Metal Chik Rocks

Recently I discovered the Metal Chik site. They have engaging short videos on various aspects of jewelry making and design, and jewelry fashion, staring Victoria and Adam. Here's the latest video. This window will update weekly with the latest video.

The videos are very well done. I think episode one is my favorite so far. The nose piercing in episode five was pretty riveting though, all puns intended.

The ads are actually fun and enjoyable. Don't get up for popcorn! Too bad TV can't have ads like these.

Remembering 9/11-My Good Deed

There's a movement going on to turn 9/11 into a day of service in remembrance of those who died. This year over 250,000 people have posted their pledge to do a good deed today here:

http://mygooddeed.org/

I'll be making a donation at Women in Need, our local women's shelter organization.

I've been thinking about volunteering lately. In our busy, busy world it's too easy to get isolated from others. I want something my son can be involved in . I think he needs the experience of helping others. I want him to grow up with the idea that helping others is a good thing. I want him to be involved in his community. We've been giving some furniture and things to My Sister's Closet, which is the Women in Need Store, and he's been going through his things to add to that, but I'm thinking of doing more than that. I'm not sure what we are going to do yet. I just know that when we help our neighbors, even those who live far away, we help everyone.

crocheting with wire

I've just started crocheting with wire and have made a few bracelets and a necklace. Here are some of the bracelets:





The three bracelets on the right were crocheted with 24 gauge Artistic Wire and freshwater pearls or seed beads. I probably wouldn't want to crochet with anything heavier than 24 gauge. Lots of people use 28 gauge, but I wanted a studier bracelet.



I have collected several jewelry crochet books. Crocheted Wire Jewelry is one of my favorites. The instructions are clear and well-written. I like it that several of the projects are unusual and very creative. I especially liked the cube pendant and the earrings made with tiny stitches. Every time I look at the book I get ideas for my own designs. The hairpin lace designs are gorgeous.

Quadrangle

It's crunch time as I try to finish up a few more things and get all my gear ready for my first fall show. Naturally it's raining, so I won't be able to waterproof the canopy as I had planned.

This weekend I'll be at the Quadrangle in Texarkana, USA. For those who aren't aware, Texarkana is on the border literally between Texas and Arkansas. Even the show will straddle the border. Here are some wire bracelets that I've been working on:

My aunt and cousin, of Tejas Trade, will also be showing with their jewelry.

Lake Tenkiller

We visited with relatives over the Labor Day holiday at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. We had a really great time visiting, boating, and sightseeing. There were deer everywhere. Being on the lake in the hills reminded me of where I grew up. My son tried knee boarding and driving the boat for the first time. I wanted to get some more pictures but it is next to impossible to take pictures in a moving boat.

Bally Beads New Retail Jewelry Store

I love Bally Beads and spend a lot of time there selecting the gemstones, pearls, and other components that I'll use to make my jewelry. Everyone on staff is knowledgeable and friendly.

They've always been a wholesaler. Recently they have opened a high-end retail jewelry store. A few components are also sold in the retail section, such as these Russian pendants shown here. I've seen Russian pendants before, but these are of much higher quality than usual. The pendants feature hand painted reproductions of masterpieces of art work, including Picasso, Klimt, Mucha, DaVinci, and many, many others. The art work on the pendants is outstanding. Best of all, there is a discount for jewelry designers. They've been flying off the shelf.

They are featuring jewelry lines from designers like Rocki Gorman, Nina Nguyen, and their very own Nona Hudspeth. They have Australian Boulder Opal set in 14kt & 18 kt Gold, sterling pendants, and beads in Larimar gemstone.

Bally Beads is located in Rockwall, Texas, right in the Dallas area. Check it out. Plus, for all you jewelry designers, there is the wholesale portion of the store. They have lots of great beads plus a good selection of unusual and collectible African Trade Beads and fine gemstones. You can visit in store, on the web, or mail order.

More Bally Bead Photos

From top to bottom: the entrance to Bally Beads retail showroom, a second view of the entrance, and a second showroom.

First Day of High School

My 14-year-old son has started ninth grade and high school. It doesn't seem possible. Next, he'll be driving. Yikes! He's had a good start this week and seems to appreciate the extra freedom high school students get compared to middle school.