Beauty For Ashes

What have I been up to lately you ask? Well, a little of this and a little of that. The pendant above is one I just completed yesterday. I am thrilled with it. It is made from a domed silver disc paired with a domed copper disc that has been enameled with peacock blue enamel. The little “stamen” in the middle is made from a fine silver ball. I think it is terrific and quite striking really. It is the first of many I’m sure. I have a series using these domed discs floating around in my mind and I’m anxious to get going on it. 

Oh, and don’t let me forget this little treat:
I completed this on Monday and have been wearing it none stop since.  It is a bracelet made of sterling silver and gold filled wire.  It has such a nice weight and makes me feel very feminine and energetic.

I am loving my metal shop classes.  This last weekend I completed an intense enameling class.  It was so very fun and I developed another skill using color on metal.  You all know how I love color.  I am loving the enamels and all the different techniques you can use to create a lovely piece of art work/jewelry. 

Currently I am working on completing a sculpture that I will certainly show you in addition to a lost wax cast ring, a pair of earrings to go with the domed disc pendant as well as a bracelet to complete the set.  I can’t wait to show you how it all turns out. 

This is so fun!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope your Thanksgiving is very special.

We have had a nice week.  M and C are out of school so they have been very thankful.  Unfortunately, C came down a nasty little virus and has a fever for the last day or so.  I thought maybe it was strep so I took him in and sure enough, it wasn’t…just a virus that is morphing.  He is on his 2-3 week cycle of illness now…frown.

Anyway, something we did learn about him and why he is eating like a hungry chicken rather than just a little bird is that he is growing.  I had him in to see the doc for the very same reason at the beginning of October and since that visit he has gained 2 1/2 pounds and grown 1/2 inch.  Wow!  No wonder his pants are climbing half way up his shins.  Now if I could just get some girth on him so his pants aren’t falling down all the time.

Also, I got my ring back from school and guess what…I got 100% on it.  I was so pleased and feel excited and full of inspiration.  Honestly, I was not expecting a terrific grade and was trying to figure out a redesign so I could bring that grade up because, you know, I am no annal retentive and OCD about getting an A in this class. 

My Dad and I were laughing yesterday because this is the first time that I have been in college that I have done well.  I am not a brilliant scholar much to the surpise of many (just kidding) and grades were always a huge issue in college.  I was always one step away from being booted from school because of my grades.  Thank goodness I married a brilliant man.  He has brilliance I have common sense(usually). 

Here is a picture of my first ring.  It is made of Sterling and Fine Silver, darkened with Liver of Sulfer and the high spots brought up to a high polish.  I was inspired by the sand dollars we get at the coast and that is what my design was derived from. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My house has been a whirl wind of creative juices.  So much so that my head hurts at times.  I have a number of projects that are all coming due within the next two weeks.  I love it!

I was explaining to my husband the other day that this class I am taking has caused me to jump in, with both feet, to letting my right brain completely loose.  I am totally in my element and loving all the stuff that is coming out of my hands.  I have no idea how God is going to use all this creative energy but I sure am anxious to find out. 

So here are some pictures of a few of the things I’m working on.

My metalcraft class design using one of my initials.  I bet you can’t guess what that letter was at one time…
My design goes from paper to the very beginning stages of a metal art design.  It will eventually be a pendant.
My treasure boxes on a grand scale.  All in the rough so far.  I am looking forward to seeing what they will look like.  They all seem to have their own personality.  I know it sounds strange but I have been learning that no matter what art or craft your working with, it is never a good thing if your fighting with your medium.  I don’t forsee any fights.  That bright blue box is calling to me, I may start with it.
This one is going to one of my cousins.  I think it looks just like her.
This one is going to some family in Bothel.  I am thrilled with the way it is turning out.  It isn’t quite finished yet.  The glue is still drying and it needs a handle.  I must admit, this one and I fought a little.  The box, or at least the paper part has been done for nearly a month but I have been so uninspired by it.  I LOVE the way it is coming together.  Another lesson I have learned about making art is that the things that seem the most uninspirational can turn into the most beautiful piece ever.  Kind of like “Beauty for Ashes”. 

I’ll keep posting as I create.  I love how God talks to me about stuff while I work.  I am so enjoying listening to beautiful music, sitting in the sunshine, talking to God about who is going to get this thing or that thing.  It is beyond words what happens in my soul.

God is so good to me to meet me like this.  I am deeply moved and grateful!

Have an inspiring day.  I’ll post more as I go.