It's been delayed because I returned to Southampton NY for my 40th HS reunion.
~ yep- I'm that old.
I had a blast!
I can't wait to finish the really cool design I stared for Mr. penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore!
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Delay
if you're looking for the latest Ispired by Reading post, please come back after 10/8.
It's been delayed because I returned to Southampton NY for my 40th HS reunion.
~ yep- I'm that old.
I had a blast!
I can't wait to finish the really cool design I stared for Mr. penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore!
It's been delayed because I returned to Southampton NY for my 40th HS reunion.
~ yep- I'm that old.
I had a blast!
I can't wait to finish the really cool design I stared for Mr. penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
New Earring Monday ~ weeks 35-36
OK - I know it's Saturday and I'm 5 days late, but at least I'm here.
I was in major production mode for an event, so I made plenty of earrings - even took pictures. Time to edit those photos and write this post eluded me for a bit.
First up is a collection coral and sterling silver earrings. I love to dress io simple beads with Bali bead caps. These are 10mm. I soldered and hammered the rings in the middle and used 8mm coral.
These were created to go with a collection of coral necklaces.
Next, is a mixed group - fluorite, vintage Himalayan glass and carnelian.
Yes, they, too, have necklaces!
Finally, you know I had to play with the big machine!*
So, we have a long county heart (2") that I annealed and curved around a mandrel (I see a channel dapping block in the near future.) and teardrops.
I love, love, love the satin finish on the first two. I discovered it by accident using a large wire brush from Harbor Freight on my dremel.
*"big machine" = hydraulic press
Please visit, my friend, Sarajo's blog to see who else has played along this week. click here
I was in major production mode for an event, so I made plenty of earrings - even took pictures. Time to edit those photos and write this post eluded me for a bit.
First up is a collection coral and sterling silver earrings. I love to dress io simple beads with Bali bead caps. These are 10mm. I soldered and hammered the rings in the middle and used 8mm coral.
These were created to go with a collection of coral necklaces.
Next, is a mixed group - fluorite, vintage Himalayan glass and carnelian.
Yes, they, too, have necklaces!
Finally, you know I had to play with the big machine!*
So, we have a long county heart (2") that I annealed and curved around a mandrel (I see a channel dapping block in the near future.) and teardrops.
I love, love, love the satin finish on the first two. I discovered it by accident using a large wire brush from Harbor Freight on my dremel.
*"big machine" = hydraulic press
Please visit, my friend, Sarajo's blog to see who else has played along this week. click here
Thursday, August 27, 2015
The Night Circus - August's offering for the Inspired By Reading Book Club
Le Cirque des Reves, The Circus Of Dreams, lives in Erin Morgenstern's imagination and on the pages of her novel, The Night Circus. This is a circus like no other. It arrives overnight without notice and disappears the same way. It is only open after dark.
I listened to the book back in June during my 10 hour drive north to the Hamptons. Since it was a while ago and I am not feeling super intellectual at the moment, I'll quote the blurb from the back of the book...
Thanks for visiting!
Please visit our book club leader, Andrew Thornton's blog to learn about the next book and links to see creations by the other participants. click here!
I listened to the book back in June during my 10 hour drive north to the Hamptons. Since it was a while ago and I am not feeling super intellectual at the moment, I'll quote the blurb from the back of the book...
...behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game only one can be left standing...
... Celia and Marco soon fall in love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone ... hanging in the balance.
I loved the myriad of unusual characters, the plot twists, magical elements, and, of course, the love story.
I was drawn to the description of the lighting of the bonfire each time the circus opened in a venue. I wanted to replicate that effect some way in a piece of jewelry. I had some torch issues, so it didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to. If you squint, you might see flames.
The crystals represent the shift of flame colors as twelve archers light the fire...
First yellow, then clear sky blue, warm bright pink, ripe pumpkin, sparkling crimson, incandescent wine, shimmering violet, indigo, midnight blue, black, and, finally, blinding white.
As I write, I realize I have forgotten the black and blinding white crystals. I also plan to use a shorter connector.
This next piece came about quite by accident. The last time I was in NYC I picked up a gorgeous strand of red coral at Wonder Sources on 38th St. I love the contrast of the rectangular ceramic beads from Golem Studio. I purchased those (and more) directly from Vladislav, the artist, in Tucson last February.
As I tied knots in the silk cord, I remembered that the circus tents were striped white and black, with no other color. I also recalled the "Revelers", a society of folk (groupies) who followed the circus, wore black and white with a splash of red to distinguish themselves from other circus patrons.
So - back to my stash for a bumpy black and white lampwork bead by Jason Powers. I repurposed a black Chinese crystal necklace that hasn't sold in a few years and a splash of red - more ceramic from Golem.
I love the results!
I was drawn to the description of the lighting of the bonfire each time the circus opened in a venue. I wanted to replicate that effect some way in a piece of jewelry. I had some torch issues, so it didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to. If you squint, you might see flames.
The crystals represent the shift of flame colors as twelve archers light the fire...
First yellow, then clear sky blue, warm bright pink, ripe pumpkin, sparkling crimson, incandescent wine, shimmering violet, indigo, midnight blue, black, and, finally, blinding white.
As I write, I realize I have forgotten the black and blinding white crystals. I also plan to use a shorter connector.
This next piece came about quite by accident. The last time I was in NYC I picked up a gorgeous strand of red coral at Wonder Sources on 38th St. I love the contrast of the rectangular ceramic beads from Golem Studio. I purchased those (and more) directly from Vladislav, the artist, in Tucson last February.
As I tied knots in the silk cord, I remembered that the circus tents were striped white and black, with no other color. I also recalled the "Revelers", a society of folk (groupies) who followed the circus, wore black and white with a splash of red to distinguish themselves from other circus patrons.
So - back to my stash for a bumpy black and white lampwork bead by Jason Powers. I repurposed a black Chinese crystal necklace that hasn't sold in a few years and a splash of red - more ceramic from Golem.
I love the results!
Thanks for visiting!
Please visit our book club leader, Andrew Thornton's blog to learn about the next book and links to see creations by the other participants. click here!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Earring Monday ~ again
When I began this challenge back in January, I had every intention of keeping up with it. I really do want more exposure for my blog.
I have to say I am impressed that Sarajo is able to keep up with posting, even with her travels.
So after a few months hiatus, I'm ready to give it a try again.
Recently, I've been experimenting with enamels and hotter torches. I found my trusty butane torch doesn't work that great with larger pieces or multiple firings.
I raided my husband's tool box and pulled out his "plumber's" torches - with his blessings, of course.
He had both mapp and propane hidden in there!
For this batch, I used the mapp torch. I definitely need to get used to the heat because there are a few "crispy" edges.
These first two actually have the same color enamel - transparent copper green. The teardrop has a white base, while the oval was enameled on bare copper. I love the color variations!
Hover, you can see where there was too much heat on the first pair - that brown is not supposed to be there. And if I didn't tell you, some of you would have thought I did it on purpose.
There I go giving away trade secrets again.
This last pair was my test run for the buzzard pendant I created in response to Swamplandia. It took three firings with several differnt colors.
You can check out that post here.
In case you're wondering, I used Kevin Potter's pancaked dies to cut my shapes. Then I added dimension with my oval, wood dapping block from Contenti.
Don't forget to Sarajo Wentling's blog to see who else is playing along this week.
I'll do my best to be back in two weeks with more earrings !
I have to say I am impressed that Sarajo is able to keep up with posting, even with her travels.
So after a few months hiatus, I'm ready to give it a try again.
Recently, I've been experimenting with enamels and hotter torches. I found my trusty butane torch doesn't work that great with larger pieces or multiple firings.
I raided my husband's tool box and pulled out his "plumber's" torches - with his blessings, of course.
He had both mapp and propane hidden in there!
For this batch, I used the mapp torch. I definitely need to get used to the heat because there are a few "crispy" edges.
These first two actually have the same color enamel - transparent copper green. The teardrop has a white base, while the oval was enameled on bare copper. I love the color variations!
Hover, you can see where there was too much heat on the first pair - that brown is not supposed to be there. And if I didn't tell you, some of you would have thought I did it on purpose.
There I go giving away trade secrets again.
 |
| stump gray |
 |
| love this color - aquamarine green It's tricky because different amounts of heat will change the color |
This last pair was my test run for the buzzard pendant I created in response to Swamplandia. It took three firings with several differnt colors.
You can check out that post here.
In case you're wondering, I used Kevin Potter's pancaked dies to cut my shapes. Then I added dimension with my oval, wood dapping block from Contenti.
Don't forget to Sarajo Wentling's blog to see who else is playing along this week.
I'll do my best to be back in two weeks with more earrings !
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Swamplandia – another edition of the Inspired By Reading Book Club
I was disappointed to miss
last month. I was traveling once again ~ busy on Long Island attending
retirement parties, family events and participating in the Sag Harbor Arts and
Crafts Fair. In case you’re wondering (and even if you’re not), in spite of the
pouring rain, I had a good show, with follow up opportunities.
I enjoyed Swamplandia,
by Karen Russell. The story follows a family of alligator wrestlers who run an
ailing tourist attraction in the Florida Everglades. Chief Big Tree and his
children struggle to keep Swamplandia open after their mother, the main
attraction, succumbs to cancer. They also have to contend with competition from
“The World of Darkness”, the new high tech amusement park on the mainland.
It wouldn’t be a book club
selection if there wasn’t a bit of the supernatural or weirdness involved in
the story. Sixteen year old Ossie
considers herself to be a spiritualist and believes that she has relationships
with ghosts. After finding a ghost ship (really a dredge from the 1930’s), Ossie
imagines herself in love with a young man who perished in an explosion and decides
to run off and marry him.
The obvious inspiration for
this book would be alligators. So, as I read, I checked my stash and a few
suppliers – no alligators. Then Ossie and Ava stumble upon the decrepit ship
with a swarm of buzzards overhead. There was my inspiration! Somehow, someway, I
was determined to create a buzzard. Luckily, Kevin
Potter has a great bird pancake die and it
was on sale when I wanted it. I headed out to the hydraulic press with some 20 gauge sheet copper. The next challenge was how to make it look
like a buzzard…
After an internet search for
buzzard images, a trip to Ornamentea
in Raleigh for Thomson enamels, and four torch firings of different layers and colors, I’m pretty
excited with the result.
 |
| I don't always counter-enamel, but felt this piece needed it |
I've added a bail and chain, maybe I'll add some beads, but haven’t
decided if I prefer copper or silver chain.
What do you think?
Please visit book club leader, Andrew Thornton's blog here to learn more about our group
and visit other participants listed below...
Friday, May 29, 2015
The Children's Book - another edition of the Inspired By Reading BookClub
How time flies…
Another month has gone by and it's, once again, time for the Inspired By Reading Book Club reveal. And, once again, I'm traveling (I'm back in NYC for my daughter's graduation from Hunter College ! Yay!) I'm posting from my phone and apologize in advance for the quality of my photos.
I'm excited by my design because of a personal connection to the components.
This month we read "The Children's Book" by A.S. Byatt. Actually, I've been listening. I was able to download the audio version from the library. The story takes place in England in the late 1800's. It is a mix a "real-time" narrative, reminisces and political commentary. Although, I have some difficulty following the narrative and many characters, I am intrigued by the story and historical references and am compelled to continue listening.
Right from the beginning Byatt lavishes us with vivid descriptions, rich in fairy tale, folklore and history. I thought I might want to try my hand at mosaics - perhaps a small pendant in a bezel cup with resin. Since I had no clue how to go about it, that idea was scrapped.
At one point, Phillip, a runaway and aspiring artist admires a large pot - gold and silver with cobalt. I knew then that I wanted to use some of the beautiful lapis I purchased at Wonder Sources the last time I was in NYC. Still no clue what to create.
As I listened further, Byatt described another character in detail, including her pocket watch. I was reminded that my grandfather's watch fob was in a box of incomplete projects. Several years ago I had planned to link gold and silver plated fleur de lis to complete the chain. I'm glad I never did.
Instead, I soldered sterling silver and gold-filled links, as well as, lapis links. I love the way it coordinates with the 14k gold, two toned antique piece. The new section is removable and can be connected to a chain to make a simpler necklace.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Bead Peeps Swap and Hop ~ WIP - UPDATED!!!
PLEASE READ THROUGH TO SEE MY FINISHED PIECES!
Unfortunately, I had to travel unexpected for a family emergency and was unable to do justice to the goodies sent to me by my partner, Gloria Allen.
I'm putting together a quick post with what I have accomplished and will update it as soon as possible.
Gloria sent a great selection of beads and components.
I can't wait to play with them all.
For now I have started a necklace with the bead created by Studio St James matched with the labradorite, pink glass and white shell pearls from Gloria. I've added sterling silver silver from stash.
and a pair of sweet earrings.
Please check back to see what I've created with the rest of the goodies.
Thanks to everyone for your patience ~ especially my partner, Gloria Allen. Please check Gloria's blog to see what she did with soup I sent her!
Gloria didn't realize she had sent artisan beads, so she sent a second package. I certainly had a lot to work with!
Here's the finished necklace with the heart pendant from Studio St. James. I also added some smaller shell pearls from my stash to complete the length.
These yummy lampwork caramels by Two Sisters Designs were in my first package.
Mystery gemstones (appear to be some kind of quartz) from Gloria mix beautifully with my freshwater pearls, cherry quartz and sterling silver.
Another pearl necklace with the blush shell pearls and crystal.
The bracelet was inspired by all the other pieces I created.
I had a lot of fun creating this cluster of mother of pearl beads with the glass spectra beads.
Some more earrings to coordinate with the necklaces!
Unfortunately, I had to travel unexpected for a family emergency and was unable to do justice to the goodies sent to me by my partner, Gloria Allen.
I'm putting together a quick post with what I have accomplished and will update it as soon as possible.
Gloria sent a great selection of beads and components.
I can't wait to play with them all.
For now I have started a necklace with the bead created by Studio St James matched with the labradorite, pink glass and white shell pearls from Gloria. I've added sterling silver silver from stash.
and a pair of sweet earrings.Please check back to see what I've created with the rest of the goodies.
***~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~*****~***
Gloria didn't realize she had sent artisan beads, so she sent a second package. I certainly had a lot to work with!
Here's the finished necklace with the heart pendant from Studio St. James. I also added some smaller shell pearls from my stash to complete the length.
These yummy lampwork caramels by Two Sisters Designs were in my first package.
Mystery gemstones (appear to be some kind of quartz) from Gloria mix beautifully with my freshwater pearls, cherry quartz and sterling silver. 
Another pearl necklace with the blush shell pearls and crystal.
The bracelet was inspired by all the other pieces I created.
I had a lot of fun creating this cluster of mother of pearl beads with the glass spectra beads.
Some more earrings to coordinate with the necklaces!
 |
| polymer clay by Sue St. James with cherry quartz |
 |
| glass spectra by BSue Boutique |
And finally, this brass medallion definitely created a challenge.
I decide to punch holes, add chain and turn it into a bracelet.
Thanks again to Gloria for all the amazing goodies!
And to Linda Anderson for her hard work organizing the swap.
Now for the hop...
Do take time to check out the other fabulous artists who participated!
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
GIRL READING - Inspired By Reading Book Club. April 2015
This month the Inspired By Reading Book club read Girl Reading- A Novel by Katie Ward. I wondered why it's considered a novel. At first glance, Ms. Ward's book appears to be a collection of short stories set in various time periods. However, there is a common thread throughout the book - the obvious - a "girl" or woman reading in each vignette. And the artist; painter, photographer who has "caught them in the act". Not so obvious are the references in each chapter to an artistic element from the precious chapter.
I woke up one morning thinking I wanted to represent the painters in the story. I thought about how to depict the painter's pallet in a jewelry design.
So, here we have what is to be a pendant. I'll add a ring or bail of some kind and probably hang it from a copper chain.
I'm pretty excited with how it came out. I used a spoon shaped pancake die to cut the basic oval shape. I got creative with Eurotool's hole punch and my dremel grinder to form the handle. Finally, Indents made with a metal punch and dapping block were filled with enamel.
Visit Andrew Thornton's blog to see who else played with us this month.
(You'll have to scroll through one of my other posts for links. I wrote this whole post on my phone while traveling by train between NYC & New Haven Connecticut and I don't know how to use all of the functions.)
Monday, April 20, 2015
New Earring Monday.... ( through week 16)
Yeah - I lost track of what week it was, so I checked Sarajo's post for dates.
I'll try to get back to bi-weekly posts ~ but ~ no promises.
And, since I should be preparing for my very first North Carolina Art & Craft fair, I'll try to make this brief.
First up are my offerings for April's birthstone.
I acquired (purchased) a bunch of Herkimer diamonds in Tucson. For those who don't know, Herkimer diamonds aren't really diamonds. They are faceted quartz that come out of the ground just like you see them here. They are mined in Herkimer, NY.
(Yay! NY!)
I love these sterling silver discs I created with my disc cutter!
Since May is just around the corner, I had to dig out some emeralds.
Aren't these sweet!
A few weeks ago, I demonstrated flame painting copper at Ollie's during Art After Five. Here are a few of the pieces I created...
The shapes were cut on my Harbor Freight hydraulic press using pancake dies from Potter USA.
Finally, I've also had a lot of fun with my disc cutter and wooden dapping blocks.
Someday, I'll figure out how to photograph shiny sterling silver.
I'll try to get back to bi-weekly posts ~ but ~ no promises.
And, since I should be preparing for my very first North Carolina Art & Craft fair, I'll try to make this brief.
First up are my offerings for April's birthstone.I acquired (purchased) a bunch of Herkimer diamonds in Tucson. For those who don't know, Herkimer diamonds aren't really diamonds. They are faceted quartz that come out of the ground just like you see them here. They are mined in Herkimer, NY.
(Yay! NY!)
 |
| New earring cards for Ollie's Cafe & Gift Shop Inspired by Sarajo Wentling |
 |
| created for a 6 year old's April birthday! |
I love these sterling silver discs I created with my disc cutter!
Since May is just around the corner, I had to dig out some emeralds.
Aren't these sweet!
A few weeks ago, I demonstrated flame painting copper at Ollie's during Art After Five. Here are a few of the pieces I created...
 |
| I love the way these came out. I tried a different technique. I put the torch really close to the metal and pulled it away quickly. |
 |
| demonstration mode |
 |
| heavy equipment! |
The shapes were cut on my Harbor Freight hydraulic press using pancake dies from Potter USA.
Finally, I've also had a lot of fun with my disc cutter and wooden dapping blocks.
Someday, I'll figure out how to photograph shiny sterling silver.
I might oxidize the next batch. But I do love these shiny!
Looks like I just might have enough inventory foe "Spring Daze" arts and crafts fair in Cary, NC this Saturday 4/25.
Stop by if you're in the neighborhood!
Don't forget to click here to visit Sarajo's blog to find all the other earring artists!
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