creativity is always good for the soul...

It's been over a year since I last posted on this blog... time flies when you're having fun!

Creative juices have been flowing and it's evolved into a true passion for chandeliers... old, antique masterpieces that just needed some love to bring them into the "now"!

We have designed many throughout this past year and I thought I'd share some pictures with you... all are one-of-a-kind creations!  Enjoy!

antique crystal chandelier "FRENCH BAROQUE" rustic 6-light

crystal chandelier "CROWN SMOKE" rustic 6-light

chandelier "OLD WORLD" rustic 10-light

crystal chandelier "CROWN" rustic 6-light

chandelier "RENAISSANCE" rustic 10-light

crystal chandelier "SHABBY CHIC" whitewash 5-light

inspiration everywhere!!!

Once you allow your creative side to blossom... it opens up a whole new world you never thought existed!

We started with "Renaissance Rags" over 20 years ago... giving new life to vintage jewelry, laces and handbags... today, I look around our home and it seems we've expanded to just about everything :)

Thought I'd share two separate projects where an idea was found on the web and tugged at the heart strings until it materialized into our own "mendlbarr" version... take a peek...

Fell in love with these little pebble feet...

inspiration...

reminded me of the "hang ten" surf shop wear from the 80s...

Since my husband loves going to gem/ mineral shows, it wasn't hard to go off on my own adventure and explore the numerous vendors to find the perfect twelve labradorite stones... what fun!!

mendlbarr version :)

The possibilities are endless... how about making them in pink quartz?  or your favorite stone/mineral?

The other project I wanted to share with you was this red truck with tree idea I found on one of my favorite blogs... Pink Postcard!

inspiration...

It took almost a year but I finally got around to it and this is my first version... an old cast iron farm truck!  Love the idea so much, I have a bright red 1/18 scale 1951 Ford pickup on it's way for my second version...

mendlbarr version :)

told you... creativity is addicting :)

1991... our first necklace inspired by a movie...

 

Found a picture of the necklace Patricia Wettig wore in "City Slickers"!  I'm shocked... who would have thought it would be so easy... I was ready to rent the movie and take stills off the television.  The internet is awesome! 

 

Back in 1991, I had to rely on my memory to design a necklace like hers.   Now that I see what it originally looked like, I am amazed at how similar it turned out... I didn't remember the length quite right as mine is not long enough... LOL!

Funny how things come back to us in time... I now know how our jewelry business began!  Inspired by a necklace in a movie... it's the little things...

The Cab Ride

The Cab Ride I arrived at the address and honked the horn. after waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL You won't get any big surprise in 10 days if you send this to ten people. But, you might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending. it on and reminding us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us. Thank you, my friend... Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

BELIEVE...

In 2012, may you be inspired to find your purpose and go for it... :)

12 yrs later... jewelry design inspired by NYC...

David and I moved to NYC in April 1999... we didn't know anyone here and were just going by instinct and our heart's desire.  The city has embraced us although teaching so much more than I had ever imagined!  First of all, my acting was immediately put on hold as I relied on my retail management experience to live the life we both were comfortable with... the thought of not having the security of a steady income and health insurance scared me way too much.  David was able to find work in the hospitality and architechtural glass industries. 

We had our "day jobs" and our creative souls were soaking in all of the energy of New York City!  Our jewelry design started in Texas with our desire to create what we just couldn't find in the small city of Corpus Christi.  If we imagined it... in a short time it was created!  We have friends who compliment us on our earlier works and say that those pieces still bring them much joy!  Thank you... that makes our souls smile!  :)

Moving to NYC was more than I could have hoped.  We are surrounded by the absolute best artists in many creative fields and their enthusiasm is contageous!  Our designs are constantly evolving because of the varied influences surrounding us.  We never know where our journey takes us... creating, I'm sure, will always be a part of it! 

May one of our creations become that "art piece" you can't live without and may you feel the energy of New York City each and every time you wear it!  

For a limited time... 30% OFF our entire store!

found this, again, today...

Inspired to create handmade Valentine's Day cards this year!

In my hunt for the perfect ingredients I came across a favorite quote :)

I met the author in New York City on 4/10/06... he had many to choose from but this one drew me like a magnet!  It connected to my soul!   Harry Capeus Bigby also wrote a message on the back of my framed piece... "May this quote continue to inspire you to the good you never dreamed possible." 

It was packed away for 2 years and reading it today moved me just as much as the first time I discovered it.  May you also find words that resonate to the core of your being and may you take the time to listen to what they are trying to tell you...

 

Owl City - Fireflies

"I like to make myself believe..."
Wow!  This awesome video has inspired me to create some colorful, fun and magical pieces.  Be on the lookout for our "fireflies" collection... coming soon :)  Enjoy!

inspiration is everywhere...

God surrounds us with so much to inspire creativity! Our family member, Sabu, was the driving force for our "sabu" collection...

Now it seems a song and this miraculous dancer inspire us to create something with them in mind... stay tuned and we'll post when completed :)   If you watch "So You Think You Can Dance", here's a repeat... if not, you're in for a treat :)