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As a designer of beads and jewelry, I get to play.  A LOT!  

I like to dump out my beads and move them around, lining them up in various ways, until something clicks.  

That is what I have been doing lately - it's time to wind up for another collection release.  I am working on multi-bead necklaces to launch in the coming weeks.  

Want in early????  INSIDERS see and shop new collections FIRST, always.  Enter your email below and "poof" you are an Insider!  

The Pico Azores necklace (large bead) and Minoan earrings (medium bead) are my current go to pairing of jewelry pieces.  

The necklace is eye catching and can be worn for every day and for dress up. I talk about how I took this set on my California vacation in this post.  

The earrings are dangly enough to catch the light, but classy too.  

You could say these pieces are bold, yet understated.  How about Elegantly Audacious?!

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I am applying for shows again this year to be able to get out and see my customers in person.  

That means not only showing what you currently have, but also what you might be planning to add.  

This shows versatility and gives you an idea of what you could see in the future with my work.  

If you want to be the first to see new pieces, sign up to my Insiders email list.  

There were a couple of focuses to my learning time in California.

First was the sculptural part where we constructed lockets.  These two are all bronze.  

The second part was various methods to combine bronze and steel in one piece to get the black gold contrast.  

Even though these are learning pieces, my creative mind goes right to how I can use the techniques for upcoming collections and to blend with my coral reef hand carved beads.  

And the fortune cookie is very wise! 

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On my recent trip to California to take a workshop from my mentor, I booked an extra day to look around Berkeley.  It just so happened that was the day it poured - not showered, not rained, it poured!  Like some one was pouring a bucket of water over us.  

I did venture out a bit, first to the Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive.  Then for a walk once the sun came out in late afternoon to see this fascinating yard full of sculpture

The artist makes all of his creations with trash that has washed up on the beach.  He has also influenced the neighbourhood as I saw sculpture sprouting up along the block.  

The next day was travel home day.  I had some flight delays.  Above is me early on in the day, perky in my Minoan earrings and Pico Azores necklace.  

And then here I am after landing back in Canada, only to find out that I had a further delay.  The jewelry held up just fine!  (Me, not so much).

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As I mentioned in a previous post, I head to California every year to learn from my mentor.  This year, we learned construction of several locket styles.

This is my first one.  Don't you think it looks like a Hobbit door?  

I stayed in my own Airbnb cottage.  I love the neighbourhood.  Quiet, residential streets and close to a huge variety of restaurants.  

This is typical of the homes in this area - Craftsman bungalows - my favourite type of style.  



This one even has a Little Lending Library!  

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A few weeks ago, I travelled to California, to the studio of my jewelry teacher / mentor.  I go every year, to brush up on my technique and learn new skills.  

California welcomed me with a lovely sunset.  And of course I was wearing some of my new coral reef bead pieces, a large Pico Azores necklace and large Minoan earrings.  

Want to know when new pieces in my Isles collection will be released?  Enter your email below - Insiders are always first to know and first to shop new releases.  

The Caprice necklace is made to bring to mind Old World island towns, such as the ones on Capri island, off the coast of Italy.  

This necklace is great for everyday casual wear as it is meant to be worn short, almost choker style. Made from a single hand carved bronze coral reef bead, you can wear it with almost any shirt style. 

If you want to up your elegantly audacious quotient with this necklace, choose the large bead.

Want to know when new pieces in my Isles collection will be released?  Enter your email below.

I created a different, danglier bronze bead earring for my Isles collection.

The Minoan earrings swing more because they are hanging from the earwire.  

That makes them a more flirty.   

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My new Isles collection centers around my hand carved bronze beads.  

For the Pico Azores necklaces, the bead hangs vertically to create the feeling of rising up, much like the volcano mountain these necklaces are named after.  

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As I mentioned in this post, I have been busily building the Isles collection around my hand carved bronze beads.

These earrings are called Skye and bring to mind rugged, wind blown coastlines and rustic looking techniques.  

As always, Insiders on my email list see new designs and shop new pieces first. Be sure to enter your email address below to get in on the fun.  

Well you are in luck! This week, I am releasing new pieces made with my hand carved bronze beads.  

The beads are called "coral reef" and the first collection with them is called "Isles".  In fact, everyone on my email list is shopping the collection NOW!  

It will be open for you on Saturday.  If you want to be in on the early shopping for new collections, please sign up to my email list by entering you email below.  

Happy New Year!