Pretty Necklaces for Throat Cancer Survivors

As a jewelery designer and dentist who's primary focus is Head & Neck Cancer patients, I recognize that there is a need for people who have had a laryngectomy, or who have a tracheostomy stoma, to be able to have a decorative covering for their stoma.

These vintage filigree stampings are available in a variety of shapes and styles, all measuring between 1 1/8" and 2 1/8" in diameter. This is the selection that I currently have in stock.

As these are custom made necklaces, I can use chain, beading, or organza ribbons to accent the filigree focal piece. Simply choose your filigree stamping then choose which colour ribbon you would like to go with it. 

Detachable and interchangeable ribbons allow for cleaning and variety. They make a thoughtful gift too.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss options, sizing, or for more clarification.

Dreaming of Summer

Here in Southern Canada we are still firmly in the grips of winter. Lots of snow, wind, and frequent bouts of freezing rain.

As you can see there's still lots of opportunity for fun with family during the winter!

However, sometimes one's thoughts do turn in anticipation to those hot summer days. When that happens I head down to the torch...it's warm!

I tried to conjure up a pair of beads that evoked hot summer days...coral red and transparent blue...with just a bit of white.

I love this blue opalino glass...it develops tiny bubbles in the flame!

I then added some Swarovski crystals and sterling silver accents to make a pretty pair of summer earrings. If you would like a pair please visit my website...

Are you dreaming of summer yet?

My First Double Width Cloth

I have such a large stash of yarn (yes, this picture is not a yarn store...just mine) that it will take me a couple of lifetimes to get through it all!

Weaving is a great way to use up stash...and I'm making my first "yardage" out of Wollmeise Lace-Garn.

This setup allows me to weave cloth which is double the width you see above. There is a fold on the left side and two layers on the right side.

I have ~29" woven so far. It will wind up being a serape poncho with fringed ends. Making sure that the bottom layer has no errors has been the biggest challenge so far...the yarn is a bit sticky and on my 4-shaft loom it's difficult to get a clean shed when it's an unbalanced draft.

A Tale of Two Loves...More Time Please!

Well, I have been away from this blog for far too long! As you all know, life moves in fast forward as one gets older, and that is definitely been the case with me!

Trying to slow it down at work, I have been working 4 days one week and 3 days the next, and LOVING it!! It gives me more time for hobbies, and of course I've taken more on.

I am always so torn between lampwork beadmaking and jewellery design. Here's an example:

I'm trying to use up some of my glass stash (could take several lifetimes!) so I made these scrollwork beads with a Lauscha Lavender glass that I only have a couple of rods left.

Torn between listing them for sale to other jewellery designers and making them into earrings for sale to jewellery customers I decided on the latter.

Oh the vagaries of photography and lighting! The bottom photo is more accurate on my monitor...more of a blue-lavender than a pink-lavender. The Swarovski crystals are Tanzanite, and they have .925 sterling silver earwires.

Available on my website for $15.