More Snow

Well it would be a good day to fire up the kiln. We are cold and have a bunch of snow again.

I don't know why, but I have been afraid to try the recycled glass. There are extra unknowns so I think I am intimidated!

I'll keep you posted

Another week!

OK, another week is starting up. Where did the weekend go? That's right, we slept it away! It is just TOOOOO cold here in Michigan.

This weekend when I opened my kiln to check on my glass, I just stood there soaking up the warmth for a few minutes! I don't know why, but I always want to touch my hot glass. It is just so pretty when it is hot. GOOD thing I know better.

Any way, so to start the week I need to post another piece from my Jaded series. I am aalso starting to work with recycled glass and I have a lot of unfun commitments this week to fit the fun stuff in between. I have also been reading the history of glass and found that slumping and fusing go back to the Egyptian ruins. Neat huh. Then it was faded out as glass blowing came into play. Now it's back baby! Maybe they will find me buried with some of my work some day and put it in a museum LOL

Recycled Glass

Well, I have finished my pinks and reds for Valentines. I am almost done with My "Jaded series" which should be posted in a couple more days. And now I am starting to work with recycled glass and metals - fun fun fun!

It is still super cold here in Michigan so our puppy Kayla is full of energy. She was SICK of me playing with glass and beading and on the computer, so we took her to the dog park. She made some new friends and ran me crazy when it was time to leave and she wouldn’t come.

Pyrite and Bloodstone SET with Bali and Sterling Silver

Well, I do make sets, but usually only post earrings or pendants. When asked why, I don't have an answer. So here I go, I am going to start posting sets. My 1st to be posted was one I worked hours on with bloodstones, pyrite, Bali Silver, Sterling Silver (some beads have copper in the carvings as well).


It was fun to create, so I will be doing more in the near future.

New Photos

Last week I asked for feedback on my Etsy store and one of the action items I came away with was to have Varied Backgrounds for my pieces. I happen to like the super black background and like the continuity of the same background, but I have begun to shoot on other backgrounds too. I figured I'm not the only one that has to look at them so if it helps people make decisions then I'm ok with it.

Photo tip: You get the best black in photos from black velvet. Velvet really soaks up the light!



Feel Free to comment on them!

NEW Promo! ONLINE PARTIES

I am so excited about my newest promotion that I just need blog it!

ONLINE PARTIES!

Online parties are a new concept at Ardent Designs, where for a limited time, you invite your friends, Family, and co-workers to one of Ardent Designs online stores. The host gets FREE jewelry. The amount of free jewelry the host gets is based on the total sales from the party.

We think that this is a wonderful concept and really hope that it catches on.

With an online party you don't have to clean your house or waste an entire afternoon, and you can invite your friends and family that live out of town or even out of state. How cool is that?

Give me some feed back!

Check out more details here

It's time to Shop for Valentines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This weekend I posted a bunch of new designs to my Etsy and Homemade shops online. My goal was to use pinks and reds, to make perfect gifts for Valentines Day, yet for them to be versatile enough to wear year round.

The items I am most geeked about are my new pink fused glass pieces (because I am having so much fun fusing!) and then my deep red vintage drops with the Bali silver.

My other favorite is a design that my daughter created (she is almost 6). She helps me a lot when I work and I was thrilled when she put these beads together on the headpin.

This week I have been working in (green) Jades and copper. I figured that not every one wants pinks and reds for Valentines Day, maybe some "Jaded" pieces would be a good idea LOL: )
I will post them soon.

Initial post

This is Ardentdesigns initial post. This pair of ear rings is one of our more popular designs due to its simple elegance and everyday wearablity. You can see more at one of our online stores at Etsy or Hand made. Just click on one of our baners here on this site.