Fire Fire Fire

So this box of amazing goodness came yesterday. :)

I'll give you a hint, it's from Rio Grande.  :)  It's my new tools!  Including my new bff, a max flame torch! :) That means I get to play with fire today!  It was perfect timing.  I had just scored this little toolbox from the hardware store for $10.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to need two though.  One for the tools and one to store all my metal in.  A toolbox was a must.  We've got a moody Parti Yorkie that thinks my tools are fun to eat, especially when he's pouting.  He drug off my new nylon chain nose pliers before I even had a chance to use them.  I'm not even going to go in to what he did to my purse and it's contents after we got home from our ride and then left again for a few hours. :/

I've still got a few more things showing up today before I can get to work.  The main one being my jeweler's saw.  I've got a piece of Crescent Valley Turquoise I've been hanging on to for a ring.  That's going to be the first project I start on.  Leave it to me to pick something that's going to be a bit more intensive for my first project.  But hey, that's just how I roll.

I slammed through errands and chores yesterday so today will leave me with a little more flexibility to practice.  The mailman won't show up for a few hours and that will give me just enough time to clean off the work table so it's suitable to blow some flames.  Holy hell I'm EXCITED!!!  If I have progress worth sharing tomorrow you can bet it will be on here.  Keeping my fingers crossed I've got some skills.  :)

Peace and flames to everyone today.

Full On Flaming Work Mode

I opted to not post yesterday.  I'm in full on flaming work mode right now.  My goal for yesterday was three pendants done.  I thought I had hit my goal until I was polishing the last one and noticed it still needs a few touch ups.  That's on today's agenda.  :)  Along with a few more goodies.  In the meantime here are the two I did get finished and listed in the eTsy shop.

You can see more pics and details here.

This first one is a lovely little piece of Tiffany Stone.  It's also called Bertrandite or Opalized Flourite.  I love the depth in the stone itself.  I kept the heart simple so there was plenty of room for the pattern to show through.

You can see more pics and details here.

Turquoise is one of my favorite stones to work with.  Especially Royston Turquoise!  I love love love the uniqueness of each piece that comes across my table.  My favorite part of this one is the little lake accent.  :)  It's really just a beautiful stone with some really amazing flow.

I'm off now for the weekend.  I'm going to be cranking out everything I can while I can.  There may be a little time out for a Harley ride at some point.  :)  I'll share my progress on Monday.  Hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Where Did That Week Go?

I can't believe it's Friday already.  This week just flew!  Welcome to summertime.  Here are a few photos of yesterday's project.  If you are my friend on Facebook you've already see them, however this first one I didn't share yesterday.  This is one of two commissioned pieces I've been working on. 

Sometimes it's nice having "live at home" models.  I'm just not good will selfies.  Especially when it comes to jewelry.

I really really love the earthy feel to this piece.  Like alot!  This is only the second time I've worked the chain into the piece.  Usually I finish up the pendant, throw it a ball chain, and let the customer decide what they want to use for chain.  This pendant just needed to be a full piece.  It looked unfinished alone.  I'm so so glad I took the extra time.  My client loves it too! :)  I will for sure be doing more full pieces.

The focal is made from an orange Tiffany (Bertrandite) cabochon.

I've gotten a little crazy about stepping away from mass produced, commercial products.  Now granted, I do have some commercial supplies I will use up (because I hate wasting anything, ever), but I have committed myself to keeping my pieces as authentically handmade as possible.  With that in mind I created all the connectors and components on this piece.  I'm really excited about cutting out the big chain stores for supplies.  I've asked a few questions on Facebook, done some research, and been able to find handmade beads from other artists that I absolutely love.  Once I get all the metalsmithing tools I want I'm going to get a kiln and move into making my own beads as well.  Seriously, there are so many variables in jewelry art I don't see myself ever getting bored with it.

I hope all of you have a wonderful, safe weekend!

Wed. Work Table and Tues. Progress

Not quite finished but here's a sneak peak of yesterday's progress ...

The Chrysocolla cabochon may end up being my favorite.  :)  Honestly, the photos don't do it justice.  I'll for sure get some better pics when it's complete and before it ships off to it's new home.

The orange Tiffany cabochon  is coming out nicely.  Still needs a few details but it's getting there.  I really love the earthiness of this one.  I'm hoping the cute girl that's getting it will love it too.

I have no clue what this cabochon is just yet.  But I will be finding out.  :)  Can you see the fern leaf in it?  I love that!  And the black and white!  This one will be for sale when it's complete.

I'll be squeezing in the rest of this project today as well.  Not crafty I know, but it's getting warm here.  The pooches and the kids get a little cranky in the heat.  My big white guy did his part fixing it and showing me how to grease it last night.  Hopefully he won't have to do this again.  I'm not exactly mechanically inclined but he does a good job showing me how to take care of things so there's less "fix it" later on.  Maintenance is always cheaper and easier in the long run.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Today's Work Table Projects

I'm pretty excited to get started on these ...

 A Tiffany and a Chrysocolla, and yeah, that's an orange Tiffany.  The others I've seen are purple.  I'm totally diggin on the coral and brown.  These two are for a custom order, but I can see more of them both in my future.  :)

And this one is getting reworked a bit.  It's big, it's chunky, and it honestly needs a bit more than just a plain jane ball chain.  I can really see it being a keychain, or even a small inspiration piece to hang on the wall.  Maybe keep it's "pendantness", yet still be able to hang on the wall?  Who knows how it will turn out.  I never know until something is finished. 

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Memorial Day.  I also hope that everyone took some time to remember those who have served our country and continue to serve our country.  It's a big job.  It's a lot of sacrifice.  It's worthy or more than just a few moments of remembrance.  Give a Vet a hug, and say THANK YOU!.  :)