New Years Resolution

...to get back on track with the one thing that I love to do, create jewelry.  I was recently asked to re-create a pair of hook earrings to clip on earrings.  Normally this is something that I can do quite simply because the earring is either a standard dangle or their is already a loop built in.  This pair was a bit different since I had to literally clip the long hooks and create my own top loop.  I am happy to report that they turned out and one lucky lady got these earrings for a holiday gift.

7^th Annual Holiday

Open House

Join us on Saturday, November 5, 2011

from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

vThe Pampered Chef

vReMaryd Originals Jewelry

vThirty-One Bags

vTastefully Simple

vScentsy

The more you buy, the more opportunities to WIN our vendor gift basket! Worth over $100!

RSVP to Mary Gideon

marylgideon@yahoo.com

Where: Gloria Swinsick’s home at 75821 Burgundy Place, Lawton, Michigan

*Join us for a food demonstration brunch at 10 a.m. 

*20% off cash and carry Tastefully Simple.

Military Green and Fuschia?

You wouldn't think that a box full of old, broken, dirty, mis-matched and musty jewelry could make a persons heart flutter, but I am here to tell you otherwise!  Created around a sad single clip earring with rubbery plastic petals and a bright pink jewel, this neclace became a work of art.  I finished off the necklace above the flower with a vintage copper necklace with character, that may have seen better days, but now has gotten it's "second wind".

Ode to a Kitchen Cabinet Backplate!

Oh, WoodenBee, for the past two months I have been looking at the cabinet back plate that I purchased from you and dreaming of what I would create with it.  Well, the time is here and I would like to introduce you to this art deco work of art to wear.  This design may have to become something I create on a regular basis, now that I have the kinks worked out.  This particular necklace has quite a story in it's parts and pieces.  Of course the filigree pendant is a salvaged cabinet back plate, but the center piece is a found button placed where the knob would sit.  And last, but certainly not least, is the prism tear drop which was given to me from a friend's mother's jewelry collection.  Oh, the stories these jewels tell!

All about the gold...

I love this heavy chain!  This necklace has a great story and is made up of a chunky necklace, chunky bracelet and a length of super chunky chain!  I was a little nervous having the entire necklace made up of all golds, but it turned out pretty sweet!  Heck, I'd wear it...maybe I just will. 

An Interview

If you have a moment, check out the interview that I did for my mother-in-law and romance author Nancy Gideon.  She has an amazing blog and recently asked me if I would like to be interviewed for her Friday blog feature.  I was ecstatic!  This cross promotion opportunity Nancy offered me has been amazing...Thank you! Click on the link below to see the interview and to get the details on a bracelet giveaway!
http://goo.gl/q1MWc

Broken Promises

So, my last blog was about how I was going to make a new item every day for the next 20 days and post each for sale on Etsy.  Well, it's been 3 days and I am struggling already.  Good grief.  I will qualify that and say that I have been working on other items for other people who are worth the wait on inventory. 

A friend recently gave me several jewelry boxes filled with hundreds of earrings that belong to her mother.  My friend indicated that her mom didn't wear the earrings any longer and several family members had sorted through and found the peices that they wanted, but that her mom was just going to discard the earrings.  As she was handing me the giant bag of jewelry, she said, "Mom thought no one would want these because there just isn't anything you can do with a bunch of outdated, used earrings".   Think again!!!  As a thank you to my friend for bestowing this amazing tonage of earrings, I have made this necklace out of six different earrings among other broken rhinestone earrings, necklaces and bracelets!  Enjoy Pam!

New Goals!

It seems to me that most days hold an entirely new perspective of where we are in life, or maybe that is just my own indecisive nature.  Either way, I had a revelation last night that prompted me to begin a transformation of sorts.  I need to work on inventory.  I say that to myself every time I go downstairs to work.  Lately, I have been engrossed in a different project of specialty made jewelry for one customer that seems to be working out nicely.  However, I want to build a presence on my Etsy site.  That is where my new goal comes into play.

Everyday for the next 20 days, I will list a new item on Etsy.  At the end of the 20 days, I should have 20 items for sale on Etsy. 

Since I hand out business cards with my Etsy site address, I desire to have something for people to look at if they visit my store and buy, if they so choose.  It makes sense, doesn't it? 

Share your goal setting, business and creative development stories with me, if you have a moment!  I need the inspiration.  Today is Day One!

A New Creation

So, the fourth of July weekend may have been lovely outside, but I sure did a lot of work inside this weekend!  When the spirit moves you, I guess that is the best time to strike, right?  This necklace is made from another earring that I purchased as part of a big sale at a local mall store.  I just piled it high with old clip earrings, buttons and broken rhinestone bracelets/earrings and necklaces.  Lastly, I strung huge pearls on gold toned craft wire for the chain and balanced out the bold with the beautiful!  I love it!

Fireworks!

I took a lovely, sparkly, prism cut pendant of a boring silver chain necklace and added some additional bobbles.  The colors in the pendant change and bring out whatever colors are worn with it, but I placed it on a bright green satin and triple cord necklace and BOOM, it made it perfect.  This is another for the Nanci Z. Collection!  An explosion of color just in time for the Fourth of July Fireworks!

...And So It Begins!

I purchased this amazing silver back plate for what would normally be used as a "flourish" for a kitchen cabinet door!  It is just too beautiful to be in a kitchen.

I recently stumbled onto a fellow Etsy artisan who does amazing things in the world of recycling and upcycling.  The Wooden Bee is a husband and wife team from Florida that use wood and other household construction items to make cool stuff rather than letting it go into the landfill.  They have come up with some really neat design ideas and sell other materials used in the building industry as "art supplies".  You really need to check the store out on Etsy.com, but they also have a website and blog where they regularly post on great upcycled projects!  Love it!

While I was perusing their Etsy store, I ran across this cabinet "pretty", as I like to call it, and just had to have it.  I have been staring at it and flipping it around in my hands trying to determine what jewelry design this will take on!  I started with this button that just happens to fit into the center hole where the knob would typically go...but not in my world.

Computer Issues

My computer has failed me.  It seems as though it has a tough virus surging through it's network veins.  Although, my jewelry doesn't necessarily suffer when I cannot use my computer, my psyche and creative energy does. 

Every time I start to come up with a design idea, I stop short.  I remember that I cannot readily access Etsy.com, my blog or Twitter.  It's like I am on an island so far away from the marketing world.  Either way, I will continue to create, but it will be a few days before I am back "in full effect" on the web again.

New Twist on a Bargain

I was recently given a handful of "re-dos" by an acquaintance friend.  She picked up a boat load of great deals on slightly broken and/or mismatched costume jewelry at a local department store.  The deals were phenomenal and she and I pondered over how to fix and recreate these finds into something she would wear with pleasure!  The first in a string of recreations was a badly strung set of brightly colored beads!  It needed help.  I found an example of a simple lariat that used bold accent colors to make it a real stunning piece.  Here she is...the first in this series of upcycled jewelry for Miss Nanci!

Focal Point

Well, I have spent the past hour putting the last pieces of the puzzle together.  It seems that I can begin with the rest of the bracelet now.  I feel that since the focal point is so complex and sparkly that I should not make the chain/band to large.  I will update with further progress.

Bracelet Beginnings

I found these amazing, giant filigree oblong earrings at a local "Tween Scene" store and just knew that they had potential above and beyond their current earring status.  So, I have begun the process of seeing what works as the embellishment to end all embellishments and come up with a stunning bracelet!  It is not complete, but I have used broken rhinestone necklaces, bracelets and earrings to the top.  You can still see the open filigree work on the half that is not finished.
This one, is open for suggestion and of course purchase!!!

What is the Best Name to Choose for your Etsy Shop?

Recently, one of my sweet sweet cousins contacted me to discuss Etsy shop names for her up and coming jewelry establishment.  She is a talented actress in her local school and community theatre and has a nack for creating woven bracelets and colorful earrings!  She and I have been emailing back and forth, bouncing different combinations of words and names off each other.  So much fun!  I told her that it took me a long time to come up with my shop name "ReMarydOriginals".  But, I wanted something that really resounded and made sense in reflecting what it was that I wanted to make and the statement that I wanted to make in the crafting world.  However, I didn't want to have a name that would "cage me in".   After a few days of our emailing and discussions, I think we are getting closer...but she hasn't made a solid decision on what she is going to use yet. 

I refered her to an article that was on Etsy's forums about coming up with a name that is understandable, easy to spell, and easy to remember for possible returning customers.  I thought it was wonderfully stated and easy to understand.  I wish her all the luck in the world and hope that our brainstorming will help!

Nancy Necklace Redux

It happens occasionally that you may find a peice of jewelry in your average department store that has several elements that you really like, but it just isn't a "stunner".  Here is an example of such a story.  Nancy went to one of her favorite department store and found a great deal on a necklace and bracelet combination.  She loved the color, the shape and the texture of the beads, but just didn't LOVE the way that they were strung. 

These are the two necklaces and two sets of earrings that I made from the necklace that Nancy bought.  I did, however, add a significant piece to the double strand necklace that I happened to stumble upon.  The earrings on the left, I had to make from other beads that we, re not part of the original necklace, but they just had to BE.

Finished product...loads and loads of fun!!!

Hmm...What to do with neglected clip earrings?

Once I discovered that these ornate earrings would work as an amazing add on to both bracelets and necklaces, I couldn't wait to keep creating.  My first endeavor with the clip earrings was the necklace that I created for the KIA fashion show.  Purples, whites, silvers, golds and champagne colored pearls and crystals top each earring.  Once disassembled, they attach nicely to blanks that can then be hooked together in varying designs.
Then came Stephany's necklace.  Stephany was the provider of this collection of clip earrings!

But, for the icing on the cake.  I made Nancy a bracelet for her birthday!  So many options....

Long Time, No Post

I have wanted to post, to share, to let the world know that I had not disappeared, but life sometimes get in the way.  I made an amazing Gigantic Bling ring for a friend and it has turned into an obsession.  This is the ultimate in taking the old and making it new!!!

From a large 1-1/4 inch diameter domed clip earring, I first removed the clip from the flat back and began to glue the broken rhinestone earrings and necklace pieces to the front.  And behold...the birth of the Gigantic Bling ring!

Opportunites!

I never underestimate the power of friends and networking!  I was recently asked to design several pieces of jewelry to accompany a line of clothing for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts spring fashion show.  What an honor to be asked to design some ReMaryd Original jewelry to accompany CABi clothing for local CABi sales person, Mary McCallum.

I worked for several days putting together just the right items for the outfits that were to be worn during the fashion show.  It all turned out wonderful.  I met several wonderful women and passed out business cards.  I forget how much fun it is to spend time in an art atmosphere with some amazing women and great fashion!

This is a piece that I made out of an old sandal and put together with a chain of pearls and vintage chunky black chain!  Before and after....

Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing

It is hard if you do not "craft for a living" to find time to make and create.  I do work full time, but somehow I find a few minutes several times a week to finish up repairs or create new jewelry pieces for my friends or my Etsy Shop.

I follow a few blogs of other Green Crafters, Jewelry Crafters, Crafty Friends and others that seem to balance their on-line shops, blogs, Twitter and home life.  I really enjoy reading about these creative-beings who are focused on making something new, finding a good deal and feeding their internal artist.

My studio/basement corner sometimes seems overwhelming before I have an idea in mind, but just sitting down at my table or looking through craft ideas or jewelry making magazines will help me focus in on what needs to be accomplished.  I usually start out by directing all of my energy on one particular item, bead, pendant, picture or project and then let it take me where it will.  I look forward to exploring my other bloggers ideas, examples and/or project ideas...and challenge myself to get my rear end into my studio/basement corner to have some creative alone time!!!

Back to Repurposing

Finding just the right accent for a necklace is sometimes a process of trial and error!  I made a springy-necklace a few weeks back for a friend of mine, but the accent piece I created just wasn't doin' it for me.  So, I have taken several pieces of tulle, cut out circles, added glitter glue to the edges, heated the edges to curl them up and then added a vintage clip earring to the middle.  I like the way this looks...but we will see once I add it to the necklace...stay tuned for updates!

Mother Runners

Making bracelets from new products isn't usually what I like to do, but sometimes...I make an exception.  These are bracelets that I made for a girlfriend.  She gave me a description of a bracelet that she had seen, but had not been able to find on-line again.  I worked with another Etsy Artisan, PetitePieces to have her make the stamped tags and I did the rest.  I just love to make people happy by having a special piece of jewelry to wear!  Hope you enjoy ladies.

The Compliment Necklace

I found the square rhinestone piece of this necklace in a bag of junk jewelry given to me by a friend.  This is a weighty little square and has TONS of sparkle.  I am not sure if it was a broken pin or earring, but I fell in love with it when I laid eyes on it.  In fact, I have held on to it for years.  I would come across it every once in awhile and say, "I really would like to do something with this, but, what?".  Finally, I added a mix of purple pearls and black czech beads for a necklace chain and kept it extremely simple with a magnetic clasp.  This necklace really isn't for sale...since I LOVE TO WEAR IT.  Plus, it gets me plenty of compliments.  This is more of a marketting piece for me, since people want to then talk about it after they ask me where I got it.  I love to tell them, "I made it"!

"Make New Friends, But Keep the Old....One is Silver and the Other Gold"

As a Girl Scout that phrase was part of a campfire song that, somehow, I still remember to this day.  Maybe it is due to the fact that it is ABSOLUTELY TRUE.  Although, your old friends are incredibly important, making new friends and new connections is always sheds light on the rest of the world and how exciting it is to see it from someones viewpoint.  My end game in writing this blog is just to say how lucky and grateful I really am for all of the wonderful friends that I have in my life and to the new friends that I meet along the way!  One old/new friend shares the love of art and artistry...this is my official shout out to PocketFox and her ability to create and make things around her beautiful!  Check her out on Etsy.com!

The Earrings Last Stand...

Well, it is finished.  I have successfully turned two gigantic earrings that were not being worn into...a smaller, more wearable earring set, an eclectic pin and an amazing necklace!  The world is a brighter place when I am recreating!!

Turning Mundane Household Objects into Jewelry

When you look at your old outdated kitchen cabinets you wouldn't normally think that parts of that door might make a great piece of jewelry.  However, I have done just that and taken an old flat decorative knob cover from a set of cabinets a friend was removing from their house and made it into a necklace.  So many household items can be used to make crafting and art projects if you take the time to look around.  In fact, I just recently read another blog on the subject posted by one of my favorite blogs at Everyday Inspired!  Check in out and get moving on a "household" inspired project today!

Making Art Affordable and Repurposing

My girlfriend says that it is always fun to give me her cast offs and broken jewelry because my eyes twinkle and light up and I have an extra hop in my step from the excitement of making new what has become old and unused.  It is truly one of my favorite feelings...that is why to be mentioned in another creative art blog about doing just that, keeping costs down and reusing what I already have is an HONOR. 

A New Spin on a Pin

When I re-create a piece of jewelry for someone, I am always nervous about how they will receive the newly made item.  In some instances, I have a bit more insight into their personality, their style, and the limits of how daring they would like to be with their attire.  All in all, I just hope that what I have imagined and what I have put together will be an item that they will be able and willing to wear happily!  Here's to the final product...at least for the time being...earrings, a pin and hopefully a necklace to come soon from one set of earrings!

Cut in two

Here it is.  A picture of the earring cut strategically as to keep the top portion as a usable earring and drop the bottom so that I can use it for a necklace or something else really super neat!  Since I have two earrings and I will have two lopped off bottoms, my girlfriend suggested that I make one into a pin and the other into a necklace.  Any thoughts?

Changes

This is progress.  I was given a pair of LARGE earrings purchased in another state to make some drastic changes.  First, the earrings needed to be basically split in half.  The first half would remain a wonderfully sparkle amber/brown earring, but without the weight of the bottom.  The bottom that would be removed will become part of a necklace.  Too much fun to have new things to play with...

Anyhow, I was able to separate the two halves quite easily with my dremal tool and sanded away most of the sharp edges to make it look presentable.  However, there is still some sanding and shining to do before the earrings are to my liking.

The bottoms have yet to take on any special form, but I have plans for those bad boys...big plans!  Keep an eye on the blog to see the progress.

Quiet on the Home Front

AHHH....my husband and step-son are out of the house for approximatley 3 hours and I am thrilled to have the time to set in my studio and create...I have been dreaming up ideas and working on old ones, but never quite have enough time to put it all together!  Found an amazing group of Recyclers, Upcyclers and Repurposers...if that is a word...on Etsy.com.  The call themselves "The Upcyclers".  I just love the unique and amazing creativity that comes out of taking something that has already lived the life that it was created to live, but could have a whole new life as something completely different.  Does that make me "Earthy Crunchy" or just creative?

The Spring 2011 Collection

Well folks, with a gigantic winter blizzard on the way, I thought it would be the best moment to show you my first item in the ReMaryd Originals 2011 Spring/Summer Collection. The pendant on this necklace was part of an old necklace my boss purchased at a second hand store, but never wore. I turned it upside down, used the chain to place it in centerstage. The round and faceted beads from a necklace I hand picked from an estate sale and several of the smaller beads I have taken off of old clip earrings.

A Big Hit

I made a pair of earrings a couple of weeks ago, but needed to add something to them to make them a little bit different.  The earrings have a hammered silver chandelier top and have just enough RePurposed chain to make them look super trendy.  I added black cut glass beads that I salvaged from an a broken necklace from an estate sale to give them some depth.  But there was just something missing.  I needed something to equal out the top...and then I ran across the silver circles from a broken bunch of large chain.  I posted the final picture on Facebook and I had multiple friends comment on how adorable they turned out.

My mother in law was the lucky buyer, but another friend is trying to determine what color she would like the earrings to be made in.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Cross Promotion with Etsy.com

From Hawaii, With Love

Recently, a friend mailed me a broken coral necklace that she wanted to have fixed.  It is a lovely long piece that I am sure looks amazing on the tall blond that owns it!!  I wanted to post the picture of the finished product because it is a bright color and reminds me of it's current home....Hawaii.  The warm coral colors just make me feel warm!

Enjoy Andrea!