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Finally!!! Something to show for the time spent creating chain links, beading and making attachments–and making use of some of the most exciting etching results I’ve had in years. So pleased with the end results–
I’ve been test-driving one of these bracelets all day, and so far I haven’t ripped it off. (If I don’t like the way anything wears, its back to the drawing board we go–) Love the fit, like the weight and really like the complimentary comments I’ve been getting. Well-the cashier at the grocery store and my husband think they are pretty neat-do those count?
Extra care has gone into these to ensure a good fit and secure links-lots of soldering happening around here. You don’t want to know how many times the first prototype was re-done…
Only 3 are available, if you want one, pop over to my store to order, or PM on FB.

 

We have such incredible sunsets here in Creston, nestled between two mountain ranges, that I wanted to do some pieces to reflect what I am lucky enough to enjoy on a daily basis.  I begin with watercolor paintings, (second photo is my next set in progress)  using the colors of the sky and mountains for each season.  Those pictures were then cut to fit into bezels, filled with resin, with the addition of tiny glass beads-in this case, black ones.  They worked well with the black briolette Swarovski crystal I used at the bottom, attached and wrapped with silver wire.

My ear wires are always silver, work hardened to retain their shape, then dipped in a smelly solution to add an aged patina to them-and that’s it….done.  Hope you like-pop over to my store if interested in these ones, and please leave me a comment and come back often!

These earrings were so much fun to make-Gave me a great excuse to use a few  brass beads I’d been holding onto, and to take out some aggression on some bronze wire…it got twisted, bent, pounded and soldered until it gave in and did what I wanted-

The focal of these pieces are the glass beads, created by local artist Judy Gadicke.  On top of those I placed some little bronze caps that I cut and etched-they purposely sit askew, or cattywompus …so am calling these several sets just that….See them over on my Etsy site and a few others that are similar and just as tipsy and turvy:).

The sunsets off our deck overlooking the Valley can be breath-taking. These little earrings remind me of those colours-especially the copper/orange sari silk. The brass pieces have been etched with a Zendoodle pattern, and then pale copper Swarovski briolette crystals complete the look-hope you like!
Pop over to my Etsy store to order and see the new stock just posted. Thanks all!

It was cold (-15) and snowing here today, perfect excuse to spend a few hours in the studio-
These pale green jade beads are some of my fav’s…and the little brass caps I made remind me of my trip to China. It kind of all works-also added a tiny strip of Sari silk from India, think I have most of Asia covered–
Please drop by my Etsy shop if you are interested in pricing and/or purchasing.

This weekend was fun-I got to show my Mom exactly what I do for days on end-happily in my own little world in the studio.
I showed her how I punch prepared metal discs and turn them into little bead caps-easier said than done. Then she watched as I polished 10 pairs of sterling ear wires after being dunked in liver of sulphur..the shop smelled *&^$* awful–.
Terrific afternoon-thanks Mom for the help and encouragement, she’s one of my biggest fans!

Patina (/ˈpætɨnə/ or /pəˈtiːnə/) is a tarnish that forms on the surface of copper, bronze and similar metals (produced by oxidation or other chemical processes); or any such acquired change of a surface through age and exposure. Patinas can provide a protective layer to materials that would otherwise be damaged by corrosion or weathering. They may also be aesthetically appealing.

It’s a cool and gloomy day in the valley-just perfect for playing in the shop! Quite by mistake I left some sheets of etched brass sitting on the bench, wet. Like for 2 weeks. When I finally got around to doing something with them, they’d developed all kinds of “interesting” colors on them. When they came out of their regular antique solution, the colors changed but were replaced with this fabulous brown/red/green tint to parts of them. A sealant coat made the colors just pop. I just love this look!

These 3 pieces are destined to become bracelets – And I am going back to the shop to try to remember exactly what I did to get this result…with my memory, will be a minor miracle if that happens.

More to come-

 

 

I can’t believe how easily this piece went together- I made the linen thread part and the rest just seemed to know where it should go. No thinking or planning, it was just “there”….sometimes I amaze myself–not often. Hope you like-I’m off to order more linen thread!…like, lots and lots of it.

My latest shipment of Sari Silk ribbons just arrived-they are gorgeous!!! Recycled from vintage silk saris, these ribbons are made at a fair trade family operated co-op in India. ( Proceeds help women in India and Nepal support their families and gets rid of landfill waste).
Wasn’t hard to figure out what to do with them-just finished a fabulous tutorial by the super-talented Deryn Mentock, so dove right in. These wrapped beads are what resulted…now what to make? Possibilities are endless-love playin’ with pretty things:)

I know some of these will end up as baby headbands-my photographer daughter Dani uses them in her baby shots-too cute!  Lovin’ silk must run in the family….