Quickie Update

I finished this 14″ choker and Hui.1 is modeling it.  Isn’t he such a tough guy?  I looooooooooooove this weave.  It’s a Spiral 6-1 with half round rings.  Gorgeous!

Grounded

I’ve been working on the floor this week. I just figured out why. Hui.1 is trying to roll over but he hasn’t quite figured out how to roll over from his back to his tummy. He can sometimes roll from his tummy to his back, but he has to be in the right mood for it. Since he’s either on the floor or playing on his gym, he’s down there and I need to be down there next to him too. So I’ve been working on the floor. I feel like a little kid again. I also had Jesse.1 lounging all over the apartment floor for the week she was here, so that also has something to do with it.

I’ve been diligently working on my Rock on a Rope collection. I feel that this is the year of “understated elegance”. Something that can be used for both causal, lazy days and that extra bit of something special for more dressier occasions. We’re busy women, taking over the world and taking care of everyone but ourselves. Some women can’t afford a huge piece of bling and I get that. That’s why this collection is so dear to me. It’s just enough femininity and practicality rolled into a tiny package. And those modern day rock hounds can appreciate my love of obscure, rough stones.

So come on, get your rock on.

Golden Dreams

This is my latest project… I made Jesse go pick up the package from the post office on Saturday because even though it clearly said, “Deliver to Front Office”, they left a signature confirmation note instead. >.< When I opened the box, I was seriously wondering what I was thinking when I ordered everything. Mind you, this was probably the Monday before I went into labor, so anything before Tuesday I seriously do not remember. It took me awhile to figure out what the heck I was thinking.  I have a significant portion of it finish already and I anticipate it to be finished by the end of the week (giving myself ample time with the baby).  It reminds me of something Emily Gilmore would wear with one of her St. John suits… hehee.  I made it in silver for a custom order and felt the need to make one in gold.  Here’s the one in silver:

I’ll be finished with it either tomorrow or Thursday.  It really depends how much baby lets me get done.  Today’s been long and I pretty much slept most of the time he did.  But at least I put away half of the laundry.  I’ll get to the rest soon.  Bleh.  The weather has been calming down and slowly transitioning into fall.  I love the transitional seasons.  Now I’m just waiting for the tape on my incision to fall off so I can start wrapping my baby pooch.  Apparently that’s one of the few ways to get rid of it… wrap it in 100% cotton fabric.  Again, the body is a miraculous thing.  I did a little bit of yoga and bellydance yesterday, but it seriously wiped me out.  I may have to just start with the yoga to get my muscles back into a little bit of shape.  But nothing too strenuous or else I’ll seriously be a zombie trying to feed the baby.  Not cool.

Part of me is looking forward to getting on with my life after lockdown, but part of me is enjoying it a little too much.  I mean, yeah, taking care of a stubborn baby who screams bloody murder because he can’t figure out that he has to move his tongue down in order to eat is enough for anyone to go bonkers, but that aside, lockdown has been nice.  I don’t have to deal with anyone except family and close friends, I get to sleep as much as possible, and when I’m not exhausted, I get to make jewelry.  And Mom brings me yummy home cooked food.  Who wouldn’t love that?

My super duper secret squirrel project supplies ships out tomorrow.  Excited to work on it and gather my guinea pigs.  No announcements until the Big Reveal.  Until then, enjoy some clips of Emily Gilmore.

3

Ooo, Rocks!

Last night I decided to bust out my stone boxes full of iolite, sunstone, and tourmaline.  The idea was to make more earrings, but that idea didn’t pan out.  I did end up going back to work on my “Rock on a Rope” collection.  This weekend, I hope to take photos and start listing them on Etsy.  I also need to calculate the prices too.  I’m hoping this will be a more affordable collection, because I want everyone from any walk of life to be able to purchase a stone that speaks to them.  This collection is also a way of introducing stones and their energy properties to the masses.  It’s also been a good way for me to freshen up on my stone studies.  I just happened to buy a stone book for my Kindle.  That’ll be more helpful than lugging around my favorite stone book everywhere.  I’ll have a baby to lug around in 2 months and a bit.  Yikes.  It’s scary how time flies.

From the left, prehnite, rough watermelon tourmaline, rose quartz, larimar, and pink tourmaline.

From the left, iolite, sunstone, iolite-sunstone waiting for their chainmaille bit and chain. ♥

Sporting my iolite and sunstone necklace with iolite-sunstone focal bead.  Of course, the focal bead is from my crazy pirate rock lady.  And I really don’t look pregnant from the chest up.  Hehehe.

Whoo, finally a new Etsy listing

Yes, I finally got up and posted a new gorgeous set on Etsy that’s perfect for spring and summer.  Heck, it’s perfect for all year round, especially if you like pink.

See?  I’m making awesome use of my new rubber cords with sterling silver clasps.  My best friend from college is allergic to nickel, so I take metal allergies very seriously and do whatever I can to avoid pot metals of any kind.  I am a self-proclaimed metal snob and proud of it!  Sterling silver, copper, and gold-filled only!  And real 18kt gold when I get up that high and can afford the rings to make maille out of it… /drool

Back to Basics

I love Swarovski crystal, chainmaille, artisan glass, and stones. So I decided to get back to the basics that I love so much and the muse started singing. After a long and tiring day, this has been the light tha makes it all worthwhile. And it’s pink…

Oh my, that’s very pink…

Half Persian 4-1 Moonstone Necklace

Oh yeah, I forgot to post this when I finished it.  I have been working on this silly chain ever since… late last year when I bought the moonstone pendant.  It went perfectly with the little HP 4-1 chain I was working on and it later turned into a necklace.  The chain is just so dense… it’s breathtakingly lovely and even more so when you’re wearing it.  Not as crazy as the Euro 4-1 collar in its full glory, but this is definitely simple elegance.

It’s been a wonderful summer… I hope yours has been as bountiful and relaxing as mine has.

Pretty New Design with a Garnet

I like this one.

Purple Velvet Enchantment

My first attempt at burnishing heavily oxidized sterling silver chain.  Whoo hoo!  Now I just have to time it and see how long it takes to make so I can appropriately price it… but I do love this purple color and those who know me, know I like red and pink.   The next version of this will be blood red and more variation in size of the chainmaille flowers.

Mmm, good for Gothla. ♥♥♥

Tribal Chic

My first real attempt at bellydance jewelry for Gothla… sterling silver with natural hematite beads.  It screams “Tribal Bellydance” to me for some reason.  Maybe it’s the natural aspect as well as the earthy feeling.  The matching earrings I made to go with it are simple dangles with one bead because the hematite is too heavy for any more.  Some people don’t mind heavy earrings, but I do.

I’m still feeling a bit scatter brained in the preparation for Gothla.  This is my first vending attempt EVER.  It’ll be awesome… I’m just extra jittery today.

(I’m surprised the camera caught a glimpse of Smash Bros on the bottom… I’m very amused now )