Stamped & Riveted Copper & Brass Heart Charms for Kate

Happy Halloween Day!

I have so many fond memories of dressing up as a child and going to our Community Center for a Halloween party.  I grew up in a rural area, so trick-or-treating wasn't practical.  The grownups collected bags of candy, made cookies & punch, and we kids gathered together in our mostly homemade costumes.  Fun games, costume competition, and lots of CANDY!  Good times~

My darling friend Kate asked me to make her heart charms to embellish some felted purses that she was creating.  Here you go Kate!

Bliss~New Jewelry Books!

My DH and I shopped a bit today, looking for a new table lamp for the living room.  Something pretty, not too tall, light-colored and very sturdy so our doggies can't knock it over.  We looked for hours.  No luck.  I had a specific shabby-chic, cream-cracked-porcelain-with-faded-flowers idea in my brain.  NEVER shop with a specific idea.  You'll get frustrated and tired. :-)

We also stopped at Barnes & Noble....ahhhh a bookstore!  Two new jewelry books for me and I'm in heaven.  Book heaven~~the best!  I'll peruse them in the next few days.  I love reading about new techniques, savoring pictures and words of inspiration.  Yum!

May your new week bring smiles and gratitude~~

Harbor Freight Washers~Gotta Love 'Em!

Harbor Freight copper washers are so nice!  Cheap, stampable, etchable.  And it is much easier to drag your husband to Harbor Freight rather than your local bead store!

Happy Birthday my sweet friend Dianne.

New Tool~~Riveting System from Beaducation

Got a new tool in the mail on Friday~~Riveting tool from Beaducation.  First try this afternoon.  Golly is it easy!  I've been riveting the old-school way for years.  This was a piece of cake. 

I LOVE new tools!

Have a wonderful week, all my friends.

Birthday Present

My lovely goddaughter Kate had a birthday last week~~

October seems like such a fun month for a birthday, doesn't it?  Pretty weather, pumpkins, harvest times, and a minute to reflect before the busy holiday times. 
Have a happy day, my friends!

Make Your Mark Etching Class

October 13, 2012 "Make Your Mark" Etching Class at Benicia Beads.

What a fun group!!!  The class was only 3 hours, though we hung around longer and Carol, the shop owner had to remind us that it was over.  

Maria, Kathryn & Diane started cutting metal  See how safety-conscious they were?  All were wearing their sexy safety glasses. 

  After learning about filings, sanding, resists and ferric chloride, the gals created way cool metal charms.  And they surprised themselves with the results.  Using Sharpie markers and/or rubber stamps, they etched their design into the copper or brass, then antiqued their piece with stinky liver of sulfur.  Whew!  Did we laugh about the smell!

Kathryn's pieces~~

Maria's work~~

Diana's creations~~

Their teacher had fun too!  

And I thank Carol & Grace at Benicia Beads for the lovely full-o-treasures store, their assistance to set up  & take down, and their support and enthusiasm!  You gals ROCK!

Etching Class "Make Your Mark"

Going to be a fun afternoon~ I'm privileged to teach at Benicia Beads this afternoon.  4 students, cool techniques, fun fun creative fun!  
Hope your weekend is blessed.  I need to make some coffee and get organized!  Perhaps I should change out of my pajamas?? :-)