(PSSST: Please note: The list for continuing the hop is at the bottom of this post. . .)
That is how this all officially began. In 2007, I wanted to create a venue with a gathering of customers that would come and buy my vintage costume jewelry. If a girl's gonna hoard, it better be small, right? So, I decided to go to Rubylane after much thought and a few years of watching the traffic. About six years ago, I found B'Sue on eBay and the rest, as they say, is history.
I am an alumni of the BALC, which simply means nothing...and everything. I am still pushing myself and being pushed. . .still trying to push that envelopes edge. And still learning. And I LOVE it! I love that I am mixed in with people who have so much more experience than I do, and who are into using product and torches and alcohol inks and clay to enhance their pieces. I love than I have such a high learning curve and that we all talk about so many things. And I love knowing that I am learning what I may not have been open to learning before. . .ego, MOVE OUTTA THE WAY!
I have always been involved in the creative. Thank goodness I had a mother who taught us embroidery and was an active Girl Scout leader. I could cook and bake and sew on the machine and by hand. I learned how to crochet and macrame. And get badges for it. . . oooo. . . .ahhhhh. . .badges (say it like Homer Simpson when he says "donuts" and well. . .you'll get more bang for your buck!)
My latest endeavor was the Art of Life, where we painted with a group of woman we did not know who were also cancer survivors. These painting have been displayed and are on a year long display in an office in town. Ours are March on a calendar and on note cards that they are selling for the group.
That's me holding the Iris, second from the left hand side.
This is my partner in crime, Miss MIA, wearing a lovely Coro necklace, might I add. While MIA should mean "mine" in Italiano, it means Missing In Action, which she was the first two weeks we brought her home. She is very supportive of all jewelry making and makes sure to tell me if a project is just not right.
Here is a look at some of the work that I have done prior to this time in jewelry.
As you can tell, I opt for one of a kind pieces and artisan pieces than I do pieces that would be successful in a line. But this is about building a line. . . I digress. . . .
Here are some of my pieces from last years Build a Line Challenge. My theme was Steampunk in the Garden, so mostly floral pieces.
My theme this year is trees and florals and will focus on caging, which is how I came here anyway--looking for foundations upon which to cage.
Now--off you go. Have fun reading the other pages and learning about all the players in this wonderful game! If you haven't played yet, there is always next year. Thank you for taking the time to read. Sign in and leave me a comment and let me know that you were here.
List of Participants for the Blog Hop
Brenda Sue Lansdowne Jewelry Making Outside the Box
http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com
Diana Buynak Butterfly Emporium Ceramic Studio
http://butterflyemporium.indiemade.com/blog
Irene Hoffman, Heart's Dezire by Irene
http://heartsdezirebyirene.wordpress.com
Clare Wells Nemeth, Creative Magick
http://www.craftingmagick.blogspot.com
Mary Reckmeyer, Afrayed Not
http://www.afrayedknot.net
Marcia Tuzzolino, Aurora Designs
http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me
Elizabeth Wilks, Wearable Art by Lizzie
http://wearableartbylizzie.blogspot.com
Jeanette Rose Belmont, One Canvas At A Time
http://www.onecanvasatatime.com
Lyn Joy Reeve, A Journey From Jewels To Jubilation
http://lnreeve00.blogspot.com
Belinda Reed-Ingle, Vogue Rocks
http://voguerocks.blogspot.com
Beth Trubman, The Journey of Jewelry
http://thejourneyofjewelry.blogspot.com
Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate
http://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com
Jann Tague, Clever Designs by Jann
http://janntague.wordpress.com
Shari Gardner, SLG Jewelry Designs
http://slgdesigns.wordpress.com
Susan Bolton, Fern's Place
http://www.fernsplace.org
Chris Kemp, Noodle Pie Bracelets
http://noodlepiebracelets.com
Barbara Kelley, Angels' Keep
http://angelskeepbandbdotcom.wordpress.com
Susan Bowerman, Woodside Wireworks
http://woodsidewireworks.com/
Pamela Anger, Novegatti Designs
http://novegattidesigns.blogspot.com
Joan Donovan, Hailey's Cottage
http://haileyscottage.com/
Alison Huie, Ally's Baubles
http://www.allysbaubles.blogspot.com
Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
http://www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Erica Olmos, Beeb's Closet
https://beebscloset.wordpress.com
Erin Whitacre, Shattered Time Jewelry
https://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com
Fran Sitton, Sitton Up Front
https://sittonupfront.wordpress.com
Ginger Hammond, Lynn Leigh Designs
https://lynnleighdesigns.wordpress.com
Paula Gaskill, Lovely LaylaBug Jewels
http://www.lovelylaylabugjewels.com/Blog.php
YOU ARE HERE @>-----------
Mary Deis, The Rose Sword
http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com
Renee Webb Allen, Small Stuff Design
http://smallstuffdesign.com
Valerie Tilghman, ArtJewelsandGifts
http://www.artjewelzdimensions.blogspot.com
Chris Cravens, Vintage Cravens
http://christinecravens.blogspot.com
Leslie Carver, Adorn Divine Designs
http://www.adorndivinedesigns.blogspot.com
Donna Parry, JewelryDonna
http://jewelrydonna.typepad.com
Gina-Marie Hammer, Tangles, Twists and Treasures
http://tanglestwistsandtreasures.com/blog/
Kelly Wymer, Winged Wisdom Enchantments
https://wingedwisdomenchantments.wordpress.com/
Hello again. LAst year BALC was a lot of fun, I can't wait to see your caging. That is something I admire when I see it. Best Wishes
ReplyDeleteThank you, CP! I am glad we are both here again as well. I hope I do better this year. Thanks for stopping by.
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DeleteMary, thank you so much for sharing your story with us today and the beautiful line you created last year. I enjoyed reading about your paintings with the lovely ladies who are also cancer survivors and admire your courage in facing this terrible disease. I look forward to seeing your trees and florals unfurl over the coming months :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words. Last year, I had to start chemo in the second month of this and lost both hands for awhile. Hard to cut or turn metal. But, I am here now and trying to learn all the new thing B'Sue is putting into the course this year. Am loving it!Thank you for stopping by and replying!
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DeleteI love your third paragraph!!! Especially that little line about the ego. Beautiful blog, wonderful story, and gorgeous jewelry. Does it get any better? I look forward to seeing your beautiful collection unfold!
ReplyDeleteThank you , Susan! You have made some very beautiful jewelry as well. Eye Candy for the Soul.
DeleteI love your style! Can't wait to see what you do with the caging - that has been intriguing to me also! Looking forward to viewing your creations!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteEnjoyed your blog and looking forward to seeing your new
ReplyDeleteline Mary.
Thank you !
DeleteDear Mary Katherine, thank you so much for being a part of our class this year and jumping in again with both feet. You well know I am a fan of your design style which is definitely influenced by your love of vintage jewelry.....as am I. We are birds of a feather. XOXO to you and a big WELL DONE and A++++ Can't wait to see what is next.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your supportive comments! XOXO back to you and well, the A+++ makes my heart swell almost as well as Girl Scout badges do! WHOO HOO!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Mary. Love your jewelry and look forward to your new creations.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Miss Irene!
DeleteI love your writing style, the Homer Simpson joke killed me. Looking forward to seeing your new line.
ReplyDeleteThank you for getting the "Do-NUTS." Sometimes I'm Homer all day! Mostly Lisa. Thank you for leaving a note!
DeleteMary, loved reading your post and seeing the wonderful variety in your creative journey! You are a brave woman as a cancer survivor, and as an artist who is choosing cagework as her theme!! Excited to see your line.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your words! I am glad we are in this together!
DeleteWhat a beautiful blog !! I love what you have created so far and love caging...can't wait to see where you take it :)
ReplyDeleteI hope it turns out okay. I am a bit nervous about it! Thank you for visiting, Val!
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ReplyDeleteYou have made some very lovely jewelry. I will look forward to seeing you create your new line.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elisabeth!
DeleteIn the past you have some very nice pieces.I see this time you'll challenging yourself with the caging. I look forward to seeing you bring this line to us
ReplyDeletePaula--
DeleteThe caging will be a bit of a challenge, but I am looking forward to it! Glad you visited!
Hey Mary, I firstly wanted to congratulate you for a beautiful blog. The colors are gorgeous. Your collages are beautiful too! I'm excited that you will be caging, and I know I will find it super inspiring. Great having you along for the ride!
ReplyDeleteChris K.
Chris--
DeleteI actually found the template for this on a free blogger site and have been surprised that she has not taken it down yet. I can only hope that she will leave it up. Glad we are all in this together!
Lovely blog postMary. Looking forward to seeing your caged pieces
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue!
DeleteHi Mary, your blog is beautiful and so is all of the work that you have done. I can't wait to see what you do next. Thank you for sharing this class with me, I am honored to be in a class with so many talented artisans.
ReplyDeleteAs am I . Lots to learn from different points of view and different techniques. Thank you for visiting , Miss Shari!
DeleteCaging sounds fun and I can't wait to see your designs! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee! I always love your designs!
DeleteOMG .. caging .. one of my favorites .. I love the look .. it going to be so much fun watching us grow ..
ReplyDeleteI agree--the growth of all of us is gonna be so much fin to watch!
DeleteYour previous work is lovely. Applying your talent to caging will be fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carole!
DeleteI was here and can't wait to see your new line. :)
ReplyDeleteYou certainly were here and I cannot wait until the line is out!
DeleteBeautiful post, Mary, and I'm so glad you're here in the BALC again this year! I can't wait to see your new tree and floral line ... caging is one of my favorites. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela! I am looking at the materials and wondering when I am ready to plunge in the water!
DeleteGlad to be going through this experience again with you! Can't wait to see your beautiful caging work!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait either. . .crazy and a bit nervous about it. Thank for visiting!
DeleteLove your blog and the name! Looking forward to seeing your designs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Clare.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog look forward to seeing more beautiful jewelry.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon
DeleteWow, caging.....you go girl! And how could you go wrong with trees and florals? These are things close to my heart. Your jewelry is beautiful, and I know your new line will be as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you , Miss Beth.
DeleteYour blog is so professional ....and your jewellery awesome!!! see you in class lol
ReplyDeleteDearl Lyn--
DeleteThank you so much! Save me a seat next to you in class!
Loved your blog and your jewelry, can't wait to see what you create for your line.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belinda
DeleteThanks for sharing with us Mary!
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a Girl Scout leader too, I miss all the badges! Maybe we should all get special badges for completing the BALC :) wouldn't that be fun? Haha. I like the theme of trees and flowers, this will definitely be cool to work with. I look forward to seeing your new line.
Diana--
DeleteI wish they would do a psychological study for all of us who grew up girl scouts--what we became--how many of us craft and cook and will do anything for the prize! THAT would be interesting.
Hi! I am having a time getting my comment posted. Wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog. Really loved all of your collages of past designs. They are really beautiful. Best of luck to you on this years BALC. Looking forward to seeing your new designs.
ReplyDelete