Day 1 of 51 Things

 Today I turn 51! Yay me. I began my day with the most earnest of prayers in gratitude to TMH for allowing me to experience the blessing of today. There are a lot of people who did not make it here. For that I humble myself. Someone baked me cookies. That is a first. Monday was my Grandsons Birthday and Tuesday the World experienced a solar eclipse. Today I was born 51 years ago. I challenge myself to experience 51 new things. I begin with a Meyer lemon tree. He will have his very own greenhouse to grow into and zi am to build it myself. I love the smell of lemon blossoms. 🌸 

Papaw's Mayonnaise Jar

 A journal entry dated October 20th of 2010 had me recalling the infamous mayonnaise jar.  I must have been missing him a lot.  He departed this life in January of 2009.  My grandfather, Reese Witherspoon shared his name with a famous actress but he was a Jr., so this name had been taken for quite some time now.  He used to keep a glass of ice water in the refrigerator.  Everyone new it was his but we ALL drank from it.  Boy, I am telling you.......Ugggghhhh!......just to think of all the germs in that Jar! For some reason it didn't matter to any of us.  We drank it anyway.  It was soooooo good!  We must have really been lazy.  Too lazy in fact, too lazy to get our own glass and our own ice and our own stream of water from the dispenser.  I think I'm going to keep a mason jar in the fridge and everytime I see it I will think of him. Wink

An Array of Bamboo Petals

This is what I do.  I get in the workshop. I start with the miter saw and cut angles. After I fit them together I drill the holes.  Next I figure out what to string it with.  Somehow it always comes together and this is what you get.   The necklace is brown cotton cord finished with a toggle clasp. I signed the back as usual.  Yo

P.S. Convo me for measurements.  Thanx

Doing Me

This week found me returning to the workshop in a brainstorming session.  I had some pieces laying around that have been previously cut.  They resemble a diamond shape but with a curvature.  Imagine a very upturned surfboard.  I made flowers out of this shape some time ago by arranging five pieces into a circular pattern resembling a flower.  There is an old blog with photos of the flowers which were made into hair scrunches for a natural hair expo I participated in .  This week I wondered what I could do that I haven't done before.  I was looking for some way to create a new shape.  Many of my silhouettes for earrings have been done by me over and over.  I usually choose a disc, rectangle or hearts, maybe even flowers.  I came up with the notion that I wished I could flatten them so they would hang in a more appealing fashion.  I have seen YouTube videos of people bending bamboo but I have never been able to accomplish this feat.  Well I stuck with it for about a week trying out a couple of methods and the second one worked.  I was successful and so ecstatic about the possibilities with accomplishing this new silhouette.  The first one looked great.  Only thing is you gotta make two, especially if they are going to be earrings.  The second one cracked in two places as I overzealously held it flat.  DarNitt!!!  Ok, back to the drawing board.  Next was to try a couple of smaller pieces.  The jury is still out on the small ones.  After the first flat spear dried (I think the new shapes will be spears. African Spears) it was the next day and I noticed that as nature would have it, it tried to curl back up.   But I will not be discouraged.  The holiday season is fast approaching and I think I will have some new pieces to add to the collection if I stay the course.  I think one of my problems is always changing and innovating.  Maybe if I made the same shape and changed little, like the size and colors I could do more.  Maybe focusing on one thing and one thing only could take me somewhere.  I get bored with doing the same thing over and over.  I get new ideas and inevitably have to try it out.  Then I get another idea while working on the last idea and before you know it the ink is drying on this while I am creating the next thing.  Sporadic attention span is on Maxx overload.  I think I have several winners and top sellers to choose from if I ever decide to settle down and date one design.  But until then I will be ever expanding my creative horizons.  Trying new ideas and putting new spins on the ideas that worked so well in the past.   I'll be a designer and not a cookie cutting human press.

It's Me

Hello,
    Wanted to post something on my blog but I haven't been in the workshop lately.  This looks like it will be a post just for the sake of posting. Lol.  I ran across this photo that I took of myself.  I was on the way to the market.  Wow! There is something magnificent about the glow of the 7am sunlight, or should I say sunglow.  I look fabulous!  Ponytail swoop, skin flawless (thanks sun), Gardenia from the garden in my hair rocking my dope earrings.  The car was packed with the makings of a jewelry shop.  I was in a good mood and it shows.  I hope everything is well for you and yours.  Peace and Blessings! YO.......................Oh, oh, wait.  I have been working.  I almost forgot.  I finally started a few beads with the black raven clay. I hope they turn out nice.  I love creating texture within the beads.  Some of them are a little warped and lopsided but I think it adds character.  I will still need to find someone to fire them for me but I am tinkering around and making different shapes and styles.  I hope I find the right glazes for this dark clay.  There will be a learning curve so wish me luck. Out

Jungle Hottie Collection

Me wearing the first two installments in the Jungle Hottie collection.  Oh how I wish to do a photo
shoot with the pieces and several models.  I cringe at the thoughts of continuing to model my creations.  I guess because I see the vision and the vision I envision is not me.  Funny I know.
I can see all the sistas.  Wearing bold vibrant earthy hues. Gold, Creams, Greens, Browns, variations of greens, golds, browns, and Rusty Reds.  Natural hairstyles to compliment the eco jewelry vibe.
Every creamy shade of coco brown sista I can find.  Beautiful Exotic bone structure and elegant grace she displays.  Curvy sistas and small ones too giving fiery fierce attitude into the lense in a group shot.  Am I dreaming?  I must be.  Anywhoo, Enjoy!  Oh, BtW ......these are SOLD!!!!!

 

Wonderland

Today I wrote in my journal for the first time in a long time.  I wrote with the notion of creating and abiding in my own little world.  Jhene Aiko sings a magical song about being in a world of her own.  It is probably on the new soundtrack for the Alice in Wonderland movie coming out.  I love Alice.  I never knew my fascination with this tale could grow with me into adulthood but it has.  When I garden I am in my own little world and also when I make jewelry.  I think if I abide in these spaces I probably can do no wrong.  My Grandmother always encourages me to go make jewelry.  I find out she is in the hospital tonight with a collapsed lung and I pray you pray with me that she will be alright.  Maybe she knows something that I am just learning.  Let go and be free.  Create and do things that make you soar.  So much has been happening lately.  I've been sick.  People are dying.  Life is really getting to that point where you stop and pay close attention.  It all must be happening to tell me something.  I think what I am left with is......."Life is but a Dream.  Do with it what only you can because you are special and one of a kind.  Spend time in the spaces that make you happy and brings happiness to others."  My next collection will no doubt reflect many of my newfound respect and realizations.  Carpe Diem

Back At It

Back in the workshop after my travels because of some requests and I thought I should be more proactive than I have been in the past.  When summer comes people are always asking for jewelry.  I enlisted some help from my daughter who is suppose to be learning the business.  The anual Bamboo festival coming up and more opportunities for wholesale orders and clients puts me to work.  Once I got on a roll I came up with a really cool carved design that I am in love with.  I was in the zone so much so that  I had to stop and let my drill cool.  I heat treated this particular piece of bamboo a while back and it had a nice golden hue.  When I started carving it I carved through the top layer and revealed a lighter color.  Then I went back on either side of the lighter hue with a deep dark carving to compliment the lighter hue.  It came out awesome. And looks like the colors which I wear often and  the hues which compliment my complexion and the complexion of others sisters who would no doubt love to rock my one of a kind pieces.  Only problem now is figuring out what shapes to make with it.  I took some pics to give you a preview.  Oh and the ovals are nice.  They are a nice size and oh how I wish they would stay green.  I am naming this collection Jungle Hottie!

Custom Orderz

Someone heard through the grapevine that I make jewelry.  They placed an order and presto Magico, a custom bracelet was made to order.  Another satisfied customer.  You know I had to take pictures of it and post it here.  Thanks again.

 

Instagram (y0y0moe)

Ya Girl finally has an Instagram page!  Well, Bamboo Jewelry has an Instagram page.  Full of photos of my daughter modeling some of my work and helping Mommy out with her portfolio.  It was my idea to have the shoot in the bamboo grove, but I am not a photographer and the lighting was hit and miss.  We worked it out anyway. Enjoy!


https://instagram.com/

Ever Expanding Possibilities with Bamboo

Enjoying the creativity and authenticity of my work!
    Click on the 2014 link for video.
  2014

 

Help! Emergency!!!

I received this txt message with an attached photo.
"Help........Emergency!!!  I need another earring just like this.
I lost one!! Help!! My favorite. I wear them all the time."

My customers tell me this all the time.  This one was especially
comical because she looses them all the time.  Then I will see
her with them on and say, "I thought you lost one?"  Love you Boo

 

Inspiration

Artist always attribute nature for some of their inspiration.  Our surroundings in many ways influence our creativity.  I made these beautiful butterfly inspired earrings and when it was time to take the photos I knew I had to try and capture something spectacular because after all they were just flitting all around me.  I captured some great shots and I wanted to share them with you. Bamboo Butterflies

 Can You see the butterfly?

Update Hiatus/Workflow

Greetings followers I have been on somewhat of a hiatus.  The main reason being uncertainty about the direction to take my baby business into.  Jewelry parties was an avenue I was hoping to focus on but I really don't have lots of girlfriends so that did not pan out.  I shouldn't say I don't have girlfriends, because I do but they are scattered all over the us.  But eh- I do love to travel, so maybe
it is not a total dead zone.  Ok, on that tip I have become completely and utterly obsessed with vintage travel trailers, and tricking one out into a mobile boutique is not such a bad idea.  Ok, you heard it first on my blog.  Never really thought about going there myself until this post, (crazy I know).  So back to the hiatus, yes I have actually been grappling with the idea of getting a real job.  The one where you get up and go out to work, everyday.  It's scary, I know.   Really, I was actively looking for work, putting my resume out there, taking tests, going on interview, (purposefully left singular).  No takers yet.  It is as if the All Mighty is telling me not to get a regular gig.  It's like he knows something is going to pop off any minute and that I should not commit myself to some job.
Or maybe it is the timing.  Maybe the time is not yet for a job.  I did complete a really pretty LiLi
lately and I wanted to share it here. Side note: I have really got to round up some more bamboo if I am to continue with this thing.  I really do love the flowers though.  They are a lot of work but they turn out so well.  Here is the latest LiLi Leis. Enjoy

Picasso

I feel like Picasso when I look at this beautiful piece of jewelry.  I am in love with the colors, and the undulating lines. Its so funny, when I began this piece I had a specific idea in mind as far as colors.  It didn't work out that way and I became a little frustrated.  When this happens I start laying colors on top of colors hoping to luck up and find the perfect hue.  Well through some trial and error it all came together.  The pieces are not side by side the way I carved them, if they were you would see the seamless lines flow from one piece into the other like one big canvas divided into three after it was finished.  The crimson was an after thought but is the star of the show for me.  I started with a brownish crimson but I added more red to it and then a royal blue.  It is so deep and vibrant I can't
wait to use it again on another Picasso. I hope whoever purchases this piece is an art lover and can truly appreciate this great love of mine.  It was hard to let it go.  Even though I created it and can create another, it will never be quite the same, no matter how hard I try to make it. Peace and Blessings to All

My heart

My heart belongs to you through this lovely handcrafted neck piece.  Very simply arranged without the use of beads and whoopla.  Natural bamboo left untreated, it can be polyurethaned or stained, wood burned, or painted.  Your imagination can run wild with this one or leave it understated.
Love

Hawaiian Pint dress

I found this Hawaiian print dress at the thrift store.  I think I thought I would re-make it into something else.  It is size 14 so I thought that would be plenty of fabric to re-work things and create
something completely new.  The cotton fabric is vintage, the flowers are huge, and the colors are so vibrant I could not leave it at the thrift store.  I get home and try the dress on.  To my dismay it fits.
Drat........ok I am a size 14 now.  Anyhow, after I finished the Bahati piece, I decided to use the dress
to fit on the mannequin. This way I can show my customers how to wear my stunning natural jewelry with prints.  OMG!  To my delight it looks better than I could have imagined.  Most women pick one color when selecting accessories to wear with prints.  With Bamboo, the New Neutral jewelry choice, all the guess work has been taken out of wearing jewelry with prints.   I have recreated this shape before but the individual character in this particular bamboo is quite unique. Every piece of bamboo is different.  This Bamboo was grown in North Carolina. Thank you for looking. Yo

Going to Asheville this weekend and some lucky lady will purchase this set to add to her collection.  Can't wait to see who she will be.

Thank You

         Thank you to all of my customers who support the work that I do.  I love working with my hands.  I love seeing what will become of my imagination.  I also thoroughly enjoy meeting the people who find that special piece that speaks to them and they can't leave it on the counter.  It is rewarding for me to sell time and time again to my repeat customers.  The ones who seek me out and find what they were looking for.  Something new to add to their collection.  Another finely crafted accessory that goes beyond description.  "Yes, it's made with bamboo!"  That natural earthy piece you can mix and match with your favorite color. You intertwine the bamboo piece seamlessly with your signature style.  Everyone can't pull it off.  You gotta have some flavor to begin with.
        One of my great inspirations is a jewelry designer from Brazil.  She creates jewelry with natural materials and has affiliations in the green design world.  Her name is Patricia Moura.  I first learned of her on youtube.  I commented how much I loved her work and we actually corresponded via e-mail with the help of Google Translator.  The internet is helping to show us just how small the world really is.  I wish her all the success and hope I can elevate my line in the same ways she has done with hers. Yo

I work to wow you

Some cool things to come out of the shop as of late.

 

Naturally Beautiful

Thank you to all the ladies for your support at the Naturally Beautiful hair event.  I enjoyed the information that was shared and it was very nice to see all the ladies beautiful natural hair.   Because of the hair event I was inspired to create more unique hair accessories and could not be more pleased with the outcome.  Thank you Cheri for the invite.  Love Peace and Blessings