The Unveiling

I don't know how long I have owned this dress form. My friend Karen, from My Desert Cottage pointed out (in the nicest way possible),  that it's kind of hideous. :)

At first we were going to cover it with simple beige linen and maybe add to it some text or stamping. Then we decided to see what was underneath. Actually, we didn't know how we were going to cover it... what a bear!

The previous owner did go through great lengths to cover it with seam tape, cotton and hideous pink fabric with rickrack. 

She is so petite and cute underneath-the owner might not have been so tiny-I mean, look at that waist! It's so 50's.

 Sometimes, the best things are left alone and we certainly saved ourselves a lot of time. We sat around asking ourselves, "Now what do we work on?" We got the EASY button!!! How often does that happen? Thanks, my dear Karen.

Vintage Jewelry Re-Doux

 While I love to make jewelry out of gorgeous natural gemstones, I have a soft spot for the pieces made from jewelry pieces passed down to me from my mom or other family members. These pieces will  never make it to my boutique because they hold sentimental value and they are one of kind and can never be duplicated. 

The necklace in the above picture was made with a  pair of vintage daisy earrings from the 50's given to me by my mother. Connected to the daisy ensemble is a vintage pin and finally the drop at the bottom is an earring (not vintage, once broken and discarded)

The necklace below is one of my (many) favorites. The center piece was either a vintage earring or pin. I wired each bead by hand using sterling silver, crystal, and hematite. The drop at the bottom is comprised of a broken earring and a vintage Catholic religious medal given to me by a friend. I made it in the style of a rosary but shorter as I also wanted it to be its own piece.

 A little while ago I had a jewelry show at my house. I invited friends, family and coworkers.

 It was really fun to try and display all the jewelry in a creative way. Although I am still learning, I think I did a pretty good job!!!

 I borrowed a mannequin from my friend Karen from My Desert Cottage and it really helped to make the necklaces pop!

I am very grateful to have sold many pieces and will do it again for sure!!

The best part however, was just getting together with friends and playing dress up!!!

I was so involved in the party that I forgot to take photos of the guests trying on the jewelry and having fun! Oh well, next time!!!

I'm baaaack!!!

 I'm so sorry I have been away for so long!!! You know how it is....life just gets so busy and before you know it a year has gone by!!!  I wanted to share with you a taste of the wonderful earthy treasures I found at  this years Tucson Gem show.

 There were so many lovely stones, beads and gems to choose from!!!

I just loved all these greens!! The purple accents are wonderful too don't you think???

 This color palette reminds me of the ocean. I think it will make a gorgeous necklace or maybe some lovely bangles!

These chunky Quartz Crystals are so fabulous and I love the rough Aquamarine and the Pyrite!

 Greys and yellows are hot, hot, hot right now!!

 More gorgeous color!! I can't wait to find some time to sit down and create something with all these lovely stones.

And lastly, some beautiful cut Hematite. I could have easily spent another couple of days there shopping and spending sooo much more money, but I practiced great restraint!!!

Don't forget to pop over to my Boutique and check out the pieces that are already finished and ready to go to a new home!!!

See you soon!!!

xo,

Devon

If You Can't Handle People Staring...Don't Wear This

I'm serious! I wore this beauty with a purple slouchy top at a boutique party and saw the stares and overheard people gasping, "did you see her necklace?!", "OMG, it's gorgeous", etc.

It REALLY made my day. And I even wear this to work! As a trainer I'm working hands on with clients all day. Because the stones look raw people ask if they scratch me. No. And with the ribbon closure, I never feel it and can wear it as long or short as I like.

 These amethyst and citrine stones are my favorite find from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show last year. As most of my friends know this story, they bring it up every time I wear this piece. They say, "The ones where you had to fight off the lady". True. We were

eyeing the same strand and

There was one left. Trust me, she walked away only with a bruised ego. It was in my hand and she said she wanted it. Really?

 You can choose to have yours look like the one above for $65 or I will custom make it (please contact me for pricing). 

Snow In Sept?

Another heartfelt thank you for all the wonderful words left by fabulously creative bloggers and a huge thank you to my friend Karen Valentine for her hard work and dedication to putting it all together, and bringing US all together!
I hope to be more regular at posting blogs and new jewelry designs and I welcome comments!!

I asked my sweet cousin, Kelly, to model the necklace I made specifically for her. This was a few months back on our visit to Aspen. We found the most pristine snow with absolutely no one around and played with our husbands in the snow. It was the perfect setting for her Iceberg necklace. I made one for myself which I immediately named as my new favorite (happens with every new piece). Then she saw it and had to have one, so I had her help me design it. We took an old earring and attached it on the diagonal to the bottom and beaded through it and added a drop (which gets lost in her cleavage, but who cares!) I love it and love her. This was unfortunately the last of my raw glass chunks from the Tucson Gem Show. {Note to self: buy three strands of everything we like...one for me, one to keep, and one to design with!}

3rd Annual Blog Party!

Renew, Rebirth, Revive!

There is probably no other venue to make your comeback than at a party. Nothing like full exposure to hundreds of people! I feel like I have come out of my year-long cacoon. My last entry was at my good friend, Karen's, Blog Party 13 months ago. Since then, I found my dream job at a wellness clinic in Scottsdale and I moved back into my house after living with my mother for 7 months (see last year's post) during a remodel on our house. But the biggest change of all was my husband's safe return from Afghanistan on New Year's Eve night 2010 after spending a year in very remote and hazardous areas working with the Marines (Semper Fi all you military families). As my heart was being ripped out, I learned my brother, a Colonel, would also be there for 6 months!

I have never endured such emotional turmoil, depression, and despair for such a long period of time. My job, friends, and family and my faith kept me alive. I know there are many women in blogland and beyond that can relate so I won't go into any detail.

I want to give all my energy to my renewal; self-healing, marriage, family, friends, and my passions that satisfy both halves of my brain!

I went from a dining table to a 6 foot table in the corner of our office but I'm so grateful to have my own space! Not enough room to spread out yet, but we're creative, right?

I love the hanging organizer Karen gave me for my vintage jewels. Love those cigar boxes too!


My mother's old train case that I used to carry on trips. The antique binoculars I bought in Prague years ago and the funnest assortment of vintage jewelry from my husband's family.

Ahh, my dress form...sewing baskets and tote bags because I design jewelry with a friend each Sunday and schlep over all I can.
My inspiration board. Of course, one of my best friends and the most creative person I have ever met, Karen, HAS to be on this board (upper right) as well as the creative fairy necklace she made me! Then my sweet husband and I (upper left) and a simple love note, a few sketches of some necklaces, quotes, and our dog, Mischa, who shows me as much love as I shower on her and who has to be near me at all times. Our walks every morning help keep my sanity and allow me to create in my head.

Ok, speaking of...also known by her alter ego; Svetlana.
Some of my designs. Mostly new but the one on the right is repurposed from my mother's 1950's earrings, a vintage pin, and an earring for the drop. (my mother still names all of my pieces)


The necklace in the middle with the purple drops used to be an earring. Upper left are antique rosaries (Karen found these) and a lot of stuff that doesn't have a home.Jewelry awaiting a happy home. (They are all happy at my home but my husband says Picasso would never have been anything great if he kept all of his paintings for himself.) Hmmmm.I started using this picture holder to display more finished jewelry. E6000- you have made my life easier!My family-my strength. Some of my favorite pictures.


Rough amethyst and citrine, plus pearls from the Tucson Gem Show in February. Can't wait to work with these.


And...the other half of the room/brain. The final thing I love, is our flag, especially this one, as my husband raised it with the Marines on base in Afghanistan on our anniversary last year, 10-21-2010. Woah, that makes me all teary. Keep our soldiers in your hearts because we are in theirs.
(I had to put Karen's blog page on my monitor as she is responsible for this fabulous party- bringing so many people together for the sole purpose of sharing.)
Thank you for your time. It is so precious and you chose to spend some with me. I will do the same for you.
Now, go and enjoy some more!!!!!
xo devon