Ample Goddess

What are you wearing to Christmas parties?

2009-11-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

What are you wearing to Christmas parties this season? That was the inspiration to this necklace. This year there is no company Christmas party to go to for us, but I thought I would play make believe like when I was a young child.

The first thing I think of when wearing something to a Christmas party is something that sparkles. I found these great cubic zirconia briolettes in an olive green color. Now I know why some men like to sneak this manufactured stone as a diamond. These little beauties sure do sparkle. I wrapped them with gold filled wire and then I was stuck. I was stuck because I really wanted to use gold chain, a large link gold chain. With the price of gold I wasn't going to be able to do that, but found this brass chain that works perfect and the vision in my head was implemented. Don't you love when that happens?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2009-11-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. This tune has been singing in my head since I saw my first Christmas commercial a couple of weeks ago. Is it starting early this week or is it just me? Shoot, the folks behind us already have their Christmas lights hung AND on and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. Makes me think I am behind so it is time to bring out the festive look beads and get cracking.

These little pretties consist of garnets and freshwater pearls on gold chain. I never used to like red with gold, but lately I am digging this look.

2009-10-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is more of that thick plasic coated wire that dh got for the work site. I stripped it which is no fun job and then wrapped it around different gauges of round dowels at my bench. Another fun job. This stuff is strong, but what the heck I hammered it to give it more strength and to hold its shape. I then played with all the different ways to hang from the cable chain after the pearls were wrapped and this is what I came up with.

I like how it flows smoothly and the long chain makes it a perfect for the trend of those long necklaces that are in vogue right now.

Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear?

2009-10-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Do you ever create something that you like so much that the birds stop chirping, the sky clears itself of clouds and the faint sound of angels singing with a harp can be heard? This is what happened with these earrings for me. No, these is no new design to me and I have used these tourmaline gemstones before, but it just love them all the same.

I love the delicate gold filled chain used. Ya I realize in this photo you can't really see it, but it is there. I love how the gold works so well with the varied colors of the gemstones. I love how the gemstones are faceted that they catch all the the colors inside the gems. It just works. Like the beer commercial of years past. It doesn't get better than this.

Festive

2009-10-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

How fun it is to start creating more festive looking earrings. I got these Cubic Zironians at a steal along with some olive green colored ones. I wire wrapped them with gold filled wire and hung them from 14k gold filled chain. These lovely earrings will gently sway from catching the light emphasizing their sparkle. I just received an order of gold wire today so look out I may be on a gold roll like I have been with the copper lately.

What is Cubic Zirconia? It is a synthetic gemstone that very closely resembles diamonds. It can be created to resemble any color. It sparkles like a diamond, is harder than a crystal and is an inexpensive alternative to diamonds.

Purple People Eater

2009-10-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

I will take any opportunity to use the name purple people eater. I have loved that song since I was a small child. These earrings seemed to suit it well.

These fun earrings were created using copper wire that I formed into hoops and then wrapped very thin wire around them to create the coil affect. Round, amethyst beads are wrapped around the bottom of the hoops and a faceted amethyst briolette dangles in the middle. Lever back earrings finish these earrings off.

Ring of Chains

2009-10-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

Here is another use of found copper. Found in my garage that is. If you remember my husband is an electrician and he had some pieces of plastic coated copper that I stripped. This ring was made from that stripped copper that I forged with Big Betty (my big torch) and hammered for interest and durability.

I had some different styles of copper chain in varied sizes that I hung and added different sizes of round amethysts. With long necklaces making a strong come back (ya, I'm dating myself and I am okay with that) this puppy sits mid chest a little longer for you little skinny things out there.

What's round,red and sparkly all over?

2009-09-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

A nasty cold has put me out of commission for awhile, but at last I have something new to share. You may remember the labradorite pendant that I shared with you. This pendant necklace is the same design, but with garnets.

I keep thinking about red with Christmas right around the corner. I know it is hard for some of us to think about Christmas when we are still in our capris and tank tops, but trust me it comes faster every year. Perhaps it just seems that way with the whole denial of shopping thing that some of us have.

With this pendant I wire wrapped a very fine gage of sterling silver wire all around the hoop to give it texture for interest. Then I went around the hoop a second time wrapping tiny garnets. I then had this great garnet nuggets that I have had on my table for a year. I go back and forth with what to do with them. It just seemed perfect to have one in the center as the star attraction.

I hung the pendant on a short cable chain so the necklace sits high on your chest just at the base of your neck and ba da boom, you have something festive for Christmas to wear with a fancy outfit or with a turtleneck with your every day outfits.

I'm Feeling Beige Today

2009-09-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

I found these stunning Australian crystals last week and snatched them up quickly. They are an odd shape and that is what attracted me to them. Ahh, who am I kidding? It was the blinding sparkle from across the street that attracted me, but you have to admit the color or lack of is kind of cool.

They are a light beige or taupe. Here in the greater Seattle area we may call them latte for the coolness factor. Anyway, I didn't have to design anything too elaborate because the cheese, er the crystals stand alone. Hanging from strands of sterling silver wire, these earring will gently move blinding your friends with their sparkle.

The Giveaway

2009-09-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

I can see the doors are busting down with all the comments, or lack there of in my case, about the jewelry giveaway. I know you are just shy and don't want to comment. Ya, that must be it. Of course it must be it. I hope you three people that follow my blog know how much your mean to me. Seriously, three people that follow your blog can make a girl's head swell. I am feeling all verklempt.

Talk amongst yourselves. I will give you a topic. Jewelry.

Okay, for those that do not know, that it my lame attempt of reenacting a SNL skit. Enough already, what about this giveaway. Well, it is a jewelry giveaway and if you like humor that is better written and delivered better than mine than you will love this blog. The Creative Junkie http://thecreativejunkie.com/. I invite you to read her blog and enter the giveaway. If this is your first time visiting me here, check me out again. I plan on hosting a giveaway here in the very near future.

Jewelry Giveaway!

2009-09-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

I will be featured in another blog and there is going to be a jewelry giveaway. Stay tuned for the link to the article and a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my shop.

Autumn Is In The Air

2009-09-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

I enjoy the hearty colors of fall, the golds, browns and the turning colors of fallen fruit. No really the fallen fruit looks pretty cool to. This is what inspired me with this "Y" necklace. "Y" necklace? What the heck is a "Y" necklace? Well my dear Watson it is a necklace in the shape of a "Y". Think of it as a necklace with a stem.

That stem here is the part that is jam backed with citrine, crystals, amethyst and freshwater pearls. Just follow the large citrine nugget down.

The copper works well with the colors of beads. I did a combination of oxidized copper that you can see in the chain to plain copper wire. Over time that copper wire will dull and you can keep that look or freshen it up by cleaning it.

Here We Go Loopty Loop

2009-09-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

I didn't feel like getting the torch out today and I was out of sterling silver hoop so I improvised. I created hoops with wire. I think they add some interest to these teal green earrings.
With faceted crystals, freshwater pearls and a few apatite gemstones I was able to make some monochromatic earrings. I am sorting getting back into that with being a little burnt out with coming up with unusual color combinations.

Rock Star

2009-08-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

We all have a little rock star in us. Some of us more than others. I hand cut this disc from a sheet of sterling silver, filed and buffed the edges and stamped the letters. To get the letters darker I had to dunk the piece in liver of sulfa. This process is called oxidizing and must be done outside. Why you ask? It smells like rotten eggs in the worse way.

After you wash that stench off you are left with a black piece of metal that doesn't look like much of anything. This is when the real work comes. I took steel wool and buffed the heck out of it to reveal the beautiful, sterling silver finish. The neat part is the stamped image remains black.

To optimized the shine and to clean the charm well, I tumbled the piece. Hung on a leather cord with a hand wire wrapped hook and eye clasp and it is ready to go.

Framed Gemstones

2009-08-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

I had fun with these earrings. I about squealed with joy when I found these beads at the bead store. I was perusing the gemstones and I found these dyed jade gems. I like how they are long and rectangle in shape. With bits of orange and red mixed in with the fuchsia they are stunning so I wanted to frame them.

I shaped some copper wire into frames larger than the stone and soldered the ends together. Then I grabbed my hammer and let my frustrations out with it (try it you might like it and so therapeutic). The hammering gives the nice texture and also strengthens the metal.

Well, that wasn't enough to I wrapped some more copper up on top for added interest and then hung the gemstone from the frame finished off with a coil. Ba da boom, it is done.

Organically Beautiful

2009-08-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Labradorite are such interesting stones. That is the center gemstone in this pendant. Depending on the way the light catches them they can look blue, purple or green. I thought the teal blue color in these faceted apatite gemstones brought the color best in this pendant necklace. If I didn't run out of apatite I would have made two for a pair of earrings. I see a new gemstone order in the near future.

Freeform and Organic

2009-08-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

These were fun to make. I can't tell you how long it took me to get the right shape I wanted. It helps when Big Brother After Dark is on in the background to keep me moving.

I wrapped light, teal colored, freshwater pearls around the form. I'm in this copper kick again. Perhaps it is fall just around the corner and it's time to put aways the bright summer colors or at least think about it and thinking about earthy, fall colors.

Not your daddy's gun metal

2009-08-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy little bee this weekend which is no easy feat because my son knocked off the wireless antenna of my computer and I am running on limited Internet access do to my computer not reading the new software. I shall persevere though.

I love black and bright colors together and that is what I did with this gun metal necklace. I created it with blue chalcedony gemstones and Swarovski crystals that hang from this odd shaped freshwater pearl. Its a fun every day necklace with a lot of punch.

Burn rubber burn!

2009-07-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I am bummed. I was hardening ear wires that I created today in my tumbler and the belt snapped in my tumbler. This piece of rubber that sells for $2.99 isn't sold close to me. I can either send for it and spend $6.95 on shipping or I can drive forty five minutes to get. Guess where I am going tomorrow?

I just finished creating three sets of earrings that I want to oxidized and then I was going to tumble them tonight to bring out some of the shine of the silver underneath the black for a cool Gothic look, but noooooo. So, no pretties to show you today. Just a blue tumbler (mine is red and of course prettier because of it) and a piece of black rubber.

Chunk a chunk

2009-07-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

This chunky, charm bracelet took forever to make with all the wire wrapping of each and every stinking bead. I got all of them on FINALLY. I wrapped faceted carnelian between strands of sterling silver chain. Then I hung orange dyed jade, amethyst in two sizes and freshwater pearls in a fun teal blue color. Ta da!

A touch of elegance

2009-07-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Stunning, faceted, black spinel gemstones are wire wrapped in 14k gold filled wire. These little beauties hang from ear wires that I wrapped myself. I wrap practically all of my ear wires so not sure why I need to say that.

Trying something new

2009-07-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a break from sterling silver and try my hand with gun metal for a little change. Ya I know I haven't posted in eons. I have been putting a lot of work into my Etsy shop with trying new things and working at getting better photos. I hate that part.

Ready SET go!

2008-08-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

This set is bright, fun and when the light catches it sparkles. You've gotta love Swarovski crystals. I accompanied the orange crystals with teal, freshwater pearls all wrapped together with sterling wire. I like the movement of the earrings and will definitely make a similar style for myself.

Just a grillin'

2008-08-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

I just had to get a break from the recent heat so we headed to Ocean Shores, Wa for a day on the beach. It was freezing. Okay maybe not freezing, but I could see steam coming out of my mouth when I breathed. It was a nice change from the mid nineties which we are not used to here.

To try something different to BBQ I marinated some chicken tenders and put some kabob sticks through them. Quick and easy.

I like to marinade my meat at least 24 hours before cooking. I find the flavor gets through the meat nicely this way. This is super simple basic recipe, but just in case you have never made your teriyaki marinade before here is how I do mine:

Combine brown sugar, soy a sauce (I prefer Bragg), white wine, freshly grated ginger root, and 2-4 garlic cloves run through the garlic press (you can finely chop if you do not have a press). Mix all ingredients together. Now for the scary part, stick your finger in (make sure you haven not added your meat yet) and see if you like the taste or if it needs more brown sugar. Nine times out of ten I need more sugar. When you are satisfied add your meat and cook the day or so later.

Now if you are one that REALLY needs the measurements here you go:

1/4 C white wine
1/2 C soy a sauce
1C brown sugar
1 tbsp grated ginger root (peel first)
2 lg garlic cloves

It was a blue ribbon day

2008-08-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

It literally was a blue ribbon day for me. Over the years I have always thought about entering the fair. I thought it would be my cross stitching, however. I decided to bite the bullet and enter. To my surprise all six entries won a blue ribbon. Talk about validation.

The above photo is of two bracelets. The copper one is wire wrapped with different gems and glass beads. The other one is of faceted smokey quartz, Swarovski crystals and the focal bead is chyrsocolla.

This pair of earring was in the metal class. The filigree (the center silver part) is what I created using twisted silver wire and then adhered a bezel with crystal in the center.

This last photo is of three sets of copper earrings. From left to right is cut copper that has been forged with a faceted amethyst, next is my latest technique of stamping on metal. Those circles were cut on a circle cutter, stamped, oxidized and then buffed. Lastly is some wire wrapped earrings with tiny faceted garnets.

I am just tickled. I have never done this before and was so surprised to have received blue ribbons for everything that I submitted. Thanks for letting me share my joy with you all.

Trying out a new tools

2008-07-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with a few things this week, one is my circle cutter the other is some stamps. Top that off with some stinky liver of sulfa and it has been play time in my studio. I have some nasty new neighbors that are very loud until the wee hours of the morning so I have been doing the liver of sulfa outside for their smelling pleasure. If you aren't familiar with the stuff, it smells like you just boiled a boat load of eggs and are peeling them.

So for these little darlings, I took copper sheet and cut them out with the circle punch. It is extremely loud which is another bonus to get back at my noisy neighbors in the morning. Nothing like hammering steel. From there I sand and buff the edges and then the fun begins. More noise! Stamping with one of my steel stamps to create the design. Then I take my circles outside and dip them into the putrid smelling liquid and rinse those bad boys off. Next is the part I hate because my hands are already sore. The sanding. I take a medium grit of steel wool and buff out the black so the stamped images just have the black. Assemble the earrings and hopefully the renters will be putting in their notice lol.

Beachy Keen

2008-07-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

This piece reminds me of hot days at the beach. Dorky I know. I created this "Y" necklace with dyed jade, freshwater pearls and this cool focal bead that I picked up somewhere or other. All this wrapped up on a sterling silver chain.

Ya, I'm loving this design

2008-07-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

I am so stuck on this design. It is one of my top sellers so I thought, what the heck, make a pair for myself. Of course this crappy photo doesn't do it justice, but these are lemon topaz that are faceted. The picture looks like some plastic piece of junk. Can somebody wave the photography wand that I can be blessed with more talent with taking photos of jewelry.

Oh a oxidizing I will go...

2008-07-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

I have the oxidized bug. After my last few pieces that I shared with you all I did a real fun custom piece and that made me want to create some earrings in the same style. This pair I fused fine sterling silver wire and then hand forged it. Dangling is faceted iolite, citrine and raspberry colored freshwater pearls. I think I will make another pair for myself unless someone local purchases them. Who wants to wear the same jewelry as another right?

It's About Freaking Time

2008-07-06T17:46:00.001-07:00

I have FINALLY caught the scrapbooking bug again. It has only been like over a year since I have created a LO. I would have never thought another craft would take over my scrapbooking, but wired jewelry has.

Excuse the glare on the photo. I don't know how to fix it and I am too lazy to redo it. This LO is from my 40th birthday a year and a half ago.

Pee-Yew!

2008-07-02T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today I finally got to play with my liver of sulfa. Pee-Yew! I knew it smelt like rotten eggs, but there is always that little something inside me that has to smell it to make sure. Glad I took the warnings of oxidizing my jewelry outside.

This first piece is a bracelet I created using faceted labrodite and fresh water pearls.

Then I did an earring and bracelet set with citrine and freshwater pearls.

The bracelet I added these cool ceramic beads and Swarvoski crystals. I like the links I made for added flair. I am still debating if I should keep this set for myself or not. SOLD

This next bracelet is just a very simply labrodite and pearl. Can you believe I had three lamps and a photo tent when photographing these. Yikes! :( SOLD

Got Wood?

2008-06-19T19:19:00.000-07:00

Of course this is just a fraction of the lumber that we need for our deck. Yes if you can't beat em' I say join em'. In other words since we aren't moving at this time (who would in this market???)we figured we might as well make our postage stamp sized yard usable with a deck.

My oh so wonderful friend Mina designed and is construction this magnificent piece of what I like to call luxury.

It is no small affair either. This bad boy is measuring 32ft x 16ft. So basically it is taking over half our our back yard. Is it worth it? You bet your hammer and nails it is.

Think Spring

2008-03-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Spring cannot come fast enough for me. I can feel it coming. The days are getting longer and my hyacinths are budding. I decided to create a spring bracelet with lilac and turquiose colors. The yellow background is just thrown in for good measure. To me it screams Easter now, but on the wrist it is very pretty. I might have to keep this one for myself.

Can I get a woot woot?

2008-03-07T12:29:00.001-08:00

Woot! Woot! I did it! Freaking finally! I lost almost two pounds and this means I am at my five pound marker. Only F O U R weeks to do it lol. So this means I get my prize.
The last time I lost a ton of weight what worked for me was setting out a prize for every five pound loss. My first prize is some self tanner lotion for my face. It has been killing me not to buy this stuff. I always crave a little color around this time of year. Don't worry, I will do the rest of my body to. Don't want to come out looking all redneck. Not an attractive look on women. Hell, it isn't a very attractive look on men.

It's my party and I will cry if I want to.

2008-02-28T19:35:00.001-08:00

Ya, this is about how I feel with my progress with my weight loss. Yes, I know I started WW to not gain any more weight while on Prednisone. Just call me selfish, but I would like to lose some to. I know, what an idea. To actually lose weight while dieting. Oops a healthy lifestyle. My bad.

In case you haven't guessed, I didn't lose a damn thing at my WW meeting last night. I am following it to a "T" to. There are girls that started the same night I did and are half my size that are up to ten pounds. Me? Can I get to freaking five pounds in three weeks? In my best Steve Martin voice, "Nooooooooooooooooo".

Onward and forward. I will get to that stupid five pound loss. I will do it!

Pearls Oh Beautiful Pearls

2008-02-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

Oh how I love my pearl sales. Something inside me gives me the warm fuzzies when I can get a good deal on the things I love. Of course I am always attracted to the bright and dark colors. I wanted one of almost everything. It was so hard to stick within my budget. Okay so I didn't actually stick to my budget, but I only went over by $50 so that should count for something shouldn't it. We're talking pearls people! Half off sale!

As soon as I got all my goodies home and everything sorted and priced out I quickly got to work on one of my custom orders. Thankfully this one included freshwater pearls so I could play with my new finds. I think I need to make myself some new pretties for spring. It is just around the corner and I deserve it.

Are you freaking kidding me?

2008-02-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, I realize that steriods make you gain weight and I should be happy for a loss, but after two weeks on Weight Watchers I STILL have not lossed five pounds. This is so not typical for me in the first two weeks of a healthy eating plan. I am trying so hard not to get discouraged. I know I should be thanking my lucky stars that I am not gaining anymore. Still! Can I just have some damn wine with my cheese. Nope! Too many damn points.

What Have You Done Today To Make You Feel Proud?

2008-02-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, I drank the Kool-Aide. I mean come on we all know at least one person who has done well with Weight Watchers (WW). It seems to be a program that we all can do so what the heck. My health has stabilized to a point where I can enjoy life again and can leave the house and exercise so this is a great time to start.

I bit the bullet last Wednesday and drove to a meeting. Everyone seemed nice, but coupled with someone. Got to get a weight loss buddy that is local. I stood in line for a half an hour which that in itself should be adapted to Activity Points. Once it was my turn I swear to God I did everything to prolong the enviatable, THE SCALE. Oh, it is not like I don't know how much I weigh. With my frequent visits to my doctors I readily jump on the scale for them when asked. There is something jumping on the scale when it isn't a medical proffessional who is weighing you. I just kept telling myself she has seen worse.

Then we have the important question to answer: Shoes or no shoes? Now I don't have to tell you larger girls that bending down to put your shoes on sucks. I mean we have rolls we have to contend with when we bend over. "Oh, what the heck", I thought. "Let's keep them on". Seriously, I may weigh a pound or so more, but come summer time when I want a bigger loss I can just put on some sandals instead of my heavey Sketchers.

Fine, we solved that problem and get on the scale. Silence. I swear I heard crickets. All those times getting weighed in at TOPS, I was waiting for my results. Nothing! They don't tell you unless you ask, but they write it down for you. Whew! I think I might like this place. Just one question, how the heck did I gain ten pounds in three weeks? Damn Prednisone. Hey, I am on it and I am going to blame it. At least those ten pounds. I will take responsibility for the other 90 I gained.

Ya, I have 100 to lose. Gulp! Hey, I have lost 73 pounds before. I can do it. I am not even looking at the big picture, but just the week. I will be happy to lose one pound. If I lose more, I will be very happy. I am going on with blinders with this one. Just one week at a time. Can I get woot woot? What have you done lately to make you feel proud?

Fabulas Filigree

2008-02-01T20:47:00.000-08:00

I made this earring for a Christmas party a few months back. This was the first time I have ever made a filigree. A filigree is the middle, focal of this earring. It is normally used to hang things from or between beads.

This was my first time using twisted wire and I liked it. It was also the first time that I got to set a stone. Okay, not a stone ,but Czeck glass. Still! We're talking setting people. Of course my photography sucks here, but the bottom clear big is an Eygptian crystal. Very cool! With Valentine's day just around the corner I think I need to drag these out.

I'm back baby

2008-01-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

Poor health sucks, but I am on the mend so it is time to play again. I took a class this week and had some fun with a new technique. Some of you will recognize this as a dream catcher. From my understanding the principal is the same, just minus proper placement of the beads and a feather.

This pendent consists of faceted labrodite, rose quartz, freshwater pearl, Swarvoski crystal and glass beads.

Since this was my first one, I had to play with other colors and sizes. I ended up also making a pair of earrings that I am looking forward to wearing and another multi colored pendant with blues, greens and purples laying on green silk that I will probably list in my little store. I just may end up giving that one to my mother.

Now the hung is on for pretty, tiny beads. With the craze of big beads I seem to be low on the tiny ones, but that just gives me an excuse to shop.

A New Technique

2007-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

I know I started this blog for the purpose of silversmithing, but I'm a woman and I can change my mind. Don't worry, it will still be about jewelry. Actually I want to share a new technique that I have learned.

Since pendants are all the rave this season I have been having fun applying this technique to make some pendants. Here I took sterling silver wire to coil around that large, faceted crystal quartz gem. Sitting above is a lovely faceted flourite jewel that sits on a sterling silver bead cap. The pendant hangs from a light green, suede cord to compliment the green in the flourite.

I love the suede, but I think I am going to create some necklaces in organza since that also seems to be a trend that I am seeing. All of you scrapbookers must be proud since we started working with organza ribbon a few years ago. Aren't we the trend setters.

For those that asked, my semi annual jewelry party will be on Saturday, November 10th at 1:00pm. If you can't wait that long, I will be at the holiday bazaar at Sumner Presbyterian Church on October 26th and 27th.

A Jewelry Party

2007-09-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

I don't want to reveal anything new because I want to unveil it at my next jewelry party. Oh doesn't that sound so upscale lol. Now help me out here. When is the best time to do this? Last spring I hosted one here in my home with wine, cheese and fruit and it was nice to visit with everyone and show off my little pretties. I would like to do it again for those that need jewelry for holiday parties and also for gifts. I am thinking either late October or early November. Help a girl out. I don't want to compete with Halloween parties and I don't want to have it too late and you end up getting you jewelry at Walmart. Gasp! Tell me what you think. What would work best for you.

New Poll

2007-08-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies and gents, I posted a new poll to the left side of the screen. Ya, ya I'm using you again in my marketing. I would love if you take a moment and fill it out. It helps to know what the general public looks for otherwise I get on my blue and green kick again.

Its time for class kids

2007-08-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing to exciting here as far as silversmithing technique goes, but I love these earrings all the same. Hand forged silver with faceted Ametrine. What does forge mean? Its a fancy word for hammered. No, no! Not that kind of hammered. Hammered as in using a hammer with a small ball on one end to harden the silver and to make those great little marks. Hmm, this picture doesn't show the marks to well. How about this one?

These ones here are made the same way. What was that fancy word I used kids? That's right forged. No not like in check writing, stop thinking that way.

I dangled amethyst and two different styles of freshwater pearls from these babies. I still don't know what to name them. If you think of something catchy, let me know.

By God I think she's done it!

2007-07-31T14:56:00.001-07:00

Besides the crappy looking picture from my crappy little digital camera, I think I did pretty good. You wouldn't know it from the picture, but it is a sterling silver pendant with a faceted labrodite in the center. I think it took me longer to figure out how to get the 1/16th drill bit in the drill then it did to saw and file this peice.

I have GOT to get a digital SLR or else I am just going to prohibit my neighbor from taking vacations so I can have continued use of hers. My little Kodak Easy Share isn't exactly easy to take a clear picture of jewlery let alone easy to share. I think they should have named it Kodak Extremely Frustrating. That has a nice ring to it don't you think?

She said, "let there be fire!"

2007-07-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

You all should be running scared now. I bought my first torch today. Okay so it isn't my first torch if you count my little butane job that works to make a great creme brulle. Not that I have ever made one. Of course I had to test it out to make sure it worked. Almost melted a fridge in the process, but I think I may like playing with fire. Is anyone else conjuring up images of Beavis & Butthead?

Welcome to 2007 Cheryl

2007-07-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

After being questioned if I have a blog many times, I have finally made the leap. I figure I have so many of your blogs in my favorites that I should join the fun to. I promise to be better about leaving comments as I would love to receive feedback from you to.

Since I am so consumed at mastering the art of jewelry making, most of my posts will be about my exploration into this great art. I will also share pictures of the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, perhaps not the ugly unless I can master to make something so ugly that it is cute like those little hairless dogs that are so pitiful looking.

Any way, I am glad that you are here and I hope you come and visit again.