Artist of the Week - Rosemary McLeod

Happy Wednesday Everyone :D

I am excited to bring to you this weeks artist !  Here is my interview with Rosemary. As you will see, Rosemary enjoys being creative with different metals.

1-Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Rosemary McLeod from Spartanburg, SC. I am a first generation American with German heritage. Both my parents enjoyed working with their hands in their leisure time such as welding some sculptures [my dad] or oil painting[my mom]. In high school, college, and later in life, I dabbled with watercolors, stained glass, smocking baby clothes and finally jewelry.

2-What inspired you to do jewelry?

I never thought about making jewelry until my hair stylist asked me to go to a local hobby shop and take a beginning earring class. Well, as they say, I got hooked. I took more classes and really became interested in working with metals, but I also like to make jewelry with vintage pieces and work with found objects.

3-What do you do when you are not doing jewelry?

In my off time, I like to go to the movies especially the off beat ones or indie films. Also, I like to shag with my husband and enjoy country music.

4-How do you promote yourself?

My work is promoted through my new website http://www.mcrosedesigns.com/ that has a link to my Etsy shop.

 

5-Is there anything you would like to express to your customers/clients and fans?

I would like my customers to know that I take great pride in my work and try to present a quality piece of jewelry. To me, giving the customer that special attention that they expect from handmade work is of great importance but most of all that find joy and fun with their new piece just has I had in making it. I believe each person has an artisan spirit, which one is yours?

Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us and I wish you much success!

You can find Rosemary's Etsy shop here : http://www.etsy.com/shop/McRoseDesigns

Things I have been working on

First, I told you that I would post a picture of my daughter before and after her decision to get 12" cut for Locks of Love. Here goes.

Here are some things that I have been working on this week. Some will be listed in my Etsy shop and some are spoken for but can be remade if requested.

Just received a new shipment of supplies so off to make more. Will be working at the Waxhaw Art & Chocolate from 3-5 this Sat. so come on by if you get the chance. You can get the link from my earlier post which has direction. See ya there:) Hoping everyone has a wonderful day.

Guess Who?

Yes, I have been a slacker lately! Between camp, school being out, and church events going on I have not had much time to blog so I want to thank those of you that read my blog for your patience. You are so appreciated. Ok, here goes!

Jewelry
I have been working on some jewelry to list on Etsy and some to put in this cute little shop in Waxhaw, NC. If you live near Waxhaw, please stop by sometime. Address is 101 North Church Street in Waxhaw. There is an abundance of talent in this one little place! Here are some pictures. The name of the shop is "Waxhaw Art & Chocolate
Unique handmade art and chocolate galore! Fridays and Saturdays 10-5

I also found a really cheap but lovely way to display your earrings. I have not seen this way before so hopefully it is an original by yours truly :) I had gone to Wal-Mart and picked up this thread spindle/spool holder. I then brought it home and sprayed it with gold paint and let dry. Then I loaded it with earrings and I think it turned out great! You can make your own earrings cards and it works just as well. I skipped ever other peg to that it did not look so cramped. Please let me know what you think..............



Well, I hope to get you a wonderful summer recipe this week so stay tuned. Must go for now. Peace out and have a wonderfully blessed day until next time....

Take A Peek Jewelry and Wonderful B and B!

Jewelry

As you can tell from my "mini Etsy" to the side, I have some new listings. I did a few crosses and was very pleased with the out come. My mom was having a fit over them and was telling me about how one would go with this outfit and the other would go with this other outfit I have and so on. She is so funny! Every time I make something it convenietly goes with something she owns. She is one of my best customers! lol Anyway, outside of the crosses I have also been making some flower earrings. These earrings are very light and all are on sterling silver except one which I put on 14k gold filled (this will be the first picture below). Some like the sterling and while others like the 14k gold fill so I have plenty of supplies for both. I have not posted these on Etsy yet so you get the first viewing of them. I hope to add them later today or first thing in the morning.

I am working on my website to get my jewelry listed on pages rather than the webstore since my limit is 30 items. I do have some vintage pins that I have/will list in the webstore. That is why I have been making sure to list most everything on Etsy for the time being. http://www.harmonyjewelrydesign.com/ will have all of my jewelry soon. :)

The B&B (Bread and Breakfast)

I had been invited to be a part of "Southern Porch & Garden Party" put on by the Arts Council of Chester County. I was located at An Inn on York Street. When I arrived to set up I was amazed at the size of the yard! The front yard had a brick and iron fence with a gate entrance. Once you entered you drive down a paved driveway which will take you to a small parking area.

I went in to find out where I was to set up and I know my chin had to have hit the floor when I walked in the front door! I saw this beautiful entry way that was absolutely breathtaking. I was then greeted by this gentleman named Mark. He went out on the front porch to show me where I would need to set up. During our set up I met his wife Sandie. She brought my mom and I something to drink and chatted with us for a few minutes. We then toured this most remarkable and beautiful home. I have attached a link so that you can see a slideshow get a glimpse of what beauty we were graced with. They did their own decorating! http://www.flickr.com/photos/harmonyjewelrydesign/sets/72157617600198829/show/

We spoke with Mark and Sandie finding out where they were from, how they came to end up in such a small town as Chester, SC & about the decor of their home. This couple is from England and have such a beautiful British accent. When they were looking for a home in the US they were wanting a place that had all four seasons. They had heard about this house being for sale and felt the Chester, SC was such a nice southern town with a relaxed and slower pace. It didn't hurt that there are golf courses nearby. Once they decided to make their home into a Bed and Breakfast they wanted to make this an opportunity to attract golfer couples to our area. They have "Unique Golf Holidays" which they will book and arrange to your liking. There are more than 20 golf courses within 35 minutes of this Inn. You will be able to golf and when finished arrive here to be pampered. There are four large en-suite guest rooms with each one having its own name. The Ernest Hemmingway Suite, Mark Twain Suite, Noel Coward Suite and Oscar Wilde Suite all beautifully furnished, air-conditioned, equipped with a plasma DVD televisions and comes with cotton robes and slippers!

If you would like more information about this historical Inn you may go to their website at http://www.innonyorkstreet.com/ or email them at info@innonyorkstreet.com.

On This Fine Wednesday!

Good morning to all of my readers and followers. I have been reading everyone else's blogs and neglected my own in the process. I was able to get a background done, (which took me a whole day) with a more pleasing, springy ombeonce. There is so much to learn about blogging! If any of you out there have any suggestions, please send them my way!

Yesterday I was featured in http://www.gemsbyjerri.blogspot.com/ Go by and check it out and learn a little bit more about me.

Jewelry

I have two pair of earrings that I have made and have listed on Etsy. I usually list them here first but did things backwards this time! If you know me then you also know that I sometimes do things backwards. lol Well here goes.

I had some Rose Gold filled wire sitting around and decided that I could use it for Spring. These earrings are what I came up with which are very light and colorful. The links are enclosed with a hammered texture. They are accented with Swarovski crystals which are green and pink. I love these two colors together. The ear wires are also handmade and accented with a Swarovski crystal. I have twisted the ear wires to help prevent slippage in the ear. I love long and/or big earrings and these cuties hang about 3 1/2"

Turquoise is one of my favorite stones! I guess I can attribute it to being born in New Mexico.

The individually wrapped each stone and then strategically attached them to a sterling silver chain. The ear wires were handmade by me. I twisted the sterling silver wire (to help prevent slippage) then formed it to a design that I find elegant and accented it with a sterling silver bead. They have a drop of approx. 2 1/2"

I just received my shipment of AAA gemstones and can't wait to make some pieces from them! I would like to know from my readers if you prefer sets to be (earrings and a bracelet) or (earrings and a necklace) or (a bracelet and a necklace)? Your input would be so appreciated.






Wishing everyone a Happy Wednesday!

I love making jewelry that you don't see just anywhere! Jewelry that has it's own personality and conforms to the person wearing it.

If you enjoy unique you will love these earrings! I started off with metallic looking Hemalyke circles. I then pulled out my Swarovski Pearls to find a color (copper) that I felt would contrast against the circle. I then designed a way for the pearl to appear as if it were floating within the circle. This was done with sterling silver wire. This creation is attached to a sterling silver ear wire that I have adorned with some copper wrapping to tie in with the pearl. These earrings dangle about 2” from the ear hole.