AvenueA

Yee Haw Ya'll!!!

I LOVE Country Music.  Don't get me wrong...I actually love most music of all kinds....you will find an eclectic blend of Classic Rock, Country, Smooth Jazz, Pop, and R&B on my iPod....but Country music just makes me happy.  If you've ever been in my store...you know that!  Believe it or not.... of all the genres of music we have played in the shop; Country seems to offend the least.  I catch a lot of you humming, singing, and even shakin' your ba-donk-a-donk while you are shopping!!!   LOL  

So tonight...Wednesday night....is an exciting night for me.....it is the CMA Awards.  Three whole hours of some of my favorite singers and songs.  It's like a concert in my living room....So Happy!!!  There are going to be some great performances tonight..Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews  "I'm Alive (love that one!!),   Keith Urban (so cute!),  Taylor Swift (who doesn't love her?),  Brooks & Dunn (in their final performance as a Duo...sad), and more.  Do you listen to country music?  What music inspires you?  What is on your iPod?  I am always on the lookout for great songs and great music.  Here are some of my favorite artists....if you aren't familiar with them...take a listen and let me know what you think.  As a matter of fact....post a comment and let me know what you listen to!!

Keith Urban 

Kenny Chesney

Sugarland

John Mayer

Michael Buble'

Chris Botti

Stevie Wonder

Steely Dan

Whitney Houston  (She's still got it!) 

Those are some of my perennial faves.....but I really do love just about every Country Artist out there..... ;) That's all for now...gotta get back to the show.  Yee Haw Ya'll !!

a New piece and a challenge....

Not a whole lot happening today....it is technically my "day off" and I played tennis (we won)  :) .  This afternoon I was purging and preparing for the Community Garage Sale this weekend and realized that I didn't have a lot of Blog-worthy info to share.....but....I do want to share this neckalce with you.  I made this one last Sunday and thought you might like a little inspiration.  The design is simple really....just put your beads on headpins and make "shepard's hooks" on each of them and then attach to your chain in the desired location.  I do find it helpful to do a necklace like this on a bodyform or necklace display so I get a precise placement.  I just used various beads I had that felt "autumnal" and then wire wrapped the turquoise to the chain. 

If you have some beads, chain, and a great focal bead then you have what it takes to make this piece happen!!  Give it a try and email me your interpretation at renegadegirl1@aol.com and I will post it on my blog!!!  Can't wait to see what some of you come up with.... 

 

Manic Monday & Do you BLOG?

Boy today went by fast...my morning was filled with appointments that lasted 'til lunch. Once home I had a quick lunch and then I was off to sort "Scrapbook Stuff" for the ebay auctions.  I think I am ready to get it all photographed and listed...hopefully that will happen by the end of the week.  I will be sure to let you know.  Then at 5:15 my oldest daughter tells me there is an Open House at school tonight at 7pm!  What?...Nobody told me about that!  So, here I go, getting re-dressed and spruced up to go talk to her teachers and check on her progress.  When we arrive to the school the first child I see is one of our neighbors who is in the 5th grade...what is she doing at the Middle School Open House?  Then I see a couple other 5th graders and quickly realize that the Opend House is for "prospective students"....GREAT!  What a snaffu...oh well, I did take the opportunity to check with a  teacher or two so all was not lost.  Just imagine me with the big "L" on my forehead!  ;)

Back to business....

Yesterday I was able to finish a piece I had started the Sunday before.....

This necklace was created using Black Hemp Cord and a variety of beads in the black/silver/grey family.  Each strand is made using 2 pieces of hemp and then a simple knotting technique.  This is a great necklace to make if you have some onesies & twosies and leftovers in a particular color palette. It would also look great with a variety of colors....very versatile.  This piece can easily be made for under $20 and would make a perfect holiday gift. 
 

Are you a BLOG reader?  Well.....obviously you are reading this blog....but do you read blogs regularly?  You should!  Blogs are a great way to get info regarding a variety of things in general; but the Craft Industry is exceptionally good at blogging.  Blogs offer product info, techniques, class schedules, special events, and more.  Also, many of the blogs have links to that "Blogger's" favorite blogs and so on.

There are a few blogs I check daily.  Here is a list of some of my faves...

Suze Weinberg 

Suze's blog is always informative and usually quite funny!  Suze is such a fabulous lady and super creative.  She always fills her blog with great ideas and stories.  She travels a great deal and shares her experiences. It is a great way to live vicariously!

Margot Potter 

Margot is a Multi-Media Artist with an emphasis on jewelry. She is also and author and craft personality.

  Donna Downey 

Donna is a Mixed-Media Artist and has an inspiring blog that is great for any crafter!  I will be teaching at her Inspired Event in the Spring...so check out that info on her site.

Katie Hacker

Kaite is a Jewelry Artist, Author, & Instructor  (She has lots of great links on her blog)

Ali Edwards

Ali is well-known in the Scrapbook world and has one of the most popular blogs out there.  Even if you are not a "scrapbooker" you will enjoy her blog.  She covers lots of subjects including life in general and makes keen observations that are often very inspiring.  She is one of my favorite people and I know you will enjoy her blog.

 

So...check out these blogs...it is a great way to get inspired and keep the inner-crafter in you alive daily!!!  HAPPY BLOGGING!!!!

 

 

 

at what price glamour?

ok...so at the risk of showing myself in a fairly unattractive light...I am asking today "at what price glamour"?  The lengths we women go to to look our best.  I was way overdue for a root job (I know...I know...you thought I was a natural blond!)  & a trim so I made an appointment to have them done today.  This was the before photo.....

Why does the lighting stink in the hair salon?  I think they should light a hair salon like they light Barbara Walters on The View...those lights take 20 years off her face!  LOL

Finished just in time to go get Kenzie at school....

 

It is amazing how a little hair color and a fresh cut makes a girl feel fabulous....Have a great weekend!!!  A
 

 
 

On the Cutting Edge....

"On the cutting edge"....that is what my business partner (Mr. Bill as we lovingly refer to him) says about me.  I like that reference....it sounds cool....it sounds fun...hey...I will take anything cool & fun now that I have hit 40!  LOL     Anyway...back to the point.....today I opened AOL and saw a headline and a photo that caught my eye.

"Bold Necklaces for any Budget"

Statement pieces are in.....

This piece looks like a piece that I have "in progress" and reminiscent of one of my Rings & Things Blog pieces (a couple posts back)

Love this one!  We even have the Peace signs in stock!!!  I think I am gonna have to try to make my own version of this one.....
 

So after looking through these photos I thought to myself....maybe I am on the cutting edge......I like the cutting edge...I like making great looking  jewelry for less than I can buy it in a store....& I like staying on top of trends. This article was calling my name; after all, that is what I, as a Jewelry Artist do and we as a Shop do.  We like to make things for less and we like to show you how to do that too!!!  I often surf the web for inspiration.....two of my current faves are J Crew &  Banana Republic and the ol' standbys.... Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.  Have you checked these sites out?  They are fabulous for inspiration and ideas.  

Do you have a great website that you go to for inspiration?  If so, leave a comment and let me know what it is!  Visit one today and pick a new piece that inspires you to create a beautiful "statement piece". 

Purging.....and the Doodlebug's Birthday

Purging....it can be very cathartic.  I am working on some purging of my own in preparation for our Community Garage Sale next weekend.  I don't usually participate, but I thought I would give it a try....we'll see how it goes.  So I thought I would purge some of the last little bits of Scrapbook product that I have on ebay. I may even find a few extra beads to auction off as well!   Over the next few days I will be photographing and listing these items...and I will give you the heads up when the auctions go live.  There is some good stuff....here is a sneak peek of it all loaded in the back of my truck. 

 

 
 
  My little Mackenzie turns 10 on Thursday....10?  Boy time sure flies....

Happy Birthday Doodlebug....we love you so much and are so proud of the young lady you are becoming!!!  xoxoxo

 
  

New Direction

As the end of the year approaches (can you believe it?)....I am thinking of all the possibilities that a new year brings.  One of the "things" I want to change or revamp is my blog.  Yes THIS blog.  In the past I have used this blog to promote the shop and what was going on and I will continue to do that....BUT.....I am taking this blog in a "new direction".  I want to post daily and cover a number of topics.....Jewelry, Fashion, Inspiration, and Life in general as well as the shop.  All designed to inspire you to create great jewelry!  No....... it will take me a bit to get used to posting daily, but I am up to the challenge and I hope you will join me on this journey!  So be sure to bookmark the blog and get used to checking it daily to see what's up.....I will more than likely be doing my posts in the evenings so they will be ready for you in the a.m. to enjoy with your morning coffee! ;)

Fall Jewelry Trends

It is still pretty warm here in Orlando, but nevertheless...Fall is here.  Well, at least our version....right?  So here are some Fall Jewelry Trends that I am seeing and loving!  Bold is in and so is color....don't be afraid to give it a try.  I know many of you think of yourselves as "Jeans & T-shirt" kinda girls; but trust me....these trends will look amazing with jeans & a simple clean tee.  If it is chilly, throw on a sweater like this one at j.crew.  It is all about "statement jewelry" and it works for fancy outfits and something simple.

Although these necklaces are very ornate, they are fabulous with any outfit. 

 

Look how fun this ring is?  Pick a few beads or pearls of your choice, bead caps, & headpins and attach to a ring base to create a ring like this......super fun & easy!!

Coming soon....I have an exciting new monthly feature that I will share with you soon...I even have a very special friend who will be helping me....you will have to wait to see who it is.....it's a great feature that I know you are going to love! ;)

So there you have it...my first new DAILY POST!!  Hope you like the change...I know I am looking forward to blogging more often and bringing you the best in ideas and inspiration to create great jewelry!!!  Until tomorrow.......

A
 
  

New Blog Address....

We have changed our blog address to.... http://blog.avenueacollection.com .  Be sure to bookmark it!

New Rings & Things Jewelry & Snowmen!

Here is the latest & last of my Rings & Things jewelry.  I was inspired by a necklace I saw at Target recently.  It had lots more crystals and was gold....this is my interpretation of what I saw.

Here is the inspiration piece from Target....

  

Here is my interpretation.....

 
 

The Rings & Things products I used was the CHAIN HERE AND  HERE.  The colorful acrylic beads were some of my "private stash" but I did use some of the shop's Swarovski Pearls & Bumpy Glass Pearls. The vintage brass filigree pieces are in the shop as well; but the R&T Brass Filgree Beads are FOUND HERE . I also used the brass headpins from them.

 

This bracelet and earring set was made with the same products as above.  Brass chain & beads, ear wires, headpins and bead caps as well as clear acrylic beads and faux pearls.

 

I want to thank Rings & Things for giving me this opportunity to be their very 1st Blog Partner!  I had a great time making jewelry with their products and will continue to use them and offer them in my shop and in my designs.  Thanks again R&T...you rock!!

Snowmen are my favorite and we have created these cute little snowmen for this holiday season.  Come on in and let us help you put some together...they make great gifts!!

 

 

 
 
 

my girls...new things to come....

I had a great day with my girls today...shopping at the mall, a delicious (and unhealthy) lunch at Five Guys Burgers and on a whim....a new "DO" for Riley.  I was inspired to take some new photos of my girls; something  I hadn't done in a while and wanted to share a couple with you. 

I will be making some NEW jewelry next week and sharing it with you...so check back!

Have a Great Weekend!!!