She Who Leaves a Trail of Glitter

Classic Coral
This picture shows two necklaces.  The thicker necklace is 30 strands of glass beads.  The second necklace is sponge coral, coral colored beads, and sterling silver.  Completing the look is an estate cameo.  This is a beautiful set for the Spring and Summer.

Mermaid's Dream

Four necklaces are pictured here.  The first is all turquoise.  The second is made from green, turquoise, and emerald green glass and is 36" long.  The next necklace is made from beautiful green and sky blue glass as well as large chunks of turquoise.  The last strand is made of turquoise, sterling silver beads, green chalcedony spacers and peridot spacers.  So lovely...so serene:)

Global Beauty

What can I say?  I love color and this shows many of them.  The first necklace is turquoise glass beads that are 36" long.  The next set of beads are estate and composed of crystal and bronze colored chains.  The next necklace is fabulous combining green agate, leather, glass, sponge coral and wood.  The final necklace is a rebead of the 1970s "hippy" wood necklaces.  I added magnesite, turquoise, sponge coral, Mojave green turquoise and wood.  It is around 28" long.

If The Shoe Fits...

This is a fun novelty necklace for the shoe lover.  It was made from a broken stretch bracelet and some fun elements I had in my beading supplies.  At the bottom of the Y is a little sterling silver shoe which of course has ruby crystals on it!  I have paired it with large acrylic beads as well as the crystal necklace from above.  Click your heels three times, Dot...this ensemble will take you any where you need to go:)

More New and Yummy

For The Pearl Girl

This selection is three different necklaces.  The first is 18" mixed grey tones of freshwater near rounds.  The second is 36" or brown tones glass pearls and crystal elements.  The third is large glass rounds and large peacock freshwater near rounds.  These combinations of genuine and glass pearls create the love child of Mr. T and Barbara Bush.  Whatever the inspiration, I love them, baby:)

Calling All Turquoise Lovers

Both of these beauties are made from Turquoise, Carnelian, and Goldstone.  To me, these are gallery chic!

Easter Parade

If you love beautiful glass beads and pastels, then this is the set for you.  All are new and estate glass beads that I have collected throughout my projects.  The glisten and shine like no other! 

New for 2013:


Amethyst, gray freshwater pearls, and Czech glass beads.  The necklace is approximately 20" long with 2" extender.   Earrings are included with the set.    I have paired this will a lovely, yet unconventional choice of an art deco pendant in green corundum (sapphire) and white topaz.  Chain and setting are sterling silver.

This is a beautiful girlie girl set.  There are two rose quartz and Czech glass necklaces with the bottom necklace also having rhinestone beads.  Bringing the two pieces together is a fabulous, estate rhinestone floral brooch.  There are also matching earrings and stretch bracelets added to the set.

A nod to Native American design, this set is composed of (1)  36" necklace made from coral, black onyx, turquoise, and sterling silver beads, and the bottom necklace is sponge coral, branch coral, and turquoise slabs.  A lovely interpretation of Americana.

I love this grouping.  All of you followers know how I feel about greens and blues!  The first necklace (from top) is a unusual barrel shaped, faceted green howlite inter spaced with green chalcedony rondelles.  The second necklace is a high-low design featuring the real gemstone of turquoise, but mixed with large ivory glass pearls, and rhinestone beads.  There are matching earrings available to this as well.  The bottom pendant is from my cutlery collection.  It is from a large silver plated serving spoon.  The design on it is floral, and lovely.  It is approximately 3" inches long.

If you see anything that you like in the designs or on the other pictures listed, please contact me via my e-mail account.  I will be adding new pieces upon their completion.   Please like my No Shrinking Violets Facebook page which will also keep you up to date with the line.  Shalom friends.

2013: The Year of the Snake

        

     Every year brings a new animal in the 12 year Chinese Zodiac Cycle.  This year has brought the snake slithering back to its iconic position.  Many people list snakes in their top ten personal fears.   However, the snake has often times been symbolized as clever and resilient.  In England, Queen Victoria, used to send snake rings to her allies as a symbol of trust and fidelity.  In Asian culture, snakes are revered and seen as good luck for the house that possessed them.  Specifically, it meant that your family would not go hungry and you would maintain your wealth.

     Snake years in the zodiac cycle include:  1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and upcoming 2025.  People born under this sign are intuitive, introspective, and refined.  They are physically attractive people who do not become flustered easily.  They are graceful people, exciting, but can be dark in temperament at the same time.

     In the Chinese Zodiac, a sign is tempered by one of the five elements overlaying a 5-year cycle of characteristics on the original 12 year cycle.  The elements are:  Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.  This is the example of the above by year and classification:

Metal Snake- 1941 and 2001

Water Snake- 1953 and 2013

Wood Snake- 1905 and 1965

Fire Snake- 1917 and 1977

Earth Snake-1929 and 1989

Since this is the year of the water snake, here is a brief description of their specialized qualities.  Water snakes are influential and insightful.  They manage others well and tend to be good for organizations to utilize as staff and officers.  They are motivated and intellectual.  They are affectionate to friends and family but keep this side of their personalities private.
     Snakes are  compatible with the Ox, Rooster, and Dragon.  They should stay away from the Pig, Monkey, and Tiger.  Some famous celebrity snakes include:  Bob Dylan, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Dean Martin, Simon and Garfunkel, and Oprah Winfrey.
     The year of the snake is also significant to me as a jewelry designer.  Snakes are a well balanced, asymmetrical form.  They are sexy and edgy.  They are also a directional form, leading the eye to where the wearer wants it to go.  When set with gemstones or rhinestones, the snake becomes a directional spotlight.  This year the hot trend of "critter" jewelry is still smokin'.  I am planning a few snake pieces for No Shrinking Violets.  I cannot wait to see what other designers find intoxicating and undeniable about this form.  Stay tuned snake lovers:)

Whoreology...The Beginning

 

Many friends ask me, "Angie, how does one know if he or she is a jewelry whore?"  This is a fundamental question that has to be answered to properly identify this highly specialized individual.  I mean, sure, many people appreciate jewelry on others, but do not wear it personally.  Some people wear it to parties, but then take it off and forget where they put it. Some people wear it in private, but do not dare to be seen with it in public.  Some even wear it on a dare, afraid to be belittled by colleagues and friends.  However, there is a significant point in time when the individual passes the jewelry store of no return, where he or she crosses over to the "Sparkly Side."This state of mind is where one piece of jewelry becomes a collection; where one small, ornate jewelry box from your dead Irish great grandmother has grown to the size of a NASCAR rolling tool cabinet; where cleaning your jewelry used to take a few moments and now takes Saturday afternoon; and where  once you had  money to go out to a nice lunch with friends, but now realize it is better to LOOK good than to feel good!

 

I have assembled some pertinent questions that will helps narrow the ranks of these chosen few.  They include:

 

 1) Did you choose your spouse by the size of the engagement ring?

 2) Do you still cherish your wedding set, but luckily the spouse left?

 3) Is the phrase..."Trade in, trade up," your personal mission statement?

 4) Did you plan your children's birth to create a pleasing color palette for your mother's ring?

 5) Did you name your children/pets after famous jewelry stores?  (i.e. Tiffany, Cartier, Mr. Harry Winston)

 6) Do you always pick your jewelry first for any day/event and then your clothes?

 7) Do you always put on a piece of jewelry before leaving your home instead of taking a piece off?

 8) Do you use jewelry to define the important moments of your life?(If left up to you, every moment of your life.)

 9) a. Do you have a personal bench jeweler?

     b. Are you on a first name basis?

     c. Do you know his/her personal hobbies?

     d. Do you know their family?

     e. Do you receive holiday and thank you cards from their jewelry store. (These cards will include phrases like..."We couldn't do it without you!")

10) Have you ever said that a piece of jewelry was too big or gaudy?

11) Have you ever felt overdressed?

12) Does your spouse/significant other realize every holiday is a jewelry purchasing opportunity? (This question includes days like Clergy Appreciation Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Boxing Day...you get the idea.)

13) Is jewelry shopping your cardio-circuit training?

14) Is retail jewelry television shopping your idea of "reality" programming?

15) If loving any of this is wrong...do you want to be right?

 

There is no need to supply the answers or add up any scores.  Every self-respecting jewelry whore knows the correct responses!  Being a jewelry whore is not a choice my friends.  I feel that someday, medical science will show that we were born this way! Fly your flags proudly.  Long may the Scarlet W wave.

The Jewel



In Memory of Janis Joplin

4 October 2012

 

We only had one "Summertime" together,

Did everyone take "A Piece of your Heart," Miss Janis?

Was life really easier when Bobby sang the blues?

We all wanted to ride in your "Mercedes Benz,"

But we were all to damn drunk and high in the Porsche.

No need to "Cry Baby,"

Even though we were only on this Earth together for a year,

You changed my life.

Somedays I have a shot of Southern Comfort,

It don't comfort me much Miss Janis.

Some nights I dream that I'm wailin' and gravelin' into the mike,

Makin' the hippies cry in the Castro.

From where does that that sound come, Miss Janis?

I think it's probably South of where the other angels tread.

Thanks for being whoever you were.

That's the trouble with being an icon.

Too many graven images,

Not enough flesh and blood and bone.

You were a ghost, Miss Janis,

Even when you were walkin' the mile.

From Texas to California,

From the bottle to the syringe,

From this life to the next,

Thanks for what you had to give.

Sorry if we took too much.

                                                 

 

This is my current article in Bellesprit.com.  Enjoy!

Hoo Doo Pharmaceuticals, The Beginning

Angela Kelsheimer

Published on 05 October 2012

Hits: 41

Welcome friends to Hoo-Doo Pharmaceuticals. This is not your average local drug store, but a fantastic market place where colorful organic beauty abounds. Here the vendors do not merchandise small plastic bottles with difficult to open lids, but an amazing array of natural splendor. One will see beautiful boulders and crystals, prehistoric artifacts and fossils that took millions of years to create. Each gem and mineral has its own history and composition; its own story to tell.
It is fundamental for the reader to have open eyes for discovery on this journey. Information, not persuasion, is the endpoint of this adventure. So, open up those eyes and jewelry boxes and prepare to see the world in a different way!
My husband and I live in a small Midwestern town. We own a family bowling center. Carved out in a quiet corner of the bowling alley is where my display and work area is. Even though it is an odd location for a studio, most days find me there creating jewelry with the sound of the constantly vibrating speakers from the jukebox and the splintering bowling pins in the distance.
Being a rural area, many people know that I make, appraise, and am engaged in a torrid affair with jewelry. They also know that I study gems. Many of my friends call me a “rock nerd.” A title I proudly wear! One day, a friend came in looking for a few special one-of-a-kind jewelry gifts. While we were visiting, she asked me if I knew of any gemstones associated with helping a person to conceive. Hmmm…most jewelers would answer with the default gem, the diamond. It often leads to some lovin’ for the giver, and it makes the seller (me) happy too!
However, I took her question seriously and did some research. What I found was that rubies have a storied reputation for being the stone of love, passion, and creation (recreation). So I beaded a beautiful faceted blood-red ruby necklace which was simple and elegant and could be worn every day. I said a positive prayer over it as I do to all the pieces I make and sold it to my friend. She sent it on its way. Long story short (too late, I know)…within a few weeks, the recipient became pregnant.
Coincidence, maybe; I have no mystical powers! I do believe that Father God can use any means at his disposal to create miracles. To that end, I believe in energy (positive and negative), that elements (and compounds made up of elements) may produce and/or possess energy, that living things produce and spend energy, and that energy attracts energy. (How’s that for a compound sentence?!) Thanks Mr. Einstein, these are not just the good ideas of physics, they are the LAW!!!
I believe in the power of prayer. People who are open to good things in the Universe believe they are worthy of happiness and goodness, and have faith that they will attract abundance…WILL. It’s not just a bumper sticker, prayer changes things! Most of the world’s religions believe this too, they just say and practice it in a different way. I also believe in what I call the power of the “talisman.”
Individuals invest an abundance of personal energy and power into symbols that they believe represent their unique personal journeys and pathways. For me, it is the cross. It is a daily remembrance, a touchstone, if you will, of what I believe and why; for another it may be the Star of David, and for another a well placed piece of rock or rose quartz.
So, here’s to the journey! Here’s to beauty and sparklies in all their forms. Get ready to learn more than you might have wanted. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact me via e-mail at violets4gigi@gmail.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If I do not know the answer, I will do my best to research and find one. Remember; don’t let anyone or anything steal your peace and joy.
Shalom. ***Buy More Beads***
Next Issue- Tourmaline and Opal

Category: Angela Kelsheimer: Hoo-Doo Pharmaceuticals

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