Chelsea's busy bees

I just want to eat them!

2010-11-15T06:50:00.000-08:00

I just love this image.......
and want these boxes!

small, velvety, boxes in a variety of amazing colors..... swoon

Who wouldn't want a ring out of a box like this?

Makes me think of pieces of candy....mmmm starbursts maybe?

Candy and Jewelry....yes please!

Button Cake

2010-11-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

How cute is this? I am thinking button cupcakes!

Last winter during the a snow storm I made some pretty delicious "sophisticated cupcakes". It was actually a cake recipe that my husband loves, and decided to make them into cupcakes. I did however cheat and make them from a box recipe and just doctored them up...

I did not make the candied rose petals and I add extra cardamom and lemon zest... mmmmm

http://http//www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Persian-Love-Cake-232273

photo compliments of tinywhitedaisies

(and Lyndsy Woods) ;)

Love....

2010-05-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

This makes me happy....love this website.

www.friedamaria.com

button's for tea...

2010-05-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why i have not made many button brooches "yet"---keyword. I recently made this for a Professor who was retiring. She is a wonderful women so I was thrilled to make this as a surprise for her. From what I was told was she loved it! I could just see this on a great denim jacket, a flirty sundress or on a scarf for winter. I will be making more of these soon!

Mary Louise + Fred

2010-03-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

warning: if you do not like sappyness, do not read this....

thanks, Chelsea B.

This past weekend I took a trip home to visit with my Grandma Moeller.

She is one of the smartest, classiest and stylish women I know, I am sure I got all of this from her (haha). My Grandfather past away this Halloween at 89 years old, it was a very sudden death. Naturally we were all worried about Grandma.

They had been married for 65 years and have always had the look in there eyes like they just that moment fallen in love with the other, shortly followed by "Eskimo kisses".

They meet while in college in PA. Shortly after there meeting my grandfather had to go to war one month before the attack on pearl harbor. He was stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea for the next 5 years. My Grandmother continued to write letters and send photos of her in these amazing outfits with things wrote in the back like "I am looking up a plane and praying that it may be the one that will bring you home saftley to me".

In September 1946 they were married.

This is one of my grandmothers favorite songs that she recently wrote down for me. I am certain it was probably their favorite song.

You were meant for me

by Gene Kelly in Dancing in the Rain

(She did change the words up a bit)

You were meant for me - I was meant for you.

Nature fashioned you when you were young,

you were all those sweet dreams rolled into one.

Your like a haunting melody that was meant for you and me.

I'm content, the angels must have sent you just for me......

I have not seen this movie in AGES....last time I saw it was in Ocean City, NJ with me and my sister snuggled up next to Grandma...I am thinking this needs to go on netflix!

Needless to say she is the sweetest and wisest grandmother.

She is still going on with a smile on her face, telling stories and giving her advice.

True love exists but no one ever says it's easy.

A Locket made for a Hero's wife

2010-01-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

I can now safely say that I have officially made my most important piece of jewelry yet.

Yes, my wedding ring was important, but definitely not in the same way.

Captain Matthew Freeman
Matthew Freeman, was killed in Afghanistan on August 7th, 2009 at the age of 29. He was a fighter Pilot who volunteered to go serve in Afghanistan. He was an exceptional person, in school, with friends and family, and in life. He came from a family that includes many servicemen and women. He was married to Theresa Hess only three weeks before he passed. This story is tragic and my prayers continue to go out to the Freeman's and the Hess's.

http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/capt-matthew-c-freeman/

My family has been friends with the Freeman's for almost as long as I can remember--summers consisting of camping trips, boating days and weekend crab boils. I also played Varsity Soccer and went to Saint Anne's Catholic church with Theresa. When Matthew's Mother Lisa asked me to make a locket for Theresa, you can imagine how perfect and meaningful I wanted this locket to be. I understood that it was something Theresa would keep and cherish forever. Lisa wanted to use some of Matthew's baby hair and their wedding photo in the locket. I had the leeway to decide the rest.

This is what I came up with...

"A Locket for Remembering"

Sterling Silver with 18 Karat Yellow gold accents.
Garnet set in Yellow gold bezel. (Matthew's birthstone)

Theresa's birthstone is Amethyst. I set her birthstone in a hand-pierced heart and engraved "Always" on it. I made the chain so that she could wear it at 3 different lengths 18, 20 and 24 inches.

I used watch crystals to "encase" Matthews hair. I wanted this to be two-sided, so that she could wear it with hair or the birthstone facing forward. I did not put their wedding photo in for the photo shoot...I thought that too personal.
I also wanted to make the packaging just as special. I hand-stitched this pouch out of recycled leather from a local Athens leather shop.Hand-made down to every last detail....

Thank you Kelli Guinn for the great photos!!

http://www.kelliguinn.com/

Hi-ho, Hi-ho is off to work we go....

2010-01-12T04:46:00.000-08:00

So I have been super busy these days.....

It's A New Year....It's a new day!

For starters I was hired back full time at my old Job with TK Anderson Designs, as a bench jeweler and designer (this is a good thing-thus far). Unfortunately it is take most of my creative time, but I have managed to make a few magnificent pieces, (here and there...)! I will be posting photos and stories this week. I have also decided to start blogging about some of the funny stories I hear at the store it can be like working at a salon, and some of my own stories....

So.....I have started the year off right so far.

I started with a 5 day cleanse and it was GREAT. If you ever feel the need to do a cleanse I would highly recommend the Master Cleanse. It is like pushing a reset button. You are suppose to do it for 10 days, but I had a goal of 5. I had so much energy!! Derek was saying I was like a 10 year old, (I have very high energy levels to begin with). Secondly wake up at 6:30 for gym, emails, errands or blog before work....so far so good, and I feel great! Thirdly stay motivated, healthy and prepared. Derek says to me on New Years Eve "In order to succeed you must prepare t0 succeed...." I thought this to be true..... PREPARATION!

Stay tuned for some pretties and some stories!

Love and Laughter,

Chelsea BEE

girl with a pearl earring...

2009-09-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Girl with a pearl earring.

These pearl earrings were made for a friends wedding this August. She wanted simple, classic pearl studs for her bridesmaids, I just just so but made them a little more interesting.

Handmade sterling silver earrings with 5mm white Akoya pearls set off center in the circle.

(this is just me trying them on..)

Here is one of the bridesmaids.

I am not making any excuses...

2009-08-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am not making any excuses for myself. I know it has been a very time long since I have last blogged. This has been a summer of road trips and many mini-vacations. Now I am semi-re-employed and have got to make a schedule to post photos of new pretties and everyday inspirations. This blog is just going to contain fun photos of my absentees and a simple a apology......

Hilton Head: Annual Moeller (a.k.a Grizwald) Family Vacation

Camp Hilton Head.

In Savannah for my Goddaughter Bella's 1st Birthday and July 4th celebrations!

Sister Road Trip!
Very end of South Beach Miami- Niki Beach

View from Charlene's house in South Beach. Amazing

Super short visit to see Derek in Mexico.
We did some hiking and (sort-of) climbing.

Our room at the pousada Potreo Chico it is a great climbing place. Not the we climb, at least YET... if you climb and are up for a trip to Mexico the website is www.elpotrerochico.com.

Simple and sweet. There were lime, avocado, and orange trees all over the property and there was an amazing pool with an QUITE a view.

When Derek got back we went to Ginnie Springs and did a small camping and diving trip with just the two of us. It was our first time diving on our own so it took some fumbling and lots of adjusting but we seceded!

Now I am back in Athens and jewelry and art post will be coming soon...

love and laughter,

Chelsea

Ten beautiful maids

2009-05-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Well I am very disappointed in myself because I totally forgot to take a photo of the actual bridesmaids wearing the earrings. They looked amazing and everyone loved them. I am hoping I can find a photo from the brides photographer when she get hers photos. These are the photos I had taken prior to giving to them to the bride. At any rate they were a hit!

Calder inspired jewelry

2009-05-19T06:58:00.001-07:00

Here is some jewelry that I have designed after one of my favorite artist, Alexander Calder. I am sure I have probably mentioned his name before. I have always had an a obsession with swirls, drawing them all over the front of notebooks and doodling them will chatting on the phone. I will defiantly be venturing into this more. This is just the beginning. All of these were made by shaping, forming, bending, hammering and polishing different sizes of silver wire.

These are earring jackets. You can wear them with the studs that I made or put them with any stud earrings you have...pearls or diamonds work too. I love mine with my diamond studs.

I think they would be gorgeous in yellow gold

New Painting

2009-05-14T09:52:00.001-07:00

I meet a really sweet and talented painter at the craft show. She fell in love with my button necklaces and I loved her paintings, particularly the one below. So we decided to do a swap! I wanted to share this talented girl with you all.

Her name in Celan Hardman.

Check out her website she is amazing!

http://www.celanworks.com/

I am a sucker for fish and water painting, being a Pisces.

I also love mixed media art as well. It is 20x16, now I just need a beautiful frame.

I love how she incorporated these maps in the sky.

Here she used silk in the waves.

Picture Day

2009-05-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

So I have been taking picture for two days now. It always seems to be a race with the sun, I don't have a light box or a fancy camera (older cannon power shot). I am really wanting a new camera, but mine will have to do until it dies.

These bracelets are made from leather scraps from Masada leather in downtown Athens.

This one my favorite.

More photos to come.....

Energy flows where attention goes...

2009-05-13T07:34:00.001-07:00

Quote my sister Jenna gave me to reflect on. She is a very a strong and determined woman. I was feeling the need to maintain the positive energy flow.

"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy. Energy flows where attention goes."

sweet jodi

2009-05-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

So a friend of mine that went to Savannah College of Art and Design with me came in town a few weeks ago and took some really great pictures of my daughter Jodi.

She is the sweetest 3 legged lab Dalmatian you will EV ER met.

You can check out his website

http://www.myspace.com/casey_martin_photography

I love this picture she looks so regal.

Jodi loves Craft time.

If anyone has ever had a Tasty Kake then you know how hard it is to find them down south. Thank you Casey for the awsome pictures of Jodi and the Tasty Kake!!

Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa

2009-05-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

So it has been a while since I have last blogged.

I had been busy making lots of jewelry for my first craft fair! I went into this with really no expectations. I feel it turned out to be a success considering it did rain 50% of Saturday. Luckily I had this umbrella to protect me from the rain and brought a tarp to cover my table. So needless to say my table was under a blue tarp half of the day. It was quite crazy for a little while the wind was strong and the rain was hard.

I am considering this a learning experience. I survived the wind and the rain. AND.... i actually made profit (and made some great swaps!)

This is my set up for Day 1.

I have to thank my amazing friend Lyndy Woods for helping me

make all the mossed pots! They were a hit!

Tie cuffs and leather cuffs in an old cigar box.

This was my set up for Day 2.
We all seriously anticipated rain in the morning and boy was it windy.
I decided to downsize and consolidate, this seemed to be the plan of most crafters that day.

So yay for my first successful craft show.
It was great fun and enjoyed meeting lots of new friends.
And now it's time to find another!

Tea time for me...

2009-04-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, I couldn't help myself not to take a picture of this..... It just screams comfort. And yes scream and comfort in the same sentence are contradictory.

I had to stop and smell the flowers, pollen and all. heheh

And the pollen is why I am consuming so much tea right now.

My mom gave me this lovely tea cup for my birthday and every time I drink out of it, it brings a sence of comfort.

Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa

2009-04-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

I just signed up for my first craft fair!

I will be busy, busy , busy till then!!!!

Sweet Bella... lovin' my shoes

2009-04-08T06:26:00.001-07:00

My God daughter, Bella Grace.... Quite possibly, no definitely the cutest baby I have ever scene. I guess I am partial as well. I just love these picture's that my sister took at at wedding this weekend. This was Bella's Aunt Tessa's wedding. I made all the bridesmaids copper bracelets. I have a post named Copper Ribbons with photos.

"I love your shoes...."

".....Where did you get them?"

button cuff links

2009-04-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

So, I have ventured off to a new place..... men's jewelry. I have started making cuff links, tie tack, and cuff bracelets...... more photos to come soon!

These are all vintage buttons with sterling silver "thread" and nickle plated cuff link backs.

"BLUE OCEAN"

"IVY LEAGUE"

"BLUE SHAKESPEARE"

"TREVOR"

Kelli's magic photo shoot.

2009-03-20T13:13:00.001-07:00

So, recently I figured it would be a good idea to have some professional photos taken of me. Kelli, a friend of mine in here in Athens is an amazing photographer (and cook), she graduated from UGA with a BFA in photography. She took these pictures in 10 minutes before we all had dinner and a home beer brewery class. Yes me and hubby Derek are about to conquer the world of home brewery. More to come on that!!!

Happiness can be found everywhere!

2009-03-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, this is the blue Cadillac!

It's a beauty.

I not only collect buttons but I collect ties as well. I love all the colors, patterns and shapes. I was making tie cuff bracelets with button snaps for a little while. I am definitely going to be making more soon.......

I needed a way to get a little more organized so I made the cork boards out of a roll of cork and old picture frames.
It's cute and out of the way.

Bere here now.

2009-03-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

This week I have been feeling a bit all over the place.
This is my meditation..... me and my sister, both got this tattooed on our foot. We grew up with our mom always telling us this.

I have been listening the to Mason Jenning's, Be here now, that my sister burned for my birthday.

Here is the link for the you tube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQqbqJ1J7I

And the Original Be Here Now
By: Baba Ram Dass

ETSY!!!!

2009-03-20T08:48:00.001-07:00

Well I finally did it. I have an Etsy page, it took me all of yesterday to just set it up, take some new pictures and post 5 Items. Whew!!!! I am fumbling my way through this technology thing but in time I will be a whiz......

http://www.chelseabees.etsy.com/

This is just a sample of what I put up.... you should check it out.

Scotts Market + positive & creative friends = INSPIRATION

2009-03-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday some friends and I went on a field trip to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, GA. We were feeling the need for a little inspiration. This place was amazing and HUGH! Let's just say I was in heaven.

http://www.scottantiquemarket.com/

I went crazy taking pictures...

There was an artist Kevin Scanlon, who made some amazing furniture and home accessories using refurbished parts from lots of different things. This is my dream coffee table. It is made from old shipping crates and ship parts.... I will have to find some more pictures of his work---very innovative!

This was his as well.....

LOVE this old locker's system! I could fill that up in heart beat.

This was from someone else's booth, did not get a name but,
I can just image displaying my jewelry in here. Heart this.

Love these tiny crystal and porcelain salt and pepper jar......

and who doesn't love old books?

I love the these plate's... They remind me of lace; which I adore. I want them!

Succulents in a tool box....clever, adorable and simple.

This sight made me jump with excitement when we first walked up to the building.
Happiness......

Thank you Lyndsy and Kerry for a day full of inspiration!!! xoxox

p.s I also bought some great buttons to make some jewelry with! Can't wait to start!

Copper Ribbons

2009-03-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

A very dear friend of mine asked to me make some bracelets as a gift for her bridesmaids. I wanted to do something earthy and wanted to connect them to something with the wedding. She had a simple copper ribbon tied around her wedding invitation's and this is where that took me.

This is a picture from the wedding.

"TESSA"

I used plain copper wire and made simple twists and then did hammered finish. Elegant, earthy and chic.

And here are the ladies lovin' their new bracelet's. Thanks for the picture!

She sells sea-shells by the sea shore...

2009-03-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

These are a series I made while working at R. Widener and company in Savannah. I combined sea glass with gold or silver. I love incorporating mixed media/found objects into my jewelry.

This was the first one I made..... 14kw metal and sea glass.

"AQUA"

I loved these... the owners wife snagged this set. She has this amazing red hair and they looked great on her. These are made with 14ky and sea glass. I made them around St. Pat's day's and if your from Savannah you know that it is part of our culture...

"ERIN GO BRAUGH"

LOVE,LOVE, LOVE this necklace. I sported this one for a little while.... This blue color is very rare, I used 14kw metal and then bezel set a small diamond and set it into the sea glass.
"DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH"

These earring I made to match the pendent above, I incorporated sterling silver in these. These seem nautical to me.
"BY THE SEA"

Miss. Charlie

2009-03-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

These are earrings that I was commissioned to make by a professor for her student finishing Graduate School. She knew that we were good friends and that I could nail her style, I was totally excited to make them for her. She is one of the most beautiful people I know!

Charlene has jet black hair and defiantly likes Latin style, and the classics. Her business cards I adored and took inspiration from them as well, they had a lace pattern on the front.

So I pierced this pattern in the sterling and suspended blue Peruvian opals in the holes. Faceted ruby beads were then hung on the bottom to give a little play and adds a great color contrast.

"Miss. Charlie"

Here she is ..... isn't she beautiful? The earrings look amazing on her....

Old, new and blue.....

2009-03-13T05:23:00.000-07:00

From Start to Finish.....

I made these for one of best friends wedding in Costa Rica. The only guide lines she gave me was size and color. She wanted them to match a turquoise necklace that she would be wearing, made by her finance's grandfather for his bride...so sweet.

I wanted to give these a lace feel, so I pierced this pattern into sterling sheet. Pearl's from a necklace that was given to the bride from her aunt are suspended into the opening, and blue Peruvian opals to match the turquoise necklace. I do love these, they were perfect for her.

"SOMETHING OLD, NEW AND BLUE..."

Here is the beautiful bride sporting her custom made earrings.... gorgeous!

I must say they really did show up nicely in the photos.....
The McMurry's!!!!

One leaf....

2009-03-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

These are just some simple necklaces I made inspired by; you guessed it.... LEAFS!

I forged the tips of sterling silver wire to form a leaf shape and then used a technique called chasing to put the leaf texture on them. These are delicate and are just a sweet subtle detail to wear around your neck.

This one has a small faceted ruby bead attached.

"CHERRY TREE"

This one is sterling silver with a copper accent.
"ONE LEAF"

Happy Birthday....

2009-03-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is ring I was commissioned to make for my one of best friend's mom. They have the same birthday and she wanted to give her something very special. This is made with argentium silver, which does not tarnish and has 18ky accents. I call this ring ebb n flow, her mother grew up on the river and the 3 gold balls are to represent her 3 children.

"EBB N FLOW"

p.s. I was recently told the she said this was the best gift she was ever given! (yay me!)

Going to the chapel....

2009-03-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Work in progress....

These are for another wedding. I am becoming the wedding jewelry master. My Grandma Moeller told me I should go wait outside of the courthouse and pass out my business cards. She is a smart lady.

There is one pair that is finished in the photo, but as I was working on the 10 other pair I changed my design a bit.......

I recently went to NYC with my mom and sister. we went to the MET to see the Alexander Calder exhibit (he is probably one of my favorite artist, you should check out his mobiles---amazing). Anyway he makes jewelry as well and I was INSPIRED!!!
Finished photos to come! very soon.....

Button, Button....

2009-03-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

I am a button lover and collector. There is something nostalgic about buttons that I think most people can connect with. Buttons are tiny little treasures that hold things together. Most everyone has a button box, or bag, or tin for whatever reason it may be, we hang on these buttons. For me, I always try to think about what piece of clothing each individual button may have adorned. Maybe a little girls new Easter dress, a ladies favorite cardigan, or a man best blue blazer

I take the "traditional" button and have then cast into gold and silver.

These are earrings are cast silver buttons with 14ky wire thread through the button holes.

"BUTTON WINDOW"

These are a series of button bezels that I make to encase buttons from my collection. I designed these bezels on CAD and had them cast into metal. This is one of my favorite.
"CHELSEA"

(i named this after my best friend Chelsea, this button reminds me of her)

"WHERE YOUR BUTTON ON YOUR HEART"

These are my signature button necklaces. They are the perfect everyday necklace you can wear is on it's own or you can layer it with more necklaces. Perfect, I must say.....
"CUTE AS A BUTTON"

This is another one from button collection. This one reminds me of the Rabbit hole that Alice fell into from Alice in Wonderland.
"ALICE"

My little studio nook....

2009-03-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

a peek at a corner...

This is quite possibly the coolest chair of all times and the first piece of furniture I had ever bought. I call it my blue Cadillac chair with wheels. This name came because I took it to the Cadillac dealership to have a tear repaired. I will need to post some better photos of it later.

My desk, that a dear friend gave me... love it pink Formica!

The whole room....