A Sunday Morning Detour!

I had a great weekend, very busy but great! Sunday we took a detour on our way out of town and much to our surprise, came upon this picture. I absolutely love where I live. The hills are covered with oak trees for as far as the eye can see. Right now because of the all of the rain/snow that we have been getting the hills are still green, filled with wild flowers in bright purples and oranges. I took my camera, thank goodness, and was so excited to take pictures to share but was only able to capture three because I ran out of batteries, (my luck). Now that I know where to go I will be venturing out again in the next few weeks to take more pictures armed with a bag full of batteries :) It is hard to believe that this picture was taken just yesterday afternoon and this morning I woke up to 2 inches of snow.

*NEW* Mixed Metal Leather Cuff!

I was going to wait and not list this cuff yet but I just get too excited when I make new designs. The new design process starts off for me with a pencil and paper. When I sit at my table..I dont use a bench..I start to layout the pieces and cut shapes using different metals to get the exact color combo that I want. When designing a piece of jewelry I have to think of the whole design from start to finish because I am using certain shapes, designs, and stamps that will produce the finished design that I already have pictured in my head or on paper. I am picky with colors too. I always have been..I think that it stems from my coloring background as a hair dresser or maybe it is just the way that I see color. They say that everyone sees color differently. There is nothing more exciting that putting the last bit of detail together to finish a piece of jewelry, I have always been big on the details. Its like you get a rush of excitement that flows through your veins. I am usually so excited that I rush off to show my hubby and then no more than two minutes later I am taking pictures. Sometimes the pictures get complicated because the metals reflect light and shadows like crazy, if you are not careful you will end up taking a photo of yourself in a piece of jewelry that has your reflection in it, like a mirror. I, who am camera shy anyway, do not want my distorted pict. in a piece of jewelry to list in my store. So finally when all is said and done, I finally arrive here..excited to share a new piece of jewelry with you. Here is the link to view more photos of my new bracelet.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44389210

I Love Cuffs!

I dont quite know what my draw is to leather cuffs but I love them, I always have. About two years ago while walking through the crowds at Venise Beach I came upon a vendor who was selling leather cuffs. He only had a few and they were just plain leather but I bought a black one and  wore it layered with my sterling link chain bracelets and loved it. Ever since I bought that cuff I have had and idea in the back of my designing mind to create and embellish them with sterling silver and mixed metals. I have listed some in my store and they have been quite popular. I have so many more designs on paper that I have yet to create. This is a cute design that I have added to my collection for "Mom". This is a sneek peek. I will be adding this to my Etsy store this week as one of my new Mothers Day jewelry pieces.