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.