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The other day, I asked if it was beach combing weather yet.

Turns out, it is!  This is "my" beach, the one closest to my home.  It's called Cordova Bay and faces east.  The island you can see in the distance is actually the US - San Juan Island.  I love to walk and hang out on this beach, looking for treasure thrown ashore by the sea. 

And look what I found?!!!!  {OK, I made the beads.  But I did find the clam shell on this beach!}.

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A few years ago, I stumbled across a group of women celebrating mid-life and beyond on 50th day of the year (today).  I love what these women created: "a collaborative, supportive community and to celebrate what it means to be a woman over 50." (from founder Catherine Grace O - visit her blog to learn more) 

Embracing mid-life is empowering and enables you to be fierce.  This allows you to be you, without the hassle of trying to live up to some imagined standard.  And it is freeing you up to live the life you want to have.  Wander over to Jodie's Touch of Style for her post today about this revolution.  

Do you - Fiercely!

 PS:  I am wearing my Minoan Earrings - great for Fierceness!

I have been hinting that I have been developing a new collection.  With my hand carved bronze beads and gold filled chain.  

I have been playing around and creating some potential designs.  Like this single mini bead dangling on chain.

And this idea:  two mini beads, one hanging on chain from the other one.  The mini beads are light and airy; not too heavy for the ears.  

The new release is coming soon.  Be the first to shop it by signing up as an Insider below.

The other day I was talking about how spring seems to have arrived here on Vancouver Island.  That made me want to head to the beach.  Well actually, I love the beach at anytime.

 But, I am not really a sit-on-the-beach-and-tan type.  I would rather explore. I love the treasures you can find while beach combing.  And not just the shells or glass or stones, but the patterns and colours too.

I find the sound of the waves meditative, the scenery interesting and the scent invigorating.   Good for body and soul.  It fills me up.  

PS:  Want to know first when I release my new collection with my bronze coral reef beads?  Sign up and become an Insider below.    

At work, we celebrate Valentine's day with Candygrams.  You pay for a Valentine and a bag of candy that gets delivered before work. All the proceeds go towards the Social Committee, which puts on events for the building.  

It's a cute way to celebrate as everyone gets some treats and you can honour your fellow workers with a Candygram.  

I got several cards, including a Big Monster Hug!  

My Valentine to you is that I have been playing with my beads and gold-filled chain and have some treats coming soon.  

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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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Our weather in 2020 has been wet, wet, wet. Any time there is a break in the rain, I try to head outside to {hopefully} get some sun.  

The rain is a bit depressing, so when I am out walking, I look for ANY signs of spring.  These snowdrops definitely brighten up the day.  

Spring is the time for new growth; for waking up after winter.  I am excited to be creating some new designs this spring. With my bronze beads, not the snowdrops...

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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.  

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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.  

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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