Who out there remembers what ransom notes looked like before computers?

If you saw my last post, you might be thinking how odd that I know two people with children born in August whose names are almost exactly the same. Guess again! It's the same pendant...wrong spelling! The little pendant on the left looks sooo innocent, but in reality has cost three days of panic and a cut finger! It all started when a friend texted me while I was at work and asked if I could do the pendant....Of course! I said. I wrote the name "Delanie" on a note, but left it at work. I was more than a little rusty at stamping and messed up two (!) hearts! I finally had this one done (yippee!) when I realized I had stamped "Dalanie" ! Like an idiot, I texted my friend to verify the spelling, all the while HOPING that somewhere in the back of my mind this was supposed to be the correct spelling! She is a labor and delivery nurse who works nights...I should have taken into account that she's probably tired and there is a lot of adrenaline flowing at her work place...she texted back "Delaine"!!! What?!!??

Enter my precious husband who has been trying to help me learn to solder this week...I tell him I have an idea to fix it but it involves soldering the copper name to the pendant...will he help me? Never one NOT to show off his great abilities, he of course agrees...I knew he would ;0)...we change it to "Delaine" by stamping it on copper and cutting it out, then soldering the nameplate...We are both pretty impressed with ourselves...til yesterday evening when my friend realized her mistake and texted me...It is "Delanie" after all!! Now comes the really impressive part...with a little heat from the torch the copper nameplate will come off, then you can cool your metal (the heart) and start all over again! Sure beats ruining a 3rd sterling silver heart! I have to give my husband credit for this one!

Did I Ever Tell You About the Time I "Accidentally" Kidnapped my Grandson???

Probably not....it just happened yesterday......

Night before last night my daughter-in-law called while I was in the middle of my first attempt at soldering. She outlined plans for the next exciting couple of days..the kids are anticipating the "Meeting the Teacher" event and some last minute surprise flings before school starts.

Austin (5, going into Kg) was to meet his teacher Thursday pm...Averie (10, going into 4th grade) was to meet her teacher Friday am...then they would all meet for lunch and take the kids on a surprise trip to the Space Center Houston afterwards. Those were the basic, most important points of the conversation...As usual when I'm slightly (?) distracted only SOME things stick on their way in one ear and out the other!

For some reason, I had it in my head that I was to pick Austin up from his Montessori school on Thursday afternoon as I has been the Thursday afternoon standard for 2 years now. To Austin's credit, he TRIED to tell me his dad said it was meet-the-teacher day, but I convinced him it wasn't until the next morning, and we happily pulled in my driveway with plans to ride the (battery operated) 4-wheelers "in the street" (!) together. Luckily I grabbed my cell phone on the way out the door, and it rang just as I swung my leg over my camo ride and hit reverse. It was my d-in-law in a panic! "Where are you!?!" Do you have Austin???" Of course I have Austin...I was supposed to pick him up...r-i-g-h-t???? :] Wrong! Oh, so wrong!!! :(] Oops!

All the way to the school (thank Heavens, not too far!) he told me he told me so...he's just like his daddy and his grandpa! When we pulled into the parking lot, he said, "Don't worry, Grammy, you just forgot your mind!"

Out of the mouths of babes.......

Ahhh, but I digress...where was I?...Oh, yeah, soldering....

Hammered Copper Squiggles Wrapped With Sterling Silver

I just LOVE this set! Even if I did make it myself! The pieces are made of hammered copper wire, wrapped with sterling silver; then dipped in liver of sulfur to oxidize, giving it the dark antique look. The ring at the top is stamped with different designs, then wound around a ring mandrell. Super cute! I have this ring in sterling and fine silver...each one a little different from the other. More pix to come later of those!

Peacock & Guinea Feather Earrings

These cute earrings were made using our own guinea feathers (cleaned of course! : ) No, I didn't chase down the guineas and pluck a few feathers! They very courteously left them on the ground for me to pick up! Too bad we don't have a peacock or two! I had to buy those feathers!

These are very lightweight and breezy to wear. The sterling chain and Swarovski crystals give them just enough weight to make them hang pretty.

Computer Done Gone!

Look very closely at this picture! Notice the right-hand corner of the laptop...THAT'S how I limped along for a little while before my computer gave up entirely!!! I had to prop the left-hand side up with the docking station (so I wouldn't have to type at an up-hill angle!) to accomodate the the clamp that was needed to keep my computer on! Seriously, it would not stay on unless you pressed down over the f12 button! Picture me typing one-handed while holding down the f12 with my other hand. The aggravation factor was at an all time high! Needless to say, I only used my computer when absolutely necessary! My brilliant husband, who can fix just about anything, came up with the clamp idea...and voila! Southern ingenuity at it's best!

New Metal Pieces!

This ring is of fine silver. I got to use my torch on this one!!!

Welcome to a New Follower-DebHillArt

Well, I'm back online again after a long, unplanned hiatus! (Computer down! I'm working off my old dinosaur at the moment.) I may have neglected my blog, but I haven't been unproductive! I have lots of new metal work to show you...even a few rings!

First, I'd like to welcome DebHillArt to the fold! Thank you, Deb, for becoming a follower!! I've had the pleasure of meeting this uber-talented artist in person at her Laughing Crow Studio here in Cypress TX. She's as nice as she is talented!! If I had to describe her art in one word, it would be "fantasia" ! You have to see it...don't take my word for it. Check out her work at www.DebHillArt.etsy.com.

Happy Stay-At-Home-During-The-Ice-Storm-Day

Hope everyone is warm and cozy today whether at home or work! Being home, I'm in my fleece robe and fuzzy socks in front of my laptop, pretending I have a work-from-home kind of job. Well, I guess I do...for today anyway! Of the two necklaces pictured, the one on the left is for my niece who has a darling 4 year old boy and is expecting a baby girl in one week! The one on the right is an order....so I did do some work today!

I was reading an article from an online crafter's magazine this morning regarding customer email lists. I was moved to add a comment of my own to the article with extra info. It occurred to me that some of my blog followers are new to the crafting scene and may find this tip helpful in starting up their new businesses:

Always keep an Email Notification Sign-up Sheet out at your shows. When customers ask about where you will be showing next, offer your sign-up list. Assure them that you will never give out their email address, nor clog up their inbox with a bunch of unwanted emails. When sending out your emails always check the "Bcc" box in your address book so email addresses remain private. Also, use your business name in the subject line so you will be recognized and won't be deleted for fear of spam mail.

Your notification emails should include: date, times, location, your booth number or other means to easily find you, any cost to enter the show, and if possible, a link to the show website. Include a list of future shows as well. Many of our customers say they mark their calendars ahead of time so they can plan ahead to attend.

You can add incentives for show attendees, by offering a discount to anyone who prints out the the email and brings it to the show. I ALWAYS honor the discount if they mention it, but forgot to bring it with them! Advertise your websites, blogs, facebook, etc. by listing them in your email "signature".

Any experienced crafters out there, please add your own tips and comments. We had to learn most of this by trial and error. Hope this helps cut out a lot of the "error" for you!!

Welcome to a New Follower!

Thank you, Polymer Clay Shed, for becoming my 9th follower and also for featuring one of my necklaces on your blog! What an honor!

Check out her own handcrafted polymer clay beads on her blog or Etsy. She has some really unique designs, and something I have never seen before...salt & pepper shakers decorated in polymer clay!! What a totally charming idea for an anniversary or hostess gift!

Thanks again for following! You will be entered in my giveaway...just need 6 more followers!!

New for Valentine's Day

Hand stamped messages on sterling silver, paired with patterned copper. The "laugh" pendant is riveted onto the copper. The "live" and "love" pendants dangle freely against the copper for light-catching sparkle. French hook earring components are sterling silver. The 18" necklace chain is oxidized copper.