Time Out .....

I am really very tired lately. I think there is so much going on in my creative head that I don't know where to start or stop as the case may be.

I started knitting again and have sold 6 of my 'Kids Lids' - they are really cute and fast to produce, then I got the idea to knit some cowls, as you can see on my last posting. These seem to be a hit with some of my co-workers. The great thing about knitting is the portability - I an sit in the living room with my wonderful understanding husband and work on a project, or 2. can't do that while making jewelry.

In the meantime, I have started to make my own ear wires. This is leading me to working with wire and if I don't set the apartment on fire while working with my mini torch, should be fun.

So, as you can see I am full of creative juices. I'm just going to have to reel myself in, take a deep breath and create one piece at a time.

Cowls .....

Playing around with designs for cowls - they are really fun to knit. I little warm to try on at the moment but still lots of fun.

Hello....

Things have been a little hectic.  Ron spent 2 nights in the hospital - he has a hard time taking his heart meds - doesn't like the way they make him feel.  As a result his ticker does some bad things!

I have been busy with work but have managed to make a few more pieces for my Etsy shop.  I am also working on a line of knitted hats and cut little hair clips, headbands & pony tail holders.  

I can't stand to sit & watch TV without doing something.  Since I can't sit & make jewelry, I decided it was time to get the old knitting needles out.

I will be taking some pictures tomorrow - watch for the next post.

The earrings above are my first attempt at fabricating my own earwires.  I need a few more tools before I'm ready to put them on Etsy - won't be long.

Time to call it a day - my bed is calling me.

Drama Queen ....

Aptly named - they are about 2" long and not for the wilting lily!  I used various pieces that litter my table top.

There are more - posting these and a couple of others to my Etsy shop, have a look.

I also have some works in progress, honestly I ran out of ear wires and can't finish them until my supplies arrive next week.  Oh well it happens to the best!

Good Morning.....

Trying to get my head around the fact that I am going back to work on Monday ... part of me is ready ... the other not so sure.  

It has nothing to do with how I feel health wise ... just enjoyed doing what I wanted when I wanted!

Didn't create as many new pieces as I thought I would but the ones I did make seem very good ... at least I think they are.

The picture above is a new favorite - 

The past few days I was focusing on my Etsy shop ... try, try, trying to drum up business ... one sale does not mean retiring!!!

Oh well, I will continue you never know what may happen!

Enjoy the weekend ....

A Few New Pieces.....

I have been home recuperating for 2 weeks.  It has certainly given me the time to create some new pieces that I have posted to my Etsy Shop.  

I am slowly getting very involved in the online shop family and loving it.  Now if only I can make a few sales.  It is really hard to decide how to promote myself - I have never really been that good at selling myself and my creations.  Yet I have no trouble selling - that is after all what I do for a living.  It should translate into one's own wares but somehow it is very different.

I will keep on trying.  Stop by my shop and have a look.

Junque Drawer Jools .....

I am starting feel better & better every day.  Spent a little time going through my baskets, drawers, plastic containers, desk top & all surfaces crowded with my supplies.

The result - a treasure trove of one of's.   This gave birth to my collection of 'Junque Jools'.  

With no rhyme or reason I began assembling bits of everything within reach -  there is much more to come - bracelets, earrings & who know what.

Enjoy - this is FUN....

Feeling Better .....

I am on the road to recovery ... I feel better than I could have imagined after surgery.  Minimally invasive surgery is the only way to go!  I had the surgery on Thursday afternoon, went home on Friday and today I am feeling good ..... a little sore but nothing in comparison to old fashion open surgery.  I have 4 little 'band-aid' type dressings & thankfully needed NO pain meds.

I have even worked a little & posted some earrings to my Etsy Shop this morning ... sure by tomorrow I will be at my desk creating all the images spinning around in my head.

Sea Glass.......

A friend lives on the beach in Connecticut.  On her daily walks with her best friend 'Georgia Brown' she collects this beautiful glass.   This is a small pile of pieces she gave me on a day in a particularly difficult week.  Between gallbladder attacks and needy customers it was most welcome.

I have been trying to come up with pendants using a method different from the usual soldering and drilling.  I will see how this inspiration works.

I will be home recuperating from surgery for 10 days.  Looking forward to feeling better and creating !

Keep watching for the outcome created from this little pile of goodies .......

Springtime Fun .......

Going through the containers of 'stuff' once again.  It is amazing what I find every time ....... it's like Christmas everyday.  

I'm trying to use some of the bits & pieces I have before I dig into the new supplies that just arrived.  Like all of us that are passionate about our craft, we continue to purchase more & more until we completely forget what we have.  It is really fun finding little treasures that you forgot about ... nothing stays lost forever.

Mom .....

My Mother was my role model my friend ........ I miss her every day!  Happy Mother's Day!

Isis .....

This was a fun accidental creation - while sitting at my desk working on another piece I looked at the pedant I created a few days before & tried to decide what I wanted to do with it - & there it was!  I been using these hoops for bangles, add to that some left over chain.  It soon became this statement piece.  I wore it yesterday with a plain black tee - it was a 'statement'.  

Today was a strange one to say the least.  I am getting prepared for gallbladder surgery next week and had to spend the morning at the doctors office for pre-op work ups.  I will be so glad when this is over.  Just waiting for another of those horrible attacks can be very stressful.

In the meantime I am trying to occupy my time coming up with some new ideas.  While I'm recuperating, I think I will drag out the canvas, paints and other bits to create a collage.  We shall see - I'll be off work for 10 days!

Just looking at this wonderful photo from our trip to Palm Desert makes me feel better - of course it is over 100 there right now so all-in-all I'm glad to be right where I am.

KB & She ......

These two necklace belong to very special ladies that I work with Sheila & Karen .... enjoy them ladies!

A Few of My Favorite Things .......

We have an incredible apartment on the 12th floor of our building .... full of the most amazing light.  Ron designed our cocktail table from an old Directional base & a very 'gutsy' glass top .... I love changing 'my favorite things' to highlight them.

Pendants in Progress .....

Playing around with pendants .... found a container with odds & ends .... beads to large to do much with.  Then I started layer them with bead caps, smaller Czech glass beads, crystal drops.  This is the beginning of a new collection!  I am having fun .... have no specific idea of how they will turn out ..... stay tuned.  I'll play around with these while recuperating

New In Silver .....

This necklace is very pretty -  the Czech glass drop is big & the red is so dark that unless the light hits it just right it appears black.  The bead cap is as big & gutsy.

I am working on some new ideas & as a result I haven't been producing.  I am going to make a few chunky pieces using vintage Lucite - great look for summer - bright & cheerful.

A little tired this weekend.  Anticipating feeling better soon -  a visit to the surgeon next week will start me moving in the right direction - not looking forward to surgery but really really looking forward to feeling better afterward.

Want to get this over before summer so we can take our long weekend vacations.

Charming .....

I'm so happy that this necklace, which has been a favorite of mine due to my love of all things with charms, is on it's way to a new home in Los Gatos, California.  

The most interesting part aside from the fact that it was my first sale on Etsy, it that Los Gatos has always been a favorite spot of mine.  It is one of those beautiful little Cali towns that just makes you feel good.

A hundred years ago it was the place to go for your vacation when you lived in San Francisco, my mother would go there when she was a baby with her mother & aunts - as an aside this is were she was bitten by a black widow spider when she was about 18 months old - needless to say it wasn't fatal!  All these memories from the sale of my necklace - thanks Natasha!

Circle of Life .....

The silver bracelet was a brain child while going through some 

bits & bobs' from projects gone by.  It amazing what you find when rummaging through containers.  

I love wearing several bracelets/bangles together -  I do the same with necklaces.  I decided to take a page out of my everyday life - the pear & chain necklace is a 'layer up' piece to wear with other, shorter necklaces.  Again, I am using up all those 'bits'.  Just made a pretty Rose Quartz with silver chain.

Under the Weather .......

Haven't been feeling so great and have a little trouble concentrating .... started making some brooches.  they are more like mini collages haveing lots of fun with them ... will post more as I finish them.  

The bracelet is a favorite ... great antique silver dragonfly with jade glass beads.  Just receved some Czec glass beads that are interesting ... going to do some necklaces with them.

The Blues ....

I found these blue ceramic beads in an Asian store in Soho.  I have never been a blue person but there is something about the blue & white goemetric design on these beads that really made me want them.  I used Antique Brass chain & findings.  The white MOP flat bead adds some interest - think these will look good with crisp summer white linen.

Frustrating Day ....

Have been unable to take pictures today - camera is just not acting right - of course it could be me.  Have started a little collection of brooches - miniature collages.  Really wanted to get some pictures to post here & add to my Etsy shop.  Oh well tomorrow is another day.

I Know ......

Cayce says it all - I'm feeling just a little 'funky' this weekend.  Spent yesterday morning getting a sonogram - maybe gallbladder!  YIKES!!  Oh well, it hasn't stopped my creative side.

I am working on some interesting brooches.  They should be kinda of fun to wear with my EF sweaters - a little irreverent but very Gaetan - stay tuned. 

Antique Silver Duo......

These are two new pieces that are the beginning of a collection in Antique Silver.  I am working on bracelets and some very cute earrings.  I also spent some time today designing packaging for the pieces on my Etsy Shop.  Will post a picture once I fine tune it.

Mixed Bag .....

Haven't had much time to photograph new pieces.  Spent the better part of the day at the doctor and worked till 8.  This weekend I plan to take the photos and re-organize my workshop/office.  Also working on a hang tag that will work for all my pieces - have an idea on the table (literally).

Springtime On 12 .....

Spring seems to be taking a very slow time arriving.  Yellow tulips give me hope of things to come.  These cheery blooms even on a dreary day, make everything seem just a little brighter.

Truckee Bound .....

I have started a new collection of silver plate and Antique Silver necklaces.  They are developing slowly - I do prefer to work in Antique Brass.  I find the brass much more interesting, but I feel it is important to add somethings in other finishes.  I am thinking about some vintage acrylic pieces and some of the funky pieces that I made a few years ago.  Have some interest in the 'steam punk' style.  It feeds my funkier side - like creating mini-collages to wear.  Who know this may lead to me finally getting the canvas out again!

Full Bloom ......

Finally finished this necklace.  It is a simple 22" Antique brass chain.  The turquoise bead reminded me of a Robin's egg and of course spring.  It sprouted from the mess on my work table. Wore this with a plain white tee and it looks terrific.  I always feel that turquoise and white just says 'Spring is here'.  View all the particulars on 'my EtsyShop'.