Leap Day Random

Wow, time has flown...I really can't believe it is the end of February already!  I feel like I have been really, really busy for the past couple months, but don't really feel like I have accomplished anything that I wanted to accomplish...sort of like the hamster in the wheel...running, running, running, but not actually getting anywhere. Now, here it is Leap Day...an extra day in February to start/do/finish things before March!

A necklace I actually started and finished in February, featuring a HumbleBeads polymer leaf pendant.

This resin-filled bezel was created as part of Deryn Mentock' s Towers an Turrets class (last year!) - just finished the necklace with copper, Czech glass and an unknown stone!

Went last week with B to visit his new middle school for next year, and got the lowdown on classes he is expected to take and electives, etc...he is a bit disappointed he can only take 1 elective...so will have to choose between band and art. His Dad and I (musicians that we are) are pushing band, especially since we went ahead and bought the drum he has been taking lessons on for the last year and a half, but he is really good in art as well.

Have been procrastinating (surprised?) about working on my bead soup pieces, but will be ready to reveal my creations this Saturday, March 3rd, right here...so stayed tuned, my friends!  Psst, there might even be a giveaway involved!

Also on this Saturday, I will be at the Frederick Artists Market, located at 15 North Market Street, from 5-9pm.  This will be the last market until October, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Oh, I just acquired a new domain and will be unveiling a new website soon...more on that later!

Baroque...

I am slowly but surely finishing pieces that have been started for forever.  This past weekend I finally completed this little set which was some of the first soft-soldered bezels with resin I attempted.  I loved how the bezels turned out, but the resin, not so much.  I attached the music paper with Mod Podge and didn't wait until it was completely dry to fill the bezels with resin.  The earrings worked out okay, but the pendant is a bit cloudy and has lots of bubbles, even though I worked hard to get rid of them.

All that aside, I like them!  I decided to stay with the mixed metal look of silver and bronze,  but wanted to add some color.  I think the garnet adds a lushness to the antique quality of the music paper and when trying to think of a name, "baroque" was the 1st thing that popped in my head.  I wire wrapped the tiny faceted garnets in the necklace with bronze wire, along with 1 inch lengths of sterling silver chain and added a bronze swirly hook clasp.

In a moment of weakness, my hubby has agreed to swap his "man cave/library/catch-all" room (that he really never uses) for the little nook I have been using for jewelry and other arts!  It will entail finding a spot to put everything as we empty it from one room into the other, but I am so excited!  I have yet to have 1 centralized place to work.  I will still keep my enameling and soldering in the basement, but, Yay!  Maybe I will even have room to set up my sewing machine...not that I really sew, but it would be fun to try again.  I will keep you posted!

Thanks for dropping in :)