Jewelry show on Aug 4th

I am inspired to start up my blog again by the amazing daily dream/poem and photo blog of my friend Patricia Kelly (see sidebar for her URL). Besides, she has a link to my blog on hers and she gets so many viewers that people, impressed with her talents, jump to my blog to see what is happening here. It's embarrassing to see that people are visiting my blog when absolutely nothing has been going on here since my first posts in 2011. I feel obligated to either kill my blog or bring it to life again. It's a tough choice, but I am hoping that by bringing my attention to my creative process through this blog that my focus will be clarified and strengthened.

I have been preparing for a showing of my jewelry here at the Manor on August 4th (Friendship Manor, B Lounge, 6647 El Colegio Rd., Isla Vista, CA, 11:00 to 3:00). I'll be showing and selling mixed-media glass pendants and beaded necklaces that I have created this last year. You can see my pieces at Etsy.com and ArtFire.com (their links are below). I've also set up a site for my friend, Duffy, on Etsy.com. He has been painting magical and strange birds on ties for over 60 years. His site is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Duffy-Days. 

Here's a picture of Mr. Duffy. It's quite possible that his ties will also be on display during the show.

Just as I was turning my attention to learning the art of beadweaving, I got sidetracked into creating these pendants. They are made up of chosen images that are glued on the back of a glass template. I often embellish the 2nd image which is really glued on to the back of the 1st image that is against the glass, making it a two-sided pendant. I like to use rhinestones, charms, and beads as embellishments. Below is an example of a pendant necklace I put together.

This is a two-sided pendant with a hamsa symbolic hand on one side and a Japanese print of two cranes on the other.  I designed it to be two pendants in one with each side having symbolic meaning. 

 I have really enjoyed working with images in creating these pendants. Perhaps it satisfies somewhat the urge to be making collages. As soon as my show is over I hope to refocus on doing some collage work. Stay tuned and thanks for checking in.