I've spent the entire month of September learning and practicing more new things! I've enjoyed the Facebook "live" videos, they really work for me, I'm a visual person, I can read, look at pictures and instructions all day long, but when I see those instructions in action, suddenly it all makes sense!

I really love the videos by Candie Cooper, Brenda Schweder Jewelry (inventor of "Now That's a Jig!") and Judy Menting's "Dancing Teacup Alphabet" letters (made with "Now That's a Jig!").
 I have been lucky enough to win several prizes while learning a lot of new tricks, tips and techniques. Here are a few of the letters I've won from Judy:

Come join in the Facebook fun, learn new things and make some new friends!

I've neglected the blog, but I'm back to fix that! I've been connecting with new "beady" people and groups online, it's been so much fun and I've been learning all kinds of new things! Steel, wire working and polymer clay, just to name a few.

I also made a commitment to myself to participate in some jewelry challenges and I did it! So far I've taken part in two different challenges, the first one was a "color challenge" with Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry, where they decide on a color palette and you make your piece of jewelry using those colors. I was way out of my comfort zone (which was the idea) color-wise as they chose corals, spring greens and golds. I used many new-to-me things in this piece, like satin cord and shiny, gold, brass wire. Here is my charm pendant piece. I didn't win, but that's ok, I entered, I DID IT!

I have so much more I want to share, but I'll save some for the next blog posts! Thank you for visiting!

Jeryl

SevenWildWinds on Etsy
Jeryl7 on Instagram

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.