My Latest Creative Addiction

Last November I had the opportunity to attend an amazing jewelry making workshop at Sweetland Retreat in Manchester, Maine.  I was super excited because the class was being taught by Jessica Moreau-Berry of Junque Revival fame.  I have been a long time fan of Jessica's work since meeting her two years ago at an art and craft fair featuring Etsy Maine Team artists.  Among her many talents, Jessica creates incredible pieces of mixed media art jewelry from found objects, decoupage ephemera, vintage beads and baubles, and her own artistic flair.  She has also been a frequently featured contributor of articles and interviews to such major art magazines as Belle Armoire Jewelry and Jewelry Affaire and some of her fabulous creations can be purchased in her Etsy shop, Junque Revival among other places.  So, when Jessica offered a class at Sweetland Retreat I jumped on it.  The class was called Repurposed Shard and Polymer Clay Jewelry.  This was "THE" process she used to make some of the amazing pieces that have been featured in magazine articles.  I could not pass it up!



Painting My First Piece



And am I glad I went!  The class was wonderful and I had so much fun learning the process.  Jessica is an awesome teacher and even though I had never used polymer clay, nor made much jewelry before then, by the time I was done with class I could not wait to get home and use my new found skills to create more pieces.  I guess you could say a creative monster was born that day. 

Since I took that class I have created 10 additional pendants and 4 brooches and I do not see myself stopping any time soon...




I give full credit for my inspiration to Jessica Moreau-Berry


I even had to add a new section to my studio...

Jessica was very generous with her knowledge and very clear with her instructions.  I know Jessica is in the planning stages of some future classes.  I highly recommend if she offers this or any other class that you sign up!  You will be glad you did, I know I am.  I can't wait for the next one!



"Tidal Pool" original brooch by FloDo Designs



"Time to Switch Gears" original brooch by FloDo Designs



You can follow Junque Revival's blog using the link on the right of this page.  Thanks Jessica!

Crafting Treasures from the Bounty of the Atlantic



Nubble Light

Wow, 2010 is long gone and it is hard to believe how quickly the last half of it went.  I had an awesome time last summer enjoying the incredibly good weather we experienced here in Maine.  It was a summer to remember.  I managed to get several wonderful beach days in, in the company of my ever patient husband, and reconnected with and  rediscovered the beauty of my home state. 



Pounding Surf

I find spending time at the water's edge very rejuvenating, both physically and spiritually,  and cherished every leisurely moment walking the sand and listening to the soothing sounds of the sea. 



Feeling a sense of peace and calm that can only be found when the everyday stresses are replaced by the serenity of the sea, I spent hours gathering a treasure trove of gems from the sands of the beach and my imagination ran wild with ideas for how to use these natural beauties.  The bits of tumbled shell brought to mind broken china; the tumbled stones, gems. 



Bounty of the Atlantic





It was very hard to leave the water behind each and every time, but the excitement of working with my newly found treasures helped.  I am looking forward to another summer of wonderful weather (especially after this constant bombardment of cold and snow) and can't wait to get out there again. For now, I will spend some time turning my bounty from the Atlantic into pieces of art.  I hope to share them with you one day soon.

For now, I wish all of you a belated Happy New Year and wish for you many opportunities of serenity like those I have been fortunate to experience at the water's edge.







Maine