New work...

I realized it's been awhile since I blogged here- so I thought I'd share some newer work. In addition to my thicker leather wraps, I've been working with some softer leather. This is a great weight to stitch and embellish- so I started with these pieces...

Olive green leather with tiny turquoise beads and brass details....

FLY is one of my favorites. This one wraps twice around your wrist, and has a little brass bird charm....

My favorite color combo- teal and brown. Amazonite and stitched brown leather...

...and another version with carnelian. If you're local in the Cleveland area, you can find these at the Gestures in Rocky River, and at The Log Cabin Gallery in Peninsula.....

...or you can hop on over to my Etsy shop to see more. I have more to share this week. Starting in "production mode" for the upcoming holiday shows. Wasn't it just summer?

Work in Progress.....

Here's what's on my work table this week....just playing around with leather. I started stitching and beading deerskin- it's so nice to work with. Unlike cowhide, it's soft and pliable like a textile.

...just a few stitches here and there, a few tiny stitched beads. I'm trying to focus on the leather as the main design element, rather than the stones. I love working on intricately detailed textiles, so I'm trying to get more of that aspect of my aesthetic in this new work. These are just the first pieces...

I'm taking baby steps, I know. The more intricate stitched leather bands aren't ready yet- still working out some kinks. I need to figure out how to layer the leather- leather glue? Is there such a thing? I also started tooling some retro tattoo images on wider bands. I really need to stay focused on these new leather pieces. So much fun!

Several different leather colors, mixing metals, etc..

Did I say I LOVE what I'm doing!

...just checking in....

I've been neglecting my blog for awhile- and won't be posting for several weeks. Summer, gardening, vacations, art shows, etc. have kept me away from my computer. As I scramble to get new work ready for shows & galleries, I'm also working on a new body of work.

I've been sketching all my new ideas- a little collection of new leather pieces, that combine my love for this color palette, birds, the sea, leather, and textiles. I'm anxious to share the few pieces I have done, but I really want to develop this new body of work as a "collection" before I show anything.

I don't usually work this way with my own work- then I realized this is what I'm trained to do. In my old career as a design director, I directed collections of work. It was organized & cohesive- something my work has been lacking. Rather than jumping from one idea to the next, I looked for a common thread- subject matter, style, etc. I wrote down those things I'm passionate about and started sketching. I'm excited again and feel recharged.

These 3 images are what's inspiring me today- always the element of nature. What is it about robin's eggs that I'm so drawn to? I love mixing textures and materials. Hopefully next post I'll be sharing more. That's all for now!

New in Leather Wrap Bracelets in shop.....

Just a quick shop update....I added few new leather wrap bracelets in my Etsy shop today. I didn't take the time to photograph all of them.....

...so if you want a certain color/stone combo and don't see it email me. If I don't have it in stock I can make it for you!

Well- off to the beach. I hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

Shop Update- New Leather Wrap Bracelets

Just a quick note to share a few new leather wrap bracelets- new in my Etsy shop. I just acquired more antique lace "flowers" and will be making more of the lace studded style.

All are one-of-a-kind- I use a variety of semi precious stones, vintage glass, vintage religious medals, various trinkets, and antique lace.

New applique pillows will be coming later in the week.

xoxoxo

Spring Almost Here?

I thought I heard birds the other morning- it must be Spring. Why is there still a chill in the air & snow on the ground? I love March- my birthday month. Many people very close to me share my month- all of them Pisces at heart!

I was overwhelmed the other evening with deadlines and other life stuff, so I put my sewing machine away and made myself a birthday bracelet. My absolute favorite part of this piece is the handmade lampwork glass bead. Made by starctcher, each egg is one-of-a-kind and very special. You really have to hold one of these eggs in your hands to feel how special they are- pictures really don't do them justice.

In addition to the glass egg, I used Korean jade, amazonite, leather cord, sterling, and a tiny vintage silver Miraculous medal.

Well- I better get back to work! Have a great weekend!

Signs of Spring...

Signs of Spring?..... I'm searching! More snow? Ugh!

I can't get enough of robin's egg blue. A few of my favorites to inspire my day! Off to work!

New in shop....

Just a quick post to let you all know I've added more jewelry to my Etsy shops. More leather wrap bracelets at RobinsEggBlue and simple $10 earring at junebugz.

More to add next week!

Being Thankful

It's that time of year again to reflect on all I have to be thankful for. I have only one word- Family. These are the people with whom I have been blessed, and I'm thankful for them every day. I hope you all share a peaceful feast with your family tomorrow.....

As I said in my previous post, I won't be blogging much in the next few weeks. I need to focus on sewing & getting ready for upcoming holiday shows. This a new little bird design I'm using for little pillows and little bags.....

Of course I have many, many new leather wrap bracelets. Since most of these are one-of-a-kind, there's no way I can photo and list each one in my Etsy shop. I will try to list a selection of color & styles......

I dug deep in my stash of vintage fabrics and have a new little clutch style bag I'm selling this year. They are all in various stages of completion- hopefully later in the week I can photo a few....

I hope you all survive the airport scanners, Uncle You-know-who's terrible jokes, and Black Friday shopping and remember to be thankful!

A few new Leather Wrap Bracelets.....

Here's a sneak peak at a few new Leather Wrap Bracelets just listed in my Etsy shop. The new bracelets- a continuous 30" length of leather, chain, and linked beads- wrap around your wrist 4 times. Oh so trendy...

Whether you like chunky or delicate, vintage glass or semi precious stones- I have a variety to choose from in my Etsy shop.

Tomorrow I'll post my fall/holiday show schedule (just waiting to hear back from one venue)

Stay warm (I had to turn on my heat last night for the 1st time!)

New Bracelets...

My new leather wrap bracelets....I knew it was bound to happen. Instead of wrapping 3 times, these wrap 4 times. What's next- I'm already working on the 5 & 6 wraps!

In this series of chunky leather wrap bracelets I use handmade African glass beads. I call mine my Wilma Flintstone bracelet- is everyone old enough to know what I'm talking about!

You can find them in my Etsy shop- along with so much more!

Well- I'm off to a bonfire- more tomorrow or Monday! Have a great weekend :)

...a few new bracelets...

I've been hanging on to these vintage glass "man in the moon" beads for awhile. They've been hanging over my table for a few years- inspiring me. I used a few in some new leather wrap bracelets- all designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times...

I love the soothing colors in this one- sea blue & pale blue quartz with turquoise accent the glass "man in the moon" bead perfectly. You can find it here in my Etsy shop.

I don't use alot of purple in my work, but I love these vintage glass flowers mixed with amethyst, Korean jade, and tiny seed beads with a vintage train token. You can find it here. The purple and green are very striking together I think....

This last bracelet features a vintage religious medal- with carnelian, quartz, and vintage glass beads. You can find this one here.

More tomorrow!

What I've been working on...

The other day I was so excited to be featured in Etsy's Daily Finds email blast featuring themed products. I sold 7 of my leather wrap bracelets that day- plus some special orders. I didn't even realize I was in the promo until someone emailed me!

So I scrambled into my studio to make a few more- I figured if people want them now- I'll make more. So much fun to make and mostly one-of-a-kind. I get to take out all my beads & trinkets...

You can find them here in my Etsy shop- or contact me if you want your own.

More Leather Beaded Bracelets

I just finished a new series of leather & vintage bead bracelets...designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times. Mostly one-of-a-kind, I use vintage religious medals, antique lace, and my new "Evil Eyes" (lower left).

I'm starting to make some of these a bit simpler, without the brass studs. Not all will make it to my Etsy shop~ but you can find these here.

I'll be back in a few days. With the school year winding down I have a lot to catch up on at home. AND my garden! I can't wait to dig in the dirt again!

...A Few More Leather Wrap Bracelets...

I just listed a few more leather wrap bracelets in my Etsy shop. This black leather bracelet features a vintage brass locket and vintage glass beads. It's two-of-a-kind~ you can find it here.

The brass locket really opens! I like the contrast between the feminine beads & masculine leather. I sell the heck out of these at shows. It's hard show them online because you really have to try them on to get the full effect. Some are very simple and some are jingly like a charm bracelet.

In this teal glass beaded bracelet I mixed new teal beads with antique African trade beads & a vintage transit token. You can find it here.

This last one is part of a wholesale order- I'm just showing off :) I used vintage Haskell-style beads and a vintage glass shell bead.

That's all. Coming up~ new pillow designs.

Have a great weekend!

New Work for Summer Shows...

Here's a sneak peak at a few new bracelets I made. It's that time to start building inventory for summer shows. I love putting my sewing machine away for a week or 2 to make more of my leather wrap bracelets. Just the right combination of feminine & masculine...

Mostly one-of-a-kind, these leather & vintage bead bracelets are designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times. An eclectic mix of vintage glass beads & semi precious stones, vintage brass studs, old train tokens & religious medals. This vintage German cobalt blue glass beaded bracelet is available in my Etsy shop here...

I love the vintage glass beads on this bracelet- they remind me of pine cones- combined with black leather and other vintage trinkets- available here.

This one is a mix of vintage glass beads, quartz, carnelian, and a vintage Catholic medal. I might keep this one :)

Photos don't do this bracelet justice- it's a best seller at shows. A fun mix of vintage glass ladybugs and brass charms- in my shop here.

Well- off to work! After my special orders I'll be making more of my little fabric birdhouses- hopefully later this week. That's always a flurry of fabric scraps everywhere!

Have an inspiring day!

A Few New Bracelets...

I just wanted to share a few new leather wrap bracelets I just listed in my Etsy shop. These are all designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times. In this brown leather bracelet I used antique lace "flowers", vintage glass, and turquoise.

I really love the contrast of the leather and lace. I also like the way these photographed on linen. I used to photo them on my wrist but HATED the way my freckles looked. Then I tried my son's wrist, but they looked like a little boy was modeling them.

On this black leather bracelet, I used antique glass African trade beads alternating with brass loops. This also has a vintage train token and some vintage Haskell glass beads.

You can find these in my shop here and here.

My next post- a sneak peak at more vintage fabric house pillows- then I think it's time for more little birdhouses- but that's next week.

Have a great weekend!

More New Bags This Week!

I've been sewing like a mad woman the past week and I'll have some new bags in my Etsy shop Wed. AM. Mostly vintage fabric and linen, and all one-of-a-kind.

I also have a dozen or so new Leather Wrap Bracelets I'll be listing.

Exciting news in a day or so- stay tuned!

Have a great Monday!

Leather Wrap Bracelets

Ahhh... the shows are behind me- thankfully all very successful. My bags continue to sell, but my most successful collection this year has been my leather wrap bracelets. I couldn't make enough of these!

All one-of-a-kind, they're designed to wrap 3 times around your wrist. (look out for longer wraps next year- wrap 5-6 times around!) Each one is a mix of vintage glass beads, semi-precious stones, vintage religious medals & train tokens. Next year I'm going to do more of these, along with different multi-strand leather pieces.

Now that the hectic craft show season is behind me, I'm off to the studio to make my Christmas presents. My sisters might be reading, so no details, but I'll post about them after Christmas.

Thanks to all my Cleveland friends who helped make this season a profitable one! See you all in a week or so....Merry Christmas!

and Peace to you & your loved ones.