The FamiLee Jewels

It Isn't Easy Being Green

2012-01-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

2012 will find me looking for more ways to lesson The FamiLee environmental impact. These lovely items by members of TeamEcoEtsy all support that goal.

Treasury Tuesday

2011-11-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

Word for Wednesday: Karma

2011-11-16T14:30:00.000-08:00

Events of the past week have had me thinking about karma. I try to live a purposeful life and to treat people with honesty and respect. It annoys me when colleagues are more careless with the feelings and attitudes of those they interact with, especially when those others are people that I care for.

Word for Wednesday: Serenity

2011-11-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

Serenity

Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is.

Thomas Szasz

Treasury Tuesday

2011-11-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday Style: Mixing Patterns

2011-11-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

Fabric bundle by fabrictofabric on etsy.

Mixing prints and patterns in fashion and home decor is quite a skill. It requires a deliberate plan and a good eye to pull off the look.
Too little and it's a nonstatement.
Too much and you are ready for a turn under the Big Top.
I have been working on incorporating more pattern into my wardrobe and have picked up a few hints from people who possess the look that I am trying to achieve.

The easiest way to get started is to choose a color. Color will be your unifying factor. Choose 2 or more prints that feature your color of choice and see how they complement one another. A great example of this technique is this fun little purse by etsy seller RoseThreads. Amy has used bright orange to marry 2 bold floral prints and achieve mixed pattern success.

Even electric orange can be a unifying color.

The second key to mixed pattern success is varying the print sizes. Do you have a bold stripe? Try paring it with a floral that is more delicate in design. These pillows by ChloeAndOliveDotCom provide an excellent example. Sisters Chloe and Olive use their combined experience in graphic and interior design to create home decor with fashion sense. Bold stripe and graphic print with delicate detail, definite success.

Varied print sizes will make it work.

There are a few more guidelines to make sure that your fashion attempt doesn't fall flat.
Be careful of the amount of fabric in your ensemble. A flowing skirt is great but pair it with a fitted top. Ruffled blouse with big sleeves? Try skinny pants or a pencil skirt.

Your new look is bold. You don't want to look like a theme.
Love animal prints? Great. Stick to one at a time.
Orange, black and bold will resemble Halloween.
Red white and blue? Maybe for Fleet Week.

Accessorize with care. try a scarf, hat or belt within your chosen color or in direct contrast to it. Keep your jewelry subtle. No big chunky necklaces here. Try a few bangle bracelets and a pair of drop earrings in antiqued silver or copper to complement your boho chic look.
TheWhistlingGypsy has it all together in this ensemble that features an upcycled miniskirt of her own design.

TheWhistlingGypsy has achieved mixed pattern success, you can too.

Look through your closet and drawers. Is there a particular color that you have a lot of?
Lay those items next to one another on the bed. (Kick the cat out of your room first) Put away the solids.
Bold pattern? Find one that is less so. Like the combination? Good.
Fabric volume check. Good?
Accessories? Good to go.

One more thing. You are making a statement here. Don't let the clothes wear you. Own the look.
Shoulders back.
Hips forward.
Smile.
You're on.

Word for Wednesday: Bobcat

2011-11-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my Country to help

other people at all times and to obey the law of the pack.

Treasury Tuesday

2011-11-01T02:54:00.000-07:00

I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.
Arthur Ashe

Saturday Style: Biker Chique

2011-10-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

2011 fashion trends are combining lovely feminine colors with boldly dramatic motorcycle related accents. The military style influences of the last few years have evolved. Enter Biker Chique.

I am seeing black leather in vests and bags, big chunky boots with fun accents, and belts with studs and rivets. Zippers are making a statement as fashion accents and quilted fabrics are new again.

This is not the grungy motorcycle look of a previous decade but a more sophisticated way to express your fashion. You don’t have to be a Biker Chick to be Biker Chique.

Your motorcycle jacket doesn’t have to be made of black leather. Be adventurous with style in a tan organic cotton twill motorcycle inspired jacket like this one designed by Reifhous.

Forget about the black leather pants. You can rock these handcrafted black leggings with your kitten heels.

The leggings are available at Duende74 . They are made to order so you can choose whether to have the detailing on the back or the side of the ankle.

On a recent visit to New York we saw an incongruous combination of girly dresses and chunky footwear. It worked! Try adding these upcycled boots to an ensemble that includes your favorite flirty skirt. They are available from WithoutBustles.

A great way to incorporate biker style into your wardrobe is through the use of accessories.

I fell in love with this rich chocolate brown holster bag. It is called the Peacemaker and is available from the designer, MadCapClothing.

Or warm your hands with biker style on those cool Summer evenings with these lacy fingerless gloves available from ZenandCoffee.

Don’t forget the jewelry. This hammered cuff by Colla could grace the arm of the fiercest biker fashion.

This silver chainmaille bracelet with black and red crystals by Galadryl will add some glam to your black leather.

So what do you think readers? Is Biker Chique in your future?

Word for Wednesday: Dream

2011-10-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

- Louisa May Alcott

Treasury Tuesday

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

When once you have tasted fight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. Leonardo DaVinci

Saturday Style: 1970's Fashion Influence

2011-10-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday Style: 1970's Fashion Influence

Do you remember the maxi dress?
Was your closet full of flare leg jeans?
Did you own a jumpsuit?
Or does your only exposure to 70's fashion come from reruns of
Charlie's Angels and Three's Company on Nick at Night?

Yes.
The 1970's are back.
Influencing fashion that is.

2011 fashion trends are feminine and ladylike featuring wider pants and flowing, silky fabrics. Floaty
fluid silhouettes are paired with platform shoes and bold chunky jewelry in a girly style called
boho chic.
This years wonderful color palette that includes honeysuckle pink, coral rose and beeswax
are wonderful in vibrant prints, horizontal stripes and geometric designs.

Let a little retro chic into your life.
Still love your skinny jeans? Add a top with a asymmetric neckline and your big Foster Grants.
Can't let go of your favorite fitted top? Pair it with a pair of wide leg linen pants and some glam
dangling earrings.
Maxi dress? Let it shine with heeled sandals and a long chain necklace.
Embrace fringe on your big purse and layer on those bangle bracelets.

Welcome back 70's.
I don't know if I am ready to wear pajama pants out in public,
but if I have to see people wearing them in the grocery store
I would rather they be satiny and luxe than flannel and covered with cartoon characters.

Treasury Tuesday

2011-10-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

September Blog Carnival: What's on Your Workmat?

2011-09-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Prioritized project: Fingerless gloves waiting for embellishment.

It's confession time.
Septembers Starving Jewelry Artist's Blog Carnival topic is What's on your workmat?
Hello my name is Bonnie and I ponder and start and work on many projects at one time.
My brain works faster than my hands can keep up.
A new idea can be inspired by a current project, a picture in a magazine, the color of a sunset, a dream, or a great piece of hardware from a salvage shopping trip. I feel the need to capture the brainstorm in a concrete manner so that it doesn't slip away. That compulsion translates to multiple mats.
A mental health professional might call this flight of ideas.
I call it creativity.

Skary skulls. Off the mat!

Just finished: an entire Halloween collection of Spooky spiders and Skary skulls in every color of the rainbow. Off the Mat!
In progress: a chainmaille bracelet done except for the clasp that is for the Visions of Hope fundraising event to benefit our hospitals Cancer Treatment Center. The bracelet is on the mat because the crystals in it are pink and I am almost sure that they want to be black. I am waiting for them to decide.
Then there is the "stack-o-mats", a pile of nesting plastic boxes that each holds a project.
1. Viking knit. Always on the mat, and a favorite on the go project for long car trips. (Fred insists on doing all the driving anyway.)
2. Special order for a wedding. On the mat until I find the right color blue beads to finish them.

Necklaces: still on the mat.

3. A pearl and rhinestone bracelet waiting for me to have the patience to string all those tiny beads. Still on the mat.
4. A pair of beautiful fingerless gloves (hand knit by my daughter Lissa) that I am embellishing with beads and salvage to wear at shows. On the mat since May when I received the gloves. Now that the weather is cooler these are a priority.
5. A series of necklaces with acrylic donuts as the focal point. On the mat to be finished before our next show on October 8Th.

I am looking forward to finishing up some of these projects and fessing up has made me prioritize them.
Fabulous photos of completed projects to follow.

Projects in waiting, otherwise known as "Stack-o-mats".

To read what other Starving jewelry Artists have to say about this topic visit:
Bead Sophisticate
Beadsire

Frightful Fashion

2011-09-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

Skary Skulls by The FamiLee Jewels on Etsy

Crisp mornings, advertisements featuring cuddly sweaters, and yellow school buses herald the approaching change of seasons. This is a beautiful time of year in the Northeastern United States. Soon our trees will be bright with shades from gold to scarlet, asters will be blooming and the smell of wood fires will once again become part of our environment. All of these things signal to me that Halloween is near. Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays. It brings out the silly child in me. I love the decorations, the costumes and of course the treats!

Dia de los Muertos dress by ChaoticCouture

Consider this romantic Day of the Dead costume.by ChaoticCouture22 on Etsy. It's amazing pearl encrusted bodice gives it a sugar skull appearance that is enhanced by the designers use of burnt edges. You will be the most beautiful ghoul at the party.

It even comes with a burned red rose bouquet and black lace mantilla style veil decorated with more red roses of course.

Handmade leather mask by Ken Osborne

Consider this handcrafted leather mask in fabulous flame colors by Etsy seller kennosborne. Each of their masks is a unique work of wearable art and will make a most mysterious statement.

Kennosborne represents a husband (Ken) and wife (Becky) team of artists whose favorite materials include "anything we can get our hands on."

Skeleton arm warmers by LadyLotus

Wear "dem bones" on the outside with theses funky arm warmers/fingerless gloves by LadyLotus. These arm warmers are made from recycled T shirt fabric, projects that didn't turn out the way the Lady wanted them to. What a great use of material!
Scary or funky, sexy or bold costumes are a delightful way to celebrate the season.

Who are you going to be for Halloween this year?

2011-09-08T02:37:00.000-07:00

The FamiLee Jewels are packing up the store and taking the show on the road. This weekend you can find us in Lake George New York at the Adirondack Nationals car show.
Adirondack Nationals is an annual event held by Albany Rods and Kustoms. Classic cars literally take over the town. There are parades and contests all weekend long.
The FamiLee Jewels will be located in the Women's Oasis in the Fort William Henry Conference Center , the same space we have occupied for the last several years.
We will be there Friday and Saturday 7-5.
Come spend a perfect Fall day in beautiful Lake George NY, be amazed by classic cars and stop in to the Women's Oasis to say hi!

Happy Birthday Freddy

2011-07-08T03:48:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Freddy.
Four years ago this afternoon I watched you be born and got to hold you for the very first time. Oh my goodness everyone held you that day. You are so lucky to have so many people that love you.
Freddy I can't believe that you are such a big boy now.
You can ride a scooter.
You can have sleepovers.
You can wear underpants.
You can make a cake.
You can play games with the grown ups.
You can play Mario like a champ.
You can even hike a trail and even climb a mountain.

I love you little man.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Freddy
Happy Birthday to you.

Cha Cha Cha!

Summertime

2011-07-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

Beauty is a back yard water garden.

We are deep in the midst of a wonderful Summer. The flowers are blooming, veggies are growing nicely and colorful birds and dragonflies are populating the yard. The tadpoles in the pond have grown legs and now rest on the lily pads as their tails grow shorter daily.
I can't get enough of being outside and enjoying the sun. My day begins with birdsong as I walk around the garden and drink a morning cup of coffee and isn't complete until I have heard the peepers singing me to sleep.
Weekends are spent walking a new trail or on quiet water in the kayaks.
Jewelry made during these months, when I can make myself stay inside and work, is influenced by the dragonflies and birds I admire daily.

Baby frogs grow larger day by day.

Organized? Not!

2011-07-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Dream of Organization.

Organization is so overrated.
It is something that I aspire to but rarely live up to.
It is a struggle to keep my work room orderly when the brain works several projects ahead of the hands.
I have neatly labeled bins and boxes. Books filed according to topic and drawers are full of tools and supplies according to their use and type.

The Reality of my Workspace.

Living on top of these impossible dreams is a layer of my latest projects, at least a months worth of receipts, and stock waiting to be put away from my last show or shopping trip.
My intentions are pure, but life gets in the way.

June Blog Carnival: Using Other's Work

2011-06-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

I love using other peoples work in my designs. The Salvage jewelry that I make is a celebration of the artistry of another era. One where fine craftsmanship and attention to detail were prized. I do not know these artists of old but I seek out their work in unlikely places. My favorite shopping and collecting spots are architectural salvage yards, flea markets, garage sales, fossil and mineral shows, piles of "stuff" washed up on the beach, and junk drawers. I have been known to cause a pedestrian traffic jam in the city by stopping to pick up an interesting bit of trash.

Introspection

The necklace pictured above is made up of the inner gears and plate of a vintage watch. Note the etched detail of the company name on the part itself. That lovely detail was hidden inside the watch case. Only the maker saw it.

Trilobite Fossil wrapped in brass.

Bless the fossil collector that dug this amazing trilobite specimen out of the Wheeler shale formation. I have tried rock collecting with picks and shovels, it's not for me. I am happy to leave it to an expert like my source friend in Utah.

Zipper Hoop earrings

These earrings were made from an old metal garage sale zipper. I have been known to purchase a garment for the appearance of the zipper and/or buttons.

Saints be Praised Bracelet

Old religious medals are some of my favorite components. These little treasures are beautifully made and full of meaning. I love finding them in the bottom of the sale bins or 10 cent buckets at garage sales.

Rhinestone and Pearl Bracelet.

One of my favorite sources of other peoples work is broken vintage jewelry. The rhinestones in this bracelet used to be a shoe clip. Old chains, lonely earrings and broken vintage watches all find their way into the workroom.

Other peoples work, incorporated into my own is a large part of the signature style of The FamiLee Jewels.

To read what other Starving jewelry Artists have to say about the subject visit:
Island Girl
Galadryl
Beadsire
J3Jewelry
AMDesignsbyAngela
Jewelry Art by Dawn

Life Lesson Learned?

2011-06-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have fought a battle with weight all of my adult life.
The pounds crept up and my activity level became more sedate.
I worked long hours often on overnight shift.
I am terrible at portion control.
I have gained and lost enough to make at least 2 of me over the years.

2009 at my heaviest weight

Last year I was forced to admit that my weight was affecting my ability to do the things I wanted to do in life. Theater and Airline seats were tight, and I became short of breath with moderate exertion.

I made the decision that I needed to do something. Thought about surgery and discarded that idea. Considered going back to Atkins or Weight Watchers but had tried both before, lost weight and then put it all back on again plus more.

Luray Caverns, May 2011

Enter Medifast. I met a neighbor that had lost 60 pounds using it and had become a life coach because she believed so strongly in the product. BJ gave me the push that I needed to get started. To date I have lost 87 pounds and 10 sizes.

I have energy and exercise tolerance and recently climbed a (small) Adirondack mountain with the family. The effort would have given me a heart attack a year ago.

During the last year I have learned to modify my eating habits. This is not a diet it is a lifestyle. I have learned to think of food as fuel rather than as a source of pleasure and satisfaction.

I will reach my goal of a BMI of 24 in 9 more pounds.

I believe that I have learned enough to successfully navigate transition and maintainence without backsliding. It will take the rest of my lifetime to know for sure.

Gettysburg Inspired Jewelry

2011-06-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Napoleon cannon at Gettysburg

Fred and I spent several days last month exploring the Civil War battlefields of Pensylvania Maryland and West Virginia.

Gettysburg where brother fought against brother.

Antietem where 23 thousand soldiers were injured or killed in a 12 hour period.

Harpers Ferry whose strategic location made it a frequent site for skimishes that made the town inhabitable for those who called it home.

Gettysburg Address

During our journey I indulged my passion for making and collecting pressed pennies.

When we got home I turned them into a bracelet.

Gettysburg Penny Bracelet

Vacation or how to relax and recharge

2011-06-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

The state of North Carolina Monument was sculpted using photographs of
soldiers that fought at Gettysburg.

Vacation.....I know that I am seriously dating myself but I can't think of the word without picturing Connie Francis singing V A C A T I O N...in the summer sun.
The word itself makes me smile and fills me with excited anticipation. I get almost as much enjoyment out of planning vacations as I do going on them. Fred and I enjoy traveling and make an effort to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
We had the pleasure last month of attending the wedding of a wonderful young couple in suburban Georgia northwest of Atlanta. We knew it would be a weekend full of love, laughter, family and friends. We received the save the date notice over the winter holidays. It didn't take us long to decide to turn the trip into one of our little adventures.
2011 marks the 150th Anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Visiting the battlefields of Gettysburg has been on our wanna do list for quite a while. We decided that this was the year to do it.
We spent the early Spring months reading Civil War literature and watching movie series such as Gettysburg and The Blue and the Gray. We had lively discussions about our reading because we studied American history differently. Fred was raised in New York where the focus of Civil War history was on slavery. I was raised in the South where the focus was on economics!

Brigadier General Gouverneur Kemble Warren

We spent 3 beautiful sunny days in mid May on the battlefields in Gettysburg and Antietam with a side trip to Harpers Ferry. The feeling of standing on those hallowed grounds is indescribable. Our research and the photographs and museum displays that we saw made it personal. The sense of loss is overwhelming. Imagining combatants who a few years earlier were friends, family members and neighbors standing half a cornfield apart and firing weapons at one another brought tears to the eyes. Realizing the tremendous sacrifice that our ancestors experienced to keep our country united was humbling.
V A C A T I O N.
It doesn't always mean lounging on the beach or camping in the mountains, although I enjoy and highly recommend both of those pursuits. Experiencing a new place and stimulating a different part of my brain are great ways to relax and recharge.

View from the watch tower at Antietam, site of Bloody Lane.

Learning from Failure

2011-05-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

The road to the top includes steep grades and difficult terrain.
Failure is not an option.

Being a jewelry artist can be difficult. The competition is fierce. There are thousands of aspiring jewelers of all kinds the world over. Many of them have amazing talent and original designs. One of my most difficult tasks has been trying to find a way to be noticed in the crowd.
This year I have applied to larger and more competitive juried art and craft shows. The applications were more involved and I made every effort to have my wording and photographs be good representations of my style. I was wait listed for my top 2 choices of shows. They were "saturated" with jewelry applications and although they "appreciated" my "unique work" had no room for me "at this time".
I was crushed, disappointed in my effort, and left feeling defensive about my abilities.

It is time to stop feeling sorry for myself. Next year those applications will have professional photographs and an application that includes a resume and press packet. In the meantime I will continue to develop other outlets for The FamiLee jewels including home parties, on line sales and gift shops.

April Blog Carnival: Using Color

2011-05-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

This salvage necklace uses aged patinas and texture
rather than color to create the intended mood.

Most of my work is monochromatic. I use aged patinas and various textures to create jewelry with a sense of history. My salvage pieces are intended to have a dark and mysterious aura to fit the Victorian/Industrial nature of their design.
Color makes an strong statement. Choosing the appropriate one to complement the mood of the piece is important.
Black and white are the most common colors that I use. Black crystals, beads made of onyx and obsidian, gleaming pearls, and clear quartz all make lovely accents.
Purple in a warm but muted amethyst color has become a favorite to work with. The rich color suggests mystery, intrigue and spirituality,

Dark and dramatic this black agate slice is wrapped in bronze
wire and encrusted with beads of the same color.

A jewel of the sea in bright bottle green.

Color makes a bolder statement in my wire wrapped pieces. Here you will find colorful slices of agate and those lovely gems of the sea, beach glass. These uncommon jewelry components exhibit bold and happy colors. They are wrapped in bronze, copper or sterling silver wire and sometimes encrusted with metal beads but I rarely add other color to the design.

This post is part of a blog carnival. Read how other Starving jewelry Artists use color in their work by following the links below.
This Northern Girl
Island Girl
Bead Sophisticate
Jeane's Jems and Jewels
Beadsire

April Has Been Very Very Good to Us!

2011-04-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

Especially if you leave our never ending cold Spring weather out of the equation.
April brought the inaugural edition of Our Towne Malta, a monthly publication that concentrates on our community and shares information about local events and businesses.

We were very excited to be featured as one of those businesses. Colleen Pierre, managing editor, was impressed with our use of salvaged and found objects finding it a unique method of recycling. See page 16 of the April edition to read the article.

April also found us making our reservation for shows for the rest of the year. We are happy to report that we will be returning to 3 of our old favorites Art on Lark, Adirondack Nationals, and Goold Orchards.
We have also learned of a new opportunity here in Malta called the Malta Drive In Market. Our local 2 screen Drive In movie theater is going to have a great new market on Sundays beginning May 22. It will feature local artisans and a farmers market as well as antique and collectibles dealers. The FamiLee Jewels will be there once a month this Summer, will you?

WIP: Gauntlets

2011-04-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

My daughter Melissa is teaching herself to knit. She has crocheted for years making blankies and scarves and hats for many of us in the FamiLee.

Knitting has woken in her a creative passion. She has found the joy of not merely following a pattern. Lissa is learning to make a project her own by imposing her own ideas on it.

I am the lucky recipient of a soft and lovely pair of her gauntlets. I love wearing these fingerless gloves when we do Fall and Winter shows. They keep my hands warm while allowing my fingers the freedom to make adjustments in clasps or changes in necklace length that are often associated with their purchase.
Melissa knows me well and appreciates the dark brass and copper colors that I prefer to work with. She made the gauntlets in a soft and muted amethyst color that complements these metals. Lis also left the embellishment off the pair and instructed me to finish them in a way that will showcase both of our talents.
I have sorted through some likely beads, salvaged hardware and findings and am working on a plan.
Welcome to my Work in Progress.

My soft and lovely yet unadorned gauntlets.

Progress on a Goal

2011-04-18T08:10:00.000-07:00

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

~ Henry Ford

Update: I was challenged earlier this year to set a lofty personal goal. In response to that task I became determined to see some of my work in print. I wrote tutorials and sent off jewelry pieces of my own design to be evaluated. I waited and waited and waited to hear back from prospective publishers.

I am thrilled to report that this Summer I will have work published in 2 of my favorite magazines Step by Step Wire Jewelry and Belle Armoire Jewelry.

I can hardly wait to see the magazines and have been encouraged to write more tutorials which will soon be available in our etsy store! Thank you 52 Weeks of Blogging for pushing me to take the risk of rejection. It hardly hurt at all.

Treasure!

2011-04-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

The FamiLee Jewels were vendors at a Spring Shopping Spree at the Women's Club of Albany a couple of weeks ago. The Women's Club is located on Madison Avenue in a beautiful old Victorian house right near Washington Park. It boasts high ceilings, original hardwood floors, magnificent wood molding, fabulous fireplaces and stained glass windows that are a treat to look at. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon in that lovely environment.

My newest Treasure. Brass coat check disks.

The Women's Club is doing some Spring cleaning and they came across this basket (actually a take out food container) full of brass tags from the old coat room. They gave them to me after seeing our jewelry, knowing that I would make good use of them. The only caveat was that I drill #22 for attachment to a necklace that one of the members had purchased from me. I was happy to do so.
I worked up #3 in a necklace for myself and have plans for many more.

My number 3 necklace

You will see many numbers in the coming weeks at The FamiLee jewels on etsy.

My Impatient Season

2011-04-08T15:53:00.000-07:00

It is officially here.
The only season that I dislike.
That foolish time between calendar Spring and weather Spring that raises your hopes daily and then cruelly gives you a snow storm.
Some call the fifth season Mud, others Early Spring. I prefer not to name it at all in hopes that it will slink away.
It is my season of impatience.
I long to have the rest of the snow melt so that we can see the garden sprouting. I wish for days without rain in order to see the new buds on the trees. I want the mud to dry so that we can rake the rest of the oak leaves and get the yard ready for Summer play.
Be gone you last remnants of Winter...Bonnie wants to go outside!

The Great Mother's Day Giveaway

2011-04-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

I don't think that I have been this excited for a Giveaway that I can not enter.
The Starving Jewelry Artist's Team has created an event to honor Mom's everywhere.
We will be giving away 3 gift certificates.
First Place $100.00 gift certificate.
Second Place $50.00 gift certificate.
Third Place $25.00 gift certificate.
The gift certificates may be spent in any participating Etsy or Artfire shop.
Deadline is May 1st.

Visit The Starving Jewelry Artists Team Blog for instructions on how to enter and a list of participating shops.

Be Prepared

2011-03-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

We live on a small planet. Those of you raised in the instant information age have grown up accepting this as fact. Those of us that are baby boomers and older have come to realize it as we watch in real time when disasters unfold in other parts of the world.
Hurricanes in Louisiana and Haiti, flooding in Austrailia, tsunamis in Hawaii and Japan, war and civil unrest in Afganistan, Libya and Egypt are all right in our living room with us.
The devastation caused by these natural and manmade disasters is appalling and difficult to wrap your brain around. I find myself glued to the TV as though somehow by sharing the trauma I can help alleviate the pain. I can't. I can only watch in horror as cities of people whose lives are not so different than mine are torn apart.
I can do nothing to help them but offer my prayers and make responsible donations to organizations like the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity International.

I can do something for myself.
I have come to realize by watching these events unfold that our home is not prepared to sustain us in the event of long term disaster.
Years ago when the girls lived home and were dependent on us we laughed about our stockpiles. Fred used to tease that I could feed the neighborhood for a week if there was ever a problem.
We don't have that stockpile anymore.
We have become accustomed to 24 hour grocery stores, all night gas stations, and atm machines for banking. These conveniences have made us complacent and I don't like it. If a disaster should strike here I don't want to be waiting to be rescued. I want ot be able to care for myself and my family and the neighbors if necessary until some kind of order can be restored.

Beginning now I will:
Fill the gas tank in the car when it gets down to half. (This will make Fred very happy)
Keep enough durable food and water in the house to sustain us for 2 weeks.
Have a backpack ready to grab and go in the event of evacuation, with a change of clothes, work gloves, power bars, water, flashlight and a radio.
Take the emergency radio out of the camper and put it in the house.
Make sure to keep flashlights with extra batteries, matches and propane.
There is already enough wood for heating or cooking fires.

With very little effort I can gain some peace of mind.
If and when disaster strikes I will not be a helpless bystander.

March Blog Carnival: Who has Influenced my Jewelry Work

2011-03-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

The question of who has influenced my work is always one that I love to answer. I am so greatful to those who have gone before me and have been so generous in sharing their ideas and design principles.

I knew very early in my bead and jewelry journey that I wanted to work with wire. I couldn't find any classes available locally to teach me this skill but google helped me find the Master Wire Sculptor himself Preston Reuther. Preston had a website that was so full of knowledge that it encouraged me to try this medium. I purchased several of his DVDs and following his instructions learned to manipulate and be comfortable with wire. Preston has a very down to earth manner of presentation and makes the video seem like he is sitting in the room with you. His "If I can teach myself to do this anyone can learn it" attitude gave me confidence in my abilities.

Google also helped me to find wire artist Eni Oken. Eni has a wonderful way of layering fine gauge wire. I fell in love with her style immediately. The thing that I liked most about her website is the fact that I could buy instructions for a specific project or technique and download them. That kind of instant gratification is hard to pass up when you are absorbed in the development of a new skill. Eni's instruction has allowed me to make jewelry that tells a story.

The first jewelry instruction book that I bought is bead on a wire by Sharilyn Miller. It is still in my collection of basics and i won't part with it. Sharilyn's teaching style is fantastic. Her directions are clear and concise. Her advice is deliberate. Do it, do it over and over and over until you can do it right the first time, and you will have developed a lifelong skill. Sharilyn taught me about hammers (I love my hammers) and she taught me about structural integrity in my work.

My most recent influence is Susan Lenart Kazmer. I was gifted with her book Making Connections last year and was so thrilled to find someone that shares my love for rusty dusty aged patinas. Susans book of cold joinery techniques is beautifully illustrated with her own designs. Those designs convinced me that the direction that I am going on this jewelry journey is the right one for me. Instead of worrying about being outside the box, I am cutting up the box and using it to make jewelry!

This post is part of a Blog Carnival. Follow the links below to learn who infulenced the work of these Starving Jewelry Artists.

Island Girl

J3Jewelry

Beadsire

BeadSophisticate

March Treasury Madness

2011-03-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever shopped on etsy?
It is THE greatest place to shop for handcrafted and vintage goods of all kinds. There are so many talented artists and craftspeople there. My favorite thing about the venue is that the artists all represent themselves. You can get to know them through their profiles.
You can learn about their design process in the item descriptions.
You can contact the artist/shop owner directly if you have any questions or concerns.
It is the next best thing to a face to face art/craft show and gives you the opportunity to shop with vendors from all over the world.

I have many favorite sellers and favorite items. I have showcased them in treasuries this month. You know how I feel about hunting for treasure. These are some of my finds.

These are items made locally in the Albany/Schenectady/Saratoga region of New York State.

Some of my favorite ecofriendly etsy items.

To celebrate National Poetry Month.

Have you ever shopped on etsy?
Ever made a treasury of your own?
What is your favorite etsy item?

You are One of a Kind

2011-03-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Recycled, Repurposed, and Reused

Do you appreciate the use of recycled materials?
Do you love steam punk or lust after antiques?
Are you fond of repurposed salvage?
Do you enjoy quirky and unusual?
Do you embrace setting your own style?
One that represents your unique point of view?

These are some of the attributes of customers of The FamiLee Jewels.

Many of you are antique and collectible shoppers. You enjoy hunting for Vintage treasures. Garage sales, estate sales and flea markets are some of your playgrounds.
I love hearing your expressions of pleasure and seeing your smiles when you recognize some of what you search for in the jewelry that I make.

Most of you recognize that we live on a small planet and that we are responsible for treating it with respect. Your appreciation for reusing and repurposing discarded materials reflects that belief.
I always know who you are because you give me back my packaging materials and wear your jewelry home, with pride in the choices that you have made.

All of you are style setters. You enjoy wearing clothing and accessories that tell the world who you are, not which stores you shop in. I know you. We are soul sisters.
When customers say to me "I could never wear a pendant that big." I say to them "It is not the size of the person, it is the size of the personality that determines what you wear."
It is you that I am thinking of.

Signs of Spring

2011-03-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Three little boys learned that it's ok to splash in puddles when you have your rain boots on!

Friends and relatives in other parts of the country and in other hemispheres of the world have been asking if we are seeing any signs of Spring. Until this week my answer has been a dismal "No we are still buried under 4 feet of snow."
Saturday night we moved the clocks forward and all of a sudden it seems that Spring has arrived. I have seen three definite signs of better things to come.

The chipmunks are done hibernating and have dug there way out of the snowbanks to look for their warm weather perches.

When I got out of work Monday evening there was a group of RPI students playing basketball in Beman Park in shirtsleeves.

My three favorite little boys learned how to jump in puddles.

My heart is happy.

Studio Tour: A piece of equipment I use every day

2011-03-09T17:25:00.000-08:00

My beautiful workbench the workhorse of the studio.

There are many tools in my studio that I use frequently. There are tools that I love and get excited about using. I have written before to tell you about my Dremel and of the wonderful new jump ring maker that Fred made me for Christmas.
The Granddaddy of them all has to be the workhorse, my beautiful solid wood workbench. There are other tools and devises that are more fun to play with but none makes my work easier than the bench.
Fred picked it up at a woodworkers garage sale a few years ago. It was new in the box so he couldn't pass it by. He already has a beautifully handcrafted workbench in his shop so this one is all mine.

Storage is everything.

The bench has a spacious and strong work surface. I can hammer and stamp to my hearts content. Nothing bounces off or moves around.
There is plenty of room for my small butane torch and pickle pot, metal stamps dapping tools and doming block, circle punches, anvil and steel block, third hand and a vise.
It has drawers too! Six of them with plenty of room for hammers and other hand tools.

March Giveaway

2011-03-08T05:33:00.000-08:00

Oxidized Copper Love Knot Earrings by The FamiLee Jewels

March is here and with it more snow, but the hope of Spring.
In honor of March and it's popular Holiday St. Patricks Day The FamiLee Jewels are giving away a pair of Copper Love Knot earrings to one lucky fan of our site.

The knot uses 3 coils of wire. Each wire represents one of the forces of nature - earth, water and fire. Weaving them together in one continuous knot signifies unity, strength, spirit and being.

The giveaway will run from now until March 31st.

To enter your name into the draw for the giveaway:
1. visit our etsy store at http://www.thefamileejewels.etsy.com/ and choose your favorite piece of jewelry.
2. comment here on the blog or on our Facebook page about which piece you like best and why it is your favorite.
3.The winner will be chosen sing a random number generator. I will notify you of the winner on April 1st.

Good Luck!

Product Development: It's Quite a Process

2011-03-06T10:10:00.000-08:00

Inside the cable were many strands of fine gauge copper wire.

Pressed pennies are a new interest. I stated collecting them about a year ago and since then my mind has been filled with ideas for turning them into jewelry. They make interesting earrings and necklaces but the most intriguing possibilities are bracelet designs.
The elongated or squished pennies are malleable enough to be slightly curved to accommodate the shape of the wrist.

Used electrical wire

The challenge then is to create a band that is strong and beautiful yet lets the penny be the focal point.
I made several bracelets using chainmaille patterns. Byzantine, Half-Persian, and Japanese 8 in 1 all lend themselves to the task.

Several weeks ago I pulled a length of used electrical wire from the trash bin in the garage. I was curious to see whether I could recycle it for use in wire jewelry. I cut the coating off several feet of the electrical cable and discovered a bundle of fine gauge copper wire. While unraveling the bundle into usable portions I decided to make a bracelet band of Viking Knit.

Viking Knit is an ancient Scandinavian weaving process that creates sturdy metal tubes from tightly intertwined fine gauge wire. It is a technique that will allow me to assemble the bracelet using cold connections .

The used wire is tarnished in it's raw state but that suits my purposes perfectly as I plan to oxidize the entire bracelet when it is complete.

Viking knit made from recycled electrical wire.

Winter Wonderland

2011-02-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

The Northeastern United States has been inundated with snow this year.

I haven't experienced a Winter with this much icy precipitation in a long time.

Many of the city streets that I must navigate to get to work are reduced to one lane.

The snow under the birdfeeders is so deep that the squirrels can reach them by standing on their hind legs.

Local radio stations are having how much are you sick and tired of the snow contests.

We have Cabin fever.

Then....just as I think I can't take another minute of it we have a day like Saturday.

It snowed about another foot of heavy almost Spring snow on Friday.

We grumbled.

We complained.

We shoveled.

Saturday morning came with clear blue skies and temperatures in the high 30's. They turned all that snow into a Winter wonderland that made me happy just to see it and be outside.

February Blog carnival: What's in a Name?

2011-02-26T13:36:00.000-08:00

The strong beautiful women of the FamiLee. Nana on the right, Becky next to her
and I on the left make up The FamiLee Jewels. My sister Donna is center and our niece Jessica to her left.

The FamiLee Jewels started in 2007. The jewelry that we started making as a hobby was overtaking our homes and we needed and outlet for it.
The discussion to choose a name was a spirited one.
We are a FamiLee of strong women.
My Mom, Ella (Nana to her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren), the matriarch of our group raised 4 children on her own while going to school for an accounting degree to improve her job prospects. She sets the example for the rest of us to live up too.
We are steel willed and opinionated but kind and compassionate too, having been taught by Nana that we are fortunate to have been born in a country that allows us to influence our own destinies. She has always given back to her community through volunteerism and the rest of us were raised to do so.
We are a family of overachievers with high expectations of ourselves and each other.
We are as my sister Donna says "The glue that holds this family together".
Becky was the one to suggest that our name be The Family Jewels. We chuckled at her recommendation but kept coming back to it.
Isn't each member of our family a precious gem?
Don't we cherish one another more than personal riches?
What could be better?
It turned out only the spelling.

With a last name like Lee we couldn't resist the sybolism of changing the spelling to The FamiLee Jewels.

Our Most Precious Jewels.
Becky is busy raising the next generation.

Follow the links to find out how other business chose their names.

Galadryl

Island Girl

O'refined

Bead Sophisticate

Northern Girl

Starving Jewelry Artists

J3Jewelry

Beadsire

Paintin by Faith

Vacation Memories and Souvenirs

2011-02-22T15:19:00.000-08:00

Where do you like to go on Vacation?

Penny press

Are you a warm weather seeker?

A mountain camper?

or a baseball fan?

Do you like museums, historic sites and battlefields?

Are you a theme park junkie with a fondness for roller coasters, animated characters and water rides?

My fondest vacation memories include time spent with family and friends in all of these places.

I like to bring home a little souvenir from each happy place that I visit. Something small to hold in my hand that triggers a wonderful memory.

I have a little jar of sand and shells from Rockport, beach glass from the Rose Island Lighthouse, smooth stones from Lake Ontario, iron pyrite from Atlanta, garnet from the Adirondacks and a magnet from Sea World in my possession.

Last Spring Fred and i went on a trip to New York and visited the Intrepid Museum. While wandering the huge aircraft carrier I came upon a souvenir penny machine. I pressed several pennies with the dies on the Intrepid and found that they gave me a warm memory of my youth when my father (a Navy man himself) would bring us pennies that had been elongated by the wheels of a jet running over them on the flight deck.

I have become fascinated by these tiny treasures.

Pressed Pennies also known as squished pennies or elongated pennies are fun, inexpensive and interactive. The machines are located in many vacation spots throughout the United States. Each machine has it's own die design to make a unique penny for you.
To make a penny souvenir you will need a penny, 2 quarters and a strong arm.
Some machines offer you a choice of more than one design.
I have discovered that pressed pennies are very collectible. You can purchase tiny albums to store your pennies in or you can keep them with your photographs.
I have decided to make jewelry out of mine.

To learn more about pressed pennies visit:
http://www.pressedpennies.com/
http://www.pennycollector.com/

http://www.pressedpenny.com/

Charm Bracelet made from pennies pressed in Cooperstown, New York

Stringing it Up Didn't Satisfy Very Long

2011-02-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

Bead stringing lead me to the creative process of making jewelry. I fell in love with beads of all kinds glass, crystal, wood, seed, and gemstones...the gemstones were amazing. Jasper and agate in seemingly infinite varieties each one like a perfect little art piece, sparkling water clear Herkimer diamonds, and glossy dark red garnets are all favorites.
Hunting for gemstone beads is a fantastic and tactile experience. Touching these beautiful pieces of the earth is somehow both soothing and powerful.
I still enjoy my beads and probably have more than I will use in a lifetime because along the way I was disappointed to discover that I don't like bead stringing very much. I do enjoy combining the beads, working out unique color palettes and textures but the process of putting it all together with beading wire or silk thread and crimps and covers and wire guardians is tedious and unappealing.
Wire work on the other hand holds endless fascination...even the repetitious tasks like coiling and viking knit are enjoyable.
So:
Beautiful beads are used as accents for a piece of work that is focused on metal and salvage.
I still get to play with the beads.
Win!

Love Forevermore

2011-02-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Eco Friendly Steampunk Collage Necklace by The FamiLee jewels on etsy

Fred and I have been married for 35 years today. Yes we were romantic enough to get married on Valentines Day in 1976. Fred has a heart big enough to embrace the world and I love him more than ever.
We planned a lovely day of Museum exhibits and a late lunch, then off to watch Freddy play hockey at the Civic Center. I will be wearing this creation titled Love Forevermore all day!

How I fell in Love with Creating

2011-02-12T17:08:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a military family. We moved every 2 years during my childhood and I attended 6 different schools. Somehow in all of the moving I don't remember ever taking an art class. I never considered this a problem or felt that I had missed something. If I thought about creativity at all I didn't think of myself as artistic or creative.
I wanted to be though, it was the 70's after all!

As a young adult I learned to knit and crochet as well as how use a sewing machine.I took some ceramic classes and asked a favorite Aunt to teach me the basics of decorative painting.

An old key takes on new life as a necklace.

I enjoyed exploring artistic possibilities. It was fun to follow a pattern and complete a project.
I took a watercolor class and tried to teach myself to draw by following the exercises in a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I still find drawing even a simple form a daunting task but while doing these exercises, for the first time in my life I felt like I was letting go and allowing myself to create.
For the first time I felt the focus of artistic pursuit.

In January of 2006 I enrolled in a community sponsored class about jewelry making. The class was fun and the beads were addictive. Google searches lead me to jewelry designers Eni Oken, Preston Reuther and Sharilyn Miller whose work with beads and gemstones showcases them with wire.

My imagination soared. I fell in love with wire wrapping and other cold connections. They allowed me to use unconventional materials to create jewelry.

I began incorporating small treasures into my pieces.
Beach glass, pretty stones, old coins, vintage hardware, game tokens, fossils and pieces of old Valentines all found their way into my designs.

Yes, my designs. I am finally an artist, a person who loves to create. A person who designs jewelry as wearable art because she doesn't know how to stop.

Free Bracelet Giveaway!

2011-02-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

Hancrafted copper cuff Leaf by The FamiLee Jewels

The FamiLee jewels are giving away one of Bonnie's handcrafted copper cuff bracelets.
This is a $15 value.

Help us to spread the word about The FamiLee jewels. Make a comment on the blog, tweet the giveaway, or post it to your face book page and I will enter your name into the drawing.

Winner will be announced on February 21st!

What have You Done For Me Lately?

2011-02-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

"It is the example of each persons life much more than his or her words that speaks with power. Even the smallest action done with a loving appreciation of life can profoundly touch other human beings."

I saw this quote by Duane Elgin in a blog post recently.
It stuck with me......hanging in the back of my mind and making me think about the people who inspire me to be a better person with the way they live their lives.

Fred is my husband of 34 years. He is an extremely caring person, so friendly and garrulous in attitude that it makes you happy to be in his company. The dog and cat argue over who gets to sit in his lap and you should see the joy on the faces of our 3 little grandsons when they know that their Pip is coming to see them. Fred is a colon cancer survivor. Many people would feel angry and bitter about that battle. Fred's appreciation for life was enhanced. I have learned from him that joys as well as sorrows are better when shared.

My wonderful Mother Ella is the strongest person I know. Her integrity is unwavering and the way she gives of herself makes me wonder if I can ever live up to her example. At 79 she still volunteers her time at a local Nursing home teaching jewelry classes and going on outings with wheelchair bound Seniors who would otherwise not have a chance to leave the facility. I have learned from her the pleasure of doing things for others.

A Reiki practitioner has taught me the importance of taking care of myself and staying centered.
A former teacher shared with me the rewards of persistance.
An uncle living with unrelenting chronic pain instructs me about living with grace and dignity under difficult circumstances.

So tell me.
Who inspires you in the way they live their life?
What have they taught you lately?

This is a Week for Questions

2011-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

You said what?

Curated By: TheFamiLeeJew...

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Blog Carnival: What is your favorite material?

2011-01-30T08:03:00.000-08:00

Bottle green sea glass from Key West Florida

Choosing only one favorite material was quite a challenge. My studio has many treasures and there are not many that I would willingly give up.
I asked myself which of these would I miss the most if I could never use it again.
The answer?

sea glass........

beach glass........

mermaid's tears........

Whatever you call them, these beautiful little jewels of the sea make beach combing a great deal of fun.

Sea glass begins as litter from shipwrecks, dumps, and pleasure boaters as well as refuse from other sources. Broken pieces of glass and pottery are tumble polished by waves, sand and rocks to a smoothly etched surface. These ocean frosted gems wash up on beaches all over the world.

Frosted glass from Long Beach in Rockport Massachesetts

Sea glass is common in green, brown and clear (think beer bottles).

Less common colors are light blue, yellow and pink.

Rare finds are bright red, black, cobalt blue and lavender.

Lavender or lilac glass is most often clear glass from the years 1880-1915. Manganese in the glass made during that time period slowly turns the glass to shades of purple when exposed to the sun and other elements.

The process of making a smoothly opaque piece of beach glass with rounded edges takes between 15 to 60 years.

The FamuLeeJewels love the beach and while walking barefoot in the sand Bonnie always keeps her eyes open for pieces of glass and other beach trash to turn into beautiful jewelry.

Much of our sea glass was collected on the beaches of Rockport Massachusetts, the coast of the DelMarVa Peninsula and the warm sands of Key West Florida. Some of our favorite pieces are from a trip to the Rose Island Lighthouse near Newport and from the Dry Tortuga's near Key West. These remote places provide wonderful hunting ground for beach treasures.

That may be why sea glass is my favorite material. I only use what I gather myself and the gathering places are some of my favorite in the world.

Brown bottle sea glass from the shores of the Rose Island Lighthouse

The topic "What is your favorite material?" was chosen as the Starving Artists Team's Blog Carnival topic for the month of January. Here are the favorite materials of other jewelry artists.

Galadryl

Beadsire

Island Girl

Orefined

My Lofty Goal for 2011

2011-01-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

I love reading trade magazines. By trade I mean those written about Jewelry art and design.
I pour over the pages in every issue reading the advice, devouring the photographs, and taking in the colors.
I am nerdy enough to read the advertisements, the editorials, and announcements.

A little over a year ago I started having a tickle in the back of my brain that some of my work would look good in those pages. I started writing tutorials, practice for teaching only through the printed word.

Painting a picture with words is an interesting puzzle, one that I am still working on.

I have taken the leap and submitted some of my work for publication.
Wish me luck!

Game Night! Or how we amuse ourselves when the weather makes us stay indoors.

2011-01-25T13:38:00.000-08:00

Game Night

Curated By: TheFamiLeeJew...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Paintings

Happy Valentines Day

2011-01-24T05:34:00.000-08:00

Fred's handcrafted wine bottle stops make a wonderful Valentine's gift

A loaf of bread a jug of wine and thou beside me......just don't forget the corkscrew! Let the FamiLee Jewels help you celebrate your love.

Valentine's Day is very special to Fred and I.
It is our wedding anniversary.
He chose the date saying it would help him to never forget our anniversary.
This year we will have been married 35 years, and he never has.

The FamiLee Jewels is offering a special package in honor of Valentines day and of our anniversary.

The maple used in this wine bottle stopper is left over from from building my brothers staircase

When you purchase one of Fred's hand crafted winestops from The FamiLee Jewels we will package it for you with a pair of wine charms and a gift bag for your bottle. All you have to add is the vintage and the Sweetie.

$29 gift boxed.

Night Fire wood laminate makes a colorful addition to a Valentine's celebration

Photography: A challenging Work in Progress

2011-01-23T07:50:00.000-08:00

I love making jewelry.

It is a passion.

The design and creation of wearable art is a joyful process.

Selling and marketing jewelry is an entirely different story.
I have no business background. I am a Registered nurse by profession. TheFamiLeeJewels opened on Etsy in 2007 and has been growing slowly since. I am learning how to run it by trial and error. One of the biggest challenges along the way has been getting good quality photographs that represent the items accurately.
Photographing small items like jewelry is an art and for me a work in progress.

The first item I sold on etsy in 2007 was a copper wrapped piece of picture jasper.

The necklace pictured above was my very first etsy sale. I was so so pleased with the picture at the time. It was clear and the color was true. When I look at it now I only see the too dark background. I have since started using an off white textured piece of photo paper to place the jewelry against.

Along the way I experimented with props, but found most of them too distracting. They took the attention from what I was trying to have be the focal point of the picture.

Props make a nice background but be careful that they are not too distracting.

Today I still take a lot of pictures to get 5 that I consider good enough to sell jewelry online. I prefer to shoot them outdoors when the weather permits. I have found the truest color and detail appear outdoors on a sunny day but in the shade. In the winter I use an inexpensive light tent and some cone lights from Home Depot with true color bulbs in them. It's not ideal but better than incandescent light.

The camera is a simple point and shoot 12.1 Megapixel Canon Powershot. I haven't been able to convince myself that my skill level warrants anything more elaborate.
There are a few lessons that I have learned along the way.
1. Never use flash. It washes out the color of the stones and causes distracting hot spots in the picture.
2. program the camera for macro.
3. use the cloudy day setting.
4. take the picture with the highest resolution your camera allows.
5. I am thankful everyday for digital camera technology. Developing film to represent these items would have bankrupted me long ago.

Every so often I get a picture that I am really proud of.

One of my favorite jewelry photographs. Everything was going well this day.

There are many more examples in my Flickr Photostream.

Luxurious Leather Treasury

2011-01-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

I was looking for leather goods on etsy this week. These are some of the beautiful items for sale there. I love that red jacket but alas my skeleton would not fit a size 4!

My Go To Earrings

2011-01-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dark wash jeans.
Pleated white blouse.
Black cashmere sweater.
Textured copper cuff.
Sterling silver thumb ring.
Chocolate brown boots.
Chain maille necklace.
Tan suede sandals.

These are some of the staples from my closet and the pieces that I reach for most frequently. I call them my "go to" wardrobe. They are comfortable friends and are very versatile, blending with many different ensembles. When I reach for one of these treasures it is to create an overall appearance rather than match a color or style.

Some of my jewelry customers like to pair their pieces. I am frequently asked "What kind of earrings go with this Necklace?" or "What should I wear with this bracelet?"
I have developed 2 pair of earrings that I consider "Go to" jewelry. They are simple in design and will complement any of our Salvage jewelry. They also look great alone.

The first pair are made of copper. They are a traditional handcrafted love knot design, strung onto copper ear wires and oxidized to give them a wonderful patina. The love knots are 5/8 inch in diameter. They hang 3/4 inch from the hook of the ear wire.
They are also available in a mixed metal design of sterling silver or nobium and copper for those whose ears are sensitive to base metals.
I wear a pair of earrings in this design at least once a week to go to a meeting, to go out to a movie, or even to go to work in my scrubs.

The latter pair are my personal favorites. The ear wires are long arches made of Vintaj natural brass which is nickle free for those with sensitive ears. The black circle is polished wood making an earring that is comfortable and lightweight. The ear wires are 1 3/4 inches in length. The wood circles are 5/8 inch in diameter. That makes the total length 2 3/4 inch from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the disk.
These are a great pair of earrings when you would like a little dangle. They have great movement when worn them but are subtle rather than glam for everyday use.

What are the "go to" garments in your wardrobe?
What do you wear them with?

Something New in the Studio

2011-01-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

The Salvaged purse that sparked the idea for the project

I am an avid salvage shopper.

Basketweave pattern will make
a fabulous cuff.

Anyone that reads the blog knows how frequently I haunt garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores,salvage yards and antique stores looking for little bits of the past that can be incorporated into jewelry designs. It is a pleasurable ongoing treasure hunt.

I have been collecting leather goods for a while now. The attraction started with the find of a hand tooled leather purse.
It reminded me of ones that my father made when he was in the US Navy.

salvaged leather belts

Belts are also a great source for nice leather patterns and I have even found thin flexible scraps of leather in several colors.

Santa was very good to me this year, gifting a multi size leather punch and an assortment of eyelets and rivets along with the setter to use both.

Leather cuffs are in the future of The FamiLee Jewels.

I am currently working on Steampunk themed Victorian Industrial elements to embellish them.

I will have photos of the finished product to share on the weekend. Until then take a look at these amazing finds that are providing raw material for the project.

New Leather Punch

Open Jewelry Class: Earring Clinic

2011-01-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

January 16Th Bonnie will be returning to At The Warehouse to teach you the joy of making your own earrings.

Never be without the perfect pair of earrings for your outfit.

Once you learn a few simple techniques you will be able to create 100's of designs.

Class fee is $10.00 per person. You will leave the class with 2 pair of completed earrings.
We will supply all of the beads tools and findings for you to use during class.

Instruction will take approximately 1 hour, and will be continuous. Come in anytime between 10 and 4.

At The Warehouse
20 Learned St
Albany, NY
12207

Steampunk Style or What to wear with Salvage Jewelry

2011-01-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

I have been doing a lot of browsing for clothes lately. I have recently lost a significant amount of weight and by Summer want to do some shopping for some special original pieces that will look great with my Salvage jewelry collection.

Khaki Green Tea Party Coat

I love this design by Attiladesign of etsy.

Handcrafted to order and made in Finland,

the detail in the coat dress is fabulous.

The designer calls it modern urban guerrilla.

I call it wonderful.

I can picture it worn with a dangling pair of earrings made of watch gears in brushed silver.

Upcycled Military Parka

Malibu Style another etsy artist has

created a fantastic statement with this

upcycled military parka.

Take a look at the detailed embroidery that turns

a utilitarian coat into a fashionable accessory for

cold weather.

Felicity Huffman owns a similar coat by the

same designer.

I will be in great company.

I will have to wear my fingerless gloves to show off
a sterling silver spoon ring.

Steampunk Ankle Shoebooties

Don't these boots look great. I really like the seaming
that makes them look so up to date. I bet that they are
so comfortable.
They are offered by etsy vintage boutique owner elenamc
of New York.
I think they would look fantastic with copper colored
jewelry and basic black.

I will share more pieces as I find them and welcome suggestions.

What do you wear with your salvage pieces
by The FamiLee Jewels?

Why I Need a Mission in Life and Business

2011-01-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

The beginning of a new year is a time for renewal . Get organized, set goals and chart a course for the next 12 months with hope and enthusiasm. Optimism reigns and I am sure that all of my wonderful ambitions will be realized if I just stick to the plan. Unfortunately that same optimism causes me to overestimate my ability to accomplish specific tasks in a timely manner and by March I am stressed and far behind.

Are you doing that on purpose? or can't you make up your mind?

The attempt to conquer too many things at once leaves me feeling foggy and out of control. I run around feeling like L Frank Baums Scarecrow, wishing for a brain. Scarecrow is really quite a clever fellow but lacks confidence so he hangs in the cornfield, his brain all amuddle, going nowhere, until Dorothy comes along.

I was recently tasked with writing a Mission Statement for The FamiLeeJewels and spent a lot of time thinking about it.
Is it really necessary to have a mission statement for such a small endeavor?
Don't I already know why I am doing this?
Will it made a difference to write it down?
The answer to all of these is yes.
Thinking about the questions has given me clarity and the idea to plan a New Year of reasonable goals in bite sized portions that will allow me to enjoy the journey.

Focus and Direction.

Those are my words for planning 2011.
The work begins with a Mission Statement.

The FamiLee Jewels purpose is to create unique and wearable art using vintage, antique and recycled objects; to maintain our joy and passion for the process; and to provide a product that is as durable and comfortable to wear as it is lovely.

They think deep thoughts with no more brains than you have.

A Makeover for The FamiLee Jewels

2010-12-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed new banners and avatars on our Etsy and Artfire shops as well as The FamiLee Jewels blog. We have had a makeover.
They were created for us by Pixel Paper, a fellow etsian who specializes in graphic design. Pixel Paper is a home based, Mom run business located in Palestine Texas.
I found Pixel Paper by placing an Alchemy request on etsy. Alicia's bid really stood out. She took the time to research The FamiLee Jewels on etsy and sent a sample banner using a photograph that she captured from one of its listings. I was impressed with her ingenuity and and get it done attitude and accepted her bid because of these attributes.
Alicia was a pleasure to work with, responding cheerfully and politely to my requests for changes. She lives up to her promise of "Unlimited revisions until you love it!"
Pixel Paper has provided us 3 sets of Etsy banners and avatars for The FamiLee Jewels. They will be changed out periodically to keep the site fresh and interesting.
I would not hesitate to ask Alicia for help in the future, and highly recommend Pixel Paper for your digital design needs.

December Blog Carnival: How it All Began

2010-12-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

This pearl and shell necklace was one of my first creations.
I was so proud of the wire clasp.

It all began with a single class. In January of 2006 I took a basic beading class to help me get through the winter blues. Depression is a struggle for me and winter was making me want to hibernate. The class seemed like a really good idea--- a nice craft, a hobby to keep me busy, and a way to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

The class was very basic bead stringing, and a lot of fun so I called my mom Ella, daughter Becky, and sister in law Nancy and invited them to join me for the next class.

We were hooked! We visited the local big box craft stores. We found a few local bead shops. We made a road trip to Springfield Massachusetts to attend a gem and mineral show. We checked out every bead and jewelry book that the local libraries possessed, subscribed to all the bead magazines we could find, and scoured the Internet for sources and patterns and instructions. I ordered some instructional DVDs and we all watched them and practiced new techniques.

Through those books we discovered the teaching of Sharilyn Miller who taught us how to do it right the first time. Some day I will attend one of her Wild Women Seminars.

The DVD's were made by Preston Ruether, the Master Wire Sculptor himself, whose down to earth style and frank advice made us believe that we could do this too.

Internet investigation lead me to Eni Oken whose free form work and use of wire gave me the knowledge to create the pieces I was dreaming about.

Developing my own style.

Bead night started every Monday around the dining room table. What did you make this week? Will you teach me that? That would go great with these beads. Try this! We were obsessed, and our volume of jewelry was growing, and growing and growing.

We decided to try our luck at an artisan street show called Art on Lark in June of 2006, and at the Jazz Festival in July, and in Saratoga in August. We were a hit. Sales were profitable but better yet we received the affirmation that what we had produced was good.

The FamiLee Jewels was born. We booked bigger shows, started a blog, and opened stores on ETSY and Artfire. We booked home parties, did fundraisers, and took orders for custom work.

We discovered wire wrapping and cold connections and have never looked back. My style has evolved into a sort of Steampunk, Victorian Industrial melange that blends new brass findings with vintage and antique hardware, watch parts and found objects. I enjoy the hunt for materials almost as much as the process of creating the jewelry.

A recent necklace that celebrates the love of wirework.

Read here about how other Starving Artists started making their jewelry.
Bead Sophisticate

Island Girl

Beadsire

Galadryl

Northern Girl

November Blog Carnival: Book Review French Inspired Jewelry

2010-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

I recently found French Inspired Jewelry, creating with vintage beads, buttons and baubles on the local book sellers shelf. It was a "must have" for my collection. Kaari Meng, it's author, has been designing jewelry for more than 20 years using vintage glass beads that she has hunted for all over the world. Her jewelry has grown from her love of those beautiful bits and pieces of the past.
French Inspired Jewelry is beautifully illustrated. The entire book has a vintage feel to it. You can be inspired just slowly turning the pages and looking at it's photographs of beautiful jewelry displayed with vintage ephemera.
The book is worth having for the artwork alone, but don't stop there. French Inspired jewelry contains a wealth of knowledge and helpful hints from an artist that has learned them through experience.
Kaari's Basics chapter has the usual discussions of tools, findings, stringing supplies and techniques. The treasure of this section is the description of glass beads written by someone that values them. Mass produced glass beads are often overlooked and even disparaged by jewelry designers. Here they are celebrated for their unique beauty and old world charm.
The remaining chapters contain projects. Some are standard and some unique. All are beautiful. My favorite part? They are presented according to a specific palette. This author makes me want to sort my beads by color!
La Mer shows a love of the Mediterranean Sea represented by turquoise blue, coral and white. Le Marche shares the beauty of fresh fruits and bright flower blossoms. Le Cirque is a riot of color. La Volie're, Le Vigne and Le Jardin rejoice in bold and natural pigments. The designs laid out in Le Chateau are worthy of French atistocracy.
Please don't think me morbid but my favorite chapter is the last, La Cimetiere. The jewelry designs pictured there share a subdued monochromatic palette that is soft and pleasing to the eye. The use of vintage religious medals in this chapter gave me the courage to dig out the ones that I had been saving and to use them in charm bracelets of my own.
Every chapter of French Inspired Jewelry has design tips from how to clean old glass and millinary supplies, to setting up your workspace. The author is generous in her descriptions of favorite materials and how to find them. I somehow think that for Kaari Meng that search is an enjoyable adventure.

The topic of Book Reviews was chosen as the Starving Artists Team's Blog Carnival post for the month of November. Read how other members felt about the subject.
Danagonia

Galadryl

Northern Girl

Bead Sophisticate

Island Girl

Lonely No More

2010-11-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

Every jewelry box has a sad little collection hidden away in it. Broken chains, stones that have slipped their bezels and lonely earrings gather together useless but too beautiful to discard. It is my mission to free them from their prison and give them new life.

To see more Salvage jewelry by TheFamiLeeJewels visit:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamiLeeJewels?section_id=5605878

Salvage Rose Cocktail Ring made from a lonely earring.

Salvage Sun Ring made from a lost button.

Salvage Cocktail Ring made from a tangled necklace.

Felix or Oscar What is your work style?

2010-11-25T12:15:00.000-08:00

I am organized and methodical in many aspects of my life. Nursing in a Critical Care area demands it. Raising a family while working full time makes one list oriented and task efficient.

But when the brain shifts to the right side and my artistic side takes over I start to channel Oscar Madison.
My studio is a mess. There are two 6 foot bookshelves in the room with beads, books and magazines organized on them.
There is a 4 foot table in front of these shelves with all of my salvage and found object bits laying on it so that I can see them, fondle them and pile them in likely combinations whenever the mood strikes. I must crawl underneath this table to locate a specific book or magazine on the shelf.

A repurposed computer desk holds the Dremel with Flex Shaft and a stand that converts it into a drill press. The desk has neatly labeled drawers, open shelves and file cabinets.
The desk usually sports a fine layer of sawdust or metal filings depending on the project last completed.

The workbench provides a wonderful surface for hammering, etching, saw cutting and using chemicals for patinas.
One must move several trays of "works in progress" and stacks of magazines to discover the bench top.

The 10x10 studio also contains a rolling cart that serves as shipping center a small encyclopedia bookcase that holds the rock tumbler and ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, a tall wooden cart that holds a photo cube, and a two drawer filing cabinet.
These remain surprisingly neat.
We will not discuss the closet.
It sounds cluttered and confusing but my artistic mind thrives in the seeming chaos. I recently found a quote that says it all.

3 Rules of Work:

Out of clutter find simplicity;

Out of discord find harmony;

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein

Focus on: Mark Stowe

2010-11-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Mark's signature piece, a silver dragonfly

This weeks feature article showcases the talent of jewelry artist and fellow upstate New york resident, my neighbor to the North, Mark Stowe. Mark is etsy artist SilverDragonfly8.

Mark's passion for art and jewelry design began at a young age "back in the late 60’s with bending up my Mom’s silverware into spoon rings & bracelets for perspective girlfriends."

Mark's biggest fan Kathy says about his work "Mark's items are all hand crafted, by his own hands, in his own off the grid studio. He has 30 years of experience. He cuts his own stones. Each one is unique and extraordinary. His settings are creative, sturdy and elegant. The dragonfly is his signature design, and he is very diversified as well. He features many opals, jasper's, garnets, lapis, rubies and diamonds. His training is in traditional heirloom jewelry and he uses his unique, spontaneous response to the materials to create his own contemporary Art Nouveau inspired style."

Tiny Madonna sculpture from a Lake Champlain pebble by SilverDragonfly8

Mark's combinations of stone and metal and unique designs are beautiful to behold. Many of them feature a form of the piece that inspired him, a dragonfly. My favorite items in his shop however are the rustic sculptures that he fashions from smooth Lake Champlain pebbles. Each is a tiny expressive work of art reminiscent of the Moai of Easter Island.

Sterling Silver Spiral Ring by SilverDragonfly8

Mark's own words describe his passion for art the best:

"to create beauty where there appears to be none. So often in life we miss the most beautiful things right in front of our eyes. Were it not for the artist, the teacher or the challenge, we might not stop and really see the things which bring peace and joy into our lives. I see a whimsical face in a beach pebble. A dragonfly lands on a woman’s hat. I see a moon rising in the shapes inside a piece of stone. I would like to share that wonder. I derive a feeling of worth when I’ve created, with these hands, a piece of jewelry that becomes someone’s special and cherished gift."

Focus on: Art Snark

2010-11-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

Stacey Merrill is an etsy seller and fellow Etsy Holiday Bootcamper who creates and sells "Art and objects for the eclectic soul" under the name of Art Snark's Artifacts. Her unusual shop is full of fanciful work with a Victorian Steampunk style. She works in several mediums including photography, jewelry design, and ACEO. Stacey says that she has always been eccentric, and that her life full of odd jobs, interesting travel and unusual characters has found its expression through her art.
My current favorite piece in her shop is a pocket watch shrine called The Mysterious Case of Dr. Varulv. It is an imaginative artifact and definitely one of a kind.
Art Snark and I share of love of found objects, steampunk design and being the most happy when our "hands and minds are working together".
I asked Stacey what inspires her to create and she responded by saying "A love of looking - I'm obsessed with shape & texture, and how the light falls on an object. I also have a habit of looking at something & imagining what it could become. My husband just shakes his head at whatever odd scraps I'm hauling home."

You can see more of Stacey's work and read about her artistic process on her Blog Artsnark's Artifacts Art and Musings for the Eclectic Soul.

October Blog Carnival: How it Came to Be

2010-10-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

I make jewelry out of salvaged cabinet, electrical and plumbing fixtures. People often wonder out loud when looking at the jewelry that I make out found objects and vintage hardware.

Where do you find this stuff?

Why do you see jewelry in it?

How do you get your ideas?

May I show you?

My favorite shopping grounds are salvage yards, garage sales and friends junk drawers.

I love the intricate ornate designs in old brass and reuse them whenever I can in ways that showcase their beauty.

This often means cutting them apart into reasonably sized pieces. The Dremel tool is a very handy accessory for this purpose.

This is what the pieces look like before dismanteling.

Afterwards I just clean them with a wire brush and mild soap and water. Nothing too strong, preserve the old patina if at all possible.

These are a few of the finished products.

Free Flight made of vintage watch band and gears.

Hearts Amulet made from an old wrist watch case.

Fleur de Lis made from an antique door knob.

The topic "How it Came to Be" was chosen as the Starving Artists Team's Blog Carnival post for the month of October. Read how other members felt about the subject.

Galadryl

Island Girl

Northern Girl

New from the Shop This Week

2010-10-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

This week I dug out a supply of beautiful agate slices to work on. These organic slabs are cut from a geode and still have the rough rock ringing the outer edge. They make a lovely background for collage type pendants.

A soft and lovely slab of swirly blue grays became the sky for these swallows.

Cafe au Lait coloring made a great focus for these fossils and antiqued brass elements.

Banded agate is lovely next to a rose and a tiny dragonfly.

October Jewelry Challenge

2010-10-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Starving Jewelry Artists group that I belong to has decided to respond to a monthly challenge to stimulate the imagination, spur creativity and share ideas. October was a month for do overs. We were each tasked to take a piece of jewelry of our own creation that we were not satisfied with and to give it a makeover.

I chose an old wire wrapped piece. This necklace is about 2 1/2 years old. It consisted of a sterling silver hammered neck ring, a stone donut with wire wrapping and a tumble stone suspended from that. It was a difficult choice to take it apart because of the price of the silver so I devised a way to reuse almost all of it.
Problems: I did not like all of the spirals and swirls, the setting was not tight and it just didn't seem balanced in design.
Positives: I did still like the colors, the ocean theme and especially the 2 dolphins swimming in a circle in the center of the donut.
Changes: The neck ring is gone. It was awkward and unappealing and a waste of 16 gauge sterling silver wire. It became the clasp on the bigger necklace and 4 bead links in the chain for it.
The 2 stones were separated and each became its own necklace. The Blue dumortierite donut was enhanced by the addition of small freshwater pearls and a lot of tiny silver beads to give it a more jewel encrusted appearance. I also wove 28 gauge wire into the bail wires to make it look more solid. The new pendant now has a sterling silver chainmaille necklace to hang on.

The tumble stone with tropical fish charm was enhanced by the addition of beads and a silk necklace.

Featured Artist: Danagonia

2010-10-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Camilla Vejen Eriksen is a jewelry artist who lives and works in Denmark.

She is a fellow etsy vendor and member of the Starving Jewelry Artists.

Her whimsical feminine designs are dreamed of and created in the enchanted Kingdom of Dragonia, where gnomes and fairies rule and Camilla can make magical jewelry all day. I have been lucky enough to watch her talent develop through the posts that we share on the forum.

Fairy Cross

Camilla works with copper wire and gemstones. Her jewelry can be recognized by it's swirls and filigree combining those elements in designs that are both strong and feminine.

My current favorite piece in Camilla's etsy shop is Fairy Cross. Its delightful spirals, gleaming gems, and deep rich color represent everything that I admire about her work.

The story is a bonus. Camilla's description of Fairy Cross begins " Fairies don't have religions like us humans, but they do carry certain symbols for protection and prosperity. This is one of them, I can't write it's name with our alphabet, so I've decided to just call it The Fairy Cross."

The name of Camilla's shop is Danagonia - Enchanted Jewelry it can be found at http://www.danagonia.etsy.com/ . It offers fantasy inspired hand crafted jewelry and the tutorials that instruct you how to make some of them..

Her blog can be found at http://www.danagonia-enchanted.blogspot.com/ where you will find the story behind the jewelry and the woman.

Camilla comes from a creative family but she is the only jewelry artist among them . Her Mum is the 4th generation, and Camilla is making sure the 5Th generation continues that tradition.

I asked Camilla what made her work special? She replied "I try to always leave my mark on my work, so that when people see my jewelry, they instantly know it's mine. Plus I try to write a small story for every piece. Most of the time a little fairytale."

When asked about her design process Camilla said "I tend to work from either a stone or certain beads and create my design from that, or I make sketches and work from those. Sometimes I just make random spirals and see what I get." She recently wrote a blog post that shared pictures from her sketchbook. It was a wonderful glimpse into her clever imagination.

Beware fairy boys if a fairy girl gives you a birth flower!

Second Annual SATeam Wrist Candy Holiday Giveaway

2010-10-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

Lush and Loaded Cottage Garden Charm Bracelet waiting to be won.

The Second Annual SATeam Wrist Candy Holiday Giveaway has begun!

On a model

The talented members of the Starving Artists team on etsy have collaborated to make a beautiful Flower themed charm bracelet. Our instructions were to create a Flower charm using sterling silver and bright colors. The result is a lush and loaded charm bracelet that looks like a cottage garden.

The charms have all been added to a sterling silver charm bracelet and are ready and waiting to be won. The FamiLee Jewels are proud to have one of their charms on this stunning creation.

Shop early and Shop often.

Between October 17, 2009 and November 28Th, 2010 every time you purchase an item from The FamiLee Jewels or any of the participating etsy stores your name will be entered into the draw to win this beautiful flower-themed bracelet, bursting with with charms hand-made by members of SATeam. The winner will be notified on November 30Th.

For Full Details and a list of participating etsy shops visit:

http://starvingartiststeam.blogspot.com/2010/10/2nd-annual-sateam-wrist-candy-holiday.html

The full bracelet.

The FamiLee jewels-now available at Artfire

2010-10-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

The FamiLee Jewels have expanded our sales opportunities. Our merchandise is now available at ArtFire as well as Etsy. ArtFire offers an opportunity for those of you without Etsy accounts to shop without having to create one.

The FamiLee Jewels on ArtFire

Autumn in New York

2010-10-13T10:08:00.001-07:00

Autumn in New York

Curated By: TheFamiLeeJew...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Goold Orchards

2010-10-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

According to one producer "Apples without cheese
are like a hug without the squeeze."

The FamiLee Jewels had a wonderful weekend at Goold Orchards 22nd Annual Apple festival.

The sun was shining and the weather was crisp, and there was frost on the pumpkins Sunday morning. It was perfect Fall weather.

Thank you to our many returning customers and to the new ones we met.

I did some shopping myself and would like to introduce you to some new local businesses that were fellow vendors. Their products are wonderful and they are nice people to boot!

Dirty Girl line by RAD Soap Co

Rad Soap Co keeps it real by making their soaps and lotions by hand, in small batches, with no chemicals or artificial ingredients. It all smells great from the coffee scented line for caffiene junkies to the Cheeks bar made just for the babies in your life.

Satatoga Herb from Hummingbird Haven.

Hummingbird Haven Herb Farm is a Galway based buisiness that creates delicious blends for snacking. The Saratoga Herb blends are delicious. Try the Taste of Tuscany with hearty crackers for Fall noshing.

Cha Cha for the Cure wine glasses.

Cha Cha ware by Armadillo Meat on a Stick is my latest favorite stemware! Their tagline of "Why walk when you can Cha Cha" says a lot about the happy attitudes of Lisa, Donna and Marie who create functional art to beautify your life.

It was great to see new vendors and to catch up with old friends. We will see you again next year for the 23rd Annual Apple Festival, Columbus Day weekend at Goold Orchards.

Focus on: Feather the Nest

2010-10-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

Anyone that has had even short contact with either Fred or I is aware that we have 3 beautiful grandsons that we dote on. Our little boys are a precious gift and we love them dearly.

Freddy (age 3) and Liam and Rory (ages almost 2) provide us with immeasurable joy. We started college funds for each of them when they were born and also started Feather the Nest, an etsy shop that offers handpainted gourd birdhouses and copper hooks. The profits from Feather the Nest sales are placed directly into the boys accounts.

Feather the Nest birdhouses are handpainted by Bonnie using acrylic paints and then sealed with high quality satin spar varnish for moisture and UV protection. Each bird house has a hanger crafted of copper wire.

Freddy

Birdhouse gourds make wonderful gifts for the gardener, birdwatcher, or outdoor decorator on your list.

Liam and Rory enjoy boat races.

Herkimer Diamonds

2010-09-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

Herkimer Diamonds are one of the mineral world’s wonders. They are clear crystals that unlike typical quartz have double terminations (points at both ends) and are faceted with 6 sides so that each crystal has 16 naturally occurring surfaces.

Herkimer Diamonds are highly lustrous and known for their clarity (water clear). They can also be found with inclusions of air, organic material, or more rarely water.

They are durable with a Moh’s hardness of 7-7.5/10. These beautiful stones get their name from the upstate New York region where they were first discovered in the late 1700’s. Herkimer County, New York, USA has exposed outcrops of Dolostone rock from the Cambrian Age (approximately 500 million years ago. Herkimer Diamonds are found in cavities in the Dolostone.

There are two mines on route 28 in Middleville, New York where the public may search for their own diamonds. The Herkimer Diamond Mine and the Ace of Diamond Mine welcome prospectors of all ages. You may rent the equipment that you need for your exploration. Wear comfortable clothes and prepare to get dirty, its hard work. It helps to seek the advice of the knowledgeable staff and if your efforts are not successful both mines offer gems in their gift shops.

Herkimer diamonds were highly prized by the Mohawk Indians and early settlers of the region who found them in stream beds and newly plowed fields.

Metaphysical Properties:

Herkimer Diamonds are the crystal of attunement. They promote harmony, awareness, and spontaneity as well as stimulate clairvoyance and telepathic communication.

Herks are highly prized by mineral collectors and are beautiful when wrapped for use in jewelry.

Recycling

2010-09-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sea Glass

SATeam Blog Carnival: Recycling

Recycling is a topic that is near to my heart. While I do not believe it possible to erase my carbon footprint, I do like to do my part to keep waste and rubbish disposal reasonable. Cans, bags, bottles, plastic and paper are all recycled. Clothing and home goods that are in good repair when we don't use them anymore are donated to local thrift stores and the Veterans organization nearby. Those that can't be recycled are stripped of buttons and metal zippers to be used as rags or broken down into pieces for reuse or for the campfire. Fred's to do list includes the building plans for a compost bin.

1950's rhinestone shoe clip

We also shop thrift stores regularly and have a great group of friends and FamiLee members that pass things along to the person that needs them next.

My favorite sort of recycling is to reuse old, vintage and antique pieces of the past in my jewelry creations. Garage sales, salvage yards, thrift stores, antique stores, trash bins, my husbands toolbox (shh! don't tell) and friend's junk drawers have all provided me with treasure.

A Vintage 70's watchband

My shopping list includes old watches (pre battery days), vintage jewelry, lonely earrings, wire, small nuts or bolts, cabinet hardware, metal zippers, religious medals and rosaries. I have been known to pick up shells, sticks,beach glass, coins and an earring that had been run over by a car. We call that dirt and grime patina in this house folks. The items pictured in this post are all made using recycled and repurposed materials.

Vintage cabinet hardware

Follow the links to the blogs of this month's other participating members to find out how recycled materials play into their work.

Danagonia

Bead Sire

'tis near Halloween

2010-09-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Spooky Spider earrings come in Handcrafted matchbook coffins

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween.

~Author Unknown

Thinking about your Halloween accessories yet?

Red Skulls for Night charm bracelet

Spooky Spiders choker

Skeleton Key earrings

Etsy Holiday Boot Camp

2010-09-25T05:35:00.000-07:00

Oooh Boy I may be crazy but I have signed on for the Etsy Holiday boot camp! I am hoping to learn a lot and to have a successful Holiday season for The FamiLee Jewels. Stay tuned for updates on our progress. For today I am committing (or should be committed I haven't decided yet) to the process.

I, Bonnie Lee , pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!