Umm...I Think That's My Drink.

I've seen it a hundred times, the one guy that drinks WAY too much sauvignon blanc, starts acting like a jerk, forgetting his glass, drinking out of any wine glass that has some red liquid in it, turning off the guests so people leave after about an hour and your party is ruined.

All because you don't have wine charms.


Really, one of the niftiest little inventions that very beautifully wrap around your stemware and let your guests distinguish their glass from another's.


Whether you just forgot where you put it down or you've had eight too many, wine charms help you avoid the faux pas and enjoy yourself. And, if you do find a theme you enjoy for your wine charms, make sure they are different enough for the most inebriated to find their glass. Having eight wine charms with the same charm and the same color will only lead to drunken embarrassment.


So, please, visit my Etsy shop, purchase a set for yourself, one for a loved one...I can even create custom orders with themes that are special to you or your friends. These are handmade gifts - functional art that will save your parties.

Working My Little Fingers!

A friend in High School used to call them penguin fingers, because they were so small that if penguins did have fingers they'd be about the same size. Very small. I can wear those stretch gloves and not stretch them.

I recently received an order for 500 wine charms that must be received before October 1st (and I have to take into account shipping time!) and got my supply order yesterday afternoon. I've been working night and day to get everything ready and am having a blast.

Here's the design I came up with:
(I've blurred out the letters of my client on the white beads.)

...and here's the focal bead!

So! Please excuse me if you don't hear from me so frequently but I'll try! And, if you see me posting way too often, please tell me to get back to work!

Personalized Bead Box - for Beginners and All Ages!

My cousin David and I are less than one year apart in age. He is married to Irina, a wonderful woman and they have two children: Maiya (3 in November), and Maksim (6 months). For all intents and purposes - they are my niece and nephew, I am their aunt. And I LOVE it!

Maiya LOVES beads! She loves jewelry, loves making it, wearing it, getting it. (It's cute now, but her future significant other may be in for it!) And, as a jewelry maker, I am so excited to help her with this and be there with her as she grows.

So, when David called to tell me that she put a bead up her nose, it got lodged there, and they had to rush her to the doctor's office, it got me thinking, "Maybe I should put something together that is age appropriate." This is what I came up with:


I can't wait to give this to her for her third birthday! I found a wonderful sectioned box that her little fingers should be able to open and close easily. I added large beads with large holes for longer necklaces - necklaces that do not need clasps. I included wood, plastic, glass, polymer clay, vintage lucite, large porcelain pendants, large copper pendant - just to begin with!

My girlfriend Sue (whom I love and adore!) needed a gift for her 5 year old cousin and I offered to make one of these boxes for her as well. Since I know she is no longer exploring her body, I was able to include smaller beads, clasps, and more fragile pieces like shells.


Each box is adorned with hand painted letters of their name and an embellishment that reflects their interests or just makes the whole look darn cute! I will never use stickers - stickers fade and peel and over time just don't keep their appearance fresh. The embellishments on both of these boxes were created with wood but I also use sturdy molded plastic and metals as well.

I am confident, as a jewelry maker and designer, that I can put together a great bunch of beads - for boys and girls of all ages. Even adult beginners! I have been working with beads and gemstones for over 15 years - please contact me if I can create one of these special pieces for you!

I will also be posting this at my Etsy shop (just click the link at the top left of the page). I can't wait to put together your interests, add that personal touch, and feed your need to create!