Beauty For Ashes

More rings.  I just finished 5 more and they are the sweetest little things ever.  I can’t wait to get them to my friend!
Kayaking - we have enjoyed it as a family in the past and thought since our babes are getting a little older and we have all these terrific bodies of water we should float, paddle, swim and enjoy them.  We bought 2 kayakes and figured there is enough room each for an adult, kid and dog or picnik basket.  We are really looking forward to Sparks Lake this summer.
 
It’s soccer season and we are having so much fun!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Oh, I am just so excited.  T got my vise bolted down in my workshop area.  He has graciously given me a little area of the garage to set up my metal craft shop.  I sat polishing rings tonight for an order one of my friends had done.  They have a little ways to go yet before they will be ready for gifting but they are coming along beautifully.  I will post pics when I’m done with them.  Also, another friend is kindly working on a web sight.  She is so amazing with her creativity and the computer.  I am delighted to be her first customer, or maybe second or third.  It’s so fun!

I will be sure to get lots of pictures up soon.  I should put a photo of my work area up to huh?  Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the spring weather.  It was beautiful today and we got to enjoy to soccer games to boot.  Wahoo!  Bring on the sunshine and warm weather.

I’m sorry I haven’t posted much.  I have been so busy with life but I did want to pause for a moment and share with you what I have been up to.  My metals class started up again today.  It was the first in the metal surfaces series and I am very excited about it.  In addition, there is going to be a students art show in a couple of weeks that I am jazzed about.  I am hoping to have some of my pieces juried and maybe they will be accepted for the show.  So without further adieu, here is what I’ve been doing.
 
The stone has not actually been set yet but here is pretty much what it will look like when I’m finished.  This was my first successful lost wax cast piece.  It’s made of sterling silver with a London blue topaz for the stone.  I am very excited to wear this baby around.  I learned so much and have a number of new ideas floating through my brain for next time.

Next up is some miniature rings that I are for sale.  They are meant to be worn on a chain around your neck.  They measure 1/4″ high and 1/2″ in diameter and are made out of sterling silver.  I have had so many comments on them and just love that I am wearing my kids names in a unique way around my neck. 
Aren’t they adorable.  I am selling them for $23.

Okay, so there’s more. 

This is one of my all time favorite pieces to wear.  The color in the center is a beautiful peacock blue.  The pendant is made of 2 domed discs fastened together with a fine silver ball.  The bottom disc is made of sterling silver and the top disc is made of enameled copper.
 
I took some photos of some poppies last summer, I think maybe I posted them here for you to see.  Anyway, I took the photos and etched them onto copper.  I had several and have done a couple of different things with them.  This one has clear eneamel over the top and is suspended on a ribbon to make a nice pendant.  The one below has a lovely green patina and is mounted on a piece of sterling silver.  The links for the bracelet are made from square sterling silver wire and are shaped into 3 different diameter cirles.  I love the way it looks and can’t wait to wear it with a pretty sun dress when the weather warms up a bit.
 

So creatively, that is what I’ve been up to.  I love working with metal and am astounded at what can be done to create something beautiful with it.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  If you want to see more take a peak at my flickr sight.  I always try to update it periodically with this and that.

If you are interest in my miniature rings, please feel free to email me.