Romance in Brass

My latest piece is an asymmetrical necklace featuring a large brass flower pendant. Dragonflies, flowers, pink glass beads, and peach colored seed beads make it very feminine (so says the designer :P).

Below is a different shot of the whole set. Also, I've taken close-ups of different parts of the necklace.

Adventures with Rod- Volumes 1 & 2

The past three Thursdays, Rod and I have had the day off together and we've been going on mini-adventures. What's wonderful is we get to spend the day together and more often than not, we're talking about creating and what projects we're working on... and we go off in search of random things.


Last week, we went to the Old Barn Antique Mall in San Juan Capistrano. So much vintage jewelry! I couldn't afford any of it, but it certainly was beautiful and made me want to go home and play with my beads. I also loved looking at the jewelry stands and boxes. Rod gave me one of the catalogs that got sent to him at work that's filled with fixtures and displays... It makes me want to open up my own little shop.

We also saw LOTS of Pyrex. My sister-in-law collects old Pyrex. They're really pretty, I think. And make food look even yummier. But maybe that's me...



This week, we went to Laguna Beach. We walked past a jewelry shop that was featuring the work of an artist named Enric Torres. The pieces reminded me so much of Mucha. So pretty.

We sat by the beach and had a little picnic. I sketched and he did a little watercolor painting. It was a really good day. I hope we have more adventures together...

No Two Pair Are Alike...

On Sunday, I made these two pairs of earrings. The first is a bit more "classic" with the big white porcelain bead and dark glass pearls. The other is a bit more "fun" with the seed bead hoops and copper flowers. One feels a bit cold and the other warm... colorwise anyway.

I'm not sure if I'm developing a "style" like a painter develops their style... but I feel more confident when I'm going into a piece. Perhaps that's what its about... confidence.

Who is "Ahtee?"- Week 8

Before I start, I just want to say, I can't believe how much I miss the internet when it's not available at my house... A remodel of sorts is going on in the living room and the internet has been down at my place since LAST WEEK! I thought my cousins had given it up for Lent without telling me!!! Lol.

Ok. Now. On to my late picture. I was told, when I yawn, I look like a panda. So. Here is my best "yawn face." And there is Beckett... one of my Valentine's Day presents.

Me? Panda?... Maaaaybe.... Haha.

Purple Pillars

Glass crackle beads are fun. They're even better when they're in a shape that isn't just a sphere. These amethyst colored glass crackle beads were sitting in my stash and, I believe were a buy from around Thanksgiving. I remember making earrings for someone with them for Christmas. I still had some of the copper components and tried to make them again.

This is what I came up with. I think it's close to what I made for Christmas.

Handmade Watercolor Sketchbook

For Valentine's Day, I made my boyfriend a watercolor sketchbook. On my last birthday, I taught myself how to bind books. Well, really, I bought myself a book and some simple tools and started binding.

Now, there is some debate as to whether girls should get their significant others presents on Valentine's Day. At work on the 13th, some guys were telling me they weren't expecting anything, others said that they thought that if they were getting something for their girl, their girl should get them something too, some girls were saying that its a holiday for themselves and we do a lot for men, and other girls said that of course we should. They deserve love presents just as much as we do.

I have been with my boyfriend for over a year and a half. He has stuck by me and supported me when I had to leave school and was forced to start supporting myself. He's my sounding board for all my creative endeavors and can take away my bad days with his laughter and a hug. I feel very lucky to have found someone like him so young and hope that we continue to walk through life together.

My boyfriend is a watercolor artist. And, just like me, he can never have too many sketchbooks. I made this one pretty small (4"x6") so he could carry it with him and paint wherever. I covered it with blue paper as his favorite color is blue. The image next to the image of the sketchbook is of the detail of the paper I used for the covering. And it worked out very nicely. I hope its as durable as book cloth.

My boyfriend got me "The Art of Princess and the Frog." It's my second favorite Disney movie ("Beauty and the Beast" being first). I have such a great respect for animators. I remember watching the animation majors at LCAD and the work they put in for just a few seconds of animation... its intense. And I am a huge fan of behind the scenes details and the process artists go through to get to their finished piece. LOVE the book.

We had a wonderful dinner at Mimi's Cafe and watched "Wolfman," which made me jump and cover my ears because I was scared (I'm told that's a little odd because most people cover their eyes). I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Who is "Ahtee?"- Week 7

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I'm wearing the jewelry I made last night, but I think maybe I should have a longer necklace... hmm.

Anyhoo, I've discovered I like smiling, but when I smile big, my cheeks get bigger! (DUH ROSE!) But, I dont like it. Lol. I need to learn to accept it.

Ok. My Valentine is waiting for me. Tomorrow, I'll show you what I got him! :D