September and Show Recap

I sit here now thinking about how much I love September, and can hardly believe that the middle of the month is upon us. There is so much about September that I enjoy.

I love the transition of the season, holding onto the last bit of summer with the brisk mornings and warmer afternoons. The beach is a dream, the crowds are minimal, and the water is still warm, but no lifeguards (that stinks!) With the return of school, a chance to get back to a schedule after the chaos of summer, not saying that once school starts it's not just a chaotic...just scheduled chaos. And with the chaos of summer, I rarely have the chance to visit my bench : ( so with the welcoming of September I can get back out to my shop! This is great, considering most of my shows fall between September and November.

This past weekend, was one of the largest shows I participate in. It was a great success! The weather was wonderful, and the show was well attended. Being that my blog has been on hiatus, and I haven't shared many of my new pieces lately, I thought I'd share some of the pieces that found new homes over the weekend.

Are you seeing a pattern here? It seemed to be a blue, green kinda day.

Now, back to to enjoying September, which includes new work : )

Do You Test Drive Your Jewelry?

You know the moment...you finish a piece, you get all gitty with excitement, and your over the moon with it? I'm not talking about every new piece of jewelry you create, but the one that you contemplate keeping...when you really shouldn't...you know, the one you LOVE, Love, love. Do you give it a test drive? It's not often, but I do. And here lately, I've been test driving a lot!

new love...Pastel Green Sea Glass set in Sterling Silver Ring

People can be particular, so I always let them know that I've worn the piece. There are lots of advantages to wearing your jewelry out and about before selling it. First and foremost there is the marketing, I always try to carry my business cards, especially if I'm wearing something I made, and the comments make my heart smile. If it's a new design, wearing it can help to work out the kinks. Finally, while your sporting your new fav around town, you realize that others are equally enchanted with the piece. Often, when I have a show in the near future, I clean the piece and put it out for sale...even if sometimes I secretly wish for it not to sell.

another lovely!...I'm SO loving this bracelet! It's decided, it'll be the one that I secretly hope doesn't sell!

City Lights - Sterling Silver & Lampwork Wirework Bracelet

So I ask you, do you test drive your jewelry? And would you purchase a piece that an artist has previously worn?

Ramblings

I'm being pulled in about twenty different directions, as a result, my blog is suffering:( Anywho, this is what I've been up to the past couple of days...

this past Friday, I traveled to BeadFest. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Barbara from Painting with Fire, and while watching her demo, I ran into Jenny from Jenny Davies Reazor and Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio. Yea! I always love seeing people unexpectedly. The show was good, it's been better, but beggers can't be choosers, and I prefer to see, feel, touch what I buy...you understand, yes? Didn't get many beads at all, but I did get some yummy cabs! Pictures to come, but this is one of the stones that I scooped up, and ta-da...a wonderful ring just in time for summer! Love it!

Sterling Silver Amazonite Ring

Recall the disaster from last week BTW? It's going to be fabulous! but it might take a while.

Otherwise, I've just been trying to catch up, ordering materials...ouch!, writing tidbits for press releases, attending to show details, packaging and sending orders...the boring business end of things, and that doesn't include my personal life details, and of course cleaning my house. There's a lot going on, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it out the shop this week.

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!

And then there was Light

I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!! Yippee!

It's still pretty cold, but I've braved the temps and gotten out into the workshop. I've been busy working on orders for Christmas, and today...success, the last order was completed and delivered. I won't be taking any more orders for this year. There are still some things that I'd like to make for Christmas gifts, but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself. If they get done, great, if not...no biggie.

Take a peek at a few of the pieces that will be finding new homes Christmas morning...

I love bangles!...these 3 are a set



This bracelet is very similar to one I had done before, different clasp and a lot longer. This is my first piece going to a gentleman. 

This ring was learned from Lisa Claxton. Love all the texture and it's so easy to wear!

This little lovely was the only one to go that has beads. But that's okay...it will be loved just the same.



The kids last full day of school is Thursday, and we have lots of plans (I hope) while they're on break. Which also means that there is still a lot to get completed, and only two short days to get a long list of "to do's" done. Then, we're home free to make gingerbread houses, bake cookies, watch Christmas movies, do crafts...you get the idea. What fun activities do you do to get ready for the holidays?