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Sneak Peak at Sunday Special on Etsy...

Inspiration at Midnight  (sold)

(This package will be available on Etsy Sunday Only)

As promised here's a sneak peak at this Sunday's special package. Although I'm not a night owl, inspiration often strikes me while I'm sleeping...often times waking me up and not allowing me to get back to sleep. Luckily I'm a very early morning person, so I can usually retain those thoughts and dreams and get up early and put them into action, or at least jot them down in my journal.

Sunday's package will consist of the above handmade elements; a handmade glass and mirror pendant, a tiny bottle-cap and resin pendant, an enameled house pendant, a copprclay "inspire" connector, a copprclay moon charm, and that darling handmade copprclay owl pendant. I might even through in some ribbon or chain...I'll have to check my stash. This is a larger package, and will be listed at $50.00. If the elements were purchased separately they would retail for $62.00. This is a great opportunity for you to try out a variety of my handmade elements and enjoy a great deal.

Ok, enough business talk. We all enjoyed a night out in celebration of my father-in-law's 80th birthday last night. Today the celebration continues at my sister-in-law's house for chili and more family time. I missed my own Dad's birthday because of that flu, so I'm going to head out to my parent's house on Sunday to wish him a belated Happy Birthday...and maybe stop at the bookstore on the way home...lol...Hope you all have a spectacular week-end.

Light and Love-amanda

 

Lucky Me....

The Three Sisters...

Earlier this week, when I was laying in my stinky and sweaty bed coping with this flu, my husband brought up a package that had come in the mail...It was from one of my sister's. A birthday present. In a beautiful little burlap bag with wonderful terracotta beads attached-(yes I'm quite certain she knew I'd like those too!) were these precious bunnies. They came from a shop called Ten Thousand Villages...a very special non-profit that she is doing some volunteer work for. These little bunnies kept me company next to my bed until today. I finally felt good enough to get out of my jammies and move around a bit. They came down to the studio to keep me company. So sweet...

Yup, today is my birthday. When I asked my daughter yesterday...what today was....she replied...I don't know, I just know that on Thursday it's Crystal's birthday...when I told her it was MY birthday, she replied "well I don't keep track of that kind of stuff!" lol...the truth is, my husband didn't even remember until this week-end that it was my birthday. ..a one A.M. (after 2nd shift) stop at a 24 hour  super-market saved him the wrath of a wife with no cake on her birthday...I didn't feel good enough to eat it at lunch, but he helped himself to a large slice...I'm quite determined to eat some tonight with my daughter...even if I must give up dinner to do so...

When my husband saw this he cracked up...Expand? Why would you want to wear that for jewelry??? The  beautiful  sterling bezel is from Susan Lenart Kazmer's "Objects and Elements" collection. Another piece I have been hording for nearly a year and a half. When I poured resin last night, I decided that I must use it. I always keep a stash of ephemera in a basket nearby. I grabbed it, found some vintage dictionary text, and that was what grabbed me- expand. I snipped it to the right size, and forever embedded it in resin. I think it's a wonderful word, even if it's poetic beauty was lost on my husband. I'm sure that the story of this piece will unfold very soon. I thought immediately that it would be a bracelet, but now, I'm not sure. Possibly a necklace...for another day.

Signs of Spring? It was actually warm enough today, that I sat out on the front porch (ok I was bundled a bit) and enjoyed my first cup of coffee while my daughter waited for the bus. The cranes came back today, as well as the robins, and the red-wing blackbirds...a happy sight!

Tiny little vintage brass book/lockets. I put a tiny little image on them, and encased it in resin. Tricky, but they turned out so cute!

Tiny little connectors too!

And lastly..tiny little drops! 

Ok, my daughter is yelling at me...Ghost Whisperer is on. It's one of the few shows we can watch together, and I don't get embarrassed, or go insane...time for some cake...hope you are all doing well...resin pieces will be listed later this week. They need a day or two more to fully cure..

light and love-amanda
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday Special on Etsy...

Butterfly Love Elements Sampler 

I've decided to run a special sale on a package of my handmade elements on Etsy every Sunday. It will be a collection of my choosing, and will be offered at a discount. I'm hoping this will encourage people to try my handmade components, or at least get a great deal. Each Sunday I will offer up a new package...they will have a theme, and will only be available on Sunday. If they don't sell, they will be "unlisted." A new package will be available the following Sunday. I think I will try to give a sneak peak on Saturday here on my blog...that way those of you who read my blog will have the heads up on what will be available on Sunday morning.  I thought it would be a fun way to promote my work. We will see how it goes....
 

Make Art

  It's really hard to make art, let alone get anything else done. I had a fever off and on last night, then the bad dreams that always accompany them. My bedroom smells like an old hotel...I know totally gross. I'm trying to get a few things listed on etsy, but it's taking every bit of energy I have.  I take a few pictures, then edit them, and get a few things listed, and I feel like I've run a marathon. It's funny how these flu viruses affect us. My daughter did have a fever last week, and she was definitely a zombie, but it was in her head. Not psychologically, but physically...congestion, stuffy...etc. It seems like my weakness is always in my chest...no matter what the virus is, it always settles in my lungs...making it hard to breath, and zapping all of my energy...my husband gets it in his head too...weird. Well I hope none of you are suffering from this crud. It sounds like it is going around all over...one last ditch effort before springtime I guess. On a more positive note...our little Sprout is doing a lot better. It has been a challenge getting the eye medication on her eyeball 3-4 times a day, but we have been vigilant about it, and it's helping a lot. We are still going to bring her in on Monday to get her annual blood-work done, and have that eyeball checked out while she's knocked out.

 

Sprout

That's her in all her glory. Her hair is standing up because the camera flash was spooking her. Her tongue hangs out a lot...not crazy like some of the other dogs I've seen, but I think it's cute. 

Ok, I'm coughing and hacking, so I need to take a rest. I'd like to wish my Dad a

 Very Happy Birthday

...today's his day. I need to save my air to call him and wish him well.

Have a beautiful afternoon..light and love-amanda
 
 

NO Time for the Flu...

Ahh yes, it is good to be home...but not with the flu...after my tv appearance I started feeling the affects of the flu...I managed to get a few things done, and even got up early to finish up some metal-clay pieces to complete some custom work...but it keeps catching up with me. Hannah was home all last week...and now I'm starting to feel totally out of commission. To top it off, our little dog Sprout- (I was going to put her picture up, but she wouldn't cooperate) is having a very serious eye problem. I ran to the vet yesterday for some meds...but she's definitely going to have to go in on Monday...some of you may remember me talking about Sprout-she's 6 pounds of evil...the Chi-Wiener of Doom. Half dachshund and half chihuahua, we've had her since she was 14 days old. Brain damaged from dog bite to the head, she's not the most pleasant dog in our pack...but we do love her thank-goodness. She's epileptic, and she has to be anesthetized when we take her into the vet. It's just too traumatic. Last time she bit her tongue so badly she actually ended up losing the tip...and no I wasn't happy about that...She's a really great little girl in her own environment...she's even sweet to us...but she doesn't like change, and even taking her outside can be stressful enough to bring on a seizure. Andy is sick too, and has been in bed for the last few hours...I don't know which one of us is going to bring her in to the vet, but it should be interesting...I'll try to get a good picture of her later...poor thing.

To complain a little more...my metal-clay pieces didn't sinter properly...which means another full firing...I was so afraid of that...it always happens when I need something now, now, now. They won't be done until late tonight...which means I can't get the special order pieces completed until the morning...grrr

Ok, enough complaining! I'm sorry...I plan to have more metal-clay pieces listed this week-end...and I've finally started a flickr group for those of you who have bought some of my elements and would like to post photos of your designs. I have to work some of the technical parts out, but if you want to be on my flickr page, just e-mail some pictures, your name, your shop if you want, and a brief description of your piece! I'll get them posted as quickly as I can...

Ok time to crash...light and love-amanda

 

Resin Pendants and Connectors Oh My...

Antiqued Brass and Resin Connectors or Pendants

One of the interesting things that I am learning about offering my handmade elements for sale... I no longer feel the need to hold on so tightly to these pieces. I am also feeling a freedom to create in "excess". In truth it's not really excess. I've got several galleries to provide new work to, and having my bits and pieces done and at my fingertips is really wonderful.  Being able to share these pieces that are dear to my heart, for someone else to create a cherished piece of jewelry is fulfilling in a way I never thought it could be. It's also pushing me outside of my comfort zone to come up with new work for this year's gallery sales.

These will be up later this week..I've got someone who has requested first choice, but I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at them. 

And lastly a little pair of earrings I made.

Birds of a Feather

I kinda like this pair. If they don't sell on Etsy, I just might have to reclaim them for myself.

Hannah is still home today, but she's feeling better. I think school will be in her future for Wednesday. The dogs have sure enjoyed the extra attention they have gotten while she's home. She has been on the couch with furry lumps keeping her warm all day.

Have a great afternoon...

light and love-amanda 
  

The Day's Bounty...

Wow did we ever have a great day today! Usually when we go out, one of us has some luck finding some goods, but today we both came home happy. The vintage luggage is one of my favorite ways to store ephemera, lace, or pieces and parts. When I have time, I make a beautiful tag to hang from it, to tell me what's inside. My studio is so packed that I have to stack things....to the ceiling in fact. The luggage gives it a fun look, and I can pretend I'm organized. The beautiful red and white trim was all handmade...I only paid a dollar for it. The crusty steamer? What else, I'm going to take it apart and use the panels for wings on my assemblage dolls...

 

The "dreaded cheese dome"...I don't know if your thrift stores  have these...but we have them in every shop....it must be a prerequisite to opening a thrift store in the Dairy State. I recently saw someone use them to keep their resin pieces dust free when they were curing. I wish I could remember if it was on a blog, or a magazine...it's a great idea!

And then a few treats from a local bead shop. Some really great copper trade beads, some Chalcedony, and some Ancient Roman Glass....I've been drooling over that glass for the last two years. I intended on making the leap, and adding a strand to my collection of "best stuff" -( you know, the kind of beads that you don't cut the strand for 6 months because #1 it was pricey, and #2 it's just so pretty on that strand, and #3 what on earth are you going to make with that?) But when I got to the shop and looked at their strands (which were actually half the price they are selling for on-line) I liked the loose pieces better. The strands were gorgeous-don't get me wrong, but they were thinner pieces and a bit irregular. I loved the circle shape of these, and they are nice and thick...

 The pictures don't do them justice at all. Trust me they are absolutely beautiful...and no I don't know what I'm going to do with them, but I know I'm going to keep one piece for myself.  I'll try to get a better picture in the morning with the sun on them...Beautiful!!

And lastly, I must apologize for my grosso hands...My family has informed my I need to hire a hand model for these blog posts...yes I know they look like sausages...I work hard...they are swollen...they are dirty....and yes I did buy artificial nails for my trip next week....maybe I need gloves too...lol

light and love-amanda
  
 
 
 

A Meditation on Letting Go....

Letting Go
 A sneak peak here at my latest piece... before the light fades completely.

Lots of sterling silver, an antique salt shaker, resin filled bezels, faceted blue chalcedony, coppery coin pearls, and the beautiful sterling bird clasp from Green Girls Studio...I order a few of those clasps  several years ago. I've held on to them, not wanting to use them for fear... of what I don't know. I still remember when they arrived... and I can remember the fear I felt about creating something that would be "fitting" enough to have such a lovely clasp...something worthy enough. They are so beautiful on their own, as a designer, you almost don't want to spoil the beauty of them...I'm sure hundreds of designers and artists have made many beautiful things using them, but I was fearful. I will try to post a better picture of this necklace in the morning. The light is now gone, and I just can't take a picture at night to save my soul. The resin bezels read-"ask, believe, receive." The chalcedony is the loveliest shade of blue, and paired with the coppery pearls and sterling, it's one of my favorite color combinations. It's a very long piece too...which I love. You can wear it super long, or wrap it around your neck for a layered look.

 
Brass and Resin Bezel Pendants

on Etsy...

Discover Truth Earrings

handmade bronze pendants, sterling silver, and freshwater pearls

These earrings are available on Etsy too. I'm working on another grouping of copper clay elements. I'm going to try some different patina effects and see what happens. I had hoped to get them finished today, but I ended up having to do a second firing. I'll be heading out of town next week, for a trip to Minneapolis . I hope to have some new elements listed, and some more finished jewelry up before I leave. I think I'm going to have to rest my hands after this next batch of metal clay is done. I don't know if anyone else suffers from this, but boy do my hands look terrible. They are rather pudgy anyway, but they are so dry, and permanently filthy...I've tried to use all the products they recommend, I moisturize, all that stuff. But my fingers, and finger nails are disgusting. I know, too much information....but it's rather embarrassing when you are checking out at the store and you see the cashier looking at your black finger nails....then try to explain it's from working with metal-clay (then trying to  explain what metal-clay is)----and they look at you like-"yeah right" I think I need some extra sanitizer....so, to make this long story short, I'm going to see my brand new niece, who is just a baby, and I don't think she wants to meet her Auntie with totally gross hands...It's also my nephew's birthday, and he's not the type to hold anything back...I'm sure he'd tell me that "Auntie M, your hands are gross...." maybe it's time to try out some artificial nails....my daughter just thought I should go the "Goth" route and paint them black...no one would no the difference....anyway this is why I must rest my hands after this last batch. I don't want to be known as the Auntie with gross hands....

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Light and Love-amanda

When it rains....it pours....

BronzClay Harpy Pendant (sold)

Just happens like that sometimes. This week has been interesting to say the least. We have had some technical difficulties....and I'm not so technical which leads to alot of difficulties. We have been trying to switch over to a different service provider, and we just purchased a different computer for upstairs. My main computer has been dying a slow and painful death. 73 viruses and counting. My daughter was unable to even use her drawing programs or get on-line, so we took the plunge and got something small, and suitable for her usage, and then decided to switch providers at the same time.... that lead to a slew of headaches and confusion on my part. It's difficult and maybe a little humiliating when you don't really know how to hook all of this stuff up, and you don't even know the correct lingo to use to ask for help. Well I finally got the new computer up, then the internet working, and then my printer and my camera died. Well technically my printer still works, but the wireless connection to my laptop is not working. So, I'm leaving that for another week, and am struggling to learn the new software for a different camera. In the meantime, I was able to get a few pictures off and two new pieces listed on Etsy. The above piece is a pendant made from Bronzclay. I've been toying with the idea of putting a few "components" for sale in my shop. It's a difficult decision for me, but I thought I might give it a shot. I also made a bracelet, but photos for that will have to wait. My parents are traveling this week, and my Mom wanted to take the bracelet to show my Aunt...One more photo for today...

Wild Iris Earrings...Sterling Silver

 

Our thaw is over, and it's back to frigid temperatures. Just makes me ache for Spring-time even more.

Light and Love-amanda
 

Remnants...and tools

We have had some rain here over the week-end, it's what we Wisconsinite's refer to as the January Thaw. It offers some relief from the bitter cold winter, but uncovers alot of ugly, brown, dirty messes. And if you have dogs, it's serious...Peeking out of the snow and mud, I spotted this yellow pansy. A remnant from this past summer, just sitting there saying hello to me. So although it's been a bit gloomy out, there's always a spot of sunshine..if you look. I had to go out and pick this little treasure, then I started looking around and noticed how beautiful my orchids looked in this winter light...

Mind you, I do have a green thumb for some things, Orchids are not one of them. It's almost unnatural that these two plants haven't died in my care. The lovely purple one has been with  me for over a year, this is it's second blooming, and the other, has only been here  6 months or so.

They are a treat during these winter months.

My Love (sold)

-Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Handmade Copprclay Heart-

 Andy picked up a hood vent for my kiln a few days ago. He was determined to get it in today before he left for work...With some major effort, he was able to get it installed, and eat lunch before he started 2nd shift.  Our house is of the vintage variety. It's a log home that was covered with several layers of siding, and plastered at one time on the inside. Anytime we have to cut a hole in the wall, it's kind of a big deal. I'll post a picture later of the drill bit that did the damage.  So he's off to work, and I've got a dusty mess to clean up. I'm really enjoying the Copprclay and the kiln. I've just made a handful of things, but I can see how artists could just focus on this one medium. The possibilities are endless. I just ordered a few DVD's on Copprclay/Bronzclay specifically. I've watched one of Sherri Haab's PMC videos-it was wonderful. I don't know if I will be able to take any classes this year, so I figured the DVD's are a really good investment...and for those of us with less then stellar memories, I can go back and watch it again. Gotta sign off-the dog's are calling...I'll be back soon with a few more pictures..light and love-amanda

 
 

Ode to March

handmade copprclay pendant, sterling silver, aquamarine
 

Ok just a few quick pictures, then my daughter will be off the bus. Here is the hole that we had to drill...

Here's part of the chunk that came out of the log...maybe I will save it for some assemblage doll?

And here's the tool to get the job done...well, it might need my husband behind it...there's no way I could have done that...

If you know anyone who owns an old log house, or is purchasing a country home...this drill bit would make a lovely gift. It has saved us countless times...lol...when we first got internet service, we told our provider that they would have to drill through logs to get the cable through. They still came unprepared, and Andy ended up running the wire and drilling the holes for them.

-have a great night-
 
 
 

Happy Holidays....and some sage advice from my husband....

I'm back...once again. We have finally wrapped up the Holiday Sale, with just a few small things to finish up. The Holiday Sale has kept me busier than I thought, and then I came down with a serious case of yuck-so I just haven't been feeling myself. I'm on the mend, and feeling re-energized to get back into the studio and start making a giant mess again. I've been taking some huge mark-downs in my Etsy shop, and also adding a few new pieces here and there. Look for silver to play a new role in more of my designs in this coming year. I'm crossing my fingers that I will be able to get a small kiln at the beginning of 2010, and that will add a whole new dimension to my work...not to mention a whole new course of study for me...xo

After a particularly ugly rant this afternoon, my husband interrupted me with a phrase I really needed to hear...and luckily for me, I was able to hear it..."LET IT GO..." I was really upset about another artist copying one of my designs...I won't go any further than that, but I was not happy, and feeling pretty ugly about the whole thing....which wasn't doing me any good...he then opened up his jacket and presented me with a box from my favorite local bead shop-Rocks of Ages....

Inside the box, this beautiful strand of Aquamarine gemstones....I've looked at this strand several times....I've dreamed  of this strand of lovely blue...my birthstone...I certainly didn't deserve this gift, especially today...which is what made it so special. Even after listening to me say such rotten things about another person, he let me say it, let me get it out of my system, and still gave me this gift...wow....I'm feeling lucky, and a bit ashamed. But I will let it go...thank you honey...for knowing what I needed to hear, for letting me say what I needed to say, and loving me in-spite of it. wow.

And lastly I wanted to share with you the amazing talents of another etsy artist...Ellen Dooley...

 

I'm amazed at the beauty she captures in each of her beads. They are tiny pieces of artwork, rivaling any fancy cut gemstone. I've started to incorporate several of her beads in some of my new sterling silver pieces, but please check out her shop, her photography is amazing too! Whenever I receive one of her packages, I feel like a small child on Christmas morning. I know what's inside will be grand, but I'm always delighted at  the beauty of her work...

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, no matter how or what you celebrate. May you be surrounded with those you love, and safe in your travels. I hope you all have a little bit of handmade in your holidays too! light and love-amanda xo

Dragonfly Meditation Bracelet