BRAZILIAN BEAUTIES

Brazilian National Day in New York - 2008

( I know..I am a little belated)

Those are serious chandelier earrings... LOVED IT! She is incredibly beautiful...full lips and an effortless sexiness.

Smile, smile, smile....don't worry..be happy!!!

Above Brazilian model Laura Ventura. Wonder Woman!

MA RA VI LHO ZZZZA !!!

Last year W and I went to New York for the Brazilian National Day. Midtown gets invaded by Brazilians from every corner and there is music, food, drinks, samba...it is the place to be. To me the best of all is to see Brazilians so alive and proud to be themselves. W took tons of pictures and here are few Brazilian girls spreading their smiles and beauty to the crowd.

The girl in the above picture with me is a model who won a pageant contest in The Us in 2007. She is a traffic stopper literally...meaning...she is beyond gorgeous and surprisingly down to earth.

One shoulder white t op and those fabulous coral chili peppers(probably "malaguetas") and 18KY gold earrings hot. Spice up doll!

The brunette smiling is astonishing...striking a pose!

I love the freshness of her look....simplicity with lots of possess.

I am not sure if those two were posing for W but anyway he got the picture. The duo looks fabulous!!!

( All pictures taken in New York City during the Brazilian National Day in 2008.

If you are on any of these pictures and wish not be featured on this blog, please leave me a message and I will take care of that immediately. Fernando Dasilva )

MARGOT POTTER BEYOND IMAGINATION

Project image extracted from "Beyond the Bead" - "All washed up" design © by Margot Potter 2009 for North Light Books - FW Media.

"BEYOND THE BEAD" is the latest book authored by fellow jewelry designer Margot Potter. The book was released last January and since then have got great reviews from all the Arts and Craft media - the official one...the one that matters.

Now is my turn to talk a little about this fabulous addition to Margot's extensive collections of tittles that debuted few years ago with "The Impatient Beader" trilogy. Since then, Margot has mastered the art of creating unexpected and eye catching accessories beyond boundaries. Margot's curiosity for the new is endless and she creates unimaginable variety of accessories using non-traditional media.

On "Beyond the Bead" the reader will find incredible projects that by the title itself makes you smile...things like "Buddhalicious"( a rainbow color palette necklace made with molded Buddha head beads suspended by gun metal chain - and rhymes with Daliciuus™ ), "Breathe in, Breathe out" ( a decoupaged acrylic start pendant hung from a colorful chunky rosary style necklace), "I Magic ("a digitally altered image" project), "Nice and Naughty", "Resist this"...it's all fun and intriguing.

One of my favorite projects is "All washed up"(picture above), a bold neck ring assembled with washers that has been painted, distressed and glued...the color effect is fabulous because you can apply and re apply layers and layers of colors until you are satisfied with the result. This piece is very art gallery and it could be in any of those chic and expensive places on Canyon Road district in Santa Fe.

Another positive factor on Margot's books is that the reader learn lots from her titles because many times the inspiration theme is something forgotten in time. Projects like "I magic" spotlights a vintage image of Jean Harlow - " one of the original bad-girl blonds", or in "Vogue style" where Margot used a vintage Vogue pattern catalog image. Margot brings lots of information about books, songs, movie divas, children tales ( how about that "Baba yaga' necklace designed for Crystallized™ with Swarovski Elements ?! - it's Russian children's tale honey...helllo!!)

Many of us(designers) bring that to our creations and Margot does it as well with lots of substance.

This book is artsy and chic and tuned with several fashion trends that are in now and will be throughout the next decade- media mixing, an amalgam of art techniques on a single piece with a non uptight attitude.

"Beyond the Bead" is an upgrade on Margot's career and the cover itself signalizes a different approach on her work. It is the epitome of the DIY segment.

You MUST have it!

Title: "Beyond Beads" - Making Jewelry with Unexpected Finds

By Margot Potter - 2009

North Light Books an imprint of FW Media.

PS.

Margot is a member of the Beadalon Design Team along with Katie Hacker and myself. We were pioneers on our niche bringing a different status for the craft jewelry segment.

"Beyond the Bead" is dedicated to the beloved and generous jewelry artist Robin Beam.

RIGHT EARRINGS FOR THE RIGHT BLOUSE

Earrings made with peridot briolletes, faceted turquoise beads, olivine Crystallized™ Bicones Art 5301 and sterling silver findings by Beadalon®.

The fabulous lady smiling whose illustrates this post is our beloved friend from Asbury Park. About 2 months ago we spent a weekend at her condo and we decide to take her a last minute gift. We gave her the pair of earrings featured on top picture - short chandelier-like - and at night, at that same day, our friend found at her closet a perfect top to wear with it. W and I could not believe how all the colors work so well together and she was very happy with our little gift.

I get so excited when a woman can fit one of my jewelry pieces to her life style. I was pleased to see that a simple pair of earrings have made her day and on top of all she had the right blouse for the right earrings. Or the right earrings for the right blouse?!

That is my mission...beautifying people's life through my work. Her look is definitely Summer time Da li ciuus!!!

Italy - Marche - San Benedetto del Tronto

Lighthouse of San Benedetto del Tronto - our delightful surprise - "Riviera delle Palme".

Here comes the fish...

"Museo dell Anfore" - I was wondering around town and found this building. I was in heaven within...tons of vases, pots and amphoras and their stories...all encrusted with sea depositions.

The Adriatic sea took me back to my childhood and my first contact to mythology. I was fascinated by that world surrounded by people and waters and tales of discovering new lands. It was a truly moment of inspiration and regaining of strength. I felt so blessed.

San Benedetto del Tronto is located in the region of Marche - Province of Asoli Piceno by the Adriatic. It is one of the main seaside resorts of the central Adriatic coast. A very charming city with old world atmosphere and beautiful people. The coast line is loaded with modern restaurants, bars and miles of white sand and calm waters.

Another treasure of the unforgettable Italy

Timeless designs with lots of turquoise

13 strands of sleepy beauty turquoise finished with 18KY clasp with diamonds.

Assembled for customer in Dallas 2003. Knotted between each bead at a U$ 1.50 an inch per strand rate.

We can't say there is much design work on this piece but in this case the high quality of the gemstone and high carat clasp stand out. I can see this neck piece been worn during a Hampton's Summer Brunch or at a soiree by the French Riviera...how about you???

How would you wear it? (it doesn't matter where, really) maybe for a weekend in Catalina Island...huauahua

A double strand of green aventurine and vintage glass beads centered by a green onyx heart pendant. Well, at the time I wasn't a Crystallized™ Ambassador. Created for MBMJ®

I love this set above. I designed this for Paula Radke Dichroic Glass- actually Paula was one of the first manufacturer that commissioned me to create pieces for "in use" catalog and ads. She is a pioneer on mass producing dichroic glass with high quality stands. I love those donuts and I am sure she still have those available, although I designed this back in 2003..I don't even remember for sure. Daliciuusly timeless!

Oh, my God!!!

The last three were designed away back in Albuquerque - New Mexico- this is vintage me 2001...huahuahua...those turquoise came from a private mine in Arizona. How chic is that! A local jeweler commissioned a collection of casual-chic pieces so he could move his inventory fast...so he did! yay!!!

The top earrings were designed by WW. Simple and timeless again!!!

Jewelry designs in this post ©Fernando Dasilva 2001/3. Please note that all jewelry pictures are for inspiration purposes only and are not to be duplicated for resale.

Cocktails, pastry and sparkles!

I tested this recipe this weekend. I added few more ingredients just to make it more personal. Beyond daliciuus !!!

Dona Cano's guava roll - "Rocambole de goiaba de Dona Cano"

Our 4th July celebration -sparkles for all!

Peach daiquiris against a blue sky.

Strawberry daiquiri - there is always a place on the table for one of those.

Summertime and quiet nights! Beyond daliciuus!

HIP to BEAD by Katie Hacker

I will be posting about some jewelry making books this month. I am starting with my fellow designer Katie Hacker's book titled "Hip to Bead"(cover picture above). At the time this book was released I did not have a blog so I've decided to begin with this one.

I don't know if does make any sense but to me, after 3 years Katie's book is still timeless. I can see many of the projects been worn now, 3 years later.

The book style is light and airy and so are the projects. Katie visits a wide range of accessories, from bracelets to earrings, from multi strand necklace to a belt, plus there is a frame, a purse, a journal and a hair barrette. Fun!

Katie keeps the project's vibe young and casual, with few dressy moments, e.g. "Great lengths necklace and bracelet" - a detachable combo of 2 pieces in one. My favorites projects are "Rock'n roll cuff", "Knock-out necklace", "Bejeweled crystal bracelet", and the "World beat choker" - a very trendy look for Summer 2009. Katie worked with crystals, gemstones, leather, stringing wire, seed beads and a variety of jewelry components. I loved the "Creative cause bracelet"- a very original way of jazz up those cause bracelets. Another nice thing to see is that there are some shots of the jewelry been worn by a model what reinforces the piece itself. On the other hand there are no step by step photos but brings some graphics that are always helpful.

"Hip to bead" is a MUST have for any jewelry making lover.

Book: Hip to Bead

Author: Katie Hacker

By Interweave Press LLC - 2006

A DOUBLE RAINBOW

The images were captured yesterday from one of our windows. A rainbow is a symbol of longevity, movement, mutation and wealth. Every time I see one I feel happy just for being alive. It fascinates me!

To neutralize the latest death news I have decided to start the new month with these images.

Enjoy and believe that better days will come.

And long life for all of us.

FROM MARILYN MONROE TO FARRAH FAWCETT

When I created this blog I promised to myself that I'd talk about things I like and things that influences me as a designer and as a person. Unfortunately sometimes things are not so good but is real life.

I grow up in Brazil watching many American TV Shows and "Charlie's Angels" topped my list of favorites . One of the major reasons of my fascination for those 3 female private agents was because of the stellar presence of Farrah Fawcett in the cast. Farrah to me was one of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen on TV. She had the most recognizable face and smile of the 70's. In my world of seductive, beautiful, glamorous female stars there was only Marilyn Monroe before Farrah. Those two were to me the most beautiful samples of an American blond babe.

I missed her when she quit the show and never understood why she did not make big on movies. Down on the road I have learned about her ups and downs as an actor but regardless she will remain in my heart forever. Farrah still tops the list of those strong women that surrounded my childhood and my adult life.

Beautiful, talented, brave and a pioneer.

Farrah is a real American icon.

FERNANDO'S TRENDS

LET'S START FROM THE BASICS AND FOR ME CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN STRUCTURE MUST TO BE "IN" REGARDLESS THE TRENDS.

BEADALON® IS ALWAYS " IN " , SO LOOK FOR THE NEW WHITE STRINGING WIRE THAT IS VERY TRENDY, THE NEW TRIPLE COLOR WIRE COMBINATION , CHAMPAGNE AND SILVEROSE™ STRINGING WIRES AS WELL.

IT'S all PERFECT FOR THE MIX METAL COLOR TENDENCY.

Africa=Ethnic chic is totally IN.

Picture Jasper in any color is one of the hot stone of current and upcoming seasons.

Texture and flaws are IN.

Look at the strand above and think about all the lands that you've might never been to but you've seen at the movies. Sahara desert, Australian outbacks, Brazilian savannas..those images are IN. And if you have seen those places...wow..good for you. You are "IN" !

Stone in focus: Red Jasper

Spacers: Sand Opal Crystallized™ round Beads Article: 5000

The photo above is a little blurry but you can feel the vibe. make it any fall?winter outfit more alive with a "easy to make" triple stretch cuff like bracelet. Focal bead is rectangle Brazilian coconut spacer (Acai® Beads) combined with resin beads by Plaid® , Crystallized™ with Swarovski®Elements and gold plated spacers by Beadalon®. For an extra texture Art Deco bronze accents by Guyot®.

Colors: Fernando's palette.

On the group above, organic forms.

Copper chain and brushed oval beads, coral bamboo brunches and discs, Crystallized™ elements and red jasper necklace.

Statement necklaces, bold n' extravagant. (actually those are still small for what's going on now).

Some of my fave of the season on the photo above.

Raw meets polished.

Venetian glass beads have definitely entered the high end jewelry design world.

Natural Brazilian aquamarine chips mixed with fabulous Murano glass beads on duets of foiled silver and gold leaf beads.

On the left size: fabulous long necklace made with aqua-aura glass chain and black lace Venetian heart glass pendant and finished with grey-blue fabric tassel by John Bead.

Right back in the center a graduated faceted white Opal nugget necklace and a golden blue Venetian flower glass hoops. Kidney ear wire by Beadalon.

Few more hot trends:

The timeless turquoise - if you can afford go for the sleeping beauty ones ; if not any strand like the above one will get you IN.

Black onyx and black Agathe

Coral bamboo

Red tiger-eye from Nigeria.(you must import from Nigeria dahhhhling! ... huahuahua)

Kiwi quartz (hummmmmmmm DALICIUUS™ )

Jewelry designs in this post ©Fernando Dasilva 2009. Please note that all jewelry pictures are for inspiration purposes only and are not to be duplicated for resale.

Wraps Stones & Things

Above our friend Sanjay Backliwal with Wraps Stones & Things. This guy is awesome and his inventory got all for all budgets. You can challenge yourself as a designer buying a cheap strand of bead(like a ten dollar one) and create something that looks rich and unique.Ask him for the hottest stones and he will guide you to the best trends of the season. This guy knows. I bought some black spinel from him and still have not touched yet. I'm waiting for the right moment and inspiration.

All the last pictures are from WSThings 's booth at Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee 2009. He paired with Multi Creations so people could experience an one stop shopping for all destination. Another creative way to deal with the economy. .

Bead and Button 09 - BeadTrust

Beadtrust figures among my favorite gemstone dealers in the market. The company keeps their inventory fresh and updated with current and upcoming trends. I spotted several new cuts and colors full of texture. It is a designer's paradise.

Beadtrust has not only gemstones but exquisite glass beads as well. Check their website for more info - www.beadtrust.com.

In the photo above on first plane strands of frosted rose quartz dotted with shimmering sections - this is called "cathedral cut" and according to them is one of the hottest trend among the gemstone world. I liked very much those square multicolored beads on the bottom right. Sorry, but I forgot the name of it.

If I had to pick a favorite I would stick with all the white, ivory stones that can be found around the market. Above, natural howlite(the real howlite is white) and shells. A must have on your design table!

Opalescent stones, glass and crystals are HOTCH!!!

Above, black onyx meets Mariah Carey..tons of little CZ's glamorizing large beads...it loos like a sparkly belt around the bead. I loved it!!!

On the photo above you can see more beads on that "cathedral cut" style..it looks just like windows around the surface of the beads adding extra interest to that raw and organic look.