SuzeBlogz

My Craziness

Okay...yes...I will own up .......SHOPPING.... must be my true middle name. Altho I prefer to believe it's "Do You Ship"!!

It's not that I have to buy anything.......I have to touch it, visualize it, imagine it, FEEL it.

  

Shopping Malls are great for two things...walking around them gives me exercise (you buy that don'tcha?!) and it gives me my fill for the visual and tactile.

to say nothing of people watching....

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One of the best malls in Jersey is Garden State Plaza.

New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States and has the most malls......I'm pretty sure this is the largest ! It has the BEST of all the stores...upscale, midscale, you name it.

C-R-O-W-D-E-D to the hilt.

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But...what a visual treat...

starting with one of MY favorite stores...

ANTHROPOLOGIE.

This piece is done using REAL tree branches, painted white and hung from the ceiling. They must have the BEST art department staff. Now I want to go out and collect tree branches !

 

This was recycled & repurposed from a ship and painted. Very pricey!

Great pillows

Fun kitchy stuff

 

Yes, a scotch tape holder 

 

a stapler

Now...these were fun....canvas over metal letters...gives you ideas, huh?

 

If you've never been in an ANTHROPOLOGIE store it's like a visit to a museum...they use all the best stuff as "props"

 

Inside the mall you find the cutest stuff

 

 

and this mall has a favorite shop of mine Michal Negrin.

 

Michal (a 'she') has been creating a unique lifestyle for over two decades with vintage-inspired designs that include jewelry, fashion, home décor, and accessories. Michal's unique style has generated a positive impact and is captivating people around the world. 

Not that I can wear or fit into ANYTHING she makes (except the jewelry!)...but her style and her shops are so gorgeous.

I found another treasure of a shop

UNO de 50

fantastic jewelry, made in Spain

and, speaking of jewelry....

If you happen to be in the town of Ridgewood NJ...there's a costume jewelry shop that boggles the mind...

HOT JEWELRY BOX

 

 

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and, speaking of jewelry....

have you dropped by my ETSY shop lately? I have never listed as much as I have on there now. Ever since Tucson I'm on a roll.

HERE'S A LITTLE PREVIEW !

well....snow may be comin' back tonight...so..I'll be hunkered in with jewelry supplies and some good TV shows !!

VISIT ETSY !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Weekend !

This morning The Lenster & I went to hear a wonderful presentation about Israeli artist & sculptor Michael Lazar whose beautiful raw metal work is on display throughout Europe & parts of the USA.

Feeling frustrated that so much metal art was either cast or simple metal sheets that were cut, they have over a period of several years, refined a technique to cold forge bronze, aluminum and steel to create powerful figurative forms.

In their unique style, they take sheets of different metals and form them (with only hammers) into figurative sculpture. The final product is a shell - a full form on one side, and hollow, a negative on the other.

 

 

Interestingly, this brilliant sculptor isn't just that...Lazar splits his time and vocations into two parts: Half of his life he toils in an art studio as a cold metal sculptor, while the other half is spent researching and exploring ancient rocks—especially in relationship to the Dead Sea.

He is also a Dr. of Marine Geosciences at the University of Haifa and of the tectonics of the Dead Sea, gas escaping from the seafloor, submarine landslides, & remote sensing.

Forty scientists from six countries recently gathered at the Dead Sea for an historic project in which continuous core samples will be extracted from hundreds of feet below the surface of the sea.

But...in keeping with his artsy side...more of his amazing work...

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In the afternoon we scooted over to Sickles Flower Market in the charming town of Little Silver, New Jersey.

My friend, artist Laura McHugh, was one of the ones chosen to be a part of the "Artist Day" weekend. 15 artisans on Saturday and 15 different ones on Sunday.

Lauras jewelry pops with color and beautiful beads and they were ooohing, aahing & wowing at her table.

all the displays were in the greenhouse and our weather today was magnificent so, we walked around and I snapped up these photos.

 

  

 

These interesting assemblages were done by an artist named Michael Short..who sadly has no website!

 

The (metal) boots were planters.

 

This young lady, Jenny Woods, a local artist, makes recycled guitar string jewelry. Her items were terrific. 

 

  

 

 

of course, if it has a bird on it, I love it !

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Certainly a lovely day for some art!









 

 

 

Getting Back in the Swing

In case you aren't a facebook follower but do, by some lovely chance, follow my blog...here's what I've been up to lately for my ETSY site.

I've been VERY busy with my favorite 2 things...bezels and ice resin.This was a backless bezel (below) so the resin (which is completely clear BTW) can be seen on both the front and back.

all you need to do to see everything is to click on the link for ETSY

to browse or BUY !!!

 

Some of the pieces are really arty and different...this bezel was hand made...I used 2 part epoxie resin clay..it's way cool. There's a bit better view in the picture below this one.

I try to make each piece unique and different from the one I made the day before.

This bead, below, was a very expensive purchase at the bead show in Tucson but so well worth every penny cause it's so strikingly different....and..I made the necklace so it comes with earrings !! I used REAL druzee stones in it ! The focal stone comes from Maku studios and is Raku Fired Ceramic by a VERY talented lady !!

 

Below I used a hobnail bezel from Susn Lenart Kazmers line of Media Mixage for Spellbinders. Its filled with her Iced Enamels and Ice Resin.

several folks have mentioned to me that they are having a hard time posting comments on the blog....it's Okay..I understand.

I was getting inundated with SPAM comments every day...over a hundred a day, so I had to change a few things. If you want to comment  
just post to my email, twitter or FB...I'll get it that way too.

 

I never skimp when it comes to componants....mixed metal chains, rhinestone and rosary chains, hanging embellishments, magnetic clasps (my favs)..lots of resin...I like to think the jewelry I make are like little works of art.

Hope you do too.!

 

Time to fly away home.....

maybe you'll make a quick flight over to ETSY !!

Flowering in the Winter

Yesterday the Lenster and I went to the NJ Flower show....we drove in the snow just to get a taste of spring ! 

The show was lovely, altho not nearly as big as the annual Philadelphia flower show we try to attend each year.

But, there were certainly rivers of color and fragrance in beautiful display gardens

 

and more importantly...it gave you great ideas for your own backyard and maybe even for your alterted art and jewelry creations

they tell you to bring your wheelbarrow and expect to be tempted as you shop in their GREAT GARDEN MARKETPLACE filled with over 125 vendors

We bought this adorable little edible birdhouse

and we also bought this wonderful, very zen looking rock that has a place in the center to hold a flower. We added the rose when we got home.

this was the kind of show where you could buy garden ornaments, garden tools, floral arrangements, home accessories, jewelry, fresh flowers, orchids, art and more. 

 

 

 

hope you enjoy some more color from our day

 

 

 

Well...no matter what the next few days weather brings to New Jersey, spring is sure to come soon! I'm counting on it !






 

 

a day in the desert

After a remarkable day in Tubac we decided to head over to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum...

 

it came so highly recommended.... and they were right.

The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.

 It is a 98-acre zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, and art gallery founded in 1952. 

First up we visited the reptile gallery

Located just west of Tucson, Arizona, it features two miles of walking paths traversing 21 acres of desert landscape. It is one of the most visited attractions in Southern Arizona

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I loved the birds.....There is a walk-in aviary with cardinals, Gambel's quail, ducks, doves, and many other species of native birds. Several benches are located throughout the aviary for observation. A small stream runs through the middle of the enclosure.

 The Hummingbird Aviary allows observation of hummingbirds hovering so closely that visitors can feel the air disturbed by their wings. In breeding season, nests are near enough to allow viewing of the babies. The aviary houses four species that nest annually. The museum’s Hummingbird Propagation Program is the only one of its kind in the world for North American hummingbirds.

 

The nonprofit organization focuses on the interpretation of the natural history, plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert. The museum is home to more than 230 animal species and 1,200 varieties of plants. It is open every day through the year, and hosts nearly 400,000 visitors annually, including visitors from abroad.

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I'm a lover of nature photography, it's a favorite hobby...guess you could tell, huh! 

 

This "heart" shaped cactus was a lucky find !!!

 

fossils

 

They explain that you need not be afraid of these bees...they will not attack you. They are only interested in hopping from plant to plant...and they were right. They were all round us but never came near us.

 

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now, how cute is the prairie dog!!

and the mountain lion

we had a terrific day....I even got to try on Bat Wings!!

and play with rubber stamps

so, if you have the opportunity...be sure to add this wonderful museum to your bucket list

 

and the kids will love it too !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Day in Tubac

We needed a break from all the beads....I know that sounds ridiculous but honestly...the bead/gem show is totally overwhelming.

So...we ventured an hour south to Tubac for their Festival of the Arts

it is an amazing artists community.

 

first vendor we ran into was Pat Zieche  of PZ Originals

and her hubby, a glass blower

 

(MY hubby who is NOT a glass blower liked the bit with the hat)

anyway her jewelry was amazing...and totally MY taste

 

I bought a piece from her and she signed it

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another prolific designer Wendy Witchner from Albion, CA

 

here is more of todays adventure !

The Lenster finds the local sheriff who just so happens to be a transplanted New Jersyian

Copper treated with a flame !! WOW !

I absolutely love this piece...GOD is a verb...there is a 'possibility' we may get it ! Still iffy !

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Look at the adorable Teyros Stemware by Daisy Bug

  

 

 

 

and then....

we searched till we found my old friend Vesta Abel

...who now owns a fantastic shop in Tubac called Artseeds. It was the most wonderful reunion visit ! The last time I saw Vesta was when we went to Sedona together about 10 years ago!!!

 

We'll sign out with a little "LOVE" today

if I don't collapse from exhaustion there will be more from Tubac tomorrow !

 

 

 

 

Making the jewelry rounds.....

walking, driving, more walking...there is just too much to see. Everyone told me it would be overwhelming and on the first day I thought.."No, no way"...but then...Oh My ! Oh My! Oh My !

Like could ya die...

MAKUstudio

 

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and let me tell you about another fun, and new, company GLASS GARDEN BEADS and their darling kits.

 

 

author & product developer Shona Brooks

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Artist Diane Hawkey

 

 

 

 

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Clothing designer Lorri Scott of l.a.s fibers who makes vintage reconstructed clothing...AMAZING ! and I bought a dress/coat from her (pictures later)

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and yesterday I was telling you how leather seems to be the next HOT trend..

well, it was everywhere

 

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and, a few random shots from the show...

 

A really nice hot fix crystal setter from Dreamtime Creations

 

 

Cindy Wilson, President of Dreamtime Creations, Inc

 

an SLK piece (I'm totally drooling)

 

and, as the day ends,....running into best friends...

Pamela Huntington

Julianna Hudgins and Lauren, The Chain Maille Lady (and Gizmo the dawg)!

 

Cindy at Ice Resin !

and Julez, her mom Bev and Moi !

okay...we'll be checking in again tomorrow from SNOWLESS Tucson

 

 

 

 

you mean there's MORE !.....

well....first I should tell you that The Lenster, clever boy that he is, said...I'm not schlepping around the bead show again today...found himself a Harley shop, rented a bike and off he went into the wild blue yonder...

while I...took my 2nd class with Susan Lenart Kazmer...soldering queen and metalsmithing marvel

only to learn that I may never want to solder again !!

Oy...the patience, the tools, the weensie little pieces of solder, the flux...the pickle, the JAX, the torch, the annealing...Lordy there is so much to remember...

Of course Susan is a genius...and that's that!

And next door, Susans sister Linda Lenart McNulty, was teaching an amazing encaustic wax jewelry workshop

 

that Jen Cushman (Susans partner) was taking

but........back in our class we were learning how to make caged objects (this gorgeous piece from a student today)

now c'mon...does it get any better ??!!

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Well...after class I had about an hour to spend 1/2 my lifes savings at the show so I have to share one of the best finds ever !!!

TAMMY RAE GLASS

(yes...I bought this eyeball!)

She had absolutely incredible, super different, exceptionally artisan glass pieces...I could have dropped a fortune in her booth..I had to control myself.

 

 

 

 

 

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and was there more to see...OMG.....

Look at these beaded heads...hours and hours of work by artisan Rosemary Bour from Aquarius Beads

 

now remember....they're still digging themselves out back home

 

but things were hopping at the TerraCast booth with Kelli Taylor (l) and CHA executive Nadine Schwartz (r)

 

where...let me tell you...leather was the hottest thing.

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Another new book to be celebrated...author, jeweler, designer Maggie Roschyk from FreeSpiritCollection

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 and, a new gadget for traveling with your beads

that, at first glance, I thought were IPad covers !!!

They can be found HERE.

well...Im dead tired now....hang in peeps....tomorrow it's another bead, another dollar !!

 

 

 

 

 

I'll Never Survive !!

Lets, for one minute, just try to forget the crap weather back home... and journey with me to the Tucson Bead Show....the overwhelming experience of a lifetime...bead heaven...day 2

where every door leads to something even more fascinating then the next..

and you find men selling purses...and liking it !

 

wonderful good friends, like Lisa Pavelka, teaching classes

friends like Heather DeSimone, owner of The Beadin Path, whose new book 'CREATE THREE DIMENSIONAL JEWELRY' just came out !!!

 

and beads....beads....beads...

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RAKU fired beads from XAZ Bead Company

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The Great state of Hawaii was certainly represented....

Aloha Bead Company, owner Sarah Klopping

 

She also sells incredible Vintage buttons !

 

and, speaking of Vintage buttons.....

 

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and, do I have to tell you how I loved Crystal Basicas booth

Vintage Fairy Finds

 

 

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and now........in the interest of the your wonderful curiosity...a mere few more images from the show so you know to save your money and come next year!

 

Okay....night falls on Tucson and I'm done in....for the day...you KNOW there'll be more tomorrow !

 

 

Hello Tucson

Goodbye snow....

and hello...not so very warm Tucson...but certainly better than home!

and here we are...at the world famous Tucson Bead Show..with more vendors than I've ever seen in one place...ever !

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Like I think everyone in America...(and Canada)...is here

Like Fernando DaSilva at John Bead

and Drew and Adam at Impress Art

 

JC Herell from JC Herrell Glass & The Lenster and Armondo Barry from Amate Creations

 

I fell deeply in love with JC's glass work...her beads are so special and so different.

I've known Armondo for about 10 years and now he's branched into a  line of finished Sterling Silver jewelry called "WATER" ....beautiful display

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and just lots and lots of beads, great products and exhibits everywhere

 

 

Over at Patricia Healeys booth.....

 

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But I really fell in love with Amy Stage & Michelle Owens at Leather Cord, USA

because they had the most amazing display of their leather and cords I'd ever seen...it was so clever.... using frames...like I would want to make one and hang it in my house as ART

I mean, you have to admit...this is a brilliant way to show, sell and display a product! LeatherCordUSA.com

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and another big hello to two other old friends Tina Morgan and Karen Rice

from Craft Fantastic

 

 

check them out at CraftFantastic.com

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and now...here's some more from the To Bead True Blue part of the show....

 

 

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During the daytime part of the show I was in a class with the incredible, fantastic Susan Lenart Kazmer....

learning all of her secret techniques....

learning to anneal

 

and use her new Iced Enamel powders

and some of Susans beautiful work

and a piece I started in class and will finish when I get home

and this was only the first day......