tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60926078962062521692024-02-06T21:44:43.908-06:00calDesign Naturals<center>One woman's voyage into the addictive world of Metal Clay & Metal Fabrication<br>- the good, the bad, and the creativity.</center>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-4700052362783769902016-01-11T00:25:00.000-06:002016-01-11T00:33:21.281-06:00<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Welcome 2016!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br />This will be a short and sweet post - a little info about my website update and a reminder about the Incognito Silent Art Auction. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://caldesignnaturals.com/">caldesignnaturals.com</a> website has been tweaked a little. Design and info has been slightly adjusted. It includes links to this blog, my etsy shop and Facebook fan page. Stop by and poke around. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60BsrQn4KGxM-BfoIDHKSNrFHBIehQ5cWWUwifR_PxWDKCJqDx8GHrXr9Nw915XvoF0utreMoiatbTB-jNJn9UWRh6u0QPgpim7mV3t1VBZ94MFQcwcKceNY9B6yXZaXh7km7aJtEgl2a/s1600/homepage_ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60BsrQn4KGxM-BfoIDHKSNrFHBIehQ5cWWUwifR_PxWDKCJqDx8GHrXr9Nw915XvoF0utreMoiatbTB-jNJn9UWRh6u0QPgpim7mV3t1VBZ94MFQcwcKceNY9B6yXZaXh7km7aJtEgl2a/s400/homepage_ss.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDfS7bHhAmKeMDlt1dwsaUHUDD_A20dvbrG84LLOAZwJk3xWxrXB3RzbRwwpYeA9g3mj6z6Y5EkLaEo23DwngUZOqPFFABlEB8cB2x9ocUGkiRvIUuHD-mmEVQtGmyzJw9WqTpXvzegJ/s1600/incognito_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDfS7bHhAmKeMDlt1dwsaUHUDD_A20dvbrG84LLOAZwJk3xWxrXB3RzbRwwpYeA9g3mj6z6Y5EkLaEo23DwngUZOqPFFABlEB8cB2x9ocUGkiRvIUuHD-mmEVQtGmyzJw9WqTpXvzegJ/s320/incognito_web.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDfS7bHhAmKeMDlt1dwsaUHUDD_A20dvbrG84LLOAZwJk3xWxrXB3RzbRwwpYeA9g3mj6z6Y5EkLaEo23DwngUZOqPFFABlEB8cB2x9ocUGkiRvIUuHD-mmEVQtGmyzJw9WqTpXvzegJ/s1600/incognito_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxDfS7bHhAmKeMDlt1dwsaUHUDD_A20dvbrG84LLOAZwJk3xWxrXB3RzbRwwpYeA9g3mj6z6Y5EkLaEo23DwngUZOqPFFABlEB8cB2x9ocUGkiRvIUuHD-mmEVQtGmyzJw9WqTpXvzegJ/s1600/incognito_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">ALSO It's time for <b>Memphis Botanic Garden's</b> "Incognito Silent Art Auction" and yours truly has a piece in for the 4th consecutive year. BECAUSE it's "Incognito" I can't show you what it is. The idea is to "bid on what you like NOT who you know". <br /><br />The pieces </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">should be going up this week along the halls of the main building at the Garden. The auction starts at 5:30pm on Friday, January 29. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br />Tickets available here: </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"><a href="http://memphisbotanicgarden.com/incognito">http://memphisbotanicgarden.com/incognito</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy 2016 folks, may you be happy, healthy and safe.<br /></span>
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Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-37110279217912135382015-11-08T19:19:00.001-06:002015-11-08T19:21:22.563-06:00Updates coming...<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>It sure has been a long time!!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have updates coming... in the mean time here are a few photos of pieces I've created - including a before, after and NOW picture of my last foster. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBiQdqW3g2AYre5AcjKKW6wiRSddNpwwZNr5Ctu4MS5MftoXT5Dwu9fV2QFsEvnkwwH6bYQqVbL63Z6DdOJKrWBSE1GOukE58W5wnH8OdCeoyJ6-fCy3Rlg_TBvfWE58JP1mii_0Pde5N/s1600/10847904_10104412029130151_8715836280389340761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBiQdqW3g2AYre5AcjKKW6wiRSddNpwwZNr5Ctu4MS5MftoXT5Dwu9fV2QFsEvnkwwH6bYQqVbL63Z6DdOJKrWBSE1GOukE58W5wnH8OdCeoyJ6-fCy3Rlg_TBvfWE58JP1mii_0Pde5N/s320/10847904_10104412029130151_8715836280389340761_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is Plum... now known as Sage - she came to our home a week after being<br />pulled off the streets of Memphis where she was living with a pack of dogs.<br />The pic on the left is her an hour or so after being caught at her first check-up<br />and the pic on the right is her a month and week or so later after her last<br />check up before heading north to live a wonderful life with her<br />canine sister and a great Mom and Dad.<br />She stayed with us from Halloween until early December.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSX03VLnj2svL0yHT2JSeDRKlCjlDEjLPNuNGk_xE7S1oU2dXWIdJdnf2t7LREVDBWGLqBkR_cFh7Tm8ndxx6K1JAk3Z_ChFhakGM0qCdVhq3y-oIuuRJu7EVqAF5ExezsxmEyGZVN0Pq/s1600/11009931_10105063396634451_2680650191876027205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSX03VLnj2svL0yHT2JSeDRKlCjlDEjLPNuNGk_xE7S1oU2dXWIdJdnf2t7LREVDBWGLqBkR_cFh7Tm8ndxx6K1JAk3Z_ChFhakGM0qCdVhq3y-oIuuRJu7EVqAF5ExezsxmEyGZVN0Pq/s320/11009931_10105063396634451_2680650191876027205_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">THIS is Sage a taken 6 months later with her sister.<br />She is big, beautiful and LOVED.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pieces currently in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/calDESIGNNaturals" target="_blank">calDESIGN Naturals</a> etsy shop include but not limited to these - <br />EXCEPT the bracelet on the blue denim - which was a custom order. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsw-El5RIGZ_8kKHGjmTvyZIExX4Q-sFW6zw13J2UmRLKpTIGs6zdBEZZpueWmMTBqO8kpK-2Z-4UHoqgHNn4q865MmjQlXaU2SdnjAmWkvy_nKH9TilKPg7K7f18LyIiutC5cMTbsiP9/s1600/Blue_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsw-El5RIGZ_8kKHGjmTvyZIExX4Q-sFW6zw13J2UmRLKpTIGs6zdBEZZpueWmMTBqO8kpK-2Z-4UHoqgHNn4q865MmjQlXaU2SdnjAmWkvy_nKH9TilKPg7K7f18LyIiutC5cMTbsiP9/s200/Blue_1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BMz2ne6RqrEgOujtL-psNGiqIfWRdtvIAWGBNBvTBfhvnzh9jyE7YM3fvUCabfItGkcrxXfvy6CK4L8c0qApVMU0K-dSOKSjRY3Yfc0DA06tgUIqm2XCCQPGau6dq2n42rDVdNuel_Q/s1600/Pink_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BMz2ne6RqrEgOujtL-psNGiqIfWRdtvIAWGBNBvTBfhvnzh9jyE7YM3fvUCabfItGkcrxXfvy6CK4L8c0qApVMU0K-dSOKSjRY3Yfc0DA06tgUIqm2XCCQPGau6dq2n42rDVdNuel_Q/s200/Pink_1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BMz2ne6RqrEgOujtL-psNGiqIfWRdtvIAWGBNBvTBfhvnzh9jyE7YM3fvUCabfItGkcrxXfvy6CK4L8c0qApVMU0K-dSOKSjRY3Yfc0DA06tgUIqm2XCCQPGau6dq2n42rDVdNuel_Q/s1600/Pink_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4BMz2ne6RqrEgOujtL-psNGiqIfWRdtvIAWGBNBvTBfhvnzh9jyE7YM3fvUCabfItGkcrxXfvy6CK4L8c0qApVMU0K-dSOKSjRY3Yfc0DA06tgUIqm2XCCQPGau6dq2n42rDVdNuel_Q/s1600/Pink_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlbM9Yry3BCCfZx1UzeaGmxzGpjkzYF5INtgPJpT3Kv-gkFylo_AbpNJ6rgo4voCTHpnKhHMt47HqD1zVzbLMFgyH12_6dJI1hiorNH_iR34K4wEiyCd7n6eUfbkcHAqE7d6yTJO6NdpW/s1600/Copper-Pendant_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlbM9Yry3BCCfZx1UzeaGmxzGpjkzYF5INtgPJpT3Kv-gkFylo_AbpNJ6rgo4voCTHpnKhHMt47HqD1zVzbLMFgyH12_6dJI1hiorNH_iR34K4wEiyCd7n6eUfbkcHAqE7d6yTJO6NdpW/s200/Copper-Pendant_2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfP0BQnWOmatiwgxRHZaoFmXDi_l-SP9U0kRHrwqJYzvRR7mZKyy5_iurXMaTrOKmhCIE3tsIa6DIU1KjoSAy2nUwyJUy0qdkvl4yh7KjclGLSBxU_rt6qWRxFD35Ik3ig306sDrhLdwK/s1600/Carnelian_Fan_OS_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfP0BQnWOmatiwgxRHZaoFmXDi_l-SP9U0kRHrwqJYzvRR7mZKyy5_iurXMaTrOKmhCIE3tsIa6DIU1KjoSAy2nUwyJUy0qdkvl4yh7KjclGLSBxU_rt6qWRxFD35Ik3ig306sDrhLdwK/s200/Carnelian_Fan_OS_2.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbR93zjid5LyBjSLFdiPQ5_1c6Qa0sH2l4dIFACpIBZ0R-kjcBNFhN6IzAMNdrOKsAutHzXW69ZdFWO9oLzGNBncBO79C8P7Rfy5SB6M1SHDLG6lXgyPjP15LwIKyRgPJQDDI2qdvmpjp/s1600/Carnelian_Oval_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbR93zjid5LyBjSLFdiPQ5_1c6Qa0sH2l4dIFACpIBZ0R-kjcBNFhN6IzAMNdrOKsAutHzXW69ZdFWO9oLzGNBncBO79C8P7Rfy5SB6M1SHDLG6lXgyPjP15LwIKyRgPJQDDI2qdvmpjp/s200/Carnelian_Oval_1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-77381776360196558832014-09-18T23:02:00.002-05:002014-09-18T23:02:54.216-05:00What I did this summer... or the Wonders of being a Rescue Foster Mom<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>(Blog entry started 9/6/14...)</i><br /><br />For a long time now I have been searching for a way to give back. I donate $ to specific charities, I give toys to toys for tots, mittens to the mitten tree, but still I needed to "DO" something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That something turned out to be joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bigfluffydogrescue" target="_blank">Big Fluffy Dog Rescue</a> as a "Foster Mom". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My first foray into this world was doing an emergency transport from Memphis to Nashville of two dogs that were rescued from Louisiana and were in need of a ride to get them from Memphis stop to Nashville vet for medical care and then foster/adoption process. Willa and Eric arrived in Memphis on June 28 and needed to go to Nashville (3.5 hour drive from Memphis) to the Animal House vet clinic for vetting and to start the foster/adoption process.<br /><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Willa - Senior Great Pyr</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Transport from Memphis to Nashville</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rescued from Louisiana</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I only have a picture of Miss Willa - she is a senior Great Pyr who had been buzzed and had bad back legs (come to find out the acls in both her back legs were blown - we were lucky she could move at all). Knowing Eric was traveling in an airline crate I set up a bed for Miss Willa in the back of my Rav - removed the two seats and made her a cushy bed of pillows (to fill the foot spaces), exercise mats (to cover the pillows and the metal hooks that the seats connect to), and a huge thick (30 below) sleeping bag folded in half. I wrapped a tent roll in the end of the blue exercise matt to give her a head rest. She needed comfort. And what a wonderful travel companion she was!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn6gpB3T6oJsoiyO9-jX5BLW-FcoxpBhF2JuM3-hJno0B1dBO-RmO9Kf9UFlrh1jFlmSJcryn576ZGtd9DNe9PA82pjZDQtRIv8as7JUivH6-NcRxsV9nTGhXWBeNvSjhUgpoD8Shpj6e/s1600/Eric_June2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn6gpB3T6oJsoiyO9-jX5BLW-FcoxpBhF2JuM3-hJno0B1dBO-RmO9Kf9UFlrh1jFlmSJcryn576ZGtd9DNe9PA82pjZDQtRIv8as7JUivH6-NcRxsV9nTGhXWBeNvSjhUgpoD8Shpj6e/s1600/Eric_June2014.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eric - 2 months later</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />I do not have any pictures of Eric as he was a mess. He had mange, was itchy, stinky and omg so skinny. I knew ahead of time that he had mange and got some gloves for my car. I took him out at a rest area about 40 mins outside of Nashville for potty stop and thanks to the gloves was able to give him the rubs and love he wanted so badly. <br /><br />What I DO have is an "after" picture of Eric 2 months later... how beautiful is he??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Upon arriving home I got a call - "we have a dog in boarding undergoing heart worm treatment, that is not good with other dogs, is "ok" with cats (ahahah), and needs a fenced in yard" - "oh and I pushed your foster application thru so can you meet me at the vets on Wednesday to meet him and bring him home?"<br /><br />Meet my first Foster - Koda</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdmYSfyCGnzC0kbWWc7pI1XydrwHdsJH1btdCRedqMPpamGvtOcF05nGtRJIV43XtG4WSVZ4Yhc7cBJLbC0hZMUPtXVbqSK3BSgVruSUsaAfywSEsArtPjowis033MQ70D6qe95TSYOG_/s1600/Koda_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdmYSfyCGnzC0kbWWc7pI1XydrwHdsJH1btdCRedqMPpamGvtOcF05nGtRJIV43XtG4WSVZ4Yhc7cBJLbC0hZMUPtXVbqSK3BSgVruSUsaAfywSEsArtPjowis033MQ70D6qe95TSYOG_/s1600/Koda_1.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Foster Dog Summer 2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Koda’s Story…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Koda came into the Big Fluffy Dog Rescue family as the result of an emergency pull at Memphis Animal Shelter when an outbreak of Parvo was detected. Andrea Adams of Big Fluffy Dog Rescue - Memphis & John Tower of Memphis Animal Clinic spotted this healthy looking dog with “cool” command training (sit, lay down, shake/paw, etc) and pulled him for his skills as well as good looks (I think. ;)) </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was reported to BFDR that “Koda belonged to the sister of one of the shelter workers. Koda had been very neglected as far as upkeep on his beautiful coat and medical upkeep. According to the shelter worker he made his sister give up Koda because he was not getting the attention that he needed.”<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j9zCWy6VckmAysJnHNPOWVoOh3g-UsF8aGygRr4vC9KZ-7aq8Aih_2vSWTM2a8rC86Qw7YvAw3DMkz7hM65359Z2-4BavLrjk4r0xr0JISFsl5XE06iSfCCyYUkDB9wiDH13B5mwnoIb/s1600/Koda_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j9zCWy6VckmAysJnHNPOWVoOh3g-UsF8aGygRr4vC9KZ-7aq8Aih_2vSWTM2a8rC86Qw7YvAw3DMkz7hM65359Z2-4BavLrjk4r0xr0JISFsl5XE06iSfCCyYUkDB9wiDH13B5mwnoIb/s1600/Koda_2.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">DO NOT let this expression</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">fool you! OK yeah - he is</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">a gooba!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was informed that Koda is an Aussie mix and an absolute tennis ball hussy. He LOVES his tennis ball and will do anything to have you throw it. He would be an excellent agility dog or fly ball dog. Koda is 5 years old and HW+. That he isn’t great with other dogs and needs a fenced yard (which is why he came to me… new foster w/ no dogs + 6’ wooden fenced in back yard = place for Koda) and is “ok” with cats. (::grin:: let’s change that to ok w/ Van Morrison the cat.) </span><br />
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Koda came to “Paradise” (as I call my humble abode) direct from boarding with heartworm meds, huge “freaked out dog eyes” (big eyes, whites showing all around… gotta admit as a first time foster and first time having a dog in the house in over 30 years – I was a bit freaked myself especially by his look of being freaked out), a tennis ball that never left his mouth or side, food guarding issues, warning not to “slap pat” him (thump pat vs stroke pat not ok) and was greeted by a feline household. Yep I have CATS. Plural... Four. OH… and he was afraid. Raise your voice (in this instance cheering for show on TV) and he would cower. There have been many, many times that I cursed the “sub-humans” as I have come to term them – that caused him to react like that.<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2zTer495krFx-1h8PnFnTFGi3P1hYHBrmGtkjzeenbDmbNB4HcQxIo06v6moppaYg8mSyidAMNJtAmuBldMo-juVhTOxRxlLJ_qQS8iTk18M8h8eoRRDcoYiulfc-QmhcfaYwIHClI49/s1600/Koda_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2zTer495krFx-1h8PnFnTFGi3P1hYHBrmGtkjzeenbDmbNB4HcQxIo06v6moppaYg8mSyidAMNJtAmuBldMo-juVhTOxRxlLJ_qQS8iTk18M8h8eoRRDcoYiulfc-QmhcfaYwIHClI49/s1600/Koda_5.jpg" height="200" width="157" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This pic was taken about 3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">weeks into his stay here -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">note: NO Freaked out eyes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">:)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">FIRST I want to address the tennis ball… we had made a stop at <a href="http://www.hollywoodfeed.com/location/store-002/" target="_blank">Hollywood Feed in Cordova</a> – BLESS THOSE GIRLS! They had hooked me up with a big honkin’ crate, a bed for it, food bowls, food, and balls… we got more balls. WHO THE HECK CAME UP WITH THE BRILLIANT IDEA TO PUT SQUEEKER IN A TENNIS BALL??? Probably a cat owner! <<weg>></weg></span><br />
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Thank goodness for that ball. I have since learned that the ball to Koda is like the blanket to Linus. When Koda was new here he had it all the time. We did not go ANYWHERE with out it. Potty (him or me), meal time, car rides… down the hall to my office (did I mention I work from home?) and the Studio (I make jewelry as therapy from the office job). EVERYWHERE there was the ball – a ball after all buy 5 for $5 and you got yourself a nice even half dozen w/ combined with the one he came with. Eventually we have gotten to the point where “I” have to remember to bring it with us if he’s going to the vets for shots. He doesn’t use it now unless it is to play with OR if he’s worried/stressed. In the early days I am CONVINCED that ball saved a kitty head once or twice. ;)<br /><br /><b>Cats... yep got a few! </b><i>The Supervisor, The Apprentice, The Nanny, and The Diva.</i> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRTLBDrjHyOYOTrFwtb5aDXr2xrLsds2qh7y0LlC-VWDAOduZGfBjOOCjZtMGKpSaHjIMisZkiUaIs59tf_CHqxyXW-Xj9l0rNEWfvEydenuSoPCNwQPzoE8mkKKooKOLaWQqWse_J20Z/s1600/Crate-Investigators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRTLBDrjHyOYOTrFwtb5aDXr2xrLsds2qh7y0LlC-VWDAOduZGfBjOOCjZtMGKpSaHjIMisZkiUaIs59tf_CHqxyXW-Xj9l0rNEWfvEydenuSoPCNwQPzoE8mkKKooKOLaWQqWse_J20Z/s1600/Crate-Investigators.jpg" height="137" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">They all had to check out the crate and bed when it arrived. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The biggest open space in the house is in the middle of the Studio. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The house was gated off – give him space, give them space with the ability to move into his area and back if desired. Koda was greeted by #1 resident feline who I firmly believe in another life was a dog.<br /></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Nubbles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Supervising Koda.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nubbles (11lb grey/mix gorgeous boy) likes to ride in cars (pick up keys he runs to door to go), loves dog slobba (when friends dog comes over for doggy sleep over he is first to roll all over her just chewed on toys to get at the slobba), loves people (runs to meet newcomers at the door and hey if you don’t talk to him and tell him how gorgeous he is, he will stand up w/ his paws on your leg and make sure you give him attention). He truly believes he is a dog. WELLL… Nubbles was first on the scene. Walked right up to Koda and 11lb eyeball to 50lb eyeball he stared him down - or rather, he ATTEMPTED to. Hissed, cussed, caused quite the scene. I firmly believe that if Koda was accepted into a home with cats that DO NOT believe they are dogs… he would be fine. ;) First few weeks on Paradise were a trial for canine, feline and HUMAN.<br /><br /><i>Update - 9/18...</i><br /><br />WOW it's almost the end of the month and that means it's just about time for Koda to head north for to find a "furever" home.<br /><br />This is what I posted on my facebook page about him..<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND NEW ENGLAND FOLK...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Folks I'm a little freaked out here. Koda is possibly getting on next Friday's transport list to head North now that his meds are done and he's good-to-go and he doesn't have a home to land in. I'm really worried and as much as he doesn't like my cats I feel guilty sending him North without a home!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What do you need to know?? besides what a beauty he is?</span></div>
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<li><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>He has dog issues - </b>as far as food and ball resource guarding issues make it worrisome to have him to be with another dog that has a love of balls.<br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>He has cat issues - </b>I have 4 and the last hold out who was actually trying to make friends with him was lunged at from both of them in laying down (not sleeping position but "down" position) approx 6" away from each other. She did not get hurt thank god but boy did she spray because of being afraid and did my house stink. A house WITHOUT CATS that want to be a part of every aspect of your life OR a house with DOG SAVVY cats would be good. (The only dog mine have been around is a choc lab that ignores them and they think all dogs will do that and go about their normal life when she visits.)</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><b>OTHER THAN THAT.. he is FREAKING AWESOME. </b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">If you don't have another dog (or perhaps a dog that doesn't like toys and to fetch - maybe like a Great Pyr I hear they aren't much into plebeian activities) and if you do NOT have cats (or at least cats not wanting to be a part of your daily life activities like mind do) here is YOUR DOG. SPECIALLY if you like to run - something tells me he'd be a great jogging dog. But honestly I like him so much that between cat spats I was tempted to consider keeping him then I came to my senses again w/ the next spat.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fL52JAX3q-ARsCci4YKhcqytf4my_EEdfut3eMDjnx-s7xZFPqpsY7vPdzVnRcqukN2mM_WAwQLjB1CwctXZQqfQiANSgF9S3vFQ5IVm-eVeCxxp8VbJMmD3JEnAGXQ94uNeuzcc65zi/s1600/photo+1+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fL52JAX3q-ARsCci4YKhcqytf4my_EEdfut3eMDjnx-s7xZFPqpsY7vPdzVnRcqukN2mM_WAwQLjB1CwctXZQqfQiANSgF9S3vFQ5IVm-eVeCxxp8VbJMmD3JEnAGXQ94uNeuzcc65zi/s1600/photo+1+(15).JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />He walks GREAT on leash, loves to play although it's been limited here due to hw+ treatment. He's gorgeous. He's WICKED smart - you can literally see the wheels turning in his head. He has a gait like a show dog in a ring. He loves car rides, loves walks, would PROBABLY LOVE TO RUN w/ someone. He grins at you w/ that creepy "gonna eat you" grin when he's being petted and it actually means he likes it (make sure you know the difference! LOL!!) he "growls" a low "mmmmm" like sound when you draw your fingernails down the top of his head. <br /><br />And he loves treats (including <a href="http://www.brownpawbakery.com/" target="_blank">Brown Paw Bakery</a> cookies & trainers as well as apples, cherry tomatoes, blueberrys and froze raspberries). He sits, lays down, shakes his paw and will show you his belly. He could do much more but I'm a bad foster and worked on getting him healthy and giving him treats vs training.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>He is a GOOBA dog.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT4U9w8AY55G_m3UdNZkuGeRTP90epFVV2UKv8ElwXFZkZ_fGswoFIOFZIGvTnflc02GlLi9SlTgAmIBej19__y7vLDQfxr-YNIYd31xdRNAdqLvw3JQw1wY9sSXlhvkoBNa9_Mc_Xee0/s1600/1426584_10203248906996093_2378507848879829579_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT4U9w8AY55G_m3UdNZkuGeRTP90epFVV2UKv8ElwXFZkZ_fGswoFIOFZIGvTnflc02GlLi9SlTgAmIBej19__y7vLDQfxr-YNIYd31xdRNAdqLvw3JQw1wY9sSXlhvkoBNa9_Mc_Xee0/s1600/1426584_10203248906996093_2378507848879829579_n.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">He is not a lap dog but he is trying to be - god he's like 50ish lbs and to me that's a big lap full of dog - I know to most of you that's tiny! He loves to be with you. Gets sad when he's gated out of a room and will lay peering underneath while he is. He sleeps in a crate at night (for his, mine and the cats peace of mind) but would PREFER to lay by the bed. He hardly barks - unless it's fireworks (doesn't like), gun fire (can sometimes hear it from the police range and he doesn't like it), or creepy guys in a white van making noise across the street - OH and thunderstorms are not his fav thing either but the last one was far less of an issue ... it seems maybe as his comfort level in his surrounding increases the thunder issue decreases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He uses his ball like we use a stress ball. He use to carry it everywhere he went because he was afraid and stressed and worried. NOW he only uses it to play with or in real high stress moments. If a cat comes into the room and he's "worried" he gets the ball. IF he see's something outside (across the street) and he doesn't feel it's right he runs and gets the ball and goes back to watch. It really is to him ... his stress ball and his toy. God how he loves to run for that ball. Here he has only been allowed 3 tosses when we go out due to restrictions but omg he could go on and on. I tried a frisbee - and I got a "flyer" but it didn't have a hole and he struggled to grab it (so he shredded it it's got a hole now!). BUT I got one of those Kong round frisbee thingies w/ the hole in it and THAT he can pick up but give him the choice... ball or frisbee... ball all the way!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /><br /><b>OH and did I mention that he can amuse himself? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He will stuff balls under the couch and then try and get them out. I introduced him to a small pink throw rug and he will put the ball on it and then dig and work like crazy to hide it and then he digs and pulls and finds it! over and over and over! (The rug can go north if needed! Along w/ 5 balls, a kong frisbee... treats. ;0) )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><b>WHAT MORE ?? </b><br />Tell me and then someone fall in love and omg. ::sigh::<br /><br /><b>OH OH... he smiles!</b><br />Well actually it's called a "grin" and it's kinda freaky til you get use to you. Honestly you think he's gonna take your darn hand off but nooo if you stop doing what you wree doing (petting him) he will pause then butt you with his nose to continue!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adoption Info: <a href="http://www.bigfluffydogs.com/adoption.php" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.bigfluffydogs.com/adoption.php</a><br />Adoption Form Link: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffs18.formsite.com%2Fbigfluffydogs%2Fform952673514%2Findex.html&h=dAQG0cXET&enc=AZNMzo8CaR0f5Z9-IFa123WXaqf7SAaa3SFrSHRate4tkoo0t4Lq4Yqr-ynq5V2hjV8eXOS9W3xWw5IiaTGUr-EvLa1ANJFsOg0MJ2qt65QhdbLSuIeTP7D-pBwDqHE95HEgB-KSGbE-bLYZKm0eR_mQ&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://fs18.formsite.com/bigfluffydogs/form952673514/index.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-41619219898357826702014-06-03T23:58:00.001-05:002014-06-04T00:25:33.329-05:00Nature... The ups and downs or "Are You My Mother?" Mother Nature's version of the Dr. Seuss book<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEfrhluLqQcgcpLrTSPWatKCS-IocML6GhQ2MLsUlZx23yZCW_c4RJdTr8-EuexYj-Kcwbb3kNKxh7mFMHUyp9vhfDdWne_V-GXx6_YDei48OOXCGHTCJ3Dljq0iI-TzL_7Fk9DSmkL4S/s1600/MrCardinal_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEfrhluLqQcgcpLrTSPWatKCS-IocML6GhQ2MLsUlZx23yZCW_c4RJdTr8-EuexYj-Kcwbb3kNKxh7mFMHUyp9vhfDdWne_V-GXx6_YDei48OOXCGHTCJ3Dljq0iI-TzL_7Fk9DSmkL4S/s1600/MrCardinal_1.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Cardinal<br />
(yes, out of focus)</td></tr>
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Yesterday I was distracted by a beautiful bright red male Cardinal visiting my bird feeder and the bird bath (about 20' from my home office window). What really caught my eye was not just his color and beauty but the fact that he appeared to be feeding a "baby" bird that did not seem to be a juvenile Cardinal.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br />Unsure if what I was seeing was correct I went and grabbed my binoculars and checked. Sure enough - it was not a juvenile Cardinal. But what was it... and why was Mr. Cardinal feeding a baby that wasn't "his"?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AcBrh5PvoIfLYxCdaqP6i0AHP6IZJgrmNjm2NJ86Hk3Q3EX3h3JztQDl5A4-30YUYfV6NNG3X7Xa9nQwOf1SwfzN-RBoS4202k29WUnPP9GYfi_G_T-wdCV6cRipeaLjOPbzO72HBe4a/s1600/Cardinal_Baby_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AcBrh5PvoIfLYxCdaqP6i0AHP6IZJgrmNjm2NJ86Hk3Q3EX3h3JztQDl5A4-30YUYfV6NNG3X7Xa9nQwOf1SwfzN-RBoS4202k29WUnPP9GYfi_G_T-wdCV6cRipeaLjOPbzO72HBe4a/s1600/Cardinal_Baby_2.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Cardinal & Brown Headed Cowbird<br />
Open Wider!!</td></tr>
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I kept watching off and on while working and this went on all afternoon - and noted that a SECOND "baby" arrived at the feeder both looking for food (yet both able to eat on their own). I was able to snap a number of pics of the "baby" even catching his shake-my-feathers-and-open-my-mouth "feed me" act on video.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PbDGH43MfTdw0xxYNH15uTOkdGatMjTxcLKv_o8NomnVTsYbeKxsKwl297clvN72hX0Ae8BOXxEyCgHgTiia3lJUHfGYVCYFvF5MuBFrL2-iXHxPIF79ShBiRMIo2mr-Hminu0hUXFdH/s1600/Cardinal_Babies_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PbDGH43MfTdw0xxYNH15uTOkdGatMjTxcLKv_o8NomnVTsYbeKxsKwl297clvN72hX0Ae8BOXxEyCgHgTiia3lJUHfGYVCYFvF5MuBFrL2-iXHxPIF79ShBiRMIo2mr-Hminu0hUXFdH/s1600/Cardinal_Babies_2.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One too many mouths!!</td></tr>
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After work, I used the pics and the training my Dad and "Grammie Loug" gave me on how to ID a bird and first checked the bill - def not a Cardinal. My second guess was "could it be feeding a baby Mockingbird?" We have Mockingbirds in the back yard so "maybe"?? But knowing the pissy 'tude of the parents that fly thru the yard I can't imagine that he/she would "allow" another to feed their baby. Checked the bill again - nope not a Mocking bird. <br />
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Definitely not a Finch as it was tooo big as a baby. I know it wasn't a Robin - we have a baby in the yard and his/her parents are taking great care of it. We also have at least 3 baby Brown Thrashers - which are similar in size and shape to a Mockingbird... nope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRwRznWtFE23UGONZR3ctCUTRQmL_GNue1prjqZxMIYFmLTyWDgsAZ7GWMKvIKYqo1_z8197rXANo_jlT1Mqr_rdRTImrph4cKbyj4aOKXhN4pqms7TryAeeU3qmxLRRfO80D0gswmi4L/s1600/Baby_Bath_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRwRznWtFE23UGONZR3ctCUTRQmL_GNue1prjqZxMIYFmLTyWDgsAZ7GWMKvIKYqo1_z8197rXANo_jlT1Mqr_rdRTImrph4cKbyj4aOKXhN4pqms7TryAeeU3qmxLRRfO80D0gswmi4L/s1600/Baby_Bath_1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Parasite" baby<br />
Brown Headed Cowbird Baby</td></tr>
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And then I thought... a parasite bird. I had had a discussion on Facebook with a fellow jewelry designer about a nest near her studio window and possible parasite bird egg in the nest "one of these things is not like the other" type of thing. And I looked up Cow Bird Juvenile. Sure enough - I was looking at the baby that was at the feeder.<br />
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The good and the bad of nature.<br />
<br />
Mother Nature has for some reason seen to it that some birds will NOT nest. They lay eggs though but they do it in OTHER birds nests. Most<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0wWhuJHJXlD-5jr7HD0fqOc31QFq1nMp10fkeNF_Cj4I13c3d6HkCpXtas4qoe2YlwdaDx2sZ73C5XEHmxR0ombvowF-kNmQ7nE3-T2NdxafoNOjo2T_abJ2EG8E7XHi1jc4g8_MZgHV/s1600/CardinalPair_Baby_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0wWhuJHJXlD-5jr7HD0fqOc31QFq1nMp10fkeNF_Cj4I13c3d6HkCpXtas4qoe2YlwdaDx2sZ73C5XEHmxR0ombvowF-kNmQ7nE3-T2NdxafoNOjo2T_abJ2EG8E7XHi1jc4g8_MZgHV/s1600/CardinalPair_Baby_1.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr & Mrs Cardinal and<br />
Baby Brown Headed Cowbird</td></tr>
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often they lay them in the nests of smaller birds which insures that "their" baby will flourish once hatched. They are generally bigger than the nesting birds babies and can beat them out for food. They have apparently been known to "oops sorry" knock the nesting birds babies out of the nest. That is what a Brown Headed Cowbird does. And yes, we have them in the yard. <br />
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Watching what I saw yesterday and then many times again today - made me sad and intrigued that Mr & Mrs Cardinal took care of these "Are You My Mother?" babies. Sad because I worry that the Cardinal's actual babies may not have survived. I am keeping my eyes open though - in the hopes that maybe it/they are still in the nest and simply haven't fledged yet. Mrs Cardinal was present a couple times yesterday but did not spend time feeding the faux "baby" much so my hope is she was attending to her true babies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpaDSDD0WWFc5hg5R6-OrGbhtj25EKCrB0Dp4S0P3kUbEoOr1S0c_QoG9P39meqb6njkZlDqfjXRk3PC6RCllK3FGDNbAOL8IP5DTnReU2YW7E79kTWILozYLqYXPk6jUCeUTkkKa6rqC/s1600/BrownThrasher3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpaDSDD0WWFc5hg5R6-OrGbhtj25EKCrB0Dp4S0P3kUbEoOr1S0c_QoG9P39meqb6njkZlDqfjXRk3PC6RCllK3FGDNbAOL8IP5DTnReU2YW7E79kTWILozYLqYXPk6jUCeUTkkKa6rqC/s1600/BrownThrasher3.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxCgEkCMIOuJDgda_wrTpEIt8JbdkE1xTzoLaPF1jqqxf-TwdOEyctYpG-0eA9nStsRu2X2HMwZHYkiNxTePQknaXWdWM_08RLzGs54pedmQci2vV6NnAnBZhFcSaf5nPRwa4Hvnle2Bv/s1600/MourningDove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxCgEkCMIOuJDgda_wrTpEIt8JbdkE1xTzoLaPF1jqqxf-TwdOEyctYpG-0eA9nStsRu2X2HMwZHYkiNxTePQknaXWdWM_08RLzGs54pedmQci2vV6NnAnBZhFcSaf5nPRwa4Hvnle2Bv/s1600/MourningDove.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mourning Dove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpr9c197llep2rQY784-4RQ60jqcJn3RT68Ar8OKC_p0Y2pdAtLrzeN2aa57djJnvTjh2FK_MDZkYyIZqfd_z5aVhwKJKAv89gHhJMibl-K693uAIoJmkWAY_7i_jTOq3gexZAebngghZ/s1600/Mockingbird_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpr9c197llep2rQY784-4RQ60jqcJn3RT68Ar8OKC_p0Y2pdAtLrzeN2aa57djJnvTjh2FK_MDZkYyIZqfd_z5aVhwKJKAv89gHhJMibl-K693uAIoJmkWAY_7i_jTOq3gexZAebngghZ/s1600/Mockingbird_2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mocking Bird</td></tr>
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Also spotted in the yard today - a Brown Thrasher which although looks mature pulled the "feed me" act a couple times but then fed himself (something that the Brown Headed Cowbird babies (aka faux Cardinal babies) did. They are truly big enough and able to feed themselves - I watched them, but they would pull the "feed me" baby act every time the parents were there.); Mocking bird; Mourning Dove(s); House Finch; Mr/Mrs Robin and baby (lordy he was noisy under my office window!! Wish I had realized what I was hearing and gotten a pic!); crows and - of course - squirrels. I didn't see the brown bunny that has visited the yard a few times this spring - but possibly because the grass is so long I just couldn't see him! LOL!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEkxcUJ5_y9y6H796S9EBSBn5eNSHbc7ugrW58_Km3Hnpxt2Y5nB3Bo8swn2d1YDoqWIfL66ZhhCSknBTjxbgCMDWukOGTU9WBAe_W6vdxpbJvFQk29QfFqaBY5ZHT50A4cJXTFfv03Rh/s1600/Feedme_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEkxcUJ5_y9y6H796S9EBSBn5eNSHbc7ugrW58_Km3Hnpxt2Y5nB3Bo8swn2d1YDoqWIfL66ZhhCSknBTjxbgCMDWukOGTU9WBAe_W6vdxpbJvFQk29QfFqaBY5ZHT50A4cJXTFfv03Rh/s1600/Feedme_1.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to feed the baby...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKtg3aZDrBV0eWex_TskIyQiq2eEpJRs2Ba8DHy0f6BDHgauH3hiN-xXEw4TkxA5wPqHb4l26dwogw0l4fktivVGc3RlCWBHN1UEaZKwSfj0Eq-popl1i-5kDyyO9LiBmdo8NDoGMwMeF/s1600/Feedme_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKtg3aZDrBV0eWex_TskIyQiq2eEpJRs2Ba8DHy0f6BDHgauH3hiN-xXEw4TkxA5wPqHb4l26dwogw0l4fktivVGc3RlCWBHN1UEaZKwSfj0Eq-popl1i-5kDyyO9LiBmdo8NDoGMwMeF/s1600/Feedme_2.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going in for the pass...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDefYiziNtiscCxgD1IQGkNkuv4BXhLGJzZTdRp7ZHhEvoV-xLrJi-Udfa7dzAKQRBKly2ndGm2xnjw7qdB2TAeNQ9qbCZ141c-8XYL79B9sPo2RlS2BuKiTb2T74bFZCCoih6xaaYO2Tv/s1600/Feedme_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDefYiziNtiscCxgD1IQGkNkuv4BXhLGJzZTdRp7ZHhEvoV-xLrJi-Udfa7dzAKQRBKly2ndGm2xnjw7qdB2TAeNQ9qbCZ141c-8XYL79B9sPo2RlS2BuKiTb2T74bFZCCoih6xaaYO2Tv/s1600/Feedme_3.jpg" height="158" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And fed!</td></tr>
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Although nature can sadden you - did the parasite babies (Cowbird babies) push out the true babies? It also really intrigues me that the Cardinal - which really must know that "this is not my baby" continued to feed them when they asked for it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ROM7aJLrChIK63_UqtSt0Mx3hu3Eg17jSkxu1CcKFF9CBp-tZ4XglTl0jNQoxZg7zXeW3DVVBNc6SLmI3Kq-nyP-w5Cl6Fhhs2N4s29mJkECHFmO4q-wosMRZ5iD-KFeOLF2m3qB5M51/s1600/Cardinal_Baby_Bath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ROM7aJLrChIK63_UqtSt0Mx3hu3Eg17jSkxu1CcKFF9CBp-tZ4XglTl0jNQoxZg7zXeW3DVVBNc6SLmI3Kq-nyP-w5Cl6Fhhs2N4s29mJkECHFmO4q-wosMRZ5iD-KFeOLF2m3qB5M51/s1600/Cardinal_Baby_Bath2.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Baby was on the bird bath and Mr Cardinal brought the food to it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYPb--4nOIKrmRuOgSOYTQ8DEYKtcFXnGAFIZ_ZdJTdz02iJL5motrQMq6IyGD_UwN_CYl5lq4XbvS18wkmA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-75207166494570977982014-05-13T00:12:00.001-05:002014-05-13T00:44:30.911-05:00Not a Tattoo...<div style="text-align: right;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-rJY2WywefLZT812N3v8wqLFU0UKYaaWolhKcJ5FstSHd_RD1mlTLg3Qc4LgOJQhKXeMctWhk2eT4_Qy_CHNgeBCKELZujHqiKrYUyEAtS-XgxgRQ1_Ni2cChW3zMjl6FW78OJPp7ezd/s1600/Andi-Bracelet_Focal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-rJY2WywefLZT812N3v8wqLFU0UKYaaWolhKcJ5FstSHd_RD1mlTLg3Qc4LgOJQhKXeMctWhk2eT4_Qy_CHNgeBCKELZujHqiKrYUyEAtS-XgxgRQ1_Ni2cChW3zMjl6FW78OJPp7ezd/s1600/Andi-Bracelet_Focal.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial starting design</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgof7W5HEAvOz72ezIJ0TCTvWsw5P3bvAkwo4B56S0d8cgNYmh3NjCU8fDzJ-qZv3Rig8ilb04zyJq5sQWX0Pt8cp3lE_mTrLAcSajaDhR7dDhm3Xf6eTaofFwuSH3wcSE2XwVjKR5Dh3lG/s1600/Andi_levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A friend wanted to get a tattoo to memorialize her family members, but she knew her dad would not approve of a tattoo... so she asked me about making a butterfly bracelet. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />As we spoke about the bracelet I asked about her parents and grandparents and found the love of roses and irises were as strong as butterflies. She also wanted to include their birthstones on the butterfly.<br /><br />An idea began to evolve. I instinctively leaned toward sterling silver metal clay - because that's my first go-to... and then I thought about my new classic metalsmithing skills and wondered about doing it in sterling sheet... and then it hit me - sterling sheet w/ enamel! I could add color to it to really bring it alive. We hadn't considered color in the initial discussions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gtaa-7OT7X_z6NZoljr_U5ZrWIRkJ3UVfqGWXaAQA_jd7nhy383rA0O8zdNDzQgoQJvHMNG5CqHQ0JxITJWbThJx9tYaOs0kITWvwmD0Dp1f68SE3uWD1FLmtPSLV1IMJqe70wqvah1f/s1600/Andi_levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gtaa-7OT7X_z6NZoljr_U5ZrWIRkJ3UVfqGWXaAQA_jd7nhy383rA0O8zdNDzQgoQJvHMNG5CqHQ0JxITJWbThJx9tYaOs0kITWvwmD0Dp1f68SE3uWD1FLmtPSLV1IMJqe70wqvah1f/s1600/Andi_levels.jpg" height="123" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">More discussion and I found it was yellow roses and purple irises. As I worked the design, filigree seemed to fit perfectly allowing the wings of the butterfly to be open and fragile looking like a butterfly wings would be.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The focal is less than 2" wide approx 1" tall and the spaces for the birthstones were very tiny so I opted to "create" the colors using my enamels. Turquoise, Garnet and Peridot - got those pretty quick, the opal concerned me but with some "fiddling" I got an opal I was pretty pleased with!<br /><br />Some process shots ...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6uvnS_lom0JuE6a01J8xs9xNBUb5ycYaV-k1aeOoSaWtJ0UrDs57dlSKizw4z0lyZdcD4pVV7impAlzvUJ9p2SZGesngnrPKV0Ibi15bt_rIJnx2g5O4muW-Gz3X6r6E6_o8oG0h3kkU/s1600/focal_cut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6uvnS_lom0JuE6a01J8xs9xNBUb5ycYaV-k1aeOoSaWtJ0UrDs57dlSKizw4z0lyZdcD4pVV7impAlzvUJ9p2SZGesngnrPKV0Ibi15bt_rIJnx2g5O4muW-Gz3X6r6E6_o8oG0h3kkU/s1600/focal_cut1.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers cut from sterling sheet</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfaubJRw8FjPpS12bKim5mEr2qAv-AIADgNkKerHRj5tnbIt3SAQHrsFDUBG3NvxBhe7ynqwX_b9mz4gQrJexKOLNrG1TK5o4mkKFKXE2bxolLdgq3xBth9zKNUNbr0T2GXupmTEsVmq7/s1600/focal_cut2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfaubJRw8FjPpS12bKim5mEr2qAv-AIADgNkKerHRj5tnbIt3SAQHrsFDUBG3NvxBhe7ynqwX_b9mz4gQrJexKOLNrG1TK5o4mkKFKXE2bxolLdgq3xBth9zKNUNbr0T2GXupmTEsVmq7/s1600/focal_cut2.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces stacked to test fit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtt64IcVz6ghChPs964AENR-Aah6WHmImYtCJwEWZoh-302z2Gaqa9threQJ4enVITap1JP4xL0tWYA6-Zl0BL6lqxtg1KNvmyKk3BDssK-QTamuN7AtwpMH3R3vcX9OzezTVnbK0a6jn/s1600/focal_soldered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtt64IcVz6ghChPs964AENR-Aah6WHmImYtCJwEWZoh-302z2Gaqa9threQJ4enVITap1JP4xL0tWYA6-Zl0BL6lqxtg1KNvmyKk3BDssK-QTamuN7AtwpMH3R3vcX9OzezTVnbK0a6jn/s1600/focal_soldered.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces soldered together, cell<br />
wires added and filigree wing wires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9DaEON3zVGn57lTHaMv5gv4TkoxWFZVWRlFE4FYYvvte2qMAv6L0CM_sz4j_okPQXCP-FVU3K4q_txC1AValUdK3BGKLA7cfm4dMZklvS_hjx1OKyHSJderwHaJgxxDUHATfKPRgLwrs/s1600/focal_enamel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9DaEON3zVGn57lTHaMv5gv4TkoxWFZVWRlFE4FYYvvte2qMAv6L0CM_sz4j_okPQXCP-FVU3K4q_txC1AValUdK3BGKLA7cfm4dMZklvS_hjx1OKyHSJderwHaJgxxDUHATfKPRgLwrs/s1600/focal_enamel1.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fired and pickled many times<br />
in prep for enameling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf3822iRnfZKB2EH0Ex2oN0hadmAnpsbJPjtLHMbVj09GtkXEatvjxN3EkYopgKWBS_9jj3bsixci92su8x6XCqN6QpVItuhaUS_8E5uT-fd1Zq_gkxgmAXDpV8VtBdBAjXHqWQ7GOx-9/s1600/focal_enamel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf3822iRnfZKB2EH0Ex2oN0hadmAnpsbJPjtLHMbVj09GtkXEatvjxN3EkYopgKWBS_9jj3bsixci92su8x6XCqN6QpVItuhaUS_8E5uT-fd1Zq_gkxgmAXDpV8VtBdBAjXHqWQ7GOx-9/s1600/focal_enamel2.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial layers of enamel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdiNV6-dCjUNsiMTIkh2BAF27vCAP2tkTp-zUDo81SDdrWqtVTiZnI48ZrotcDzQTIaQQNKYbo-NxzY4AGXMSEI3Q2eQquuNjZrNaAxwEbKIXRHayUCrFO7aAHRqY0hRCyf9rB7rNX7fm/s1600/focal_enamel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdiNV6-dCjUNsiMTIkh2BAF27vCAP2tkTp-zUDo81SDdrWqtVTiZnI48ZrotcDzQTIaQQNKYbo-NxzY4AGXMSEI3Q2eQquuNjZrNaAxwEbKIXRHayUCrFO7aAHRqY0hRCyf9rB7rNX7fm/s1600/focal_enamel3.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Additional layers of enamel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaVVMrtyY-QYdWeLo8izEJ8NCKK7uRkcY3PvaxruUbVdWyVNeJvm3n9DzqODpHog74VBj-NNcKeyLi_6mrKmeXdF449F3kj5tJ7ncgyv2ddddJgKvNnJSFFhLGZ7WYdrVobYbdUwraOmB/s1600/Focal_finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaVVMrtyY-QYdWeLo8izEJ8NCKK7uRkcY3PvaxruUbVdWyVNeJvm3n9DzqODpHog74VBj-NNcKeyLi_6mrKmeXdF449F3kj5tJ7ncgyv2ddddJgKvNnJSFFhLGZ7WYdrVobYbdUwraOmB/s1600/Focal_finished.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished focal with enameled<br />"birthstones"</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ncEifepbXMFwKaqJQj85XUrVnbAFKj737zUcUv0TU3cgldfnDiDE28TRSjig-O1DdqfpHBCkkkHKZkimHK15LhO1qUOsRt61NVZar5cAOVsy95tObaC2eE75ribxcp5u40on3BE7HaE/s1600/finished_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ncEifepbXMFwKaqJQj85XUrVnbAFKj737zUcUv0TU3cgldfnDiDE28TRSjig-O1DdqfpHBCkkkHKZkimHK15LhO1qUOsRt61NVZar5cAOVsy95tObaC2eE75ribxcp5u40on3BE7HaE/s1600/finished_1.jpg" height="200" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chainmaille bracelet w entwined<br />rings, birthstone dangle & mag clasp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ5vHdRpcLGgZ3AZhBu9iTyNCLHo9JjcN6Ebnv6GXRlKj75FexvnKwv5zzpnOnG1w_e8c63IczQ9ya9x6KftzjTbFkXUklsN0OhCcLof0mVebMTHeoLX3kNkcQbbIlMKitcVefSw0bA84/s1600/on+arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ5vHdRpcLGgZ3AZhBu9iTyNCLHo9JjcN6Ebnv6GXRlKj75FexvnKwv5zzpnOnG1w_e8c63IczQ9ya9x6KftzjTbFkXUklsN0OhCcLof0mVebMTHeoLX3kNkcQbbIlMKitcVefSw0bA84/s1600/on+arm.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished piece on the wrist of a pleased <br />
daughter and grand daughter</td></tr>
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Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-17617035712010884662014-02-18T19:08:00.001-06:002014-02-18T19:08:17.002-06:00Amethyst Squared... or rather Cubed! ;o)<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stepping outside my box - more into fabrication... what am I saying - TOTAL fabrication!! Some of my friends refer to this as "from scratch". :o)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusR0xjuCoDtQtJF7ZuD8auPU2QtbPegSpCv4E1ubMoN1puUr8f7syRYep_HdNSdY1t27c9p_xK9Ek4wT5hJ96VI7fbBrfDncL8BUIzzqBNlR25QScOF9w4FheWL4HX4Y7ekjjxcVr6Ehd/s1600/Amethyst_Cubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusR0xjuCoDtQtJF7ZuD8auPU2QtbPegSpCv4E1ubMoN1puUr8f7syRYep_HdNSdY1t27c9p_xK9Ek4wT5hJ96VI7fbBrfDncL8BUIzzqBNlR25QScOF9w4FheWL4HX4Y7ekjjxcVr6Ehd/s1600/Amethyst_Cubes.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had two 8mm square Amethyst cabochons that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I had put aside for a friends February birthday and they were yelling to me... MAKE SOMETHING!! I wanted to set them but lordy I have not set square cabs ... have never made </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">square bezel... never mind a square bezel cup - sides and bottom!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Out came the design book one evening, then transfer design to Photoshop (just something I do) and then I waited for Friday and for the work-work day to be over. <br /><br />I have to tell you, something incredible happened Friday evening - the "Studio Gods" smiled on me. NEVER have I felt more in sync with materials, process, design. I felt like I was in an awesome groove. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">No melted wires, no messed up bezel cups, no waste, no bumped head!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoeQzKpY2t9lIGk0gbDldlJf6hIAtD1c9Q6SHnDzCSSpbj5NlyvnXqjQg5UGK1ObmExD8zKvmu-pcO8JvROF58ZL262hyUrUSWkw7GNsnArDOvznGiWkqVqzzjd4Sgxzi-s35sMHHmIP6/s1600/bezels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoeQzKpY2t9lIGk0gbDldlJf6hIAtD1c9Q6SHnDzCSSpbj5NlyvnXqjQg5UGK1ObmExD8zKvmu-pcO8JvROF58ZL262hyUrUSWkw7GNsnArDOvznGiWkqVqzzjd4Sgxzi-s35sMHHmIP6/s1600/bezels.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I started with "the hard part"... the bezel cups made from Sterling and Fine Silver that the gems are supposed to sit in. I figured... If I could do this, I could do the rest! Measure, wrap, measure again, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">cut,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">trial fit, file, clean, solder... sides! Place on sheet metal, solder, fit, trim, file, clean, retest fit... cup!! Now they were tall - prob 2x taller than needed. So I marked them, sawed off the excess, filed and cleaned up. DONE! ;o)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMa8-AOzy1wGE5ymbc1Dz0QJysBslMcbgJpZLEkAPE_XcFOCM9GWjd2cq7Sv62q4fQN6KliPyDCzIHLCOuzDiP3u6kSvOVJrVJuR8-J_J8_6ydrJIBOnDcO41z3kgK7m2S7qjP14q4L9C/s1600/plasticmandrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMa8-AOzy1wGE5ymbc1Dz0QJysBslMcbgJpZLEkAPE_XcFOCM9GWjd2cq7Sv62q4fQN6KliPyDCzIHLCOuzDiP3u6kSvOVJrVJuR8-J_J8_6ydrJIBOnDcO41z3kgK7m2S7qjP14q4L9C/s1600/plasticmandrels.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">NOW For the base - thanks to my obsession with having to buy tools that look cool, different, "may need that some day" or "ohhh that's a good inexpensive version of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">what I "might need" let's try it til I think I REALLY need it"... I have a weird set of plastic stepped mandrels in different shapes. The largest size square was perfect for what I wanted for the base of the earrings. I formed the base using Sterling Silver square wire and the square plastic stepped mandrel - shaped, checked, pushed, checked, cut, checked, soldered... checked - sweeeet! ;) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then I cut two squares from the Sterling Silver sheet, filed the edges, rounded the corners a touch to keep from wounding anyone. Then I formed the twisted Sterling Silver wire to form the "ropes". </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I placed, checked and then soldered the "ropes" onto the base square, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">cleaned the piece and then placed and soldered the top decorative </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">square onto the base and "ropes". Cleaned again and then placed and soldered the bezel cups onto the bottom of the earring base. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />The two pieces went into the pickle pot to clean and I went to work forming the pierced earring post... I have a small (SMALL - like 1" x 2" MAYBE) steel draw plate that I use to make the posts. First I use a mini torch to ball the ends of a 1" piece of Sterling Silver wire (when you hold it into the flame it forms a ball and it slowly creeps up the wire forming a bigger ball). Once cooled I put the wire in the smallest hole it will fit in inside the draw plate (which is being held by my small (SMALL! ;o)) vice. And I wack the ball with a hammer. This flattens out the ball forming a flat top instead of a ball. THIS I have found makes soldering a post onto an earring back MUCH MUCH EASIER. The posts were then soldered onto the earring bases and the two completed but not set earrings were pickled one more time and I was done for the evening! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">::phew:: Nothing. Went. Wrong. STILL!! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The next night all the cleaned and rinsed pieces were ready to have the Amethysts set. I still felt the cups may be a 'touch' to tall so I cut two pieces of PVC card to fit into the cups (1 each). The cabochon went on top and POOF perfect height. Slowly I pushed the edges (starting at the corners) in - moving the metal slowly and not scratching the stone. and finally... they were set. I cleaned up the pieces, burnished the cups and base pieces and then tossed them into the tumbler with stainless steel shot to harden and shine. The next day they came out, were </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">rinsed off, the posts trimmed, scratch brush used on the top square to give it texture and a matte finish. A purchased Sterling Silver earring nut was added to both and they were complete. </span><br />
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This was THE BEST project - I felt completely in sync with the materials and the project. Such fun pair of earrings and I'm very pleased with the outcome!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Size: 1.75" x 1.5"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Stones: 8mm</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-64139612987395270942014-02-15T23:18:00.000-06:002014-02-15T23:20:22.233-06:00Back in the Studio...Climbed back up on the horse after looking at late 2012/2013 year in review and seeing how few pieces I posted. No wonder I've been feeling "out of sorts"!! To much what I call "work-work" not enough creative play = "out of sorts" Cindy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXf6_Czs1eISBulqsq_8BZoqxKvJXEp6lK7-TebZp8d8hrP4z5jXEPg9gSJVIsYxc8uNksYsgdgfXq1CcUSsW43Nrwb-PQIQaKwwcOu16QlbRuMZfbnQ8Lcg8IQSiByXjeC3LL5LjDgzw/s1600/Jan2014_Locket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXf6_Czs1eISBulqsq_8BZoqxKvJXEp6lK7-TebZp8d8hrP4z5jXEPg9gSJVIsYxc8uNksYsgdgfXq1CcUSsW43Nrwb-PQIQaKwwcOu16QlbRuMZfbnQ8Lcg8IQSiByXjeC3LL5LjDgzw/s1600/Jan2014_Locket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXf6_Czs1eISBulqsq_8BZoqxKvJXEp6lK7-TebZp8d8hrP4z5jXEPg9gSJVIsYxc8uNksYsgdgfXq1CcUSsW43Nrwb-PQIQaKwwcOu16QlbRuMZfbnQ8Lcg8IQSiByXjeC3LL5LjDgzw/s1600/Jan2014_Locket.jpg" height="200" width="191" /></a><b><i>Fine Silver Locket...</i></b></div>
I took a "hinge-less locket" class at the Memphis Botanic Garden in mid January and after making my piece I have ideas for how to change it up, improve on the piece I did (example - I did a deeper curve on mine so it was a bit smaller than the rest in class so my bezel should have been smaller... next time I will take all that into consideration. :o) ). I love taking classes - even if it's a repeat which I do quite often - I tend to learn something new each time OR get ideas on how to tweak projects and make them my own. (Next class is spinner rings! :o) )<br />
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<b><i>earth prints in Sterling Silver...</i></b><br />
On Jan 9 - 31 I took part in the Memphis Botanic Garden "Incognito Artist Silent Auction". The idea is that <br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">all pieces submitted are not "signed" (as most of them are paintings that is easy to do) and bidders are encouraged to "bid on what you love, not who you know". I created Sterling Silver versions of my "earth prints" in the form of a bracelet and an earring/necklace set. I loved every minute of creating these pieces! They speak to me and the "clean" edges on these - as opposed to the more organic look my latest bronze pieces have been was a fun different look for these. </span><br />
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The pieces were pretty well received - they were on display from 9th thru the 31 with a big Gala event the evening of the 31st when the silent bid auction took place. My necklace and earring set brought in a winning bid of $125 and my bracelet brought in a winning bid of $50. Not a bad donation for the Garden Education Department.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhU9oabIvx2uXK7zuVtDM5RDwquUuQzkkgjVIgcPq43Wog77jkgsWbnSlw1YRPKMvQdf4EoLc72qDISrDoqJPaEzyDtnqEkvBrQ4kmTdqZZURmtxXKNGNc09R4H7a33ekKALKBLAAGROu/s1600/Incognito_2014_Bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhU9oabIvx2uXK7zuVtDM5RDwquUuQzkkgjVIgcPq43Wog77jkgsWbnSlw1YRPKMvQdf4EoLc72qDISrDoqJPaEzyDtnqEkvBrQ4kmTdqZZURmtxXKNGNc09R4H7a33ekKALKBLAAGROu/s1600/Incognito_2014_Bracelet.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_jHiN4nKuqA1VzSGPQ7o7dOUyLwVMLJE-l8Ad0JR6L3D_mJ9xa8xi0IeQLvTLa3ig8ce0Ap5WdrhJeA43icIJsSjB_KBAzp8BJ16gUsvMk6hJ39sCFmmxHrQXo2McWUkCQ3qQCUwnFft/s1600/Cilantro_Amethyst_Strung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_jHiN4nKuqA1VzSGPQ7o7dOUyLwVMLJE-l8Ad0JR6L3D_mJ9xa8xi0IeQLvTLa3ig8ce0Ap5WdrhJeA43icIJsSjB_KBAzp8BJ16gUsvMk6hJ39sCFmmxHrQXo2McWUkCQ3qQCUwnFft/s1600/Cilantro_Amethyst_Strung.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_jHiN4nKuqA1VzSGPQ7o7dOUyLwVMLJE-l8Ad0JR6L3D_mJ9xa8xi0IeQLvTLa3ig8ce0Ap5WdrhJeA43icIJsSjB_KBAzp8BJ16gUsvMk6hJ39sCFmmxHrQXo2McWUkCQ3qQCUwnFft/s1600/Cilantro_Amethyst_Strung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><b><i>Bronze earth print:<br />Cilantro w Amethyst ... </i></b><br />
On even better news - I posted the Bronze Cilantro w Amethyst crystals <b><i>earth print</i></b> I wore to the Incognito Gala on Facebook to show how cool it looked with some organic ceramic beads and SOMEONE ASKED TO BUY IT! - Ok I know, I have sold pieces before, and even shipped to Australia but ... ::giggle:: it never gets old! ;o)<br />
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The piece had two Amethyst Crystals (little pieces that chipped off when I dropped an Amethyst Druzy piece on the floor by accident) fired in place in the Bronze. They clouded in the kiln - which I expected something to happen because Amethyst should not be fired - and let me tell you - they were soo cool looking. They clouded, did not fracture or break, just ended up looking almost like Moonstone. I paired it with two twist tube organic textured, ceramic beads with a slight turquoise coloring on them. Strung it all on a brown leather cord and created hand-coiled end caps and "S" hook. <span style="text-align: center;">It was restrung and is now in the loving hands of it's new owner. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMdChbQ7CcPLhIHb3CjVsmMVJI4UayXPBYck1ddGNGlU0OY9pET8WggGrKAldShjJ5SFuN_v3AWUKc3R7NcaZUaS6UI6yEHtH613Ps2HUS19MvPWdRALA9f1A4jqu3QkCjDqGgqSXNEQ/s1600/Grn-Heart-Pendant_021114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCMdChbQ7CcPLhIHb3CjVsmMVJI4UayXPBYck1ddGNGlU0OY9pET8WggGrKAldShjJ5SFuN_v3AWUKc3R7NcaZUaS6UI6yEHtH613Ps2HUS19MvPWdRALA9f1A4jqu3QkCjDqGgqSXNEQ/s1600/Grn-Heart-Pendant_021114.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i>Heart Felt <br />& Simply Understated...</i></b><br />
My latest piece was a custom Valentine's Day gift. Now I know this gifter and they let me pretty much have my own way but I wanted them to be able to have a hand in the piece also so when they told me the receiver's favorite color is green so I went thru my stash of lampwork beads and pulled out three types of green beads....<br />
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<ol>
<li>"cutesy" green - like cupcakes</li>
<li>"love" green - hearts of diff shapes, sizes and shades</li>
<li>"dressy" green - more modern take on green lampwork beads - long focals, swirls, etc.</li>
</ol>
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Without even asking for more the large heart focal was picked. No second guessing - just perfect. It has an opaque almost Emerald green bottom and transparent green top with silver swirled where the different glasses meet. The heart focal is one I had gotten from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrincipessaJewelsGlass" target="_blank">Principessa Jewels & Glass</a>.<br />
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I went for a "simply understated" look and highlighted the colors on the bead by using 4mm Swarovski Crystals (sand opal, olivine, emerald and peridot) and added one for the gifters birthstone and one for the receivers birthstone. I hung the pendant from a black leather cord (also requested by the gifter) with Sterling Silver hand-coiled end caps, "S" hook and then added a 2" chain to allow for it to be worn at varying lengths. I finished it off with a clear crystal Swarovski heart. </div>
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I have been back in the Studio this weekend too - started and finished a project that went INCREDIBLY SMOOTH! :o) Right now the pieces are in the tumbler so more later!! :o) </div>
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<i>Thanks for "listening". :o)</i></div>
Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-71100776892272206002014-02-06T23:56:00.001-06:002014-02-07T00:20:57.779-06:00A year past?! 2013 Year in Review...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">I'm late</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">I'm late</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">For a very important date</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;">No time to say hello, goodbye! I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- White Rabbit, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland<br /><br /><b>Oh, my goodness!</b><br />- Shirley Temple, Poor Little Rich Girl'</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I couldn't choose which to use as the title to this blog post! Because Oh, my goodness! I'm late! I'm late! it has been over a YEAR since my last post - Oh, my goodness! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.1200008392334px;"><br />So what do I do? Do I try and update in order or do I show you what I've created in the past year? I'm thinking a "quick" (seriously have you ever found me to be QUICK on this blog?) "Year in Review" is in order - so here we go!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uHWdoGa6xB9dai8g48vDOrm1Lm2L6cEipRlpAfk6NDa7j2F7CiZYFfja5owS8I9EmLXn58G1d42IzcXcHZfU8IwykWBikOGxjaL1aIBMF-kGJ7UrsVo70-AOVNeQTxDTpBcY9wttmlx7/s1600/Dec12_Trish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uHWdoGa6xB9dai8g48vDOrm1Lm2L6cEipRlpAfk6NDa7j2F7CiZYFfja5owS8I9EmLXn58G1d42IzcXcHZfU8IwykWBikOGxjaL1aIBMF-kGJ7UrsVo70-AOVNeQTxDTpBcY9wttmlx7/s1600/Dec12_Trish.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Custom Mother's Pendant - Intertwined Lives</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Three children, three circles, intertwined<br />as their lives are intertwined. <br />Sterling Silver hand-forged open<br />filigree design. Lab created stones:<br />Topaz and Emerald with Pearl (all 6mm). <br />Manufactured Sterling Silver chain w/ <br />coordinating 3 circle links connecting long link.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwuZnPTgaRlfXPKQM2iSyMfGWkA0-a-mhT1uJHy-6Dq7Yza2ye-jPqfR8bJFT_oxotsoRfD7JTw4kZSc51qFwt2OAhOBf5yMT_1hah8pFvMyiOvwbQ-NOphYNugru1gDejie8rP2uMiZH/s1600/Dec12_Alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwuZnPTgaRlfXPKQM2iSyMfGWkA0-a-mhT1uJHy-6Dq7Yza2ye-jPqfR8bJFT_oxotsoRfD7JTw4kZSc51qFwt2OAhOBf5yMT_1hah8pFvMyiOvwbQ-NOphYNugru1gDejie8rP2uMiZH/s1600/Dec12_Alex.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Mother's Love</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Special Mother's Pendant - Sterling Silver with Amethyst, Emerald and Aquamarine stones (CZs or lab made) representing three children. It hangs on a hand-dyed, black silk ribbon.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This is my first Mother's Pendant in Filigree and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I'm working on a design that will allow me to add additional children.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeYMGVSb8f3YxJTRHiJfnasyx1e2HiWnIgDVmYRyMAENi-oNXe_oFpf7edfMYUrbPfi6W2k4uym8rcyp3kd0-6H7YeAZ4mRb4TMKvHjB5pS_dasTnlOAyBVk2l1RNnVyPsvfc_aWAsvGo/s1600/Dec12_Heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeYMGVSb8f3YxJTRHiJfnasyx1e2HiWnIgDVmYRyMAENi-oNXe_oFpf7edfMYUrbPfi6W2k4uym8rcyp3kd0-6H7YeAZ4mRb4TMKvHjB5pS_dasTnlOAyBVk2l1RNnVyPsvfc_aWAsvGo/s1600/Dec12_Heart.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Custom Mother-In-Law Set - Heart Vines</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Two Sons and Daughter-in-law vining within her heart ... her heart of hearts. <br />Sterling Silver hand-forged open filigree design. Lab created stones: Sapphire and Tanzanite<br />with Pearl (all 6mm). Earrings are 6mm Sapphire and 4mm Pearls. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />Pendant hands from manufactured 20" Sterling Silver French Rope chain.<br />A beautiful compliment to the vining heart. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n41JbcGUjg8wLESUx-ZzCQjlYH_HIVp5VemfzuR0wC9cqTO8dk8q5pHjfe4IwYFnr8PqAisSMPR6dUweMAKQEIPIZPmXJO6BxiOobAsZuiIT5e0mRETTtUP1Sif-_IdnJmS_lD_Gqin-/s1600/Dec12_Katelynd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n41JbcGUjg8wLESUx-ZzCQjlYH_HIVp5VemfzuR0wC9cqTO8dk8q5pHjfe4IwYFnr8PqAisSMPR6dUweMAKQEIPIZPmXJO6BxiOobAsZuiIT5e0mRETTtUP1Sif-_IdnJmS_lD_Gqin-/s1600/Dec12_Katelynd.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">December 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Custom Filigree "Initial" Earrings...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sterling Silver earrings hand formed,<br />forged and soldered. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRBVKx_rRs42t_FIXq0yhXFFzAS83yKPlryjTGWmBsshdcHkAqMDrLYyrEdWn1iXT8L3O2RkqZggyzNEfY8PmletCp59p8uVy36rnPOehVmX-Qzci2c6FiXYlltKzme0SwFgOkkhiy9E/s1600/Dec12_AMary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVRBVKx_rRs42t_FIXq0yhXFFzAS83yKPlryjTGWmBsshdcHkAqMDrLYyrEdWn1iXT8L3O2RkqZggyzNEfY8PmletCp59p8uVy36rnPOehVmX-Qzci2c6FiXYlltKzme0SwFgOkkhiy9E/s1600/Dec12_AMary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"Family Pendant"...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sterling Silver wire, settings and chain. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This is a small piece I did for my Great Aunt...<br />Hand-shaped, and forged sterling silver wires<br />forming two hearts. The top stone is my<br />Great Uncle's stone (Turquoise),<br />bottom stone is for her daughter (my God-Mother). </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />My Great Aunt lost her husband last year, <br />and just recently lost her sister - who was buried<br />on what would have been my Great Uncle's birthday.<br />I thought I wanted to make her<br />something special this year for Christmas.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDWIuDloC523p3bhN_KRmSO9IHf1HjoFTRpqyklMqtNm7XWyw8LC5oXg-cHIPMYtcc3C-xryTwUELLa1OTePTr7-0RxNnxgKYgN1Yuxmp0ZsBsO-6ouygYi9LypUUVpUp5KRdVx8G1_vK/s1600/Jan_StBrigid_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDWIuDloC523p3bhN_KRmSO9IHf1HjoFTRpqyklMqtNm7XWyw8LC5oXg-cHIPMYtcc3C-xryTwUELLa1OTePTr7-0RxNnxgKYgN1Yuxmp0ZsBsO-6ouygYi9LypUUVpUp5KRdVx8G1_vK/s1600/Jan_StBrigid_1.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">January 2013<br />Sterling Silver St. Brigid's Cross<br />Designed to look like grasses<br />in the form of a cross.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxIh27ihCceWWJDsGN7isKt_PM5c4cF2yJ-1KtctynaxHyIqLM0cjBrSw5VXCLXAY_vC74qH5SkGw5DwjmTExyMvJAZBny7_0vmx70HVesw2A9xYjF1eq48XBmQPEeFFtFnl8Jj1Sgtul/s1600/Jan_StBrigid_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxIh27ihCceWWJDsGN7isKt_PM5c4cF2yJ-1KtctynaxHyIqLM0cjBrSw5VXCLXAY_vC74qH5SkGw5DwjmTExyMvJAZBny7_0vmx70HVesw2A9xYjF1eq48XBmQPEeFFtFnl8Jj1Sgtul/s1600/Jan_StBrigid_2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">January 2013<br />Bronze* St. Brigid's Cross<br />Designed to look like the grass ends<br />are tied.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5ZXNDQ1VNm3ibE7abdgL1VJySyj2WbMkhj3qbjVfx90UmT3Z4cgzEOdjtujqU-KvgF_bPZxP5fOAuPxlIaxFLCnbHwfaWhXs6x5c2d99bYm7x_qH15nZ2UPU7qLdWmeDBdlgXDaSUARZ/s1600/1_Moe_finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5ZXNDQ1VNm3ibE7abdgL1VJySyj2WbMkhj3qbjVfx90UmT3Z4cgzEOdjtujqU-KvgF_bPZxP5fOAuPxlIaxFLCnbHwfaWhXs6x5c2d99bYm7x_qH15nZ2UPU7qLdWmeDBdlgXDaSUARZ/s1600/1_Moe_finished.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">January 2013<br />FINISHED! Remember Moe from class in 2012?<br />In Jan 2013 I had a great set of <br />custom beads made specifically for this piece and <br />combined them with beautiful black<br /> and brown leather bolo cord, sterling silver <br />hand-fabricated end caps.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oI71vV-5t4hlSLAeAAPSA_fmTktLvihMN0xZ89UwIULEegcLfRrfOoDKWE6rXzCfWIl81x_fsI0sQ6uJP60FC-dHtXsCE35k_wCYOuX4tXlQcdvzKHarb5vYjXO7c2X61rkjaYa5HWMg/s1600/Aug_SomethingBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oI71vV-5t4hlSLAeAAPSA_fmTktLvihMN0xZ89UwIULEegcLfRrfOoDKWE6rXzCfWIl81x_fsI0sQ6uJP60FC-dHtXsCE35k_wCYOuX4tXlQcdvzKHarb5vYjXO7c2X61rkjaYa5HWMg/s1600/Aug_SomethingBlue.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">June 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Something Blue Ankle Bracelet</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hemp, Lampwork Glass and Sterling Silver. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />Made for a bride's beach wedding. The hand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">formed closure is sterling sliver heart w hook.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYEcdJcLDMt0DsUgO9Lz8uSjnBzPN6o8393GwCQ8C7NPG5JxX5F3DH9fcZAKO6unU6qk9aG3QXtcaifpTT891ZzpYhz3bqn3ABPsw-ouZ-KX8IFEIVIrCQ6aQrQQKsobOpFlZFXZfVOQd/s1600/June_ep_Sherri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYEcdJcLDMt0DsUgO9Lz8uSjnBzPN6o8393GwCQ8C7NPG5JxX5F3DH9fcZAKO6unU6qk9aG3QXtcaifpTT891ZzpYhz3bqn3ABPsw-ouZ-KX8IFEIVIrCQ6aQrQQKsobOpFlZFXZfVOQd/s1600/June_ep_Sherri.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">June 2013<br />"earth prints... Cilantro"</span><br />
Bronze (Goldie 50/50), Kumihimo Cord, Sterling Silver<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This was created from a mold I made of a sprig of cilantro that had just barely started to go to seed. I purposely left the edges "unfinished and uneven" to help with the "fossil" look. It has a fold-over bail on the back. The pendant hangs from a hand-crafted 20" kumihimo cord I braided using embroidery floss to get the small diameter - bronze, brown, cream and green were used. Finished it with sterling silver coiled ends and hook.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6spO7G1dlPDdK3zlogyLVxhO1lCqRCqvFRrwzgsLnaMJXx59UQIi17plHBi6Cc7AbZWhaZ3WZEZQWJyfjCWXRUF1cpYn40drCbd-lkn-SgF9TlTlMyGFGwIlL1-5J0To8V_QlrZtaaxMM/s1600/July_FoldFormGarnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6spO7G1dlPDdK3zlogyLVxhO1lCqRCqvFRrwzgsLnaMJXx59UQIi17plHBi6Cc7AbZWhaZ3WZEZQWJyfjCWXRUF1cpYn40drCbd-lkn-SgF9TlTlMyGFGwIlL1-5J0To8V_QlrZtaaxMM/s1600/July_FoldFormGarnet.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">July 2013<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Fold-Formed Copper with Mini Hessonite Garnet cluster</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Created this copper piece in Fold Forming Class at the</span><br />
Memphis Botanic Garden<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> last weekend with </span>Brandy Boyd<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">.<br />Brought it home and added the Mini Hessonite Garnet<br />cluster. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">It was going to be a bracelet but it really<br />didn't want to be - sometimes you just have <br />to listen to the piece!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvhW3pnQ2tsx_Yq5WsHDUewXpCEnAO6mwcXA91uidzGx4AN9RXMe_Ypbj9txx38VIjD5oL75PpCQ4TrkT9IQMdyYkTyW8fi3Fe-KHXKu0VC3PKPcJoiqPEhbWTEq8Tt7pP_RJaFt9h14P/s1600/Aug_Crow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvhW3pnQ2tsx_Yq5WsHDUewXpCEnAO6mwcXA91uidzGx4AN9RXMe_Ypbj9txx38VIjD5oL75PpCQ4TrkT9IQMdyYkTyW8fi3Fe-KHXKu0VC3PKPcJoiqPEhbWTEq8Tt7pP_RJaFt9h14P/s1600/Aug_Crow.jpg" height="200" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">July 2013<br />Remembrance Crow...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sterling Silver, Yellow Sapphire</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This crow was created as a<br />remembrance charm representing<br />a much loved grandparent<br />who LOVED crows!<br />The yellow eye represents his<br />November birthstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8DB5J-WRgg1XCAwdiwa3vckrCEeaCr415XU2BklC-UJm1zQ9vAispwDJjWT9YQma_8dFyg8w7kOcac6gD5HhFzZuX4snU94AvJgxvl1zBPKv1bNMxDH6_CDgx6gExU-jt9gssudnO30/s1600/August_GolfBracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4r8DB5J-WRgg1XCAwdiwa3vckrCEeaCr415XU2BklC-UJm1zQ9vAispwDJjWT9YQma_8dFyg8w7kOcac6gD5HhFzZuX4snU94AvJgxvl1zBPKv1bNMxDH6_CDgx6gExU-jt9gssudnO30/s1600/August_GolfBracelet.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">August 2013<br />Race for the Cure Golf Tournament<br />Sterling Silver Pink Ribbon Heart Charm w/ Golf Ball<br />on Sterling hand wrapped bangle with glass lampwork beads.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br />My new obsession... earth prints</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">earth prints are designed to look almost like a fossil found on a dig! Some of them have crystals poking thru others are set with birthstone czs.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwW0T8GxiVW01GHgC4z_Pi1d9sVRtOhMFd1hFyx7t5ChzFupnjEM88PMI3AbLgMpv-JGrdvfxelBPu9NOM2bRfW8-BCDufI-aJO9gufTJ5Mstodmn81MeKuA8DE2q9ztTUQWxuS9BK5zY/s1600/Aug_Saph_ep_ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwW0T8GxiVW01GHgC4z_Pi1d9sVRtOhMFd1hFyx7t5ChzFupnjEM88PMI3AbLgMpv-JGrdvfxelBPu9NOM2bRfW8-BCDufI-aJO9gufTJ5Mstodmn81MeKuA8DE2q9ztTUQWxuS9BK5zY/s1600/Aug_Saph_ep_ocean.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">August 2013<br />earth prints... "Sapphire Ocean" Pendant</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Bronze, Blue Leather, Sapphire Crystal</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This "Sapphire Ocean" pendant is approx 1 1/2" across by 1 1/4" high and is crafted using two of my own custom created mold. This is shown shown straight from the kiln with heat patina acquired during firing with only a slight brushing to bring up some sparkle on the high points of the piece. The Sapphire Crystal fired perfectly and looks wonderful in the pendant. The look fits my idea of earth prints perfectly. It is currently hanging from a length of blue leather cording.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oI71vV-5t4hlSLAeAAPSA_fmTktLvihMN0xZ89UwIULEegcLfRrfOoDKWE6rXzCfWIl81x_fsI0sQ6uJP60FC-dHtXsCE35k_wCYOuX4tXlQcdvzKHarb5vYjXO7c2X61rkjaYa5HWMg/s1600/Aug_SomethingBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oI71vV-5t4hlSLAeAAPSA_fmTktLvihMN0xZ89UwIULEegcLfRrfOoDKWE6rXzCfWIl81x_fsI0sQ6uJP60FC-dHtXsCE35k_wCYOuX4tXlQcdvzKHarb5vYjXO7c2X61rkjaYa5HWMg/s1600/Aug_SomethingBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH1OJrcQH3y-KIe73h4mGevZAdFuj2rKnErxaJ3NQprFOzZE2q-1QIukXMDeFmWonbvv-dzEJmRaIfuzfu98tQKrMuZjvLn1pUs6tna5_Pxj9IiyYZwfzGxB_paB_T6kKBbxDOYNih82J/s1600/Aug_epKeyrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH1OJrcQH3y-KIe73h4mGevZAdFuj2rKnErxaJ3NQprFOzZE2q-1QIukXMDeFmWonbvv-dzEJmRaIfuzfu98tQKrMuZjvLn1pUs6tna5_Pxj9IiyYZwfzGxB_paB_T6kKBbxDOYNih82J/s1600/Aug_epKeyrings.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">August 2013</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">earth prints... "Ocean" Key Fobs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Bronze, Leather, Bronze Wire</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">These </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">"Ocean" Key Fobs are approx 1" diameter using two of my own custom created molds and textures. They are shown straight from the kiln with heat patina acquired during firing. Some even have specs of carbon on them. The look fits my idea of earth prints perfectly. They hang from my hand-cut/bound leather cord fobs and have a purchased bronze colored key ring .</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIpb7joCryVvZOYxLVu70NHfTipPwG9WengytANn5FPXPsdEk8eqedhO9Eq-Ws7foIBFhRl2qYXpQ709Wp2AlQKVNHbmFE4IpKIXjqo-b1xUoGU4Tlx6iCqztx_ft4N2ju4fyjbL9yoDi/s1600/Sept_SeaQueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIpb7joCryVvZOYxLVu70NHfTipPwG9WengytANn5FPXPsdEk8eqedhO9Eq-Ws7foIBFhRl2qYXpQ709Wp2AlQKVNHbmFE4IpKIXjqo-b1xUoGU4Tlx6iCqztx_ft4N2ju4fyjbL9yoDi/s1600/Sept_SeaQueen.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">September 2013<br />
Took a wonderful Mask Class with UK Metal Clay & <br />
Enamel Artist - Joy Funnel<br />
Fine Silver with Enamels, CZs Shows front and back of my Sea Queen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSov5WafzVA04emqWoUizs_pF5DymkwlpOoQvlSy-s5C4O3OSBmpPvEyp8LJt2_SJbJ5Ph1QXrhqhiA_fX-2htFvyG1awbAfxqCzKgnkSp3IqX8n0CUl_buV1POv0yIdCbtMZH3pvcjtht/s1600/Oct_Larimar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSov5WafzVA04emqWoUizs_pF5DymkwlpOoQvlSy-s5C4O3OSBmpPvEyp8LJt2_SJbJ5Ph1QXrhqhiA_fX-2htFvyG1awbAfxqCzKgnkSp3IqX8n0CUl_buV1POv0yIdCbtMZH3pvcjtht/s1600/Oct_Larimar.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 2013<br />
Larimar & Sterling Silver<br />
A wonderful artist friend of mine cuts cabochons<br />
and creates beautiful jewelry. He sent me the pretty<br />
Larimar set pendant with a cabochon order.<br />
I loved it so much I asked him to cut me a couple<br />
of small triangle Larimar cabs so that I could<br />
try setting my own post earrings. I LOVE THEM!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SRFLXCJpYKZ7gsHLPUGL1VkeOiJ2dfCshEFPzkpp3BP__HPu2o-h5BIhX9igViNn3pjvgBSnWNr8ZLBy9fivO7Mkw48U2eqPa-CebsTHU2nkQ0TiFff_ycM9zmvsjoDk2Bk96gCiEZMp/s1600/Dec13_Dreamcatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SRFLXCJpYKZ7gsHLPUGL1VkeOiJ2dfCshEFPzkpp3BP__HPu2o-h5BIhX9igViNn3pjvgBSnWNr8ZLBy9fivO7Mkw48U2eqPa-CebsTHU2nkQ0TiFff_ycM9zmvsjoDk2Bk96gCiEZMp/s1600/Dec13_Dreamcatcher.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2013<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Dreamcatcher Sterling Silver Filigree Earrings</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sterling, Pearl </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Special custom order Christmas present for a bestie from her bestie. Both girls share the same birth month (June) and an inside joke... hence the 1 and 2 on the back of the hearts. Designed to fall slightly "off center" the dream catcher part of the earring is approx 1" diameter. It hangs approx 2 1/2" long from removable </span></span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">posts. This allows any "stud" like earring to be used.<br /><br />The feather and hearts were hand-crafted from sterling silver PMC.<br /><br />This was an incredibly fun project to design and create. Thank you to the "bestie" for allowing me to make her friend's Christmas present!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-XwatymEP2NIwfLXKeLFXUzUarjxiCsJCxvVNMhOPa4EJPyFvL4qXioaNrRVaW35aAIfCD_H1pZyMBOIVDbUcG59MifevKXDNRZBqoBooCACTLMMX1z4Kdyn6Nsizou8e41Y5C18Vpz_/s1600/Dec13_Leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-XwatymEP2NIwfLXKeLFXUzUarjxiCsJCxvVNMhOPa4EJPyFvL4qXioaNrRVaW35aAIfCD_H1pZyMBOIVDbUcG59MifevKXDNRZBqoBooCACTLMMX1z4Kdyn6Nsizou8e41Y5C18Vpz_/s1600/Dec13_Leaf.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">December 2013<br />Sterling Silver Filigree Leaf Mother's Pendant</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Hand-formed, customized Mother's Pendant featuring Mother of Pearl cab for June and Yellow Topaz for November birthdays. Hangs from doubled 1/8" hand-dyed black silk cord with hand-formed coil end caps, hook and a sterling silver (pmc) artisan tag. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This is my first international order and is wing it's way to New So Wales, Australia!! :o)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9MpP4vnGE5v02dxVwO6Kr_nA-E-R6rG7n3H5PksJkhKGsBRCbAbKjo2Oce1c26k3PyLTq_T1yDQ_rSvSStCK7QxVc86_bIbNjvIZ96LxsSl_XqVCtEBFb_NuNoxzUWubNyi43jMPaq0b/s1600/Dec_Mitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9MpP4vnGE5v02dxVwO6Kr_nA-E-R6rG7n3H5PksJkhKGsBRCbAbKjo2Oce1c26k3PyLTq_T1yDQ_rSvSStCK7QxVc86_bIbNjvIZ96LxsSl_XqVCtEBFb_NuNoxzUWubNyi43jMPaq0b/s1600/Dec_Mitten.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">December 2013<br />
Bronze Mitten Christmas Ornament<br />
This ornament went to my family members in lieu of a gift this year...<br />
The card below explains the meaning behind it.</td></tr>
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Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-30322230893022068442012-11-06T22:02:00.000-06:002014-05-14T22:46:23.418-05:00Flights of Filigree<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have stepped out and ventured into the gloriously beautiful world of Filigree! I saw my first piece of incredible filigree jewelry in person when I went to a large artisan show in Lancaster PA and discovered by chance the work of <a href="http://www.lisagallagher.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Gallagher</a>. Such tiny beautiful pieces w/ such tiny little pieces of twisted, shaped metal inside. I was, no I am... in awe.<br /><br />That
was 2 years ago... After buying books </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and looking at pieces and
dreaming </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">about trying it I finally said - </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Loug, just do it!" so this
past weekend I made my first attempt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW-5kWpMQp2Kz94-Hk6_dLTRslSWkH4a2BzV72_QohHUGppfBjCNWyXdCh82IpzCoBVzHtwrjfT70xw4ZbXQ3WWuTIFoiQ1uxq_Hxbmof3IW4Xwbrg4znDdCdae2GigqdbbL-iuINrdgt/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW-5kWpMQp2Kz94-Hk6_dLTRslSWkH4a2BzV72_QohHUGppfBjCNWyXdCh82IpzCoBVzHtwrjfT70xw4ZbXQ3WWuTIFoiQ1uxq_Hxbmof3IW4Xwbrg4znDdCdae2GigqdbbL-iuINrdgt/s320/0.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The thought was that it would be
an initial pin for my sister-in-law of a scarf. Although pleased that I
was able to solder the pieces and get them to hold, it didn't come out
as I imagined. Then I read some more of the Silver Threads book by
Jeanne Rhodes-Moen... and realized that I should have used square wire
(I used 18g round sterling) and I should have used Filigree wire (I used
twisted 24g round sterling). I could have pounded out the twisted wire
to more closely work like filigree wire but I kinda-sorta didn't read
that indepth. So I decided... Let's try it again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here
is attempt #2 a set of sterling silver leaf-shaped earrings with 6mm
light blue </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqOA7U6R9wrMqshfOfya4D9J0NuffCvCKADrZezdx1U5c3IQO0gc9yPc7x70GhbaLzCj_JPHPavOWXkkRp1txHdAzCkn0Hzr5pu9F-9VqRj9VEaGZjlAyfXi2Ecai6QKCHZXJog89rcR_/s1600/1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>(fabricated) cat's eye and 4mm moonstone cabochons. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqOA7U6R9wrMqshfOfya4D9J0NuffCvCKADrZezdx1U5c3IQO0gc9yPc7x70GhbaLzCj_JPHPavOWXkkRp1txHdAzCkn0Hzr5pu9F-9VqRj9VEaGZjlAyfXi2Ecai6QKCHZXJog89rcR_/s1600/1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqOA7U6R9wrMqshfOfya4D9J0NuffCvCKADrZezdx1U5c3IQO0gc9yPc7x70GhbaLzCj_JPHPavOWXkkRp1txHdAzCkn0Hzr5pu9F-9VqRj9VEaGZjlAyfXi2Ecai6QKCHZXJog89rcR_/s200/1.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a></span>I chose the light blue Cat's Eye because I know she had asked for a pair of blue Chalcedony earrings last year for Christmas - and I chose the Moonstones because they are a pretty grey color and dark grey is her favorite color. I initially intended to make them "post" earrings so I pulled out some pre-made bezels for the stones and a pair of pre-made posts - all sterling silver.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5sqhVqFbhiZIn7i88-hwrT0cd6kJzWjIgGamnt1kyoCvuTM0UL1Z9cdH-ccrLH1M67atq_jaRtRiBX3pXXVhNMZSdzyoYuUv76YqKSCSRa3WydbabhPfMij8evZCZmM5IDvndCE8_KMR/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5sqhVqFbhiZIn7i88-hwrT0cd6kJzWjIgGamnt1kyoCvuTM0UL1Z9cdH-ccrLH1M67atq_jaRtRiBX3pXXVhNMZSdzyoYuUv76YqKSCSRa3WydbabhPfMij8evZCZmM5IDvndCE8_KMR/s200/2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCDsmZnjP5UsyZCYnzl8RvUwvuwA_2t4AIbC1bukh-fAM-Sk6JznCUMg2PMMhujhHd1DKLCnJZuhGMvM-eJFCVOsPvqxAuQGbcwJr5_0Kb1BJvlrFD6l8mT4vJNp0oC2Qx5A_vThT7mEa/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This time I smartly hammered out about 14" of 24g twisted sterling silver to a nice flat piece of wire that has 'ribs' on the top and bottom. After doing that I needed to anneal it and that meant putting fire to it to soften it up again. After that - Pickle... that would become my mantra... shape, position, flux, solder, pickle... shape, position, flux, solder, pickle... ;o) <br /><br />I designed the earrings - because </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I use a leaf with my logo </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCDsmZnjP5UsyZCYnzl8RvUwvuwA_2t4AIbC1bukh-fAM-Sk6JznCUMg2PMMhujhHd1DKLCnJZuhGMvM-eJFCVOsPvqxAuQGbcwJr5_0Kb1BJvlrFD6l8mT4vJNp0oC2Qx5A_vThT7mEa/s1600/3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCDsmZnjP5UsyZCYnzl8RvUwvuwA_2t4AIbC1bukh-fAM-Sk6JznCUMg2PMMhujhHd1DKLCnJZuhGMvM-eJFCVOsPvqxAuQGbcwJr5_0Kb1BJvlrFD6l8mT4vJNp0oC2Qx5A_vThT7mEa/s200/3.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>on it as my jewelry tag I used that same shape for the earrings. It's a familiar feel I thought it would help me ease into the project. I worked in the stones - behind the blue stone was where I imagined the post would be for the earrings. Not heavily filigree'd but enough to get my feet wet and be pretty. I tend to start my designs in my design book and then move to my computer to work out some details. (Yes I have visions of owning one of the HP design </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">pads that they use on Project Runway!). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgTCjj2cUbGaTDImvxhbudtEntgvFeN5rzX_ePSCpF3-qOxHeSdoz3088R_SOBV57l5Z7dGxvFXoiDjALiY5aAjWrsWIkL1rUEHjrZzPJeeuzb7PEMTUllrpC8rIhzHmwRhk_9SH8bxR2/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgTCjj2cUbGaTDImvxhbudtEntgvFeN5rzX_ePSCpF3-qOxHeSdoz3088R_SOBV57l5Z7dGxvFXoiDjALiY5aAjWrsWIkL1rUEHjrZzPJeeuzb7PEMTUllrpC8rIhzHmwRhk_9SH8bxR2/s200/4.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next step was to cut the 18g square sterling silver wire and shape it to form the outside of the leaf and the center "vein". The outside is one piece bent, formed and curved to fit the design... the "vein" is a single piece also formed and curved to fit. I trimmed the pieces so that the Cat's Eye bezels would fit right into the top of the leaf. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br />Now for the tricky part - well, to me. Snipping and shaping the inside "filigree" pieces that form the curls and twirls of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iz0m7TNVpHr8JVQPNcHZNqZcehc3QAcoWTcFerLDQZga3BqJFx6hOJ-npfB0lI_TDMRa8WQ0JW2ztbgDEvbag1QDxrjaklI_UHLYByuQfub4H3hoOtV9qlERFf7GDaYEDpd_uodxvSUF/s1600/5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iz0m7TNVpHr8JVQPNcHZNqZcehc3QAcoWTcFerLDQZga3BqJFx6hOJ-npfB0lI_TDMRa8WQ0JW2ztbgDEvbag1QDxrjaklI_UHLYByuQfub4H3hoOtV9qlERFf7GDaYEDpd_uodxvSUF/s200/5.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>the earrings center design. These little pieces are interesting to work with. The flattened twisted wire sometimes gave me "fits" but I have to say it was very fun to do. The top twirled piece on both earrings is actually in the form of a stylized up-side down heart. The Moonstone bezel will fit right into one of the twirls of the heart. <br /><br />Now... step 6 which I don't have a picture for - soldering. I </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HTb4vMxdLJEdROpmBecc74JQjV85YSN47FMg_YqDi5PWUa2uZjm9Ygup0Kxx6HbNolB1x5V0k1khHM-Y1japqI1eIW84zQSJm0laULdHC9kRJnaeqGodhEdLa0JACC7yWmtQuxSQeSOE/s1600/Sissy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HTb4vMxdLJEdROpmBecc74JQjV85YSN47FMg_YqDi5PWUa2uZjm9Ygup0Kxx6HbNolB1x5V0k1khHM-Y1japqI1eIW84zQSJm0laULdHC9kRJnaeqGodhEdLa0JACC7yWmtQuxSQeSOE/s200/Sissy.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>used my soldering block, small butane torch, easy and medium wire solder and flux. I am a klutz so to take a photo of the set-up w/ a torch ... nope wasn't happening. I thought about putting my tripod up but the 4-legged helpers were awake and that would cause interest in what I was doing more than they already had. (Here is a picture of my Sissy far enough away to be out of the way but close-enough to satisfy her need to be next to me.)</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br />However I do have a picture of my <b>NEW FAVORITE TOOL!</b> My </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">pickle pot is a small (dip size) crock pot that holds my pickling solution (I use Silver Prep as it's kinder to the environment) ... it is used to remove </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE8QAkSjtI_DwiBCWeyAdJamOFz6CyV6s5S3EP-6524LY0Llx7tLNM_NoLprXvddbmlvuY4bDkkjiWDrKG7K63nyikzPnLxpnOE_RrogLqdy1VgmUZJj0rLnJGsBXaDOLI1FYqePcD_QP/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE8QAkSjtI_DwiBCWeyAdJamOFz6CyV6s5S3EP-6524LY0Llx7tLNM_NoLprXvddbmlvuY4bDkkjiWDrKG7K63nyikzPnLxpnOE_RrogLqdy1VgmUZJj0rLnJGsBXaDOLI1FYqePcD_QP/s200/6.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">oxidation on the wire that comes from being heated by the torch. Apparently you need to remove the oxidation each time you solder. Well - walking the 10' to the kitchen each time I solder a piece was getting old so I thought hmmm I can get a small dish to put some in and put it on my mug warmer on my work station... My friend Beth reminded me to cover it so the "helpers" don't get into it by mistake. I thought ... cool - I have a tea cup from Hong Kong with a cover... and then I stopped in my tracks .. <b>I HAVE A TEA CUP WITH A COVER *AND* A STRAINER!</b> Now... if you don't do this you have no idea how cool this is... when you put small pieces into a pickle pot the hardest thing to do is get them back out of the pot... with the porcelain strainer your pieces sit in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">pickle and are easier to get access too!! Too cool! My new favorite tool!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yRdrxBohbpjzxzdDnpWbs9LLVvyEVDvJ0ZVGWtNYpDNCHOL7ex6UfbVvW-qEAh10yO2hahEZsT2XSUNyennmQVCK93ylnMSCSC7JNXmcVOFGqOFR1qFvovfMY6gAtd4SWl10znhU6Eio/s1600/7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yRdrxBohbpjzxzdDnpWbs9LLVvyEVDvJ0ZVGWtNYpDNCHOL7ex6UfbVvW-qEAh10yO2hahEZsT2XSUNyennmQVCK93ylnMSCSC7JNXmcVOFGqOFR1qFvovfMY6gAtd4SWl10znhU6Eio/s200/7.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I worked the placement and the soldering of the filigree wires and the Moonstone bezel and then after polling my FB fans (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/calDESIGNNaturals" target="_blank">calDesign Naturals</a>) I decided to forgo the posts and make ear wires instead. I solde</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">red a 3" piece of 20g sterling silver onto the back of the Cat's Eye bezel to form into an earring wire later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />H</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ere I laid the soldered pieces on the original design to see how close I got... not bad I think, not bad! I'm also looking to see if they are close to being similar left and right earrings. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Th</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHtDULVP9R9inAfN37QTLrgFGU6Ns6RuHpA_c5FAnJ5ims_KqA9GlVNdPlDiChCrZerkMRx0a0G70uWstrPvRUsObe07CCD7m9vwVCRxqMQ_TjUbDKWk432s1NUKr8_bSyvOad6klmp3R/s1600/8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHtDULVP9R9inAfN37QTLrgFGU6Ns6RuHpA_c5FAnJ5ims_KqA9GlVNdPlDiChCrZerkMRx0a0G70uWstrPvRUsObe07CCD7m9vwVCRxqMQ_TjUbDKWk432s1NUKr8_bSyvOad6klmp3R/s200/8.jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a>e closer they are to the design the better off they will be when being worn.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A quick look at the back - I wanted to check the solder points. You want to be</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sure that they were smooth and would not catch on anything. I used a file </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to smooth these areas, double checked the ear wire placement and prepared to form the ear wires.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VG8e5apKhuzOPuNPSvsDHskfR8FOgx8atLMZqsEThkt9a8FIL5JvIm2KuDmjyADbZ3EfEh2b-Prcz1N0bGu1WEFT6jm_okfkXpkcvD99nCWXVjAcYVA7imzClG9sgjovSlhgKGzFx2vp/s1600/9.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VG8e5apKhuzOPuNPSvsDHskfR8FOgx8atLMZqsEThkt9a8FIL5JvIm2KuDmjyADbZ3EfEh2b-Prcz1N0bGu1WEFT6jm_okfkXpkcvD99nCWXVjAcYVA7imzClG9sgjovSlhgKGzFx2vp/s200/9.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Forming Ear Wires...</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>A couple bends with flat nose pliers, a twirl onto a pair of bail pliers and POOF I have some ear wires. They were about 1/2" to long so I trimmed then down, bent up the ends a little and - ear wires! :o)<br /><br />Next is to put these in the tumbler. A tumbler will shine up the pieces as well as work-harden the pieces. Each time it is soldered, the heat will soften the wire. Work-hardening it will toughen the wire up so that it's not flimsy bend-able soft. And the "spahkle" it giv</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">es is wonderful!!<br /><br />Last step is to put the stones in, shoot, package and send! A beautiful pair of earrings for my sister-in-law. <br /><br />I hope she enjoys wearing them as much as I enjoyed </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">creating
them. And I can tell you I will DEFINITELY do this again. I love what I
was able to create and want to do it again and try and work filigree
into my metal clay designs! </span><br />
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Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-53581169495060032042012-09-13T23:26:00.001-05:002012-11-07T00:33:10.395-06:00Awareness, Studio Update & New Studio Kitties! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd92lAKx6qeyFi0-cJn7Lj3V3TMspmOEVpW5zovmzrfeNp4TBvq7g4_jlB7pV3SN-3Cq7_wfjS6TOqRO8tmRYc-g1ewePqyp6fStBTNTxJOyPljRePN2Yz4GcVLHwIm03gllIwl-l8GS4q/s1600/HopeLoveGolf_081612.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd92lAKx6qeyFi0-cJn7Lj3V3TMspmOEVpW5zovmzrfeNp4TBvq7g4_jlB7pV3SN-3Cq7_wfjS6TOqRO8tmRYc-g1ewePqyp6fStBTNTxJOyPljRePN2Yz4GcVLHwIm03gllIwl-l8GS4q/s320/HopeLoveGolf_081612.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope, Love & Golf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Hope, Love & Golf...
</b><br />
<br />
On August 16, my sister and some of her friends participated in a Rally for the Cure golf tournament in Concord, NH. They were selling "spots" to play and looking for donations for the raffle table - so you know where I fell in those choices! ;o)
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<br />
I created an artisan-crafted bracelet which features my own custom designed Heart & Awareness Ribbon. Crafted from Fine Silver (.999) it was customized for the Rally with a tiny golf ball. I added color to the charm by hand-enameling the ribbon with a light pink Japanese enamel and the heart was patina’d to bring out the details.<br />
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The 2-1 hand-crafted chain is sterling silver (.925) interspersed with beautiful made in the USA artisan-crafted lampwork beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CanyonEchoes">Canyon Echoes Artisan Beads</a> flanked by vintage Swarovski Clear AB crystals. The lampwork beads look like pink ice cubes. So beautiful combined with the charm. The bracelet measured approx 7”-7.25” long.
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I heard from my sister later that day that one lady really wanted the bracelet and bought a number of tickets. Apparently you bought tickets and the numbered order in which your name was drawn indicated the number of the prize you won... The lady that wanted it had her name drawn FOR that piece. It was a little miracle all of it's own - I'm SO PLEASED that she loved it enough to buy tickets and then was the lucky winner! <br />
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Thank you to my sister for the opportunity to be part of such a worthy cause!!<!--3--><br />
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<b>Studio Update!!
</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx1hqfQYj_lbHuemiQcD_R3m7bu48IMhYE3iaEAxrmZTIVYeAEjWGJjLVVSHvDc_C7MnoibmoCFUH4y1wFYP280Ac6gNzS3jCW___iorfmmIseGHZX3mGxj9uaYemIZqu8p2VKiDAzO2/s1600/Studio-Layout_Sept12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx1hqfQYj_lbHuemiQcD_R3m7bu48IMhYE3iaEAxrmZTIVYeAEjWGJjLVVSHvDc_C7MnoibmoCFUH4y1wFYP280Ac6gNzS3jCW___iorfmmIseGHZX3mGxj9uaYemIZqu8p2VKiDAzO2/s200/Studio-Layout_Sept12.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studio Layout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
DONE!!! Cleaned up, cleaned out, and re-organized!! I love my studio - it's walls are Hydrangea Blue (an Eddie Bauer paint color from Lowes), the woodwork is an off white and the floors are honey brown. Add in my display credenzas for books, display and now packaging area; a small drafting table with storage on top, child's desk with incredible work space, a computer armoir again with incredible work space that can be closed up, toss in a 6' Aruba Cat Condo and a "Pent House" kitty bed on top of the armoire and you have my <b>absolute</b> favorite room in the house!!<br />
<br />
An earlier blog showed my shame at the condition the Studio was in
during the summer. It's no wonder I struggled to create. NOW let's see
it as I SEE IT every day.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBItB8bQ7r7K3ccdtq6QFAynHSuMGSKy7nQcrPFpq4-xd90idyroa47QSqbuShXjJNA2wb57SArBhSaXQluw_yKxfxR5GGWv11MSuGqNSeS6Ff-FseL3IxA101sIFMMTs-J8HqSjUKacq/s1600/Credenza1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBItB8bQ7r7K3ccdtq6QFAynHSuMGSKy7nQcrPFpq4-xd90idyroa47QSqbuShXjJNA2wb57SArBhSaXQluw_yKxfxR5GGWv11MSuGqNSeS6Ff-FseL3IxA101sIFMMTs-J8HqSjUKacq/s320/Credenza1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storage, Display and Packaging Credenza's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><b>Welcome to my Studio...</b> we are going to stand in the center of the room (more or less) and rotate clock </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">wise around to each of the areas. </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><b>Credenza & Display Hutches</b> with books, magazines, shipping supplies, display
pieces, storage drawers for my finished jewelry, packing station and
display area for some of my favorite things.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">(That little stool... it's an idea I have to make my work area at the Botanic Garden classes higher... we'll see how it works next weekend for the Copper Enameling class!)</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIXM5GrisBdXaIHh_JX5Au_2moEBdtEd8MZkbG7rjPEGfzodKLA3hSbEF1x3owZ4zgm2XxVhXKzUVc4QMq3vmdI1_e4TK1fuFIakCEeuJkciGq2bsAHdKTBGQ48bfQ3jHnhsI79WVafgI/s1600/Corner2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIXM5GrisBdXaIHh_JX5Au_2moEBdtEd8MZkbG7rjPEGfzodKLA3hSbEF1x3owZ4zgm2XxVhXKzUVc4QMq3vmdI1_e4TK1fuFIakCEeuJkciGq2bsAHdKTBGQ48bfQ3jHnhsI79WVafgI/s320/Corner2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studio Kitty Condo & Toy Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The all important <b>Studio Kitty Condo area.</b> I have had this <i>Aruba Cat</i> condo for years... probably going on 14 or 15. It has served me well. 6 kitties have played on, laid on, slept on, and scratched on this condo (as you can see from the lower legs) and they have all loved it. <br /><br />I originally took this and
realized there were no Studio Helpers in it! Needless to say when they wandered
back in I re-shot. (Shadow is lump on top, Sissy is under the beading
station (lower right) and Hanna is laying on top of my pink and brown
rolling bag (lower left).) Nubbles was being smart and sleeping in the bedroom!</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRH7eBy8LWGjGspCTMLYTbkTgC-cc4f4g8PUHNtP9FEoaM_iBqPIdApPkBpiywJ51sTkAO6PPNBOALk-Rj-yIas3t-vZbWKv-H3whHAaaIGb_pJHRoyO6Hlc1q3EpBhOlwiEBNJT6Spij/s1600/Beading3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRH7eBy8LWGjGspCTMLYTbkTgC-cc4f4g8PUHNtP9FEoaM_iBqPIdApPkBpiywJ51sTkAO6PPNBOALk-Rj-yIas3t-vZbWKv-H3whHAaaIGb_pJHRoyO6Hlc1q3EpBhOlwiEBNJT6Spij/s320/Beading3.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bead & Wire Work Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><b>Bead & Wire Center...</b></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />This is the drafting table that I started with in the closet of the guest room. It fit perfectly in there and now fits perfectly between the white "post" and the window. Like it was made for those spots. </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> The white storage piece sitting ON the table is actually upside down! I flipped it so that I could use the "poles" going across for wire storage instead of ribbons as originally intended by the creator. Little "canning jar-esq" glass bottles hold semi-precious beads on the rest of the shelves. I got creative and added a bar across the front of one of the bead shelves to hold my tools. (they use to be in stands on top of this storage unit but it meant up and down while working on projects. Project boxes, a dapping set, my Ultralite kiln "just incase", soldering tools are also on this table and YES there is still plenty of room to work. One of my favorite areas in this corner is where I keep my bead hoarding umm I mean bead STORAGE area ::cough:: All those drawers have little </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxL_sfSvYDYol9CCsAZCXpUsKPDjqSmpjeJjJx0FE2u8WhIXyGNnEJCWfPztPRKOf3HmsKFFBYkihk7RevKgqtkkmE4PqN3h0iEyqXMjoy7ZLt7WVlJ3dHTJIv4U6oqaCOv22T1RDN3S7/s1600/Computer4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxL_sfSvYDYol9CCsAZCXpUsKPDjqSmpjeJjJx0FE2u8WhIXyGNnEJCWfPztPRKOf3HmsKFFBYkihk7RevKgqtkkmE4PqN3h0iEyqXMjoy7ZLt7WVlJ3dHTJIv4U6oqaCOv22T1RDN3S7/s320/Computer4.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer, Extra Work, Sculpting, Molding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">plastic bottles of beading goodness (lampwork, Swaros, small semi-precious stones, more wire, more tools, chains, and so much more. The black drawers are my cabs... oooooh yes my cabs and my crystals. ::sigh:: love this
area. ;o)</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Now a quick turn to the right and you see the 1/3 wall between the Studio and the Living Room (yes, this </span></span>was supposed to be a dining room - WHO NEEDS A DINING ROOM? ;o) and you see my wonderful score - a CHILD'S desk (really - it's huge, I KNOW) that is tall! it has a large work space, a HUGE pull out area that, when used with a wireless mouse and keyboard gives me even MORE work space. <br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />I use this for my computer work, design work, extra beading and wire work and I've been using it as an area to make my </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFMcQQZKBqkpifRMib8h8vYX6fjbl63M9iGcO1-IKzpA7oSxC04ps7i0_zmOyYLzSRFktdcav2IC6nI3shqdVhV0_PHoHRf7mA3tA_0nD8K7DFWeIWxOAj7PUlDrNStIofrBK8KgMgCvc/s1600/Access5.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFMcQQZKBqkpifRMib8h8vYX6fjbl63M9iGcO1-IKzpA7oSxC04ps7i0_zmOyYLzSRFktdcav2IC6nI3shqdVhV0_PHoHRf7mA3tA_0nD8K7DFWeIWxOAj7PUlDrNStIofrBK8KgMgCvc/s320/Access5.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studio Kitty Pent House Access</td></tr>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">molds and do polymer clay sculpting. This desk is perfect - enough space to put my computer, some display pieces, a laser printer (another bargain!!) my fan... such a wonderful piece.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The 1/3 wall is how the boys get up to the Pent House on top of the Armoire. At some point they discovered they could jump diagonally from the short wall to the top of the armoire. They have even gotten so that they can do it if the door is not fully pushed up against the side. Very coordinated they are!! :o) (this shot shows the jumping angle.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><b>Metal Clay Armoire and Studio Kitty Pent House...</b><br />Here is where I make the metal clay magic happen. I love this piece! (who am I </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawW5z7PX17WEkxpBM8zfxO1Vap6QdpgSEbTIe3C5kitgNFth9N3VN9wuDNfYPca9iS2E5Uyg7YHZlIrVb7QewpsFVZxwVg0_u2bJqd4ICX_2pu4tUtCxqMqOAzOAkmWghiwK4YLRqZwHn/s1600/Armoire6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawW5z7PX17WEkxpBM8zfxO1Vap6QdpgSEbTIe3C5kitgNFth9N3VN9wuDNfYPca9iS2E5Uyg7YHZlIrVb7QewpsFVZxwVg0_u2bJqd4ICX_2pu4tUtCxqMqOAzOAkmWghiwK4YLRqZwHn/s320/Armoire6.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal Clay Armoire - partially open</td></tr>
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</table>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">kidding I love ALL the pieces in this room). It allows me large amount of work space, two pull out areas that have enough space between them and the </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">work area above to allow pieces to be pushed safely</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> away without being moved! When fully opened you can see all the</span></span> storage, drawers, shelves, I added peg board on the inside and that allows for added wire storage baskets and hooks. Plastic drawers, metal shelf risers, plastic photo holders and more allow me to store everything I need close at hand. <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">You will notice that there is no trim on top of this piece - it should have a piece across the front and side to match the credenza. I was so excited to get it up and filled that I never added the trim... THANK GOODNESS! I later discovered that Nubbles got so </span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">comfy up on top in the Pent House that he ROLLED OFF three times in prob 9 months. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5ESp5hVigg3_wpMtf7iWamw9eaKF_urrEIZ0Wkgl9Sm6KF37wT6lGqkmA9A0aihI3ubcpJXI0jgn0J9na_9YkO9-L5rCYKIJOBb2PtJFAQ0Y0btm5km13riLlPrHazwPCxFf8IWnA-W/s1600/armoire7.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps5ESp5hVigg3_wpMtf7iWamw9eaKF_urrEIZ0Wkgl9Sm6KF37wT6lGqkmA9A0aihI3ubcpJXI0jgn0J9na_9YkO9-L5rCYKIJOBb2PtJFAQ0Y0btm5km13riLlPrHazwPCxFf8IWnA-W/s320/armoire7.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal Clay Armoire - fully open</td></tr>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The walls are angled so it doesn't fit snugly against the wall - he rolled off the BACK! I pulled the large trim piece that should be on the front and leaned it against the angled walls behind and POOF instant kitty bunk bed bar! No more rolling off! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I hope you enjoyed my tour of the Studio!! Wait... what?? what is missing? The Kiln? OHH YES! The kiln! I have a separate area - you access it just to the right of the Metal Clay Armoire and around the corner to the door to the garage. In the garage I have two work stations for my kiln, torch work, polymer clay oven, and photo booth with lights. Thank you for visiting my Studio!!</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /></span></span>
<b>Studio Kitties...</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-aB1yYkJaE7kwo_TEiwmy6sp8Ko8IEPUmK1K2j_pHEsUvixbH9_UOPil60dMluqRa72N_Jyd35OkrOGWMDk5A8u7CugC1O44uAuO2SB3XFIJXboh8zSB-wJanJW4YE3Q0BIUFETrely-/s1600/Girls_072112.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-aB1yYkJaE7kwo_TEiwmy6sp8Ko8IEPUmK1K2j_pHEsUvixbH9_UOPil60dMluqRa72N_Jyd35OkrOGWMDk5A8u7CugC1O44uAuO2SB3XFIJXboh8zSB-wJanJW4YE3Q0BIUFETrely-/s320/Girls_072112.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Studio Kitties!</td></tr>
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I would like to introduce you to our two new Studio Kitties.. Miss Hannah Mae and Miss Magic Sissy. They came home in late July after a visit to the Memphis Animal Shelter. I went to see Miss Hannah after seeing her picture and while waiting to see her I was "selected" by Magic Sissy (we call her Sissy). She was an adorable black kitten in #13 cube. I thought that was kind of funny... black cat, #13.. Well... after Mikito passed away last December our house was missing that little black kitty. And #13 is my lucky number. She didn't have a name just "Unknown". We finally were able to see Miss Hannah and hmmmm now I was sucked in... BOTH girls were adopted that day. They were chipped, had their surgery and came home 3 days later. I can tell you that it was the smoothest introduction I've had. The boys finally took to them, the girls took to the boys and soon I caught Mr Grumpy (ok his name is really Nubbles but he played grumpy when they came home) giving kisses to the kitties and trying to play with them. I knew then that it was going to be OK!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow & Hannah Mae</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuXh6FyUcwVU63y1XYI_XP-9FtKTAwWH5xusaDBuv484V41r4b26p32uzdgny6VUa0u8ZlgFbzSb5MwFo-Jn5vH7OSpBfDa1Ar0r285PWWEiUyh6C-WMGM-zAUqCTgkUK6fONliUcuAY/s1600/Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TuXh6FyUcwVU63y1XYI_XP-9FtKTAwWH5xusaDBuv484V41r4b26p32uzdgny6VUa0u8ZlgFbzSb5MwFo-Jn5vH7OSpBfDa1Ar0r285PWWEiUyh6C-WMGM-zAUqCTgkUK6fONliUcuAY/s200/Hannah.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah Mae</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBvCkgVD96H3wd7GHRml1YfA92h1tGIenyNnYc8pU65M2cGrCe4fN4-7g4bt0GqA0CFpbRfYu3SG8CzKa683pzq-HbWEvfoKDV8DzWkoKXjjwfZjoNCXMgV9L__tD9zSb63E1EgQCdaRT/s1600/Nubbles&Sissy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBvCkgVD96H3wd7GHRml1YfA92h1tGIenyNnYc8pU65M2cGrCe4fN4-7g4bt0GqA0CFpbRfYu3SG8CzKa683pzq-HbWEvfoKDV8DzWkoKXjjwfZjoNCXMgV9L__tD9zSb63E1EgQCdaRT/s200/Nubbles&Sissy.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nubbles & Sissy
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissy</td></tr>
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<br />Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-67033298995401347882012-09-11T21:37:00.000-05:002012-11-07T00:33:50.065-06:00September 11th... 9/11...A day we will remember for the rest of our lives <div class="post-header">
I was preparing to blog this week and I am opting to post something I posted on my facebook page(s) instead of talking about the bracelet, kitties and studio. I hope you stay with me for those posts later this week, but for now... </div>
<i><b>Where were you on September 11, 2001?</b></i><br />
<span class="userContent"><br />One of my friends asked on her page where we
were on 9/11? It's one of those moments in history that everyone who was
alive that day remembers where they were. I wrote and wrote... this
is what I remember...<br /><br /> </span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vKMewx5PoPoqBUonCqyQU1BZJcGiZw-sRKq1Pp__0ItcoCYmDYb3y1oEKbVt5pxEp9g2-2Kz4U0gpIgr4fTUEi4XFrMhRmpU6zvmOCRSQBz0K7DDouxyLgDATJhZwKHav3TgrBvOvHPP/s1600/statue.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vKMewx5PoPoqBUonCqyQU1BZJcGiZw-sRKq1Pp__0ItcoCYmDYb3y1oEKbVt5pxEp9g2-2Kz4U0gpIgr4fTUEi4XFrMhRmpU6zvmOCRSQBz0K7DDouxyLgDATJhZwKHav3TgrBvOvHPP/s320/statue.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo of statue located in <br />
Memphis Botanic Garden that I <br />
felt was appropriate for this post)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="userContent">"I was on my way to work ... running a
tad late, I was listening to the radio and suddenly the DJs said <i>"something hit the World Trade Center in New York City"</i>... I had just entered the parking lot at Dunkin Donuts and paused thinking... huh? so I ran in and got
a cup of coffee (how strange that I even remember and can SMELL it as I write this - large hazelnut, cream & sugar) got back in the car and hitailed
it to the office (about 3-5 mins away). I ran into the Demo Room where we had a TV for training and a cable connection... we were doing demo work in the office and everything was piled into the Demo room... I was trying to move the stupid shelves that were in the way of
plugging in the tv when our NY sales rep ran in to do the same thing (he
had been on the phone w/ a dealer and had heard something was going
on)... we wordlessly moved it and got the TV plugged in... shortly after
we watched the second plane go in. <br /> <br /> It was terrifying. My
Sister and Dad were military - I worked for a security company that
had BADGED the World Trade Center after the bombing a few years before. WHAT WAS GOING
ON? <br /><br />While many businesses sent their employees home, our company opted
to keep us at the office with the tv on. We were allowed to watch or not
watch. We were not allowed to be alone. They did not want anyone going
home to sit and watch the tv showing it over and over alone. We had
co-worker with a brother in the tower. We had coworkers that worked with
security in the building. We watched the towers fall w/ tears running
down our faces filled with disbelief and horror. WHO DID THIS? Plane
into the Pentagon. Plane down in a field. WHO? <br /> <br /> I remember the
silence... My apartment was in the flight line for Hanscom AFB... and
not far from Logan airport in Boston. The silence outside was deafening.
I was on the deck two nights later looking at the stars and talking to
my dad... telling him how quiet it was and suddenly we could hear a
plane coming. Honestly... I started to freak. Planes were not flying... yet I was hearing a plane... Dad could hear it and told
me it was a military plane. The only planes we heard were military. it
was comforting and alarming at the same time.<br /> <br /> I drove to Maine three
days after 9/11 - I had a meeting with a developer in New Brunswick
Canada that weekend. I was going to Bar Harbor, ME to camp and then drive
to Canada for the meeting. I needed to go to the meeting. The roads
were empty. The skies were empty. Suddenly driving up 95 in Maine headed
toward Bangor, I saw a HUGE transport plane flying (it seemed to be
incredibly low) over head. It was huge. And it was the only thing. I
remember the flags. I have never seen so many USA flags in my life.
Everywhere there were flags, tears, and silence. <br /> <br /> Crossing into
Canada that weekend I expected to be searched... I took everything
(EVERYTHING) out of the car with the exception of my notebook, purse, my jack and flash light incase I broke down. I was after all camping...
stove fuel, camping stuff would (in my mind) cause concern. I wanted to
cause no one any undue issues. Crossing into Canada was easy.. and again
- THE FLAGS... for every Canadian flag waving (and there were SOO MANY) there were 5 USA flags.
Our sisters and brothers to the North felt our pain and fear. It was
again - INCREDIBLE. <br /> <br /> This morning, September 11, 2012 - I opened my windows and back
door to let some air in. It's a beautiful day in the Mid-South as it was
a beautiful day 11 years ago. Suddenly I heard a plane over head - not
unheard of for me, I'm on one of the flight lines for Memphis
International Airport some days... but I paused. I heard that plane, this morning, 11 years later and I paused. I had to think because I was so surprised to hear it. This
morning, of all mornings. It's still with me. It's still with my family
and it's still with everyone. <br /> <br /> Thank you to all who gave and those who gave all to care for US that day and every day."<br /><br />My sister read this and posted on my facebook status:<br />"</span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[12].[1][2][1]{comment4027805246135_4228762}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[12].[1][2][1]{comment4027805246135_4228762}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]."><span id=".reactRoot[12].[1][2][1]{comment4027805246135_4228762}..[1]..[1]..[0].[2]..[0]">Sis the Military plane your heard over head was what we say in the Military "THE SOUND OF FREEDOM"..." <br /><br />May we always hear the sound of freedom, may we always remember.</span></span></span>
Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-61769411306500846722012-09-06T13:45:00.000-05:002012-09-06T13:54:44.669-05:00Happy Fall - Studio, Awareness Bracelet & New KittiesEven though it's definitely not Fall in the Mid-South (it's 88 in the shade) it's September and to this New England Yankee Girl that means FALL! :o) It has been a crazy summer - between work-work fiscal year ending and trying to clean and re-organize the Studio it's been a bit nuts. Some good has come from it... finished fiscal year with all positives on my "goal" list, Studio is 3/4 reorganized, I have a new brand of bronze clay to try out - "Goldie Bronze" from Poland (guess what I'm doing this weekend? ;o)), I have TWO NEW KITTIES in Paradise and completed a really pretty Rally for the Cure Awareness Bracelet for a golf tournament in NH.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx1hqfQYj_lbHuemiQcD_R3m7bu48IMhYE3iaEAxrmZTIVYeAEjWGJjLVVSHvDc_C7MnoibmoCFUH4y1wFYP280Ac6gNzS3jCW___iorfmmIseGHZX3mGxj9uaYemIZqu8p2VKiDAzO2/s1600/Studio-Layout_Sept12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx1hqfQYj_lbHuemiQcD_R3m7bu48IMhYE3iaEAxrmZTIVYeAEjWGJjLVVSHvDc_C7MnoibmoCFUH4y1wFYP280Ac6gNzS3jCW___iorfmmIseGHZX3mGxj9uaYemIZqu8p2VKiDAzO2/s320/Studio-Layout_Sept12.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Studio Layout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
First... Studio - although it's not completely done (and I promise to share pics later this month) I did do a "not exactly to scale but close enough for this" layout of my in-home Studio.<br />
<br />
I believe when the house was built it was intended to be a dining room and it would have been beautiful - two windows allowed some natural light to come in and the fact it has vaulted ceiling and that there is a 1/3 wall that opens it up to the living room it is very airy and open.<br />
<br />
When I moved in it started out as a "Library" (now you have to have read that with a snoootty, upper crust voice) which really means I had a couple of credenza's with display hutches on top to hold display items and books as well as a book case, the cat condo (always necessary) and a rocking chair. HOWEVER, when I discovered my new addiction to making jewelry it slowly (OK who am I kidding) QUICKLY became the Studio. First in was the Metal Clay Armoire... it's big, bulky and most importantly CLOSE-ABLE. It was designed for computer use but that just means wonderful use for metal clay work. It has a pull out work space as well as a pull out keyboard area that allows for storage and a wonderful extended work area. PLUS the pull out work space is about 3" below the main work space which means I can leave a project on the pull out, push it back in and not worry that it will be messed with. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l5JF4JNEbuoxhj5evY_fnr_A9eCis58NwDFqCuxxVlDIRuyv7tiHr2jiJyFfBrh30mA_OqUYvg6nRmbV1m0tpWTru1X9245xFIldInrug7Nofbhmpwi86xYCnXTdy5jM3awXtkJTvCIc/s1600/Nubbles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1l5JF4JNEbuoxhj5evY_fnr_A9eCis58NwDFqCuxxVlDIRuyv7tiHr2jiJyFfBrh30mA_OqUYvg6nRmbV1m0tpWTru1X9245xFIldInrug7Nofbhmpwi86xYCnXTdy5jM3awXtkJTvCIc/s320/Nubbles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nubbles in the Pent House<br />
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My boys discovered that they could use the 1/3 wall and jump diagonally up to reach the top - you know how Kitty's love to be high. So I put a comfy kitty bed up there and refer to it as the Pent House (PH)... and after Nubbles rolled off the back (due to the angled wall behind it) three times while he was sleeping (he gets so comfy up there he sprawls out and rolls over) the trim that should be on the FRONT of the top edge is now across the back acting like a bunk bed bar to keep him from rolling off the back. It works wonderfully and we have had no accidents since it was installed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tekKBjEr-Gl1QbZKUbHhnLcnqfwiUKct0O9lO9OULBDXU9wEElbkxnpc1sUXbHP78-wb1jZEx8cOXIBqMchgrYAhdWigYaaTpvmv-Kl0riAZ_cMYkDV71dKkpkNDI2UQhfJodiGcmRxy/s1600/ArtCloset_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tekKBjEr-Gl1QbZKUbHhnLcnqfwiUKct0O9lO9OULBDXU9wEElbkxnpc1sUXbHP78-wb1jZEx8cOXIBqMchgrYAhdWigYaaTpvmv-Kl0riAZ_cMYkDV71dKkpkNDI2UQhfJodiGcmRxy/s200/ArtCloset_1.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Studio area table.</td></tr>
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Next came the small drafting table on wheels that I originally started with in my "Closet Studio" That tucked in sweetly between one of the square posts and window to become my Wire & Beading area. I have a Scrapbook Storage unit sitting on top of it upside down. This allows the poles that were designed to hold ribbon can hold wire rolls. I have glass filled bottles of semi-precious stone beads in the shelve space below the wire holders and the lowest little cubes hold my bits, pieces, steel block, third-hand, steel wire, etc. Recently I added a bar across the front to hold my pliers, cutters and such within easy access. Also on this work area is my 10-drawer cabochon cabinet. And yes, there's still room to work!<br />
<br />
Then of course I needed storage for my bead hoarding... I mean bead SUPPLIES. There is a plastic multi-drawer unit that holds these supplies, wire, seed beads, beading boards, and all kinds of wonderful tools and supplies - right in front of the square post next to the Wire & Beading area.<br />
<br />
What Studio wouldn't be complete without an Aruba Cat condo?? I have had this almost indestructible 6' cat condo with many levels for almost 15 years I believe... it's awesome, heavy as anything and a great spot to allow the Studio Kitties to be close at hand (our desire) and out of the way (my desire). This is settled in the corner with both the windows allowing them to see who's coming to the door and who may be walking (OR FLYING) by outside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nffTf8h2IBKEAL3ZA9IRdYPd_kZ3ii_nCiWD2TLaVeIGlQxw-e8UkBYiFwTpe_9aiNBt46wzNA4t2VpY30QI8EoYHn7UJUZpgcT9cD3mYftlWjMsbNJoby3z3Uiz7_4bFWLCLbwJkTgc/s1600/Bookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nffTf8h2IBKEAL3ZA9IRdYPd_kZ3ii_nCiWD2TLaVeIGlQxw-e8UkBYiFwTpe_9aiNBt46wzNA4t2VpY30QI8EoYHn7UJUZpgcT9cD3mYftlWjMsbNJoby3z3Uiz7_4bFWLCLbwJkTgc/s200/Bookcase.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pic of a part of one of the display<br />
Credenzas before Studio take over</td></tr>
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The two Credenza and hutch units still hold books and some display items but one has also become a packaging and shipping station and the other a storage and display area.<br />
<br />
The last piece added was intended to be a child's desk however it's wonderful as a work station. it's actually very tall, has another pull out work station - supposed to be a LARGE keyboard area - and a drawer in this pull out. It makes a wonderful computer station and because the work space is so large I use it for beading and wiring space also. it's a great find!!<br />
<br />
WAIT... what about the kiln?? What about the MAPP Torch?? What about the Photo booth?? What about the polymer clay?? Well those are all out in the garage - right around the corner from the studio making it not only convenient but also a way to keep the odor's out of the house. <br />
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I promise I will have pictures - I love and adore my Studio and am so happy to share it with you!!<br />
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Come back tomorrow when I show you the beautiful piece done for the Rally for the Cure Tournament in Concord NH and introduce you to Hannah Mae & Magic Sissy. <br />
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<br />Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-54514088528545217852012-06-05T02:14:00.001-05:002012-09-06T13:45:20.811-05:00Studio Evolution<span style="font-size: x-large;">Studio Evolution...</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tekKBjEr-Gl1QbZKUbHhnLcnqfwiUKct0O9lO9OULBDXU9wEElbkxnpc1sUXbHP78-wb1jZEx8cOXIBqMchgrYAhdWigYaaTpvmv-Kl0riAZ_cMYkDV71dKkpkNDI2UQhfJodiGcmRxy/s1600/ArtCloset_1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tekKBjEr-Gl1QbZKUbHhnLcnqfwiUKct0O9lO9OULBDXU9wEElbkxnpc1sUXbHP78-wb1jZEx8cOXIBqMchgrYAhdWigYaaTpvmv-Kl0riAZ_cMYkDV71dKkpkNDI2UQhfJodiGcmRxy/s200/ArtCloset_1.jpg" width="152" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Art Closet</td></tr>
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My "Studio" started out as a little work-area in my spare guest room closet. I called it the "Art Closet". I found a drafting table that slid perfectly into the closet and allowed me to close the doors to contain it from my 4-legged helpers. <br />
<br />
When I really discovered Precious Metal Clay I realized I needed a bigger area AND an area that would allow me to SAFELY use a small butane creme brulee torch to fire my fine silver pieces... I had yet to purchase a kiln. And let me tell you - firing with a torch - even that small... in a small closet is not wise!! (DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nffTf8h2IBKEAL3ZA9IRdYPd_kZ3ii_nCiWD2TLaVeIGlQxw-e8UkBYiFwTpe_9aiNBt46wzNA4t2VpY30QI8EoYHn7UJUZpgcT9cD3mYftlWjMsbNJoby3z3Uiz7_4bFWLCLbwJkTgc/s1600/Bookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nffTf8h2IBKEAL3ZA9IRdYPd_kZ3ii_nCiWD2TLaVeIGlQxw-e8UkBYiFwTpe_9aiNBt46wzNA4t2VpY30QI8EoYHn7UJUZpgcT9cD3mYftlWjMsbNJoby3z3Uiz7_4bFWLCLbwJkTgc/s200/Bookcase.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section of the Hutch/Book Shelf</td></tr>
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I looked around and thought - hmmmm my "Library" which is approx 12' x 12' and supposed to be the dining room of my house might work. BUT it's wide open. No doors. Half wall between it and the living room. I didn't use it as a dining room because the kitchen breakfast area is perfect for my table. (The people before me used it as a music room - it had a piano in it when I saw the house so to me it was never a "dining room".)<br />
<br />
It started out w/ some nice bookcases with hutches on top. A rocking chair and the boys Aruba Cat condo. Paint color - gorgeous shade of <i>Hydrangea Blue</i> and Eddie Bauer color from Lowes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc-oGgOungrm4043X34OM0zAqOz9Zqgw2NQcY0H-UCYmn8UnXpgpFxXm3paRx3J7ny-sR47xYK1yEU0tHH22sCj6kiZH5oyymms30BAQb3l519AvZ_YWzLHxFUSkAcmq8jwgA19QJsc5G/s1600/MetalClayStation_New.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc-oGgOungrm4043X34OM0zAqOz9Zqgw2NQcY0H-UCYmn8UnXpgpFxXm3paRx3J7ny-sR47xYK1yEU0tHH22sCj6kiZH5oyymms30BAQb3l519AvZ_YWzLHxFUSkAcmq8jwgA19QJsc5G/s200/MetalClayStation_New.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal Clay Work Center</td></tr>
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<b>It slowly became my Studio... </b><br />
<br />
First I added a metal clay work area - really it's a self enclosed Computer Armoir - purchased to match the book cases and hutches already in there. ... it was perfect - "tons of room", a slide out work area AND a slide our second area where the keyboard is supposed to go. PERFECT... This is what it looked like when I naively thought it would contain all I was going to do for jewelry. ><br />
<br />
The bed was added to the top because he kept getting up there. To the left of the open unit is a 1/3 wall between the living room and the "Library/Studio" he would <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4jOABv4GBdldf4Y178Yu4axsnijyTRi6eFnDK-2NGXiJKoeQEtJG-TaxhFZHHApBNEtGgcU0g66etcPn0d3i15KX9SentrSwECxW2Ak24bN2rYewFQfnZddE1hWInpVyghDC4bd-BgFg/s1600/MetalClayStation_Kids.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4jOABv4GBdldf4Y178Yu4axsnijyTRi6eFnDK-2NGXiJKoeQEtJG-TaxhFZHHApBNEtGgcU0g66etcPn0d3i15KX9SentrSwECxW2Ak24bN2rYewFQfnZddE1hWInpVyghDC4bd-BgFg/s200/MetalClayStation_Kids.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping Babies!</td></tr>
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jump up there and then jump up to the top. They both (and Mikito did to) spend a lot of time up there. Directly behind me - while sitting at this desk - is the 6' Aruba Cat Condo that has been in our family for many, many years. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I then moved my home computer into this room - one of the "book cases" became a computer center. I moved the small drafting table from the guest room closet into this room too. THEN I purchased a kids computer desk that is really tall - and approx 36" long. It too has a pull out work area and a drawer inside that area. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBQoMhStGdFXQAwGBbiuASosIKvNz1WA6Ogo32jnb_JOU9-LgAifjEwqEbWqv13MrDbkzL5sOFgiy-X6O_jaqFJsJPigceusYiJDCALQcCsDHrDgr-8sMU5Z42wul0PVBSeckbe6K3wvI/s1600/BeadingArea.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBQoMhStGdFXQAwGBbiuASosIKvNz1WA6Ogo32jnb_JOU9-LgAifjEwqEbWqv13MrDbkzL5sOFgiy-X6O_jaqFJsJPigceusYiJDCALQcCsDHrDgr-8sMU5Z42wul0PVBSeckbe6K3wvI/s200/BeadingArea.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beading Area...</td></tr>
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I used it as a work center then decided it would be better to have the computer set up there, have room to work on some wire work also and clean up the bookcase area a bit.<b><br /></b><br />
<b>NOW we start... the great Studio Reorganization... </b><br />
<br />
I didn't remember to take photos of the entire room before moving things around but I do have some. Please be warned - these are not PG13.. they are very messy. ;o) The picture below is a wonky, pieced together photo of what is behind me in the room when I sit at the Metal Clay Work Center. Two corner windows w/ the Aruba Cat Condo, my beading area to the immediate right of those, and the packaging section and old computer center in the book cases. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFncFfBh-sCApfntKji7aUKb6-npH6MsAHBOYni8wDpGWxNfNCHzagJycY1hMC3AH1RfbdtSHkDpixEfFOsGLDxG45NLB9u-tRcG-8Mpmw7ytkXQ0Rji1NjBNs4SjQkzCt0ABxQ91EV5aK/s1600/MessyStudio_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFncFfBh-sCApfntKji7aUKb6-npH6MsAHBOYni8wDpGWxNfNCHzagJycY1hMC3AH1RfbdtSHkDpixEfFOsGLDxG45NLB9u-tRcG-8Mpmw7ytkXQ0Rji1NjBNs4SjQkzCt0ABxQ91EV5aK/s400/MessyStudio_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Messy Studio. A little wonky based on how <br />
I took the pics and pasted them back together.</td></tr>
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<br />
The picture below is how full the Metal Clay Work Center is now. As I work on cleaning up the studio I will add to this post. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhBdWGC1uAlesXgtpyu8nnucG6kJpSBjjAQoKIBUeAp8cIoFhgPOP2KuZXlXaRzNP3dY1Z1CGzSUL_n6Iu7rYiIDE_2ZcGQKrplO-7KDvvmk7OFFusKiTRsWPSijUwdoXTUAz-Tz46mPg/s1600/MessyStudio_2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhBdWGC1uAlesXgtpyu8nnucG6kJpSBjjAQoKIBUeAp8cIoFhgPOP2KuZXlXaRzNP3dY1Z1CGzSUL_n6Iu7rYiIDE_2ZcGQKrplO-7KDvvmk7OFFusKiTRsWPSijUwdoXTUAz-Tz46mPg/s200/MessyStudio_2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FULL Metal Clay Center</td></tr>
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I can tell you that the section you do not see (where I'm sitting when I rotated around to take the images in the long photo above) is set up with a new slim 20" monitor that allows for plenty of work area in front of it. The Beading area is cleaned up, the bookcases & hutches are cleaned up. I created an "Inspiration Board" of finished pieces I have bought from fellow artisans. It's a wonderful place!!<br />
<br />
All that's left now is to clean and reorganize the contents of the Metal Clay Work Center and then clean up the corner of the garage (right around the corner from the Studio) where I have my kilns, enameling set-up and photo booth. Wait til you see it. It is as organized as the pic of the Beading Center above but soooo much better!! It's a great space and I'm so pleased to have it to use.Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-22669824801704206502012-05-20T14:01:00.001-05:002012-05-20T14:01:47.543-05:00Angel Wings - Remembering Mom ~ ♥ ~<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi5oiKHTaFZeW_WxeC_icLnKOV1ZPBKiRIru-_zhk7yjXLTPY9UyNhyKNtuIHGOmLB9yhr9Td2qhiaAaOeLVoRNO95Z2TTCZn2ge8bPitJYIAb0jkj69O543Kr1UMh4nUuZ0ag3-yAjM5/s1600/52111_Rosary2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi5oiKHTaFZeW_WxeC_icLnKOV1ZPBKiRIru-_zhk7yjXLTPY9UyNhyKNtuIHGOmLB9yhr9Td2qhiaAaOeLVoRNO95Z2TTCZn2ge8bPitJYIAb0jkj69O543Kr1UMh4nUuZ0ag3-yAjM5/s200/52111_Rosary2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosary for Mom - May 21, 2011</td></tr>
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I feel like I have come back around to "me" in my art. These pieces are truly calDESIGN Natural pieces... made from nature, with specific person(s) in mind, and the ability to pour my soul into the pieces. <br /><br />Last year at this time I was working to finish a Rosary I started for my <a href="http://caldesign1.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Mom</a>. I had to keep my hands busy while my mind was spinning at the fact that we were losing her. Tomorrow (May 21, 2012) it will be 1 year to the day that Mom passed away. <span class="hasCaption"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBHdcwcUmAT_-hXLsFCa2sPCrnECPzC5j6JjDR7k2YI5pQG9iMYVZAzgHqePK8WB1elvh2mfHVhzXJvnZSwJZGlG5vZWrLpOqfY9qlIgPn6tul1-vUGggX6j6Qejab3QfVIGR56MDFeQT/s1600/Leaf_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBHdcwcUmAT_-hXLsFCa2sPCrnECPzC5j6JjDR7k2YI5pQG9iMYVZAzgHqePK8WB1elvh2mfHVhzXJvnZSwJZGlG5vZWrLpOqfY9qlIgPn6tul1-vUGggX6j6Qejab3QfVIGR56MDFeQT/s200/Leaf_1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fine Silver Painted Leaf</td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption">At the end of April 2012 we had a "Create a Fine Silver Leaf" class at the Memphis Botanic
Garden. I have done this a number of times but love the camaraderie of
the people there so I signed up again. From the selection of leaves that we had to
pick from one was called an "Angel Wing" and it hit me. I knew what I wanted
to do. My heart was <span class="text_exposed_show">aiming at creating a necklace for my sister and something for my Dad from the Angel Wing leaves as a remembrance of my Mom... </span></span><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br />I painted the fine silver metal clay paste in many layers over the two
leaves and they fired out to fantastic, completely Fine Silver
(.999) versions of the leaf - perfect little Angel Wings.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG1or6e5ona0fz1tf-dEyHLLr93T_YUq3b0VjMousCYYtD5_hwmP1zkx-C8bQ58z2cvhvI-HSVeCv6_4hdzHLYk7mRFpVoAk5fExCD-YyWyFgqS_9QcaaBKff1HUIzznWUwtvmNPtwYu8/s1600/MOM_AngelWings_051912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDyfskumsUiZt_7Qk4vsOnWKmnKjZcbt8frhIb2lD4RSCEH8LfsfG6fs3SYwJynOWR2D4S5dKDjnsfJaGmb7tauRibodhBwOTXIDN6y_bNDOqg8-ZkIe9h39MLUXdTUV7gX1NzapCjn38/s1600/AngelWingFLower.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDyfskumsUiZt_7Qk4vsOnWKmnKjZcbt8frhIb2lD4RSCEH8LfsfG6fs3SYwJynOWR2D4S5dKDjnsfJaGmb7tauRibodhBwOTXIDN6y_bNDOqg8-ZkIe9h39MLUXdTUV7gX1NzapCjn38/s200/AngelWingFLower.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel Wing Begonia<br />
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<br />I
came home expecting to put them on chains and then it hit me...I have a
pair of Mom's birthstone earrings that she use to wear - OFTEN. I took
the Topaz stone out of the gold settings and added a fine silver prong
setting to the wings, refired, patina'd to bring out the texture even
more, tumbled to work harden and shine, and then set Mom's Topaz stones
into each leaf. <br /><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><br /><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Add some sterling silver rope chain and a logo
leaf to my sister's smaller Angel Wing, some heavier chain (the logo
leaf hangs on the back of it ... Dad looks for that logo! ;o)) and a
book mark to Dad's Angel Wing and you have two pieces that bring me back
to my roots. Creating pieces from nature, for loved ones - with the
added benefit of being a remembrance piece I think they will both enjoy.
<br /> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG1or6e5ona0fz1tf-dEyHLLr93T_YUq3b0VjMousCYYtD5_hwmP1zkx-C8bQ58z2cvhvI-HSVeCv6_4hdzHLYk7mRFpVoAk5fExCD-YyWyFgqS_9QcaaBKff1HUIzznWUwtvmNPtwYu8/s1600/MOM_AngelWings_051912.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG1or6e5ona0fz1tf-dEyHLLr93T_YUq3b0VjMousCYYtD5_hwmP1zkx-C8bQ58z2cvhvI-HSVeCv6_4hdzHLYk7mRFpVoAk5fExCD-YyWyFgqS_9QcaaBKff1HUIzznWUwtvmNPtwYu8/s400/MOM_AngelWings_051912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel Wings... Remembering Mom<br />
</td></tr>
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<span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">(Note... if Dad decides he wants to hang his somewhere other
than on the book mark, I left the lobster claw on the chain so it could
easily be removed.)<br /> </span></span><br /><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">~ ♥ ~ </span><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><i>We miss you Mom - It's been over a year
since we've been able to hear your voice but know that we love you and
you will never be forgotten. </i></span></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">~ ♥ ~ </span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-88191175002737626502012-03-24T00:09:00.017-05:002012-03-24T02:22:18.097-05:00Bronze & Mookaite... A Learning Experience 1<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Greetings!!<br /><br />I've found another aspect of jewelry to become addicted to - cabochons. What kind? Ohh any kind! Pretty... some w/ pits, some w/ "thingies' on them... but mostly any kind. :o) My goal is to work the cabs into my metal clay pieces - to build around them and incorporate them into my designs. Now that I've made this admission ... on to my project.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mookaite.. as in Mookaite Jasper</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTycnOrmlgZUMnD7HpW3JYccnRgE-fLRjhuWaprA2PdxxO4NvZXTY3bSspZFqDLGl6dnyXZyg2HLi1I98L0n0ubIQMPMOZ2kek6N7Y8NrMC8yto4NcUoYY4Te3jZi_WzgT_tN1Nzej3AK/s1600/Mook1.jpg"></a><ul><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN_UK9KamvzHg6a0RbohdvNkMIhTHeCcjWA5DNEA4JtJcM49hVsRjp9BSFlVTkJmYvszlDfssUWTLMgk1inAiByR5DIEKfEzokmn6vOai1eZvBP8mrjFlZHvwJ9lxNrO2AIv_N9g2Dxhz/s1600/Mook1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN_UK9KamvzHg6a0RbohdvNkMIhTHeCcjWA5DNEA4JtJcM49hVsRjp9BSFlVTkJmYvszlDfssUWTLMgk1inAiByR5DIEKfEzokmn6vOai1eZvBP8mrjFlZHvwJ9lxNrO2AIv_N9g2Dxhz/s200/Mook1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723334781827251650" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">is an Australian jasper containing shades of pink, red and yellow. It is a</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">nurturing stone that supports and sustains during times of stress bringing peace and a feeling of wholeness.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Mookaite Jasper encourages</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"> versatility and helps you to accept change. It helps you to discover all possibilities in a situation and to choose the right one. Mookaite also grounds and stabilizes the whole body and p</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">rovides a protective energy that helps to block unwanted outside influences.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Mookaite is a very protective stone, and is particularly good as an emotional protector. In the physical realm it stabilizes health and fortifies the immune system. Meditating with this stone takes you into a calm center to wait out any storm, and can assist in contacting souls on other planes. It is an aid for communicating with animals. This flexible and pragmatic stone points out all possibilities and assists in choosing the right one. Mookaite is associated with the lower chakras.</span><br /></span></span></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU1O-xLHWO2DXRzOS-wxMFS61qMxgTgd8CfbSGWn9rQDVb4-7OWiPiOntSxRobUV2v6d-3ev0ggYLT0E2zaFntoF6sg-RAbxQTHA_iMWY0ModY2hj4StC_vhzMUBqc4vagCjtNFDHX2YI/s1600/Mook2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU1O-xLHWO2DXRzOS-wxMFS61qMxgTgd8CfbSGWn9rQDVb4-7OWiPiOntSxRobUV2v6d-3ev0ggYLT0E2zaFntoF6sg-RAbxQTHA_iMWY0ModY2hj4StC_vhzMUBqc4vagCjtNFDHX2YI/s200/Mook2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723335612341222098" border="0" /></a>I found the wonderful triangular cab above from <a style="font-style: italic;" href="https://www.facebook.com/CopperRocks">Cooper Rocks</a> on Facebook and fell in love - it wasn't just the shape or the color but what really caught my attention were the "specks".. in the photo they looked like the tops of blowing wheat stalks. I had to have the cab! (What this funny little cab didn't know was the minute I saw it I started a design (thank goodness I won it! LOL!))<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcYGRBIRZKb_TCw1XeO5hY-FJ61dvjW_wxMQnOOryNaQsARN2wsDWQstD9gyKZg4MHjz6kjIm8JObWZ4CGH4GqzhLW3uYF4DYd0M9o9qg7yN_wWjw0VbKQH9E_1dg88RVZNP7P69_XR7s/s1600/Mook3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcYGRBIRZKb_TCw1XeO5hY-FJ61dvjW_wxMQnOOryNaQsARN2wsDWQstD9gyKZg4MHjz6kjIm8JObWZ4CGH4GqzhLW3uYF4DYd0M9o9qg7yN_wWjw0VbKQH9E_1dg88RVZNP7P69_XR7s/s200/Mook3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723343862702988834" border="0" /></a>Initially it was going to be silver and then the more I looked at it the more it was whispering Bronze... Bronze... so I put it on two pieces of fired metal - one fine silver an done bronze and the bronze won hands down - it was simply perfect.<br /><br />My thought was - syringe. I have never mastered metal clay syringe and this would be a good piece to play with. Only problem is... I can't fire the stone in place so that means making sure it is measured and created w/ the thought of adding the stone after firing. Quite the challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0g_QdyqAR2iKmWNkpVX50R-VccjwQN0WIXhjsPBd9cgxKrdGvAOyncGQwLaxEPguHs4b2bZZWiLncMUPQEiM5CZBaX5un1KcGERul0OV8H7FyxQjBJ3JsTXCR4u96gkiwjTWWkg2_bo1/s1600/Mook5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0g_QdyqAR2iKmWNkpVX50R-VccjwQN0WIXhjsPBd9cgxKrdGvAOyncGQwLaxEPguHs4b2bZZWiLncMUPQEiM5CZBaX5un1KcGERul0OV8H7FyxQjBJ3JsTXCR4u96gkiwjTWWkg2_bo1/s200/Mook5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723344352019249346" border="0" /></a>Back plate, bezel, decorative cutting, decorative syringe and hmmm how will it hang? All questions I thought about, doodled on paper, dreamed about in my sleep. Original thought was a full bezel all the way around but once I had it in my hand it felt like it needed breathing room. So I decided on a partial bezel around the bottom. The "wheat fronds" would assist in holding it in place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjfsEZ_u0EAhEluo0u69piH2-peQDtFcVEBDgT7o_4NI4-fId6lgPZ94O5hrpWOANYmmcv36zg8Jc87-ikz8KBkDDg3JeUsngZojWj6_0HN2ITIGQ1J9DnKqw0Kjz7UhKS0jTTJZT3_J6/s1600/Mook6.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjfsEZ_u0EAhEluo0u69piH2-peQDtFcVEBDgT7o_4NI4-fId6lgPZ94O5hrpWOANYmmcv36zg8Jc87-ikz8KBkDDg3JeUsngZojWj6_0HN2ITIGQ1J9DnKqw0Kjz7UhKS0jTTJZT3_J6/s200/Mook6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723347574776767810" border="0" /></a>Now, I can't fire the stone with the metal so I need a "place holder" I started by making a mold of the stone and then I used some polymer clay to check the size... a tad to large height wise. NOTE I can NOT use a polymer clay "place holder" and fire the piece - BAD BAD BAD!! DO NOT DO! ... my next step was to mix up some "investment" material and create a fake stone that would be able to fire with the piece.<br /><br />I chose a texture for the "front" of the back plate that simulated the black specs on the Mookaite. I carved out a design so that part of the stone could show thru from behind and created a partial bezel. I textured it with the same texture plate and fired it flat. Once fired I was able to bed the bezel into shape (shown fired and bent in the picture). Now I"m looking at two firings. 1) the bezel and 2) the whole piece.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Syringe... syringe and I have a love-hate relationship. It loves to hate me. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHDXxTguoGZnD22xYZauIBBWVW_MCFXE7WEH1Dfo5hiui6Ejb837GbKSORRjzu1o0FLjtosrTCQbMpDQcKdDW1NrM1QB5kPc0NpoXR3YZHc2SkBvyQUQuNaYe9vUhlR3RZj9dJRF3_xm1/s1600/Mook7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHDXxTguoGZnD22xYZauIBBWVW_MCFXE7WEH1Dfo5hiui6Ejb837GbKSORRjzu1o0FLjtosrTCQbMpDQcKdDW1NrM1QB5kPc0NpoXR3YZHc2SkBvyQUQuNaYe9vUhlR3RZj9dJRF3_xm1/s200/Mook7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723355913118835522" border="0" /></a>I use it like "caulk" to fix things - cracks, spaces, etc. But it can be so much more - design element, a working part of the piece. I was determined. Then my uncertainty took over. IF I use an investment "place holder" for the stone and the bronze is wet when laid on top of it and dries and is fired... will it crack the bronze? I didn't know the answer. SO I opted to create the "fronds" and fire them separate - like the bezel and then add them onto the piece at the same time as the bezel.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I hand cut the "wheat fronds" from rolled out Bronze clay. Then I added the syringe on the top for height. The thought was - fire flat, bend, secure onto the back plate over the investment "place holder" and then fire. I used syringe directly onto the back of the piece to add grasses and more "wheat fronds" to ad a cohesive design aspect - should the piece flip around while being worn.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNcJXOMhtnUFdntSoYHTyC89DShUFqas7sbd7iZ6v_TKuOKiiRt5JiFeexBDDH1EO0iWU0sJBtXZUiShdtrE5ODZiCM9HLEZ-iA8_LfWMx5tdqIsPN5BpjGnXnmaF57fBMRxlfwfGSxNW/s1600/mook8b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 0 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNcJXOMhtnUFdntSoYHTyC89DShUFqas7sbd7iZ6v_TKuOKiiRt5JiFeexBDDH1EO0iWU0sJBtXZUiShdtrE5ODZiCM9HLEZ-iA8_LfWMx5tdqIsPN5BpjGnXnmaF57fBMRxlfwfGSxNW/s200/mook8b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723355411105253794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The bail I was thinking would be an oval that is "folded" over but rounded not hard fold. It would form a "horse-shoe" like shape. I planned a "nub" on the front that would actually sit inside a hole at the top of the triangle back plate and act almost like a pinch bail. The "wheat fronds" fired fine, I added them and the bezel to the back plate. created the hole in the top of the triangle and fired the pendant and the bail (bail flat and separate).<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I had problem with the investment on the bronze... it seemed definitely warped - domed - I wasn't sure it was properly fired (the color wasn't right). So I refired it without the investment. While that was firing I bent the bail over one of my </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">tools and it formed a perfect bail.<br /><br />I used my dapping tools and pounded out the domed area. It flattened nicely. And was ready for cleaning. </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I used my dremel and POOF hit one of the fronds and it was fast and the piece too thin and it snapped off and went flying. ::sigh::<br /><br />Other issues - the bezel lifted a bit when it domed. The bezel was prob 1mm to high up on the back piece so the stone interferes with the bail (or the bail interferes with the stone).<br /><br />All in all - it was an unsuccessful project but a WONDERFUL learning experience and I will be working on this project again - the Mookaite Cab looks fabulous in this setting and I want it to have a setting. :o) Watch for Learning Experience 2. :o)<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVGeIVYvA64lgUsDMg1mcnHk3p_9T3bYghv_qVmHz5iK8IL2zftw95W32WoQhjfKJRxmlTr53upxgUCj3D5VsPxqxV22XK52h9vSNWEwtjFTRMxk2sVy-yg8B30eQMQ5LVEu3kAhSgRWW/s1600/Mook9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVGeIVYvA64lgUsDMg1mcnHk3p_9T3bYghv_qVmHz5iK8IL2zftw95W32WoQhjfKJRxmlTr53upxgUCj3D5VsPxqxV22XK52h9vSNWEwtjFTRMxk2sVy-yg8B30eQMQ5LVEu3kAhSgRWW/s400/Mook9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723359784248294642" border="0" /></a><br /></span></span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-49173771568893066742012-02-18T15:48:00.016-06:002012-02-18T23:45:17.280-06:00Good Riddance 2011Hello 2012...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Well let's just say 2011 did not get better after my last post... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53LQrBZm5v9E5wLjX5SGP5bg7BCIY-r-kD-b5l6oAmpJkcAjzVlezhWU2vsaJ-RKcGdlkezhDMYzOTEhMp4hxFzYKJ1NKeNY-dMoUgqg18slrdnSG5OblzuwH4RBc3tZPY1aSo302hj85/s1600/LoveLost2011.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53LQrBZm5v9E5wLjX5SGP5bg7BCIY-r-kD-b5l6oAmpJkcAjzVlezhWU2vsaJ-RKcGdlkezhDMYzOTEhMp4hxFzYKJ1NKeNY-dMoUgqg18slrdnSG5OblzuwH4RBc3tZPY1aSo302hj85/s320/LoveLost2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710608925810733298" border="0" /></a>just so I can get it out we had a few passings in my family - my Mom passed away on May 21, my beautiful 19 year old Maine C</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">oon Emmett in mid June, My Great Uncle Bert in July, my Sister's pup Cera in November, my Great Aunt Kat</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">e in late November and my precious little black rescue kitty Mikito (Titi) in early December. It was the hardest year I've ever had to live thru and I so hope that I never have to experience all that pain again.<br /><br />That being said three things kept me partially sane... my beautiful twin 4 1/2 year old kits and creating. In the midst of all the craziness I created some beautiful pieces for friends and family and more Color Combo Challenge pieces. I've put </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">some of the Color Combo Challenge pieces in my etsy sh</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">op but will show you s</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">ome of <span style="font-size:85%;">the highlights here.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />May 2011 -<br /></span></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7MenlKXMoBWCVJM_8KOeQiYrtLY0kFT7RK72_mG-NMcXN8id5ggPq_NMTSOywSIFs0bXJui1OHbPhltP4jEot4B66EA2bKkA3FnMJ4eTtadvypBvTrGuD8Qh1o09OgMNTLKjKPURIdyr/s1600/51411_Necklaces.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7MenlKXMoBWCVJM_8KOeQiYrtLY0kFT7RK72_mG-NMcXN8id5ggPq_NMTSOywSIFs0bXJui1OHbPhltP4jEot4B66EA2bKkA3FnMJ4eTtadvypBvTrGuD8Qh1o09OgMNTLKjKPURIdyr/s200/51411_Necklaces.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710709823951870274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Mother & Daughter Hearts...</span><br />created from Fine Silver for a friend and </span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">her daughter. The mom's heart has here daughter's birthstone and the daughter's has the Japanese symbol for "bond" on the back. They fit perfectly together as the daughter is her mother's heart. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfIAQNoPSdWOMYKzJc9z6_u2gtryoMpCdOb9oTwNuU2kqO_wd_YuL9BRxTSkrOuNtzkECVptH-wr0ZONxcPffH-tWGG08fISTUYx3BIzEsaOTEHH-tgrXom2VlRcafGqVPBVeBOMeAd8J/s1600/51411_DaffodilDazeRing.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfIAQNoPSdWOMYKzJc9z6_u2gtryoMpCdOb9oTwNuU2kqO_wd_YuL9BRxTSkrOuNtzkECVptH-wr0ZONxcPffH-tWGG08fISTUYx3BIzEsaOTEHH-tgrXom2VlRcafGqVPBVeBOMeAd8J/s320/51411_DaffodilDazeRing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710711436596117682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daffodil Daze...</span><br /></span> A good friend saw my "Statement Ring" and said she had to have one... so I asked her favorite color and favorite flower and POOF came up with <span style="font-style: italic;">Daffodil Daze</span> - a VERY LARGE ring making quite the statement. The cool thing is </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">- it's a size 4 1/2 - TINY yet sooo large on top!! Created from Fine Silver each petal was hand shaped and the "cup" was hand formed around the stone. The band has the owners initial crafted onto it. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><span style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Rosary for Mom...</span> <span class="hasCaption"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTfc8IvmJswkcuCxu_kCys0oqIqaE4vd4boXxMhjug1lvbfTLuerJSEKrX4CJBXGo-OBzcC-UwnmD5LTX9B8EjY8sDnMan3AmtR8im3oOzr05OHpJBelq7BGhEmQyYvYYwsXa4EYthoSE/s1600/52111_Rosary2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTfc8IvmJswkcuCxu_kCys0oqIqaE4vd4boXxMhjug1lvbfTLuerJSEKrX4CJBXGo-OBzcC-UwnmD5LTX9B8EjY8sDnMan3AmtR8im3oOzr05OHpJBelq7BGhEmQyYvYYwsXa4EYthoSE/s200/52111_Rosary2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710713275730735234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Created this Mother of Pearl Rosary for my Mom. She passed away earlier today after a brief illness. In a need to put my mind on something else while we struggled to wait and see if she would recover I started creating this Rosary for her. I don't remember her having one and thought maybe she'd like a personalized one.<br /><br />This one is created from Mother of Pearl (Pearl's biblical<span class="text_exposed_show"> meaning is "God's Wisdom") beads, vintage bronze wire all hand wired, and </span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">the cross and center piece were molded from an old rosary which had belonged to her mom and then created using bronze clay.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I then combined the Mother of Pearl Decades with Swarovski Crystals in the birthstone colors of all the kids and grand kids. The little fired-in-place Peridot CZ represents her one great-grand child. She loved her kids and grand/great grand kids and I think she would be very proud of this piece.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Will miss you Mom - we all will.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />------------------------<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Until next time... I leave you with this thought - take care of those you love - both 2 legged and 4 legged ... there is nothing like the love you have your family, friends and your pets. Special love to my two lost boys.. Emmett and Titi... love you.<br /><br />Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces.</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-69779805746491686602011-06-23T21:54:00.013-05:002011-06-23T23:17:54.489-05:00Silver, Copper, Bronze... Color Combo Challenge And More!!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hey!! Wow it's been a long time since my last blog - Lordy I feel like I just knelt down in a confessional! But seriously - so much has been going on in 2011 and I'm a bit behind in my reporting!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">You know me, you know my style - I tend to create pieces for specific people - gifts... with specific people in mind. Which means I think about the person, and </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TJxe3UQNuk_gp4ON9ayTcq2vPnSTvv_qimPX3C7B6H8cHQNBsqWGo620FTosWZKGQ6AJaRKgPZJNrO9FjMxAVUGvzPK-LiQF7ywZ18HNhWhcXO0nolzaxka6Ak3cr53y_DGfX8jhTG-Q/s1600/ccc.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TJxe3UQNuk_gp4ON9ayTcq2vPnSTvv_qimPX3C7B6H8cHQNBsqWGo620FTosWZKGQ6AJaRKgPZJNrO9FjMxAVUGvzPK-LiQF7ywZ18HNhWhcXO0nolzaxka6Ak3cr53y_DGfX8jhTG-Q/s320/ccc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618248631968642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">pull bits and pieces of them into the design. Well that tends to make it difficult for me to ... just make. So in mid January I joined a Facebook group called "</span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_147939001917947&ap=1">Color Combo Challenge</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">". This group is fantastic. I've watched it grow from less than 50 people to over 200 in a few short months. Each Monday a combination (palette) of colors is picked (or voted on) and you have one week to create a piece in that palette - the pics are then posted on Sunday or Monday and then the new colors are announced. I've had SO much fun! Besides the craziness of trying to find materials in the right colors and then creating something "just because" I've met some super great people and learned so much!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some pics of the pieces I've done for the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Color Combo Challenge</span> (the color squares show you the color palette we had that week):</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdRQeeGyyXtqj2lIhHsLiVDi51-uDvzzs4Dyzq2tdFhpyZFcr-EsjkBjH3EQXB8cdsnvYyGb5sqAZ4bRtFRdFDfnBAjXBF_jkOKKfH-cLGExzhlb4pwFxbAL3_vR0XzGd0xtOguuDmNsp/s1600/ccc2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdRQeeGyyXtqj2lIhHsLiVDi51-uDvzzs4Dyzq2tdFhpyZFcr-EsjkBjH3EQXB8cdsnvYyGb5sqAZ4bRtFRdFDfnBAjXBF_jkOKKfH-cLGExzhlb4pwFxbAL3_vR0XzGd0xtOguuDmNsp/s320/ccc2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618914279314738" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinlxE1axYC25jtgde9qUUcibOze2NdVS2ezotVm_CeHZM7frhYdKvbrgjtr96snLOm8uTWN4QsGWMk8VkmFI8kiAe1kunfcYcVu9Vrt6SZ2fkDgSWNSeFDFDpruuTDp6hxo5aAMUcnDXx/s1600/ccc3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinlxE1axYC25jtgde9qUUcibOze2NdVS2ezotVm_CeHZM7frhYdKvbrgjtr96snLOm8uTWN4QsGWMk8VkmFI8kiAe1kunfcYcVu9Vrt6SZ2fkDgSWNSeFDFDpruuTDp6hxo5aAMUcnDXx/s320/ccc3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618914523963634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />8_Brown/Black, Topaz, Seafoam, Mint and Dusty Mint Greens</span><br /><br />Necklace and Earrings: Bronze, Pale Green Granite (yep granite), Amber Glass Beads, Topaz Swarovski Crystals, Peace Stone, Sesame Jasper, hand-made chain and ear wires from vintage bronze wire. One lamp work bead is in the center of the focal - created by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>. The necklace is approx 22" and the earrings are approx 2 1/2" long from top of ear wire.<br />Bracelet: Bronze, Green Granite (this piece has cool sandy pieces in it), Topaz Swarovski Crystals, Peace Stone, Amazonite, Amber Lamp Work Spacer by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/"> That Bead Girl</a>, hand-made chain and forged closure.<br />Bracelet approx 7 1/4" long.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8wDpEPos8eAlQRTgMPuudcBzdocLfK2MnvmiZ0R8eVv_HHsmfdX8WphROMxUJkV5EbUdpsnOh826bgJN9zcOQ4mCTfgevZDHStptsdcxfAt6qEd6GqyiB-HT69hjYZUBNHK3rUcbGhxr/s1600/ccc4.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8wDpEPos8eAlQRTgMPuudcBzdocLfK2MnvmiZ0R8eVv_HHsmfdX8WphROMxUJkV5EbUdpsnOh826bgJN9zcOQ4mCTfgevZDHStptsdcxfAt6qEd6GqyiB-HT69hjYZUBNHK3rUcbGhxr/s1600/ccc4.jpg"><br /><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8wDpEPos8eAlQRTgMPuudcBzdocLfK2MnvmiZ0R8eVv_HHsmfdX8WphROMxUJkV5EbUdpsnOh826bgJN9zcOQ4mCTfgevZDHStptsdcxfAt6qEd6GqyiB-HT69hjYZUBNHK3rUcbGhxr/s320/ccc4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618925668221042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu_g_8ep_qyHqJPvGWuDJhOEh6Ofu11xOJ2O8tkvmrkACcp-iT0hOjtxFeOAWevZGpPgtUnIlg1zaco6QGTfVfc316r8TH27xApVblsuJrV3FWWrEqxfjgqYMBNnqqnUXzwOb84puiOKQ/s1600/ccc5.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu_g_8ep_qyHqJPvGWuDJhOEh6Ofu11xOJ2O8tkvmrkACcp-iT0hOjtxFeOAWevZGpPgtUnIlg1zaco6QGTfVfc316r8TH27xApVblsuJrV3FWWrEqxfjgqYMBNnqqnUXzwOb84puiOKQ/s320/ccc5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618928522190130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9_Honeysuckle (Pink) & Russet<br /></span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76020499/hand-crafted-ccc-lampwork-and-bronze">Click Here to Buy Necklace!</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - or - </span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76018925/hand-crafted-dangle-ccc-lampwork-bronze">Click Here to Buy Earrings!</a></span><br /><br />Necklace: Bronze hand-sculpted rose focal with hand-forged texture. Two shades of pink lampwork beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>. Swaros - Light Colorado Topaz, Smoked Topaz and Rose. Brown & White Enamel beads made by me (!) with hand-forged Antique Bronze wire work. Finished off with pink suede cord and hand-forged Antique Bronze hook with lampwork bead.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Earrings: Bronze flower drops with hand-forged texture. Pink Lampwork beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>, Swaros - Light Colorado Topaz and Smoked Topaz. Antique Bronze wire.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MUpcp9v69ZgRFrYqCbv84Y5RkFEPVp0HSRLmVGKNfSEaveXQTHe5PWpp9kLnOo65wJktCK27dFYV8c0LavMK2ZYNo11JwvZYEUJ8GrmbxyMJzg6P3KMaYxRVLNp39CTfeJo6czXQfVGn/s1600/ccc8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MUpcp9v69ZgRFrYqCbv84Y5RkFEPVp0HSRLmVGKNfSEaveXQTHe5PWpp9kLnOo65wJktCK27dFYV8c0LavMK2ZYNo11JwvZYEUJ8GrmbxyMJzg6P3KMaYxRVLNp39CTfeJo6czXQfVGn/s320/ccc8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621618936785348930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIjMsaAq7CsfOdVGrTPbKlh5KO-1IEURChhseO7tIi-GCTOfE8v-tneKVavWt5uA8NgLtR6xhvbTJuLb98u-XVoWch6FJaBXcx2ULgPEgnVP_hecttLgL1waOxE4aN8_oeiDaOJsNGPWT/s1600/ccc9.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIjMsaAq7CsfOdVGrTPbKlh5KO-1IEURChhseO7tIi-GCTOfE8v-tneKVavWt5uA8NgLtR6xhvbTJuLb98u-XVoWch6FJaBXcx2ULgPEgnVP_hecttLgL1waOxE4aN8_oeiDaOJsNGPWT/s320/ccc9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621620073698818802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11_ Mauves & Olive done with lamp work, Swarovski crystals,<br />vintage bronze and hand-dyed silk cord<br /></span><span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76021489/hand-crafted-ccc-lampwork-coiled-wire">Click Here to Buy Necklace!</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - or - </span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76020918/hand-crafted-dangle-ccc-lampwork-crystal">Click Here to Buy Earrings!</a></span><br /><br />Necklace: Beautiful lamp work heart by <a href="http://www.bastillebleu.com/">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a> and jungle twilight lamp work beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> combined with vintage bronze wire to create what I think is a pretty cute necklace. Notice the vintage 10mm pink ab swaros (unsure the exact color but will find out)!! ;o) Piece is finished off with hand coiled beads, cord caps and a hand-forged vintage bronze "s" hook.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Earrings: More jungle twilight lamp work beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> combined with green and pink swaros, and vintage bronze hand-coiled beads on hand-forged ear wires</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7le1Fxuq7a2ItF-Pus9RNYrcqdbjIzzEhsSUNCIxtYKUtYfMYBX2t7r_zugkWNXyXU7O7rGFOQmn4wJTKD50ply_IWfHIiN02Xid7kY92Se1JOGic33-q35pmr1oYaFiEwcTTR8rLaCTr/s1600/ccc12.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrLyzT8pUgCbVtauA0ZVVdCElTe6ZIeJCRLljSKRzmGH0jXimo2mVGR9SacoQEGZQsW8JIHU-4Vk3jh3pJoa1QVoYyCbfsqaVNrwVCsXx2IMX1lG7ufZkY8AMKxl04eoFPA7A8GtYijy9/s1600/ccc10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrLyzT8pUgCbVtauA0ZVVdCElTe6ZIeJCRLljSKRzmGH0jXimo2mVGR9SacoQEGZQsW8JIHU-4Vk3jh3pJoa1QVoYyCbfsqaVNrwVCsXx2IMX1lG7ufZkY8AMKxl04eoFPA7A8GtYijy9/s320/ccc10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621620074915759106" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Cb1cdNekAhY-glK0PAT_nGeICbJN6gylPyId7pqPFISz2kqRi8eEksNzbPkR6osPWW35XBSWf391VdsafGaVmmIPGGDxL4evJQmGtuuap4PVEJs44t2m_O7UGUe0ZGucf0w1pRCVurd/s1600/ccc11.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Cb1cdNekAhY-glK0PAT_nGeICbJN6gylPyId7pqPFISz2kqRi8eEksNzbPkR6osPWW35XBSWf391VdsafGaVmmIPGGDxL4evJQmGtuuap4PVEJs44t2m_O7UGUe0ZGucf0w1pRCVurd/s320/ccc11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621620082819498162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">12_Coral & Seafoam done with Fossil Coral Beads, Adventurine, Green Flourite, Red Jasper, Dark & Light Coral Czech Glass and Lampwork Beads and Bronze wire</span><br /><br />SOLD... Necklace - Took the color challenge a little bit literal and used fossil coral beads for this necklace w/ adventurine and green flourite along w/ red jasper and coral & pink glass czech beads. Hand-forged bronze wire chain with hand-dyed silk cord. And two small lampwork beads at either end of the main focal section by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">GIFTED... Earrings: Do not match the necklace - but I love these coral/pinky color shells (Strawberry Top Shells from Thunder Bird Supply). Matched w/ bronze hand-forged ear wires and coils along with VINTAGE peridot (or Chrysobryl (?sp)) swaros. I am checking on the Swaros.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7le1Fxuq7a2ItF-Pus9RNYrcqdbjIzzEhsSUNCIxtYKUtYfMYBX2t7r_zugkWNXyXU7O7rGFOQmn4wJTKD50ply_IWfHIiN02Xid7kY92Se1JOGic33-q35pmr1oYaFiEwcTTR8rLaCTr/s1600/ccc12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7le1Fxuq7a2ItF-Pus9RNYrcqdbjIzzEhsSUNCIxtYKUtYfMYBX2t7r_zugkWNXyXU7O7rGFOQmn4wJTKD50ply_IWfHIiN02Xid7kY92Se1JOGic33-q35pmr1oYaFiEwcTTR8rLaCTr/s320/ccc12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621620082485765842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtdjU_cCsiw5pShomv7kIGsYJyA2IkFvVbMviIWO1iuhguKa7tHDg15_x6-c94X5BgGuHv3-QZfrerwSTFgVvaj3vjPyecUm9uuivVtHA1Ri1c3_GNlgAi4PVYvyR9tm0vvvRXeblydc/s1600/ccc13.jpg"> </a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14 - Teal/Seafoam/Royal - Bronze Component, Lampwork Beads,<br />African Jade and Blue Lapsis w/ Bronze Wire.</span><br />Bracelet - Bronze bracelet made from one of my bronze components, pretty blue/green lampwork beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>, African Jade round beads and blue lapsis. Hand forged antique bronze wire chain. Closes with a square bronze toggle.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtdjU_cCsiw5pShomv7kIGsYJyA2IkFvVbMviIWO1iuhguKa7tHDg15_x6-c94X5BgGuHv3-QZfrerwSTFgVvaj3vjPyecUm9uuivVtHA1Ri1c3_GNlgAi4PVYvyR9tm0vvvRXeblydc/s1600/ccc13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtdjU_cCsiw5pShomv7kIGsYJyA2IkFvVbMviIWO1iuhguKa7tHDg15_x6-c94X5BgGuHv3-QZfrerwSTFgVvaj3vjPyecUm9uuivVtHA1Ri1c3_GNlgAi4PVYvyR9tm0vvvRXeblydc/s320/ccc13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621620091340729378" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">15 - Plum & Peach - Birds Eye Rayolite, Bronze Component,<br />Lampwork Beads, Harvest Stone, Swarovski Crystals w/ Bronze Wire.</span><br /><br />Necklace - Birds Eye Rayolite focal surrounded by peach and plum lampwork spacers by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>, Harvest Stone beads, and light peach Swarovski crystals. Purchased textured chain combined with bronze button component from my etsy shop as well as lampwork, Swarovski and harvest stone bead components. Hand forged closure. Necklace approx 20".</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bVUI5SX5Q8auHmREyiRyGdEL_NEgqOm4nr7U_6Hd6jBH_HTibgCDA7gDfMZ_W0nUOSBPrBVvNeG2XTEe3k5_sJtJdYwOMIrzOMawpXyPacE4ktxc8o7brPHqKRi431zCjiX1v7abC0O/s1600/ccc14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5bVUI5SX5Q8auHmREyiRyGdEL_NEgqOm4nr7U_6Hd6jBH_HTibgCDA7gDfMZ_W0nUOSBPrBVvNeG2XTEe3k5_sJtJdYwOMIrzOMawpXyPacE4ktxc8o7brPHqKRi431zCjiX1v7abC0O/s320/ccc14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621621411221343170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5MW1ss4ejGjPgOjovsTr2ak3aqpNfSEqoeA3dywdxHL6aKYXHswjYfPNz24kPPEwuZ2ffIfRrFY_vVtOaIkE2_j8Qot-TlMLoTQBLdegsggcWbpVR9YR1UpnGf5-F3GUsU-9O5ppaSWr/s1600/ccc15.jpg"> </a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />16_Pink Lemonade - Copper, Swarovski Crystals, Glass Beads,<br />Copper/Brass Wire, Copper Chain<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76023380/hand-crafted-pink-lemonade-garden-party">Click Here to Buy Necklace!</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - or - </span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76023100/hand-crafted-pink-lemonade-garden-party">Click Here to Buy Earrings!</a></span><br /><br />Pink Lemonade Garden Party - Necklace & Earrings<br />Second try at 'beading' but first time on my own from start to finish. Came across a bracelet in a magazine this week that had these cool crystal bead components so I thought - hmmmm. Here's my try -<br /><br />Necklace - "Beads" created from Sunflower, Vintage Rose, Rose Swarovski Crystals with size 15 pale pink glass beads. Combined with my own copper rose hips, hand-made jump rings from copper and brass twisted wire and Swarovski crystal w/ copper links. The toggle on this is a combination of Copper & Brass twisted wire and one of my copper twig with buds. Chains lengths are doubled to add to the flow.<br /><br />Earrings - "Beads" created from Sunflower, Vintage Rose, Rose Swarovski Crystals with size 15 pale pink glass beads. Combined with my own copper rose hips as dangles. Hang from rose gold-filled ear wires for comfortable "non-greening" wear.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5MW1ss4ejGjPgOjovsTr2ak3aqpNfSEqoeA3dywdxHL6aKYXHswjYfPNz24kPPEwuZ2ffIfRrFY_vVtOaIkE2_j8Qot-TlMLoTQBLdegsggcWbpVR9YR1UpnGf5-F3GUsU-9O5ppaSWr/s1600/ccc15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5MW1ss4ejGjPgOjovsTr2ak3aqpNfSEqoeA3dywdxHL6aKYXHswjYfPNz24kPPEwuZ2ffIfRrFY_vVtOaIkE2_j8Qot-TlMLoTQBLdegsggcWbpVR9YR1UpnGf5-F3GUsU-9O5ppaSWr/s320/ccc15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621621416162492530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">17_Green/Brown - Copper, Bronze, Swarovski Crystals, Harvest Stone,<br />Lamp work Beads, Suede Cording, Vintage Bronze Wire, Copper & Brass Chain<br /></span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76024073/hand-crafted-natures-gifts-ccc-bronze">Click Here to Buy Me!</a></span><br /><br />Necklace - dangle focal created from Lamp work beads by <a href="http://www.bastillebleu.com/">Bastille Bleu</a> (rounds) combined with hand-coiled Vintage Bronze bail, patina'd Copper chain. Dangles are patina'd Copper Maple tree seed, Bronze rose hip, Swarovski crystals and a lamp work disc by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>.<br /><br />Focal hung from doubled beautiful green suede cord with side closure created from hand-coiled Vintage Bronze leather ends and hook with Copper/Brass chain and a rose-hip dangle with Swarovski crystals.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Tutorial for the coiled bail from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://gailavira.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://gailavira.etsy.com/</a><span style="font-style: italic;">)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvNt_vl57Nwdrzxen180q2JgsMgKbAFDU8wcWd1UHS4z9y79R3YGIyh5mR-IbIWVZ0CtYgmpuxbo7kRCvFudBNR7D-TS3SeYpRH6NN9TAqMkOJ8Wj9K3mlOvS4i2yxkeQmNmhOS4puru8/s1600/ccc17.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvNt_vl57Nwdrzxen180q2JgsMgKbAFDU8wcWd1UHS4z9y79R3YGIyh5mR-IbIWVZ0CtYgmpuxbo7kRCvFudBNR7D-TS3SeYpRH6NN9TAqMkOJ8Wj9K3mlOvS4i2yxkeQmNmhOS4puru8/s320/ccc17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621621424491284530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">20_ Teal/Gold/Purple - Bronze, Lampwork Beads,<br />Swarovski Crystals, Antiqued Bronze Wire<br /></span><span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76025075/hand-crafted-natures-glory-ccc-bronze">Click to Buy Me!</a></span><br /><br />Necklace - Created this using a mold I made of a vintage pin. Used Bronze Clay, inset 2 fire-able CZs - Amythyst & Yellow Diamond. The Yellow Diamond lighted more than it was so it looks almost creamy clear. Then I took a piece of teal colored sea glass, smashed the crappola out of it and inset a small piece. Fired, tumbled, patina'd (carefully!!) w/ a torch to get some color on the lower wing and body. I added hand-made chain and Swarovski Crystals and Lampwork Spacers (by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">that bead girl</a>). The chain on the necklace is purchased, the lampwork are all by that bead girl. The closure is also from Bronze clay. I'm SO excited that the piece worked w/ the crystals added in before firing - it opens up SOOO many more ideas for me!!<br /><br />Earrings - used the lower wing of the butterfly for the earrings. These are done with hand made chain, Swarovski Crystals and again - Lampwork spacers by that bead girl. Hand-forged earring wires. If I had it to do over - and I prob will :o) I would add a crystal to one side of the wing and only two holes on the other side. I think they would dangle really pretty that way.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauIHylBeuXrl46QQrkBVj49JUUevOKCHphHumS5YxuklIx7HdaqYYklDGi0VoWKVBmeQO5GUNxbbyGhfX9TUzCQLb_Kya9inSsEwOjTDPs1p9FrPUU2jpPt1MGUXcPc3zRYEfo-OZv3cV/s1600/ccc18.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauIHylBeuXrl46QQrkBVj49JUUevOKCHphHumS5YxuklIx7HdaqYYklDGi0VoWKVBmeQO5GUNxbbyGhfX9TUzCQLb_Kya9inSsEwOjTDPs1p9FrPUU2jpPt1MGUXcPc3zRYEfo-OZv3cV/s320/ccc18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621621430146480674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">22_"Creamy Reds" - Pearls, Riverstone, Leopard Skin Jasper,<br />Swarovski Crystals, Sterling Silver<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76024582/hand-crafted-gifts-from-the-sea-ccc">Click Here to Buy Earrings!</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> - and - </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76024441/hand-crafted-gifts-from-the-sea-ccc">Click Here to Buy Bracelet!</a></span><br /><br />Pulled this together quickly because I missed last weeks and 'needed' to do this! (LOL Afraid if I skip another week I'm doomed to skip all!) SO... I'm admitting that I was/am TOTALLY inspired by Jo Conway's beautiful LOOONNNG creamy pearl necklace that she posted in her shop this week.<br />(<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72762044/long-glamourous-pearls" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.etsy.com/listing/72762044/lon</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>g-glamourous-pearls</a>)<br /><br />Bracelet - Creamy little round ...Pearls, 6mm beigy/creme Riverstone, 8mm Black Diamond Swarovski round crystals, 8mm and 14mm Leopard Skin Jasper in cool reds, creams and black swirls. Finished off with 16g sterling silver "S" hook. Approx 8" finished.<br /><br />Earrings - 8mm Leopard Skin Jasper, 6mm Black Diamond Swarovski Crystal rounds and 6mm beigy/creme Riverstone strung on hand made sterling silver earring wires. Approx 1 1/2" long<br /><br />Thank you Jo for the inspiration! :o)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDWwzfaz9dJ7zZrhwGYwXytzFbLY5XNpnyRxVB3lTfbkWp6y8v6IvERm4-Qmh6WxRMbkrXDDM5ORONBUzvUylx7MqI9GgzqXmulnx2gLJAe7XUuR5bNHRfZDZrjkNy9f6xHvIlFpseY_/s1600/ccc19.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDWwzfaz9dJ7zZrhwGYwXytzFbLY5XNpnyRxVB3lTfbkWp6y8v6IvERm4-Qmh6WxRMbkrXDDM5ORONBUzvUylx7MqI9GgzqXmulnx2gLJAe7XUuR5bNHRfZDZrjkNy9f6xHvIlFpseY_/s1600/ccc19.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EDWwzfaz9dJ7zZrhwGYwXytzFbLY5XNpnyRxVB3lTfbkWp6y8v6IvERm4-Qmh6WxRMbkrXDDM5ORONBUzvUylx7MqI9GgzqXmulnx2gLJAe7XUuR5bNHRfZDZrjkNy9f6xHvIlFpseY_/s320/ccc19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621622366010961698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzPLWC8fRBPItqyriXOYuVIp7i1iU0hxHpAQIqyXfm9mPY6giFqV1wzwsQyl3_QZuwVsa0OM3kw6H8ceRw3yFCbgn-CQ5HPa8DR9UbI-2FG5O41c4NEJMdktfGj-TWeczaLRSB_1iEkDj/s1600/ccc20.jpg"> </a><span style="font-weight: bold;">24_"Tropical Orange & Blue" Kazuri Beads, Lampwork Beads,<br />Swarovski Crystals, Copper & Brass Twisted Wire, Copper Viking Knit.</span><br /><br />Bracelet - Hand-made copper viking knit chain w/ copper and brass twisted wire end caps. Decorated with two denim blue Kazuri ceramic beads, a large Swarovski Fire Opal Crystal and small Sapphire Swarovski Crystals, and two Orangie/Yellow lampwork bead spacers by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">that bead girl</a>. Approx 7 1/2" finished.<br /><br />Earrings - Hand-forged copper ear wires w/ copper and brass twisted jump rings from which dangle three small staggered lengths of chain with Swarovski Crystals (Fire Opal and Sapphire), a Clear AB Swarovski Crystal w/ Royal Blue lampwork spacer bead and Red Siam Swarovski Crystal w/ Orangie/Yellow lampwork spacer bead. Spacer beads by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">that bead girl</a>. Approx 3" total.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGK5wQty_6PP_58QEuqYH6Wp2Ag91rL8k6CeGGbrm9Ir1KeqTr9spfQwngRubf1lDDmGY9cJ6EZWAjtqEGI6Aa9Y1ZgAbfbYjCXDjw5WY34hcOy9Wpi81YfXRaX-_Sqb7u_Y_oM11xEU5/s1600/ccc20b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGK5wQty_6PP_58QEuqYH6Wp2Ag91rL8k6CeGGbrm9Ir1KeqTr9spfQwngRubf1lDDmGY9cJ6EZWAjtqEGI6Aa9Y1ZgAbfbYjCXDjw5WY34hcOy9Wpi81YfXRaX-_Sqb7u_Y_oM11xEU5/s320/ccc20b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621628402523618754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzPLWC8fRBPItqyriXOYuVIp7i1iU0hxHpAQIqyXfm9mPY6giFqV1wzwsQyl3_QZuwVsa0OM3kw6H8ceRw3yFCbgn-CQ5HPa8DR9UbI-2FG5O41c4NEJMdktfGj-TWeczaLRSB_1iEkDj/s1600/ccc20.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzPLWC8fRBPItqyriXOYuVIp7i1iU0hxHpAQIqyXfm9mPY6giFqV1wzwsQyl3_QZuwVsa0OM3kw6H8ceRw3yFCbgn-CQ5HPa8DR9UbI-2FG5O41c4NEJMdktfGj-TWeczaLRSB_1iEkDj/s320/ccc20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621622364877680946" border="0" /> </a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">25_Sea Green - Bracelet - Lampwork Beads, Swarovski Crystals,<br />Fine Silver, Hand-woven Sterling Silver Chain, African Jade.</span><br /><br />I had some hand-woven sterling silver that I had made and used it for this bracelet. I used sterling silver wire to create the end caps for the chain and connected it to some sterling beading wire. The Lampwork Beads are gorgeous sea foam and pesto colored matte beads w/ silver made by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/canyonechoes">Canyon Echoes Artisan Beads</a>. They are combined with fine silver hand made bead caps w/ a carnation texture, four vintage pale green Swarovski Crystals and two larger black diamond Swarovski Crystals.<br /><br />The center bead was created by me of fine silver and has a sea urchin texture. It's made with a large hole to fit over the viking chain but I wanted it to be the focal so I strung sterling beads and African Jade on the beading wire to go inside the fine silver bead. This allows the fine silver Urchin bead to slide back and forth and give it some movement.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N21puZ_4QVuRzHLwtAle0SfqpRAgfNpL-L25Bq_J3Y3lN-BHPUAThDPBO4orSayxyRr_BR3pJ5eI6BovGzALwrlzwwww8rX0kbfwqUQKGbIN9jxHGvA19DkSAl-PPYtDW7A3YGt8Pha1/s1600/ccc21.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N21puZ_4QVuRzHLwtAle0SfqpRAgfNpL-L25Bq_J3Y3lN-BHPUAThDPBO4orSayxyRr_BR3pJ5eI6BovGzALwrlzwwww8rX0kbfwqUQKGbIN9jxHGvA19DkSAl-PPYtDW7A3YGt8Pha1/s320/ccc21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621622370302994834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcKyeRv6gkg_AeVzBl8vSqPQpFM84wiJ1WuipdHxqf-cTMr6Efs7A5R9lXklXESLynoSoSXrBmOlJXQ2okqyxR4lcUmDERwL7ll6hY3y01_YwFY6X8eIuwCiWuwmqDc8QMiCRrdDzD2o_/s1600/ccc21b.jpg"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcKyeRv6gkg_AeVzBl8vSqPQpFM84wiJ1WuipdHxqf-cTMr6Efs7A5R9lXklXESLynoSoSXrBmOlJXQ2okqyxR4lcUmDERwL7ll6hY3y01_YwFY6X8eIuwCiWuwmqDc8QMiCRrdDzD2o_/s320/ccc21b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621622371731296962" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">28_Royal, Turquoise, White, Sand, Yellow - Lampwork, White Jade,<br />River Stone, Swarovski Crystals, Glass Beads, Sterling Silver.<br />SOLD...<br /></span><br />Necklace - Lampwork beads by Firebabies, Focal by <a href="http://www.bastillebleu.com/">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a>, "Sea glass blue" spacers by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/canyonechoes">Canyon Echoes Artisan Beads</a> - tied together with beige River Stone and White Jade beads w/ silver balls. Hang on sterling silver rolo chain with a hand forged sterling silver s-hook. Small beads on hook and chain are crackled glass beads. Focal has Swarovski crystals in khaki, opal, sunflower, and sapphire.<br /><br />Love how the lampwork from three different artists fell together in this set!! :o)</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Some of these items are posted in my etsy shop - some are not -<br />if you are interested... let me know!! :o)</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-87455430416793266422011-02-19T19:50:00.003-06:002011-02-19T19:54:24.881-06:00More Pics from My Enamel Vacation...<span style="font-weight: bold;">More photos from my vacation... :o)</span><br /><br />First - fine silver pieces created - then the enameling starts. The last pic there... that's my teacher and new friend Pam... watching her work was inspirational.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6OlMMKxBsswylx6qKMB9UJMXnuFVG-kbsAUt7yiSb7-LIAcnxs-g4GSegFuprkW8NCW8Ss7aXE4Z4RxYjbcDrHHQmlmbvbHur4Q46RqcMoPxXdtypG0ReUoE-bGbDwztHj_kQhTTKXHF/s1600/Enamel_SilverClayPieces.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6OlMMKxBsswylx6qKMB9UJMXnuFVG-kbsAUt7yiSb7-LIAcnxs-g4GSegFuprkW8NCW8Ss7aXE4Z4RxYjbcDrHHQmlmbvbHur4Q46RqcMoPxXdtypG0ReUoE-bGbDwztHj_kQhTTKXHF/s200/Enamel_SilverClayPieces.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576383156558674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sh0TzYGhfbvT7AIvZaL8H34S8J9Bzi2O5NYJXMpJzogRptP1XMJbPLpBJquEHayLx0l2uxlenY-xpTvkOob49KBRrMnvHDadgiBA5XvDU9ssVJ8-xJSDsbzA5LZVnv5HE6HiZb5Pob8o/s1600/Enamel_SilverClayPieces_EnamelFirstStep.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sh0TzYGhfbvT7AIvZaL8H34S8J9Bzi2O5NYJXMpJzogRptP1XMJbPLpBJquEHayLx0l2uxlenY-xpTvkOob49KBRrMnvHDadgiBA5XvDU9ssVJ8-xJSDsbzA5LZVnv5HE6HiZb5Pob8o/s200/Enamel_SilverClayPieces_EnamelFirstStep.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576388516061250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw2BuaHr2-z5AOTZwoUg-b8pOg8J6L1Yy6JufrDJiVEXRzFgKGGtiLi_Ov77hbOuYaM9r8JX1ERnd8FTePw79tTG4weIduJTRUcC8GgHY2fCi3S56tsASb6yxm9hZTBEE0cH4iVIrBp7n/s1600/PamEast_Enameling.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw2BuaHr2-z5AOTZwoUg-b8pOg8J6L1Yy6JufrDJiVEXRzFgKGGtiLi_Ov77hbOuYaM9r8JX1ERnd8FTePw79tTG4weIduJTRUcC8GgHY2fCi3S56tsASb6yxm9hZTBEE0cH4iVIrBp7n/s200/PamEast_Enameling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576391944515618" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />John C Campbell Folk School...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0OmT6ghbg4foY6z3YHkdnop1oXk20O3k3rDRaGMIiKAUKt_3wHGqJ6u5EgiuCHebxFbw7j67bXi68tW2w7pWkOwxfr-ze3JNHCzfg8aB6KBMlsLS9TQZTYaAZqOqGfL6JrmpFiGpG1hz/s1600/JCC_ViewFromHouse.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0OmT6ghbg4foY6z3YHkdnop1oXk20O3k3rDRaGMIiKAUKt_3wHGqJ6u5EgiuCHebxFbw7j67bXi68tW2w7pWkOwxfr-ze3JNHCzfg8aB6KBMlsLS9TQZTYaAZqOqGfL6JrmpFiGpG1hz/s200/JCC_ViewFromHouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576404480575202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwJSF7tNcCsAzCQeFjL58mkTI-b8Xp65YJYHAAEijNQG_IkS_NyK8kAcbCsezwbfZ4jr6zYBEsPK1SwGlayZ7EkfEEsX49P_6B1dj8qTcwEsidopwSTYEDKI0vNkq0Q6NEzhLQBmqvDSJ/s1600/JCC_Studios.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwJSF7tNcCsAzCQeFjL58mkTI-b8Xp65YJYHAAEijNQG_IkS_NyK8kAcbCsezwbfZ4jr6zYBEsPK1SwGlayZ7EkfEEsX49P_6B1dj8qTcwEsidopwSTYEDKI0vNkq0Q6NEzhLQBmqvDSJ/s200/JCC_Studios.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576398563309058" border="0" /></a>(Left) View from my dorm;<br /><br />(Right) Some of the studios (the enamel area is building on left);<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enamel Bead Class...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5oFBjhe9gc2hCpBmuRQMI-gmDA-0i6aeDC0m12ZmwYGlZufcYxJHANm8TntlOvA4JnHPHQf6Ry6Fu5fhjKn4xMiBiJ3ED7yfv2hyphenhyphenzvs9Wspwb0zYoXG2t1IOZebUc1MEsPPOonlnkhY2/s1600/PamEast_EnamelBeads4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5oFBjhe9gc2hCpBmuRQMI-gmDA-0i6aeDC0m12ZmwYGlZufcYxJHANm8TntlOvA4JnHPHQf6Ry6Fu5fhjKn4xMiBiJ3ED7yfv2hyphenhyphenzvs9Wspwb0zYoXG2t1IOZebUc1MEsPPOonlnkhY2/s200/PamEast_EnamelBeads4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576737978296882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJGLnFNJRo4IdtMyA9h4-_QkaTJ9hsFMY9i1JjrZJ_Ho9e61Ss1oTBwYLAOLgl3J7o-OZwygn9ue1KyQSfr6GNgsnZ9Nl5YABCdeI9YyQLyTCN02iStoe5e2hOLK-b690RX9Ksa_1OP12/s1600/PamEast_EnamelBeads2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJGLnFNJRo4IdtMyA9h4-_QkaTJ9hsFMY9i1JjrZJ_Ho9e61Ss1oTBwYLAOLgl3J7o-OZwygn9ue1KyQSfr6GNgsnZ9Nl5YABCdeI9YyQLyTCN02iStoe5e2hOLK-b690RX9Ksa_1OP12/s200/PamEast_EnamelBeads2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575576731727902514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbOiu_LBrBzJANa_RaDU8Gv1Y3w7Pp7Baz43EPNqvkRNyDIVe_J677FiKrtREf6DoBOLN09jnAgtqkEXsXHN8-s1Axk7NFk7OyjvHc2VKgy0Uq0Gko2PxoIeKqABJ5YpK1-GVu_Ocf0Qm/s1600/JCC_Beads.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbOiu_LBrBzJANa_RaDU8Gv1Y3w7Pp7Baz43EPNqvkRNyDIVe_J677FiKrtREf6DoBOLN09jnAgtqkEXsXHN8-s1Axk7NFk7OyjvHc2VKgy0Uq0Gko2PxoIeKqABJ5YpK1-GVu_Ocf0Qm/s200/JCC_Beads.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575580046976726498" border="0" /></a>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-47955076333371121362011-02-18T00:23:00.015-06:002011-02-19T21:28:05.206-06:00"Bits 'n Pieces" Branching out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/winchellclayworks"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLirzfn-sc7_cK2oI0DICY9KH5DKKBqHK8I5IK6jCkoicNeJNrz7uLopfZEBjnRy7z7dKqNHe-9-Z9fRAmpVyzntN-AFjBnNzHM1kGyX1mg8LOMFJF6Qa7QoTYLehcOYWrYsi-8MahbP5/s200/ceramic_buttons_wcw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575605112014300706" border="0" /></a>Recently I noticed a number of jewelry friends buying ceramic buttons to use in their jewelry pieces. (Heck I even bought some from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/winchellclayworks">Winchell Clayworks</a> in Maine... ok so maybe I bought them at first because she's from Maine and I love Maine but ... <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU</span> should buy them because <span style="font-weight: bold;">HER PIECES ARE DELISH</span>!!)<br /><br />Ooops I digress...<br /><br />So I asked one of these terrifically artistic gals what she thought about fine silver, bronze and copper buttons - her words were something along the lines of... "you make them - they will come". It sou<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfMBXoMCSsObrUo1gSx9vmbtJsY1jh6n1LT6UyENq06tVhzcPV8ABk0UsJ4xr8LDHK7N0xVLqPx4rArouMoUKiAy9tSygXKmM0ygZKvqm9pRNLkpQ-FCPyddOTDu_zVW8SbjXSATKOAF0/s1600/roasted_chicken.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfMBXoMCSsObrUo1gSx9vmbtJsY1jh6n1LT6UyENq06tVhzcPV8ABk0UsJ4xr8LDHK7N0xVLqPx4rArouMoUKiAy9tSygXKmM0ygZKvqm9pRNLkpQ-FCPyddOTDu_zVW8SbjXSATKOAF0/s200/roasted_chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575605649650153154" border="0" /></a>nded promising. Here's my problem... since I started with my metal clay obsession, folks have asked me "do you have a store?", "do you sell your pieces?" ... my answer was always "No." See, the reason for this is... ::deep breath:: I'm afraid of a number of things - that people don't really like them, that they won't sell and that it will become work ... and this isn't work it's FUN... this is my hobby. (Read between the lines people... I'm a chicken.) I do love making 'components' I use to make the jewelry pieces - almost more than creating the pieces. I love making pieces for people - having a person to create for, knowing that person and making a piece that is totally special and customized for them - but I also like process of making the pieces I use to build the jewelry piece from!<br /><br />So I decided to take a slow ambling walk toward selling pieces. I thought - let's create some components... some "Bits 'n Pieces" and see how it works. I started the process (sloooowwwwllllyy because ... yup - you know it - I'm a big ole chicken - have I mentioned I LOVE roasted chicken? ;o) and this was a big step) ... I created a FB fan page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1011664673&aid=2032550#%21/pages/CalDESIGN-Naturals/155554204493682">calDESIGN Naturals</a> an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/caldesignnaturals">etsy shop</a>, a new banner - <span style="font-style: italic;">NOTICE THE NEW BANNER ON THIS BLOG??</span>. I started putting all my ducks in a row and then I got a little push - my friend Johanna from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CanyonEchoes">Canyon Echoes</a> found my etsy site and every so often would send cryptic notes like... "that should be in your shop" or "still empty" LOL her support made me laugh and kept me going. Then another friend Audrey from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/principessaglass">Principessa Glass</a> found my FB page "found ya" and had a request - make her a pair of heart dangles that she can make earrings from. That was the final push.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Introducing... </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">calDESIGN Naturals</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Bits 'n Pieces" - </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/caldesignnaturals"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaWBUScaUKTQh9bTEoTIjfJn4Ouc4hDBpDD7qo-Z9DJmZnPbCBmCoBBUqpCXfr3I7Q0EP_ygNEDjWizSWKgSjxLpVLdxFdsHv2T4iDMDXZZUxx89gdmGiNORs_W-nkB-WR0OThij1ryxR/s400/etsy_Feb2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574926880934461330" border="0" /></a>I started with 2 pair of heart dangles - one flat, one slightly domed, a flat heart pendant dangle and 2 pair of "buttons". All in fine silver (.999) and all scooped up in the first day! OMG - thank you my friends for making me feel welcome! Audrey reserved both pair of dangles and the pendant and two other friends (yes Johanna was one) scooped up a pair of square fine silver textured buttons w/2 holes and a pair of leaf-shaped fine silver textured buttons w/ 2 holes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBYfMDdUsPxANCIC5PnD-q8_Wc370VFIfZwFEEHS_2NCWkOkSSYiwEvB-VEOuTJ-OQ__ZO3Wxn3BwGPGeTMp9RbhY7iTikcauorN20PEH87jyimlRs-qD0rwFZ88c1W1E_QeuGC2fjO3F/s1600/SilverPieces_Feb2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 79px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBYfMDdUsPxANCIC5PnD-q8_Wc370VFIfZwFEEHS_2NCWkOkSSYiwEvB-VEOuTJ-OQ__ZO3Wxn3BwGPGeTMp9RbhY7iTikcauorN20PEH87jyimlRs-qD0rwFZ88c1W1E_QeuGC2fjO3F/s400/SilverPieces_Feb2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574924098918573362" border="0" /></a><br />After an offer from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CanyonEchoes">Canyon Echoes</a> to add my etsy site to her monthly email newsletter I loaded 10 pair of bronze "buttons".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ByTSXQrHQ9usYSlJ7o6z0EKSq6Du_MyGyFqqADJSGjK7kq12-kgp2QmNwErG-cd2s5QAf3U4QMh2C8loc34_vD0wUEsDdk4W7Ub15yKWUvgPWbz3HkMnakJs7O1tOjxgHYL9w4VepqZb/s1600/FirePatinaGods_020511.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ByTSXQrHQ9usYSlJ7o6z0EKSq6Du_MyGyFqqADJSGjK7kq12-kgp2QmNwErG-cd2s5QAf3U4QMh2C8loc34_vD0wUEsDdk4W7Ub15yKWUvgPWbz3HkMnakJs7O1tOjxgHYL9w4VepqZb/s320/FirePatinaGods_020511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575606919266926962" border="0" /></a> These buttons are fantastic! The torch-applied patina is incredible. Square, round, triangular, diamond, rounded triangular...2 and 3 holes ... textured on one side, flat on the other - these "buttons" are fun!!! Average size is approx 5/8" to 3/4". Textures include wood grain, sea foam, floral, flourishes, and more! Such fun to make!!! All have been tumbled for 8 hours to ensure they are work hardened.<br /><br />It's been a fun trip into the wonderful world of selling what you create - I've had an order for more hearts and h<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ53EnEJuiNNjc_egrfEx-ysaGGYuSayetCvJbN-6qX24Mf-5GwtbLNnQ8creOplm53YwWDgMfvHplzzrqC4EEZ2-WA0Xjse8DFaqcF7vGyyy9Fb1IgO2VTWzpmOURuYHbeUz-_bSYqkY/s1600/AudreysEarrings_feb2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ53EnEJuiNNjc_egrfEx-ysaGGYuSayetCvJbN-6qX24Mf-5GwtbLNnQ8creOplm53YwWDgMfvHplzzrqC4EEZ2-WA0Xjse8DFaqcF7vGyyy9Fb1IgO2VTWzpmOURuYHbeUz-_bSYqkY/s400/AudreysEarrings_feb2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574927797664757186" border="0" /></a>ave fine silver (.999) and bronze drying as I type. :o) I can't thank my friends enough for the support - from answering 1001 questions to providing moral support to actually purchasing my little "Bits 'n Pieces" and requesting more - I love them and THANK YOU!!! :o) <span style="font-style: italic;">(These earrings are the first pieces made with any of my "Bits 'n Pieces" - Audrey made them for herself - she shined them up a little to knock down some of the patina so they would show a little br</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ighter with her dark hair. LOVE these little babies!!:o) )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next post - Color Combo Challenge...</span> creating pieces "just because" instead of for someone. It's pushed me to just make and I'm really enjoying it. Come back to see more! :o)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Until next time... I leave you with this thought - Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces.</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-59818763267832545922011-02-17T23:54:00.011-06:002011-02-19T21:02:36.283-06:00Bronze! I. Love. Bronze!I love bronze - oh wait, I already said that... but I want to scream it!! It's tough... it takes the not so delicate handling I give it and says "HA! I'll take that and more!" and I love it for that!! The clay works much like silver and copper it's just that it has a different firing method. And the new Prometheus bronze is a shorter firing time (perfect for my muffle kiln) and thanks to a wonderful artist from France - <a href="http://www.sabinealienor.com/">Sabine Alienor</a> - I have been able to get fantastic results with firing using her technique. I have not had any failures in firing the bronze and whether it's simply brushed or tumbled it comes out fantastic. And... can it receive a patina! (I know - it sounded like a question but heck no! It was a statement for sure... It CAN take a patina!) I've used both liquid LOS patina as well as torch applied patina - o m g. The torch applied is my favorite the colors are incredible.<br /><br />Here are some examples - the earrings you've seen before ...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwShVRNWdzHLmrRtftdI9lIk5__YqfGJOPtYkV6W1S67Rg0YkoDUx-N7USL6gz8ysJEzi3PLuozzFkLt2ExOfST8cVFkPIAAIBVlwMYPwRS_dpSWbLU_9FDLL_fPX2FG3Iqhy6XUGMlGp/s1600/Bronze_EarringShields_PeaceStone.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwShVRNWdzHLmrRtftdI9lIk5__YqfGJOPtYkV6W1S67Rg0YkoDUx-N7USL6gz8ysJEzi3PLuozzFkLt2ExOfST8cVFkPIAAIBVlwMYPwRS_dpSWbLU_9FDLL_fPX2FG3Iqhy6XUGMlGp/s320/Bronze_EarringShields_PeaceStone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574905097817484386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSZiiKfUCMImkwri91WMwD_MndOdL1YRhiMjhfiANcFQanl4B795dyLWKA0uqJ_9zQlhyphenhyphenDIlXT2x3l0W7L2_h-U6fxtjA2PtMuTyREJMCa0qVmfm5bgUZAXBG8R2MH6yCVuuUt0cv88dx/s1600/Bronze_EarringsSquares_Turquoise.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSZiiKfUCMImkwri91WMwD_MndOdL1YRhiMjhfiANcFQanl4B795dyLWKA0uqJ_9zQlhyphenhyphenDIlXT2x3l0W7L2_h-U6fxtjA2PtMuTyREJMCa0qVmfm5bgUZAXBG8R2MH6yCVuuUt0cv88dx/s320/Bronze_EarringsSquares_Turquoise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574905493101514162" border="0" /></a> the bronze holds a terrific texture and plain old squares can be hammered to form hand-forged texture.<br /><br />My favorite earrings lately are the pair on the left - a delicate floral carnation texture, slightly domed leaf shape dangle on hand-forged vintage bronze ear wires. Peace Stones add a touch of organic color.<br /><br />The other pair are hand-forged square bronze dangles with turquoise rondelles. Paired with vintage bronze ear wires and coils. Very light, very pretty!!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Cinderella's Pendant...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm6OeN1BLNPY34Yu4ZmQlVv3huRtds4XrQ75-CGmdRP194rQuYsiQboAbKMRk4ghoDabL9DI1PyIP9I-xny7H-rZ6Ti8KYH7uI9qU2WWsekPM15xWExi6AyP6ZxfFfQyotdcKMpWgm-lu/s1600/Bronze_CinderellaNecklace_010911.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm6OeN1BLNPY34Yu4ZmQlVv3huRtds4XrQ75-CGmdRP194rQuYsiQboAbKMRk4ghoDabL9DI1PyIP9I-xny7H-rZ6Ti8KYH7uI9qU2WWsekPM15xWExi6AyP6ZxfFfQyotdcKMpWgm-lu/s320/Bronze_CinderellaNecklace_010911.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574907372601014818" border="0" /></a>This piece I adore. I found a little skeleton key with lock in a scrap book store and thought - that looks like a pendant. Like a Cinderella carriage. I molded the lock plate and covered the key-hole area with polymer clay to make a bezel-like area in the pendant. The cabachon is ... polymer clay! Yes I actually made a piece from polymer clay that did not burn on me! The colors came out fabulous but I have to admit - I cheated... I used glossy coating vs all the hours of sanding that my friend Lisa does to get a coating free shine like this.<br /><br />Below the Cinderella Pendant hangs a bronze key with a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/principessaglass">Principessa Glass</a> lamp work heart and finishes with a Swarovski Crystal fringe in colors from the cab. The key is made from bronze and is cold connected to the lamp work heart. The cabachon was created to work with this heart! I had so much fun making this necklace. There are two Vintage Aspirin Peridot AB Swarovski Crystals and two small bronze colored lamp work spacers by <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>. The piece is completed with a hand-dyed silk cord in the PERFECT color by Jamn Glass and a hand-forged bronze "S" hook with another <a href="http://www.thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> spacer.<br /><br />(I made the "S" hook a little on the large size so that it will help keep the necklace centered while wearing.)<br /><br />I love this pretty necklace. It's approx 22" long.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Serenity Prayer Pendant...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Vvw233xsXZeNJ_l0QGlLcUC6XPIu6ZdPESNjvFJ5_2AlbUkHlkQAI1CrESm-jXll0DMBgGDZRIY5w3WXj1WdseHXcxvrcx8LaEGjUaFAdePDO7yrQnb60XPrgCJQgEWky1qvzNvsa2o/s1600/Bronze_SerenityPrayer_010611.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27Vvw233xsXZeNJ_l0QGlLcUC6XPIu6ZdPESNjvFJ5_2AlbUkHlkQAI1CrESm-jXll0DMBgGDZRIY5w3WXj1WdseHXcxvrcx8LaEGjUaFAdePDO7yrQnb60XPrgCJQgEWky1qvzNvsa2o/s320/Bronze_SerenityPrayer_010611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574907374899093026" border="0" /></a>While at <a href="http://pameast.net/">Pam East's</a> I found a secret for easily and efficiently cleaning a Photo Polymer Plate (PPP) and let me tell you it works!! I created this <span style="font-style: italic;">Serenity Prayer</span> pendant using a PPP that was created from a design I did on the computer and transfered to the plate and then used like a stamp with the bronze clay.<br /><br />It worked very nicely. I used some liquid LOS patina to darken up the words a little and then hit it with a torch to bring up some torch-fired patina colors. It hangs on a brown leather cord that knots in the back. It's a fabulous little piece - approx 1 1/4" diameter.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Double Heart Bracelet...</span><br />This bracelet is light and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdpcRbZjeiAvwScpx5qIJtW-zf3ZI_Lb6pSDUs8m3vSgTdARwXTxvKEqn9Wl3W79Nj13i6FpFntCiQ0c3p5hOu3ajYiAmhXhyphenhyphenjrFK08DcA5yJJ3wSdYKQ7q7YoCreYP5lIFGWm_wsBN-A/s1600/Bronze_Bracelet_OliveJade_Leather_010511.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdpcRbZjeiAvwScpx5qIJtW-zf3ZI_Lb6pSDUs8m3vSgTdARwXTxvKEqn9Wl3W79Nj13i6FpFntCiQ0c3p5hOu3ajYiAmhXhyphenhyphenjrFK08DcA5yJJ3wSdYKQ7q7YoCreYP5lIFGWm_wsBN-A/s320/Bronze_Bracelet_OliveJade_Leather_010511.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574907384679706978" border="0" /></a>very comfortable to wear. The focal is formed with double hearts stacked on a diamond base. The hearts were wire brushed to bring up some shine while the base was left to provide a contrast. I combined the patina'd diamond shape bronze components with hand-made bronze coiled beads and Olive Jade rondelles. The piece comes together with brown suede cord and hand-forged bronze hook. The Olive Jade rondelles are very understated on their own but when combined with the leather, wire work and bronze they pop.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Until next time... I leave you with this thought - Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces.</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-35194310297860696462011-02-17T22:53:00.023-06:002011-02-19T20:38:28.066-06:00Earrings and Christmas!!December was a carry over of craziness from November. Conference in San Francisco - return on Thursday - Friday off, Silver Clay class on Saturday, and then to the airport again on Sunday headed for Boston for work and a surprise 95th Birthday party for my great uncle. I was away for another week and a half and started to have withdrawals after all the wonderful fun on vacation.<br /><br />When Creativity time is minimal what do you do? I decided to make earrings! What better chance to take out some aggravation than hammering wire!! Enjoy!!<br /><br />A = Made from Sterling Silver hand-forged paddle wires, Purple Spacer Lampwork Beads from <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> and coiled sterling silver wire - on Sterling Silver Ear Hooks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD4v4vdQFF2pVvyRbhL-ti8nQDGjQBqRZLYtXV0yyT49dO_gcPEbsI0xNAX2pvXiW8Yciu6qpunJND7vQkifJ3zutOmMGUWBElv6JTAY0LsBK3znjEuaCMwry-H5oMLfeSuRrFmxY-PZK/s1600/Earrings2_2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZD4v4vdQFF2pVvyRbhL-ti8nQDGjQBqRZLYtXV0yyT49dO_gcPEbsI0xNAX2pvXiW8Yciu6qpunJND7vQkifJ3zutOmMGUWBElv6JTAY0LsBK3znjEuaCMwry-H5oMLfeSuRrFmxY-PZK/s320/Earrings2_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574894974368544994" border="0" /></a><br />B = Made from Sterling Silver hand-forged paddle wires, Green Spacer Lampwork Beads from <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> and Fine Silver (.999) bead caps - on Sterling Silver Ear Hooks.<br /><br />C = Made from Sterling Silver hand-forged paddle wires, Blue Translucent Lampwork Beads w/ fine silver by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CanyonEchoes">Canyon Echoes</a> and Metalic Blue Lampwork Spacer Beads by <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> and fine silver (.999) bead caps - on Sterling Silver Ear Hooks.<br />(These are special for my fav Postal Lady! She takes great care of my incoming beads!!! AND my outgoing packages!!!)<br /><br />D = Made from Red Spacer Beads by <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> and fine silver (.999) bead caps - on Sterling Silver Ear Hooks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GfnuFmoUu-106LofHVqY4W6kXJjQU3BXYr7j8jH_JuPTo5KliHDKK8lt7Qc0OKWayo_0uE0mQUxt8vdUHF_I6ICnyeWZUCCDZUwYBN1YSymaDk7hXMx0LKyGRUpOwIc5lf3QUY9a1q9o/s1600/RedGold_Earrings_2010.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GfnuFmoUu-106LofHVqY4W6kXJjQU3BXYr7j8jH_JuPTo5KliHDKK8lt7Qc0OKWayo_0uE0mQUxt8vdUHF_I6ICnyeWZUCCDZUwYBN1YSymaDk7hXMx0LKyGRUpOwIc5lf3QUY9a1q9o/s320/RedGold_Earrings_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574895630159349762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Red & Gold "Bead of the Month"</span><br />Bead of the month club! <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> has this and each month it's like a mini little Christmas. I got these a month or so ago - and thought they screamed Earrings!<br /><br />Made from - Brass, hand-forged wire with brass coils. Dark Red Lampwork Beads w/ Gold Foil on the top beads. Gold spacer bead. Made the wires from Gold-Plated head pins and the worked beautifully.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2j5t0zNHQ-62cd9Xl8d6GxApDyH6tl269PQeGGXYZiQd7cpABLJ7rURIpLJ_doIPAD7UNdim4R1atUiXj4mU_38GCkSyyfxZjFRQU0PnkFWFSt8Bfnx4fakFW92s4R_-9z-DoiunE1n6/s1600/Earrings4_2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2j5t0zNHQ-62cd9Xl8d6GxApDyH6tl269PQeGGXYZiQd7cpABLJ7rURIpLJ_doIPAD7UNdim4R1atUiXj4mU_38GCkSyyfxZjFRQU0PnkFWFSt8Bfnx4fakFW92s4R_-9z-DoiunE1n6/s320/Earrings4_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574895624089283746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lampwork and Sterling</span><br />These were the first pair I played with! Took me 4 tries to get the darn hole maker to make the hole in the right place. ::sigh:: of course it was user error vs mechanical error.<br /><br />Made on Sterling Silver hand-forged paddles with sterling wrap. The pinkish clear spacers are by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/firebabies">Firebabies Lampwork</a> and the beautiful center beads are Pinkish-hued Lampwork Beads with fine silver by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CanyonEchoes">Canyon Echoes</a>. I love this combo!! They hang on Sterling Ear Hooks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPoa7FmtJqo5og2UYy8GB1XURos-G9Vph_81xkyf9F5MNBZLkRwgFMotyulmCJ062h1R_KWjqmjxN0y35ljwSJtssIx2oZDZmjB5SlqeW3kCenNmClXG88REK2A8PUJHt9dhHBuYwNKD5/s1600/earrings3_2010.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPoa7FmtJqo5og2UYy8GB1XURos-G9Vph_81xkyf9F5MNBZLkRwgFMotyulmCJ062h1R_KWjqmjxN0y35ljwSJtssIx2oZDZmjB5SlqeW3kCenNmClXG88REK2A8PUJHt9dhHBuYwNKD5/s320/earrings3_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574894990249776402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ahhh Swarovski Crystals!</span><br />How did I get sucked into loving those? THESE beauties are vintage Swaros that I got from Brandy and are paired with a pair of pretty purple bicone Lampwork Beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu</a>. Sadly I am having problems catching this purple color correctly. Hang on Sterling Silver wire and Earring Hooks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjb-Z1LpoPk3ME61c5AnPjqVfXrcxT1OVZGjVfx_yieD2gXtpAOig-Np3c2DXVGTGiSPLn5T3OzkfUpz8mUXC73ZkQ86S8NGmOk4W_a7-GwS-f2daRAObl2IH2NakWUgs0aPLB0VynsnM/s1600/earring7_2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjb-Z1LpoPk3ME61c5AnPjqVfXrcxT1OVZGjVfx_yieD2gXtpAOig-Np3c2DXVGTGiSPLn5T3OzkfUpz8mUXC73ZkQ86S8NGmOk4W_a7-GwS-f2daRAObl2IH2NakWUgs0aPLB0VynsnM/s320/earring7_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574894976955115522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lampwork & Sterling</span><br />These earrings were fun - last pair I made and enjoyed making the coiled wire.<br /><br />Made from - Sterling, hand-forged paddles, gorgeous lamp work beads from <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> (the color is actually achieved from putting copper on the beads while making them!! Cool huh?), sterling silver coils and silver spacer beads. Hung on Sterling Silver ear wires.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpON4E7Ec6UbkewJ0GXQml52rlvw79VB1hp2co8cnmP3oFQe9cHnNsuea-Zwec8up_Px_sKOVaDA_eD_xXCtnXJKMjAulT7_Lu0uqfl7tCKDXZDq0cojKg_nqx4DvfFwaIZLd-QbwTqv/s1600/earring6_2010.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtpON4E7Ec6UbkewJ0GXQml52rlvw79VB1hp2co8cnmP3oFQe9cHnNsuea-Zwec8up_Px_sKOVaDA_eD_xXCtnXJKMjAulT7_Lu0uqfl7tCKDXZDq0cojKg_nqx4DvfFwaIZLd-QbwTqv/s320/earring6_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574894971807954418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">eteors & Copper</span><br />I LOVE THESE EARRINGS! I couldn't resist these lamp work beads when I saw them on <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girls</a> site one day. I had NO idea what I'd do with them. Then poking around while making the earrings I thought - YES!! Try them.<br /><br />Made from - Copper hand-forged paddles with copper coils and antiqued copper coiled spacers (did not make but love). They hang from rose-gold ear wires which looks perfect with copper but won't turn ears green! :o) I need to make more of these - have an idea for different style - combining a style I learned at The Lancaster Bead Company in Lancaster PA w/ these beads. Yep, got to make more!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhZmux9SbAnuZImd8elH5ZL2Ogie30dy7dJDfM2FCfd7252Bfz9F9eDW_Hprq844vqBw1ynfgin_-6Ff7vPbHvBAYnXZZWA9pWFToc4Nz6qZgZF7chM70mRXv5mzUa9OXJ7c9qb-2V8tz/s1600/earings5_2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhZmux9SbAnuZImd8elH5ZL2Ogie30dy7dJDfM2FCfd7252Bfz9F9eDW_Hprq844vqBw1ynfgin_-6Ff7vPbHvBAYnXZZWA9pWFToc4Nz6qZgZF7chM70mRXv5mzUa9OXJ7c9qb-2V8tz/s320/earings5_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574894968821746674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Green & Brass</span><br />These beads are STUNNING and I had to put them with brass - the goldish hue with the green is gorgeous.<br /><br />Made on hand-forged brass wire paddles with brass coils and small gold beads. The Green lamp work beads are by <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a>. I made the ear wires from gold plated head pins and poof they worked perfectly.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br />Here are some additional earrings that I've made over the past few months... copper and bronze - OMG I LOVE BRONZE!! Next post will be about bronze!!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_uCMo-1FrCfAueM0LAFMrr1TGBFlWp3ERvclDC-7CMiKCPmwxnzktKGZ7VKFdlRpJWYoKYmE0En-2LZEv7HERaFVvYMARSc2BnDDBVXg2Bm0VdpZfDA748aLoAHYbKNMWhuW_7mhrqSE/s1600/Copper_FernBauble_Earrings.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_uCMo-1FrCfAueM0LAFMrr1TGBFlWp3ERvclDC-7CMiKCPmwxnzktKGZ7VKFdlRpJWYoKYmE0En-2LZEv7HERaFVvYMARSc2BnDDBVXg2Bm0VdpZfDA748aLoAHYbKNMWhuW_7mhrqSE/s320/Copper_FernBauble_Earrings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574890732647014162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Copper Fern Gully -</span> Copper diamond-shaped dangles with vine design and black alcohol ink. The lamp work beads are by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a>. I use rose-gold filled ear wires with copper so that they don't cause your ears to be green and the rose-gold blends in perfectly.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9HHBvDvQ6l8tHuREEEMgezoqpSaMPop4WYHRRtJcWK6xU_30M8_WNJuzjUR_YAvcHgagBChNTAs6gBrlbnZvvxlCZIy7Fe3UYwLIY6XSN3965hiCVHQSBP0eQXquEIHhzvRrzMhFYWf-/s1600/Copper_ArtDeco_DangleEarrings.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9HHBvDvQ6l8tHuREEEMgezoqpSaMPop4WYHRRtJcWK6xU_30M8_WNJuzjUR_YAvcHgagBChNTAs6gBrlbnZvvxlCZIy7Fe3UYwLIY6XSN3965hiCVHQSBP0eQXquEIHhzvRrzMhFYWf-/s320/Copper_ArtDeco_DangleEarrings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574890729856347986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Copper - Art Deco Earrings</span> with lamp work beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a>. Copper chain with slight patina and rose-gold filled ear wires.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcXv5LBhgz-mrAzJMsSdRYd1bAXKPnStJA3SueNQGYgBWioknkLV3eFvcOZaby00ljUf3VD_UOQKI6WhrA1wToQx8qpD0NehVPktaHdTb__Y1jlCJz3bpF-IE5KmqeshvY9H0MKjqreK0/s1600/Bronze_EarringsSquares_Turquoise.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcXv5LBhgz-mrAzJMsSdRYd1bAXKPnStJA3SueNQGYgBWioknkLV3eFvcOZaby00ljUf3VD_UOQKI6WhrA1wToQx8qpD0NehVPktaHdTb__Y1jlCJz3bpF-IE5KmqeshvY9H0MKjqreK0/s320/Bronze_EarringsSquares_Turquoise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574890715427240066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bronze (!) Turquoise Squares -</span> created from Prometheus Bronze clay in the same manner as silver clay or copper clay - just has a different firing time. I love this product the color is fantastic, it's easy to use and not complicated to fire. Hand-forged ear wires and coils from antique bronze wire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcQuhuiO60bM5vpzFDklSHqaCRHYpOpF6q2sV5jKvYhEKEs_SyuTgCrFHLn5lgV-H-vPUI-GSF2U2FK2ldFsjhbJ1ZqN3lHHqnJS5_1ZO9fs81qpUQ2DWPjVoRvmBfB6rSAHukV8IojxC/s1600/Bronze_EarringShields_PeaceStone.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcQuhuiO60bM5vpzFDklSHqaCRHYpOpF6q2sV5jKvYhEKEs_SyuTgCrFHLn5lgV-H-vPUI-GSF2U2FK2ldFsjhbJ1ZqN3lHHqnJS5_1ZO9fs81qpUQ2DWPjVoRvmBfB6rSAHukV8IojxC/s320/Bronze_EarringShields_PeaceStone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574890710817484642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">MY FAVORITE!</span><br />I wear these often! Bronze leaf shape is probably 2" on it's own! Textured in a delicate floral (carnation) texture. Hand-forged ear wire with Peace Stone and antique bronze wire.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK61pKMEK_ZJnLMnwAtOGMVrsa7sjsr1RMIgJQ5jwyrGrtZUqnr0zdB6_kCa5kdrmsDfq_Nm_0iwtE28WHbIJGmYGcjro2YM_KGFj808CmNrZHvl6UjtFma1jm-par4kLG9cbLQzzGfou/s1600/Sylvia_XmasSet2_2010.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK61pKMEK_ZJnLMnwAtOGMVrsa7sjsr1RMIgJQ5jwyrGrtZUqnr0zdB6_kCa5kdrmsDfq_Nm_0iwtE28WHbIJGmYGcjro2YM_KGFj808CmNrZHvl6UjtFma1jm-par4kLG9cbLQzzGfou/s320/Sylvia_XmasSet2_2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574895626858035490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHRISTMAS!</span><br />I was lucky enough to pull my new Sister-In-Law's name in the gift grab and that meant silver jewelry! She asked for something specially for her - and knowing she loves bling I used clear czs in this Pendant/Earring set.<br /><br />Fine silver (.999) is combined with the clear czs. They were hand patina'd to bring out the detail of the textured areas and tumbled for approx 4 hours to bring out the high shine. They hang from sterling silver wires. The pendant hangs from a sterling silver chain with a Swarovski crystal just above the focal.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Until next time... I leave you with this thought - Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces.</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-17032193879693787022011-02-17T22:04:00.018-06:002011-02-19T19:49:52.873-06:00Enamel Vacation!November was a little crazy for me - I did something I've not done in probably 10 years. I went on vacation. Yes, a real vacation - not a vacation where I am traveling for work and go visit my family. A vacation where I did NOT even bring my work laptop with me! It. Was. FANTASTIC.<br /><br />I traveled to <a href="http://pameast.net/">Pam East's</a> GA studio and took one of the most fantastic silver clay classes ever. Champleve Enameling on Silver Clay. The most important thing I learned was do not worry and take your time - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZNW3xM1aEv76nIiuCJzi0yN-3kZ_Oxm4bAA-97GgLm50RkxewaiP3j8N33dP4mGPwn0eCGH_Vvm8rqYddSSYul8NgLAmX3FnfM3GmQq7HalPMqF1JkIAfL0oWQeDg0eZXaEqEkm-B-1U/s1600/Champleve-Enamel-Project.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZNW3xM1aEv76nIiuCJzi0yN-3kZ_Oxm4bAA-97GgLm50RkxewaiP3j8N33dP4mGPwn0eCGH_Vvm8rqYddSSYul8NgLAmX3FnfM3GmQq7HalPMqF1JkIAfL0oWQeDg0eZXaEqEkm-B-1U/s320/Champleve-Enamel-Project.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574877605741501602" border="0" /></a>there is a lot to be said about the actual finishing of a project. Pam taught 4 of us the ins and outs of silver clay in this two day class helping us open up to having no fear and creating beautiful pieces. We created pieces specifically for Champleve Enameling process. And the second day we enameled. What a blast - completely relaxing, you get into a zone and the pieces seemed to flow. I learned to build the enamel layer by layer creating the shading as you go. And then the finishing - how much I learned about this. When we were done you could run your finger across the top of our Champleve pieces and it felt like they had a layer of smooth, glossy varnish over it - but it was just the finely ground, smooth, beautifully finished silver and enamel. No edges, just smooth. I learned so much!<br /><br />The second piece we did was at our request - she had a beautiful piece that had what we came to call a "river" of enamel flowing thru it. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf6Xod5npp9dZIuY_KzXrlDij-WqRVH5Ue-aXZjlGYJ2u3aErHCVR-rZZZL5LSdXceeiXjIo6sMHBNxU8faeDjzjIqlCdpTmmvSr41Ze_XoHuAf_Y4t1Ao6Rt__WX2ZWCxv_2ff9V8BFK/s1600/Champleve-Enamel-Project2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqf6Xod5npp9dZIuY_KzXrlDij-WqRVH5Ue-aXZjlGYJ2u3aErHCVR-rZZZL5LSdXceeiXjIo6sMHBNxU8faeDjzjIqlCdpTmmvSr41Ze_XoHuAf_Y4t1Ao6Rt__WX2ZWCxv_2ff9V8BFK/s320/Champleve-Enamel-Project2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574879424657508770" border="0" /></a>The silver piece was textured but the "river" was smooth and stood out from the texture. She showed us how and we had a couple of rivers and one heart from this project. I love my little heart on the rounded triangle shaped pendant. (So much that I bought a template of the rounded triangular shape to use at home.) On this piece we didn't carefully grind the enamel down because of the texture but what we did do was add patina using real liver of sulfur - something I had never used before. I have only used the gel form. I was / am very pleased with the colors I got that evening.<br /><br />Those were two incredible days! Well... that wasn't the end of my vacation - ohhh no! I had found out that after our class Pam was headed to the <a href="http://www.folkschool.org/">John C Campbell Folk School</a> in North Carolina - just over the border. So when I found out it was only a 2 hour drive from North Atlanta I signed up. I took Thursday off and relaxed and then checked out of the Hilton and headed north on Friday. The John C Campbell Folk School is an experience in itself. It's a little mini community a campus of buildings comprised of studios and living space. It was fantastic. You share a house (and sometimes a room - I did) with people you probably have never met before. You walk to the main building(s) for meals and gatherings, you walk to the studios for class and let me tell you - the classroom we had was fantastic.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA_Rm8bzI3AMT0QVDW-SA41CpqKWxYNdIdPBzqYvco2qzHznFP4VbMzvUqxK4iaPIAW1hCZelmp-NzaVu_RholcU7wTM8lkt4sessEczRfOc-gDZVV3a-DLbH7oequxuhdo3TroRo9iyW/s1600/Beads-4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA_Rm8bzI3AMT0QVDW-SA41CpqKWxYNdIdPBzqYvco2qzHznFP4VbMzvUqxK4iaPIAW1hCZelmp-NzaVu_RholcU7wTM8lkt4sessEczRfOc-gDZVV3a-DLbH7oequxuhdo3TroRo9iyW/s320/Beads-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574884351791210130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqU8hMggnmnzAh4gim6bWJOgUCY8MDsmtfwyjm9frABKe2-pv_hKcgnhBCg41Fzls0_DomVwbW15UcULCPhf7scCt6EvWFcUSDXQgORoOF1ENO9bVtzsxq9fzdjhtctUYcDlDEUs1ya3T/s1600/Beads-3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqU8hMggnmnzAh4gim6bWJOgUCY8MDsmtfwyjm9frABKe2-pv_hKcgnhBCg41Fzls0_DomVwbW15UcULCPhf7scCt6EvWFcUSDXQgORoOF1ENO9bVtzsxq9fzdjhtctUYcDlDEUs1ya3T/s320/Beads-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574884237827808818" border="0" /></a><br />Pam taught Enamel Bead class to 6 of us. Crafty ladies with differing levels of skill but none of us having had real hands-on large head torch experience before so it was great we all learned. I made over 60 beads in 2 days and was crazy happy with the techniques we learned. It wasn't a "making a finished piece of jewelery" class it was a "learning techniques" class. At the end of the weekend Pam gave us the opportunity to purchase our torch heads and other equipment. I came home from that week with the best new tools, techniques and FRIENDS!<br /><br />OH speaking of new friends - you need to check out these gourd pieces... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8acYNgZByGzd7YPknDX1cpNdSZ3IX5ZNUQiFjdZlO782uOXOxlhCbsAGRlG2xqiOqQP4KvMm1q2041NP6kz83hrOl5PPNhwd1oUtHGZavWmtHhp4Z5bAnzRFdDc-pHLV-IrLLJLM5nHB/s1600/Gourd1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8acYNgZByGzd7YPknDX1cpNdSZ3IX5ZNUQiFjdZlO782uOXOxlhCbsAGRlG2xqiOqQP4KvMm1q2041NP6kz83hrOl5PPNhwd1oUtHGZavWmtHhp4Z5bAnzRFdDc-pHLV-IrLLJLM5nHB/s320/Gourd1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574884581303259570" border="0" /></a>I met Judy Zeigler of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/judyzeigler2#%21/artofcritterridge"><span style="font-style: italic;">Art of Critter Ridge</span></a> at JCC in Pam's class. She was there to learn to make the beads to add to her beautiful gourds. I was so impressed I purchased this turquoise colored gourd and it sits proudly in my studio. She hand coils, paints and the inside is lined with hand-crafted papers. Check her out on FB!!<br /><br />I finally returned home at 9pm on Sunday night to turn around and fly to San Francisco for Dreamforce conference (work) the next morning but let me tell you - that was THE BEST VACATION I have had in many, many, MANY years. Thank you Pam and all the wonderful gals I met!!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Until next time... I leave you with this thought - Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces.</span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-9465090504823090532011-02-17T20:52:00.010-06:002011-02-17T22:04:19.351-06:00Happy New Year! Ok so I'm really, really behind!Hi! I'm so behind in my posts I'm trying to decide to I try to catch up or go from here? I think... because I love some of these pieces I'll do a quick photo show and move on from there? Sound good? Excellent! ;o)<br /><br />Oh hey... like the new banner? More on that to come!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgsdu3oYRbXWe36D81Td0Gx1bVPh_5WyGlmH1GLd-ahQCwnPRNR7W620Mdvg7QzNQ7LxykXqlb5cUPi7jkS64p1adinco79JKtjLAc0VU9AbgzwjGnG7iZFMmGMKNXqmV8igd6qF1P4AG/s1600/Turquoise+Burst.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgsdu3oYRbXWe36D81Td0Gx1bVPh_5WyGlmH1GLd-ahQCwnPRNR7W620Mdvg7QzNQ7LxykXqlb5cUPi7jkS64p1adinco79JKtjLAc0VU9AbgzwjGnG7iZFMmGMKNXqmV8igd6qF1P4AG/s320/Turquoise+Burst.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574861168068362978" /></a>Earrings for a gal who's not blue but known as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu"><span style="font-style:italic;">Bastille Bleu</span></a> in the lamp work world. She asked me to make a pair of earrings in the shape of a pair she had seen. I asked if I could design something specifically for her and she agreed. I came up with these! I call them <span style="font-weight:bold;">Turquoise Burst</span>.<br /><br />These are fine silver (.999) with turquoise cabs set inside. The pieces were fired and the cab was tucked in and then the "burst" were formed down around the cab like a bezel. Patina was added and the colors are fantastic. The wires were hand-forged and kiln attached fine-silver wire. They measure approx 2" from top of wire to bottom of 'shield'<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Frosty & Polar Bears...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZkUCo9NTHOlcGanJrTcthICh4fP6i2Y88Pkzx07Xz6w7euMncvBnPryaWv5zomeqKDQYUItFXe0SOzRIhl95HEofZHhaqAGSrBsS8j2nuFpGEmPAdHq6150VPPYZVJdsB7JR2y9d4K6v/s1600/Frosty2010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZkUCo9NTHOlcGanJrTcthICh4fP6i2Y88Pkzx07Xz6w7euMncvBnPryaWv5zomeqKDQYUItFXe0SOzRIhl95HEofZHhaqAGSrBsS8j2nuFpGEmPAdHq6150VPPYZVJdsB7JR2y9d4K6v/s320/Frosty2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574865795378285986" /></a>My mom loves (LOVES) kitschy holiday clothing. If it's got a reindeer on it she loves it. When I saw these snowmen and polar bear lampwork beads by Bastille Bleu I knew that Mom would love them as earrings! <br /><br />To bring them a little more of me - more than just putting them together, I created fine silver (.999) top hats for Frosty. I made them with a little popped up top (like the real Frosty) and added a little 4mm aquamarine cz to the band instead of a flower. Hand applied patina helps bring out the colors in Frosty's scarf. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIedHZ30XytJVQSAtFwrPMj1JhgIIaU0FOevdnGjcpTeWJpaeENaQX15rm4po32nbYKFc_OMSX125sPkpUbktUSWPaihn4z4LfEXwbhbBgmJKFHe8onw0X10r3htCW3FfH1r_ag0PTIBi/s1600/PolarBears_2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIedHZ30XytJVQSAtFwrPMj1JhgIIaU0FOevdnGjcpTeWJpaeENaQX15rm4po32nbYKFc_OMSX125sPkpUbktUSWPaihn4z4LfEXwbhbBgmJKFHe8onw0X10r3htCW3FfH1r_ag0PTIBi/s320/PolarBears_2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574875365482414242" /></a>Coordinating Swarovski crystals finish off these cute earrings.<br /><br />The polar bear earrings <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Beary Merry"</span> hang approximately 1 1/2" long from wire to bottom of the Swarovski crystal dangles. I created a hand-crafted fine silver (.999) bow to a a "touch of me" to the earrings. Mom was very happy with them - until she lost one of the Frosty's on Christmas eve at mass and panicked. Luckily Nik had some of the stringer left that she created the scarf with. She created two more Frosty's (hard to match one when you don't have it in your hand) and I'm making a pendant from the original surviving Frosty! Problem solved = Happy Mom! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Alaskan Love Key Fobs...</span><br />Created for a really special couple who celebrated their 1 year anniversary with an Alaskan cruise! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_24V5gLy8ypwWxluwSc5-vYH376rIlnUTpcfa9kKPnvpHsA2cBP6o0UgJ6LOxiLct2knUZrCjOCNmeLOynlJkLfvZfsCehjq5ARmL7e6pt0AHmtEcg2zxoIkvP_lWuQ1FUN8Kwo-PY27N/s1600/AlaskanLove_2010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_24V5gLy8ypwWxluwSc5-vYH376rIlnUTpcfa9kKPnvpHsA2cBP6o0UgJ6LOxiLct2knUZrCjOCNmeLOynlJkLfvZfsCehjq5ARmL7e6pt0AHmtEcg2zxoIkvP_lWuQ1FUN8Kwo-PY27N/s320/AlaskanLove_2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574871296696828354" /></a>Two days after I found out they went on a cruise two things happened... 1) <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/principessaglass"><span style="font-style:italic;">Principessa Glass</span></a> posted a fabulous lamp work heart she called "Glacier" and then 2) that same day a gal I have been buying antique Japanese and Korean glass fishing floats from had ALASKAN BEACH STONES on her site - drilled and everything. Coincidence? I think so! So I snatched up the lamp work heart along with one of similar feel called "Twisted Seas" and ordered the drilled Alaskan Beach Stone from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/catkeeper"><span style="font-style:italic;">Northern Sea Glass</span></a> and created these two key fobs. I added some hollow fine silver (.999) beads that I added fine silver flake to before firing, a small Pyrite heart and birth stones in Swarovski Crystals. He got the one with HER birthstone and she got the one with HIS birthstone. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pxwYzM_yVQ-D6juHShMTnkKacKL98lQEkV9K-uWq62UK3Ln_U7UnJwJz0sV81BeQJoHvbxLmxxM1JOsN0xxSXihORqbJT5CVwMYd2CYQBWne8Up9jRlEGZRci2alUbWdxf8kCDRZVWey/s1600/Love_2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pxwYzM_yVQ-D6juHShMTnkKacKL98lQEkV9K-uWq62UK3Ln_U7UnJwJz0sV81BeQJoHvbxLmxxM1JOsN0xxSXihORqbJT5CVwMYd2CYQBWne8Up9jRlEGZRci2alUbWdxf8kCDRZVWey/s200/Love_2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574873525016366866" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Love...</span><br />The second piece in what I'm calling my "Antiquities" line "Love" is the Japanese symbol for - well, Love and is done in fine silver (.999). I added 24kt gold to bring out the symbol and a hand-applied patina to bring in some blues. The piece is a comfortable size to wear - approx 1 1/2" long by 3/4" wide in the shape of a dog tag. The pendant hangs from a gold-filled chain.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Until next time... I leave you with this thought - Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces. </span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-76984308965840129902010-11-27T00:47:00.020-06:002010-11-28T00:12:56.379-06:00Anniversary Gifts & Still More Birthdays! Nov 27, 2010Anniversaries are tough - specially in the jewelry creation world. I mean girls like bling - the husbands not so much. SO how do you create a piece for the wife and something coordinating for the husband that he won't be afraid to show because it's to 'girly'? <br /><br />Here's my attempt - <br /><br />My Niece (yes she and her little family are the main focus of my creative world in August and September!!) and her husband have been married for 3 years now. They had a GORGEOUS wedding w/ bright whites, dark reds and well - she's blonde haired, blue-eyed and simply gorgeous (LUCKILY she didn't get the family genes! ;o)) so it had to be beautiful. <br /><br />To celebrate their Anniversary I contacted one of my favorite lamp-work bead artists and asked her if she could make me a custom bead. I had purchased a big-hole bead from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrincipessaGlass">Principessa Glass</a> in the past that was larger than a normal big-hole bead ... this is what I wanted a bigger than normal bead. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWWIUG1toWqwM8XT9ZIFQ1HY4POWmSt_9uOPIh8s4tOX9PbTKLaBwTq0WUBLzpdUwrREmk8ktS1t_5cIiFgRR48z1dbVSyZKCxADSPJueOGv2cOIEVKumqNQrHdrx_F-Y1rDcbayEcM0G/s1600/PrincipessaGlass_AnniversaryBeads_Sept2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWWIUG1toWqwM8XT9ZIFQ1HY4POWmSt_9uOPIh8s4tOX9PbTKLaBwTq0WUBLzpdUwrREmk8ktS1t_5cIiFgRR48z1dbVSyZKCxADSPJueOGv2cOIEVKumqNQrHdrx_F-Y1rDcbayEcM0G/s320/PrincipessaGlass_AnniversaryBeads_Sept2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544461099423636226" /></a>I asked for a sapphire bead w/ Amethyst and Peridot colors added to it. Sapphire for their wedding month (and her birthday month), Amethyst for his birthday month and Peridot for their daughter's birthday month. This is where my friend Audrey of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrincipessaGlass">Principessa Glass</a> knows best - if the blue was the base color the others wouldn't show up well but she did have some shards in her words... "really look cool and have a different look from different angles". And they were plum which actually looks sort of "Amethyst-y" on the beads. So she created 7 beads for me to choose from. One was lighter than the others and I asked to have that one cored in brass (her brass cores look very vintage and cool) and two others I loved and asked to have them cored in sterling silver. B is the one I chose for her necklace, C has lighter dots and I had that cored in brass for me, and A you'll see below...<br /><br />From those beads I created this necklace - <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Anniversary Sparkles"</span> - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtik_WMK360vWiyvSispMfTpvuDFpZzVj2Ld7BmN-vmx6O-zX0zS2ZS_OjL0EPg8n0wAaivjyeAaexNNESHnDH9lvfEKidk0xkmBPNOOjaXMogDJ_lYcAz_cKKQg5B7L0OKMPOTXG4fQv3/s1600/Rachel_Anniversary_112610.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtik_WMK360vWiyvSispMfTpvuDFpZzVj2Ld7BmN-vmx6O-zX0zS2ZS_OjL0EPg8n0wAaivjyeAaexNNESHnDH9lvfEKidk0xkmBPNOOjaXMogDJ_lYcAz_cKKQg5B7L0OKMPOTXG4fQv3/s320/Rachel_Anniversary_112610.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544461390058570194" /></a>featuring custom focal big-hole bead cored in sterling silver by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrincipessaGlass">Principessa Glass</a> with two of my hand-made, fine silver (.999) big-hole tube beads. I added tiny 3mm Amethyst and Sapphire CZs to the tubes before firing. Fired and tumbled them to a high shine. The beads are hanging on a hand-dyed silk Sapphire ribbon by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jamnglass">Jamn Glass</a>. I trimmed the ribbon to approx 20" and created the sterling silver coiled end-caps. It's finished off with a hand-forged sterling "S" hook with a Sapphire blue spacer bead by <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> (::wink:: part of my That Bead Girl booty!)<br /><br />As you can see I think I spend too much time thinking about the pieces I make - but then, if I don't love the pieces making them wouldn't be as fun and thinking of how personalized they are and hoping that the reaction of the recipient is positive keeps me creating!<br /><br />Now for the hubby... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHx3NMpR6EiP5YZgc_OgnaD8A45pRO7aFUXt539r_J9BqiuQSj4q0cYX6ZQ7u4sAxuyPJozJLMDvXZXlal0TrQ0aSCDHFFfn2o7cf0WtPYTRTZzR5t9zu5gl8Ku3eehhaXjiIvHHVJoJK/s1600/Phil_AnniversaryTag_112610.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHx3NMpR6EiP5YZgc_OgnaD8A45pRO7aFUXt539r_J9BqiuQSj4q0cYX6ZQ7u4sAxuyPJozJLMDvXZXlal0TrQ0aSCDHFFfn2o7cf0WtPYTRTZzR5t9zu5gl8Ku3eehhaXjiIvHHVJoJK/s320/Phil_AnniversaryTag_112610.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544461707858055410" /></a>What do you create for a husband? Hmmm - how about a key fob? Something he can clip onto his keys and carry with him. Something not to flashy, something that represents them. So here's my attempt - Custom <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrincipessaGlass">Principessa Glass</a> bead "A" on a piece of hand-woven sterling silver viking knit chain. I coiled sterling silver wire over a thicker guage wire and coiled the whole piece around to make a sort of end-cap. I still really have no idea what I'm doing now... but thought hmmm ok - push the left over wire from the coil up thru the center of the viking knit chain, loop it and make a wrap at the top. BAM! One Anniversary Key Fob. "What do you think?"<br /><br />Ok so not so sure about that so I'll be adding a gift certificate for both of them with the package when I mail it! ;o) <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OCTOBER - Birthday - </span><br /><br />I have a new Sister-In-Law ... well, relatively new - she married my brother last year on Halloween. Now think about it - kinda bizarre eh? Getting married on Halloween? I mean ... oi - never mind! ;o) Anyway - her birthday is in October. NOT a great month for birthstones in the silver clay world because most opals don't like FIRE. ::sigh:: which means you have to make a bezel and set the opals and it's something I struggle with! YIKES! So what do you make?<br /><br />In this case I had purchased a set of beads in June from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN87cb-GlHHzHbKq5KtwtCzBGVI32VGFIo7copbiswBM3iKZU9dYW4_6q8z0J36x0pzHOui2Okx0w0VzeZCa1EvKLvuj8q9j8FgOpy3DIQJ0CfXbz1X_xs1qmWADVLN1Eq3LUSRwexkeU/s1600/TigerTails%2526LeopardSpots_Beads.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN87cb-GlHHzHbKq5KtwtCzBGVI32VGFIo7copbiswBM3iKZU9dYW4_6q8z0J36x0pzHOui2Okx0w0VzeZCa1EvKLvuj8q9j8FgOpy3DIQJ0CfXbz1X_xs1qmWADVLN1Eq3LUSRwexkeU/s320/TigerTails%2526LeopardSpots_Beads.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544468918967142610" /></a>that made me think of her. She's tiny and feisty and has dark hair and flashing eyes. PERFECT mate for my brother! <span style="font-style:italic;">"Tiger Tails and Leopard Spots"</span> how's that for a name? I love the names that <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Nikki</a> comes up with - actually all the folks that make lamp-work beads come up with some hum-dingers for names! It's the artist in them, they can't help it - it suits the beads and gets folks like me to buy them! ;o)I also scooped up a big hole bead w/ similar feel that she created later in the summer. I thought if I edge it w/ bronze it will fit in nicely as the focal for the bracelet.<br /><br />I am rambling again aren't I? Any who... I've also been playing with Prometheus Bronze Clay... and I thought hmmm she's got pretty coloring that would work well with bronze - so I decided to combine the two - beads from "Tiger Tails and Leopard Spots" set and bronze metal beads. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxmmqZBQa8loR6R7yg7lyexfyvhBmlm79Me23vw4M8CEek75ul3frpE-0PcUivhyXygm0PftiH5SLuolEfpMTB14Udo7xcTAn19T9o1cAYMtxAroxb8V3w35hC30M7BuIyWneeUbxLpK7/s1600/Bronze_2blog.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxmmqZBQa8loR6R7yg7lyexfyvhBmlm79Me23vw4M8CEek75ul3frpE-0PcUivhyXygm0PftiH5SLuolEfpMTB14Udo7xcTAn19T9o1cAYMtxAroxb8V3w35hC30M7BuIyWneeUbxLpK7/s200/Bronze_2blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544479516597497362" /></a>The Prometheus Bronze is interesting - different firing times, set-up and temperatures. Even the feel is different. You really have to work it to get it in condition to roll out. But I liked it. And I've not had any really bad firings. My first batch bubbled a little on the top which someone said was too high heat, but when I researched more I found that people who have really tested bronze clay say the bubbles are not from too much heat - they don't know what it's from. The bubbles go away if you hammer it. And let me tell you I hammered it! I beat the livin' crapola out of some chain pieces that I made and those babies held up great!<br /><br />So I created some hollow tube beads w/ little 3mm Clear CZs on them. Very pleased with how they turned out. The texture I used was wood grain and it came out subtle but good on the little tube beads. I had used some bronze chain that I made on the first go round of the bracelet and although I liked it - it was too beginner/chunky for this bracelet. My next try was thinner and perfectly smooth! So I redesigned and restrung. It was also my attempt at an asymmetrical design... didn't quite sit right in my mind SO ... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazkmGZ7QoS6RFRAQh665PjCt9UWKkltMLQjK9ql03YdTVbGg8QdBUrLx58dOIlmjjQMj8lrz24J2hhf2CZgOUqRm78q-DrrINDRZKS0kA3kBCLOQEOg-LMlz7WtBK8f0DLijeS4uvCWNO/s1600/Sylvia_BronzeBracelet_112710.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazkmGZ7QoS6RFRAQh665PjCt9UWKkltMLQjK9ql03YdTVbGg8QdBUrLx58dOIlmjjQMj8lrz24J2hhf2CZgOUqRm78q-DrrINDRZKS0kA3kBCLOQEOg-LMlz7WtBK8f0DLijeS4uvCWNO/s320/Sylvia_BronzeBracelet_112710.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544473435047510354" /></a>I created this lovely instead. The beads as I wrote above are by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a> and LOVE them! :o) (Luckily have a few left over from the set!) I added some of my hand-made bronze findings - big ole end-caps, the tube beads with clear CZs, the clasp bronze and wire - and then created some 2x2 chain using vintage bronze wire. Yep got all crazy on this one and cut, cut, cut, cut, cut and then connected, connected, connected, connected the chain together each little jump ring! LOL! I really enjoyed it actually and like how it feels. The little green spacers and bronzey/brown colored beads are all lampwork from my <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> booty! ;o) I really love this piece - it's the first piece I've done in bronze w/ no silver and I'm excited to see what she thinks. <br /><br />OK so I'm finishing this one even though there is more - yes! So much more! Quick note - for my brother and sister-in-law's wedding anniversary I didn't make jewelry - SHOCKED? Me too! But I found something better! What do you get the couple that has each other therefore has everything? A custom, artisan made, lampwork wine stopper w/ coordinating appetizer forks! What? You didn't think of that? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLJwM67lXqlsYXADjKKSnh3ygsevcjOT1gt0MQWou-bLcnqFSwspJaGuu3IVn34Ieh_SHulp-OVet72whyphenhyphenvh2EZzwor7P4YwwejvkKOKZ_LsOX1KfcIBj79_f_7UfzQMGpKj3w3zYbMZY/s1600/OrganicsWineStopper.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLJwM67lXqlsYXADjKKSnh3ygsevcjOT1gt0MQWou-bLcnqFSwspJaGuu3IVn34Ieh_SHulp-OVet72whyphenhyphenvh2EZzwor7P4YwwejvkKOKZ_LsOX1KfcIBj79_f_7UfzQMGpKj3w3zYbMZY/s320/OrganicsWineStopper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544477599608569138" /></a>Well neither did I! Until I saw the most awesome stoppers on <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">Amber's</a> site! <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> is more than just a place for me to get a "bead fix". She has beautiful gifts as well - all made by HER hands!! I loved the wine stopper so much I had to get it and then ordered 10 forks to go with it as a set. She did a fantastic job and if I hadn't shipped them this afternoon I'd run and take a picture right now but I can show you a picture of the wine stopper! <br /><br />Until next time... I leave you with this thought - <span style="font-style:italic;">Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces. </span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092607896206252169.post-87730458558129116512010-11-26T23:33:00.009-06:002010-11-27T00:44:33.276-06:00Lordy, Lordy... It's been a while. Nov 26, 2010"DANG!" It's been a long time. <br />Work-work has been crazy. Changes and more changes and yet you know the saying - the more it changes the more it stays the same. <br /><br />But I've been trying to keep busy on the creative side too - it helps keep my mind clear but sometimes I get caught up in the stressers of work and worrying about getting a piece done and then I step back and remember - this is fun... and try to relax. SO - here's some fun I've been having lately...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gifts, Gifts ... late gifts!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MLI0eQ-XIoN58KsT8mcMiJgzRiH81d8mz11bfkwvB7ULAad67PpkUP0_a_6zk5_AYEUVMdsUbojOJbGf3cX5EJGdr6VXND5b_oxWXUrw5q4ycSd0zS_SBoJzF-T3HCUUgPf9h2INK24f/s1600/LilyBracelet_111810.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MLI0eQ-XIoN58KsT8mcMiJgzRiH81d8mz11bfkwvB7ULAad67PpkUP0_a_6zk5_AYEUVMdsUbojOJbGf3cX5EJGdr6VXND5b_oxWXUrw5q4ycSd0zS_SBoJzF-T3HCUUgPf9h2INK24f/s320/LilyBracelet_111810.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544102937456478530" /></a>August starts crazy birthday & anniversary time for our family! And as I indicated at the beginning of this post - it's been awful crazy couple of months so all my birthday and anniversary gifts are late! Yep - late... as in mailing tomorrow late! YIKES! OK enough of that - on to the good stuff!<br /><br />In August my little great-niece turned two and I created two gifts for her - first is a charm bracelet I call <span style="font-weight:bold;">"One to Grow On"</span>. It has little mother of pearl beads, Swarovski pearls and some precious hand-made lamp-work beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a>. The Rose is for her name, the cupcake because she loves cupcakes and the color is pretty close to her birthstone. The lady-bug is a nick name she has. The heart was hand-crafted by me from fine silver and stamped with Mom and Dad. The thought is that I can create fine silver charms and send to her and her mom can add them to the charm bracelet for her. <br /><br />Now, knowing that she's only 2 and this has small pieces I figured that her mom <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9LDnRRy-D8MQnml6UZjm5bfsRJmgC4dMqPRRdMHcyi3So4TVy38z5eqQHI6GZkluVhYieFWGihYUkfZbDYNeFTgNk0ec3hGQVQ9jO12I2G16k7fgON_PPyfR6vCiaUswuKwzsJE785bl/s1600/LilyNecklace_91710.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9LDnRRy-D8MQnml6UZjm5bfsRJmgC4dMqPRRdMHcyi3So4TVy38z5eqQHI6GZkluVhYieFWGihYUkfZbDYNeFTgNk0ec3hGQVQ9jO12I2G16k7fgON_PPyfR6vCiaUswuKwzsJE785bl/s320/LilyNecklace_91710.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544103467206006034" /></a>would hold onto it for her for a little while so I created a cutesy little necklace that she can wear now to play dress-up with. Created with lamp-work beads from a number of artists but featuring a bear, ruffled disks and polka dot beads by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bastillebleu">Bastille Bleu Lampwork</a>. The others are from Blissful Garden. The beads are strung on a piece of pink suede cord and knotted so that it can be shortened or lengthened as the little one desires!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">September brings birthdays and anniversaries - </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K_Tvzfbmu956hncsCvqNkoDmAQWU7g8d0lM5MekkSAYAMl-h59ZkVlzpPSwY-hOsGU7PMbekleoDqp1-sZCqsPd5n2791lVxUYuFM69sN8N-vHoWlEref77E_EhBKTvvbBCwAkfgfMDj/s1600/Rachel_Heart_111810.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9K_Tvzfbmu956hncsCvqNkoDmAQWU7g8d0lM5MekkSAYAMl-h59ZkVlzpPSwY-hOsGU7PMbekleoDqp1-sZCqsPd5n2791lVxUYuFM69sN8N-vHoWlEref77E_EhBKTvvbBCwAkfgfMDj/s320/Rachel_Heart_111810.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544110865328912898" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Baby Love"</span> is for my niece who is a wonderful mom. Her daughter is represented in this necklace. The pendant is hand-crafted completely by me in fine silver (.999). The heart starts on the lower left w/ a lily, curves up to the rose at the top and then curves down to a cz representing the babies birthday - Peridot. The pendant was made in stages w/ firings between each stage. I'm so in love with this pendant. From the little sparkly silver frit and patina in the lily flower to the rose made with individual-shaped rose petals to the leaves wrapped around the heart. It gave me grief but I learned a lot from it! <br /><br />Now this beautiful (if I do say so myself) pendant hangs from a gorgeous, hand-dyed silk ribbon in chartreuse by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jamnglass">Jamn Glass</a>. I trimmed the ribbon to approx 20" and formed the sterling silver coiled end pieces and then hand-forged the sterling hook with a pretty little chartreuse lamp-work spacer by <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> capped on each end by my own fine silver (.999) hand-made, textured end-caps. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Oh now there's a fun story - </span>Amber from <a href="http://thatbeadgirl.com/">That Bead Girl</a> makes gorgeous bead, cabochons, and beautiful wine stoppers, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi2pte80ZFDoYw5zDVs14hLTEtLABGXw6gIMa4L07wQzeFR9fTWawpbwZXfrcDQqJyzmJWpSomwNYqiAVKZSRpNjZxGQmiLPf63XSXlwmU3Lg_AqbkYCue5M5vKKC2U96qEWRgTB2BLpJ/s1600/thatbeadgirl_loot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi2pte80ZFDoYw5zDVs14hLTEtLABGXw6gIMa4L07wQzeFR9fTWawpbwZXfrcDQqJyzmJWpSomwNYqiAVKZSRpNjZxGQmiLPf63XSXlwmU3Lg_AqbkYCue5M5vKKC2U96qEWRgTB2BLpJ/s320/thatbeadgirl_loot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544110518229654306" /></a>appetizer forks, bookmarks, pendants and more all featuring her gorgeous lamp-work pieces. When she creates custom beads she makes extras to be sure her sizing, color, shapes are correct. When she has a large amount of these orphans she puts them together in a lot and posts them to ebay. Wellll let me tell you I scored one of her postings - 355 hand-made lamp-work beads. Spacers like nobodies business! Some focals, some regular beads, discs, mini's, roundels, OMG I was/am in bead heaven!! <br /><br />So now you know how I ended up with the coordinating chartreuse lamp-work spacer for the hook!!! <br /><br />OK - enough! Next post will be Anniversaries!! and still MORE birthdays!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Please take time to visit my friends using the links posted above. These gals make all their product by hand - in their work shops, rooms, studios. They are true artisans and I am so proud to present their work in my pieces. </span>Cindy ~http://www.blogger.com/profile/03889265994847184775noreply@blogger.com0