Ruby Lane's Creative Hands Newsletter for September 2005

Creative Hands
Ruby Lane's monthly newsletter celebrating the Arts & Crafts
community
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Welcome to Creative Hands!

IN THIS ISSUE:
o Buttons On A String by Sharon Harris
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BUTTONS ON A STRING BY SHARON HARRIS

Far back to the time when I was a small child living in a tiny
southern Minnesota farming community, I habitually picked up
small rocks and stones to carry around in my pockets. My
affection and admiration for the patterns and colors of
"Stones" has remained with me all of my life. That is why most
of my jewelry pieces have semi-precious gemstones in them.

As a little girl, staying overnight at my Grandma's house was a
wonderful treat. She had many creative ideas to keep me busy.
My favorite was our jewelry making sessions. We used whatever
Grandma had available. Empty wooden thread spools, string,
buttons, paper rings, shoelaces and seashells were all utilized
for necklaces and bracelets. Making "jewelry" with Grandma is
of my most precious childhood memories.

In my early grown up years, I did a lot of crafts and artistic
things like stained glass, photography, embroidery and sewing.
Later in my adult life, I became more involved in raising my
family, attending college and advancing my career.
Unfortunately, for a long while, the creative pursuits that
had always been part of me, got lost in the business of life.

Several years ago, a friend and I were shopping together and
stopped in a tiny bead store "just for a minute." By the time
we left, we were both signed up for a basic jewelry making
class. We joined the class on a bright Saturday morning and
after making my first "real" necklace, I felt totally and
happily hooked!

I love the hues, markings and almost endless varieties of
semi-precious stone beads. It's exciting to me to know they
came from places in the world that I'll probably never see,
except in this small way. When I hold them in my hands, it
feels magical. Time passes quickly when I'm designing and
making jewelry. I don't sketch or plan out my pieces on paper.
Instead, the ideas come to me in a quiet sort of way and I sit
down at my work table trusting that something beautiful will be
the end result.

Every Gypsy Jewel is a one-of-a-kind piece. Knowing that
another girl or woman will be happy and feel prettier wearing
jewelry that I've created is a wonderful reward for my work.
The word "Gypsy" represents romance, beauty and mystery for me
and these are the components I try to include in each Gypsy
Jewel. I think my grandma would be proud.

We invite you to visit Sharon's Shop: Sharon Kay Designs.