April 2nd...World Autism Awareness Day

Autism: a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts.

The Awareness Ribbon - The puzzle pattern reflects the complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope. 

The Puzzle Piece - represents Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In support of this day, I have designed and created this special project which I plan to wear. In my design, I added wire stitching to the outer edges of the puzzle piece referencing, “Hope”.

Please join us in wearing BLUE.

Adventures...

(written Sunday, April 19, 2015)

Three years in the making.

It certainly was an adventure to not only find the right place but, the "right" building.

After 2 years, we "FINALLY" found the light!
(I love how that picture just "happened"!)
However, it took me another year to decide. 

We found MASTerBILT Mast Utility Barns about an hour from us and with exceptional Customer Service as well as "craftsmanship"! Daniel and Micah were very patient and helpful during our "decision-making process" and boy, was it ever a process...3 years in the making. 

Originally, I started out with a 10'x12' building full of windows.
After two more trips within a year, that size grew to a 12'x16' building and not quite full of windows. However, by the time we sat down to complete the paperwork to get the building ordered, we bumped the size up (once again) to a 12'x20' building.
I could not make up my mind...now you understand why it took 3 years.
You simply can't rush perfection, LOL! 

 

Masterbilt ~ Mast Utility Barns in Crossville, TN has been in business since 1973! 

This was a free coffee mug with our building purchase. I do not drink coffee but, it'll be great for hot Cocoa in the studio while working!

Now for a peek into our NEW Studio as we embark on this journey... 

My shop (his garage) we shared before. The left side was his and the right side was my studio/shop.
See the spikes sticking up on the right of the current shop/garage?  

 

Perhaps you need a closer look, too...hard to see in the prior picture.
That is where my NEW studio will be going.

Can you picture it yet? 

 

How about now? (LOL)

It is here (January, and although it wasn't planned my new studio arrived on my birthday...Happy Birthday to me!)

The weather has been so bad that the delivery had to be put off two times. 

 

It was interesting to see how Mr. Miller placed the building perfectly into position. My homeschooled child and I had never watched this process before.  

 

Down she goes! 

She is in position...leveling begins! 

Mose Miller at The Shed Prop did an outstanding job delivering and setting up my NEW Studio!

Many "thanks" to Daniel, Micah, and Mr. Miller! We found the right building for us...on to more adventures!

Front view

Front and side view

Side view 

Rear view

The "door has been opened" and the work begins...

 

a step inside the front door...

 

from the back corner to the door...

 

Flooring and bracing for walls and ceiling delivered and in place. 

 

Walls and ceiling insulation is up!

Walls going in...our little helper isn't so little anymore. 

Ready to cut...

almost got it!

 

Happiness!

I love my boys...such great helpers!

 

Decided on USB board...it not only was cheaper but, a quick fix to adding texture to wall and ceilings. With the walls and ceiling just about complete...time to run electric!

 

It is now March.

Dedication...the first night he started getting the Flu and he would not let me dig the hole for the electric.  

It took me the entire daylight Saturday and Sunday, while he was in bed resting, to get the entire studio "completely" sealed with Kilz and painted. Unfortunately, that Monday morning I started feeling bad, BLAH!

A peek from the front corner to the back corner.

A peek from the back corner to the door. 

On Tuesday, he was feeling a little better but, would not take "no" for an answer about getting the flooring installed. 

Peek from front to back.

 

Peek from back to front. 

It is now April. We are quickly closing in on 3 months for finishing my Studio since it was delivered in January. The "reward" is it is FINISHED! 

Now to get everything in and organized!

Thanks for stopping by!

Always remember to Keep Your Fork ...better things are yet to come! 

“Honey, Please!” …In Memory of Miss Elsie

(written on Tuesday, May 7, 2013

 

Miss Elsie 

Sunday, May 5^th marked one year since Miss Elsie was called home. 

I am still in shock.
Though it is not for us to ask there are so many questions.
We simply try to understand.

It hadn’t been that long since the two of us had chatted and laughed...not knowing what was soon to come. She was unique in her “own” way…never knowing or ever being able to take a good guess (most of the time) what she would have to say at any given time. She often surprised us all with her wit, kindness, concern, caring, and her wonderful smile.
One thing is for sure, I will never forget her phase at just about everything, “Honey, please”! (big grin) It took me some time to get through the news of her passing as I had to endure phone calls and emails that came in for some time after from suppliers, friends, and customers. So, here I am a year later writing in Memory of Miss Elsie…I simply could not put words together at that time.

Miss Elsie taught me how to make jewelry, my mentor.
I could bounce designs off her and she would bounce designs off me with a respect that neither of us would take the others design and run with it as our own. You just can’t find that any more in this world. She encouraged me early on by inviting my family and me to her home on Memorial Day in 2005. She encouraged me to allow her to teach me how to make jewelry. I was very content with my candle craft business at the time and jewelry wasn't anywhere on my radar. I tried to explain that to her when she approached me and encourage me to move forward in my creativeness but, she was determined to change my mind. She did. We did visit her home in Knoxville and in a days’ time I made 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets on my own that was very popular styles back then. I also learned several other techniques. She sent me home with the 5 sets plus other items for me to “make my own” and told me (not asked, LOL) to return to an event in July which both of us had attended in prior years. However, I did my candle crafts. She wanted us to share a booth. I recall her saying, “Girl, do NOT bring those candles!”, clear as a bell…as though she is sitting here with me now. I went to the event (family in tow) and learned so much from her selling jewelry! I watched as she interacted with customers of all types. She held nothing back. If you asked her something about her technique she was very quick and blunt to share with you that she will not share her secrets with you. She had a reason for doing so. Most customers returned to buy from her. {big grin} 

To my surprise, I sold all the sets I made along with many other items that I returned to the event with! 
She said to me, “See, I told you, girl!” as she hugged me. 

To this day, I try to return what she has taught me by reaching out to others as she reached out to me. 
So many memories with her! So many FUN times sharing a booth with her and traveling with her until she thought I was ready to go on my own! I could have stayed with her until the end but, she knew she needed to let me fly own my own. She has certainly left me on my own! 
My family has been very blessed that Miss Elsie was a part of our life. 
We love you, Miss Elsie. 
Rest in Peace

UPDATE (written Monday, May 18, 2015

Ten years later she still talks to me!!! Yes, Happy Anniversary to Jewelry by Vee! This month we will celebrate our 10^th year in business! 

Many thanks to Miss Elsie and my family for sticking with me on this journey and for all their hard work! Our son has grown up with this business and contributed himself. I can not thank him enough for his dedication at such a young age. I could not have done this without my family. 

Then, there are our dedicated customers! Our doors would not be open today if it were not for your support through these years! You, too, have challenged me and taught me! Thank you! 

Recently, I came across several things that reminded me of my “beginning” …my very first tools have been placed in a drawer designated for items and things given to me from Miss Elsie. This month was also a reminder that Miss Elsie left us 3 years ago. In the Blog post above, I mention 5 Necklace and Earrings Sets that she taught me how to make. Back then, I was using cheap disposable cameras. I do not recall having a camera the day I visited her home and I do not recall pictures being made, period. I had been very disappointed that I didn’t get pictures of the sets that I had made…especially after Miss Elsie passed away. When she first started talking to me about allowing her to teach me to make jewelry, she said, “You are holding your creativeness back!” I asked her, “What do you mean?” She simply replied, “You’ll know what I mean.” 

I was contacted about a family picture that, of course, I had to dig for to find it. At that time, Miss Elsie was far from my mind but, when I pulled a pack of pictures out that hadn’t been placed in albums, I was stopped dead in my tracks! 
I FOUND a picture of the necklace sets!!! 

At that moment I KNEW what Miss Elsie meant by…

“You are holding your creativeness back!”

Chills ran through me to the bone! I knew at that very minute Miss Elsie was right there with me! I immediately started weeping! I miss her so dearly!
Other than my mom, she was a woman that I could “trust” to talk business with.
A woman that “got me”!
A woman that didn’t “judge me” creatively, in business, or personally.

I get it, Miss Elsie, I finally get it and as we used to say to each other… “It’s ALL good!” {{{HUGS}}}
Thank you so very much! We love and miss you dearly…see you soon!

Thank you to all our customers as we celebrate another anniversary!
Ultimately, we owe it all to Him! 

Humble Pie…

Have you had a piece lately???

(written Thursday, December 15, 2011)

I’m not here to share a story about food or any type of pie. (big grin)

I am here to introduce you to Humble Heart Jewelry, a fellow “jewelry artist” that has become dear to me in a very short time. We met just over a year ago at a local craft event. We had little to no contact until this past September when we both attended another local craft event. It was at this craft event that we had more time to get to know one another more. Surprisingly, we had a lot in common with our thoughts on business, personal issues, and our faith. I left feeling like I had known her for years. She managed to surprise me at another craft event that we both attended later with this gift…

“Walk by Faith”

She stated she seen it, thought of me and had to get it. (I love it)

This lady has become one special lady to me. I miss her in the jewelry world as she has moved on to other personal adventures. Her prior business name was “Humble Heart” Jewelry and could not have suited her better.

If she was placed in my life for nothing more than to remind me that there are other “humble” people still out there in this world…I am forever grateful.
Proverbs 16:3
HumbleHeart said...

IT WORKED!!! You were right Vee, I had to sign-up, or in, or join, promise my first-born, etc. lol

I wanted to take a minute to let you all know just how special this beautiful, little, spunky lady is to me.

The first time I met Vee, I will never forget walking up to her booth. I was blown away and in awe of her jewelry! I remember thinking, 'now THIS is an artist'! I LOVE her jewelry, and never hesitate to share her work with others.

Vee gifted me the very first time we met...she extended her hand in friendship and shared her Faith. On down the road when we met up again, I was at a low point and had lost sight of my goals and conviction. Vee restored those things which were so important to me and I got excited again about doing what I felt I was led to do.

I don't believe I just stumbled across that shoe...especially a 'red' shoe that just happened to say, "Walk by Faith"! It had Vee's name written all over it!!! :D

God, in all His infinite wisdom, had a plan and knew exactly who the players were going to be. He knew who to call to help someone in need. Once the task was done, He gave us both a gift Vee...a red shoe. We will always be reminded of how much God loves us and to what lengths He will go to, to help us stay on the right path and how to "Walk by Faith" every time you see or I think of that shoe.

Thank you, Vee, for sharing so much!!!!
Dianne 

December 16, 2011 11:38 PM

I could not agree more! Yes, God has a plan and we are always reminded how much God loves us and to what lengths He will go to help us stay on the right path to “Walk by Faith”. I still have this shoe…it sits on my desk in my Studio as a reminder. I stop in my tracks every day that I see it and not only think about my friend but, I say a small prayer for her and her family. I miss you in the jewelry world, Dianne but, I know you are enjoying precious life

Flores de Noche Buena…

...meaning: “flower of the holy night”.
(written Wednesday, October 19, 2011) 

Using the Fabric and Silk Flower Resin technique once again I created this Silk Poinsettia Flower Brass Cuff using Paints and Diamond Glaze. 

 

There are a couple of versions of the legend of the poinsettia, dating back to the 16^th century to a little girl on Christmas Eve in Mexico. The little girl was too poor to present Christ with a gift so, she gathered some weeds. As she approached the altar at church the weeds bloomed into beautiful red and green flowers. The flowers were given the name Flores de Noche Buena, meaning “flowers of the holy night”.It is also believed by many that the star-shaped leaf on the plant symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and the deep red colors of the leaves represent the blood of Christ. 

For more information search: Euphorbia pulcherrima 

JAMES 1:17 

Silk Poinsettia Flower Brass Cuff

Sari Ribbon creation…and a little History

(written Friday, October 14, 2011)

I had absolutely no idea what to do with Sari Ribbon when I agreed to join this Blog hop but, I did it.

This design also challenged me as I am not a fan of “pink”. I was soon called to visit a friend that wanted to show me an idea as an alternative to my current handmade cords. I just knew I had to incorporate this idea into the Sari Ribbon challenge!

So, after going through 4 different designs here is my FINAL last-minute piece… (hope you enjoy)

I do feel that I may have cheated a tad bit seeing that I did not make or “color” all the stampings myself but, that wasn’t the what the challenge was about.

Now about the Sari Ribbon section of my design.

Do you know what a Lucet is?

A Lucet is a tool used for cord making or braiding which is believed to date back to the Viking and Medieval periods. Creating strong square springy cords that were used in clothing or to hang useful items from belts back before the 12^th century and then again in the 19^th century. A Lucet is a normally made of wood. As always, my husband’s metalworking hands was able to physically create my thoughts (perhaps someone else has thought of this as well), here is our version…

 

Meat Fork from my stash of silverware, middle tine rolled back to hold the finished braided process.

I used a wide piece of the pink Sari Ribbon, cut into 3 pieces, then tied together into “tiny” knots (sewing them together would have been a better alternative). Then, I started the Sari Ribbon on our crafted Lucet and completed.

As you may have noticed, I was only able to incorporate 3 of the wooden ring beads (shown here) for the Sari Ribbon that I used in this project. A lot to learn in a short time as a tutorial for adding beads was hard to find. So, I winged it!

For more information click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucet

For step by step instructions click here: http://kws.atlantia.sca.org.photos/lucet/
There are many YouTube Videos as well.

Oh, I almost forgot…

 

…the matching earrings! 

Thanks for hopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Hummingbird Necklace Set

(written Monday, August 29, 2011)

The Pendant complete. (shared in our last Blog post)

  

A closer view of the Necklace, Bracelet, and Earrings.

Thanks for viewing. Hope you enjoyed our repurposed Hummingbird Pendant using the Fabric Silk Flower Resin Technique.