Bitter Sweet

I wanted to share something here today that is somewhat of a sad story, I know that's what you came here to read........but really this is a good story that's why I labeled it Bitter Sweet. 

This picture is what my little humble solder station used to look like, pretty huh? I say used to because it dosen't look like this any more. I was up late one night like 2:00 am  ( I love to work in the still of the night) while everyone was asleep,  working on a soldering project. Well, see those pretty curtains behind my station (not a GOOD IDEA) I went to set my torch down in the stand and because I wasn't paying attention to my placement I missed and the flame ever so slightly caught the curtains and whooosh before I knew it I had a FIRE, yep, they were ablaze, so I start calling for my hubby to come. Ladies if you ever find yourself in this situation please yell FIRE, as I did not so he was in no hurry to come. The flame grew and yes, I threw water on it everything I had sitting next to me and my coffee too, which just  seemed to make the flame grow.  Now it was up the wall and on the ceiling YIKES! So lucky for me I practice some safety and had a fire extinguisher next to my station and I grabbed it, all along worrying I wouldn't know how to use it as I have never used one before, well I can tell you it was self explanatory you just pull the pin and push the trigger then aim. It worked like a charm the fire whent out just in time for my hubby to arrive, yes I was still yelling for him but in all the confusion I still never yelled FIRE. So he comes into a large amount of smoke and I do mean large, as my studio is in the house and if filled with smoke and dust from the fire extinguisher. I think the dust was worse and smelled terrible! Everything was covered in a green soft powder it took me weeks to get it all out. 

As I sat on my back deck waiting for the smoke to clear and just thanking God for the miracle that it was not worse.  As my two little girls were asleep( because the smoke did not hit that part of the house, and the smoke alarm didn't go off) I realized how in a minute life could all be so different all because of a stupid mistake! I thought the curtains looked so pretty not thinking about what could happen.

 I wanted to share this here as I now practice safety as much as I can and I own 4 fire extinguishers one in every room, also a fire alarm in my studio. Come to find out 80% of house fires start in the kitchen, hmmm I wonder if the other 20% are in studios?

I have since moved as this was a little while back but thought it important to share as hopefully if you read this it will make you think out safety at the bench and if you don't have a fire extinguisher in your studio you should! I now have a great set up and will share pictures of my studio here soon.  

The Glitter of German Glass Glitter

The Glitter of German Glass Glitter 

1st. Kit/ Tutorial now available in my Etsy store for this necklace, which is one of my very favorite, and I have been making for quite sometime, and I love that they can be filled with anything you want to make it special to you. 

Oh how I love glitter, sparkly, glitzy and glamorous but what I love even more is old aged patina'd glitter the kind you find on the old Christmas ornaments and cards.  German glass glitter is just that type of glitter it ages with time and patina's to a lovely shade while still keeping it's spark. 

For those of you who don't know what German Glass glitter is, it is quite a process to make as it starts as a thin substrate of glass that is coated with fine silver (which is why it patina's so lovely as the silver ages). Then after firing the glass 5-6 more times, each time adding additional coats of silver it is cooled and cured. Then is is ground into different grains/ grits that range from 100 grit to course shards at 70 grit. I use both but find myself reaching for the 70 grit most often. While costing a little more than regular  glitter from craft stores, as you can see it is well worth it. 

 The course look great under resin also. It can be applied using any clear glue or double stick tape. I have used it here in my message in a bottle necklaces.  They are in little bottles that have been soldered and rhinestones applied then aged to a lovely patina to give the look of something unearthed and well aged. I then patina the 20" ball chain to give them a aged patina look as well, adding in a aged rhinestone ring for a little extra bling . Coating it all with a layer of preservation wax to protect the patina. Oh, la, la.....

I've never been able to keep on long enough to see the glitter age to perfection but I'm sure they look even better!

Dreaming Big

"Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success"

David Joseph Schwartz

"You have to think anyway, so why not think big?"
Donald Trump

My minds been awhirl lately thinking of all kinds of big thoughts. Perhaps that's why all the earring's I'm making lately are big.........no I think I always like them big. Who said sizes doesn't matter? It totally matters, those small little petite earrings just don't cut it for me, sure I make a few just because somewhere out there there are those who like them, I just don't know any? Are you one of them? What's your earring size pref. do you like long and dangles, big bold hoops, chime type or playful fun, whimsical type or maybe your the one who like the petite elegant , small stud  or just on the ear lob style? Me I'm the big, bold hoop type with an occasional elegant modern geometric style throw in but still on the large side. Whats your type?

The Art of Patina'd Metal "GRUNDGY GLAMOR"

The Art of Patina’d Metals “ GRUNDGY GLAMOR”

Patina metals are beautiful in your jewelry creations. With the cost of Sterling Silver now, it is becoming the trend to use Base Metals like copper and brass which are certainly lovely in the own right but it make them even more of a treasure when you can add a lovely color to the metal. Not only does it open up the design options but also gives you full creative license on metal. You can now add layers of colors and effects giving the Mixed Media Art Jewelry artist a whole new pallet to explore. While the process is, well a process it is very achievable with a few simple steps and the right products.

I love the look of time worn, unearthed and grunge however those items in the jewelry world are getting harder and harder to come by. So being able to create the effect with some of the new base metal findings that are available is the next best thing.  Oh, and the endless options to create metal treasures (from sheet metal) in color like Green Verde or Ocean Blue. Oh, la, la pure bliss.

Now take that same piece and add a swipe, smidge or rub of gilders past over after you seal it and you just add even more glamor. Hmmmm GRUNGY GLAMMOR, Love it! Now you just need to throw a little bling in there to complete the look. I’ve included a pair of earrings in this post that I did with a single coat in Green Verde the rubbed with German Silver Gilders paste; I also put a topcoat of wax just to give it a final coat of protection.

In addition to bling I also love pearls which I use allot in my creations, these earrings have a nice earth tone mix in 4-6mm size.  I love how the have a elegant gypsy feel. 

I love creating with patina's it's my new passion so if you have a pice you have please share I would love to see! 

Key to My Heart Welcome to my Blog

Art is the Key to my heart! Yes, and my husband knows this so he won't be surprised when he reads it in print. But he holds the key to my soul!
 I love all things art and especially mixed media art, then if it's jewelry well thats the cherry on top. 
I've been wanting a place for a long time to share my Creative findings and inspiration. Finally I've found it! I've spend allot of time in blog land myself and have found it to be such a wonderful place full of such creative women who not only love art too, but are so willing to share.  So now I'm hoping to give back to this special place called blog land.
 As an artist I'm always exploring, finding new ways to create something in addition to developing more ideas for the next creation journey. I love the weathered and worn look because that is how life is sometimes, a little tattered but still so beautiful and full of so many options. Depending on how you look at it. 
 I find beauty and art in so many parts of my daily life and hope that I can share my world with you. Thanks for stopping and smelling the flowers.