What's on my workbench today?

These are two items from my Texture collection. The top piece is a belt. If you look closely on the left you will see a small magnet embedded in the last component. I want the belt closure to be hidden, so I embedded two rare earth magnets in the top and bottom of the end components. Problem is, the magnets are too small and don't hold. So, it's back to the drawing board. My next attempt will be to embed a hook in one piece and use the other as a "loop." I will let you know how that works.

The second photo shows a bangle cuff bracelet that is also highly textured. I will be covering it with a base coat and then adding the metallic finish.

Stay tuned for more photos...

Spring Outfit Featuring Our Mambo Window Line

It's the middle of winter here in Wisconsin, so thinking about spring is welcoming, but still seems far off. Today I was browsing around on the H & M site and found a cool outfit with most of the items on sale. The colors work well for winter, and could move into spring. I put this outfit together with suede boots (because it seems like the snow will never melt around here) and it would also work well with pumps. Some may say that suede is only for the fall, but the rules are dying to be broken (who made them anyway?) so go ahead and wear suede whenever you like. I wouldn't wear genuine suede in the snow and slush but the imitation stuff seems to be pretty much impervious to the elements.

I love the Mambo Window necklace because of the cool design, the texture, and the colors. My friend and polymer artist, Helen Breil, is the designer of the texture and the shape. The other thing I love about this necklace is the polymer cord. It nestles around my neck and holds the weight of the piece so that it doesn't pull. The earrings match the shape and texture, but if they're too matchy, matchy for you, a nice pair of black studs would work well, too.

Of course you can view the necklace and earrings in our Etsy shop. Please give me your comments below and pin this if you like it. See you next time.

It's a new year, it's a new day, it's a new blog...

Welcome to our Foundation Stone blog! Here you will be treated to a number of hopefully, extremely helpful and interesting topics including outfit selections inspired by our jewelry. We will will also give you peeks into my studio and show you what's on my messy, cluttered, worktable. This is a place where you might learn about other crafts, pick up a new recipe, participate in a contest, and meet other artists. So without further ado, let's look at a spring outfit featuring a cuff bracelet and drop earrings from our Textures line.

I found all the clothing items, the shoes, belt, handbags, and the necklace on Target.com. I liked both handbags and couldn't decide which one to choose so I bought them both put them both in the outfit, but I would only use one at a time unless I was trying to create a new trend.

Of course, you can see the earrings and cuff bracelet in our Etsy shop. Please comment if you like (or don't like) this outfit. Please pin it, too. Bye for now...

What is Foundation Stone

In ancient times, King Solomon ordered that craftsmen use high-quality, perfectly rectangular stones upon which to build the temple (see 1 Kings, chapters 5 & 6 from the Bible). Today, this Foundation Stone has significance for people of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. Additionally, the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, speaks about a new city that is built on foundation stones inlaid with gemstones in the colors of the rainbow (see Revelation, chapter 21).

The fine materials from Revelation 21 along with the beauty of the great outdoors is what inspires our jewelry designs. Regardless of your religious persuasion, you will find Foundation Stone jewelry to be unique, bold, comfortable to wear, and crafted with meticulous attention to every detail.