Saturday, July 31, 2021

Two Titmouse and Christmas Thimbles

 

Volume 18 Issue 8, August 2021

What's New in August?

The hurricane season is ramping up for us. At this writing, there is a low that is threatening us. It could develop into a depression in the next day or so, and then just swamp us with much needed rain. If you’re going to have a storm, it’s best if it develops close and doesn’t have time to become too dangerous—other than flooding, of course.

We took a short jaunt to Illinois for a few days and the weather was beautiful. There were lush green trees, fields of pumpkins beginning to bloom and the corn was almost ready for harvest. The dog parks were emerald green and filled with plenty of friends for Harry to play with. He ran and ran and ran, which was good because then he had to ride and ride and ride in a car. Family was fine and the price of homes were enticing.

These little tufted titmouse—titmice? - were a pleasant surprise in the birdfeeder this year. Who knew the titmouse was a Florida visitor?

 

What’s New

Summer Earrings:  In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and nurse thimbles, as well as faith-based thimbles with bible verses.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit.  Is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

 

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

 

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Giant Leopard Moths and Pink Flamingo Earrings

Volume 18 Issue 7, July 2021

What's New in July?

My goodness it’s been hot this year. When I look around the country, Florida is a cool spot compared to the Pacific Northwest and all of my favorite spots in California and Montana. It’s going to be a long summer I fear. My hurricane map already has three named storms on it, and we aren’t even done with June yet.

I propose cool drinks and lots of shade for July. If we can keep the humidity down, we can keep the mosquitos at bay. Unfortunately, we’ve already had a week of rain, which we needed, but it did make it bug heaven down here. The flowers are very appreciative even when the temperatures climb into the 90s.

I don’t know what exciting thing July will bring, but I am planning on making more colorful and fun earring beads, so keep an eye out for those.

This is a giant leopard moth having my plumeria for lunch. I had to relocate him by moving him over to a more (in my opinion) appetizing honeysuckle bush. I hope to see him in adult mode at some point. He looks like he is a very cool moth. One I’ve never seen around. Stay tuned for more photos, hopefully.

What’s New

Summer Earrings: In addition to fractal earrings, I added some pretty flowers and other colorful beads.

Thimbles: New Christmas and nurse thimbles.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit. Is now available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

Monday, May 31, 2021

Volume 18 Issue 6, June 2021

What's New in June?

The long-awaited publication of The Joy of Jewelry Making happened. It has been on my desk for over four years while I worked on everything but that. Now, it’s on the bookshelves at Amazon and available as an e-book.

The summer is rushing in here in Florida, and as part of our summer plans, we have added a lot of native wildflowers to keep our bees, butterflies and birds happy. We had a wonderful spring showing of butterflies all over the yard, so we would like to repeat that again next year.

I am anxiously watching my milkweed for signs that little monarchs are marching along the leaves. Since they start up so tiny, I am not sure if I have missed any of them. We also planted a lot of black-eyed susans and cosmos. I planted a lot of seeds and only have about a dozen plants. I must be really bad at seed planting! The ones I do have I am fussy over like a hen with chicks. Moving them in and out of the sun; making sure they have water and propping them up when they look like they’re drooping. Only to have them die.

Took a little side trip a couple weekends ago and stopped by Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Gainesville, Florida. I thought I collected everything under the sun! Nope, Big Daddy has me beat!

What’s New

Summer Earrings: Lots of new earrings featuring summer and tropical art work. Paired with crystals.

Thimbles: I started some new Christmas thimbles and one for your sister or your nana.

New Book: The Joy of Jewelry Making Create for fun. Sell for Profit.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

 

 

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

 

 

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Pure Elegance

White adds class and elegance to a design. It signifies purity and innocence. It goes with everything and when combined with other colors, it creates pastels. White opens up space in a design, which gives it depth and breadth. It is simple and can  play alone like a long strand of pearls. When you are looking for a comfortable design choice that will go with anything, make it predominately white.

White Opal

October babies prefer this fiery stone. Approximately 97 percent of these stones come from Australia, which makes it the national gemstone of Australia. This is also known  as the milk opal.

White Opal


White Spinel

Most of the white spinel you see on the market is now synthetic. This stone naturally occurred in Sri Lanka, but those white stones are now lost.



White Star Sapphire

Found in white as well as blue, the white star sapphire is the birthstone of April. A single light source will send off these brilliant rays of light.

White Star Sapphire

In addition to these lovely gemstones, you will also find these white components in jewelry: pearls, chalcedony, quartz, jasper, howlite, aventurine and even bone.

Looking for something elegant for mom? Look no further!

Boho chic, adjustable beaded macrame bracelet, The black tulip

Andrea Designs 

Gold White Flower Beaded Bracelet, Handmade Wedding Jewelry

Victorian Style Treasures 

Swarovski Pearl Earrings Wedding White Sterling Silver Flower Hooks

Magdalene Jewels 

Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads, White Etched Matte

Covergirl Beads 

Wedding Kippah - Womens kippah - Wire Beaded Kippah

lindab142 

Gardenias, Note Card, 5 x 7,Greeting Card, Blank

watercolorsnmore 

Dressy White Baroque Pearl and Crystal AB Earrings Sterling Lever Back

The Singing Beader 

Healers Hand Cross Necklace, Southwest Bone Turquoise Handmade Jewelry

Shadow Dog Designs 

Red and White Superduo Snakeskin Beadwoven Handmade Cuff Bracelet

KatsAllThat 

Westie Bangle Bracelets for Women, Adjustable Dog Jewelry

Blue Morning Expressions 

Don't see what you are looking for?
You will find more gift ideas from these designers and artists here:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Black is Black

Royally Purple

You are my Sunshine

Orange You Glad it’s Getting Warmer

Think Pink this Spring

Green with Envy

Red is for Passion

Who Has Time for the Blues?

Feel free to reach out and ask the artists and designers if they could make something just for you.
Enjoy
Julie

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Fractals and Painted Buntings

Volume 18 Issue 5, May 2021

What's New in May?

The yard is in bloom and the painted buntings have still hung around the feeder. I am not sure why they are still here since they don’t breed here, but it’s still nice to see those bright yellow, blue and red colors bouncing around in my bird feeder. We added a circle of pink geraniums to the base of our little Magnolia tree, so that when the big white blooms start, the pretty pink will be a nice addition to the color. I went with a pale pink and a coral pink bloom.

It looks to be a warm summer already, so I have to enjoy my flowers while I can before the summer heat eats them up. I have planted a lot of the baby milkweed that I have been nurturing for a year alongside the more mature plants from last year. They are all flourishing. I seeded two more big trays of milkweed for next year. I have seen Monarchs flitting about the yard, and one leaf on the milkweed had a small egg. There has been no caterpillar sighting yet, but they will come.

What’s New

Fractal Art Earrings: Lots of new earrings featuring my fractal art work. Paired with crystals and handmade lampwork beads.

Thimbles: More Mother’s Day gift ideas for Mom or Grandma. Don’t forget that Nurse Appreciation Week is May 6-12.

Statement Earrings: Perfect for Zoom calls. Large and bold earrings for every day.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie


Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Pushpins: I have too many themes to mention here, but from teachers to nurses to friends, I am doing designs as quickly as I can.

Statement Beads: Working on large beads for ZOOM calls and being on camera. Both earrings and pendant necklaces.

Prints and Posters: Bible verse posters and other art featuring hot rods and more are in production.

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Black is Black

Black is about as classic and classy as you can get. This color adds sophistication to your designs or your art, and those who love black know that it is flattering and easily accessorized. Everything goes with black, and black is not only for goth, it is for elegant wear. It is at home at upscale parties and downtown nightclubs. Some of the  most expensive gemstones come in black, and that lends to its exclusivity.

Black Opal

The rarest of all opals and more expensive than black diamonds. This stunning gemstone is  filled with fire and color. This gemstone comes from Australia, and October babies sparkle and shine in opal.

Black Opal

Black Diamond

The second most expensive gemstone. Since the diamond starts as a black stone, you would think there would be more of them, but there are not. They hail from Brazil and the Central African Republic. Like any other diamond, they are the birthstone of the April child.

Black Beryl

The more pure a piece of beryl is, the clearer it is, so a black beryl is filled with impurities. They come from Madagascar and Mozambique, and even though they are not as rare as a red beryl, they are still very rare.

Black Pearl

Black pearls are known as Tahitian pearls, and they are rare. My grandmother went to Hawaii one year and opened an oyster. She got a pair of pearls. One was white and one was black. It was a beautiful  stone. The oyster  may not have felt the same way. February and November lay claim to the pearl as one of their birthstones.

Black Pearl


Black Sapphire

The same stone that gives us the ruby is called a sapphire when it is any other color than red. The traditional sapphire is a blue stone, but a black sapphire is not unheard of. These  stunning stones are translucent with a six star shine throughout them that is beautiful. The sapphire is the birthstone of the September child.


While all of these hard to find stones are equally gorgeous, there are plenty of more common black gemstones that can be found in today’s jewelry design.  The black garnet, zircon and onyx are more readily available. Additionally, designers like to use tourmaline, spinel, moonstone, obsidian (the cabin I lived in was called Obsidian Point because the ground was filled with arrowheads made from the abundance of lava from volcanoes), jasper, hematite and jet.

If you are looking for something classy and elegant, take a look at these beautiful black offerings from handmade artists and designers.

Closeup Black Blister Beetle

Photography & Digital By Colleen Cornelius

The black night tulip bracelet, stretch bracelet

Andrea Designs 

Black Lava Rock Gemstone and Lampwork Stretch Bracelet

Covergirl Beads 

Swarovski Jet Black Crystal Teardrop Earrings with Sterling Silver

Victorian Style Treasures 

Black and White Leather Crystal BOHO Wide Cuff 7 1/2 Inch Bracelet

Kats All That 

Handmade Black Beaded Bracelet and Earrings Set

lindab142 

Black Hearts Necklace w Silver Filigree Accents Onyx Swarovski Crystals

Magdalene Jewels 

Druzy Quartz Pendant, Black Onyx 6 mm Faceted Beads 18 inch necklace Earring Set

Watercolorsnmore 

Skull Crossbones Earrings, Pirate Jewelry Day of the Dead Halloween

Shadow Dog Designs 

Onyx Sardonyx Charm Bracelet, Black Round Puffy Coin Beads, Adjustable To Size Large 9"

The Singing Beader 

Black and White Earrings for Women Drop Buttons

Blue Morning Expressions 

Don't see what you are looking for?
You will find more gift ideas from these designers and artists here:


Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Royally Purple

You are my Sunshine

Orange You Glad it’s Getting Warmer

Think Pink this Spring

Green with Envy

Red is for Passion

Who Has Time for the Blues?


Feel free to reach out and ask the artists and designers if they could make something just for you.
Enjoy
Julie