fun new pieces from susan nickles

I've been hard at work today, taking photos and then editing them  for the online store.  I just haven't gotten that far yet....nothing's up on the store but it is waiting in the wings. 

Here are a few of the images from today's shoot:

Sterling silver and tumbled blue glass from a Sapphire Gin bottle

Sterling silver and tumbled "beach" glass from a wine bottle

Sterling silver 2-1 chain necklace with a 1"

domed/pounded disc and a toggle closure, 19"

Sterling silver rings with a drop pearl and lobster claw clasp, 20"

Sue makes each sterling ring and embellishment herself - great technique and a transitional (and very wearable) aesthetic.  Call me if you want to grab any of these before they go up on the online store.







a bad news day

I received some bad news today.

I needed to contact my sign guy today,the person who had made numerous signs for the two different JOOLZ locations, about a new sign needed for a neighborhood group.  I knew with his artistic bent and construction talents, he could do a great job at a reasonable price.

I called his number and his wife answered the phone.  That, in itself, was a little off.  He always answered the phone himself, usually from  the extension in the shop.  I asked for Brent and she told me he wasn't there.  I launched into a message for him and then she stopped me, telling me that he had passed away in March from  a massive stroke. 

At age 59.

In otherwise excellent health.

He'd had oatmeal for breakfast that morning.

I was dumbfounded.

Brent Gillette was an artist, an avid outdoorsman, a hiker and a biker.  He was a fair and honest businessman and a pleasure to work with.  I found him only by chance, having driven by a local hair salon whose sign was eye-catching.  I stopped to speak to the owner to find out who had made her sign and she gave me Brent's name and contact info.  He made inside and outside signs for JOOLZ at both stores, together with vinyl applications for the doors and windows.  Everything was top notch.

Brent Gillette at JOOLZ, May 2007

My deepest sympathy to his wife Robin, their two sons and his grandson.  He will be missed.



getting into (double) trouble

It's been a while, hasn't it?  I apologize, but I've been busy!  After we returned from  our beach holiday, I dove right back into the major volunteer job that I had started in the late fall.  We finally wrapped that up at the end of June and it's been fun and family, family, family since then.  Now it's time to get back to work and to get our online store back up and running.  Lots of images to take and edit, joolz to be measured and info to be uploaded to the store software.  Soon....I promise.

But today was a bus man's holiday for me.  The annual outdoor Arts at the Gardens art and craft show, held on the grounds of Canandaigua's lovely Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens, kicked off at 10:00am  this morning.  I was there at 9:50, ready to stroll and look and NOT buy anything.  I keep telling myself that I will never pay retail jewelry prices again.  That good intention went out the door at 10:05am, when I stopped to see what new creations Linda Lawrence had in her booth. By 10:10am, I owned this fun piece:

Colorful, whimsical, eye-catching, one-of-a-kind.....all the things I like in playful, glass bead jewelry.

And to make it a business-related transaction, I asked Linda how she liked using Square for her show credit card processing program.  (She loves it!).  Thanks, Linda - great necklace and a fair retail price.....even though I am  never paying retail again....

Until I got to Barbara and Rick Umbel's booth:

You'll remember from  my last blog post in March that I had met Barbara and Rick while on vacation, and fell in love with their shell and precious metal jewelry.  I reintroduced myself and fell in love with their work all over again, this time walking away with this aqua limpet and blue topaz pendant and multi-strand cable necklace:

You'll note that Barbara has changed the design of the piece a bit, so it's not exactly like the one I saw in Florida.  But it is smashing and I know I will wear it often.  And by the way, Barbara loves Square, too.

The show was beautifully organized by friendly, helpful volunteers and the lineup of artists was topnotch.  Even Mother Nature cooperated, with temps in the high 60"s and sunny skies.  I saw lots of friends and even was able to spend some time walking the show with my youngest brother and his wife, who are staying in the area for a while.  All in all, a very nice morning, despite the fact that I got in (double) retail-priced jewelry trouble!