On the Horizon...

I admit I'm an awful 'blogger,' as I in no way keep a consistent habit with the bloggin.' I *have* been busy though. The guy above ('The Secret Badge of the Snarkle Walkers') is my most recent piece. Very happy with him-even if he wants to twist off course sometimes... (Snarkles *are* notoriously difficult to walk, thus meriting a full on Badge for those who manage it!)

Went to the beach today and drew a couple of things. One of which has me very excited to start another necklace. Here is the plan:


I haven't done one of these multi-strand necklaces before, and I'm kind of excited to start. The shape is just a rough sketch and could change completely later (or not?). I'm debating making the "spacer beads," or whatever you call 'em, myself. Colors are subject to change as well. Certainly *she* will be more colorful!
SO! Opinions welcome, not to mention any ideas on how to make the 'spacers'. I *could* use the deer suede, like on an Native American shell necklace I used to have... I have it in prrrreeettttty colors!
Here's a larger pic of the Lady:
Did traditional cameos ever have full bodies on them? She kinda feels like a cameo to me.. In fact I was almost going to do just the head for the pendant, but, what the eF, she's too awesome to chop up like that!... Probably...

We Are *NOT* Amused...

I wanted to make another Shrinky-Dink piece today. Am rather disappointed at the result. Not for lack of satisfying design (satisfying *to me*), but because *SO MUCH* went wrong.

It started with the rivet holes. The first one I drilled in the metal was slightly off. Then I realized another problem...The plastic ones were too small for the tubing size.. this time. It worked fine last night, but I think maybe the S.D.'s didn't shrink all the way that first time. This time it shrank *right away*-maybe because I left the cookie sheet in the oven during preheat? Whatever. Then when I tried to fix it, well... not a lot of plastic to make room for bigger holes... so when I went to rivet it all together, a bit of the plastic broke off. I think it will stay together, but you can see the failure.

I also kept dropping things, including my charcoal block, now in pieces. Also the lava rock beads, and I know I lost some- too many things for them to roll under, never to be seen again! Really, I shouldn't be yelling "Damn, damn, DAMN!...DAMN!!!!" at 11pm in my garage, but honestly, there was no stopping the frustration. Even worse; I may have yelled some *other* things...

I guess at least this gives me an excuse to keep this piece for myself. Anyway, here she is:
I think I'll call her "Curse Like a Butterfly." Just cuz...

For Joy With Love

I had a piece up on Etsy.com. I didn't realize I'd misplaced it (for all I know it's gone forever). Unfortunately, (or Fortunately depending on how you look at it...) before I could 'take it off the market,' my unofficial appropriated Mom #2 (aka Joy), had purchased it. Whoopsy!
So I told her I'd make her a custom piece instead, in a vaguely similar vein.
I had only recently gotten the idea to use Shrinky Dink Paper to incorporate my own drawings instead of, say, a sticker/photo collage like the one pictured here in '21st Century Stroll.' I hope I find her someday...






So, I am so immensely proud of what I made today. Shrinky Dink paper is my new best friend! Okay, so here are the raw materials (some not so 'raw'- you can see the finished S.D. in the corner) that went into this project. Well, minus the findings and the pink cord. Above the S.D. is the left over bit of copper after I sawed my shape out. Copper tubing for the rivets, pencils, two jars of green enamel (opaque 'pea' and transparent 'gem'), and my drawing (pre-shrunk size) on tracing paper.

The resultant piece is my new favorite. Hope you don't mind, Joy, but I'm going to wear it a few times before I hand it over!


So here she is, the finished piece in all her Glory. I think I may call her 'Joy Adrift' for various reasons...
I'm wearing it right now...

Totally Pissed Off

Well then. I figured since I just started a blog, I should actually make a jewelry piece, even though I'm on a small hiatus (concentrating on coloring book production). Seemed like a good idea. I had this insect piece I've had *mostly* ready to piece together for a while now.

I sawed out the plastic, drilled my holes, made some rivets- everything seemed to be going pretty nice. I should have remembered that I've been TERMINALLY STUPID all day (almost turned down a one way street-the wrong way- and I think I might have run a red light).

I had it all together and just had to bend the scalloped edges of metal trapping device and what do you know, my hand slipped and I utterly DESTROYED the shiny metallic carapace of the beetle. After waiting like, a year, to finish it and FINALLY gettin' to it... this. SUCK. TASTIC. So very upset. Maybe in a couple of days I'll try to find a way to make it not-trash. For now, I'm feeling utterly depressed and I want a cookie. *sigh* At least THAT I can take care of.