Dogwood

Years ago, a grade school friend gave me a pendant with a pearl and a dogwood flower.

I still have it, it was gold and had a short pretty little chain.

I love dogwood flowers, the pink and the white.

They always remind me of the springtime.




So this is a sentimental flower pendant, with a hole at the top and one at the bottom, for a jump ring or wire wrap bead for a chain or a dangle.

Here in the midwest the ornamental pear trees bloom with their white petals, then drop them when the winds blow them like snow.

The oval faux pearl reminds me of the white petals.

A pretty, sentimental charm drop.

Slow Moving Day

I got home from the project work last night almost at midnight. Needless to say, I didn't go into the studio. And I allowed myself a slow start today.

It's a very windy day today, and very cool in temperature. I wanted to open the patio door in the studio, but it's actually too cool to be comfortable that way this morning.

I also made another moon face pendant set in a bezel last weekend. I really like these peaceful looking lunar orbs, they have an asian feeling to them.

I have a plan to do a tutorial on making some earrings, if I get enough time today I need to do the photos for that, too.

Better get busy, lots on my to-do list today.

Starting Anew

I thought I'd post some photos of some work I did this weekend while cleaning up the studio. I decided to play with copper and pewter together.


I made this necklace, I really like it.


I used some copper and etched the words "PARIS 15 JUL" on it, then rounded it in the dapping block.


It looks very old and worn. Combined with a dark pewter Eiffel Tower, it starts to have a story of its own.


There were balloon races over the skyline of Paris in the old days, the clear faceted lucite bead reminds me of an airy balloon high in the sky, very light and fun.

The costume pearls were just dyed this weekend, they're a nice light gray color, they have a worn and vintage look to them that goes well with the aged feeling of this piece.


I'm pleased with the way it turned out, I think I need to test wear it though, just to be sure!

It's the least I can do...

Rainbow Pearl Costume

I had someone contact me recently, who had used my hand dyed costume pearls in the past, wanting some more.

In fact, wanting one pack for each color I had on hand.


When I took the photos of the one ounce packets stacked together they reminded me of a rainbow.

All the colors, so rich and pretty.

Red, blue, yellow, green. And black, too.


They were so colorful I had to share them here.

Slumber

I crashed last night.

The day job took a toll, and three late nights and early mornings in a row.

When I got home, I could hardly keep my eyes open. I decided that operating power tools or extremely hot studio items was not a good idea with my eyes closed.

Possibly, if I had gone downstairs anyway I would have gotten a second wind. But I decided to give in to the sandman instead.

Today, Friday, if I have a late night catching up on things, I can sleep in tomorrow. All the way to 8:00 am or some crazy idea like that.

But at some point, I guess it's best to allow the body to have some downtime. So I did.


What did I do instead? I crocheted some tiny lace medallions and some longer lace bands.


I used a few of my hand dyed costume pearls, and some strands of my hand dyed silk threads from the stash for a couple of them.


I have an idea about putting them together with the resin or stitching pewter emblems to them. And I don't like to crochet when my hands are darkened with metal dust and patina residue, or coated with paint. It might get all over the thin, wispy cotton and silk threads.


So last night was the perfect time for it. My hands were clean. The rythmic actions of the crochet lulled me. And the heating pad on my back didn't hurt things a bit either.

Tonight I may have another marathon session in the studio. But last night, I took the night off.

As much as I ever do, anyway.