Bloomington Illinois | Silver Charmer Jewelry

Spring Bloom Art Festival on Saturday, March 30, 2013

25 Mar 2013 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: art, artists, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, booth, bracelets, design, earrings, earwires, fine silver, Illinois, Jewelry, Normal, Normal Illinois, pendants, Saturday March 30 2013, Silver

This year’s Spring Bloom Indoor Arts Festival is on Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 10 AM ~ 5 PM at the Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

There will be 106 featured artists. I’m honored to be included in this group of diverse and talented artists.

They managed to add another 10 artists. Yaay!

I am in Booth 396. This LINK will take you to the map.

The rest of this week, I will be busy putting on final touches to new designs and pieces. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

A previous Spring Bloom Booth.

More photos to come as the week transpires!

There will be plenty of these fine silver "janthina, janthina" pendants, each a little different.

There will be plenty of these fine silver “janthina, janthina” pendants, each a bit different.

Another Week With The Red Lady…

02 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Bloomington Illinois, Bloomington-Normal Illinois, bracelets, candy, Chocolate, Copper, earrings, February, First Friday, First Friday (public event), gemstones, hearts, Jewelry, Lisa Lofgren, love, Main Gallery 404, Normal Illinois, pendants, presents, Red Lady, rings, Shopping, Silver, Valentitne's Day

The Red Lady would love to meet you!

Wow, after a fantastic turnout last night for February’s First Friday and the Tour de Chocolat’, the Main Gallery 404 owner, Lisa Lofgren, asked if I would mind showcasing my work in the front window with The Red Lady for another week? My response? ABSOLUTELY and THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

The Red Lady has a great view!

And she loves to wear jewelry…

So, there’s still time before Valentine’s Day to select something special for that someone special, which just might be you!

Here’s where you can find my jewelry in the Bloomington-Normal, IL area:

Main Gallery 404, Bloomington, IL

Four Swinging Hearts

The Pod, Normal, IL

Sunny Blue.

McLean County Arts Center, Bloomington, IL

So many rings!

My Etsy site is being tweaked and I’m almost ready to make the announcement when it’s LIVE!

Thank you for your continued support!

First Event of 2013

04 Jan 2013 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, cast, cats, Crafts, Glass, Jewelry, mold, Pacific Island, paw prints, Silver

Wow, my first event for 2013 is tonight, January 4, at Main Gallery 404 in Downtown Bloomington, IL from 5 ~ 8 PM!

While the previous owners, Joanne Goetzinger and Martha Burk, will be dearly missed for their groundbreaking work, it’s an exciting new opportunity for Lisa Lofgren, the new owner, who is full of vision and enthusiasm.

Along with Jamie Morse, glass artist, and Jeffrey Kohl, who specializes in watercolors and acrylics with a Pacific Island influence, I’m one of three featured artists. I’ll be demonstrating fine silver casting from 6 ~ 7 PM.

Janthina, Janthina

Casting with fine silver is one of the most magical processes there is and compared to traditional silversmithing, much less labor intensive.

The photo below is what I’ll be wearing tonight; the paw print of my recently departed kitty, Blue Blue. I’ve been holding my breath, afraid for the last couple of months to make the cast from the vet’s mold in case it didn’t turn out as I envisioned; but… I’m thrilled with the results. Hope to see you tonight!

=^.^=

That’s my boy.

All dressed up… =^.^=

Thank You, Santa!

21 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Beaufort Street, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, Bloomington-Normal Illinois, bracelets, Christmas, earrings, Etsy, Jewelry, local, Main Gallery 404, McLean County Arts Center, McLean County Illinois, Merlot, Merlot and a Masterpiece, Normal Illinois, pendants, Santa Claus, Silver, The Pod

All my holiday shows are over, but there’s still time for last minute shopping.

HO, HO, HO!

One of the highlights of this holiday season was an unexpected visit from Santa; sure hope he thinks I’ve been good!

With only a few more days until Christmas, if you’re looking for a piece of jewelry, here’s where you can still find Silver Charmer Jewelry in the Bloomington-Normal, IL area:

Main Gallery 404, 404 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL

With a beautiful patina, at Main Gallery 404

He’s waiting at The Pod.

The Pod, 104 E. Beaufort Street, Uptown Normal, IL (follow the link to Shopping)

The McLean County Arts Center; 601 N. East Street, Bloomington, IL

Many rings at McLean County Arts Center

Merlot & A Masterpiece 412 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

Available at Merlot and a Masterpiece

(Sorry to any out-of-towners; will announce my Etsy account when it’s available.)

Hope you and yours have a wondrous holiday season!

Last Chance Jewelry Bash In December

17 Dec 2012 2 Comments

by GJD in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Arts, beads, Bloomington Illinois, Crafts, holiday, Jan Brandt Gallery, Jewellery, Jewelry, Ricky Lee Jones, Silver, studio, unique, woman cave

For some reason, when I was trying to think of a catchy title for this post, all I could think of was…

Ricky Lee Jones singing “Last Chance Texico” which is a great song for a day like today.

It’s gloomy, drizzly, and chance to sip a hot cup of tea and make jewelry in my studio.

(Here’s the link if you’d like to listen too.)

Or woman cave as the refinance guy called my studio last week.

He said he’d never seen a woman cave before, but my studio qualified!

I think it was the refrigerator that cinched it.

Except for the beer opener, I try to keep it covered up…

Serendipity struck on Saturday when I wandered into The Garlic Press and started talking with artist Jan Brandt.

She opened a new gallery in June 2012, Jan Brandt Gallery, at 1106 E Bell Street Bloomington, IL 61701.

As we conversed, she noticed the jewelry I was wearing.

(Thank you my dear husband for always telling me to wear something I made, even though I do wear other artists’ work that I love…)

One thing led to another and Jan very generously asked if I would join her “Wine and Shopping” event on

Thursday (Yes, THIS Thursday!): December 20, from 5 ~ 8 PM.

(I was going to go anyway, just for fun, but… now I’ll be offering some jewels and have fun too.)

Like a little elf, I’m still working on new pieces.

Pardon my messy bench.

Lots and lots of earrings and more.

Attention desperate gift-givers! (You know who you are!) Please stop by.

Holiday bags mean already wrapped.

And, if you’re not that confident the special someone in your life will come through, select something for yourself.

Jan has a beautiful space and it’s filled with lots of unique artwork, all ready to go home with someone.

Hope to see you Thursday night for some holiday cheer!

Next Up!

07 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Arts, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, December, First Friday, holiday, Illinois, Jewelry, McLean County Illinois, Merlot, Silver, United States

Wow, this has been a crazy busy month and it’s only December 7th!

I’m thrilled to announce my jewelry is now being shown at the Main Gallery 404,404 North Main Street, downtown Bloomington, IL, 309.828.9500. Okay, my name isn’t in there yet, but… I need to send some photos of my work.

Here’s how it looks in the case (Yep, squeezed in 42 pieces…):

My first event there is TONIGHT for December’s First Friday, which runs from 5 – 8 PM. It is also Downtown Bloomington’s annual Live Window Vignettes. All the shops will be open and offering lovely delightful treats!

My own little spot ~ all silver pieces.

Thanks to the above opening, and multiple venues where my work can be seen tonight, I’m dragging my poor husband to make the rounds. Don’t think he’ll have an issue though once we get out and about.

For December, this promises to be a mild weather evening; perfect for a stroll through Downtown Bloomington.

Here’s a list of places in Downtown Bloomington you can find Silver Charmer Jewelry:

Main Gallery 404, 404 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL

The Grey Dove Studio & Gallery, 105 B West Monroe Street, Bloomington, IL

Off the Wall Gallery, 318 North Main Street, Bloomington, IL

Merlot and a Masterpiece, 412 N. Main Street, Bloomington, IL

McLean County Arts Center, 601 North East Street, Bloomington, IL

Kelly’s Bakery & Cafe, Art-on-the-Wall, 113 North Center, Bloomington, IL

Hopefully, I’ll bump into you somewhere!

Holiday Treasures at McLean County Arts Center

17 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: art, Bloomington, Bloomington Illinois, Counties, exhibition, holiday, Illinois, Jewelry, lampwork, McLean, McLean County, McLean County Illinois, pendants, rings, sales, Shopping, Silver, Silver Charmer Jewelry, United States

It’s become a tradition. Again this year I’m honored to take part in McLean County Art Center’s Holiday Treasures.

This year their 36th annual exhibition and sale runs from November 9th, 2012 through January 5th, 2013. The exhibition features over 100 locally and nationally known artists exhibiting paintings, glass, fiber, photography, jewelry, wood, ceramics as well as handmade seasonal item

The Arts Center is located at 601 East Street, Bloomington IL, 309-829-0011, and is open during the following hours:

Tuesday 10-7

Wednesday-Friday 10-5

Saturday 12-4

Sunday & Monday – Closed

The art center already had a variety of my silver work, so this year I added some new variety with prices ranging from $20 – $35 for the following collections.

Hope you’ll have time to stop by and check out all the fabulous art!

Beautiful lampworked beads I finally constructed as pendants.

Fun wire-wrapped beaded rings.

Celebrating Spring With An Art Show!

16 Mar 2011 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: art, Arts Festivals, Bloomington Illinois, Community arts, Fine art, Japan, Midwest, Midwestern United States, United States

This Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 10 AM to 5 PM, you will find me in Booth #20 (down by the stage) at the 2011 Spring Bloom Arts Festival.

The festival will be held at the Bloomington Sale Barn, at 2027 S. Main St, Bloomington, IL. (Just south of Veteran’s Parkway) Admission is $5, children 12 & under are free.

Spring Bloom is an indoor fine art festival held annually in Bloomington, Illinois. It’s a juried show of fine art and fine craft, featuring a hundred artists from across the nation with original artwork in a variety of disciplines.

McLean County Arts Center, one of the oldest community arts organizations in the Midwest and the organizers of the Sugar Creek Arts Festival, sponsor the event. I’ve been honored to participate in both these events in past years.

Here are a few of my newest pieces. Hope to see you at Spring Bloom!