Long Distance Designs

Hi! This is Diane.

Recently, I've received a great big challenge and a great big compliment, all wrapped up in a single sentence. "I love what you do, but can you make me something in red?"

That's it - that's all the guidance I get. People I don't know are willing to put the project in my hands. And pay me for the end result.

That makes me very proud, because they like what they see. Then, trying to figure out what appealed to a person and making them a piece of jewelry they will love, without just copying something I've already made, makes me nervous.

I'm learning to trust my judgment because in the past 6 months, I've only had one set returned to me. But, I still stop and gulp for just a moment when I get that kind of request.

Have you had any of these learning experiences recently? Care to share one with us?

I hope you have a happy Friday!

And remember, there's always room for jewelry, especially if we've designed it just for you!! ;)

The Colors of Summer

Hi, this is Diane!

The Summer Solstice arrives tomorrow - at least here in the States.

Summer in Colorado is a study in greens and browns, with just a little bit of color from flowers thrown in for variety. From my back door, I can see the gorgeous blue green of a Colorado Blue Spruce, the light green of the new day lily leaves, and the deep green leaves of the Aspen tree in the corner. My lilac bushes are done blooming, but there are a few sprigs of purple left on the huge bush a couple of yards down.

Then there's the Colorado sky - pale, pale blue at the horizon, shading to a true, deep sky blue up over head. I don't know why, but in Summer the sky always looks bigger, brighter, bluer than any other time of year.

And what does this have to do with jewelry you might ask? Simple, everytime I look outside I am inspired to try to catch those colors in beads. I haven't managed it yet, but I'm still trying.

Well my friends, it's time for me to get to the office and get something done. Have a lovely Friday.

There's always room for jewelry, specially with the colors of Colorado.

Jewelry or Gas? or Food?

Hi, this is Diane.

We tried to sell our jewelry this weekend at a craft show. That didn't go so well. See, there's this economy ... thing ... going on. People can have jewelry or gas or food. Mortgage and car payments or sparklies.

In my younger days, before I was a mom and responsible, I probably would have picked jewelry and just lived on ramen noodles for a bit. Now, feeding my teenage sons, food is always a necessity. Most days, the state of the fridge is the most important, or at least most talked about thing in my home.

That got me thinking about the important stuff.

Now, I usually end up by saying there's always room for jewelry. But, sometimes there isn't.

So, today I'm wishing you something else, because the sparklies will still be here next week, or next month, or next year.

I hope you have enough ... enough food, enough gas, enough time, enough love.

And if you have enough and maybe even some to share, I hope you will help make someone else's life fuller.

Bless you!

Healing

Hi, this is Diane

I've been reading a lot about the power of color and certain stones or minerals. It seems to go hand in hand with beading. I have people pick up a particular piece and say, "I love it, but I need it in ..." A different color, or a different bead, or a different stone. Often when I ask why, the person tells me that they feel better when they wear blue, or onyx, or smooth round stones. Some have talked to me about the healing power of certain minerals.

I'm not sure I've ever noticed a healing power, though I can't wear amber in the summer because it makes me too hot.

Do you have similar views? Do you believe that certain shapes or stones affect you?

We'd love to hear about your experiences.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry.

What a month it's been!!

Hi, this is Diane.

It's been a while since I've had a chance to stop in and chat. The good news is that I've spent much of that time with Mom. The bad news is that when she came to Colorado, she got sick. Darn cold bug!! So, we haven't gotten a lot of new jewelry done, but we had a wonderful time.

I got to celebrate THAT BIG BIRTHDAY up in the mountains with the extended family. There for a while, I thought we would never find the mountain camp we stayed at. First I got lost and drove around for ages trying to find the turn off. Then my uncle came to lead us to it, and then he couldn't find the way back to the cabin. My older son wanted to know if Uncle B was really lost, or just messing with us. We laughed so hard we cried, while driving up and down the mountain and trying to avoid the elk.

I also got to experience one of those lifetime events - I had an argument in front of our state Supreme Court. It was quite the experience, though it didn't go the way I'd hoped and planned. Guess it's one of those learning experiences. Then we got to drive about 300 miles in fairly constant snow. Thank heavens for all that early snow driving experience.

I think I will finally get to think about making jewelry again. What colors are you building into your summer wardrobe? Are you a denim and khaki person? Sunshine colors like yellow and orange? Let us know - we have lots of ideas, but more is always better.

Have a wonderful day and make sure to say "I love you" to the important people in your life. You never know what's going to happen next.

And remember, there's always room for jewelry!

Congratulations!!

Hi, this is Diane.

Our lucky winner is Lettetia, aka Tisa!

Thank you all for playing - we loved hearing from you on our blog. Please stop back often and let us know what you're thinking.

Mom will be here to visit me in Colorado, beginning on the 21st, so we'll be taking a brief break from shipping orders until she goes back home. But I'm sure we'll make lots of fun jewelry while she's visiting. So, please stop back and check out our store soon.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry!

Want some free jewelry?

Hi, this is Diane.

We've decided to celebrate our 3 month anniversary. Mom and I have been together a lot longer than that, but we're not going to talk about that! We're celebrating the 3 month anniversary of All Jewelry Great and Small. We're throwing a contest.

But first the good stuff - the prize. If you're the winner, you can pick any item (including a set) from the store and we'll ship it to you free. Wherever you are.

And winning is easy. All you have to do is post a comment to this blog by April 15th. Tell us what you're thinking about - jewelry, the books on your nightstand, your favorite flavor of jelly. Anything you'd like. Just keep it PG-13 please.

Mom and I have picked a secret number. You know - any number between 1 and 10, or 50, or 500. The person who posts that comment (#3 for example), then you win the prize.

That's it! How much easier could it be? So come play ... you know you want to ...

Remember, there's always room for jewelry!

It's been a while ...

Hi, this is Diane.

As you may have guessed since our last post was weeks ago, it's been a little busy around here.

Mom went traveling, to visit my younger brother and his new wife. I was getting ready for a trial and then had to file a bunch of paperwork for an appeal.

It's funny how life gets in the way of things we love to do for ourselves. I love to make jewelry, for myself and for others. But, I haven't had my hands on a set of pliers or any beads and findings for weeks. I find myself fingering the containers of beads and obsessing about the things I could make, if only I had the time.

Then I think, "make the time". Life is too short not to feed the soul as well as the wallet.

I hope you are making the time to take care of yourself.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry ... or whatever makes you happy!

Additions and Changes to our Jewelry Store.

Greetings from Betty.

We have been changing things around on our store. We have changed the design, color and layout.
I am one of those gals that need to be changing things or I get bored!!!!

1. We are offering free shipping the month of March.

2 .We will be adding jewelry designed with birthstones for that special birthday gift.

3. We will be adding watches designed with gemstones.

4. We also are adding jewelry repair, or adjusting sizes on strung jewelry.

Are there any special request you have?

email us......Our email addresses and phone # are on our store front.
Thank You
Bettybop

Colors and Sound ... Movie Music and Jewelry

Hi, this is Diane.

Bear with me, because I'm thinking this one through as I type this blog.

One of my favorite movies of all time is Hero. Forget for a moment that it's a martial arts fight movie. It is simply the most beautiful movie to watch. The use of color and the colors used are stunning. The vivid blues of mirror-like lakes in the mountains; red leaves flying around two figures fighting with swords; the spring greens surrounding two people at the moment they first fall in love.

I got to thinking about this because I'm listening to the movie soundtrack at my desk.

Then, of course, I started thinking about jewelry. I often think about the music that goes with the colors or beads I've picked.

Heavy metal goes with hematite and onyx. Ethereal new age music goes along with crystals and pearls. Occasionally I listen to opera or folk, when the piece I'm working on calls for it.

Does music play in the background of your life?

I hope so.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry. And music.

Colors are so DECEIVING

I have been planning on painting my bathroom since Christmas. Spent my time picking out a color and I was sure I would love it. Found the perfect border and it was time to go to work!

Somehow it does not look the way I expected it to. Now that it's done, I DON'T LIKE IT. It has an orange cast to it, because of the light, or because of my eyes. I'm not sure.

My husband said he liked it, but that doesn't help.

Well there is one good thing about painting, if you don't like it it's easy to change. Tomorrow I'm off to try to find another color that I know I will love!!!!!

Appealing color can be very different to each one of us. It can affect our moods.
I think of this when I am creating jewelry. Every one has different color appeal or favorite color. Some times we create a piece and someone else will look at it and say, "Oh I wish this was in blue or green." That is one good thing about making jewelry, you can make it any color to suit the person's personality.

Have a great day and remember, It's easier to change your jewelry than paint a bathroom.

There is always more room for jewelry.

Bettybop

Do you do what you love?

Hi, this is Diane.

It's Monday morning and I sent the children off to school, with much groaning and whining. After pouring myself another cup of tea, I got to thinking.

I do what I love.

I am a trial lawyer and proud of it. Sure there are days when I would rather not go to the office. But, after 24 years, I still love that I can make a difference in people's lives.

I have a new business with my mom that permits me to exercise my creativity and helps me make new friends all over the world. I just finished making jewelry for people in seven different states and one foreign country. How much fun is that?

And of course, I have the two loves of my life - my sons. They make me crazy - it's in the teenager's job description - but I cannot imagine my life without them.

Life is short and this isn't a dress rehearsal. I hope you are doing what you love.

And I hope you are wearing our jewelry while you do it!

Remember, there's always room for jewelry.

I was not tagged but I'm answering any how.

Hello this is Diane's Mom and this is 7 things you don't know about me.

I ran away the night of my first prom and married my first love in 1955 and I am still married.
I wish I had the wedding ring we bought at the Ben Franklin store for .98 cents.
I have 2 boys and one girl and they all grew up to be fantastic adults.
I have many interests so many it's hard to do them all.
I have been blessed with a wonderful life!
I will be married 53 years in May and I would do it all over.
We have renewed our vow's 3 times. One time was on the beach, at sunset, in Hawaii by a minister named George.

Hope you all have a wonderful life and thank you for making our new jewelry venture a success.

Bettybop-Diane's proud mom

I have been tagged....

Which means that I have to post 7 random facts about myself. My friend Jennifer Ray, a book reviewer, tagged me after she got tagged. If you want to read her random facts, go to: : http://nashjar.blogspot.com/.

I'm not sure if this will be about jewelry or not, but here goes:

1. My favorite color is blue. I have made lots of blue jewelry, but I haven't kept any of it for myself.

2. I studied in the Soviet Union when I was in college. I was fascinated by the star at the top of Spasky Tower, in the Kremlin in Moscow. It was twenty five feet wide and covered in rubies. I have never seen any red as intense as that.

3. My favorite flower is the sunflower, followed closely by the Brown-eyed Susan. I love brown and yellow together.

4. I hate cooked peas and cooked mushrooms, because of the texture and the color. That's why I avoid certain beads. If I shiver when I pick them up, you can bet I won't buy them or make anything with them

5. I'm a bit of a pack rat. I still have the first diamonds I got, the first sapphires, and the first set of pearls.

6. Coco Chanel said, "you can't go wrong in black and white." My first two cats were black and white. My current cats are black and white. I don't think that's what she meant, but it works for me.

7. I have a tattoo of two hearts, blue and pink, that stand for my two sons.

I am off to tag seven people as required by the rules of this game.

I hope you have a great Friday and spend some of your time looking through our website.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry.

Hello,

Today I've been trying to come up with a logo for our web site, let me know what you think of this. Is the color good, is the name dark enough, before I post it I want your input.
Thanks Bettybop

We love happy customers...

Hi, this is Diane.

Can you believe it? We've been open for 10 days and we've already got happy repeat customers. I wanted to share part of an e-mail we got from Yolanda, who's down in New Orleans. She bought two necklaces .... here's what she said when she got them.

"I received the necklaces and they are absolutely beautiful. I immediately took off the necklace I had on and put on the Black Onyx necklace. I received tons of compliments and requests from my co-workers to send them the website.

When my husband saw the necklaces, he asked, "where is mine?"

The little purse that the necklaces came in is too cute. When I have a daughter that will be her first purse. I also love the handmade satchtel that the Earth tone necklace came in. It is beautiful. Oh, and I the little smiley face that you put on the outside of the package. It made me smile. Thank you so much for making a quality product. I know that you guys will be successful."

Yolanda signed herself "a.k.a. Repeat Customer."

I'm already planning lots of new stuff that I think Yolanda will like. And you can bet I'll be making something for her husband.

Our first few days have been a smashing success. We want our customers to be happy they came to us for jewelry. If you've already bought something, thank you so much. If you haven't, I hope you'll go shopping.

Remember, there's always room for jewelry.

Hi, this is Betty,
I spent the day quilting yesterday and I thought how much alike, quilting and making jewelry are. The quilt I just finished was made from scraps, no pattern. I thought about how design, color, shape and appeal are the same, whether creating jewelry or creating quilts. What appeals to one person does not necessarily appeal to all. Some people like jewelry that makes a statement and others like dainty that draws another kind of attention.
This quilt is very colorful and does get your attention. It makes me feel like spring!!!!. I love all earth tones and tend to use them more but sometimes you have to try something different.

Remember there's always room for more jewelry and for me also quilts. I love to make them for family and friends.
Again, our thanks and appreciation to all our friends for making our first week such a great success.
Betty---Diane's proud mom

Thank you my friends!

Hi! This is Diane.

I got up early this morning to finish a necklace for a good friend of mine. She's waited patiently for me to get to it, keeps saying there is no hurry, but I didn't want to put it off any longer.

While selecting the beads and findings, I was struck by a thought. What would I do without my friends?

I have been so blessed. Mom is my best friend and always has been. We have had so much fun and aggravation getting the business set up. Every time I think about it I get a goofy smile on my face.

There are so many others. People I have known and loved since I was a child. The friends I met in college and law school. And particularly the authors and Ladies of the Forum that I've met through http://www.loraleigh.com/. I don't know what I would do without them. And I'm not going to think about it either.

I'm going to spend all that mental energy to think this instead. To each and every one of my friends, I wish you health and happiness, a life filled with joy and challenges. Thank you for your gift of friendship.

Normally I would close by saying there's always room for jewelry. Not today.

Remember, there's always room for friends.

Greetings from Northern Wisconsin, this is Betty.

Thanks to all of you for helping to make our store a success already.

I was looking out my patio door this morning, saw all of the snow and thought, I am so thankful that Diane got me into jewelry making.

I used to wish that winter would be over soon. Now, I wonder what jewelry can I make today or what I can do on our estore. I know that winter will go by too fast now.

What are you doing for yourself during the winter? Drop us a note to keep in touch.

Betty

Remember there's always room for Jewelry