Just one look …

Any female over the age of 12 probably has more jewelry than she needs. And we all have our favorite pieces that we wear more often than others. Maybe these pieces have sentimental value or maybe they  are more versatile  and  complement  our clothing more frequently. But why do woman feel they have to wear all their jewelry all the time? Rings on every finger, bracelets up to their elbows, ankle bracelets and toe rings? Especially this season with simplified clothing designs in brighter colors. Pare it down. Wear just one bold accent piece and break away from the habit of wearing it all.

sterling siver disk earrings by Patricia Frankenfield

Kristie Roeder’s clay beads featured in Beads 2009

Kristie Roeder’s wonderful clay beads made it in print again. Her beads are featured as part of the April issue of Beads 2009, the beaders resource by Beadwork magazine and Interweave press. Congratulations, Kristie!

Beads 2009

Proportion, proportion, proportion!

I worked a craft show yesterday and this lovely woman was deciding between two bracelets. They both were wonderful … both were sterling silver cuffs, one was thin and the other was much wider. I personally would have had a hard time deciding between the two (as she was) but then she made a valid observation. She was a tall women, and the smaller bracelet was lost on her frame. The larger one was more in proportion to her body type.

We are a jewelry artist collective in Pennsylvania and display and sell our jewelry online. But there is something to be said for seeing the pieces in person. I love online shopping but occasionally you just have to admire an item on your body before you purchase. Only then can you see if it is the right proportion for you.

sterling silver wide cuff bracelet

It’s all in the wrist

Just about everyone has a Superbowl tradition and mine is shopping. The department stores are quiet so it is a perfect time to see what colors are showing for spring and summer. Last year at this time I commented on jewelry getting bigger and bolder – long necklaces with chunky components. This spring it appears the attention has moved from the neck to the wrist. Vibrant colors on large bangle bracelets seem to be the trend; colors in bright yellows and reds and also some softer lavenders and blues. Be bold – wear three bracelets, maybe a pair of simple earrings to accessorize your clothing. And, as an added bonus, multiple bracelets make wonderful noise when you are cheering on your favorite team!

Upcycled, recycled jewlery

I was reading a jewelry newsletter the other day and came across the word “upcycled.” I guess I had always referred to making jewlery out of re-purposed materials as recycled but apparently there is now a distinction between upcycled and recycled. According to the article, the word upcycling was coined by William McDonaugh and Michael Braugart in their book on ecologically intelligent design, Cradle to Cradle. In the simplest terms, upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value.

OK, whatever it is called, I love seeing something old and making something wonderful and new … especially jewelry. Check out Emily Kitt’s ring made from the leather from her old Doc Martens shoes and sterling silver.

Doc Marten boot leather upcycled

Buy handmade this holiday season!

I have always been a maker and a seeker of handmade holiday gifts. And now and then you just need something just a little fun … a little unique.

Last December I received an e-mail from one of the artists on the bluestem site, Emily, regarding the indie craft show trend. She saw an article on CNN and sent it to me. I called my friend and former co-worker, Teri, and we said why not? Let’s do one in the Lehigh Valley!

Well, putting it togther has been a blast! We chose the Starlite Ballroom in Allentown for the location … disco ball and all, named it the indiemade craft market (a lot of the really good names were taken), and scheduled it for Sunday, December 7, 2008.

The artists for the show are creative and unique. I think that is what makes an indie show. They are artists first, then crafters … this is a way for them to make their art functional and a wonderful way for us to own their art.

So, did I create the show as an easier way for me to buy handmade this year? Probably. And I am having a great time doing it!

indiemade craft market

Three bluestem artists featured in the Hidden Treasures Studio Tour

On November 15 and 16, three bluestem studio jewelry artists, Patricia Frankenfield, Phyllis Fogel and Kristie Roeder will be featured in the 14th annual Hidden Treasures Studio Tour in the greater Lehigh Valley area. It is a great way to meet the artists, see demonstrations, and learn more about their craft. The studios are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. To learn more about the event and the studio locations, check out their Web site, www.hiddentreasurestour.com. To see examples of their amazing work, visit www.bluestemstudio.biz.

Kristie Roeder wins first place for her clay bead design

Kristie Roeder just won first place in the sixth annual bead arts competition in the November/December issue of Step by Step Beads magazine for her wonderful clay and glass bead. It is constructed of stoneware clay, thrown on a potter’s wheel, with multi-colored glass fused on top. You can see more of her work on our site, bluestemstudio.biz or her site, artisanclay.com. Congratulations, Kristie!

Kristie Roeder

Now is the time to Accessorize!

The fashion week frenzy has just ended in New York City. So what does that mean for the general clothing-shopping public? Not much. The economy is so bad that most of us can’t afford to buy a new wardrobe anyway.  So what is a person to do? Accessorize! Buy one big, bold piece of jewelry to make last year’s outfit look fresh and new. A long necklace or a large, shiny bracelet should do it. Especially if the jewelry is unique and artisan-crafted. So go shop … see what wonderful piece of jewelry you can find to work for you!

necklace by Janis Long

Fall fashion purple mania

The fall fashion magazines are out and purple seems to be the “it” color for fall/winter. I was in a very, very small town in Michigan over Labor Day weekend and saw fun purple shoes on display, so I know this has to be true. I mean, if there, anywhere, right? Now would be a good time to invest (or dig out of your jewelry box) in some amethyst jewelry. It is a wonderful accent color to update your old wardrobe or to enhance your new!

necklace by Annecatette Zeoli