Peace and Magic

Blue Bell Earrings, Amy (Peace and Magic):
vintage glass, jade, swarovski crystal, sterling silver

Are you looking for a little peace and magic in your life? Look no further then the whimsical and colorful jewelry created by Amy at Peace and Magic on Etsy. Each work is unique and offers a fun combination of color and bead shapes. I love this pair of Blue Bell earrings that just scream beach day or festive ocean cruise.

Dragonfly: Happiness & Prosperity

Dragonfly Breeze, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver dragonfly charm

In Japanese art and poetry the dragonfly symbolizes happiness and prosperity. These delicate creatures are able to see through illusion, and like the winds of change, offer the promise of wisdom through discovery and growth. With fluttering wings in the breeze, dragonflies allow for the authentic soul to emerge and celebrate the potential for enlightenment.

Wear Dragonfly Breeze and delight in a life journey filled with happiness, prosperity and wisdom.

Unintended Jewelry

Recently I found a neat photo group on Flickr called Unintended Jewelry. Buried deep inside of me is a Marcel Duchamp eager to share my conceptual ideas, so finding this group has been such a gem. Hooray for the multitude of possibilities!!

I'm a bit of a pooh bear when it comes to wine...meaning I don't know what I'm doing and just wander through the aisle looking at all the pretty labels and imagining the romantic places these bottles promise to unfold for me. Sometimes I abandon all knowledge of the wine I enjoy sipping and just go with a name that intrigues me or a picture that feels like a Calgon moment.

A couple weeks ago I became smitten with Firefly Ridge because of the name and how it conjured up the crackling of a camp fire, hot summer nights, and the magical sound of crickets. This was the same week I was writing about Alison Berger's firefly inspiration behind her hand blown lights.

When I came home to pop open the bottle, sitting on top was the cutest little embossed firefly that seemed to say I want to be a vintage button or one of Hint's new charms.


This second submission appeared the other night from our dryer. A mixture of my hair and the fur of my cat Hugo, tumbled together and emerged as a perfectly formed pinky ring. The balance of its design is completely untouched. I love spontaneous sculpture!

Duchess of Alba

Duchess of Alba

What would it be like to be a Spanish aristocrat? What would I wear for fun on a Gaudi day? Here's my latest jewelry themed Etsy Treasury called the Duchess of Alba, capturing sun drenched greens, ocean blues, and tangy oranges.

Be sure to check out the lovely Bela Brazilian Designs where real tropical flowers and butterfly wings are preserved in resin.

Wind Dancer: Peace & Healing

Wind Dancer, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver hummingbird charm

Hummingbirds represent universal curiosity, joy and wonder as they diligently flit from one blossom to another, seeking to quench a never ending thirst. Completely openhearted and fragile, sometimes they dare hover inches away from your face and allow connection with innocence and grace. A favorite hummingbird legend concerns an Apache warrior named Wind Dancer who was deaf but had the ability to evoke healing and fair weather by singing. After Wind Dancer’s death, he returned in the form of a hummingbird dressed in ceremonial garb and bright war paint. He could be found among flowers, whispering magical secrets of joy and peace to his former love Bright Rain.

Wear Wind Dancer and connect with your own personal stories of joy, solace and healing.

Orange Interlude

Get ready for some scrumptious orange tidbits that were hiding just beneath your feet. Their tininess takes my breath away, but I'm guessing nature must have understood that a small spark of orange will beckon your eye to come hither...

a future design for evening gown or purse?

overlooked originality among the rocks

the beginning of a new things to come...

the end of something wonderful

curls and petticoats ruffles

and just the smallest hint can create a precious moment in time...

wishing you many orange moments to come :)

Wire Basketweave

First Steps, Beth Hemmila: carnelian and sterling silver wire

Aren't these delicious globes of carnelian the epitomy of juiciness? Coached by a lovely Portland jewelry designer, Laura Gadzik, I learned the first steps in wire basketweave during a class at Dava Bead. Like baby steps, I still cherish these earrings and wear them every chance I get because not only do I dig that spark of orange dangling in my tangle of hair, I remember the exhilaration of completing this project, and feeling like I had just been a part of magic. This radiant feeling always tips me off that I've been in the presence of a wonderful teacher.

Alaina, Laura Gadzik: flourite, freshwater pearls, hill tribe silver, and sterling silver

You can find Laura Gadzik's artistry at WanderLustre on Etsy where she draws inspiration from all her travels. Check out this amazing necklace romatically titled Alaina...tiny freshwater pearls accent the stunning ocean blue of a flourite stone. Her basketweave is flawless, and when you watch her do it in class she makes it look effortless. I can't tell you how giddy I feel when I wear my aquamarine and garnet necklace she designed. People are completely drawn in by the delicacy and simplicity of her work. Please take an opportunity to peruse her gracious jewelry, and if you need a pair of juicy carnelians to don during your own week of orange, you can find a expertly designed pair at Laura's shop.

Something Fishy

The Goldfish, Henri Matisse

This month's Art Bead Scene challenge was based on Henri Matisse's painting The Goldfish. Was it fate that I dedicated my week to orange or was Henri's art haunting my dreams? :)

Mimi, Beth Hemmila:
peridot, carnelian, amethyst, fine and sterling silver

Here's my little fishy, and if I look close, he does bare some resemblance to my old pal Cesar who made it through a whole year of college life, swimming in a less then adequately cleaned bowl.

Mimi, Beth Hemmila:
peridot, carnelian, amethyst, fine and sterling silver

I love how Matisse paired the bright orange fish with some flowers and a wonderful palette of bright colors. A splendid opportunity to dig out my favorite gemstones and tie together a flower and a fish! This necklace will soon be for sale in my shop...

Eating Orange

So the first thing I had to do is dash out and buy some oranges to consume with abandon. Cheers to an orange revolution!

Madame Butterfly

Madame Butterfly's Orange Crush

Ever feel like you've had a Madame Butterfly day? Here's a little ensemble I put together as an Etsy Treasury that I'd think she'd like...

Some of my new favorites are the painting by Duy Huynh found at the Lark & Key (aka Adorn by Sandy) and the sherbet colored metal bracelet by Imogene and Dannie. My Epona necklace fits perfectly with this industrial-edged, orange-softened cast of characters.

Orange Crush

Last week I had this powerful dream about the color orange. Anyone familiar with your second chakra's orange magnificence, knows this must be a wake up call to get a power boost from your creativity! Well, look at that...I've got a crush on orange :)

So I'm dedicating this week to the often neglected but incredibly inspiring color ORANGE. I will be looking for it, discovering it, making friends with it, delighting in it, and getting in the middle of it...simply delicious.

To welcome a week of orange, we were graced with the most loveliest of fire clouds that hovered off in the distance as the sun set over Portland.

drama...

and a complete operatic conclusion :)

Lemonade Caribbean Sky

Lemon Caribbean Sky

Posted this cheery Etsy Treasury called Lemonade Caribbean Sky, which features my scarab charm. How many of you are ready for the season of lady bugs, grasshoppers, ants, bees, spiders, and often overlooked beetle? Those feisty beetles are such an industrious lot, I can understand why the Egyptians adopted them as one of their most important symbols :)

Hummingbird: Spirit & Celebration

Messenger, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver hummingbird charm

Hummingbirds draw on the essence of flowers, extract sweetness from life, and show us the way to find joy in any situation. They are a symbol for celebrating a life fulfilled as well as losses in the form of loved ones and dreams. Deeply woven into the mythology of the Americas, hummingbirds are often considered tiny messengers between worlds, helping shamans keep the balance between spirit and nature.

Wear Messenger to honor your unique spirit and celebrate your dreams.

Share your Eggs

When people purchase charms from Hint Jewelry, and then send me back a photo of their designs, it feels like the Easter bunny just dropped off a basket of delicious chocolate eggs. Today I was inspired to create a group gallery on Flickr where you can post photos of the jewelry you created using a Hint Jewelry charm. Please join the group Hint Gallery and post away: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hint/

Sunshine

One of my secrets to finding inspiration and sunshine on a gloomy Northwest afternoon is to whip up a batch of soft, cheesy tacos with homemade guacamole. Shhhhhhh, I managed to indulge in one whole avocado by myself last week! Don't you just want to dive into the buttery goodness of a lovely limey, green avocado? It's like eating a whole box of donuts by yourself...completely sinful but oh so delish. Here's a quick recipe for my simple sunshine tacos:

1 tomato chopped
1 avocado chopped
1 green onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
Olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to taste
(increase ingredients for more then one person)

I use white corn tortillas with super aged, sharp white cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and then broiled in the oven until brown and bubbly. Then I spread my no nonsense guacamole on top, close my eyes, let the beauty of the flavors mingle in my mouth, and soak up the instant sunshine. What a wonderful way to greet the warmth of creativity! Wishing you some bright light of inspiration courtesy of your imaginary sun :)

Spring Robin: Songs of Happiness

Spring Robin, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver robin charm

Signaling the arrival of spring in the Midwest, the sight of a red-breasted robin arouses creative energies and promises new growth. The bird’s red chest is a symbol of the vital life force tucked in our hearts, which allows us to unburden the past and become free to nurture ourselves and others. Robins remind us that even if life feels stagnant, a song of joy in your heart can move you forward into a place of renewal.

Wear Spring Robin to awaken songs of happiness in your heart.

Radiant Light: Alison Berger

Visit Planet Pink n Green to read my blog post on LA glass artist Alison Berger's take on the transitory nature of light and radiance.

Owl: Truth & Understanding

Saskia, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver owl charm

Completely open and intensely vulnerable are words that describe the eyes of my best friend Saskia. Like the eyes of an owl, Saskia’s gaze is one of deep awareness and authenticity. A symbol of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, an owl illuminates journeys, discerns truths, supports difficult decisions, and protects you from harm. An owl represents a part of you that yearns to bring understanding, compassion, and honesty into the world.

Wear Saskia to call upon your inner truth and understanding.

Being a Cloud

A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed, it feels an impulsion...this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.

- Richard Bach

Last month on Facebook, I said "If I could be a cloud, then everything would be perfect." Since this delightful epiphany, I find myself transforming into a cloud, floating where I want completely unencumbered by the Mr. Should, inhibiting my mind. This is probably why I haven't been producing much art and jewelry lately!

Mr. Should: "Beth, you should make a new necklace."
Beth: "Geez a little breathing room, if you please. I'm enjoying this wonderful, refreshing walk in the sunshine."
Mr. Should: "Beth, you should paint another watercolor picture."
Beth: "Not today. I'm floating. Thank you very much."
Mr. Should: "You should bake that cake you keep thinking about."
Beth: "Slow down buddy, what's the rush!"

Oh how delicious it feels to go deep inside and check in with my heart! It is pure elation to feel my real choice instead of listening to old cranky pants Mr. Should, who likes to give me the gift of doubt. A cloud never doubts its existence, movements, or path, but has implicit trust. Why can't I have this enchantment and trust in every moment? Heck the only thing stopping me is not believing that I've had trust from the very beginning! :)

Painting with Color

I love making Treasuries, and today I realized it's like creating a wonderful watercolor painting. There are so many colors to choose from, and the subtle nuances and layers of vibrancy remind me of painting with translucent light. So I hope you don't mind that I indulge my love of color once or twice a week on my blog :)

Above is a Treasury I created last week called Windswept Sky & Blue Tears, it's no longer active, but I just dig the way the blues, aquas, and greys creating a soothing assemble. One of the most intriguing artists from this group is Poodle Breath the lovely artist who creates these mini sculptures with hands reaching out towards you. Anyone familiar with my past sculptures will remember all my plaster cast doll arms, so I am feeling a definite kinship with Poodle Breath's vision!



Here's a quirky Treasury called Branching Out that went live last night and the curator included my Sarah bracelet featuring a Tree of Life charm. I was always one of those girls that could be found climbing trees, and when I finally heard the Carly Simon song "Boys in the Trees" I knew I had found a kindred spirit that understood the power of a being one with a tree. Here's to the infectious joy of being like a monkey in a tree!

Boys in the Trees
Carly Simon

I'm home again in my old narrow bed
Where I grew tall and my feet hung over the end
The low beam room with the window looking out
On the soft summer garden
Where the boys grew in the trees

here I grew guilty
And no one was at fault
Frightened by the power in every innocent thought
And the silent understanding passing down
From daughter to daughter
Let the boys grow in the trees

Do you go to them or do you let them come to you
Do you stand in back afraid that you'll intrude
Deny yourself and hope someone will see
And live like a flower
While the boys grew in the trees

last night I slept in sheets the colour of fire
Tonight I lie alone again and curse my own desires
Sentenced first to burn and then to freeze
And watch by the window
Where the boys grew in the trees

Bee Beso: Joyful Contribution

Bee Beso, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver bee charm

When colorful wildflowers bloom in the spring, and the honeybees take flight, the world feels abuzz with a sense of joyful cooperation. Like that delicate moment when you give someone your full loving attention, and they open like a flower, bees possess a similar devotion when gathering gifts from rapturous blossoms. With utter competence and delight, planting besos (kisses) on each flower, bees affectionately nurture and sustain a community. No wonder the bee’s ardent spirit aptly symbolizes our own desire to find genuine contribution and meaning.

Wear Bee Beso to honor your life’s purpose while celebrating the joys of being part of a community.

The Bright Side

I just found this new blog called The Bright Side Project. Miss B delivers daily doses of designer giveaways all based around posing questions that have you consider the bright side of things. Some questions have been "If you were given one 'do over' in your life, what would it be?" and "If you had all the time in the world what would you do?" For all you folks who love those ice breakers, you may want to scoot over there. On top of that you're introduced to some lovely eye candy :)

Lilac Tree Memories

Lilac Dream Memories

Thinking back to our old house with the lilac tree in the backyard, I created this fresh violet and green collection for Treasury West on Etsy. When lilacs would bloom, I remember fresh waves of heady fragrance tumbling over me when I'd make the transition from inside to outside existence. The beauty is that it disappears so quickly, and I had to make the conscious choice to be completely aware and present when it happened -- a don't blink or you'll miss it spring moment! Inspired by the color violet and the fresh leaves like my Tranquility necklace, here is a little lilac moment for you to inhale :)

Some other wonderful pretties to check out are Graceful Studio's print of delicate freesias and Jeff Campana's pared down ceramics ( I love his tag " Drawing Through Disassembly | Luxurious Utilitarian").

Treasury: Amethyst & Aqua

I just caught this Treasury by Lisa Hopkins that included my Portia hummingbird necklace before it expired. I love the color combination of violet and aquamarine. Check out Lisa's etched silver jewelry such as Bird on a Branch. She also shares a letterpress shop on Etsy called Paper Dragonfly where I could spend a good part of my day running my hands across the wonderful textures and delighting in their simplicity.

Seasons of Family

I created this trio of necklaces for my sister-in-law and her two daughters. Each niece picked out their favorite charm from my collection. I like how one will be celebrating the brightness of summer with a dragonfly, the other will be delighting in freshness of winter with a snowflake, and like a steadfast tree my sister-in-law is present and nurturing through all of seasons becoming.

Wind Horse: Journey of Freedom

Wind Horse, Beth Hemmila (Hint Jewelry): fine silver horse charm

In Central Asia, Wind Horse is a metaphor that represents the soul’s yearning and the name for Tibetan prayer flags that flutter in the breeze, carrying messages of hope to the heavens above. Traditionally the symbol of a horse expresses a sense spiritual freedom, intelligence, strength, and stamina. At times, horses have graciously agreed to partner with humans on journeys of self-discovery and labors to insure cultural freedom. Known for their sensitivity, power, and loyalty, horses are capable of running ceaselessly in your heart, momentarily suspending mundane existence and expanding moments of pure grace.

Wear Wind Horse to awaken freedom, curiosity, and endurance for your life’s journey.

Small

Oh you're here! Splendid!! Just in time for a spring walk...

Don't you just love the smallness of spring? Of all the seasons, spring grabs your hand and begs you to bend in a little closer to take a gander at its teeny, tiny wonders in a big way.


Professors use to throw me frowny faces because I just wouldn't buck up and think big when it came to art. So I hid my secret desire to be a Thumbelina, escaping to the minuscule world of flowers and insects only to experience its resurrection at a later date...


Enter stage right the magical macro setting on your digital thing-a-ma-jig. Finally my pleasure is restored. Can't a girl desire closeness and intimacy with the natural world without having to build a humvee sized sculpture?


If I can't wrap my hand or arms around it, then I feel disconnected. To experience the freedom of going into the infinite world of the minuscule is like going inside to your still point...perhaps only the size of a mustard seed but as vast as the universe :)

How to Care for Silver Jewelry

Julia, Beth Hemmila: aquamarine, fine and sterling silver

Storage
Prevent tarnishing and scratches by placing each individual piece of silver jewelry in a cloth pouch or an airtight, plastic bag. Store these bags in a cool, dry place, such as a jewelry box.

By wearing your jewelry, you will slow the oxidation process and keep your silver polished and shiny.

Remove silver jewelry before sleeping, swimming, and bathing. Avoid exposing your silver jewelry to household chemicals such as bleach or ammonia and beauty products such as hairspray, perfume, oils, make-up, and suntan lotion.

Cleaning
Always use a professional, non-abrasive, jewelry polishing cloth to remove tarnish. Gently rub the cloth against the metal. Silver is extremely pliable, so remember to proceed cautiously with chains, which could easily break if pulled too hard. Fine silver is more pure than sterling; therefore it is a softer metal, and should be handled with care.

Polish your jewelry after wearing it to remove oils, fingerprints and dust.

Do not use cleaning solutions or “dips” to remove tarnish for it may alter the patina, and cause permanent damage to the silver or gemstones .

What is the difference between sterling and fine silver?
Fine silver is more pure (no alloys) and is a more valuable precious metal. Most silver allergies are a result of the reaction to the alloy metals used in sterling silver.