#1 and #8

Here I am with more to add to Deryn's Summer Jewelry Challenge. Finally got around to #1.

For this one I used copper,silver and brass. The copper piece at the front was flame colored and I added some eyelets, however, I have the back side of the eyelets showing to the front~~~ they remind me of little flowers like that. Next is a textured piece of silver~~~then the brass piece.

I'm loving the way this one turned out. I used some homemade tools on it to get the design. I hammered wire into it to get the spirals. Then, accented the spirals using a nail and a hole punch. Then I worked from the back with a small dowel to get the raised effect. Instead of a bead at the top of the bail I used a small gear that spins.

The neck chain is steel and copper that I formed then flame colored. Then I did # 8~~~ two of them.

Didn't have a watch to use so I made a center piece using the same technique that I did on the brass piece of #1. The rest is made with sterling silver,hammered and an eyelet added and hammered and flame colored brass. All connected with sterling silver jump rings.

This one is copper and brass and sterling connecting it all. The center piece reminds me of a Yin and Yang symbol.

The challenge is helping me stretch myself. Sometimes I get stuck in a certain mode that doesn't let me try new things or go beyond my comfort zone. Doing this is giving me that boost that I need to do the techniques that I haven't done in a long time.

For this I'm grateful. Thanks Deryn.

Project # 2 Of Deryn's Challenge

I had a blast making these! I used flame colored copper, then I crimped it and folded it. Copper wire was used for the wrap and copper beads are hanging inside. The brass rose beads on the top are from some old, old jewelry that I had in my stash. I made the ear wires from GF 21 Ga wire. After I assembled everything I decided the folded copper would look better if I filed the high spots of the crimps and polished them a bit.

I like the aged look that they have.

Deryn's Challenge

Here are my entries for Deryn's summer challenge. I started with #3. Don't know why, but that one really called to me. In fact, I did two different ones.

I etched both brass pieces first. Then hammered the "shelf" so it would have texture when I folded them over. The shorter piece has some Swarovski crystals and Lapis Lazuli. I "repurposed" some beads from jewelry that I had in the 80's. Days of big hair and chunky earrings. Looking back I can't believe that I ever thought that looked good.

The other longer piece has glass pearls, FW pearls and a stick pearl. The circle hanging at the bottom is a textured copper washer. Both neck chains are made of annealed steel wire.

Here are Paige and Suzi one evening on our deck after catching lightening bugs to use as a night light. After Suzi's visit, I'll recover a bit first, then I plan on doing more pieces for Deryn's challenge.

Finds

These are my new acquisition's. They're wonderful little oil paintings done by my friend Linda.

They are tiny--2" x 2" and 2" x 2 3/4" canvases. Treasure's all. I have 3 of them which makes it a "collection". I'm sure there will be more down the road for me since I envision seeing them in all the rooms of our house. I just love looking at them.

I should point out that the sail boat was a gift for hubby--he enjoys boats. No, he doesn't go out on the water- just loves picture's of boats. Granddaughter Paige pointed that one out and said Grandpa would enjoy it. And she was right. She's always so thoughtful.

This one is an adorable little bowl-with a cat painting in it. Another addition to my collection of "Cat things " that I collect. I wonder if I'm addicted to "collecting" stuff.

Anyway, I picked this one up at an Art Fair in Midway, KY that I spent the day at with Paige, my daughter-in-law and her mom. What a delightful girls day out we had.

HAPPY FLOWERS

Daylilies from the front of our house.

There's Something About Etching

I've been etching to tell you something.....hehehe. But really, I've been busy etching brass for a project that I have in mind.

I'm pretty pleased with the way these two came out. I colored the one on the right side with my torch.Here's a necklace that I just finished. It's copper with fresh water pearls. Going to put this one on Etsy as soon as I get more views of it. I've lost the good light for now ---tomorrow is another day.

My goal is to try some of the projects from Mary Hettmansperger's book " Wrap,Stitch,Fold & Rivet". Deryn Mentock at somethingsublime.typepad.com issued a jewelry challenge to work through Mary's book with her through August. There's a chance to win one of Deryn's pieces.
I think working through a book like this is a great idea. You can learn something new or try something that you haven't done in awhile. Good luck to all who try.