Herb Festival at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens Sat. May 19

I will have most of my photographic art and a limited selection of my jewelry with me this Saturday. I won't have as many of my ready to hang pieces with me this year because I have several of them hanging in the Inspired by Nature art exhibit in Mansfield. You can see those weekdays through May 22 from 8:30-4:30pm at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts. I will have a good selection of my matted prints, note cards, bookmarks and more at the Herb Festival at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

Find EclecticDesignChoices at the Fort Worth Herb Festival this Saturday, May 20 2017

I will have much of my photographic art and a limited selection of my jewelry with me this Saturday. The forecast has some rain in it but I hope that won't stop you from coming out and enjoying the festival. Please stop by and say hi if you get a chance to come out.

Have a Fabulous 4th of July!

Family, fireworks, food and fun are some of the things that come to mind when I think of the 4th of July. It is such a wonderful thing to be able to kick back and enjoy all of those things on the anniversary of this nation that got its start with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. If you are looking for some red, white and blue to show your patriotism during this holiday, Eclectic Design Choices can help. The collage below contains images of a variety of in stock and previously sold handmade and vintage accessories.

If your holiday fun takes you out of doors, remember to apply sunscreen and bug spray as needed and to stay hydrated. Have fun and stay safe at your parties, parades and other patriotic events.

Eclectic Design Choices to be at Herb Festival

The Greater Fort Worth Herb Society holds its Herb Festival at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens this coming Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9am - 3pm. Your $4 entry fee (children under 12 are free) helps support the Herb Society and you gain access to a great selection of plants and artisan creations as well as a couple of gardening related lectures.


I will have a large selection of my photographic art for you to browse through. You will find ready to hang images on canvas and metal, matted prints, note cards, purse hangers, bookmarks, clocks and more. I will also have a limited selection of my jewelry creations with a focus on crystals and nature. If you make it to the festival, please stop by my booth and say hi.

Raw Crystal and Polished Gemstone Point Jewelry

I love how using variations in my Etsy shop listings gives my customers several choices in just one listing. Case in point, two recent listings for gemstone point pendant necklaces.

I scored some really great polished double point gemstone pendants at a recent trade show that I paired with long silver plated chains. I am able to offer a choice between tiger's eye, rose quartz, purple and white fluorite and rainbow fluorite in the same listing. In the past I might have just made and listed one of those choices for sale to see how it did before committing more supplies to a final form.

Two replace a recently sold listing on Etsy, I needed to make another raw citrine point pendant necklace. While I was creating that necklace I was inspired to create two because of two beautiful but different citrine points, when I could not decide which to use. With variations there was no need to decide, I could list each as a choice. While I was at it, because I knew I could use variations to offer them all in one listing, I also created a quartz crystal natural point paired with amethyst pendant and an amethyst point necklace.

Variations hasn't made me go totally crazy committing all of my raw and polished gemstone points to finished pieces however. I still have a good supply waiting to become something special. If you would like to inquire about a custom design please contact me.

Happy Holidays Gift Market - Last Show for 2015

This weekend will find me at Happy Holidays Gift Market at the Arlington Museum of Art. This will be my last show and chance for you to come out and see me and my creations in person for 2015. I will have all of my photographic art, including my ready to hang pieces, and jewelry with me.

The market will be open Saturday, December 12 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, December 13 from 1pm-5pm. Find out more about Happy Holidays Gift Market, including some of the other vendors and entertainment that will be there, on the event page.

Design This - On Trend and Trending Jewelry

A good friend and customer of mine has had me design several pieces of jewelry or accessories for her over the years that represent a current fashion trend, a favorite fashion element of hers or to honor a family member or family event. Earlier this year I was pleased to work with her to create two pair of earrings and two necklaces that incorporated all three.

It had been a while since she had mentioned wanting to incorporate fleur de lis into some jewelry in honor of where her husband hailed from. This was the easy part. I had had my eye out for some fleur de lis that I liked since her earlier comment and had some to show her when we met to catch up and discuss potential new jewelry pieces. She liked them too and wanted a pair of earrings made out of them. One of the other components that I showed to her was a filigreed moon. (Moon, sun and stars are a favorite fashion element of hers.) She loved it and shared a photo of a necklace that the moon made her think of and that she wanted me to use as inspiration for her project. She also wanted me to incorporate at least one star into the design.

It turned out that the inspiration necklace was actually two layered necklaces. Layered necklaces that can be worn independently or together have been trending lately. Unfortunately I did not have any star components that really spoke to my friend so I looked towards my suppliers and an upcoming trade show. I also needed to see if I could find some antiqued silver chains as my selection of silver, silver plated and gunmetal plated chains did not seem to be quite what was needed either. The right stars were difficult to find! I was beginning to despair when I came across some wonderful pave stars and a pave moon and star combo. I also found an antiqued silver chain I thought would be perfect for the project.

Now it was time to make up the earrings and mock up a couple of necklaces for the layered look. After looking at the first image in this post my friend said yes to the earrings but wanted to see the components in person. I brought along the components in the photo as well as some stainless steel chains I had recently purchased. After seeing everything in person she decided a simple single star on a stainless steel chain was what she wanted to layer with the moon and star necklace as pictured in the mock up. She also decided that another of her signature fashion statements, mismatched earrings, would be perfect for some of the other pave charms. Once we had all of the details in place, I created the necklaces and earrings to those specs.

I have seen my friend several times since then and she seems to be having fun pairing different necklaces for the layered look. I have always appreciated her great sense of style. I found it quite interesting how much of a trendsetter she seems to be when I read in a recent jewelry trade mag, "Mismatched earrings and name jewelry was big on the fall runways…", since she has rocked the mismatched earrings look for some time now.

Design This – Custom Music Themed Necklace

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some new music geek items that I developed for my EclecticSkeptic shop as a result of a custom order. Today I thought I’d share with you the necklace that sparked the new items.

Ever since I made the first pair of custom cufflinks for my customer to give as a gift, she had talked about wanting some type of custom charm necklace using the image I had developed. She tends to wear a lot of black and silver jewelry and she had showed me some styles that she liked and we brainstormed what components drew her to them. I had the opportunity while I was putting together a supply order this past summer to add some components to it that I thought could be worked into a custom necklace that would suit her.

Once I had my shipment, I scheduled to meet my customer. I laid out my new supplies as well as ones that I already had on hand. I asked her to pick out the pieces that she liked the most. I mocked up some suggestions based on what was left and after we had a necklace design in place my customer asked about the possibility of a charm bracelet too, made using a heart that didn't make it onto the necklace. I then took down some measurements to work from.

One thing that I still had to do was to come up with an image of a keyboard for one of the charms for the necklace. I took several close up photos of my piano’s keys and worked up a couple of photographic art images. The charm images needed to be black and white but I loved one of the intermediate color steps so much that I saved it to come back to later. (I used this image on the new piano keys necklace that I added to my shop earlier this year. I have also framed it as a ready to hang piece of photographic art. I will have it with me next week at my Dallas show.)

While I was working on this image, I put together enough of the necklace and bracelet to be able to do a test fit, got approval to go ahead, put the rest of the pieces together after finalizing the piano keys charm image and delivered them to a very happy customer.

Happy customers always make me happy too. It’s great to be able to create something that is special to someone. If you would like to discuss the possibility of a custom creation, please contact me. I have completed many custom orders long distance in addition to local ones as described in this post.

Science Rocks!

At least that has always been my take on science. I thoroughly enjoyed my science (and math) classes throughout school, going so far as to earn a BS in Physics from UTA many moons ago. It was with great interest that I read the “Message from the Dean” titled “Why science?” in the fall 2011 issue of Maverick Science. Pamela Jansma, Dean of the College of Science at UTA did an excellent job of describing why science has always been and will continue to be of paramount importance to society. Read her timely musings with regards to the question, “Why science?” below:

“In the technologically driven society of today, we understand and appreciate the utility of advanced devices to deliver drugs and directions, faster computers to improve data transmission and analysis, and alternative energies to transform industries and transportation. What we frequently don’t recognize, however, is the underlying science and its connection to technology.

Science comes from the Latin scire, which means “to know.” Scientists seek to know, or understand, the universe around us. Curiosity drives them. They delve ever deeper to get at the fundamental essence of nature through testing ideas and refining hypotheses. Layers are peeled away one at a time.

The phenomena being observed occur increasingly at smaller and smaller scales: macroscopic to microscopic, cellular to molecular, atomic to sub-atomic. Through this, progress can be unpredictable.

Steps can be incremental, but build through time creating leaps in understanding at unexpected moments and in unanticipated directions.

While seeming inefficient, this nonlinear path of discovery is essential to the accumulation of knowledge. By asking why and responding to the hints of each potential answer, science guides the way forward and forms the framework for invention.

Without the contemplation of why, we would not have the action of how. When Johannes Kepler sought to explain the motion of the celestial bodies, he was not imagining the placement of communications satellites around the Earth.

When Marie Curie pondered radioactivity, she did not dream of therapies that would be effective in the treatment of cancer. And when Gregor Mendel wondered what caused variations in pea plants, he likely did not foresee the genetic engineering of food and disease-resistant crops.

These outcomes happened years, if not centuries, later. Indeed, the work of Mendel had little impact on the society of the nineteenth century and was largely ignored. Yet he stands today as the father of modern genetics.

Every day, we are besieged with evidence of the weakening of American competiveness in technical fields. Fingers point to universities, which are hailed as ivory towers conducting esoteric and irrelevant research for the most part with exceptions granted only if results are immediately applicable to providing solutions to recognized problems.

Scientists must constantly remind us of the importance of asking why and the nonlinear path to discovery. Our future depends on it.”

I strongly agree that science is important and needs society’s support and I think that scientists and science geeks should be proud of their interests and accomplishments and share their enthusiasm with others. What better way to start a conversation about what you love to do than when someone compliments you on your fashionable science, math or tech themed piece of jewelry or accessory? I started carrying a small assortment of just such items almost a year and a half ago. I have recently discovered some exciting new supplies that I expect will allow me to expand my selection. Keep an eye on EclecticSkeptic’s “Geekery” section as I add new items later this year. You can also watch for announcements of my new items on my blog, EclecticDesignChoice's facebook page (like it for updates) or in my newsletter if you have subscribed to it.

And don’t think that you missed the boat to get involved with science because you didn’t get a science degree. There are many citizen scientist opportunities that you can get involved with that are fun and will contribute greatly to our understanding of our world.

Embrace Your Geekness Day - 2011

Are you in need of a fun, quirky reason to celebrate today? Then join in and celebrate "Embrace Your Geekness Day" this Wednesday, July 13, 2011. (This holiday and many others are copyrighted by Thomas and Ruth Roy, aka WellcatHolidays.)

What better way to celebrate than to buy yourself some jewelry from EclecticSkeptic to show off your geeky side to others? Be proud of who you are. Fellow math geeks will get a kick out of seeing your pythagorean theorem or fibonacci necklace. If you are a science geek, embrace it with a pair of hydrogen atom earrings.

Have fun, no need to hide your abilities and interests. Embrace your inner geekness today and every day.

Custom Birthstone Jewelry

Ever since I did a custom bracelet order for a customer last summer using colored crystals to represent the birthstones of the people to be represented in the bracelets, I have pondered jewelry designs that could easily be customized for customers with the birthstone colors of their choice. After much thought and research, I have come up with designs, using materials that I am confident that I can replenish as needed, for custom birthstone necklaces and earrings.

For the necklaces, I envision representing mom and dad with inline crystal sections. The child(ren) are represented in a pendant crystal section. This can be added to as a family grows. Of course, anyone dear to you can be represented in any of the crystal sections.

I am currently offering two basic necklaces at a couple of different lengths and price points. Custom lengths are also available. The first photo shows a 17 ½ inch necklace made with silvertone figaro chain and findings. It has two inline crystal sections and a central pendant crystal section. The second photo shows a 16 inch necklace using the same layout of crystal sections, however with your choice of gold plated (as shown in the second photo), or silver plated figaro style chain and findings.

Custom birthstone crystal earrings are also available. The base style uses three birthstone colors of your choice as shown in the first photo. They are made with gold plated or silver plated ear wires and findings.

Custom birthstone jewelry is a great way to keep your loved ones close at all times. It also makes a great gift for a new mom, grandmother, etc. Who you choose to represent is up to you. Let me know the months that you want represented and in which crystal sections on a necklace or in what order for earrings. My contact information can be found at EclecticDesignChoices.com.

Design This – Carnelian n Pearl Bracelet

A couple of months ago, in another “Design This” post, I mentioned that my customer also had a bracelet project for herself in mind after I finished with her daughter’s jade and pearl necklace. During our discussions about the necklace, a few directions emerged for the custom bracelet order. My customer liked the tigers’ eye beads that she had seen, wanted to use some of her leftover pearls, liked carnelian and wanted the bracelet to be double stranded with an ornate clasp and gold plated findings.

Before I began a design, I took a photo of some of my carnelian and tigers' eye beads with a couple of pearls for size comparison so that my customer could let me know which ones she liked or disliked. (see photo #1) Next, I put together three different patterns with the beads that made the cut, along with the tigers’ eye beads and leftover pearls. (see photo #2)

While we were exchanging design ideas, I needed to locate a clasp and spacers for a double strand bracelet. Since I hadn’t made one before, I didn’t have these supplies on hand. I appreciate my customer having faith in my ability to tackle a new form. (I found the double strand bracelet to be a little more challenging to finish off than a single strand, due to the proximity of the second strand. I also had to be careful as the natural components had to be matched for size to keep both strands the same length. Other than that the process was essentially the same.)

When my supply order arrived, I strung up a design based on my customer’s feedback and sent a photo of it before finishing off the other end in case any adjustments to the design or length were needed. (see photo #3) The reply I received back was, “I really love it, can't wait to wear it.” With that, I finished off the other end so that I could get the finished bracelet off to my customer as soon as possible. (see photo #4)

Custom work is really gratifying when my customers are so thrilled with their orders. I also have to admit that this was the first custom piece that I was sorry that I hadn’t designed for myself, so I’m glad it was well received. Contact me if you are interested in discussing a custom design project.

Design This – Upcycled Jade n Pearl Necklace

What do you do with material from broken or outdated jewelry? You can recycle, repurpose and upcycle it into “new” fashionable jewelry that fits your current needs. This is exactly the charge that I was given by a recent customer.

My customer had some loose pearls from her mother’s necklace and an outdated double strand jade necklace. (See inset customer's photo in photo #1.) My instructions were to design a fashionable necklace for her daughter from these materials and any others that I thought would give the necklace a more contemporary look. The only other must have was to use 19 of the pearls in the design.

As with my other custom design orders, I took a photo of some possible designs and materials for my customer to give me feedback on. (See photo #1.) The feedback was to just use the jade and pearls that she had sent and surprise her with the design. She also mentioned that she loved the tiger’s eye beads and suggested that I might be able to use them in the bracelet that she wanted me to make for her. (I’ll share this project with you later.)

As I laid out the necklace, I took care to match the color and shape of the jade beads that would be across from each other. At first glance, they may look alike, but they varied by how the holes were drilled, their shape and length and color just enough that attention to these details would make a difference in the look of the finished necklace.

After I was happy with the design, I took a photo with all of the materials laid out, ready to string up the necklace if my customer liked it. (See photo #2.) I got the go ahead, so I assembled the materials into a “new”, upcycled necklace. (See photo #3) I had also had enough jade from one strand of the original double strand jade necklace for this project, that I was able to return it as an updated single strand necklace. At this point I still had some pearls and loose jade beads left. Since the daughter was going to have two new necklaces, I asked if she would like some earrings to go with them. Again, I gave a couple of design options to my customer and then assembled the winning one for a new set of earrings. (See inset in photo #3.)

So don’t rashly throw out that broken bracelet or dated necklace. Think about your current likes and see if they can become a new piece of recycled, repurposed and upcycled jewelry that you can cherish for years to come.

Earring Solution for Metal Allergies - Niobium

For some people, even upgrading to 14K gold does not alleviate their skin sensitivities or allergies to metal, especially nickel. Even in more pure forms, gold and silver are often still alloyed with small amounts of nickel. In the past, someone with severe metal allergies had to purchase expensive titanium or platinum earrings in order to be able to wear them. Today there are also coatings available on the market to buffer your skin from the offending metal. This is not a permanent solution however. For a less expensive, permanent solution try niobium ear wires.

Niobium is so affordable, it isn’t just for people with skin sensitivities. Niobium is a silver gray colored metal. However, it can be anodized with differing thicknesses of niobium to produce an array of exciting colors.

There are many craft wires available that match or compliment the anodized colors of niobium. Some very fun earring combinations are possible when you are not constrained to just silver, gold or copper ear wires. I have just designed my first pair of outrageously colored, fun earrings. (Update: These earrings have been sold, however if you are inspired by the colors of niobium ear wires in the photos and would like for me to design a pair of custom earrings for you, please contact me and let me know what your color preferences are and I’d be happy to design something for you.) You can see my currently listed niobium ear wire earrings in my shop, EDCCollective. (Most earrings in both of my shops can be changed to niobium earrings. Contact me for details.)

Add some color to your ears and be kind to them as well.

The Gift of Time – Jewelry Crafting with My Niece

My niece has loved Hello Kitty stuff and the color purple for a very long time. When I tripped across a pair of earrings featuring Charmmy Kitty (Hello Kitty’s cat) with purple bows in TangerineDog’s Etsy shop, I knew that my niece would love them. Only one problem, she doesn’t have pierced ears and rarely if ever wears earrings.

Crafting to the rescue. Instead of just using the Charmmy Kitty charms to make something that my niece might actually like and use, I decided to give her the charms with a promise to have her over and make some jewelry out of them for her to wear.

A couple of weeks later, my niece came over to craft her jewelry. I prepared by pulling out a selection of beads that I thought would go well with her charms. We talked about what kind of jewelry she wanted to make using the Charmmy Kitties and which beads she liked. She decided on making a necklace and a bracelet. We figured out how long the necklace and bracelet should be and began to design them on a beading board. We talked about what colors looked good together and while I guided the design, my niece had the driving vision of what beads she wanted to use and ideas of how to group them together.

When the designs were complete, I helped with the trickier task of finishing off the ends and my niece strung the beads. While we worked, we had a chance to chat about school and whatever else popped into our heads. I enjoyed being able to share some of my crafting skills with the next generation and just spending some quality time. My niece was pleased with being able to help create her jewelry and has a new found appreciation for jewelry making. (It takes time and dexterity to string all of those little beads.)

What skill do you have that you could share with someone as part of a birthday, holiday or just because gift? I hope that you can think of something, since you and the recipient will be enriched beyond the giving of the physical gift. Time is a precious commodity that is wonderful to share.