jessi makes jewelry!

A pony post.

2011-06-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks I have largely focused on riding. My first recognized show is in 2 weeks and I've kicked it into gear to prepare.

The last schooling show was abysmally awful. Cholula warmed up beautifully - she was sharp and responsive, she cantered when asked, and overall she was quite lovely to ride. Unfortunately, there was a big wait between the end of our warm up and our first test, and that wait did us in.

I had just a few minutes to work with her before our test, and the horse that I rode earlier had apparently taken a vacation. Both tests were big fights that I lost so badly my trainer hopped on afterward for a quick come to jesus.

Needless to say, I questioned everything at that point, especially my decision to show at a "real" show in June.

2 days later we had a clinic with another trainer, and I have to say it was exactly what both of us needed. I was worried the clinic would be just as unproductive as the show, but the trainer taught us some new warm up exercises that have been the ticket to getting her attention on me. We start with these before every ride, and the amount of time I spend getting her in front of the leg has lessened with each session.

In addition, my trainer has been riding her every Monday. She will also be riding Cholula at the show - first level! I am terrified but my last few rides have been stellar so hopefully we're on the right track. Today we had a nice long trail ride that involved a lot of galloping hills...by the last stretch her canter was smooth, easy, and steady.

Here are some photos I took 2 weeks ago of my trainer and Cho:

(My favorite)

Cho trying to grab the bit...sigh.
Finishing the ride with a gallop up my favorite hill

Cho looking quite pleased with herself
I DO have a few new things to photograph and post as well, so stay tuned!

On open houses.

2011-05-07T19:33:00.001-07:00

Twice a year I'm invited to sell my jewelry at an open house (literally, at their house) of a wonderful jewelry-making couple in town. It's been an incredible opportunity and I'm so grateful for the chance to show my jewelry there. I have learned so much from the both of them - about selling, about gem-buying, bench tips and tricks, about the great jewelry world outside of my little etsy bubble. (Etsy, despite its size, is really a little bubble...and one that I feel I'm outgrowing a bit).

This spring's open house came at a bit of an odd time. I took a month or so off from making jewelry, as you know. The stress of a job change and other things going on consumed me, and the last thing I wanted to do was sit at my bench. Gradually, the desire to do these things came back, and I started making again. But I wasn't in "open house" mode, that is making things I know will work well with the crowd. Like earrings. These past few months I haven't much felt like making earrings, so I haven't.

I brought a metric ton of necklaces with me, though! And most of them came back with me, too. But that's ok. Some things found homes and I had a fantastic time. I'm feeling especially renewed and refreshed and excited about jewelry after the last 2 days. I want to take classes and I want to make rings until my fingers bleed and I get it just right and I want to learn more stone settings and improve all of my technical skills and learn a whole book's worth of new ones.

It's a good place to be in.

Because, no matter where this goes, it's something that I really enjoy doing. And I think it's good to be good at the things you enjoy, even if they don't make you rich or even pay your bills. Cholula certainly isn't paying any of my bills (more like creating half of them), but I work really hard to be a better rider and overall equestrian. It's important to me to be knowledgeable and have the ability to teach horses things. It is also important to me to make jewelry.

So! Onto the next phase. I am currently looking into branching out...to galleries. It's a really scary step, especially with having a full time job that is completely separate from my jewelry endeavors. But I think it's really time. I've been frustrated with etsy and my lack of time lately...I can't spend forever on social networking, online marketing, etc. Look at this neglected blog! I've had wonderful reception on etsy, and decent enough sales, but if I ever want to do this as my living...it's not enough. I also think that now is a really good time for me to spend just creating what I want to create. Etsy has limited me, in a way. It's the nature of the beast. I want to allow myself to not be influenced by etsy: what I think will sell, what I absorb from that being my main source of jewelry sales, etc.

At this point, I'm not planning on leaving etsy completely, but I'm not relying on it as I have for the past few years.

And on that rambling note, have some jewelry! These are the last pieces I completed before the show:

Chubby bird necklace:
Is this not the most adorable necklace ever? It sold. I would have been ok if it stuck around for awhile though, because it's SO CUTE! I'll be making another in the near future, I'm pretty sure.

Cocoon Earrings
I had a little fun with heat-treating copper one night, obviously. I LOVE how it turned out on these! Also sold.

A little collage:
A wee sterling collage with a wee wire-wrapped green tourmaline.

Coral Ring:
I really need a better photo of this as I'm cringing at the quality (damn you, broken camera). This one is filled to the brim with TEXTURE.

Dew necklace:
Remember those earrings from the previous post? I thought I'd try and do a set. The earrings sold, this did not. This necklace is a reminder to never buy opal beads ever again, because they break.

Pinwheel necklace with carnelian:
The cost of silver prices has made me open up my eyes to all of the scrap laying around my bench. That little pinwheel charm? That's been hanging out for awhile, and I haven't been sure of how to use it. Obviously this necklace was the answer.

Retro Kitchen necklace:
To match the fab (sold) earrings, of course. I ADORE these serpentine beads!

Sneetch necklace:
This may look familiar, as it was one of those "pick your size" things I tried once upon a time (and didn't give much of a chance to). I opted to make this into a necklace, had to do a really fun and weird bail for it, and am overall really happy with how it turned out. Doesn't hurt that the slice of imperial jasper is dreamy.

Spring Pea necklace:
TEXTILES AND SILVER. YESSSS.

Sunny:
I got this mystery agate from the local lapidary and I'm super thrilled with how this turned out. It sold too!

On, as a size reference:

Tree Rings necklace:
This cab of chrysocolla is amazing. For a blue that vibrant to exist naturally? Oh my. This was from last year's trip to Tucson and I've been holding onto it for sometime.

Size:

That's all for now...hope to be back here before June!

Why yes, I do make jewelry.

2011-04-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've settled into my new job a little more and have been working away in the studio for a few weeks. It helps to have a little fire under my feet - the spring open house is only 2.5 weeks away!

Here are some things I finished up on Sunday. They won't make it to etsy unless they don't sell at the open house, but I'm willing to take reservations on pieces.

Sadly, my camera seems to be dying. I'm trying to figure out what to do to replace it until I can save up for the camera I really want: a Canon 50D. I was able to mess with it enough to get these pictures, but I don't know if it'll cooperate next time!

Botanical Necklace, with turquoise and moonstone:
I am so excited for this necklace. It turned out exactly as I imagined it onto paper. I often sift through all of my sketches (I have dozens of pieces of loose paper everywhere with jewelry sketches...I know I should get a sketchbook, but I always forget to carry one around) to see what strikes me at the moment. I'd love to make everything as I dream it up, but so many ideas take a back seat to newer ideas that take a stronger hold on my brain.

Anyway, this was one of many that I chose that day!

Copper Drops, part 2 (I made a similar, shiny pair of earrings a few years back):
I've had these copper pieces cut out for over a year. I didn't want to remake the earrings I last made with that template, but wasn't sure what else to do. These are a prime example of what happens when silver is over $40 an ounce and I'm limited on supplies...make do with what you have!

Crumpets Necklace, with a lumpy agate:
Quite pleased I opted for a necklace instead of the ring this was going to become.
I have been eating crumpets for breakfast. They are wonderful and squishy and I feel very sophisticated saying I take my tea with crumpets and jam.

Rain Water earrings, with Peruvian Opal:
The wire wrapping on the right earring is a little special. I know it's probably not very professional of me to point out flaws, but there you have it. They are meant to be rustic and a little messy and what can I say, I'm a sucker for imperfections.

Earrings, with Serpentine (I don't have a clever name for these!):
I really love these ones...I took them for a test drive today and they have a fabulous swing to them. They are probably my favorite from this batch!

Lastly, Tumbleweed earrings:
I made these for myself but I'm not entirely sure I'll keep them. We'll see.

Cholula and I have our first show on Saturday! It will be quite the test...can we really canter at the exact time we're supposed to?

Riding the Cholula mare

2011-03-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

Rex was in town last week and agreed to come out to the barn and take photos of me! It's so rare that I get photos of myself riding, so this was a nice treat.

I have been planning my year of ponies:
1. Schooling shows in April & May
2. Recognized show in June
3. TRAIL RIDING TRAIL RIDING TRAIL RIDING

Anyway, here are some photos:

I have a terrible habit of bringing my leg up and back. Working on it.
Canter!
We also worked on conquering puddles. When I was leading her from the pasture to the barn, she actually climbed a freaking snow bank to avoid stepping in a puddle. SIGH.

This is what she looks like most of the time.
And this is perhaps the most unflattering photo of her ever taken. Yes, she does have a giant weird tooth in front.

The end!

one by one

2011-02-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day. Not for any particular reason, mind you, it just was. I'm trying to make the most of things: be it the new job that has pushed me to this or just happening to be in a place where this is possible, I can't be sure.

But I really am trying.

I'm both sad and excited for winter to be over: coats and boots and hats and mittens and scarves are becoming a bit cumbersome, but the knowledge that I can always get warm is a comfort. I am loving snowshoeing and getting outside (last week we stomped around a small herd of buffalo and visited the owls and hawks, ahh!) as much as I can. Cholula seems to relish the colder temperatures and is always more up in the winter.

However, I cannot wait to go on our first trail ride of the season. And gallop around the hills. The confines of the arena are getting old and we are so much better than we were last fall...I can't wait for this year!

I'm trying very hard to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Some days I want nothing more to be a self-employed crazy artist. Other days I miss academia with every fiber of my being. I'm content in knowing that no decision is a bad decision. None of this is finite: if I don't like where I end up, I can change where I am.

I don't know what the future will bring but I know it will be
bright.

xx

POW

2011-02-17T19:56:00.001-08:00

I just thought I'd show you the size of this beast of a ring. It is ginormous. It is the largest ring I've made to date, and I have to give lots of love to Cate for coming back for more jewelryz AND being super patient with me.

I am working on a new TWO STONE ring right now. It's pretty big. I love pieces with multiple stones, but I feel like I have a little bit of a handicap in picking out stones that go well together. I see others' work and it's as though they effortlessly find stunning combinations.

So, the other night I set out to find 2 stones that wanted to be friends. I pulled out all of my little drawers of stones and pawed through baggie after baggie. Eventually, I settled on an olive green druzy and one of my favorite little ovals of sugilite.

Sugilite. Ohhh sugilite. For a girl that doesn't care for purple, this is one of my favorite stones ever. Why do I always pick the most expensive things to love?

I'm still trying to figure out balance. If I thought I had a difficult task of it last year, this year is impossible. Perhaps as the days grow longer I'll find a bit more motivation. Right now, weekends are my saving grace. I also now have the spring open house to work towards to, and I always work better with a deadline! Etsy takes so much time and energy that I'm finding it difficult to keep up. It's such a wonderful community and I don't plan on leaving it anytime soon, but I'm thinking about branching out to galleries and local places.

Thank you, lovely people, for sticking with me. I'll find my way back eventually.

Overwhelmed.

2011-01-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

Despite carefully portioning out my life into segments: jewelry, barn, work, sleep, reading, cleaning, eating (not necessarily in that order, mind you) I've found myself filled to the brim with anxiety and doubt and discontent.

It's not pleasant, I assure you.

So, I backed off of jewelry for a few weeks. I didn't want to make anything. I focused on other things, other distractions. I stopped reading. My apartment exploded its contents in what seemed like overnight.

All of this over the start of a new job. My brain and emotions went into overload, even though this is just a job.

But I don't think you understand. Maybe not you, specifically, but anyone who thinks I'm dramatizing my life and the difficulty of change and not knowing what I want or where I want to be. My hands need metal and stone and pencils and glue and burlap and the weight of a camera. All of the time.

Not just in my "free" time. Not just when I can fit it in.
All of the time.

I forced myself back into the studio on Thursday, and then yesterday, and then today. I made myself make things. Sometimes that's what you have to do. Small steps.

I can't promise I'll be back to regularly blogging, but I will be here when I can. In the meantime, these are the things I've finished recently:

(Customly made for Cate)
Fordite & sterling

Firefly Ring:

Nesting ring with Mexican fire opal (deep red opal & bright green flash!):

Umba sapphire (PINK!):

Lastly, a poppy jasper necklace that has been on my bench for nearly a year. This necklace just did.not.want. to work for me. But, I finally finished it!

Today is new.

2011-01-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Things have been slow-moving on the jewelry front, and really I'm quite content with it all.

I have 2 rings I need to polish and set stones in, and truthfully they've been ready for this next step for nearly a week. Lazing about is part of winter though, isn't it?
Slowing
down.

One of the rings is quite and odd thing indeed. I'm not so sure about it. I think I've watched too many spaceship movies and such lately. (Ok, really I just watched the entire Firefly season within a few days, following it up with Serenity.)

I am currently reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. It's slowed my reading down considerably (I was being sort of crazy for a bit, there) - not because it's boring or hard to read or anything, it's mostly just the timing of things. I'm not quite 2/3 of the way through and I'm still eyeing it suspiciously. The experience is reminding me a bit of watching Mulholland Drive.

Today I'm officially ordering my snowshoes! I'm quite excited about this. I really kind of like the cold once I acclimate to the winter here (it always takes a bit). Now I can go exploring or at least have something to do while I wait for Cholula to dry off after our rides.

And, the last bit of news is that Cholula has a new friend. I have been looking for someone to half-lease her for some time: I just can't get out to ride 5-6 days/week, and it's important that she stays in full work. I found a girl in high school who has been riding for several years but is new to dressage. They get along great and I think she's really having fun with Cho. AND we have tons of canter progress! I'm really hoping we can make it to some shows this year.

Apologies for the lack of photos. Again, lazing about. I do have these...

Zeus does not appreciate the notion of sharing his human (notice the horse to the left, who is apparently getting too close):
Such a face!

hello, 2011.

2011-01-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

I am back from a much needed internet break.

Reasons for internet break:
Twitter has fallen to the side, again (I really just can't seem to get on board with that).
I haven't had anything to say over here.
I was extra busy with the holidays and a visit from the boyfriend.
I didn't much feel like interneting.

I completed nearly all of my custom orders (though I have one I'm still trying to figure out) and opted to take a break from everything custom and made to order. Sitting down at my bench was becoming a chore: I would make what I needed to make, order-wise, and then I would go do something else.

Until everything that had to be done was done I didn't even want to think about just making things.

As you can guess, by the time I started making things just to make them, I was a little more than stir crazy. I sat down and in one evening began 7 projects.

For some reason, I finished the blues and greens first:

Prairie Bracelet

handmade chain. handmade everything, save for that wee little 3mm bezel cup holding the turquoise.

Salt Water Necklace cultured freshwater pearl (treated to inky black), blue peruvian opal drop
Simply turquoise ring
with rustic metalwork

Atlantis Ring

The first of my Umba sapphires. A watery blue-green oval. Have I mentioned I love these?

They will be in the shop in the next few days!

What I've been working on

2010-12-22T07:21:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before that I am horrible at keeping things to myself. I mean, if you have a deep, dark secret that you need kept hush-hush, you can trust me with it. But when I'm really excited about something I want to tell every single person, even if they don't care.

For example, I've seen several people in the past few weeks announce their moves to new jobs. They kept all of their interviews quiet. They kept the fact that they were looking for another job quiet. It wasn't until they had an official offer that they told anyone at all, and they did it quietly.

And then you have me, who was jumping up and down and telling everyone who came within 5 feet of me "I HAVE AN INTERVIEEEWWWWWW!" approximately 30 seconds after I listened to my voicemail that said "we would like to interview you." I hadn't even set up a time and date yet.

So please know that it was incredibly difficult for me to keep these necklaces secret from their respective owners AND the internet, as their respective owners sometimes read my blog.

Back story: There are 11 siblings in my mom's family. 5 girls. My aunt Martha lives in Norway, and started talking to me last summer about doing sisters necklaces for Christmas.

These are my favorite kind of custom orders. We decided on a general size and shape, and that each would have a birthstone (well, not just A birthstone, but THEIR birthstone. You know). And then I got to take the template I drew up and decide what went inside of each.

Meanwhile, I'd visit my mom, and she'd ask me how all of my custom orders were going. "What do you have left to make?"

"Oh...some necklaces. And earrings and stuff."

I desperately wanted to tell her about how awesome they were because I knew how excited all of the sisters would be that Martha had commissioned these. There were times I wanted to ask "Do you think this aunt would like this? I've never seen what kind of jewelry she wears..." but I just had to keep my mouth shut and wait until our family Christmas on December 19th. Torture.

And THEN to top it off, presents are always passed out at the end. Of course. I carried around the little bag of jewelry boxes off and on all day, because I just wanted them opened NOW. But there wasn't a good opportunity to hand them out until the end, with everyone else.

Onto the photos!

Martha's, in Norway:

The other 4 - I wanted to get a picture without hers so she could see the others and still be surprised about her necklace. And then I forgot to take a picture of all 5! Left to right: turquoise, pearl, chrysoprase, garnet.

The back of each is stamped with my initials as well as "M-sisters 2010"

Announcement

2010-12-21T20:38:00.001-08:00

Well hello there!

I have taken a bit of a backseat in the world of the internet, as I've felt the pressure weighing me down.

Marketing.
Selling.
Listing.

Repeat.

I just want to make things.

SO...I have taken all made to order items out of the shop and I will not be taking any custom orders for a short time (never fear if you already have a custom order with me, it will not be put on hold!). I need to sit at my bench and just make stuff. I was the most ambitious I've been in a long time this evening and started seven new projects. Who knows when they'll all be complete...but I'm so happy to be working with stones again. Yum.

I do want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me this holiday season, and always. It's wonderful to think of all the little gems that I've made with my own two hands, making their way to all different countries and climates and people.

Stay tuned for photos of some new stuff soon!

Sooo....that's my car...

2010-12-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

Poor Beatrice.

And poor me who has to shovel Beatrice out! It's going to be a long day.

Until then, while I wait for the parking lot to be plowed, I think I'll bake some cookies. Isn't that what you do when you're snowed in?

Sometimes you just have to do something drastic.

2010-12-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

Like 7 shades darker,

8 inches shorter,

and bangs.

I am ready to bust out of here.

2010-12-09T05:53:00.000-08:00

Only crazy horse people look at the forcast of "ice pellets" and do a little dance, because that means it's going to be in the 20s today! Which means it's warm enough to ride! Icy roads be damned, I'm getting this in before it drops below zero on Sunday.

Some new:

Custom Nesting ring, with a cab of turquoise that I picked up at the Tucson Gem Show. This ring took forever to complete, and thankfully Rachel is a very patient lady and loves it. I even got to deliver it in person and see the reaction!

ever-changing.

2010-12-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

My life is growing and changing in such a rate that I can barely keep up.

I'm trying to be healthier, meanwhile mourning the truffle cheese in the fridge (and the butter, and the bread, and the sausage, and the wine...). It's really not so bad, but I'm making some much needed changes and trying to stay focused until it's a habit more than anything. I don't completely deprive myself, but who can eat just a single piece of truffle cheese?

I'm going to warm yoga again, which has been so hard but so good. After I mostly want a hug and/or to cry.

I was offered a new job today and will be starting a new path in January. Mixed emotions, but this is a very, very good thing, as I was looking at unemployment in a few months. When you have pony mouths to feed that is not an option!

Jewelry continues to be sparse, and my time is spent on custom orders. It's good, though. It's good to work with my hands.

Cholula continues to challenge me and test my patience. I'm finding I'm better physically equipped to deal with this. A few months ago, it was so difficult for me to keep my legs quiet. Somehow, something has happened and they are so much better. I feel like I have more control over them. Such a seemingly small thing but so difficult to master, this. Now: to work on my core. You try lifting a 1500 pound beast's belly and shoulders with your abs and let me know how it goes.

Here is a newer ring I finally got around to photographing. It's part II of my organic series:

Rough-hewn. Pulled right out of the dirt. And for sale, here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/63802494/organic-ring-in-jade

winter + deal of the week!

2010-12-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Once I begin to acclimate and once I pull all of my essential winter items out from hiding, I actually really enjoy winter. I imagine some ridiculous sort of camaraderie among my fellow drivers with heavy snow falls. It's kind of comical, really. All of these tires spinning for lack of traction, cars fish tailing around, people desperately trying to go places when their cards are ill-equipped...maybe I just think it's entertaining now because I have snow tires and they turn my little honda into something magical.

I also imagine that the giant snow banks that form along the sides of the road would be like bumpers at a bowling alley if my car were to spin and hit them. I know this is not true, but it makes me feel better when I'm driving about.

Tonight is a jewelry making night, as well as getting a pile of packages ready to ship tomorrow!

Oh, and, I'm trying something new that has been on the back of my mind for awhile. Every week I'm going to offer one of my pieces for a special price. At the end of the week, if not sold, it will return to its original price. We'll see how it goes!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28281676/deal-of-the-week-sale-silk-ring

This week's deal is the Silk Ring...botswana agate, simply set on a thick band. Size 7.25.

Priced at $55 til Sunday!

I make stuff. Also, ponies.

2010-11-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling very fired up about making things. Jewelry things. Collagey things. Photo things.

My mom and one of her friends had an art sale of their paintings on Black Friday - oils, watercolors, pastels. It was inspiring to see her doing this. It was inspiring to see what they've done. My mom has only been painting for 8? 9? years, and I am in awe of her work and her dedication.

I was so inspired I pulled out all of my paints and sketched out some canvases. Then I got frustrated because I don't really know what I'm doing and I haven't quite decided what to do about that. I'm in this really folksy kind of mood. I want to make folk paintings and paintings of these weird little lumpy animals and people I've been drawing. I can draw these things and picture how I want the final product to look, but that's where it ends. I'm working on it. I am also really impatient and want immediate results. Dear brain, work with the hands please.

To update on the last post: I'm just extremely burned out on the selling end of things. Making things for these imaginary deadlines I set for myself. Trying to do too many things at once for the opportunity of more sales. Sometimes I really feel like I'm jumping up and down, waving my hands, yelling about my work, but someone hit the mute button.

Und so, I can be frustrated over the lack of time I have until the world ends or I can work with my lack of time.

Art has always been about a need to make things, not sell them. So I'm going to focus on the former and if the latter comes I'll do a little dance.

The world needs more dance parties.

This post has completely veered off course. I was actually going to write about how much I love my pony and when everything else seems pear-shaped she makes sense. Maybe tomorrow.

(cuddling with Steph)

worn through.

2010-11-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

I've known for awhile now that I probably do too much.

I have a "regular" job that takes up 40 hours of my week.
I take care of the barn and horses 12-14 hours per week.
I work on jewelry in all bits of in between, anywhere between 12 and 20+ hours, weekly. That is strictly bench time and does not include photo-taking, editing, description writing, listing, etc.
With winter here, the process of riding/cooling out/drying Cholula takes about 3 hours. I try to ride her at least 3-4 times per week.

Having a cup of tea and just sitting is a luxury I only experience about once per week. I have horrible guilt if I take a nap and "waste" a few hours of my remaining day...nevermind I only sleep 5 or 6 hours a night.

Suffice it to say, I am busy, and busy has been chipping away at me steadily for 3 years.

I am worn out and worn through. Don't get me wrong - I'm not sick of creating things. Conversely, I have more ideas spilling out of me than ever before. I'm trying to get a small portfolio of my photographs put together. I have sketches and pages of ideas for mixed media paintings.

I want a room full of tiny metal spoons hanging from the ceiling.

But, I don't have the time. And while I would love for this to be a grand post about how I am quitting my day job and jumping in feet first, I have bills to pay and horses to feed.

I'm not really sure what this post is about. I just want you to know that I really loathe the business end of things and I feel as though I'm spinning my wheels. I hate marketing. I haven't had anything to say or any photos to share so I've taken a bit of a break from blogging. Not intentionally - but no sense in forcing things that aren't there, right?

Suffice it to say that there is very little balance in my life and I haven't the faintest as to how to remedy that. As of right now, all of this doesn't really mean anything for my customers/etsy shop. However, the idea of continuing to push and try to become a self-employed artist is falling to the wayside.

This is my favorite David Bowie video ever:

And this is my favorite cover of said song. And perhaps my favorite version ever. Also, I was at this performance.

That is all.

10 things that I like right now.

2010-11-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

1. Umba sapphires. Oh, my.

2. Mares. Specifically a big black one named Cholula. I am having one hell of a time with her under saddle right now, but it almost makes me love her more. I appreciate her female sass.

3. Salted caramel everything, but especially ice cream.

4. Visual candy:

(ok, and I rather like the song quite a bit as well. There is a lot of passion there.)

5. What feels like a metric ton of custom orders.

6. ALREADY being more or less on top of my holiday shopping!

7. That winter seems to be holding off/holding back, just for a little longer.

8. The 4:30 hour, when I walk home from work. I like the light then, but mostly I like these birds:

Hundreds of crows filling the skies and lining the tree tops as far as the eye can see. I don't think I've ever seen so many in person - this photo doesn't do the numbers justice. It makes me feel like I live in the coolest Alfred Hitchcock themed neighborhood ever. Except without the violence.

9. My new laptop!

10. My massive scarf collection.

Hammering & Melting

2010-11-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

So, jewelry. Jewelry lately has involved making a hellofalotta earrings. Much to my excitement, this is because a lot of them are selling. After the open house my selection was looking a little slim, so I sat down and made a few more pairs for the home show I did on Saturday. I threw in a ring (I can't resist, I love them too much!) and a few necklaces as well.

So, here they are! The remaining necklace will eventually make its way over to the shop.

one:

rustic poppy necklace (yeah, I've made this before, it's true):

with rustic poppy earrings:

My mother purchased both of these things. She also has a rustic poppy ring with a carnelian in the center. She's quite pleased with her set!

I wasn't done melting/almost melting (reticulation!) stuff after these were made, but I didn't want to remake another item. I wanted to go into something with no expectations of how it would turn out. I wanted it crinkled and worn and as organic as I could make something. I have a feeling I'm not done here, but this is what I made:

Organic

(that was the only photo I managed to capture where the citrine was showing off it's golden hue.)

And then we moved onto these earrings. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing a game called "how many variations of these can we make?" I have a feeling I'm no where near finished with said game.

Windows:

And then I played a slightly different version of said game, but this time in a lulas/sticks kind of way:

Sticks & Stones

Sticks:

Lastly, we have the sole remainder of the bunch.

I've been dreaming up all sorts of things. Charm necklaces and I go way back. I wish I still had my first one, because it was fantastic.

I'm constructing these in such a way that you can add/remove charms at your will, and I hope to offer charms separately and options to build your own necklace from scratch. The chains are made a bit differently so the charms can fit over the jump ring at the end. I'm really happy with how this turned out, and that each charm is entirely handmade.

I need to retake these photos, as my light wasn't great at the time of my attempts. Daylight savings time is throwing one hell of a wrench in photographing my work and it seems it's time to reserve that process for weekends only, when I have spots of time in the middle of the day.

Some thoughts.

2010-11-08T08:35:00.001-08:00

1. I have an interview! I have an interview!

2. I am really bad at keeping exciting things to myself. When I find a really good present for someone it takes all of my willpower to not tell them what I got them and how exciting it is.

3. I loathe daylight savings time. Extra hour of sleep? Oh, don't mind if I wake up at 7:30 (formerly known as 6:30) on Sunday morning. Stupid.

4. I would LOVE to spend this wonderfully beautiful and nice day galloping beastmare around the fields, but because of #3 it will likely be too dark to do that by the time I get off of work.

5. GIDDY OVER INTERVIEW.

6. Really excited about applying to some galleries and boutiques to show my work!

7. OMG! I have a bunch of photos to show you of all of my new stuff. Well, all of it sold on Saturday save for one necklace. This means a TWO POST blog day. Whew. I better save my energy.

8. Is silver going to keep going up? Should I just place my order now? :(

Custom.

2010-11-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is a custom order I finished for my coworker - she wanted a stamped pendant with the names of her grandchildren stamped on it. I was going to do a layered stampy deal with one name on each, but then her 4th was born and I thought it would get too bulky!

This worked out quite nicely, and the stone is such that it'll go with everything. I oxidized first, sanded most of it off, (I just wanted it to highlight the names, mostly), and tumbled it til it shined.

She loves it! Yay!

Last day for the birthday sale!

2010-11-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello.

Just a quick little reminder that today is your last day to take advantage of my birthday sale! I thought I'd throw in free shipping today as well :)

20% off everything! This includes 20% off already marked down prices AND made to order items. Hot damn.

PS. Girls always need more earrings. It's a fact in the book of life facts. For serious.

Custom crazy.

2010-11-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

I finished up a custom order last night, which I will share pictures of later.

I have so many more. I finally wrote down my list because things were getting forgotten and then this little panic would settle in my brain going "you have something to maaaake...yes you doooo."

The total right now is something like 5 earrings, 4 rings, and 7 necklaces. Something like that. Many of those are for Christmas, so it's not a huge rush and I have plenty of time. But...I hate having a list staring back at me, so I'm on mission finish custom orders. I'll feel guilty working on anything else until they are complete!

In other news, I just discovered some of my photos may not actually be gone with the dead hard drive. YAY. YAYAYAYAY. YEAH.

In other other news, I'm eagerly anticipating this necklace's arrival:

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/36834454

It was my birthday/day of the dead present to myself. LOVE.

BIRTHDAY SALE. STAT.

2010-11-02T07:16:00.001-07:00

1. It's my birthday!

2. I'm 26!

3. It is taking everything in my willpower to forge ahead. Yesterday was a mess of horrible things including a fried hard drive and lost photos and hours of work and everyone shaking their heads, telling me "you should've put it on the shared drive..." followed by lots of crying and stomping around and overall discontent.

I was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Through and through.

HOWEVER. Today, I'm not even going to think about everything that could potentially be lost forever and how I can't seem to find a single soul to assist me in data recovery. Because it's my goddamn birthday and I'm going to have an amazing day.

And to celebrate my birthday I'm hosting a really big sale in the etsy shop! This includes everything listed in there - even made to order items!

ALL OF IT IS 20% OFF.

For serious. Make your purchase as usual and I will refund 20% to your paypal account! Otherwise, contact me first and I'll adjust the listing for you.

Sale runs through this Friday, 11/5!

love to you.

These are not jewelry.

2010-10-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

One:
I CAN'T NOT SHARE THIS WITH YOU.

I heard it for the first time last night and I just laughed and then I saw the video and it couldn't have been more perfect.

Two:
If you dress up like your (least?) favorite most awful processed/fast food for halloween and go to Chipotle, you can get a $2 burrito! Hot damn! It's part of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, which is pretty awesome.

Three:
This is a face I make a lot of the time.

I was sifting through photos on my computer last night for A LITTLE WONDER, and I came across this. Joe took it. We were on a frozen lake covered in art shanties. You can read more about that here: http://www.artshantyprojects.org/

And I suggest you do, because it's pretty cool. I love Minnesota.

Four:

This is a jewelry-free post because TRUE STORY, I worked on nothing last night.

I am working on some things.

2010-10-27T07:56:00.001-07:00

Some new things, like getting some of my photographs together to put here. (I've only had it for 2 years...)

Some jewelry things, like a pile of custom pieces. And some earrings. And charmy things. And I have another home show in 1.5 weeks? Oh!

Some pony things. Cholula is such a rock star. I love her. Last night we rode in the LOUD arena, with winds whipping around outside up to 60mph. The canvas was flapping, the metal bars were creaking, but Cho settled into work like it was any other day. Because she is awesome.

I need to order silver and I should probably just do it but I'm being really optimistic/hopeful that silver prices will go down. Even though they probably won't. $23+ per ounce, sir. No thank you.

It's taking ever fiber of my being to not buy everything. I am in shopping mode, and some people make some really fantastic things.

Like this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56788253/margarette-knew-the-day-would

And these:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60067555/three-little-terrariums

AND THIS.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59499208/sale-25-percent-off-the-patience

Back to normal.

2010-10-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

I mentioned my weekend was a whirlwind of wonderful. And it was. Some rings I was surprised to see stick around for so long found fingers - happy! And we capped it all off with a lovely dinner and (more) lovely wine.

The world would be a better place with more wine + jewelry parties. For sure.

I added a handful of my made to order items to my etsy shop for the holiday season. Stacking rings like these:

Earrings like these:

And of course, horse halter tags and horseshoe necklaces. Because ponies and girls that love them need presents too.

This afternoon I'm going to take a NAP and then head to the barn to ride ponykins. I haven't ridden in a week and have only seen her a few times in the dark while feeding. I miss her.

hello, it is Saturday.

2010-10-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe day 2 of 3 of the open house is already over. My lungs are rejoicing (asthma triggered by allergies in a house with multiple cats - which is one of my worst triggers), the rest of me is not.

It's such a wonderfully different thing to sell in person after months of only interacting with people online. I get to see their reactions. I get to tell them how I made something. I get to see people pick something up and watch their faces and put it in their basket. Things I made!

Not to mention being surrounded by such great people. There is a woman who makes beautiful pottery. And another who makes lovely scarves and collages. A gentleman that brings his southwestern flair and endless stories. And another woman, new this year, who makes deliciously rustic copper and silver pieces. And then, of course, the hosts - making piles of gemmy earrings and necklaces, 22k and 24k chains, and SO much more.

Everything about the open house weekends is a treat and I wish they could happen every month.

I finished these 2 earrings shortly before I went over to set up yesterday:

A little different take on my lulas. Next time I do them this way I think they need to be made with a thicker gauge of silver...these are featherweights. I rather like them, though. And I like the texture.

Shaboom earrings:
I started these over a year ago! They kept getting pushed back. Originally they were going to have metal spoony things hanging from them, but I tried it and didn't like how any of the variations looked. Then I tried wire wrapping some stones and I thought that would work, so I ordered these lovely garnets. Autumn-y earrings! Swingy earrings! I really love them. Little fall jellyfish for your ears. They sold almost immediately...so I may have to make another pair or 2.

That is all over here...the etsy shop will be a bit bare upon it's reopening, but that's just fine. I will manage. I will make some more. You know.

3 necklaces. (preview)

2010-10-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

I finished these up on Tuesday.

Leftmost: Carnie carnelian necklace. Wait til you see the back! (As usual, my camera picked up more red in the carnelian. It's definitely red-ORANGE.)
Center: Submarine OJ necklace in autumnal hues...this one I made for you! The first one I ended up keeping...I am wearing it right now, actually.
Rightmost: A glowing drop of prehnite. I pierced the little seed pod motif (as seen on the pod necklaces & a few other things) on the back.

Apparently I'll be posting photos later to show the backs of all of these...they all have their own little details!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go remove the insides of my ears. They have been itching for the past hour and I don't think I can take it much longer. (If anyone has an allergy medicine that actually works, do tell. I'm fairly sure I've tried them all, but perhaps there is a magic drug out there that I'm missing...)

The Claudias.

2010-10-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

I'm back!

2010-10-18T08:32:00.001-07:00

I have reopened the etsy shop til Friday, when it will close again until Sunday evening. I can't believe the fall open house is already here! I also can't believe I'm so prepared for it!

Yesterday I jumped into the studio to finish up various pieces sitting on my bench. The poppy jasper necklace that I hadn't touched for 6 months? Well, I decided to finish it.

Head.ache.

This piece makes me feel as though I shouldn't make jewelry. And I don't know how to solder. And that I need a bigger torch (this is a sure thing, I would really like to upgrade to acetylene/oxygen, as scary as that is!).

I think I made the whole thing work, but I'm not holding my breath. I guess we'll see after I put it in the polisher to give it a thorough cleaning. Solder fails always show up better then.

In other news, I'm quite pleased with everything else to be finished. A dear little prehnite necklace (it's pretty dear. Seriously.), a small carnelian necklace with an old/new design, and a submarine necklace for the shop instead of me, since I kept the first one. A handful of earrings and then it's on to price tags and earring cards and I'll be set to sell!

Recap of my trip to see my favorite boyfriend:
-Young's double chocolate stout ice cream floats (!)
-lots of fried things at the TX state fair, including cookie dough, oreos, and pickles.
-minor panic attack on the ferris wheel at the TX state fair.
-lots of sleeping.
-lots of television show marathons.
-my favorite cupcakes ever!
-lots of being completely lazy
-a little plant browsing

And then I came back to one of the neediest cats in the universe. I woke up in the middle of the night and she had positioned herself next to me/on my arm in such a manner that it was as though I was holding my very own live stuffed animal. Pathetic.

Oh, and...

There will be a give away on facebook before the end of the week!

Goooooood moooorning!

2010-10-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

This redeemed my awful shower this morning (the water switched every 60 seconds or so from scalding hot to ice cold and so on and so forth) and we're back to being off to a fabulous start to the day.

I hope you love it TOO.

Made to fit YOU.

2010-10-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'm giving something new a try. I've seen a few others on etsy doing this, and it makes sense. I mean, I can hope that someone falls in love with my jewelry. I can then further hope that it fits their fingers.

OR

I can just make it their size to begin with.

For all of you new to the jewelry game: Once a stone is set, it's done. I have no resizing equipment (and even then, I'd only be able to stretch a ring up a size or so). I also don't particularly like the idea of resizing things, as metal only has so much malleability. So, unless I took the ring apart, potentially rendering it to a point of no return, it can't be soldered after the stone is set. Stones will crack, children will cry, and all in all it's very devastating.

I picked these 2 designs because they are full of quirk and I want to give them the best chance they can have.

One:
This boulder opal reminds me so much of the Big Island. Much of it is made up of neutral lava rock, yet it's surrounded by the deep blue of the Pacific and hosts lush greenery and gorgeous fresh water pools with waterfalls spilling into them. The stone is largely made up of brown ironstone, with streams of watery blue and clear opal running throughout.

The setting is embellished with pieces of silver that remind me of one of my favorite things in the whole world: snorkeling. There is nothing like floating in the water for hours, watching all of the fish and underwater plant life interact.

Two:
A lovely slab of imperial jasper in shades of mauve and grey and cream. Two stacks of hammered dots of silver (I melted silver into balls and hammered them flat - these are thick and rich!), 3 silver balls attached to the bezel.

I would be happy to make either of these into a ring in your size or a pendant, depending on your preference!

Please contact me here, by email, or on etsy if you're interested. I am closing shop tomorrow for my 10 day vacation, but they will be there when I return - I'm not bringing them to the open house on the 22nd!

it is time.

2010-10-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Every once and awhile I decide it's time to learn a new technique. I'm always learning new things, I'm always improving on what I do know, but to take on a completely new technique? That takes a certain amount of sass that only comes around once in a great while.

I have a long list of techniques I want to learn...someday. A lot of things prevent me from learning them now: time, money, lack of equipment, etc. But every once and awhile, seemingly out of no where, I decide to take one of them on. "I'm doing this now." I buy what I think I'll need and I do it.

"I'm doing this now" hit me 2 weeks ago. With a supply order I generally add things into my cart over the course of a few days, checking all of my silver stock, tools, stones, etc, to be sure I don't need anything else. I'd been messing with my cart for a few days and realized I could really just go ahead and make the purchase.

However, for reasons unknown, I decided to take a quick look at the faceted stones. I had no plans for faceted stones. But as I looked through them I said "Ok, let's learn tube setting." and I started putting stones in my cart.

I looked up a quick article to make sure I got the right bits and size of tubing and a half hour later I had rearranged my cart again to accomodate the new items.

Now: I know the very basics of what is essentially bezel-setting faceted stones. By "I know" I mean someone told me sometime/I maybe saw a video/I read it in a book. "I know" you have to carve out a little seat in the tubing (or, if actually making a bezel - which I suppose you could do if you were really masochistic and have the hands of a tiny child - make a seat out of wire inside the bezel). "I know" that it's a very precise and delicate process but once you get the hang of it shouldn't be that difficult. I may have made that last part up. I just don't think it should be, given the basic steps.

But for some reason, I thought 3mm would be an excellent size to learn with. Just in case you're not familiar with the metric system, that's really tiny. Also, for reference, my warm stacking rings are 3mm stones.

Hello, my name is Jessi and I'm not feeling very optimistic about turning that foot of sterling tubing into tiny tiny settings for tiny tiny stones.

I'm fully expecting a lot of profanity, yelling, possibly crying, and eventually saying "f it" the first time around and setting the damn thing upside down in a normal bezel and making a tiny ring in which to stab people with.

And hopefully by the time I go through all of the garnets ( there are 6) I can decently set the citrine and iolite. And still have tubing left.

Hopefully!

two.

2010-10-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

I'm in machine mode. This means making lists and getting overly excited when I get to cross something off as complete. Last week, as evidenced by my blog posts, I went earring crazy. I have a handful of designs I make over and over because people like them. Especially open house people. When I realized how soon the open house was coming up and that I had very few pairs of earrings for said open house, I went to remedy that asap. We are now up to a happy number of earrings, but I still have 3 pairs to finish and 2 to start. !

I am secretly hoping that at least one pair of poppy posts does not sell. So I can keep them. They really don't take much time to make and I could just sit down and DO it one of these days...but it is so hard to make things for myself. Too little time!

Here are 2 of the many pairs that are complete, though not yet in the shop:

Petal Posts

These were born of my incredible ADD and hyperactive studio time. I kept going back to the general concept, and oval oval oval, in between "and then solder and then file this and then wire wrap that and then oxidize these and then set that and then and then and then....!" My hands couldn't keep up with my brain.

And then at one point when I was trying to accomplish something else, I looked down at my table and saw an old template stuck to the top of it that was the exact size and perfectly imperfect shape for the idea. So I dropped whatever it was I was doing and cut these out. Good story.

Bow Earrings

A bit of a variation on some earrings I made in the past (you know, the coral and peridot similar to this. you know.). I bought some larger gauged beaded wire semi-recently, as the small stuff was making me mad. Crazy mad AND angry mad. It breaks everytime I pick it up and try and do something with it. I deem it mostly useless.

But not this beaded wire! This stuff behaved. And that was good. I've had those little vintage glass beads for like 2 years and I'm glad they turned into something more fun than their originally intended purpose, which was the most boring earrings ever. I've grown.

The ear wires are pretty long on these puppies, but I can't remember how long they hang down. Longer than your average pair of earrings. Whatever that means.

That is that! Soon-like I will tell you about my latest endeavor, which involves me employing small children with amazingly developed manual dexterity in order to set tiny, tiny faceted stones. Just kidding. We have child labor laws in this country.

But I did buy some tiny, tiny faceted stones and a foot of tubing and somehow the stones are supposed to go in the tubing. In the tubing. Right. If you saw the lack of tools and how I actually do things you would laugh at how hopelessly optimistic (read: stupid) I am being in thinking I can make this work. Seriously. I have 2 pairs of pliers and one is the cheapest pair of round-nose you've ever seen and the other pair aren't even jewelry pliers. And that's it. You'd be amazed at how many uses I've found for my vice! Desperation breeds creativity? I don't know. We'll discuss another day.

Off to the post office and to find some lunch!

a handful.

2010-10-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

I made some things, you know.

And then I photo'd them and even managed to put some in my shop.

I've decided that I will be closing the shop while I'm on vacation. Because it's vacation. I've also taken out anything that's made to order, because I have other things to worry about this week, like getting my apartment and clothes clean before I leave.

Sorry to be so business-like...it's not much of a writing day for me today. Maybe after I have my coffee and don't feel like walking zombie. I hate you, Monday.

Onto pretty things!

Lunar Earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57921042/lunar-earrings?ref=v1_other_1

I will be honest with you: I like these earrings. But I like them significantly more because I've associated them with Major Tom and anything remotely associated with David Bowie, even if it's my own doing, makes me a little giddy.

Rawhide Ring (part II)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57918835/rawhide-ring?ref=v1_other_2

I know I've probably mentioned this a few times before, but I really love Owyhee Jasper. In every form and pattern and color. I also feel like I'm a grown-up jeweler because it's like I made a little series.

Deery Me earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57919515/deery-me-earrings?ref=v1_other_1

I started these with the intention of having them at the art fair. You know, the one in July. Sometimes it takes me a long time to pick something back up again.

That concludes today's blogging fun!

new. announcements. WEG!!!

2010-10-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

This week I have been cheering on the grand prix riders doing their thing down in Kentucky at the World Equestrian Games. I so badly wish I could be there to watch - it's so close! - but I have faith that at some other point in my life it will be in the US and I can attend then.

Dressage is truly the closest I get to understanding those who care about sports at all. I think American football is boring, the most unathletic sport ever, and did I mention boring? I don't understand when people are personally invested in *THEIR* team winning and how it can make or break their day.

I care about dressage because it is my sport. And really, it is so much more than that. It is about harmony, athleticism, and partnership between horse and rider. Sure - I want the US to bring home medals. I am thrilled for Steffen Peters getting his bronze. But, I'm just as excited to see a great US ride as I am to see a great ride from any other country. This ride, for example, still gives me goosebumps everytime I watch:

I love how expressive she was - you can tell she loves her job.

Anyway, onto some jewelry things!

This weekend I have 5 new earrings, 2 new finished rings, and 2 new *you pick the size* rings to show you/list! Exciting! I will be finishing up photographing them this afternoon, and some will be listed tonight with the rest tomorrow. I'm prepared this time: all descriptions are written!

Shop closure announcements:
October 8th-17th I will be in Texas.
October 22nd-24th I will be participating in the fall open house I do every year. Everything not sold will be listed on etsy when I recover from the weekend!

I haven't actually decided if I will completely close up shop when I'm in Texas or not. I want to give these you pick the size rings a chance, but I also want to bring them to the open house, finished, if they don't sell.

Picking myself up.

2010-09-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

They can't all be good rides: I have to remind myself of this.

Last night wasn't terrible, but it certainly wasn't good, either. I feel as though our progress towards the canter has taken a huge leap backwards. It's discouraging. But, we'll take today off. A break for a big black beastie and a break for the human's thighs. (Truth be told, I rode them to their limit, last night. I wondered if this was the muscle failure my brother has been talking about.) (Just kidding, I don't really think that trying to get my horse to canter is anywhere near the kind of physical training my brother has been doing in the Army.)

I have to remember that this is a process, for both of us. And that although it's frustrating training a baby (ok, she's not a baby anymore, she's 8) I'd probably be bored with a made horse.

But sometimes the want for a horse that just CANTERS overpowers all of that other crap.

But, enough about that. Tonight I'm going to polish the growing pile of earrings (that stopped growing when I ran out of 20g wire for the ear wires...more on the way!) and work on an order for these:

I love these rings so much that they are on my list of things to make for myself. They started the stacking pair thing for me -- now I'm always on the lookout for little stones that are interesting together.

I have 5 pairs of earrings left to start and/or finish after these and my goal is to have all of them done by this weekend. And then...onto the necklaces. Time is running out quickly!

I have also added this ring to the SALE section:

in which I ramble about earrings a lot.

2010-09-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

I have earrings spilling out of every pore. In an attempt to cut down my list of what to make for the open house, I instead ended up adding a few pairs to bunch. Fail.

I've had a really hard time focusing and getting things done, because I'm overwhelmed with the possibilities. There are so many variations on designs I've done, so many new designs I want to try, and then every new design has a million and three new places I could further explore it.

It's a bit of a problem, and I generally end up standing, sitting, standing, sitting, walking over to the notebook, sitting, flipping through designs, standing, sitting, and overall spending a lot of time combating this little ADD affliction I seem to have. Also, throw in some really bad dancing to the really bad music on the radio (must. bring. CDs. to studio.)

But, I seem to have done a fair enough job, as here is the pile of earrings I have ready to take a bath in liver of sulfur (well, some of them anyway) and then happily tumble around with each other and some steel shot:

I really tried very hard to keep only the earrings in frame because you'd be very horrified to see my bench. All of those little pieces of paper everywhere are my various templates that I use and then stick all over the bench. It is ridiculous and I don't know why I do this. The copper was a failed halter tag (I didn't stamp the B properly). Above the copper are stones for a few pieces in progress. And the big black cord is baby torch, aka favorite torch. It's my favorite until I get really frustrated in it's lack of heating capabilities, anyway. Then I remember that I have a larger torch and I should probably just suck it up and turn it on. I'm very lazy. And I am scared of larger torch.

Anyway, I think I have 11 pairs ready for their polish, then will come finishing and stone setting and wire wrapping and such.

I also started working on a pair of earrings with stones, because I seem to be on a metal only kick. The stones of choice are these lovely, BRIGHT BLINDING BLUE apatite cabochons I picked up at the Tucson gem show.

I knew they were going to be tricky. I knew they were brittle. I knew apatite liked to fracture. Dear apatite, move up on the mohs scale, you're brittle and stupid, and if you have to come in such pretty colors you should probably be a little more resilient to the world. I am just sayin.

Anyway, I broke one. Actually, I didn't. I looked at it and it looked like it had a fracture line. I couldn't have possibly caused this because I JUST PICKED IT UP. And I was like "huh I wonder if that's a fracture line" so I tried to snap it with my hands and it broke in 2 pieces, like this:

Stupid apatite.

And if you're thinking "stupid girl, why did you try to snap it in half?" Well, if it was already fractured it would have happened at some point, and better in my hand than in the customer's. I guess I'll grind it up and save it for the day when I do resin pieces again.

Anyway, thankfully I had 2 more. I thought I had more than that, though, and so no more are allowed to break in the making of these earrings. The last one has been reserved for a necklace I'm making someday. Ok? If I break another one I'm hunting down some other 8x10 stones and letting the apatite rest in sweet peace and never buying it again. (but it's so bluuuue...)

My deepest apologies for the picture quality. I left my camera at home today because I forget things a lot and I used my cell phone to take these. Also, my hands really aren't that red.

She's so cute.

2010-09-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Cholula Mae and I had a fantastic ride today. Have I mentioned I love my horse?

a few notes for you. and me.

2010-09-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

NEWS:

I have revived the facebook fan page! I'm planning on doing some special offers exclusively through the fan page in the very near future, and move most of my jewelry updates from my personal facebook page to the fan page. Previews of new jewelry will also land there first. Click over to the right to become a fan! Providing it finally works, anyway. Facebook blogger thing and I had a lot of words yesterday.

Status of new work: Due to rains of tropical storm proportions, I've been unable to take photos of anything else. Hopefully this afternoon will cooperate with me!

What I'm working on now: EARRINGS!! The fall open house is VERY quickly approaching, and with a 10-day trip to Texas the week before I have very limited time to get things made! Earrings are always my best seller - what girl can't justify another pair? (I come home with at least 1 new pair every open house. It's a sickness).

I have approximately 14 more pairs to make, but since a lot of them are my "regular" designs it should be smooth sailing. I desperately hope it is, anyway. 14 of anything is a huge number to me.

And then I need to move onto the necklaces. !!

And, as much as I would love to make more rings right now, I'm holding off until after the open house.

BUT. There may be a bracelet in the works. A CUFF, PEOPLE. I've been holding off on making cuffs because I'm worried that it's too much for even my "big" torch. I'm taking a slightly simpler/smaller approach than my most favorite collage cuffs, and hopefully it'll go awesomely and I can be more relaxed about trying a collage cuff.

I actually don't know why I think that this will be easier to heat up because it's a super thick piece of metal.

But it'll be fine. I will make it work.

I want a bigger big torch.

What I am listening to right now: Tool - Aenima. The whole album. I think if you made me choose my favorite, I might choose this one. It'd be really, really hard though.

I'm cleansing my poor ears today. I've been making myself miserable in the studio with the radio. I can't figure out how to change it from the top 4o station and if I have to hear Katy Perry's voice one more time I'm going to curl up into fetal position and cry. Or Mike Posner? "Cooler than me" ?? If there was ever a song that made me violent, this would be the one. "if I could write you a song and make you fall in love..." Honey, if this is an example of your song writing skills, no one is going to fall in love with you. Ever. Just pleast stop writing music.

I feel better already.

Off to be productive!

New!

2010-09-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

I love this ring. I love this stone.
Love, love, lots of love.

I want to keep it...but it's a bit too big. I don't think I'm ready to put it up in the shop quite yet, though.

Dauphine:

Why are you too big for me?

And this one. MORE LOVE. I love the things I'm making, it's true. This one is way too big for me, which is good, because I might try and keep it too.

Dandelion:

Do you see this ring shank? It's like a fancy little pedestal.

Seeing the woods bloom and the fields growing lush and green from horseback. Noticing oddly shaped coccoons in the tree tops and spreading dandelion seeds like wildfire with steady hoof beats.

10 things I like right now.

2010-09-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

1. dark chocolate with sea salt
2. fall evening light
3. dark roast coffee with half and half and a bit of raw sugar
4. to-do lists
5. mustard (the color)
6. leather
7. cho's super soft nose
8. improving designs
9. the tiny necklace that i am wearing and would like to keep but will list in my shop anyway
10. this song:

Self portraits in earrings

2010-09-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

I've taken a lot of pictures of my ears in the past year and 1/2.

Hello, Friday.

2010-09-17T07:38:00.001-07:00

I find it really interesting how different my work patterns are, month to month. If I'm overwhelmed in any area of my life, I tend to back off of everything. I'm riding less. Hammering less. Being overall less productive in everything I do.

It's not all bad, though. Sunday was an unusually warm and sunny patch thrown into our grey and wet fall weather, so I took advantage. Zeus got his last bath of the season, as well as the less pleasant task of sheath cleaning.

Yeah, I said it.
Yeah, it needs to be done. Gloves are your friend. As is a sense of humor.

Afterwards, I generously fly sprayed him and grabbed my book out of my car. He grazed next to me (not like the porky thing needs more grass) while I read, and occasionally looked up to move his lead rope away from his hooves.

And my last 2 rides on Cholula? Absolutely fantastic. Really. We go through phases where we'll hit a rough spot that is unbelievably frustrating, and then all of a sudden there is a break through and I have the best rides in the history of time. Or in the history of riding her. Whichever.

Our major break through has been on the shoulder in. She gets it! I get it! My hip is...not quite there yet but it's working on it! At least I hope it is. And leg yield. We've actually had a solid, correct leg yield! I understand that these terms are probably flying around most everyone's ears in another language, but just trust me in that these are huge for Cho and I. Every ride in the past 2 weeks? I have cantered. Most of those rides I've gone for it in both directions, but if I'm not feeling that punchy or sassy we just work on the left lead because it is her easy lead and I like feeling accomplished.

Remember how I said my big Sunday goal was to get those pieces listed? Well, clearly that did not happen. From now on I'm just going to keep my mouth shut until I have descriptions written, since that's what so frequently holds me back. I will say this: I wrote them all out AND have all of the photos taken. But that's all I'm sayin until it's done.

Next up: 1 all-metal ring, 1 rawhide ring, 1 kind of weird ring (the words, they elude me), 1 elegant ring. All pretty large. In surface area, not ring size. Although some will probably be larger ring sizes since I'm constantly made to feel like a fat finger hater since people are under the mistaken impression that I only make small sizes. One of my fingers is a 9 too, guys.

Oh, and necklaces? Um, maybe next week. I really want to make cuff bracelets again, but I really need a bracelet mandrel. And I would really like both an oval and a round one, but I suppose first thing is first.

And just to make this post more random: Cholula as a wee thing. Wasn't she so ugly she was cute? God, I just think she's one of the ugliest little horses ever in this photo. Sorry, Cho. You grew out of it pretty well.

Photo taken by Susan DeBoer

Quickly, quickly.

2010-09-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

My goal for tomorrow is to list all of the misfit pieces that haven't made it to the shop yet...mostly out of pure laziness.

Well, maybe not lazy. Working 3 jobs, the stress of impending unemployment (among other things), leave me struggling for words. Descriptions are really the hardest part of all of this for me. These pieces deserve more than just
"sterling, stone, 18" chain, handmade clasp."

You know?

But I get stuck, frequently. I want to do them justice, but I also want to stay true to myself. I don't want to sound contrived.

I'm heading over to the studio to run my fingers through my stones and figure out what's next. I've been in this rather odd spot where I don't really have a running list of things to make. I don't think I've ever come across this problem before. Last weekend I sat down, sketched a few things, and made them. Now I'm back to that point.

Here are the week's rings:

3 moons

Bohemian (I believe this one is spoken for):

These were made a little differently than usual, in that I took things that I sketch frequently, (and often absent-mindedly) and figured out how I would make those sketches into something tangible. I didn't sit down with a stone or with the idea in mind that what I was drawing would be a ring. I think it opened up more possibilities...there are more things I'd like to explore in this little paper to metal experiment.

I think the 3 moons ring kind of looks like a fat little bird.

Off I go!

Can you believe he's 25?

2010-09-07T07:03:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, I was going around to all of the fields and feeding the horses that live outside. This involves a lot of rubber tubs, stacked in an order I can remember, so each horse gets their correct grain and supplements.

After Zeus finished his breakfast, he ambled over to the other side of the field where I was checking their water, looking at me hopefully.

I'm fairly sure he thought I was opening the gate to the other side of the field. However, he made a noise that can only be described as a grunt. I decided the next best thing to running to the other side was running around where he was, so I sent him off. He flipped his head, ears perked, and ran to the other side, where he stood waiting for me to do it again.

He was playing. And it was cute.

Since I was technically working, a full-blown session of fun could not carry out, but I made sure to return later with my camera.

He is handsome AND fat.

let them grow...

2010-09-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time I sent you here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6HjT4SQKJI&ob=av2e

Some day after that, I was listening to the song and on a whim looked up the lyrics.

And I will tell you that the timing was one of those things. You know. I was open to really listen at this moment. In this mess of change and uncertainty and trying to figure things out all over again, I clung to every word and phrase.

And this is kind of how it's always been with me and music. I can listen to a song a hundred times, and when 101 comes around something clicks that didn't before.

So, over the next few days, while I was chewing it all over and feeling very light because of my new found life inspiration, I thought this needed to be made into a more tangible form.

Sometimes things just need to be touched.

As a sidenote, I used to feel like this a lot. Invincible. Like I could take on the world and do anything. I'm not going to go into the cliches of my sense of wonder and hopefulness and big dreams moving aside to making way for adulthood and growing up, because I refuse to go there.

I like to know that I can still feel this way. And that everything is temporary, like this feeling of being stuck and stagnant. The man hasn't gotten me down yet.

Besides, I say "goddamnit" among other things way too much to be an upstanding member of society.

I just wanted to give you a little background to where this necklace came from.

sterling, aquamarine, labradorite, rutilated quartz, cotton

tie strings to cloudsmake your own lake - let it flow

throw seeds to sprout

make your own break - let them grow

go do, you'll know how to

just let yourself, give into flood tide

-jonsi

Anyway, this is where I am with my work right now. I have piles upon piles of paper, folded into quadrants, covered in scribbled words and sketched metal. I'm hoping to make more in this series. This one will be in the shop soon -- I just need to hold onto it for a few days!

from sky to ground

2010-08-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

A little bit:

Buttercup

(these photos are fairly awful, better ones tomorrow!)

And, a custom twiggy ring, with Mexican fire opal:

I think this is probably my favorite twiggy ring of the ones I've made. I'm always doubtful of them about halfway through, but they always come together. This one feels pretty fantastic on, too.

I finished my first necklace in this series I've been working on, which is very different and wonderful and I'm SO so so happy with it. Photos when the sun comes back up!

Oh, and hello again.

checking in.

2010-08-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

dearest blog-land,

I am still alive.

I'm working on some stuff, like how not to be unemployed in 2 months. (well hello, stress.)

And also some jewelry items. I don't know if you'll like them. They are kind of weird. But, it's what I feel like making right now so that is that.

It was too hot to ride last week, so other than running out everyday to give Zeus and Cho showers, I haven't done much.

And now I return to obsessing over my CV and researching grant writing. Putting my art degree to good use? Perhaps.

things I have been up to.

2010-08-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

Let's see:

- thinking about how much I really need to clean my apartment

- thinking about how much I really need to buy a dehumidifier for my apartment (words of advice: don't ever rent a below ground apartment. They are depressing.)

- not riding my horse

- impatiently checking one of my suppliers several times per day to see if they have the chain I need to order in stock yet. It's holding up my entire silver order, and as I'm out of sheet, this is problematic.

- ruminating and obsessing over how to actually turn jewelry into my work. my all the time work and not just whenever I can work.

- helping my mom move into her new house in MINNEAPOLIS (!!!) - so excited to have her closer.

- learning more and more pieces of Minneapolis and adding it to my mental driving log. I'm getting there.

- loving Minneapolis a lot. Saturday marked the first time ever I drove myself through my old neighborhood. It was a little surreal, as my younger self remembered everything being larger, as I suppose younger selves often do. It's just all really beautiful around there with the giant parks and all of the trees and water and I wish you could see it like I see it. Or see it at all.

- building and sketching up a new series full of risk and hope. If I do this right they could be hung on the wall in a shadow box or around your neck. Hmm, hmm.

- Napping a lot? Yeah.

Listening to this song:

If you've noticed that there isn't a whole lot of DOING on this list, you'd be right. I like to tell myself that I'm recharging after something big like the art fair, but really I think I might just be lazy. I do that sometimes.

My booth.

2010-08-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

I more or less failed at getting photos of the booth. I took a couple right after finishing set up, and then my mind was elsewhere. While visually/aesthetically this was my favorite setup for both tables, I ended up switching things around on the 2nd day. I didn't think people were really walking to the back table to look at my little green shelf of rings, so that was moved up front.

My booth partner makes some pretty awesome leather jewelry, and you can find her here:

Art Leather

Her tables mirrored mine in positioning. She was really fun to spend the weekend with, and for being completely randomly paired together I think our different styles and materials really complimented one another! As another little interesting tidbit, we graduated from the same undergrad, 4 years apart. She ended up bringing all of the tables and chairs and I brought the tent, which worked out very nicely for us both owning little honda civics!

Anyway, onto the photos!

My half of the booth:

The front table:
The back table: (I really love the composition of all of this)
One of my favorite elements:
Shelf o' rings:

Even though this wasn't perhaps my most successful endeavor in sales, it was a lot of fun. The atmosphere, the local music going all day long (which I can honestly say that 95% I actively enjoyed), the awesome food (a tamale stand and a juice bar/Jamaican/African (Ghana) stand. All local and a ton of it was organic to boot!), and the people. Everyone else showing was friendly and enjoyable to talk to. It was really laid back and casual and just a nice way to connect with other artists as well as all of the people who came to browse and listen to music and whatnot.

And, perhaps just as importantly, I learned that I can do an art fair! Now that I have a better idea of what this takes time/effort/supply-wise, I feel much better prepared to do another in the future.

Etsy is reopened and SALE items!

2010-08-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

I still have new things to list this week, but for the time being, please take a look at my sale items!!

Items marked down up to 30%. Yay!

You can find them here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cholulajewelry?section_id=6097429

Art fair recap later...that requires some photo editing.

Art Fair or Bust

2010-07-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

My stamps arrived yesterday!

I have bags to stuff,

flowers and beer to buy,

laundry to wash,

and a car to pack.

See you Monday!

the last of the last

2010-07-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

The final official count is 60. Last night I spent approximately 2 hours wire-wrapping boxes. I know it's probably complete overkill to have 60 boxes ready to go, but I figured I won't have to do that for awhile this way.

I have various ceramic bowls and glass vases (aka small glass yogurt containers I stole from France. Ok, I stole them from a hotel in said country, but doesn't that sound funnier? I stole yogurt containers from France.) that need to be gathered and flowers to be purchased.

My bags need to be stuffed with tissue paper. I should probably go buy some snacks and a lot of water.

I'm going to do a mock set up this evening, but really it will be an adventure to set up at the fair, as my booth partner is bringing all of the tables and I have no idea what the arrangement will be. Suspense!

Lastly, I keep half-forgetting about my signage. Thankfully the boyfriend has offered to put one together for me so I can get it printed tonight. Other than that, I need to print off things for monies, sales tax, and make a tiny sign for the pile of knotted stacking rings.

I think I may even have time to ride tonight!

Anyway, here are the last 4 to be completed. At least the jewelry part is finished!

OH DEERY ME

Aren't these little vintage glass cabs the best? Bright red deer yes please?

Concord Necklace

I almost nearly stamped "stick tight" on the back of this, because it is a stichtite cabochon. And I can't stop typing out STICK.TIGHT.

This cabochon is not quite so dark but I didn't have much light to work with. It reminds me of concord grapes and sticky grape jelly. It's really something you have to put on. It's like a million times better when it's on. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do. I keep looking at it sideways and imagining it on my finger. Maybe next time.

Chichen Itza earrings

These earrings turned out so perfectly I don't really know what to say, other than they reminded me of driving through rural Mexico after seeing the pyramid and ruins at Chichen Itza.

refresh.

2010-07-26T06:19:00.001-07:00

I have a lot to finish for this art fair.

Over the weekend, I stopped caring after leaving everything in LOS too long (flaky patina is gross) and wire-wrapping mishaps. Burned out. Instead of working on my displays or finishing up my other work or any of the million things on my art fair to-do list, I just did nothing. It seemed the most logical at the time.

I slept it off, brushed myself off, and got back to work. I babied my patina. I took a deep breath before embarking on wire wrapping extravaganza part seventy-two (I didn't actually keep track of how many attempts, but that sounds about right). I set stones and glass and buffed away for satin finishes and highlighted details.

I have 2 evenings to finish the rest of it: more earring cards, more stamps, more labels, stuffing bags with tissue paper, staining displays.

Making sure I have everything a couple or a dozen times.

I am ridiculously excited for this fair. I don't know if 61 pieces is really enough for something like this, but it's what I have.

Here are some of the little things:

aventurine & sterling earrings

pyrite & sterling earrings (not enough beads to make anymore of these, sadly!)

3 tiny necklaces:

(Really tiny.)

Almost done.

minty and blue

2010-07-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

It is often a wonder I get anything done at all.

It took me most of the evening last night to do a few simple jewelry tasks: finish a handful of earrings, a couple of rings, saw out some bezel backs.

I made dinner in there, too, but really? 3-ish hours to finish up a few pieces?

Sometimes I can blame something or another (usually television) for distracting me and sucking me in, but I didn't watch anything last night. It was just a night of jewelry that dragged...I think I'm finally getting worn out preparing for the art fair.

But anyway. Here is some stuff.

These make me swoon kind of a lot:

Suzy Blue. My mother is fully to blame for instilling an infatuation for turquoise in me.

Mint Julep

luminous & minty chyrsoprase of the cushion cut variety.

goes excellent with burbon and ice.

Dinner has no pictures, but it was delicious and I recommend it.
Sandwich:
2 pieces of bread your choice, I used the only bread in the house which was brownberry (the really dense whole grain/wheat bread)
Peppers of choice
goat cheese
whole grain mustard
cucumbers
zucchini, cut into long, flat strips

Or really, any vegetables of choice. That just happens to be what we had (garden fresh!) so I went with it. I had fresh banana peppers and wanted to know if they were spicy and that's pretty much the entire reason I ate this.

*Marinate the zucchini in a mix of balsamic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh chopped garlic. Sautee or grill til done.
*spread one slice of bread GENEROUSLY with goat cheese (I really like goat cheese.), the other slice with mustard
*pile on veggies
*drizzle on a little left over balsamic marinade
*fin!

This has about a million variations and truthfully this was the simple version - there's a really good kalamata olive/balsamic tapenade that is awesome when paired with the grilled zucchini. The only thing that would have made this a thousand times better would have been a package of arugula piled on as well.

Also, I'm not a vegetarian, I just often cook that way because I'm lazy.

The rest of the new work

2010-07-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

I am cruising through my to-do list of jewelry to make before the art fair, and with the arrival of some new beads that I just had to use I've even added a couple of pairs of earrings to the mix.

It certainly helps that I'm sticking to simple pieces. I may actually be able to fill a table! Gasp!

Really, though, I've been keeping it simple because I'm trying to hit every price range, but especially the lower ends of things. This is a smaller art fair with a goal of bringing art to the community, and what good does it do to bring a bunch of art no one can afford?

I think it has been good for me to work this way, too. Making multiples, keeping things simple. Staying fresh. I'll definitely be ready to get back to working with more stones and one of a kind pieces after the fair though!

Onto the photos:

Steer Skull necklace (have I mentioned that I love this stamp?)

Suzy earrings: I changed up the ear wires a little and they are still unique - those are the only beads of their kind I had.

I have been dreaming about this texture for awhile. I think I want the copper a little rosier, but overall I'm happy with them. They involved a lot of hammering and I do like pounding the hell out of metal.

I think I need a new name for these now that I'm using different beads, but remember the rainy earrings I made with peridot? Well, I made 2 more of those, too. I wanted to have a little bit of variety, though, and I think I like the coral even better.

Last but not least, a delicate and simple bracelet with rose quartz and pyrite. I love when I'm able to use my scrap towards a greater good (like new jewelry), and I had these 2 lengths of chain hanging out that weren't long enough to do much of anything with. I think this bracelet works quite well!

I have 9 more pieces to throw in the polisher tonight, including a ring! I've been going through ring withdrawal. They are really my favorite.

There will also be 3 super delicate/petite wire wrapped necklaces, some wonderfully modern earrings with clean lines, and a few other bits and pieces.

a little new.

2010-07-19T20:47:00.001-07:00

I finished up the batch that I polished on Friday, wire wrapping beads and whatnot. It's late so I leave you with one of the necklaces...I'll post the rest tomorrow!

Do other people love their states as much as Minnesotans love Minnesota?
Minnesotans really love Minnesota. Seriously. Even with humidity that rivals the south in the summer and winters that plummet below zero for days at a time and mosquitoes that wage war with you in your own garage (there was a little one that bit me TWICE on the neck within about 20 minutes and tried a 3rd time when I put an end to its little stupid life) .

You get the point. We really like our state.

bullet form.

2010-07-16T07:39:00.001-07:00

The Mathewsons, circa 1970-something

My mom is in the red tank top!

-My apartment and I are on speaking terms again, as the air conditioning, for the time being, is working.

-You know how when you have a tumbler you have to clean the steel shot every few rounds?

I forgot.

For like a year.

Needless to say, all of the pieces I polished yesterday have to be re-polished. I don't think the dingy/dull look is particularly flattering for anything.

-I have another custom order twiggy ring I've been working on, which I'm fairly sure I have to remake. For the 3rd time.

-Art fair progress: ahead of schedule!

Right now I'm looking at having:

20+ rings

29+ earrings

15 necklaces

2 bracelets

Not too shabby!

Still need to figure out how I'm displaying all of those earrings!

-Tomorrow (early...very early) I leave to go north. Every year, we have a huge family reunion at my aunt and uncle's cabin. I haven't been able to make it for several years due to work, unreliable cars, etc. But this year, my sister and I are going! There are going to be 60+ people this year...note photo above of my aunts and uncles. There are a lot of us.

Again? Really?

2010-07-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

That is how I feel about my apartment right about now.

The air conditioning in my apartment is broken...again. It didn't work when they first turned it on in the spring and we had a few days that hit the 90s. That was painful.

And now, today, when the heat index hit 105, it broke again. This is especially unfortunate because while it is cooler out now (humid, but cooler), my apartment is mostly underground. And therefore gets almost no air flow with the windows open.

BOO. HISS.

Why it is important to take photos of ALL of your work...

2010-07-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

Taking pictures of jewelry is not one of my favorite things to do. Really, I wish that after I finished a piece it would appear by magic in my etsy shop - pristine, crisp photographs and descriptions complete.

Despite this being a not favorite activity, I do a fairly good job at documenting everything. But fairly good is not good enough, and I've lapsed a few times.

Like in the case of the scribble earrings. I've made three pairs of these and didn't learn my lesson once.

First time: Made using scraps of silver and such right before a trunk show. Ran out of time to photograph. Sold at trunk show. Friend (Andrea) saw them at trunk show post selling, so she ordered a pair.

Second pair: Made from memory of the first pair. Since I had no intention of making them again, my memory was probably not very good. But...since there would never be a side by side comparison, no big deal, right? Just get the basic concept down.

Gave them to her without photographing. Again, I was done, right?

Then the scribble earring receiver lost one of them. So Andrea orderd another pair.

Third pair: Made from memory of second pair. Memory is especially poor at this point as it's been a few months, and again, I only remembered things like: fused copper and silver rings of various sizes. I knew one was hammered. I didn't know how many rings, or even how many copper vs. silver.

On the left you have the 3rd pair. On the right you have the lone remainder of the 2nd pair. I'd be interested to see the 1st pair just to see how much they've changed.

Making these is kind of like a game of telephone, but with my really bad memory.

Andrea photographed the earrings side by side for me...thankfully she is an awesome customer and ended up liking the 3rd pair better anyway!

still here!

2010-07-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

I meant to post an entry last Wednesday about how I was leaving for a mini vacation and due to this the blog would be quiet for a spell.

But I forgot, and then it was already Saturday and my holiday was nearly over so it seemed kind of pointless.

So, there you have it. I was in Texas from Wednesday-Sunday, visiting the boyfriend.

Yes, the boyfriend lives in Texas. And yes, it is a very long story.

This is us, 7-ish years ago:

Highlights of my trip included:
lots of sleep
lots of being incredibly lazy
SPRINKLES!!
(I really like cupcakes.)

Time went way too fast this trip (well, it always does, really). I'm having a harder time returning to my "normal" life here because I'd just rather be there. I'm doing an excellent job pouting.

But, he'll be here in August. And I'll be there in October. And so on, and so forth. And hopefully not for very much longer! We've been doing this for 3 1/2 years...it's about time to live in the same state.

I'm steadily chipping away at my list of jewelry, despite the pouting. I have an art fair to prepare for and only 2 1/2 more weeks! I can't believe how much I have to get done...staining display items, building something for my earrings, getting material for a table cover, figuring out what to do for change, buying receipts and a calculator, gathering packaging supplies...

It's a little overwhelming, but hopefully it will all come together!

Cholula goes puppy.

2010-07-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd dog tag I've made - the first featured a dog bone, largely because the customer gave me the option and every paw print I drew looked ridiculous.

Well, the lovely Kate (who won the give away!) wanted a tag for her puppy, Cairo. And they (being her and her fiance) wanted a paw print. Once I figured out the main shape it was a breeze - and I think the tag turned out really cute!

I don't know that I'll be adding them to the shop permanently, but I'm definitely up for taking on any similar custom orders!

!

2010-07-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

hit

100 sales!!!

Celebratory orange font!!

It is crazy to me to think that I've made 100 pieces of jewelry that other people (and horses) are now wearing...and that's just from etsy alone. I've probably sold double that between open houses/barn orders/trunk shows.

Crazycrazycrazy.

These old bones.

2010-07-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have written and rewritten this post several times. The words are getting stuck in my throat or I end up writing a novel. Either way it doesn't particularly work.

I'm not really sure how to convey the melancholy that's washed over me this week to a group of readers that largely don't understand - not because you can't, but because it would take the knowledge of pieces of my life I haven't really delved into on my blog dedicated to jewelry.

I will tell you this.

I was 17 and stubborn when I acquired Zeus. I decided that even though I could barely control him he needed to be mine. He was a wary, apprehensive horse with a penchant for being difficult to catch in a field and running off with whomever was on his back. He had deep scars and deeper fears. I saw a broken horse that needed fixing, and thought for sure that I would be the only one capable. He would be mine and I would be his and no one could touch the understanding between us.

It was the stuff of movies and books and fairytales and I took it as a sign that he just happened

to be large and bay and gaited...all things that ended up on my horse buying criteria list somewhere along the way.

I came close to selling him a couple of times in the first few years, but something kept pressing me to forge ahead. I did. And with time, he came around. With time I could get on his back without him immediately trying to run away. With time we were going out on the trails, his forte. He lit up under saddle - he wanted to go, he wanted to ride, and he wanted to explore.

Over the past few years, though it still seemed he had the drive, his body began to feel more stiff. His ribcage wouldn't bend around my leg. He became more difficult to control and evaded my attempts more and more. With age came creaky bones and arthritis.

On Tuesday it came to a head, and although he seems just as mobile as always galloping around the pasture, he told me loud and clear that he was done riding.

I'm heartsick over it. I love that horse more than anything and I feel like there's this huge disconnect if I can't even get on him and casually walk around for 5 minutes.

I've been preparing myself for this for the last 4 years, but it doesn't make the final decision any easier. I thought we'd always be able to go out for a ride around the fields. After the 8 1/2 years I have had him, I feel as though our journey has come to a very significant end. I always thought the day he stopped enjoying rides would be the day he died.

It'll take some time, but I'm sure I'll adapt to our new phase. He's stupidly happy in retirement (or the semi-retirement he's had til now) - eating away and hanging out in a big field. Galloping around when he feels like it. Being spoiled. I suppose at age 25 he's entitled to such things.

A custom & one for the shop

2010-06-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

This ring may look familiar, as it's the same one pictured in my blog header. This was one of several pieces that I first made when I decided to venture into selling my jewelry. I didn't have any equipment nor the money to buy any (oh I miss the days of having access to a fully stocked jewelry studio...), but I did have dental tools.

I've done a bit of casting in all of my jewelry classes, and have cast everything from carved rings and pendants to seed pods and barbie hands. While I enjoy casting, I've always done it somewhat sparingly compared to fabrication - I would enjoy it for shorter periods of time and welcomed the break from torches and solder, but I was always excited to go back to them.

Since wax and casting were the only methods used in the beginning of my etsy shop, I got incredibly burned out. I still have various rings, pendants, etc that need to be cleaned up and photographed but I have no desire to do anything with them at the moment. So they sit, with their nubby sprues and bits of investment clinking around each other in my drawers.

And now that I have gotten completely off topic, here is the ring. She really liked the design of the cast ring, which I still had sitting around (though finished!) and wanted to add a stone. I brought in a random selection of smaller stones that I had and let her choose what she wanted and how she wanted it to sit on the ring.

And for the shop, we have a gothic set of stackers - 2 sparkling rose cut garnets in black and dark red.

For the record, (red) garnets are thus far the most difficult stone to capture with my camera. They usually just look black, no matter what tricks I pull out of my DSLR.

Also, I am on a mission to get my shop UPDATED with all of the items I have laying around! I have these rings, the tiny warm stack, a tiny stacker on its own, the persimmon necklace, a pair of mod moons, and that's just what I can think of off hand.

And the winner is...

2010-06-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

Pot o' names

Mixing them up

Picking the one...
Who will it be?

Kate!

Please to be sending me your address, lady!

And for those of you who didn't win, I will be hosting more give aways in the future, never fear!

today

2010-06-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Today
is the last day to enter the give away for precisely one peridot pod necklace. Alliteration.

Yesterday
was a trying ride on the mare I called a few choice words in the midst of our arguing.
Eventually I just stopped. We stood there. I counted to 5. I picked up my reins lightly. She obliged, we made progress. Minutes later she was screaming to her trail bound herd mates, and that's about the time I realized I was dealing with Miss Hormonal during her heat cycle. Mares.

This morning
is a very large mug of english breakfast tea topped off with a bit of milk and sugar.

Last night
was a fat little ball of burrata cheese, a farmer's market tomato, crunchy sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and aged balsamic. Dinner.

This night
will be a lot of jewelry-ing.

(despite the fact that this picture makes me appear to be a responsible individual who wears masks as she should while making jewelry, I don't. This is actually my mask for cleaning my apartment. My asthma protests when I vacuum.)

And probably taking this new beast (belonging to my dad/stepmom) for a walk.

little drops of color

2010-06-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

I think one of the most challenging things for me is getting photos taken of my work. It seems everytime I come up with a good solution for photo-taking, it's taken away from me or doesn't work as well anymore.

So, I'm trying out some new things and hoping I can find something I like the best ever in the near future.

Until then, mostly the same window sills.

Custom crocus stack, with prehnite and garnet instead of amethyst:

A tiny stacking set in warm tones - garnet, citrine, carnelian. These little guys are 3mm!

Time warp necklace with garnet:

it's just a jump to the left (and then a step to the riiiiiight), put your hands on your hips (and bring your knees in tiiiiiight), but it's the pelvic thruuuust, that really drives you insaaaaaane...

Lastly, here is one of the pods on - this one has sunstone beads and will be listed in the etsy shop!

Give away!

2010-06-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'm 4 sales away from hitting 100. But really, it's just been awhile since I've given anything away ;)

Pod I

A hand cut circle has been pierced with a seed motif and dapped into a sweet little hemisphere. Two little wire-wrapped peridot beads have been added to the chain, the pod resting comfortably between each. A third bead has been added to the clasp.

This necklace measures in right around 16" with the clasp. The chain has been oxidized, the pod oxidized and brushed for a matte finish.

The first in a small series, a different way of working. I've been pushed into a different space in getting ready for this art fair. The rest of the pods will be available on etsy, as soon as they have their own photographs.

A little homage to the season of growth. An everyday necklace with a touch of color.

To enter:

1. Leave me a message at the end of this blog with your name and email!

Simple, like the necklace.

For additional entries:
2. blog about it!
3. post it on facebook with a link to this entry!
4. become a follower of my blog!

And of course, be sure to let me know in the comments if you've done any of these things so I can be sure to count your entries!

The contest will end on Thursday, June 24th at 10pm central time. Good luck!

summer, stackers, steps

2010-06-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

The heat of the summer has been slowly creeping up, and in that all I want to eat is salad.

Fresh, crisp vegetables, a little sweet tang, and the bite of vinegar. That's all I want to consume. And lots of iced tea.

A girl can sustain herself on arugula and ceylon, right?

You should know that I have added these back to the shop, as a made to order item:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/28951025/sun-and-moon-stackers

They will vary a bit from the photos being handmade, but also because I'm now using 6mm rather than 5mm stones. I adore this pair of rings...one of many things on my list of jewelry to make for myself. Maybe someday...

I am officially preparing for my very first *real* art fair. It's scary. I don't really know what I'm doing. I have ideas for displays. I need to spruce up my packaging supplies. Gather trays and shelves. Buy a calculator and some receipts. Figure out how in the hell I'm going to get everything up there (I'm fairly sure a tent and table are not going to fit in my honda civic?)

The pressure of producing piles upon piles of jewelry has been relieved somewhat in that I can share a booth with someone else. This also means that as I find the time to photograph and edit everything, it will all be offered up in my etsy shop before the show.

Lastly? The afternoons have been bringing some hellish storms and preventing me from getting anymore photos of the GIVE AWAY NECKLACE. However, I'm going to edit the ones I've already taken, hope for the best, and post the give away tonight or tomorrow!

Pods

2010-06-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview of the new necklaces. This is the first series I've made at once.

One of them will be for the give away in a few days :)

shiny things and ponies. mostly ponies.

2010-06-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

Jewelry News: There will be a give away starting before the end of the week! I finished a little series of pod necklaces last night and will be taking photos tonight.

In other news, Cho and I had some quick photos taken after our schooling show class on Saturday:

And sometimes I make faces:

Check back for the give away, I'll be posting before the end of the week!

Weekend goods.

2010-06-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Now that blogger is finally working for me again...my post from yesterday!

Ok, one weekend good.

I love my weekends at the barn, despite the fact that they are exhausting. Yesterday I had the afternoon off and spent it working on various jewelry items. Today? I've been dragging since about 3pm. We'll try again tomorrow.

I did finish up one necklace that will make its way to the shop this week...of course I picked a rainy afternoon to photograph it, and also found that getting a picture with no glare was next to impossible.

Here she be, in all her glory - a lovely roundish cut of moss agate...doesn't it look like seaweed, lazily swaying in the water? The clarity of the stone isn't great, so maybe not...but I promise it does! Watery plants reaching up to the surface. A lake-inspired necklace from the land of 10,000.

Loch Ness Necklace:

It will be listed sometime this week.

Otherwise, I'm busy preparing for an art fair. More details later!

Squeeeeee!

2010-06-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you the secret to a happy life: A good ride on a good horse.

Last night was a good ride, and therefore I'm still on a giddy high.

Cholula and I became bit stir crazy this winter. We were stuck in the indoor for too many months...I don't mind riding inside, but when you have no other option you start to get a little twitch. As soon as we were able to this spring, we were outside, down the road, see you later.

Not that this didn't come with its own challenges: Cho's trail experience is very limited. She went out a handful of times last year around the property with other horses - the end! This year I set out with a mission to have a happy, fun, controllable trail horse. So far I think our mission is well on its way.

Of course, we still have a ways to go. Cows? Psychological meltdown. We could barely even SEE the cows they were so far away (and behind a big fence)...hopefully the gods will take mercy on me if we ever come across cows closer to the road. Large piece of dark plastic? fabric? flapping around on a very windy day almost got me ridden into an electric fence. Big drainage tunnel under the road on BOTH sides? Wasn't sure we'd ever make it over that one.

Overall, though, Cho has proven herself to be a pretty good pony. Last night we were riding around the fields with one of the fearless teenagers (I miss those days...) and said teenager was going to canter up the path.

I shrugged, half expecting us to do the zooming trot up the hill in attempts to canter - if you've read my blog you know that cantering is an issue at this point. But, I brought myself into 2 point, threw caution to the wind, and kissed.

And we cantered. More importantly, we cantered the entire way up the hill. And then we rode around the loop, came back and did it again. Repeat.

I have cantered this horse under 10 times ever, and usually I only get 4 strides or so before she breaks to a trot. But, last night we discovered that cantering around the fields is probably the best thing ever. My nerves were no where in sight, overcome by the pure rush of cantering a long stretch, a grassy pasture on one side and trees on the other. This is what I've spent years dreaming of, this feeling, I thought. I wasn't disappointed.

Now maybe I'll be able to stop procrastinating on my artist statement? That would be a feat.

ARTIST STATEMENT

2010-06-02T08:59:00.001-07:00

1st attempt: I like shiny things.

2nd attempt: I like shiny things and I like to wear shiny things so I make shiny things. Also, I have a stone buying addiction and have to support that somehow.

3rd: My hands are lonely so I keep them distracted with metal.

4th: Jewelry: because I don't have the space to make giant burlap sculptures nor the equipment to make art videos...JK! I just like shiny things.

It's been awhile since I was an art major, ok?

Finally!

2010-05-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

I decided to hold off on blogging until I had some new work to show you all. I've been keeping plenty busy between life, riding, and trying to turn my apartment into some semblance of organization...which is possibly a battle I'm just not going to win at this rate.

I'm taking a bit of a different approach with jewelry. It's just not possible to make several new items a week with everything else - like my horse who needs MORE WORK. I came to the realization that I don't need to max out my tumbler every time I use it, and I can work at my own pace.

The goods:

"Then he looked right through me, with somniferous almond eyes...It was so real, Like I woke up in Wonderland."

Size 8

(I could not do this stone justice photographically...sigh. coyamito agate & sterling.)

Entomology Ring, size 9 - glass cabochon & sterling

Sailing Posts - 10mm turquoise & sterling

Copper Cup, size 10 - heat oxidized copper on oxidized and brushed sterling shank

Etsy listings will come later, I need to go ride miss sassy and then get ready for a day of boating!

in just

2010-05-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles
far
and
wee

-e.e. cummings

The other side.

2010-05-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

As swiftly and abruptly as the week of jewelry hell came, it was gone. I just sat down one day to work on stuff and stuff happened and that was that.

It was incredibly anticlimactic.

There were no fires.

And in this, I decided that for the time being I'm going to work on "easy" pieces. Pieces I can make in multiples. Pieces I can make again. Pieces I can work on at the end of the day - start to finish. I need to change how I'm working, I need a little instant gratification.

I love the feeling of finishing a big piece, it's incredibly rewarding. But when all of them just sort of hang out in my shop, the rewarding feeling dwindles.

I'm perfectly ok admitting that sometimes I just need some sales to give me a little extra boost.

Anyway, we'll see how long I last. The very thought of made to order scares me. To have a deadline, to not have the option of sitting at my bench at the end of a work day, to have to make things the same everytime...I've generally considered all of these things NOT my cup of tea.

But I'm going to do it my way and make things that I love and it'll be fine.

To start, we have these earrings, name yet to be determined:

Last week it was cold and raining. Not May weather. I was standing outside, keeping dry under my umbrella, and noticed how vibrantly green everything was with the overcast backdrop. The oak trees were practically neon. My entire neighborhood was lit up with chartreuse, and I wondered how I had never seen this before. How had I come to be 25 years old and never noticed this color green?

And then I remembered the peridot beads I'd bought a few weeks ago and one thing after another lead to those earrings. And I freaking LOVE them. They may be my favorite earrings to date. Like, more favorite than my serpentine drops that I can't find a picture of right now.

I also finished a custom order:

But I secretly really liked it before I set the stone because it looked like a little framed picture:

(I have a feeling I'll be playing with that idea in the future)

Jessi doesn't make jewelry.

2010-05-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today I am ready to melt everything into a big puddle of metal and set it on fire.

Let's see, in the past week or so:

1. tiny ball of silver kept coming unsoldered when I soldered other things on a pendant. So I resoldered it. Three times. And then after I filed down the bezel base plate to the bezel, I realized the bezel had come unsoldered in some places during my resoldering madness.

I tried resoldering the bezel. It was messy. Easy solder is henceforth banned from my bench. I realized I had to pull the bezel off completely. And then I realized that having filed the baseplate right up to the metal, it was now too small to solder another bezel onto.

So I re-did that whole mess, AND THE BEZEL STILL DID NOT SOLDER COMPLETELY.

At this point, I'm feeling like I should probably just never make jewelry again. I put it aside and probably won't touch it for several months. Apparently all of my poppy jasper pieces are creating an army to destroy me.

2. But...I persevere. And I start on a custom order that's due in a little over a week. It's pretty straight forward and I am excited for this piece. I figure I've given myself a few days off from soldering, so the soldering karma has to be back, right?

Sure isn't!

The hard solder I bought in town last week because I was out? OH IT'S ACTUALLY EXTRA HARD. Do you know how DIFFICULT it is to make that stuff flow? I had to try 3 different times and I'm STILL not even sure that it worked. Note to self: do not ever buy 80% solder. Ever.

3. And then because I just don't know when to quit, I melted a bezel. And promptly turned off my torches and left.

2 more things!

2010-05-03T21:05:00.000-07:00

I have GOT to do a big shop update soon. Must.

But it's just so niiiice out and I can't pass up a trail ride on the big black mare. Or making little caramel apple tarts and eating them for dinner. Or just spending a little time unwinding after my big weekend show. !

Anyway. I am going to get back to etsy land this week with my new stuff. Promise.

Here are the last few pieces I made:

Ohhh how I am kicking myself for not buying more of these in Tucson. That is a wonderfully delicious pink peruvian opal. It's big and shiny and I love it. The necklace itself is a combination of my seedling design and the peacock ring curls. Onions. I don't know. I do know that they are a giant pain in the ass.

Moving on.

I just deleted my paragraph about these because you don't really need to know all of my jewelry making issues. But, again, some of my same design elements and some re-worked ear wires because I don't plan ahead very well. They are moooookaite! and I was a little nervous about making such ginormous earrings but mookaite AND dendrites AND a matched pair couldn't really be passed up.

Let me tell you, if you put these on in your sweat pants (or barn clothes) you instantly feel like 50 times more glamorous than you look. I know because I wore them home tonight and I was like "I could probably go out to a club tonight right now with these on."

I guess a lot of things probably do that to a girl, but humor me. I just started wearing earrings like a year ago.

oh I made stuff!

2010-04-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

I took the day off today to prepare for the show on Friday/Saturday. I ALWAYS underestimate how much time it will take to get all of the little details sorted out for these things. Stuff like price tags. Earring cards. Setting the last few stones. Photographing everything.

Etc.

I probably spent a solid 10 hours doing various things - finishing the last bits of soldering on the last necklace, sanding, filing, oxidizing, taking photos...basically doing everything I mentioned above. I also may have gone to the local lapidary and picked up some stones. But I HAD to go because I needed hard solder and price tags. And it seemed like kind of a waste of a trip if I didn't even look through the drawers of cabochons.

Anyway, I'm still not done! More finishing, more stone setting, more pricing. More everything.

These are the things I HAVE finished, however. !! I'm really excited about what I'm making. I guess I'm always excited about what I'm making, but I can see such progression in every batch and I want everyone in the world to see it. Eeeee!

Onto the photos:

Amethyst bracelet with a wee little carnelian accent -
Raw diamond ring -
Garnet earrings -
Glass window earrings -
Spiny Oyster earrings -

Show Announcement

2010-04-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION:

Cholula Jewelry will be CLOSED April 30th & May 1st for a show. Anything left over after the show will be relisted in the etsy shop on May 2nd.

Thanks for being awesome!

(photos of new work coming soon)

Cholula and the canter.

2010-04-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know a lot about horses.

Some of you may know very little.

But I bet each and every one of you knows that horses have different gaits. They walk, they trot, they canter, they gallop.

Cholula is special in that her canter didn't come installed.

Ok, that's not entirely true, but it's what I feel like some days. She's a tank. When I say tank I mean she's built like a brick shithouse. I'd apologize for my mouth but frankly, I swear like a sailor. That's just the way it is. That's the best I can convey to you that my horse is a beast. She has been called "mama elephant" "rhinocerous" and "hippoponemus" before.

So anyway, she's a little taller than your average joe (sits right about 16hh) and weighs approximately 1500 pounds. Refer to phrase above.

She's not a draft horse, but she is built like one. Which is to say that her natural build is very well-suited to pulling with her front end. But I ride dressage, damnit, so horse - you are going to push with your hind end.

Anyway, my horse has all of the gaits she's supposed to, but it's hard for her to canter. It IS getting easier as she's worked properly and builds the muscle in her butt and strengthens her back to be able to sit and push. But it's a process. Without someone on her back, she's starting to look great at the canter - effortless, even. When you add a rider, however, she is not so keen on the canter.

I'm telling you all of this because we had our first schooling show of the season this past weekend. My sister rode Cholula in her first test with the canter.

The left lead went something like this: Cue canter, get super fast trot. Cue canter, reinforce with whip. Tail swish. Lift back end. Smack with whip. Buck. Smack again. Canter. Push to keep canter. Smack. Buck, break into trot. Smack with whip. Buck.

And so on and so forth. The right lead was more successful.

She is pretty adorable, no?

Cholula being a very good pony.

And again.

But then she's asked to canter...

That is Cholula's warning face. The ears go back, the tail swishes, she might kick out. Here she is saying "lay off, I'll do whatever I want! *tantrum*"

We say...dear Cholula, that is not an option.

And she essentially gives us the middle finger.

(she's even cute when she's bucking, isn't she?)

Sigh. Mares.

In between their tests and after expending a lot of energy on bucking instead of just cantering.

In conclusion, that is what I did this weekend. I'm working furiously to catch up in the shop so I can do a polish before the end of the week!

A little love on Friday

2010-04-09T12:26:00.001-07:00

I bet you can't watch this video and listen to this song without smiling.

Seriously. Just click it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6HjT4SQKJI

(first horse show of the season tomorrow, + going away party for my brother who will be going to basic training at the end of the month, + sunday breakfast with my wonderful mother who will be in MN for a few weeks! busy weekend = jewelry updates...next week. love!)

A slew of new.

2010-04-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

I have been absolutely terrible about keeping my shop updated with all that's new! I tend to do this everytime I get close to a show...I work away at the bench, photograph everything, and then never seem to list it on etsy unless it's not sold at the show.

I'm determined to get everything in there and updated throughout this week, though!

I have been working away, promise. Only 11? more pieces to go (not including the few customs I still have) until April 30th. I'm being FAR overly optimistic there, seeing as one of those is a rather complex bracelet.

But that's what caffeine and all-nighters are for, right?

(that's just how I roll) BLINGED.OUT.

Persimmon necklace:

(wire wrapped itty bitty persimmoney carnelian beads on an oxidized chain. Just a sweet lil everyday thang.)

Tile Earrings:
And then we have the customs. First, a twiggy ring with a Mexican fire opal:

The 2nd ring was a super special custom order being that it was for an old friend. Her dad used to make the coolest rings, and I was always super jealous of her jewelry. I was flattered when she asked me to make her a ring. The specifications? Um. Size 6. QUIRKY. And she told me a few of the stones she likes the most.

And this is what I made.

It goes back to a few different design elements that I've used on past pieces (mainly the ocean jasper 'submarine' necklace that I kept for myself), but it's also so completely crazy and original that I love it a ton and I hope she loves it just as much in person as she does the picture of it! I've been calling this one the zeppelin ring. It's a little seascapey, a little spacey, a little science fictiony. And it's officially my first piece with 2 different stones side by side!

The rings on my pinky up above are the new crocus stackers that I don't have more pictures of right this second.

After the complexity of the last few custom orders (which I love doing, don't get me wrong) I'm taking a more simple route for the next week or so. I have a raw diamond ring on my bench, some easy earrings, and will start working on the amethyst bracelet that is going to be a beast to finish. I guess that's not terribly simple, but each step by itself is pretty straight forward so I'm counting it. Big projects don't seem so daunting when you break them down into pieces!

Happy Birthday!

2010-03-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

photo taken by Susan Deboer

Nearly 8 years ago, I met a brazen little filly in a pasture full of mares and foals. She was 2 or 3 months old, and marched right up to the humans walking around the field, her dam out of sight on the other side of a hill.

She had no cares of where her mother was in her state of curiosity. The people were much more interesting and knew all of the right places to scratch. She continued to follow us as we met each mare and foal pair and until we left the pasture.

I received updates from her breeder throughout the year in stories and pictures, and we met again at the horse expo. She'd grown out of her curly buffalo coat, her ugly duckling phase, and for the first time away from her place of birth - she was mellow as can be. While I thought the little filly I met a year before was cute, I fell in love with the yearling in front of me.

photo taken by Susan Deboer

Some months past, fall came, we met again at the farm she was born at. I hadn't been able to shake her since seeing how lovely she was in such a chaotic environment.

And then more photos came.

photo taken by Susan DeBoer

And I was sold.

And the little mare came to live with us at the end of November, 2003.

And now, 6 1/2 years later, she turns 8 on this day. She's all grown up and has her first REAL show season this year!

love my Cholula Mae.

(photos taken last spring/summer)

My weekend.

2010-03-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is a typical weekend for me:

Saturday:
AM chores
ride horse 1
work on jewelry
take photos of jewelry
ride horse 2
work on more jewelry
barn night check
(eat somewhere in there)

Sunday:
AM chores
lesson on Cholula mare
jewelry/photos/etc
PM chores
jewelry/foods/etc
try not to face plant
more jewelry
home
face plant

I'm in between home and face planting right now. (It doesn't help that I generally get 5-6 hours of sleep a night...)

So yes, these are my weekends. My time "off" from my "real" job. There is no amount of coffee or tea that could keep me fully functioning for the entire 48 hours. Truth.

But, in the midst of all of that, I finished a couple of pieces, and I have photos of one of them! This is the pearl necklace that I was rambling about yesterday. The one where I just could not get the liver of sulfur to cooperate. This one has been on the lists for a couple of months now, and I realized only after putting it together that it's quite a bit like another pendant I made last year, but with a copper dot in the middle. This one has an adjustable chain with a handmade clasp and can be worn at 16" or 18".

Ramble ramble. Tired, yes? Yes.

PHOTOS!

New!

2010-03-27T20:51:00.001-07:00

Things didn't quite go as planned today. I was supposed to have 4 finished things and I only have 2. BUT...the others are worth the extra work. And hopefully I will have at least one of them finished tomorrow.

I am in love with how this ring turned out. I want to keep it.

Ruby Compass
size 6.25
sterling, ruby, 14k gold

The 14k gold balls are soldered at NE, SE, NW, and SW. The back of the ring is stamped with "N, E, S,W."

Pinwheel posts

I had fantastic rides on both of my horses today as well...busy busy Saturday!

solid.gold.

2010-03-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a poor job of finding the time to blog. Today I was driving to my "studio" (I use the term loosely, here) and thinking about the trio of gold rings I made. And then I realized I never blogged about the last ring I finished.

I'm noticing now I did a fairly piss poor job of photographing it, but thankfully it resides in the same house as my "studio," as it belongs to my stepmom.

Here are the first two rings: GOLD.

And here is the final. It's one of my landscape rings, carved in wax and then cast in metal. It looks like it has 2 very dark stones but they are in fact a ruby and a sapphire. And they are in fact red and blue. I will try and get better photos of it sometime. It's 18k as are the other 2.

And for the record, if a torch is involved I really like working in 24k gold better. That'll be a "my first" post someday. And speaking of that series, the next "my first" post is written, I just need to take the photos!

Sisu - The final installment

2010-03-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy working in series.

Multiples.

This project was so good for me in so many ways. I've always worked differently in metal...it never seems to be the same creative process as my other art forms. There's not the same getting it out. I had other outlets for that, and truthfully, I like the separation. I always liked that I could just make jewelry without worry. I didn't have to worry about exploring something deep enough or making a statement. I could just make things for the purpose of adornment and that was perfectly ok. It was a nice break for an art kid.

Now that it's the only form of art I've been consistently making, I feel like I can let a little of the other stuff in. And I have. But it still feels different.

Creating these bracelets has merged my processes a little. Exploring a series, each bracelet a little different but with the same feel overall. I'm getting there.

ps. I think I found some green teas I don't hate. One in particular doesn't even smell like wet, rotting grass!

oh dear.

2010-03-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

hi, blog. Nice to see you.

I have some things to tell you:

1. Right now I am working on a slew of rustic goods with a slew of great little stones...including a super fabulous 12mm ruby that I'm kicking myself for. I'm kicking myself for not buying more of them in Tucson.

2. I'm not really sure why, but raw and rough stones are calling my name. I mean more than before. And pyrite. I really like Lady Gaga.

While it doesn't seem like those things are related, I think pyrite goes with Lady Gaga like peanut butter goes with jelly.

Obviously.

3. I think this little obsession was sparked slightly by the rough diamonds, but then bff Joe sent me a giant quartz crystal that I instantly decided MUST become a big stabby ring. I'm just in a really gaudy mood apparently. Maybe it's the weather.

4. Sisu #3 is done, photographed, and sent/received by sisu owner. I've been meaning to post the photos for a week. I will try. Tonight.

5. Rex and I have been attempting to cook more instead of going out to eat all of the time. We've not been terribly successful. BUT, yesterday I did make grilled tomato/basil/mozz sandwiches which were amazing. And tonight I'm going to marinate/sear a really nice tuna steak. Domestic.

6. I'm trying to convince myself I like green tea. I've attempted this in the past without much success.

7. My new jewelry plan of action is to breathe. I get so stressed when I don't have new work every week, or several pieces to introduce at once, or "not enough" work for the open houses. Balance in my life is important. I have a horse to ride, I have a full time job, I work at the barn part time, I have a life to organize and plan. I can't compare myself to those who do this as their job, or anyone really. Everyone has different priorities. I feel like I work incredibly slow - because I do.

But that's ok.

Cholula agrees.

It's a struggle to truly convince myself of this and be ok with not being a metal machine. There's a little guilt that creeps in when I choose to spend a quiet night at home instead of at my bench. But I'm trying.

And maybe next week I'll have a shop update for you!

***photo found at starpulse.com

Squared

2010-03-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

You may remember this --

A friend liked the chain so much, she asked me to make one for a bronze pendant she had.

I wasn't sure how I was going to actually attach the pendant, seeing as I didn't want to risk melting it or ruining it somehow with my torch. But...I also didn't want to risk sending it off with unsoldered joints, and wire wrapping was not going to cut it (the mock ups were awful, to say the least).

But then I remembered that cold shield is awesome and oh, I have a tub of it.

Anyway, the results:

I love how well the chain compliments the pendant and stands up to the pendant's weight. Really happy with how it turned out, here is to hoping my friend is too!

Nesting Ring

2010-03-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

boulder turquoise + sterling

Because my time in the desert lifted me up and filled my cup to the brim.

Because I was weightless there - supported and cradled.

Because the stresses of here melted away into the mountains.

Because I could just be for those days.

Because of the sense of home and light and a safe nest, if just for a time.

Weekend Cholula

2010-03-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

I really cannot get over how adorable Cho pony is here.

She loves her food. So very much that she must cuddle into it and love on it.

My weekend was full of barn. Barn chores + Cholula. We went on our very first ride down the gravel road yesterday (and first ride outside of the year - yeah!) We encountered a pile of geese milling about a frozen (but quickly thawing) field. And a running and barking dog. And a car. And a giant pile of snow. And a bunch of other stuff in the distance. While all was worth looking at and noting, Cholula kept chugging along. She was fabulous.

I managed to find a spot of time to finish up a few custom orders, a few pairs of earrings, and a ring for the shop as well! Photos to come soonish.

My first...

2010-03-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd do a series of blogging of some of my metalsmithing firsts. The idea was to do this in chronological order, however, I can't find some of the *very first* things I ever made (dating back to my junior year of high school) and I don't feel like spending ages digging for them.

When they show up, they'll be blogged on, fear not!

Some background: I took my first smithing class my junior year of high school. I learned all of the basics - piercing, soldering, bezel-setting (very badly), casting, etc. My senior year I took another class. I continued the trend in college and took 3 classes there - honing my skills and picking up some new ones. I have ONE item of jewelry I made in high school (senior year, I believe) that I wear all of the time and love. The rest of it is kind of embarassing. College was more successful.

To start off, these are the faceted stones I set. They were preceded by a prong-set irregular slice of agate. When the urge hits me, I'll teach myself to bezel-set faceted stones, but at the time I was itching to learn prong-settings!

This was in my 3rd metalsmithing class in college (except we just called it jewelry). I bought the largest faceted stones I could afford to make it a little easier on myself. My best guess is that the round is 8mm and I think the oval is 10x13?

Blue topaz with handmade chain -
One thing I'm incredibly grateful to my college jewelry prof for is learning chain-making. In fact, my very first project in college (long lost, I'm sure) was a handmade chain. It took me some 13 hours. We made unique links, often with 5 or so soldering points per link. The chains were interesting and unique...and taught us some mad crazy soldering skillz.

You can't see the backside of the stone, but the tip of the stone actually sits on your skin. The setting is exactly what you see there - a round wire frame with 4 prongs holding the stone. That's about as simple as it gets. Let's just say jewelry prof was not too pleased with me when she realized I "cheated."

Smokey Quartz -

For the second prong setting, now that I knew I could prong set, I actually did a basket setting. I remember this whole pendant being amazingly difficult (though some parts just sort of happened like magic and surprised me). I'm still quite proud of myself that I DID it and to the standards I'd set for myself. *Everything* is soldered. Everywhere you see metal touching. I've been picky about that from day one...I always risked ruining the inner workings of my clasps so that the tiny ring attaching them would be soldered. I know how hard I am on my jewelry, and I hate the thought of leaving anything open!

Stay tuned for another "firsts" post next week!

It is TINY!

2010-03-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, necklace is tiny.

And I was mistaken - for whatever reason I had it stuck in my head that the doublet was 8x10...but it's really 6x8. Hee.

Weeeee!

Sunbathing.

2010-03-02T10:35:00.001-08:00

Cholula and her bff Izzy

3/1/2010