Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year's 2010

I love this hat! This hat was happily created by my son who is challenged. He attends an adult program at Children's Center in NJ. This hat represents so many thoughts to me. It brought me smiles from my son, myself and the staff as they watched him talk to me about it. It also made me think how lucky I am to have my son in my life...just the way he is. Because of him I have been blessed with knowing so many people at the Children's Center. The staff there go beyond their jobs. Their hearts feel the emotions of these young adults. This hat also represents the New Year of 2010 which sadly we will miss a staff member - Kathy who recently passed over. A lovely, intelligent person, Kathy was truly an Angel to the students, staff, and also to the parents. She was a wonderful role model to all. To me, she was Children's Center. Now, in 2010 we must learn to adjust without our Kathy. It will be hard. I know she is now truly an Angel and will watch over us. We will always keep her in our prayers.

I wish to all may you feel the love you need, acquire the wisdom so in your life it can be shared, happiness in your heart and a few more bucks in your wallet! Happy New Year 2010!

Love,
Claire
xo

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Can I Go Back...Please?














I recently returned home from a relaxing vacation in the Shenandoah Valley. We stayed in a condo at the Massnutten Resort on top of a mountain. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and look out at the beautiful view of the mountains.

I thought I would share a few photos of places we visited. These places inspired me to create a couple of designs. The earrings remind me of the colors I saw during the vacation. Gemstones of peridot, amethyst, citron complete the goldfilled handcrafted earwire.

The Luray Caverns were so amazing! The Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the USA. The colors of the caverns are so beautiful in various golden shades.

We also visited the White Oak Lavender Farm in Harrisonburg, VA. The farm is so serene and beautiful. My sister and I picked our own lavender while the guys sat on the porch in rocking chairs. How relaxing is that? We met David at the farm who was gracious enough to tell us about the farm and area. There was a petting area for the kids. We met Nilla the rabbit who is bigger than a small dog! Horses Sunshine, Isabella and Brownie were so sweet and friendly. Next to the Lavendor Farm was a few black angus cows. Of course, had to get a photo of the cows.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

When Ya Can't Sleep...What to do...What to do?

I know you have been there. Fess up. Everyone else is sleeping in your household but you! It's too early to get up but you just have to! What do you do? Certainly, it is too early to really function...come on...the coffee isn't even finished!

This morning around 4:00 a.m. I was up and ready to start my day. Well, sort of. I decided to make some earwires. Many of my customers are always surprised that I make my own earwires. When they find out I notice them taking a deeper look at the earrings they plan to buy. They apparently, at this point "get it". It's all handcrafted, timely to make, and pretty darn neat. Did I just date myself by using "neat". So be it.

Here are a couple of photos of just one of the stages I use to make earwires. After cutting the wire I file the ends, form the wire, using a rawhide hammer I harden the earwires. I throw the earwires in my tumbler with a little dish detergent and stainless steel shot for a bit to clean and harden the earwires completely. What you see in the photos are the earwires and shot being rinsed and dried. Now to design...What to do...What to do?

Thursday, August 6, 2009

To Be Shore Bangle


To Be Shore Bangle - Interweave

The To Be Shore Bangle was designed by me and submitted to Wire Jewelry Magazine last August 2008.

Submitting work to a magazine is a learning experience on it's own. I rewrote the instructions many times trying to make them clear and simple. Taking the photos myself and appearing in the photos at the same time was a challenge. I never used my timer on the camera until this project came along.





Shared via AddThis

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ocean Grove Art Show July 25, 2009

My booth at the end of the day...looking a bit tired out...like me...no, I'm not the chick on the left.
My booth overlooked the boardwalk and a wonderful view of the ocean. It was a delightful day!

I made earring cards and tags from photos that I took of the Jersey shore. Very cool! I must admit I was very impressed with myself!
Photos included the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, Avon by the Sea, the Fishing Club pier in Belmar, and of course Ocean Grove. My friend, JB gave me a surfing photo taken in Deal.

Thought Waves Cuffs.






Saturday was an amazing beautiful day at the Jersey shore! I was amazed at the talent of the artists participating at the Ocean Grove Art Show. Bravo to all the artists and people making the Art Show a sucess!
My customers were unique and interesting people. I enjoyed chatting with them all and finding out where they live and what they do. I had a discussion about trade beads with one extremely unique woman. That discussion alone was worth me being at this art show. It was fasinating to listen to her bargaining methods when she goes into NYC to buy beads.


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

New to the Blogging World

OMG! Ok, gang...I'm new with blogging. Hang in there and in time I will get it together. Hey, I'm just sayin'...it will be pretty darn good...eventually.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Fusing Sterling Silver

The photo to the left is the start of laying out the design for a cuff. The piece must be clean and fluxed before torching.










I must admit I love messing around with my torches. Fusing sterling silver is still new to me. One of my designs is the Thought Waves Fused Bracelet. Although, the bracelets appear to be the similar in style the fused focal cannot be duplicated exactly. There is a fine line with fusing - either you are successful with the piece or it's a puddle of nothing. I enjoy this challenge!

Several steps go into fusing silver. Using a saw, torch, pickling, oxidizing, hammering, tumbling are all stages of making my "Thought Waves" collection. Currently, my Thought Waves collection consist of the Thought Wave necklace which is unisex, Thought Waves bracelets, and Thought Waves cuff.

So, what's your Thought Waves? Focused, confused, creative, in a frenzy? Pick Thought Waves that fit your personality!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Ocean Grove Art Show


Ocean Grove, NJ is having their annual Art Show on Ocean Avenue. It will be held on July 25, 2009 - hours 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. I will be a vendor at the Art Show and hope to see you! My booth will be located on Ocean Avenue and Main Street. You can easily see my booth since there will be a sign - To Be Me Jewelry on the front of the tent.

I love Ocean Grove! Check it out... http://www.oceangrovenj.com/
People actually live in these tents for the summer. I believe there is a 20 yrs. waiting list to rent one of these tents. The porches are decorated with petunias, ivy, flags, wicker furniture - all with a victorian touch. Inside the tents are decorated with sweet simple furnishings, tv, telephones, bathrooms. Quite nice for a tent! I always wanted to spend a night in one. The tents are just a small piece of historic Ocean Grove. It's definitely worth the drive to the shore.

About To Be Me Jewelry

Every woman seeks to define themselves. Over years, as wisdom grows each of us realizes we are all unique. Claire DeRosa, through her own experience learned to feel what was going on inside. What Claire found out is that she is unique and needs to reflect that person and not the people around her. With the philosophy of being true to herself and that the rest of life will flow as it should, Claire launched To Be Me Jewelry. Claire sees all women as unique, strong individuals. The only flaw is women need to take care of themselves more. We need to take a break from being the care giver. Claire’s wish for women of all ages is to find yourself, take care of yourself. To Be Me…is…to be you when you purchase jewelry from To Be Me Jewelry.

An eclectic array of jewelry designs are handcrafted in Claire’s workshop down by the Jerseyshore. Inspiration comes from so many avenues. Living at the Jerseyshore alone is so inspiring. Nature’s colors seem to be the best of course…but then the color of the parkway sign is inspiring too. Claire DeRosa, is mostly self-taught in handcrafting jewelry. Over the years, Claire dabbled in many artistic endeavors that caught her eye, enjoying the dance of all art and definitely bebopping to all the music of creativity.

Featured designer on www.Weezies.com in March 2009.

The Jewelry Wire Magazine in August 2008 featured a bangle, “To Be Shore”, designed by Claire DeRosa.

In the coming year another design will be featured in a well known magazine.

Claire has been a guest lecturer for jewelry design at a local college.