A new ring

This is the result of the recent class I have been taking  at my local community college. I learned several tips from this class and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amethyst Ring

Tonight I am hoping to get at least one pair of earrings made from these beautiful Tiger Eyes.

 Hopefully I will have photos of the earrings soon!

Some New Listings and Some New Orders

I have just listed some new stacking rings, without stones this time.

As you can see, I have also been playing with Liver of Sulphur oxidizing.

My class is going very well.  I learned how to polish last week.  The funny part is, while I was waiting for the instructor to show us the polishing machine I just kept sanding the ring I had with smaller grit sandpaper.  By the time we went to the polisher, the ring had been sanded with 12,000 grit and looked great.  Once it was polished it was beautiful.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures before it went out.  I will try to remember from now on.

The day that ring went out I also sent out another.  Normally I am not able to get a ring out the day after it was ordered, but this was a special situation.  The order came in at 11:00 P.M. my time on Sunday night, along with a note saying that is was for the person's sister who had just lost her baby.  The baby's funeral is Saturday and she wanted her sister to be able to wear it.  The ring is a pearl stacking ring, June's birthstone.  The story broke my heart and you can't imagine the love and tears that went into that ring.

Narrow Stacking Rings - Again

Well, I finally got some of the Narrow Stacking Rings photographed and listed.  I learned my lesson.  Of course, I couldn't simply make the rings, I had to hammer some, oxidize some, and leave some alone.  I love the look of the Freshwater Pearl ring, with its hammered and oxidized band.  I really love the photo with the black rocks.  What do you think?  By the way, Pearl is the birthstone for June.

Here is a shot showing all of the new rings.  They have not all been listed yet, but I am getting favorited on Etsy.  I love this picture.  The colors are so pretty.

I started my class on Saturday.  This will be fun!  I am planning on making a ring and a pair of earrings, both from the new stones that came in.  I am going to use the Amethyst for the ring, probably with some silver balls on the bezel, and a pair of the Tiger Eye for the earrings.  I have been using premade bezels so I am looking forward to learning to make them.  I am hoping to improve my soldering skills and learn to properly finish and polish.

New Stones

I got an order of stones in last week and can't wait to do something with them.  These beauties came from Eagle Gems on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Eaglegems).

 I'm trying to decide whether to wait for my class to start or just jump in and start playing now.  There may be a little of each.

Aren't they pretty!

Hope all of you in the US had a great holiday weekend and remembered to stop a moment and remember those who served for our freedom.

Things are slow

Boy are they.  I have not had a sale for over a month, if not longer.  I admit, I haven't really done much on  Etsy, either, so that may be the cause.

I am starting a class at my local community college on June 1, so maybe I will have some inspiration after that.  I am really excited to get some real training.  Hope I don't have too many bad habits to break!

In the mean time, I am job hunting.  Anyone looking for a bookkeeper with an AAS in Information Technology?

Everyone says blogs need pictures, so I present another picture of the grandsons.  Aren't they darling?



Hope to have something interesting later this week.

May Synchroblog - Words Have Meaning

The Artists Synchroblog (May) – The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post every other month on the same topic, sharing our experience or perspective. On alternate months we undertake a Pinterest Project where we each take inspiration from a pinterest picture, create something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then post about it.  The theme for May is "WORDS HAVE MEANING “A quote to live by/favorite saying”"

I love this saying and try to live by it.  It reminds us that listening is more important than speaking in most situations.  It is impossible to learn anything new if the only sounds come from your mouth. (Another saying I try to live by).

In jewelry news, still working on the narrow stacking rings. (Another Lesson Learned)

Also, since my plans on Sunday to see Iron Man 3 with my son got changed, we will be going on Thursday night.  I can't wait!

Please visit the other bloggers this month:

http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com

http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/

http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog

www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com

http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com

http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com

http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

http://marikach.blogspot.com/

www.createrecklessly.com

http://design.kcjewelbox.com

www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/

http://silversmithblog.com/

http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/

My daughter gives me the best presents.

Not a lot of time for jewelry this weekend.  The reason:

My daughter gives me the best presents.  On my birthday in 2009, she gave me my first grandson.

 Liam Riley  October 2010 and May 2013

This is my Mother's Day gift this year.  Grandson number two.

Landon James May 12, 2013

Thanks Kate.  I love you.