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???
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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...