I'm wearing cupcakes!

The other night I was playing with my new stash of polymer clay, and ended up making these cute little cupcake earrings. Had to remind the hubby that, no, they are not little candies and eating them could be detrimental to his health (in more way than one....but I digress...)  For the first time out, I don't think they're too bad, but the important thing is:  it was fun! Now I've got all sorts of ideas for other types of jewelry--so check back soon.

One of my co-workers commissioned me the other day to make a bracelet for her niece's birthday. The niece's birthstone is the ruby, but since genuine rubies are expensive, we opted for red wooden and glass beads, and pewter flowers.  Because I was enjoying myself so much (and being the generous person I am), I made a pair of earrings to match.

While I was making the cupcakes, I also made some more beads--swirls matching the frosting on the cupcakes, in round shapes.  I tried to make milleflora beads, but they didn't quite come out the way I wanted. I went ahead and finished them, and someday maybe I'll use them in something....don't Japanese artists deliberately leave imperfections in their work because nothing in this world is perfect?  Works for me!

I had to cancel my attendance at the art show in Somerset, Kentucky this weekend. I have a pet portrait commission that I need to work on, and the deadline is looming.  And did I mention I have yardwork to do as well?  While I've been playing, the weeds and grass (which is now mostly weeds) have been growing like...well....weeds!  Time to put on my "rocket man" pack and spray! Normally I don't like to use chemicals, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm losing the weed war, and I hate to lose--and besides, watching me wander around the yard with a big ol' backpack full of poisonous liquid strapped on, I'm sure, is quite entertaining to the neighbors.  Or maybe just plain scary. 

Anyway, I'll be posting pics of my pet portrait in progress in a day or so.  Stay tuned!

Dragonblood Jasper...not as scary as it sounds!

I couldn't resist making yet another jewelry set--this one made of dragonblood jasper stones and sterling silver over copper wire celtic swirls.  I apologize for the poor lighting.  When I'm ready to sell my jewelry I will take better photos. But I was just so pleased with these pieces, I had to share.  The beads are a little more green/brown color than they look in the photos, and the bale on the pendant is plastic.  I was going to remove it and make one out of wire, but I was afraid I'd damage the stone--but at least the design of the bale matches the design theme of the rest of the set. I think my swirls are becoming more consistent--although I actually prefer the slight variations--I think that's what makes the pieces unique--they certainly don't look like they've been made on a production line.

I'll be taking a little break from jewelry over the weekend--time to get back to slinging paint.  And speaking of painting--I will be featured as a Blogger of the Week soon on EBSQ, so be on the lookout for that! As soon as I complete the interview, I'll post a link to the article. 

Catch-Up Time

Been unable to update this site for a couple of months--family illness has kept me out of the studio. It's been a couple of months since I've even picked up a paintbrush, but I'm hoping things will get better soon and I can get back to some sort of routine.  The last painting I worked on was a commissioned piece, an oil portrait for a friend's brother and sister-in-law.  This painting was quite a challenge for me, as it was done strictly from photographs--several, in fact--and included 3 cats.  But I like a challenge and after much maneuvering and discussion with the client, we came up with a composition that pleased everyone.   
A couple of years ago I took a jewelry -making workshop with Carolyn Mallin of Fanciful Expressions.  Since then I have, occasionally, made a few pieces of jewelry here and there--but because I haven't been able to spend much time painting lately, I started making jewelry again--it's something I can do while I'm fixing dinner, or watching TV and it satisfies my need for "instant gratification."  I'm not giving up on painting--but with the current family situation, I really don't have the time to dedicate to the studio.  I haven't given much thought to actually selling the jewelry--right now it's just something I'm doing to keep my mind off more serious matters and it comes in handy when I need a gift!  So here are a few pics of some of the jewelry I've made--they aren't the best photos, lighting is all wrong, etc.  I really like turquoise--it's one of my favorite stones, after amethyst, of course--purple is, after all, my "signature" color.

I'd like to make some pieces using amethyst--I have made a couple of jewelry sets using inexpensive imitation amethyst beads, but I don't want to go overboard with the purple thing.  I'm also doing some wire jewelry -- nothing finished yet, but I'll post pictures of those when I can.  I may set up a shop on Etsy specifically for my jewelry--will post that info when I do. Meanwhile, belated happy New Year!