A Clever Way to Organize Earrings

I found this article poking around on the internet and I thought you creatives might enjoy it. Maybe even make one or two or three.

If you are anything like me you have tons of earrings!!!

A Clever Way to Organize Earrings

By Yolanda Wikiel

Learn how to showcase your gold hoops, pearl drops, and crystal earrings.

Flaunt Your Jewelry

A frame lets you see the big picture when choosing which pair goes best with an outfit. Besides, isn't it a shame to keep pretty baubles tucked away when they could be adorning your dresser every day?

Do It Yourself: 3 Steps

Step 1

Gather a wooden frame (without the backing and the glass), piano wire, small eyelet hooks (two for each wire), pliers, and a ruler.

Step 2

Mark where you want each wire to hang. Screw in the eyelet hooks. Using the pliers, pull the wire taut and twist it around the hooks.

Step 3

Hang your earrings from the wires. Either mount the display on a wall or place it on a dresser.

Hope you enjoy! Of course I will need a 3' X 5' frame to begin with....;o) hearts

Suzanne

Obsessed - Return of the Wrap Bracelets

Obsession - I've discovered that I can use chain as well as precious gem stones to make these little wrap bracelets.  I can just sit and wrap this thread around the leather and through the chain and not think about a dog gone thing!!!  I love it...Just meditate and play around in the zone.

These little treasures go with everything - little dresses, T-shirts, jeans, cut-offs, city shorts, you name it these will dress-up whatever you choose to wear them with.

The colors are just makin' me want 'em all.  I've made a very small handmade glass button headpin with reactive frit that, in my opinion, goes with all colors and adds a touch of nature to each bracelet.   Do you think it also lends a brand to my particular wraps.  You'll only see them on MY wraps...Yea!!!  I'm branding!!!  ;o)  They are so everyday boho hip.  I wear mine everywhere all the time.  They make you feel so "Yea - that's right - it's me bein' cool - that's right - I'm cool - I'm boho cool"  haha

These are 3x wraps.  I'm going to make more that are 5x wraps as well maybe stick some beads on them with the chain.  ooooo  I like that.

The green one I've been wearing around with the blue and the purple.  Stacking them is just so "movie star".  Stacking them up both arms is especially cool.  They have really hit the scene here in Los Angeles - especially Hollywood.  Stacking, stacking stacking is where it's at.  I certainly want to be where it's at.  Now you can too!!!   Together, we can make it happen.

xoxoxo

Suzanne

Pan Size - That's what we called 'em in Wyoming

Remember this picture a couple of weeks ago and a promise to post the end result???

OK - Here is the finished necklace - Promised.  A few changes, I admit.  But talk about FUN!!!  This necklace just kept evolving.  First I had to find a way to make my fish a Rainbow Trout.  Which meant of course I had to add color.  hmmm  Could this be the beginning of a new medium???  Could I be getting into "alchohol inks".  Yes, I could.

Tell me what you think.  His little eyeball is enameled, then a concave washer and then a baby blue handmade headpin.    The clasp is in the front - of course, it is the hook that also attaches to the lure, handforged etched copper disk, copper tubing made into a bead, steel wire with - looks like a bit of worm to me curling up and out from the lure.  Then there is the color - handmade beautiful lampwork blue bead wrapped in clear spun glass.  Going on up a brass wire bead made using a drill and winding the wire on the bit.  Interesting...I thought so too.

The beautiful ribbons are thin pieces of "Sari Silk" - so there's your good Karma.

Oh there is even two or three ways to wear this artful find.  You can drap the silk back around your neck and let it hang down as in the pic above.  OR - if you have a flair for the dramatic - let it drape down your back over one shoulder.

I think everyone should have a "Fly Fishin" necklace...Just for Fun?  ;o)

Uprising Yoga

"THE MOMENT YOU VALUE YOURSELF, THE WHOLE WORLD VALUES YOU."
- YOGI BHAJAN

UPRISING YOGA IS A ORGANIZATION BRINGING YOGA TO AT-RISK YOUTH. WE ARE CURRENTLY TEACHING IN JUVENILE HALL AND CREATING A PROGRAM IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR CSEC (COMMERCIALLY SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN).

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE AN EMPOWERING PROGRAM OFFERING TO HEAL AT RISK YOUTH, CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONFIDENTLY CONQUER CHALLENGES.

www.uprisingyoga.org

Suzanne Hansen and Jill Weiss

Jill Weiss, her fiance' Nick Ippolito, and I met last Sunday for 10:30am yoga at Bikram Yoga Manhattan Beach (Yea! BYMB) and after brunch at "Rock'n Fish" in Manhattan Beach, CA to get better acquainted and express our passion for "Uprising Yoga" to each other.

Jill, as the Founder of Uprising Yoga and herself a "Bikram Yoga" Instructor at BY HDQ, is pioneering this amazing non-profit organization.  She has put together a handful of talented, volunteer "BY" instructors including herself, who are going to Juvenile Hall once a week and teaching yoga to help the young people regain self respect and dignity so they can go out into the world with new hope for a better life.

This yoga practice is making a deep emotional and spiritual impact on the young people who make a choice to join in the classes.  They, for maybe the only time in their lives, are learning they are valuable, they have purpose, and they can rise above circumstances that have been beyond their control.  This yoga empowers them to see themselves as Overcomers!

Diane Stein
Jill's beautiful mom
Wearing Heart Necklace 

My goal, is to provide support for this program, through the sales of my jewelry.  I donate 40% of my sales in hopes that the program will grow beyond Los Angeles and find its way across america and into the world helping more and more children.  The fulfillment you have when you wear my jewelry is knowing that you are Rising Up to help victims of child sex trafficking.  The jewelry is an opportunity to tell someone else about the program that they may join in and support UPY as well.

I have been involved in Bikram Yoga for a relatively short period of time.  August 7, 2012 marks my practice regularly for a full year ;o).  The stability, peace of mind, strength of mind, body and soul has made such an impact on my life that I know, personally, the positive effect it can and does have on these young people.

Jill calls me Uprising Yoga's "Ambassador".  I'm honored.  I shy away from titles but this one - makes me happy.  Thank you Jill for making this program available for me to be called an "Ambassador".  I couldn't be more proud to be part of your endeavor.  I will spread the word in any way I can to help you succeed.

Namaste'      (The Spirit in Me Honors the Spirit in You)

Fishin in Wyoming - Suzanne's Art Glass

Nostalgia...

Today I am putting a piece together that I've been thinking about for a long time.  Being raised in Wyoming, I have a fondness for trout fishing.  So, when I came across a way to etch this fish onto copper I became emotionally involved.  Didn't realize it at the time, so today when I started working on it again, before I knew it I was putting him/her together as a fish being drawn out of the water after being hooked on a fly fisherman's line, complete with the fishing lure and all.  I had to stop and think for a moment.  Where is this coming from?  No one will be able to relate to this necklace unless they've had the pleasure of pulling a fighting trout out of a fresh, icy cold, lively, running stream in the mountains of Wyoming.

As I looked at the incomplete compilation, I began to take myself back to Wyoming and remember what it was like to grow up in the Rocky Mountains, fishing in trout streams like it was something that everyone had experienced.  I realize now what a unique opportunity it was to be an inhabitant of such a beautiful and sparsely populated state.  I can finally appreciate the joy I experienced as a child.  I knew how to tie a fish hook onto a line along with a tiny weight that I had to bite onto the fishing line and thread a worm or "western bumblebee" on the hook or sometimes both so I could catch two at a time.   Nothing like that experience.  I don't know if it is possible to pass that kind of passion on while sharing how unimaginable the whole experience was.  Just another fish tale.  The wonderful taste of that freshly fried fish in a cast iron skillet over a campfire.  I especially loved to bite into that crispy tail.  Now, of course, I would thank the fish for giving its life that I might have food to eat...;o)

When the piece is finished I'll be sure to post pics.  I just had to share my happy and peaceful thoughts while doing my favorite thing;  creating jewelry just for you, drawing from the experiences I've had in life so far...

I'm a very blessed woman.

Peace and Love

Suzanne

Cosmic Earrings!!!

I am lovin getting my metalworking on...yea

Contemporary Color - simple, organic, industrial - anyway you look at it these earrings are super great.

Lightweight. dangley, fun, tempting, playful, sexy.

Hand forged enameled copper disks, industrial washers, heshie beads, and Sterling Silver hand forged ear wires.

I love them...

xoxo
Suzanne

Jules Vern Porthole Necklace

I had a vision in Yoga this morning of this necklace. Not exactly the colors or even with this exact lampwork bead in the center. However, the final necklace turned out even better than I had envisioned.

The focal bead is one of my original lampwork lentil shapes. It turns within the Porthole window and can be worn with either side showing from the front. It turns easily inside the Porthole. If you like a more rustic Porthole view then turn it around and wear the necklace showing the other side. There are actually four different ways to wear it. Either side of the bead showing from the front or either side of the bead from the back.

The Porthole is enameled copper on the front and back.

The lampwork bead is as close to underwater 20 leagues under the sea as I've ever made. You'll feel like a mermaid while you wear it.

The piece is approximately 2" in diameter on an 18" chain. Enjoy!


Suzanne

Beads and Bangle Bracelet

Hi Everyone.  I'm back from a short vacation visiting my family in Seattle.  Good to be home making more jewelry and getting back in the swing of things.

This bangle was crazy fun to create.  The bangle is hand forged copper, which I enameled and my very own handmade murrini cane and lampwork beads.  The copper is coated with opaque white first, then gray green which matches the first polka dot bead.  The middle  enamel is golden rod matching the yellow bead on white and the third is transparent amethyst over white matching the third lampwork polka dot bead.

The beads are attached to the bangle by threading them with recycled sari silk onto a handmade copper oxidized jump ring.  The sari silk is a beautiful purple mix and light spring green with a wine colored stripe running through it.

The first bead is  decorated not only with polka dots but a tiny raised five petal purple flower with another raised flattened dot in the middle of the flower and a white dot on top the yellow dot.  Gives the bead a unique quality.  So sweet.  The sari silk is knotted between each lampwork bead.

This is a one-of-a-kind bracelet.  I'm so excited to show it to you.

There is a handmade oxidized copper "S" clasp also attached to the bangle with sari silk.  It is large enough to easily close the bracelet once it is on your wrist.

Now I'm off to making some fantastic earrings.

Have a wonderful day.  Thanks for stopping by.


Hugs
Suzanne

Chicken Fish

Hi All, well, I worked all day on this chicken fish. It has become a prototype because I worked so hard on it that the enamel is all chipped and the jump rings all marred up. So despite all that is wrong with it (which I did my best to photoshop out) I figured I should post it somewhere and hopefully give you all a laugh or two to end or start your day. 


Hugs

Austin Powers Flower Splash

SOLD

Looks huge I know.  But, it is only 3" in diameter.  And so cute on.  ;o)  I'm beginning to incorporate my beads into the enameled pieces now.  I'm having so much fun.  The Enameled pieces do not have to be kiln annealed so after waiting 10 minutes or so after applying you have a piece you can work with and finish off.  I love the colors in this flower and for summer it really pops.  Fun in the SUN...

Hi Mom and Adam...Love you.

hugs
Suzanne

Venus Garden Flower - Lampwork, Enameled Necklace

SOLD

 Hi All,

Now I'm really getting fancy - right?  This is the first creation where I've just cut loose and let happen whatever happens.  Led only from one leaf to another - so to speak.

The focal bead is one of my original glass bead disks that had been waiting in my stash to get out and into something fabulous.  The little headpins made on steel wire out of moretti glass and raku frit for the stamen just seemed like a really great idea to balance out the leaves which have been enameled with transparent blues and blue green.  The reds you see on the leaves is natural from the copper showing through the transparents.

I added a little brass gear between the stamen and the glass disk for fun and just to keep the piece in the now.

I hope you enjoy it!  It will be in my Etsy shop shortly...;o)

Suzanne

Enamel Enamel Enamel - I love it!!!

 I love these little heart earrings.  They dangle so freely from the ear   wires about 2 1/2 inches from the bottom of your ear.   They are the same size as the blue ones I showed you yesterday.  I think I'm going to have to make these in about every color.  They are the perfect little earring.  Not too big and not too small.

                                                 SOLD

I made this ring topper for a special friend in Tulsa, OK.  She has been so patient in waiting for me to design a white ring for her to wear during the summer.  White glass is just not my favorite to work with because it turns clear when hot and is probably the most liquid of all colors.  It is very hard to work with accept in small amounts.    Then  metalworking and enamels came into my life.  Yay!  Yesterday when I got up from the torch I actually had a ring topper that I was eager to show her.  She loved it and I'm putting it in the mail for her today.  We are both excited.  She already has the ring shank and all she needs are about a zillion ring toppers now.  Ha Ha

I'm already thinking of new designs I can incorporate this new love I have for copper, enamels and my glass beads.  Gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and earrings too.

Stay tuned.

Hugs
Suzanne

Hand Forged Enameled Copper Heart Earrings

These heart shaped, modern earrings are a favorite among heart lovers! They dangle and swing loosely below your ears about 2 1/2". Not too long, but just long enough to feel feminine and a little bit sexy and flirty. They are light weight, colorful, fun and comfortable to wear. 

My Copper Enameled Hearts are hand forged and shaped by me from 24 gauge copper sheeting. They have many layers of glass enamel and are completed by my own 20 gauge handmade Sterling Silver Ear Wires*. 


Hugs
Suzanne

JULY 4th HOLIDAY

Yesterday, the 4th, was great.  I cooked all day.  Didn't plan it that way but once I got started I couldn't stop.  Made crab cakes on ciabatta rolls, dollup of goat cheese and avacado,  topped with coleslaw in a roasted red pepper mushroom homemade dressing and baked beans that baked all day mmmm caramel good.  

For desert - Blueberries, Raspberries and quartered Strawberries in their own syrup with whipped cream on top sandwiched between homemade shortcake with Maple Sugar sprinkled on top before baking.  Yummy Yummy Yummy in my tummy tummy tummy.  

Then walked up to the top of the hill and watched the fireworks down the coast including El Segundo, Marina Del Rey and a little tiny bit of Manhattan Beach.  There was a marine layer kind of clouding the view but it was a very nice way to end the day.  Hope you all had a wonderful "Independence Day" as well.  We are as independent as we allow ourselves to be - my conclusion of a wonderful, fun filled day.

xoxox

s

ECLIPSE - Lampwork and Forged Copper Necklace

Eclipse

Hi All,

Today's work is a combination of yesterday's work and my newly acquired metalsmithing skills.

I've always loved making my lampwork disks but just wasn't sure what to do with them other than make earrings and because I had no jewelry making skills, almost whatsoever, I didn't know how to be creative with them other than hanging them on ready made ear wires from Michaels.  Not that that is bad.  It just isn't where I want to be at this point.  I want handmade "sterling silver" metalsmithed by me ear wires now.  I'm so proud to have kicked it up a knotch.  BAMMMM!  ;o)

These disks are made with a special Double Helix glass that turns colors in the flame called "Raku" (beautiful - much more beautiful than in the picture).  I rolled the edges in another color changing frit and Viola!  these beauties emerged.

Now - out comes my 14 gauge, pure copper, wire which I hand antiqued.  I drew a bead on each end of the wire after threading on heshie beads to hold the wire in place in between the lampwork disks.  Then I began twisting and pounding the wire for a beautiful branchlike effect.  Bent the wire lop sided so the disks would hang uneven and the necklace immediately reminded me of the rare eclipse of the Sun and Venus recently.  I couldn't resist naming the necklace to commemorate this fantastic happening in our Universe.  I hope you all caught a glimpse of it.

I'm a happy camper today because I also took my California driver's license written test and PASSED the first time.....Now, I can continue with my life.  haha

Suzanne

HIDDEN IN THE BERRIES - Hand Forged Copper Enamel Earrings

SOLD

Hi All,

Seems like forever since I've posted.  But, I've been so busy collecting materials and gathering new metal smithing skills in order to bring you these new designs in Copper, Enamel and Sterling Silver.

No kidding, I've been working and so excited about this whole process I've met myself coming and going.  Finally, this morning, I birthed this pair of earrings.  I have to tell you, I feel very sexy and hip with them on.  I have many more in the making so keep posted and I will too.

The process is more, well I can't say more than forming molten glass around a mandrel, balancing by gravity, mixing colors and materials into the glass and coming out with a bead.  But is is certainly a welcome addition to my lampwork beads which will be incorporated into my new jewelry making skills.

First, I etch a copper sheet with a favorite design.  This includes Ferric Chloride an etching solution used in printmaking.  Once the design is etched in the copper, I begin cutting disks and various other shapes and sizes for use in the jewelry in this case earrings.   Then the disk goes to a dapping tool to make it a sort of spoon shape, for interest.  A hole is then drilled in the middle of the disk with my new Drill Press - I can't believe I have a drill press of my own.  Yay!

Second, I drill a hole in the smaller disk and take it to my torch where I dip in powdered glass called enamel and melt it onto the copper (3x) which gives a vibrant color to the disk laying against the copper shield shown in picture.  And the element I like most about the earrings, glass on metal.  Yay!

Now comes the Sterling Wire.  A bead is drawn on the wire at one end by holding it in the blue flame portion of the torch flame.  Then it is polished to remove oxidation from the flame (not too much - I like a little oxidation.  Makes it look forged - which it is!).  Two heshie beads (brass) are strung first on the Sterling Silver wire, then the enameled disk, the the copper disk and fashioned into a loop connected to a jump ring.

Another piece of Sterling Wire is then forged by chasing hammer and bent around a pencil to make the nice shape (simple huh).  Attaching now to the jump ring and Viola! a wonderful pair of hand forged earrings for sale on Etsy in about 20 minutes.

All for you to look beautiful and at the same time support "UpRising Yoga" bring healing to (CSEC) Commercially Sexually Exploited Children.  40% of my proceeds is donated for its continuance and growth.

UPRISING YOGA - for more information go to  -        http://www.uprisingyoga.org/

Love you all - won't stay away so long this time...

Suzanne

UpRising Yoga

UpRising Yoga...

40% of the proceeds of my glasswork and jewelry is donated to a program in Los Angeles called "Uprising Yoga". UpRising Yoga is a organization bringing yoga to At-Risk Youth. They are currently teaching in Juvenile Hall and creating a program in Los Angeles County for CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited Children).

Their mission is to create an empowering program to heal at-risk youth, for a safe place to confidently conquer challenges.

These beautiful women are very special to me.  They are teachers and students (including me) at Bikram Yoga Manhattan Beach.  The beautiful blond on the far right side is Tiffany Friedman, owner of the studio where I practice Bikram Yoga and also have my lampwork glass jewelry "Yogi Wraps" etc. for sale.  In the middle is  Rajashree Choudhury, an international yoga champion and wife of the founder of Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhury and their daughter,  Laju.  We were all in attendance at a benfit gathering for "UpRising Yoga" described above, in downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday evening.  

I'm so proud to be part of this group who is so giving of themselves to benefit these children in our city.  Hopefully, this is a program that will spread to other cities worldwide.

"Horton Hears a Who?" Lampwork Heart Necklace by Suzanne

I posted this necklace in my Etsy Shop but failed to share in my blog!!!  How can this be?  A friend saw me wearing this necklace and instantly said it reminded her of the dreamy scene in "Dumbo" the Disney film.  When I took the necklace off and looked at it in that light - hahah - I saw "Horton" the elephant in the Dr. Suess movie, "Horton Hears a Who".  Now, I love this bead in a whole new way ;o)

What or who do you see???

 Can you look at this heart and not see "Horton"?

xoxox

Suzanne

TIGER EYE - Yogi Wrap 4x Bracelet with Lampwork Button Closure by Suzanne

TIGER EYE - Yogi Wrap 4x Bracelet with Lampwork Button Closure by Suzanne

*Yogi Wraps can be worn as wrap bracelets or necklaces. Depending on the number of wraps in the bracelet you will be able to wear it as a choker or as a vehicle to wear your favorite pendant when used as a "chain" to hang it from your neck.

Measurements:

Two Button Holes to accomodate several wrist sizes

30" from button to first button hole closure
31" from button to second button hole closure

4.5x Wrap for 7" Wrist

TIGER EYE GEMSTONE

Great to releive scattered energies, if you are feeling drained or uncertain. Keeps you grounded, encourages optimism and lifts the mood. Great for balancing on all levels and encourages us to open up to new experiences. Fosters confidence and ease in manifesting in the physical world. It is a stone of protection that is also very grounding. It enhances integrity, willpower, practicality and correct use of power. It is a stone that enhances good luck, and brings prosperity, often in the form of money. Tiger's eye is also a very protective stone which is especially protective during travel. It can also help one see clearly without illusion. Tiger's eye brings a special boost to the solar plexus chakra and to one's personal power. Tigers eye enhances our connection with our personal power and will. It helps to gain insight into our own imbalances and to perceive and think more clearly. Giving the blessing of clear sight and vision in its highest frequency. Grounding and centring, it assists in transmuting limitations and fear. Chakras: Causal, Solar Plexus, Third Eye, Throat Astrological sign: Taurus, Gemini, Libra, Capricorn, Ophiuchus

Getty Villa, Malibu, California

I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the J. Paul Getty Museum and Villa on Saturday with two very special friends.  We had a wonderful day visiting and touring the amazing grounds of the Villa.  Shared below are pics of the estate.

Enjoy!

Hugs
Suzanne

Yes, that is the Pacific Ocean you see between the trees.  Breath Taking to say the least.

Beautiful Lily Pads

More Lily Pads and Koi and I think gold fish

 Riding the wineskin...

                


Also toured an ongoing glass exhibit of Molten Glass Antiquities.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa in Malibu opened on January 28, 2006, after the completion of a major renovation project. As a museum and educational center dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria, the Getty Villa serves a varied audience through exhibitions, conservation, scholarship, research, and public programs. The Villa houses approximately 44,000 works of art from the Museum's extensive collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities, of which over 1,200 are on view.

All in all a wonderful day all around....I hope you enjoy the pictures.