Someone asked me what happened to my blog.
I stopped blogging on my website and moved my blog to the Blue Mango Jewels Facebook page instead. It's quick and easy for me and I feel like I can have more personal exchanges with people that way.


Check it out: www.facebook.com/BlueMangoJewels

Mixed Metals

I've returned from the 2011 Arts and Crafts Festival here in Pullman at Beasley Coliseum, on the WSU campus, which is always a wonderful event. I've been working on new Blue Mango Jewelry most of the summer and am excited to share the results of my new designs and materials. Mixed metal jewelry is a new trend. As many of you know, silver prices have gone through the roof and it affects us in many ways. Most artists and craftspeople had been exploring new possibilities to avoid raising jewelry prices.

I've been creating new combinations with Brass, copper pewter and iron. I'm exploring what are called Cold Connections: riveting, using eyelets, dapping metals, wire wrapping, folding and pounding metals into new shapes... the list goes on. It's been great fun and I'm anxious to share these new ideas. I've also been expanding my World's Treasure Bracelets which many of you already wear. I've added new clasps andcharms and have been working with new tribal beads and stones from around the world.

Charm bracelets have been featured in many fashion magazines and trade papers lately. They're great fun to make and I'm excited to share the results. In addition, I continue to work with pearls; freshwater, natural, keishi, stick pearls, shell pearls and Swarovski pearls. There seems to be an endless variety of pearls. I'm also working with precious pieces of coral in a variety of colors combined with lampwork beads. As the saying goes, "the sky's the limit'.

Falling for Fall....

The leaves have begun turning gold and a few have already fallen to the ground. Here at Washington State University, the Cougars have begun playing football and school spirit is in the air.


I've just returned from a week at the ocean with my old high school girlfriends. Imagine, six of us still great friends after not seeing each other for years. A great treat!


Of course, I had to go bead shopping, there are some great bead shops in Astoria and I made the most of the opportunity! My cup runneth over, literally, with new beads and findings. Stay tuned for my new ideas, I feel so inspired. I'm also working with combinations of copper and brass. With silver prices going thru the roof, many artists are looking for new ways to design and create new goodies. Stay tuned!

September Song

The first day of September, harvesting has begun. From my studio widow I can see a huge combine combing the wheat on the high hills where I live. Farmers used to do this using teams of horses, spectacular and very dangerous work. Old photos showing several to 18 head of horses are fascinating to see. Imagine the cooperation needed to produce and process wheat to flour to bread. It's a part of our colorful, local heritage here in the Palouse.

I, on the other hand, am laboring in fields of beads. I've been working on a series of treasure bracelets many of which you can see here on my website. I'm now creating these bracelets with clasps for those of you who prefer a more structured bracelet. It gives me a choice of new toggle clasps and charms to adorn these colorful beads.

I've also been focusing on Krobo beads. Krobo beads are handcrafted in the African nation of Ghana, made from recycled glass ground by hand in a mortar and pestle, then fired using traditional techniques, i.e. homemade clay molds, homemade clay ovens fired with wood, and hand painting with a re-firing of the beads after each color is applied. I love the ‘primitive’ look and the wonderful vibrant colors of these beads and I enjoy supporting the handicrafts of that country. 

Garden Inspiration

I have taken nearly a month off from my website and blog. I'm still doing jewelry I'm just having trouble making myself sit down in front of the computer to talk about it. With luck, one of these evenings I'll have enough energy to catch up a little bit.


While working in the garden last week I saw a pair of butterflies reviewing my plantings. I was inspired.

Four Month Anniversary

I can't believe it's been four months since my website has launched! Who knew it would be such a steep learning curve. Perhaps another way of saying it is 'fools rush in'.

Someone ought to give college credit for this sort of thing. Really, most of the credit goes to my webmaster, Laurel, or should I say, webmistress? It's been a wonderful collaboration as long as no one checks on our phone bills. Creating jewelry, photographing it, writing descriptive copy, blogging about it, and all the technical stuff that goes into the actual presentation on the web. Phew!

The fun begins when I can actually view my creations on my website. People connect, become friends and customers begin to arrive. It's very exciting to realize that folks around the world are looking at the jewelry I've created in my small studio here in eastern Washington. 

My cup runneth over.

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!                              -Sitting Bull