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The other day, I wrote about multi-bead necklaces that could be part of my upcoming collection release.  

Those were three bead necklaces.  Now, I am looking at a full bead necklace and bracelet.  Maybe on the chain.  

Or perhaps links.  

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I continue to enjoy my adventure with my bronze coral reef beads. There are just so many ways to put them together.

Like these triple bead ideas:  a stack, horizontal links and scattered between chain segments.  

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This morning, the sky matched my shirt.  All blues and purply and pinkish.  My bronze beads go great with these colours.  

At this time in the morning, on my way to my day job, the sun is just rising and often puts on a lovely colour display over the bay.  

I will be sad next week when we are plunged back into darkness in the morning with so called Daylight savings time.  

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I am loving my bronze beads and creating with gold chain.  

Each design is spawning new ideas.  It's creative heaven!  

I am gearing up for a release of new designs, some of which you are seeing in first drafts here on the blog.  The release will be in a few weeks.  

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I have told you I am playing with chain to go with my bronze beads and showed off some earrings under development.   

This is some of the sketching I have been doing ahead of playing with the beads and chain together.  

I find it easier to organize my thoughts and keep my focus when I sketch things down.  Otherwise, I am a bit like the crow from the other day....look, shiny thing!!!

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My bronze bead creations all go with each other.  That makes them really versatile.  

This is one of my favourite pairings:  Skye earrings and a Caprice necklace. 

Both of these pieces exude a casual confidence, with a touch of rustic.  And they are great together for wearing on sunny days at the beach!  

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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.  

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We were learning to combine bronze and steel in jewelry pieces at the workshop I attended.  The piece on the bottom is not quite finished yet - more on it another day.  

The circular-ish piece (I shall call it a sponge) is made from steel and bronze, with holes carved in the bronze to match my coral reef beads.  The steel is darkened to obtain the beautiful contrast in colours.  

I think it goes fantastically with my beads!  

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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.  

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