Watching Flowers Bloom and Butterflies Flit

Volume 13 Issue 5, May 2016

 What's New in May?

May is the time for blooming flowers, birds and butterflies, and I’ve have managed to capture all of these colorful creations for you to enjoy. It’s already heating up here in Florida, and we might go straight into summer without our usual spring storms and torrential rains. I am not looking forward to hot days.

I managed to get a handful of thimbles and watches completed. All of these colorful butterflies and flowers have made my work table very cheerful. I even went so far as to put in a flower garden that I can look at every day. It is filled with sun loving flowers like marigolds and other beautiful colors. The butterflies were flitting about as I was putting them in the ground, so that was a very good sign that they approved. I put in a bird feeder that has seen no action, so I might have to move it if they don’t show up in a couple of weeks. The cardinals, jays, doves and other birds have been flitting around in the trees, but they are ignoring the feeder. However, the squirrels haven’t found it either, so there is still hope for the birds!

Enjoy my garden with me.  Ignore the bag of mulch; it made it to the garden!

More Beads: Individual focal beads are my focus along with chandelier components. 

Watches: Lots of new watches are  now available. While most of them feature my handmade polymer clay beads, some are made strictly from Swarovski elements and agates because I thought they were pretty!

Thimbles:  A dozen new collectible thimbles are now available. I went on a made creative binge of thimbles. Lots of flowers and butterflies. Get them while you can!

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

Until next month,

Julie & Blu

 Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Hotrod magnets: I am adding hotrod magnets to my shops, and since I only have one finished, I will have to show them off next month.

Focal Beads and Chandelier Components: I am focusing on making individual beads rather than sets for a bit while I play with new  techniques. In addition to the chandelier components, I am focusing on bracelet connectors.

Hotrod Calendar: I have one 2017 calendar completed, but I have so many photos that one is just not enough!

Mother's Day Countdown 2016 Week 9

 It's time we said good-bye for this Mother's Day Countdown
Hopefully, you have completed your shopping
If not, hurry up and shop from these wonderful selections. 
PS -  Countdown to Christmas 2016 is ONLY 19 weeks away!

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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 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 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.

Black MultiColor Hat and Scarf Set

RSSDesignsinFiber

Cover fits Brother Scan n Cut

SimpleEmbroiderySew

Cat Or Kitten Wood Wall Art Decor Handmade From Oak Wood Framed In Black Lacquer

KevsKrafts

Silvertone Bracelet Brown and Black Lampwork Bead Handmade

 Bluemorningexpressions

Fashion Doll Evening Gown OOAK 11.5" Black and Gold dress with ruffle and pearl-like trims 11 1/2 inch doll gown

ennadoolf

Bone Skulls and Black Agate Halloween Unisex Bracelet or Necklace

KatsAllThat

Black Bear Cup Pentley Southwest Photo by Pouis M. Kis 1980's Vintage Postcard

Postcardsintheattic

Spa Party Favor Tags - Nail Polish Gift Tags

Adorebynat

Dappled Gold and Black Dichroic Glass Cabochon Earrings

Umboshi

Black and White Polymer Clay Stretch Bracelet

Wyverndesigns

Black Obsidian Blue Amazonite Faceted Gemstone Choker Necklace

DianesDangles

Good Luck Earrings

PrettyGonzo

Black Onyx Necklace

BlondePeachJewelry

Black Onyx Teardrop Earrings

ShadowDogDesigns

Trick or Treat Black Cats Reversible Collar Slipcover Dog Bandanas

SewAmazin

Handmade OOAK Kyanite Necklace With Swarovski Crystals

Solanakaidesigns



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
Red is for Passion
Green with Envy
Think Pink
Who has Time for the Blues?
Orange You Glad it’s Getting Warmer?
You are My Sunshine
Royally Purple
Feel free to reach out and ask the artists and designers if they could make something just for you.
Enjoy
Julie and Blu

Mother's Day Countdown 2016 Week 8

 It's already time to start thinking about those gifts for mom 
Welcome to the Mother's Day Countdown 2016

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Royally Purple

Okay, who does not like purple? I know a few of us use it in a majority of our designs, and why not? Purple is the  color of royalty because it was so expensive to produce. Remember my Snail Spit post a few years ago? http://bmebluprint.blogspot.com/2013/04/oh-snail-spit-and-drama.html
Here are some of the most expensive purple stones I could find.

Alexandrite

This stone is capable of changing colors and is derived from chrysoberyl. It may appear purple at night, but green during the day. It can run $45,000 per carat. It is the birthstone of  the June babies.

Taaffeite

This purple gemstone was not even discovered to be purple until it was cut open and faceted. It is also available in red. It is considered the rarest of all gemstones.  

Purple Garnet

Most people are familiar with the red garnet, but there is a purple version of this pretty stone. It is the blue garnet (which is the rarest of garnets) under an incandescent light. It can run $3,000 a carat. The garnet is a January birthstone.

Tanzanite

This is one of my all time favs. It was discovered in Tanzania in 1967, and up until then, the blue version was the most commonly seen. It is a variety of the zoisite and today’s  December baby gets to claim it as theirs.

Purple Apatite

This group of minerals are a good source of phosphorus and commonly found in fertilizer. Apatite is usually found as a green stone, but the purple version is a translucent or transparent stone that has a  glassy luster and a lot of clarity.


In addition to these lovely and expensive purples, we have the most commonly used purple stones like amethyst, purple flourite, purple topaz, agate, chalcedony, jade and jasper. Most of us use some form of these purples when we design jewelry.
Here are some even more lovely lavenders to enjoy! Get out on the royal side and buy them all!

Purple Flower Celtic Woven Mat

RSSDesignsinFiber

Galaxy Swirl Lentil Beads Set of 5 Handmade Polymer Clay

Wyverndesigns

Purple Beaded Bracelet Marsala Charm Bracelet

TreasuresofJewels

Wizard of Oz Tag for Party Favor Bag Label

AdorebyNat

Grandma and Me Embroidered Apron Set

SimplyEmbroiderySew

Collectible Thimble
Bluemorningexpressions

Infinity Scarf Fingerless Glove Set Purple Sparkle Caron Simply Soft Party
Jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Huge Purple Magnolia Purple Leather Flower Handmade Large Statement Ring

PostcardsintheAttic

Peace Symbol Dreamcatcher Handmade From Walnut Wood With Multi-Colored Peace Beads
KevsKrafts

Purple Fluorite Gemstone Swarovski Crystal Silver Beaded Earrings

DianesDangles

Bunny Flip Purple Easter Scrunchie style Dog Bandana

SewAmazin

Purple and White Brazilian Banded Agate Faceted Gemstone Necklace

KatsAllThat

Purple Lampwork Earrings

PrettyGonzo

Purple Flower Handmade Earrings
ShadowDogDesigns

Wire Wrap Earrings

BlondePeachJewelry

Jasmine Flower Dangle Earrings

SolanakaiDesigns

Rock and Roll Music Bottle Cap Necklaces With Ball Chains

TheSingingBeader

Are you feeling royal yet?
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
Red is for Passion
Green with Envy
Think Pink
Who has Time for the Blues?
Orange You Glad it’s Getting Warmer?
You are My Sunshine
Feel free to reach out and ask the artists and designers if they could make something just for you.
Enjoy
Julie and Blu

Technorati Tags: bluemorningexpressions,handmade gifts,handmade jewelry,mothers day gifts

Mother's Day Countdown 2016 Week 7

 It's already time to start thinking about those gifts for mom 
Welcome to the Mother's Day Countdown 2016

An InLinkz Link-up

get the InLinkz code