Touched by the Wind & the Sea

 Re-decorating the living room in our seaside cottage has been my creative project this past week in between managing my jewelry business and I thought I'd share some of my favorite images along the way.   Florida's light is so bright and nature's colors so vivid I hope it inspires you to -- Celebrate Color & Live Happy!

Palm Trees, Ocean Breezes, Sun and Sand

Southermost Point Cafe Beach, Key West

 

 

 

 

 

Marathon Key, FL

 A Tropic State of Mind

Little Torch Key, FL

Key West, FL

 Springtime Flowerburst

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Luscious Pink Guava

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Hear the Ocean Calling

Little Torch Key, FL

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Beachcomber

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Dream in Color

Half Buck Freddies design store in Key West

Key West Style store in Key West

Sandy Beach

Key West Style Store in Key West

Tropical Island Brights

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

Half Buck Freddies in Key West

Key West Characters

Mother daughter Flower Bracelets ~ Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry

On the First Day of Spring

                         

MARATHON KEY

HAPPY SPRING!
Spring arrived today as I prepare to leave this snow-filled ski town for a warmer climate.  Although usually sunny days and the bluest of skies surround us in the winter in between snow storms lasting only a few days, the cloudy gray skies and feet of white snow everywhere is inspiring my daydreams and night time dreams with visions of the ocean, palm trees and bright vivid shades of citrus, hot pink and blue.

MY FESTIVE ISLAND BEACH JEWELRY

Although skiing has been wonderful and winter has been filled with many festive celebrations   its season is coming to an end in a few weeks. I find I am spending time longing for the familiar scenery of my home state of Florida and the exotic tropical lifestyle of the Florida Keys and Key West.

LITTLE TORCH KEY

My mind transports me with anticipation to bike rides in the warm sunshine, fresh seafood caught that day and seaside sunsets with friends over a refreshing cocktail.  Outdoor tiki bar style dining and dancing, fabulous live music, boat rides and and picnic island.

LITTLE TORCH KEY

My imagination is filled with ideas and colors to update our seaside home ... a Retro Island Cottage that is filled with a collection of happy memories, photo's, gifts and family hand me downs from both sides adding to its eclectic tropical ambiance.

MY ISLAND BEACH JEWELRY

LITTLE TORCH KEY

Some of the most cherished items are a swizzle stick collection from my dad's many travels in the 60's and 70's, a watercolor painting of his former home in the Abaco's on the sweet little island of Hope Town and a collection of Bahamian cocktail recipes on fabric swatches that I have framed and displayed. A beautiful large wooden fish serving platter hangs on the wall in the dining room and pretty silver glass cups used daily are from my in-laws.

BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK

PICNIC ISLAND, LITTLE TORCH KEY

If I were there right now I could describe many more sentimental items and maybe one day when I am sitting there writing I will take photo's and share them with you.

Cheers! Here's to a Happy Spring filled with new beginnings!

MY DISPLAY FOR "A TASTE OF ART" SHOW

LITTLE TORCH KEY, FLA KEYS

MARATHON KEY

What inspires me ... Tropical Retro Style

Ocean Sunset Necklace

As a Florida native, the tropics are a big part of my life and what inspires me.  Early photo's of me are on the beach in Miami and the Florida Keys.  I have always lived near the ocean at least part of the year and enjoy the seaside lifestyle although it can vary depending on where you are.  Every coastal community is unique although they all have beautiful beaches...great seafood and gorgeous green foliage and fragrant colorful gardens.

Ocean Sunset Bracelet

I love designing Island Inspired Jewelry because it reminds me of my Spring and Summer favorites ...tropical getaways...beach days...boat rides...sunsets over the ocean...aquamarine sparkling seas...sun drenched tropical cottages...beach walks...fresh local seafood...seaside parties...picnic island...beach music...swaying palm trees...swimming the coral reefs...dolphin sightings...vibrant flowering plants...the sound of crashing waves and tropical inspired art.

Ultra Tangerine Earrings

This week I have been busy designing jewelry for an online Key West gift shop which sells unique art including beautiful paintings, festive ceramics, local books, delicious cakes, jewelry and much more...

Tropical Lime Dazzle Earrings

My designs this week have featured two gorgeous seaside shades ~ Turquoise and Orange,
both vibrant like sunsets over the ocean but with a retro yet fresh modern feel.  I call it Tropical Retro Style. 

Ultra Sea Breeze Earrings

I hope you will visit www.viakeywest.com and enjoy looking around at all the unique and fun tropical gifts and maybe find something for yourself or a special someone.  Be Well and Live Happy!

www.viakeywest.com

Tangerine Sunshine Earrings

Ultra Key Lime Earrings

Jewelry of the Month Club ~ Holiday 2010

                                          Happy Holidays!

          Give a gift that keeps on Giving throughout the Year
                                      Jewelry of the Month Club

          Quarterly ~ Bi-Annual ~ Annual Memberships available.

Receive a new piece of Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry delivered to you each month in your choice of colors and styles yet still filled with an element of surprise!

Delight the woman in your life with unique handmade contemporary jewelry designed in her unique style.

Is she ~Island Style inspired by the sun, the sea and island living?

           ~Bohemian Style inspired by an adventurous free-spirited lifestyle?

           ~Western Style inspired by the organic spirit of the West?

           ~Botanical Style inspired the beauty of gardens and wildflowers?

What can I expect? To enjoy membership benefits of Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry Club including receiving handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry each month during your membership, discounts and special offers. Your new jewelry will arrive packaged in festive gift wrapping and before the first package is shipped a gift card will be sent with a questionaire that will determine your unique jewelry style.

When will I receive my first shipment? For the 2010 Holiday a festive gift wrapped card will be sent announcing your gift with the questionaire during the few weeks before Christmas.  Upon request package may state DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS. Jewelry packages will be shipped during the first few weeks of January 2011.

Shipping: No need to worry about shipping costs.  It's already included in the price of membership.

Please contact me with any questions or special requests you may have and visit my website for costs and more details.

Wishing you a Joyful Holiday and Blessings in 2011

www.nancyyuskaitisjewelry.com

Down where the palm trees grow

Hello and Welcome!

It's the start of another great day in the Florida Keys. The first cold front of the season that brought strong winds, rough seas and cool temps is winding up and today we are enjoying clear skies, with a beautiful sea breeze and temps in the high 70's. There is still a light chop on the ocean with occasional white caps breaking through the light green sea.

Yesterday morning there was a knock at the door and a young man asked if he could have the coconuts perched high in the palm trees in our front yard.  He wanted to fill his van with free coconuts to take to Miami to sell and so we agreed to share them with him for a little trimming of the large palm fronds that were draping over our mailbox making it difficult for the mailman to drop off our mail in the strong wind we had for the last 5 days.

The day before we did some trimming on a beautiful coconut palm in our back yard that was looking wild and wooly from the summer's growth, it now looks stately as it guards our home with it's large fronds stretched outwards to the left and right protecting us from the strong sea breezes.

Life has been busy since our return to Florida, catching up with friends and family, opening up the house, organizing and settling back in the Keys. My studio is set up for glass cutting and I'll be ready to fire up some new work this week, update my website and offer a special promotion for facebook fans on Nancy Yuskaitis Jewelry. 

Season is just beginning as part-time seasonal visitors have returned and it's always an exciting time to re-stock my displays in my retail venues and seek out new ones.  Even with the economy the way it is, people seem more hopeful this time of year.

The SoDu Gallery on South Duval in Key West has new Island Style necklaces and earrings for sale, if you are in Key West please stop in the gallery.  Little Palm Island Resort on Little Torch Key has my Island Style Palm Tree Necklaces available in their gift shop. You can take the ferry boat to the private island for a beautiful seaside lunch and stop in the gift store for unique tropical items.

Wishing you a delightful day!