Ruched

new pendant

Wooh, Merrick and I had a very yell-y day.  Everything is frustrating him this week, and we couldn't go outside because the forest fires are making the air dangerous for kids and the elderly.  Going outside is my trump card, my safety net, my option of last resort!  We go out every day, but if Merrick gets crabby and it's not food/diaper/sleep related, I take him outside. 

We're in no danger from the fires, thank goodness.  The last I heard only a few homes in the Bay Area had been lost but I don't know if that's still true, I'll pay more attention to the radio tomorrow.

Luckily I had a jewelry class tonight.  I know, I said I had finished for the month, but I forgot several.  Oops.  Tonight was a "Treasure Barrel" pendant, and I used peridot.  I'd like to make another using an opaque stone, like the class samples.

bubble bangle

This bracelet is soldered and fused, I've never used both techniques on one project.  I love it, and now I have a million ideas ricocheting around in my head.  That's a great feeling.

Tumbling

Stuff to tumble, old jewelry, things I've made, the PMC stirrup ring for class on Wednesday.

New tumbler + water, stainless steel shot, a drop of dish detergent, and jewelry.

There it is, whirling away.  I decided to save the cuffs for next time, I was worried they would tangle with the necklaces. 

That's my uggo counter in the background.  We really need to replace it, some of the tiles are worn and the dark brown grout always looks grubby.

pmc ring + molded button

Whoops, this band is way too short.

I thought a molded pmc button might cover the gap nicely.

Giving myself several options.

Two pmc buttons drying on curved sanding sticks.  I'm not sure this is standard procedure, but it seems sensible.  I'm hoping it will make the buttons easier to attach to the ring shank.  The big circle in the front is from the mold of the glass button I showed a few months ago.  It's drying on the bottom half of a giant-size plastic Easter egg.  My plan is to make it into a pendant.

The ring shank and the fabric I used to make the texture.  It's subtle in person, I'm wondering if a liver of sulfur will make the design stand out in a pleasing way.  The impression is very shallow, I'm not sure if it will work.  I was thinking this afternoon that I could stiffen some fabric with textile medium, that might make it easier to make an impression of the pattern. 

Tricks of the Trade

Friends, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence.  This necklace is just so beautiful.

I'm wearing it right now with my nightgown. 

This was one of those amazing classes where everything clicks.  I had all of the supplies I needed, I loved the project and the instructor, she showed me some gorgeous finishing techniques, my classmates were talented and interesting.   It was just wonderful.

Forgive me, I'm off to sigh over my necklace a bit more.  May you have a Golden Project in the near future and I'll see you all tomorrow.

I'm going to make something beautiful tomorrow, I can just feel it.

This is just about every bead I own.  Huh.  Somehow it is simultaneously more and less than I imagined. 

I separated out everything I thought might work with my inspiration photo and put them all in the blue bowl, then I realized that all of my beads would fit in my bag, so why not take them too, just in case?

The prep work for this class took much longer than it should have, I've developed a terrible habit of grouping things together for a future project, putting them in a baggie, and forgetting about the project.  Whoops.  It does give things bit of a Christmas Day feel, lots of "I forgot I had that!", and "Ooh, isn't that pretty!".

Mining

the new Sundance catalog for inspiration.

A Grand Necklace

I'm taking this Perfect Patterning class in June, and it's been on my mind since I signed up a few weeks ago.  I need to have an inspiration photo and when I saw the photo below (on another blog, can't remember where) I knew that was it.

Two necklace examples.  I want to make something grand and dramatic. 

Oh Martha, I love you so. 

Sorry about the tiny photos, I pulled them from other sites.  If there's a trick to this someone let me in on the secret, I would have chosen another topic today but those colors send me into raptures.

Mega-Sil-sational

Not five minutes out of the shipping carton and they're having a photo shoot.  40 impressions = 40 earsfull, this is intended for use by hearing aid makers.

One spoon of each, don't mix up the spoons.

Squish for 60 seconds.

One totally rad mold from a vintage glass button.  My plan is to use this mold to make a PMC pendant.

Mega-sil comes in little travel size containers too, I think they'd be great fun at a kid's party, or in party favor bags.

Sissy Anvil

Here's my new anvil.  I knew what size it was when I ordered it but I was still surprised how small it seemed in my hand.  It looks like it belongs in a dolls' house, how could it withstand hammering? 

It's perfect though.  I used it while removing the copper rivets from this silver bracelet.  I decided that I don't like the mixed metals look.  Now I'm not sure what step to take next, I really should cut off the old rivet holes and drill fresh ones, but then the bracelet wouldn't be large enough to make a bangle.  Decisions, decisions!

A gold plastic tray from a box of Xmas chocolates.  I should recycle it but I just can't bear to let it go yet.  I find joy in small things and I love that about myself .