Happy New Year! 2008 is looking to be a fantastic year. I'm excited to be working more, and get ahead with my production pieces. I may or may not be going for my master's this year, but whichever way the road takes me, it will be the right direction.Since I am not really one for partying on New

Tonight was one of those nights where I started dropping everything, got tired of yelling "Damnit!" every five minutes, and decided to stop metalsmithing for the night and just play online (I have learned when it's best to stop while you're ahead rather than ruining a piece). So, off to Etsy I went where I have been perusing

Working in the high-end jewelry retail business, it's hard not to get swept away by the beauty of things I simply cannot afford. The other day, I decided to re-make my "family" ring--a wide silver band with peridot, yellow sapphire, and white sapphire in white gold bezels--into three small stacking rings, because I want something a little more

I had a wonderful, wonderful Christmas this year. After the initial stress of the morning, that is. First, I got my Christmas Wish of SNOW!!! Yay! It started snowing in Portland (unfortunately I didn't get pictures), decreased to rain as we drove through the gorge, and back to snow as we arrived in Hood River and Lyle! It

Make a free ecard - it's easy! Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Christmas is almost here, and I have to say, I am amazed at how much it just does NOT feel like Christmas. Not only is the weather absurdly mild and wet, but hardly a soul has said "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" this year! Something just feels "off". Like it's not as festive, people aren't as kind, and

So, after wondering for a couple of weeks where my beautiful earrings from gemmafactrix had gotten to in their shipping, I decided to check the email receipt and realised that although I had previously changed my address to my current one on Pay Pal, they had the wrong address as the shipping address, and therefore my new earrings

What was once a tree, is now ......leaves! I'm loving this piece. I love how chunky and weighty it is. The leaves are about 16g thick. Tomorrow comes the tumbling, gold, and blackening. Yay! Check out the posts below for how these guys began.

So I woke up this morning, and started the daily ritual of checking email and bloglines before heading out to run errands. To my surprise, I found myself featured on Roadside Scholar! Gigi, of Roadside Scholar, has a beautiful site, comprised of daily finds ranging from the personal, to the art world, and beyond! Her photography is beautiful,

My baby love, Sammy, is sick today. Or so we think. The photo above was taken a while ago, but he's been sleeping pretty heavily today. His ears are cold, nose is dry, eyes dilated, and he's a little wobbly. We almost took him to the vet earlier, but he started to improve, so we're holding off. Anyone

Just a quick post, since I've been busy and have a lot of sawing and sanding to do. In my casting class, we were given the assignment to create multiples, using a mold. Fun! My first two molds didn't work, but my third one works like a charm! I created a very simple shape from 16g wire and

I don't know how I missed this....I've been tagged by Margaux Lange at Midge's Mind to share 5 weird things about myself. Okay, here goes....1. My kitties are a. like my children and b. have very obvious names (Sammy - siamese, Amber - coloring)2. I have Synesthesia, and see letters and numbers in colors (in my mind).3. If

I just found out the other day that I have been juried into Etsy Metal! Yay!!! I am very much looking forward to being part of this bright, wonderful, supportive group. Here is the Etsy Metal website, their blog, and their members. Below are a few of their artists that have caught my eye.Anticlastic ring with a touch

I have done enameling before, and know how trying it can be. When I came across marstinia's work on Etsy, I was amazed. The beautiful colors that are infused in her jewelry and enameled dishes are lovely, and well executed. Here are some favorites...enjoy!

While taking a break between soldering jobs, I found this lovely artist on Etsy! brigetmbird's creations are full of beautiful color and texture, and would make a lovely addition to anyone's jewelry collection. Here are some of my favorites:

Felt Play Food from Katie Made Goods' Etsy shop.Happy Thanksgiving!!! Dave and I are heading out to Hood River today for the feast later. Luckily, the roads are dry and the skies are clear :)Here are some things I am thankful for:1. Good Health2. A good mind3. Family and friends4. Dave5. Sammy and Amber (our cats)6. 23 years

I am a damn good metalsmith, and one of the things that I absolutely love is using my hydraulic press. I am currently working on a commission for three thorn brooches, to be finished in January. The picture above was of the test piece. I use a very thorough technique for making hollow forms like these, but after

Even working 6 days a week, and house sitting, I was able to be productive. While house sitting, I was able to complete a grant proposal for the Oregon Arts Commission Career Opportunity Grant (fingers crossed). After house sitting, I "banned" myself from metal until I finished both my Towson University application, and the one for University of

Oh I had so many plans for this season! And yet, life happens, and suddenly all those plans for creation change, or get put on the back burner. I have been working 6 days a week for the past 6 weeks or more. Luckily, that changed this week and I now have time to work on my jewelry