Long Time No See

I'm still here.

And wow! It's already July!! That's craaaazy!! I didn't realise till I logged into my blog that I'd not written a post in so long.

Poppy turned 1 and is walking. Summer is on her school holidays right now, but as Poppy and I've been sick, we haven't really been anywhere or doing anything very fun. Hopefully all going well next week, I have a couple of outings planned.

On the jewellery making side of things, it has been slow. My creating mojo pretty much died. Completely. I managed to make 1 ring a couple of weeks ago:

But apart from that I've been dead in the water when it comes to making things. I watch everyone else around me making strides in their skills - whilst I fall waaay behind. I really want to make things, but when I sit and look at my stones, I'm uninspired and I can't come up with anything decent or new, so I just don't bother.

I think it's time to start practicing something new. Perhaps that will inspire me to get making again?

Apart from that, there really isn't anything new to write about. Oh except for a couple of months of being obsessed with make up. Yes, so late in life I know. But I've always been a very basic make up wearer. And since having my 2nd child I don't really overly care about putting on make up every time I leave the house. (and by make up I mean a dash of powder and mascara.) But something caught my eye - to do with make up - and ever since I have been collecting it. Hmmmm perhaps that's why I haven't been making any jewellery.....

Anyway, I've been having fun discovering things like Primer - for the eyes and face! - no I didn't really know either existed. And how to apply eyeshadow properly - like doing the crease etc. Oh and I discovered really nice make up brushes (sigma and real techniques). And the most fun part was discovering a whole load of make up brands - Urban decay, Stila, Nars, Too Faced and so on.... you gals in the USA have it SO GOOD! We pay $45 for a Nars blush here, compared to your $30. Make up here is atrociously over priced. Revlon and Loreal etc are around the $20 and up - and I'm not overly a fan of their make up either.

So my obsession is no longer really an obsession, more like an enjoyment now. I have a nice collection of different make up - not in the foundation and powders though - just in eye shadows and blush mainly - and I LOVE both as I'm a big fan of colour.

I hope to get back to my bench again soon. I feel bad just letting everything out there lay dormant - especially seeing I have a nice new computer out there that my hubby bought me! Winter time is usually my favourite time to work at my bench.

Well that's me done for now. Hope you are having fun creating - even if I'm not!

Em ♥

Blah

Blah is how I feel right now :(

The heat is still here and it just won't go away (to put it politely). It's kept me from my bench all week so far.... it is supposed to cool down by next week - one can only hope.

Just writing here to share my latest works, below is the biggest silver piece I have made to date, she challenged me, but I won. In the end. I think I am going to have to make myself something just like it - as my favourite kind of jewellery to wear is big chunky stuff.

Above is a ring with a nice chunky piece of turquoise. Recently I got myself a nice Snowflake Obsidian and a piece of Parrot Wing - sadly (as always seems to happen to me when buying on the internet - mostly on etsy!) the Parrot wing isn't half as nice in real life as it looked on the listing. It's not nearly as bright and colourful and I am getting really fed up with that happening. I bought a big piece of Sonoran Sunrise (on etsy) and it was $40+ and when I received it - well lets just say now I won't buy from that particular lapidary artist ever again.  They should know better.

This is why I wish we had good gem shows here, man I would even fly to one if there were any, just to be able to hand pick my own stones. That's just something I don't see ever happening :(

Well that was my whinge for the day - be happy you who have those nice gem shows to go to!

Em ♥

Winters End.

It's lunch time and the last day of Winter :(

As I've been sitting here reading blog posts and oxidizing metal, I can't help but notice the birds are extra vocal. I haven't noticed it before, so I wonder if it's to do with the fact that tomorrow brings the first day of Spring.....or have I just been too busy to notice their constant chatter?

I am on my last sliver of silver.

My scrap has been sent off.

I have 2 pieces waiting to be polished and set. 

And I just had my 90th sale in my Etsy shop ♥

It may not sound like much. But when you consider that I hardly ever have more than 30 pieces in my shop at a time, it's a great achievement for me and I'm thrilled.

Whenever I am down to my last little piece of silver, I find I stumble and my ideas disappear. I know it will be a few weeks before my scrap returns some sheet to me, though I could just buy some .... I want to hold off ... but then again I don't want to be without sheet ...

I am stone hunting again. Though I really shouldn't be. But I look over my stash and feel bored with what I see. Stones I once couldn't wait to get my hands on and create with, stones that cost a small fortune. I wonder if this is why so many of us have such a huge stash of stones? Perhaps I should forbid myself from looking, hence to stop temptation. Honestly though, I don't buy that many stones, I spend a lot more of my time looking, than I do spending any actual money.

Here are a few things I have made lately:

The cuff is the first of it's kind I have made.  A little inspired by Amy who has been making lots of them lately. The stone is #8 Mine Turquoise and I have been pondering over what to make with it for months and finally I used it. 

Last week I had made a nice simple setting for a HUGE round labradorite stone. One of the ones I had to have ground down to flatten. It took a long time figuring out how it was going to be set, so it would be at it's best 'flashing' angle. Finally I sat down to set it and it not only wouldn't fit in - but it broke! I think somewhere along the soldering line, the bezel had gotten out of shape. It was only 1mm(ish) off. And I think perhaps because the stone had been ground down - that maybe it had been weakened - as it seemed to have broken on a fracture line. It was a small little crumb that broke off ... but enough to stop me from wanting to set it. 

I might see if I can't grind it down all the way around and reset it some day. But oh what a disappointing day that was. I was so excited to be setting it too :(

Well I am getting peckish, so I will head off to make lunch and finish some jewellery. I hope you are all having a lovely week so far :)

Em ♥

Been a while....

I've just come home from the Kindy run and I thought I should probably blog before I get on with other things. 

I'm not feeling that great at the moment....the back/top part of my throat seems to be a bit sore and I'm hoping it's not a sign of things to come......as this weekend there is a Gem Show on and I am hoping to have a look see. Though I did just purchase a few lovlies off Etsy this past week.....they take a while to get to me. I like instant gratification when I can get it. So I might just find something at this show....but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Not a whole lot going on here.

I have been slowly making a few new things for my etsy shop. 

Though I am struggling with one particular piece that I thought I had finished (tumbled for 4 hours and oxidized) and when I went to polish it up, one of the little balls came off.....and I've tried 2 times since to solder it back on with no luck.

I'm finding it quite frustrating to be honest. So I will try and have another go, after that, I might just give up on it :(

I've been having fun designing with Filigree wire lately too.

And I just received in the mail, half of my Etching set up (this little guy came inside on my parcel).

Also I got a set of carving tools, for wax carving, just need to order some blocks of wax. And I'm loving that silver has come down under $30 again as I think it's time to stock up again.

A friend of mine has just had her 2nd child this week and so I am working on a little initial pebble pendant set for her as a gift. One thing I've noticed about having a baby is that, everyone buys things only for the baby, but forgets the poor woman giving birth. So my gift is more for her, but still sort of for the baby...if you know what I mean?

Here's a few of my latest pieces:

 Boulder Opal Ring.

 Mookaite Ring.

 Petal Hoop Earrings.

 PMC Owl Pendant.

 *sold*

 *sold*

*sold*

So I have been a little busy lately, but not as much as I'd like. But it has only been myself getting in the way, so I've only myself to blame for that!

Tomorrow Summer is having her Kindy Class photo taken. I am looking forward to having that. Last week she lost her fave little teddy kinda thing, that I bought for her when I found out I was having a girl. She has had it every night since she was born and it's gone.  

I was sooo sad. 

I wanted to have it for her in her special box of baby things, but it's seems like that will never be :(

Well it's been a long post and I'm starting to feel a little worse for wear than when I started this. I really ought to make an appointment for a hair cut too, but I don't want to go if I'm going to be sick. Sigh.....

Hope you are all having a wonderful week so far 

Em♥

Got My Mask On......

Not the kind you are probably thinking of.
I have a nice peel off face mask on.
It's Winter and I have to keep my skin fresh and I enjoy a good face mask :)
More so I enjoy peeling one off lol.

Tomorrow it's the 1st of July. I am having my first sale of the year.


I have no idea how well it will go.
But I'm hoping after the recent 'Etsy Finds' plug I will do okay.
It doesn't help that the Australian dollar is more than the US dollar. I haven't sold a piece in a while now and it's very crushing to my creativity.

The weather here is so strange today. It will get all gloomy and then rain for a few minutes and then the Sun will show and it looks all blue skies for miles and then back to the gloomy weather all over again. In fact it's been like that for a couple of days. We just bought Summer a new Trampoline, but she can't get a break in the weather to get outside to use it lately.

I got to the bench last week and made myself a new ring and made a pair of earrings for my Etsy store. I am halfway through a few other pieces, but I am finding it extremely hard to get there and stay there....for many reasons.
I think I need to learn new things and I need new tools to open that opportunity up to me, but that has to wait for the time being.

Well I'm off to read some blogs and make some lunch for the kiddie. I wish it would rain all day.....

:)

Muggy.

The warmer weather seems to be making it's way in now....I hate it as much as I did this time last year, though it's not as hot as then....yet.

Below are a few of my latest pieces.


The top 2 are mine and the bottom one is the first piece I have ever made with copper. It was nice to use something different. I will probably use it more, I do have a sheet of brass to try out too. The top ring I wear all the time, I love it.

I got myself a new toy!

Not 100% confident on using it yet....but I'll get it eventually. I still hope to get a rolling mill soonish...but there is always other stuff that I end up buying in the meantime and then have no money left :(

It's my 9th anniversary on Dec 1st. So I think I am going to hold my first ever Etsy sale to celebrate. Maybe I will sell a piece or 2...I hope so, I could really use the moolah to put back into buying more supplies.

I wish it would just hurry up and rain. This weather sucks.

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 :)

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 :)

How Dumb? ...... Real Dumb!

Bah!

This is how dumb I am. Previously I posted about opening shop on 1st April.

I have about 6 rings to list.

But I have no clue what size they are! I have a round mandrel, but as I am not making proper ring bands (I make mine like the picture below) I can't get an accurate ring size on a round mandrel can I???

See.....I know you are all slapping hand to forehead! I am quite dumb. This is something I should have sorted before I even learned to make a ring. I have gone and complicated things. I posted in Starving Artists
about getting an accurate ring size and someone suggested using a flat sided ring mandrel.

Can any one help me out and confirm this? Or suggest a way to get an accurate ring size for the rings I have made already. I can't get a flat sided ring mandrel in Australia. So I will have to order from RioGrande....

I am so annoyed with myself. But I am not going to let this deter me from opening on Thursday. I have 3 pendants awaiting oxidation and another little pair of earrings and I have another 6 or so pieces that aren't rings. So I am going to go ahead and list these things, or I will NEVER get to it!

In the meantime any help/advice about ring sizing would be MUCH appreciated. If I were to use 2mm beaded wire and it sat at the size 8 line on my round mandrel, does that make it a size 8??? or do I have to factor in the fact that it's 2mm??


ARGGGGGGGGGH !!!!!!!!!

Shaking head at myself.

Rest of my work.

Not too happy with the pendant, but I absolutely love the Green Jasper ring.....LOVE IT! :)

Finished Pieces.

Here are 2 finished pieces from 2 blogs ago. I finally made a brooch which is the picture to the right. I ended up making the pin out of sterling wire myself, instead of waiting to order a premade pinback. It is made with Orange (duh) Sea Sediment Jasper and a little Faceted CZ champagne gemstone in a claw setting. I need to file it down a bit more around the edge to even it out, but I wanted to take a photo of it as soon as I could.

Below is a ring with Brazillian Agate, the cool thing is, you can wear this with the flowers pointing up or like I have it on below. I have put a 2mm bead wire shank on this one.

New Work.

My latest work. The first is a Pendant with Green Grass Turquoise and a little Yellow Jade stone and the second is a ring with Turquoise and a little Green Jade Stone. I haven't done any pieces like these before and I had lots of fun using all the findings and the small cabochons. The ring has 2mm Beaded silver wire for the shank and I need to purchase some new belcher chain for the pendant, which I will have to oxidize too.
I went to the doctors today and I have to go back to find out about my thyroid results from the hospital, so I have a long way to go before I know whats up with my old body.

Just for fun, here is a picture of my bird Tookie. He is a Lutino Indian Ringneck and we got him on our honeymoon 8 years ago :)

Finished Piece

I don't know that I love it....but I don't 'mind' it. I was just trying something out and having a go with the LOS finish too. I might try and polish it up and see if I like it more then....I am a fussy woman.

Oh and it's still disgustingly hot. I haven't made anything or tried to make anything in over a week now and it's disappointing. We have just applied for air conditioning and they have asked us to get quotes.....so here's hoping....then maybe I will attempt to make a few things here and there when I can steal some time. (the air con is for the lounge/dining area all tiled floors)