Beauty For Ashes

We get a snow day today.  Yeah!  My class was cancelled and my kiddies get to stay home.  I decided to let them sleep in so while they were snoozing Abbie and I went out to shovel the sidewalk.  Okay, Abbie just chewed on a pinecone while shoveled.  It took me about 1/2 hour and sweat was pouring off me by the time I was through.  Toward the end of my shoveling, I heard a little voice call out to me.  M was worried that I had left her all alone and was looking high and low.  Of course her worry was put to rest when I told her that she wasn’t going to go to school today.  “So, we get to sled all day today?” she said.  I told her that yes indeed, she could sled off and on all day today.  We have quite a  hill going in the front yard, only to be enhanced by all the snow storms building off the Pacific just waiting to dump beautiful, fluffy white stuff on the mountain and maybe bless us Bendites with some of the extra.  It’s lovely and fun. 

I have a whole list of things to do today since I’m not going anywhere.  I know I’ll probably only accomplish one or two things but I can still dream.  Here’s my list.

Sled with the kids
Do some metal craft
Order some metal supplies so I can complete this lovely bracelet I’m drooling over
Finish reorganizing my closet (we got a new bedroom set so I need to put all my stuff away)
Tidy the house
Vacume everything within reach (Abbie is a wonderful dog but her hair is driving me bananas) 
Make Hot Chocolate
make some phone calls

I could go on but I think I’d better end with that and get started on my list!  Can’t wait!

I am so excited.  I just got my first client.  He has asked me to make a piece of jewelry for his wife.  I am just so stunned and excited.   We are working on the design now.  He has some thoughts as to what he wants and will be getting me his schematics to start.  Did I alread say that I am just so excited?!?

On a little bit different topic, someone asked where you can get a jewelers saw in Bend.  My answer is that I don’t know.  I ordered mine from www.riogrande.com as well as a bunch of other stuff I couldn’t find here.  I am loving Harbor Freight though.  They have great prices on different tools and they even carry cutting compounds now.  I think you will really have to dig to find jewelers supplies here. 

Oh, it’s a good day.

I am so excited because I got my order in for some metal art supplies.  It makes me feel all gooshie inside.  Yahoo!

Rawhide mallet, jewelers saw, copper tongs, pickle, and other stuff that makes my heart beat faster.

Just thought I’d share it with you.

Have a fun filled day.

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.