Harvest Skech Day and stuff

Had another wonderful October sketch with the Vally Sketchers at Summerset Farms in Santa Ynez. I really enjoyed every doodle that day. Here are some highlights.

Loved the flowers! If I had an ounce of outdoor space/property, I would have bought them all up! Every year Summerset looks more and more beautiful. Always a delight. Here are most of the sketches I did. Wish I had more time for color.

I hope baby has fun when she goes there for her school field trip.

Here is a local gray fox from Zoo to You at the Wilding Museum. I really enjoyed it, but baby was a bit distracted. "roooooaaarrrrr!!"

 I did get to the studio today. It worked out pretty well. I got most of my pieces right where I wanted them. I am just nervous about having them done on time and that I spent all (what very little I had) my free time on these and had nothing left for any of my other projects. I am trying hard to work past this. I always think this, but maybe next year I will find the time to get all my ideas made.

So Little Time Left

 I've had a lot of requests for this stone, so here it is! The Blue glow is very nice.

 Here are the bezels all soldered down and getting a double check on their fit. I love to see the process, but I am sure these look very rough and nothing like silver at this stage.Some bezels are too tall and need to be shaved down, two or 3 need some extra embellishments soldered on, and they all need a bit of shaping. I think they will be looking pretty close by the 21st (the next chance I get in the studio) I have a lot of finishing touches and chain to work on.

 I think these two are my favorite, so fiery and pretty. I hope they will find a happy home.

 I cut out the back tight so this moonstone can really shine.

I really like these tension bracelets. I like the touch of color to the wrist, the snug fit and how it will not flop to the bottom. I had hoped to have 5 new ones, but so far it looks like 3.

The rings are coming along too. I think all of these will get a small stone setting. Again, I am left with a lot of homework to prepare for my next studio visit. Time is flying by and I am sad that I have not started the birds and tag ornaments yet. Still so much to do and no time to do it.

More Jewelry

I love the red of this glass enamel. It is the only enamel I have. I cannot wait to get the hand made earrwires on these. These will be earrings for the Queen of Arts and maybe they will make it to the Art Hus in Solvang. I still have a lot more work on these square wire rings. I have not made them for a while, but I am almost completely out. Still need texture, bezel, clean up and the stone.

Earrings are ready to put together. there might be like 20 pairs here. These I can finish at home in my "spare" time. The 2 coral necklaces are closer, not sure they are looking like I hoped. Any feed back will be appreciated.

These are my favorites. I need to peirce the backs and solder all the components. Then I need to decide what stones to match with them and weather to hand make the chain or not.

These will be on chain and I am hoping they will be a good pricepoint. The house has been on the backburned too long and I hope this is the year it gets finished. I have only made 1 other like it. There is a bird cage necklace it has been sitting with. The bird cage will have to be later.

Whie I was out working on the silver, my daughter was making shrinky-dinks with grandma. I love them!! Next jewelry work day will be October 4th. I have quite the to do list forming for that day. I hope to knock out a few things here and there before that.....homework!

A Little Jewelry a Little Sketching

 This is my large moonstone getting a custom fit bezel. I will be getting this piece all fixed up and ready to solder. I have another 3-4 hours of work time tomorrow in the studio set aside and I want all the pieces worked and ready to solder on the 4th of October. The moonstone and the Labradorite are my favorites and I am the most behind on them, so time to step it up.

This is one of two coral pieces I hope to make. I love these forms, but the wire holes are always in the wrong spot. I hope I am not the only one who loves the way this coral looks.

Vintage Trailer Show in Buellton was the location for our sketch group. It was so very hot. I loved all the cute little trailers. I sure wish it had been cooler and I had a bit more free time to work on sketching them. My daughter came along for this one. I had hopes that she might join in....she did! I love what she added to my sketch.

She seemed pretty happy with it too. I hope she will come sketching with me all the time, even if it is just to give my sketches some color.  I hope to have something more to post from the jewelry studio tomorrow. I might get to add some enamel to my heart pieces...we'll see...


First Day Back in Studio to Make Jewelry for QOA

Okay! I made it there and knocked out my list! Yay! I am out of shape though: my fingers are soar. These were my Gem Fest finds this year. I did find a Blue Labradorite cab to work with, but it was a tough find. The guy I got my last one from did not have any. I had a lot of half done pieces from last year to work with too. I ran out of silver sheet last year.

 These stone will all become necklaces. I am making some big pieces again, but also will make about 6 to 8 simpler styles for a better price point.

Here is one of the last pendants I cut out. My blade was working great until I bust it cutting the copper heart forms for my red enamel pieces. I got a lot started in the short time I had, but I also created a lot of homework. I need to make bezels for most of these pieces, cut out all the earring components, clean up the edges, and cut a few more things before my next scheduled date with the studio. I am hopeful and a bit excited with all the stuff I hope to get done in the next 7 weeks. Stay tuned!

One last Call for Seattle Trip

 Okay, this should be the last of it. These are the photos from my I Touch and cell phone, so quality will vary. Here is my sister at Thorton Place by her house. I am sure I said it before, but this place is cool. The sushi place with conveyor belts is there too. Can you see us in the reflection?

 These coffees were at Jewel Box Cafe which is at Thorton Place too. So good and great atmosphere.

Here is more from Zig Zags (which makes you walk in zig zags). Their hummus and brochette. Also a great atmosphere. Super good food, I will find myself craving this place a lot I am sure. And below is my zen coffee art from down the street at Cloud City. I got to drink out of the coveted Babo Cup!

 As for AFK Tavern, we were a bit too awesome for the place....hehe just kidding. We had a lot of fun getting ready to go, but it did not live up to my expectations. Definitely a kind of place you would reserve a table and bring a posse to, not a place to go solo and meet new pals.

 Super fun menu though! Still would go back and try a burger. It was in the middle of nowhere and a bit more of a drive than you'd want.

 Good Bagels and super fancy coffee also just a short walk from my sister's house.

 Asian Market booty!!!!! I could have got more!! I am loving all the pens and stuff I got there. The folding micro scissors are so handy. I am sure the sushi place here thought we were crazy. Oh, and the green tea was the best! I cannot remember the name of the restaurant (I went there last time too). Sushi was super super good, and the green tea is that cloudy version that is just the best way to have green tea. That is another thing I will find myself craving off and on.

Last Coffee stop before I left at the Cafe Jarasti (spelling?) with sister and Becky the elephant. Good crepes. Sigh... I sure hope my sister visits us soon. I hope to find time to run back up there too. Next time, my daughter wants to come with me. Missing my sister still.