RAW52-4

On Wednesday evening I realized that I hadn't even started a ring this week for RAW.  I knew I didn't have a lot of time to pull one together, and just started working with things that were lying around on my bench.

The stamped concho was left abandoned on my bench after it's mate didn't make the cut.  (Once upon a time it was meant to be an earring!)

And this little rectangular cab of turquoise was the first cab I saw when I opened my drawer.

The turquoise hails from my home state of Nevada.  Mined near Tonopah.  I have named this ring "Home Means Nevada"

It's actually a song you know.   Our state song.  Home means Nevada, home means the hills... home means the sage and the pines....there in the heart of the Golden West....Home means Nevada to me!

So here is my little tribute to Nevada.  I'll be listing it in my shop shortly.

Still plugging along...

I alternate between enjoying working at a slow pace, and anxiety at thinking I'm not working fast enough. I saw a blog post the other day whose title was "It's June. Time to get ready for Christmas" And I'll be darned if it isn't true.

The only show I did last year, and the only one I'll do this year is a little art festival they do at my church. I love it because it really is nothing like your typical church bazaar, and I did pretty well there last year. So, last year, I did it with a friend of mine, and we used all her props for our table. Mind you, our table looked good. I would like to start investing in some of my own stands and props and mirrors and things. Really make it my own.

I started checking out earring and necklace stands. Now I have to decide which sizes to get. The one earring rack I really like holds 72 pairs of earrings. Let me say that again. 72 pairs of earrings!!! And I know I should get it, because then maybe it will make me force myself to really build up a good inventory. I will need the inventory between the show and the holidays.

So I've been doing that research, and taking my time planning how I really want my table to look. I also need to get myself registered with the state, all official and stuff, and start collecting taxes and filing forms. You know. All the gross stuff. The no fun stuff. And then I need to look into being able to take credit cards. Ok, I'm stressing myself out just thinking about it all.... ;)

Anyway... I am still plugging along. Working slowly but surely.
Custom order: Dogwood branch with Turquoise ring
Green Moss agate in sterling silver necklace
This beautiful green moss agate cab is one that I bought from SassyGlassJewelry. Sandi's husband Jim is making cabochons! And they are lovely! I have already been lucky enough to snag several, and this is my first piece. A beautifully cut cab that set like a dream!

I had originally planned to continue my boxwood branch design with this green moss agate. But, alas, it wasn't in the cards, and remembering my plan to work with less constraint, I just picked it up and started working. I've been wanting to try piercing and sawing, and well, here you go! When I named it, the only thing I could think of were tadpoles! Swimming around a sea of green moss. I had a comment on my Flickr photo that they looked like paisleys. And they do! Probably sounds nicer than tadpoles....but I can't help it. I still see little bent fishy type bodies swimming around the green moss...

I hope to have a couple of rings to show you later. Have a fabulous day!! :)

The earrings....

Not sure I'll be able to let these go either! :)

Turquoise....

Yes, yes, more turquoise.... I just can't seem to tear myself away from this color these days.

I went to a bead show here in town last friday with a new metalsmith friend. We ran into only one vendor that had any cabs, which is what I really was looking for. They had lots of turquoise cabs, and picture jasper too... but I only bought Turquoise. I have been so drawn to that color lately. I can't seem to help myself, so, I stocked up! :)

I started out with this ring first. Simply set. I have in mind that I want to make some things that I can keep affordable. I love building a setting around a stone, but it really adds to the cost of the final piece.

It's hard sometimes to keep it simple. Case in point, this pair of turquoise earrings I have started. I had planned to do a scalloped bezel cup with the ear wires soldered on (one of my fave styles). Then I started thinking that they needed something else. So my mind has gone to all kinds of different design ideas. All ideas that will significantly change the price point.

So now I'm waffling back and forth. Do I go for simple and keep it affordable? Or shall I design to my heart's content? Luckily for me I have plenty of Turquoise cabs now that I can do both! I hope to have the simple version ready to post today.

Back to this ring. I thought about offering this as a custom sized band like the last two rings I've done, but I decided to go ahead and finish it. US size 7. I had every intention of listing it in the shop on Sunday, but I can't seem to let it go.

I've talked a little bit about my paternal Grandpa before. He was a metalsmith who made jewelry. He also covered just about anything he could find in Turqouise. Tables, steer skulls, you name it. In northeast Nevada, we had turquoise in abundance. I remember going out walking with grandpa and him picking up turquoise right off the ground and sticking it in his pockets. His workshop in the back yard had all kinds of little bits of turquoise on the ground right outside the door. He always had a rock tumbler running... I grew up gazing into his jewelry case at the turqouise jewelry, and seeing my grandma wear it as well...

There is something about this particular stone. I get lost staring into it. It brings back so many memories, and also gives me this feeling of a memory that I can't quite remember. It's difficult to explain. There is something about this particular stone that makes me feel like I have come full circle, somehow connecting the feelings of my youth with how I feel about turquoise today.... It is strange, and liberating all at once. Somehow reconciling me with my past...

I never thought I could feel this way about stones, but it happens to me more and more as I grow my stone collection. I have caught myself several times spending like 10 minutes staring into a stone. It is amazing the beauty that the earth creates....You might think I'm crazy. But that's ok. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I would enjoy sitting for 10 solid minutes staring at a rock I would've thought I was crazy too!

So, I'm keeping it. It's mine, I can't let it go...

I've been doing some metalsmithing.....

This is my 2nd fully metalsmithed ring. The stone is dumorterite. It is a dark blue with black flecks in it. My husband and daughter both said they didn't think the stone was very pretty. But I like it. I liked it when I first bought the stone, and I still like it now. I have always loved navy blue, and the darkness of this stone drew me in right away.

Anyone recognize the setting? Yep, Bali style daisy spacers. I gotta say that I have been inspired by JJ of RosyRevolver on Etsy and Tess of NovaofSweden on Etsy. I am really new to metalsmithing, but these ladies use of commercial findings in metalsmithing have opened up my mind to the uses of the materials I have on hand. I actually had these in the destash pile to sell in my supply shop, but like I said, these ladies have inspired me to think of other uses for beads and bead caps in other ways.



And this is, you guessed it, my 3rd metalsmithed ring. I wanted to give myself a challenge with this ring. Making a bezel on a curved surface. The stone is Turquoise, mined in my home state of Nevada near Tonapah. I love this stone. The little smattering of matrix in the bottom half looks like a close up on a birds eye view of a peninsula and a string of islands surrounded by the clearest blue green water you've ever seen.

You'll also see in the last photo a little mountain range with the sun rising (or setting?) behind it with my initials stamped below. I am experimenting with a maker's mark. I think I will settle on this for now (get it? Ruby Mountain....Amy Nicole? :)), until I have an extra few hundred lying around to have a custom stamp designed. Yes! They cost that much! It will probably take me forever to decide on a design for one anyway.

I've been busy making ear wires and head pins from copper and brass for RubyMtnBeads. I'm making them in shiny finish, and antiqued. I've been antiquing them a dark brown and then throwing them in the tumbler to give them the loveliest sheen. I'm going to try to get them listed tonight at Etsy and ArtFire. I'm also going to list some bulk wire that I've given that same gorgeous patina for those who would like to use it in wire wrapping, making your own ear wires, head pins, or whatever!

Finding my metalsmithing legs?

Ever hear the saying "find your sea legs" when becoming accustomed to being on a boat? Well, I am finding my metalsmithing legs. It took me almost a week after my beginning metalsmith class to pick up the torch again. I guess I still have a little bit of apprehension. I've decided that i just have to dive in and start making things if I ever want to find my metalsmithing legs.

So, here is the first of my offerings for the shop. I have named her Aiyana. It is a Native American name meaning forever flowering, eternal blossom.



It is a beautiful name, and fits this silver blossom perfectly. It will forever flower, preserved in sterling silver and Arizona turquoise.

I'm headed to the Etsy shop now to list it, and then on to other less exciting chores before picking up my torch again.