I Survived....

prom weekend! The girls were gorgeous and the guys were handsome of course. For those of you who have teenage kids, you can understand the weekend I had.....I know I have a few more grey hairs after this one. I think mostly because we had a lot of rain, hail and intermittent snow, and my kids who don't have a lot of highway miles under their belts were having to drive quite a ways to their dance location, and even further for dinner with their friends.

I've tried my hand at oxidizing...and I'm not sure how well I really like it. The process or actually the solution that is used is quite toxic and being acid it's sure to burn the skin with the smallest drop. I know that I in no means have mastered it, and don't know if I will because I'm so uncomfortable working with it. I think what I may resort to doing is oxidizing the natural way using eggs, I just can't seem to keep eggs in my house though with the kids.

I've also recently been working with briolette stones. The wire wrapping can drive a person nuts. I tried it a long time ago and after only having one pair turn out after many feet of wasted silver, I gave up. Well I think I've finally gotten the hang of it, and really enjoy doing it. I've been amazed that I haven't had more than the usual silver left over. It's funny how you can write off something because it simply does not work for you then all of a sudden you try it again and voila, you've done it! Hmm...I'm just noticing that I must really like this paper, I've used it with all of these earrings..hehe

A little whimsical...

is just what I needed to make. I wanted to make something fun, something that was feminine. I've had these large Amazonite stones and hadn't really known what to make with them, they're large so earrings were out, so this is what I came up with. The Amazonite is paired with two rectangular Smithsonite stones and two Peruvian Opals. Each stone was chosen to compliment the Amazonite's natural inclusions and colors. I made each link using Sterling Silver wire that I've hammered for a brushed finish.

I have two more large Amazonite stones, one I think I'll keep for myself and the other is a little different than the one featured in the bracelet here. It' has these rich caramels and reds in it, that matches some Mookaite stones that I have. I'll have to play with it tomorrow and see what I can create.

It's the weekend....finally!!

Wow I thought this week would never end....sheesh. Have you ever had weeks like that?? I seem to have them often :D I can't wait until the weekends because that's when I can really just relax and create as I wish, instead of the normal weekday rush after the day job.

It looks like I may be vending this year at FaerieWorlds in Eugene, so I need to really figure out what I want to sell. I know that last year there was a definite lack of Goddess jewelry. Everywhere I went there was a ton of Fairy gems (of course...and which I bought), but I don't remember seeing anything with a Goddess. So that may be what I'll focus on, and I'll take some of my meditation beads as well.

I've listed two new pairs of earrings today. The pair pictured above is Sterling Silver oval hoops that have been hammered for strength and a brushed finish. They're accented by Karen Hill Tribe Silver spiral charms. The pair on the right has black Tourmaline gemstones dropping from hand forged sterling silver loops and earwires.

Okay...now don't fall out of your chair but....

I finally made something other than earrings :D It's a bracelet...I almost didn't post it on Etsy because I kinda wanted it for myself, but I went ahead and posted it anyways. I've named it Freeform. I know...funky name...but that's exactly what it is, a bunch of Sterling Silver that I've freeformed to create the bracelet. The stones are Spiderweb Turquoise, the varying patterns in these stones are beautiful. I think the reason why I like them so much is because their not the normal color that you find with Turquoise...you know...the bright blue (which I've never been a huge fan of), it's just a deeper green/blue with black, perfect for winter.

It didn't take long...

before I made another pair of earrings. Actually I've made a few more, but I haven't taken photos of them yet. So here are the pair that I have photographed, they will be available in my Etsy Store Saturday afternoon. I haven't figured out a title/name for them yet, but am pleased with the simplicity of the design. I have to admit that I've really had a lot of fun making my own earwires and findings. I have yet to use my new torch, I have to buy some pickling to use on the sterling silver. I'm also going to purchase some solder to use with ss as well, then the fun is going to begin!

Earrings...earrings and more earrings

I'm not sure what my facination is here lately with earrings, but that seems to be what I keep making. So here are my newest listings. The first pair is named Abyss. It's made with Spiderweb Turquoise, Onyx and sterling silver.

The second pair is named Flowing. The design reminds me of the ebb and flow of the oceans tide. I've hammered the design for a brushed finish. The earrwires on both earrings are also handforged by me.

Maybe I'll work on some pendants to post. I've got some great Blue Lace Agate that would look nice wire wrapped....hmmm....yup that's what's next then.