A Little History of Copper

I'm on a blogging role so to keep up with that, and tie into my camera earrings from yesterday's post, I thought I would tell you a little information and history about copper. Most of this pertains to copper in jewelry as my emphasis is to let people know a little more about this fabulous natural metal.

Copper is created in volcanic areas high in concentrations of hot sulfuric solutions. It is found worldwide, but 90% of the reserves are found in the Great Basin of the United States, Zambia, central Canada, and the Andes regions of Peru and Chile. Copper used to be associated with the Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love and beauty.

Copper jewelry, bracelets in particular, date back to Ancient Egypt and Sumeria. Many notable people worn them around their arms and/or ankles. Pre-Columbian Americans also made and used copper jewelry. Copper jewelry has also become collectible. Famous and collectible names in copper jewelry include Renoit/Matisse, Rebajes, and Roycroft Studios from New York. Even small pieces from Roycroft Studios can bring in hundreds of dollars.

There are many medicinal uses for copper. While copper jewelry medicinal uses have not been proven, many people swear by their effect to alleviate arthritis. In fact, copper jewelry has been used for 100 years or more to relieve arthritis.

I know this is only a brief and one-sided history of copper, but I hope it has enlightened you even if just a little. I LOVE copper and I'm hoping to give it a little better reputation.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Vintage Camera Inspired Earrings

My earring design I was discussing yesterday was a success! At least I think so. They are based on something I own and love. Vintage cameras.

I actually own a couple of vintage cameras like a Brownie hawkeye, a Spartaflex, and a not quite so vintage 3d camera. I have always loved old cameras. It's not even about the remarkable pictures they take but about their shape as well. There is just something about them.

So, without further adieu, I'd like to introduce my vintage camera inspired earrings!

I think they are just adorable and am contemplating making myself a pair I love them that much. The camera is made from copper sheet, the lense and viewfinder from sterling silver tubing, and the flash from copper sheet formed into a disc. They are stud/post earrings, and the post is sterling silver.

They will be available in my shop later today as I still have a little work to do on them(which you can see in the pic). Let me have some feedback on them as this is a very new design and concept for me.

Until next time, my duckies!

Misplaced creativity

Finally got my supplies in. Yay! It's sad to think how much money it was for not a lot of supplies. It's sad too that I still need more. Maybe this will give me the push I need to get back to jewelry creating.

You see in the spring, especially with this house, I have a lot of creative urge to be in the garden or working on the house. I want to get things done and work every minute. Perhaps if someone actually forced me to do that I wouldn't have anymore creative energy in that field. While this may be all fine and good, the rest of my creative life suffers. I've made one new thing in approximately a week which is a long time for me. I'm going to see if I can make my two creative lives share time.
With all this creative surge, I did manage to decide what was going in my garden at least with flowers. I don't know what they will look like together, but you know I don't care. At least, I'll have lots of pretty flowers and some seed pods to do electroplating with. I decided on chinese lanterns, globe gilia, ornamental grass, chamomile, bee balm, baby blue eyes, oriental red poppies, a mix of clarkias, crimson king, verbascum, maltese crosses, and a mix of columbines. I do have a slight fear of all these seeds because they will have to be started in the house so the birds and ants won't eat them. I've never had a seed actually grow outside. I should've built a greenhouse because my sunroom is going to look like one. I think it amounts to like 3 or 4000 seeds. I got good deals. What can I say?!

Well, I suppose I should get down to business. Orchid has been updated with that lovely owl pictured and a few jewelry supplies and a pretty frosted blue glass mini vase both not pictured. I even finished my challenge item at Jewel Street Designs which is also pictured. A lovely pair of earrings inspired by Art Deco design with birds flying from wire. It can be found in my shop.

A little of this and a little of that

You know I had another blog entry written out, but it was entirely too boring. It was just too boring too publish on a Wednesday. Everything is boring on Wednesday except Project Runway.
Speaking of Project Runway. Who can't wait for the reunion tonight?! Me, me, me, me!

I know you can't see me, but I'm jumping up and down. You know there is dirt to be dished this year. Is it just me or are the people on the show this year extra diva like? I think it's Christian that makes me think this. He's so arrogant. Well, don't forget it comes on tonight. I'm squealing for joy because that means the runway shows will be coming shortly. That's my favorite part.

Well, by now, you must be wondering what those pics are at the beginning of the post. It is day 7 of WallCandy's photopalooza. As you can see, I don't get out much so I'm taking a lot of night pictures. With barren fields all around me, it's about the only interesting thing out there. I'm going to go out today to find something more interesting. I have two ideas in mind, and perhaps, I will take a pic of the barren field. Work with what you got and maybe it will come out very well. I do believe this is making more adept with my camera. Although, I'm a little afraid I will forget how to take jewelry photos. I'm even thinking of starting a photo blog and doing a week in pictures here on Sundays. I'm really having fun with this. Now to save $600 for an SLR. They're all the rage in my town. No kidding.


I updated my shop last night. Finally. My newest pair of earrings are from my spring collection. They're called Washed Ashore and feature copper wire and sterling silver earwires. They were inspired by dead twigs and driftwood. I quite like the shape of them. They can be found in my shop.

Enough of my rambling. I think this post is quite long enough for today. Don't forget it's another rendition of Home Improvement Roundup tomorrow. Me tearing my kitchen wall out. Much love, my duckies!

House Cleaning

The joy of housecleaning. You all know what I'm talking about. Is there anyone out there who actually likes to clean a house that is not obsessive compulsive?

Granted I like the way my house looks when it's clean, but it's the process of getting there that I don't like. The kid who doesn't pick up her clothes or toys and the bf who doesn't know how to throw anything away just makes my life sooo much easier.

It doesn't help that we live in the country which means no trash service or that we're remodeling from the frame out. It's a little comical to watch me with my vacuum cleaner going in my little path around the rooms inbetween drywall and furnishings that aren't where they belong. I always like the phrase, "Well, you're home all day". Sometimes, I just want to tell him that technically he is too since he works nightshift. Ah, I can't wait for the day when my house is complete and thereby automatically clean at least until they're home for the weekend.

We should all go on strike until we get maids!

Enough of my housecleaning rant. The item in the picture is a pair of my sterling silver earrings recently relisted in my shop.

Blue Monday

I'm not really blue except for the fact that it's Monday. Even as a stay at home mom, I dread Monday's for some reason.

How was your weekend, my duckies?

Mine was less event filled than past weekends. I did end up going to the auction that I love. I truly meant to bring my camera so I could take pics of the place, but it wasn't a good week for that as it wasn't filled to capacity with gobs of stuff. Plus, I forgot my camera. I did walk away with a couple of deals though. K and I both got two still with tags Kenneth Cole jackets for $3 a piece. I also got a great bentwood rocker with no broken cane free. Actually, I paid a dollar for it, but some guy wanted a desk out of the lot I bought so he gave me a dollar. I also found this amazing never been used faucet that I picked up for $27. That's a lot you say? Nope. It's a big one with a pullout sprayer built in to the faucet and everything. I looked them up online and one like the one I got is about $200. Steve got some stuff too but nothing worth talking about.

Sunday I spent looking for things to improve my pictures. Always improving. Actually, some of you know my trials and tribulations with my pics. It's a never ending circle of love and hate. I think my magazine article exasperated the situation. Plus, I'm trying to redo myself for the new year so why not my pics? Onward and upward. Always improving. So I like to think.

I got to thinking this weekend that we have not done a blog slumber party in oh, so long. We should do another one of those.

Well, duckies, on that note I bid you a fond farewell until tomorrow. I hope your Monday is not blue but bright and sunny. Oh, forgot to mention those earrings in the pic are my latest pair, Rasberry Smoothie Earrings, and not with my new and improved pics.

What I Want and a Little Rant

I have spent the last two days working on my photos because someone told me that they weren't good enough, and no, not Trunkt. I all ready know that my pieces do not match their style though they are a lovely site. I loved my pics before, but like I said last time, I've always wanted to use that fancy black background that you see in all the books. Let me know what you think of this pic. These are my Sterling and Bronze Cascading Earrings that can be found in my shop.

So, the whole pics not good enough thing made me realize as a designer who specializes in uncommon jewelry metals that I have to have everything else, i.e. pics, descriptions, style, better than everyone else because it isn't always going to be the metal that sells the product. I'm determined to have the most awesome pics, the most awesome packaging(which I'll have to show a pic of sometime), and the most awesome everything else. I have to for my business to survive. I want my business and my jewelry to be KNOWN(not yelling just emphasis). I love each and every piece I create or else I couldn't put them in my shop. I want them to be craved, wanted, and desired. Is that so much to ask for? It's a shame copper gets such a bad rap.

On a side note, I am no longer a garden serial killer. I picked my first cantaloupe from my garden yesterday, and my largest pepper is almost ready. I'll have to remember to take a pic before I eat them. lol. Can I just say how proud of myself I am? It's the little things in life...

Mod Has It

I swear I'm going to do better at blogging. At least, it has only been a week since my last update. lol.

Got two new earrings to show you. These are my mod squad earrings. Both have been constructed from hammered copper wire and soldered together. They both have the same basic design but use different shapes. One pair has retro white plastic flower beads, and the other has retro baby blue plastic flower beads. I so enjoy these. They weren't hard to make, there isn't much to them, but they are just so much fun. Both can be found in my shop.

Nothing much going on around here. Need rain so if any of you are getting any send it this way. Last I heard we were 7.5" below average or something like that. I have also decided that I am very ready for school to start. I like staying up late, but I'm not at all on any kind of schedule. This is bad for me as I need schedules to survive. Oh, and I'm creating my own website which is taking a while but is going to beautiful when it's done. Well, tomorrow perhaps there will be an edition of Home Improvement Roundup.

Finally

It has been such a long time since my last blog post. I do apologize. It seems the summer is not a great time for keeping up with things, and that there is more to do now than before.

I have so many new things in my shop. In fact, I even accomplished an enamel piece for the challenge last week. I am quite proud of it. The challenge was to create something from your favorite decade. I chose the Art Deco period. The neckpiece/choker was created from copper wire and specially cut copper pieces. I enameled every other copper piece in red and black for just that special touch, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

The earrings in the picture are my latest. I actually became inspired by a pair of headlights that I saw in the latest car show that showcased the upcoming models. I created them from copper sheet that was wirebrushed and highly polished. I really like the satiny texture it gives. A "strand" of turquoise nuggets runs down the center. They and my Art Deco piece can be found in my shop.

Other than that, not much going on. House is working on falling down, broke my toe, made a garden pond, still painting my mother's house. Basically, just a relaxing summer.

An Apology and Something New

My apologies for not keeping up with my blogging as well as I should. I thought summer vacation was when you were supposed to take it easy. I haven't even been making all that much for my shop.

The CREST trunk show is drawing near. I'm both excited and a little scared. It's very cool going to the Labs to have a quick peek around, but I have never been away from home without at least a friend. I feel like a little kid. lol. You can check out what the Labs say about the trunk show here. There seems to be a discrepancy in the time, but what can you do?

By now you are probably wondering about the earrings in the picture. These are my brand new earrings created for the challenge. This week's challenge was to create something inspired by the wedding of the princess of Brunei. THere were lots of great pics to get inspired by, but for some reason, these were what called to me. They are soldered spheres with garnet rondelles at the top and bottom. More garnets hang from the inside of the sphere. They can be found in my shop.

Behind, Way Behind

Boy, am I behind this morning!

Yesterday, I spent all day doing yardwork. This is no easy task because, for one, we are way behind on cutting grass. There is a reason for this. I dread having the grass cut because I am very allergic. If I grass on my bare skin, I break out. If it is in the air, well, let's just say not a good thing. So, unfortunately, I had to be outside while the grass was cut and trimmed. Of course, I ended up with the most monstrous migraine I've had in awhile. Then this morning K had a fog delay which threw me off schedule. I haven't even written my celebrity letter today over at Jenn's blog. Today will yet again be another catch up day.

I just finished and listed these earrings. What do you think? There are SO many jewelry sellers on Etsy that it is hard to gauge what people think of my things. I designed these a couple of weeks ago but hadn't had the chance to actually make them until this week. They are created from copper squares that have been attached with copper chain. The sterling silver ring in the center was not originally planned, but while I was making them, I decided they needed a little something. I rather like them, but I won't be buying them. lol. Well, they are in my shop so stop by and check them out.

My Ramblings

I have no idea what to write about today so forgive me if this gets a little rambly.

Home Improvement Roundup will continue next week as I have kind of gotten of my schedule. Plus, I have these lovely new earrings to show you. I made the match to my ring I showed you yesterday. I'm afraid that they will be a little hefty for most people, but the first ones should always be how I saw them to be. I will, of course, be offering to make a smaller pair if need be. I think they are just perfect. I held them up to my ears, and other than elbows sticking out of my head, they looked great. Just how I imagined them to be. They will be available in my shop later today.

I have decided to do a jewelry grant contest. Because of this, I have to create a business plan and a new line. I figure even if I don't actually do/win the grant contest I will at least have the business plan. It should be interesting. I have not written a paper like that since high school. I don't even know if I remember how. Plus, having to come up with at least 5 coherent new pieces will be a challenge or maybe that will be the least of the challenge. Either way, wish me luck!
Oh, and don't forget to stop by and wish Stilettoheights good luck as she is going to a show at the "zombie mall" this weekend.

Etsyversary!

It's my Etsyversary today! One full year on Etsy selling my jewelry full time. Thanks to all the friends I've made that help me through the slow times, and thank you to all the people who think my jewelry is worthy enough of being bought.

While things, if you really think about it, have not changed much on Etsy, I would like to think I have evolved a little. I've found a niche for myself, I guess. In the very least, I am certainly enjoying making the designs I make, and love each and every piece. I enjoy "going to work", and seriously, isn't that the best part of it all?!

Speaking of evolution, that was the theme of this week's challenge. The idea was created by Haikubird, and I never even thought about it being my Etsyversary. The theme of how we have evolved as crafters/designers/artists or whatever you want to call ourselves really worked well for me this week. The first picture you see is one of my earlier pieces from Etsy. I apologize for how small it is. It was the only I could find. The second pic is of my latest piece for the challenge. I reworked the first piece to create the second to show who I am now. Even the pic shows that. I changed the simple garnet bracelet, with which I was never happy, to this pair of earrings. I hammered the copper discs and created the copper chain dangles(such a pain!) for the small garnet discs and a pair of flashy moonstone briolettes. These earrings are how I would've used the garnets now. I hope you can see and enjoy the evolution. These earrings can be found in my shop. Remember today is the last day of my sale! Just mention anniversary at checkout to receive 25% off.

Oh, my gosh! I think a bird just flew down my chimney right this very minute while I am sitting here and typing this! I'm not kidding.

Not Much of Anything

It's Friday! Hooray! I hope all of you have something fantastic planned for this weekend. I, for one, will be sleeping as K will be with my mother.

Here are my latest pair of earrings. I am really quite proud of these. Not just for the design, but I drilled the holes in the aluminum all by myself. The aluminum spirals are riveted to copper triangles. I seem to be in a riveting mood. I promise I won't be continually do riveted pieces as I have some new cabs from Willow Glass that I want to work with. These earrings will be listed in my shop shortly. Like the earrings, watch for a matching pendant that I need to list as well.

I really have very little to talk about. This has been a very boring week which after last week is a welcome. The most exciting thing that happened to me, other than my hot water heater, is that I found a new soy, corn, and wheat free dog food. I even got to speak with the representative at the store. It's called Blue Buffalo in case you are interested. It seems like a really great dog food. The dogs seem to enjoy it, and I don't have to worry about it killing them. It's definitely not on the list of over 400 recalled products. I checked. Well, I suppose that's it for today. xoxoxox

On the Catwalk

I have decided that I need plastic surgery. I want an eye tuck, I think that is what it is called, and breast reduction surgery. The twins are just getting too big for their own good. Well, my own good, but that's neither here nor there. Liposuction probably wouldn't hurt either, but I've seen that done. Ewwww! Aww, hell! I'm too much of a scaredy cat when it comes to doctors and hospitals. Though, it couldn't hurt.

I got tagged by Jenn yesterday. Uh, oh! I am supposed to come up with a list of 10 little known things about me. Not a big deal since I am on the verge of being a recluse. Then I am supposed to tag 10 other people. Hmmm. That could be difficult. I have a few picked out but not many. Anyway, watch for that later this week.

Lots of new designs will be coming forth from Jewel Street Designs soon. I even purchased a notebook so I could sketch them out and not forget. Forgetting is a big thing of mine, and there is nothing worse than coming up with a great design and forgetting about it. In fact, the earrings pictured are from that notebook of designs. Love them! They are the perfect long earring in my humble opinion. Constructed of solid copper with a slight curve, I added iolite rondelles for an extra zing. Plus, it is finished with iolites on both sides so you will look fabulous coming or going. Steve named them the Catwalk earrings hence the title of this post. They can currently be found in my shop.

Why I am skipping February next year

Yep. You read it right. Why I am skipping February next year, and I definitely mean the whole month.

So, yesterday I had to take the evil car to the DMV so I could have tags put on it. I hate this car. With a passion. If I had another working car, I would drag "Christine" to the middle of some field and set fire to her. That's how much I hate this car. Why do I call it evil you ask. HA! The doors magically lock and unlock on their own, the radio says BAD whenever it feels like it, and various other strange happenings. It is possesses. Anyway, I took the stupid car to the DMV. OMG! I have never seen such a glob of unfabulous people as StilettoHeights would call them. They were lined up everywhere. Several with no teeth. One with her hair pulled so tightly back that her skin was stretched like Joan Rivers. One with a child who kept screaming "pull me, mommy". The only person I saw that was even remotely fab was a girl with the most amazing long curly red hair. I so want red hair. I just stared at her hair. I thought I was never going to get out of there, and I could feel my creative fabulous juices being sucked out like a vampire sucking someone's blood. If I had had to stay 5 more minutes, I probably would've run screaming from the building. The thought of having to go back next year sends shivers down my spine.


The earrings you see in the picture are one of the reasons I could be persuaded not to skip February. They are a part of my 2007 limited edition collection based on famous women. They are named Mata Hari. I adore them. I created them with sterling silver wire formed into filigree and the most amazing yellow topaz briolettes. Seriously, they are elegance personified. Plus, they are spring, I mean the season, for your ears. They can currently be found in my shop.

Playing Catch Up

I hope everyone had fun over the weekend. Yes, I did take yesterday off. I needed it after all the craziness of the Stiletto Heights slumber party. If you have not read about that, you should. There was much mayhem and madness. I even got in a little Truth or Dare on Sunday.

Anyway. Fun is why I chose to show these earrings. I created them just for fun. They are such amazing little abstract or free-form dangles. I chose to do a new earwire on them as well which, I think, lends itself to the design. You can currently find them in my shop.

Perhaps this week I will get caught up on everything I need to do. Doubtful, but perhaps. I am all ready working on this week's Creative Challenge and hoping to finish last week's. The world must go on, the week progresses, and I don't want to be left behind. I'm a much happier person when I'm creating so I'm going to make my schedule fit my creating schedule. Let's see how it works out.