30 Jan 2016 Leave a comment
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: art glass, beaded ball chains, beads, Copper, dichroic, flying, hearts, lampwork, Valentine's Day
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, my new series of flying heart pendants is available at the Main 404 Gallery, in Bloomington, IL.
All ready to fly into your heart, these pendants comprised of art glass, antique glass buttons, lampworked beads, dichrioic accents, and copper are strung on 30″ beaded-ball chains.
Happy Valentine’s Day to YOU!
13 Dec 2015 Leave a comment
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Christmas, Copper, cuffs, duck, earrings, fine silver, holiday, Jewelry, pendants, suncatcher
Just dropped off items for A Coppery Christmas at the Main Gallery 404.
Okay, Mr. Duck is a 6″ high suncatcher.
Also available at McLean County Art Center, a selection of fine silver earrings.
I admit and apologize; not my best pic. Very shiny stuff, in person.
08 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in News Tags: Copper, cuffs, hammered, holiday, Jewelry, new works, Silver, wrapped
This 2014 holiday season, I’ve added new works featuring hammered and wrapped copper cuffs for the Mclean County Arts Center’s Holiday Treasures show.
This year, the show runs through January 3, 2015. Hours are Tuesday, 10-7, Wednesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday, 12-4. (Closed Sunday-Monday)
The arts center is located at 601 N. East Street, Bloomington, IL; phone 309.829.0011.
Please check back for news of more new works for the holidays and an upcoming open house or join my mailing list by “following” me in the right upper column on the home page.
Looking forward to sharing exciting new works. 🙂 ~ Gayla
Fun copper cuff.
A bevy of sizes…
08 Nov 2014 Leave a comment
in News Tags: art auction, Copper, Crystal, Easter Seals, Grape Soiree, Jewelry, mesh, patina, pearls, s.s. chain, Silver, sun face
This is the piece I donated to the 2014 Easter Seals’ Grape Soiree Art Auction in September.
“Personal Sunshine” is a fine silver pendant capturing a free-spinning sun-face with a golden patina between its layers. It’s embellished with copper wrappings to embrace its warmth, accentuated with blue pearls and crystal dangles and silver charms to reflect the sky, and features a peek-a-boo fine silver mesh window in the back, on a 24″ s.s. chain.Coordinating fine-silver earrings with copper wrappings complete the set.
19 Oct 2013 2 Comments
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: amber, art glass, blue, brown, candy, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, clear, Copper, Crystal, emerald, fine silver, Florida, fused, Gala, Garnet, gems, Glass, green, Jade, McLean County Art Center, Mexico Beach, National Retail Federation, ocean, Panama City Beach, ruby, sea glass, Shopping, United States
McLean County Art Center’s Holiday Treasures kicks off Friday, November 8, 2013 with an Opening Gala. Details are at the end of this post.
This year I’m sharing my Sea Glass Candy Series:
Sea Glass Candy pendants, earrings, bracelet
My husband and I found the green, amber, blue, clear, and brown bits of sea glass during many walks over the years on Florida’s Panama City Beach and Mexico Beach.
My favorite piece of “candy”.
I set the glass in fine silver metal clay, then fused the glass and silver together in my kiln.
Not all types of glass are created equal. Most retained their beautiful colors. I haven’t decided what to do with the ones that didn’t…
Remember wearing rock bracelets? This one is just as fun.
A few more pendants…
I also included my Hammered Heart Series, hearts hammered from copper or fine silver; some jeweled with pieces of art glass, crystal, gems, or beads.
How can you ever have enough hearts?
Hammered copper heart with ruby, garnet, emerald, crystal, fine silver.
It’s always a beautiful event at the McLean County Arts Center:
An Opening Gala on Friday, November 8 from 5-8pm will kick off the McLean County Arts Center’s (MCAC) 38th Annual Holiday Treasures Exhibition and Sale. A donation of $20 at the door is suggested for the evening of live music, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages a festive way to begin the holiday gift giving season with friends.
The Holiday Treasures Exhibition and Sale runs from November 8, 2013 through January 4, 2014 and features over 70 locally and nationally known artists exhibiting paintings, glass, fiber, photography, jewelry, wood, ceramics as well as handmade seasonal items. The McLean County Arts Center is free and open to the public during regular hours for the holiday season.
The Holiday Treasures Exhibition is generously sponsored by Sue & Julius Alexander, Ron Bacon & Dee Bohbrink, Anne & Brian Boyden, Kelly & Lynn Gray, and Steve & Deb Wannemacher.
The McLean County Arts Center is located at 601 N. East Street in downtown Bloomington. Arts Center hours are Tuesday, 10am – 7pm; Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm; and Saturday, Noon – 4pm. For more information, please call 309/829-0011 or check on our website: www.mcac.org
You can also find this event on Facebook and/or follow my jewelry at Silver Charmer Jewelry on Facebook.
Would love to see you there! ~ aka, Ms. Silver Charmer
09 Feb 2013 Leave a comment
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: amethyst, candy, champagne, Chocolate, Copper, Dichroic glass, Discovery Museum, fine silver, Garnet, Heart, Holidays, Jewelry, roses, ruby, Silver, Valentine, Valentine's Day
Tree of Hearts
There’s a new tree of hearts in town available at The Pod, in Uptown Normal, Illinois, across from the Discovery Museum.
Here’s their information through Uptown Normal, and here’s their Facebook page.
I love to make and wear hearts all year round, but especially for Valentine’s Day. It is one my favorite times of the year. Hearts, chocolates, champagne… who needs more? Oh yes, jewelry makes celebrating complete.
Other places to find my jewelry are listed on my Here I Am page. Thanks again for your continued support.
Here are a few more new things you’ll find on that tree:
Copper heart pendant with wrapped silver, garnet, charm.
Double heart pendant with sterling and Thai silver and copper.
Ceramic kitty on silver heart pendant.
An array of heart pendants,some with copper, silver, ruby, amethyst, crystal.
02 Feb 2013 Leave a comment
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
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!
28 Jan 2013 Leave a comment
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Arts, Copper, Crystal, emerald, fine silver, First Friday, Garnet, hematite, lampwork beads, love, Main Gallery 404, Romance, ruby, Tour de Chocolat', Valentine
There are hearts and then there are hearts. I love them all and will be offering many varieties this Friday …..
…at Main Gallery 404 for the First Friday Event and The Tour de Chocolat’: Details and more jewelry HERE!
Here are a few hammered hearts:
Maggie’s Heart: Hammered copper and fine silver.
Hammered copper heart with fine silver and lampworked bead.
Hammered copper heart with fine silver, olivetine and garnet crystals.
Hammered copper heart with fine silver and peach drop.
Hammered copper heart with ruby, garnet, emerald, crystal, fine silver.
Four Swinging Hearts
And a few other new hearts, too!
Almost kept this for myself: Lampworked copper-wrapped bead with crystal.
Agate heart with lampworked bead, hematite, crystal, garnet, sterling, copper,sterling silver.
Fine silver with crystal.
Hammered copper heart with sterling silver.
Hammered copper heart with blue and green crystal drop.
Hammered copper heart with sterling silver and sleeping kitty charm.
Hammered copper heart with sterling silver.
Okay, technically not a heart, but he has a little red glass heart nose… =^.^=
Mr. Kitty; hammered copper with red glass heart nose and sterling silver whiskers.
20 Jan 2013 1 Comment
in Fun stuff!, News Tags: Aquamarine, art, cats, Chocolate, chrysoprase, Copper, earrings, February, First Friday, Garnet, gems, hearts, holiday, Jade, Jewelry, jewels, kitties, Labradorite, love, Pendant, resin, Shopping, Soapstone, Sterling silver, Valentine, valentine day
The Red Lady beckons from the front window of Main Gallery 404, where I just added tons of new jewelry, with a heavy accent on hearts, in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Who can resist the Red Lady?
When new owner, Lisa Lofgren, asked to feature my work in the window from now through February’s First Friday, I was honored and thrilled! Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
The Neighborhood Thrift Store generously let us borrow a beautiful art deco vanity (the one in the above photo) for the display. And, yes, it’s also for sale.
On February 1, 2013, Downtown Bloomington, IL also celebrates with its annual Tour de Chocolat’:
“An annual event and celebration of chocolate! Participating downtown businesses offer free samples of food containing chocolate.”
Uh, huh. Trust me, there is everything chocolate to sample. It’s a super fun way to spend an evening.
My jewelry is now in the window until 2-2-13.
Gallery hours are:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 12-5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Closed: Monday, Tuesday
Here are a few of the available pieces:
Key to MY Heart (pendant with fine silver, sterling silver, crystal)
Heart Ablaze (pendant with fine silver, copper)
You’ve run away with my heart… (pendant with resin)
You’ve sewn up my heart. (pendant with fine silver, copper)
It’s not all hearts…
Nothing shows love to your sweetheart like jewelry. These selections and much more are available now at Main Gallery 404 now through Friday, February 1, 2013.
Donut fun (pendant of Jade, fine silver, copper)
Lumen (pendant of fine silver, copper-wrapped Chrysoprase)
Wrapped up (earrings of copper, Labradorite, Aquamarine, fine silver)
Blue Reflections (pendant with fine silver, crystal)
Miss Kitty (pendant with fine silver, copper, Garnet)
Soapstone on copper-wrapped with fine silver bail.
Fine silver, copper earrings.
20 Jan 2011 4 Comments
in News Tags: Bloomington Illinois, Copper, Jewelry, Kelly's Bakery and Cafe, Mosaics, Silver
The aromas will capture you!
This beautiful little spot in downtown Bloomington,IL has some of the best breakfast, lunch, and bakery offerings around.
I’m very happy for the opportunity to display some of my jewelry pieces as art on the wall.
A cozy spot.
If you haven’t been there, you deserve a treat! Here’s the menu to get your mouth watering plus a few pictures of some of my newest works.
Copper Mosaic Swing
Turquoise Mosaic Swing
Ribboned Mosaics
Silver Charmer Jewelry 