Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities

Just after returning from Art & Soul last May, my dd & I met my mother & step-father for a Mother's Day luncheon in Bellville. (I graduated from Bellville HS, and have always loved the town). Just next door to the resturant, is a great antique store called Nothing Ordinary. It is 7,700 sq.ft. loaded with antiques & oddities. The owner, Nancy Lawrence, was not there that day, but another lively soul, Carol, was. She overheard our discussion about the jewelry classes I had taken in Hampton. Long story short, the next week Nancy called to discuss having some of my charms and/or jewelry in her shop. So, earlier today, we were finally able to meet and discuss a plan. I believe we agreed upon a good one. I used one of my beautiful vintage suitcases, and created a small vignette to hold just a few pieces to "test the location". I am excited about the possabilities here. I believe I will use this venue & my San Antonio location, as a starting point to launch my Mexican Calender Girls line of jewelry.

If you have the opportunity to visit Bellville, be sure and stop in this beautiful shop. You will love all the antiques & oddities!

Located at 123 East Main Street in Bellville, Texas. Hours are Mon-Sat: 10-5, Sun: 12-5.

And, thanks Nancy. I am so happy we finally got together.

72 Years Young

My mother's birthday is today. She is 72, and now lives in New Ulm with my step-father! Life has brought her full circle. This past year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of a wonderful surgeon at MD Anderson, and a mininum of radiation, she lives clear of cancer today. I thank God for His everlasting mercy, and for another year with my mother.

Odd Shots on Monday~Duct Tape Rules

I bought this vintage leather briefcase during the Katy Citywide Garage Sale this past Spring. I liked it because it was made of beautiful old leather, in very good shape inside & out; and I could use it as a jewelry display at shows. Originally, I thought the handle had one of those extra pieces of leather added, but just this weekend while using it, I discovered it was duct tape (hmmm...wear your glasses please). Wrapped perfectly straight & tight; and looking as if it had just been added. This is no anomaly, I know, as duct tape is used everywhere and anywhere. But, I just had to acknowledge the perfection of this wrap job~one only a fellow perfectionist can truly appreciate.

~~~~~~~~~

To see more Odd Shots, go see Katney~that is where it all started!

More Angels

Angels come in many different shapes & sizes. The one on the left is the grandaughter of a teacher, in from the valley, who bought several of my soldered charms yesterday. She was in Katy visiting her beautiful daughter and grandaughter.
See the new little girly skirt her grandmother bought her from another vendor at the show. She is a little dancing angel in her grandmother's eyes.

The angel on the right is my little ceramic worshop angel. She sits on top of one of my rolling bins in our office/my worshop. She is very patient. Something I am not. She didn't know she'd get to come along to the show today. But she did.

She sat in the perfect spot on one of my tables.

Set-Up Snaps

The Sami Show set-up turned out just as I had envisioned. Smooth. I had quite a few compliments on my jewelry display, which made me quite happy.

Business was good. The sale tomorrow is from 11-4:30.

The best part of shows is always meeting new customers & other vendors. But mostly, being with my husband all day. He is a great business partner, helper and receipt-writer. I am so blessed to have him.
The vendor on my right, Nona, is selling hand-made purses, pillows, place mats and runners. They are made out of the most beautiful fabrics. The one I picked out is made of silk. The trim is devine. I had bought a smaller one from her almost two years ago. I immediately added it to my wire dress form.

Two women wanted to buy my jacket! If I had not been there, my husband probably would have sold it. He says everything is for sale! Well, dh, not exactly......

It's the small things that bring me back

A few more pics I took while roaming thru Gruene Antique Company last Sunday. My dd took me there upon request. There is so much packed into this old building. The ceiling must be at least 15 feet high. It reminded me of the old grocery store we had in New Ulm. The high ceiling and well-worn, creeky wooden floor. I loved going into the very back and looking thru all the old buttons. I can still smell that old building in my mind~

Last night I went out into the garage to hammer a few pieces of metal. It is definately one of my newest passions, especially since I started Deryn's Summer Jewelry Challenge (which I will jump back into after my sale this weekend). These little spinners are made out of sterling silver. I added a simple brass washer in front. They have a nice swing to them~

New Braunfels and Jewelry for Sami

Vacation time was wonderful. The peace and quiet of the river brought much needed rest.

This afternoon I finished a necklace (and earrings), using one of the beautiful chandelier prisms I found at Gruene Antique Company. With it I added 8mm faceted crystal quartz and 6mm faceted vitrial czech crystal beads.

These pieces will be at the Sami Show, in the Merrell Center in Katy. I will be in booth #40.

Stay Strong

A song by The Newsboys keeps running thru my mind this evening after finishing a project~

Stay strong

You are not lost

Come on and fix your eyes ahead

There's a new dawn to light our day, our day

We've gotta stay strong

You and I run

For the prize that lies ahead

We've come too far to lose our way, our way

May your evening be blessed, and this next week as well~

Bead Shelf Necklace

Project #3 in Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet, by Mary Hettmansperger, has proved to be alot of fun, just as I thought. Moving thru this book, with Deryn Mentock, has been both challenging and stimulating. I have tried techniques I might not or would not have tried; as I go thru this summer challenge with several other jewelry artists. Other participants who have submitted their projects are listed on the left margin of Deryn's blog. Just look under Deryn's Summer Jewelry Challenge.

I love the side view of the shelf, as you can see the different colors and sizes of Czech crystals that I used. The part I enjoyed most was the patina I applied with my propane torch and Novocan Super Brite Copper Patina-on both the shelf and twisted metal beeds. I torched, then dipped the pieces in ice water. Next I applied the Novocan in different places, then re-torched and back into the ice water. I did this several times, until I was satisfied with the colors. The copper turned into brilliant shades of gold, blue, green, turquoise, brown and burgandy.

Project #4 probably won't come as soon as I'd like; as projects, jewelry shows and a much needed vacation trip are quickly approaching.

I can hardly wait, as the Layers Necklace is what's next.

I've moved into Dovetail Antiques

Today I moved into a small space in an antique shop in Katy. I will have some of my newest pieces there. Some you might like~and~
the shop has about 18 different vendors. There is something for everybody. And now~some of my jewelry!

Odd Shots on Monday

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

* stuffed alligator with a sweet tooth*

***
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.
***
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.

********

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!