? I don't know but I'll work on it.
The earrings are my tribute to fall. Even though there is not much of an autumn here in Florida I'm still in the autumn mood! There is a bracelet to match, too!

Jewelry Photography

2007-10-05T23:20:00.000-04:00

I finally got it! At least I think I got it. I've been experimenting with photographing my jewelry. I use my small Canon Powershot and use the macro setting, no flash and a timer. I'll eventually get a tripod but for now I'm just trying to have very steady hands! I put the jewelry on a sheet of white paper. Once the photo is taken under my Ott Lamp the background is gray not white. I use Photoshop Elements to edit it. I use under Enhance, Brightness/contrast and go to levels. Use the white eyedropper and click on the background. It makes it white again! Then I adjust the color, also under enhance, using hue. I'm amazed that I figured this out myself! I'm pleased with my pictures now and not ashamed to put them on my web-site. Maybe I'll write a tutorial on this someday.
The example I'm including in this post is a Full Persian bracelet in sterling silver with a magnetic clasp and a safety chain. This particular bracelet resides with a friend of mine in NY.

2007-09-30T22:07:00.000-04:00

Wow, this week has really flown by! I can't believe we're starting a new week already. I didn't accomplish too much this week. I just took it easy and finished unpacking, cleaning out things, incorporating all my jewelry making paraphonalia into one area of the house (oh, for a bigger house with more storage!).
I just stocked the fridge today so no hurricanes please! Last time I did that Wilma came along and I lost everything I had just bought after getting back from NY!
I finished a couple of orders and mailed them off. I'm working on a couple of more. I'm trying to get myself ready for craft fairs but I haven't registered for any yet. How do you find them? I've searched the internet but how do you find the small church bazzars and pre-Christmas craft fairs and flea markets? That's the biggest problem!
The necklace above, is made with a very unusual stone that I found in a Rock & Gem Club show in Freeport, NY. It's called a view stone. It's Japanese and you can see some kind of view in each stone. This one is triangular and looks to me like the mountains in the west. Beautiful isn't it? Better in person! The chain is made with bright aluminum rings and is very light weight. The chainmaille weave is called the Barrel Weave. I'm selling it but I love looking at it and will find it difficult to part with!

Interesting Weekend

2007-09-24T18:22:00.000-04:00

It started on Friday when my granddaughter passed her divers test. She has this little red sports car waiting for her and she didn't disappoint it. She passed the first time! She's happy now that she has some freedom.

My daughter and her husband went away for the weekend and I stayed with the two granddaughters. They are old enough to be no problem and great company most of the time! The first day we went to play glow-in-the-dark mini-golf at the mall. Interesting but fun. Then out to dinner at Out-Back Steakhouse.

Yesterday we all went to see "A Comedy of Errors" at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Even the 9 y/o enjoyed it! They did a great job and presented it as very funny.

I'm home now and looking forward to a week of rest and jewelry making. I have some orders that I have to catch up on. I also have to mail my passport application. The cruise will come up quicker than I think!

The above picture shows a piece of Long Island sea glass, picked from a beach in the Hamptons, wrapped with bronze wire and hung from a leather cord.

Laura's Art

2007-09-20T22:47:00.000-04:00

I just had to post one of my granddaughter's art work! Isn't it beautiful? She's so very talented!

Home again

2007-09-20T22:23:00.000-04:00

I'm back! The NY summer was very successful. I renewed old friendships and even made a few new ones! I went to a great block party in my old neighborhood and saw some people that I hadn't seen in years. It was a blast! I learned some new jewelry making techniques thanks to Cher at Studio 59 in Lake Ronkonkoma. Pictured here is one project done under her guidance.
The trip home went pretty smoothly and I got to spend a week with my daughter and grandson in South Carolina. He's getting so big and so smart! He's three and knows how to click and drag and drop on the computer!
One thing happened that made me worry and hurry home to Florida a few hours earlier than planned. I got a call from my neighborhood that the Terminex man had been to my house and found a broken valve in the bathroom that was spurting water into the air! The bathroom had water on the floor and was heading toward the room with my computer! He had turned the valve off and stopped the leak but the neighbor was unsure as to the extent of the damage caused by the leak. I had been gone for two months and who knew how long the valve had been spurting water? I made it from Irmo, SC to my home in Florida in 7 1/2 hours. I didn't stop for anything but gas and br breaks! When I arrived home I had imagined the worst. I figured I'd probably fall through the water rotted floor boards! To my utter amazement there was nothing wet except for the soaked bath mat and toilet seat cover! The leak must have just started! I examined floor boards, moldings, walls, furniture and carpet in the next room and there was no sign of any water damage! I'll have to call a plumber to fix the leak and maybe I'll need a new toilet but compared to what my imagination conjured up I'm getting off very easy! I'll never leave home without turning off the water, I'll never leave home without turning off the water..............................

Depression

2007-08-07T22:06:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that this has happened! A very, what I thought was "rock solid and stable" gentleman tried to take his life today! I've admired his gentle and quiet ways for many years. Thank God he did not succeed! What a thing to do to your family. It's difficult to believe that someone can be so wrapped up in his depression that he doesn't think how much pain his actions could cause his family. Depression is such a terrible condition since many suffering people don't recognize the need for treatment. Most don't even realize that they are depressed. I think its more difficult for men to seek help for their feelings of depression because they are so reluctant to even talk about feelings at all.
I hope this is an eye opener and he'll seek the help he needs to cope with whatever he's going through!

What a week!

2007-07-22T12:12:00.000-04:00

It's been some week! I worked at my old job for three days. It went well and it was great to see everyone! I was exhausted at the end of each of the days but I think that's to be expected.
The weather, here in NY, has been crazy! Wednesday all hell broke loose here on Long Island. Torrential rains, floods, even a tornado! On top of that a steam pipe broke in NYC and was the other talked about topic on the news. One lady died of an MI while trying to get away. Most people, in the area, thought it was a terrorist attack. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like for those that were walking by at the time it let loose!
I went to 112 Sewing (see link on the left) and I have my teaching schedule. If people are as interested this year as they were last I should get in quite a few classes in the next six weeks here in NY. The above picture is an example of one of the classes I'll be teaching there. It's a necklace made with size 5 seed beads in the single spiral pattern.
Today's my grandson's third birthday. I'm sorry I can't be in SC with him. I did give him a little party before I left him last week. He's so cute and smart! I miss him and his mom.

2007-07-15T12:52:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm back in New York! I made my journey in six days. I stayed with Liz on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and traveled Monday, Friday and Saturday. I arrived here at 5 in the afternoon after, as usual, encountering much traffic in NJ on the turnpike and on the Belt Parkway! There was no traffic or crazy drivers anywhere else. It's always in NY area! Not the best ending to a 1200 mile journey. Going in the opposite direction is always much easier. You get all that traffic out of the way in the beginning!
I had a flat tire twice! Thankfully it wasn't until I got to Liz's house and was parked in front of her house. I had a road angel (thankfully there's always one around when I need one!) help put the doughnut on the car and I took the car to a local tire place to have the tire fixed. It was flat again the next day! This time AAA was called and I went to Irmo Tire and bought two new ones. Since my other two tires were only three months old I just bought two.

The rest of the trip was uneventful. I started reading (listening to) the Audible book, The Haunting, as I started out. I planned to stop at a motel in Fredricksburg, VA for the night. As I started listening to the book I was very surprised to find out that the book was about a hunting of a house on Caroline St in Fredricksburg! It was quite a romantic book and it made me anxious to see that city! After checking in the motel at 5PM I freshened up and went exploring the town. What a pretty town! The shops were mostly closed and the tours were finished for the day but I enjoyed just walking around after sitting in the car for 7 hours. I had dinner at a local Irish Pub on Caroline Street and it was delicious! I plan to stop there for a longer time and explore further on my way back to Florida.

A Break in Traveling

2007-07-07T15:33:00.000-04:00

I'm home for a couple of days before taking off again for my trip to NY. My hurricane shutters are in place and my packing is half done. The jewelry making stuff is the most difficult to get packed up but I'm almost done. I'm happy I have someone to stay in my house for the time I'm away. This means I don't have to have everything totally locked down.
Today's picture is from a collection given to me by my son. He and his family just got back from a holiday in Arizona. One of the places that they went was the Grand Canyon.
I went there a few years back and I can tell you that pictures just don't do it justice! It is something that everyone should see sometime in their lives! Just one of the wonders of the country and the world that we live in!
Happy Birthday Dad!

For Bonnie Jean

2007-07-01T20:38:00.000-04:00

Well I'm back. The story about the macrame class and the necklaces I made in that class is a long one but I'll try to condense. I was late, very late for this class! I thought it started at 1PM and it really started at 11AM. I got a call at 11:50 wondering where I was. I hurriedly got ready and drove there. The other two students were almost finished with their first necklace (we were to make two). The teacher was a beautiful women from Columbia South America who speaks very little English. In spite of that she was able to communicate the directions to me and I was able to do well. She stayed later and let me finish both of the necklaces. It seems she was a psychologist in Columbia but is not able to practice here. It's a shame but I'm sure she will do well once she is fluent in English. I was pretty impressed with her!

The Scottie necklace in the previous post contains the Scottie bead that I picked up in Beads and Baubles in Fort Pierce, FL when Luigi Cattelan visited last winter. He is pretty famous and comes from a long lineage of glass blowers in Murano, Italy. He will have an article in the coming October issure of Beads and Buttons. Along with Luigi, Susan Barrette, owner of Beads and Baubles with have her work with Luigi's beads, focused in that issue. I can't wait for that issue to appear on the news stands! It should be a treat for the eyes!
The Scottie necklace is in memory of our doggie, Bonnie Jean MacKenzie, who left us last July. We all miss her still!

The necklace in this post is bead crochet. I made it in one evening and it now adorns my daughter's pretty neck!

Birthday Party!

2007-07-01T13:17:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my granddaughter's ninth birthday and the party was at Chunk E Cheese! That place did a great job running the party. Our hostess was wonderfully helpful. To me, though, I think that that job is a nightmare job! The noise level alone would make me a wreak! But never the less a good time was had by all!

The picture is one of the macrame necklaces that I made at the class on Friday. More to come on that class later. I've gotta run and do some errands now!

Good Class

2007-06-28T10:23:00.000-04:00

I taught the Lace Cuff again yesterday and had five students. It went well and everyone walked out with a bracelet on their arm........well everyone except the man in the class! He took the class to make this beautiful bracelet for his wife! His color choices were sky blue, silver and gold. Absolutely great combo. I'm sure his wife is very pleased with his efforts. If not, well she should know how lucky she is! His initial worries were that his large hands would not be able to handle the needle and thread and the small beads. He had no problems at all! Today I'll be teaching the Egyptian Coil at Crafts N Stuff in Vero Beach. I'm anxious to teach this piece since it's one of my favorites.

Rock & Gem Club

2007-06-25T11:21:00.000-04:00

I've been concentrating more on chainmaille than anything. I've done two more Jens Pind and this Parallel weave. I've also done another Twice Around the World, this time in silver plate with purple beads. Not as nice as the bronze with carnelian!
I finally got to attend a St. Lucie Rock and Gem club meeting! It was very interesting and I've decided to take a table at their show in November. This show will be held at the Martin county fairgrounds the first weekend in November. Last year's was really nice so I'm looking forward to this one. I found out that the St. Lucie's chapter is the 2nd largest in Florida second only to the Jacksonville chapter so it should be a big show!

Twice Around the World

2007-06-21T17:39:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's class went well. We did Wire/Bead Crochet. I've been lazing around the house today. It's the first day that I haven't had a lot to do. I finally have a date for the class at Crafts and Stuff! I'll be pretty busy next week!
The picture is one of my latest creations! The design of the chain portion is one of Mei's designs called Twice Around the World. The wire wrapped pendant is my own design. The wire is bronze which I like much more than copper! The stones are unknown to me. I have to pay more attention to what I buy! I think that this is one of the prettiest pieces that I have made. Thanks Mei!

Jens Pind

2007-06-19T00:49:00.001-04:00

This Jens Pind weave has been bugging me since last November. I cancelled a class that I was going to take in West Palm Beach. I figured I could teach myself and save the money! Well it didn't work out that way. I've tried so many times to learn from on-line tutorials. I finally broke down and bought Spiderchain.com's 2nd instructional DVD with Jens Pind on it. In a matter of minutes it all became clear! Thank you Spider! Now on to try other weaves.

Just One More Thing, Today!

2007-06-18T16:18:00.001-04:00

I have to show a picture of the bracelet that I started on Friday in the class that I taught. It took a while to finish but I did finish it this morning. I'm calling it my Parrot Line Triple Spiral. I'll be doing more in these colors or similar colors. I love the colors, very tropical! What do you think?

Soaring - my quilt!

2007-06-18T13:45:00.000-04:00

I've been quilting since 1998. Since I've found jewelry making I've slacked off on the quilting but I figure that all the work I've put into quilting the quilts that I've made deserve some of the spotlight! This quilt was made in January of 2006 while I was helping with the grandkids in San Diego. It is, for the most part, hand pieced. I took it to a quilt store to be quilted since I didn't have my machine with me. I think it came out real nice! The pattern is a variation of Drunkard's Path, just arranged differently. I've named it "Soaring".

My Garden

2007-06-18T12:12:00.000-04:00

I finally got a garden planted here in Florida! I've been here 2 1/2 years and have not really attempted to plant. This is very unusual for me since I've always had a garden of some sort. Florida planting puzzles me! I'm from Long Island, NY and am used to the short planting season and lots of moisture! The rain pattern is so different here. I think that Florida depends on short periods of very heavy rain whereas NY has days of overcast and rain. The soil is so different. It's very sandy so it needs to be supplemented. The bugs! I was awake half the night with the mosquito bites! Actually, there was this little bugger that found me and followed me around Home Depot's garden center. I would have bought more but I had to get away from him! I have at least 10 bites on me and I never was able to get him!
I went to Horizon Nursery in Vero Beach for the bulk of my plants. Great service and their knowledge about Florida planting is unbeatable! This will be the first of a few gardens that I will be doing here. I want to see how this one survives the summer before I plant the front of my house. The nice thing about planting here is I can do it in my swim suit and then go and jump in the pool to cool off.....which is exactly what I did!

Happy Friday!

2007-06-15T20:49:00.000-04:00

Today was another good day. I did some jewelry making this morning. I came up with a very pretty necklace made with silver wire and Swarovski crystals. The class I taught at Beads and Baubles went very nicely. The ladies that I taught picked up pretty easily and they were fun to be with.
I'm not going to Mary's for Father's Day cause the father, Oliver, has a bad cold and is in great need of a restful weekend. Erica is sick, also, so I think I'll postpone my trip until Erica's birthday in two weeks. Laura started her job at Target. It'll be good for her to get out and get some money for herself.
I'll look forward to going to the pool and relax tomorrow.

A Quiet Day

2007-06-13T20:24:00.000-04:00

Wow, it is soooo quiet here! I haven't done much of anything today except clean up, work on my website and edit the pictures from the wedding. I spoke with Liz today. She got home safe and sound. They encountered some thunder storms on the way but all went well.
I also got a call on Skype today! Someone, called Kamal, from Moracco who wanted to improve his command of the English language. He seemed very nice and not only wanted to improve his English but wanted to learn some slang! I spoke with him for a few minutes and found that he is an accountant and wants to move up to a new job but needs fluent English for this. He sounded like a very interesting young man.

It's been a while!

2007-06-13T00:02:00.000-04:00

Wow, what a week I've had! My son, Bill and his family, were happily with me for the past week. We did some exciting things like tour the Kennedy Space Center. It was interesting since the last time I was there it was two weeks after 9/11 and most of it was closed for security sake. My granddaughter, Emma age 7, was very excited since she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up!
Tuesday they went on an air boat ride in the swamps of Vero Beach, FL (see link on my web site). They said it was great and they saw many, many alligators both large and small! They kids loved it. The rest of the week went between the pool, shopping and the beach. My daughter, Liz and family, arrived on Wednesday afternoon and the kids all enjoyed playing together. We had a few skirmishes but they mostly played nicely with each other!
Friday we all headed to St. Pete Beach to the Sirata Resort. We met my daughter, Mary and family, and my son, Nick and his son Nicholas.
Saturday we all attended a beautiful wedding on the beach. The weather was ideal! Blue sky, white sand, low humidity...........just so stunning! The bride, my niece Jackie, was sooooo beautiful! I can't tell you how many emotions went through me when I witnessed the ceremony. My brother, Bill, was just so proud! I only wish our Mom & Dad, Blanche & Bill Smith, could have seen her! I know that they were there in spirit. I'm posting their wedding picture for this post. We all miss them.

Sad, Tragic Event

2007-06-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

This is so not my usual blog entry! I'm from Long Island and I usually catch up on news from a daily Newsday e-mail. Wednesday I was very shocked and upset to see an article about a 59 y/o woman's murder. She was babysitting for her grandchildren when this monster sexually violated one grandchild and brutally murdered the grandmother. This happened in the town where I grew up and lived most of my life! That same evening, while calling a friend, I found out that the murdered grandmother was a friend of another friend. This fact brought this so much closer to home. It actually shook my world just a bit! Is there any real security in this world? Are we all so vulnerable that we have to constantly be on our guard even in our own homes and in the homes of our family? My sympathy goes out to her family and all her friends. I can't even start to imagine how they will all deal with their loss!
I pray that the children involved in this horrible event will find support in dealing with this. My prayers are with them all.

Good E-bay day!

2007-05-30T23:07:00.000-04:00

Whew! I couldn't get into this blog! Google wanted me to use their acct email instead of Yahoo email that I usually use. It gave me a couple of bad moments but I'm here!
E-bay sales went real well today. Only one thing didn't sell and it's the pin that I like the best! It wouldn't be too bad if I had to keep it. I reposted it and we'll see how it does this time.
Everything that's paid for is packaged up and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. It really is a good system.

The picture shows a wire wrapped pendant and earrings that I did at William Holland Lapidary Arts School last September.

I called work today and got my schedule for the first two weeks back in NY. I'll be working more this year (just for the six weeks that I'll be in NY) because it's big vacation time. I got some bad news about people I know but I can't go into that here. Dialysis is a strange field for a nurse. You get really close to the people that you take care of and it's really hard to let go. That's why I go back each year. I don't want to let go of all those long term relationships that I've made over the 18 years of working there. It will be good to see everyone come July!

I'm Really Excited!

2007-05-29T22:42:00.000-04:00

It's almost time for Jackie and Sean's wedding! Just a week and a half until that big day. The family is starting to gather here in Florida. Bill comes in with his family on Saturday night, Liz with her's on Wednesday. Nick and Nicholas are flying into Orlando on Friday and going directly to the hotel when Mary & Oliver pick them up at the airport! This will be the first time the whole family is together since 1999. My brother and my other niece, Danielle, will of course be there. The only sad thoughts will be how much our Mom and Dad would want to be there! They both loved Jackie so much. I'm sure they will be with us all in spirit!

Isn't it pretty?

2007-05-27T19:59:00.001-04:00

I forgot to post the picture! This is one of the items that I put up on e-bay today.

e-bay day!

2007-05-27T19:44:00.000-04:00

Today I met with a friend and had breakfast with her.
Some articles that I put up on Freecycle.com were picked up. That's a great site for getting rid of things when you're cleaning out your house. If it's something that's too big to ship or something that you just aren't interested in trying to sell and you just want to get rid of Freecycle is great!
A good deal of my time, today, was spent putting vintage jewelry up for sale on e-bay. If you're interested in vintage/antique jewelry (pins, cameos, bracelets and earrings) or just want to watch what I have for sale look up "Items for sale by seller gsmth390" on e-bay. It's fun to see what happens. Most of my items are only listed for three days. I don't want to have to be bothered shipping when Bill and his family are here.
No jewelry making today. I did complete the necklace that I'll wear to the wedding. I'll post that picture tomorrow!

A Good Class

2007-05-26T10:22:00.000-04:00

We had a good class yesterday. I taught the wire-wrapped doughnut. While teaching I was able to make one of my own. My granddaughter's birthstone is turquoise and she really love the stone so I made this pendant for her. It is wrapped with sterling silver wire. It is reversible and it is a little more conservative on the reverse side. My student made a totally different pendant! Hers was made with a dichroic glass doughnut with a large hole. She did hers in 14k gold-filled wire and it came out just beautiful!
Emma is coming here next week and I'm wondering whether or not to give it to her now or keep it for her December birthday. I'll see what she's wearing to the wedding. If it's something that will go with the piece I'll just have to give it to her now! I'm going to make a turquoise and silver chain to complement it.

Well I'm off to teach another class now. Today we're doing a peyote bracelet made with different sizes of seed beads. I'm teaching this at Susan Barette's shop, Beads and Baubles, in Fort Pierce, FL.
Tomorrow I'll post a picture of the finished product.

A Quiet Day

2007-05-24T22:05:00.002-04:00

Let me explain that the house across the street has been in the same condition since the hurricanes of 2004! It hasn't been pleasant looking across at the shredding blue roof blowing around the otherwise nicely kept neighborhood! No one lives there and I heard that the management is evicting whomever owns the house. Well today they finally started working on the house. Hooray! I was hoping they would tear it down cause that would give me a lake view from my front window but I think they will just fix it up and sell it.
I made this necklace today. It's made with shell and crocheted copper wire. I hand made the cones and the clasp. The bead crocheting is fun! I'm very happy I was able to teach myself. Now I'll be able to teach it in Beads and Baubles in Fort Pierce. I'll be writing the tutorial, soon, and then put it as a free tutorial on my web site.

Class taught

2007-05-24T00:30:00.000-04:00

Today was not bad. I taught a class today at Beads and Baubles in Fort Pierce. I always have a great time when I teach. The people that bead are so congenial. I taught the Byzantine weave bracelet. Dinner was with a friend at Norris' barbecue restaurant. Later was our HOA meeting and my second attempt at being secretary! I don't think I did too bad. It's fun and I'm meeting new people.
See more of my jewelry at:

www.new-bel.com

Experimenting is fun!

2007-05-22T09:21:00.001-04:00

Here's a technique that I taught myself this week. Wire crochet. I've been crocheting most of my life. I remember my cousin Jane and myself having competitions to see who could make the longest chain! That's all this is.....three strands of wire with stone and metal beads crocheted in to the wire. The end caps are made from twisted wire wound into the tornado shape. A hand made sterling silver clasp finishes it off.
It was fun to make! It feels good around the neck, too.
I'm teaching a class in Byzantine tomorrow. I love the look of Byzantine! I have to cut some rings for this today.
Friday I'm teaching the wire wrapped doughnut!
I'll take a trip to Sabastian to buy some wire for that class. I ordered some from Monsterslayer.com but I don't think it will get her in time for the class!

Car Day

2007-05-21T10:37:00.000-04:00

Today's the day that I get to put $500 into my car! Friday at 3:30pm my car, a white 3 y/o PT Cruiser started making noises and smoke came out from under the hood. I immediately ran to the Chrysler dealership in Vero and they were nice enough to look at it and deem it undrivable until an intense tune-up was done. I had to leave it over the weekend. The dealership loaned me a car for the weekend and now I'm waiting for the call to go and pick it up!
This came on the same day that I got a dental bill for $2000! A very expensive day! I'll have to sell a whole lot of my pretties to make up for this weekend!

Another of my lovelies

2007-05-20T18:29:00.001-04:00

Here's another of my little lovelies! You know that I'm doing this just to get out of cleaning and organizing my home!! I guess this will be it for today. Gotta get to work again. :(

2007-05-20T18:25:00.001-04:00

I'm crazy about making chainmaille jewelry! Here's an example of my work. This piece is done in bright aluminum with Swarovski crystal dangles. You can see more on my web site. I'll be posting new items here just for viewing.

Pack-rat therapy!

2007-05-20T18:08:00.000-04:00

I'm starting this on a day where I'm trying to organize my home! The shed is cleaned out (just about). It's difficult to break the habit of being a pack-rat! I had someone from Freecycle.com come and take the old clamshell shutters that have been cluttering up the shed for almost a year. I offered him the other stuff such as the curtain rods, hot plate, golf bag carrier, kitchen cabinet hardware but he wanted none of it. Too easy! Most of that is now on Freecycle and if no one wants them by the end of the week they will go in the trash! I hate throwing things out! Must be my upbringing. Waste not want not! Now I'll tackle the inside!