New Faerie Pods in my Etsy shop!

These are two new pairs of my Faerie Pod earrings. They're made out of sausage casings!

New Friends

I recently have made a few new friends on Etsy. I've spent probably way too much time admiring other folks work. I love simple cool design, or a brilliant cold connection method, or ingenious wirework. So, Beatnheart and I traded this week! So much fun!!!! I recieved these:

I love how they are simple materials, steel wire, ingeniously connected. I love the ancient, relic like quality. Can't wait to wear them to work! New acquaintances that are birds of a feather make the world seem so much smaller!

New Things!

New items in
my Etsy shop!

New Obsessions

clay.....
well, it's not exactly new for me. Right after undergrad, back in the late 80's, I spent four years going to ceramics class two nights a week through extended ed at our local community college. LOVED it.
But once the metal/jewelry bug began I only rarely busted out the stoneware, until now! I recently became enamored of some of the etsy shops I see that have AWESOME clay

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jdaviesreazor

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChelleV2

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TinasBeadMind

http://www.etsy.com/shop/greybirdstudio

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappyFallout

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RaggedRobyn

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vLaDtHeBaT

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScorchedEarthonEtsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gabriel

I just can't say enough how I adore all these Etsy shops! So I went out and bought myself a couple of different clays. A terra cotta red and a dark chocolate stoneware. I've been making beads and here they are!

I realized in the process of giving them their patinas that colors were all around me in my workroom, some yarns I've yet to make anything of and journal pages from this past fall:

Amusing

Thought this was both amusing and fitting with the new year:

New Year Challenge

Two of my favorite people have a challenge in the works! Check out Coast 2 Coast Creative
Artists and friends Jenny Davies-Reazor and Cooky Schock plan to follow along and do each lab in my book Jewelry Lab in the coming year. What FUN! Wanna come along for the journey????
I can't guarantee your safety... but I can guarantee you won't be the same! ;-)
(In fact, I believe it takes Bilbo almost 52 weeks to get to the Lonely Mountain and deal with Smaug!)

The Hobbit!

My family and I have been preparing for the local premiere of The Hobbit for the last month. We both made and purchased costumes. I admit I was slightly worried about being the only nerds dressed up, but that was not the case! Here's some pictures from the premiere last night. I made the crown for my daughter out of Nugold a type of jeweler's bronze.  It was pierced with a jeweler's saw, chased and cold connected. And I studded my belt with etched cinquefoils (I'm the gray old lady on the end in navy), and I repousse'd (is that a word?) and enameled the leaf pin that my daughter's boyfriend, 'xcuse me that Frodo, is wearing. Gee whiz, it was fun!

New Stuff for Cyber Monday!

Lots of fun new stuff in my Etsy shop go take a look!

Wedding!

So, my goddaughter is married! I was honored to make her wedding jewelry. The wreath of Swarovski crystals and pearls was the most fun! Her are some images taken by her wedding photographer Nancy Ray. Visit the link for more gorgeous wedding photography.

New Pieces on Etsy

Put some new work up in my Etsy shop! have a look!

Unbuckled in San Miguel de Allende

Do you have an itch to travel? I do! And I so wish I could attend this workshop taught by my pal Jesse Bert in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In grad school our benches were separated by pegboard. I grew to greatly admire Jesse's masterful craftsmanship and quiet diligence. This will be such a fabulous adventure! You can learn more here.
Here is more of Jesse's work:

Sail Away!

Wow, I want this sign! You can have one too if you go to SignsofVintage on etsy.
You'll be glad you did.

Art Unraveled

Hi Folks! There's still time left to register for Art Unraveled in Phoenix AZ. AND you 're in luck! There's still room left in two of my classes!
Silhouette Pendants on Tuesday July 31st  We'll be making these pretty silhouette pendants. I will teach you how to saw and then rivet so you can trap fabric or felt in the opening for color and texture.
and  Flower Power on Wednesday Aug 1. There you will learn how to torch fire enamel! This is SO addictive and fun. You'll also learn some fun forming techniques to make your own blossoms. We'll assemble flower necklaces with pre-made flowers stampings, rivets and funky mismatched chain. Click the links for class info.
If you're worried about the heat, never fear! You'll be inside the lovely cool Embassy Suites in Paradise Valley making fabulous treasures, blissfully unaware of the temperature outside. Then you can join everybody on the misted patio or in the lobby for the evening manager's reception! There is also a fab pool, so you can take a late night dip to cool off and relax. Seriously, Art Unraveled is a great event and you will LOVE it! Sign up now before they fill!