Broken China Heart Pendants

When we lived in the west desert of Utah we loved to explore the different dirt roads for treasures. We came upon an abandoned dump from an old mine about 8 years ago, where there were remnants of broken china and depression glass, eek! We will never know if someone intentionally broke up the kitchenware but we found fragments of Jadeite and gorgeous depression glass bowls and such. I'm such a collector I gathered up bits and pieces of the most intriguing pieces to bring home and use in some creation or another. I initially planned on creating mosaics with the pieces, but never got around to it. Well today I pulled out some of the pieces and created some pendants for necklaces. The two hearts were easy as the broken pieces already had a somewhat heart shape to them. I'm itching to get them turned into a one of a kind jewelry creation so I'm off to the table to play with beads and chain.

An Amber Colored Autumn....

 Leaves have started to change their dressing..
Bright green fades to a golden blessing.

 A touch of amber is seen on some...
Or rust, like copper soon to become.

 Drifting slowly to the ground,
An amber blanket, all around.

They crunch and rustle in the breeze,
Gold leaves or amber, if you please.

Earrings can be found here and necklace can be found here.

Falling Leaves

 As I rounded the corner into Lostine, a tiny burg not far away from where our Oregon home is, I was met with a literal wall of golden leaves, shimmering in the sunlight. "Wow! I wish I had known about this before I came into town so I could stop and take a photo. I will on the way back to Utah Thursday, as it was so pretty! It reminded me of Autumn in Alaska, with the paper birch brilliant with a Midas touch of gold, against the deep green of spruce and the pastels of the cloud laced skies.

There is a strong breeze blowing here, and the leaves are turning gold on our tall willow. They are falling to the ground, covering the grass with a blanket of leaves, so I will have to rake before I mow tomorrow. The dried leaves are skittering across the pavement, as if they are running away. Ahhhhh, the joys of Autumn.

Sometimes you just have to make something for you....

I don't know about you, but sometimes it's hard to let everything you create go out the door for someone else. Sure, we all enjoy the joy and pleasure folks get from our creations, but sometimes don't you just want to keep something for yourself?
I decided to get ahead of that and just create a necklace and earrings set to go with a western shirt I have. Funny thing, the shirt is almost too big for me now, but hey, I can still wear it so why not? The colors are compatible with other items of clothing in my closet so its a win/win!  I wore this to watch the Chief Joseph Days parade, and got several compliments on the necklace which is a pay off wouldn't you say? Giggle!
It's time to put this set away though as we are going on a picnic out in the woods, and then on to fishing. Not the sort of thing you wear to the lake where the only company you have are folks in jeans and t-shirts or cattle or deer and a heron or flock of geese. I'm thinking I want a nice sweater to wear this with for Autumn time...what do you think?

Cowgirl Chic and Vintage Button Magic

 It's rodeo time in Joseph, Oregon, with Chief Joseph days right around the corner so all the local shops have cowboyed, or dolled up their windows with everything western. We kick off the big week with the wild bucking horse stampede on Tuesday, then Wednesday night the rodeos start. For all you closet rodeo queens, or styling cowgirls, I've created a chunky but chic faux turquoise and large pearl piece. Can't you see some cowboy's sweetheart dancing the night away at the Thunder Room with this lovely necklace around her neck?

 No ensemble is complete without earrings to match. Some lil darlin will dazzle all the men next week for sure!

 A match made in heaven was formed with these large vintage button and the flat shell beads. I've been trying to pull something together with the pearly brown and white beads, but couldn't quite do it until I got back to Oregon and found the vintage button stash I'd left here. The delicious dark chocolate brown pearls and sparkly crystal beads compliment the overall collection of beads and button. Copper chain was a perfect choice to finish this necklace with. I'm making one similar for me because I like how this design turned out. What color would you have used with this button?

 Another cowgirl chic piece, complete with ox brass beads, deep red crystal beads and Howlite turquoise beads.

 I so wish I had another button like this one to create with as there are so many possibilities for use, but here's a fun and funky version that was a conversation piece at the Westsider's dinner last night. The greens are really more of a teal, but are showing up as more of a true green on my screen. Pearl beads, vintage shell buttons, copper flowers and findings all came together to showcase this awesome button.

Earrings to match. This is for my own personal collection, but I just had to share. :-)

Wooohooo do you love?

Shrieeeeeeeek! I said as I perused the internet for black heart themed things to reference, so I will not go down that road because I love you. ;-) Instead I will try and entice you with a photo of this wickedly cool necklace that has "I LOve Halloween!" all over it. From the black ceramic heart to the heart shaped lobster claw clasp, complimented by a delightful owl charm and the orange, black and white theme, this one of a kind piece is the second in my I Love Halloween jewelry collection. It has a nice chunky chain, and at 24 inches long, this will be able to be worn with any ensemble, outfit, or clothes you might wear...;-0.
See more at Simply Sheryl's.

Clowns and Santas and Jewelry, Oh My!

Hmmm, we shall see if blogger cooperates here.....lol. I'm so torn right now, between jewelry making and finishing up some projects that have been waiting to be finalized. In order to make room in my studio, and you can somewhat see how crowded I am, I'm trying to be diligent. The problem, my days are broken up so much I'm stressing over not having a nice chunk of time to just go at the big stuff.

 Jewelry on the other hand, is faster to do, although I do spend a couple of hours on each piece, trying out different beads and combinations before I finally put one together. I really need to get a beading tray, as I think it will help speed things up.

Regardless, I can get things done on a daily basis instead of taking days to finish things. I think I just need to have an attitude adjustment, but I will say I love to see finished products. The jewelry is up for consideration on etsy at Simply Sheryl's.