My Friend Lori the clay artist

 

I want to introduce you to a dear friend of mine from back home in Wilbraham Massachusetts, Lori Mader of Cedar Swap Pottery, she is a clay artist specializing in handmade wood fired stoneware and porcelain. Lori creates one of a kind pieces of handmade art intended for everyday rituals. I am so proud to call her my friend, she has such a lively spirit and brings such joy to life. On my last visit back home she gifted me with a wonderful selection of handmade stoneware and porcelain beads, beads not being the correct word as they are little pieces of art and so nicely detailed

In this necklace I used a stoneware piece glazed in a gorgeous color of gray/green/blue. I paired it with copper, jasper, labradorite and faceted hematite. I hope I did her proud. It has the organic look I love with a little elegance thrown in. 

Check out Lori's  website for pouring vessels, sake sets, bowls and oddities. 

The Memory Keeper

As promised, the finished piece...The Memory Keeper. 

A heirloom for today... to hold  the images of the past.

Vintage Locket

 I had picked up this locket a while ago at an antique shop, I liked the patina and enamel paint on the front and especially because it was a locket....a very cool locket at that. As you can see it opens very unusually and allows for several photographs or mementos.

Today was its day....I paired it with some vintage chain, antique glass beads, new brass and Czech glass beads.

When I am creating something I sometimes lay things out to get an idea, I do not sketch, I guess you can say I wing it.

I will share the finished piece with you tomorrow. Are you a planner? Do you plan ahead before you create a piece? Do you like to sketch or are you like me and just go with it.

Tennessee has welcomed me home with some severe weather today...that is not very nice! Although, it is nice to be home. After we landed yesterday we stopped to visit our son Nick at school, I actually think he was very happy to see us, then home to 3 happy kitties and my nice comfy bed.

 It was a wonderful visit, typical fall weather with gorgeous glowing foliage. Got to see most everyone I had planned on visiting with and we attended the wedding of our good friend Scott and his new bride Valoree. It was a great day spent with good friends.

I also spent a few days with my sister Susan and her family and Wilson their silly dog. We did some antique shopping and I filled  my extra suitcase to the brim, it weighed 50.8 lbs...just over the allowed 50lbs, Southwest let the .8 overage go, how nice of them.

 

Out with the old, in with the new.

A few weeks ago CSN Stores had asked me to do a review on one of their products. CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cheap bedroom furniture to fantastic fitness equipment to cookware! After searching through their many stores I decided to get something I really had used a lot and something that needed replacing, an electric kettle. 29 years ago we were given an electric kettle as a wedding gift and I used it almost everyday, the cord started heating up and I knew it was time to replace it. I have to tell you it was not easy getting rid of it. So this is its replacement and I must say I love it! It heats so quickly and the handle is easy to hold and the spout pours great, it was a good choice!

Spoonful of Lovin

 I have had this tiny spoon brooch on my work table for sometime. This vintage spoon had a pin on the back and was a included in a set of sterling flatwear when originally purchased. The pattern is "Classic Rose", nothing fancy a bit plain actually. So I heated it a bit, pounded and stamped and "spoonful of lovin" was created. It measures a 1 1/2' x 1/2", so it is pretty tiny. It will most likely make its way into a necklace.

Hope everyone is well and I look forward to catching up with everyone when I return. 

Show stock and packed bags

I have been working like a crazy fool trying to get as much done before I leave for a trip to Connecticut and Massachusetts for 10 days. I do not know what I was thinking when I extended my trip from 5 days to 10 days, especially at this time of year, since I am in show mode. I know when I see my sister at the airport all the anxiety about work will  leave, and knowing I will enjoy some yummy lobster while I am visiting helps too! My hubby will be joining me later in the week so we can attend the wedding of a good friend.

 me and my sister Susan

Here are a few things I have been working on.

 I love this great hand component from Micheal's. Paired with chunky Opalite, peace resin pendant, etched copper tag "Inspire" and sterling wire wrapped copper bead.

"Blessed"

When I look at this piece I think of all the blessings in my life and realize how blessed I am and how lucky I am to have the most fantabulous husband and son. To live my life freely and joyfully without restraints, something that is taken for granted by so many. I am truly blessed with family and friends, health and purring kitties and the ability to create what I want when I want. 

 I bet you can't guess what the platform for this pendant is? I repurposed something and it is vintage.

"Starling"

My attempt at something a bit "goth"..

Resin pendant created from vintage dictionary illustration, Czech glass beads and brass and black chain. 

 I hope you all have a blessed week!

101 Year Old Cowgirl

This is truly an amazing video, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Love My Art Jewelry Giveaway

If you have not checked out this new blog "Love My Art Jewelry" you really should! It is the collaboration of several extremely talented gals...creating handmade with handmade. In celebration of Mary Jane's birthday (one of the talented artists) Mary Jane has created a gorgeous pair of earrings. Be sure to hop on over to the LMAJ blog and sign up to win.

Back to School with "Grader"

I just stumbled upon this great site and thought I would share it with you. 

 Grader.com is a suite of tools that helps you measure and analyze your marketing efforts. I know it is the boring side of business but it is easy to use and see how you are doing in the cyber world.

I especially like the blog grader  and there is a website, facebook and twitter grader. So you have nothing to lose so hop on over and check it out!

A little bit funky...

what do you think of this piece?

....a little funky perhaps, whimsical or just odd? You either like it or you don't.

...that's ok I can take it. 

Some of my latest etched pieces...

and I can't wait to make more cuffs...I really enjoyed making this.