Eco-friendly Natural Cork

I made jewelry using re-cycled natural cork from wine. I love the way these pieces turned out.

Chalone Earrings

ARCHIPELAGO JEWELRY

I am not the only creative person in my family. My sister Liz also designs and makes jewelry. She was recently featured on the blog "A Bead Boutique".
Here is a picture of some of her jewelry and what A Bead Boutique had to say about Liz Junueau and Archipelago Jewelry:


Liz Juneau is one of our regular customers at A BEAD BOUTIQUE. She stopped by yesterday, and I always ask what she's working on. Liz is getting ready for a show this weekend. The pieces above are a small sample of some of her work.

The piece on the left is a print that she has framed and soldered. It is beautiful. The earrings in the bottom, center, are similar. They are great! Her work is very unique! The earrings in the top, right are made from beads she purchased at the RORY RAKU SHOW a few weeks ago. They are the small, raku do-nuts with leather knotting. The earrings are eye-catching. Liz always creates beautiful, one of a kind jewelry! Keep it up!

Featured-Husband & Wife Etsy Shops!!!!!!

I had the question in my head, Are David & I the only couple who each have a shop on ETSY? Well, I did find these two fun shops that belong to another husband & wife team.

Brandy has the ETSY shop:
RIYZEDESIGNZ
& her husband Dennis has:
ANDERSON SOAP CO.

Since I know Dennis would want me to do the gentleman thing and let his wife go first, I will do just that.

The first thing I couldn’t help but notice, being from Florida, was these gorgeous Emerald Ocean Earrings. These earrings are made with Emerald green and copper colored glass beads, gold plated sea stars and gold plated ear wires.
Earrings dangle 2 inches.
A fun pair to wear!

Also these lovely Blue Moon Earrings. These earrings are made with filigree copper antique looking findings and blue Lucite memory type beads.
Totally fun to Own
these earrings hang 1 3/4 inches

Brady is a member of PCAGOE-Polymer Clay Artist Guild of ETSY and has a wide selection of handmade polymer clay beads such as the following:
Animal Print Round Polymer Clay Beads & Starry Hibiscus Nights Polymer Clay Beads



At Anderson Soap Co. you can spoil yourself with all natural spa quality handmade soaps. As I look through this shop the soap looks good enough to eat and the names and combinations he has used makes just imagine lying back in a tub of hot water and just enjoying the aroma coming from the wonderful smelling soaps.

It was so hard to limit myself to just showing you three but finally I did.

1. Tango with Mango Soap Bars Mmmmmm......Mango do I really need to say more.
The scent of this bar is going to be a true hit!
Made with Shea Butter this bar will not only moisturize and leave your skin feeling wonderful. The Mango Scent leaves you thinking about the wonderful morning shower making you wish you could be home lathering up.
Bars weigh approx. 5oz.
Listing is for 1 tango with mango bar
each bar contains:
Distilled Water, Shea Butter, Vitamin E oil, Olive Oil, Sodium hydroxide, Essential Oil, Colorant gel.

2. Lime and Cucumber Melon Soap
Smells So Good!!! This soap lathers beautifully leaving your skin so silky smooth, fresh, juicy, clean and crisp and made with lime peels it’s a great gentle exfoliate.


3. Apricot & Lemongrass Massage Soap Bar
This soap is a exfoliating, stimulating and cooling treat poured in a mold so it massages while making you squeaky clean.

So come on in and take a peek at both of these fun shops, you won’t want to leave!!!

Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy

PCAGOE-FEATURED ARTIST
SOHOBEADS
Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy:


"Who inspires you?
My husband is my inspiration. He is always encouraging me. He brings me home presents (books, magazines, jewelry display cases) which will help with my jewelry business. He also carries my business cards with him and hands them out. How many men will do that? I am very lucky to have his support.
What inspires you?
Everything around me! I feel like I live in paradise. I live in Florida by the beach, so a lot of my inspiration comes from the beach, ocean, shells, wood, tropics, nature, etc.


Where do you create?
I have a room that was first a carport turned into a den and now my studio. I seem to have taken over the whole room, so will say it is my studio. I hope to one day have a real studio outside of my home.
How long have you been working with polymer clay?
I took two classes last year at Joann Fabrics, then did nothing. When I saw this group (PCAGOE) in April, I decided I wanted to join. I picked up my clay and started making things. I am pretty much a self taught artist. Polymer clay is so much fun to work with. The possibilities are endless."

SOHOBEADS NEWSLETTER

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Sign up for my monthly newsletter! You will receive exclusive discounts, promotions,and sales! Just send your name and e-mail address to sohobeads@hotmail.com.
Don't be missing out on all the DISCOUNTS!!!
There are even CONTEST where you can win FREE gifts!!!
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Ruby Lane Spotlight

SHOP SPOTLIGHT: SOHOBEADS GALLERY

How I got started? What inspires me?

All my life my family has been involved in crafts. I made ceramics in elementary school, and my grandmother taught me how to sew, quilt, embroidery, knit, crochet, and paint. I also minored in Art in college. My sister started designing and selling jewelry and it looked like lots of fun, but at the time, the two of us lived in Louisiana, and had many of the same friends. I did not want to compete with her so I decided to wait for a more opportune time, which came about when I moved to Florida. I sold a few pieces but making jewelry was more of a hobby than a means to make money. Mostly I was just collecting different types and styles of beads. My sister would tease me and say, "Are you just going to collect beads or are you going to make something?"

The reason I moved to Florida was I met a wonderful man and got married. Tragically, after being married for only a year, my husband died of a heart attack while out jogging. It was heart breaking for me, but I found I could escape from the reality of the situation by making jewelry. My jewelry became my life. I can forget about everything when I am making jewelry. And now, it has evolved into a passion and a business for me. I live, breath, and think jewelry.

I love the creativity involved in making jewelry and I don't make any two pieces alike. With some jewelry when you look at it you know who the artist is, but I don't believe I have a distinct signature style, as I am very versatile and I am always trying out new things. I feel with each new technique I try it changes the look of my jewelry. It is an on-going process that is constantly developing and changing into different looks.

I love fashion and I try to keep up with the latest styles and colors in the clothes I wear. Therefore, some of the pieces I make are inspired by current fashion styles, and those pieces are modern and trendy. Since I live in Florida the beach, shells, palm trees, sunsets, summer, and Florida colors inspire me, and the result is my newest collection, Bikini Beach Jewelry.

One of my latest passions is taking vintage pieces and reconstructing them. I take new pieces of jewelry and mix them with vintage pieces creating jewelry that is a really one-of-a-kind unique look. Most of my men's jewelry is created this way. These are also the pieces that I love to create a story to go along with them. With the vintage pieces I feel they have a past, and I wonder who wore this piece? What was their life like? I feel the fairytale stories I invent makes each piece just a little more special. The inspiration for the Big Catch Men's Charm Necklace came to me this way.

I also love working with polymer clay because it is so versatile and allows me to be very creative. My Aloha from Hawaii necklace was made using polymer clay. I also dabble in making lampwork beads and metal smithing. It seems like there is never enough time in the day for all the things I want to try and make with jewelry.

Carol Renfroe Loethen of Sohobeads Gallery

MIRROR MIRROR?

MIRROR MIRROR on the wall who is the fairest of them all? Well,of course,this necklace is the fairest thing of all! This stunning vintage necklace has lucky number seven brushed silver metal circle links that have mirror discs hanging inside and you can actually see yourself in them (making you the fairest of them all). Hangs from heavy duty silver metal 20" chain. Focal pendant which resembles a large daisy flower is 3"X3". Friends will ask where did you find this lovely necklace? Don't forget to mention me after you enjoy all the compliments! :)

All my pieces are one-of-a-kind handmade designer art jewelry.
Unique in its own way, just like you!
Look for this piece at my ETSY shop!

Treasury's I Am In!

EBTW Red White and Blue (Etsy Bead)
VAST- Visual artist Street Team
Smokeylady54- WOW I GOT ONE
July 4th is almost here

CURVED Earrings

SOUTHWEST STYLE! Hippy Chic! Get Ready! Throw on these earrings, jeans and some leather then jump on the back of that harley and head out on the open highway. Oh yeah, and watch out for those CURVES! :) These earrings are so lightweight you will never even know they are on.

Simulated turquoise chips,liquid silver tube seed beads,metallic blue tube seed beads and sterling silver spacers combine to make these curved earrings. Hang from sterling silver french ear wires. Plastic safety backs are included. 1 1/2" in length

All my pieces are one-of-a-kind handmade designer art jewelry.
Unique in its own way, just like you!

you can find these at my etsy shop!

For the sophisticated girlie girl! Elegant fusion of style and color. It crosses between classic & contempary, timely & timeless! This piece was designed with a woman in mind, I believe this piece captures that feeling and says you are feminine, delicate, but yet strong & sexy, all at the same time. We are feminine and delicate and love being that way but at the same time when we need to be can be very strong, and of course, always SEXY! You will love the compliments you will receive wearing this gorgeous bracelet. Found at either my

etsy

or

rubylane

shop!
Materials:
rare vintage faceted rectangle swarovski crystals,about 1/4" X 1/2" onyx rounds,
4mm black oxidized chain (purchased from another etsy artist thebeadyeye vintage style silver metal rope toggle clasp
Measures 7" in length
NOTE: The background picture was made by another etsy artist violettdrakt

Ann Clark LTD makes & sells cookie cutters. This is a darling little replica of her cookie cutter. It is a cut out hand with a heart in the center which is made out of pewter and stamped on back "1995 Ann Clark LTD, Mendon,Vt. The hand measures 1" X 1" and tiny garnets hang 1/2" longer from it. Oxidized silver metal chain can either be 16" or 18" in length and more garnets are at end of chain. Perfect gift to tell someone how you feel. Check out the matching earrings also.

Feng Shui Chinese GOOD LUCK Bracelet

GOOD LUCK! With Feng Shui prosperity is not only about financial wealth but also prosperity in all aspects of life-happiness,love,friendship,knowledge,family, & health.
Five brass vintage chains were used to make this bracelet. I hung a Chinese good luck coin at closure and added three tiny jade rounds also for good luck. You can never have too much good luck. Bring good luck with you wherever you go wearing this bracelet.
7' in length.

BLACK BUtterfly Necklace

SEXY! Black! Gothic! ButterflY!
Something Old( Vintage) Something New(Modern & Stylish)Creations!
Delicate! Simple! Vintage black & white butterfly with rhinestones, simulated pearl, and red & black faceted swarovski crystals dnagle from tiny sterling silver filigree chain which measures 16" in length. Charms add another 1 3/4" in length to necklace.
NOTE: The background picture was done by another etsy artist. Please check her work out at: violettdrakt.etsy.com

All my pieces are one-of-a-kind handmade designer art jewelry.
Unique in its own way, just like you!

Etsy

Etsy

Hillbilly BLACK GOLD Necklace

Sand Dollar + Black Oyster = Black Gold, which reminds me of the Beverly Hillbillies, thus the name. OK, I know, my mind works in mysterious ways but it is what makes me creative..:)
Featuring a vintage 24K gold-dipped geniune sand dollar, preserving it to last a lifetime. I paired it with a geniune black oyster shell I found while walking along the white sandy shores of Pensacola Beach in Florida. They hang from liquid gold seed beads 14" chain. Will look great with that summer sundress.

All my pieces are one-of-a-kind handmade designer art jewelry.
Unique in its own way, just like you!

First Treasury Ever!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=63


I finally got my first treasury list on ETSY..Take a look!!!

Featured Today 05/03/07

Oh my GOD! I can't believe it! I am featured today on Jewelsinwire World. AWESOME! Just makes my day! Thanks so much for the feature!
you can check it out here:
http://www.jewelsinwireworld.typepad.com/
Can also find link under favorite blogs on the right.

POLYMER CLAY - My new obession

I just became a member of PCAGOE Polymer Clay Artist Guild of Etsy.

I am so excited. I have made several polymer clay items and thought I would share them with you. You can find all of them at my etsy shop.