And who said I didn't have any free time?



I have been busy for quite some time now.  I have been working at work, online stores and even with Girl Scouts.  I have been known to find time where there is none left in the day. This is usually the best time to create, when the scheduled time ends and the free time emerges. 



Lavender Sage Cocoa Butter soap



With my newly found "free" time, I have been working on splitting up the inventory into two stores, Plum Valley Designs and Plum Valley Notions.  Both stores have wonderful things to choose from.  Plum Valley Designs has all the things you would want to primp for that night out, or even day to day casual jewelry wear.  With beautiful one of a kind designs, you know you will have something unique to you. 

Plum Valley Notions has recently emerged with lavish supplies such as  handmade cocoa butter soaps, shea butter soaps, moisturizing lotions and even all natural beeswax lip balms.  There are Himalayan Bath Salts to soothe those sore muscles after that long day. 



With all these great products, who needs to leave the house?  I know that I don't seem to get out after working on all of these great products.  And so who said I have any free time?



Let's Play Indoors

With Summer taking longer to get here, it seems I have been spending more time indoors.  I look around at all I have to do; laundry, dishes, vacuum, etc and I begin to drift off to that magical place..... my jewelry supplies!

I have put together a few new things in the past couple of days.  It has helped that I have learned to say "Laundry, you will have to wait".  I have asserted myself to the towels; yippeee!!! 

Instead I have been mixing lotions, making necklaces and earrings and I have been just so happy.  Now when the sun comes back out to play, I will have to tend to the garden, and chickens and spend more time outside, but in the meantime.... let's play indoors!

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love to be outdoors, but there is just something about the days  you get to be inside.... your imagination wanders and sometimes it creates beautiful things.  And when the sun does peek its head out for just a few minutes then you get amazing photo's like this.  Then it runs away again, knowing you are trying to accomplish something.  Kind of reminds me of my kids!  :) But They would never do something like that, would they?

So with a little bit of effort, a lot of time and more material I know what to do with I have made bags, and hair barrettes.  I have made three bags and I rarely use them.  I love the colors, and the shape and simplicity of the design.  I have even learned how to put in a pocket with a zipper! Not that I am great but I am learning.

With all the fun things I have put together over the past week, I am starting to run out of place to put these fun things!  Does this mean I get to start wearing them and using them for my own?  The chickens already love my earrings, and they peck at them every time I go out and pick one up.  What would they do with some real bling??  They would get jealous, that's what they'd do!

Just us chickens..........wearing our bling

To try something new

On Wednesday, we went to the Library for the summer reading program. I have been wondering what to try next with my jewelry to mix things up. You know how it gets when you have beaders' block...

I found about five books on making jewelry and thought I would learn something new. I made a vintage style 1950's bracelet in purples and more purples. The second I did with the keshi pearls and blue cultured pearls. They are beautiful.



The Second piece I put together was a garden necklace and earring set. This was a little more difficult due to the spacing and the colorings. I had to be sure not to get a blue two times in a row. And beings that I made this when I should have been fast asleep, this was more of a challenge than usual!



Finally I came across a pendant that was so pretty! But it never fails, and my rendition never looks as it should. I guess I should read the directions more often. So as for my feeble attempts to try something new, I think I will stick with what I can make up on my own. Directions and I do not seem to get a long!

Art in Bloom

It never fails, when you think you are caught up, you find out your not. I thought I had a chance catch up this weekend but without fail, I was reminded of one more thing. Run, run, run! So, I gave in and started pulling inventory together, making sure the tables are in good working order, and making sure the tent cover does not leak! Its raining here and sure enough I have a show this weekend!


I will be in Medford Oregon participating in a two day event called Art in Bloom. The event takes over the downtown area for two days and is a great activity for the whole family. There is food, art, jewelry and other vendors there. There is also an area for the kids to make and take crafts for their mom, grandma, aunt, etc. There is no cost to come and view the beautiful items on display.

I have always been a spectator in the past, but this year I will be a vendor. I had always thought it was more difficult to get into these events and so I never tried. I had always thought that my work was not good enough to be in such a wonderful event like this. But I finally decided that if I could teach my mom the right angle weave, I can certainly be a part of this! My husband has been very helpful and has made most of my display cases and jewelry stands. He dabbles in woodwork in his spare time.


I do not have any new pictures of the new items today. I was so busy yesterday that I completely forgot. But I will give you a few pictures from my current selection at my shop. These earrings are called Japanese Lanterns. They have such a luminescent glow! They look like they are actually lit up! I just love them and they are so versatile.

And to go with these earrings I have the Ice Cube bracelet. They are not a set but they would compliment everything from jeans to that little black dress. Czech cubes, silver star dust beads, and a simple toggle clasp.

I have to say, I had so much fun with Laura Trevey's giveaway this month. I chose a beautiful painting that reminds me of warm sands and tropical breezes dancing around you. With her "A Painting a Day" giveaway she was giving away a painting to everyone that left 5 comments on her paintings, followed her blog and linked your blog back to her. I think this is a wonderful way to get people to come visit and see an amazing artist! I went there to see what she posted next, regardless of the outcome. This is the painting I chose:

Congrats and thanks Laura for all your work this month!

Without further ado, I must be off. I have a van to start loading, earring display stands to find, and about a hundred labels to make up. Happy blogging!

New Geo Bangle Bracelet

Today on ArtFire and Etsy, I have posted a new item. I had a lot of fun with this bracelet because it is not something I would normally make. But, I feel it important to step outside your safety boundaries to create and invent something different. That is what makes me, a custom jewelry designer.

So with creativity at hand, and a lot of beads in front of me I started off on this little adventure! I had to use these lampwork beads I had stashed from awhile ago because the squares intrigued me. I was not sure what to pair them with at first, but it seemed the only choice as I came across my gold chain stash. I thought of the age old saying "You can't fit a square peg into a round hole...." and thought Yes I can!

Without further ado, I started wrapping the square lampwork beads and gettting them prepared for thier journey into the unknown. But I just had to add a few more squares of something to make it sparkle. About a week ago I came across some Olivine Swarovski componets on the Fire Mountain Gems website and I just fell in love with them. Of course they mysteriously showed up on my doorstep two days later! The olivine color is such a great color. It reminds me of all these lush green Pine and Cedar trees that surround me. I just wish I could capture the sparkle of the crystals in the pictures. Then for the final piece I found a few random stardust beads without a home and gave them purpose.

Finally, a very simple and understated, but great bangle was born. This is the type of bracelet that can be worn with a sweater and a pair of jeans, or that little black dress for a night out on the town. There are not a lot of bangles hanging off it so it does not feel like you have 20 lbs attached to your wrist, thats next week! You should stop by and check out the "Spring Sale" and receive 20% everything in my shop!

I should also mention that I did get other pieces done this weekend as well, but have not posted them yet. It was a great weekend for getting some bracelets done. They are quick and easy so I can keep up with the kids and husband over the weekends! Not to mention nurse a sunburn.... Yes, I was working on my beads outside in that beautiful sunshine we had! :)

Come by and leave me your feedback, say hi, let me know what you think. And thanks for stopping in!