New Things and an Update

Yes, I'm still here, just on a SUPER sllloooooww dial-up connection. Ever noticed that not only is dial-up slow but you ALWAYS get kicked off. . . and it is usually right when you are doing something important! So, we are all moved out and in between I managed to snap a few shots of a few new things I have done lately. I have a few more pairs of these beautiful lucite flowers in other colors but this is the next pair that I made. Same as the red ones I posted previously but the ear wire I made a bit different. I really like just making these very simple since I want the flower to be the focal point. Much as I love the earrings that have a flower with beads, crystals and maybe a leaf or two, these just cry out to be on their own (IMHO).


This next piece is something I have actually been working on for a few months a little at a time. I believe the beads are Fancy Jasper but if you know they are not then please let me know. I was just going by pictures on Fire Mountain Gems site and so I could be totally off base. I did the copper wire spiral caps and then separated the beads with Byzantine chainmaille sections. Then added more Byzantine to the "back" part of the necklace. I'll have to get a shot of me modeling it so you can see how it lays. It's meant to sit at the base of the neck. The beads are actually really big, probably 10 or 12mm or for reference, the size of marbles. Chunky but not over the top.

I haven't been able to do many Entrecard drops or stop by any blogs but I noticed that there is a library that my husband passes during the day. I'm hoping to go there one day and use the wi-fi. Might actually be able to achieve a few things. I did get to the LV Gem & Mineral Society shop on Tuesday to finish up some cabochons I needed to shine up. I have some copper and brass wire and plan on wrapping them soon. Of course, I'll share photos when I'm done. Hope all is well for everyone out there in Blogland and I'll attempt to stop by soon.

I'm Wired!!

Not just wired on coffee! I've been taking a break from my chainmaille obsession and have been working on some wire-wrapping creations. The first photos is the cabochon that I made. If you aren't sure what I'm talking about then you can read this post here for the explanation. I know that a lot of people use square wire for their wrapped cabs but I had some 22 gauge round wire lying around so I just ended up buying some half-round wire from a seller on Etsy. I'm very happy with how it turned out considering this is my first ever attempt at wrapping a cab. Now if only someone could tell me what the stone IS then I'd be really happy.



Green aventurine is such a pretty stone and I love the way it looks combined with copper. I already have one pair of copper earrings with aventurine in my Etsy shop but these are slightly different. I'd like to do a pair like this in silver but maybe with garnets or lapis. Hmmm, or maybe I'll just have to make one pair of each.



This last photo is a cuff I came up with after seeing a design in Step by Step Wire Magazine. The original design had smaller "waves" but was along the same lines. This was fun to make since it was all very random as I went along. Lately too, I have been trying to make my own findings so the clasp on this cuff is handmade as well. One of the next projects I'd like to work on with wire is some hammering, so need to find the right time so I don't disturb the neighbors. I bought some 12 gauge wire which I'm chomping at the bit to play with. Uggg so many ideas, not enough time OR money! I'll be listing these in my shop soon so keep an eye out.