Odd Shots on Monday

Good Morning! Go see Katney for more details on Odd Shots.

* stuffed alligator with a sweet tooth*

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This was taken several weeks ago in Winnie, Texas. The resturant, Al-T's Seafood & Steakhouse, has great food; and serves one amazing boudin omelet.
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Highway 124 Spur # 5
Winnie, TX 77665

The rest of the necklace

"Golden Goddess"

Made with a large vintage glass drop, swarovski rondell, faceted tiger eye rondells & rectangles.

And of course, a few deep golden Czech crystals.

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May you have a peaceful weekend.

Jewelry Challenge-Project 2

" Folded Earrings"

I am continuing with Deryn's Summer Jewlery Challenge, in the midst of making jewelry for shows and shops. This is Project 2 from Mary Hettmansperger's book, "Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet.

Maybe these should be called "Bend and Snap". Remember from "Legally Blonde". Okay, how about more bend and less snap please.

These projects are and will be teaching me more and more as I go along. And, I am loving it! That is exactly why I am in it with Daryn, Beth, and Deborah (so far).

I worked with applying heat patinas and wire wrapping in this project. Also, annealing the copper and bending (and re-bending) was a bit of a challenge.

I added a delicate czech bead inside the fold, as the inside dangle, but it is not really visible in the above pictures. Maybe you can see it just peeking out of the left earring on the bottom picture.

I did enjoy making these, but excited to move on to the next project.

Oh, yes, I must confess the snap got me on these.

just a peek

"vintage gold"

Sometimes a peek is all I need to get excited! A tiny glimpse at what can and/or could be. What about you? Does a peek get you excited, or frustrated? Do you anticipate what will come next, or get frustrated at not knowing more?

As I work on my jewelry pieces, I am always excited with the possabilities. I can get frustrated when I don't finish as fast as I want. Or, if a design doesn't end up as I imagined, I wonder~why?

But, I am constantly amazed at how I feel when I finish a piece I love. It is just that way with me. I pray I will always enjoy and appreciate that excitement.

p.s. I finished this necklace last night. It was sure bliss!

Odd Shots on Monday

Go to see Katney for more details on Odd Shots.


How about those pom-pom sideburns?
A quirky glazed terracotta warrior will be standing nearby my space in Dovetail Antiques, where I will begin selling some of my jewelry beginning July 1.

Dovetail Antiques

5609 2nd Street

Katy, Texas 77493

281.391.3443

Any suggestions?

I am on a hammering roll, and these were the next in line. But, what can I call them? I need help. They don't look like any of my swings or dangles. What do you suggest?

In the meantime, I will be working on a matching necklace.

*****

*Thanks for the input*

"Goddess"

Stacked Spinner Earrings

Earlier this month, Deryn Mentock issued a challenge to join with her in a summer of projects using Mary Hettmansperger's new book, Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet. The first project in the book is a Spinner Stacked Necklace. We are to follow along, adapting each project to our own style. I decided on earrings, beginning with a pair of copper and sterling silver disks. I dapped, then oxidized the disks using my (mini) torch. I hammered and textured a short piece of 16 gauge sterling silver wire. I stacked the parts together using copper & brass spacers; then wire wrapped using 19 gauge dark annealed steel wire. I decided to use a small nugget of turquoise as a spacer between the wire wraps. (The forged and oxidized sterling silver earwires are not visible in the picture).

Take a look at Deryn's Project 1 ~ "Pure". Her work is truly inspiring, and she goes to great length to describe the steps she used in the project. Her instructions are so complete, you can come along with us without having the book.

The best part of all, participants (in any or all of the challenges), will have an opportunity to win one of her completed projects at the end.

How nice is that?

angels

.....sometimes show up in the most unusual places.

Not short on color

Perhaps something a little shorter?

*****

These Czech crystals are so amazing to me. So many colors packed into such a little bead.

I will be headed to the International Gem & Jewel Show later today to pick up a few gemstones, and other needed items. The show is here 4 times a year, and I just can't miss it.

There is always so much to see, and so little time~

Brassy Czech Dangles

Last night was mostly spent re-working a beautiful turquoise & carnelian double-strand necklace, brought to me by a sweet customer before I left for Art & Soul at the end of April. I finished it (she wants to come by tonight to pick it up); then, I had to add the oxidized earwires I made Monday night onto my newest pair of dangles ($24), which I started on Tuesday night. I ordered the brass findings (cone topper) from a cool shop called Artful Market. I orginally found them thru their Etsy shop when I was looking for gunmetal chain to match my soldered pendants and charms. It always happens like that doesn't it? You find something really cool while looking for something else? I WILL be making more of these in different colors.

BTW~thanks for all the encouraging comments on my Mexican Calendar Girl series. You are the best!

The Series Continues

" Free Spirit"

*****

No. 2 ~ Mexican Calendar Girls . This newest necklace includes another Mexican beauty. But, she is much more than that; she is a Soldaderas. Read more about these Revolutionary Mexican Women here. (MCG postcard artist is Angela Villalba).

This necklace is made of African turquoise, red sponge coral, and a Swarovski crystal heart. I've added a group of vintage carved bone beads, one vintage rhinestone~studded horseshoe button; and a couple of Czech fire-polished crystals.

*****

Odd Shots on Monday

Corn left on the grill?

This shot may not be odd, but the thought of leaving a perfectly grilled ear of corn on the "Big Man's" grill all night, was very odd to me. Did we do that?

Saturday was Father's Day at our house, and my dh, of course, really outdid himself~grilled baby back ribs mopped with Apricot Chipotle sauce, grilled chicken that had marinated in a special Goya seasoning all night, and of course, venison & pork sausage we have made at Eckermann's Meat Market in Shelby, Texas.

Lastly, fresh sweet corn had been put on the grill, gently cooked in its husks; no need of any added ingredients......So, when I went outside Sunday morning, and saw this?

I pray you too had a blessed Father's Day at your home.

For odd shot details, be sure and see Katney.

Czech is in my blood

Czech Swings ~ $24

The variety of czech fire-polished crystal beads totally blows me away. I can't believe how beautiful they are. I just love and use them often in my work. Perhaps being one quarter Czech decent (thanks Granny B.~aka. Rosa) makes me that way~

Newest Dangles

Turquoise just never go out of style; so these are in the mail to NYC.

And, you must have a great pair of dangles to match the "Straight Shooter".

Thanks, Daryl. These were fun!

Odd Shots on Monday-Doggie Stairs

If my Dad had seen this, he certainly would have shook his head. It is not ours, but another pet owner's.

A weekend visit from my daughter, was highlighted by a visit to Katy's great dog park. Jake had the best time swimming in the man-made pond, and running with a new-found friend, whose name of all names was ~Josie! She was a beautiful 9 month old black lab.
Melanie and Jake after the swim and frolicking.

He was tired. Note the tongue! LOL!

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And, btw, Jake would laugh if we thought he would ever use doggie stairs!

Don't forget to visit Katney for details about Odd Shots~

Vintage Findings

" Mexican Calendar Girl"

"Straight Shooter"

You wouldn't know it, but this Mexican calendar girl is holding a rifle. The sound, when she pulls the trigger, is music to her ears. She is strong and sure; and a straight shooter! She is a Mexican calendar girl (artist of the MCG postcards-Angela Villalba).

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I added a "d" for fun. But any or no initial would be fine. It measures 22-1/2".

I used yellow agate, a sprinkle of faceted carnelian, a couple of 10 mm dark smokey grey Czech crystals, one beautiful vintage key (I had found in Warrenton); and THEN~vintage findings (which include some nice turquoise) from a necklace given to me by my dear daughter's friend, Justine. Sweet!

Texas Girls

After an RV trip to Winnie (more later) for the most of the weekend, I came home and finished the Texas Girls. This is the first necklace using one of the pieces I made last weekend.

Pulling out the green highlights I had used in the pendant was easy. I chose 8 mm Green Gossermer Czech fire-polished crystal beads; adding a beautiful faceted crystal Swarvoski heart, green cubed glass and clear glass beads.

Also a first for me was using Deryn's "secret" choice of wire. You must see her jewelry, as it is absolutely beautiful! In this case, I used the dark annealed 19 gauge. It was a blast!