Where to begin...

Oh Geez! where do I start? Besides introducing myself and explaining that blogging is all new to me… My name is Allison - I'm a proud Army Officer's Wife, loving Mother of beautiful little Olivia, a Jewelry Designer and a wine lover!

I originally wanted to start this blog because it is a requirement for an online jewelry class I will be taking next year. Now that I'm sitting down and taking the time to actually make it happen, I feel that it will be much more than just a requirement. I hope to share with you my work, create tutorials, share experiences and make new friends in this creative world.

I LOVE fashion!!! Although I don't consider myself very "fashionable," I'm very inspired and amazed at how much thought, detail and creativity goes into making each garment. One of my all time favorite designers that inspires me on a daily basis is Dolce & Gabbana. I was inspired to create this necklace and earrings set above, based off of the Pantone colors for 2016 and this amazingly gorgeous D & G dress from 2014. The necklace is all hand-knotted Czech glass with vintage brass stamping that I hand colored using Vintaj patina paint. The statement earrings are wire-wrapped Czech glass beads and more vintage brass stampings that I also painted myself with all the free time an active two year old allows!
(Vintage stampings from www.bsueboutiques.com)

Another huge inspiration for me is Iris Apfel… That lady has class, she has style…. and boy does she have spunk! She definitely inspires me to create what I love, and to not worry that others might think it is too much!…. Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to create jewelry that people love and want to buy… But whenever I am in a creative rut, I just think of the super fashionable, over-the-top Iris Apfel, and the creative ideas start flowing. Of course I have misses here and there, but I'm having fun and finding joy in doing it.  Isn't that what it is all about anyway?

Bracelets from top to bottom:
Leopard and gold bangle- Banana Republic
Hand-knotted pink, teal faceted stone- Bordeaux&Pearl www.bordeauxandpearl.etsy.com
Gold spikes and rhinestones- Stella&Dot  stelladot.com/liznicks
Leopard, flowers, vintage rhinestones- Bordeaux&Pearl www.bordeauxandpearl.etsy.com

I hope you find my blog interesting, amusing, awesome…whatever you want it to be!  And I hope you keep coming back for more fun! Feel free to post in the comments and let me know what you think or what you would like to see.  I also want to thank my husband Michael, for all of his love and support he gives me each and every day. He has always believed in me, and has made me believe in myself. I know I wouldn't be where I am at today without his love and encouragement to make my dreams a reality. I know that totally sounds like a cheesy line from a movie, but it is 100% true!

(Picture taken at the airport the day Michael returned from a 10 month deployment to Afghanistan.)