Creative Messy Bench

Working on pieces for a new article...bench looks like a high desert windstorm hit it...minus the tumbleweeds!

May all of you, have a confidently blessed Monday!   And those of you on Daylight Savings Time (like me), I say...it'll be so cool at quittin' time from work!  OK, right now it does stink a bit....:-) 

My Friend is Trying to Kill Me!

Here it is.  "Killer Hill".  Uphill walking until your lungs burn. 

Here's my dear friend Kate.  Most Wednesday mornings we walk together.   She makes me hike up Killer Hill.  She's in way better shape than I am and she smiles the whole way.  She's so mean to me.  But secretly mean, because she acts so nice about it and encourages me so much.

At the top!  It's really pretty when you get up there.  Even though I'm gasping loudly for air and begging for oxygen, I love the view.

I made it! 

May you all have a blessed Sunday and a smooth week.  We're getting some rain here that we need.  I'll work on gratitude for the water as opposed to crankiness for the wet dogs!

Belle Armoire Jewelry Published My Work!

I'm so excited!  Belle Armoire Jewelry Spring 2011 Issue has published a lovely article under "The Art of Presentation~An Encouraging Gift".  My packaging AND a couple of pictures of my Encouragement Necklaces have been featured!  Super woooo hoooo and happy dancin'!  (Sure do wish you could see the dance...imagine an uncoordinated grandma getting her groove on!)

Cynthia Levens is the author of this article and it's lovely, if I do say so myself.  OK, I'm a bit prejudiced~~lol.  Belle Armoire Jewelry is an extraordinarily beautiful magazine, and the chance to be included in its pages is a privilege.  And this issue really is an amazing one.  Lots of wonderful artists like my dear friend Diane Cook , Don Pezzano, Deryn Mentock , and the amazing Keith LoBue~~plus more!

This issue goes on sale tomorrow.  If you get the chance, page through this gorgeous magazine and look at pages 114-117.  And when you do, remember that a blessed and happy artist is beaming with the thought of sharing this with lots of dear friends and jewelry-lovers.  I thank you all so much for your love and support~~~ Have a smooth week dear ones!

ICE Success~~mostly! And showers ROCK.

I LOVE my resin pieces~   The pour was pretty successful.  More learning curve stuff:  bubbles!  I really thought I was vigilant about them, but after I went to bed, two more emerged.  So, I'll only pour in the AM when I can keep an eye on it for many hours. 

Also, some resin poured out the side of a few of the bezels.  I'll pick at it and sand it off.

And the shower was BLISS!  Not to mention that sleeping without compression stockings is way more comfortable.

OK, new week~~and I've got something kinda cool to share with you tomorrow...a feather in my jewelry-making hat.  :-)  See you tomorrow my friends!

Resin Pour and Compression Stocking Fun

Getting ready for a resin pour, with trepidation and trembling...

My first time to try ICE resin, so I'll review this site: http://www.iceresin.com/articles/  which gives tips for a successful pour.

I used some old jewelry resin last pour....a mistake!  Sticky mess....I've got high hopes for ICE.  

Totally unrelated~~Thursday morning I had a procedure at my healthcare facility to inject pesky varicose veins...which means this is the summer I can wear my cute flippy knee-length skirt.  Anyway, I've been required to wear compression stockings for at least 48 hours without removing them.  I can't WAIT until tonight when I can remove them and take a shower!!   Oh yay! 

So, wish me a good pour and lovely shower, OK?

May your Saturday night be at least as fun as mine!

Heart Earrings and Copper Pendant~~Hope Joy Blessings

One of the coolest things about making jewelry is being able to make presents for your friends. 

Hope, Joy & Blessings.

Wished for y'all.

Resin Cabochon Pendant & An Amazing Day

What a wonderful day~~After worship and a visit to a dear friend, I came home and glued myself to my workbench.   I finished the resin cabochon pendant!  With only a few mistakes along the way~~pretty amazing.  The wonderful part of the day was being fully engaged in creating this piece.  The hours disappeared.  When I came up for air it was 9:30, which is 30 minutes past my bedtime!  Seriously, on work mornings I wake up at 4:30...so an early bedtime is a must.  But today is President's Day and the Imaging Facility I work at is closed...whee!  AND my sweet darling husband is in Bakersfield with my little brother.  I'm luxuriating in sheer selfishness. 

Side view of the piece.    The cabochon is cold connected to the copper plate with the stamped tabs.  Below you can see the rivets I used to attach the tab sheet to the copper plate.  I'm so happy and proud of this!  I'm so grateful to God for this gift of creative joy.

Revelations Chapter 21: Verses 3-4  NLT

"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people!   He will live with them, and they will be his people.  God himself will be with them.  He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

A new week my friends.  Now I get to catch up on laundry & stuff to get ready for work Tuesday.  But I hope I always hold the joy of play and creation deep in my heart.  Love y'all!