Earthly Slabs with Flashes of Sky

These are very simple pieces. But, I love them. One of the things I love the most is how the cool gemstones feel on your collarbone and chest. How a piece of jewelry feels definately rates as high as how it looks.

Statement necklaces are a fashion staple this fall. I have named my collection of statement pieces the "Queen's Jewels." The names are chosen by the personality, reputation and image of the Queen. You can view pieces from this collection at my Etsy store,

www.novelapproachdesigns.etsy.com. These two labradorite necklaces were named for the Greek Goddess Gaia. Gaia was the

Queen of the Earth and known as “Mother Earth” and consequently she became the mother of the Titans.

Labradorite is a power stone that is believed to strengthen intuitions. Maybe this comes from the vibrant blue flash within the grey, coldness of the stone. It is one of my favorite stones as it seems to sit, unassumingly and quietly and when you least expect it – you catch a sight of the brilliant blue flash. Maybe a little homage to the sky that Gaia helped to separate from the earth.

To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com
To Visit My Etsy Store: http://www.novelapproachdesigns.etsy.com/

Blog Tag!

I’ve been tagged! I am a member of an Etsy team called “eSMArts.” eSMArts stands for “The Etsy Social Marketing Arts Guild” and it is comprised of mixed media artisans intent on further understanding and applying eCommerce advertising and promotion techniques. The eSMArts mandate is “to foster friendship, creativity, connection, inspiration, discussion and plenty of cross promotion via implementing social marketing principles in order to drive traffic to our Etsy storefronts and other sales sites.”

So here is how the game works...

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading).
• Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
• Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
• Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
• Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

6 random things about me...

• I have two amazing daughters, 9 years apart.
• I sit on two boards of two non-profit organizations.
• I love live music (I used to sing in a band!).
• I am a closet fan of reality TV.
• I really do not consider myself much of an artist, but I live and breathe design.
• I am working to have dual careers, a career in the non-profit sector (hopefully a paying one soon!) and my jewelry design business.

The latest tag victims and their corresponding blogs are...

Anna Lee of “Ga'hooleTree Designs”
Annette of “Under the Loupe”
Lois of “A Beaded Affair”
Ronni of “Vamp Kitty Designs”
Tracy of “Orange Starfish”
Stacie of “Creative Junque by Stacie"

Please visit the blogs of the Tag Victims above - great eye candy and good reading! To visit the eSMArts blog please go here: http://www.esmarts.blogspot.com/

To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com
To Visit My Etsy Store: http://www.novelapproachdesigns.etsy.com/

First Retail Location!

What a very busy summer... I cannot believe it flew by the way it did! I was very busy setting up Novel Approach's first retail location. The boutique is owned by Cheryl Cortinez and she features high-end, designer boots (she is the exclusive Arkansas retailer for Liberty Boots), belt buckles, belts, purses, designer jackets and... my jewelry!

Her store is gorgeous, I couldn't ask for a better place to showcase my work. It's just the right mix of funky, artsy, high-end and high-quality I love. (Not to mention, Cheryl is absolutely great to work with!)

Her store was featured in a state-wide publication this week that is the source for the latest on "Arkansas politics and culture."
Go here to read the article: "Yipee-ki-ay."

Palomino's carries Novel Approach's jewelry and my one-of-a-kind, handmade gemstone belt buckles.

To Return to the Journal: www.NovelApproachDesigns.blogspot.com
To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com

Summer is a time for patriotism!

The summer holidays are some of my favorites. Warm weather, great food, water activities, late night parties enjoying the extra hours of daylight and lots of family and friends around. It's a time when a little more skin is a good thing and everyone has a healthy glow not only from the sun but also from a little R&R. The summer holidays are also a time to reflect on our pride and value we have for our country, the United States of America.

Patriotic jewelry is not new. For this collection, I wanted to create something that went beyond a flag lapel pin. Something chic, high-fashion, high-quality and that would still make a woman feel sexy. I felt starting with Swarovski crystal stars and gobs of chain couldn't go wrong!

The pieces are part of a limited edition series called "Freedom Rings." They are made with either sterling or 14K gold filled chain. I kept the stars in clear crystal or jet black to maintain an elegant feel to the jewelry. You can view the collection in its entirety here www.NovelApproachDesigns.com/Freedom_Rings.html Once the available limited edition pieces are sold, there will be no more. This is a special one time only collection.

There are many personal reasons to wear jewelry this summer holiday season that reflect our pride for our nation. I guess if I had to say what was the most important message behind these patriotic symbols it would be to remember that many have paid an enormous price for our freedoms we enjoy in this country. They deserve our honor, admiration, limitless thanks and a deliberate presence in our thoughts and prayers. Here's wishing you and yours a safe and happy summer holiday season!

To Return to the Journal: www.NovelApproachDesigns.blogspot.com

To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com

New Designs!

I have some new designs on my website (www.NovelApproachDesigns.com)! There are pretty much new pieces on every page - but the majority will be found under "Minimum" and "Ramen des Lichtes." My "full Bloom" line will debut May 19th - this line will feature some of my handmade metal pieces - fun, floral stuff for the summer!

Be sure to check back or email me at kbryde@novelapproachdesigns.com if you'd like me to remind you when the new line arrives! Thank you! ~Kari

To Return to the Journal: www.NovelApproachDesigns.blogspot.com
To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com

It's Finished!

Well, I learned it's REALLY hard to know when something is done... I think this piece is finished. But, honestly - every time I handle it it's hard not to "work on it" some more because I have learned that handmade metal pieces get better with time.

I decided to try my hand at applying a patina. I love the "milky" silver end result - although I had NO IDEA that's what I would end up with when I started the process!

The ring measures about 1 3/4" in diameter and is a size 7. The stone is black onyx and the metal is sterling silver. The name "Black-Eyed Susan A.T." has a dual meaning. I knew from the beginning I wanted to name the piece "Black-Eyed Susan." What I didn't know is I would cut a nice 10mm width chunk out of the palm of my hand during the process! This resulted in 3 stitches and studio time lost (that was the most painful part!). The acronym "BSAT" from "Black-Eyed Susan A.T." Also stands for "Blood Sweat & Tears" because this ring is definitely the result of that! It took 3 months to make. And... It really was worth every moment to me. Thanks for sharing it with me! It was truly a labor of love!

The ring will be part of my "Full Bloom" collection from my Spring 2006 line debuting the first half of May. Please click here to view this line www.NovelApproachDesigns.com/Flowers.html

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To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com

Progress!

The new ring is coming along! Here it is in its pre-patina stage. I have roughed up the bezel setting and the petal areas closest to the bezel setting in order to concentrate the absorption in those areas. The stone is black onyx.

The newest line, "Full Bloom" will debut May 1st. I have many pieces planned - some in gold filled, some in sterling silver and some in brass. The brass stuff is REALLY cool - it will have an antique look to it - a nice, deep soft burnished gold... Very pretty metal! There will be rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Some of the pieces will be obvious flowers like "Black Eyed Susan", and some will be a bit abstract with more implied "flowers." It's a fun line to develop for warming weather coming!

Tomorrow I will post one of the necklaces that are coming along as well. It's made with sterling silver handmade chain... It will truly be a one-of-a-kind piece!

To Return to the Journal: www.NovelApproachDesigns.blogspot.com
To Visit My Website: www.NovelApproachDesigns.com