Better than well, actually :) Just on hiatus for a bit while we work out some pretty amazing stuff going on in our household :)
Here's a Great Big Thank You to the lovely and talented Brandi over at Brandi Thompson Photography!
Your Generous review and Support means the world to me, Thanks! Your pictures make my Jewelry look like a million bucks!
Watch her Blog for lots of Fabulous Photography and an bit of insight into why her work is so unique and creative (hint, it's all about her! :)
Check her out....
The quartz in the pic is Harlequin Quartz. It is clear quarts with lepidocrocite and hematite phantoms. I've never seen anything like it.
Two weekends ago I stumbled on polished and faceted strands of it. Well, they may even be drilled Herkimer styled pieces, its so hard to tell. The clarity is phenomenal: perfect clear with what looks like blood and gunpowder splatter inside it...OMG it was gorgeous. $35 a strand, This pic is the closest thing I've found to it. Except these were dou
Immediately my mind went insane w/ very Gothic & Steamy designs...which I have always shied away from, which is funny to me, well, considering the people I know :) The more I think/fantasize about it I am going more neo-victorian, so it will likely go into some of my steampunk line...am VERY excited :)
Any who, I bought 2 strands of it this weekend and did a Mock up for the first piece I'm making last night in bronze. The quality isn't so hot. Keep in mind this is a mock up in bronze bc I was trying a new technique. There's no glue at all, just the wire, leather and quartz.
I'll be redoing it in silver tonight. Tho the more I wear this, the more I think I like the rough, bronze look, so I will likely keep it around for my Ren-wear :)
I know the end wraps are rather sloppy, but this is a brand new, just out of my head technique and I was winging it :) So, be nice :P You can't tell but it is twisted square wire so it has a neat texture.
]]>Just wanted to share this article that I found in another community for those of you still curious about the inspiration for the new project.
On another note, a friend asked me to wrap a spectacular piece of carved mammoth ivory that the post broke off of because he wears it so often. I've spent a lot of time working with it and everything just came across to feminine for the person who will be wearing it. As a fellow artist and dear friend, I want him to be happy with it :)
Here's what I'm starting with (sorry about the Quality, its from my phone)==>
Well, this past weekend my son and I met a woman at the Dallas Fine Mineral Show who shared with me a technique that led to inspiration! I wish i could find her card, I'd love to let her know :)
The technique involved using a top wire to create prongs and tying it to base wires. Any how, after doing a few sketches before bed, I woke up with the complete know-how on how to make it work! Completely Masculine and perfect for my friend. I intend to work it up in Brass tonight before attempting it in silver. I hope to have the mock up ready for him to look at this weekend when I see him at Scarborough Faire. :)
Now, I simply CANNOT Wait to get home :) Pictures to follow, I promise!
This should have been posted months ago, but I have been hip deep in a chaotic studio, not to mention my own mind :) There's a big project on the horizon that I would dearly LOVE to share with all of you but that will have to wait. I have accepted a project that is Steampunk in nature that should generate some serious buzz in the near future. It will include jewelry by me (and possibly others I am beginning to admire greatly, if I can talk them into it) Original clothing by a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless at the moment, and scads of beautiful ladies (YAY!) lol! I will also be acting as business Manager, possibly, so I may, in fact, NEED some of the other designers as I will be busy building proposals and meeting w/ Investors...curious yet??? [insert mischievous laugh here]
Any who. I am quickly collecting up lots of fabulous goodies to recycle and re-purpose in many of my creations. This is just the first of many hauls I plan to make to collect materials. Found Here.
Also, not pictured here, I scored two clocks to dismantle for goodies. As soon as I get them dismantled and cleaned, I will add a picture of them too!
Wow, it certainly has been a busy month. Thanks to everyone for all the orders, they really helped make this Holiday Season great in our house :) I decided to expand my repertoire of skills as a New Years Resolution, of sorts. In 1996 I discovered a fascination with Wire Art. It took me until 2006 to find someone to teach me SOMETHING to get me started. I learned the very basics of wire wrapping from a wonderful Lady who never fails to surprise me with the many things she has to teach. However, since that first class, my day-job has kept me away and I've had to struggle on my own with books and magazines and good ol' fashioned test and trial. Needless to say, my progress, in my mind, has been slow indeed. A while back I discovered a website of Preston Reuther's wire sculpting. I made a commitment and decided to buy the Small Business Package listed on Preston's site and thus my Adventure really begins.
Just for a taste, here are my first two attempts at this. They are constructed out of resin cameos and brass wire, as they are practice pieces only. I expect to dismantle them in the near future, so I wanted to record them here:
This first piece took about 20 minutes. The sculpture portion of this piece took me 8 Minutes!
I will clearly need more practice, but I counted this initial experiment a success and look forward to learning more and incorporating it into my work.
Good News! I'm ahead of schedule and have some extra time on my hands...SO I have decided to extend the Christmas Ordering Deadline one more week!
Hello All!
Been VERY busy creating goodies for you at the Shriner Temple Christmas Bazaar! Come See Us!
Wow, what a busy year it has been :) Thank you!
Now that we're coming up on the busy holiday season,guess what? Yep, you got it, time to think about Christmas! This year's Christmas Deadline is:
December 11th
In short, if you will need Xmas pieces, you need to start thinking about them soon. Custom orders are typically 50% down, balance due on completion :) I do limit what I take on, simply so I can manage it all and have time for my own loved ones. So, once the production schedule is full, that's it till Jan :)
]]>Have had a few emails lately about Jewelry Allergies and thought I'd try to find some evidence to back up the good ole' clear nail polish trick I've always been taught. This is what I found:
On the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Website
From the Dormer Laboratories Website: "Clear nail polish can be used to coat jewelry and clothing buttons. This should be repeated weekly to maintain barrier."
I also found a product specifically sold for this purpose. They have many allergy-minded products to consider. I may eventually distribute some of their accessories in the future, specifically the L Protec, the Pierced Ear Protector, & the Ear Care Gel.
Hopefully, this will offer some peace of mind (not to mention physical relief) to some of you with sensitive ears :)