inspiration: December 2010

!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I can't believe 2010 is coming to an end! This has been one of the most emotional and exciting years I've had yet. Not only is 2010 coming to an end, but so are my 20's! I don't know whether to be scared or excited, but I'm I can't fight it, so I've decided to just go with it. What else can I do..right? So, just 3 hours short of 2011, I'm looking back on this year, and all the things I've gotten the chance to experience. I have to say, I've had a pretty blessed year.

I've always been a dreamer, and I believe that great things can a do happen. You just have to believe, and take the chance. I've always wanted to travel, and see the world. I come from a suburb of Texas. It's not a small town, but even the biggest town gets smaller and smaller the longer you stay. So, I took the chance this year. I left Texas and moved out to Seattle with my boyfriend. It was so exciting! We gave away most of my belongings, and set out.

That's me standing in front of Mt. Ranier!

The Space Needle!

Seattle was great...the land was absolutely breathtaking. I'd never seen the Pacific Ocean or lived on a mountain, and it around November some white stuff started falling from the sky and covered the ground. I couldn't believe it was actually snowing AND sticking to the ground! It's very rare for snow to fall in Texas, so of course we lived it up that day. We went shopping, rode the bus around, and went walking just get to walk in the snow. It sounds a bit silly, but when you get to experience something great like snow for the first time, you really try to enjoy it, and live in the moment.
There was also the rain. When we first arrived in the summer, it may have rained once or twice, but the sun was mostly shining. But, suddenly fall and winter came, and no more sunshine. Yes, the rumors are true. It rains almost every day in Seattle! No joke.
As the holidays rolled around, we decided to come back to Texas. We lived in Seattle for about 7 months. It was fun, and exciting, and we got to meet some great people along the way. During this time I also got to visit California and Canada! I'm very happy to have had the chance to create those memories, and I don't regret taking the chance.

Now, as the clock ticks closer and closer to midnight, and I look back on this year, I'd have to say that even though there are some things that I'd like to have changed, this was one of the best years ever, and 2011 can only get better.

So, as this new year begins, and you're making those new years resolutions, remember to be true to yourself, and follow your dreams. Take that chance, because you deserve it. If you want to cut your hair or grow it long or color it purple, do it. If you want to learn how sing or play that new instrument... SING and PLAY! And, by god, if you love someone, tell them. Be yourself, follow your heart, and be proud of who you are! It's not always easy to do and be what you want, but what's beauty without a little pain? Stick to those who love you, and be each other's support. Be there for them, and they will be there for you. :)

So, believe in yourself and chase those dreams! You are worth damn it!!!!!!!! :D

*** Life is not measured by how many breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
(author unknown)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Teresa

Last day to save $10 on Arty Jewelry or 100 Art-Jewelry Inspirations!

Today is December 31, 2010, and that means it's the last day for you to save on my two most recent books: Arty Jewelry and 100 Art-Jewelry Inspirations.
Arty Jewelry includes 11 jewelry projects that I recently designed, each one clearly stepped out in full color photography and large-print type on premium paper. It's easy to follow the steps to make your own "arty jewelry" using your favorite beads and either copper or silver wire.

100 Art-Jewelry Inspirations is my artist portfolio featuring more than 100 jewelry pieces photographed in full color. You will find bracelets, necklaces, pins, and earrings made in 2001-2009, but no instructions. Lots of eye candy, though! I hope it inspires you.
To take advantage of the $10 discount you can receive by ordering these books, type in the following codes when you check out:

If shipping to the USA, type in CHEER.

If shipping to a UK address, type in CHEER1.

If shipping to Europe, type in CHEER2.

If shipping to Canada, type in CHEER3.

If shipping to Australia, type in CHEER4

I wish everyone a happy and safe NEW YEAR! May 2011 be a blessing for all of us.

Happy wrapping,

Sharilyn

Graffiti Letter A | Graffiti Alphabet A

Sketch graffiti letters A cool style

Repetition

A very small fraction of a huge order I am fulfilling (hence, the light blogging). I ran out of surfaces in our home to put these, so now I'm placing in boxes prior to finishing touches and packing...

Sketches Graffiti Alphabet B

Examples of some of the sketches graffiti alphabet B in the paper. Maybe you can use it to simply look for the style of graffiti letter B. The following six B style graffiti letters different:

3D sketch graffiti letter B

Graffiti sketch letter B with color

Graffiti sketch letter B with a green border

Sketch graffiti alphabet B with bright colors

Sketches in black and white graffiti alphabet B

3D sketches in black and white graffiti alphabet B

Fashion Cookies

As another holiday project this year, I invited the Exec Board of our college Fashion Club for dinner. Of course, there was another project... the students cut out and decorated Sugar Cookies. I had made the cookie cutters out of 'Flashing' (found at Home Depot. The images were fashion clothing and accessories. Basically, I took drawings of clothing, etc, and scaled them to the size I wanted. Then I bent the flashing around the outer shape and used duct tape to hold everything in place, and to cover the top sharp edge.

Here are the cookies prior to decorating..

Now... the decorating.. and the results.. and the cast of characters.

Graffiti Alphabet in Used Tins

Example of making graffiti alphabet in used tins. Graffiti to the bolts in order not to disturb any origin. Other than graffiti on a wall can also be made in tin cans as above. More creative when making the decorations. Able to sell and make money. Maybe I'll do it someday. New Graffiti

Graffiti alphabet digital designs

Graffiti alphabet digital designs for your artwork on wall

From Vogue Magazine to Bows

Every holiday season, I host a creative party for the "Ladies from the Hood", (my friends from two neighborhoods ago). And.. we always do a craft. These year, we made bows from fashion magazines.

The steps are as follows:

1. Choose pages from magazines for their color, and cut strips 3/4 inch wide. The instructions called for three strips at 11 inches, three strips at 9 inches and three strips at 7 inches. Plus, one small strip at 3 inches. (Note: After making the first bow, I decided to use 1 inch strips and five of each size).

2. Then, twist and fold the strips as below, and secure with two-way sticky tape. The instructions called for creating three layers each with three parts. In the end, you roll the last short strip of three inches into a tube and place in the center.

Here are some of the bows.. and the process and the 'girls'.

Non-Traditional Christmas Tree

I can't believe the month of December has flown by without an entry here, but it is a crazy month with final exams at the college, holiday prep and family and friend celebrations.

So... for the past six years, I have been challenging myself by creating a non-traditional Christmas tree. This is yet another creative challenge I give myself.

This year... I draped my tree using window screening. Basically, I start with a Victorian frame (that I use most years). Then, I cut three rectangles of silver window screening, and ran basting threads of fish line along each long end of the rectangles. After that, I pulled the basting threads to gather the rectangles around the stand in tiers. I placed evergreen cuttings on top of each tier, and chili lights (what else for the southwest area I live in?).
Here is the tree in process...

To top the tree, I used a tumbleweed that a friend retrieved for me in Utah. (yes, friends know of my crazy ways).

Here are some close-up shots so you can see the screening

I'm already thinking about next year.. what shall I do?

Busy-busy with NEW jewelry designs!

Friends have been calling lately to ask what I'm up to now that the Christmas holiday is behind us. Taking it easy until New Year's? Well, no.
I've actually been super busy making some brand-NEW jewelry designs to teach in my workshops. Lately I've been using silk flowers and vintage buttons in my designs, as you can see in my wire-woven Cuff with Vintage Buttons (above) and the Fleur Bangle bracelet pictured below.

These two designs are just a couple of potential candidates for my "wire-art adventure" in Cortona, Italy this coming August 27-September 3, 2011. If you're interested in learning how to use flea-market finds from your travels to make stunning jewelry to commemorate your trip, I hope you'll join me this autumn for an unforgettable adventure!

My new Vintage Button Brooch is a smashing design, and it's great fun to wear not only as a lapel pin but on the flap of a crocheted purse or even on a knitted scarf. I've made these brooches in copper as well as sterling silver wire, to rave reviews!

I love my new Ripple Pins. So many creative possibilities! As you can see, they look great in sterling (or fine) silver as well as copper wire. No beads! Just lots of fun with 14ga wire and tools...

If you're interested in learning how to make beautiful jewelry with found objects, have a look at my Cortona, Italy page by clicking here. You'll find all the information you need to start making plans, but if you have further questions please feel free to email me as well.

Happy wrapping, and a happy and safe new year to all!

Sharilyn

Works Of Art Such As Graffiti Alphabet Letters

A design alphabets driftwood on the wall of the Copper Creek Inn, near Ashford, This is not a photo az graffiti alphabet, but works of art from driftwood cool alphabet taped on the wall.

Bubble Graffiti: Purple Bubble Graffiti Alphabet

Alphabet in bubble graffiti letters

Bubble graffiti

Purple bubble alphabet graffiti on the wall store. Graffiti dominant with cool purple color. Graffiti street art.

You're Engaged! Now What?

Congratulations on your engagement! You're in love, and you're embarking on a life as soul mate. Right now you're on cloud nine. On your finger rests the promise of the future. I bet you've never felt so alive. What should you do next? Here is my best advice:

LIVE IN THE MOMENT: Enjoy the feeling. Revel in the joy that you and your fiance are feeling AT THIS MOMENT. For now, simply enjoy the outpouring of LOVE from all of your family and friends. Show off the beautiful engagement ring on your finger. You're still staring at it....aren't you? Good, that's what you should be doing.
DREAM: Once the dust has settled and you've shared the big news with everyone, start dreaming. Buy magazines, surf the web, imagine yourself as a bride. Two of my favorite websites for inspiration are http://www.projectwedding.com/ and http://www.weddingwire.com/. They both have great ideas and photo galleries to get you started. Another great resource for inspiration are wedding blogs. My favorite is http://www.styleunveiled.com/
ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS: Make an inspiration binder. Use the tabs for categories such as gown, venue, decor, music, food and beverage. Pull pages from the magazines, and print photos from websites. Now start filling your binder. Having your ideas organized and in one place will save your sanity. There is no reason to keep stacks of magazines filled with inspiration you don't need. Only keep what you do need and discard the rest. When you get rid of the clutter, you avoid confusion. With so many decisions to be made, confusion is your enemy.
BUDGETING: Next step is setting a budget. Not fun and pretty, I know, but it's necessary. Get the money issues out of the way and let the fun begin. Before you can start planning your dream day, you must know what you can and can't afford. The budget will be the roadmap for every single decision you make. Whether you're paying for your wedding yourself, or getting support from your family members, you must decide what the overall budget is. Only then, can you begin choosing venues, vendors, and even your wedding gown. Don't blindly think you can begin spending, without knowing if you can afford it. Once contracts are signed, there is no turning back. Especially where venues are concerned...they often require food and beverage minimums. You don't want to figure out later that you can't afford your dream gown because you've gone over budget at the start.
HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER: The earlier the better. By getting a jump on the planner's experience, you'll avoid costly mistakes. Her fee will pay for itself when she helps you to make every penny of your budget work for you. As a planner I know how to take your budget, your priorities, your individual style and theme, and break down your budget. This means you get the absolute BEST for your hard earned dollars. Allocating your dollars to the proper categories, shows me which vendors are "right for you". A planner's years of experience and respect in the industry will also garner YOU preferred pricing and extras, you could never negotiate on your own.

Don't trust a budget tool on a planning website to know what YOU want. Thousands of other brides, using that tool are NOT YOU. You're an individual. While your priority may be food and beverage, another bride may be more focused on floral decor. Planning websites use a standard formula based on the national average to break down your budget. Are you average? I doubt it. I haven't met one couple yet, who's budget is the same as another.

Rely on a planner's hard earned resources. Sure planning websites have vendor directories. The best of those even have real reviews. But, have you looked at any yet? In just the category of photography, one site listed over 75, in Los Angeles alone. Orange County has 60! Do you have time to visit countless websites, make dozens of phone calls and attend meetings to figure out which photographer is right for you? Of course you don't. Now imagine doing that with venues, gown salons, florists, bakers, DJ's, caterers...and on and on.You shouldn't have to waste time and be frustrated. After all, time is money. Planners work hard to know "who's who" in the industry. She'll save you time and money by streamlining the process for you. She'll only send you to vendors who are reputable and capable, which prevents stress for you. Half of a planner's VALUE to you is her database and resource list. The other half is the ability to execute those resources into a magnificent, and stress free day.

These are just a few tips to get you started. I offer you a FREE CONSULTATION to determine your needs and explain how my expertise can be of VALUE TO YOU. My heartfelt congratulations to you and your fiance.

Now....go stare at that shiny ring some more, and shower your fiance with love and kisses. Then call me to set up your consultation. It would be my honor to become your partner in planning.