Denim Beaded Jewelry Update

First of all...a long, overdue thank you to everyone who attended my denim jewelry open house showing last month. I appreciated everyone coming and hope you are all enjoying your purchases!! Also congratulations to Joan P. who won the door prize drawing. I hope to have another open house in the fall. Check out my website for the dates and times.

I haven't been in the studio doing much beading lately because I have been busy sorting through my grandma's vintage jewelry collection. It's been a sentimental journey to say the least!! So many pieces I, of course, remember grandma wearing and can even picture what outfit she wore them with. Other brooches, necklaces, and earrings I have no recollection of her wearing. I hope to incorporate some beads from Grandma's collection into some of my denim jewelry designs in the near future, while other pieces will remain intact for posterity.

Blue Jean Jewelry Available at the Top of Iowa

I just returned from a great visit with Jean at the Top of Iowa Welcome Center and Rest Area. Jean and I met several years ago, and she has always been very enthusiastic about my latest artistic creations. Jean features a special collection of "Made in Iowa" products that she hand picks herself. I'm so excited to announce that my Casual Day Designs denim jewelry has just been added to that line.

The gift shop located in the Welcome Center off I-35 at Exit 214 is aptly named the Barn Boutique. They get quite a bit of traffic with the Diamond Jo Casino right next door. Stop in and see what all they have to offer while traveling this year.

Denim Bead Jewelry Show

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're not wearing green, you'll be green with envy of those sporting a denim bead necklace, earrings, or bracelet!

Several people are taking advantage of my in-home show this week to check out my designs and maybe even add a piece to their jewelry collection. I've had fun serving green punch and green popcorn in honor of St. Pat, too!!

Think Pink! Pink Denim Bead Bracelet to promote Breast Self-Awareness

I'm so excited to be offering this special bracelet featuring my pink denim beads along with a breast cancer ribbon bead to help promote breast self-awareness. I will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each BSA Pink Denim Bead Bracelet to the Susan G Komen fund.

Casual Day Designs Denim Jewelry will be on display at the Upcoming Craft Show

The Spring Craft Show at the mall in Mason City begins exactly one week from today. I'm really looking forward to displaying my unique denim beaded jewelry for the first time at this show. I just hope the name "Spring" in the craft show title will have some warming effects on the weather. The streets are coated with ice here today after the thunder sleet, freezing rain, and snow mix we received yesterday. I am dreaming of green grass and temperatures that don't require a parka to venture outside!!

All the time inside; however, has afforded me the opportunity to create several pieces for the show. The set in the picture above is just an example of what I will have to offer. I have over 60 pieces of denim jewelry which will be for sale. Additionally, my dad has been busy making over 100 copper wire-wrapped rings. I will have his rings and friendship bracelets as well as the children’s story I penned on display and for purchase during the show which runs Friday through Sunday.

"WWJD" Denim Bead Bracelets

When my son was eight years old, he was given a book entitled "What Would Jesus Do?" (The Charles M. Sheldon Classic, "In His Steps" retold for children revised by Helen Haidle). I would read him a chapter every night about the adventures and predicaments of Claire and Bill at Bible School. Each chapter would end with a question and a Bible verse. Now that my daughter is nine, we've been reading from this book and posing the "What Would Jesus Do?" question at the end of each chapter. This nightly ritual was the inspiration for my latest handcrafted denim jewelry. Using alpha beads and white denim beads, these WWJD bracelets reminds us to think before we act.

Red, White, and Blue Jeans

I have been spending more time in the studio lately getting as many pieces made as I can since I have reserved booth space at the Mason City spring craft show. The show will take place March 6-8 at the Southbridge Mall during the mall's open hours. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I'm so excited to show more people my unique handcrafted denim jewelry that I just couldn't wait!!

There's so much more to think about then just making the jewelry now that I've made this commitment; but I think I'm up to the challenge. My family has been so overwhelmingly supportive and encouraging so that helps as well.

My hubby and I went out for dinner last weekend and I got a comment on the necklace I was wearing that night and a request to make something with red, white, and blue in it, so here it is...