Crazy for Druzy

I spent most of last night and a lot of today trying to read as many articles and watch as many videos on soldering. My late night study session reminded me that I have a book on the matter and that kept me up even later. I'm so very excited to start the process and am hoping for more sales to help fund my new adventure.

My late night readings and video watching led me to dream up rings. I LOVE rings. In high school, I wore one on almost every finger. I don't wear many now because I got into the habit of not wearing them in art school because of clay and paint. But I can't wait to start making my own.

I already know I want to try using druzy cabochons. I've been window shopping on Etsy.

Purple Designer Cabochons from saxdsign

Huge Peach-Orange Oval Druzy Agate Cabochon from LaveoBeads

Quartz Gem from beadsaddict

I'm so in love with how they sparkle and shimmer. I love the raw look they have and the different colors they can come in. I'm so crazy for druzy.

And of course, I looked up some rings on Etsy too.

Water Lily Ring by BellaBijouJewellery

Green Druzy Ring by StaceyLeunesDesigns

This next ring isn't a druzy but it's still so beautiful. I've been following Marcie Abney's blog probably since I started making jewelry. When I first started, I tried my hand at beadweaving and failed miserably but just love Marcie's work. Sometime last year, she started posting her adventures with metal working and I gobbled up her posts eagerly. This is her first ring and I love it.

For now, I'm gathering up a list of materials I need for my first foray into soldering. And I'm a happy sponge reading up all the material I can. I'm pretty sure I will be working a lot with copper as I love it so much but haven't really read too much about soldering copper so my research adventure continues. I watched one video where the lady just painted the silver solder with copper leaf and left it at that. I don't want to do that. I don't feel that would be permanent... but I will probably try it.

I'm rambling. Lol.

I'm off to do more window shopping and sketching! Happy Tuesday, all!

Inspired

I ADORE working with wire. I love wrapping it and hammering it. I love the feel of the spool in my hands and the snap sound it makes when you cut it (or it breaks from over working/pulling too hard).

I've taken to wire wrapping Czech glass beads and lucite flowers. The above will become necklaces tomorrow (I said that yesterday on Instagram but I mean it today... I think :P). And I'm hoping to get started on the sketches below.

I like the wire wrapped beauty in the upper right hand corner of this sketch. I'll be practicing my asymmetry skills here.

This one will be a lariat. I need to get my little hands on a crystal or maybe even a large acrylic drop. Something dramatic for this necklace.

I've been sketching a lot of designs lately. Not just of wire workings but also of future components/beads I want to try making. YEP! That's right! I'm saving up to buy a soldering kit and make my own workstation. I'm not entirely sure yet what I need but it has to be portable because I have a feeling I'll be doing my work in the backyard as my room doesn't have very good ventilation.

SO! To get started, I'm going to try my hand at making some little components. The lovely Keristen Giles, one of my bloggy heroes (along with Shannon LeVart, Marie Dodd... so many others), has posted a little tutorial on how to make your own coil crimp ends. Since I LOATHE the ones they offer at craft stores, I'm going to try my hand at making some. Check out her post here.

Wish me luck, people. I've never had luck with these blasted crimp ends but Keirsten makes it seem easy-peasy. Good God, I hope so. :P

Iced Coffee and Lemon Pound Cake

My treat- yummy creamy and sweet iced coffee and lemon pound cake from Corner Bakery... my second home.

I worked Saturday to Friday. I FINALLY get a day off this week and what a week it has been.

I cannot wait until it is all over.

There is a little bonus waiting for me when my store closes. I should save it but I'm going to buy myself something. I don't want to be responsible. I want to spend it on things I can use to create. I'm spending so much time getting this store through the liquidation process... so many hours there, so little sleep... I think that I deserve it.

I'm going to buy a sewing machine... and... this.

OH. And this.

And a ton of supplies like metal stamps and cutters.

Why?

I want to make my own components. I want to get into a studio setting and pound metal, paint metal, create beautiful colors... I am going to push myself. I want to spend my time creating beautiful things. And this is my chance.

Like I said, I can't wait for it to be over.

A Far Off Land

RH and I have decided we are going to go to India. There's no set date yet. There's no fleshed out plan. All we did was agree that in a few years, we will be in India.

I'm not entirely sure how this fascination got started. I do know that it's something we both share and I feel so blessed that he wants the same things I want. The word marriage was thrown around in our conversations. So was the idea of moving in together. Scary conversations, yes, but exciting nonetheless.

I found this pendant at a bead store in Dana Point. It's not a real coin. The owner said that the pendant was a reproduction. I'm wearing it now, strung on a simple black cord. I want to keep India fresh in my mind. I want to take it around with me as a constant reminder that I will get there one day. I've gotten in the habit of touching it before making a purchase. Like asking myself if I really need to be spending the money or if I could put it away for India. Hasn't happened yet, but hopefully I'll get better at the saving part :P

We tried Indian food for the first time last week. I LOVED it. It was a tiny little grocery store in the middle of Lake Forest. It had a tinier buffet. I tried a samosa, chicken tikka masala, some kind of veggie mush that was totally yummy but I can't remember the name of, lamb curry, and tandoori chicken... all with some rice, of course. They had garlic na'an which was HEAVEN. We had some left and I ate it later with some string cheese. RH liked the lamb curry and the rice (which meant something because he usually HATES rice) but not much else. We're going to give it another go soon. :)