July 2012

Our daily life here is beginning to find a hum..it's own rhythm. My husband works long hours..14 hr days. Exhausting yes. But on his off days we play..we travel and explore. We look forward to those off days.
Last weekend we took a small day trip to Tel Aviv to enjoy the water and to visit one of my favorite jewelry supply stores located on Allenby Street.
Allenby is a busy bustling street that sits near Jaffa and most definitely has a flavor all of it's own.  There are merchants sitting outside their shops smoking, surveying the day. There are assistants carrying bolts of material and boxes of merchandise.Of course the shoppers..lots of people shop at all hours. They're slow shoppers for the most part..out to mosey and explore, touch and examine.
The streets are not drive-able really. You would be smart to take a cab. There is continuous honking to add to the mayhem.. We have yet to become accustomed to driving the narrow streets with the thrust of people, bikes and taxis..meaning I'm still certain we will lose our lives or maim one of those brave cyclists on Allenby street in Tel Aviv. and yet we return..;-]

The store itself is one of the reasons we continue to visit. An organized  jumble of rollers and presses and lengths of metal and stones. Clasps and findings crafted in brass and sterling catch my eye..all hand stamped. Made here in Israel. I love that.
I bought my supplies and we went out to eat lunch..we decided that we were hungry enough to eat at the 'Manta Ray',  a beautiful wee little restaurant that sits seaside.
They served us the most delicious scallop and shrimp with a fennel sauce that I swore I was going to go home and google so that I could try it ourselves..[yet to do that] We enjoyed every morsel while we sat together chatting and loving the view.

I am a blessed woman and its a good life.

what I ate

what we saw

what I made when I got home..

artist made jewelry~ 'Renaissance'

Earthy and original...bold and lusty,

 with just the right amount of jangle 

~ this artist made bracelet was created for original women..

Sold.

Congratulations to Elena V..winner of the artisan earrings. Thank you everyone who played along and helped to add some sparkle to my Facebook page..you're all great..I wish I could send each one of you a pair of earrings :-)
Stay tuned and keep popping in for a visit..I don't know when the next draw will be but you can be sure there will be another!

Enjoy your week everyone..create something today. Even if its just a fabulous dinner for the one you love.

Back in the Bay

E'Bay that is! Just listed this set of nine hand formed beads [as in no presses]..enough for a necklace or a couple of bracelets when you mix them up with other components.
Created with shards using rods of dark plum.
.. a fun bead-making technique that involves the breaking of glass. yes, we all enjoy that I think. ;-)

Click on the photo to visit the 3 day auction

Enjoy your week all!

Lampwork earring Giveaway!!

It's my birthday this month. Yes. Another one. In honor of my many many birthdays I'm giving away a pair of my handcrafted earrings. 

A pair of my lampwork beads wired with sterling silver and strung onto french style clips. [retail $40.] Nubby textural warm autumnal hues of amber and purple.

Here's how to win:

1. Visit and "Like" Sweetwater Designs handmade glass beads on Facebook.

2. Share the Sweetwater Designs Facebook page or any album from this page on your Wall, and tag me in your posts. Facebook's easy-to-use "Share" button can be found below most featured images and posts on the left side, while the "Tag This Photo" function is typically located on the right side.

3. You can share and post as many times as you like; each shared post in which you tag " Sweetwater Designs handmade glass beads" gets you one entry into the Birthday giveaway. Please comment either here or on my facebook page to let me know you have shared and/or posted. Thanks and good luck!

Giveaway ends July 14th, 2012. I will post the winner on the 15th at 10am PST

Enjoy your week all!