Fuzzy Hair & Rainy Days

Yes...that's my hair. Fuzzy. And it has been raining on and off for a few days now. 

Here is a picture of what it looks like outside my front door today

We have several of these pink plants out the front of my studio and the front of the lounge. They look awesome on a day like this with their bright leaves and raindrops decorating them.

 

Summer and I took the 4 hour round trip to visit my Mum yesterday and the weather was just as soggy. The drive there wasn't so bad...but the drive back home was terrible.

We enjoyed lunch at a local venue and it was very yummy. Then we trekked over to my favourite store 'Giddy & Grace'. I almost always come away with less money in my bank than when I arrive. And this time was no different. I bought myself some gorgeous Owl wrapping paper and this:

It's really heavy - it's made from stone. But I love Owls and knew it was coming home with me the moment I touched it. I also purchased a lovely white ceramic one from a fellow Etsian in Melbourne. I have used it as a prop for my Etsy shop too... Iove it. It's so cute and detailed.

My mother bought me these little bird eggs as a gift ♥

Now I just need to find something to display them in :)

I finally got my new dining chairs. Hubby was so helpful in taking the nearly 5 hour round trip picking them up in his new truck. Now we are back to needing a new dining table as the chairs really don't work with it :(

Below is what I am working on:

I have just oxidized those 2 pieces and hopefully will finish them off this afternoon. The metal clay pieces will have to wait another day or so to be fired as it's so damp I have to ensure they're properly dried out. 

This past week(ish) I've been on a roll with my muse. It has been a while since I've had this amount of pieces on the go - just finished these 2 below on Monday as well

Both are Ocean Jasper and I love these stones ♥ You can see the White Owl I bought too ♥

Summer is on 2 weeks school holidays now. It's going to be boring for her at times, but it can't be helped. When it's raining, indoor activities are it. I might be able to take the trip up to my Mum's again next week. It's such a hike, but it gives us something to do and gets Summer out of the house to visit her grandies :)

Okay I've rambled on long enough now. Might make myself a nice hot cup'a'soup!

Em ♥

Silver Smells....

Well the price of it does at least! I don't regularly check the price of silver, but every now and again I do and I couldn't believe it was at $40 again last night. I don't want to get all flustered again and go and buy a whole heap, for the 'just in case it rises' situation, but I can feel the pressure mounting again...as I am sure every other person who works with this metal feels.

Enough of that depressing chatter ....

So I went with the hubby and child to the Markets I wrote about in my last post. And to be honest and to the point....they STANK. Really. Yes they were very large markets, but they were not what I am looking for. They were great if you like inexpensive jewellery or knick knacks, clothes and so on. But it wasn't a 'craft/handmade' type market. I had to go and see, as you never know and it gave us a reason to get out of the house and go somewhere new. I was terribly disappointed.

Anyway, it has helped me make up my mind what I want to do. There are some actual craft markets about 10 minutes from where I live. They are held on Sundays only and I think I am going to give them a shot. Right now I don't have anywhere near enough inventory, so I am going to have to work on that first and foremost. I contacted the market people last night and they said you basically have to supply everything yourself and you just pay for the space allocated, which was about $33...not too bad. This of course means now I have to buy a tent/marquee, table, display stuff, a sign, table cloth and you get the idea :) Gotta spend money to make it huh.

I can't, unfortunately, get away without a tent as the sun here can get too hot and I don't want my jewellery to get really hot and burn someone and I don't fancy sitting out in it either (even though it's Winter still). So I have a lot to sort out if I want to go to these markets. There are some other markets about 15 minutes away from here too...so they are always another option if this place doesn't work out :)

So I have lots to plan for.

My custom order was received this morning and the lady was very happy, which has made me happy in return. She now wants to commission me for 2 more pieces!! I've also finished a few new things for my shop, will have to wait for the sale to be over before I list them.

That's all folks....

Em

Last Post of 2010

It's the last day of the year for 2010, so I thought I would write my last post for the year. It has been a pretty good year. We moved. Summer turned 2. I opened my Etsy store.

It's been quite hot here most days now...gone are those lovely cool days :( But we have been getting a heck of a lot of rain...too much for some parts unfortunately. Hubby is meant to be taking some time off, but because of the unpredictable weather he has to do his work whilst it's hot and sunny.

I haven't used my torch much...kinda scared/intimidated by it. I do try to use it for small things, just to get into the hang of getting the flame right and how to hold it comfortably. I'm just too used to my predictable butane torch I guess.

I got the flu 3 days ago. I just hope that Summer and the hubs don't get it, but who knows.

Below is a chest that I bought yesterday for myself that I am going to restore. It needs the handles to be centered and it has a piece snapped off the front that we have to fix back on, then it needs sanding back and from there I haven't decided what I want to do. So I've put this picture up so you can see it before and when I've completed it, I will put up the new picture.It's Vintage, from the 1920's-50's. I have pictures in my head of what I want it to turn out like, but it all depends on how it 'fixes' up as to what kind of finish it can carry.
It's my project for the new year and I can't wait to get on with it.

Not much has been happening in the jewelry department. I am working on a couple of things and trying out a new wire, but it's going to take time to get it right enough that I would sell a finished piece using it. I sent all my scrap in and am still waiting for them to let me know whats happening with it (I hate this time of year for that very reason - waiting waiting waiting).

It's too humid to be soldering too, so it will be a slow start to the new year jewelry wise.

Well I hope you have all had a good year and I want to thank all of you who have supported me via blogging, FaceBook and my Etsy store. I really really treasure and appreciate you!!!!!

Till next year :p

Creative Block, Unblocked.

Finally my creative dry spell has passed me by. The last 2 weeks I have been back at the bench having fun making new things. It was kinda boring there for a while....wanting to make things, but not being able to, for the lack of ideas.

It's 8pm here and Summer is in the lounge room playing a game, so I thought I would get this post started, then I will finish writing it up when she goes to bed.

(off to sit with my daughter for a while)

Okie dokie, below are pictures of what I made last week.

I'm having a blast using the new findings I got from RioGrande. I am going to have to order larger amounts next time...but the cart always mounts up so quickly dollar wise, I have to be careful not to go over the importing amount. Did that once and it wasn't very fun....

I have my eye on new tools and a nice script stamp set. I am also hoping to have a Rolling Mill by the New Year. Just have to stop buying anything else..but it's so hard...there is so much to buy for this hobby it's kinda hard not to spend.

I have made a few new things this week and over the weekend and have a nice shiny new tool to show off, but that will have to wait for another post, I'm still yet to take photo's.

I enjoyed a nice style cut at my hairdressers this afternoon, I got the 'relax' package. The hairdresser massaged my head and I got to sit in a massage chair whilst she did that. I was sooo looking like a dorky daggy mum and I'm so glad I finally got it all chopped off again! It was nice to get outta the house for a half hour by myself too :)

till next time....

bye :)

Happy Smithinversary...to me :)

Yes it was about this time last year, that I took my adventure into the world of silver.
It feels like it's been longer than that, but it also feels like it's gone so quickly.
I have come a long way. But still haven't even attempted many of the things I hoped I would have by now. It doesn't really matter though. Ultimately it's about how I feel, I have a lot of fun making things with my own 2 hands. I feel proud of what I have accomplished so far and I look forward to what the future holds :)

Above is a piccie of Summer and I today, at the park. The weather here has been crazy. Still raining and overcast most of the time, but there has been a break of sunshine today. I know if I go ahead and do some washing, that the clouds will open up and rain....so I am kinda hesitant...but I really need to get it done....

Looks like it'll be a wet Summer Season.

I sold another piece last week. I was sooooo excited! I can't wait till she gets it (customer is in USA) and I hope she loves it!

I haven't made anything in ages :(
I have half made a few things, but I have been tossing up with the idea of ordering from RioGrande and I need more sheet and wire and blah, blah, blah. So I took the leap and ordered from Rio today. And I will have to order the sheet and wire probably tomorrow.

I really really want to make something.....from start to finish.....in one sitting......

Oooh I did finally order myself some business cards. I hope to get those this week. Waiting on some refill ink for our laser printer. I hope to make some nice labels to go on my boxes.

Well nothing else I can think of writing about....it's pretty much lunch time for the little one and she is climbing my chair and making it difficult to finish this line.....

have a great day all :)

....No Title....

Right now, my daughter is running round and round making lots of noise and it's kinda sending me loopy. I just took her to the beach...but it was way too windy, so that venture didn't last long :(

Not a whole lot going on (as usual). I got some new small stones for once

I also got 'bout 17 more Turquoise Cabs this week, but I didn't get a piccie of them. Below is a piece I am working on and some earrings for myself:

I finally got myself an Apron to protect myself/clothing whilst I solder etc. Unfortunately, the weather is getting warmer....or rather, the humidity is back on the rise. Which in turn (same as last year) effects my desire to go to the bench and turn on my torch. So add to that now, wearing a heavyish apron.......yeah I can see I won't be getting much done. Though today is a veeerry cool breezy day, so maybe I should take advantage of that.
That being easier said than done of course, when you have a 2yr old on your tail to entertain.

*insert big sigh here*

Anywho, even with all the lovely new stones I've accumulated, my creating mojo has taken a back seat again. I'm kinda frustrated with lots of stuff right now, so I guess that's not helping.

I will leave it here, before I start whinging.

Finding Findings.....

So I have been searching the net on and off for some of the sterling silver filigree findings I see in so many other jewelers work. And I would like to incorporate them into my own work, to give me some more choice and variety. But I cannot for the life of me find the damned things!!!

It's really frustrating me. I have googled my butt off and have only found maybe one or two of them. If anyone out there feels generous, can you please share with me where you buy yours from?? Puleeeeaase??!!


Anyways, today's weather is really annoying me. It's that gloomy overcast drizzly weather. I did manage to get my floors cleaned, but it took about 40 minutes for them to dry, so Summer and I were confined to the lounge room whilst we waited.

Now I am sitting with a nice mug of hot tea and a shortbread biscuit. It's school holidays over here now for the next 2 weeks, which I am not looking forward to, for several reasons which I won't bore you with.

I haven't been making a whole lot lately, only small stuff, cuz it's quick and simple and I can make it affordable. I am waiting on a parcel of Turquoise cabs, not that I needed them of course.....I just wanted them!

Below is what I have made recently. Of course if you follow me on my FB page, you will have already seen these pieces.

I find resin loads of fun to play with. I hope to incorporate some with some of my PMC, or at least try to anyway.

K, well, I hope everyone is having fun and has their creating mojo with them. I don't at the moment...again....but I hope that will change soon :)

LaZy DaY.....

I am feeling really lazy right now.....I have done my housecleaning and I took Summer to the park for a swing and then we went to our new fave spot and spent an hour wading through the shallow water, picking up shells and spotting fish.

It's an absolutely beautiful day....the kind that makes you happy and very grateful to be alive and enjoying it.

Up above are some pictures of what I have been creating since my last post. I have dabbled in my first attempt at lip balm making and it turned out great.

I just received my latest order of silver yesterday....now I am just waiting on my latest horde of cabs to arrive...can't wait!

Well Summer has gone for a nap and I think it's time to have some lunch. I am still trying to sew something, but I am one of those kinda girls who starts one project and then starts another and then another....but never finishes one.....hopefully soon I will :)

A little Bit Cool.

the weather that is. Which is great!

Sitting at the computer having a nice hot cup of tea :)

Seems many other bloggers are a little bit on the quiet side at the moment. So thought I would write a post tonight. Hubby is in bed....little one is in bed. It's just me and the t.v I have on in the corner of the computer screen. That suits me just fine right now.

Well I have finished a couple of pieces this week, but will leave those for last.

First I thought I would share a little trick I use when making jewelry with cabochons:

As I keep all my stones in bags with the measurements on them etc, I can use this to my advantage when making bezel settings for them, I keep the stone in the bag and once the setting is made I can sit the stone (whilst still in the bag) on top of the setting and push it in ever so slightly to make sure that it's still going to fit right and I can go ahead with my piece....here is a picture for an example of what I mean:


This means I can easily pull it back out and don't have to fiddle with floss or any other 'tool' to remove the stone once fitted. As it's easily removed again.

I would only suggest this with quality bags, not thin easily ruined ones as you could end up with the stone stuck in the setting :( It hasn't happened to me yet, but I'm sure it will one day!

Oh and it looks like I have finally chosen a new look for my shop and business cards too. More on that when I have it all happening.

So here are my latest pieces:

A very large Labradorite Ring for me and a Green Sea Jasper & tinted concrete pendant.

That's all for now folks :)