Silver | Silver Charmer Jewelry

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!

December 15, 2012 Event Cancellation

11 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Christmas, Etsy, Gift card, Green Leaf Massage, holiday, Jamey Spain, Jewelry, New Year, Silver

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to an unforeseen circumstance, Jamey Spain and I are very sorry to cancel our event, Saturday, December 15, 2012 as part of the Uptown Normal Christmas Market & Artist Walk, and apologize for any inconvenience this might cause.

Jamey and I hope to offer a “Spring Fling” after the New Year.

Massage gift cards are still available HERE.

This development might push my Etsy website into existence, which will be shared as soon as it is ready.

Please visit my “Here I Am” page for for a list of locations where you can find my jewelry.

Thank you for your support and patience.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday!~ Gayla Betts

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!

Some Days You Get The Duck!

07 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in Fun stuff! Tags: Arts, Bead, Beadwork, craft, Handcrafted Beads, Jewelry, Shopping, Silver, Supplies

When our Bead Therapy Group gathered the other night to compare the results of our project, what I’d expected was confirmed:

I was out of my league with intricate beading. Even though beading is what ignited my passion for jewelrymaking, once I found silver, I chose a different path.

So, let’s get to it. My friend and ringleader, Diane, gave us the challenge. This group of beads. Make something, she said.

Definitely not my chosen colors…

Someone asked if we had to use all the beads?

No, we could omit up to 3 groups.

Were we limited to only these beads?

No, we could add whatever we wanted.

Hmmm, let the games begin.

Miss Judy’s piece.

When the first guest arrived wearing her piece, I knew I was in trouble. Judy added 3mm. crystals in between the two lacy “wheels”; the top part of her “swingy” drop. They sparkled like crazy.

Miss Nancy at work!

See all those intricate little drops at the top of her piece. Never in a million years, but for Nancy, pretty sure she could do it in her sleep. It is a beautiful piece; the lower half was strung on leather before she connected it to the copper chain.

Miss Kathy’s creation.

As you can see, things were getting serious. Kathy added metal-formed copper and raised the creative bar a notch. She also had coordinating earrings (Why didn’t I think of that?), which I forgot to photograph.

Miss Diane had hers done early.

Did she plan the colors to coordinate with her centerpiece? Diane, again–our ringleader, and supplier of the beads in the challenge, claimed not, but she did have hers done early, and it was beautifully simple. Not sure if my photo captures the intricacy of her macrame’, but she loves the asymmetrical and so do we.

Miss Jean and her bling!

Then, of course, as expected, Miss Jean and her bling walked through the door. Cool or what? It took our breaths away.

Miss ZuZu wants to play with EVERYONE!

Our next two regulars didn’t participate in this jewelry challenge (Next time, ladies!) but brought their three-year-old tots instead; another sort of accessory that made my dog very happy. ZuZu likes kid jewelry!

Some days, you get the duck!

And finally, I think I mentioned it was quirky; my piece, which someone brilliantly suggested I wear! Thank you very much! But, I did have fun with his tail-feathers!

So looking forward to our next challenge!

The Bead Therapy Group rocks!

7th Annual Open House Holiday! ~Saturday, December 1, 2012~

24 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: bracelets, earrings, fine silver, Health, holiday, Illinois, Jewelry, Massage, Massage Therapy and Bodywork, Normal, open house, ornaments, pendants, precious metal clay, rings, Silver, silversmith, Sterling silver

This year, I’m partnering with Jamey Spain, RN and nationally licensed massage therapist, for an Open House Holiday at her studio in Uptown Normal, IL on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 10 AM ~ 4 PM.

While I’ll be offering lots of cool jewels and more, Jamey will be offering 1/2 off chair massage services. (Please contact ahead for options and appointments with Jamey at jameygreenleaf@gmail.com.) You can also learn more about her at Green Leaf Massage.

Two Amigos!

We thought it would be super fun for you to stop by, do a little shopping, have a relaxing massage, and enjoy some yummy treats!

Here’s the official invitation!

Would love to see you!

I promise to add pics of new jewelry throughout the week!

Counting down 6 more days until the open house…

Every year I make limited edition holiday-themed pieces. One year I made snowmen earrings and pendants, another year it was Christmas trees.

This year I lucked into a stash of old-fashioned beautiful lampworked tree light beads which are now earrings and pendants in red, green, blue, amethyst, turquoise, pink, yellow, and amber.

These are really sweet and won’t last long.

Except for this set which will adorn my mother-in-law.

🙂

Day5: Found some cool mood beads and had a lot of fun turning them into pendants. The first photo shows “before” any warmth connects, and the “after” shows how your mood can change the colors. (Okay, I used a heating pad underneath to affect all of them at once, but it put me in a pretty good mood!)

And yes, I will start previewing some silver pieces soon!

“Before”

“After” Pretty cool, huh?

Day 4: These “wheels” are some of my absolute favorite pieces. They’re in between the size of a nickel and dime and are just fun; I always find myself running it up and down my chain. 🙂 They’re also double-sided!

Three little wheels.

Day 3: Here are some hollow forms that were intentionally patinaed. They have a great weight to them.

Smooth.

Day 2: Freshly minted, so to speak! One more day and the Open House Holidlay begins! Hope to see you there!

Kind of swingy…

Gearing up with 1 more day until the Open House Holiday! Did a bit of a mock set up at home to make sure everything fits! So far, so good!

I was a girl scout, you know.

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.

Heartfelt Blue

25 Sep 2012 2 Comments

by GJD in News Tags: Earring, Easter Seals, fine silver, Grape Soiree, Handcrafted, Jewelry, Pendant, Precious metal, Sapphire, Shopping, Silver

My contribution to the 2012 Easter Seals’ Grape Soiree Art Auction this year. Fine silver pendant with blue sapphire on sterling chain, with coordinating earrings.

By request, the complete set:

Can’t Seem To Get Out Of The Studio (Don’t Want To…)

08 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by GJD in News Tags: Art Deco, crystals, enamel, fine silver, Handcrafted, Jewelry, Millesimal fineness, pearls, Precious metal, Shopping, Silver, Sterling silver

November is starting to pass by quickly. Suddenly we’re over a week in.

The Holidays are approaching and so are all sorts of new ideas.

For the first time since metalworking class so many years ago, I’m trying enamels again. This time on fine silver. And, I’m loving it!

Fun stuff: enamel on fine silver

And then… I started building cages. I can’t decide if I like them better empty or…

Empty cages...

…filled with pearls…

Caged Pearls

…or crystals.

Caged Crystals

It’s a good day to be in the studio!

Rings, Rings, and More Rings!

07 Nov 2011 2 Comments

by GJD in Uncategorized Tags: fine silver, Handcrafted, holiday, Jewelry, McLean County Arts Center, patina, Precious Metals, rings, Shopping, Silver, treasures, United States

This year for McLean County Arts Center’s annual Holiday Treasures which kicks off Friday, November 11, 2011, I’ve added an array of fused and coiled fine silver rings; some with added patina, some hammered, some au natural! Prices range from $20 ~ $35 for these “feel good” weighted rings.