Almost ready !

Ever since after Christmas I have been preparing for my first "real Art" show.
Cathy (www.cathybrowndesigns.com) and I have been wanting to branch out and away from the shows where people say "you want how much for a bracelet"? lol  Bottom line....they don't appreciate Art. I've been making beads like nobody's business, mainly BIG beads for Kaleidoscope bodies and bottle opener handles. Now I have to hunker down for jewelry beads.
I want to create a picture of some of my work to hang behind our booth space that depicts some of my favorite pieces. Here is what I have so far. Not quite sure about the text. I'll tweak it till I get what I want.
I kinda like it :

TaDa !!

Here is the picture of the pendant that I made on Sunday @ Cathy's.

                                                                        
                                                                             

                                 

Gosh, I work slowly !!

I spent my whole afternoon playing at Cathy Brown's house. I had such huge expectations of getting so much done, but only ended up making ONE (yes, 1) pendant. Granted, it was a two layer hand sawed copper/brass sheet that I riveted in multiple places.  I guess it's ok to work for 4 hours on a project, but try to explain that to your customers. They'll look at a piece and can't figure out why it costs so much ! TIME !!!
Now, 4 hours for just the pendant part (not including the time it took to etch the metals, we'll just call that a wash), 15 minutes to make the acorn bead, another 8 hours electroforming the top, then another hour or so figuring out how to "string it up"  No pictures yet, it's still tumbling, but it'll be coming soon !

What I've made with my acorns so far !

Sterling Silver Viking Knit bracelet with etched copper Oak leaf focal.
Acorn dangle is a glass lampwork bead that the "cap" of the acorn has been electroformed with copper.
Each component (Viking Knit, making the lampwork bead,  copper etching, electroforming) is a very time consuming process. I'm pleased as punch with the results.
$115.00

   





My second attempt is a copper etched oak leaf connected with a fused fine silver chain, and the acorn dangle is a glass lampwork bead that has been electroformed to show off a copper "acorn cap"
The bracelet and leaf have been oxidized to give the silver and copper an aged look.
$110.00

New Beads !

A fellow lampwork artist (Julie Nordine) came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. One of her signature beads is an acorn. She was so nice to share her technique with me. Here are my results ! I LOVE them ! Can't wait to make something with them ! My business used to be called In the Woods Designs......fits right in ! lol

Got a few new ones in the kiln !

I had a rare opportunity to torch all day long yesterday ! My friend, Robin and I flew an up and coming lampwork artist to Indy to be her guinea pigs. She's wanting to teach, and "doesn't know if she's good enough"  WHAT???? Lol !  Her name is Julie Nordine (Credit River Art Glass) and she makes amazing beads ! Uses lots of Silvered Glass.(YUUUM $$$) She helped me "tweak" my style. I'm getting there ! All bead makers want a style that everyone can look at your bead and say "that's a so and so bead"  Well, someday I want for people to say "that's a Carol Watson bead !"  Not quite there yet, but closer !
I came home tonight to a driveway and part of the garage covered in OIL. Oil as in, the oil that I used to fry the thanksgiving turkey in. Guinness decided I was gone too long today, and got bored. He dumped the box that the 3 gallon bottle that held the used oil was in. Darn it ! I was supposed to go back to Robin's tonight for more play time, but when I saw that mess, I decided to clean it up and stay home. I got some torch time in tonight. Made a few of Julie acorn's with my twist, and a HUGE heart that I can't wait to see. It looks to me like a Carol Watson bead !!!!  lol
I"ll go back tomorrow for more ! I'm having so much fun just creating and playing. Wish I could do it everyday !

Gobble Gobble !

Well, I guess it's officially Thanksgiving !  I finally put the finishing touches on my "Grammy Mustard" , thickened and in jars to give out to friends. This recipe was given to my Mom years ago by my sister in law, Sara. My Mom kind of "made it her own" and all of her neighbors asked her for the recipe. She would never give it out, but instead would make jars and jars of this mustard to give away.  It has ALOT of ground mustard and tarragon vinegar in it. Cleans out your sinus' BIG TIME ! I've decided I'm going to carry on the tradition since my Mom can't.  All I have to do tomorrow is peel the potatoes, chop the onions and celery for the stuffing, and I'm gold ! I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with those you love.