I Have Joined the 21st Century

I now have broadband. It's very exciting after being on dial-up forever. Things load instantly, but many of you know this already. So I'll get to business. First, my daughter's jewelry for homecoming, lovely victorian design featuring swarovski and vintage window beads in deep red.

Close up of the pendant to the left, pendant and earrings to the right. So pretty, as was my daughter at homecoming (If I do say so myself). The pendant is made from the design in a recent Step by step wire magazine. The necklace itself is my own design, alternating S links with links of orbital chain mail.

So what else is new? My next show is next weekend in Philadelphia at the Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Drive. Saturday November 1, 10-4 and Sunday November 2, 12-4. A very nice show featuring some wonderful artisans from Philly and the surrounding areas.

In December my work will be featured at Salon Fin in Lancaster at Frederick and Mary Streets. We are working on doing a First Friday event, but I have not received confirmation of this as of this time.

Lastly for today - don't forget to sign up to win a free bracelet on the October 3rd post. You only have a week to post. Winner will be announced November 7th, when the next contest will begin.

W Jewelry Online Shop Now Open

My friends at Addicted to Rubber Stamps now offer a forum for people to sell their handmade arts and crafts at little to no cost. I have listed my jewelry with them at www.wjewelry.shophandmade.com. Check out the store! You can browse the jewelry offered, some offered in multiple colors and pay conveniently with paypal. I tried to keep postage low but everything will be sent delivery confirmation and with insurance.

I have finished (nearly) my daughter's jewelry for homecoming and will have pictures tomorrow to post sometime next week. They grow up so fast. Just this week we ordered her school ring.

Don't forget to sign up on the October 3rd post to win one of my fabulous bracelets, not only are they pretty, but they conform to and feel so good on your wrist.

That's it for now. I'm off to post some more of my jewelry for sale!!

A quick update on what you may be seeing next season. I for one am always influenced by Hollywood, what I see in the shows and movies that I watch. I have been known to sketch crazily after seeing someone on a show wearing something that inspires me. Past inspirations include, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Videos on CMT, Bones (Bones always wears the coolest necklaces), and most recently the costumes of House of Flying Daggers.

Update on colors and syles from
Fire Mountain Style Report from the MAGIC Marketplace and Accessories: The Show
From the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Style Team

Overall Trends

Lack of Uniformity -- less structure in jewelry designs and clothing as a sense of free-spirit abounds. Flowing fabrics, less-fitted clothing styles, mismatched materials and layers and layers of jewelry.

Importance of a Cause -- the upcoming election, combined with increased global and social awareness, brings many different causes to the forefront. Whether it is clearly spelled out or not, most jewelry and clothing designs have a message behind them.

Hollywood Hype -- the power of celebrity endorsements is bigger than ever as Hollywood continues to set the style scene. The ''as seen on/in'' seems to be one of the most powerful advertising statements.

Alternative Materials -- with a shift away from precious metals, designers are using bright colors and an increased scale to create over-the-top looks in a more economical way.


White is emerging as a neutral color trend and is truly becoming a seasonless color, working well throughout the entire year. Crisp, clean shades of white are seen as chic, cool and classy.

Rich jewel tones such as Imperial Plum, Fandango, and Midnight Sapphire represent luxury and elegance.

Earth tones including Sandy Taupe, Lavender Grey, Champagne and Palomino create the less edgy mood of the season.

Muted pastels such as Fall Rose, Fire Fly and Maize offer a feminine-inspired softness.

To read the whole report in living color click below!

http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=893G&WT.fmg_linksection=5DSTEZAY9EK4&WT.mc_id=NL081014

Don't forget to enter the contest for October and win yourself a bracelet!

The Work at Home Woes

I spent the whole morning, well, almost, devoted to fixing my credit card processing program, AGAIN. Seems li'l ol me on dial up is just not feasible anymore. So, now I'm looking for high speed hook up, wireless or something. Headaches. On the jewelry front, this problem did not give me much time to work on anything new, but I am researching some ideas for my daughter's homecoming attire. She actually asked me this year to make her something. I will be hard at work on that the next two weeks and will post the results.
Thanks for checking in, and don't forget to enter for the blog candy!
This month, flylady is having us attack our paperwork. Check into flylady.net if clutter is overtaking your house, she has really helped me.
Dianne

Friday, October 3rd

Wow, so proud of myself. This is really working nicely. I've posted consistently for several weeks, progressed toward trying some different outlets for jewelry, and managed to make something new. I've even continued "flying" and getting my house and office and in effect or maybe as a consequence - my life is more organized and less anxiety ridden.


But that's not why you're tuning in today, you want to know who won the earrings. Well, 8 people signed up and I went to http://www.random.org/ to generate a number from 1-8 for the winner. The winner was number 1 - Terri Durden. So - Terri - you will be receiving the earrings posted for the September blog candy!!


Now on to October. What can you win in October? I offer up your pick of one of my cuff bracelets. These are stitched in two drop peyote and since the drawing will be on October 31, I thought the colors were appropriate. Your choice is between an "ALIEN" green bracelet embellished in green, teal and blue, and a lavender bracelet embellished in purple and topaz. All you have to do is leave an entry on this post with which bracelet you like and your e-mail address so I can let you know you've won. The bracelet will be sent to you if your number is picked and I will send you the bracelet you picked postage paid by me.



So here are your picks - which one do you choose?

Tonight you can find me at the DREAMS event featuring entertainment and fashion at The Bird's Nest 10 S. Prince Street from 6-9PM. It is First Friday downtown, there's lots going on and this event is going to feature music, fashion and a little bit of everything for everyone.

I am also participating in a group open house in Mount Joy on November 14th and 15th. Hostess is Pam Barto of Olde World Collectibles. She makes the most amazing soft sculpture Santas. As a former soft sculpture and doll artist (something I hope to pursue again some day) I can attest to her creative and fine stitchery. Each Santa is a work of art. Her address is 215 Birchland Ave and the Hours are Friday 11-7 and Saturday 10-5. Stop by, I plan to do some Christmas shopping there for sure. Fifteen of us are exhibiting at her house and everything is guaranteed hand made as she knows each and every one of us exhibiting.

As the holidays approach, if you've been putting off ordering some special piece of jewelry, order it now. Things get tight as the holidays approach as they do in all our lives and I'd hate for anyone to be disappointed. I welcome your custom orders, making something especially for that special outfit for all those events we have coming up, holiday parties, work functions, homecoming dances and even New Year's Eve.

So long for now, and will be in touch next week!!

New Booth Set up!!

Okay, got to try out my new booth set up today, and I think it looked really nice. Let me know opinions. And don't forget, only 3 more days to sign up for the monthly blog candy by making comments on this blog by September 30th!!

One of the new things in my booth are plexiglass shelves, held up by glass block. I bought 7 glass blocks, on sale at Home Depot for 2$ each, they were on clearance, weird shape but it worked for me. I bought a big piece of plexiglas, and they don't cut it. Tried to do it myself, but it didn't go well. Note to self - it's not as easy to cut plexiglas as the guy made it out to be. I took it to the local hardware store and they cut it. Note to self - buy it at home depot - it's cheaper, but pay them to cut it at the local hardware store.

Also, used little bowls with nifty electric tealight in it covered with rocks. Looked really cute. Also put tealights behind glass block, really really cute. All in all, had a lot of positive comments on the set up and great sales as well until it started pouring rain. Oh well.

In the center I have a picture frame to protect some of my more valuable items and really show them off. Special items I'm either really proud of or took a lot of time or made of precious metals.

I really like this set up, easier to set up, a cinch to break down (did I mention rain?) and I really think it showcases my work. Let me know if you have any comments, what things you like to see at shows, what kinds of booths attract you and so on. Thanks for looking!!

Friday, September 26

Tomorrow, I will be out, in the rain all day at Landis Woods in Neffsville. Landis Woods is a lovely little park off 501 and Landis Valley Road. Stop by and see me. And bring chai from Wawa. Lots and lots of hot chai. Dress warm, bring an umbrella and wear sturdy shoes. I'm guessing the ground will be soft. This is a great show, lots of fantastic art and it's a shame that the weather will be less than cooperative.

On a brighter note - - - TADA - - -Finished the previously mentioned fringe necklace which I have so named "Gift from the Sea." Gosh it's beautiful (if I do say so myself.) I love when I finish one of these. If you want to see it in its lovely entirety, please check out my new shop at http://www.wjewelry.shophandmade.com/. Purchase information is there as well.

I'm just testing the new shop, but the really nice thing, well lots of nice things, is that there's no listing fee, you can donate proceeds to the rain forest, and it's underwritten by http://www.addictedtorubberstamps.com/. One of my favorite rubber stamp sites. I've gotten some really great supplies from them as well.

I will still be updating my web site, and am investigating different options for photographing my work. Luckily I have some guidance from my sister the photographer, and I some background on my end as well. Here's a closeup of my new necklace, enjoy your weekend.

Friday Post

Well, it's Friday again. We have, as of this writing, 7 entries for the earrings. That's pretty good odds. I wish you all well and thanks for posting. Contest ends September 30th and anyone can enter up to then. I've added a couple of things to my blog, tweaking and changing it around. If I missed putting anything up that I had before, please let me know. It was kinda wonky trying to get it all back together.

Below you can see what I'm working on now - a new fringe necklace called "Gifts from the Sea." It's all done in blues and whites with pearls and Swarovski in blues and crystals for accents. I'm lovin' it. Really pretty. In this picture I have about 2/3 of one more row of embellishment to do and should finish it by next Saturday for the Landis Woods art show. Anyone wanting to see what a finished "branched fringe" necklace looks like can check my web site. This is the third one I've made and if you've never seen one in person, it's because once I finish one, it doesn't stay on the display too long - 1-2 shows and someone snaps them up.

Booth display photos - I am working on a new booth display and it is evolving, let me know what you think . . . which booth would you be most tempted to stop into?

Flylady update. I'm still cleaning out the house. Filled up the van last night for goodwill and we have another van load ready to go. Man, we have a lot of stuff we don't need! And that's just this week, less than 15 minutes a day. Other things I have done this week - cleaned the counter and sink in bathroom, cleaned out the kids and my sock drawers, washed the floor in the kitchen, washed the bottom and back of the toilet, cleaned the stove, and began cleaning out the "craft closet." The work is starting to show. It's so much easier having someone give me an assignment every day. This I can deal with. The house is still a mess, but it's better than it was before. And my favorite flylady saying - a chore done wrong still blesses your home. Wow, you mean it doesn't have to be perfect??? Ths kids are pitching in and learning how to keep things clean. My older one is fussing about it, truth be told, she's very neat - but has too much stuff and won't let go of any of it. My younger one is jumping right in, would rather give away stuff than have to put it away. Go figure.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Dianne

Friday News and Blog Candy

This is my first Friday update. The plan is that each Friday I will be updating my blog - barring weeks that I'm off Monday and have to work my other J.O.B. on Friday. Even then, I plan on at least planning the update into my day.

Heres the real news - Blog Candy is coming. What is blog candy you ask? Will it make me fat? Inquiring minds want to know!! Blog candy is a free giveaway on a blog. ON some blogs it may indeed be fattening, but on mine, the giveaway will be jewelry, and since my jewelry sometimes has sharp pointy bits, I don't recommend eating it. Now I know that many of my dedicated followers are not computer savvy, but here's your chance to find out what blogging is all about, get updates on W Jewelry Designs, and say Hi and let me know you are out there.

I will begin posting my blog candy today with these earrings pictured above. A fun, fall frolic-y kinda earring with vintage tulip, czech glass and pearl beads that swing from a sterling french hoop ear wire.

How do I get these earrings? Post a comment to my blog below this entry with your e-mail so I can contact you if you win. Tell me what you like on my blog, what you want to know more about, what colors you are looking for in jewelry, what you think of the fact that I own ferrets, cats and a rat, how you know me or what you had for breakfast. Or just say hi!! It's easy. On September 30th, I will take all the names and pick a winner using a randomizing program. So, e-mail all your friends and family and tell them about blog candy!! I am planning on offering a prize a month. Also, if you're local to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania locale, take a minute to e-mail me your home address and I'll put you on my mailing list to receive an invitation to my open house in November. Ths invitations are cute and give you a discount on your purchase during the open house.

Tomorrow, Saturday, I will be in Hummelstown at their annual Arts Festival 9:30 AM until 5 PM. This is a lovely show along the main street in Hummelstown. Can't find me at the festival? Call my cell 717-371-3726, I'll have it on all day and I'll guide you to me.

I'd also like to share a link that is helping to get my house clean.

www.flylady.net

I am not a BO (born organized) person. Those of you who have been to my house can attest to this, but this web site is helping me to de-clutter, clean and organize my house. I am only on day 4, taking baby steps toward this, but already I have a spotless sink - no really, it's spotless!! The kitchen counter on 3 ft either side is CLEAN and today I polished the stovetop and vacuumed the floor. I still have lots to go, but by taking these baby steps I think I can do this and finally have the home I've dreamed of, still leaving lots of time, more time even for my creative mind to play. Best of all, it's free. It's like instant blog candy for the soul!! I'm telling you, if you're like me - and I know I'm not the only creative - unorganized - house always needs to be cleaned - stressed out person - this web site will change your life, your home, your family!

Best to all of you,

Dianne

What's New

Okay folks. Time for me to get serious here. The jewelry thing has been a lot of fun, but now it's time for me to knuckle down, promote, create and overhaul. What this entails is more office time for me. I will be following up on alternative ways to promote my art over the next 6 months. Internet, salons, shows, exhibits, galleries - anyway I can get out there. This includes completely redoing my web site, pictures of new jewelry, and hopefully some fun stuff too. So watch this space. My goal is a weekly update of where I am, where I'm going and how I'm getting there.

September is my busiest month. Which I actually consider starting yesterday. I was at Roots in Lancaster for their annual craft show. It was very hot, sticky, humid but I had a great time as I got to see lots of my friends and customers that I hadn't seen in a long time.

On September 13th I'll be in Hummelstown at the Arts festival. Lovely show, really cool town if you can make it. Show hours are 9:30 AM till 5 PM.

On September 27th I'll be in Lancaster at the Landis Woods Outdoor Art Show in Neffsville. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM. This is one of my favorite shows to do each year. The park setting is fabulous and the art is amazing. This is a not to miss event.

I'll have a rest after that till November, but I will be busy making jewelry, seeking out venues and cleaning my studio. After all, the open house will happen in November and it's the one time a year you can guarantee the studio is clean. If you stop by any other time, well, you're on your own. I'm not a great housekeeper. Who has the time?

My best to all of you!!
Dianne

Queen Street Block Party

I will be exhibiting at the Queen Street Block Party in downtown Lancaster, PA on Sunday June 1st 11-5pm. The block party is on the 3oo block of North Queen Street. Not sure exactly where I will be on the block, but it was lots of fun last year despite a slight drizzle and I expect the weather will be much better this year. Stop by and say hi!

Elizabethtown Arts in the Park

Come see me tomorrow, May 10th in Elizabethtown Pennsylvania at their annual Arts in the Park celebration. Consistently this show has high caliber crafters and artists as well as cool stuff for the kids. Last year a local alpaca farmer was there with the alpacas as well as the cool wool sweaters and goods made from their fur. This was one of the highlights for me as i got some pretty cool pictures.

I have some great new jewelry designs, lots of viking knit bracelets in cool colors and some for you men as well. I know you guys are always asking me for jewelry so I made a couple of the bracelets with you in mind. I also have a lot of silver wrapped and forged work for you to oogle. Let me know what you think of the direction I'm taking with my work.

I'm in space number 18 so look for me!

The show runs from 9 AM to 5 PM in the park right in the middle of Elizabethtown, it's free and there will be food available for sale there. It's a lovely park with ample parking across the street.

Thanks so much for all your support.

Christ is Risen

Just wanted to wish all my family and Eastern Orthodox friends a happy Easter! Christ is Risen!

Frida Kahlo from the eyes of a Jewelry Artist, Physical Therapist and Rheumatoid

My thoughts after viewing the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum today:

Although Frida bared all in her paintings, one is left with the feeling that she would only allow you to see those parts of her she wishes you to see. There are parts of her kept hidden. She will bare her breasts but never let you see the wasting of her right leg and foot. She allows you to see her innermost secrets, struggles in her relationships, and physical pain but still reserves the deepest part of her. Her sexuality is put on display because that is not what makes her vulnerable. She paints herself crying, unibrowed and mustachioed, but that is not what makes her vulnerable. What makes her most vulnerable is that which is beyond her control. Never once is a visual image of her legs revealed. Always directing attention upward, her hair ornately braided and coiffed. Ears and neck adorned in jewelry. Hands dressed in rings on every finger. Breasts bared, nipples erect but our Frida only rarely depicted from the waist down, shrouded in layers of skirts, pants or a shroud of white. A limp out of view from prying eyes.

My answer to why she painted herself with such a prominent unibrow and mustache in some paintings has nothing to do with wanting to appear masculine. It is the simplest of feminine afflictions. It has to do with what all women see in the mirror each day. Our flaws magnified when we are sad, have pain or just feel run down. On good days we are Goddesses, on bad days, merely mortal and sometimes both in the same moment. Perhaps this is the real story of Frida’s work. Her subconscious view of herself on the day she painted, ugly or beautiful and an acceptance of herself. How what she saw in the mirror revealed her mood and level of self confidence on that day, and that day only. In all of us it waxes and wanes day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. And so, we find Frida. She is real and makes no apologies. Some days she overcomes the pain, some days she is "ugly" with it. Exaggerating her physical attributes as a barometer of her inner demons.

Frida in her paintings becomes every woman, not afraid to experiment, not afraid to reveal her feelings, not afraid to criticize, not afraid to try different things and new mediums. But she still keeps some things to herself.

More new jewelry and Class announcements

More new classes being offered through the Lancaster County Art Association for Summer!! Check them out at http://www.lcaaonline.org/. The new classes may not have been added yet, but they will be soon. Their webmaster, Ginny is really FAST! Well, besides the fact that I was the last teacher scheduled. Thank goodness I'd been thinking of this and planning for my next classes. I will be doing an extended workshop in the fall. I'm still mulling over ideas and getting my act together on that one.

Earrings Earrings Earrings Wednesday June 25 6-8 PM. Learn to make at least four different designs, learn crimping, working with silver and gold filled square wire, silver plated beading wire, and wire wrapped loops. All the techniques to make anything you want.

Pearl Bracelet with Vintage Button Closure Wednesday July 30 6-8 PM. Learn how to make a triple bracelet with a button closure. Learn crimping and stringing with beading wire. Simple design, elegant effect.

Two drop Peyote Cuff Saturday August 2 9-12. Learn the two drop peyote stitch and how to embellish after creating the cuff bracelet. Use a button or traditional clasp for the bracelet, your choice!!

New jewelry


I have just been in love with wire lately and was trying to design something inspired by the Frida Kahlo Exhibit in Philadelphia at the Art Museum that I will be attending this Friday. I am a big big big Frida groupie. Wierd, I know, check out her art though. It is so raw, so real, so inspiring in color and content for me. So, I needed new jewelry. Here are some earrings and a necklace I made. The earrings are so big that I really can't wear them with the necklace so I'm making new earrings that will be a little smaller so that I can wear them together.

My Babies

Okay, totally self indulgent here - I just wanted to share a couple of pictures of my new kitty Nyssa and my ferret Kyra. First Nyssa, she's a rescue from Castaway Critters, she couldn't have been more than 12 weeks when I got her, she was so tiny, but she's sure growing now. She's definitely a maine coon mix, more maine coon than mix I believe.

now, here's Kyra, our ferret who never stands still but managed to pose for me just this once. Thanks so much for indulging me.

More New Work

A fairly new collar to my collection that I have not yet posted. Bead embroidery on Lacy's stiff stuff,then backed on leather. Herringbone neck in varying bead sizes to give it that gentle curve, toggle beaded clasp.

Latest Work

Can't stop playing with wire lately. Learned Viking knit this weekend at Wire Fest in Phila. I'm addicted. NEED MORE WIRE!! Want MORE COLORS!! Should have stocked up at parawire. Will have to order off the internet now.

Web site updated

okey dokey folks - i have finally gotten the web site updated for 2008, not that things won't change but tis done for now.
Classes begin in April, the first Saturday of each month at the Lancaster County Art Association, April May and June. Check their web site for details - www.lcaaonline.org
So check in with www.capitalwjewelry.com for the new jewelry, and the new classes - and I hope to see you soon!

Classes coming soon

Stay tuned, information on upcoming beading classess coming soon!