Jewelry Design Contest

I arrived in Rhode Island last night and was treated to a gorgeous sunset on The Narraganset Bay as well as a delicious lobster roll and a sparkling glass of Sakonnet, a Rhode Island Chardonnay-I'm in heaven! Too bad my husband didn't make the trip! We will be spending time with friends and family as well as antiquing my way up through the coast of Maine. I can't wait for the hunt to begin! On Saturday my kids, my 82 year old mom and I will go out on a lobster boat. Hopefully, we will catch something to photo!

While I'm here, I decided to enter my first jewelry design contest! I may not win but it is a good exercise in stretching my comfort zone! The contest is put on by House of Gems-you may want to join me!

Here is the scoop:

Featured Artist Sweepstakes
Looking for a Few Good Featured Artists:Do you do a happy dance when you come across a gemstone you don't already own?Do you find that every conversation you have comes back to your latest jewelry project?Do you love to help other people on their projects by giving tips or showing them step-by-step how to do things?

If you answered to yes to any of these questions, we may have the perfect opportunity for you.

If you answered yes to all three, then consider this destiny.

House of Gems is looking for Featured Artists to spotlight and promote on our website. In addition to the opportunity to present yourself as an artist, you will also generate traffic to your personal blog, Etsy store or social media profile. Artists may also be given opportunities to test new products, receive additional discounts and be the first to be informed of new releases.Grand Prize (1):$1000 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.comRunners Up (1):$500 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.comConsolation Prize (5)$100 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.com

Timeline:Contest runs July 18th, 2009 thru August 15th, 2009Submissions:Contestants to upload a maximum of 5 original jewelry designs to the House of Gems Flickr "Featured Artists" group http://www.flickr.com/groups/featuredartists/. Any and all design types and styles are welcome.

Good Luck!

Where I Create

Karen, from My Desert Cottage is having a blogging party today! She's asked everyone to share their "creative space" with fellow bloggers. What a great idea-a true spin off from Where Women Create magazine. Check out Karen's blog and all of the wonderful creative spaces we have!
This is my cottage where I create all of my pieces of jewelry. It has a game room for the kids, a ham radio room for my husband and a shop downstairs to cut and grind silverware. How cool is this?




This is my printers chest, full of wonderful little vintage keys,optical lens, charms and more!

My desk is always covered in projects and usually a cat sleeping in the middle of everything!






This is our lab Buddy, who is always at my side while I create. He occasionally brings one or five tennis balls for me to throw! This white chest of drawers was built by a local man. He took a chain saw and cut apart a desk, stacked the two sides of drawers on top of each other and added legs. It's very cool! It even has the pull out ledge to write letters on in the middle!

Below my space is our workshop. It's filled with saws, a drill press, grinders and tools galore to cut and shape my spoons. My husband and son cut the silverware and grind them smooth! Oh, the wires? For the ham radio nut in our life! My neighbors are always asking about the wires...this posting of Where I Create has inspired him to start his own blog...Where I Ham

Thank you, Karen, for this wonderful opportunity to share our spaces! After viewing everyone's blogs, I can't wait to go and create!

Where Bloggers Create

Join me tomorrow for a wonderful look into the creative spaces of fantastic artists from across the country!

Save the Date!

Parlez vous "Over the Top"?

Le Grande Fete

like no other!

Please join us for Vignettes 14th anniversary Soiree!

Saturday, September 19, noon to 5:00pm

Featuring a

Vintage Couture Trunk Show

and what about the Bon Bon bar???

Vintage Spoon Necklace

A vintage silver-plate spoon looks beautiful with a sterling peace sign and blue stone. The engraved M makes it perfect for my friend Marilyn (I'm seeing a trend here). My sister in law Liz, just brought me a bunch of fresh vintage silverware from Massachusetts. I can't wait to start working!

Vintage Spoon Pendant

This is one of my favorite spoon patterns-very California with the citrus design. Christine put her pendant on a leather cord-it goes great with a tee and jeans!

Vintage Butter Knives

I stamped Matt & Kim on this vintage butter knife for Kandi at The Attic. These knives make wonderful hostess and wedding gifts!