Monday Monday .....

 

Monday Monday 

(click me if you wish to hear the song by the Mamas And The Papas)

There are no musical bones in my body - but I do like music. Way back when, I played the trombone and the glockenspiel in the junior high band. Since then, I have not created anything other than bad shower music (and yes, songs to my kids -  but they have to love your voice right? Right!)

I have this habit of remembering a line from a song and then using it to emphasize what I am saying (like the line 'Can't Stand that Day' when sung by the Mommas And The Papas). That is a good thing, because I rarely know more than one or two lines. Well enough rambling. And the link above? It does not have much of anything to do with this post, the song has just been in my head all day.

I have had the most incredible last few weeks. The feedback that I have received both here, on facebook, and in person, has been truly amazing. I feel a little bit like Sally Field must have felt like when she won her second Oscar at the Academy Awards - 'You like me. You really like me'. The positive vibe fairies must be flying overtime. I really appreciate all the good thoughts coming my way... but like everyone who experiences some success - this has created an issue for me - where do I go from here? There is so much I want to do, but choosing what I should do first, and then do second, well, you get the idea.

When I have so many ideas flying around in my head, it is hard for me to wrangle them into some semblance of order, So I am trying my very best to create a list of them, in an effort to make sure that none of my ideas slip  away.

And now the fun starts --- sawing shapes  ---  picking the ones I will move forward with.

There are old techniques that I already know, and many new ways to use them - like wire wrapping ends on kumihimo, maybe using kumihimo in wire or maybe adding beads. Oh, did I forget to mention that my crochet chain in wire is almost done ---  turn that into a necklace - or enhance it by adding beads. Oh my, I think I need another day or two in my week.

I want to work some more on hammered and formed pieces, on bezels (both plain and enhanced), on patinas too, and electroforming ideas are jumbled in there as well! And new materials, like fibre, intrigue me. Oh, how does all this work together? I really can visualize the final look - I just need to sit down, take a deep breath, and figure out how to make all of it. There are just so many finished pieces that are possible - but I do realize that I will need to take baby steps to get there.

Someone once told me that Rome wasn't built in a day. And they are probably right. Doing it right will take some time. Even though it's not very likely, I am still kind of hoping that I can find enough time to do everything that I can visualize, during this week, or perhaps next week at the very latest. I wish to do it all right now - today! Why does Monday have to end so soon? - Can't Trust That Day.

Here are some photos. Enjoy!

stick coral

simple clasp



gratuitous earring

And some of the metal shapes at various stages of completion...

shapes to saw and file

neck piece at back
earrings in front

the beginning of a chain

pendants?

ready for enamel?

 

 

Thanks for visiting.....

We're All Ears Hop: February

Earrings Everyday is hosting a hop today inspired by this photo.......



Damselflies in Love
Photo credit: National Geographic, Yeo Weng Sang

I had intended to just watch this one from the sidelines, but after seeing some of the pieces, I decided to give it a try. I have been sawing and hammering copper lately, so thought I could work this into the challenge as well ----

Being a very literal minded person at times, my interpretation is a pair of wings ....

Just need to patina them in liver of sulfur to bring out the hammer marks (veining) and voila! a pair of wings fit for any bug (or ear).

More Earrings

Here is another group of earrings - I like them better if I make most of the components (or at least intervene in their creation) --- I also seem to like shorter pairs since I do like over the top necklaces --- if I am not wearing a necklace I think the longer or larger earrings are more wearable.

(as if it were not obvious I have not added ear wires to all these pieces yet - some may have posts added instead - haven't decided yet)

oil pastel on copper

silver and resin

hammered copper

silver and green glass

carnelean



glass on hammered headpin



silver and stone

 

 

Your feedback is always welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Editing Photos

I thought you might enjoy some photos I am editing.....  I am considering moving to Photoshop - what is your tool of choice for an editor?




wood, faux amber, bone, ....

 



multi strand sea shells and pearls

vintage bone

sea urchins and vintage faux amber

If Its Tuesday It Must Be Time For... "Eye Candy"

Working really hard at establishing a routine on my blog - I know it is important to post consistently but is regular content also important? - by that I mean publishing an entry every Monday on the same topic, for example--- I am not sure but I do like eye candy on Tuesday --- it is fun to look through my old pictures and find a few interesting pieces to show you. It will usually spark something in me and then I build another new piece or two using the photo as inspiration.

If you have been reading here for awhile (or even on my Facebook page), you might know that I am not a big fan of earrings (making not wearing) - I have made a few attempts at trying to improve my negative attitude, but I still don't seem to enjoy the process of making them.

So, I have decided to try to change my attitude by simply making lots of earrings, until I learn to enjoy making them as much as I enjoy making necklaces! Perhaps lots of practise will improve my attitude and with that goal in mind, I have decided to make a progression in styles. The first group (below) consists of simple wrapped loops --- the next group will consist of a hammered or balled head pin, and on and on and on...... At some point, multi dangles will appear, as will more complicated styles. By this using this approach, I hope to see the styles I really like to make and also learn what is not so appealing to me.

Here is my first group of simple wrapped loops;

 

In case you were curious, the backdrop used for these earrings was one of my shirts. Although I welcome your thoughts about using a shirt as a backdrop, I am much more interested in learning what you think of these earrings. I hope you enjoyed viewing these. More groups to follow!

 



Three Simple Pieces Plus One

I have been scanning through my posted photos and - surprise - I am pretty sure that most of my posts have been about "statement" pieces.

But what do I wear when I want to go to the grocery store? I could always wear a "statement" piece (you never know who you will meet in the vegetable aisle. Don't they even have singles nights at some supermarkets? Oh, but I digress.) --- but on days when I feel more calm, one of these will work just fine.

 

A single strand of beads with a pendant can look terrific (but still classy)!

 

These types of necklaces require some thought to look just right but they are so easy to wear. Just hook the clasp and go. Currently, I am hard at work learning new techniques that will allow me to make my own pendants. It is very satisfying to imagine a pendant, to design it and then be able to create it by applying chemical patinas or heat to change colours, or by using developing formfolding skills and even forging to hammer materials into new shapes.

 

 

I am really enjoying creating more of my own component pieces - commercial components are lovely and I will continue to use them, but I think jewellery has more heart when you put more of yourself into it.

 

Cleaning My Closet

I am almost certain that someone has been shopping, (and putting their clothes in my closet,) when I am not looking. I see things in there that I swear I have never seen before. Who would ever need six black pairs of pants? Apparently I do. LOL

Does anyone else have a tendency to unknowingly buy the same clothes over and over, just because? With my faulty memory, I do not intend for this outcome - but it happens.

I do not believe in the possibility that when I go shopping, that I might already own clothes like these at home. So, I am shocked when I open my closet doors and discover that I have duplicates, already there. Perhaps that could be the real reason why I swear someone is shopping and putting their stuff in my closet. But I do like what they buy.

This situation does not happen as often in other areas of my life! As you can likely tell, I make jewellery. A lot of jewellery. And as anyone with a crafting hobby will attest, you can never have too many beads, or too much fabric, or too much paint - you get the idea. The only problem, if you even admit to actually having a problem, is that you haven't had enough time to turn all your inventory into truly interesting, marvellous jewellery creations. Not enough time may be a problem, but having too many duplicate components is never a concern of mine. Or for that matter, is it  a concern for  any other jewellery maker that I know? This topic just never seems to surface as a problem for anyone making jewellery (or any other crafter for that matter.)

Well my closets have been sorted - now on to the jewellery supplies. Wish me luck!

 



Well, OK, maybe I still need to do some purging.