Fabulous few hours in my new studio–too bad it doesn’t have air conditioning….was smokin’ hot here today! So I just added to the heat by doing some test soldering projects….lovin’ the direction this is headed. This cuff is a work in progress, kind of like me:). This is an etched brass cuff with some stamped silver solder -just waiting for the finishing touches.
Cannot begin to describe what my hands and nails look like….uggghh!

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My talented daughter-in-law Kalee found an interesting rock in her travels at Beadazzled in Creston BC and hoped to make it into a necklace. Between the two of us, we managed to come up with a creative brass wire wrap which she then added an antiquing patina to. She chose a black rubber cord and brass clasp to finish the piece, and the end result was rather spectacular.
We spent the afternoon collecting rocks at Destiny Bay on Kootenay Lake, which I am sure will result in a few more similar project in the coming months. Too bad the rock tumbler/polisher takes 5-6 weeks to run a load through! I am sure it has something to do with me learning the lesson of “patience”….
Brass, rocks and rubber, what a combination:)
My daughter Dani, an amazing photographer, has also been here on holidays and kindly took the shots you see here–she’s also been the lady behind most of my blog shots.
I am surrounded by talent, and feel very blessed they graciously share it with me and my efforts on this site. Thank you all!

Had a fabulous afternoon in Bonners Ferry Idaho at the 3 Mile Antique Mall….chock-a-block full of goodies!!! When the power went out we thought our fun was over. The shop owners let us go on, iphone lights in hand, & we continued shopping through the dark mazes of stuff, made out like bandits. Found lots of incredible, amazing stuff. Danica of course found the most random items that she could stuff a baby in to:) -what a great day with my Mom and daughter!!!!!
Dani found an old mail box that was beautiful–until she opened it. It had a huge hornet’s nest inside…a swift kick closed it and we decided we really didn’t quite love it all that much….
This place was mind-boggling–it had HUGE displays inside and out, out back, around the sides and hanging off the roof. We had no idea how they secured it at night–probably better we not know.
I found 3 very old, ornate egg baskets, and 2 cast iron urns that weighed a tonne…it all came home with me. I also picked up a very ancient brass fishing lure that has a gorgeous patina-and a sinker attached. It’s destined for a future jewelry piece….Yes, I know-hard to believe.
The lovely lady with the delightful southern drawl manning the front counter offered to take a cheque from us since the power was out-no Visa or debit machines..we live in another country for heaven sake! How nice was that! Anyhow, Mom was our back-up banker and we managed to come up with enough cash. We hated to leave this place, but at 30+ degrees with no fans or air, was a bit sweltering to put it mildly. At the border, we didn’t have to pay either-apparently old junk is exempt. Bonus!!!!!
What an afternoon-

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I amaze myself sometimes….not often–but occasionally. I actually finished this piece after it rolled around my work bench in various stages for about 2 weeks. Wasn’t happy with the beads-so replaced them, 3 times. The rings I’d decided to use weren’t quite “right”-so I made these out of sterling silver…several times. The focal drop was something I made over a year ago, it’s been just chillin’ out waiting for me to get inspired to actually finish the job. I did and it is! Done that is- Vintage rhinestones, acid etched brass, and a beautiful little 1940’s repurposed brooch – seems to work together just about perfectly…hope you like:).

Did you know it’s “brooch” not “broach”-like I’ve been spelling it for over 50 years? Me neither.

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Spent a fabulous late afternoon with my good friend Joy just hangin’ out on the beach in Sidney, picking beach glass. Didn’t take long to fill up our bag, along with some interesting rocks that I’ll polish in the tumber…Just need a long, rainy weekend to play and see what I can do with these little gems! An early dinner at Beacon Landing was such a treat, some mouth-watering salads, great company, awesome water views, and a cool drink-life is good.

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I had my whole weekend planned. Work on the few remaining pieces scattered all across my table-do photos, upload to my Etsy site, and restore some semblance of order to my world. Ha-guess where that got me….looking for some beads, I noticed these brass discs I’d tucked away, and my mind just went down that path….and didn’t come back. At least not until I got these little gems out of my system-hope you like:)

I found these gorgeous aqua marine glass beads at one of our local shops this week-they remind me of sea glass…. and they are also about the same shade of those “interesting” bridesmaid dresses from the 70’s…with matching shoes….This piece features a  vintage rhinestone broach set on an antiqued brass filigree, some crystal beads and hand formed sterling silver chain links and clasp. Seemed a fitting piece coming from “living by the Salish Sea”…:)

Necklace available for purchase in my shop

 

Mom was always telling us to finish what we started before going on to something else. So—I spent this weekend finishing off a couple projects that have been just hangin’ round for a couple months…Mom would be proud:). (Actually Gob-smacked is more like it…)
It really isn’t all my fault-sometime the jewelry gods are busy elsewhere and I need to wait my turn for that final inspiration…at least that’s my theory…..
Both of these pieces were such fun to make-and I have all kinds of ideas for new ones! I can weave almost anything into these, as long as it’s small and durable enough to withstand the wire wrapping. Let me know what you think-