New Jewelry Line~Wire Woven Indonesia Bead Necklaces!

I am so excited to share with you what I have been working on these last few weeks. The folks over at Handmadeology have been very busy creating a Marketplace for us to list our handmade items for sale. I know, I already have an Etsy Shop, but this is something different. It is another store front for me to utilize to list these...

My wonderful Wire Woven Bauble Necklaces. I have decided that it may be a good idea to have more than one shop, so as not to have all of my eggs in one basket~so to speak. I have found that my little Meylah Store is the perfect place for these little morsels. I have decided that I am only going to list these sweet little pieces of eye candy so that my Meylah Store remains cohesive. I really wanted these pieces to have a place of their own to call home.

I take great pleasure in creating these little treasures. The beads are approximately 20mm in size, so they make terrific focal pieces. I have paired the woven bead with a matching organza ribbon necklace. I have added drops at the bottom of the design and I really love the way they turn out. I weave the wire at the top and bottom of the design, making each piece a one of a kind.

These Indonesia beads have great color. I have so many of them and I can't wait to be able to sit down at my bench and create another one. My thirst to create these great little designs is having a hard time being quenched.

The colors and the materials used in these beads are excellent! They have crystal embellishments, colored dots, porcelain flowers, bead caps, among other great elements. I love working with them!

Just look at how gorgeous these are!
I have a bridal show coming up on February 16th and I am thinking that these would make such amazing bride's maids gifts. I am thinking the color palette of the ceremony could be matched fairly easily with these. I really can't wait to get them out there in front of some brides-to-be to see how they like them.

I have used some great bails on these as well. Very ornate in design and lovely to say the least.

Yes, I have even made my son's most favorite color. He absolutely LOVES lime green!

These are my two latest pieces that I have created. I have not listed either of these yet, but I am planning to do so tomorrow.
I would love it if you would leave a comment for me so that I can hear what you think. It would be so great to hear from you!
Talking about weddings made me think of a great blog post over on Etsy. I found it to be so beautiful and inspiring. There are some pretty amazing people out there creating some pretty amazing handmade items that can help create a wedding day that any couple would have an extremely hard time forgetting. I want to share it with you in today's Daily Wire Transfer. Take a look at the video and listen to this beautiful bride as she shares her amazing day with you...

Reflection

I have been trying to figure what it is that I am doing wrong. Not wrong as a parent or wife, but wrong as an online jewelry seller. Of course, some things pop into my head right away such as~ not blogging like I should be... not spending enough time figuring out what SEO really is and how to implement it correctly. These are two things that come to mind right away. But what about the things I DON'T know? What about the things that I am not doing because I DON'T KNOW that I should be doing them? What about the things that I WANT to do, but I just don't know HOW to do them?
I tuned into a free webinar offered by Handmadeology last night and I have to tell you, it got my wheels turning! They have a six week course that they will be offering soon and I CAN'T WAIT! Timothy Adam and Lisa Jacobs are two smart cookies! They helped me to realize that it is not all about WHAT I am doing, but HOW I am doing it. I realized that I need to take some time and really REFLECT on my goals and what I want as a small business owner. I need to LEARN and FIGURE OUT some things so that I can become better at what it is that I truly want to do!
Now don't get me wrong, there are some things that I am dong right. For instance, I have a Facebook page, a Twitter account, boards that I pin to on Pinterest, and accounts with Stumble Upon and Linked In. These are some of the things that I know I MUST do to sell online. I hope to learn how to utilize these tools to the best of my ability in the upcoming workshop, but I know that I am at least doing some things right by having my presence known in these locations and posting to these places. It is the UNKNOWN that has me beating my head against the wall right now. Have you ever felt that you have more ambition than you ever dreamed possibly, just to have that ambition create ABSOLUTELY no solid results? How frustrating this is for me! I am sure that I am not the only one out there that feels this way BUT...I finally believe that I may be on to something that may just change all of this! I am just really hopeful that Lisa and Tim bring it in this 6 week course! (I am so sure they will, as I have not been disappointed yet!)
Now, I have been thinking about other things too. I think we all try to reflect on ourselves and try to come up with ways that we are going to improve when it is the start of a fresh new year. I have a few groups on Facebook that I am a member of, and someone in one of these groups asked what *word* was our *word* for 2013. I had never heard of this before, as I had always heard of *goals* and *resolutions*, but never *word*. Now, I thought long and hard about this before I responded. I wanted a word that I could utilize in every aspect of my life. I wanted a word that really MEANT something when I thought about it. I thought about *productivity* but quickly dismissed it. *Productivity* is somewhat of a mundane word that really doesn't get to the bottom of what I feel I need to achieve. I thought about *organize* but this too was quickly dismissed. I organize all of the time without ever really ACCOMPLISHING anything. Then it hit me, I needed *consistency* to become part of who I am. I am not *consistent* and this has caused so many problems for me. I have become a sporadic blogger. I don't enter things into BeadManager Pro as I should, I don't manage my workbench as well as I should. I always start out well and with good intentions, always gung ho in the beginning, but then I falter. If I could stay *consistent* and keep doing what I started out to do, then maybe I would have less issues and problems. If I could stay *consistent* in every aspect of what I do, then I should accomplish things much better. Yes, for me the word *consistent* needed to be my word for 2013. Lisa Jacobs reinforced this word for me last night in the webinar. She insisted  that we MUST be *consistent* it our daily journey. We must do things *consistently* to reap the rewards. I knew right then and there that *consistent* was definitely the best word for me for 2013.
I have started this blog, once more today, knowing that my word for 2013 is *consistent*. I plan to stay on track and keep to my *word*. No more excuses, no more whining and complaining that it takes too much time. I have moments to dedicate to the most important aspects of my life and my jewelry business is one of the things at the top of my priority list. My family is first, of course, but I have always made them my *priority* before anything else. I am often asked how I do it, a full-time job, a husband, young boys, grand children, and running this jewelry business on top of it all. My answer is *consistent*, I don't just have the time, I make the time. I make the time to create my pieces. I create the time to post to Facebook and my other social media outlets. I make the time every single day because it is that important to me. I hope that soon I will be learning how making this time can pay off for me.
I have used my inner voice to speak these things today. I needed my inner thoughts to be put in writing. I need to be able to work through the details of what is going through my mind and really focus on getting my goals to come to fruition. This is the challenge that lies before me, and I plan to act upon it.
Now, I know one thing that I do on my blog that I love to do and that is, give to you the Daily Wire Transfer. I love to take you on a journey with me into another realm and give you something that I think is spectacular in some form. This is one thing that I plan to stay *consistent* with as well... so, without further ado, here is your Daily Wire Transfer. Go, look, and enjoy!

Gemstone Necklace, Druzy Agate Necklace, Semi-Precious Gemstones, Beaded Necklace - $185.00

Semi-precious gemstone necklace in a variety of gemstones with a large round druzy agate as the focal piece. Very prominent crystal formation in the center and teal green in color, this necklace is sure to capture attention. The large toggle clasp at the back has a unique design.



If you would like to see more of my designs, please visit my shop at http://www.JKCCreationsShop.etsy.com

Click Here to Visit My Etsy Shop!

Passion

I have been so busy creating these last few weeks. I have created a piece from a first attempt. I always love it when these turn out! I have created a piece in my customary design. This is where I feel the most in tune with myself. Swirls and twirls of wire just let me express that part of me that is so Victorian, so Renaissance, so....me. I have also created a piece that I have been designing in my head for months. The stone is so beautiful. The kind of stone that you want to pay tribute to, not just wrap and call it good. It is a stone that is deserving of that artistic style that begs to come out and play. I can only hope that I did it justice.
Would you like to see these creations? Would you like to hear a little bit about each piece, what I was thinking when I did them, what I think of them now~as "finished" finery? Well come along and I will share.
The first piece is a 14mm round stone wire wrapped in sterling silver. It is a prong design that I have wanted to attempt for a while but with me, I have to build up the nerve, I have to study the pattern, I have to get the guts to take a chance on the unknown. Will I mess it up? What if it doesn't turn out? What if I waste all that wire? These are all things that enter my mind before I create something from a pattern.
Once I build up the courage, then it is ahead full force, guns blazing, never succumbing to failure. A drive to succeed takes over and whatever doubts or apprehension I had at the start of the project disappear~left in the dust on the trail with the unknown that now is in the distance behind me.
This is how I approach things in my life, not just creating pieces of jewelry, but everything that I do. I believe that the Fighter may be a part of it, but I always push forward no matter what the challenge is. It has served me pretty well so far, so why fix something that isn't broken? Words for thought, if nothing more.
Would you like to see what happens when I let my guard down, when I finally get the nerve to 'do it anyway'?
This...

This pattern just happens to be by my hero; Dale 'Cougar' Armstrong.  Not too shabby for a 'first attempt', wouldn't you agree?
I love it when I can actually look at a pattern and accomplish what it is telling me to do. Dale, with her ability to teach and her kind mannered way about her, has never let me down. She is a fabulous teacher! She just has a way of helping you to understand, even if it is only on DVD or video. She is AMAZING! Truly my hero. She led me from the dark into the light and she continues to do so. She unleashed my inner passion that I had no idea lingered there, under the surface, just begging to come forth and create these pieces that have always been there. That passion to create, like this, with so much satisfaction to the soul, just never had an avenue of escape~until now.
I had to add my own personal touch to this piece. I love the look of the outer wire and I had to add it to the design. It is somewhat of a trademark these days. I love it when people see my pieces and know that I am the one that created them. That is happening more and more each day, and it truly makes my heart leap with joy! Maybe one day I will get to be the jewelry artist that my heart longs to be. Creating jewelry for a living is my longing hearts' desire...
Well now, do you want to see a piece that I created 'out of the blue' so to speak? A piece that didn't really have a thought behind it? A piece that I created because I found the beads in one of my boxes and I hadn't done anything with them for so long, but they are my favorite color and I just had the urge?
This is it...

Simple, wire swirling and twirling, whispy....oh how I love whispy designs. A large puffy heart coiled in copper. I love these two colors together. It gives the piece that Irish feel. I think of rolling grass lands and Celtic music (my favorite) when I create a piece like this.
My heart and soul are definitely at peace. That part of me that always felt as if I was not doing something that I was supposed to be doing, before I found this amazing release, is finally at rest. What a feeling...peaceful and tranquil.
My next design was created from a cabochon made by Ralph Sieler at Cabochon. He and his wife, Maryann, create amazing stones. I actually got to meet these two wonderful people this summer when they began a trip across the country from their home in Mesa, AZ. I feel so fortunate to have met them and talked with them in person. It was a tremendous treat, one that I will never forget.
This piece was created using my customary swirls and twirls and my combination of weaving and wrapping. I really love the way the pieces are 'framed'. Oh yeah, Victorian Renaissance all over this design!

The stone is a Mexican Fire Opal. The fire colors did not show up very well in this picture but believe me, this stone is a beauty! I will definitely be returning for more!
This next piece I created last night. I have had this stone for many months, trying to decide what exactly I should do with it. There are so many things that can be seen in this stone. Some say a pizza oven, some say a warm fireplace. I saw a storm on the horizon in the ocean. I saw the clouds churning and the tell tale signs of raging water and dark skies. I chose to wrap this piece as such, a raging storm in the ocean currents with the sun giving way in the distance. This stone was cut by Clint Gardner of Stoneviews.
I wanted to give justice to this stone by not decorating the top with a lot of design. I wanted the 'sky' to be free of anything that would divert the attention. I chose to put 'clouds' off to the sides and adorn 'raindrops' at the corner. I made this piece into a brooch instead of a necklace. I wanted the stone to be the entire focal piece, nothing else drawing the attention away from it.
This is what it looks like...

What do you think? The two white places in the center are actually blue. This stone is so beautiful! The surface is so smooth and the glean could almost blind you.
Clint has a deep rooted love for the stones he creates and it is so evident in his work. I guess passion is what it is about for all of us...The passion to create things with our hands that no one else can. The passion for others that will become the owners of these creations... Passion, that is what we all carry with us.
I have another passion in my heart that is called compassion and it makes my heart very heavy today. I started this morning out with tears as I read my Facebook status. The posts, one right after the other, of the tragedy that this day brought 11 years ago. I remember exactly where I was on that day. I remember every last detail including the clothes I had on. I remember looking into the eyes of my then 6 month old baby wondering what was going to happen next...wondering if he was going to have the chance to grow up. Not just grow up in a world that was safe, but a chance to grow up at all...This scared the life out of me. I remember the image of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center playing over and over again in my mind. I remember those rescue personnel running back into the building as others were running out.  I remember the shadowy images of the people jumping from so many stories up...I remember...
I am sure so many of you remember as well. You remember where you were, what yo were feeling. Such a tragic day with no real meaning. A day forever seared into the lives of so many.
Today's Daily Wire Transfer is added for remembrance of all that lost their lives on that horrific day. It is added so that the young people growing up will have the advantage of knowing what happened. The first paragraph in the news clipping posted with the videos says it all...
God Bless all of you as we remember this day.
Jenna, take care of yourself as you fight in Afghanistan. I love you with all of my heart and soul. Family is the most important and I am so thankful that you are part of mine. You have nerves of steel and you approach things with laughter and humor. It is one thing that so many love about you. I will be thinking of that vivacious laugh of yours today...My Sweet Niece. Take care and be safe.

What has been going on in my little world...

Well, as you all know, today is the 23rd of August and guess what? I have not received ANY of the beads I have ordered to do my version of the ISADORA NECKLACE that I spoke of here just a few days ago.  The contest is just around the corner and I am out of time so, it is off to another adventure. I am thinking something with SAPPHIRE colored stones. How about it?
I have been working on some other things too. I have a contest entry out there right now that will need votes as soon as the voting opens. It is for the BLING-A-PALOOZA CONTEST! Would you be willing to help me out with your vote? Do you want to see what it is, exactly, that you would be voting on? A little *sneak peek*? A little *tantalizing tidbit*? OK...enough of that! I do have a couple of photos of this piece that, I think, may just be one of my very, very favorites. Are you tired of waiting? Well here it is, in all of its glory...
 This photo shows it lying down and all of the crystals fanned out so you can see all of the connections that I have created for this piece. 

This is a photo of what the necklace looks like hanging, as if someone were wearing it...

What do you think? Is is worth a vote or two?
This piece is wire wrapped in sterling silver. Each crystal, a total of 16, have been individually wrapped in different gauge wire. The ends of the wire were TORCHED and then the beads added. After the addition of the bead, the wire was finished in different designs, depending on the crystal bead being used. The scrolls at the top were hand forged into the design that you see. The chain is a 36" sterling silver link chain. The entire piece was oxidized to give it an antique look, my favorite.
I hope that you enjoy seeing this piece and I really hope that you can send a vote my way. I would really appreciate it! I will post the link as soon as it is up. The entries must be submitted by August 29th and the voting should begin shortly thereafter.
I have also been working on some special order rings. One is a turquoise Pharaoh's ring wrapped in sterling silver...

 The other is a light amethyst prong ring. I will have the amethyst ring finished tonight, I am hoping. I have also created a piece for a donation. Do you want to see it? This is what it looks like...

It is made with crystals and sterling silver wire. The chain is a gunmetal coated chain. If you want to have a chance to bid on this piece at the auction, it will be at the benefit golf tournament being held for Kyle Nix on September 8th.
These are just a few of the things I have going on in my busy life. My boys started school today, so I have been busy preparing for that as well. It is definitely never boring at my house!
I have a very intriguing Daily Wire Transfer for you today. It is an inspiring story and I can't wait to share it with you! Go on, take a look at today's DAILY WIRE TRANSFER!

Another Contest...

So, today I was going through my Facebook Page and I found a post from Fire Mountain Gems. I read that they are doing a Swarovski Element contest. The submissions for the contest have to be in by September 30, hmmmm...
If you know anything about me, you know that I am competitive. I can not turn away from a good challenge. The wheels in my head began to turn and I got an idea for a piece instantly! (Sometimes I HATE IT when that happens!)
So... to the website I went and I wound up with some amazing things, like this lovely wire...

You can never have too much of this stuff right?
I also wound up with these amazingly gorgeous Swarovski sunflower beads...

Aren't they great?
I am going to try and incorporate some of these lovlies...

and maybe even some of these...

The minute I read about this contest, I thought about the "ISADORA DIAMOND" from my all time very, very favorite movie...

So, knowing that I cannot turn down a good challenge, and having these very RADICAL ideas racing through my head; I have decided to take the challenge. I need to see if I can actually create what I have in mind with the inspiration of my very favorite movie of all time, put it into action, make the deadline and possibly win this exciting contest. Follow me here to see if I can manage it all and create a piece that I have never attempted before. I promise to keep you updated!

And now for your Daily Wire Transfer!

I am back!
Have a great evening!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2012

I cannot believe how fast time slips by me! I have not blogged in so long again. Needless to say, I feel guilty, but I will keep it under control. I am here now and that is what matters, right? I haven't abandoned you all, I have just been extremely busy!
Do you want to see what I am involved with right now? I believe that it is a tremendous cause and I have been busy creating pieces to support this cause. I have created this...

You may be wondering just exactly what THIS is. Well, it is a key fob. I made it and some others just like it...

300 to be exact~to be given out to women in our area.
I also made this...

And this...

And this...

These are all being given away for FREE!
I also did this...

And this...

And these...

They will be given away as a set, for FREE!
And now for the cause... DRUM ROLL PLEASE~

 This is the cause that I have donated each one of these pieces to. If women in our area get their breast exam done in the months of April, May, or June, they could be the lucky winner of one of these pieces. Some lucky winner will receive the set!
This is all part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign going on right now. The facts are stunning. Wyoming ranks 48th in our nation for getting checked for this devastating disease. You have heard it once, you have heard it a thousand times~An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
If you are a woman and you are reading this, no matter where you live; please, for the sake of you and for the sake of your family, get checked~it may just save your life!
I started creating the pieces for this campaign in the beginning of March. I am done with these pieces and have created some other pieces that are not associated with this cause since my last blog post. I will be showing them to you after this week is over.
Do you want to see where I am going this week? Click on today's DAILY WIRE TRANSFER to find out.
I hope that you all have a wonderful week, and I will be blogging about my other pieces upon my return. Until then, may you have days filled with happiness and good fortune...