Foggy Maine Morning

This marble cabochon reminds me of a grey morning in Maine.  I saw just this scene the other day...a grey fog rolling off the water with mountains framed in the background.  Silhouetted in black...for those of you who have had the opportunity to visit or live here you know just what I mean!

Girl With Eagle

A carved bison piece surrounded by amber and amber colored seed beads.  Looking for the perfect stringing beads for this piece.  It is still a "work in progress".  I had initially done some antler slices and may add those into the mix as well or they may become earrings.

Fetish Doll Pendant

A long time ago I vowed to make a dozen of these.  I sold one yesterday which reminded me so here is another one!  Vintage cats eye cabochon body with handmade, and painted, clay face.  Embellished with brass colored seed beads and rose pink and black sparkly delicas.  Around her throat are a pink freshwater pearl, a brown freshwater pearl and sparkly crystal.  Ready to be hung from a black cord.

Finished Cuff Bracelet

Finally got the edge stitching done on this beautiful cuff bracelet.  Done in shimmering colors of metallic grey and pinks.  Enhanced with bugle beads, a center cabochon, rock chips, delicas and e beads.  Lined with the softest black ultrasuede.  A sparkle for any one's wrist!  SOLD

Chaos in Blue Boat

I am almost done with this piece titled "Chaos in Blue Boat".  A sterling silver boat sails thru an ocean of blue beach glass, beads and pearls.  Close to the rocks and amidst crashing waves.

August

August has a way of zooming in at high speed and keeping you running all month here.  I have been doing extra shifts at work leaving little time to bead.  But I do have a few things in progress on the board.  An antler slice and carved buffalo piece (girl with eagle hair).  I used amber seed beads and chips of amber for it.  Also a blue seaglass and sterling boat.  As well as a grey piece of marble with black and grey tones.  As well as an almost finished bangle bracelet that I am in love with!  I started it a long time ago and just got to the edge stitch and finishing touches.

I finally was given the gift of a perfect deer skull to start on!  It is perfect and special.  With shades of red, green and tan it is going to be spectacular when I get it done.  I have wanted to do one for so long now.  I will post pictures when I start the project which will take a while. 

Seaweed Froth with Mussel Shell

Black Onyx carved Mussel embellished with a froth of green oxidized seed beads and cream colored freshwater pearls.  Backed with green ultrasuede.  Strung with seed beads and freshwater pearls.  Finished off with a hand forged sterling silver clasp.  One of a kind and "simply Maine".

Maine granite with Pearl

Another Maine Inspired piece.  I like the way the pearl settles in this one.  Simple and understated.  Black seed beads, mauve freshwater pearl with green bronze delica's.  Backed with black ultrasuede and a magnet clasp cord.

Maine Beach China in Blue

Small shard of Maine beach china hand drilled and embellished with blue crystals and delft blue seed beads.  Backed with grey ultrasuede and suspended by a black magnetic cord.

Website

My website is now up and running after many hours of work!  You can visit it here http://lesliejonesjewelry.com/

Any and all comments are encouraged! 

Seaweed on the Rocks

Undulating seaweed on the rocks after the tide has gone out....another Maine Inspired piece.  This one is a hand drilled granite stone embellished with garnets, bronze green delica's and garnet colored seed beads. Backed with lite grey ultrasuede and suspended by a black cord with a magnetic clasp.

Maine Granite with Pearl

Here is another Maine Inspired piece.  Hand drilled Maine granite with a freshwater pearl.  Surrounded by silver grey metallic seed beads.  Very organic and reminiscent of a rocky Maine coastline.  Hung with a magnet clasp cord.  Elegant and simplistic.

Maine Lobster and Seaglass Pendant

Here is #2 in the Maine Inspired Series.  Comprised of a sterling silver lobster, maine seaglass, freshwater pearls and seed beads.  This little lobster looks like it is just crawling into a tidal pool of seaglass!

Maine Inspired Pieces

I have been giving a lot of thought towards a Maine Inspired Line of jewelry lately.  Today I actually sat down to work on three of them.  I want them to reflect our rocky Maine coasts and all of the beauty you find outdoors.  Especially here on Mount desert island. 

This first piece that I finished is completely different for me in several way.  It is plain and small!  I usually do larger, more elaborate pieces.  But I am really liking the monochromatic look of what I am doing in this particular series.  It reminds me of fog, surf, rocks, sandy beaches...you get the picture.

This piece is a hand drilled granite rock embellished with a freshwater pearl.  Matte black seed beads undulate with texture with 24kt gold seed beads peeking thru.  Strung with a simple magnetic wire choker and backed with black ultrasuede.  SOLD

Runway Grand Show

The show last night was so much fun!  I got to hang out backstage before the designers were walked out onto the runway.  My two models did a great job!  I made some new friends and connections.  But more importantly I was exposed to a new level of show that I had not participated in before. Got some display ideas, mingled with other designers..it all .felt very special.  It was a great experience and I am sure that I would do it again!

Thank You Charissa!

Today was a great day!  I had a private jewelry viewing this morning with numerous purchases.  I also happened to walk into my gallery to re-stock just as this woman asked to see some of my pieces in my case.  I stepped in to help her and had a great conversation.  She made me remember why I do what I do and my audience.  Yesterday a woman I met suggested that I contact Safari/Disney world to sell my animal necklaces.  It was, to paraphrase a friends reaction, strangely insulting.  If I made pieces and sent them all off to be sold to anonymous people I would miss the interaction of someone buying a personal piece that spoke to them.  I was so glad to have been able to be present for this customers purchase.  It made my day brighter.

She posed for a few pictures and we looked at almost everything before she selected a necklace (that I am going to re-string for her) and a pin.  Thank you for making me remember why I create the things that I do.  For that special person to see it, fall in love and ultimately want to add it to their jewelry collection.

Polar Bear Necklace

I just finished stitching the edge on this little polar bear.  Embellished with a round mirror, an opal, crystal drops, crystals, opalite and a vintage flower.  As well as hundreds of blue delicas and silver seed beads.  It is sparkly and fun! 

Ellsworth Runway Grand Show

One more day to prepare for the Runway Grand Show.  Today I need to drop off designs for the models to wear and finish a number of small details before swooshing off to ellsworth tomorrow to set up.  I have been working on the website and on a few new designs lately.  Along with life that has been keeping me really busy.  It is August already!  I can feel fall in the air.  My new website address is lesliejonesjewelry.com if you want to visit me there as well.  Pictured above are a few of the new designs.  A puffin and cow in a smaller version.  These will probably go to a new account in Portland if I do not sell them at the show.  On the board still is a polar bear with a mirror and a sparkly opal.