New Earrings for My Cowrie (Cowry) Shell Line

I am adding new designs to my Cowrie (Cowry) Shell Line. These are ear spears in 18gage 92.5 sterling silver wire. The 18 gage square is a thick sturdy wire much thicker than normal earwires. If you have really tiny holes then these won't work for you. The earrings themselves are very lightweight.

I kept the first pair I made and have worn them for a month including showering and washing my hair. My version of quality control. When you purchase my "pretties" I want to make sure they stand the test of time. I do not make throw away jewelry. You can click on the title to purchase a pair.

I will also be adding cowrie shell jewelry for the hair.

Scottsdale Fashion Week November 4-6, 2010

For all you fashionistas, Scottsdale Fashion Week starts next week with a fashion Artwalk on Thursday. Scottsdale Fashion Square will have all kind of tie-ins. Now is the time to do your buying for you ladies and gents who want to be the first with the newest items and designers. I' ll post photos and some surprises next week, so make sure you sign up for my rss. There will be a community night fashion show on Thursday so get your tickets to see the hottest designers not in Fashion Square.

The Bohemian Gypsy I-Phone Case

Today, I'm featuring the work of The Bohemian Gypsy on Etsy. You can see her craftsmanship on her redesign of the I-phone case. You can click on the title to visit her shop to purchase the case or her other up cycled jewelry and gifts.

Examples of My Custom Pieces

Huge African Amethyst stone

The Ice Princess (Blue Topaz)

Ebony and Ivory Pendant (Zebra Stone)

Sierra Madras Pendant

Red Hot Jazz

Serenity Pendant (Biwa Pearl. No two are the same)

I wanted to show examples of some of my custom jewelry. These "Pretties" have all gone to good homes. I designed these with gemstones from my cutters here in the US and abroad. I can create custom sculptures with my stones or yours.

Fantasy Ring Chinese Writing Stone in Sterling Silver

These are two huge rings of Chrysanthemum or Chinese Writing Stone I have had it called by both names. They are huge freeform stones that one of my cutters here in Arizona hand cut. These were cut by one of my best cutters (a team of two) of freeform he unfortunately past away after a long illness before I moved to Arizona. I had these on a display table here in Arizona and his partner recognized it. I tried to talk into him to cutting stone again, but so far onlinerockshop on eBay isn't showing up. My loss, these guys were really good. The rings are available at http://wirequeen.etsy.com

Ocean Jasper Earrings and Necklace Set

This is an Ocean Jasper Set I handmade. The coils and earwires are Sterling Silver. I handcrafted the clasp. My photography does not due these beads justice. They are an orby matrix of white, light and dark gray.

The necklace is 22 inches long and the Center Fancy Jasper bead is 1 1/4 inches across. The earrings are 2 inches from the top of the earwires.

Ocean Jasper is a relatively new find. Madagascar was reclaiming the land at its shoreline when it was discovered. The Tsunami that claimed so many lives several years ago closed many if the sites. I haven't any info as to whether they have been reopened. This is stock I have had since the early 2000's. They are available on Artfire here http://bit.ly/baqPjT

Coiled Cowrie Earrings

This is a new style I have added to my sell sites. Coiled copper with a cowrie shell dangle. Available with clips or earwires in copper.

New Organization INFLUX Debut

We attended the opening of INFLUX at the Kiva Courtyard by 5th and Wine Restaurant (they catered and the food was topnotch)(5thandwine.com). This organization arose from storefront owners allowing artists to set-up pop up galleries in Old Town Scottsdale. Several pop up galleries have been open all summer. INFLUX obtained $25,000 funding for 5 artists/pop up galleries. The public was invited to vote for their choice of the five selected. One artist who had already received funding had her opening last night. Her art was giant flowers made of fabric and paint. Very colorful.

We left the event and went to browse some of the pop up gallery. We wandered into painter Brian Drake's gallery (briandrake.tv). It turns out that Drake was the first artist to have a pop up gallery. He spent a great deal of time with us sharing info about painting, paints and how tos. His sharing was really appreciated as my daughter is an upcoming artist. It was nice to meet an artist who was so open about techniques and how to info.

I apologize for not having more pictures but my camera's battery went down.

Winners of the Scottsdale FW Designer of the Year 2010

I've added a slideshow of the 2010 winners and some of the other fashions. The audience winner was Nostalgic Boutique. The judges winner Punkouture will have a featured spot at fashion week November 4-6, 2010. The audience was just as much fun to watch. Enjoy.

Scottsdale Fashion Week Competition 2010

We will attend the Scottsdale Fashion Week Competition to determine what new designers will be featured at Scottsdale Fashion Week November 2010.

Check back this weekend or sign up for my rss to received updates about my jewelry, art and events happening in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Enjoy the weekend.

Artist Tinyan Chan

We went to the Scottsdale Artwalk last night. We "discovered" the paintings of chinese artist Tinyan Chan . His paintings were amazing in their detail of Hong Kong and the countryside of China.

In his bio His family left China and moved to a small village in Africa. He states" The simple village life he experienced gave him a sense of tranquility that has permanently influenced his art."

His work was so awesome Baby Girl could not stop commenting on it she was so moved. (Herself a rising artist). Pictures on the web do not do his work justice. You have to see this Mr Chan's work in person to be able to truly appreciate it.

He now lives and creates in Canada. The title is a link to another gallery on the web that has his work since I never received an email with pictures from the local gallery.

Etsy Holiday Boot Camp Week II

I'm finishing up my week II tasks which were:

1. Read this weeks boot camp article. done

2. Make a list of most popular items. done

3. Brainstorm new work you'll offer this season. done

4. Find boot camp buddy. done (pulseofmyheart asked to be my boot camp buddy.) She got her first sale after our dialogue. Go girl!!!!!

5. Post in the Boot camp forum thread. done.


Looking forward to a great holiday season.
All the best to everyone.

Etsy Boot Camp Week 1

I completed my tasks for week 1 and am almost through with week 2 of Etsy Bootcamp for the Holidays.

Week I Tasks
1. Take Pledge done
2. Vote for Mascot (Mine was the winner)
3. Install Web analytics (Already in place)
4. Write Holiday Mission Statement
To Streamline product offering and to reach 100 items before the end of October 2010.
5. Post in BC forum thread done
6. Checkout Facebook forum thread done.

Cornel West at North High School in Phoenix

I attended the program at North High School that featured Black author and Philosopher Cornel West. He was a usual an excellent speaker but he failed to realize how he was being used.

What was interesting was how several of the speakers from the Mexican community referenced the Spanish American War. They spoke as if Arizona was still part of Mexico. One elder even went so far as to talk against people from the Midwest, as if the Midwest and Arizona were not both in the same country. That is the crux of the issue that people, including the President , who do not live in a border state are failing to realize. Mexicans want to act as if Arizona is still part of Mexico, they do not feel they are bound by American law and that our border here does not apply to them.

The organization that put on the event obviously wanted to tie illegal immigration to the slavery/civil rights issues of Blacks. There is no comparison. We did not come over here voluntarily and we have no country to return to. For the geography challenged, Africa is a continent not a country.