Welcome Spring?

Yesterday, I decided to pull the clay out, and pulled out wht.,blk., and met.silver. The wht. clay was hard, and it took me forever to soften up. Well, let's just say, that what I had in my mind, and what transformed, was not good. Not only that, but, that was my last brick of white. Total Bummer. So, I wrapped up everything and walked away. I received my box from Fire Mountain, and was happy. I was able to splurge on purchasing Sterling Silver. Not only that, but, some cute earring and necklace displays. After checking out my "goodies", I decided that in the morning, I would pull out the "mess", and try to figure out what I could make out of it. However, this morning, I woke up with a nagging, between the eyes headache. Welcome Spring! It's been in the 60's, and will stay that way, until Saturday, then hello rain. Sunday evening, the snow returns. So, I thought that a good cup of coffee and a hot shower would help. I finally sat down with the clay around 10:30 and tried to figure out what would go great with mud.?.. Well, this is what I came up with, could'nt finish, with the bad headache, and the stomach decided to kick in. So, I wrapped up everything, bake what I had made up, and named it a bad day, a bad batch.... Spent a little time outside with grandbaby Tristan, hopeful that a little sunshine and fresh air would help. So, here I am, sitting at the computer, ready to shut this down too.

Except for the clasp!

Last night, I stopped early on my bracelet. My eyes were sore, burning, and just plain tired. Plus, my hands were getting really sore. I surely wished, I would have started this hobby +years ago. The bracelet is Byzantine Chain Mail,in 18 gauge. Yes, I made all the jump rings, 170 some, and the clasp. I started this project yesterday, and I'm really getting to love working with the wire. I am expecting my package with Sterling Silver any day. Working with the German wire, is OK. It's basically, metal over copper. I'm trying different sanding methods, so the copper doesn't show. I'm happy with the results, except for the clasp. I used 14 gauge wire, and, oh my, the results were not acceptable to me. On the other hand, the clasp, is unique. Isn't that what it is all about? I'm going to be getting out the clay this weekend, more than likely on Sunday. I've a few projects I want to work on. I discovered a new website, call ArtFire. Another site to sell handcraft items.
I have been asked this last week about business cards. Is this a business, or a much loved hobby? When does a hobby, become a business?

Earring Production!

Well, today, I opened some windows in the house, turned off the furnance, and sat at my desk, listening to the birds.Not to mention the cats! I placed my desk, in front of my sliding glass door, facing outwards. Nice! Near 60 here today, however, it was mostly over casted. To night the rain begins. It was nice working at my desk, listening to the birds. But, here in Michigan, and only being the first of March, the snow machine is not done. I made some new earring pieces today, the triangle pair, I really like. I think I will make a few of these, and list them on my Etsy shop. Can't believe, all that wire work, and it's after 4 p.m. Speaking on time, the time changes this Sunday.

Nice Spring Day

First things first, I received my books on Saturday! I was in seventh heaven! If you ever get a chance to read these books, or aquire them; "Ancient Modern polymer Clay and Wire Jewelry" by Ronna Sarvas Weltman, and "Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry" by Scott David Plumlee, they are wonderful. The wonderful resources are out there, and my brain just soaks them up. I was able to sit down yesterday, and make a real cute pair of earrings out. I just need to make the backs. I am going to finally invest into Sterling Silver. I love working with the German Wire, artistic wire, but, it will be a boost to making beautiful jewelry. I need to sit down and start working out some inventory. Today was a nice "Spring Day", the temps got up to 50. I did feel quilty about not working on my "hobby", but, with hubby home, we did our usual on Mondays. In a couple of weeks, we will be painting the house. I'm am so ready! I'm going to go with a burnt orange and pale yellow in the kitchen. The living room, I do believe will be soft green. I need to do up a list of spring cleaning to, unless, the dust bunnies are getting huge!

For Annie

This earrings I made are for Annie. Still no package today. Ugh....

Name for piece

I have decided to name this piece, "To Dream". Why, you ask??? Well, as each piece I made in this necklace, I dreamed of what all artists dream of, where will this take me???? We all love to have our pieces noticed by that someone right, to make it big. When I make my beads, or work on a wire piece, it takes me "To Dream."

Finished piece.

Well, today, I tackled the wire work again. I decided to switch from the 16 guage to using 20 guage. Much better, however, this is just a practiced piece. I'm pleased. I did use the 16 on the clasp piece. Tried to do a swirl clasp, however, I was not happy with both practice pieces, but, I'm happy with this one. It matches the other pieces. Now, I have to name the piece. Still no package today. Oh well, there is always tomorrow, which is Friday! TGIF!

A Day of Practice

Well, this morning, I waited in anticapation for the mail lady. Alas, the books were not included with the mail. Funny, how, email is taking over the mail, and the post office is talking about going to 5 days of service, not 6, and here I wait for my "new" books! So, I decided to do some practicing with some wire. I was able to glaze the beads last night, so that was out of the way. I wanted to try some spiral coil beads made out of wire. The first one, really turned out nice, I was so impressed with my work, I thought, no problem, I will try another. Good thing it was just practice, and yes, I will use the metal bead with my own work. Now, I guess, I need to practice on taking pictures. The pictures of the beads are terrible. Ugh..... now, it makes me wonder about making anymore for my esty shop.

Sunburst Chain Mail Bracelet

I wanted to share my first chain mail bracelet, using my sunburst beads! I am so impressed!

Bright Pink Flower Cane

Wow, is that purple or what??? Well, today, I decided to finish my cane, and I must say, not bad. However, I did not use the cane to cover any beads, instead, I made tube beads, and mixed and ended up with swirls, and more swirls. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will be getting my new books. If not, I will get getting more practice on making more canes. Did alot of researching this afternoon, while the household was all taking a nap. I guess, I need to do some serious thinking about starting a website. Starting a website???? All my beads are baked, now all I have to do with them is glaze tomorrow.

Hello Everyone!

Well, this is my first post, on my first blog. Never thought this would be part of making, and wanting to sell my jewelry. I am working on my first cane, which, I think turned out pretty good. Everybody, keeps asking how I manage to get all the clay, into a small, long jellyroll, or cane. He, he, will never tell. I'm getting back into wire working again. Made a cute, chain mail bracelet with some of my yellow sunburst beads. Not bad! Pictures will be coming up soon. Will be receiving some new books this week. Excited.