The Wheels are Turning...
Big changes are in store for my blog...I hope you will come along with me as I add some new features, challenges, and showcase some of the wonderful creative people I have found along the way. Here's a quick look at what's to come:

1. "Feature Fridays"
-a peek at other Artists/Creatives Work-
2. Monthly Design Challenges
-not just for jewelry designers-
3. How-To's and DIY
4. Reviews
-tools,books,magazines-
5. Marketing
-tips and tricks-

and whatever else I can dream up.
Your ideas and input are really important to me, and will help guide my selection of topics. Don't be shy-let me know what you'd like to see, or if you know of an amazing person that should be featured-send me a note. I will still post about my own work, but I feel that adding some interesting articles would be a great way to reach new friends...
This Friday will be my first "Feature Friday" about an artist I met on Etsy. She makes amazing jewelry displays from found objects. Stay tuned...


light and love
amanda

  Yup-I know it's hot outside...but it's always a good time for some Bead Soup...Lori Anderson is once again graciously hosting another round of Bead Soup. I've participated in the last few parties, and really had a wonderful time...I would encourage you to hop over to her blog and find out how to participate in this fun swap and blog hop...Registration starts on August 1st!!! It's easy-it's fun and a great way to meet new jewelry artisans and connect with other creatives. Hope you will come!

I had to slap my own hands to keep from eating this entire cup of peas...Good thing Hannah doesn't care about them...I'll just have to fight off Andy.
It seems summer has arrived...the garden is starting to fill in and  the things that struggled during our soggy spring and early summer are finally starting to take hold and grow. We discovered our first peas last night, and I went out this morning to pick a few. Then of course I got distracted and started weeding...and planting a few more things, and moving things...etc...etc...etc. It's so easy for me to get tugged outside when the weather is so beautiful....easy to forget the studio....and all the housework...Luckily my body is smarter than my brain and it lets me know enough is enough...and I take a little break.


I've had this little coin purse floating around the studio for the last few months. I originally purchased it online because I wanted to make a necklace out of it...when it arrived---I realized it was way  too large for a necklace and it's been bugging me for months...what was I going to do with it? I didn't pay very much for it, but I didn't just want to discard it...after finding some really great deals on plants yesterday, I decided to plant a tiny bit of ivy in it...then I remembered that little vintage bird too...I had another one, but the dogs decided it made a good chew toy, so it perished. It's just a silly thing...but it makes me smile, and fills in my "greenery gap" inside the house. Most of my houseplant get a summer break outside for a few months, and I was missing that green around the house...



And don't worry I haven't really forgotten the studio--I'll be in there this afternoon. I've got a few more of my Dictionary Definition Necklaces done,and will list a few more today...I added a few more elements to my other Etsy shop  last night...so don't forget to peek over there too!
Light and Love
amanda

One of our dogs-(Sprout)-has epilepsy...although she is on a daily regime of medicine, she still has them a few times a month...it's scary to watch even after dealing with it for 7 years. She's tiny, she's mean, and she's helpless. The feelings I have when she is having a seizure haven't changed in all these years-I feel helpless, and scared. I always put her in a safe spot, and watch her to make sure she is ok. If she is having a really bad one, I have to give her some additional medicine, which sometimes helps her come out of the seizure a little more quickly. Over the years I have developed a keen momma bear sense of when she might have a seizure...I can't predict the exact moment, but I usually know that day if she is going to have problems. More remarkable is the kindness my other dogs show her when she is in this terrible state. She is so vulnerable when she is having her seizures, it would be easy for them to trample her, or just ignore her all -together. Instead they always seem to rally around her and keep watch. Moxie and Sushi will alert me if I haven't realized she is having a seizure. After I move her to her safe spot-with lots of padding, they will lay down by her side until it is over. Tonight I was able to capture it with my camera. She was having a really bad seizure that lasted over a half an hour- (that's really long) and they stayed by her side the whole time. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but Sprout isn't exactly the nicest dog in our house. She had a severe brain injury as a tiny puppy-(10 days old) which left her with some major problems. She isn't a snugly dog, and doesn't interact at all with the other dogs.  Yes she will sleep by them, if they happen to flop down next to her, but she doesn't seek out their companionship. She is more likely to growl and snap at them. To say she has a prickly personality is an understatement...in-spite of all her shortcomings these other dogs don't care. They are always there for her, watching, and keeping her safe at her most vulnerable times. They have mastered compassion and kindness even when it's not deserved. Something we could all learn from.
light and love
amanda

Freshly listed elements in my shop tonight. I've had a few requests for some DIY bezels...and I don't normally do custom orders....so this is my compromise. I've just added 6 pieces with a great patina-all DIY. Add your own resin work, a cabochon, buttons-whatever. Each piece is made from copper and brass. Fun!

I'm heading way up north for the week-end. Ann from the Red Cup Coffee House on Washington Island is graciously hosting a meet the artist event for myself and my fiber artist friend Jeanne Shay. I'm really looking forward to going up to the Island and visiting with Jeanne, Ann and their families. If you are heading up to Door County for the week-end take the ferry over and say hello. I'll be featuring some new work....lots of rings...and a few more dolls. Should be a great time. I'll try to post some photos when I get back!
light and love-amanda

(My Grandmother's Peonies...)



(Fresh Strawberry Torte...)



(Late Blooming Lilacs...)



(Companionship...)

These are a few of my favorite things...
light and love-amanda

I just listed a few more  pendants in my Elements Shop...Cute 1" glass cabochons set in antiqued brass bezels. I've also been trying to figure out Facebook a little this week. I don't understand it very well....but I think I now officially have a "page"..if you look over to the right on my sidebar---all the way down...there is a widgit you can click on to see my "business" page...or be transported to another dimension-I'm not sure.
light and love
amanda

at least, not around here.
Baby Rescue-this poor little raccoon was orphaned when his mother got hit by a car several weeks ago. We were finally able to capture him last night and rushed him to the Wildlife Sanctuary  in Green Bay. I'm just hoping that he still has enough fight in him to pull through...tiny little baby-about 6 weeks old. Broke my heart.

I have been busy with work, the garden, and other "stuff" and finally got a few more necklaces put up in my Etsy shop.



Sweet and Simple.
Dictionary definitions clipped from a vintage 1950's Webster- encased in brass and glass. More will be listed this afternoon. 
light and love
amanda

 

6 New Dolls heading up to the Red Cup on Washington Island...apparently they have been popular...

Announcing my new Elements Shop!
I just opened a new Etsy Shop specifically geared toward my handmade elements. It's something I've thought about for the last year or so, but finally decided my regular jewelry shop is just too busy with all the "extras" thrown in. I'm hoping to get it filled with fun handmade pieces and parts for your own jewelry designs, and maybe a few de-stash items as well. 



I've added connectors, "buttons" that can be used as a clasp, and a few pendants. More will be arriving in the next few weeks as I get projects completed and photographed. I've also re-opened up my Amanda Davie Too  shop, and started adding a few vintage finds. That will also get new additions this week.
I've also been working on a wholesale division-so shops and galleries will be able to purchase larger quantities directly through me...I'm still working on that, and hope to have an official launch a little later this summer...I'd also like to implement a referral program....the idea is pretty simple...if any of my regular customers refer me to a shop/or gallery and they make a wholesale purchase...that customer would get a reward...I've still got to work out the details...but that is what has been going on around here.


I'm smitten with Mother Nature



And have been really enjoying working with fossils and bone. Naturally shed Deer Antler is soon becoming a favorite new medium for me.
light and love-
amanda