Jewelry Glam at the 2009 Oscars

The 2009 Academy Awards were held on 2/22/09 bringing out the best of Hollywood glam!

New Artfire Store

I haven't posted for awhile. I spend today creating a new Artfire store. I'm torn as to where to sell my vintage jewelry supplies. I've had a good year with Etsy and the exposure is great but the selling fees for Artfire are so good. Artfire seems to be growing. We'll see where it goes.

Bail Out Plan

I have lots of pieces that don't have holes or bails that I like to make into pendants such as these gorgeous vintage lucite hearts. Lets add a bail so it can be worn. My favorite is using the double leaf findings (available in jewelry supplies at most craft stores). I wrap the finding around a pencil first so that it fits up and over the heart. I glue the finding in place with just a dab (slightly less than a smidge) of E6000 glue. Make sure no glue squeezes out from under the bail.


Clamp the bail onto the pendant with these cool clamps from the dollar store until the glue dries:

What if you don't have the leaf bails? Just make a spiral with a piece of 28 gage wire:

Book Review-Polymer Clay and Mixed Media

My buddy Christi Friesen has a new book out and she has done it again! Christi shows us how to work art mediums like paper, paint, metal, glass, beads and fiber into our clay designs in terms everyone can understand and pictures that are easy to follow. She shows us how to make those adorable critters and plant life. I've got to make a clay phoenix or griffin soon! Can't wait to see Christi's Birds of a Feather book due out in April, 2009

Helpful Tip-Vaseline Loosens the Glues

We are well into the new year and the bitter cold of winter. Hope you are all getting creative to beat the winter blues. Here's a helpful hint to keep your glue tubes easy to open. You know how the glue gets under the cap and you can never get the cap off again? Wipe a bit of Vaseline around the neck of the tube and you will always be able to unscrew the cap on your E6000 (or any other glue tube or bottle).

Wishing everyone a happy and blingful new year!

Groovy 60's Findings

Take a look at the 60's findings in my etsy shop : vintage jewelry findings

Glamour in the 60's

Those who remember the 60's may recall their hippie days when thin was in a glam was out. My all time favorite girl group of the time was the Supremes. I LOVED their look with the big hair, feather boas and sequin evening gowns. As a musical group they had their ups and downs but they were the picture of glam.

My Weekend with Christi Friesen

I was blessed to take a weekend class in southern New Hampshire with the devine Christi in September, 2008. Darleen Bellan of Darbella Designs: http://www.darbelladesigns.com/ was our gracious hostess. Loved her rhinestone skull in the bathroom, LOL!! Darleen is an amazing clay artist in her own right.

I was a little overwhelmed being the newbie surrounded by so many talented artists but learned a lot and a pleasant time was had by all. Here in mid winter I have fond memories of that warm fall weekend.

Here is my own design in the style of Friesen! I have all of her books and her newest publication "Polymer Clay and Mixed Media" on order. All of Christi's books can be ordered from her site: http://www.cforiginals.net/

Book Review: Vintage Redux-Brenda Schweder

My reviews will be short. Lots of ideas for repurposing your old jewelry, step by step instructions and a gallery of artists work. Great pics and easy to follow instructions. Available on Amazon.com