Metals Club Competition

My metals club had a contest at Ornamentea. The theme was "City of Oaks". We had to make every component of the piece down to the jump rings. I am very proud of my necklace. I'm new to cutting sheet metal and using a saw. I love the way my acorn tops turned out. The teensie water color painting was not nearly as challenging as the acorns. I don't care if I win, I'm just thrilled that I had the guts to compete with silversmiths and college art grads. It is a very neat group of people in this club and they are always so willing to help us inferior metal workers. 

Charm Swap

I'm particapating in a Charm swap at Ornamentea, the greatest bead store in the world. You make 10 charms and you get back 10 made from other people. How fun is that! These are my charms. I needle felted wool roving into tiny pies. The pans are bottle caps.

Studio of Shame

I'm hoping to shame myself into cleaning today. This is how my studio looks when I'm on a creative roll. I don't think I will be in that new magazine on artist studios.

Crafters Downtown Market

I had a great show this weekend! Thanks so much to all the wonderful friendly people who visited my booth in the heat. I am hoping the rest on my shows will be cooler this year. After a show you would think I would be ready for a break but it is the opposite for me. I get really pumped . I have some great new ideas, my mission rings to do, charms for a charm swap and a competition for my Metals Club. Geez, I need to get off this computer and get busy.

the process

The last step is we go in the rock tumbler with stainless steel shot and go for a bumpy ride. The ring comes out shiny and clean and ready to go spread the Word and love of Jesus. Thank you God for using me in this way!

the process

The rings are added one at a time and remember have to be pickeled after each one. My studio is upstairs and the pickle is downstairs in the kitchen near the sink for safety  and washing. I got my exercise with this project. Hmmm do I see more symbolism? As you can see it is a dirty mess. I can relate to that during the course of my life.

the process

This is where it gets difficult. The ends HAVE to be perfectly flat on the base or it won't stick. It took me about 4 attempts before I nailed it. This is the foundation of the piece. You guessed it more symbolism. We try so hard and think we got it and ***** we mess up. Well back to the pickle to get cleaned up again. Every time the flame hits, it has to be pickled again.