Brave Girl: Badges of Honor for a Life Hard Earned and Well Lived

 Brave Girl

I've had this line in me my whole life.  It wasn't always jewelry, though.  It started out as moments of clarity, notes to self, timely revelations, and sacred vows never to repeat certain . . . shall we say . . . unwise choices.  It was only as I watched my sweet niece working through her own life issues that the line began to take form in my head. These pieces began as part prayer to the Universe for her continued strength through hard times, and part badge of honor for continuing to make wise choices despite the challenges of forging a path that leads to a better life.

I chose basic materials like steel, copper and brass, as well as found objects like garter belt hooks, and vintage carnival tokens.  The pieces have a rustic, make-do feel that represents the brave girl's tendency to work what she has to the best of her ability until something better and truer presents itself. That uncomfortable place when you're quite clear about what you don't want to do anymore, but haven't quite figured out what to do instead?  That's the inspiration for this piece:

"she tended her dreams with fairy dust and elbow grease"

Because there is an undying vision of what could be in the heart of every brave girl.  That's not to say she never has doubts or fears.  Remember your first apartment?  Brave girls can turn an old house trailer into an adorable cottage with sheer will, $20 at a resale shop and ingenuity!  And when they finally get a home of their own, they appreciate every inch of it and what it took to get them there.  They never forget where they came from and will always offer a hand to another brave girl.

 Brave girls are no strangers to bad relationships.  In fact, it just might be a qualification to be a brave girl.  One thing's certain: when she loves, it's with her whole heart . . . . scars, bandages and all.

This piece was created using vintage filigree brass stampings as a foundation, upon which I wired two hand cut and stamped plates in sterling silver and brass.  The heart is torch fired cloisonne on copper. 

Shop the Brave Girl Collection

Holiday Hours in the Queen Bee Boutique at ShesSoWitte

ShesSoWitte holiday displays featuring the new Brave Girl collection.

The Queen Bee Boutique is now open noon to 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays through December 21st.  Stop by if you're in the area, and share a bit of Holiday Cheer!

Complimentary gift wrapping for all purchases.  Or visit my Etsy shop here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShesSoWitte

An antique coat hook makes a great necklace display. 

Sweet snowmen hold my business cards from MOO.  Opposite sides feature examples of my work.

The snowman theme allows the holiday decorations to extend into January and February.  The antique heart shaped iron padlock and pops of red compliment the Brave Girl collection.

Oh how I love bumble bees!  The Queen Bee Boutique mascot tops this handmade copper earring display. I used 10 gauge copper, antique bumble bee print, Diamond Glaze, and a rivet to create it.

 Check out lots of other cool projects using Diamond Glaze at JudiKins.com

Brave Girl Collection now available in my Etsy shop.

Brave Girl

There are those women who, despite all the obstacles and trials in their lives, rise to become a whole which is greater than the sum of their experiences.  Surviving horrendous families of origin, bad boyfriends, undiagnosed learning disabilities and the schizophrenic messages about women in our society, they become healthy, successful and happy creatures free from their past and free to engage in fulfilling relationships and exciting careers. Despite the odds, they win.  I am one of these.

The one who strives for better, despite the obstacles and naysayers.
The one who learns that their are worse things than failure.
The one who does the right thing, even when it's the toughest option.
The one who isn't afraid of hard work.
The one who looks for the silver lining on the darkest of cloudy days.
The one who refuses to settle for mediocre.
The one who ties a knot in the tiniest thread of hope and hangs on for dear life.
 And when she loves, it's with her whole heart.

New collection available in my Etsy shop update, Sunday October 19th 6 pm

So Many Stones, So Little Time

Ahhh Summer . . . the slowest time of the year from a retail perspective, but a great time to work on all the projects I've been dreaming about.  One of my goals this year was to expand my inventory of stones and I'm very happy with the results. 

Now all I need is an extra 8 hours a day to keep up with all the ideas swirling in my brain!  Here's what I put together so far:

Sweet rainbow moonstone and tanzanite pendant with handmade sterling silver leaf design mounting.  

This pendant turned out so cool and I love the beautiful twig accent.  It was a bugger to get soldered so it looks natural, but well worth the effort in the end.

The Royal We

The Royal We by shessowitte featuring leather loafers

Leather Wrap Bracelets with Charms

I've been a busy bee working on lots of projects at once, but the other day I decided to decorate some of the wrap bracelets I had stashed way down in my "someday" pile.  I spent one glorious day playing in my junque drawers, picking just the right combo of objects for each of these bracelets.  There are 4 more still in the works, but here are the three that are completely finished.  Enjoy!

 This one is called "The Old Mission at Santa Fe"
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187791770/the-old-mission-at-santa-fe-turquoise

"Summer Love"
https://www.etsy.com/listing/187788998/summer-love-beaded-leather-wrap-charm

"White Buffalo"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/187752076/white-buffalo-beaded-leather-wrap

The Sarcasm Project: aka Trying Not to Run Over People with My Car

For some time now, I've been creating snarky art using vintage ads and adding my own twisted captions.  Mostly to get through menopause . . . that horrible near-decade that no one tells you about.  I mean really, how can they?  The whole menses thing is shocking enough.  If they had told us about menopause we may have decided not to stay long enough to reach it!  But I digress . . .

This is what we wish menopause looked like:

 This is what it actually looks like:

So creating these revamped ads seemed a healthier way of dealing with the insanity and hypersensitivity to scent, sound, and stupidity than driving over people with my car. And then it got to be kind of fun.  After all I'm a consummate smart-ass, so this is really right up my alley - menopause or not. 

I've always loved the illustration art of the 40s and 50s, so this was a way to vent some overactive snark and make some funnies in the process.  And it was pretty successful.  To date I've run over exactly no one with my car.  Well, at least not outside the confines of my mind . . .

Enjoy!

**DISCLAIMER**
If you're sensitive to snark, sarcasm, poor taste, crass observations and/or cursing, this may not be much fun for you and you should probably move along . . . nothing to see here.

In retrospect, I'm thinking this wasn't one of my best Christmases.

This is the profile photo for my Facebook Page, The Sarcasm Project.  Feel free to share!!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sarcasm-Project/148862861880479

 Probably one of my favorites:

The whole "cougar movement" is lost on me.

 

My poor hubby never knew which way was up during the 6-8 years it took for it to be over.

 

 *snort*

 I used this one a lot.  I mean . . . A LOT. In my mind, I mean.

I do not take Xanax, but I've wished for some on many occasions.  Fantasy is better than driving over people with your car.

 So very true.

 OK I just like this one.  Just because.

 Sorry . . . 80s flashback.

 Ok, but this one is true.  Just sayin.