An afternoon with Millie

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I received a call from my friends Grandmother today telling me she was ready for me to come visit and look at some Cabochons to purchase. Remember, she's the rock hound I mentioned in an earlier post. At 86 years old she's incredible and still hikes with a back pack and pick axe in search of treasures.

Today we fingered through her many tubs of polished rocks and cabochons. I found many HOWEVER we don't know what type of stone they are. She didn't remember what they were so I'm at a loss. I need to go to the Gem and Mineral club and see if I can get some answers.

I plan on making a lot of nice pendants and leather bracelets with my fabulous cab findings. A new line....? "soul of a gem"

Time to re~group

Tomorrow January 30th 2009 will mark the one year anniversary of my little brothers sudden passing. This week has been hard, somber and heartfelt. Focus has been challenging and life is certainly "uncertain".

I've grown the past year both spiritually and creatively. "Soul of a flower" stemmed from my little brothers death which brought me to the realization of the true "soul of a flower". Flowers are there for a birth of a new child, birthday, graduation, promotion , anniversary and in death.

Their beauty gives continually with their beauty reminding us the true meaning of life which is death, the beauty in the flower withers away in time.... in it's cycle of life.

I've decided to close shop for a day or two and regroup, think, hopefully be inspired to design something new and spend time with my Mother and Sisters whom all adored my brother and call him "Brothers". He was more brother than any sister can handle or wish for. :-)

~A true love~

In writing this posting, I leave a part of my heart, soul and memories of his ashes in the Sierra's.

Another backdrop?

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

While out on my shipping journey I stopped by my favorite little shop "Nest" and found another possible backdrop for my photo shoots. This is an old carved post from Nepal and obviously very weathered and is filled with an abundance of character.

There's always something new in Nest and the best thing about shopping there is you never see the same thing twice, Nest is ever changing with the seasons.

New work

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

I'm slowly but surely getting things organized and starting to think about the next big listing. Once in a great while I get the chance to make something really big which takes a week and sometimes two to create. From sketches of the design to making the beads and cleaning,etching (glass etching solution),stringing and then melting, etching (nitric acid) or stamping on homegrown sterling bead caps. The process is long but worth it. I've planned on making something REALLY big and it looks like that moment has arrived.

A close friend of ours took me to her grandmothers last year to see her "stash" of rocks. She's a rock hound and belongs to our local Gem and mineral club, she's looking for youngsters like me to learn the trade. I was in awe while looking at all of her findings. She gave me a few cabochons that her husband made in which I've finally done something with one of them. I'm not sure what sort of stone this is but it looks like turquoise.... it's NOT though. It's gorgeous with milky white blotches and tiny veins of tan running through it. It looks like high Sierra skies to me. It's gorgeous!

I'm thinking I may spend some days next week making a lot of lampwork beads to go with it. I'm leaning towards something white that matches the white in the stone and making bead caps for every single one of the beads. The necklace will have three strands of small lampwork beads, maybe one strand medium sized. I'll add a single piece of turquoise that matches the blue and off balance it in the medium strand of beads. A really heavy patina will make this look rustic and old.

Another thought is all sterling silver capped beads. This piece deserves to hang with the best. I'll have to sit on it for a while until I decide what I'm going to do with it. I've got several people here who would love to have it so I may or may not list it.

Off to my second run on work today!

Acomplished weekend?.... well, sort of

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Vintage stool of Chinese origin (100+ years)?

Look at the craftsmanship, this stool is sturdy
with no movement. I haven't found one nail in
it.


No nails!


"Ty" - The "Man bracelet"
Homegrown glass, hand wrought silver

Floral etched bezeled diamond band


Heavy domed sterling square glides over supple
brown leather ~ Now selling at "Nest"

Domed silver is approximately 1.5"

The back of the Oval sterling disc

Rustic leather band


This is one of many that I favor in this line

Rough, organic earthy

I'm feeling pretty good about my weekend. Staying up until 3:00am both Friday and Saturday nights and waking at 7:00am to start a new day of work orders (my sweets was out of town). I finally completed a custom ring for a SUPER sweet person who found me on Etsy. It was my first journey working with a real diamond which made me REALLY nervous. All in all it turned out nice, rustic and sports a lot of character.

I completed an order for "Nest" a boutique in my hometown. This store is incredible, filled with soul and the store owner is the sweetest person ever. While on my journey to town to drop off the new leather bracelets at "Nest", my eyes locked in on this incredible stool. Obviously it's very old and made out of wood.... one of my favorite materials. I love wood, the more character the better. This stool originated in China and crafted unbelievably well. I can't find one nail in it. Looks like it's completely joined with square dowels. I don't purchase things as a "look pretty", it has to have a purpose, and more importantly it has to be functional. This little stool is going to hold me when I'm reaching for those tall things that only a tall person can reach, it's also going to be the stage for some of my jewelry or bead pieces during a photo shoot.

The new leather bracelets are rustic with organic character. They sure do take a lot of silver though, I'm running out fast! I haven't had a chance to finish playing~tooling with my new leather. I have several custom items on my plate today in addition to many other things.... this is my "Usual day" seven days a week, I'm looking SO forward to the Alaska cruise.... my hands need a break.

• Finish soldering chain~charm onto a custom bracelet that I've had for weeks.
• Make another "Souls harvest" ring for someone in Europe that received the original squished from our wonderful mail system.
• Make a new pair of hoops for a super Canadian who's little girl flushed her new pair in the loo.
• Make a pair of "Holly" earrings for someone on the east coast who lost hers in the snow during a walk.
  
• Make "Three Amigas" for a super sweet person in Texas.
  
• Work on a custom bracelet and earring set for another awesome spirit whom I adore.
• Work on a custom bracelet for another super sweet person.
• Attempt to make a batch of beads for a jewelry instructor in Florida, with a silver overlay.
  
• Prepare packages for tomorrows shipment at 4:30pm Pacific time.
• Clean shop
• Whew! And all with only one cup of espresso roast!!!
  

Also....the trillion household chores that await my presence as well as attend to my best friend, Simes my husky's needs. :o>

I may even find time to bake a couple of batches of cookies!

~ Petals & Peace ~

Friday, January 23, 2009

In looking at the back of the copper and sterling heart pendant recently listed on Etsy, I envisioned flower petals, my imagination was running and of course had to stop everything I was doing and act on that very moment of creative flow. I love flowers... all of them. Yesterday I went out into my lavender garden and cut the very last handful of flowers from springs 2008 blossom. Our unstable weather has kept the lavender going strong until now. The fresh smell of lavender is still present in the leaves and old growth, just touching the bush permeates your skin. While cutting the last bouquet of lavender I felt at peace, the rain, the smells and solitude.

Okay, time to wake up Cindy... back to the pendant, The petals have the lightly etched floral pattern that I use on most of my pieces (retiring soon). I only used four petals, my torch is too hot and feared losing the first soldered petals when adding more so I stopped at four. It almost looks like a Korean dogwood blossom, hmmmmm that's something to think about.

In closing, I've uploaded some "Peace" that I keep above my desk. I read it a few times daily to keep still in my mind.

Business cards

Thursday, January 22, 2009

While jewelry is in the pickle pot I thought I'd share my latest leather project. It's for a friend who's just starting her new Graphics design business. My second piece ever made with leather with the first being a check book cover and this one a business card holder.

My sweet friend recently came home from Maui...and probably is emotionally still there :o)
She loves the sea turtles in the Pacific so I thought a design a turtle on her card holder.

back to work!

"be still my heart"

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

That name should only be for people who are in true love... in my case, it means I'm ready for a heart attack. I'm in the "In between" stages of hiring someone to help with the office work but am not there yet.

I've managed to make something new as a late night "release"... It was better than a big bowl of ice cream. It turned out nice, copper and silver together as it should be.

I've also changed the leather band in one of the bracelets and am giving it to my dearest friend who if reads this will know it's hers. She's shared her admiration regarding this turquoise bracelet.

Now back to work on a special project! (Heidi's) :o)

A new found craft!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

My journey to the city was perfect, I managed to find two sides of vegetable tanned leather, tools and eco friendly dyes. I already had tools for the craft and never knew it until last night while rummaging through my tools. I think I accidentally bought the leather tools when I started silver work a few years ago.

Since my fingers are desperately needing a break from filing, sanding and forging metal, I spent my evening playing with my new craft. I made a check book cover, it's not perfect by any means but it's functional and I love it. I didn't get the design stamped in hard enough since I was in a hurry and besides.... this is a trial and error time. I plan on making leather conchos or leather pendants soon.

I'll be working on wrist bands as soon as I get my custom orders complete today and the next few days to come. I'll plan on spending my week playing with leather and silver. I feel like a hypocrite, I LOVE animals and sometimes think I should be a vegetarian but here I am loving leather work. In my mind I have to separate the fact that this cannot be from a live creature. I then argue "at least the hide is not being wasted". Ughhhh I can't even go there right now. Next week, hopefully more time to experiment!

New beginnings

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I can't believe we're half way through January! I'm still working on Christmas orders that were ordered and the people so graciously offered to put them on the back burner until all Christmas gifts were made first. I'm receiving some of the orders for adjustment as well as continued custom orders and I'm still keeping very busy. I'm thankful for my loyal customers who believe in me. They are a big part of my inspiration and make me feel like I'm performing on stage... pretty exciting to get email messages from these wonderful ladies who anxiously await new work.

I have many ideas and wished I had more hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to. I've been working up until 1:00am every night/morning and rising at 5:30am Pacific time. My days are long and slow. I'm jumping back and forth from one project to another and need to be fresh for each one.

I've completed the "Non-traditional" wedding set for my dear friend and ex co-worker at United HealthCare. She's marrying a wonderful Irishman who lives in England next spring. She's in Europe as I write this spending time with him before he arrives to the United States to live. The ring is a sterling silver set, a crown bezeled Grade a 10mm pearl and a patterned band. It's fit for "Queen Gwenna"!

I'm currently working on 5 projects with one of them being a floral etched band with a 14k bezeled diamond (customer submission). I can't wait until it's complete and pictures are sure to come.

The weather here is unseasonably warm and in the low 70s. Pretty eerie and feels like earthquake weather. I can't remember the last time we had this warm of weather in January. We desperately need rain and snow so we can get out of this drought. I'm not looking forward to another fire season.

I'm starting my shop as soon as my sister returns home from Maui next week. She doesn't know if yet but her and I are starting it. We both took woodshop classes together in our younger adult days and can build anything. It's going to be built from re-cyled/re-purposed wood, 12x14 with barnwood siding. A covered porch, dutch doors, dual glazed windows, surrounded in lavender and a big rusty star on the side. :o) I'm ready to work! It's going to be down by the little creek and I'm calling it the "Creek house". I need my space, solitude and a place to call my own. I've been fantasizing walking to the "Creek house" every morning after everyones off to work and school with "Simes" by my side at 7:00am sharp each day.... cranking up the music and starting my creative day.

Big red, my redwood stump that I forge on will be the featured piece in the studio. I love that stump! I've started graffiti on it as a tribute to my little brother who suddenly passed away last January 30th. I don't own a tattoo nor EVER will so I made my tattoo on "Big red".

This is a really hard month for me and I'm working on moving forward and being thankful for each day that I'm given. I miss my brother soooooo much! From his passing I've grown both spiritually and creativity. I've been blessed with the most incredible customers/friends EVER that have found me on Etsy..... my saving grace.

Here's a few pictures of "Big red" and some leather pieces that I've been working on and more to come. (Prototypes...bad bezel job on the turquoise).

Oh!!!! And I finally got my first big chunk of sterling!!!!


Next project: Belts and buckles, I'm headed of to Sac. to get some leather this weekend.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/