Black Gold

We returned from our trip to Virginia on Monday - 804 total miles in 5 days! It was wonderful seeing our kids and their families but there's just nothing like being able to sleep in your own bed.

The first night, we spent with our daughter, Jamie, and the remainder was in Blacksburg with our son, Chris, and his wife, Emily, and daughter, Jade. Chris and Emily live in a lovely, quiet townhome that they share with their two dogs, Sparky and Sadie. They are expecting a boy in November and we enjoyed watching him on ultrasound DVDs - definitely a boy! They've taken in another addition to their nest, a cute little kitten that showed up on their doorstep with infected eyes. They took her in, nursed her back to health, named her "Polka Dot" for the black dots on her back and she's just as happy as could be. Who can blame her?

Emily, who is a very talented knitter, made a beautiful little sweater and hat set for the baby. Looks like it fits!

I didn't spend very much time beading on the trip. It was nice just to enjoy the ride and the scenery. The leaves are just starting to turn, I would guess in two to three weeks will be the peak time. I did finish the bracelet I started working on, and am pretty happy with the results although I can't seem to get a photo of it that I'm happy with, probably because of the darker colors in the beads and stones. As with most jewelry, it looks better on than sitting in a box! Do you recognize the shell I used from my last post? I loved its colors of black, gold and white - I could imagine it with these stones as soon as I found it on the beach! Check "Black Gold" out on my website for more pictures at: http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/

I called the gallery I had left my jewelry entry and portfolio for the juried gallery committee and unfortunately, they already have several other jewelers and do not have any additional room. Like I said, I was trying not to get too excited about it but I was a little disappointed. I guess everyone starting out has to pay their dues and keep plugging away. There are so many other galleries I will need to visit but today, I went to the Dare County Arts Council ("DCAC") to apply for membership. Members are able to show their work at the DCAC gallery in Manteo, have a write up in their Art magazine and will be notified of upcoming events. Now, that truly IS exciting and I can't wait to be contacted by them to see what's next!

This week, I've also been working on new earrings that I've called "Blue Harbour," made with blue cupolini coral and bicone beads that you'll find under the Surf & Sky collection on my website at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.embarqspace.com/. The plan is to extend the Blue Harbour theme with the blue cupolini coral, that I just adore, with matching bracelets and necklaces.

As you know, I love to ride our Harley with my husband, Harry, and I'm going to work on a line of jewelry called "Sandy Gears" (get it?!?) that goes well with all that leather and chrome! Check out my website for the first Sandy Gear necklace at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.embarqspace.com/ and as always, let me know what you think!

Take care!

The first Monday of the month ...

It was an important day on my calendar. I finally finished my artist's portfolio and prepared a presentation of an example of my work. Decided on the necklace and earring set, "Twists and Terns."

I think it's probably the most representative of the work that I do. I put the necklace and earrings in separate jewelry boxes and put them both in a really pretty silver foil that both fit perfectly in (I couldn't believe my luck when I found it!). I think it will be a really nice presentation. So, this morning I dropped them off at a gallery that may be interested in selling my jewelry. They accept new applications on the first Monday of the month. They already have several other jewelers so I'm trying not to get too hopeful but, even if I don't get in, it has really been fun preparing for it. There hopefully will be other galleries to pursue and now at least my portfolio will be ready to go ... from now on, all I have to do is just remember to add to it as I finish jewelry pieces!



After leaving the gallery, I finally had my "Certificate of Assumed Name" notarized and took it to the Registar of Deeds at the Dare County Courthouse. "Jewels of the OBX" will be official and in the deed books soon! Who knew there was so much paperwork involved in making jewelry?! Once I got back home, I actually was able to bead and started on a new bracelet.



Here's my little collection on shells I found on the beach last week which has been sitting patiently on my desk.


I've had my eye on one particular piece and have decided to make a bracelet with it. I started on it today and if it goes well, I'll show you how it progresses.
We're leaving this week to go visit our daughter and then our son who both live in Virginia. I'll put the new project in an old Kaboodles box (oh, you had one, too!) that I use to put my beading in when we travel. Except for the huge mirror under the lid that reflects too many wrinkles, the box works really great. I can sit it on my lap and bead when it's Harry turn to drive. Maybe the leaves are starting to turn up in the mountains and we'll get to see some colors! I'll take pictures!

Well, I hope your first Monday of the month was good one.

Take care!