PMC3 vs Art Metal Clay

I love PMC3!! I just worked with PMC3 today and in my previous posts I used Art Metal Clay 650 Slow Dry....holy crow the difference is amazing! I just ordered a huge amount of PMC3 because it was so much easier, cleaner...just everything about it was lovely! Below are some pictures of the piece I made using PMC3....Yes it's for me...it's my business logo...the Goddess with my name in it and adorned with some cz's (one to dot my "I" and the other to represent the full moon). Please excuse the quality of the photos, they've been taken just under my kitchen lights instead of in natural light.

Drying on the mug warmer before filing the edges:

After filing and before firing:



After firing:

I'm wearing it as we speak but I think I'm going to take it off to oxidize it so the Goddess and my name stands out more. Oh, and I didn't quench it after firing so the stones are in perfect condition :)

One of the Pendants

Well here's one of the pendants, and I'm just not happy with the results of either one of them. At least not happy enough to sell them. I think I figured out what I did that ruined the stones, I quenched them, when I should've let them cool down slowly :( I haven't researched this to know for a fact, but it seems logical.

Though it was a loss as far as being able to list something totally new in my shop...I've got 2 new pendants that I will be happy to wear!

I Forgot...

I completely forgot to post pictures of my pendant when I finished it! Refer back to my June 1st post to see pictures of the process that I used to make this pendant.

I did end up using faceted Labradorite and Smoky Quartz rondelles as accents. I wanted to keep the wire wrapping around the Koroit Opal matrix very minimal as I didn't want to take away from the stone itself. I love this pendant, its my favorite, most worn and most lost piece of jewelry that I own! When I say most lost...well I've found it in the garbage, hidden behind my jewelry box, under my computer..among other places. No it didn't fall off...I just tend to lay it down wherever and it's never in the same place twice :) Yes I've learned my lesson as I don't want it to end up in the garbage and actually losing it for good!

New Listings...

I just wanted to share my 2 newest listings with you. I decided to reintroduce Gaia today in my new Goddess Adorned line. She's the same Goddess just with a little more pizazz!

This Goddess Adorned was inspired by the earthy toned organza ribbon pictured with this pendant. A faceted wire wrapped blue Labradorite Spectrolite briolette drops from Gaia the Mother Goddess © 2008 SHI. Her spiral womb is adorned with a peacock pearl, faceted smoky quartz and labradorite rondelles.




This pendant has a faceted wire wrapped Garnet briolette that drops from Gaia the Mother Goddess © 2008 SHI. Her spiral womb is adorned with a faceted Rhodolite Garnet rondelle, a smooth Garnet rondelle and a Lepidolite in Quartz point.

Gaia connects us to the universal source of mothering and nurturing, leading us to a feeling of profound peace and balance.

I plan on doing a few more of these with more fall colors in the near future. This design will allow me to show the changing of the seasons. I'm excited to get started on more designs.

Latest Project

This is what I've been busy working on this weekend. I purchased this stone from Stones In Motion on Etsy. He cuts all of the gems himself and is a wonderful person to chat with. The stone is a Koroit Boulder Opal Matrix.


First I did a rough draft of what I wanted the pendant to look like. Then draw the frame and put it on a soft piece of wood and place nails along the inside of the outline. I then wrap wire around the nails...along the outside of the right side of the moon, and the inside of the left side. I then spent a very long time cutting the swirls making sure they looked uniform not only in size, but design as well.


This is how far I've gotten, it's not finished yet. I'm still trying to figure out how I want to wire wrap the stone to keep it in place...and especially making it so that it doesn't take away from the beauty and flash of the stone. So there in lies my dilemma, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'll be adding a few other very small faceted rondelles of Labradorite, and Smoky Quartz within or around the swirls. I'll be sure to make a post when I've finished the piece. Thank goodness it's for myself, so I can take all the time that I need without any pressure.

Look what I got in the mail!!

I just got this necklace in the mail today! It's beautiful...the picture of this lovely corvid is so crisp and clear. I purchased this from Amandajo on Etsy and will definitely be purchasing more from her. I'm actually going to change it up a bit, and use the corvid charm as a charm on a bracelet. I'm making one for myself and will buy another one soon to make for my friend Kelly who's the lead singer of the band Woodland. We are both avid corvid lovers and I think she'll get a kick out of the bracelet. I just have to get a hold of her husband Lio to find out what size her wrist is. I'll give it to her at the FaerieWorlds Festival. I thought about mailing it to her, but I'd rather give her this one in person!

I also purchased this picture for Kelly, not only because of the Raven's pictured in it, but this has an amazing resemblance to her, and if you look closely, in the back ground you will see the Stonehenge (a truly magical place). This beautiful print was purchase from MeredithDillman, she's an amazing artist and I've purchased other prints by her.

Anyways, I just wanted to share with everyone some of the wonderfully talented artists and jewelry designers that can be found on Etsy.

It's 3:00 am...what am I still doing up??

I took a weeks hiatus from my day job and now it's nearing the end. It's my kids spring break and I thought what the heck...I'll take it off too :D The boys had baseball practice all week so we weren't able to go anywhere, but it's sure been nice doing things on my own schedule.

I've opened a jewelry supply shop on Etsy to try and destash my overwelming collection of baubles. I have another bead show coming up next weekend, if I'm able to make it, I should come back with some more treasures to take the place of the stones that I'm selling. Just what I need huh?? Well a girl can't have too many treasures or baubles now can they?

I've also started another blog to sell my Tree of Life pendants and possibly some other jewelry. I'll post the link when I've got everything up and running. I'm having problems getting the pics in there and adding a Paypal widget to it...but that's just because I'm just not computer savvy. I should have it figured out before the end of the weekend though.

I had my danes spayed this week...which is another reason that I took the time off. Did you know that they charge by weight....holy crow!! Well it was a wopping $500....ouch, but it needed to be done! Dogs in heat....nope....definately not my thing!!! When we got our first dane, I definately wanted to breed her...awww how cute will her puppies be, until I read all the work that goes into it, and the possibility of complications....the vet visits...yikes. I also noticed that Raven has a curveture of the spine that I didn't want to have passed down. I don't think it will cause any long term problems, but I can't guarantee it and it wasn't a chance I was willing to take with her or her puppies. So that's that...and now they can go back to being the couch hogs that they are.

I'm also really sad to say that I will have to find another home for my cat Nanni. We've had her for 5 years and within the last couple of years she totally terrorizes the other cats, so much so that they're afraid to eat or do anything if she's around. One cat is now so afraid that she won't even come upstairs. I don't really know what to do....she doesn't like to be picked up at all, she loves to be petted...but on her terms, she will sleep in your lap, again on her terms. AND if you even try to pick her up...claws are out and she's trying to find a way out. She doesn't like to go outside...it scares her...and when she's in the mood to be petted....she definately doesn't want you to stop. She's the size of a kitten, and definately has short mans disease :D All of these traits are exactly what I love about her...well other than the terrorizing part, but as you can tell, it's not going to be easy finding her a suitable home...and I can't bare the thought of what will happen if I can find her a home. Uuugghhh...I'm so sad. Well I have my fingers crossed that I will find someone who'll love her as much as I do....I'll keep you posted.

First Tree of Life Custom Order

This is a custom order for someone who saw me wearing the Hessonite Garnet Tree of Life. She requested green, gold, black Tourmaline and a square frame. I really like the earthy tones of the Tourmaline in this pendant.

Since my last post I've received 4 orders, each one takes 2 days to make because I have a day job I can only work on them during the evenings. So as of right now I'm focusing on my store, and the pendants, then I'll make more pendants to post for sale here.

I love the creative outlet jewelry making offers!

Wire Wrapping

I've been trying my hand at making Tree of Life pendants after seeing one while browsing the internet . After making my first one I realized that one of my Etsy street team members also makes and sells them, so out of respect for her I won't be offering mine for sale in my store. I've made a couple without stone chips which is what's most commonly seen. I've never really cared for them, I'm not sure if it's because of the chips, but I really just like the organic look of the wire alone.

Last night I made a few sterling silver frames for the pendants, a tear drop, square and a rectangular one. Tonight I wanted to work with the tear drop frame and decided to add stones. I don't have any chips other than turquoise...so I used some of my small faceted Hessonite and Rhodolite Garnet rondelles. I'm really pleased with the results and I think I'll have a hard time parting with this one. I know I've said that before, but everything about this pendant screams, "Keep Me!!" LOL

After I've made a few more I may list them here on my blog for purchase. So stay tuned!

Here's my two newest listings...

The first is a pair of Funky Geometrix Earrings and the second is the Wave of Love Ruby gemstone pendant and chain. I really enjoyed making both of these because of the design work with the silver. I hope you enjoy them too.

Colors Of The Ocean In Jewelry

These were some of my first listings on Etsy. I decided tonight to revamp them and retake the pictures. I love the colors in both of these pieces because they remind me so much of the tropical waters in Hawaii. The blue and green colors are just as soothing to me as listening to the ocean. Though they are more "summer" colors...but why not brighten up the dark days of fall and winter by adding just touch of summer to your wardrobe.

I've relisted the earrings and the necklace in my store.

I'm going to be making some simple hoops and wishbones to sell probably without stones, we'll see though....seems like I can't make anything without adding a piece of nature's beauty to it!

Aquamarine and Amethyst Pendant

I just made this tonight by hammering 18 gauge sterling silver wire. I'm thinking this pendant would look nice on a silk cord too. I really like the way it turned out. I'll be listing this tomorrow on Etsy. Hmm...maybe I'll make some matching earrings too. I haven't listed the Labradorite bracelet yet, I'm thinking I might tweek it a bit, we'll see. Anywhoey, I'm off to work on some Goddess Charms.

Lepidocrosite in Quartz Pendant

This is my new pendant that I was also talking about, I'm definately making myself this soon. I just love the colors and sparkle in the stone.

The cough is worse today, and I feel totally wiped, but I'm getting ideas for some new pieces, so I'm off to create.

First International Shipment

Okay, so yesterday I mailed it off. I had to send it first class instead of priority...holyman priority is expensive when shipping internationally. Thank goodness for small towns and small town postoffices. Mine was so helpful yesterday :D

I just posted a new pair of earrings, and I have a wire wrapped pendant that I made. I'm not sure if I want to part with the pendant though. I've had a ton of compliments on it and I've just really grown attached to it. The focal stone is Rhodochrosite with 4 Tourmaline beads hanging from it. I picked the Tourmaline to accent the different colors in the Rhodochrosite. Decisions...decisions...decisions

I guess if that's my only dilema for the day then I'm doing pretty darn good!

Another Sale!

Yay!! Another sale....was wondering when I would have another Etsy sale and tadaa! It's my favorite pendant, with the most personal meaning to me. This is also my first International shipment, and I've just read in the Etsy forums that they (USPS) aren't allowing "jewelry" to be shipped anymore. So "fashion accessory" it is :D

I'm also really excited to have another order from a friend and Etsy customer. It'll be a first for me to make this type of bracelet, but I wanted to send Kudos to whoever was the first to create this bracelet. I'll post pics of it when I'm done!

I got an invitation to Rings & Things this weekend. I can't wait to see the choices of stones and findings they have...my favorite things to shop for!!

Anywhoey...I'm off for the night! I'll post more later.

Very Berry Ring/Pendant

If worn as a ring this is a size 7, but it's beautiful as a pendant too! It's available for purchase in my Etsy store.

http://shijewels.etsy.com

Here's a few new items I've got for sale on Etsy