Cuffs, Cris Car and Cupid's Gems

Another metal cuff, from the bench this week.  This cuff is made from patinated steel, brass and a luscious pear gemstone.

The Cupid's Gems show over the weekend was so much fun.  I loved seeing all the familiar faces, getting all those great hugs and getting feedback on my new jewelry designs.  Feedback is so important to good design for me.  I really need the feedback from customers to know what resonates with them and what is just not interesting to anyone but me.  This happens as I have a very quirky sense of style that just doesn't hit with everyone.

My Silversmithing Instructor, Genevieve Flynn stopped by to see me and two of her other students at the show.  She is brilliant and I just loved seeing her.  She was such a sweet surprise at the show.

I had alot of fun putting the table design together for the show with loads of mirrors, vintage boxes, books and a corseted mannequin.

This is the mock up of my table for the show that I staged the day before the show in my dining room to see how many pieces of jewelry I could comfortably fit on the table.  I added a vintage wooden thread cabinet that allowed me to add alot of pieces to the table.

and it was just cool.  Form and function, I love that!

This is the first in a series of cuff bracelets that I have planned for the upcoming weeks.  I am excited to continue creating and sharing them with you.

On another note, it's that time of year, to clean up our diets and get back to our exercise routines after the holidays.  I like to juice several days each week - it's delicious and super good for you.

Here's one of my favorite juicing combinations that I call a Green Booster.

1 pear

1 cup sugar snap peas

1 bunch kale

1 inch fresh ginger root

4 drops euchinacea

I am currently enjoying Cris Carr's latest book, Crazy, Sexy, Diet filled with not only recipes but the how, when and why of the human body and how to boost your immune system and balance your internal pH.  My sweet friend, Stacey Bruce recommended it to me and we picked up our copies together at the Barnes and Noble Bookseller a couple of weeks ago.  Thanks, Stacey!  We all need those personal cheerleaders in our lives that encourage us to be better to ourselves.

I hope you are all warm and well.  It was 9 degrees here today.....brrrr.  Only 40 days until the first day of Spring...

Blessings - Julie

Where Do I Go From Here...

Do you ever have those moments when you aren't sure where to go next in your creative endeavors?  I am in that place presently where I am unsure what to leap into next.  I have been in the design stage for weeks but, haven't come up with anything that I can get really excited about putting together.  Maybe it's the Summer doldrums that have me stuck.

What do you do when you get into a creative slump?  What techniques do you use to inspire yourself?  I would love your input and advice.

Things I have tried include visually beautiful movies, a walk on my favorite hiking paths, vigorous bicycle rides, exploring my favorite junk shops, pulling out my favorite magazines and I even knitted a sweater for this Fall to take a break from the drawing board.

Sigh.

None of these seem to have worked.

Photo:  The Greenhouse and Potager in Tyra's Garden

On another note, I juiced elderberries for the first time this year.  Delicious.  The flavor of the juice is so delicate and light - and most importantly good for you.  Here are some of the health benefits of elderberry juice.

Elderberry juice is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis.

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test tube studies these flavonoids include anthocyanins that are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage.

Wow, all that in one little berry that grows wild in most of the United States and around the world.  I found mine growing wild at the farm this Summer.

With latex gloves, I pulled the tiny berries off the stems, rinsed them in cold water, placed them in a stainless steel pot, covered them with water, brought them to a boil, turned off the heat and placed the entire pot in the refrigerator overnight.  In the morning, I drained the liquid using a sieve, poured the juice into jars and placed them in the refrigerator.  I have been enjoying the juice every morning. 

Elderberries are not overly sweet, so if you would like a sweeter juice you can add agave sweetener or add natural apple cider.

I hope you are enjoying your Summer and all the wonderful fresh produce from you garden and favorite Farmer's Market.

Blessings - Julie