Coastal Treasures

Enjoy browsing this treasury I created which includes some beautiful items from Etsy.


Ahhh, the soothing colors of the ocean...blues, greens, browns. It doesn't get much better than that, when it comes to the most beautiful colors of nature.

California Coast Photog... ParrishHousePh... $25.00	OCEAN TREASURE Silver S... HavanaBeads $7.00	Urchin Photograph 10X10... machelspencePH... $14.99	Zippered Wristlet Clutc... shopthepoppysh... $15.00
Scarf Watercolor Cotton... jamiesierrakni... $20.00	Earring pair of 3/4&quo... JLynnJewels $9.95	Starfish Drawer Pull an... kinnakeetclayw... $14.00	Throw Pillow Covers Dec... FestiveHomeDec... $35.00
Stoneware pottery bowl ... Hodakapottery $100.00	Beachy leather wrap bra... slashKnots $59.00	Handmade Sea Salt Soap ... LifeSoapSimple $18.00	Oval Serving platter tu... Hodakapottery $50.00
Summer in France Parisi... rebeccaplotnic... $30.00	Rustic Brown Long Drop ... Chikakojewelle... $16.00	Dead Sea Salt Exfoliati... AlaiynaBSoaps $6.95	Crystallized. Rare Citr... oceansoffering... $7.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Filigree Wrapping

I've been trying my hand at a new technique....filigree wrapping.  I mostly learn new jewelry making techniques from internet tutorials.   One of my favorite sites is the Vintaj blog.   Here is the video that helped me learn filigree wrapping.

These are the pieces I have made using this technique.  I am finding it more difficult to do than it looks!  I'm sure that more practice is in order.  :-)

Front of pendant

"Vintage Aqua"

(I think it might need a couple dangles from the center circle...what do you think?)











Back of pendant

Front of earring

"Sweet Briar"














Back of earring

Inspired Designs

When I sit down at my jewelry making table, and I feel less than creative, I resort to my Pinterest board called "Pictures That Inspire Designs."   I have subtitled it "Great visuals to use when trying to escape creativity block."   I have been designing from that board lately.

"Cabo San Lucas" - inspired by this picture...

Picture taken by Anneliese

"Sagebrush Violet"- inspired by the colors of these lupines...

photo credit:  http://www.thepeaksislandhouse.com/

Lynx Boys Rock!

It's the end of another soccer season, and I have mixed feelings.  While soccer makes our lives very busy, we enjoy so much about the soccer season.  It will be nice to have a break from traveling 2 hours to away games and juggling homework time with soccer practices.  But we will miss getting together with some great families and watching the boys play.

Congratulations Lynx boys on a winning season!  You made us proud!

Who's Wearing Artful Accents?

I'm excited to announce that I will be starting a regular blog post feature...and you might be featured!

Who's Wearing Artful Accents?

One of the greatest rewards of creating jewelry is to see my customers wearing jewelry I have made.  Sometimes if I get a little bored distracted in church, I will look around the congregation and count how many Artful Accents pieces I see.  You didn't know that I did that, did you...Becky, Joann, Diann, or Patty?  

For starters, I'll feature my Hillside Honeys.  Here is a recent photo of us at Ocean City, MD for our annual weekend getaway.  It's filled with shopping, laughing, eating, reminiscing, and laughing.  Did I mention laughing?

Hillside Honeys - photo credit:  Mary Jo

Here is a closeup of Julie wearing "Sense of Drama" necklace and "Prairie Pioneer" earrings.  

Another shot of Julie and Krista.  This one is a better one of Krista's jewelry.  She is wearing "Seaside Treasure" necklace.

I wish I would have taken a picture of Jeané wearing a bracelet and earrings from her namesake collection.  

Jeané collection bracelet

I also wish I had taken a picture of Mary Jo wearing her "Blue & Grey" custom made necklace.  But I live near her, and I'll catch her wearing it some other time...to be featured at a later date!  

Do you want to be featured in "Who's Wearing Artful Accents?"  All you have to do is catch my attention by wearing any of your Artful Accents pieces when I happen to have a camera!  I can't wait to look for you!  

Special thanks to Jane Kifer of FEED Handcrafted Arts.  Jane is my 2nd cousin who lives in California and creates beautiful artwork, as well as teaches creativity to kids and adults.  Her jewelry work has been featured on Grey's Anatomy!  She was the inspiration for my idea for this new blog feature.  Jane says.... 


"We are all celebrities and it isn't necessarily better that a TV person is wearing [my jewelry].  TV people wear my stuff and so do teachers and moms and they are famous in their own way..."  


Thanks, Jane!

Sale in my Etsy shop!

In honor of Mother's Day, I am having a SALE in my Etsy shop!  Simply enter this coupon code - "TREATMOM" - when you check out, and 20% will be taken off each item you purchase.  It's that easy.  (Note: the discount does not apply to shipping or sales tax.) 




All earrings, like this one for example, are on sale!

Prairie Pioneer

And all bracelets are on sale!

Emerald City

Check out the necklaces that are all on sale!

Jeané Collection

Head on over to my shop and take advantage of this great sale.  It will expire on Mother's Day, May 13, 2012.  Click here for a handy tutorial if you are unsure about how to use the coupon code on Etsy.  

"TREATMOM"  -  20% off discount coupon code

Hillside Honeys

Mary Jo, Jeané, Krista, me, and Julie

Eighteen years ago this very weekend, 5 best friends parted ways after graduation.  I stayed here, the others moved away.  Over the years, our geographic distance has varied.  Despite the distance though, we have remained always close in our hearts.  Now, Julie lives in Vermont, Krista and Jeané live in Pennsylvania, and Mary Jo and I live about 3 miles apart!  However, this weekend, we will all be together once again.  Let the fun begin!