I Heart Metal

Enough complaining! I'm moving onward and upward.

I have really enjoyed the metalsmithing sessions I've been taking for the last couple of months. I have learned so much and there is so much more to learn. However, tomorrow will be my last session for the summer. So sad : ( It's just to difficult for me to line up a sitter, and make the time to work on projects between classes. But, the break will be brief...just for the summer. Then in September, I'll be back at it! The sessions that is, as I'll be working on metalsmithing projects, or any new projects for that matter, when I have a chance.

In the meantime, here are some recently finished pieces...

Foggy Forest - Dendritic Jasper Necklace

And remember this? I finally finished this pendant, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.

There are a couple more projects in the works. Hopefully, I'll get them done soon.

More Metal

I haven't chatted about it lately but I'm still loving the metalsmithing. Still taking classes, and trying to figure how I'll get my session in once the kids get out of school. Here's a peek at some of the pieces I've finished as of recent...

The stone for this necklace is a beautiful Apatite. It's the most beautiful shade of blue. I love, love this necklace, but can't keep 'em all, right?

the back

Love this one too...Larimar necklace

I cut out the back on this pendant, the back of the stone is as pretty as the front.

Prehnite earrings, this is my first pair of earrings. I'm looking forward to making a couple more pairs, with different stones of course.

I've got some more metalwork projects in the mix. They are a little more time consuming to complete, and once I get started I don't want to stop, so I have to pace myself.

I Don't Want to Talk About It...

Today's bead table Wednesday was nothing short of a disaster!

When I started this beautiful natural Amethyst cab was in one piece. Now...not so much, but I'm gonna try and salvage it. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Hope you had more success at your bead table today.

More Metal Monday

Yesterday, we woke to white stuff on the ground...crazy! Hubby was home, and the kids were engrossed in a movie, so I ceased the opportunity and slipped out to the workshop. It was freezing but I'd rather play with metal than watch tv, or better yet, clean.

I've been in search for some really great cabs to set. As a result, I've discovered lots of great shops on etsy, that have fabulous stones. Although, I'd rather see and touch the stone before purchasing, I have yet to be disappointed. One of my purchases was this Willow Creek Jasper from StepheezGems. She has lots of great cabochons, if your in the market.

I had a devil of a time with this pendant...good thing I was working solo. This isn't exactly the way I had sketched the back out, there was suppose to be a few wavy wire pieces, but they were not cooperating. Instead of having a full on temper tantrum, and risking loosing this big piece of silver...yikes!...I settled for sawing the curve instead. I'm still thrilled with the way it turned out.

Willow Creek Jasper Pendant

note to self...I need to go back and clean up the oxidation a bit around the balls

Next up, I finished off the pendant of the unknown stone with some gorgeous tourmaline rondelles.

as promised a picture of the back

Finally, a great everyday ring. This is nice and simple. I textured and domed a sterling disc, then set it. Super cool!

I'm so happy with what I got done this weekend, of course I can thank the lousy weather. Did you have time to create this weekend?

Metalsmithing

I've been M.I.A. lately in the blog world. With the coming of spring, life picks up a little more hectic pace. We headed out of town while the kids were on spring break, softball has begun, and I'm frantically trying to kick it into high gear so that I'll be ready for upcoming art shows.

Today will be another hectic day, but I wanted to drop in and share a few metalwork projects that I've finished. I'm totally, lovin' doing metalsmithing. There is SO much to learn!

Peruvian Opal Pendant

I love, love this pendant and can't wait to get a chain so that it can be worn. However, this setting set me in a fit everytime I worked on it! The flower petals and cut out back...I was probably a little ambitious to start with something like this, but it's done, gorgeous, and I love it!



the back...I cut the back out so the light can shine through, the stone is so pretty, and added the flower petal to match the front.



Pendant

I'm unsure what this stone is, any ideas? I purchased it quite a while ago. Anyway, I'm not quite done with this. It looks kinda blah right now, but there will be colorful dangles on the bottom loops, and of course chain. I forgot to photograph the back, but I there is lots of scrollwork. More photos when this is finished.

Druzy Ring

 Ring

Here's another...don't know the stone, ugh! Love this too! I wear it all the time! Copper back sheet and silver balls. This is the first piece I completed entirely on my own. To say the least I was giddy with excitement when it was finished and realized...I. Can. Do. It! Yea!

I promise, it won't be so long before I check in again, and I'm trying to catch up on reading the blogs I follow.

Have a great weekend!