"Copper Reverie"~

The process:

The idea of quartz crystals wired to copper kept bumping around in my head.  My first attempt to bring my dream to reality resulted in the first "rough draft" above.  I love primitive, but this was too primitive for me.  Sooooo I gave it another go.

My second "rough draft".  This gave me a chance to tweak the idea and see how practical it was.  After this, I could saw my copper shapes, punch holes, smooth the edges, stamp and brush salt water on it to float over ammonia.  Then came sealing, wiring and ta-da (!)

~~picture-taking!

I love how they turned out.  I'm calling them "Copper Reverie".   First pieces of 2012.

Now it's time to return to reality.  Time to finish the laundry, make my lunch for tomorrow's work day, and wash my hair.  And maybe I should get out of my jammies?  It's only 2:20 in the afternoon!  :-)

Happy Lapis New Year

Lapis!  I love it so much~  Sawn & textured copper, Hill Tribe silver beads, Sterling handcrafted earwires.  These were fun.  :-)

May all my blog friends have a safe New Year's Eve and a 2012 full of new confidence, trust, creativity & JOY!

I thank my Lord God for an amazing 2011!  May I be a better servant and friend in 2012.

Pearl & Brass Earrings

It's the end of 2011.  Here are some party earrings to get you ready to celebrate the New Year.  Pearl, Labradorite, Glass, Brass & Copper all come together.  They've been sold to a gal at my day job.  Party Time!

For Terri Sue

 A couple of months ago, my friend Terri Sue made some unique and groovy luggage tags for me and my hubby.  I promised to make her a pair of earrings in return....(crickets chirping)...ok, I took a looooong time to make these, but I think she'll love 'em.  Copper, brass, base metal, emerald calcite...."Love Earrings"

Love you all!  Have a great week!

LOTS of Family Time~~Tired but Happy

Since my blog is called "chriskerrjewelry" I'm gonna show you these earrings first~~My beautiful stepdaughter's future MIL loves jewelry.  Every time my DSD (dear step daughter) visits from Spain, I try to make earrings for her to take back home.  "Calm" & "Peace" is not what we've had this last month!  But it's what I always wish for my loved ones.

My hubby has spent months planning a family reunion with cousins from his mother's family.  We all camped at Huntington Lake, Upper Billy Creek .  It was 7,000 feet above sea level, tent camping, only one flush toilet area, no showers (!).  I must humbly admit that I'm not a camper.  I've been tent camping only a few times and NEVER without showers!  I was nervous.  4 nights.  Could I do it? 

The flush toilet structure.  No hot water.  I became an expert at washing in freezing water and dealing with it.  And I LOVE Huggie's wipes for personal cleanliness when one can't take a shower!  I could write a commercial for them!

It was BEAUTIFUL!  The air was so clean.  Even though I gasped a bit while hiking (7,000 feet up kicked my butt!), I felt alive and happy.  God's beauty heals.  It fills up the weary spaces with peace....

Huntington Lake, me and my sweet sweet man.  Blessings and beauty.

Then back home for more family~~

 Home again, unpacking and fitting in more relatives' visits.

So we had the reunion.  The kids from Spain stayed two weeks.  My middle little brother and three of his kids spent a couple nights.  My littlest brother and his new bride visited too.....Wonderful visits! 

But we are tired. 

Tired and full of amazing memories.

So it's time to recharge.  Time to lay low for a bit. 

I hope your summer is a good one.  I pray your life is full of simple blessings!  And a daily hug or two.

Ice Resin "Peace" "Hope" Earrings for Kate

Trying a new Ice Resin project.  I made these teeny little cups of copper, glued in teensy words of encouragement and filled them with resin.  I made a bit of a mess, with resin all over the cups, which had to be peeled off by yours truly.  But the results are kinda cool. I'll show you the pair of earrings I made for myself next post, but for now I wish you all a Thursday full of peace and hope. 

Silver Earring Birthday Presents

Happy Birthday Cathy!   Silver & Pearls & Steel wire.

Happy Birthday Marlene!  Silver & Amethyst.

Happy Birthday Bailey!  Silver~

I'm blessed to have so many wonderful gals in my family. 

Peridot, Copper & Brass Cross Earrings for Kate

Weekend is here!  Hope it's a wonderful break for you all~~

Here's a pair of earrings I made for my friend Kate.  Peridot is so delicious!

"be joy" Earrings to Make You Smile

Bronze and Copper, sawn, sanded and stamped.
Yummy iolite drops suspended on copper chain.
Hope you smiled!

Love this quote:
"People often underestimate the power of...gratitude.  I have chronic fatigue syndrome, and when I'm feeling bad I remind myself that even in darkness, I am the recipient of many gifts."                              Laura Hillenbrand

May we all focus on our many gifts today.  Bless you all!

Gettin' My Mojo Back and Making Earrings~

I finished these copper and ametrine earrings today!  I'm excited because ever since I've been ill, I haven't had much energy or desire to make jewelry.   And that's sooooo not me!  But I guess it makes sense. 

Low energy=low creativity.

These paua and prehnite earrings were created for my DD's  future mother-in-law in Spain.  Yes, the great news this Christmas time was that daughter number one is engaged to her beloved Spanish boyfriend of five years.   We are going to be forced to attend a wedding in Spain in May 2012!  Life is tough! lol

So, better health, better energy and plans to visit Spain (Barcelona?  Alhambra? hmmmm).  It's all good~~Thank you God for these blessings!   And may you all have a lovely week~~

Weirdly ill

I've been ill.  I had lovely red lumps show up on my eyelids, legs, feet and hands.  And fevers.  And sore joints.   For nearly two weeks now.  Not fun.

Look at those attractive eyelids!  NOT a pretty sight.   

I've been off work, visiting the doctor and staying home eating broths & fruit & vegetables & herb tea.  Every morning I've drug my sore body out of bed and done my yoga exercises, doing my best to praise and trust God.

My dear friends and family have been praying for healing and encouraging me.  Blessings! 

I've had plenty of time this holiday to appreciate little things, like good health, the love and care of friends and family, and the devotion and care of an amazing husband.

Here I am today.  I visited the doctor and got a good report.  Most of my red bumps have faded.  No fevers for three days.  Sore joints getting better.  Thank you Jesus!  

The doctors are still not sure what caused all the weird symptoms, and are amazed at how quickly I've been improving with no medications.  But I know why.  And I'm so grateful.

I didn't get much done on these days off.  When the fevers took hold, I just wanted to sit on the couch bundled in quilts and layers of jammies and socks.   But I did manage to finish stringing necklaces and making earrings for my lovely sister.   And the package went out today!  So look out for it sis!

So this Christmas season 2010 has been quite different than I'd expected.  I've been given a gift of perspective, a gift of seeing how truly blessed I am every "normal" day.  I've been given the gift of appreciating good health, and the humble realization that it could have gone either way:  health or illness.  None of us are promised ease and an absence of challenges.  We are just promised that He will walk with us as we travel through the valleys and climb mountains.  May your Christmas be blessed.   May you feel the joy and faith that comes with the birth of a Savior.  My love to you all!

I've Been Busy! Copper Earrings Day

I've been busy today!  This pair was lots and lots of sawing.  I started them last week and finally got to patina them yesterday.  I LOVE the way they turned out!  And they kinda resemble Christmas ornaments, right?  Perfect for Christmas parties~~:-)

 These hearts make me smile~~I drew them on the copper with a very fine point Sharpie.   Hearts...I just love 'em!    And I wanted the copper circles to frame them.  The turquoise was a last-minute decision.  Originally I was going to use abalone beads, but the turquoise called out to me.  Yep, called my name! lol

Copper, Citrine, Prehnite and Copper chain.  Fun and light to wear.

OK, all I need to do now is get out of my jammies (2:43 PM Pacific Standard Time...for shame!), brush my hair and teeth and run to Studio 41.  

I'm so very thankful for you all.   Thank you for reading my blog and sharing your thoughts.  You are important to me and I wish you the best Thanksgiving and lots of blessings as we head into the Christmas season.   Mmmmmmwah~!

New Earrings: Copper & Brass, Etched & Hammered, Quartz & Onyx

Pair of earrings ready for Studio 41 in Benicia.  Etching brass or copper is such a satisfying process.  You write on your metal with a Sharpie, suspend it in ferric chloride and tah dah!  Etched & textured to your specifications.  My kind of fun!

Women of Faith conference in Sacramento.  Could only attend Friday...but wow!  Sheila Walsh's story and encouragement brought me to tears of joy, tears of breaking open to God's love.   Amazin' day.   Effects still lingering in my heart and thoughts.

Saturday~fun family day when my newest nephew Kevin was baptized.  Lots of laughs and too much delicious Mexican food.  We are a blessed family!

Monday tomorrow....may we all sail smoothly into our weekly duties.  I'm prayin'!  Hugs to you all~~~

Cold Connection Encouragement~Citrine, Heliador, Copper and Brass

 That's what my workbench looked like last week.  I was riveting another "Encouragement Pendant".  See my cute little clamps?  They really help.  And the painter's tape helps keep marks away~~

Tah Dah!!!  It's finished today.  I get to test-wear it to Women of Faith conference in Sacramento on Friday.   I'm so looking forward to an amazing time with friends and a bunch of other Christian women.  How lucky I am~ How blessed I am.

And here's a present for a lovely niece.  She'll get this Saturday.  I hope she likes them!  She specified "small and hearts"....OK!
Have a wonderful Thursday, all.  Veteran's Day.  Thank you, every Veteran.  Thank you for protecting my wonderful country.  God bless you.

Sing the Dreams of Your Heart

New piece!
Chrysocola and labradorite on etched brass riveted to copper. The idea for this piece had been rattling in my head and telling me it wanted to be created for a while. I love it! The necklace includes beads of abalone, fluorite, copper, brass, glass and leather~~fun stuff goin' on here. Comfortable to wear too~~

I love the message on the back! It's a fun challenge to think of encouraging messages.



Etched brass and abalone earrings.


Scottish Games in Pleasanton Ca this weekend. Oh, the bagpipes, the kilts, the crowds and vendors. The silly t-shirts with the funny sayings! My DH worked his volunteer position in operations. He worked hard and loved it~~

Well, another Labor Day almost over. The official start of "back to normal". Need to savor every single day~~they are speeding by so rapidly.
Bless you all.

I've Got Help

Button, our little marmalade girl rescue kitty, loves to "help" me when I sit at the computer or work on jewelry. If she's in a "mood", she'll play with the beads, try to gnaw on the wire and demand petting, petting and more petting. Here she's resting until she can pester..er.."help" me again.



Make a wish and dream now earrings for the gallery today. Copper, Fluorite, Pearl and fun. Blessings all!

Life is a Gift

Yes it is~ what a wonderful busy weekend. We are getting ready for church camping and the Scottish Games, so we had to make sure our pet babysitter was fully informed of all the pets needs and quirks. I hadn't realized how weird our pets are! Dakota the Lab loves to roll on the rug in front of the front door and make Chewbaca noises, the bigger kitty Foster loves to lap water in the shower stall, etc. We are blessed that we could adopt these four rescue pets. They bring so much love and grins into our daily lives.
We also had Mom and Dad and Nick over. Mom made fabulous organic stuffed zucchini...yum-oh~
Today we drove to Carmichael and worshipped with Michelle and Nick. Got to chat with our prior pastor and thoroughly felt moved to worship God with praise and songs!


OK, More earrings for the gallery:

"Life is a Gift" Copper and turquoise.



Lucky Heart earrings. The little hearts were a booger to saw out of silver...I think my eyes were crossed for days after this! :-)
Have a blessed Monday my friends. Have a lovely week~

Brazilian Occo Geode...yum!

About 3 weeks ago I visited my LBS (Local Bead Store). Beading Around the Bush in Benicia, CA...I LOVE this shop! Anyway, there in a little tray on a low table, I saw them....Brazilian Occo Geode slices...I fell in love immediately. I caressed them and admired their beautiful sparkles. Three made their way into my clutches. I also bought some amethyst points. I had a vision of a pendant. I wanted to explore the idea of a "hidden blessing", a gift from God in an unexpected place.

After sawing the brass, sanding all the rough spots, stamping it a bit, drilling two inner holes for the point, I set the occo into the brass and wired the point into the middle. Then I sawed out the copper shape, stamped the words, etched the copper and riveted the brass to the copper. This took me two weeks! I worked here and there after my day job. And thought about it many random moments. Jewelry making is so engrossing, with challenges and triumphs. ( And occasionally the agony of defeat! lol!)


The rest of the necklace was pretty easy. I love stringing and this one really went together easily.


Earrings to go with the necklace.

Well, it is Mother's Day tomorrow. I have an amazing Mom and I respect and honor her. Hopefully I do this every day, not just a Sunday in May! :-) I hope you all remember your Mom tomorrow and find a hidden blessing from her guidance. Bless you all!

Gorgeous Day at Stinson Beach~

DH and I spent the day with the "kids" from Spain (lovely stepdaughter and boyfriend). We drove around the Northern California coast and drank in the views....Stinson Beach, Point Reyes! Beautiful, Springtime, Fabulous!



Also had a chance to make a gift for a friend in Spain~~so I used my high school Spanish to stamp "amor" and "paz" and make these brass, copper and turquoise earrings. Full day. Blessed day.

More work~! And a visit from Spain

"Trapped Bezel" pendant inspired by Richard Salley's technique. Amazonite, copper, brass. First time I made my own bead caps~~ They were inspired by Candie Cooper's new book "Metalworking 101 for Beaders".


Copper and brass and fine silver bezel strips. Dangles of quartz crystal.


Copper and brass and fine silver bezel strips stamped with "Smile" and "Shine". Fluorite dangles.

Well, I don't get to participate in the artist day at Studio 41...rats! But my work will be there without me. Hope it inspires and encourages. Love to sell a few pieces too .

My beautiful stepdaughter is here from Spain! She and her novio will be here for lunch today. Which means that DH and I are going to bless this house with some cleaning~~~ When you have two big black dogs and two orange marmalade cats, you have some serious animal fur at all times. And the left-over clutter from a crazy work week...it'll be fun to clear this all out and feel clean and fresh~~

Bless you all...may your weekend be joyful!