All posts by cgeurts@shaw.ca

If it involves anything spinning, on fire, or capable of doing major bodily harm-I'm in! All my interest in art has revolved around most things capable of seriously hurting myself-spinning wheels, hot kilns, grinding stones (and nails), cutting and soldering hot metal-love it all! A good friend of mine once said "if you are not living on the edge, you're wasting air..." this is my own personal quest in that regard....
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Treasure Hunt!

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It
It’s all HER fault–A chance phone call to Jill Rockwell after reading an article about her work in the Victoria Times Colonist way back in 2010 led me down the path that brought me to this…

Jill is an amazingly talented mixed media artist who enjoys sharing her craft with anyone who will listen–her love of all things metal is contagious! Lots of laughs later, here I am today—slogging through the boxes, wondering how I managed to accumulate so much “stuff”…I bought treasures, then tucked them away for the new studio-Lord, it’s like Christmas with every box that gets opened!!!!

I spent tonight trying to clean up the studio-with mixed results–and I haven’t even started on the workshop….Thank you Jill–love you for this!

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Fall Finery!

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It just seemed fitting that on a day when the leaves are in full Fall splendor, to create something that honored this glorious season. This piece just came together – seemingly without any input from me. The rich burnt red beads pick up the red in the bezel – a copy of an old postage stamp. I’ve added some metal beads, hand forms clasp and double chain links-and some “bling” on the pendant of course! Yup-happy with this one!

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Some Kinda Wonderful

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Another treasure turned up in some of my recent estate sale purchases-this fabulous vintage 40’s brooch lends a real “old world” feel to this necklace! Sparkling rhinestones, antiqued brass filigree, hand-formed chain links and clasp, all topped off with a teardrop crystal pendant.

Being able to upcycle vintage jewelry pieces means those treasures will see a new life, loved all over again. If I’m really fortunate, I’ll be able to share some of the history attached to my work-the story is such a big part of the charm of each piece!

So excited to show this one off-

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On Iridescent Wings..

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Maturity and a Depth of character, the dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life. I am sure I wasn’t digging that deep when creating this cuff–understanding the “deeper meaning of life” isn’t exactly on my “to do” list these days. I’m happy just puttering away in the shop, creating. It’s just that simple in my world.

I etched this brass piece with a lace motif, added some stamped silver solder and then embellished it with the rhinestone-adorned dragonfly….because I happen to really like dragonflies. They don’t sting-or bite-scoring lots of points in my books.

Please scoot over to my store and take a look at the rest of my available pieces, while you’re here, please leave a comment!

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Looking for the Key

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This summer my daughter and I were having a great timer wandering through several second-hand stores (Just Junk’in as as we call it…), in Creston, BC. While she was on the hunt for things to stuff babies into for newborn photos, I was rummaging for more exciting stuff…anything I could “up-cycle”into a wearable piece. Through the dust and cobwebs, I opened a rusty old drawer and could hardly contain myself. I found 5 old filigree escutcheons–just a fancy word for an ornamental or protective plate, as for a keyhole. Didn’t want the Seller to know I thought I’d found Fort Knox so acted like I was doing him a big favour taking ALL of them off his hands. It worked-got a discount and NO TAX!! Hallelujah!

After attaching the plate to a brass cuff I’d stamped and antiqued, I just couldn’t resist adding a final touch. This old single rhinestone seemed perfect! Hope you think so too!

Please scoot over to my store and take a look at the rest of my available pieces, while you’re here, please leave a comment!

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I just adore Poppies…

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Mystics feel that poppies can be talismans for good luck in love, money and health. Because these flowers can be both lucky and respectful, they make fantastic gifts for someone who is in transition in their life. I had no idea about any of this while making this cuff…honestly. I just happen to love poppies-they bring back memories of my Ukrainian Grandmother who grew them in profusion behind the barn. They were gigantic to my 5 year old eyes! She used the seeds to adorn the wonderful breads she made and my own Mom is well known for her unbelievably luscious poppy seed chiffon cakes. You might say they run in the family–so I’ve always had a warm spot in my hear for poppies, all kinds in every color.

I love this brass poppy filigree , no small wonder it has made it’s way onto one of my pieces. I kept this design fairly simple (well-MY idea of “simple”). The brass cuff is acid-etched with a lace motif and a bit of stamped silver solder. The poppy was embellished with a few vintage rhinestones and then it was done. Promise. I am not adding any dangles or any more bling…

Please scoot over to my store and take a look at the rest of my available pieces, while you’re here, please leave a comment!

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Crystal Waves

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It was like Christmas! My last estate sale box of goodies included this amazing brooch and I knew I’d found the perfect home for it – a brass collar that’s had some solder gilding done on it, acid etching and antiquing, and finished with messy wrap pearls, a large vintage crystal and chain links. The clasp is made of Sterling Silver.

This piece went to a new home in Pennsylvania-to a wonderful lady that loved it as much as I did…she sent me the most heart warming note  afterwards and it said:

“I bought the necklace with the horizontal design because I thought it would go well with the popular blouse style of draped collars.  As I anticipated, it does just that and the loose hook closure allows me to adjust the length and easily fasten it.  I did not anticipate the number of unsolicited comments the necklace would generate . In just wearing the necklace for a few weeks, I have received compliments from a woman getting on to an elevator, a colleague sitting across from me at a meeting, who demanded to know where I got it the moment the meeting finished, another who described it as “mesmerizing” when she lost focus on our conversation, and of course, from friends.  The feature that attracted me was the tear drop from a chandelier, but the horizontal design that fills the neckline and keeps the necklace well placed attracts the most admiration.  Thank you for your imaginative and unique vision in creating such wearable art!”

I have the most amazing group of clients, family and friends that support all I do–feeling very blessed and grateful to you all….

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I have dimples!!!!!

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Dimples!!!

Who Knew???
Who Knew???

I was bemoaning the fact I needed more texturing hammers-and that I had none in Creston with me on this trip. While reviewing some participant comments in my Artful Gathering Group , someone mentioned they used their Scrap booking dimpler….Well, I just happen to have a basement full of scrap book supplies–including this wonderful contraption–my Crop-a-dial! As you can see from the photo, it works just awesome!!!! So will give my husband back all the punches I “borrowed” from his side of out our shared work shop…

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Nuts about Knots….

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No idea where I’ll use these new treasures, but sure had a blast making them today! My nails are definitely destroyed, and my hands need a hot bubble bath -but was worth it:). Am taking full advantage of my new studio for a couple more weeks-I can bash and bang without disturbing anyone. I had a few visitors drop by, including a neighborhood cat-we both moved out when the 30+degree heat took over.  Budget didn’t include A/C….

Not a good week between me and UPS. Dan’s new cell phone was sent to Victoria instead of Creston-interesting process to have that rerouted!  My silver wire order which usually arrives in 2 days is taking 2 weeks—e-mail issues, and Lord only knows where our drapes are. Am learning to be patient, but slowly….life in a small town certainly has it’s own pace. It’s a bit like Mexico and China…..Breathe Carol, breathe…