Life is such an adventure is it not? I cannot begin to think what it would be like without these artful journeys. I live in Brandon, Florida a recent transplant from Polk County after divorcing a couple of years ago. Wow what a difference over this way. I am a mother of four boys, the last one left at home and I have two wonderful grand babies. I have always been an artist and yes it took me a very long time to call myself that. In one form or the other being creative has always had a part in my life. I guess more of an escape in the roller coaster of life at times.

​​At one low point I had visited my mother whom I had not seen in many years and she had this sewing machine that she introduced me to.  True love it was and has been from that moment on. Fast forward a few years and one day I was in the book store and came across a book about soldering....second child was born. That was five years ago and since that point I have searched to find a way to "marry" those two loves. I recently went to Virginia to visit my mom and the two of us were looking for something to play with. I asked her if she happened to have any old slips. To some this may be odd but my mom has always had a passion for collecting things. Her eyes lit up and back into her bedroom we went. As I sat on the edge of her bed she bent down and the only way I can describe it is she was like a magician pulling the never ending scarves out of the hat. She kept finding them and finding them and before it was all over the whole bed had a mound of slips. We went to the store and bought dye and at that moment the I flew home with a suitcase full of vintage slips and went to work. Once I finished the first "saloon slip" as I like to call them I decided to contact my friend Lori McGee who is a mixed media artist and have her create some original artwork so that I Could bring my slips to life with one of kind pieces of jewelry. I guess you would say the rest is history. Here I am now with this wonderful focus and an unstoppable passion.  All of my items are one of a kind. They are made from cast offs. Clothing that I have taken apart, hand dyed and up-cycled as well as bits and pieces of broken jewelry and other objects cast aside long ago.

​​​I am currently sketching out my fall line which will include boot jewelry, vintage belts with the most amazing belt buckles and a line of saloon pants and coverlets for my slip dresses so they can be worn in the cooler weather. I am so excited to announce my line of wares will be available for sale in the near future at Glitz & Glam Emporium, Oh Whatever, and my blog as well http://www.bellejuju.blogspot.com. I do so hope to be part of the Fancy Flea crowd in the fall with my own booth….See you then!

Geanie Finley