What's Up

So I have been keeping a low profile here, but some stuff has happened. Firstly, I got MARRIED! A very quiet affair, just my mom and her guy, and my husband's parents. There were five photos.

Secondly, I have had two jewelry parties hosted by some nice ladies. I did very well and hope to have some more. It is nice to get together and drink some wine and meet new people.

I currently have a terrible cold and can't breathe. I have been holding down the couch for a few days.

I made my husband cut down a tree on Sunday. Went to the farm with my Cousin and her family, and my mom. I accidently chose an 11 footer. Loved Loved carrying it!! I got hives from the needles, then it fell over in the stand. It is not really safe for the sunroom, where I wanted it. It is resting comfortably on the deck, laying down.

What I really need to do is rephotograph all of my jewelry with my cool new macro lens, relist them with the updates. I found a really pretty ceramic tile for the background. I want them all to have a uniform appearance. Soon they will be on Etsy.

Next project is to make some bezel pendants with some of the gorgeous cabochons I have. Turquoise, jasper, labradorite to name a few. I made a lovely hinged one with dinasaur bone, but the hinge wasn't soldered properly. Tried to fix, alas, cracked the stone! (note to self) Never heat with stone already set

Ok, time for a nice cuppa.

Happy Holidays...

JET Challenge

It is time for the JET 's holiday challenge! Check the Jewelry on Etsy team blog for a chance to vote and win fabulous jewelry. It is easy, free and a chance for some great bling!

Check the link above!

Voting ends tomorrow, so act quickly before you lose your opportunity!

Power

After 72 hours, there is light. Literally, I mean lights and Internet and coffee that I can make instead of Dunkin Donuts. So happy. Soon the pickle pot will be hot and I can solder. But first out for dinner because I had to dispose of everything perishable. Did I mention that I can make coffee?

Out

Something New - It's the Wood that makes it good

My new fascination with wood
and with layers

I don't list things as often as I should. That sounds like a song! My procrastination will be my downfall. Here I am, now a quit my day job girl, and I have played enough Wii to best my own top score on Link's Crossbow (the only weapon I use) I think about making something, and I have enough materials to open my own shop. Sound familiar?

I love wooden beads. And lamp work beads. Alas glass is soooooo heavy! Wood is light, very light. A perfect marriage. My new bracelet, one of many, features wood beads with a mix of glass, and ceramic spacers. I can't wait to make more, plus they are fast. It's the wood that makes it good. Way back, Kenny Rogers had a restaurant, and that was the slogan. I always got a kick out of that one. Surprisingly, they went out of business.

My other new fave, is layering silver discs to make abstract floral shapes. The gold bezel is pretty and the tourmaline is really nice set inside the oxidized layers. It is like a rippling stone toss, oh that would make a good title somehow. Write that down, self.

My next endeavor is to make some bezel pendants with the plethora of cabochons I have "acquired". Photos to follow..

It's been a while

I recently took a class in wax carving and casting. I had no previous experience in this medium and seriously wished to learn. This is what happened. The teacher was Nanz Aalund, a professional goldsmith who had been teaching for many years. The place was Peter's Valley Craft Center in New Jersey. I spent 6 days in the country, no internet, only peace, and homecooked food. I went running a few times with Jordana, a quilter there for a machine quilting class. I would like to see her again, maybe for lunch in the city.

My classmates and I learned to carve wax into a ring, with specific geometric lines. I was always terrible at geometry. After carving our model, which was the same for everyone, we altered it to our own taste, making certain the balance was good, and it wouldn't turn.

Me toiling away with dental tools

Then a funny thing happened. We had done the investments, and placed them in the kilns overnight. The next morning, Nanz went to turn on the gas tanks to heat the silver for casting, and lo and behold, no oxygen. Not so funny.

Jennifer was the studio assistant, and she went off to fill the tanks, but in the meantime...

One person had her silver melted by two acetylene tanks. When the container was moved to pour, it was dropped and all the molten silver splattered on the floor, and almost Nanz's bare legs. That was not attempted again.

Next we started carving something of our own. Mine was a ring setting for my Etsy shop. A bezel setting with narrower sides close to the setting.

Mine came out great.

During the class, Nanz told me SEVERAL times that I should just send it out to be cast. Now what's the fun in that?

Jennifer is a fantastic enamelist check out her site
weareverjewelry.com

Fundraising Giveaway

I made this lovely pendant as part of my fundraising campaign! To honor Team in Training, I made it in the team colors of amethyst, green and white. Created from gold fill wire, which I soldered into a ring, wire-wrapped swarovski pearls, rolo chain, swarovski crystals, green topaz and tiny seed beads to finish this sparkly, elegant pendant. The diameter is 1 7/8in.

***For each donation of $75 or more, I will made this at my own cost and time! It looks gorgeous on and will be noticed! If you prefer real amethysts and pearls, I will switch them. It hangs from a delicate gold fill 18 or 16" chain which I will be wearing as I run my 26.2 miles!!!

Please check my LLS link below to make a donation (ANY amount is appreciated!!!)

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/nikesf10/mreillyr9g

Team in Training-Nike Women's Marathon

It's official! I am running the Nike Womens Marathon in honor and memory of my father, Jody.

This is him in 2009, after he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He died on October 10.

I have written the fundraising letter. I have started the training schedule that I received from Team in Training. I have the link to my website that is my fundraising page for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My goal is to raise $4000!

Now I get to send the letter to everyone I know and some that I don't. That part is scary, but necessary for fundraising. Running the 26.2 miles, not as scary. Please check out the link and if you can help in any way, that would be wonderful.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/nikesf10/mreillyr9g