What Has Inspired Me Lately

Since I decided to extend my stay on Vancouver Island and not create jewelry for a while, I have been out and about finding some incredible things for myself.  I don't normally go hunting for jewelry but when I see talent in others - wow!  I just can't leave it.  Plus, I believe in Karma, I think what you do for others comes back to you 10 fold and even more.  So here is some of what I have been inspired by lately:

 I was in a quaint garden shop one day that is new to me and found some interesting metal stakes for my garden among a dozen other things!   Hanging in the window were beautiful hand made glass catchers.  These star fish caught my eye and I thought they would make a beautiful pendant perhaps with some bead weaving.  I love how the light reflects through them but when I downloaded them the picture turned for some reason - I can't figure out why?  Looks much better on the side...... oh well.

Simple adjustable cord necklace with handmade glass beads - beautiful colors!  Made by a local artist

Jane Perala Designs - she has amazing lampwork glass
and an etsy shop too

Lampwork Bead by Jane Perala Designs
The center of this looks like a cosmic swirl but the
picture doesn't pick that up so well. 

On our trip to Salt Spring Island, I picked this little frog bead up at the market there.  He is made by a talented husband and wife team that sells "cute glass" like this little frog.  Check him out at www.blingsquared.com  

Amanda Skalsi calls her Glass adornments "Fluidity Suspended"
She taught art for 3 years and her work is amazing so I couldn't resist this pendant.   I met Amanda at an Italian Restaurant.
She asked about a glass bead necklace I was wearing and then showed me her work.  I was wearing my favorite bead woven bracelet that I made and she admired it so I gave her my card.
I just love talking to other artists - don't you? 

Picked up this bracelet and anklet at the Salt Spring market.
I couldn't resist the beautiful red glass lampwork beads.You don't often see red this color so it really called to me.
  I bought 7 pieces from this guy for my grand kids and myself.  I have bought from him before and his work lasts for years.  I told him that and he gave me a discount for being a return customer.
I was so impressed!

Bracelet on the left is a Jane Perala bracelet
the other two bracelets were bought at the Salt Spring market.  
I have been on a red kick this summer. 

I have had a struggle getting back into making jewelry.  I am surrounded by tranquility and beauty and every day I feel my creative side re-appear but in a whole new way.  I started  making Art Journals.  Oh yes, a new creative outlet but since I used to do scrap booking, much of the supplies are similar (this is what I tell myself).  I am loving the artistic side of something completely different and mucking around with paint and papers and mixing various mediums together to create a beautiful page.  I've had a rest, now I need a change.....for awhile.

OK ... as far as jewelry goes...I feel that I want to pursue bead weaving because I have received a great deal of happiness from doing that.  I signed up today for a beadweaving course with Marcie Abney Carroll and am waiting to see if I am accepted.  Fingers crossed.