Ventura 4th of July Street Festival!

Julia Bristow Jewelry will be shown at this year's 4th of July Ventura Street Festival, Historic Downtown Main Street in Ventura, California. Look for Julia Bristow Jewelry booth #221 Main Street between Figueroa and Palm Streets. Click here to see details and listing of all of the other arts and craft vendors. Hope to see you there for a day of shopping, music and good food!

Changed the name: Purple Robe Locust seems more fitting!

Well, I hate to say it, but I have decided the necklace is more a perfect match to the beautiful "Purple Robe Locust" tree and I am changing the name! Wisteria and Locust trees are two of my favorites. Although the flowers are similar, I realize this necklace matches the tree perfectly. I thought I would show it side-by-side so you can see how closely I tried to match the look, since I love those clusters of flowers so! Even the bark of the tree matches perfectly!




Some purple robe trees have even lighter flowers like this one

Wouldn't you agree this is a more fitting name?

Next I think it will be fun to work on a wisteria one to match the more violet shade of the wisteria flowers.

Ga'HooleTree Designs

I just had to mention this beautiful bracelet I found today ~ not only because the name of the piece I am naturally drawn to ("Sun and Waves bracelet"), but I am also attracted to her jewelry in that she seems to always use just an awesome variety of beautiful gemstones and wire-wrapping techniques to make very unique pieces of jewelry. Check out Ga'Hoole Tree Designs Etsy Store at the link above!

Kristy Lee Girlfriend's Necklaces

Check out these cute necklaces made by Kristy Lee. Get one for your best girlfriends before they are all sold out!

Designers4Africa

Designers4Africa created by jewelry designer April Star Davis is a great way for designers to help raise money to build wells in Sudan. So far, I have been able to donate two pieces to an auction in held in March. Hopefully, many other designers will join this cause! It is a simple way to help give much needed assistance to people who need it.

Zimzala

I donated a cool beaded guitar strap and pretty necklace to Zimzala, a benefit to raise money for Surfaid International.

Check it out here: Zimzala

Support me on Facebook?

I got a new Facebook page where you can feel free to "become a fan" if you want to hear any updates on new events, etc. I would appreciate your support!

Peace,
Julia

Back into jumpers

"WARM HEART"

So I added a warm pic!! Maybe its just me, I've had this awful cold, but today and last night I have been freezing. The sun is warm but the wind has a bit of a cold freshness to it - I suppose after the balmy weather we had it just feels a little chillier!!

"DRUANTIA"

More silver work today to show which I did mean to show you last week, I also have some lampwork pieces to show - hopefully if my brain is in gear tomorrow I can show you some more. I ordered some new saw blades which is why I made these two pendants - It was definately the right decision as it was an far easier then before.

"GROW TALL"

This last picture shows my latest earrings - they are long yet I think extremly easy to wear! I enjoyed the experiment though with the vines twisting around the square silver. Watching our honeysuckle go wild was the inspiration - its taking over the top garden but I can't wait for the flowers!

Natures' Presence Collection - Post about me on LA-Story!

Look at today's post about me on LA-Story!



Julia Bristow Jewelry Launches Natures' Presence Collection!

Thank you Stevie Wilson for your much-appreciated review!

Nature's Presence by Julia Bristow

Limited edition artisan signed jewelry collection available 5/17/08.

FLames

"BUBBLES"

Fridays for me is usually coffee with friends but every so often something happens to change the plan from our usual cappacino at CHarlies (Charlestowns fabulous coffee shop) Friday was one of those days so with the arrival of my new torch I set about soldering - and boy I did lots. I was on a mission my "Just Silver" section on the website was looking a little sad and I really need to get pieces added. Of course I am slowly doing this so if there is something on todays post you fancy - drop me the usual email :)

"DULOE"

Bracelets and earrings and a lovely necklace (you can already find in my Etsy store) I did have fun - there's something very theraputic about soldering, pickling and finally taking out of the tumbler!! Maybe its the hammering ;0)

"GOODAVER"

My jewellery this weekend was influenced by the stone circles and the bracelet and necklace are both named after Cornish ones.

A bit...."Otherworldly"

We just completed the photo shoot of my new collection and I have to say the photos turned out just awesome! I am so excited to show this collection. These pieces are definitely something special. And the photos are spectacular! Collection coming soon....

Oh my God...

Is what I said when I opened the recently purchased hand-made lampwork beads from Ms. Molly Cooley of Inner Eye Creations. I could not believe my eyes. These beads are magnificent tiny little pieces of art. It was money very well-spent. They are absolutely beautiful.

Sorry friends, but I am afraid these beads will be used on necklaces for my own personal collection!

Wisteria Necklace & Earrings Set!

Today I made this pretty handwoven wisteria necklace to match the beautiful blooming wisteria I have so patiently waited for all winter long. This is one of my favorite flowers and I just loved making this!

Today's Top Trends

Today I found a write-up on Julia Bristow Jewelry on the blog: "Today's Top Trends." (Check it out with link above.)

So much to do, so little time....

I have so many new pieces of casual jewelry to add to my website, but just not enough time in the day~ I have been creating so many beautiful casual pieces using very cool beads, shells, carved wood... I may not be able to get them all listed in time for the Sassy City Chicks designer sample sale, so shoppers attending my upcoming events will have the opportunity to purchase many items not available on the website! Hope to see you there.

Susan's Passion for Jewelry

This jewelry website recently featured me as an exciting new addition!

See the directory here:

http://www.susanspassionforjewelry.com/designer_showcase.htm

And this is the designer gallery:

http://www.susanspassionforjewelry.com/gallery_shop_julia_bristow_jewelry.htm

Featured on Fashion Indie

Today I was featured on Fashion Indie as a "designer discovery"

Check it out!

Where the week went!

What fabulous weather we have been having - ok its not going to last (in the southwest at least) so of course I've been making the most of it! Monday, a bank holiday or May Day as we call it, was really warm and we (the family) went to TRerice, owned now by the National Trust, a beautiful Elizabethan house and gardens. Elli and E even had a go at playing Cornish Kayling - a game of skittles, and ELli tried her hand at brass rubbings. LOts of sunshine and a run around the maze - great fun. Mamma, Gump and Nanny came to - so cups of tea and slices of cake finished off the day!
Of course when the weather is fine my designs tend to turn blue don't they and this one is no exception - named Arethusa after the NYmph who who turned into a fountain - these turquoise briolettes are gorgeous!
This bracelet is named Rioja and is garnet, crystal quartz and bali silver - all wound onto dainty chain for a really slinky feel - I'm working on a kyanite, iolite and moonstone one at the moment and have slightly pink arms from sitting outside this afternoon!!

Sassy City Chicks

I am excited to be one of the designers participating in this upcoming shopping event in San Francisco June 19, 2008:

Lupine Beaded Guitar Strap

Today I completed a flower beaded guitar strap and added to my website. It is a pretty lupine flower design, which are currently blooming all over the mountain area this beautiful time of year!

Vote for me in SPJ's Top 100 Handcrafted Jewelry Sites!

I located this new directory of handcrafted jewelry sites and although it appears I am the first designer to have found this, I am sure it will fill up quickly!

Click on the link above to vote for my site!

Peace&Love,
Julia