Sunday, March 30, 2008

Sandra's Bracelets


I made these 3 bracelets for Sandra Vantrease and her two daughters. Sandra is a STARS counselor at our school and helps me soooo much! Her mother recently passed away, and she asked me to make her family some jewelry from carnations from the funeral. She also asked me to make more for her sisters, and I am finishing them up. I hope you and your family enjoy them, Sandra!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Sick Baby = Fun Spring Break

I'm sorry it's been so long since I have posted anything. Ian has been sick for almost a week now and all I have done is rock him and clean up unpleasant body fluids! So much for any spring break plans! But my mother always tells me that your children make your plans for you. I will be finishing Sandra's jewelry ASAP and Karen's is on the way too. I'm sorry again for the delay everyone. During this difficult week, I have learned a few things though. I now have a greater appreciation for what my parents went through raising 3 girls. I also now know for a fact that this is Ian's world, and I'm just living in it!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Good Luck Em!

Stephanie Edens posted this pic, of my lil sis Emily, that she took of her on her website. I hope she doesn't mind me showing it! Steph is a great photographer, and I have her link on my list. Emily is a pageant girl, and is competing in one this weekend. Good luck!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Little Bailey's Bracelet

IThis is one of the most precious pieces that I have made so far, and I will explain why. I work with the very sweet Mrs. Elizabeth Redmon, and she asked me to make a bracelet for her 9 year old daughter Bailey. Elizabeth told me that after Bailey's grandfather's funeral, little Bailey was walking to the car and picked up one yellow rose from the funeral that was lying on the ground. Since then, she has kept this little rose in her "special box". Elizabeth gave her the option to have this rose made into special jewelry for her, and after much consideration Bailey decided she wanted me to make a bracelet for her from her rose. I felt the pressure on this one because I wanted it to be the best for her. Elizabeth wanted a more natural look to her beads and did not want me to paint them unless they lost their color completely. It is very hard to tell in this picture, but the rose beads still have a little bit of the yellow color to them so I only coated them with a clear sealant. I can paint them yellow later, if Elizabeth decides they are too dark. I hope that Bailey will keep this bracelet forever to remember her grandfather by. Thank you Elizabeth and Bailey!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Lisa's Bracelets, Take 2

Here is one of Lisa Craig's new & improved bracelets. Both bracelets are now painted a light pink and are coated with a sealant. This makes the rose beads shinier and more durable. Thanks for letting me experiment Lisa!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Lisa Craig's Bracelets



These are two bracelets that I made for a fellow teacher named Lisa Craig. One bracelet is for her and the other is for her sister. The rose beads are made from flowers from her father's funeral, so I am sure that Lisa's sister will appreciate Lisa getting one for her too. If you notice, the one on the left is a lighter shade of pink than the other. Lisa decided that she liked the lighter one best, so I am currently repainting the darker one. Also, we decided to experiment, so both bracelets were taken apart and I am coating the rose beads with a clear acrylic sealant. So far, the results are looking really good. I will be posting pics soon of the new and improved bracelets! Thank you Lisa!

Experimentation...

Sorry for the back-up on orders! I was finished with Lisa Craig's bracelets, and then we started discussing experimenting with the beads. I am going to take her bracelets apart and coat them with a thick, clear varnish and see how they look. I'll post pics soon! I also used a pale pink color for her beads. Also, I am working on some bracelets using rose beads painted lavender and yellow. I am excited about using these springy colors. I will also have some new beads in soon to combine with the flower beads. Stay tuned! Right now, I am cooking Sandra's flowers and Bailey's will be right behind hers.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The History of Rose Beads


The craft of making beads from flower petals has an interesting past. I read on a website that centuries ago, noblewomen made fragrant beads of petals plucked from castle rose gardens. They would string them together to make rosaries (from the Latin rosarium, meaning garland of roses or rose garden), the beads assisted the devout in saying their prayers. Many believed that the lovely perfume, released into the air as the beads were handled and worn, wafted to heaven and disposed God to listen kindly to all entreaties. (http://www.motherearthnews.com/) I am proud to continue a craft that has lasted the test of time.



Up Next...

Lisa Craig's bracelets will be up next. Sorry for the delay!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Snow Day

This is me and Ian in front of our house Saturday morning. It is such a waste to have snow on a Saturday, but we enjoyed it anyway! Notice my spring bunnies by the house that were demolished by the snow... I should have waited a little longer before I put them out!

Ian could not walk very well in the snow.... so he took a little fall! At least he had a soft landing.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Pat's Canvas

I just had to show this pic of the canvas that my talented sis, Brandie, made for my wonderful mother-in-law Pat's birthday. I'm not being sarcastic here, she really is a great mother-in-law! I love it, and I hope Pat does too! It says "Ganma's Lil Blossoms" and it has all of the grandkids names on the daisies. Brandie left two daisies blank for any extra children, but I told her that two more lil' blossoms was not going to happen!! Brandie sure makes gift giving easier. To check out more of her work, click on the Dream Custom Artwork link on my "links to check out list."

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Jackie's Bracelet

This bracelet was very special for me! A very sweet lady named Jackie Reed contacted me about making some jewelry for her daughter Leah's 16th birthday from flowers that her boyfriend had given her. How thoughtful of a mother is she?! While we were discussing this, she tells me that Leah's boyfriend is Ethan Grider. I was soooo excited when I heard this because I know Ethan and his family, and they are the best! I was raised in church with them and they are the sweetest Christian people. Ethan's mother, Sheila, is the most outgoing person in the world! She has a blog that I will include on my "links to check out" list. I hope Leah enjoys her bracelet and has a happy sweet 16! Also, Jackie mentioned that she had Leah a cake made by Mrs. Joy Tubb. Joy makes wonderful cakes, and I will add her website to my links list also so that you can check it out.


This is a little easter gift bag that I thought would be great to deliver my jewelry in during spring! They were just so cute, I couldn't pass them up!

Monday, March 3, 2008

A little something for me...

Here is a pic of my beautiful little family that I am blessed with... I'm a little proud!


This is a bouquet of beautiful buttercups that my little buttercup (Ian) picked for me. These are the first flowers he has ever given me, so I plan on making myself some jewelry from them!




This is a bracelet and set of earrings that I made for myself! I used flowers from my grandmother's birthday to make the pink beads. I combined them with silver beads and pearls, and I think they came out great! This happy pink color is great for spring.







Sunday, March 2, 2008

Mrs. Fay's Necklace & Earrings


Mrs. Fay Gilreath works at my school and she is the best! Her and Mrs. Samantha keep us running smoothly and that is no easy job! So, I was delighted when she asked me to make a necklace and earring set from some roses that she had. The black beads are the rose beads combined with silver beads and pearls. This combination seems to be a favorite with everyone! The earrings are sterling silver and have 2 silver beads and 1 black rose bead on them. I hope you enjoy them Mrs. Fay!
Also, I just made a necklace just like this one for my dear Grandmother, Mrs. Frances Hobbs. She is still in the hospital battling pneumonia but is getting stronger and should be home soon. I made her beads from flowers that she got for her 83rd birthday!

Lisa's Bracelets


My #1 supporter, Mrs. Lisa Cripps, asked me to make two bracelets for her using flowers from her recent birthday. This birthday was extra special, but I love Lisa soo much that I will not reveal how many candles were on her cake! (Let me just say that she looks 10 years younger than she actually is!) The silver and pearl bracelet is for her and the gold one is for her sweet mother, Mrs. Louise Frazier. I hope you enjoy them!