Anya Handbag

I haven't sewn anything for 7 months. But I needed something to do that would take my mind off of waiting for my first grandchild to be born! So, I decided to make another handbag.

This is a pattern that I have wanted to make for months. I love the design. The pattern is called "Sandra Sue's Purse-O-Nality" by Palm Harbor Patterns. I bought some cotton fabric that is coffee themed. The fabric is really fun, and I'll have to use it in a purse soon.

But I really wanted to make a handbag out of the cheetah print microsuede again. The first one I made was too small for me and found a new home.

Here is the new Cheetah bag. The microsuede seemed a little easier for me to use this time since I had sewn with it before. This was the first time that I have used a satiny fabric for the lining. I love it. The whole bag has a gleem to it, and it also feels so soft!

I've named it the "Anya Handbag" after my granddaughter that is yet to be born.

Ok, Anya, now that I've finished the handbag, you'd better come soon. If you don't, I may have to begin another project!

Maryland Autumn

What a fabulous show we had this Autumn. I so enjoyed the colorful leaves, especially since I had a goal of capturing them with my camera.

It is sad to see the leaves on the ground now. But I have so much to look forward to! My first grandchild is due at any moment. In fact, the due date is today! I can't wait to meet that sweet, little one and to hold her.

And Christmas is right around the corner! What a joy to know Jesus and to be able to worship Him. I will love celebrating His arrival.

So, even though the leaves are just about gone, there is much anticipation in my soul!

Dream Big

I dream about things I want to do. Then I think, no, I should just be content. But I think it's good to dream, as long as you are also content. lol.

So, I made this pendant from fine silver. To me it says, "It's okay to dream. Go ahead and dream big. And while you are at it, go for it. Maybe you'll actually see those dreams fulfilled."

That's how I feel about being a jewelry artist. I always dreamed about being able to sell my work and see others enjoying it, and it has become a reality! I'm so grateful to those around me that allowed me to dream and go for it.

The beautiful, lustrous pearl just adds beauty to an already lovely thought. Enjoy dreaming!

If you are interested in this item, please email me at janine@gentlespiritcreations.com. You can also see more of my work on Facebook.

Photography

Wow! It's been a long time since I updated my blog. Sorry!

I've taken up a new/old hobby. It's new because I've renewed my interest in it. I've loved photography ever since I was a child. My parents bought me a really little camera as a girl and then a Nikon EM as a teenager. Oh, I had fun with that Nikon. I even took a Black and White photography course in college. Got an "A" in the class too!! lol

But then life got busy with marriage and kids. And most of my photos were of the babies!! Developing the film was expensive.

Then came digital cameras. I hated the first ones! The photos from them looked awful!! But they have sure improved. I could only afford the point and shoot versions and I enjoyed them.

But, this summer I was able to get a Nikon D90. What an amazing camera!!!! My interest in photography has been renewed with a passion. And there is no expense of film development.

Mostly, I seem to be drawn to nature photography. I'm learning so much about God's creativity and his attention to detail. He is amazing!!

If you would like to see more of my photos, check out my Flickr page. I'll try to do better keeping up the blog too!

Solar Quartz

When I saw these big, round beads at the gem show, I just knew that I had to buy them. And then I looked at the tag and saw the name. They are called Solar Quartz! Isn't it gorgeous?! My husband, Matt, is an amateur astronomer. He often has me look through the telescope at deep sky objects that he has found. And this stone DOES remind me of several of them. Here's a photo that I found online that looks like these stones. You can find it here.

Then the challenge was to make this stone into a pendant and necklace. These crackle quartz beads look great with it! And I added some white jade and sterling silver beads. But it still needed something to bring out the color in the nucleus of the pendant. I tried several stones, but they just didn't work. Finally I thought of trying some of the pearls that I have on hand. They are absolutely perfect!

This made into a lovely necklace. The stone pendant is so intriguing. Really a great piece. Of course, I made a bracelet and earrings to match.

Show-stopper Earrings

Black Shell, Swarovski Crystal and Pearl, and Sterling Silver Earrings.

These lovely earrings are a real show stopper! The black shell oval beads really reflect the light as do the crystals. I made these from Sterling Silver wire that I shaped and hammered. Then I used extra fine Sterling wire to wrap each bead to the frame. Lots of work, but so worth the results! A real touch of class. One-of-a-kind. Item # 1230. $95


Swarovski Crystal, Pearl and Sterling Silver Earrings
Item # 1229 $38

Daylily Pendants

I have a dear friend, Chris, who loves daylilies! It is such a joy to watch her speak of them. Her eyes sparkle and she gets so animated. And her daylilies are beautiful! Last year I enjoyed strolling through her garden and admiring the precious flowers that God created and she tended. I decided to capture daylilies in a pendant. But I couldn't do it in one. I made two, but even so, I think this is a concept that I could explore for a very long time! Such beauty in those flowers!

She described her daylilies like this, "Adam Eaton is a creamy white that sparkles with 'diamond dust' when the sun hits it. And Derrick Carr is a purple so rich and deep it is almost black." The pendant shapes signify a petal from a daylily.

In the first pendant, which I named Daylily Delight, I chose to use gold-filled wire swirls and the sparkly gold-filled bead to represent the diamond dust. There are some daylilies that have lovely creamy petals that become purple and then yellow inside called Doodle Bug. I included a black pearl bead to represent the dark ends of the stamens and a green crystal for the leaves of the plants. The Sterling has a beautiful patina that makes this pendant look like an antique treasure. The gold-filled wire is bright and sparkly. Amethyst, Pearl, Swarovski crytals and pearls, Gold-filled beads and wire, and Sterling Silver wire and bail. 52mm long. Item # 1219 $105

The second pendant, Divine Daylily, was inspired by another of my friend's daylilies called Derrick Carr. This divine pendant features deep garnets and onyx. Crystals too, so it is very sparkly. This is a dense 3-dimensional pendant that looks very rich. Garnets, Onyx, Pearls, Swarovski crystals and pearls, Sterling Silver. 45mm long. Item # 1218 $98

These are photos of Chris' daylilies. Aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait to see them this year. And, of course, I really love to see her too!!

Thanks, Chris, for the inspiration!