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

Bead Soup Blog Party!!!

I just joined in on the Bead Soup blog party! Sounds like a lot of fun!

Here is the link to join or take a look...

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2010/04/bead-soup-blog-party-is-here.html

Something Different

So I love silver and gemstones and beads and gold and pearls and.....then I bought Beads2010 and drooled on the pages. It was so fun looking at all the pretty, pretty things.

I love the look of color and a mix of ceramic and all of that together. I found some jewelry that I liked and did some research and now have spent a fortune on materials for a new branch of designs for my jewelry. I bought some ceramic eggs from this fab glass artist found here https://www.etsy.com/shop/Kelleysbeads. Of course I probably bought more than anyone else as I often do. I go overboard and get carried away. And some really pretty beads from fellow TeamEPE seller http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadFrenZ. But buying is not my problem.

Have you ever put down an assortment of things to make a piece of jewelry and your mind looks at everything and can't decide where to start? Four hours later, you are still looking and nothing has been accomplished. I have been working at my regular job, with strange hours, for the last two weeks. We also had the kids staying with us for April vacation. Not a setting for creativity. I have also been training for the marathon. I have to concentrate and no TV, or computer for three days!!!! No, no, no!!

So look out, in the next week, I will have made and posted 10-15 new items on my Etsy site! Yippee!! This is one of them in the photo above.