Ah, now I get to use more letters. 5000 in fact!

As I said, I've always been self employed and have always had a need to create. The job I had previously was owning a cross stitch needlework company (The Goode Huswife) for many years. I designed all the patterns and it was a great job.

Previous to that I dabbled in lots of creative outlets, including painting. While being a needlework designer, I painted many, many miniature samplers (if you're familiar with the antique school girl art) on wood. This, in a round about way, led to soldering pendants (Sally Jane style) with needlework inside each one, instead of collages.

After ten years or so of designing, doing shows, and living 99% in the needlework world, I sorely needed a change of venue. A friend was doing repurposed jewelry and I gave it a try. It was addicting to say the least! And....which is more fun..shopping for all the little vintage and antique pieces or making something out them?! It's a toss up!

Creating jewelry is now a passion and there is just no limit to the ideas. I try to evoke a feeling or a memory with each piece. Although it looks simple to "throw together" a necklace, those of you who also do this know it can take hours (days!) to come up with the perfect combination.

My worktable(s) are always a huge mess, for a number of reasons. First of all, I have to be able to see what I have to use. If it's in a drawer, I forget about it...although collecting old sets of drawers (wood or industrial) is another love of mine. Another reason is that when I make something, I often have to try many different combinations of chain, beads, etc, etc until I'm satisfied. Sometimes I end up with something I never thought of in the beginning, which is also part of the fun. How many "hidden" designs does one have...just waiting for the right bead or little trinket to unleash them?!

So, I try and try to stay organized but it's really a complete failure and I have to admit to myself, I'm an utter slob. I usually have many projects going on at one time so, of course, they all need to be out in sight as well. :-)

A little bit more about me....I have two little dogs. One is a pretty little Shi-shon which is half Shitzu and half Bijon. She is female and her name is Ruby. Her name was inspired by a TV show I watched while living in Belgium. There were very few English speaking shows and to find one I loved was a bonus. It was about a very heavy woman who lost a lot much weight. She started at 600 lbs I think.

The other dog is a miniature poodle named Curly. He's a doll and loves to cuddle.

For the picture section, I think I'll post pictures I've taken here and there and write a little caption. I hope you enjoy them.