Russian Spiral Necklace & BFF

My BFF, Kathy, and her dear husband, Larry, have just returned from their annual trip to France.  While still in France, Kathy asked me if I would make her a black & white necklace with silver leaves.  Of course, my answer was "of course"!  So for the past week I've been working on the Russian Spiral Rope Necklace that you see pictured here.  It's a really slowwwww process when you consider each of those little tiny beads, size 11, are picked up one at a time and stitched in a pattern to form this rope.

 

But here's the thing...Kathy is probably my biggest "cheerleader" and unquestionably owns more Cherry Chick Jewelry than anyone in the world.  I know...some of my wonderful friends who's initials start with Jeanne & Joan are thinking how can that be!  Surely they own more than Ms. Kathy.  I'm sure because I have known Kathy for more than 30 years plays into it.

 

Here's the book that I own "One Big Beautiful Bead".  I followed the technique for creating this Russian Spiral Rope Necklace using their instructions.  Should you be so inclined to try your hand at it, they offer free downloadable beading instructions for the Russian Spiral Technique over here on the publisher, Lark Crafts, website.  How awesome is that?

So back to "the thing"...Kathy's birthday is coming up in August.  I've already decided that the necklace will be my Birthday present to her.  Trust me it won't be easy because she will most likely insist on paying me for it.  I will be steadfast and tell her "No...it's my gift to you"!  We will bicker back and forth but that's how BFF's are. I'll win :-)

Speaking of France... My good friends, Kathy & Larry, have a wonderful vacation rental home they call "Reve De Provence" in Southern France.  Please checkout their link should you find the time for a wonderful vacation experience in Pierrelatte, a lively market village, located in the Drome Provençal with 12,000 inhabitants.  You can even tell them I sent you.

Thanks for stopping by...

The Trunk Show follow up

I've had so many comments about the Trunk Show this past Sunday I thought I would follow up with more about it.


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This is Kathy...she is my "longest" not "oldest" friend, we met in 1976 at my first job. She moved on but I stayed for 8 years and we have been unconditional friends ever since. She's my biggest cheerleader, she's my business partner in My Paperwork Managers, Inc., she's my accountant and tax preparer, she's my Mom's financial advisor and tax preparer, she's my best customer at Cherry Chick Jewelry, she is generous beyond words, and she was the hostess for my recent Trunk Show. She is one of the people that I am "thankful" for this Thanksgiving.  The pictures were taken at her lovely townhouse.

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We had an intimate gathering of seven ladies. There was a new face, another Vicki. We munched on some wonderful appetizers and drank some wine from the Cupcake Vineyard. No...it didn't taste like cupcakes. I think everyone had a nice time hanging around the table looking over my "wares" and sharing conversation.
It was a long time on my feet, more bending over than I usually do in a days time but it was a profitable and fun afternoon. I am ever so grateful to the wonderful women who came to support me and to my friend Kathy who always supports me.

This was a new necklace that I had recently finished beading using a peyote, tubular herringbone technique. I knew that Kathy would probably love it and I shared it with her while I was setting up the table. Yep...she loved it but Kathy is the kind of lady who will let everyone else have a look at it, too, and then she will purchase it once the others have had a chance. She loved the matching Black Spiral bracelet, too, and is the proud owner of the set. I really enjoy designing with someone in mind. Another thing that I am "thankful" for. Thanks for letting me share.