TUESDSAY - etching on metal!

Day 2 of learning one new thing a week.

I’ve wanted to learn metal etching for some time now and it’s what I had planned for my Tuesday session but it was rainy and grey out that morning and I wasn’t feeling my best. I struggled with the idea of snuggling with a blanket and a good book.  However, I just couldn’t give up so soon on my newly formed pack to learn something new each day this week (see previous article below), so I got my fanny off the couch and into my studio.   

I re-read all the tutorials I saved the last 2 years, gathered up all the necessary items needed and spent my afternoon sawing, stamping and etching copper. Oh baby, what fun!!!  Yup, this technique is a keeper and I will be making lots more of these that’s for sure.  Can’t wait to use my Zentangle drawings to make my own texture plates.  My head is swimming with ideas and the things I can do now.  Glad I didn’t cop out and read a book today!!!  

Here are my first two metal etching plates

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My First Video

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

This week my goals are to learn one new thing a day!  We'll see how well that goes. I have a long list of things I've been "going to do".  New technique or things I've wanted to learn for ages.  You know what I'm talking about because I know you too have a list just waiting in the wings also.  We keep pushing those things to the side and tell ourselves, I'll do it later when I have the time.  Well, that time never comes unless we make it happen!

So today I'm putting my new plan into action and will explore one new thing Monday through Friday of this week. Whew!!!!!   By Friday I will have learned 5 new things and can't wait to share them here with you. Let the fun begin!!!!!

Day 1 - Monday's new adventure - Learn how to make a video using my photos! 
Why start with something simple and since I've wondered for a long time how to make a video using the many photos I've taken of my jewelry designs I decided this is the place to start, and while I'm at it, I might as well learn how to add music too.

Well, I did it!   Thanks to "You Tube" and a little talent and computer know how on my part and about 4 hours of my time, I have created my first video!   I'm on a roll now and can't wait to make more and learn how to manipulate the program even more.  I hope you enjoy the first of what I hope will be many more videos this coming year.

I Can't Stop....

Creating these vintage necklaces is my new legal addiction!  Over the winter I spent hours going to estate sales and antique shops looking for pieces to use in my new line of jewelry.  I feel like a little kid in a candy shop as I try to decide which brooch from my stash I will work with.   Once I finally pick out a piece the fun begins as I work to turn these old relics into new upscale creation.   I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

I used vintage grey pearls and some pretty open work silver beads I've had for ages in this necklace.  I left the pin back intact on this unique brooch and hung a double strand of pearls from the pin that can easily be removed if you desire. 

This vintage fur clip is so delicate and pretty.  Even the clip on the back has pretty filigree work, I just couldn't cut it off, so I left it attached to the clip. I purchased an old multi-strand necklace that was quiet ugly but after I took it apart I loved the chains and found they worked well in this design. The top stone on the clip is pale yellow and I wanted to complement that by adding soft yellow crystal dangles from the vintage chain.  Simply stunning!

 This 3 layer dimensional gold-tone pin is so unique.  I combined different styles and colors of pearls, crystals, and a bronze "dream" connector  I made. Then finished it off with bronze chain. 

I purchased several small rhinestone scatter pins that I thought would work with the bronze word pendants I've been making.  Using amazonite square stones and tiny vintage pearls  to complete the look.  Love, love, love this one.  I may need to keep this one!!!

This lovely rhinestone heart brooch was missing the center stone but I decided not to replace it as it has such great character.  Using a big hollow glass vintage bead made in Japan back in the 70's along with pearls and oval textured bronze chain completes the look.

And last but not least is this sweet necklace.  I found an old button with this precious woman and bird and knew I had to have it.  Then I made a mold of it to so that I could cast pieces to use in my designs.   This necklace has old vintage cream pearls, a lovely Lucite cabbage rose flower and peach faceted crystal beads on a bronze chain.  Pretty Pretty!!!!  

My studio is calling, I hear these vintage brooches calling out to me.  So, I'm off to work my magic and create more pretties for you to love.

 

April 14th Spring Market

Mark this coming Sunday on your calendar and get ready to shop.  I hear this is a great show!   I look forward to being there and will have some special close out prices on old designs and you can get a sneak peak of my new line of Vintage made designs.
 Hope you can make it!!!!!

 Just finished this one today!  

Romantic looking!  Fancy enough to wear with a new dress or with a button down shirt and jeans.

 

Rhinestones,cream colored pearls, peach crystals and agates turned this old rhinestone clip into a gorgeous necklace!

The Promise of Spring  and New Jewelry Designs

 are in the Air!  

 

 This winter I journeyed into the dark hole of chaos once known as my studio and spent hours purging and organizing the mounds of clutter!  I’m almost finished with this monumentous task and can see the light at the end of the tunnel (I think). When I wasn’t cleaning I was scouring old antique shops or browsing through thousands of photos on Etsy looking for just the right pieces. 

 I finally have a great selection of old vintage pieces and can't wait to get started creating my new spring jewelry designs AND  I even have a place to store them now that my studio is organized.

The collage on the right are just a few of the pieces I picked up last week!

I have been looking at Vesta Cases also known as match safes for some time now. I thought I would never own one as they are hard to find and quiet expensive.  I was lucky to find this one at a price I couldn't pass up.  I can't wait to work this into a necklace!  

They were produced extensively between 1830 to 1920.  The early makers of these cases named them after the Roman goddess Vesta who was the deity of fire.   During that time period almost everyone carried one so they could light stoves, lanterns and other fueled devices.  The wealthy of society had ornate match safes made of gold or silver, while the common folk had ones made of tin or brass.  The more ornate the case, the more money it commands in today's market.  The one I purchased is made of silver and I'm thrilled to finally own one of these rare finds.

My other great find last week was this metal art nouveau repousse' pin.  I won't even tell you what this cost but I had to have her!   What a beautiful piece this is and she has such a pretty face. She is from the 1800's and I have no plans to alter her but do plan to cast her later on so that I can make reproductions of her to use in my jewelry line.

I would love to post a picture of everything I found last week during my hours of treasure hunting but you'll just have to wait till I get them worked up into new up-cycled designs. I'm off to my studio to work on a new piece and will post pictures as I get them finished!

January Trip to St. Joe Michigan

      

It was a cold windy day and snow was forecasted to come in off the lake that evening but I just had to go up and see the ice covered lighthouse.
I’m not a winter type of gal, my idea of winter is to look at it from inside the house with a nice glass of wine as I sit by a cozy fire with a good book. However, my love of lighthouses, photography and Lake Michigan and the promise of a great dinner from my hubby for my birthday that weekend got me to leave my warm cocoon for the day. So I packed up my camera, boots, mittens, scarf and hat and off we went. 

An hour later we arrived to see the most incredible sight; the lighthouse was covered from top to bottom with mounds of thick draping layers of ice like I’d never seen before. It was so windy and we bundled up and started our trek out there when fear and reality set in, no way am I walking on that breaker full of ice!!! I have trouble walking out there on a warm summer day and now it’s covered in ice and snow. No way!!! What’s a girl to do? I may never see the likes of this again, did I really want to miss out on natures artistic designs? Well, you know that saying, you only live once! With the help and encouragement from my wonderful hubby and his strong arm, I made that long walk out to lighthouse point!!!! Oh my gosh, it was incredible. I took hundreds of photos and we were out there for about an hour thanks to my new down mittens and hat that kept me warm (a Christmas gift from my hubby). We had a great time, I had some great photos but the time I dreaded had come, the walk back on that icy breaker! It wasn’t as bad as the walk out. Whew, I did it! Cross that off the bucket list!

We worked up an appetite and I couldn't wait to have dinner and warm up but not till we did a little shopping.  We had planned to eat at Schus' but changed our dinner plans after talking to one of the store owners.  She told us about Bucks Burgers and Brews, a new burger joint. A juicy burger sounded great on a cold blistery day so off we went.  The hard part was deciding which one to have.  I chose the Mac Attack and I'm sure it had a weeks' worth of calories but it was worth each and every juicy bite I took!  Imagine a thick juicy burger with maple smoked bacon, smothered in macaroni and cheese and then a side order of chili cheese fries, oh yeah I did. 

So here we are wallowing like pigs in mud when the ice and snow storm hit, we totally forgot that it was headed our way!! We decided there wasn’t a thing we could do at that point so we enjoyed our meal, and decided if it got too bad we’d just spend the night. The drive home was a little squirrley to say the least but we made it home safe and sound. I poured a big glass of wine and downloaded my photos from our fantastic day at the beach, even if it was covered in ice I had a great birthday weekend!!!!

The Magic of Winter!

                     Happy New Year

I love January 1st! 
A clean slate to work with, filled with optimism and hope for a wonderful new year.
It's a day for me to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
A day spent remembering those I loved that  have gone on to their final rest.  I think of the love they gave me and it warms my heart.

Looking back at 2012,
I am thrilled at the many accomplishments I achieved and mourn the loss of those that I let slip away.
So far I haven't made any resolutions for this new year, but I do know that my one wish for 2013 is to seize the moment when it is there knocking at my door.  To go through those doors and see what is on the other side, for I can never go back and capture that moment in time! 



I have enjoyed each and every customer who came into my booth this year, you may of stayed for a moment or an hour but you left a mark on my soul.  Thank you to all of my cheerleaders, you know who you are, your support means so much to me and allows the creative muse that lives within me to explore jewelry design with a wild abandon.

My jewelry designs will take on a new look this year as I add in a new line of vintage creations.  I have been in love with old vintage pieces for years and feel I must open that door and let in those new designs that are floating in my head.

I plan to shake up the list of art shows I attend this year.  There are several shows I plan to omit from the list, so stay tuned to the side bar on my blog site as I post my 2013 schedule.

I want to leave you with the many words of wisdom that filled my head today as I read, "Oh the Places You'll Go" by  Dr. Seuss. Yup, you read that right!  His words are timeless, and so fitting for this year so fresh and new.  May you find them uplifting and encouraging as you travel along new roads in 2013.!!!

•  “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 
•  “You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!”  

• “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed?  Yes! You will, indeed!  (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)  Kid, you'll move mountains.”  

Look not at the days gone by with a forlorn heart.  They were simply the dots we can now connect with our present, to help us draw the outline of a beautiful tomorrow!