Thursday, July 11, 2013

Where Bloggers Create 2013

Welcome to my little 'studio' in the corner of our home office/fitness equipment & craft storage room where many  Blumensnapdragon designs are created or finished. You wouldn't think I know where everything is as it's quite cramped, but I do! Like most of you, I can't design until my space is organized. I use antique milk glass pieces, candy bowls, silver trays, etc that have been handed down or found at garage sales.

Some of my favorite 'uniquities' are created with crochet hooks that I have had since I was a child. I still worry sometimes that they will be confiscated by TSA so I rarely take them in my carry on to work on projects.
Normally, I don't think of myself as having ADHD or ADD but when it comes to designing, I must. I cannot just design one piece. No. Sometimes. I will sit on the floor and start emptying jars of semi-precious stones or my vintage elements and if I don't like the exact combination I will start on another piece but still look to finish piece #1, but in turn start on #3 and so on. I think I bought a lot of blue at the 2013 Tucson Gem Show!
The red multistrand necklace above is vintage and I really like it as is, but I really want to dismantle it and create 3 things with it! (see previous story). The other necklace is one I just finished. I am loving these patina crosses from the Gem Show as well as these baroque fresh water pearls and pyrite chunks.
Definitely needs organizing! This is the leftover jumble after designing. But I see a few possibilities...I did the silver cuff with magnetic closure a few years ago and want to do the color scheme with something else. I use broken pieces of jewelry and vintage items passed down from relatives to create one of a kind fun jewelry.
I have found baby food jars to be the best container to hold everything. I do travel often to a friend's house to design and then I rethink schlepping numerous glass jars!
(Grateful to have my angels looking over me) 
I love these paper roses Karen Valentine  adorned my birthday present with one year. I glued magnets to several and you will see them on my vintage ceiling tile bulletin board.
The spice jars and caddy work well too.
Because you can never have too much inspiration!
Awwww. My inspiration and motivation. Pictures of my husband and I, our dog Mischa, good friends, slogans, words of wisdom, and things I am grateful for. Love the bumper sticker from a cafe in California; What Are You Grateful For?
Oh my gosh! There is also a backside to this...filled! I need to get this covered by our home insurance policy. That's how important it is to me.One side of beauties was gifted to me by my husband's aunt and the other by his mother and grandmother. It is so hard to use anything from this collection in my new designs. It will be a slow process, but I'm also not one to hoard things. I want them to be used, talked about, and enjoyed.
See my previous blog about "The Unveiling". The remaking (stripping) of my awesome dress form.
My mother's old train case. It went everywhere with her in her youth and I have even taken it on cruises just because I'm an old fashioned girl. It still travels, but just to display my finished pieces at jewelry shows.
Thank you for depositing some of your precious time here. Your comments are like gems to me. Thank you Karen Valentine for giving us the opportunity to open a virtual door into so many creative bloggers' worlds. xo

46 comments:

  1. Wonderful space - even if it is cramped - sure looks spacious and well-loved and used! Your designs are beautiful! Thank you for sharing.... And I love love love your inspiration. Take care.

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  2. I love your creative chaos and that you surround yourself with inspiration.

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  3. I too love the chaos and I'm sure I have something as I pretty much never work only on one piece at a time. But its a happy and fun mess and I like best that way... Sure I get my tidy up moments of and on, but messy about 98% of the time : )

    Love your turquoise necklaces you're working on.

    Great space!!!

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  4. Love your very pretty workspace!! I particularly liked the milk glass! I have a small collection of it myself, and I just love it!... always on the look-out for it!.. Love your mothers train case too!! Thanks for the lovely show and tell! ~tina

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  5. Hi Devon,

    I am a local, too, I live in Gilbert. You have a lovely studio space and your jewelry is gorgeous. Stop by my blog if you get a chance.

    Hugs,
    Meri

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  6. wow, lovely studio, nice to see all that jewelry!!!

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  7. lovely studio... gorgeous jewellry...

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  8. Hello my friend!! I'm so glad you joined us again this year! Your photos are fabulous!!! (Teehee)
    It's great to show everyone that they can make something wonderful out of just a tiny corner. :)
    Love ya!
    xo,
    Karen

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  9. Thank you for visiting my little studio space too and taking time to leave a comment. You have a lovely space and your jewellery is wonderful!!

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  10. Awesome little space...love it:):)

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  11. I love that both your space and your supplies have such deep meaning to you! Thank you for sharing your space with us all.

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  12. It looks like you've carved out a great space for yourself, Devon! I share mine with the hot water heater and other house mechanicals, but the rest of the space is all mine. : )

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  13. Devon, thank you for showing your gorgeous jewelry and work space! I love the concept name of your blog and can't wait to come back look at your creations. :-)

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  14. Love your corner of the world and the materials you use in your designs...Keep having fun...

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  15. A lovely space of your own, and pretty jewelry.

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  16. Beautiful new/ vintage jewelry pieces!

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  17. What a lovely place to create--I love all the ways you have come up with to store your tools, precious stones and other baubles. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  18. Devon-- your blog is beautiful-- I love the name!! Your gems and stones are SO beautiful-- it would be so wonderful to create beautiful jewelry with stones like yours. Your creations are stunning.

    You've taken a small space and turned it into a great place to create-- kudos to your organization skills-- I could take lessons from you!

    I love your Mother's training case-- that is a priceless treasure:)

    Thank you for visiting my little yarn room:) xoxo
    Vicki

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  19. Your jewelry is beautiful! And I LOVE that bumper sticker from CA ~ it's an amazing question!
    Thank you for sharing your space ~

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  20. Very nice space! Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs!

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  21. I do so love a good button and bead collection. You do wonderful things with them too. I love how you revealed your dress form, wonderful surprise under there. Keep smiling and creating thanks for sharing.

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  22. Your space is very lovely as are your creations! Thank you for sharing both with us!♥

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  23. How fun that you have a train case from your mother. I enjoyed visiting your creative space. your necklace is lovely. cheers from singapore.

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  24. I really enjoyed visiting your craft space...it's beautiful!!

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  25. You have a lovely collection of things in your room, especially the jewellery case and your dress form. I'm like you, I find myself lokking through fabric for a certain project, then come across something I'd not seen for a while and start musing on what to make with that!
    Thank you for the look around your room.
    Happy crafting (your jewellery looks lovely).

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  26. Oh you are so right, we have to be surrounded by our treasures to be inspired! Thank you for sharing your creative space.

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  27. Wow! I'm impressed by anyone who can create fabulous jewelry from odds and ends, discarded pieces of jewelry, etc. I love your inspiration board as well and had to pin it. Thanks for sharing your wonderful and inspirational space.

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  28. Thank you for the visit and your nice comment Devon! You speak my language great! :) I think your space looks very organised!

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  29. Love your jewelry! The zippered compartment organizer on a hanger? SO going to go buy one! I've seen them every time I go into Marshalls or TJMaxx. NEVER thought - craft supplies! (Duh) Thanks for the inspiration!

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  30. So wonderful that you could create a dedicated space out of your room, just for your beautiful craft! Your work is lovely, I adore the bulletin board! Thank you for sharing.

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  31. I love your creative organization! And your necklace designs are
    AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!!!!!! wow!

    ~ Violet

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  32. First I want to thank you for following my blog. Now, let's talk about you. Your work is amazing. I can see the Arizona influence in your pieces and I love, love, love it. You have taken western style and brought it up to modern times and still left that earthy feel some how. Genius :)
    Your newest blogging sister (grandma to you) Connie :)

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  33. Love your space and your designs are gorgeous. I love all your organization and unique storage ideas. I too enjoy using the lazy susans and the hanging jewelry bag is perfect for all your supplies and treasures. You are a true talent. Love seeing your creative space. So enjoyed my visit.
    Have a great week. Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  34. I admire you skills as a jeweler. Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing.

    big hugs
    cindy@stitches

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  35. Love your little space and how you work with all your jewelery and the way you store all those precious pieces with your paper roses and angels watching over you!
    That case that belonged to your mother is absolutely gorgeous and precious!
    Thanks for sharing it all with us!
    Suzy

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  36. Space doesn't have to be big to function does it. You have arranged everything beautifully, love your jewelry pieces, that is one thing I have not done much of but would like to. I agree, those old baby food jars are the best. Thank you for visiting me too and your kind comments. Keep on creating that beautiful jewelry! Blessings, Linda

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  37. Snapdragons are one of "her" very favorite flowers! "She" too likes to make them talk. I don't mind them, but they taste alot like all the other flowers, so typically, I just leave them alone. For that reason and.....well.......what if one of them decided to bite me?!?!? Oh the horror. And embarrassement! Can you hear the questions?! "Hey Romeo how'd you get that fat lip?"...."Oh I got bit by a ferocious snapdragon".... see my point?! Snapdragons, you girls go ahead and admire. Me, I think I'll head the catnip patch.

    Loved your studio especially that space there on the desk. It was the purrfect size for me to lay and admire all your work and treasures!!! You create beautiful jewelry and we really appreciate that you let us have a peak into your creative zone!

    Purrs,

    Romeo

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  38. Love all your treasures and your jewellery designs are beautiful. Lovely blog and creative space, thanks so much for sharing.
    ♥ Hεlεɳa ♥ мємσяу вσχ cяєαтισηѕ

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  39. Hello,
    What exquisite jewels and other beauties you have. I love your work and you must be a very busy lady. I love your work space.AND I love that word you used ...uniquities...LOL...I must use that word.
    Thank you ,
    Marie Antoinette

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  40. Ooh, all those turquoise beads...love them, and all of your jewelry. And your mom's train case! I always have at least 3 projects going on at once, so I can relate. Thanks for the tour and take care!

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  41. what a lovely tour of your creative space, I love surrounding myself with things that make me smile too, thanks for sharing
    Helen

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  42. Thanks so much for sharing!! Loved the tour of your space!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  43. Devon, I so enjoyed the tour of your studio. I think I would feel right at home there and would hardly get any work done though with all of the beauties around! :-) You have such great storage ideas - the baby food jars are much prettier than plastic tubs. I can see how they would become difficult to transport - but pretty nonetheless. Looks like you have a number of beautiful projects in the works. I like to spread my things out on the floor as well, and as I type, I have 3 bracelets going. I felt like I could really relate! So sweet that you still use your Mom's train case to travel and to display your jewelry - what a treasure! Thank you for sharing your beautiful studio!

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  44. Hi Devon!

    I love the vintage feel of your studio! It must be wonderful working with your fabulous collection of beads and gemstones. I would love to spend some time at your studio and watch you make lovely pieces of jewelry :)

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  45. I really enjoyed your space. Thanks for sharing

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  46. Great space, I enjoyed the tour, thanks for sharing!
    Hugs, Marilou

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