Blaze of Glory

This necklace would be perfect over the holiday season! I combined Swarovski crystals in copper and a few in pink, with some freshwater pearls all hand wired onto a double link sterling silver chain, and finshed with a very pretty, handcrafted, Bali silver toggle clasp. Because it is so blingy, and full of fire, I just could not resist naming it
"Blaze of Glory"!


Pin It

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Here is a a sneak preview of a necklace that I recently finished for the Fall art shows that I am in this November. This piece is called "Spiraling". I wanted it to convey the feeling of being somewhat out of control...a bit carefree, perhaps slightly rebellious... hence the wild spiraling of the wire around the lemon quartz pendant, even twisting it loosely up onto the loop of the necklace. I combined gold wire with sterling silver components, for contrast as well as lemon quartz, amethyst and Swarovski crystals.

Just wanted to wish my Canadian readers a very Happy Thanksgiving, for Monday, Oct 12. I am heading off to the west coast tomorrow, to enjoy my roast turkey dinner and pumpkin pie as I take in the fabulous ocean views of Vancouver Island! The weather there is supposed to be warmer than our extreme weather patterns here in the foothills of the Rocky mountains, as flurries are in the forecast for this region over the next few days. I am sure I will enjoy a stroll or two along the beach while I am there, breathing in the fresh ocean air, and hopefully I will see some seals swimming in the bay by our place near the sea.

Don't forget to enter my earring giveaway! The draw will be made Monday, Oct 12, at 9:00pm MST.
For details on how to enter click here. Pin It

Under the Sea

The inspiration for a necklace I made for my daughter just before she left for Australia, was from a beach find during last years vacation. We were on holidays in Tofino, on the West coast of Vancouver Island. During our holiday, we met up with our friends for a few fun filled days by the sea, and while we were taking a stroll on the beach, my girlfriend and I found the "Seaweed Thing"! It was a mass of seaweed entangled with shells, and stones and we just thought it was really neat! Here is my friend holding our find, it is the long mass that she is holding in her right hand which I call the Seaweed Thing!

So I finally got around to making a necklace inspired by this bit of ocean nature, and this is what I came up with:

I decided to call it "Under The Sea", which is a Disney song from the movie Little Mermaid, which was one of my daughters favorite movies when she was little. I used sterling silver chains, freshwater pearls, a silver sand dollar, Swarovski sea stars, a lampwork bead that reminded me of beach glass, copper rings and a pretty silver hammered heart, all wired together.

Pin It

Name that Necklace!

I need some help naming this brand new necklace that I designed!
Now if you are familier with my jewelry, you know that I name all my bracelets and necklaces after songs, so I am looking for a suitable song name for this piece. Actually it is two seperate necklaces,

which can be worn on their own or........

...together for a real statement!

Both necklaces are made entirely from sterling silver, rutilated quartz, Swarovski glass pearls and crystals, and one huge fabulous rare vintage Swarovski faceted crystal, that is the focal bead inside the silver crescent shaped frame.

So here are the rules:

1. Enter as often as you like with your suggestions by leaving me a comment.

2.Your suggestion must be a song title.

3. Contest closes Jan.31 at midnight MST.

So what do you get for your efforts??? I will select my favourite song title from all of the entries, and the winner will receive these wonderful Hot Rocks earrings! These are made from some lovely vintage (never before used) sapphire Swarovski crystals, sterling silver beads and small Swarovski crystals, all on sterling silver lever back ear wires.

Shipping is FREE of course. For the second place winner, I will run a feature post of you here on my blog, during the month of March. ( Giving you a little more exposure and promotion for Spring time!) I look forward to your suggestions, so let the games begin!!!

Pin It

Dog and Butterfly

I recently made this multi strand necklace using a variety of smoky quartz stones, labradorite Swarovski crystals (some vintage ones )and pearls, sterling silver chain, Bali silver beads and a fab Thai silver butterfly which when worn sits to the side of the neck. I loved this one so much that I decided to keep it for myself, actually it was a gift to me from me for my birthday back in December! I gave this necklace the title "Dog and Butterfly", named for the song by the band Heart, which was fronted by rock goddesses and sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ok,....... I know there is no dog in the necklace ...but there IS a butterfly and hey...I like the song!
















See the dog and butterfly
Up in the air he like to fly
Dog and butterfly below she had to try
She roll back down to the warm soft ground
Laughing to the sky, up to the sky
Dog and butterfly
We're getting older the world's getting colder
For the life of me I don't know the reason why
Maybe it's livin' making us give in
Hearts rolling in taken back on the tide
We're balanced together ocean upon the sky
...Heart

Next post will be back to the Color Schemes, when I will have some info for you on the Complimentry Color Scheme! Pin It

Sneak a Peak on my show items!

Here is a preview on a few items in my booth for the big Christmas art and craft sale starting tomorrow. I am really excited about the necklace as it was a labour of love for quite some time. I finally finished it, and the title is... "Bleeding Love", with focal bead by Rebecca Werner. As well I have a bracelet titled "Walking on Broken Glass",with some fabulous lampwork lentils, and the purple charm bracelet is "Lady Marmalade"..no it isn't a marmalade color, but it felt very French, bijoux, to me, and if you know the song, you will understand the title.

Pin It

Hollywood Nights-new necklace

Awhile ago, I got my hands in this gorgeous vintage rhinestone pendant, full of sparkle and loads of bling, and I thought that this would be a great piece to design a necklace around for the holidays. Perfect with that little black dress for a Christmas party, or New Years Eve...you are guaranteed to turn heads with this focal piece! I used garnets, A couple of vintage Swarovski crystals as well as lots contemporary ones, Swarovski pearls and quartz crystal. Guess what was playing on the radio as I worked on this creation? Hollywood Nights, by Bob Seger... and so the necklace was named!

Pin It

"Dream Weaver" necklace and earrings set

Though the dawn may be coming soon

There still may be some time

Fly me away to the bright side of the moon

And meet me on the other side

Dream weaver.... I believe you can get me through the night

Dream weaver.....I believe we can reach the morning light.

Gary Wright

Today, Lucy is modelling this dreamy, soft, feminine set. This is a pretty necklace that I made that features one of Rebecca Werners lampwork beads, which I feel represents the moon. Also lots of silver chain, faceted aquamarine nuggets, pale blue chalcedony briolettes, Thai silver and Swarovski crystals for a bit of sparkle, are "woven" together to create "Dream Weaver".

Pin It

Scorching Sale at Hot Rocks!

It's sale time at Hot Rocks! Check out the Scorching Sales section in my Etsy store for reductions on selected hot summer styles!!

On sale now:

Like a Virgin- necklace

Tenderness- Necklace

Endless Summer-bracelet

Ice Cream Man- necklace

Modern Love- bracelet

I Wanna be Sedated- bracelet

Holiday-bracelet

Another Day in Paradise-bracelet

Pin It

Rapture

"Rapture", named after the classic Blondie song, is a necklace that I made awhile back, that is currently for sale in my Etsy shop. If you are a lover of vintage beads, as I am, this one is for you! I am passionate about vintage beads, and absolutely adore vintage Swarovski crystals! You can read more about vintage Swarovski crystals from one of my posts back in May.The sparkle, that they give off is incredible and certainly cannot be captured in these photos. The focal of this pretty necklace, is a sapphire and topaz colored flower combining two spectacular vintage Swarovski crystals from the 1950's. The remainder of the piece is made up of a combination of vintage ivory glass pearl leaves, more stunning Swarovski crystals, again from the 50's, contemporary Swarovski glass pearls in a soft buttery yellow, and gold beads. Portions of this necklace have gold wire coils running throughout the beads..hence the title "Rapture". I always picture Marilyn Monroe wearing this!!

Pin It

New Hot Rocks Jewelry Designs

While I was on vacation, at a local farmers market,I was lucky enough to meet two wonderful talented, lampwork artists who made some the most fabulous beads I have ever seen. Needless to say I purchased some of their artwork, and have incorporated these beads into my latest designs. This week I am featuring the pieces that I created using the lampwork beads of Canadian glass artist, Jane Perala.Among her designs, she creates the most spectacular beach themed beads, with tiny starfish and miniature sealife all made out of glass and incorporateed into the bead design. Also her shell beads are simply stunning, as you can see here on the pink necklace, where I have featured one of her beads. At the present time,my Etsy store is pretty much empty as my friend has taken all of my jewelry to her family reunion hoping to make some sales for me! I should have my shop restocked again in about a week, once I get my jewelry back from her. I will feature the second great lampwork artists' beads in a future post.... so stay tuned! I hope you enjoy these pieces, and if I should have them available for sale in my Etsy store soon!

Pin It

Newest Hot Designs!

Here are my two latest hot designs still fresh and sizzling ! Both these necklaces were quite time consuming and somewhat challenging. The gold colored necklace, is quite intricate, and certainly a head turner. I visualize this one being worn with that little black dress and heels, for a hot night on the town....very sexy indeed!! Hence I named this one "Wild Thing", a song made popular by a band named the Troggs...mmm not a very sexy sounding band tho. This one is available in my Etsy shop The second necklace is one that I am actually keeping for myself. I do not keep alot of what I make, mainly because I would be broke, I really need to sell these little creations! I love the chunkyness of this necklace, the thick sterling silver chain, and nice graphic lampwork beads, made by one of my favourite lampwork artists, Rebecca Werner. Also the Swarovski crystal discs give it a real nice sparkle. I called this one "Electrical Storm", a song by the band U2. ( Would Bono approve?)

Pin It

Recently, on a creative evening, I was playing around with my materials, and started wiring together various beads, chain and wire and ended up with a rather unique looking floral pendant, quite by accident! The pendant sat on my desk for several days before I finally got around to completing this necklace. I think this would be so pretty as the finishing touch to a brides gown. It certainly has an organic feel, and reminds me of a heirloom cottage garden. I used some very delicate vintage lucite frosted flowers, woven between pink hearts of Venetian glass, pink quartz and Swarovski crystals. There are also some very cool texturized vintage beads in an antique rose color, on the part of the necklace that goes around your neck. I will be listing this in my store later today. Oh yes, I will have to come up with a name for it...mmmm what song?

Pin It

Mothers Day

As Mothers Day approaches, I am reminded of this little tidbit, that a friend of mine sent me a few years ago. As a parent, I can totally relate!! Enjoy!

If you are looking for unique handcrafted jewelry for Mothers Day , please check out my store;
www.hotrocksglassjewels.etsy.com

Mean Moms
Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates a parent,
I will tell them, as my Mean Mom told me:
I loved you enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom, and what time you would be home.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new best friend was a creep.I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes.
Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.
But most of all, I loved you enough . . . to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too. Someday when your children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.
Was your Mom mean? I know mine was. We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what other kids had, too. Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison.
She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour,we would be gone for an hour or less. We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work.
We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do. She always insisted on us telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had eyes in the back of her head.
Then, life was really tough! Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced.
None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing others' property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault. Now that we have left home, we are all educated, honest adults.
We are doing our best to be mean parents just like Mom was.
I think that is what's wrong with the world today.It just doesn't have enough mean moms!
Author Unknown




Pin It