Showing posts with label copper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label copper. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Aaaaaa....Spring!

My favorite time of year is here! The green is so wonderfully bright that it keeps stealing my attention from other less interesting things. Lunch on the deck is an event to look forward to, even if my cat does want to share it with me. The studio is calling though, and I do manage to put in some time there. Opening the windows and letting in the fresh air helps to bring a little of the season into my workplace.
Time Flies, Be Happy

Dyed Jasper and Copper

Also...Silo Studio's Studio Thursday is back for an encore this month since so many people were on spring break. Shawn and I are restocking so there will also be some new stuff, just in case you didn't get enough of it last week.

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Stone Faced

I have this love affair with rocks. I have as long as I can remember. My mother was always frustrated I'm sure by my pockets being full of them. Now I know what to do with them.

The top bracelet is a variety of stones in bezels, with a sampler of textured copper links.
The necklace below is made from a carved stone face that Steph gave me that came from Mexico. It has a bit of Mexican opal showing on the forehead. The chin was very thin and delicate, so I had to stop the bezel at his cheeks. The beads are bone, carnelian, glass, and some handmade clay ones that Steph also gave me. I think he needs a name.


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Faces

I was recently inspired by an article in Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine to create this little house necklace. I chose a Paper Whimsy face to look back out at the world from inside the little house and the word "secret" from an old child's reader.

After finishing that, I spied this little spoon on my work table and having the faces close at hand, was inspired to make this pendant. It would also be possible for me to do custom pieces for people with their ancestors or children and make them look vintage as these photos do.
The necklace above was the first thing that Steph gave to me as we waited for her luggage at the baggage claim at the Nashville airport. It is a cowgirl in resin with ribbons and lace. It always is a conversation starter when I wear it.When we got home, she opened her box of goodies that she brought and out came this gorgeous necklace that I had seen on her blog, but had no idea that it was intended for me. I love the colors and that I can wear it with just about anything.

She and I are planning a necklace round robin for the new year with a couple of other artists. I can't wait to see the results!

Monday, October 12, 2009

What Else Can I Put In A Bezel?

I was looking around my stash of random junk in my studio and wondering what else would fit in a bezel. I had a jar of sand worn seashell pieces that I picked up several years ago in St. Augustine, Florida that were waiting for their home in a piece of jewelry. They were an easy fit, along with a quote by my friend Shawn. "She dreamed of warm winds and salty skin." It seemed like a perfect match.
What other unusual object could I find.....hmmmmmmm....what about that glass taxidermy deer eyeball that had been staring at me for a couple of years? Let's see if that would work. With a little bit of grinding on the back, I managed to get it to fit into a bezel too. A little creepy...I know.

Next, something less creepy...some little brass birds on copper with lapis lazuli and brass beads.
Now, it's off to my studio for more fun! I love my job!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Kritters: Current and Ancient


Animals never cease to amaze me. It is good that I live out in the country, because they are all around me...my own and the wild variety. The picture above is wild turkeys and Canada geese sharing a meal together beside our house.
This little guy has made my hanging planter a home and captures insects from his perch. He looks like a little metal sculpture that has developed a beautiful patina.Even the dogs like to join in on the chores. Every time I start the mower, Milo comes running. He thinks that it is his job to keep me company while I mow. Maggie thinks that it is her job to get in the way and chase grasshoppers.
This is Bella's favorite sleeping position. I don't know how many photos I have of her in this position. I can't resist snapping a picture.
I've always loved fossils ever since I was a small child. The playground of our elementary school was full of fossils and I'm sure I worried my mother by coming home with pockets full of them. I've had a pair of these ammonite fossils for a few months and had experimented with various ways to showcase them and I finally settled on a bezel setting. I will sell one and keep one for myself.

The starfish on this necklace is a pewter button from a dress that I bought at the thrift shop and threw away the dress and kept the buttons. A reminder of my favorite place...the beach.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Feeling Like Autumn

I am enjoying a few nice cool days in the middle of August. I guess that the cool weather is influencing my jewelry with an autumn flavor. Here are a few new pieces that I have completely lately.




Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lemon Lime Turquiose and Copper Necklace


This is a necklace that I made a while back and thought that I had posted a picture of, but after looking at my earlier posts, I discovered that I hadn't. The focal point is a cabochon of yellow turquoise that I bought at the Nashville flea market a couple of months ago. I just added it to my Etsy shop.

I went back to the flea market last Friday and loaded up on gemstone beads but now that I have them at home, I'm at a loss for what to do with them. Did you ever go grocery shopping and come home and fill your pantry and refrigerator and then not know what to make for dinner? That's how I feel.
I'm hoping that it will all come together at some point. I'll find just the perfect piece to spark a connection with the other materials that I have on hand and tada! it will just about make itself. Sometimes I think that I don't really create the art, but the materials tell me what they want to become. Not literally, but it kind of works that way. If I try to force it, I usually don't like the outcome. Maybe it's just a Spirit thing.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Copper and Turquoise


I have managed to get a little work done amidst all of the disruptions of the past couple of weeks. Here is a new necklace that I made using one of the turquoise cabochons that I bought at the flea market.