Graduation Quotes

Melissa had me make matching quotes for graduation presents.

Close up.

Tucson Pendantz

Pirate metal-smithing for Zoe

Pirate metal-smithing for Zalea

Treasures for my girls!

I promised my kids when I went to Tucson for metal classes in February that I would bring them back a surprise. Well, I got started with these in my last class, but they sat in a box unfinished until last week when I finally had all of the tools I needed to finish off the rivets. It only took 4 months, but hopefully it was worth the wait! Now, I know Enzo won't wear a necklace like this, so his will be turned into a keychain if I ever get the parts . . . I'll post a photo when that's done. It's not like he's holding his breath or anything (anymore, at least!).

Copper Quotes

Tracey gave me 3 awesome quotes to put into a necklace. I tried to keep them as small and organic as I could. This is great advice for EVERYONE! And the necklace turned out really fun! That big black dot on the large quote is a reflection of my camera. I just don't know how to avoid that spot!

I love a girl who loves her mom!

Funky bracelet with copper charms for Jen's mom. This was a great soldering experiment. I sweat-soldered the copper heart onto the silver heart, then couldn't bear to drill a hole through them, my drill would undoubtedly jump around and the hole would be off-center. So, I soldered a loop to the back to make a place for the jump ring. I LOVE the warmth of the copper on this bracelet. Just a little detail view.

Silver on silver heart charm for Jen's mother-in-law. This necklace is 24" long and it lays nicely.

For Linda

Front ViewBack view, with children's names
Side view, for Depth

Linda liked Caitlin's experiment, and had her own giant cz jiggling around in her bag of treasures. She asked me to make this pendant is for her daughter-in-law for Mother's Day. What a great mother-in-law! Another great experiment that I enjoyed immensely!

Messin' around for Mothers . . .

2 heart pendants for Teacher Appreciation week.
Family necklace, for a dear friend's birthday.
Hidden inscription for a mother's heart pendant.
Here's the front. For Brian's mom!

Soldering experiments. These were fun. The "give" pendant is for my own mom. The back says "Scatter Sunshine."

More Fun!!!

This photo makes me think of a giant smiley face!
Back view . . .
Front view . . .

I love a good experiment!

Back view shows the rivet heads.
Side view shows the depth.

Caitlin Zoe stopped by with a GIANT cubic zirconium that her boyfriend gave her for their anniversary. She said I could experiment with it. I dreamt about it for a whole week before I dared cut or drill anything. I'm no official stone setter, although I have dabbled and taken a class on it. I'd have to say my first commissioned stone-setting job turned out pretty cool. I think I would even wear this one. Hope you like it Caitlin!

Mother's Day Commissioned Work

A Mother's Day necklace for my doctor's daughter. Her son's name is Oliver.
This one is for Lisa's mom.
The M and M is for Mike and Missy, and the S is for their daughter, Shelby.
Hammered copper initial necklace.

More photos of recent work.

How do I spend my "free time?"

Some projects I've been working on lately. This bracelet was made for my doctor's daughter, her new son's name is Oliver. I accidentally goofed up the words to the song "You Are My Sunshine," but I think it's OK because I'd rather be happy "every day" rather than just "when skies are gray." This cuff-style bracelet is pretty dang cool, if I do say so myself!
This bracelet was made for my doctor's wife, Sherry. She said she loves stars and to do something with stars. Here's my offering to starry nights everywhere. This one, too, was awfully fun to make.
This was a "thing" that I started making back in December for a friend's birthday. I'm not sure what it really is, I thought at one time that it could be a key chain. But now, I think it's just a big metal thing. She wants me to turn it into a bracelet, and so I'll try. We'll see how it turns out.
My new mantra. "Let come what may, and love it." This is from a fabulous conference talk that just makes sense to me. Stuff happens. We can accept it and embrace it, or we can choose to be really miserable. I wear this necklace most days and truly love it. The copper has developed a warm, rich, natural patina that makes me love it even more.
This necklace was for my sister, Kim, on her 40th birthday in February. The letters are her children's initials. I will have to eventually mail this to her, since my kid's names don't start with any of these letters. I always seem to be a day late, or something . . .

Goodies for Garden House gallery

ID Bracelet - Who Are You?

Been stamping a bit lately. The thing I like about stamping is that it is so immediate. No waiting 12 hours for the kiln to cool down. I can just sit down for 20 minutes (OK, so maybe it takes a bit more time than that) or so and work on a project and clean it up fast when it's time to move on to the next thing. I love, love, love the glass. But it just takes sooooo long. Silver stamping has been a fun distraction until more time opens up for glass. This is a photo of my ID Bracelet. I stamped out all the hats I wear, all my titles, or ways I describe myself. Here we have: daughter, eternal companion, lover, conservaionist, recycling freak, artist, mother, tree hugger, friend, hiking fool, sister, superhero. My friend, Tawny, pointed out that I'm missing a few. I'll just have to keep adding on . . .

Spinneys for Tia's Sisters

Made these spinneys as an experiment. The big wheel of glass actually spins. They're so cool! I want one! My friend, Tia, bought these for her sisters as birthday presents. Guess I'll have to find some time to make more.