My Studio

I thought you might enjoy a few shots of my studio. I have 21 pictures but it will only upload four at a time. I'll start with my closet full of beads

These jars are filled with crystal beads...........................................................

Tools and more tools..........................................................................................

More STUFF....You know how it is, always needing more STUFF............

IT'S A RED LETTER DAY FOR ME - My First Video Blog

Boy, it sure takes a long time to upload this video. Maybe I shouldn't talk so long next time or maybe I need to be more patient. While I'm waiting, I'm going to try and take a picture of the necklace I made last night using copper disks - It is hard to photograph because it is so shiny but I'll give it a try. Finally - here it is. They aren't the best but you will get the idea. Have a great day everyone and thanks for visiting my blog and be sure to leave your comments. I'm going to have a free giveaway contest sometime soon so keep checking in and I will post a HUGE NOTICE when the time comes.

Running amuck

This has been a totally disjointed day. I couldn't focus on anything. I started to go to the lapidary shop and on the way over there, changed my mind and went to the hardware store. I was looking for denatured alcohol and Boric Acid. When I took my last metal smithing class the instructor insisted we use this on sterling to lessen the chances of severe fire scale. Do you know how hard it is to find these items? I went to three stores and finally at the CVS Drugstore I found out that it is kept behind the counter at the pharmacy. I had to sign my life away to purchase it. The denatured alcohol was there because evidently alchoholics purchase it to drink - yowzee!!! At any rate, an hour later I was on my way home. I've been playing with a pendant and getting the bezel all soldered and ready to mount onto the base. In between, of course, I had to stop and fix supper. That is on the stove as I type so I'll be going now to check on it and will return to my studio later to work on the pendant. I really want to do a ring so maybe I will start that tomorrow. Sure wish I lived next door to Lisa of Lisa's Lovelies so I could play like a fly on her wall and see how she turns out so many beautiful things each day. I guess after more practice I will be faster too. Until then, cheers and tell someone near and dear that you love them. Life is too short not to. Hugs, Sally

Jan and Sally

I delivered the quilt to Jan Thursday and she loved it. Just happens to be her favorite color. Enjoy Jan!!

Finally

I attended the Gem and Mineral Show again yesterday and came home with a few little "gems" but not bad overall. I finally finished the Copper and Silver Heart Pendant and am posting a picture. This was really a learning experience with the soldering. I definately need a hotter torch because my little butane torch doesn't do the job fast enough and leaves a mess to clean up as witnessed in my previous posting. I think it came out pretty good though. It is hard to get a good picture because of the reflection but it really shines.





I'm going to focus on photographing and uploading some more items to my etsy shop today so be sure and take a look later on in the day. It's cold outside so I will probably use my photo tent and lights indoors. Have a great day and be good to yourselves. Remember - THE SMALLEST GOOD DEED IS BETTER THAN THE GRANDEST GOOD INTENTION....Duguet

A Flaming Good Time

I had a blast (so to speak) today. I used my torch and soldered a great piece together. It still needs to be polished and cleaned but here is the process in short:



The first few pictures are of my messy working space in my studio. After these pictures were taken, I cleaned it up and re-arranged a bit. It's hard to tell from the pictures but the pendant is made of sterling silver and copper. It is really pretty and I hope to have it posted on my Etsy site this coming week. I am also ordering my kiln this week so should be able to pick it up and get some dichroic glass items made. I will also be working with PMC so should have some real fun here in the near future. If I could only figure out how to eliminate eating and sleeping I'd have it made:>} Cheers, Sally

I am soooo excited

Today is a great day for me. The turquoise I had ordered a few days ago from my new supplier arrived and it is BEAUTIFUL - what do you think?? It is from a mine in Nevada and I can't wait to make rings and pendants out of them. Also, I finished the quilt I've been working on for my friend Jan and I think it is really pretty too. I plan to give it to her this weekend if she is up to a visit. I hope everyone is having a beautiful day.