Holiday Decorations

Brandy doesn't know what to make of our new dog...at least he isn't barking!

A Celebation amid Sorrow...

Last week was one filled with the most dramatic emotional highs and lows possible...my husband's sister has a beautiful home in Belle Harbor which is part of the Rockaways in Queens, New York City.  Last week also we were part of the middle class  in south Florida who returned Barack Obama to the Presidency.  I am filled with sorrow for all those in NY and NJ who have suffered and continue to suffer such a heart wrenching loss (my sister-in-law is recovering but some of her close neighbors have died going down to check out their basements, and others have had their homes burnt to the ground - behind her house - or lost out to the sea - only 2 blocks away).  We continue to have hope that the next few years will be positive strides forward, and that Americans can see what it's like to have two parties work together.

Gulf of Mexico in August

The Gulf of Mexico was strongly blowing this August when we arrived, looking for a quiet swim and a few shells.  A strong wind from the south should have told us that storms were on the way, but we just enjoyed the beautiful day.

The storms finally came through that first night...

The next morning - beautiful blue skies, calmer seas, and lots of seaweed.

 Time to relax in Captiva Island...

collect some sea shells...

enjoy a few sunsets...

before saying goodbye and heading back to the "east" coast!

A long overdue THANK YOU to Connie Fox for her inspiration and guidance ....

From Connie Fox's website I learned how to wire wrap sterling silver wire and design and construct bangle bracelets.  About 6 years ago, surfing around the web looking for something more than just designing beads into necklaces and bracelets, I came across her website which she named "Jatayu" and had devoted to supplying bead artists with tools, supplies, artisan beads and best of all her wonderful guidance with her designs ... later came much more info and materials.  But in the beginning it was a revelation in what could be achieved with wire and some favorite beads!

I am continuing to design the bangles that she always said she had to wear at least two of  at a time!  Connie has moved on to a whole range of metal work, and continues to instruct  with her gentle thoughtful and intelligent guidance many new techniques, but I still love the bangles most of all!

Kim Miles focal bead

Thank you Connie Fox!

The "Other" Metals in Jewelry

I've been going through an exploration recently, trying out a little bit of "other" looks with my jewelry designs.  I dearly love to work with silver, especially fine silver, but still the price of PMC remains much too high (PLEASE bring it down below $100 for 50 grams!).  Actually gold filled and gold plated items are less expensive to work with than sterling or fine silver.  And a little dash of copper can be a lovely jolt to a design.

 Love this bracelet from the Chicago Art Institute, inspires me!

 A varied group of beads to make earrings.

 This little Thai copper bead is from thebeadgoeson.com where they have a wonderful selection of unique beads from Thailand and all over Asia. 

Aren't these rubies lovely?  A friend had them brought back to her from somewhere in Asia and wanted to have them simply strung.