The Dragonfly and the Lily Pad Silver Ring

Have you heard about the "one ring a day" challenge? Artists are challenged to create one unique ring every day. Can you imagine the pressure on the 100th day? Some of the creations are simple like a rubber band, twist tie from a loaf of bread, pop top, etc. Some of the creations are just pure genius.

One of my favorite examples is Dan Bentley, who is making his fiance a new engagement ring every day - how romantic is that???  I love this guy!



I really don't do alot of rings, so just creating one ring would be an achievement.  So, here goes...

This ring is huge, measuring four inches in diameter with a large brass dragon fly soldered onto the top.  If you haven't guessed the lily pad was made from a vintage silver tomato server.



A repurposed vintage tomato server is now a fabulously huge ring.  I am not up to the challenge of the one ring a day, but I think this one suits me perfectly.  What do you think?

We received 6 inches of snow yesterday that is quickly melting in the bright sunshine today.  The birds are at the feeder enjoying an easy meal.  Considering how difficult the life of a bird is with predators and pesticides, feeding them seems like the best thing to do in the cold days of Winter.

I have been busy at the bench getting ready for an upcoming show the first weekend in February called Cupid's Gems.  This will be my fourth year participating in this show, another reminder of how quickly time passes.

Hope all is well with you.

Blessings - Julie

White Bloomers Vintage - Garden - Home Show

White Bloomers Show

May 7th, 8th & 9th

and

May 13th, 14th & 15th

 

Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-6 & Sunday 12 - 4

 

We'll be in the former GardenologyKC Shoppe space at

12202 W. 88th Street

Lenexa, KS 66215

Join us at the former GardenologyKC shoppe space on Mother's Day weekend when we will unveil a new shopping experience you won't want to miss. Bring your Mom to the show and receive a free gift.



If you love shabby chic, vintage, primitives, beautiful one of a kind jewelry, and charming potted containers filled with herbs and gorgeous florals and goodies for your garden then you will be in heaven.

The girls behind White Bloomers are Karen Kessler, Laurie Kessler and myself. We will be bringing you lovely white decor items for your home with a bit of French inspiration and of course vintage garden goods like gates, benches, tables, chairs, statuary, wicker and so much more... I assure you there that once you see it you wonder how you ever lived without!

 

Karen Kessler has been an antique's dealer for years and will be showcasing some of her collections at the show, bringing vintage items with a Swedish flavor that blends with any decor in shades of white...furniture, wicker, glassware, linens, and children's vintage items. You'll love her style.

Laurie Kessler will be bringing her charming potted creations in vintage containers again this year featuring herbs, flowering annuals, succulents and perennials. They look fabulous on your front porch, garden table and make great hostess gifts.

I will be showcasing more of the Prairie Thistle Jewelry for the show.  This is the latest installment to the Prairie Thistle Jewelry line - a vintage silver spoon transformed into a bracelet with your ancestor's photo on the front of the flattened bowl of a vintage silver spoon.

This bracelet is a custom piece for a young bride to be to present to her mother and her mother in law on her wedding day...the photo is of their mother on her wedding day. Isn't it lovely and what a thoughtful gift to commemorate a very special day.

On the inside I stamped - With Love, the couples wedding date and their initials.

So beautiful...I loved making this bracelet.

The shoppe has been completely redesigned, it's like a breath of fresh Spring air....


While working in the shoppe in the afternoon I was feeling a bit sad thinking that whenever I was at the shop last year a friendly face would appear at the door and I had been working all day and no one had popped in for a visit... But, what did I expect...that was last year and so much has happened since I had to close the doors to my beloved shoppe.
It was like an angel heard my heart's wishes, within 10 minutes a pretty blonde head appeared at my door...she said that she was in the area and felt the urge to stop by even though she knew that we had closed the shoppe. She just stopped by for old time's sake because she always enjoyed the shop so much...and she found me there and she came in to chat with me for a bit. My prayers were answered...maybe her's were as well. Life is like that...

It just makes you want to kick up your heels a bit. I feel like dancing...my heart is so full of joy of the friendship, sisterhood of women and the creative juices are flowing once again. I am in a better place this Spring and I am so grateful.

Bring your grandma, your mom, your sister or your best friend along and enjoy the show. A free gift awaits those that bring their Mom's along.

I know that you will forward this email to your family and friends so that they too can join us at the show so that we will have a good turnout for this event. Forward it to your coworkers, church group, club members and neighbors. Share the joy.

Blessings - Julie

You Are My Sunshine Bracelet

You Are My Sunshine Bracelet - Purchase Here

I made it into the studio today, finished up orders from the weekend and had a little time to spare to experiment with a vintage silver butter knife.  I have had this lovely little butter knife sitting on my bench for months just waiting for the right expression to be stamped onto its gleaming surface.

Today, I grabbed my stamps and began hammering - You Are My Sunshine onto the blade.

Maybe I was thinking about the movie, Oh, Brother Where Art Thou with George Clooney or maybe being at the bench for fun brought the expression to mind.  Whatever, the reason - I really love it.  I have a deep love of cast off vintage silver.  It's just too pretty to sit in a box!

I chose a coral bead, faceted turquoise beads, a lustrous pearl and a sterling silver flower to adorn the side of the bracelet.  I love the combination together and it reminds me of Spring blossoms.

What do you think?  What expression would you choose to wear on your wrist as a visual reminder as you go about your day?