"Cassieart" Handmade clay buckles

I have been wanting to share this friend of mine with you for awhile so today is the day! Her name is Cassie Stephens and she creates embossed clay buckles paired with vintage belts. Her buckles are amazing with such detail.
"Part of my time is spent working with clay, trying out new embossing and glazing techniques for the buckles. After these have been fired several times, I pair the buckles with my out-of-control fabric collections. I use mostly vintage fabrics found right here in Nashville." says Cassie
You can find Cassie on Etsy and see all of her amazing work. She also has a blog called "Custom Made by Cassie Stephens" and a wonderful sense of humor...I look forward to her posts where I know I will be entertained.

Unlock Your Dreams

..."Dreams unlock the passion, that in your heart has concealed"

A unusual antique brass key with stone cabochon has been re-fashioned into a pendant for this piece I call "Unlock Your Dreams". This one of a kind necklace has wonderful bursts of color from the handmade lampwork beads and wire wrapped lapis. Handmade brass textured bead caps add great texture. An antique watch chain has also been used and adds a unique element design. Hand forged brass hook and eye for a closure.

Handmade lampwork beads from Being Beads on Etsy.

You can find this piece on my new website. I am also hosting a giveaway to celebrate the new site. I have chosen a custom Typewriter Key Pendant to give away, you can enter here to win. Thanks for stopping by.

Brand Spanking New Website!

Yay it is finally here! A new re-designed website for Judith B. Designs, I am so excited to be sharing it with you all. To celebrate my new site I am offering a great giveaway. A typewriter key initial pendant...your choice of letter or symbol, all on a sterling ball chain.

To enter to win please visit my new site and tell me what you like or do not like about it, (don't worry I can handle it). If you'd like to share my giveaway grab the Judith B. button above and post it on your blog or site. Looking forward to your comments!

Giveaway ends Sunday March 7 @ 5pm. One random winner will be chosen and contacted by email.

Flea Market Friday

The third weekend of each month is the Nashville Flea Market held at the fairgrounds in Nashville. Besides hunting for antiques and treasures I look forward to going each month to purchase beads from Mary "the bead lady". Every jewelry designer needs a "Mary". She has really awesome beads and findings and it takes me hours to make my selections. I finally thought to take a few pictures of her tables and I know you will just die when you see all of her stuff.

..these trays are stacked 3-4 high and there are at least 100 of them!

This is the stash I came home with. Stunning labradorite, green amethyst briolettes, bone beads, citrine, smoky quartz, pearls some turquoise and lots more. It is so hard to choose and the great thing is she is always getting new things every month. She also gives me great deals....$28 strands for $20 and so on.

These were my antique and vintage finds...late 1800's mother of pearl pin, glass wire wrapped bead necklace, old religious charm, old brass and stone key brooch ( I can't wait to make a pendant out of this one!) I also could not resist the vintage link necklace, I think the links are so cool!

....I know I promised to open up my new website today but you know how that goes..a few more things to tweek and hopefully tomorrow I can share it with everyone.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings~
An eclectic combination of organic components~ wood, yellow turquoise and copper are all wire wrapped and linked to form this one of a kind bracelet. A printed mother of pearl disk is the focal, adding splashes of color. Tibetan beads add texture and a dragonfly charm adds happiness,new beginnings and change. An asymmetrical toggle clasp is hand forged, textured and adds a touch of whimsy.

You can find this on my new re-designed website JudithBDesigns.com...tomorrow is the day we will launch the new site.

Feathered Joy

So luminous with living wings,
So musical with feathered joy . . .

Told y'all I would finish this last night! This little yellow birdie makes me smile...

Little birdies can be found on Etsy at Summer's Studio Pottery.

Bird Sanctuary

Between the cliff-rise and the beach
A slip of emerald I own;
With fig and olive, almond, peach,
cherry and plum-tree overgrown;
Glad-watered by a crystal spring
That carols through the silver night,
And populous with birds who sing
Gay madrigals for my delight.

Some merchants fain would buy my land
To build a stately pleasure dome.
Poor fools! they cannot understand
how pricelessly it is my home!
So luminous with living wings,
So musical with feathered joy . . .
Not for all pleasure fortune brings,
Would I such ecstasy destroy.

A thousand birds are in my grove,
Melodious from morn to night;
My fruit trees are their treasure trove,
Their happiness is my delight.
And through the sweet and shining days
They know their lover and their friend;
So I will shield in peace and praise
My innocents unto the end.

By Robert Service

Look for this piece on my website...but you have to wait until the new site is opened, just a little tease. I will keep you posted!

Thank you Ms. Mail Lady

Two little packages arrived in the mail today...I had been waiting so patiently for them and I could not wait to rip them open. The first one was a FABULOUS pair of earrings from Sharon of Livewire Jewelry. I was the winner of her One World One Heart giveaway. I still can't believe I won out of 290 entrants. I am a big fan of Sharon and am so honored to have one of her creations, I just love these earrings!





The other package was from LeAnn of Summers Studio. I have been dying to get my hands on one of her precious little birdies and today was my day. I just love it and can't stop touching it. The color is exactly what I had hoped. I am going to use the birdie in a long necklace and hope to start that tonight. The other two pieces are gorgeous and generous in size. Inspiration comes in may forms and from many things, today it is LeAnn and her wonderful porcelain creations.