Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Chevron Amethyst Slice



I was going through some of my stash of stones recently and came across this slice of Chevron Amethyst. It has a hold drilled from side to side and I hadn't had any good ideas about how to make it into a pendant until I saw it again.

It was fun to sit down with this and experiment and have it turn into a piece of jewelry.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Malachite & Copper Necklace


I have a Malachite necklace to share today. Last week my focus was to make pendants, I'm working on increasing my stock for a shows and other events.
Malachite is one of my favorite stones, I love the deep green color and all the beautiful patterns it can have.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Etched Copper Cuff Bracelets


I had a special order for an etched DragonFly bracelet recently. Since I needed to break out the etching solution I thought I'd make up a nice supply to have on hand.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Polychrome Jasper Heart Necklace


Looking back through some of my older photos...
I'd been working on hearts to take with me for the shows I had in Colorado this past summer. 
This beauty is a Polychrome Jasper by Lapidary Artist Jerry Howard. I wrapped it in antiqued copper and added an 18" copper mesh chain.  It sold quickly.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Deer Antler Display


Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a small business? I was getting ready for a big show in Boulder City, NV last October.
My oldest son was over for dinner and saw the antlers and asked about them so I shared my vision. He replied with, "do you want to make it?" ... so that's what we did that evening.
I love the way it turned out and I have  better photos with the display full of necklaces at other events I've been at now.

We made a huge mess out of my kitchen with all the dust from the dremmel tool.  But we made some great memories working together on a fun project so it was worth it!

Friday, January 18, 2019

Behind The Scenes


Here we are behind the scenes again. My oldest son is installing a new bed cover for my truck so when I travel everything is secure in the bed. 
I've been using a cargo net for the last year so this will be a nice change. Everything fits!

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Thankful



I've been working on the last minute details for upcoming events and shows. Making rings have been a priority the last few days. My daughter is my hand model for these Turquoise rings.
As my kids have gotten older they've become a big part of the behind the scenes of my small business. They are great packers and organizers, help me stay relevant & give brutally honest opinions. 
October through April of last year they were tireless "roadies" helping me set up and tear down for every Saturday & Sunday Swap Meet in Parker and Lake Havasu City, Az. 
I'm truly grateful to have them with me, my oldest has a family of his own and is close by. The younger kids have "real jobs" now so this season has been different and I'm very OK with that, life is always changing and moving forward.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Honey Onyx - Kingman, Arizona


Honey Onyx 

I have a necklace to share today I made using Honey Onyx from Kingman, Az.  

I met a couple at the Kingman Cancer Care Arts & Crafts Fair last November, she's a wire jewelry artist and he's a lapidary artist.  I realized after talking with them that I'd met him at a Gem & Mineral Show in Lake Havasu City, Az a few years before and purchased some of his stones.  

It was fun getting to know them over the weekend and I learned they go out and collect interesting rocks from different places in Arizona.  When they get home he cuts and polishes them into beautiful cabochons.  This is one of their finds from Kingman, Az.     

Friday, January 11, 2019

Etching Copper Bracelets


I've been working on etching copper bracelets this week and thought it might be fun to show you some of the process.  Pictured above are stamped bracelet blanks ready to go into the etching solution.


At this stage they've  gone through the etching process and have been cleaned up and shaped into cuff bracelets.  


They are almost finished here, they've been antiqued and polished and now need to be treated on the top side with ProtectaClear.  A metal sealer that will preserve the finish I've given them.  I leave them bare copper on the under side because some people use them for pain relief.


Not sure if you noticed but this is one of the finished bracelets from the first photo.

Thanks for visiting my blog today -

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Sodalite Pendant and Earrings Set


I love these rich blue Sodalite cabochon and earring stones!
I've had the earrings made up for awhile and have been looking for just the right Sodalite cabochon to make a matching wire woven necklace. This is it 

In the spirit of learning and practicing new weaves comes the pendant that compliments the earrings beautifully and I'll sell them as a set.
I might end up wearing these...  they actually sold in my shop a couple of hours after I put them up for sale...

Monday, January 7, 2019

Mohave Purple Turquoise and Copper Wire Weave Necklace


This is a Mohave Purple Turquoise wire woven pendant with matching Mohave Purple Turquoise stone beads. I'm always learning new techniques and weaves, I really like this one!

Mohave Purple Turquoise comes from Colbaugh Processing, the direct mine source for Kingman Turquoise. And, I'm happy to say I live about an hour and a half away.

They have a great promo video, for more info click the link in their name.

Friday, January 4, 2019

London Bridge Swap Meet



Highlights from the weekend...

At the London Bridge Swap Meet this past weekend I had an unusual visitor, a lady came by with a Bearded Dragon.  I asked about it and we had quite a conversation, she asked if I wanted to pet it and I did.  We have some unusual pets at home too.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Sonoran Dendritic Rhyolite Earrings


Sonoran Dendritic Rhyolite

More Sonoran Dendritic Rhyolite today! I found a couple of matched earring stone sets to go with the pendant I posted the other day. I also have a beautiful heart shaped stone from this material that I haven't made up yet...