New things!

Here are some of my newest pieces, I've had so much fun creating these. Cloud and envelope pendants from Jade Scott. Bird house from Humblebeads.

Sweet Rain

The Love Letter

Home Sweet Home 

Exciting discoveries!

During my recent studies of things that appeal to me, I've discovered Ceramic Art Bead Market and Lampwork Bead Market on Facebook and I have been bidding on and winning (some) new bead sets made by artists that I admire.

by Glenn Odell

             by Gaea
 by GaeaSeven Wild Winds

I have been away from my blog. We traveled, we moved to another state (that's two, interstate moves in less than a year!) blah, blah, blah. Honestly, I just just guilty of not writing about all of the really cool things we were doing.

I've made a third quarter resolution, like new year's but it's not the new year! One blog post per week, minimum!

I've been doing a lot of studying for business purposes. I've studied jewelry artists that admire, blogs, websites, Etsy shops, photos, colors, shapes, textures, what is it about each of these things that appeals to me? This has allowed me to make some of my best jewelry, I've been really excited about my latest jewelry designs!

I've purchased some great pieces, which has made designing more fun. These pieces from Happy Mango beads started it all!

Stay tuned as I reveal more of my whimsical, fun, new pieces!

New Exciting Things

We took another quick trip to Washington state to visit family and shop at Shipwreck Beads to pick up some things for some custom necklaces that my mom wants me to make. When we got home my order of beads from simplypie on Etsy were waiting for me, I am obsessed with Picasso coated beads and simplypie has a lovely selection. I also placed an order from Happy Mango Beads that just arrived, I can't wait to start creating!

Lifetime Dream Achieved

An impromtu trip back to southern California brought a chance to fulfill a wish I've had for most of my life. Thanks to my fabulous other half and his mother, I was was able to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium! In middle school I read an article in National Geographic magazine about the kelp forest and the aquarium and I've wanted to see it ever since. I was so inspired by everything that I saw there! So many beautiful colors, textures and I even got to touch a bat ray! The rays have adorable faces that remind me of dolphins.

Inspiration is all around!

After a quick mini-vacation (where I found new inspiration) I spent the week catching up making several new pieces of jewelry and loading new items to my SevenWildWinds Etsy site.

While driving through southern California on our mini-vacation I was inspired by so many things. The beautiful birds and fish at the Marriott Desert Springs Resort. There are small sharks that hang out near the boats in the lobby!

Swans, Canadian geese and various other birds swim in lakes outside and there was a gorgeous egret hanging out in the middle of the waterfalls out in front of the resort, like he owned the place!

The beautiful Morongo Casino Resort had fantasic design ideas in front of the resort.

Inspiration and beauty are all around us, you just have to look and notice! The mountains surrounding Palm Springs had lovely colors that changes throughout the day. The sunrise and sunset always inspire me, I love the colors and they're always different!

I was going through the bead stashes (yes, that's plural) today, looking to recreate something I saw on Pinterest and I found all kinds of hearts to create some love!

In the midst of total chaos, I found out that I officially sold my first item on Etsy! I am beyond thrilled and so very grateful! My SevenWildWinds shop has been open for six days and this sale was so exciting! I'm hoping for some rain-free photography weather.

Wow, the holidays flew by so fast! I made several gifts and took a quick trip home to see my family, it was so much fun! Down to business, getting SevenWildWinds open on Etsy! I know how important the pictures are and I have been working diligently to take good, solid photos, it's been challenging. Getting good lighting just right is difficult if Mother Nature isn't cooperating! Here are a couple of "rough" shots.