Desert Stones Blog

SOLD!

My sale was a success!  I began this "season" with over 200 pieces, and now I'm looking at only 15 in my treasure chest :) 

Two items of interest I want to share with you:

I am now represented by Zense, a high-fashion ladies accessories boutique, located at 73-290 El Paseo in Palm Desert.  After taking four of my pieces, they sold two right away.  I'm honored to be a small part of their fab inventory!

And. . .I won Third Place at the Indian Wells Arts Festival for my most favorite piece:

There are some pieces I make that I become very attached to, this is one.  I was a little bit sad when it sold.  But it has a lovely forever home now and I have the photo. . .

I attended the Gem Faire this past weekend and came home with some real beauties, onyx, picture jasper, agate, pearls, Swarovski, hematite, snakeskin jasper, and more.  I'm fresh with ideas and can't wait to begin working on next "season's" collection.  Metal work, hand beading, stringing, wire work, polymer clay, stones, metals, and on and on.  You'll have a sneak peak as my work progresses along the way.

For now, I can show you a few new polymer pieces: Please click on each photo for a better view

"Lemon Ice", transparent lemony cubes with a cream patina, resemble old glass.  Carved bone, pewter beads and a beautiful pewter focal with crystals running through the center.  #N25 

"Her Curves".  I've always been attracted to goddess shapes.  This patinated copper goddess is suspended from grade A polished agate and Swarovski crystals.  She's very pretty.  #N24

"Monet" is a fresh look.  My custom blend of colors in round and stick beads, highlighted with So. African wood beads and cut cane glass beads.  The necklace, earrings and bracelet are priced as a set, however I will sell them separately as well.  #N23

Towards the latter part of this past "season" I played around with changeable hand made polymer beads on a magnetic neck wire.  Instant success!  So much so that I ran out of beads.  The beads slip on and off the magnetic neckwire so you can purchase additional sets to change out your look, add to the current set, etc. This is a piece you'll throw on again and again.  I promised my clients all new choices for this next "season".

If you're interested in any of the pieces above, or would like a special order, contact me at DesertStonesPD@aol.com.

My head is swimming with ideas and I have my work cut out for me this summer.  You'll receive sneak peeks as I progress.

Be well.

Stevie

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL HAVE A SALE IF I WANT TO!

This is a first! 

DESERT STONES JEWELRY IS having a sale. . .my birthday sale!

I'll be (mumble mumble) on April 21st and before the 2012 desert "season" is but a fond memory I want to clean out my jewelry box, and I mean REALLY clean it out!

Saturday, April 21st, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Patty Levenda's "Simply Divine" located at  77-734 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert.  Directions at the end of this message. 

Everything's on sale at a minimum of 25% off. . .earrings, necklaces and bracelets, silver, bronze, semi-precious stone, copper, polymer, pearl and glass.  I'll have my treasure chest of polymer clay beads out, they'll be on sale for. . .$1.00 each!

Hey-it's time to stock up on birthday, thank-you and Holiday gifts!  

Patti is celebrating with her own sale, 25%-50% off clothing, handbags and accessories as well! 

We've partnered to give you a deal you won't want to refuse.

Join us for light refreshments and a glass of wine and help me celebrate turning (mumble mumble).   

 Directions:

Simply Divine:  77-734 Country Club Drive, Suite F-3.  Heading east on Country Club Drive, go past Palm Valley Country Club.  When you come to Park Center Drive, make a left at that light and an immediate right into the front parking lot of the commercial building.  A couple of buildings down will be number 77-734.  You'll see "Home Fitness", "Country Club Cowgirl", "Girl Scouts", etc.  which front Country Club Drive.  On the right side of that buiding is Suite F-3.  (760) 779-4425

P.S.-for my blog readers only, mention this blog and "I can do a little better for you darling" :)

First come, first pick. . . . . . .

2012 IN LIVING COLOR

Happy and Healthy 2012 everyone.  Spring and summer fashion races in with colors blazing!  Taking a walk through Saks Fifth Avenue is like stepping around a garden in full bloom.  My eyes zoomed immediately to the pop of yellow, orange, red and blue in Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring line.  And thus, an idea was born. . . . .

All of the above are custom polymer clay with three coats of clear acrylic.

 

Long necklaces are making a statement now, and most of mine can be double wrapped for a shorter look as well.

Two separate necklaces, but don't they look great together?

Same piece as above, double wrapped.

Every New Year's Eve I make myself a sparkler, this year I used four strands of chrochet silver crystals, all sizes, and make this choker and matching earring set.  It's got lots of W O W.  I've been having fun using all kinds of elements in my  chrochet pieces.

Still have some romance left in me. . . .

Metal enters the realm of Boho. . .

I have so much more to show you, stop by one of my shows listed in the right hand column or call me for a private appointment if you want to match pieces to your wardrobe.

Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to You!

Stevie

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY CHEER-GO RED!

GO RED FOR WOMEN

A CLASSIC HOLIDAY CHARITY BOUTIQUE

At The Beautiful

-CLASSIC CLUB-

75200 Classic Club Boulevard

Palm Desert

(760) 601-3600

Saturday, December 10th 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

This Will Be A Wonderful Fund Raising Event and Day Of Shopping To Benefit

GO RED FOR WOMEN/AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

Perfect Holiday Gifts (for YOU TOO!)

Just A Sampling Of Vendors:

Stevie Weinberg-Desert Stones Jewelry

Mary Gorfine-Mixed Media and Fabric Artisan

Nancy Jaffe-Gossamer Silk Designs

Brenda-The Pampered Bath, El Paseo (loads of fun gifts, hostesss gifts, stuffers

Patti Levenda-Simply Divine, well priced accessories and clothing

Heather-Scentsy Candles

The weather promises to be beautiful.  Shop a bit, then stay and have lunch at the beautiful on-site Bellatrix Restaurant

For more information:  DeeBrown2006@gmail.com

See You Saturday!

 

 

 

The Giving Season-Desert Stones Jewelry

I'm so happy to tell you I'm participating in three very special fund raising boutiques this season.  CAMP RONALD McDONALD CHARITIES on Thursday, December 1st, GO RED FOR WOMEN/AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION on Saturday, December 10th, and THE PANHELLENIC SOCIETY on Friday, March 9, 2012.

In addition, 20% of my sales at ART UNDER THE UMBRELLAS in La Quinta and 20% of my sales at THE DESERT MOUNTAINS ART FAIRE will be donated to the La Quinta Arts Foundation and The Desert Mountains Conservancy, respectively.

All dates, places and times are listed to the right.  Hopefully you'll stop by one or more times and see my ever-changing, custom, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.

And now for a glimpse of what's to come. . . .
Hand beaded Swarovski Pearls, covered with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.

Three hand crochet strands of crystals, alphabet beads and glitter beads, braided and finished with a pewter clasp.

27mm Swarovski stone with a beaded bezel using seed beads and Swarovski crystals.


Hand forged copper elements and chain, Czech glass, copper has a gold and antiqued hand applied patina.

Hand beaded cuff bracelet with snap closure.  Fitted upon purchase.

Hand forged base, wired with pearls, crystals, glass, and everything else!

Hand beaded cuff bracelet.

Hand crochet strands of sparkling crystals and freshwater pearls, braided together and finished with a pewter clasp.

There's so much more, but I must leave some pieces for you to see when you stop by. . . .

Happy, Healthy Holidays,

Stevie

 

 

 

 

TWINKLE and SHINE

Since my last update i've been furiously bead weaving and bead stitching. Those 6" tubes of brightly colored glass and metallic seed beads are irresistible! Soon the bead store will be calling to see if I have a color they're looking for. . . ;)

My Malibu Arts Festival show was two weekends ago. Imagine having to spend two days, all day long, in beautiful high 70's degree weather, viewing the Pacific Ocean, meeting some of the nicest people ever! What a great venue.

Here we go:

Size 11 Miyuki seed beads, Fireline, Swarovski AB bicones, large Swarovski focal stone. NFS, made this for someone special.

Hand forged copper with a verdigris patina. African trade beads, Czech crystals.

Hand forged 16ga copper form, wired with hand-dyed lucite flowers, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, antiqued brass findings.

Size 11 Miyuki seed beads, size 11 metal triangle seed beads, hand dyed fibers, Swarovski crystal button closures. Cuff has a beautiful nap.

Fun, faux turquoise beads.

Metal seed beads, beaded fringe with Swarovski crystals, Swarovski crystal button focal. Cuff sized to fit at purchase.

There's lots more....but then what would you deilght in at my first local show this next season. . .

'Till next time, my best, Stevie

I'VE GOT THE BLUES

Around this same time every year my internal color palate heads West, towards the ocean.  With temps around 107-120 degrees being quite the norm, I've survived 34 summers here in the Southwest Desert.  It's no surprise that every medium I've touched lately has been blue, turquoise,  seafoam green, the colors of cool!

A few of my newest pieces:  (Clicking on each photo enlarges the shot)

 
2" bead embroidered cuff over brass form.  Turquoise suede backing.  Toho seed beads, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals.  These bead embroidered cuffs are extremely time consuming and I only create two or three of them each year.  They're heirloom quality.

 
Torched and hand forged copper chain, snakeskin jasper, Chinese crystals.

 
 Seven hand beaded layers of Toho seed beads and turquoise Swarovski AB crystals, highlighted with coco Czech crystals.  This photo doesn't do this bracelet justice, it's got tremendous depth and sparkle.

 
Hand forged bronze chain, beautifully striated picture jasper, green chryophase, South African olive wood, Chinese crystals.

 
Hand forged copper "Sultana" earrings.  Gold patina, Swarovski crystals and Chinese crystal drop.

 
Hand painted papers under clear kiln annealed sturdy glass domes, on top of silver plated adjustable ring forms.  I have a very dear friend, Mary Gorfine, who is an outstanding fiber and mixed media artist.  She shares very well!  I get the scraps of her hand painted papers and use them in making these delicious rings!  I have many more available, each one is one-of-a-kind, of course!  Please visit her website:  www.MaryGorfine.com.  You'll be happy you did!  

I'm in the process of planning my show itinerary for the 2011/2012 Season and I'll have the anticipated dates posted soon so check  back now and again.

You can contact me directly by leaving a comment at the end of this month's blog.

Happy summer. . . be well. . .stay C O O L!

 

 

What A Season It Was!

, I want to thank all the wonderful people who have been e-mailing me these past few months when they didn't receive my monthly blog.

This past "Season" here in the desert, from January through April, was non-stop for me as a jewelry designer/art show vendor. If I wasn't preparing for a show, I was furiously working at my bench to make pieces to fill in the empty spots from the previous show. Not that I'm complaining, for me this is wonderful, fabulous, incredible.....but it left no time for my blog, (or life as I knew it to be).

I took a brief rest in May and did make a few pieces, but really focused more on playing with new techniques and mediums. My summer will be spent taking classes, doing a bit of travelling with my honey and creating new and wonderful pieces of fun, eclectic, colorful jewelry. As a typical proud mom, I'm so pleased to tell you that our son "the starving artist" will have his art featured in a gallery in Louisville, KY. If you're in the neighborhood, let me know and I'll give you the info. He's been doing canvases, murals for businesses in the Bardstown Road area of Louisville, and a mural in a personal residence in Chicago.

Here are a few of the pieces I've been working on these past two months. Hope you enjoy and you'll hear from me a bit more regularly, promise!

Surprise! One of the classes I took was an "assemblage" class, this is my first creation. Silly, isn't she? Now, seriously. . .

Snakeskin jasper, pearls, crystals.

 

Custom lamp work glass pieces, crystals, sterling.

 

Lapis, carved bone, pearls, crystals, sterling.

Fine silver wire work using pearls, crystals, glass, stones, etc.

I have been juried into the Malibu, CA summer arts show to be held on the campus of the Malibu Civic Center, July 30-31st so I'm preparing for that right now.

 Have a great June, be well.

Stevie

Hand forged copper frame with wire work, pearls, crystals, stones, beads, etc.

Bracelet, free form bead weaving.

Red coral, custom lamp work glass vessel, South African beads.

Custom polymer clay, red coral.

Free form bead woven bracelet.

Wake Up Girls. . .There's Fun To Be Had!

 

Happy and Healthy New Year everyone. 

I've been working through the Holidays, re-building my inventory and playing with new materials.  My heart is leading me to bright, shiny things right now, I'm using Swarovski crystals like mad.  

FUN is on the accessories menu this year, and I'm delivering a lot of it.  Just take a look at just a few of the newest pieces:

 
 "Frida In The Sky With Diamonds"

 
"Another Day, Another Goddess"

 
"Every Which Way"

And, of course, cool rocks and crystals:

  
 
 
 
 
 
Some "Fun" earrings:

 

And some confetti colored  
 polymer clay:

 

My camera's exhausted, so I'll have to show you the Frida bracelet next time.

I'm the proud owner of a new digital kiln, and so far there are six pairs of fine silver Precious Metal Clay earrings and a couple necklaces in the works.  But, I must save somethings for February. . . . .

Please come visit me at Art Under the Umbrellas on Main Street in La Quinta this coming Saturday, 1/15/11, from 9:30 until 4:00.  Lots of artists, lots of music, lots of food, lots of good FUN to be had!

Fondly,                                                                                                                   

Stevie

A Happy Ending

Thank you all for making 2010 an extraordinary year for Desert Stones.  In the past ten days I've had three shows and while I'm a bit frazzled I didn't want to miss this opportunity to thank all of you and count my blessings out loud.  Here are my top three;  1)  My husband and son who are not only supportive, but keep pushing me to do more, 2)  My Friday Girls who think everything I make is the best thing since white bread, even the truly ugly pieces, and, 3)  All the art show organizers and jurrors who have graciously allowed me to participate (Diane Funk:  Indian Wells Arts Festival, Kathleen: Art Under The Umbrellas in La Quinta, Eve-Marie Andrews who chaired the first ever COD Scholarship Art Event this year) just to name a few.

I'm closing out this missive with my favorite pieces from this year's collection.  Most of these pieces are sold and now living in happy homes.  Happy Holidays, Happy and Healthy New Year.