Belly Dancers and Tendonitis

Just a short post today...I was struck last week with a case of tendonitis in my wrist. It's amazing how much we use our wrists without even realizing it. The combination a dealing craps at the casino, making jewelry all day and using the computer mouse was just too much I guess. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal in a few more days..if I'm a good girl and don't use it too much.

On a happier note, I will be participating in MS Gulf Coast Bellydance Festival next weekend at the Mary C. O' Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs. There will be classes offered all day long ending in a performance at 7 PM. The classes are being offered by the Priestess Dancers of MS. Come down for a visit, take a class, enjoy the performance, or maybe learn about this ancient form of tribal dancing.

Experiments in Pearl Dyeing

I have been playing with dye the last couple of days. One of my groups posted a link to a video about using RIT dye to color glass pearls. I just knew I wanted to try it. They have a custom color chart that is too dye for ( get it? to dye for.. sorry, couldn't resist).

I made really luscious colors of coral, marine blue, aqua blue ( got darker than I wanted) and caramel. I love how the chocolate brown pearls turned out...!

In my first experiments I cut the glass pearls off the plastic string they come on and used cheese cloth to dip them, then I got smart and left them on the string and used a bead stopper to keep the pearls I didn't want to dye away. That was a much better technique.

I did try to dye a couple of cheap freshwater pearls I had laying around....and strangely enough, they didn't dye, I don't what kind of dye is used on freshwater pearls. Not that I think Pearl farmers use RIT dye. Fire Mountain Gems also has a tutorial for dyeing freshwater pearls. I am guessing I just didn't leave them long enough.

If you'd like to try to make custom colors for your jewelry, this is something you should try. I ended up dipping my pearls for about a minute to get some intense colors, but you can play and get the depth that you would like. I can't wait to get some more glass pearls to play with. Check out the video link and see for yourself how easy it can be...!

Over taken by Naked Sandals

I have been making Naked Sandals like a crazy woman this week. The demand for them has been unexpected..! They have gone over very well at Sea About It in Ocean Springs and I've had to replace stock there. I still don't have enough to send to WestSide Studio in Hattiesburg yet...Yikes..! I will be adding more to my Artfire Studio later today. Until then...here are a few more Naked Sandals to whet your appetite....

Naked Sandals are here...!!

Thanks to some creative Ladies in my UWIB group...I have a name for my new line...! I offered up a pair of Naked Sandals to the winner of the name contest. Aimee mentioned "nude sandals" and I grabbed it from there. So, congratulaions to Aimee for helping with the name and a big shout out to all creative ladies at UWIB who participated in the naming contest. Look for more colors of Naked Sandals in my shops in the next few days...!!

New Product Line Release..Here it is...!

Although they remain nameless at this point in time....I am releasing these photos of my new summer line. I am too excited about these to keep them under wraps any longer..!
These are perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool side. Anytime you are barefoot...you can give your feet some bling...!
Getting married on the beach..?? These sandals are perfect for the occasion..!! They can even be worn with your sandals to give them an extra sparkle.
There are 3 sizes and they are all adjustable in size. I can also make them custom for your special occasion. There will be lots of color choices available. If you don't see the color you need, just ask, I'd be happy to make especially for you.
I will have them available for sale in my Etsy and Artfire shops this weekend.

Susie Sells Seashells

I am very into shells right now. I think it is in anticipation of summer. I am ready, really, I am. We've had a colder than usual winter here in Biloxi. I realize that you may be reading this from way up north where you have 3 feet of snow, and I really shouldn't complain.
These are the perfect choice for summer though. I love these earwires. I made them myself from sterling silver wire, they are too cool.
These could be perfect for a day at the beach or by the pool and very easily dress up for a night out.

Not to tease..but I'll be adding a very new item very soon. Another perfect addition for summer for a different body part. I am very excited about this new project. I am hoping to have enough inventory for a release next week sometime.
So check back here, I will show it here before I list it in my shops. I love new ideas...!!!

Now..I'm ready for Summer...!

I know it happened fast....but after this latest cold snap we are in...I am officially ready for some heat...! Give me summer please...!!! I want the sun on my face, the sand between my toes and my pina colada in my hand...! I am ready for my tan....I know, I know...tans are bad for you...I just want to feel some heat all the way into my bones....!

In honor of my desire for Summer....I have been working on some designs perfect for hot Summer days and steaming Summer nights...!

I have added the following to my Etsy shop....Hot Pink shells and pearls. Introducing Elements of Summer....

I have listed the Coconut colored Shell bracelet in my Artfire Studio.

If you are waiting impatiently for summer, like me...you can get a jump start on that warm weather feeling. Hot pink or a more subtle coconut brown..which one are you...?