July 31, 2009

Our friends from Made In Ojai on TV!

Check out this news story that features some shops from our little town, including Made In Ojai's Roberta Raye, who is even wearing a necklace I made! Thanks Roberta!




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A fun surprise!



Last night I was with my mom at Barnes and Noble and was pleasantly surprised! Sharon's beautiful "Always Faithful" necklace was published in the July Bead Trends Magazine. Her design used a lotus pendant and several other bead's! It is a really lovely design! Check out Sharon's Blog to see more of her lovely designs!
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July 30, 2009

Flutterby.





They are not coming out like they are in my head. I should just get over it and enjoy what has come out. Maybe the third time is a charm. That is my motto after all...
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July 29, 2009

Everything happens for a reason...




I would like to think that, even though I really liked the way this "dreamer" heart turned out, that even though I dropped it, smashing one side flat, this was for a reason. Nothing happens accidentally. Will the new version be better? Will a better idea pop into my head? Serendipity! Stay tuned!
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July 27, 2009

Thank you! And a winner...

Thank you everyone for commenting! Here is the number that was plucked for last weeks givaway...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2
Timestamp: 2009-07-27 16:21:46 UTC

Mary Harding!
Congrats! Send me your address and I'll get your goodie out to you!
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Have an "Egg"celent Monday!



Get it! "Egg"celent! I know. Very punny.

I should have my firing completed by Monday and with it a few newish items. This is a frame pendant in a smaller size that is already available. I love the symbolism of an egg. New life. Continued life. Breakfast.

How was your weekend?
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July 26, 2009

More Love.

Just. More. Love...



Happy Sunday!
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July 24, 2009

What's working for you?



This economy has forced many of us to rethink our business plans in small and large ways. I've trimmed the so called "fat" as much as I can and am constantly looking for unique and interesting ways to draw eyes and hopefully a little business to my little company. Some things work pretty well, like paid advertising, and others not so well like, mail out post cards and print catalogs. Even little things like how a photo looks or the color and size of a font for an ad can get more of my design attention than they would in better times. I actually enjoy looking at all the possibilities. It gives me a chance to be creative in a different way. I've been feeling like people need to see jewelry on a person to know the scale and hang it. As I work from my home studio and have my children with me, we be have become the store models. I will be dragging my friends and family into the photo shoots from time to time, but I wonder, before making a big effort on it... Does seeing jewelry on a person help with the visual for you? I personally like it, but wondered what other opinions there are out there. What is helping you make it through these tough times?Let us know and I'll pull a name Monday to send a beady gift!



Happy Friday all!
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July 22, 2009

If you are ever in my neck of the woods....



My neck of the woods is Ojai, California. We grow oranges. We grow avocados. We grow.... artists. Ojai is known as an artist community and about a year ago, a local artist got the gumption to open a shop that showcases local artists. Great idea! Made In Ojai was born! The shop has recently gone through some changes and is now an artist co-op. Each artist pays rent, designs their space, works a shift and is involved! It's amazing what a small group of people can accomplish! With the changes came a new name... so we are now Ojai Artisans and Mercantile! There are some talented folks with amazing work.... So, If you are ever in my neck of the woods....
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July 21, 2009

We are all winners!





According to the random integer generator....

Here are your random numbers:

2
4
Timestamp: 2009-07-21 14:05:41 UTC

#2 is jdavies_reazor
#4 is thecolorofdreams

Congratulations!

These numbers correspond to the number in which the images were uploaded! But I do appreciate when people play along.... So if everyone who entered a photo by midnight Monday, July 20th would send their addresses to me (gaea (at) gaea (dot) cc) I will send everyone a little goodie! Winners will receive their pendants plus a gift!

Thanks for all who played along!
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July 20, 2009

Still Time! Harry Potter Jewelry Contest!


I'm enjoying seeing the Harry Potter inspired jewelry on Flickr! You have until midnight tonight to enter and 2 winners will be picked Tuesday!

Send photos of your designs to this flickr group by Monday, July 20th 2009 and two winners will be chosen at random!
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Pure Heart Necklace







It feels so decadent to have that many crackle beads all tinted and put together on one necklace. The heart had been bouncing around the studio from one project to another, never quite fitting in. I think they feel quite cozy together now.

The Harry Potter movie is AWESOME! We are going back next weekend! Even though the writer's can't cram every bit of the novel into one film, they did an excellent job of making it work!
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July 19, 2009

Hoarding!

I've had it in my head that a necklace with all the same beads would be beautiful, but I never take the time to make a whole batch in the same color just for myself. It's easier to play with the left overs from orders than devote space an time to a specific plan. But it finally came together! These have been sitting patiently, waiting to be put together....



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July 18, 2009

Sugar Skull Necklaces....

Some new necklaces added to etsy...







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July 17, 2009

A few reminders...

Have you seen it yet? I have to wait until Sunday!?@#$ I'm hearing some great things though! Play along and win a prize...
Make some jewelry with a Harry Potter theme!

The Prize:





A magical "Lady Bug Queen Heart" or a "Lotus" pendant in hand painted colors!

Send photos of your designs or view other designs here flickr group by Monday, July 20th 2009 and two winners will be chosen at random!

Join in the fun!


And just a reminder to take advantage....



Free shipping from www.gaea.cc from now until Saturday, July 18th! Free gift for returning customers too! Even wholesale orders!!!
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July 16, 2009

New friend....

Meet Wubbie! Actually her name is A.C. but her name has gone through a few changes since she came into our lives. There have been a few more names since we found her.... K.C. (trying to keep a similar sound as not to confuse.) Voodoo, Licorice, and Calder thought Toby was good. Fluffy, Spot (yes, she has one white spot on her chest) and Chloe were offered up and other names. Robert found this sweet girl roaming the parking lot of our local coffee shop. People were actually honking at her to move! Hello, she's a dog?! I'll never understand that. Robert called to her and she jumped into the car! So off to work they went. She would go crazy if he left the office, barking and pacing and trying to get to him. I figured she had to have a family, clean coat, soft pads on her feet, well fed. I called our humane society and left her info and quickly got a call from the owners sister saying that "A.C.'s" family was out of town and she had escaped! Yikes! Poor thing! Apparently the sister had other dogs that didn't get along, but our little family was have a great play date with A.C. We offered to vacation with her until her family got back in a few days. When A.C.'s family returned it became clear that this was not the first escape she'd made. Yes, we thought of naming her Escape (pronounced esss-kah-pay like in Finding Nemo!) A.C.'s owner was afraid she would escape again (by opening the front door by the way). Robert was so in love with this black lab, that he offered for her to say permanently! So, here she is, the sweetest girl.... Juju!

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July 15, 2009

Free Shipping! Happy Summer!



Free shipping from www.gaea.cc from now until Saturday, July 18th! Free gift for returning customers too! Even wholesale orders!!!
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CHEATER!

I know! It seems like a bit of a cheat! I got an email requesting the diablo bead for a photo and I'll be darned, I couldn't find it! There aren't any made besides that one, which I can't find (I think I sent it out as a gift!?!?) and I can't justify running my giant kiln for one bead. So, I dug into my supplies and came out with some very dusty polymer clay. How different polymer is from porcelain! I'd forgotten! I pressed and molded and sculpted and pulled! I baked it in the oven and I'm rather liking how he turned out! I broke out the acrylic paints and here he is....



Not too bad! I was expecting worse! It's at least passable!

This is the original ceramic bead...



Little devil!
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July 14, 2009

I Heart Jewelry Designers! Fantastic Metals and Gems!

There are quite a few jewelry designers that I admire! Everything else goes out the window when I find jewelry made with metal and semi-precious stones!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jes MaHarry! She actually lives about a stones throw from where I sit now and her work is inspirational! She's been in the Sundance Catalog for ages as Aunt Cookie will attest! Can you imagine that ring?!?!



If you've not noticed Beth Hemmila of Hint Jewelry then you must stop what you are doing and go and look!



I've mentioned Caitriona Meek and her amazing work but here are a few more to drool over! Check out her new website!



Enjoy the metal!
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July 13, 2009

Homage...



I will start the ball rolling with this design! I would have loved this owl to be white and I may make a white owl polymer bead and switch it out as I've already dropped this one and broke the poor owl! Doh! Please feel free to upload your photos at the http://www.flickr.com/groups/1120138@N25/ flickr group!
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July 12, 2009

A challenge to all jewelry making Harry Potter fans!!!

Don't get "Stupefied"! Break out your magic wand er, pliers and create something in honor of the newest Harry Potter movie! If you get jumbled up just use the "deletrius" spell and all will be put right!

Create any jewelry (earrings, bracelet, necklace, pin, etc....) that has a Harry Potter theme!

The Prize:





A magical "Lady Bug Queen Heart" or a "Lotus" pendant in hand painted colors!

Send photos of your designs to this flickr group by Monday, July 20th 2009 and two winners will be chosen at random!

Let your pliers be your magic wand!
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July 11, 2009

Finished Mermaid Necklace



I hope Linda will love her new necklace!
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July 10, 2009

Mermaid Necklace....


Here is the mermaid necklace in progress. I'm loving the creams and blues! I think brass wire would have been awesome but I didn't have any in the right gauge. Sterling would have been beautiful but was out of the budget. I think when the copper ages and gets a natural patina it will be really beachy looking!
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July 8, 2009

Cracklin' good time!

My friend Linda requested a mermaid necklace as a gift for her daughter a while back and has asked for one to be made as a gift for herself. She requested blues and creams and whites and I'm taking the opportunity to add in a few crackled beads that have a tint to them. I'm hoping the finished necklace will look like the ocean surf. Linda is a minister and will be wearing her necklace to perform the marriage ceremony at a hawaiian theme wedding! Here are some of the beads with the crackle that have been tinted with ink....



How cute are the little squirrels on the ink bottle?!



Here are some crackle beads tinted and not.
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July 7, 2009

Can't Hardly WAIT!!!!



I am so geeking out over the next Harry Potter film!!! I CAN NOT WAIT!!! I've been checking for new trailers for the movie and even been playing the newest video game! Oh.... and re-reading the book! IT IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!!! Deep breath! The movie poster gallery at Fandango just gave me chills! There are some really great updates at the the-leaky-cauldron.org Yes. I'm a bit obsessed. But in a good way! Oh! My count down widget says we only have 9 days, 9 hours, 49 minutes and 32 seconds!!!
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Don't put your heart in a box...



Well.. maybe a frame. Here is an example of offering an item on the website that isn't actually available. I have a round heart frame shown but no 1 1/2" square heart frame. It was ordered in this sunny yellow color. I think it came out great and I hope the person who ordered it is pleased as well! I could picture it with some light blue turquoise beads or even some hot pink glass beads! OH! Or some grey beads!!! What would you do?
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July 6, 2009

Golden!



These are one of the new color combos I was trying. The clay fires a golden yellow color and looks great except that the yellow glaze tends to disappear. I guess I just need to use less yellow glaze! I should photo all the different clays and glazes together on one photo just to see them side by side. How was your weekend? A good 4th? Great!
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July 2, 2009

Newness!





There is something about these that are begging me to keep re-doing them. Maybe it's just that the idea is making more ideas in my head, not so much a dissatisfaction with the way these turned out. I think a "I will be" banner heart, something that was inspired by my friend CarolAnn and her sister Linda, would be nice. A few more sayings come to mind. Should they all be a totally different design? Should they all be the same with different words? Not a bad problem to have, I guess...
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