Terry, & I Love You

My sister-in-law Terry is one supportive gal. Her encouraging remarks to Facebook buddies are constant. She's the consumate cheerleader for her family and friends. You can count on her affirmative comments. The support given to her children and grands, as well as to her mother and siblings is admirable. Terry's love for her family goes beyond words and straight to action. Terry and my brother Bill are thoughtful, kind, and giving. I'm grateful for both of them.

Once she gets on a roll, Terry can make jewelry faster than anyone I know. When she and my sister Carole came to Florida to perfect their wire wrapping skills, she caught on quickly and created an amazing amount of jewelry during our beading marathon. Of course, she was doing it in the middle of the night when the rest of us were sleeping. She understands the word "focus" better than most. Driven might even be a better word. When Terry makes up her mind to do something, she gives it her all, making me examine myself for commitment level.

Thank you so much, Sis, for being an example to your children, grands, and the rest of us. I appreciate you!

I Love You is very comfortable to wear. Hammered sterling silver hearts give it a weddingish look. It could easily be just the set for a beautiful bride. It's also pretty enough to wear with a simple black dress. Round facetted Aurora Borealis crystal stays put on each heart because the silver is hammered with it in place. White glass pearls separate each heart or allow the earrings and slide to dangle nicely. Ask my sister-in-law how it feels on. She has a set.

Friends, Bead Shows, Coin Pearls &Silver Shells

Going to bead shows is an adventure for me. I enjoy seeing the different gemstones, finding great bargains which make my jewelry more affordable, but, most of all, I like doing business and establishing relationships with quality vendors. Beautiful jewelry can't be made with ugly, low quality components.

When Leanne and I began our jewelry-making adventure, we thought our stuff was elegant. Now we chuckle at those pieces. Clasps bought at our local box stores had shiny finishes which wore off quickly. Beads looked nice but their finishes scratched or became dull. Our tastes have also changed as we've been exposed to artfully produced pieces by seasoned beaders. I've realized that this craft is a never ending journey which constantly requires searching for better components, better methods, and quality resources. It's also much more fun when we have the support and encouragement from those we love and respect.

Along the way, I've joined with a couple of compatriots, women with the same excitement and enthusiasm for beads. We share successful techniques, our little secrets, our best suppliers. We respect each other's gifting. We share the cost of shipping, call each other to see if anyone needs products, let each other know when a supplier has a special sale. We want success for each other. There's nothing more encouraging than seeing someone do well, especially in this economy.

Saturday, my sister Carole, Diana Bunten, Laura Tidey and I get to spend a few hours going to a bead show in Pompano Beach. The anticipation of introducing my sister to great suppliers and rooms full of BEADS is delicious, but this morning, I realized that I'm more excited about having her meet two wonderful beading buddies. Befriending Diana and Laura has been a God thing. My jewelry and business have been better because of the contacts. They love God, so we have an added dimension to our relationship as well. They are great examples of the saying, "Happiness is an inside job." Can't wait for my wonderful sister to meet them!

Coin Pearls & Silver Shells is an example of networking good supplier information. The coin pearls are from the west coast. They are some of the best pearls I've ever seen. Combined with Hill Tribe Sterling components, the bracelet is gorgeous with a summer tan. Matching earrings complete the set. The creamy coin pearls are over 1/2" across. A shell charm dangles from the toggle. Sold separately, the bracelet is $59 and the earrings are $25. The set goes for $79.

DC & Cinnabar Bouquet

It's been a while since I posted a blog, but here we are in November headed for Thanksgiving already and it's amazing how fast time has flown. Making jewelry, doing shows, teaching art, spending time with family here and in Maryland, have all sped up the clock.

Two Sundays ago, Jay and his family took me to Washington, DC, where we spent the day on a walking tour. I'd forgotten how small the area is and how easy it is to see a lot in a short span of time. The weather was perfect and the trees were dressed in the most vivid colors I've seen in a while. My camera was full of wonderful pictures by the end of the day. This is just one example of the Washington Monument surrounded by fantastic leaves and sky. The delightful day made a memory for me. I'd like to do it again, next time seeing the buildings and landmarks we missed for lack of time. Something to look forward to.

The rest of the trip to MD was spent decorating Jay and Michelle's lovely new home. We managed to finish four rooms. The three of us worked steadily for several days to get the rooms completed before I headed back to Florida. My favorite vignette is the diningroom wall with words saying, "The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table." Click on the picture to see the words closely.

Returned Tuesday night, spent Wednesday preparing for school Thursday. With an Open House scheduled for today and two shows next Friday and Saturday, there was the need for more production, so I pulled out the stops and have been cranking out serious jewelry. This next week is going to be busy as well. Since the set below was sold within two days, I decided that it was worth making again. The second set is similar, but, as always, I change it enough to make each piece one of a kind. This three piece set sells for $90. Earrings, bracelet and necklace contain tan cinnabar flowers, acid etched onyx lentils, leopard skin jasper, Swarovski crystals, and black lava. For more information, email me at www.junig@bellsouth.net

Marguerite Weimer & My Pink Poodle Skirt

It's a relief to be able to talk about Pink Poodle Skirts and have more than one generation know that I don't mean a poodle wearing a ballerina tutu. Granddaughter Morgan has seen the fad come around one more time, albeit briefly, and wasn't puzzled when I made this piece.

Fads come and go, but sentimental is forever. Wearing this bracelet is like owning a piece of history. I remember my babysitter Marguerite dressing in the uniform of the day which included white collared shirts with rolled up sleeves, a small scarf tied around her neck, white bucks and short sox. She was always so fashionable and my admiration for her knew no bounds. She had a poodle skirt.

Marguerite was the also the gal who got me to quit biting my fingernails. Hers were amazing in a day WAY before acrylics and nail wraps were heard of. She promised that if I quit biting my nails, she would buy me my first manicure kit. I got the best end of the bargain...lovely nails AND a new manicure kit.

Marguerite is a lot like my wonderful sister, Carole. Both are elegant in every way right down to their pedicured toenails, and they are fun to be with as well. It's no coincidence that they are friends.

As I was making this bracelet, Marguerite came to mind several times. I wondered how she is doing and what's going on in her life these days, and appreciated her for the thousandth time for throwing me a wedding shower back in the day when most people would have rather talked than helped. She is one special woman.

Thank you Marguerite Weimer for being someone an insecure kid in her early teens could look up to. We all have people watching us when we often don't know it. Look around a little.

My Pink Poodle Skirt is THE cutest bracelet! There are five of Laura Tidey's lampworks in it, and I saved three more to make earrings and a slide for the gal who buys this. Buy the bracelet & earrings, get the slide for free! Notice the Sterling Silver poodle charm. Pearls, Tagua from Ecuador, Thai & Bali Sterling, cat's eye beads, and pink Swarovski finish this gorgeous conversation piece.

One of a kind.

Bracelet $89.oo

Earrings (not posted yet) $20.oo

Kitching Cove & Seaside

When we first moved to Florida, we rented a condo on the corner of a canal and Kitching Cove on the St. Lucie River. There couldn't have been a finer place for an introduction to the Florida lifestyle. Even though it's in the heart of Port St Lucie, it felt like living on a tropical island because of the protected environment across the cove.

Beautiful sunsets were delightfully normal. We never got tired of painted evening skies or watching dolphins playing in the cove. Mullet jumped out of glassy morning water and alligators sunned themselves daily on the bankings of the canal or grumbled to each other in the dark. Wildlife surprised us so much in our walkway that we began looking out the window before we opened the door. Snakes and skinks didn't seem to be afraid enough of humans.

For me, the most impressive creatures to come near our bankings were manatees. Slow-moving and curious, they regularly headed for the seagrape trees which grew at the water's edge just a few feet from our front door. They'd hang out for a while and then quietly lumber away to their next destination. Maybe because of their size, I felt blessed to be close to them in their own habitat.

After moving from the peaceful condo and settling into another home, I found myself really missing the "extras". Now, when we drive by seagrapes, I think of those days and my insides smile.

Seaside is one of my favorite bracelets since the sterling silver bead caps look like seagrape leaves. Laura Tidey's denim blue lampwork beads are perfect with the simply structured blend of sea opal and Hill Tribe silver. This bracelet is one-of-a-kind.

$89.oo
Email me for purchase or questions. junig@bellsouth.net

From the Heart

Vivid colors are exciting to me. Colors that blend like they do in these beads draw my eyes and I find myself staring at them even if I'm thinking about something else.

From the Heart is an enticing combination of Lavender, Lime, Periwinkle, and Aqua. The Sterling Silver Bali heart has purple and aqua Swarovskis inside. This bracelet beats everything! Thank you again, Laura Tidey for your beautiful lampworks. As you can see, they are an inspiration.

This piece is one of a kind.
$89.oo

Stepping Forward

This is an exciting day for me, because, in keeping with today's technology, I have purposed to learn new techniques and ways to promote business.

For a while now, I've thought about presenting Juni G Jewelry in blog form. Life is a journey of growth, always stretching us and taking us out of our comfort zone into what will strengthen us for all that's ahead. My heart is to share my jewelry in combination with the journey. Today I hope to put a foot in what is, for me, untried water. It's part of personal and business growth.

Thank you for friendship and encouragement. You are a delight!