"Congratulations on having such gorgeous work published in Bead Stringing! I really like the cornucopia necklace. The jasper is beautiful! ... great job!" -- Tracy M., Alabama
~ ~ ~
"Just wanted to say how much I love your “smoke on the water” design. Very elegant and simple." -- Nancy L., Morristown, NJ
~ How It All Started ~
I started stringing beads a few years back; first plastic beads, then wood beads. Just to keep my fingers busy, I made novelties for myself and some friends.
One day, I found myself bidding for a pack of assorted gemstone nuggets at eBay. When I got my order, I wanted more, so I went to the nearest Michael's where I hauled a ton of beads and findings.
I suddenly felt compelled to study the beading and wire art craft. Luckily, there's the Internet, where a lot of professionals are kind enough to share their knowledge. I visited bookstores to browse craft books. I bought magazines for inspiration. I asked my brother overseas to send me beads and crystals. I knew I was hooked when I rearranged my craft room to accommodate my growing inventory of beads and jewelry.
I practiced every new skill I learned until I realized that I had manufactured a stash of jewelry to wear to every occasion for the rest of my life.
My fingers want to make more because I learn something new everyday; but I need funds to buy more materials (talk about addiction!). That's why this mini-site had to be built. Some of my jewelry will have to find new owners so that I can keep creating new designs for myself, my friends, and you!
~ Random Thoughts ~
My brother calls this one "Gothic." I just designed a necklace around a silver heart pendant that I've had for the longest time.
I added black seed beads, silver daisies, and deep red freshwater pearls. I was surprised at how a simple design could look very attractive.
The first day I wore it, I had to stop by a couple of stores for errands. The sales clerk at Barnes and Noble asked if I make my jewelry, adding that it looked "professional." The cashier at Michael's asked the same question and said it looks "very nice." With a broad smile, I nodded, handed out a business card, and said, "There's more at my website." Even if they don't come here at all, I sure had a blast receiving the compliments. Simple joys make my day.
~ Snapshots ~
02-22-07: Stringing Magazine's Spring 2007 issue is out.
My Crystal Veil necklace is on page 47, a bracelet (#21) is on page 56, and two earrings (#s 18 and 20) are on page 36.
"By hanging beads with simple wire loops, Ruby created a draping crystal veil pendant that shimmers with every move."
If you string beads for jewelry, you may want to try submitting your work to the magazine. Their contributor guidelines are at www.stringingmagazine.com.
02-03-07: An online buyer has received her order of a batch of customized zipper pulls for her friends.
She said, "Ruby, I got the zipper pulls in the mail today and they are beautiful. Thank you very much. I appreciate your hard work and promptness. I will be sure to refer friends to your website." - Rebecca J., Texas
I'm glad you like them, Rebecca! Looking forward to hearing from your friends!
01-23-07: Another promising year ahead! I finally upgraded my digital camera, and am busy brushing up on my photographing and Photoshop-ing skills (with the patience of my photographer brother). Hopefully I can post better images of my jewelry soon. Speaking of which, the Spring 2007 issue of Stringing Magazine is coming out in a few weeks. Check out my "Crystal Veil" creation! I'm so excited!
10-29-06: I've decided to share some of my designs with the world! Not just photos but a list of materials and step-by-step instructions as well. So, click on down to my Articles page and choose a project to indulge in. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
10-23-06: Stringing Fall 2006 should be in the stands already; I received my copy today. And I'm on page 32!
This is my Olea Europea (the scientific name for the olive) -- "Inspired by the olive branch, a symbol of wisdom, peace, and plenty, this necklace celebrates the elegance and vitality of Athena, the olive tree's patron goddess."
The beads and findings are from a local bead store, Bead Dreams. I visited them one time and noticed these funky ceramic coins that reminded me of black olives. I grabbed some seedbeads to match the ceramic beads, and voila! I'm on Stringing magazine again!
09-03-06: A favorite customer emailed me last week saying, "The red necklace you made was incredible and my friend told me she has received many wonderful comments about the necklace!" She then went on to say she wanted a second necklace on the same theme but with blues and purples this time. Here are the two pieces -- the start of a series?
07-10-06: I just received my August/September Beadwork Magazine where they announced that starting next year, Stringing Magazine will be released quarterly (instead of twice a year). More opportunities for everyone to get published. Will we see you there soon?
Also, Beadwork will start accepting entries to their next juried expedition -- "The Beaded Bag" -- on August 1st. If you're into beading bag-related items and want to have the chance to be showcased in the 2007 Bead Expo exhibits, the competition details are here. Hmmm... maybe I'll give it a try.
05-14-06: My latest commission project was for a lady who wanted a special gift for her sister. Here's her reaction to the tourmaline piece:
"Hi Ruby: I got the necklace (and my bracelet!) yesterday! They are both exceptionally beautiful! I wanted to wait to email you, because I was having dinner at my sister’s house last night and wanted to give it to her and see her reaction. She really liked it and it looks really beautiful on her. My family was impressed too!... Thanks again for the lovely work and the quick response to my inquiry! Thanks also for the “Scorpio” bracelet. I am wearing it now." - Tanya C, Michigan
02-25-06: Stringing Spring 2006 is in the stores! My necklaces are on pages 26 and 42, bracelets are on pages 61-63, and earrings are on pages 17-19.
On the right is a composite snapshot of the necklace pages.
Visit Stringing's new website: http://www.stringingmagazine.com. Don't forget to check out the Gallery where you can submit your work. Then meet all the contributors to the magazine in the Contributors page.
01-01-06: Just a quick update for the new year... Stringing Magazine has accepted two of my necklace designs (plus five bracelets and three earrings) for their Spring 2006 issue coming out next month. Soooo excited! Meanwhile, I'm completing commission pieces -- identical Colombia-inspired necklaces for two brothers in the UK, and another Colombia amulet bag for the lady who ordered the first one I ever made. The brothers asked me to create necklaces for them after they saw the amulet bag I posted on this page. Isn't that interesting?!
12-06-05: Time passes quickly when you're doing jewelry. Let me update y'all with two of my latest creations: the red and blue millefiore bracelet that I sent out to the Bead&Button Forum Secret Beader Exchange, and the Mexico Flag amulet bag. Right now I'm trying to create something to wear to a Christmas dinner.
11-10-05: Just want to share photos of some of my latest commission pieces. These are especially lovely necklaces that I almost felt sad to ship out. But hey, they're all going to be worn by equally lovely ladies! These are my "Raspberry Pearls," "Tourmaline Buds," and "Tiny Berries" (rose quartz, garnet, tourmaline, Swarovski, and a freshwater pearl).
Oh, and word sure gets around. A friend of the lady for whom I made the Colombia flag amulet bag just ordered a similar one for herself. She's from Mexico. Another challenge!
10-23-05: It's out! Stringing Fall 2005 is in the stands. And here's a composite of the two necklaces I submitted. They did a wonderful job with the layout. Thank you, editors Jamie Hogsett and Danielle Fox!
Go ahead and grab an issue from your favorite magazine dealers and check out all the beautiful works of art featured in this issue. They come complete with instructions to help you re-create the pieces you want. You can also bid on some of the items donated for the HOPE Bracelet Project. Stringing Magazine is also available online.
10-12-05: It was a challenge because I had never done an amulet bag before. And the peyote stitch -- what's that? But when a Colombian lady asked me to make her an amulet bag patterned after her country's flag, I couldn't refuse. I quickly searched the 'Net for instructions on how to stitch this little bag necklace; got some seedbeads to match the colors I needed, and went to work. It took three false starts before I finally nailed the even-count tubular peyote stitch. My fingers froze a few times (CTS doesn't take the needle-and-thread sewing action too kindly), so it took a while to complete the project. But in the end, I felt real proud of my newly learned skill and latest accomplishment.
09-03-05: Wow! I am so excited! I can't keep it to myself anymore. Interweave Press (creators of Beadwork Magazine) will publish two of my necklace designs in their Stringing Fall 2005 special issue! They will also include the 4 bracelets and 5 pairs of earrings that I submitted. The magazine is coming out on October 25th. I can't wait!
08-25-05: Two days after I uploaded samples of my new "ring" pendants, a friend drops by and sees my PC's wallpaper, which, of course, was a picture of my latest creation. After I showed her the different colors I had made, she fell in love with this one -- the gold motif (click picture to see larger image). She also wants me to make her a set of matching bracelet and earrings. I kinda thought I could keep that piece for myself, but... such is life.
08-23-05: Sally sells seashells in the seashore... shells, shells, shells! At first I didn't know what to do with the strands of shells that came from a friend in the Philippines; but when I designed this bracelet for a "Secret Beader Exchange" at an online beading community, I quickly discovered how much pizzazz they bring! My recipient reacted with loads of praise and excitement when she got the bracelet. That's always good!
On the right is the set I will send to the friend who shipped the shells to me. The maroon garnet rounds and yellow Swarovski crystals go pretty well with the brown and green tints on the shell beads.
07-14-05: Well, they're on their way. If the magazine accepts just one of my four submissions, I'll be in heaven! Meanwhile, holding my breath for feedback from the kind editors, I'll go back to building my inventory and updating my site.
06-14-05: The pendant on the left is the one I mentioned in my 6-12-05 OurSimpleJoys Newsletter. It's the "Avalon" piece (click on the image to see a close-up). My brother said it looks "Persian/Indian." I like the moss agate -- they're a little eclectic in coloration (from dark greens to purples and pinks), and somehow they seem to be smoother and nicer to touch than other polished stones. The wires and the round corrugated bead are 14K gold-filled. The daisy spacers and square beads are vermiel.
05-27-05: "I love them!" she said. A wonderful returning client wanted a heart chakra necklace for a friend. According to my book on healing stones, the heart chakra gemstones are of two colors: green and pink. I chose the combination of moss agate and rose quartz. Moss agate has beneficial effects on digestion and strengthens the immune system. Rose quartz is known to symbolize trust and brotherly love, and is helpful in affairs of the heart. It stimulates circulation and opens the mind to beautiful things.
05-05-05: A friend from overseas sent me some millefiore beads. Here's a photo of the first items I put together using my friend's black millefiores and some of the black and red glass and crystal beads that I've been keeping for a while. I think they look stunning!
The photo on the right is a commission piece. The client requested an illusion type necklace with a set of blue stones ("one big one in the middle, with two small ones on both sides"), which she can wear with her black dress. I thought turquoise would meet her expectations. I chose different types of turquoise -- the middle one is a touch stone which I wrapped with sterling wire to make it a pendant. She loved it!
02-03-07: An online buyer has received her order of a batch of customized zipper pulls for her friends.
02-25-06: Stringing Spring 2006 is in the stores! My necklaces are on pages 26 and 42, bracelets are on pages 61-63, and earrings are on pages 17-19.
10-23-05: It's out! 
