Small but Mighty

I made this little thing today.  I love it.  I have it for sale in my shop, but I may keep it....*love*

Going Higher End

These are my latest creations.  Now that all the rug rats are in school and the weather has cooled off a little I have more hours in the day to spend out in the studio.  This was my work from yesterday. 

I have an opportunity to wholesale to a high end market somewhat close by so I'm working on more substantial pieces that also don't require customization. 

I'm also trying to build up ready to ship inventory for the holidays.  Who knows, maybe I'll even do a show.

New from the Bench

Its been a while, I know.   Lots of things have been happening around here, not the least of which was sending my middle child to college.  How is it that we raise them and then they leave us?  I know it's the order of things, but, it seems a little ungrateful.  How can she want her own life?  Doesn't she know she needs to stay here?  At times like this I tell myself,  "I'll tell my kids not to have kids...it's just too hard" but, truthfully, I'd never exchange a moment, not one!

So, I've been busy working on getting her ready to leave home and live in a dorm.  It took more work and time than I realized.  I also just wanted to spend time with her so I wasn't out in my studio much.

Now, she is gone to school and is having a great time.  My last remaining rug rat is in high school band so there is not much time for me between practices and school work.

Today was the first day I felt like getting out in my studio and working.  (I spent most of last week on my butt feeling sorry for myself and watching a lot of Law & Order.)

I've had these ideas in my sketchbook for a couple of weeks and decided to put them to work.  I am pleased with two out of three, but the star one...not so much.  It looked great on paper but in actuality it's missing something.  I'll probably deconstruct it tomorrow and re-work my idea, but I thought I'd share anyway.

I'm really pleased with the turquoise and the fleur-de-lis.  I think they are lovely. 

I like the texture on the band as well.  I'm still loving my rolling mill that can make such interesting textures on pieces. 

People Seem to Like Buttons

This is another custom order with vintage buttons.  These seem to be very popular.  That's good.  I like working with them. 

New from the bench...

A stunning rose cut citrine set in dark antique finish sterling silver.  A custom piece. 

More Earrings and other things.

I have collected these fun vintage pieces for over a year.  I've decided to use the remaining pieces and make earrings. Yay. They are so fun and very summery.

I've also added to my "looking glass" necklaces.  They are bigger and in different shapes.   

From the Bench

Although it may look like I haven't been productive in the last few weeks I have actually been working my tail off on two custom orders.  I didn't take pictures of the first order because it was the same stuff I have in my shop.  I've finished the first part of the second order and was so glad to have it done I rushed it into the mail to meet my deadline.  Hopefully I'll have pictures of the second batch (crossing fingers) that will be done today. 

My hold up is I am stuck on one pretty large piece.  It is a 1.5 by 2.5 piece with details and embellishments and, honestly it is killing me!  For those of you who don't know, in order to get things to stick with solder a piece needs to be heated evenly and to a high enough temperature for the solder to melt and "glue" the pieces together.  Well, with such a large piece I am having a lot of trouble. I've melted two already.  Today will be my third time and, hopefully, third time's a charm as they say.  I've worked it out in my mind how to do it differently so hopefully it will all come together smoothly.  Here is the sketch I worked up:

For my mental sanity I had to take a break and create a couple of things that have been in my mind, just so I could get them out of the way and concentrate on this one last piece.

 This stone is called Pinolith.  It's is big, chunky, and round.  I love it.  I added the filigree on the side that mimics the white "feathers" in the stone.  It's pretty fun to wear.

A couple of months ago I bought two gorgeous strands of graduated turquoise nuggets.  They have sat and sat, tempting me into creating something but everything I have put them in just didn't do them justice.  I think these finally do it.  I clustered the smaller pieces together and the varying colors and matrix seem to really show them off. 

These aren't many pieces but they get me refocused on the work at hand.  Enjoy!

New From the Bench

That's all.  Spent most of the morning working on customs but got a little in for my creative side.  I finally got to use the GOR-JUS faceted aqua chalcedony squares.  Just a sweet little necklace in my shop now.

I also made another set of these for a customer and re-took the pictures.  I think it makes all the difference!  They were chosen for a treasury right away!  I almost deleted them from my shop last week because they hadn't sold or gotten much attention.  I'm glad I waited and I think the new pictures will be much better.  I only have stones for two more sets though.

Look!

 

 
As we speak these are on their way.  I am too excited.

New Rocks are on their way!  I like to call them rocks instead of gems or stones because...well, I want to.

I may offer custom orders from these, I'm not sure, but as they are one of a kinds I like to leave the designs open ended to my customers who may want a necklace instead of a ring, or vice-versa. But, some I already have designs for some that are swirling around in my head.  oooh I can't wait.

I will be watching my mailbox intently this week!

Lampwork

I finally got around to getting these put together. I swear I made the components six weeks ago and just never got to it.

Done! ~yay~

From the Bench Today

I try, I really really try to not make rings. But, the truth is, I love them. I love all kinds, small ones, big ones, gem ones, silver ones. I love wearing them and, truthfully, I LOVE making them.


I know they are more work, and the nice necklaces and earrings that I make I can ship out right away. But, I love rings. There. I said it. No more denial.



That being said...I finished this today. I love how it is a little rustic but still so girly. I love how it is big but has such tiny details. It is really comfortable to wear and, if it doesn't sell soon, it will probably become mine.


Or, truth be told, I'll get in the studio and make another ring that will become my favorite. I just can't help it.

From the Bench today...

It's been a pretty busy week at the bench. I've been working on a few pieces at once, plus getting custom orders done. I've added something new and I am so excited about it.

This is what I finished today...

or sort of finished...they need a final polish...I just have to get the stones in though. I can polish around them with my polishing cloth.

This one is my favorite.


and this is what I'm so excited about.


Gold accents! I got some 14k gold this week which is CRAZY expensive and am learning to work with it. I've added a little gold ball to a couple of my pieces for just a little flash and highlight.


AND.... (drumroll please...) I made my first gold ring.



I spent over $150 on some gold and gold solder (which did not get me much!) and I held my breath when working with it. It is solid 14k and it was harder to work with than I thought it would be but it turned out nicely. Simple hammered band but it's a start. I've gotten my feet wet. yay~

Begging, Bartering and Bribing.

This is what it takes to get my daughters to model for me. I am really lucky in my business to have three gorgeous daughters (see my profile picture) that are live in models. Unfortunately, they are not willing models. It takes some begging, bartering and eventually bribing to get them to stand still for me for a few minutes. You'd think I was asking them to do a full on photo shoot for for hours and hours. Well, it is all worth it though, don'cha think?

From the Bench Today

I have had these prehnite stones for over six months. I love their color and cut but could never decide what to do with them. One is a square cut and one is a cushion cut. The cushion is ever so slightly rounded.

Although I've primarily been focused on rings throughout the year, as I've mentioned earlier I am trying to focus on items that can be shipped right away. This will make the upcoming holiday season less stressful for customers (waiting for their item) and me (trying to meet deadlines).

This morning I was sketching and not really liking what was coming out of my pencil when, ~Voila~, I sketched this!~

I could not wait to get into the shop to start working. (I'm not a great sketch artist, but the details were in my head)

The square bezels were a little trouble. I ended up melting one and having to re-do the other. But the rest seemed to flow well.


I adore the chain they are on. It is a pulled link alternating with smaller links. It has a more substantial look than regular curb chain but is so light. I have had this for a while and I am going to have to do a little digging to find out where I got it so I can get more!

Well, I hope you like what came off the bench today. I'm pretty pleased.

They'll be up in the shop later today.

More Earrings

f...and while I like the ready to ship items these are NOT and easy thing to make!

When setting stones in rings I can place the ring shank into the holder and have a tight grip so that I can really muscle the bezel tight around the stone. With earrings....nothing, nada, zip, zilch. I just have to hold these tiny little things and work and work and work the metal. The muscles in my thumb and fingers cramp, hands shake and the skin of my thumb really gets sore!

But, I think the results are worth it.

Studs

New From the Bench.... and second attempt at a logo

In an attempt to start creating things that are ready to ship in preparation for the upcoming holiday season I have begun a line of earrings. Here is the newest pair. They are 6mm faceted pink amethysts. The stones are so pretty with a little purple hue to them.

How do you like my new earring card?


On a second note, I spoke with the person who is designing my new logo about how I felt about the previous designs. While I said I liked the design I didn't feel it represented my work well. I was looking for something more sophisticated, sleek, etc. (see the first design here ) Well, I am guessing either I am not communicating well or she doesn't understand...because this was her second try. Disappointing a little. I think the colors are okay, but *sigh* the flower again...

I haven't responded because I just don't know what to say. I felt I was clear last time so, well, I just don't know.
Maybe I'll show her my earring card and tell her to go in that direction. I'm liking the way that looks. I'd love some input! Critique away!