I blame it all on my husband! HE was the one who said, “Why don’t you bid on some of the vintage jewelry”? Of course the first lot that I purchased was double stacked on a 3 X 8 table and took me weeks to sort through all of it. There were some great pieces that I sold in my Etsy store, but there were just piles of pieces that didn’t have a lot of intrinsic value…but too nice to discard. Just about that time I stumbled upon B’Sue Boutiques where I saw beautiful pieces created with repurposed jewelry. The rest is history!!
A little about me…
I’ve been a registered nurse for 42 years and have worked in many areas of nursing, but primarily in oncology. Three years ago, I had an offer from a company based in Philadelphia for a position in which I could work from home and I gladly accepted. What a joy and blessing to be able to get up each morning, put on yoga pants and a T-shirt and head into my office! I have a 27 year old daughter (my only child) and she and her husband Ben are expecting our first grand baby in May. Of course, I’m beyond excited! My husband is retired but manages to keep himself fairly busy away from the house. We are involved in church activities and are avid movie goers. Our sweetheart is a little dachshund girl who we call Sissie…but more affectionately “Baby Doll”.
Back to my jewelry…
My work and style has changed so much over the last couple of years. I eventually sold all of my vintage jewelry and now just concentrate on brass, beads, pearls, some polymer and a little bit of fiber here and there and I adore found objects. I love working with Swellegant products and producing incredible colors and patinas on most any surface. I am really all about assemblage. It’s what I love and what I do best…BUT…it’s not what every customer is looking for. I am still in a quandary about what I want my future in jewelry to be about. While my head understands the business aspect of making products that sell…I haven’t convinced my heart of that yet!! I am a proud member of the B’Sue Boutiques Design Team along with some very talented artists.
http://www.bsueboutiques.com/Articles.asp?ID=297
My Build a Design Line…
I have decided to use a combination of brass, natural pearls and brass for my line. I’ve started playing around with some ideas, but haven’t decided on exactly which direction I want to take. I’m excited to see everyone’s designs and just know that we will all learn so much from this challenge.
This is a shell assemblage that I created over a year ago and have since sold. I think I will be going a bit simpler for this challenge!!
Blog Hop Artists and their websites:
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O’Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O’Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
I’m looking forward to seeing your designs. Oh my goodness, that beach necklace is gorgeous! Wonderful blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with Susan. That shell necklace is a masterpiece!
Looking forward to seeing more of your creations in the next blog hop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too started out because of my love for vintage jewelry! I always enjoy your designs and love that necklace. Looking forward to see your creations! Ingrid
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, vintage jewelry brought many of us “into the fold”! Brass and pearls are an absolute favorite of mine so I can’t wait to see your gorgeous new line.
Cheers,
Susan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like the way you laid out your post. Can’t wait to see your completed pieces. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your jewelry, I love your blog, and I love your family! Can’t wait for the rest . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Judy, you’re such an inspiration. I’m always looking forward to your newest pieces! I’m always amazed at what you can accomplish in short periods of time, without ever skimping on quality work or an abundance of creativity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know whatever you do will be fantastic. You inspire me so much with your work, I know this line will excite me as well! Don’t you love working at home as a nurse? I know I do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I DO love it! Don’t you feel like you fell into a diamond mine sometime??
LikeLike
Hi Judy! Lovely story, isn’t it funny how life steers us in the right direction~ can’t wait to see your finished line of jewelry! Beautiful creation!
Best regards, Sandie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your designs and I’m sure that your new line will be just as spectacular! Congrats on being a grandma-to-be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your story and the fantastic photos of your family, Judy. Your jewelry is amazing, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you’re going to create!
LikeLike
Excellent and I always loved that necklace. But the most beautiful thing in this post is Coraline Predmore. 😉
LikeLike
Great post Judy! I didn’t know you are a nurse, my mom is a nurse too! What fun news you shared, congrats on your new grandbaby and I loved your sea necklace what’s stunning piece!
LikeLike
Congrats on the grandbaby, Judy! I wonder if a new little one will inspire your jewelry some day? 😉 Looking forward to seeing your new line!
LikeLike
Loved your story and have always loved your jewelry. You inspire me to get going keep going with all that you do.
LikeLike
Great ideas- I love nature-inspired jewellery ! look forward to seeing you design.
LikeLike
Beautiful Necklace, love your jewelry, great post Judy, lovely family.
LikeLike
Love that beach necklace, makes me wanna head to the outer banks right now~! I can’t wait to see what you design and congrats on the new grandbaby, I too have a granddaughter coming in May 🙂 Good luck with your line xXx
LikeLike
How exciting to be waiting for your grand-baby! Congrats & prayers to all of you. Also, a special thank you for your help as one of our “Great Leaders” It’s so nice to meet you and see your beautiful designs. I love the dog! I grew up w/ a marvelous dachshund, but so far haven’t replaced her. I have a marvelous old brass pin of a dachshund family I’m going to make a mold of. I can’t bear to use it, but I’d love to share it when I get the molds made 🙂
LikeLike
Judy – did you work at Indiana University Medical Center? You look so very familiar — and your intro comment about being a former Oncology nurse made me wonder if our paths had crossed in the medical world –I worked in the Pediatric Heme/Onc research area at Riley Hospital at IU for 11 years, and then worked for the IU Med School and Research Admin offices for another 6.
I do love your Challenge concept, and can’t wait to see what you create. I wasn’t able to join in the Challenge, so I’m sitting on the sidelines enjoying all the wonderful creativity!
LikeLike
Pearls are a beautiful touch, I can’t wait to see what you end up doing!
LikeLike
Love your necklace! So true that not everyone likes what we might love to do best and it’s fun to branch out. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll do with swellegant and all. 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats on the grand-baby! I love your dachshund, my husband and I have one named Gunter, they are so sweet. I look forward to seeing your line.
LikeLike
Judy, love that seashell necklace and it would be a blessing to go to work in yoga pants 🙂 Looking forward to the final line.
LikeLike
Wearing yoga pants everyday, I’m a little jealous! Great choice with the pearls, timeless beauty 🙂
LikeLike
that shell necklace is fantastic! I’m sure you can up with great designs that are more streamlined, looking forward to seeing that. Love pearls, you can’t go wrong with pearls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pearls and brass…sounds lovely. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay tuned!! I’m going to work on some this week and will post in the group….and here!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed your post and pictures. And like most everyone else has said, that beachy necklace is to die for!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! I hope the new owner loves the necklace as well. I am going to do another large assemblage similar to this one but want to make some fan coral with polymer clay (if I can!) I have a couple of large pieces from many years ago and am going to try to make a mold with it. Will keep you posted on the outcome!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful necklace. I look forward to your creations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Leila!! I a fan of your jewelry and you have inspired me many times!!
LikeLike
Eager to see how you balance head and heart!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Miriam!! I’m leaning toward the heart and let the chips fall where they may! (You’re the first to know!!) 🙂
LikeLike
The suspense! Looking forward to seeing what you do with your line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tammy! Hope to have a few pieces done this week and will share!
LikeLike
Can’t wait to see what you pearl and brass beauties you’ll come up with, mah partner-in-crime! Congrats on the grandbaby on the way and cheers to 2015! (My bead caps got here and I love ’em!) xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, good…glad you like them! I think they can be painted…not sure about torching (probably not). I did find out that you can use the Swellegant matte sealer and it will give a gold one a satin finish. 🙂
LikeLike
Great Post! Congratulations on the baby, and you puppy is really cute! i love the necklace you have made and can’t wait to see more! Be Blessed!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to work on some pieces this week for a show coming up on Feb. 13/14!! I’ll post them in the group and also do another blog with some pics!! Thank you!!
LikeLike
Agree with Brenda. The picture of Coraline is the most beautiful thing. Guess what? I am an expecting mom. 🙂 Can’t wait to see your line as you always make gorgeous jewelry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, so excited for you Coral!! Congratulations!!!!! When is baby due?
LikeLike
Hi Janet! First of all, Let me say Congratulations to all on the pending arrival of Beautiful Baby Coraline!!! And of course Baby Doll is just a Sweetpea!
What a beautiful blog- I love the personal aspect you have given it- that was something I really struggled with, but now with reading yours, and getting that “extra” personal warm glow, you have changed my mind and I am going warm mine up a bit… I have always wanted to include more but thought that no one would be interested… Thanks for changing my mind! LOL…I am very much the same, I do not know for sure what direction I will go in until I sit down and start creating. I cannot wait to see what you create~ I just adore that beautiful sea shell necklace!
See you in class! 😉
XO Liz
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is important, isn’t it, to make the simple enough to meet the impulse price point but still interesting enough to buy, and make.
LikeLike
Autumn…this is something that I’m still debating in my mind. Do I want to make small pieces for customer satisfaction….or do I just “do what I do” which are larger pieces and don’t worry about customers who don’t love large stuff. I have sold medium size assemblage to ladies who say “I don’t like large necklaces” because they finally tried them on and saw how awesome they looked on them!! Sometimes we need to change the customer’s perception?????
LikeLike
I love you started down the vintage path and got hooked! I think with your design eye we can expect some fabulous things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Judy! I thought I replied already, but I think I’m getting confused b/t here and the group. LOL!! Great blog and congrats on the new arrival news! That’s the best! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers and cannot wait to see!
nike
LikeLike