I'm Committed to Creating with Sterling Silver this Week...

For so long, I've been using gold fill and 18k gold--it's just been my mood I guess. And I often receive custom requests to recreate items in sterling. I've pulled out the silver wire and I'm getting busy!



In fact, these little blue daisies may be my favorite flowers yet. Simple, perfect little blue dangles for your ears.


And these long elaborate dangles with plenty of semi precious stones on silver headpins made by me! Rose quartz, tourmaline and sapphire--joy!

These and more being dropped into my etsy shop today!

A Sunday in July

Our eternally rainy spring and early summer has finally given way to some sunny, warm weather. This shot down the front pathway--once dotted with puff balls of allium has now given way to thick stands of purple coneflower. I have a gazillion coneflower in my gardens as they self-seed incredibly readily and have now started to control the population by scattern Preen granules. I could cut them down before they go to seed, but the birds really seem to feed on the seed heads so I like to leave them up a while.

Ashley spends her time by the pool "fishing" for bugs, leaves and anything else floating by. She stands on the first one or two steps and darts around at the slightest ripple.

Posted a few new goodies in my etsy shop this morning. I was finally productive over the weekend. I've been feeling a bit stalled and maybe now the spell has been broken.

Summer Fun

This past weekend I brough the camera out to the front yard to capture the kids on the swing--amazing fun.
Our property only has one tree of substantial size as it used to be cleared farmland. We had the tree doctors out several years ago to trim what needed trimming and they added metal braces for extra support to some of the larger branches. My hubby climbed out on a high limb and added this simple tree swing and it is loads of fun for swinging.


Effortlessly flying through the air--just be careful and hold on...


I've spent the last couple of weeks in a metalwork class at the high school and learned a lot. I hope one day (maybe next year) after I've had lots of practice, to incorporate bezel setting and soldering into my work. Here is my first, quite imperfect creation:
And added to the shop this week:



Signing off!

Cafe au Plume

Nothing goes better with my morning cup--!

Spread Noisy Plume goodies to all the lucky ladies of Missoula today--but save some for us :)

More plume love here: http://nancymckay.blogspot.com/

Oh, Darn...

Once again, I failed...

..didn't stake and criss cross the stems with string to support the 15 gorgeous peonies I have in the front garden. And of course it rained hard this week, again and again, so my beauties are drooping to the ground under the ponderous weight of the luscious, ruffled pink petals.


When will I learn?
They do manage to be beautiful despite my neglect.

In the shop is a pair of earrings inspired by lush peony beauty.

Early May Garden on a Dreary, Rainy Day in Connecticut

...but I'm still thrilled with the promise it holds! Soon color will burst all along this path.


I came back from a run in the rain (which is drizzly and every day this past week) and decided I'd best start documenting the garden for this year. The only area with blooms to speak of is below with these camassia.


But these alliums are getting ready.


This is the only yellow tulip left in the garden--the deer and neglect have taken care of the rest.



I thought I'd post some gray jewels along with the garden pictures taken on this gray day.


These taupe and silver pearl sticks are an old design of mine that I have redone for the shop.

And anyone that knows me knows labradorite and champagne citrine is my all time fave combination--made into delicate earrings here with aquamarine.

Here's hoping your life's garden is also full of promise through the rain.

Winter Pastimes...

My run this morning was an icy, crunchy, wind-in-your-face-to-make-my-eyes-tear kind of run. Nothing horrific like tales I hear from the mid-west and such, but cold enough to inspire me to order some fluffy bulky yarn and knit a sweater for my daughter.

Above is the test swatch for gauge. It will be a turtle neck sweater, cropped at the midriff with long, bell-like sleeves, full of cables and baubles--pattern from Vogue Knitting.

I have Tucson at the end of the week to look forward to however. Forecast below:


Not too shabby! I'm going out this year to join the hoardes who search for gems, beads, jewelry and supplies each year. I'm hoping to find scads of yummy new stones for 2009 creations. My sisters and I are all meeting out there to make it a little reunion and winter getaway at the same time. I have several books ready to read while lounging in the sun and I suppose I'll pack the sweater I'm making as well. I'll post a few pics on my return and maybe some while I'm there.

I'm promised good internet service at the resort where I'm staying so I am leaving my shop open. All items purchased while I'm gone will enjoy free priority mail shipping in the US and a deal on expedited shipping for Valentine gifts. To have an item shipped before I leave, please order by Tuesday at the latest.

A couple of recent posts in my etsy shop here:

and,
and,

A few beauties to warm your winter, perhaps? Thanks, all--signing off!