I Can't Predict...

...what will sell at a show...

Last Sunday I participated in the Cypress Point Circle Holiday Bazaar for CHKD. The 6th Annual show. My 1st time. Fabulous publicity. Some of my pieces made their television debuts!

I had THREE full tables to work with and I FILLED the tables up with jewelry. As I was unpacking my jewelry and feverishly trying to design an alluring display, I thought about my Smithsonian ELITE Series. I left it unpacked. Undecided. Would people really be interested? Sometimes they are; sometimes they're not. I walked around the show and checked out the other jewelry vendors. Their pieces were a lot less expensive than mine. And this particular collection consists of more high end pieces...

I arrived THREE hours early for the show as I couldn't sleep and at the last minute I decided to display the collection since I had so much room anyway and you never know...

Well, guess which collection received a LOT of attention??? If you guessed the Smithsonian ELITE Series, you guessed correctly! People were enchanted with the history of the beads. And they PURCHASED pieces!

I am always happy to sell pieces, but I am most happy when someone feels excited about a purchase!

"Mint Julip" - Pre WWII Czech Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!

You Can Have It Your Way...

... and I don't mean Burger King! I love custom orders! The pocket rosary in the pic above was created for my friend Lori's grandmother. She told me a few facts about her and then I went to work...

The thing about my work process is that it is 99% thinking and 1% working. And believe me, if you've ever seen ALL of the jewelry I have made, you know I have been doing a LOT of thinking! LOL

Anyway, when I began to focus my thoughts on Lori's grandmother, one bead came to mind immediately: the carved turquoise round beads you see in the pic above. So when I finally decided to create the piece, I went looking for the beads. You need 11 to create a pocket rosary; I only had 6. So I decided to make something else on my list. Wouldn't you know it? No matter what I looked for, I could not find! Now granted, my studio is NOT the most organized room in my house, but to not be able to find anything I am looking for is unusual. I finally gave up and looked in places I never look for things and I found 11 carved turquoise beads!!!!!!!! And suddenly, everything - literally everything I had been looking for suddenly began appearing.

Lori LOVED the pocket rosary. She said the beads were perfect! When something is meant to be, it is meant to be. That's how I look at it!

("Turquoise" Pocket Rosary Custom Order - Carved Turquoise, Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

yellowishious

Today was sponsored by the color yellow! It seems like (almost) everything I created was yellow or had yellow in it!

I was thinking today about the competitiveness between jewelry artists. I don't concern myself much with it. But I notice it. Here is my advice: create what you love; create what makes you happy!

("Fae Jaune" Bracelet - Lustrous Cat's Eye, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver! Earrings to match!)

Meet Adriana...

"Adriana" (from Comedy of Errors) is one of the newest sets in The Elizabethan Collection!

("Adriana" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

has it been a month? OMG!

WOW! Time really does fly! I stopped designing for a bit while I unpacked and settled into my new place. But I am back to work now! I have titled this photo "A Drop In The Bucket" because this is just a small taste of my newest creations!

Featured in this photo of all bracelets: From The Elizabethan Collection - "Helena," "Adriana," and "Calpurnia." From The Natural Stone Collection: "Purple Haze." From The Fresh & Fun Collection: "Orange Chakra 2" and "Fiesta 2."

one rainy sunday

(Olivine Rosary Necklace - Swarovski Glass Pearls, Swarovski Crystal, Glass, Sterling Silver, & Pewter!)

now i am somewhere

i moved!

i lived in my own house for 10 years. in 2005, i became ill and have not yet recovered. as i was unable to work, i exhausted my financial resources and was ultimately unable to keep my home. i was sad for a while. i was angry for a while. now i am okay. a little nervous but okay.

i found a nice house to rent. i am busy unpacking and hanging pictures and chimes and organizing drawers and moving furniture. soon i will return to creating jewelry. and my writing.

i moved! and though i left some things behind, i believe i took the best with me...

thank you to all who helped me with the move and with this difficult transition. i love you all.

Waiting (Impatiently Tapping My Foot) For Spring

("Les Fleurs Jonquil" - Swarovski Crystal & Sterling Silver!)

Take Two...

Okay... so we took a few more photos today. Still no better. It's me. It's totally me. Just not in the mood to smile I guess.

I created the set in the photo for The La Motta Art Show 2008. The first time I wore it with a bombshell red satin dress. But today it was jeans and bare feet all the way!

You probably can't tell, but I am sitting on my favorite red stool - my painting stool - and draping my legs over the back of it... Comfy? Not so much! Maybe one of the reasons I am not smiling! LOL

("Flame Dancer" - Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

what is she doing with her hands?

All I can do is try to get a few decent photos of me wearing some of my own jewelry. Today? Apparently not my day. Tomorrow? Tomorrow is another day. And I will try again. For your amusement - your viewing pleasure (or not) - I offer up one of the pics from today's shoot... Is it me or do I look totally pissed?

(The Mid-Night Cowgirl Collection - Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

polka dot aprons and high heels (oh my!)

I have always had a thing for old fashioned pin-ups... and polka dot aprons over dresses with high heels in the kitchen... I think I missed my calling... LOL

("Retro Girl" - Fun Premium Bumpy Handmade Lampwork Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

there are so many things i want to do

yet i fear i may run out of time...

oh how i wish i could suspend time grow wings and fly and do the all the things i want to do and savor each and every moment...

("Free Bird" - Resin, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

my mom loves these!

("Wildflowers" Chokers - Double Stranded - Swarovski Crystal, Pewter, & Sterling Silver!)

i can't wait...

... to introduce you to the newest bracelet in The Elizabethan Collection: Viola! From Shakespeare's Twelfth Night! Also the name of my mother's mother...

("Viola" - Premium Handmade Lampwork Glass Flowers, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

I have been busy busy busy working on my web site. I still have a long way to go. I still have a TON of jewelry to photograph and upload onto the site. Check it out...

http://www.cosmicgeisha.com/

("Tranquility" - RARE Vintage Chinese Handpainted Porcelain, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Sophie & Pablo: The Update

Sophie's surgery was complicated. She had several bleeders and somehow they missed one so she had to have two surgeries instead of one. When she finally came home, she was so high from the anesthesia she was literally tipping over. Poor thing whined through the night.

The next day I had to take Pablo, my AmStaff, in to have several teeth extracted. Turns out he had three teeth removed. Three BIG teeth! He too came home completely loopy. And whimpering. And bleeding.

I am happy to report that today they both seem fine. They are eating and drinking and playing and sleeping. Sophie's blood still needs to be monitored. Though the growth was benign, her blood calcium level is high which could mean something dire... But today I won't worry about that. I can't. Today I will love her and kiss her and pet her and feed her... Today we are together.

("By The Shore" Pocket Rosary - Mother of Pearl, Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver, & Silver!)

Rumi

"The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -

You are the fearless rose

that grows amidst the freezing wind."

-Rumi

My Miss Sophie

How I met Sophie... I fell. I was in pain. I scheduled an emergency appointment with my chiropractor. When I went in for my appointment, behind the desk and on the floor was a thin frail puppy. I could see every bone in her body. Apparently, she had been found in a hospital parking lot. Starving. Mange. Worms. A respiratory infection. One of the women who worked for my chiropractor had taken her to a vet. According to the vet, the puppy probably only had three days to live. I sat down on the floor next to her. Though extremely weak, she still managed to move herself close to me. She whimpered. I took her home. How could I not? I knew it would be painful to watch her die, but I wanted her to know love.

That was nine years ago. During the first three days, I fed her and held her and massaged her and listened to her breathe while she slept and fell in love with her. On the third day she sprang to life! Suddenly she was wild and crazy and capricious and wonderful! I named her Sophia Camille. Sophia after the goddess of wisdom and Camille after a particularly strong hurricane that tore up the East coast of the United States. The name definitely suited her.

Today I took Sophie to the vet. She is having surgery. Her blood calcium levels are high and she has a growth on her leg. The growth will be removed and the vet will continue to monitor her blood. To say I am not worried would be a lie. I am. I so am. She is my girl. My baby girl. My first rescue dog. And the truth is I may have rescued her, but she has saved my life every day... I love you, Sophie.

Earrings Extravaganza!

I have added a page on my web site called Earrings Extravaganza! A page of nothing but earrings because a gal can never have too many pairs of earrings as far as I'm concerned. I am living proof!

Go to http://www.cosmicgeisha.com/ to see more jewelry!

("Jolie" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

A Tiny Piece Of History

There is a woman who used to be a jewelry designer for the Smithsonian Museum of Art. In the 1960s and 1970s, she traveled around the world and purchased beads. Often she came across amazing vintage beads in little out of the way shops...

The beads used to create these earrings are from her private collection. They are RARE vintage Japanese tensha or decoupage beads - carved and painted by hand. They are stunning! They are a tiny piece of history!

("Decoupage" - Rare Vintage Japanese Tensha, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Sunday Dinner With The Family

My brother was here from Kentucky... we had fun conversation and yummy food!

(White Pocket Rosary - Vintage Glass, Glass, Sterling Silver, & Silver)

Valentine's Day Greetings From Pablo

Pablo (my six year old rescued American Staffy) says, "Happy Valentine's Day everyone!"

Chocolat

No words necessary...

xoxo

("Chocolat" - Pre WWII Czech Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

What I Did On Sunday...

As promised, today I photographed the four paintings I completed yesterday. They are my mini masterpieces! LOL

Sunday Is Fun-day!

Today I went to my first gathering of WACO (Women's Art Co-operative)! We learned how to do alcohol washes... and not the kind you drink! LOL We played and laughed and learned about each other as we created. I, of course, have ink stained fingers now as I mostly created a mess. But it was so worth it! Tomorrow my plan is take photos of my "creations" and post them! I have BIG plans for this technique... but I can't tell you about that yet...

("Butterfly Rosary Necklace" - Swarovski Glass Pearls, Swarovski Crystal, Glass, & Sterling Silver!)

tick tock

It seems like there is always so much to do! Ever feel like that? It seems like I am always crazy busy, but at the end of the day, I have barely finished anything! I write these to-do lists... and sometimes, just to feel a sense of accomplishment, I add things to the list that I have already done!

("Lucious" - Super BIG Earrings! Black Onyx, Metal, & Sterling Silver!)

playin' instead of workin'

Has it really been three days since I posted a blog? Yikes! There goes my blog a day resolution! And as far as making any new jewelry goes... let's just say I have taken a few days off from that as well! What have I been doing? Taking silly photos of my dogs and eating all natural frozen strawberry fruit bars...

Pablo, my third rescue dog, is absolutely exhausted in this photo. Can you tell? I was literally chasing him around my bedroom (please ignore the mess in the background) trying to take a picture of the two of us together. But Pablo just wasn't having it! He figured it was the perfect opportunity to chase me, jump on me, sit on me, roll over, kiss me, and lick the camera! When he finally settled down, I was able to take this photo of him! This is not his happy face by the way; this is his "one picture then I get a treat and then it's go time again" face!

i heart you

If I ran the world, every day would be Valentine's Day. Or something like it anyway. Each day would be devoted to showing others how much you love and appreciate them.

("Kate" - From The Elizabethan Collection - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

wishing

There are moments I wish I could once again dance. Moments of frustration. Anger. Grief. Wouldn't it be lovely to find a way to remain unaffected by the negativity? To dance - just dance - completely oblivious to everything but the music and the dancing and the bliss.

("Ballerina 2" - Cracked Quartz, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

emerald

("Emerald" Pocket Rosary - Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver, & Pewter!)

Custom Orders

I love receiving custom orders! To be clear, I love when the request is first made because I get so excited! And I also love when the item is viewed and loved because then I can stop stressing over it. The in between part - the deciding what to create and the waiting - uhm... not so much.

("Wendy" - Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Ballerina

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a ballerina! Deep down inside, I am still that young girl waiting for my big moment, waiting to dance...

("Ballerina" - PRE WWII Czech Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

OM

Lately I have to remind myself:

"Breathe, Chelley. Breathe." I often catch myself holding my breath. Not for any particular reason. None that I can think of anyway. But just because. Maybe in the back of my mind is a belief - a superstition really - that if I hold my breath long enough, I can somehow prevent bad things from happening...

("OM II" - Carved Coral, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Elizabeth Pignone

Ever have a person in your life who tells you, "Yes, you can!" That was my Aunt Betti! Even though she has been gone for a few years now, I can still hear her voice whispering in my ears, "Yes, you can!" And every once in a while I can even hear her ooh and ah over a piece of jewelry I create (especially if it's purple - her favorite color) or make a comment about some guy's cute tush (as she would say, while making a slightly obscene grabbing gesture with her hands)...

a blog a day

One of this year's resolutions is to take myself and my art more seriously. Committing to a blog a day and sticking to it (except when I am traveling) is part of this process. Deciding what to post helps me keep inventory of what I have and of what I need; it challenges me to create more. One of the most difficult things at times is to continue to work even when the selling has slowed down for a bit. I know this will change even as the tide ebbs and flows...

(Blue Mother of Pearl & Sterling Silver!)

Rose

My first one decade pocket rosary!

("Rose" - Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver, & Pewter!)

desire

i desire to be perfect sometimes

it's a flaw to be sure

on the best of days i desire

nothing more than to be

just be

("Lantern" Bracelet & "Bloom" Earrings - Vintage Hand-painted Chinese Porcelain, Pressed Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Imogen

"Imogen" - The newest addition to the Elizabethan Collection!

("Imogen" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

Yellow!

is the color of sunshine!

is the color of power!

is the color of joy! buttercups! dandelions! bumblebees!

Yellow is the color of hope!

Yellow is definitely the color featured in LOTS of my new pieces!

(These earrings are from the YELLOW COLLECTION and feature Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Crystal, Black Onyx, and Sterling Silver!)

Big Smiles!

Last night I sold my first rosary! It wasn't the money aspect of the sale that was so exciting. It was the sudden audible gasp my friend made when he saw the piece. He knew in an instant it had to be his. And there was a joy that defies explanation.

I won't show you the rosary today because it belongs to someone now and I want to honor his love and possession. Instead, I will show you a pair of earrings that my friend LP likes! It truly is the JOY and the LOVE that keep me doing this...

Namaste.

("Peach Pretty" - Mother of Pearl (Dyed), Carved Coral, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

today we celebrate; tomorrow we work

Today, I raise my glass for Obama, his adminstration, and to us all...

("of Wine and Roses" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Swarovski Crystal, & Sterling Silver!)

like a prayer

Late last night I made my first rosary. This is the beginning of an amazing journey; I can feel it!

(Swarovski Glass Pearls & Glass)

walking the labyrinth

There is no way to describe my experiences walking the labyrinth. Each time I walk the experience is different.

Three years ago I walked a labyrinth on New Year's Day. I had made plans to walk this particular labyrinth. One of the women who created it came out in the freezing rain and snow to open it for me. "Take your time," she said. "We are so blessed that you have chosen to walk our labyrinth on the first day of the new year."

I was with a man who did not want to be there. "I'll wait in the truck," he said. He wasn't happy with me. I didn't care. He had brought his dog along and I figured they could keep each other company. I knew I had to walk. And nothing, including his displeasure, was going to stop me.

The labyrinth was built into the side of a hill and completely honored the original landscaping. The walk was treacherous. Rocks. Sudden deep puddles. Unexpected large roots of trees jutting out of the ground. As I walked, to my left was an old run down barn filled with outdated and broken tools and machines. In that moment, those behaviors and beliefs which no longer served me passed before my eyes and I realized they were of the past. I continued my walk. In front of me was a forest. Beautiful. Lush. Overgrown. A little frightening. For a moment, I gazed into my unconscious - into my potential - into the unknown. I wondered how I might tap into that potential and use it for good. My answer came immediately as the next thing I saw was a church. It was situated on a nearby hill a good distance from where I was standing. I knew my path through the unknown required a return to my spiritual path, the path of faith from which I had strayed. Suddenly, a feeling of love and warmth moved through me and despite my wet and frozen feet, I actually began to sweat. I stood motionless and stared at the church for a good long while. Finally, it was time to complete my walk. In front of me, in the place where I began but didn't notice until now, was a beautiful garden center with plants and statues and windchimes and signs with encouraging words engraved on them and one of the women who created this labyrinth. She was patiently quietly lovingly working in a tiny building. In that moment, she was me and I was she. We were one. We were at peace. My walk was complete. Almost...

I thanked the labyrinth. I prayed for all those who had walked it before me and all who would follow. I prayed they would receive the peace and grace and love I felt in this moment; I prayed they would receive whatever they needed. I thanked the woman. "No, thank you. You have truly blessed us on this day." I loved her in that moment. I still love her.

Happy and fulfilled, I walked back to the truck where the man who did not want to be there was waiting for me. As I got back into the truck he was laughing. I thought perhaps the labyrinth had worked on him as well. Then he said, "While you were gone, me and Jack (his dog) had to take a piss. So we walked to that church over there (my church, my future) and we both pissed on the building." He continued to laugh, obviously pleased with himself.

Yes, the labyrinth worked on both of us that day. We were both able to be finally finally true to ourselves.

("Labyrinth #2" - Malachite, Swarovski Crystals, Hill Tribe Silver Charms, & Sterling Silver!)

it takes as long as it takes... (can i get an amen?)

I believe in working every day. (Well, almost every day.) Even when I am not physically working, I am making plans to work. I am creating in my mind. The creating in my mind part can drive me crazy after a while. It keeps me up too late way too late. Keeps me drawing pictures on scraps of paper that I later can't find. Has me writing out to do lists and then editing them. Ultimately the creating in my mind frustrates me because it is much easier to create there where everything I need is close at hand.

Here's the thing: I don't work every day. I can't. I design in spurts. I may not design anything for a month and suddenly in one day design 20 to 30 sets. But when I am not in the midst of one of my spurts, I worry. Will I ever design anything again? Maybe my well of creativity is dry? Maybe that last spurt was a fluke? What was I thinking starting a jewelry design business during a recession? And so it goes on and on in my head...

And then like a proverbial "amen" from on high, I am suddenly possessed and cannot stop myself from creating new pieces. And for a day or two or more I am in creative heaven and there is no talking to me, no answering the phone, no stopping me, no nothing but the frenzy and the bliss of the creating...

("Denim Diva" - Azurite, Swarovski Crystals, & Sterling Silver!)

The Elizabethan Collection

I must confess, the Elizabethan Collection is one of my favorite collections to date! There is something so exhilarating and fulfilling about weaving together literature, fascinating (albeit often nearly mute) women, and wearable art! Allowing the complexities of Shakespeare's women to explode out of me as jewelry designs is more than a little orgasmic!


("Ophelia" - Handmade Lampwork Glass, Vintage Glass, Swarovski Crystals, & Sterling Silver!)