A new lens

I got a new camera lens for my birthday

(why do I always want to spell lens as lense?)

anyway...I was playing with it tonight and I wanted to share these.  They aren't the greatest pictures but notice two things:

1.  These were taken AT NIGHT...yes, I had my lights on but there was no flash at all.  This is a fast lens f/1.4. 

2.  The Bukah - translated, the blurry background.  The quality of this sets photos apart and this one has a gorgeous blurring that is smooth and consistent. 

As you can see from the first picture, it isn't a macro lens but it still takes really cool shots in low light.  

So I'm very excited once I get some real natural sunlight to take shots of my jewelry.  I hope it really amps up my photographs.  

Before and After

My workspace before:

My workspace after:

You may ask why I switched from a huge bench to a smaller one.  Well, because the big one was just too big.  Honestly, it had become disorganized and mostly for storage.  Also, it didn't have a little pull out tray that catches the million things I drop a day.

I bought some new shelves for storage of things I don't need all the time every day.  It keeps my chemicals, punches, dapping block, letter stamps, etc.; Everything I need is in the drawers or on the top and handy.  I plan on putting a peg board above the bench.

It's nice to have a little more organization. 

"Smile at people.  You never know if it's the only smile they'll get today.  "  - unknown

I just heard that and I love it. 

New....

I have this little problem.  See....I can't stop buying gorgeous stones of all kinds.  BUT, when it comes to setting them my idea flow gets blocked.

Buttons, however, I don't seem to have a problem with.  Ideas flow freely.  I don't think the stones I buy would work like buttons do because buttons are small, light and charming to wear.  They go with all colors and most outfits.  Especially the summer casuals.

So for now, I'm avoiding stones and focusing on buttons.  Maybe once all of my button ideas get created I'll get some ideas for stones.

Here's my latest.  See the little button I made out of a ball of recycled silver?  I think it turned out so cute.  Sometimes I surprise myself.

A Tribute to the Southwest

Well, I haven't begun to work in Turquoise as much as I had planned, mainly because it's hard to find really gorgeous pieces on the internet.  I had what I thought was a good supplier but twice now have been disappointed in what I've received.  I need to hold the stone and feel it in my hand to really choose it.  I may have to plan a trip to visit my sister soon.

In the mean time I had this piece of gorgeous jasper I decided to use.  This was a piece that  when I started I didn't know what it would end up as, but as it progressed all the pieces seemed to come together.  I even surprised myself at how much I liked the end result.

I'm hoping soon to get my mits on some great turquoise, but while I wait for a trip to Arizona I'm pretty happy with what I'm working with. 

Sterling Bands

I love my new rings.  I'm not sure which one I like the most.  One is big and chunky, one has a ring of flowers.  One is light and sits so easily on my thumb, the other is a stacking set and I am always a sucker to stack up rings.

I've added a twist and polished the inside of the bands to a bright matte finish.  More work certainly removing the patina from inside and then polishing, but I like the contrast between the dark outside and the bright inside. 

So, most are up in my shop and I've already had good feedback about them.  Definitely not as easy to make as plain bands but so worth it.  Don'tcha think?

Just a little tidbit today.

Easter Treats

This is the non fattening kind of Easter treat.