Arizona Treasures

 

 Concho's

The word concho comes from the Spanish "concha" which actually means "conch" or "seashell" but has come to mean round or oval disks (occasionally rectangles) of silver used to decorate saddles, bridles, clothing, used as jewelry such as for pendants and bolo ties and for adorning or making belts.

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I have returned home from Arizona with lots of little treasures for making jewelry and a terrible cold. It was not the most pleasant plane ride with my ears feeling like they were going to explode and to tell you the truth I was hoping they would! I am really excited about my finds and if my nose wasn't dripping all over the place I would be in my studio right now. 

 great leather scraps from the saddle shop, milagros and some great beads from the Town Dump.

My antique and vintage finds from the Antique Emporium in Cave Creek Az.. I coveted the most awesome green glass rosary beads and more milagros.

My little collection from the Scottsdale Bead Supply. I fell in love with all of their handmade bronze components..all though they were very pricey.

I am glad to be home amongst all my goodies and I can't wait to get started on a few Arizona inspired pieces. I hope everyone is doing well, thanks so much for stopping by!

P.S. I am having a 20% off sale on all of my handmade etched components in my Flapyourwings Etsy shop. New etched pieces are in the horizon!

The town dump

 

We were told to go to the town dump ( in my favorite little town of Cave Creek Az.) I was a little skeptical to say the least...but we went anyway, as you can see it not full of trash.

I want that angel girl in the worst of ways!!

great selection of crosses...I see a new collection in my future.

some really great ironwork...unfortunately my suitcase is way too small!

We went to beautiful Sedona yesterday....it was an awwww kind of day!

The Creative "Us"

 The Sonoran Desert

We enjoyed another great day in Arizona and got to take a class at Creative U in Care Free. My friend Eileen and I took the PMC Organic Forms class with the most fabulous and talented Jen Hanscom as our instructor. The class is pretty easy and relaxing , Jen also taught us so much about PMC and its uses and different techniques. Creative U is a really warm and inviting place with the nicest instructors, they also offer studio time at a very reasonable cost...if only I had them in Nashville!

Jen and Kathy (the owner of CU)

Me and Eileen

I know it is hard to see...My little leaf projects before firing. Jen is going to fire them on Monday for us.  We took home the rest of our PMC slip and will make a few more pieces for firing on Monday...see they are so nice that way.

... I will leave you with this picture that is posted on the CU bulletin board, a little chuckle to end your day!

ha! Off to Sedona tomorrow!

Amazing Saguaro's

 The saguaro  is a large, tree-sized cactus species. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in the U.S. state  The saguaro blossom is the State Wildflower of Arizona.

I am here in Scottsdale Arizona with two lovely friends. This is my first visit here and my first to the desert. I am in amazement of the scenery and the incredible landscape. Our day started with a nice soak in the spa and a swim then we visited this small charming "cowboy" town called Cave Creek, I was smitten...while there we went and signed up for a jewelry class on PMC, had lunch at the "Horny Toad" and shopped at a great antique emporium ...where I found the best treasures!! A perfect day!

A few more pairs...

I have had these findings from AD adornments for about 2 years and finally they came to life. I added some vintage metal and glass rosary beads in keeping with the vintage feel that the findings have. I also added some tiny czech glass beads and rhinestone roundels for a little sparkle. Handmade sterling earwires.

Prayers of the Past

Falling Leaves

Czech glass leaves and sterling

these are so lightweight!

I am packing my bags once again, on Thursday I am leaving the very hot and humid state of Tennessee and heading to the extremely hot state of Arizona.  I am meeting my good friend Eileen (from Massachusetts) in Scottsdale and we are staying at her friends home. I have never been to Arizona and have never seen the desert. We plan on having a spa day and will also be going to Sedona, I think a jewelry class may fit into our schedule too.

Pearls from the sea

 How I love mother of pearl... especially buttons! The irregularity and iridescent that makes each one so unique. 

 I think with the addition of the sterling box chain it adds a little modern touch...a kind of balance...the old and the new..

You can find these here.

Gorgeous vintage carved mop that had a former life as clip on earrings...I gave them new life into dangle earrings. 

You can find these here.

I hope everyone is having a great Father's Day, be it with your Dad or remembering special memories.  I know my DH is enjoying time with his dad in Connecticut. 

sadness

 

I started the day working on some earrings ...and then came some very bad news....a loss so horrible I can not begin to imagine. My dear girlfriends son was killed in Afghanistan. I still can not comprehend this family's terrible loss. Eric was 20 years old...the same age as my son.  He was a gunner in the Army and was killed while on mounted patrol, his vehicle hit an explosive device.This was his first tour and was expected to come home in two weeks. My thoughts are filled of him as an infant, toddler, and young boy to a vacation we spent together at the beach. God Bless Eric and his family and we thank him dearly for his bravery and serving in the United States Army to protect our freedom. It surely gives us pause at what is most important to us.

 our lady

 out of sadness you reach for what comforts you

Found Objects

I hit the road today for a little treasure hunting...made a few stops at some antique shops that I have not visited in a long time. I have been working on lots of "found object" pieces lately and was on the hunt for some more treasures, you know you can NEVER have enough!  Here is the little pile of goodies I came home with today.

Steel chain, old watch housings, watch fob chain, #1 tag and a cool old key

I see something with resin for the watch housings and the rest who knows just yet...

While I was shopping at The Rare Bird  I met this really nice and helpful lady...she knew just what I was looking for, most of the things came from her showcase. Lisa had the nicest booth, our tastes were so similar. Well, it turned out she is also a blogger....how cool is that! Lisa's blog is called "Out Junking" be sure to check it out here.

Here are a few of my latest Found Object pieces.

Dainty Sue

Lost and Found

You can find these in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for stopping by!