Hi! Little White Dove!!!

I just realized I have a new follower and wanted to welcome "Little White Dove" into the fold! I post mostly pictures of the metal work I am doing, but if anyone is interested in HOW I do it, I would be happy to pass along instructions! Just let me know. I appreciate any feedback or constructive critism as well! Thank you for joining with us!

My idea of Christmas ornaments....

My new and improved metal working bench/shelf!

FROM THE DESK OF....

I love the metal working, but find I am having to space out my hammering time...it can be hard on the already too tight muscles of the neck and shoulders. I really have to take time out for stretching and relaxing. (Yeah, right! That's why I'm up at 10pm, working on my blog! What can I say, I'm dedicated...I'm relaxing, I'm drinking a glass of wine!)

Today I did some riveting! I was so afraid to try it, but did a perfect rivet the first time! Now I love it! Those pix come next...along with pix of my new and improved work station....but NO pix of my new toilet seat!

Surprise Award from Scrappers Anonymous.blogspot.com

Thank you, Scrappers Anonymous, for thinking of me! I know all you girls are cricutting, card-making fanatics!! Thanks for including me in your group!!! We are all kindred spirits, mad-scientist-type creators!
Theresa, you are a great on-line friend!!!

8 things I am grateful for:
1. Grandkids
2. My goat girls
3. My husband (in that order! ha! Just kidding, Honey!)
4. My drive to keep going when my shoulders have knots and my hands are numb...
I don't ever want to stop!
5. My sister, Cricut MiMi, who helped me get started with this blog!
6. Blog friends like "Scrapper Doo" (my pet name for her) & Cricut MiMi who include me in their paper-cutting sisterhood.
7. My awesome metal-working desk with the new shelf and tool holder bar to help me stay organized! Early Christmas present from my husband!
8. My new toilet seat...another Christmas present from my husband!!! (You really don't want to know that story!)

Now 8 very talented handcrafters I admire:

1. http://www.rojocameo.etsy.com/
2. http://www.reargear.etsy.com/ (a MUST SEE!)
3. http://www.flamecrazy.blogspot.com/
4. http://www.melaniescardina.blogspot.com/
5. http://www.javajanedesigns.blogspot.com/
6 http://www.noonidesigns.blogspot.com/
7. http://www.uniquedichroic.blogspot.com/
8. http://www.hillcrestjewelry.blogspot.com/

Thanks again, Theresa. I always enjoy your comments...especially since they are sooo flattering! Hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving!

Green Garnet Slabs & Hand Forged/Wrapped Sterling Silver

I love rough beads....not too perfect...like me! (I just spilled red wine all over my kitchen table, a bill for school taxes, a box of business cards, and my sleeve! Not too perfect...right!)

There is something so seductive about a diamond in the rough...green garnet in it's rough slab state... paired with the rich perfection of sterling silver...it just grabs me! I may be klutzy, but I can still appreciate the eclectic attraction of these opposing beauties!

The only piece of sterling silver that I did not make is the soldered jump ring for the clasp on the necklace .

Ancient Roman Glass Earrings

SCRAPPIN' CRICUT: 30 Days of Creativity Challenge - Day 27 - Wire and Button Ring...Too Cool!

SCRAPPIN' CRICUT: 30 Days of Creativity Challenge - Day 27 - Wire and Button Ring...Too Cool!

Fresh Off My Pounding Block!

Metal Collage

These are some of the things I've been working on for the upcoming show...I'm anxious to see how the new metal designs are received!

What I've Been Working On Lately!!

I found these watch faces on Etsy and had a brainstorm! I love my bracelet and earrings...sort of steampunk minus the goth! Those are actually watch gears hanging from the earrings! (Courtesy of my dear, patient husband!) I couldn't just leave it alone...had to add the stamped dangles to the bracelet. I have to wonder, tho, am I the only one who thinks this is just the coolest idea???
.

Forgot to mention....

The set is already sold! A longtime client and her precious teenage daughter came by the house yesterday to pick out some jewelry for a birthday present. My client picked out this set for herself! Her daughter played with my crystal collection til she came up with a design for earrings and a bracelet to match her formal for a dance Saturday night. I put that together for her while they decided on the present....everybody got something! Happy Ending!

Check out my latest!

Well, I had the perfect design ready in my head when I made the copper necklace clasp pictured a few posts below....but as with all good ideas....sometimes they lead to better ones! As I was looking for the beads I had in mind, I happened across one of my more striking Tibetan pieces, then some of my piccaso jasper...a whole new plan took shape! The brass beads in front are handmade antique African trade beads. Of course, the bracelet also had to be totally different from the original design I had in mind, so I forged the copper clasp and built the bracelet around it! The large jumprings are made by yours truly as well. I made earrings, but they just didn't hit me the same way...til yesterday inspiration struck! And wouldn't you know it, my camera batteries died on me, so I will post those later...

Wow! My First Blog Award!!

Ok, so on to the Award Rules.

1.Thank the person who rewarded it to you.

What a surprise when I opened my email this morning!!! Thank you, Cheryl, for a fantastic "wake-me-up!" and for so generously thinking of me!

2. Copy award to your blog.

3. List 3 things you love about yourself.

a. My jewelry-making abilities.

b. My good health which allows me the strength to keep hauling stuff around and setting up those craft booths to sell my jewelry.

c. My understanding Husband and Family (especially the Grandkids!) who know that this is just something I HAVE to do and don't mind me working it in whenever we are together! I love the life we have made here!

4. Post a picture that you love on your blog

Forgive me, I had to add 2 pix to get in all the grands! They're at the top

5. Pass the award on to 5 other inspirational people.

http://www.jnicdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://www.rockisrocknbeads.blogspot.com/

http://www.pendantfusion.blogspot.com/

http://www.miniaturepaintingandjewelry.blogspot.com/

http://www.uniquedichroic.blogspot.com/

Again, Cheryl, I can't thank you enough! Not only have you given my blog some exposure,

but you have enabled me to "pay it forward" to some artisans I greatly admire!

It's Official!!! Free Blog Candy Contest!

I have conquered oxidizing!!! I'm so excited! To celebrate my 'bravery' my contest prize is officially these beautiful copper and sterling silver earrings...completely hand forged by yours truly! The original pair is almost 4" long...a great birthday gift for someone whose taste I know, but not a generic size for the average person. These are closer to 3" including the earring components...also hand forged by me. And I am paring down the contestants to the first 15 people to "follow" me and leave a comment! I can't wait for the first 50....as I am dying to give these away!!!

Okay, Just One More Thing Before I Stop Bragging...for today anyway!

My husband has been working nights recently and having to sleep during the day. That's put a big cramp in my metalworking style! I had to find a "quiet time" activity for when he was asleep. I had been wanting to make these earrings for some time, and this was the perfect catalyst! The kids and I had actually collected these duck feathers from the lake in our neighborhood some months ago...no, the duck wasn't wearing them at the time! ha! After finishing these today, I went to Hobby Lobby to buy some feathers that were straight...not so curved! I think these are cute, but they tickle! Can't wait to make another pair!

I'm So Impressed With Myself!

I just have to show off these earrings! I just love them! They are going to be a birthday present for a friend, but I'm sure I will be making more for the girls in the family and myself! I haven't tackled oxidizing yet...I'm a little nervous about working with toxic concoctions! A lot nervous actually! I still can't believe I am doing this...taking copper sheet metal and wire...some cutting, some filing...a lot of hammering and polishing...and voila!

The clasp I made by twisting, then hammering heavy copper wire. I plan to use it in a necklace where the clasp is off-center in the front.

Dang! I'm good!!!! ha!

Averie's I.D. Bracelet

Of course, when children are involved, there is ALWAYS a story!

My granddaughter, Averie, is 9 yrs. old. Her original nameplate on her I.D. bracelet was the top one in the picture. Being the only girl, I thought it would be cuter to have her name topsy-turvy and more feminine-looking...plus, it gave me a break from having to line all the letters up straight! (Believe it or not, that's the hardest part.) She had already seen Austin's bracelet...she took one look at her's and said, "It's CROOKED!" I told her that I did that because she's a girl and I thought it looked cuter for her. Her reply, "Well, you're gonna have to fix that "R" before I wear it." Ah, the best laid plans! So, disappointed as I was, I was going to honor her wishes and "fix" it....that's the 2nd nameplate! Guess I was a little agitated! I had to re-do her's again, but finally got it to her specifications!

(I can't believe I'm showing all my mistakes for all the world to see! ha!)

New Metalworking Passion

I have neglected all my websites lately for my new love: metalworking! I said I wasn't going to get into this...didn't want my hands and nails messed up when showing jewelry...and it DOES mess them up! I should have taken a picture of the thumbnail that I hammered off! But my curiosity got the better of me and now I am hooked!

My first efforts turned out to be I.D. bracelets for the kids; 4 grandchildren and 4 great- nephews. Keep in mind as you study the picture, I am not an expert, and don't study them too closely! The 2 grandchildren that live close by, Averie & Austin, already have theirs. Garrett & Blake are the other 2 grands...they will be here tomorrow for their Grandpa's birthday.

Wow! My first follower!!!

I'm so excited to to have my first follower!!!! Thank you Cricutmimi!!! Even if you are my sister!!! lol

Love ya!!!!

Welcome to BeadUSenseless!!

Hi! and welcome to anyone curious enough to check me out!

I create and sell my own line of sterling silver, Swarovski crystal, and gemstone jewelry. If you are interested, check out my etsy store at http://www.beadusenseless.etsy.com/ and let me know what you think! My etsy store is only a sampling of my full inventory. I also do custom work. If you're in need of a special present or something to wear with that new outfit give me a holler!
Hope you all have a very safe and happy July 4th!