DIY Photo Frame

Why buy it when you can make it yourself. This project gave me a great excuse to go to an estate sale to find the frame, which I picked up for $40. The best part... the frame was made in 1830. It's super solid and breathes new life into my foyer.

Making molds

Love the vintage feel of this piece. The silver pieces are replicas of pearl buttons that I made molds of.

Me Time

What a thrill! Mantra Gems was featured in the November issue of Chesapeake Family in its "Me Time" section! www.chesapeakefamily.com

Media Buzz

So thrilled to be featured in The Capital's Lifestyle section about 2hands market!


Craft event showcases local talent
Carleen Birnes, Jill Davolio and Ally Tierney are three pretty crafty women. Each has her own unique line of jewelry or accessories, and they've gathered together more like-minded local ladies for a craft fair.


Click here for the full article!

A New Angle

For my winter collection, I've been exploring geometric shapes. I'm liking the graphic statement. Check out my new collection at 2hands market, coming up Nov. 7th at Holy Grounds Youth Center in Severna Park. 

All Mixed Up

A bit of a departure for me stylistically. I'm groovin' on the mix of metals with a hit of sparkle. More to come in this vein? We'll see.

Crafting a Nation

Booked tickets to "Crafting a Nation" Conference in DC in Oct. So many great panel discussions!

This one is particularly appealing:

Panel: Do you DIY?
How are young American 'crafters' engaging the educational, economical, and ideological origins of the studio craft movement, and how are they diverging from them? This conversation examines the 'Indiecraft' or Do It Yourself movement as a potential window into the future of craft in America.

Best part...tickets are free!

http://americancraftweek.com/craftinganation

Enlighten Up

Thanks to EarthMother Mosaics for including my Enlighten Up earrings in an Etsy Treasury today. 

In her words, "Each item was chosen for its ability to touch something within me." I couldn't agree more.

Tangled Up in Blue

The Annapolis Etsy team is gaining steam! Here's a well curated Treasury of us on Etsy.

Treasury of Annapolis Etsy Street Team

Nature Walk

Exploring the Chesapeake Bay in Kent Narrows.

Sea Gull Necklace

New sea gull necklace. I can smell the salty air.

Shells & Grout

On a whim and a prayer, we decided to DIY a stone patio off the front of the house (and my studio). One year later (after a redo of a stone wall) we can almost taste the wine we'll be sipping from the bistro table (that I still need to buy) for the aforementioned patio. Today, as we were grouting the steps, we decided to have the kids stick in little shells and stones that we've collected over our travels.

Adjustable bangles and rings

I've been playing around with a design for adjustable bangle bracelets and rings. Here's my latest design. I think it's working for me. Now, if my order of gemstones would just arrive... I'm ready to make them in a rainbow of colors.

Get Wired

Ever wonder how to wire wrap beads into chain? Make this and more at my back-to-back wire classes at Bead Soup in Savage Mill ... Sat., July 10th.

www.bead-soup.com

DIY Jewelry Display

The makings for a new bangle bracelet display for Whole Foods. Let's hope it will look as good as my sketch.

Peridot Setting gets new lease on life

Breathing new life into the peridot setting... The sterling bezel was pretty deep so I decided to wrap the PMC around the setting to make it secure. I do love the result.

One of the gals at Whole Foods asked me to turn the peridot setting on her ring into a pendant. It poses somewhat of a challenge since the stone is already bezel set. Luckily peridot can withstand high firing temps in the kiln, which allows me to create a PMC backing. Can't wait to see what I come up with ;)

New Spring Market

Spring is here and so is our next 2hands market! Our intrepid partner, Jill, has lined up some incredible live music, while talented local designers will be selling their wares. Time to get off the computer and get back to the jewelry making!

For a complete list of designers and musical talent, click here!

Recalibrate

I'm shamefully slack when it comes to updating my blog, even while I am diehard about others design blogs. There's a time for everything. My time is dedicated to the making, not the blogging as of now. But! Here's a blissful shot of my daughter running through a fountain at the Smithsonian Castle in DC. Love it and thought it worthy of sharing. Wish each one of us could experience such unabashed joy like this in our grownup lives.