Work For Windy Days

Spring hit Valley Creek early this year and the winds have blown at gale force for days on end. It's difficult to work at the torch when the wind is blowing through the studio so I turn to other things.

My first creative love was working with wire. So I decided to tackle a few wire projects. The first one is done in sterling silver using a Hill Tribe Butterfly that I have been hoarding.

 Next I went through the beads I purchased at Bead Fest Santa Fe. Fortunately I had enough gold filled wire to make this bracelet. I also found some of my small turquoise lampwork spacers that worked great with these beads. I love the extra pop of the blue.

 Then I moved on to the heavy copper wire. I used a "fire painting" technique to pull some really beautiful colors out of the raw copper. I love that process although it's a bit like a box of chocolates, your never quiet sure what your getting. I also used a non tarnish silver wire to wrap this one. It's actually copper with a silver plating then covered in a protective coating.  This wire is a great alternative to sterling since silver prices have gone sky high.

So that was my windy day projects and I enjoyed them very much. However, I do hope the winds calm a bit so I can get back to the torch and make a few beads.

The Other Bracelet

Geez, tomorrow seems to have taken a wrong turn and it has been almost a week since I said I would "show you the other seed bead bracelet tomorrow". Here it is and all listed in my Etsy Shop as well. The other one sold and the buyer requested a second one so I've been busy chasing those tiny little beads. As I was finishing the bracelet I panicked as I was two beads short but, I found the two I needed under the couch cushion.

I spent a good amount of time today adding new things to the shop. I'm adding finished jewelry for quick and easy holiday shopping. I have some fun flower disks ready to be placed on some hand dyed silk ribbons. Just waiting for the postal lady to deliver the ribbons. I love using silk ribbons as necklaces.

We actually got some good rain here on Valley Creek today. The poor dogs got soaking wet before I realized it was raining. Then I got soaking wet getting them over to their little cabin. Small price to pay for some much needed rain.