13 Flowers Journal

Forget the closet -Finish the Ring!

2009-10-11T12:58:00.005-05:00

Screw cleaning the closet. Everything will have to stay in piles for awhile longer. I don't want to put away my sleeveless things - but we had frost last nite and I looked silly layering multiple things on this morning because I'm fighting taking out the winter clothes. Besides the fact I could hardly move.

And why do I only seem to have black clothes??

Almost finished a ring - it was intended for someone, but the stone is telling me "Don't let me go!" It's glossier in person... needs some polishing - a Crazy Lace Agate.

At War

2009-10-08T15:25:00.002-05:00

I am at War with my closet. It's turned colder all of a sudden, and I'm in my annual denial again.

I went to an Organization program with my friend, Karen, who runs her own Interior Design business and is totally pulled together. She didn't need it; I did. The main 'tip' was start drawer at a time, and de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter.

This reminds me of dieting and exercising- we all know what to do - we just don't do it and look for new ways to get it done!

So I've taken the HGTV stupid approach of dumping everything (yes, everything) out of my closet with the attempt of making my 'keep', 'give-away', 'toss' piles - HA ! I could scream.

I mean, since I don't go to my 'corporate' job anymore - and basically only wear the same things over and over every day (or that's the way it seems) what am I doing with all this Stuff ???

I'm going to go have a cherry-lime rickey and get to it. (I actually don't know what that is but it does sound good, doesn't it?)

Thanks, Tammy!

2009-10-04T11:42:00.001-05:00

Well, somehow I screwed up my Journal and deleted my comments...? don't remember how or when I could have done this, but Tammy was kind enough to let me know in an incredible way by posting something on her site!

I'm glad she realizes I look at her postings - actually look forward to them! Except for those darn bugs, which gives a city girl the creeps! She's got some great things and is very creative - and I like her straightforward approach to life!

Tammy's Treasure Chest. I love her mixed copper and sterling - and her choice in picking unusual stones for the right ring or pendant is awesome - but my all time favorite! check this out! UFO's Over the High Desert

Etched Copper

2009-10-02T11:37:00.000-05:00

Been etching some copper disks in my bathroom - the only place I can lock out the cat and dog!

The important thing is to make sure to put the all-important a bleed hole in the back of the ones soldered on a backing so it doesn't explode or turn into a missile - !!!!!

2 Pendants and a Ring

2009-10-01T20:13:00.000-05:00

Did a little work today - got a couple stones set - I need to do clean-up first but it's just so exciting to set the stones!

Another amazonite and labradorite... much prettier in person than in the pic - Maybe the papaya background doesn't help!

I love my Botswana agate ring - my hands look like they're a couple hundred years old so this will have to do.....

Hellos with Stones!

2009-09-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

Where has the time gone??? The summer's been great but all the tomatoes have disappeared, and fall is unexpectedly here- so back to my allowed 3 TV shows and some jewelry work!

New stones will always make you feel inspired! I'm in love with Botswana agates. I've been to an awesome seminar with several Mayan scholars in Virginia Beach this summer - and I'm drawn to anything that reminds me of the galactic skies.... how's that for a little weirdness?!

Will post a couple of summer things (that still need a cleaning up) - but have been fun doing. I know sales have been down for everyone - that is so disheartening - I'm still praying that this whole economy will do a turnaround this year. I have a couple friends that finally have found jobs after being unemployed for several months - and I do hear firms up here in Chicago are finally cautiously hiring - it's just such a tenuous time. (especially hoping we don't get the 2016 Olympics here -which will probably be the icing on the cake in bankrupting Chicago...) Oh well, didn't mean to get on this~! hello to everyone again - and back to work!

Yummmmm!

2009-07-14T18:24:00.000-05:00

Aren't I lucky to have a great neighbor that bakes?!! But not just baking! - Mary has now taken an intensive French patisserie class and we've been the recipients of some of her learning trials - I think she can now open her own desert restaurant... but she insists on job searching in another field. Beer rye bread, french macaroons (the french way -without coconut) a lemon tart, a delicious chocolate mini-tart with crunchy nuts - it just went on and on! thanks again, Mary!

Wrapped Earrings

2009-06-11T11:47:00.000-05:00

made these Lisa Niven Kelly earrings quickly last night - I think I'm going to oxidize them - they're really sparkly. Not really my style but got me back into wire-wrapping. She designs for Beaducation.com. They had a booth at the Milwaukee Bead and Button Show last weekend and everyone there was so nice and helpful. Of course by the time we got there, they were sold out of the metal dapping set I wanted, but I got a 10% off coupon for an internet order. Yippee!

Baking Bread

2009-06-08T19:13:00.000-05:00

Baking homemade bread! Took out the old Mark Bittman / Jim Lahey no-knead recipe and it still works beautifully! and can't be easier. Found a easy watch for those that may want to try it - I use a heavy-duty stock pot with a lid to bake it - and using flour for the dusting instead of bran is just fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Ah9ES2yTU

The doggie had the poops but a couple teaspoons of pumpkin cleared that up right away - so the leftover can went into pumpkin spice bread. YUMmmmmm!

The smell in this place has been heavenly!!!!!!!!!

It's Birthday Week!

2009-04-25T14:54:00.000-05:00

Couple of birthdays this week - made this for my neighbor who's turning 50 a good sport about it! (of course it helps to look and act 35!)

Couple of New Folds - and an Easter Flamingo!

2009-04-16T20:40:00.000-05:00

Where does the time go??? I'm waiting for some bezel and wire to come, and so I finished up a couple projects. I really like the way the copper flower earrings turned out -they look great on other people, but just not me... blend in and tangle with my hair I guess. Maybe the answer is to just chop it all off -

Here's a pic of my pendant - I was going to rivet it a background piece, but it became too wieldy and large - Someone in my metalworks class set a geod in a ring using wire so I decided to try it here.

Finally, what's Easter without a Flamingo? Took my mom to Macy's for their flower show, and the theme was pink flamingos! They were everywhere! Belated, but hope everyone had a blessed Easter!

Sunset

2009-04-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd post this - we had the most beautiful sunset last night. I wish I could have caught all the colors. Living in the city you have to look a little bit harder for the beauty in nature - and this is it. I can hardly wait until it's warm enough to sit outside in the evening - snow in Chicago at this time of year is just getting to be too much! And I need to pull myself away from all the news -it's one thing after another -now this earthquake is a horrendous disaster.

But on lighter news, I met my friend, Karen, at Lill Street Studio for coffee yesterday. She's making the most beautiful rosaries I've ever seen -I'll post her link when she's got it up. We're taking a PMC class later this month and I'm excited about it! It'll go for 3 days -3 hours per day - so we hopefully should be pretty proficient when done!

Rings, Folds and Fritzie

2009-04-03T15:27:00.000-05:00

Finished a couple rings and altho I don't think I especially like them, but I did learn something about the process on each one, so time well spent. I'm also working on more formfolding - not sure how I'm going to set these but will work on them this weekend.

And a cute pic of Fritzie since she looks so cute after her bath! (notice she's saying 'please don't put me in the tub again!"

Back!

2009-04-02T16:32:00.000-05:00

After taking way too much time off, I'm back in the saddle again! (or at the workbench!) I've been sewing, had the cold of the century, and a quick trip to Las Vegas - and am excited about getting back in the swing of things.

Last month I completed a couple of silver 'glyphs' - and unfortunately only have a pic of one of them. I wore this once, but for some reason I just can't wear florite or crystal without them fracturing... I don't even want to know why!!!

I've also been playing around with folding copper - love it! Have just ordered Charles Lewton Brain's book, which I really need. I've kind of figured out how to do a couple folds, but I know there are tricks to learn. I just hope I don't now need to go out and spend a fortune in hammers..... not that I can't have fun adding to the collection of tools "you've just gotta have"! If anyone has a reasonable tool source, I'd love for you to pass it on - thanks!

Here's an unfinished leaf and small folded charm -

Hoops and Circles

2009-02-08T14:12:00.000-06:00

Been busy this week - made more than a couple hoops and jump rings. Why do hoop earrings look good on everyone? One of the standards, I guess. The never-ending circle - of course I made several way too gigantic - but I think they remind me of summer so I'm going to wear a pair all week!

I've also been sawing circles from sterling, texturizing and concaving them, and putting them in liver of sulpher to oxidize the insides. I've then polished the back and edges and hung a little pearl in the center. I like the way they turned out - and think I'll send them to my niece.

Rudy

2009-01-29T20:51:00.000-06:00

Spent all day at Lill Street at my metalworks class. Will be posting pic's tomorrow -

Am going to go watch our Gov. Blago speak -Rudy seems to be fascinated with the story too - I'll post a pic him. The best cat I have. But - no more politics!!!!!

Twisty Rings

2009-01-23T19:32:00.000-06:00

Worked on a couple of sterling rings - I love the way the band with the loose silver ring that I'm able to twist around. I think this would be a great idea to do if I was trying to quit smoking. (which I'm not because I've never picked up that habit!-)

They both are hammered and oxidized - and the copper inset on the other one looks better than in this pic.

The Good Ones Are Gone

2009-01-20T11:45:00.000-06:00

The good Santas are now gone...... Inauguration day - but I'm not necessarily being political (!)

Way Too Cold

2009-01-18T12:52:00.000-06:00

It's cold. Very cold. They say the coldest in 13 years - but who knows if that's right. I'm not believing alot of what's on tv lately. I can deal with either snow or cold - but it's hard when both hit. I'd like to think it's not because I'm older! My nephew and his wife were supposed to come visit this weekend, but luckily they've cancelled. This city's no fun to get around in when the weather's like this, and we wanted them to have fun. Better off coming in the spring, I think.

so today I'm cleaning out my 'mail', taking down some decorations, making a bracelet, and listening to old Blues Traveller songs. I'm trying very hard to accept this upcoming inauguration gracefully, but just can't seem do it, so I'll try to ignore it for awhile longer and keep the tv off.

A New Blog

2009-01-17T20:57:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'm switching to this blog format to both inspire me to keep up on a semi-regular basis - and keep in touch with those I care about who ask me the dreaded question "What have you been doing?"

Why is there never an acceptable answer to this ~ or one that makes sense to most people. Or most people I know that ask this! And this will give people the opportunity to leave me a comment or two when they have a chance -

So here goes! Welcome!