Friday, January 30, 2009

Good Mornin Horsie


This is a wonderful etching from a Circa 1893 childs book. Could not resist sharing it.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Rosary Bracelets












You know how some days you just can't wait to get into your studio to work? You have a great idea and you want to get it down on paper or create it...well today is just that day. I received a little box of antique and vintage religious crosses and medals from my father in law. My in laws Ginger and Lee were here from Connecticut for a visit and brought me this little box of treasures. They are avid collectors of antiques and know what I like. Anyway, I put the box aside on my table and knew when the time was right the ideas would come. Last night it started and now I can't stop, except now I am running out of those great treasures. Last week when they were here I was redoing a rosary (see picture below) so that's where the idea of the rosary bracelets came from. I did some checking to be accurate as to how many beads to have on the bracelet and what it means.

What is a Rosary Bracelet?

A rosary bracelet is a one-decade rosary worn around the wrist. Rosary bracelets are most often made with chain. A rosary bracelet has a small crucifix and a small medal -- usually a Miraculous Medal (just as with most rosaries). There are ten Hail Mary beads and one Our Father bead.

Wearing a rosary, whether as a necklace, bracelet, ring, pocket or other, can be a good way of reminding one's self to pray throughout the day.

So now I am on the prowl to search for more vintage crosses and medals. Hope you like the bracelets and let me know what you think.

Here is my little "Jack" supervising me while I take my pictures. He can hardly fit in this basket but insists on climbing in.




Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Another Rainy Day

Another dreary day here in Tennessee. I am off to work at Bright's Antique World. I work there about once a week. I am a dealer there and sell mostly Country and some primitives. This is where I get most of my antique jewelry that I use in my creations.

No school again! The call came at 6:30 am, because of the "Inclement" weather. It rained all night pretty hard, so I guess that is the reason. Yesterday no school because we had some ice in the morning. Last week we had no school because it was going to be "cold" (don't laugh) it was predicted to be 9 degrees. We are originally from Massachusetts so these no school days are quite funny. We would have 2 feet of snow and the kids still went to school. Ahhh, the south there are so many things to get use to, although I must say it is a nice place to live.

Well off I go, maybe I will find a treasure today....you never know.

Hail Mary

I thought I would share these rosary beads with you. I purchased them in Adamstown, Pa. at Rennigers flea market from an eldery women. I loved them because they were sterling, although I did not like the "fake" pearls, so in my classic Judy style I slowly undid each pearl and replaced them with turquoise beads and a few smoky quarts roundels. I just love it now! A wonderful modern rosary to use and wear (gasp!).

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Operation NICE: NICE Stuff: Tell everyone you're nice!

Operation NICE: NICE Stuff: Tell everyone you're nice!

Lime Please?


Just wanted to share my lime tree with you. At present I have 5 limes growing this one is ready for picking. I think It will be perfect for a cosmo. This tree is 2 years old and is flowering again.

A good day to stay inside...




It is such a dreary day here in Tennessee. It is a good excuse not to leave the house and try to get some work accomplished. I finished the green garnet earrings although the pictures do not do them justice. Not crazy about the necklace I made with the garnets so I think that will be a redo.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sweet green garnets...

Went to the Nashville flea market on Saturday with my best guy (he goes so we can go out for lunch after)...anyway its a good place to poke. I did find a few awesome buys, two brown transferware syrups with the pewter lids. One of my passions is antique transferware and these were a great find and price, the other were some green garnet briolette beads. Mary is set up at the flea market each month and has some wonderful beads and findings. So while my transferware syrups are soaking to remove the stains, I have been working with those beads. I hope to finish the necklace and earrings and post them to my website.
....and by the way lunch at Maggiano's was wonderful as usual.

Friday, January 23, 2009

...My sweet friend

Wow, I am finally getting there! Let me know how you like my page.

You can probably tell that I love horses. Living here in Tennessee it is the landscape I see everyday. Almost 2 years ago I met a cowboy Johnny who changed my life. Johnny raised thoroughbreds, he was a trainer and breeder and taught me about these wonderful animals. We became friends at a time when we both needed a new friend.

I will fill you in on this story later... for now my studio is calling!
Welcome! This is definitely a new frontier for me and I hope you will be patient as I learn my way. I hope you will enjoy my inspired creations, this will be a great forum to share my designs. Check back as I wonder through this maze of life.