Jewelry Making Outside The Box: American Made Brass, Designer Finishes

Tea Time Chatelaine Brooch

I made this brooch in 1998......fell in love with it and kept it.

I know brooches aren't the hot ticket right now, but coming from a vintage background, where brooches are a big deal! I have ALWAYS been drawn to a cool brooch with stuff dangling, chatelaine style, from the bottom.

I wish I had all the cool ones I used to have. Here is a line sheet from my old gift line, that has some simple dangle styles that stemmed from my love of chatelaines and swag brooches from the Fifties:

From 1996! Yep, you can see I've been a sucker for a brooch with dangles for a really long time.

The golf bag brooch on this page had a chain swag, double-pin style, too.

So here is the back of the brooch, to show you how I made the tea time brooch:

Wow, this piece is 15 years old. The glue has a little patina in the photo and so do some of the metalized leaves....but it's in good shape.

I still love to wear it.

Posted at 05:16 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, It's My Life, Jewelry Making, Selling Your Work, Style and Color, Vintage Findings and Antique Jewelry | Permalink | Comments (3)

Art Deco Components and Transitional Art Deco Components--What's THAT?

According to Wikipedia, Art Deco is a 'stilted, stylized design', characterized by strong lines and geometric patterns. Named after the International Exposition of Modern and Industrial Arts, held in Paris in 1925, the style carried over from the Art Nouveau design period. It also had strong hinges on Native American (Indian) jewelry design as well as the Egyptian Revival craze which occurred after the opening of King Tut's tomb in 1922.

In Art Deco jewelry, colors tend to be very strong: white, black, red, orange, green, blue in their purest senses, often combined with metal. Colors are achieved by enamel, and the look can be extremely geometric---or it can be softened by previous Nouveau influences or later retro ones.

As with Victorian Revival jewelry, Art Deco jewelry had a revival in the 1950's as well. That's why in the collecting trade, you will sometimes hear the term "50's Deco."

The above photo of the beetle stamping has strong Egyptian influence (from the Egyptian Revival/King Tut tomb period) but it also has a softening, which suggests the original design for the stamping may have come from the late 20's-early 30's, but the die as we know it today in the US stampings trade probably became strong in the 1950's.

You can find this stamping at B'sue Boutiques here:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Art-Deco-Curious-Beetle-3936

Since the latest incarnation of the The Great Gatbsy hit the silver screen a week or so ago, there is more and more interest in Gatsby style jewelry. We as artists like to know WHAT really the Art Deco style WAS.....and how we might find components to use to incorporate into our designs.

Most of the stampings we carry at B'sue Boutiques are what I call 50's Deco....and I do that quite freely! This again is because most of the tooling was re-developed from earlier, antique dies from the first Deco period that began in the 20's. They are also transitional pieces with softened elements that will work well with Gatsby-style bling and Gatsby-era design lines.

The book, THE GREAT GATSBY, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was written in 1925, so the jewelry of that period is really what most might call 'flapper' jewelry---with influence both in Art Deco as well as Art Nouveau.

Here are some samples of transitional Deco components that would work for this style of jewelry:

This rather huge dragonfly---about four inches across--is definitely transitional deco and can be bent to make a bracelet. You would drill or hole punch the tips of the wings and just add a bit of chain and a clasp for a very nifty bangle. A chain could be attached through its tail to make a slave, or hand flower bracelet.

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Huge-Four-Inch-Dragonfly-5493

This piece actually leans toward Arts and Crafts Period Style....which actually transitioned, in some ways, into Art Deco!

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Stamping-Mothra-Brass-Ox-56-x-73mm-2278

This bee connector has an angular Deco influence:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Bee-Connector-Stamping-9726

Even our Steampunk wheel cogs have a pronounced Deco design:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Steampunk-25mm-Silverware-Silverplate-Cog-Wheel-11083

To see some wonderful Art Deco period pieces, you can check out Pinterest. Here is a link from a search I did that yielded some amazing photos:

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=art+deco+jewelry

In the movie, I saw a lot of color.....but a real tendency toward cream pearl and crystal rhinestone....so you may be able to incorporate repurposed focals to great effect.

And just as a thought....why not maybe mix the Deco feeling, or style....with something found and altered?

Here are some fab silverplated spoon pendants made by Mitzi Curi:

These pendants, while being current artistic design trend, would totally blend for a tongue in cheek Art Deco style pendant!

Posted at 12:29 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Style and Color, Vintage Findings and Antique Jewelry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fashion Quotes Worth Pondering

Elsa Schiaparelli was the rival of designer Coco Chanel, back in the beginning of the golden days of 20th century fashion design. Her signature color was Shocking Pink:

Her clothing designs were amazing, and now housed in museums:

This brooch is rare......it is the Circus Brooch. I always marvel at this photo when I see it.

Would love to have this book, THE LITTLE BOOK OF SCHIAPARELLI by

Emma Baxter-Wright.

Not only were her designs and fashion sense outrageous, she had something outrageous to say about design ITSELF.

Check out these quotes.....and ponder them:

"The way is open to everybody who has the will, the ambition, the respect for the work, and the IT."

And this little killer:

"The moment people stop copying you, you have ceased to be news."

Find more Schiaparelli eye candy at Pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=schiaparelli

Posted at 05:54 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Style and Color, Vintage Findings and Antique Jewelry | Permalink | Comments (1)

A Muse Box for B'sue.....from Caroline, All the Way from the Netherlands

This morning I found a curious little brown box in my mail box. It had traveled a very long way.....all the way to little East Palestine, Ohio, from the Netherlands.

It was sent as a surprise from a creative jewelry making friend. We often visit at the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook

Her name is Caroline Laurense, and she has gotten in on a number of our Muse Box Deals over the past weeks at the Group---I make special packages at deep discounts every Friday for the first ten who contact me after I announce them.

The note enclosed with her box, sent to me, says:

"You always give people a good time with your muse boxes....so I thought, why not give one to Brenda. I hope your like this Dutch Muse Box. I made it especially for you with some Dutch goodies. I hope you like the stroopwafels special cookies...Have fun!"

It wouldn't have mattered what was in it, Caroline just touched my heart. International shipping is expensive and we all have to watch our pennies. The stroopwafels were amazing, my husband and I had them with our coffee this morning before I left for the shop.

In the box were so many Delft-type beads and charms and even little wooden Dutch shoes! You can see it all in the photo above---except the cookies! They're gone!

AND....one more brass plaque, I think it was a piece of furniture hardware. I already made it into a bracelet:

I was having a hard day today, we got some upsetting news about the lack of progress by the township to run the sewer line past our house. Apparently the whole thing is on hold and is not going to progress for an indefinite amount of time. We are managing, but this news is just a *bit* devastating.

At the same time, I also know that things can turn around quickly. Sometimes they do, just at the time we you feel the worst about them.

Caroline, your darling package put a band-aid on my blistered little heart today. There are good people out there who care. Some live very far away.

This is proof that when you put a good vibe out there and show love and support, you will get it back, in mercy buckets.

Posted at 05:04 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Encouraging Your Artistic Journey, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Managing Your Arts and Crafts-Related Business, Mixed Media Technique, Style and Color, Using Social Media to Promote Your Art | Permalink | Comments (8)

Kitchen Sink Jewelry Making

Kitchen Sink Style is a unique form of assemblage that does not involve glue....but chain, wire, and lots! of jump rings. It is repurposing/mixed media at its best. One of its most unique interpreters is my friend Wendy Baker, of Bendy Who...you'll find her shop at Etsy.

While many of the pieces in Wendy's pieces appear to be repurposed, some are, some aren't. She paints some of her brass and assembles it to great effect. Many of the pieces made in the old 'flower power' style brooches we remember Mom and Gramma wearing in back in the 60's, are still made. Some are going up in value, so it's not always a good idea to tear them up. Some you can make from components that are still made, or are vintage.

Truth be told....most ALL of these components are still made, most of 'em, anyway.

With Kitchen Sink Style jewelry, you don't really need to tear up *anything* if you're repurposing. The materials are assembled and collaged to wire 'armatures', if you will...or chain....with more wire. So it's a very responsible way to repurpose materials and old jewelry.

There's really no right, no wrong with this art form. When folks ask me about doing it, I say go after the design until you are satisfied. Make sure it feels good when you wear it, and make sure that nothing is kinked up or uneven. (Assymetric is fine, but kinked up and uneven, isn't.) Think flow, color; be sure you have used substantial enough chain and clasp to support the piece.

I find it restful, rather like working a puzzle. It usually begins with a mess:

Oh yes! I guess we've all seen worse messes than this. But in my case, anyway, Kitchen Sink Jewelry is usually the result of cleaning up workspace. This mess above, came to be this:

Well, yeah, I did use a bit of glue to attach the Geisha Lady to the filigree background. The rest was stuff I made using embossing folders, wire, patina, stuff I had lying about.

This is a piece I did back in 2005 for Fabulous Jewelry from Found Items, published by Lark Books:

I was so thrilled to be part of that project, as it was the first book that really addressed free-form collage style, or found item jewelry, in depth. Since then, there have been many such books. This piece was called "Lost Earrings Bib". It's a bunch of single enameled earrings I got from a warehouse bulk lot buy of off-season jewelry, and then, some things from the B'sue Boutiques website. They were all pierced earrings, with long posts. That worked out well; I simply took my round-nose pliers and turned the posts into connections, and hooked them up. Ever do that?

My friend,Linzi Alford of Magpie in the Sky, also makes wonderful assemblage in the 'Kitchen Sink" style. This piece, called Time Traveler,was recently published in a beading magazine in the UK:

Wowzer! There are A LOT of cool components on Linzi's composition from B'sue Boutiques on that one. The rusty black propeller in the pendant is set in resin, with the propellers out, so they still spin.

Beanzie of TheVintageHeart, is famous for her trash and flash Kitchen Sink bracelets and necklaces:

Really there is nothing all that random about what Beanz does. She makes a 'collection' first. It may take her a year or two to gather JUST the right things for something she has in mind. It might be in a certain color family, or a type of antique/vintage component that she searches out, or even a theme. It also might be a series of charms that she herself hand-paints. She selects the chain she uses very carefully, and is very fussy about the type of jump rings she uses.

So while upon first glance her Kitchen Sink Style looks seem to be the contents of someone's old jewelry chest, they are really very well-thought-out.

At B'sue Boutiques, we carry everything you need to make excellent Kitchen Sink Style looks. You will find many flower findings here:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/brass_flower_petals_layer.shtml

You will find clustered flowers here:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/brass_roses.shtml

And LOTS of resin roses:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/resin_plastic_flowers.shtml

As well as vintage beads that are PERFECT! for the task:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/resin_plastic_flowers.shtml

I like to use vintage chain, new or old bookchain, and/or rolo (belcher) chain for these compositions. We have lots of chain at Bsue Boutiques

AND TONS of heart charms!

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/just_hearts.shtml

See what you've got in your stash....and get started with a brand-new look. Something old...something new....something borrowed....and hey, sure, blue if you want blue! Or altered. or Steampunk. Go Spring, Summer, Fall....Winter drama. Or completely handmade! Who says you can't do this with a fistful of gemstone beads and handmade ceramic? Or old glass? New charms, old charms. For sure, whatever you DON'T have to do the job....WE DO, at B'sue Boutiques

The website is chock-a-block full of IMAGINATION! Add *yours* to some cool new bits from our place, and the creative world belongs to YOU.

Posted at 04:08 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Jewelry Making, Mixed Media Technique, Selling Your Work, Style and Color | Permalink | Comments (1)

Heart Art

I DO love a heart-shaped piece of jewelry, heart-shaped components, heart charms....and I love them 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Here are some drool-worthy photos I'd like to share with you, from members of the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook

Colorized brass from B'sue Boutiques, made by artist Jennifer Jazwick-Smith of Hudathot Jewelry at Etsy.

Pretty drop necklace made by Shirley Wilson of Simply One Designs...and my shop pal who likes to come in and visit with us at the store several times a week!

Polymer clay hearts added to the mix....a distinctive design by Beanzie at TheVintageHeart at Etsy and Ruby Lane.

One of my fave hearts from the B'sue Boutiques website utilized beautifully by Jann Tague of Clever Designs.

I can never get enough of this fabulous charm bracelet made by Robin Delargy of LooLoo's Box at Etsy.

Very cool wire wrapped pendant with hearts by Donna Saladino-Irvine of Jewelry Junkie.

Amazing polymer clay pendants and lockets made by my friend, Laurel Steven of Laurel Steven at Etsy.

Sweet green patina brass....from Sam Hamp.

Raku heart made from a vintage style charm mold, from Harry Wood of Oscar Crow at Etsy.

From Mary Ann Flesch of Handcrafted Serenity at Etsy, made of wooden heart blank, bling tape, assorted images and elements. These are SO FUN!! to make.

This design made by Kimberlee Turner of Dr. Brassy's Steampunk at Etsy, always touches my heart.

Oven bake patina heart, wrapped with filigree, applied swan....made by me, B'sue.

Here is a video to tell you how to make this sort of patina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctp5xFW7XJM

Mixing patinas and media, French charms, chain and wire....mine, too.

Engraved heart pins in the shop.

Engraved charm bracelet....our charms, Vintaj patinas, and our hearts from B'sue Boutiques.

Wire wrapped skinny bangles....and heart charms.

Hearts and resin roses....and beady charms....and caged pearls. All from B'sue Boutiques

Is your heart in your art? Are you working hard to make it happen? Which road does your heart take, creatively speaking?

Come and join us at the Creative Group and take the journey along with over 800 fellow artists who *heart* jewelry making!

Posted at 06:16 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Jewelry Making, Mixed Media Technique, Style and Color | Permalink | Comments (4)

Sometimes It Pays to Play Hooky

Things here sometimes get pretty intense. There are so many things that have to be done to run this little company and stay on top of trend!

Yesterday as I passed by my workbench in the front of the shop, a lovely old vintage silverplated spoon seemed to call my name.

I paused, looked at it, picked it up, and began to bend it.

Before you knew it, I was heating it and beating it on the bench block. Sheesh, I wish I'd taken pix as I'd gone along....but I truly never thought I would get this far:

I sawed the top of the spoon off with my jeweler's saw (ugh I hate that thing but sometimes nothing else will do!) ....then heated some more, then bent the top around so that I could make a pendant from it. I drilled the bottom tip so I could hang another bauble....and glued a tiny cameo into some silverware-plated bezels I had, and applied it.

Okay...so now I got this far, I had this spiffy pendant.

Last week we got some bookchain, just a bit (don't get excited, it's not on the site yet, I have to get enough to share!) .....and it was a good match. I engraved a bunch of silverware lace edged hearts...and kept going.

This necklace is the result:

The hearts say, Remember Me, Always, Truly Yours, Forever. I engrave in script, freehand, with a Dremel engraver. In the center, it says Sentimental Me.

I did the little dangles with our new Spectra Beads and Beadsmith 20 ga. silverplated non tarnish wire.....

There is a video on how to wrap those, here:

Simple Wire Wrapped Bead Charms, Dangles (warning, this is one of those videos where we got goofy!....but the technique is well done,LOL)

Anyway, as I look across the office at the mannequin today, where the necklace is still displayed, I feel satisfied. Glad I played hooky. Sometimes the work has to wait!

If you'd like to try some of those charms and other components, hang out with us at the website: B'sue Boutiques

I love the stuff I sell, I use it. The general consensus is that I have a good eye for the good stuff....yeah, maybe after all these years, I do! And I'm always looking for more, to share with you.

I WILL have that bookchain ASAP. ;-)

Posted at 12:01 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Encouraging Your Artistic Journey, It's My Life, Mixed Media Technique, Selling Your Work, Vintage Findings and Antique Jewelry | Permalink | Comments (2)

My Heart's In My Art ....the Challenge for February!

Made by Donna Saladino-Irvine, these heart hoops are a perfect send-0ff for our February challenge, My Heart's In My Art.

Are you a member of the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook ? Consider this your personal invitation to join us and participate in the Challenge. Each month we will have a new one and I'm also planning some blog hops soon!

The challenge is simple and the parameters broad: It would seem the logical thing to do for the challenge is to use heart stampings, or make things in the shape of a heart.....and that would be fine.

But since this is not so much about heart shapes as what is IN your heart.....your challenge piece could go so many different ways! Perhaps yours will be a sentimental piece, featuring an image of a dear relative. Maybe it will simply be something made in *colors* that make you feel productive. If you make your own components, perhaps your piece will feature your favorites. This challenge is about YOU and what makes YOUR heart go pitty-pat.

At B'sue Boutiques Creative Group at Facebook you may work in any media whatever, and use whatever components you wish. Many use a combination of things found at B'sue Boutiques and things they already have; others are accomplished metalsmiths who use fine metals and gemstones....yet others love polymer clay or cast resin. It's your call. It is not a rule that you use goods from our website to be a member of the group, to post photos or be in the challenges.

Our group is about sharing, creativity, originality. Some share freely every technique they use, others cannot, but simply share photos and basics. It's up to each one. We do ask that members be encouraging to one another as we are all taking this journey together. People on similar paths need support from others who are of like mind.

If you participate in the challenge, you can start posting your photos to the FACEBOOK GROUP,now. Photos should be posted to the GROUP first, and you should write FEBRUARY CHALLENGE on your post, first. Then, take a minute to write something about the piece and why it demonstrates your art...in your heart.

We have an active pinterest board for the group as well as a challenge board:

B'sue Boutiques Creative Group Challenge Board

Items for the challenge should be pinned to this board. If you are not a Pinterest member or not interested in being one, you can simply ask someone in the group to please pin your photo when you upload it to the Group page. If you are on Pinterest and are not yet enabled for upload to our Group board, please first:

1. Follow me at Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bsueboutiques/

2. Private message me at Facebook (not here) to Brenda Sue Lansdowne and ask me to follow you. IMPORTANT: Give me the name you use at Pinterest, and that way I can enable you for the Group boards so you can pin your own photos.

3. You have until February 28th (2013) to show us whatcha got! and get it pinned to the Pinterest Group Challenge Board.

4. On March 1, 2013, I will annouce a winner. Our winner is randomly drawn from among all the entries. Winners are never talent or creativity-based, I cannot be that sort of judge and jury. My purpose is to encourage you and my blesssing, to watch you grow! So ONE gets a 25.00 gift certificate to B'sue Boutiques

EVERYONE who participates is a winner, because you get to expand your thinking process, draw from inside you, and produce a piece you might not have made before. Challenges can open new doors for artists. They are important to working out new ideas....as well as being inspired and better still, being an inspiration!

Here are a few pieces that over the years have been a part of my heart:

This is a polymer clay focal that I made and just haven't quite decided what to do with it yet.....nor do I want to sell it. It was something that was a new direction for me,far from perfect, but something I enjoyed making.

I've shared this piece before. I've never sold it, and I don't think I will. It was a reprise of a far more primitive piece I made back when I had my designer line of jewelry in the 1990's, and a perfect example of what Five and Dime Style jewelry is.

I encorporated many techniques in making it, including a backless resin bezel made from an earring, with an embedment.

This photo is what I use for my avatar at Facebook Business Page for B'sue Boutiques:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bsue-Boutiques/123052674404364?ref=ts&fref=ts

I took this photo about five years ago, nd what you see in it is very indicative of my heart-style as an artist. I love mixed media. I made the teapot pin with the dangles in 1998 and it is a signed piece that I still own and wear. The polymer clay necklace is also a fave that I often wear. I love the bracelet, it was the first one like it I ever made, and I never sold it.

This funky spiral wire bracelet is full of organic style polymer clay beads that I made when I first TRULY discovered the medium. They are wonky in nature, but that's what I personally like.

When I took my first day class with Linda and Opie O'Brien of Burnt Offerings, I took a box of jewelry I'd made over the years to show them. Linda fell in love with this bracelet and I gave it to her.

That day with them brought me back to the jewelry-making world. Though I had been in the business for years (in fact, 25 this month!) I had become very ill in 2005 and had an ordeal of several years where I felt unable to make much jewelry. I needed some encouragement, and that day was the beginning of a new 'era' for me. I also felt enabled to be able to go on, and teach the things I already knew as well as was picking up, about mixed media art.

Now we have over 80 videos to share:

http://www.youtube.com/user/bsueboutiques

I could go on and on showing you pictures, but I think I've said enough. Time for you to put on your thinking cap and see what you can come up with for the challenge....and time for me to see what new trick I can devise and try out!

Posted at 08:54 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Coupons and Contests, Encouraging Your Artistic Journey, Featuring Artists Whose Work I Admire, Jewelry Making, Mixed Media Technique, Polymer Clay, Resinology, Using Social Media to Promote Your Art | Permalink | Comments (2)

That New Charm Bracelet.....New Video Today!

All in a day's work.

These funky charm bracelets are built on the skinny silverware silverplated cuff blank from B'sue Boutiques

Find it here: http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Fine-Silver-Finished-Skinny-Cuff-Make-Layers-of-Bangles-10905

Today I made a video that shows YOU how to make them:

Charm Bracelets a New Way

I made ALL of these just this afternoon....with the beady-charmy technique, and wrapping the skinny cuffs.....then adding some charms from the B'sue Boutiques line.

This one would be PERFECT with denims. The engraved heart says "Sugar".

This one has pretty colors....reminded me of sweet pea flowers, so I wrote Sweet Pea on the heart.

This was the one I was working on in the video....Precious, and Darling are engraved on the hearts. I do that free hand with my Dremel...it's a couple of videos back if you want to have a look.

I put a big heart on this one and left it blank, that way if someone wants it engraved, I can do it. I intend to put these in my shop here in East Palestine.....

But if any of you are interested, just contact me through the website and let me know! We can work it out!

Meantime, all it takes is a little cuff, some good wire, some beads and charms....and just a little bit of time!

Posted at 08:36 PM in American Made Brass, Designer Finishes, Encouraging Your Artistic Journey, Jewelry Making, Style and Color | Permalink | Comments (2)

We Had Visitors at the Shop!

The doors are open at B'sue Boutiques brick and mortar store, and we are ready for your visits!

Because of the television spot a few weeks ago, we've been pleased to have some visitors come down to East Palestine from as far as Kinsman, which is about an hour from here. Many have come from Youngstown, and this last Monday, we had two delightful visitors from Akron, Cheryl and Judy.

Cheryl is an accomplished lampwork beader, and she brought me a gift of a little necklace she had made:

The lovely beads are her artwork!

We shared some of my "Death by Chocolate" coffee and had a great visit. The day before they came, I had laid out trays of stampings that had arrived in our last shipments:

I had some of these type-style trays from Tim Holtz that worked out perfectly....and I was amazed, Cheryl and her friend Judy were quite entertained picking through them as well as the spinner I have been loading with jewelry-findings treats:

It looks much different now, it's fully loaded with our new packaging, and out in front of the store. There's a ton of stuff on it, too!

I guess folks have spoken....they are expecting this to be a bead shop when they come. Many arrive and ask for a particular part they saw on the website, or to ask if we might have something to do this....and that. I'm enjoying it!

I repurposed one of my little earring racks into a rack for some firepolish beads this week, too!

It will have to do for now. I have my OWN stash of beads on my pegboard behind the workbench:

And of course,stashed in ever so many mason jars! I wonder what I will ever do with those huge turquoise beads, on the wall. I have many more, I could probably fill that wall. I bet many of you could, too. Buying beads is addictive!

When you come to B'sue Boutiques brick and mortar store, we always have a bowl of chocolate waiting for you:

And I've been known to put on that coffee pot, too!

Tuesday night, we had our first 'jewelry party' in the shop. Jane Strohecker and her Traveling Divas club visited us to talk about collecting jewelry. We really had a wonderful time, and Jane brought some YUMMY cookies. Of course, I countered with more of that Death by Chocolate coffee....which I get from the Chicago Coffee Roastery

I also demonstrated how I wrap a narrow cuff band with wire, and how I make little beady pendants with Spectra beads and wire:

You will find the cuff at B'sue Boutiques right here:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Fine-Silver-Finished-Skinny-Cuff-Make-Layers-of-Bangles-10905

and the Spectra Beads are just on the website today:

http://www.bsueboutiques.com/item/Spectra-BeadsColorful-Glass-Beads-to-Make-Your-Designs-Pop-10907

In the months ahead, I have some private classes booked as well as a two-day visitor. I can't wait to try the new Ice Resin Enamels....so maybe my two day visitor will have a good time working with patinas and cold enamels when she comes.

Are you ready to take a road trip? I'm not far from Pittsburgh, Akron, East Liverpool, Salem, Canton, or even Cleveland! There is a great hotel just down the road that serves a scrumptious breakfast and puts you up in comfy Victorian rooms!

Don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to vist....just get in touch through the B'sue Boutiques website.

We'll put you on the calendar! You can just pop in to visit, have a cuppa joe, and talk jewelry....or you can come for a class. I am taking private students and small groups of up to three at this time. Hopefully soon we will start having Bead Table one night a month. Would you like to come for that?

Or contact me at Facebook, just message me at the B'sue Boutiques Business Page At Facebook