Unusual Finds in Usual Places

Those of you who know me, understand and accept that I'm somewhat addicted to shopping, especially antique shopping.  I have my usual favorite places, and I become absolutely giddy when I find unusual and unique treasures during my excursions.  I'm SO excited to show you one of the most beautiful items I've ever had the pleasure of discovering.  I collect rosaries; I adore them.  I love the symbolism, the beauty and sentiment associated with them.  So you can imagine my complete amazement when I found this...

The Rosary beads are detailed flower buds...delicate and sweet.

Look at the unbelievable detail!

So sweet!

The mirror to the right is 4 feet tall!

It's an enormous rosary...for scale, I photographed it by my 4 foot mirror (on the right) so you can judge size.  Isn't this just an amazing, incredible and timeless?  I knew you would agree :-)  Stay tuned for more fabulous finds. 

Custom Projects

Custom projects are always fun.  Yes, they can be challenging, but always rewarding.  I love taking ideas and bringing them into fruition.  I've just completed a couple of unique, one-of-a-kind orders and I had such a great time creating them.  I'm also honored to currently be working on a bridal party.  The pieces for that special project are turning out to be a new concept for me all together!  I LOVE when that happens!

The Beautiful Abby, my girlfriend's sweet daughter!

Every Abby needs a bear with a pink nose!

Custom earrings for a stained glass pendant I recently created

Where Do You Create?

One of my favorite indulgences when I'm afforded the luxury of time to read is "Where Women Create" by Stampington Publications.  "Where Women Create invites you into the creative spaces of the most extraordinary women of our time. Through stunning photography and inspirational stories, each issue of this quarterly magazine will nourish souls and motivate creative processes".  I have a small but comfortable creative space where I have the opportunity to disconnect from all distractions and pour over my magazines, brainstorm and create.  To others, my little space might seem odd or crowded or they might find it interesting or eclectic.  To me, it's a special little place that houses my interesting and unique finds and truly embraces my inner spirit.  And the funny thing is is wasn't until a few years ago that I really started cultivating my creative corner.  It's almost as if I have the opportunity to be a child again and fill my toy box with all kinds of glittering and sparkling treasures.  

Where do you create?  What is one thing that lives in your space you simply adore and could not do without?  Other than my wonderful dog, I fell in love with a worn vintage dress form.  It serves many purposes - it's excellent for pics, it is a great "holder" for my footage chain and it just adds a bit of whimsy to my room.  I also keep my dried wedding bouquet as a reminder of that day.  I love my little creative nook!  

A small section of my desk

Some of my vintage chain for unique creations

This little fairy just makes me smile!

This was my wedding bouquet...it's 11 years old now!

And my favorite...fun vintage dress form!

And Now...May I Present

www.mylibylula.com

A new name for my creations!

 

It had to be 

magical and  memorable 

and meaningful.

 

I ADORE dragonflies...

they are all magical and memorable and meaningful 

to me.

So why not incorporate them into my company name and logo?

Here's the finished product, designed by the 

wonderfully talented 

Catherine Haugland of Avalon Rose Designs.

I love it; I hope you do as well.

Check out how it looks on my website

www.mylibylula.com

(you can still reach my website via Artisticadornments.com 

for a limited amount of time).

More changes to come - stay tuned!

Continue Creating

For those of you who enjoy the creative process, you know that it never really ends.  It may feel as if your creative juices are sometimes blocked or you may even feel a little burned out at times.  But eventually, you will see something that sparks a little flame that ultimately turns into this passion that is uncontrollable.  You seek out resources.  You read and absorb every little bit of information you can dig up on your new found object of affection.  You consult and drive your friends and significant others crazy with your renewed obsession (yes, I'm speaking of my husband :-).  However, this beautiful path of creativity is one that leads to intrinsic design and the process that is closest to spirit.

For me, I'm constantly looking for news ways to enhance my jewelry designs.  I want to become better, more unique.  I have all these ideas, all these beautiful things in my mind that haven't manifested into reality yet.  For they are only a thought at this point, but given the appropriate mediums and tools, I have no doubts that my creations can and will become reality.  Soldering is my first love and has enabled me to make some truly unique pieces.  But I want more...and my next endeavor is to master working with precious metal clay (PMC).  This medium is absolutely incredible and rather than go into detail of exactly how it works, I'll just share a few pics of some incredible PMC artists who inspire me.  You can then let me know what you think!

Artist Lorena Angulo 

Her work is absolutely incredible!

Artist Nancy L T Hamilton

Stunning...need I say more?!?

Now you know why I'm so excited to begin this particular journey!  I'll keep you updated.  Wishing you all a wonderful day.  It's snowing here in Algonquin, so I'm enjoying a cozy day at home with my dog and a cup of tea.  Hope you can do the same.

Rhinestones and Bling and Rings, Oh My!

Rings are so fun and festive!  I love jewelry and I simply adore rings.  Given their unique historical significance and symbolism, you can convey many things with rings without saying a word.  Rings became most popular during Medieval times, and the material from which the ring was made typically indicated the class of the wearer.  Placement of rings is also important.  Did you know that wearing a ring on your "ring" finger represents connection to the heart?  This is why the wedding ring is traditionally placed on this finger.  

 Some of my favorite rings, including a couple of Christmas Gifts from my hubby!

Michal Negrin, my very favorite designer!

Now I hope you all "ring" in the New Year with fun, safe and festive celebrations!

Keep The Magic With You...

The excitement of the Holiday season is now slowly coming to an end.  All the thoughtful planning, fun and festive parties and special times spent with friends and family for Christmas - it's now over and we must once again begin thinking about packing up all the glitter and glitz until next year.  

There's such a wonderful magic and mystery that surrounds this time of the year. Could it be that for a season, we are given the gift of thinking of others?

  What they like; what they need; what makes them happy?  

More than any other time of the year, Christmas is an opportunity to truly invest in your loved ones.  And you know what always amazes me?  There's no better feeling to me than being able to give.  It really is a magical feeling.

Rather than wrapping the magic and splendor that surrounds this glorious season in with all the ornaments and glittering tinsel, 

I encourage each of you to  

keep the magic with you all year.  

Save it, share it and spread it with everyone throughout the coming year.  

Who says we can't have Christmas January through December?  

May God Bless You All!

 Spread Light and Love

 Give Freely

 Pray For Others

 Share The Magic!

And Always Laugh!