Two new rings...

Hypnotic: Fine and sterling silver

Flora: Carnelian and sterling silver

I just had some fun today creating these two rings. The Hypnotic ring got its name due to the fact that it reminds me of the villan in old cartoons trying to hypnotize the hero with a rotating swirl...."Look into my ring, you must obey my every command"....think it will work? If it does, I'm trying it on my kids for sure. Maybe I can get them to clean their rooms without complaining! :)

This one sold pretty quickly after I listed it, so it is available as a made to order now....I really had fun with this design, I'm thinking earrings and pendant next!

It has been raining here almost everyday for the past 3 days. I really can't complain too much as it cools things down considerably. We were able to sneak off to the pool for a couple of hours when the sun decided to show it's face. The girls swim so much, and the chlorine is wreaking havoc on their hair. It feels so dry and straw like. I hate it. But they love to swim, so what am I to do?

I just got home from the gym. For those of you who have been following me for awhile, you know how much I love step aerobics. Tonight we did double step. We lined up two steps next to each other, and instead of doing the routine spanning one step, we had to get all the way over to the other one quite quickly. It kicked my butt, but I burned a ton of calories. Lucky thing, because I plan on hitting the ice cream after the girls are in bed! :)

Have a wonderful night!

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!! :)

A few newies..

Something new for summer! I've been wanting to combine leather and metal, and here is my first offering. Another first for me in this bracelet is the PMC butterfly.

For those of you who don't know, PMC stands for Precious Metal Clay. When fired, it turns into solid .999 fine silver. I've been having a lot of fun playing with it and trying to get to know it better. It can be a little finicky, likes to be handled just right, but I think I am starting to get the hang of it.

I've made a couple more pieces using PMC....


I was able to combine the fine silver pieces with sterling in both of these pieces...I read somewhere that you either hate PMC, or love it, and I would have to say I LOVE it!!! So expensive though...but aren't all precious metals these days? So, as you can see, I am experimenting with textures, and am really loving it.

I am forcing myself to try something new....I am usually bothered greatly by lack of symmetry in my designs, I like everything to be just so....but there is beauty in imperfection...after all, nothing is perfect is it? It is a lesson for me in letting go, creating without constraint, so... Viva la Rustica! I'm hoping to create some additional rustic designs, as you can see, I'm starting out very simply....

The butterfly bracelet, and both of the little heart rings have my "rustic" elements in them...well, rustic for me anyway....:)

And because I can't step too far away from refined, I also made this beauty...

Featuring a vintage West German plastic cab that I coated in resin for durability and shine. I'm also loving the double band on the ring shank. I just love the pattern in this cab... I have several other vintage cabs that I have plans for if I can ever get around to it!


Lastly, a custom order. I had a lovely customer request my Sleeping Beauty's Rose Wreath ring with roses on the band. Truth be told, it scared me a little to attempt it, but was so glad I did! The band turned out beautifully, and I am thankful to my customer for suggesting it, I just may have to incorporate the idea into other designs!

Everything will be listed in the shop as time permits. Right now, I have housework that needs to be done.

The first official day of summer was just this week, but we have been enduring 100 + degree days here for a couple of weeks. I am having a hard time adjusting to the heat. I always do. I've been tired, lethargic, wanting to do nothing but sit in a dark cool room....It's hard to want to play with fire when it is already so hot.

I've been on a tv watching jag as a result, and have been catching up on episodes of Little People Big World that I recorded last November! I love that show. After the Jon & Kate debacle, I have had a hard time watching anything on TLC...but I love the Roloff's...I hope they stay the same great family they have always been.

I've also been watching The Big Bang Theory.. Have you guys seen this show? I love it..smart, funny, Star Trek references, what more could I ask for? ;)

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! I plan on playing more with leather and PMC, spending endless hours with the girls at the pool, and trying to stay cool!