New Weave Designs

I am engrossed with my imagination as I weave new pendants on my homemade loom with many designs in the making. My focus has been to feature fibers with vibrant color and texture in the pendants. I'm on a roll with over 30 new pieces made and no two alike and several of which have been sold.

At the same time, I've been researching the best options for my new website. With the expertise of my son Austin and research I've been doing, I plan on a Grand Opening this spring 2010 when I am able to begin shipping from the US. Also, at the same time, I will open an ETSY shop. So if you like what you've seen, stay in touch right here to find out how easy it will be to shop and by jewelry from the DUCHESSE collection.

Surrounded by vibrant pieces of art in this Mexican Casa

Inside the Mexican home of Billie and Ricardo Andrade was where our Tuesday beading session took place. Billie and Ricardo own the business called Olas Vallarta offering surf tours and lessons in the bay area and beyond.

From the moment we arrived we were greeted by colorful arrays of artistic creations from the door front to every corner of Billie and Ricardo's casa.

The walls were splattered with hand painted art work from ceiling to floor.

The floors were adorned with "rugs" made with picturesque tiles.

Some walls had the theme of Christianity which is so prevalent here.

The Virgin of Guadalupe who is being celebrated from December 1 - 12 here in old town Puerto Vallarta is seen in many homes and businesses.

About 8 of us sat in several tables outside in the court yard right next to this beautiful display.

Billie is showing us just one of her many artistic pieces.

We all went home with a match box decorated by Billie using the Mexican Bingo theme.

Mexican Bingo Cards look like this:

Here's a mirror Billie made using bottle caps and the Mexican bingo theme.

Linda decided to make this frame using the Mexican Bingo theme instead of beading today.

Jean does tedious beautiful weaving with small seed beads and finished her bracelet.

Sue wore her recently finished red and black woven necklace which is made of hundreds of tiny little seed beads - ELEGANT!!

Tis the season for a little ho ho, so some made little Santa earrings from a pattern that Anne discovered.

Truly it's exhilarating to surround ourselves with each others creative passions as we dive into our zone of adult play time!

Birthday gift for a child next door

Macy, our neighbor, just turned 7 the other day. For her birthday I told my daughter, Randi, our gift would be to help Macy pick her own beads and help her create a "child" like necklace. So that's what we did. Macy spent a morning picking out her beads with my guidance. We picked some of her favorite colors and decided to coordinate with her outfit. And well, I think she's quite happy with her creation! :)

Beads at the Huichol Store

Anne, one of my new beading friends here in Puerto Vallarta, invited me and Hortenzio, a Huichol Indian boy, to go shopping down town at the Huichol Bead store. I wanted to meet Hortenzio and also explore the bead store. Anne's mission was to pick up Hortenzio at the arts and crafts show and take him to the bead store where they sell the little tiny beads his mom uses to make her jewelry.

Anne helped Hortenzio pick out a bunch of colorful seed beads to give to his mom and she also had previously bought several pieces of her work do resell giving her a helping hand to move inventory. Now that's what I call the spirit of giving.

Beading at the Puerto Vallarta Yacht Club

Two of my favorite things all packed up in one terrific day - jewelry making and cruising. Well, I didn't quite get to go cruising. However, the beading group that I hang out with on Tuesdays once in a while meets with the beading group at the Puerto Vallarta Yacht Club. So I was surrounded by beautiful people from all over the globe and talented ones creating fine works of art! I really felt at "home" with my surroundings. Perfect sensation when you are on a mission to create little pieces of art.

Here you can see a mix of ladies all working on various projects at the club.

Some cruisers bring their beads to sell by the "bead". So you buy just what you need with out committing to a whole strand. It's a wonderful way to try new items and not break the bank doing so. Here's a spread of the beads.

One of the cruisers makes her own glass beads using a beautiful array of colors

Terrific day with wonderful people sharing, teaching, designing and relaxing.