Something Sublime

Because, She Deserves It

"Mother Love" (sold)

Available on Etsy

I've had this lovely, old mother of pearl, "mother's" pin for a year now.  A whole year!  Last year, I fully intended to create a mother's day piece with it and, as often happens, time got away from me.  Well, not this year!  This piece is all about motherhood...from the soft tones, to the vintage religious medals depicting mother Mary.  Everything I put into it was with thoughts of sweetness and light...the kind of unconditional love mother's give every day.

  

And, who deserves to be pampered more than mom?  The focal is fashioned from a lovely, old, mother-of-pearl and brass "mother" pin to which I've added a carved mother-of-pearl flower, sterling silver vintage religious medal (featuring mother Mary) and vintage crystal button as a dangle.

The focal hangs from carved rock crystal beads and more carved mother-of-pearl flowers...all wrapped with sterling.

  

A strip of stitched, cream silk is attached to a twisted sterling ring and wrapped with sterling wire and glass seed beads. I've stitched a unique, very old, mother-of-pearl and rhinestone button to the silk.

On the other side is another vintage religious medal, this one a tiny connector, that also features mother Mary. To this I've strung glowing glass seed beads and a gorgeous strand of faceted aquamarine heishi...the photo doesn't show how beautiful and subtly sparkling these aquamarines are.

Finishing it off is a sweet, vintage rhinestone clasp.

 

This piece seemed like a fitting project to be working on right now.  If you've read my blog, you probably know that I credit a lot of my creative drive to my own mother.  She's extremely artistic and is one of those people that could make something of nothing...and make it beautiful!  This is what I grew up knowing:  there is value and beauty in creating.  And that applies, not only to the finished product but to the time spent in the creation.  My mom and I spent many happy hours (and still do) painting, soldering, gluing, stitching, beading and on and on.  Those hours together built a bond between our spirits that is lasting.  Time well spent! 

In celebration of mother's day, Barbara Cagle is holding a giveaway on her blog.  She's written a book about her mother who gave birth to sixteen (!!!) children.  Check it out!

Also, take a look at the beautiful blog of Erin Prais-Hintz.  I've linked to her in my left sidebar "Ever Changing Link of Inspiration."  You'll see why when you visit!

April Showers...

 

"Ave"

Available on Etsy

...bring flash flooding!  Wasn't I just posting about how beautiful the weather has been here?  It's been "showering" for approximately 24 hours.  We finally got a break from the deluge this afternoon but are told to expect more rain tonight.  Fortunately, our house is on pretty high ground so the worst of the weather hasn't washed us away...yet!

  

"Baroque and Garnets" (sold)

I've listed a few more goodies in my Etsy store.  I made some terrific finds last weekend at the bead show including a great deal on faceted rubies, a gorgeous strand of baroque pearls and these lovely garnets.  The emerald cut has always been my favorite so anything that's even close catches my eye.  These sweet garnets were just begging to be paired with the baroques.

 

"Vintage"

Check my store...I'll be adding more...

...and, take a look at Daily Poetics.  This blog has earned a spot on my Ever Changing Link of Inspiration (left sidebar).

Etsy Update

These last few weeks, the weather has been beautiful here.   The kind that makes me think, if every day were this lovely I might want to stay in Houston forever.  It will be hot soon enough and I'll be wishing I was elsewhere.  I've been busying myself, among other things, happily creating at my bench, with the window wide open.  There's a cardinal that swoops in and out of the wax myrtle, nearby, and I can hear him twitter while I work.  

 

I've freshened up my Etsy shop a bit (they don't really give you much artistic license there!) with a new banner.  My wire nest charm and wire wrapped link tutorials are still available there and I'm in the process of adding some new earrings and a few other new things.  I hope you'll take a look.

  

"Button Box"

Remember those vintage black, glass buttons I got at the Round Top antiques festival?  I knew, when I saw them, that I wanted to use them in earrings.  I love the chippy look of them.  They go very well with these crystal roundelles.  I've already taken these for a trial run and they wear beautifully.  I'll have to make a pair for myself.

 

"Victoria"

I recently received a shipment of filigree brass bead caps so had to put them to good use.  The pearl in these earrings is faceted freshwater.  I combined them with some of the vintage glass and rhinestone beads that were also from my Round Top adventure.  They dangle from the sweetest, teeniest copper chain.

 

"Acorn"

I've been hanging my earrings from copies of this old cabinet card for some time now.  I was amazed when I found this card...she looks a lot like me when I was young.  These vintage fluted, brass bead caps were another Round Top find.  They have the most amazing, colorful patina.

 

"Little Green Apples" (sold)

These are so much fun and very lightweight because I used vintage cotton pearls for the "apples."  Cotton pearls are a bit rare and, when I find them, it's usually in white but I turned up this gorgeous, apple green and, paired with vintage brass bead caps and wire wrapped stems and leaves, they're perfect for spring.  Made in Japan in the 194o's, cotton pearls are spun, compressed cotton, coated with a luminous pearl shell.  This makes for a very solid pearl bead that is also very lightweight...lovely!

 

"Maria"

I've always loved using old rosary parts and medals in my work.  For me, the meaning they hold has less to do with the person depicted and more to do with the fact that they are a form of Christian jewelry...with meaning.  To me, they represent faith and prayer.  For this pair, I used garnets combined with old rosary parts and some of the vintage glass beads and buttons I recently found.  Those tiny, black, glass beads were a huge hank of very old, cut seed beads.  When I went to use them the threads they were strung on fell apart in my fingers.

 

"Textures" front

Obviously, I had to call this pair "Textures."  They're fine silver with an oh-so-wonderful patina.  I added vintage gold Czech glass beads as dangles.

 

"Textures" back

These are reversible to show off the texture.  And, yes...the patina really is that great!

Check my Etsy as I'll be adding these earrings, and more.

Artist Trading Card Swap-Charming

 

"Sprinkling Stars"

Yesterday, I took a break from jewelry making and created several artist's trading cards to swap with Alicia at Altered Bits.

 

"Flower Girl"

If you stop by Alicia's website, she's got a great widget on the left side that displays some of her incredible atc's.

 

"Fifteen"

These will soon be winging their way to Alicia.  I can't wait to see what she's sending me!

 

Amber Dawn, sweet thing that she is, is hosting International Charm Day.  She's generously giving away tons of goodies to anyone who joins...no strings...just fun!  You've still got time to play as the big day is Tuesday.

Jewelry Challenge-Project 17

 

"Baton Rouge" earrings

Jewelry Challenge-Project 17, Copper and Silver Bangle Bracelet

The end is near!  I'm almost finished working through Mary Hettmansperger's book, "Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet."  The techniques for this project are some that I am very familiar with and use often.  So, I decided not to make an entire bracelet but earrings, instead...quick and fun!

Techniques for Project 17:

• Heat treated patina
• Drawing a bead on wire
• Wire wrapped loops
• Embellishment with beads
• Attaching jump rings

 

"Stacked"

Only three more projects to go to finish the challenge!  If you're interested in joining me, please jump in with any of the projects in the book.  Leave a comment, with the link to your piece, and I'll link you up on my challenge blog.  I'll be giving away two pieces of my jewelry at the end of the challenge and you'll get your name in the hat for every time you participate.  Up next:  Bean Pod Pin.

Kate McKinnon PMC-Better Late Than Never

 

"Trilobite Ring"

Remember way back, last October, when I took that weekend workshop with the fabulous Kate McKinnon?  Well, I finally, finally got around to finishing a few of the pieces I worked on in class!  I know...what a procrastinator.

 

I was really excited about finishing this ring, I guess because I love all things fossilized.  Maybe that comes from bringing up boys.  We went through a serious dinosaur phase, some years ago, in my household.  They recovered but I never did.

 

"Ike Tree House"

This little house was another piece I was looking forward to finishing.  It's really special to me because, September before the workshop, Ike blew through here.  We lost a very big, very special tree in our front yard.  This piece represents our house, including the tree.  It will be worn on a chain or maybe it will just sit near my workbench, reminding me of how blessed we were to have so little damage from the hurricane.

 

"Green Ring"

This riveted ring is one that I began in class and finished at home.  The band is textured pmc with a wire shank through the top.  The lampwork glass bead was riveted in place.

 

I was a little worried about riveting on top of that glass bead but, it was a piece of cake...one of the many secrets Kate taught us.  I still have a large ring in the works.  I also have quite a few bits and bobs left over to play with.  If you ever get a chance to take a class or workshop with Kate...do it.  She's has a different take on metal clay than most and is an outstanding teacher.

I've changed my ever-changing link of inspiration to Chris Carlson.  You've got to see these rocks!

Stampington's Artists Emporium

I have exciting news!  Stampington has a brand new marketplace on their website called Artist's Emporium.  I was thrilled when they contacted me about it and am happy to have a few pieces featured for sale there.

"Transparent Beauty"

Available at Stampington's Artist's Emporium

Artists Emporium will offer various pieces directly from the pages of Stampington's many publications.  A part of each purchase will go directly to one of four charitable organizations, your choice when you buy:  Locks of Love, Best Friends, World Vision or the Life Through Art Foundation.  Click here to learn more about these organizations.

 

You may recall seeing the crystal focal in the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.  Here's a look at the rest of the piece...

  

For the focal, I transferred one of my favorite, original cemetery photographs onto a vintage chandelier crystal.  I connected it to the necklace with a beautiful, clear quartz, faceted bead, wrapped and attached to a wrought iron inspired, handmade wire work piece.

 

The reverse of the focal is backed with a piece of text from an antique Bible.

 

All the wire used in this piece is steel, including the flattened rings, each one individually wrapped.  I used more crystal quartz, several pieces of faceted apatite, and a matte tiger eye bead for the wire wrapped links.  I also added a small found object connector.

 

A vintage religious medal, tiny crystal and bit of rough citrine make lovely dangles.

 

A handmade hook and found object form the clasp and the piece is finished with a beautiful piece of dupioni silk.

 

"Little Princess"

Available at Artists Emporium

Also featured at the Artists Emporium are my heavy metal tiaras.  These were featured in the Mar/Apr issue of Belle Armoire.

 

The focal for "Little Princess" features an antique, bisque baby that was dug from the grounds of a German doll factory.  She's tiny...smaller than your pinkie...and connected to a filigree brass stamping.  A vintage, aurora borealis rhinestone cross dangles below.

 

Our little princess is surrounded by vintage copper roses with freshwater pearl centers.

 

The leaves are made from steel wire with vintage barkcloth and wire vines.  A few more dangly crystals add a bit more sparkle.

 

The tiara base is made from beautiful, vintage brass trim.

 

"The Queen's Diadem"

Available at Artists Emporium

 

The focal for this tiara is a lovely, embossed, brass stamping.

 

Three arches of delicate, freshwater pearls grace the piece.  A center dangle was created from a vintage, brass bead cap and vintage aurora borealis crystal.

 

Bowers of steel wire and paper leaves and flowers created from vintage brass bead caps and freshwater pearls.  The paper I used is from an antique hymnal.  Steel wire vines threaded with seed beads intertwine with the flowers.

  

This tiara is also built on a piece of pretty, vintage brass trim with a lovely patina.  When I talked to editor Jenny Doh about tiara making, one of the things we discussed was wearability so these tiaras are both wearable and would be a sweet addition to any special occasion.

I hope you'll check out all the incredible works offered at Artists Emporium.  Thank you for looking!

Grilled Cheese Pageant-Panini Happy

 

I really should have posted this yesterday and, thanks to the magic of blogging...I still can!  Big doings over at Panini Happy.  Our girl, Kathy, is putting on a big, exciting, grilled cheese pageant!  Fortunately, entries won't be judged by taste, good looks or popularity.  Kathy is graciously allowing any and all grilled cheese panini, from the most spectacular to the lowliest, into the contest (yay!).  She's giving away a lovely book called "Wichcraft" to one lucky, randomly drawn, sandwich maker.

 

Here is the cast of characters for my entry; Spinach Artichoke Melt.  I'm no expert chef but I know what I like so, that's the premise for this panini...slam together several great tastes and hope they work!  Anyway, this gives me a chance to use my new panini press (like I need a reason).  I had a pretty good idea of the ingredients I wanted to use so the biggest decision was which bread to use.  I finally settled on sourdough...always a good choice.

 

Texas produces one of the biggest, sweetest, best onions in the history of the world.  They're called 1015's and the cook up sweet and caramel-y.  This one is the size of a softball or maybe a really huge grapefruit.  They're large and good but, if you can't get your hands on a 1015, you use a Walla Walla sweet or some other sweet onion.

 

I thinly sliced the onions and sauteed them with sliced mushrooms...can't go wrong with that combo.  The cheese is spinach artichoke jack.  It tastes kind of like spinach artichoke dip, and we all know how good that is.

A few minutes in the press and...yum...warm, melty, cheesy goodness.

 

It's not too late for you to enter your best effort into Kathy's pageant.  Friday, noon is the deadline.  Check herefor details and go make something melty!

Rio Frio

The guys and I spent a very peaceful Easter weekend camping at one of my favorite places in the world, the Frio River.

This is one of the most beautiful areas in Texas.  The Frio is a crystal clear, spring fed river and one of it's most amazing features are the bald cypress trees that grow along the riverbanks.

 

Near our campsite are several huge (I mean HUGE!) bad boys.  I believe this particular tree is one of the oldest, or largest (not sure which) in Texas.  The guys will show you just how big this monster is:

 

I had to force them to pose this way...as you can imagine.  But, at least you can see how enormous these trees get.  They can get up to 150 feet tall and can live to be 1000 years old.

 

These trees grow amazing root structures with huge roots and knees spreading everywhere.  They have a surreal look, like something from a fairy tale...especially the bigger trees near the river that have more roots.

 

We've been coming here, mostly to the same campground, for over 20 years now so we have lots of great memories here.

 

Shortly after taking this photo, we all felt sorry that Miss Maggie didn't have run of the river, so, we let her off her leash for awhile.  Big mistake.  Devil Dog decided to do something new this year and take off up the river bank chasing deer.  What a fun time was had by all, calling and beating our way through the brush while Missy yipped like a wild coyote in pursuit.  Incredibly, she came right back from her short adventure and was promptly restrained once more.

You see her here, licking her chops.  That's because there are ducks on the pond.  Wife Whisperer thinks her hunt-and-destroy tendencies are cute but, believe me, it's a little worrisome.  Fortunately,  we made it through the weekend without terrorizing too many small creatures.

 

We very nearly made it through the weekend without any injuries or blood-letting but, boys will be boys.  One of the favorite pastimes of my guys is rock skipping.  Sadly, an errant skipper found it's way into Number Two's shin...not a pretty picture.  Really, he should have had stitches but, what to do?  Problem #1:  he thinks it's cool to have a battle scar.  Problem #2:  his dad thinks it's cool for him to have a battle scar.  Problem #3:  we were nowhere near a hospital, clinic, doctor or shaman.  It's amazing how much one little cut can bleed!  In fact, it's now down to a trickle, two and a half days later.  Bright side:  he'll have a real cool scar.

 

One of the ironies of Texas is that you can be enjoying the most lovely spot and come upon a most unlovely spot...sort of a beauty and the beast thing.  I just had to snap this little dump (pardon the pun).  In defense of the dumper, this is their very own private property so...!

 

So I don't leave you with that image, there was an incredible mountain laurel in bloom right outside our door.  These have the most intense purpley flowers and bright red/orange seeds that make great beads but are poisonous.  They don't grow in the Houston area so it's always a treat when we can get to the Frio in the springtime and see them in bloom.

 

And so it goes, a little sun, a little fun, a little rock skipping, a little deer hunting and a lot more wonderful memories added to the twenty plus years worth.  I hope your Easter was blessed.

Butterfly Wings

 

"Wings" bracelet by Dee Wilder

Can you even believe how gorgeous this bracelet is??  I was so excited when Dee showed me this.  She makes incredible creations in polymer clay...and she makes outstanding jewelry.  I know, from Dee, that these wings are quite work intensive.  What I didn't realize is that she makes them in such a beautiful array of bright colors.  This bracelet would look like a flock of butterflies landed on your wrist!

 

The reason Dee wanted me to see this is because she included wire wrapped links (they look like cocoons!) in the bracelet.  These are the very same links from my wire wrapped link tutorial, available on Etsy.  It's one of two tutorials I'm offering in my shop (the other is my wire bird's nest charm).  I'm just thrilled that she incorporated the wrapped links in such a beautiful way.  Make sure you take a look at Dee's etsy shop and you'll see why I love her work so much!