Random Thoughts

~My google calendar is sooo wrong- it says I have nothing scheduled today.  It doesn't know that I've got a big project of sorting & putting away my stuff from the shows this week.
~I need to find my charcoal block and my envelope punch.  Can't remember where I put either but have a feeling they're at least in the same room!
 ~My kitchen scissors seem to be broken.  "not me" did it!
~Doing a show actually inspires me to make more pieces.  Not ever sure why. 

~This piece sold yesterday.  She loved the "Simple Reminder".  Sweet. 
~My kitchen is a mess.
~I got handmade stuff for Mother's Day.  That means more to me than anything they could have bought & I think they know that.  ;-)
~That's a really crappy pic isn't it???!!!

Howdy- remember me?

I seem to lack consistency in blogging.  It's not that I don't have anything to say- if we were to get together for coffee I would be able to carry on a conversation about loads of things.  I think my issue is photos.  I know a blog post can be dull without pix.  Long ago when I started my blog, I was making mixed media pieces & it was easy to pop the piece onto the scanner & I'd have a photo.  But with jewelry it's different.  Camera, light tent, etc- I'm just NOT a photographer!  Anyway, the Indie Craft Bazaar has come & gone.  Fun show.  Already looking forward to the next one.  My next two shows are a couple of days apart.

If you're local to me- c'mon out.  I have some new pieces & I'd love to show them to you.  No photos yet (of course!) so you'll have to stop by to see them.  Affordable necklaces with "simple reminders" on them.  Such as: I am enough, brave, nourish, strong & beautiful, bliss- things like that.  After I sold the necklace that I was wearing at the last show, I wanted something simple.  Easy to throw on.  They each hang on a 24" black beaded chain so they easily slip over your head- even when you're wild hair is in a ponytail.  Oh wait....that's me.  Anyway- I really like them.  Each is embellished with a metal bloom or some similar item.  Yeah, yeah....photos soon.  ;-)  Well- probably not until after the next two shows!

Dada is on a Thursday night.  And the following Saturday is:

Art Rock is going to be another fun show.  I was excited to be accepted this year.  So now you know where I'll be for the next few weeks.  I've been busy getting ready for these two shows.  Then I'll have a break for a while where I'll be cutting some rocks.  Not that I need to for new pieces- I just miss it.  I have no problem just adding new ones to my growing collection!

Cross your fingers that the price of silver comes down a bit.  I really don't need it at an all time high, then I feel bad if (when) I inadvertently melt it!  ;-)

Year of Jewelry- Week 1

After years of watching the year of jewelry, I decided to join them this year.  One piece of jewelry per week, for a year.  It's not that I don't make jewelry regularly- that's not the challenge for me.  For me- the challenge is to finish and photograph a piece a week.  This will form the habit of finishing/ photographing.  At least I understand that it will form a habit & I'm hoping so!

Organic Rustic Copper Blooms

For week 1- I revisited an old design with a different metal.  These rustic blooms are made of copper with a sterling center- on sterling ear wires.  I wanted to use copper for two reasons- I love the warmth (and it won’t be touching skin) and I wanted to play with a patina.  The patina was to be blue and I still don’t really see blue.  I don't mean a hint of blue- I'm talking about a bright cobalt.  And since they are sealed- I’m not getting the glow from the copper that I love so much- except for around the edges.  I want to play with the process some more.

Ketchup

While sometimes I really feel like I will never be caught up- sometimes, with some focus- I get there.

In keeping with my one word for 2011 (stretch) I have joined the Year of Jewelry.  YOJ 2011 is one piece per week, every week.  I've watched it from the sidelines for years.  I've watched people really grow.  And this year I am going to be one of those people.  Of course I'll have to address two problems that I seem to have with making jewelry:  Finishing and taking photos.  This challenge will help me address both because each week something will have to be both finished and photographed.
I'm excited!

Another year - another word.

Another year has flown almost completely past me.  I won't go into a litany of apologies because I've become such a bad blogger.  And since I don't really *do* new years resolutions, I won't promise that I'll wake up in 2011 and magically become consistent.  But I am wrapping up my year.  Shows are all finished for the year.  This is the time of year when I do a lot of reflection, clean off my bench (hopefully), reface my hammers, spend some time with my family and; friends, and figure out my *one word* for the year to come.  Next year's word, or at least what I think will be next year's word, came very easily to me.  In the past they haven't. 

This year my word was focus.  And I tried.  With some success.  Better than before.  I am grateful that this year new doors opened up for me.  I've had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people.  And I'm sure that it will continue in 2011. 

Unless my mind takes a drastic turn in the next couple of weeks- my word for 2011 is stretch.  It's what I need right now in so many ways.  Well that and a haircut.  But haircut wouldn't work as a word for the year.  LOL.  Stretch.  It suits me.  I think I'll add it to a piece of jewelry as a gentle reminder.  What's your word?  You don't have to comment.....email is fine if you're not quite so ready to share.

Sterling and Tanzanite CZ

This is where I'll be on Sunday!

Time	Sunday, October 17 · 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Location	Cinema Paradiso 503 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL
Created By	Indie Craft Bazaar @ Cinema Paradiso, Indie Craft Bazaar
More Info	Come out on Sunday, October 17th 2010 from 1-7 PM for Indie Craft Bazaars "Dawn of the Thread", an indie craft fair for the undead! - Handmade, vintage, repurposed, recycled and vegan goods! - Free hourly raffle prizes (free ticket with entrance)! - DIY "Make a Caramel Apple" booth! - Live Fortune Teller: Tarot card readings, Palm readings, and metaphysical advice! - Cupcakes and festive Fall snacks (for vegans, too!) - Henna Tattoo Stand - Full bar in the lobby! FREE "TRICK-OR-TREAT" SWAG BAGS FOR THE FIRST 100 GUESTS! ***Wear your Halloween Costume for a Free extra Raffle Ticket!*** $3 entry, FREE parking garage! Music, arts and crafts, food, beer and prizes! What more could you ask for?! You don't want to miss this!!

SATeam Blog Carnival- August

Our team has adopted the idea of a blog carnival.  I'm really excited about this.  Various members of the team will give their thoughts on the same question.  You'll be able to follow the links around the blogosphere.  Should be fun & informative.  This months question is:  How does texture play in your work?

You know I love this.  I think that it even goes back to mixed media collage- because I love texture when I paint also.  And layer after layer of paint and marks really give a piece texture and life. There are very few Azoho pieces that I create that don't have texture.  I like my pieces to look old.  Like they've already lived a life and have a story to tell.  Each piece has a different story, but the texture plays a roll.  This is a reflection of myself.  I have more....um....texture than I used to.  But there's good things that come with age- knowledge, patience, understanding, wrinkles.  LOL.  I'm not shiny new and neither is the jewelry that I create.  I suppose in my mind texture equals a life that's lived, and lived well!

"Raspberry Pendant"  Available

As far as the technical aspect of texture...how do I achieve it?  Well I'll share a secret with you- my all time favorite texture is from concrete.  I go outside and put my metal on a sidewalk and proceed to whack it with a rawhide mallet.  I also have a few hammers with various "marks" on their heads that make great texture.  And of course- the rolling mill.  That's like a great big pasta machine for metal.  And I suppose etching makes a great textured surface.  And when I'm patient....reticulation is a great texture that I love to use.  And of course- when I've finished a piece- I like to add a patina to show off all that lovely texture.  Then I polish it again to give it depth and character.  Um...this is where I say...Just like me!

"Molten"  Set with a 4mm CZ:  Private Collection

Click on these links to see what my talented team mates have to say about texture in their own work!

Andrea Robinson*   
Bonnie        
Camilla
Caron      
Julie R      
Kristy*      
Lynn Kvigne   
Nicker       
Nicole Hill
Pam*   
Sylvia*   

* denotes a link to their blog- not the specific post- yet!

Sonora Angel

An angel to watch over you.  This pendant is a sonora sunrise stone and sterling silver.  The stone has both bright & muted blues mixed with a reddish black.  This is a stone that I cut myself.  A rustic angel.  Not quite listed to sell as of yet because I haven't been happy with any of the photos that I've taken of this piece.  I've had months where I've been very camera challenged.  Not quite sure why.  I'll work on it once school starts. 

Dusting it off.

(cough, cough)  My blog seems to be as dusty as the tops of my bookshelves. It's summer and with the kids home from school, I've worn the 'MOM' hat more than any other.  We've been;

Swimming

Playing

At the movies

Hanging out

Enjoying friends

Having sleepovers

Having BBQ's

Bowling

Went on vacation

Just having fun all around.

School starts in about a week & a half and it's time to get into a different routine.  No more running out for milkshakes at 9pm.  But with this new routine, I'll find a quiet house and some creative time.  My shop has had activity all summer, which I appreciate.  My website redesign is sitting dormant on my computer until I can find some time to do what I need to do.  Meanwhile....I still have about 10 days left to enjoy summer vacation, and so I will!  I leave you with a photo of my boys. 

Little Flowers

Every year, just about this time, I want a garden.  I remember my aunt & uncle's garden when I was growing up.  It was huge.  However, I have what is lovingly refferred to as a black thumb.  No garden for me.  Yes, I've tried.  And I am seriously in trouble if I ever have to rely on myself for food.  LOL.  Serious trouble. 

But, it seems that I'm in a flower phase with metal.  Not sure if these are more like Frogbit or Spiderwort Lily.  Both are flowers with three petals.

Cute little posts for spring.  In the shop now.  Maybe one day I'll figure out the other. 

More treasuries!

Our etsy team (SATeam) loves treasuries.  And I'm always honored to be included in one.  This week I've had the pleasure of being featured in two.

This one featured my sterling drops.  Imaginative name isn't it?  Yes, naming things = my nemesis.  This lovely treasury was curated by Jewlie from JewlieBeads.  Her store boasts not only finished pieces, but some wonderful tutorials!

This one was curated by Birgit from TwoSilverMoons. This time my newly photographed Word nerd earrings were featured.  I made a couple new pair last week.  Birgit is also a metalsmith & her shop is full of shiny silver. 

Both teammates have drool-worthy work!  And are really nice people too.  Yay SATeam!  Yes, I know that these photos are larger than usual, wanted you to be able to see the detail. 

Until next time!

Need a Name

Ya know, when I had my children- I had no problem picking our their names.  But for shiny pieces of metal...I'm stumped.  Any suggestions as to what to call these?  Can't list them without a title- LOL.

 

  

Oooo, that bottom photo is a bit blurry too.  Hmmm.  They are sterling little circles with little dangling pearls.  They are rustic and sweet.  And I've got a few different colors of pearls & some jaspers.  But I can't seem to wrap my head around a proper name.  If you think of something- email me at stacie {at} azoho dot com.  Please.  And thank you.  ;-)

Quote Worthy

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.

~Wayne Dyer

Baby Blooms

The baby blooms here. Both in post and dangle.

I love these little guys.  Myself, I prefer the dangles.  They are no fuss earrings and I like that.  A lot. 

Life has been so busy lately.  Running here, running there.  A busy month for cub scouts.  My little guys look so handsome in their uniforms, and it sure does this Mama proud when one of them does a flag ceremony.  Mama's boys are growing up fast.  Very fast.  

Until next time!

I saw an angel

 

Last October I wanted to make a pendant for myself.  I knew which stone I wanted to use, it was the first Sonora Sunrise that I cut myself.  {For my first stone I didn't grab the part with the vivid reds & blues, this stone is more muted}  When I was almost finished, it looked like an angel to me.  Then someone else told me that they thought it was an angel.  It wasn't intentional, just serindipitous.  So the angels were born.  This one is mine & I've cut stones and started setting for two others.  One of those will be a necklace and the other, maybe a brooch.   Those who know me know how much I love angels.  I like this one, it suits me just fine!   ;-)

Quote Worthy

The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Time Flies...

Earlier tonight I posted to my FaceBook page that I just can't believe that it's the last day of January. I can't get a grip as to where this entire month went. I spent time with my family. Lots of Cub Scout things. Celebrated birthdays, mine included. Went camping. Must have supervised hours of homework. But it's over. Gone. Quick as that. What I *didn't* get done was much creating. A few things here & there but nothing that's actually finished. The world is whizzing by & I'm having a hard time catching up.
Today in my rock workshop I did manage to finish three cabs that I'll set soon. Here's a lousy photo of these pretty rocks ;-)

 

Left to right:

Chinese Writing Stone

Sonora Sunrise

Picture Jasper (also known now as another name which I seem to be too tired to remember)

                                      **edited to add...it's Red Creek Jasper...it's all coming back to me now.

They all want to be rings.  My apologies for the photo, but you get the idea.  Until next time.....

Happy New Year- Welcome 2010

Happy New Year! I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who's followed by blog, visited one of my stores and has become a part of my life. I am grateful for you. Last night we had a great time with friends at a super "kid friendly" party. I was amazed at how late the kids were able to stay up. It was a good time with good friends. And I hope that the new year is *just like that*!!!!

While everyone in my family is home for the holidays- I've had no bench time & very little creative time. I've been enjoying their company. But next week we resume normal life. I've loved having them around...but YAY for normal life!

Wishing you & yours an abundance of all things good in the new year.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. I know there are a few people who read this! LOL. May you enjoy a day filled with love.





My neighbor, a lovely old Italian lady brought over this cake for us. We're so blessed. This little ditty boasts some Jack Daniels. Whee. It's very good stuff!

Ask Stacie

Customers and friends regularly ask me questions about their jewelry. I thought I"d try blogging about it because many of the questions are the same. One day I suppose it would be a good idea to get an FAQ onto the website, but this really isn't the time of year to be planning new pages. Know what I mean! So here's the first question:

Which dip should I use to clean copper jewelry?


Whoa. Please don't ever dip your jewelry into any chemical. Some clean by stripping away the dirt, which also strips away bits of metal. And chemicals aren't good for stones of any kind, especially soft ones. And since you may not be aware of which are softest....stay away from it. Now- what you can do is this....put down your drink & swallow you coffee- I don't want anyone laughing & spewing their beverage onto the screen! Ketchup. Yup- you read that right- ketchup. Squirt a bit into your hands, rub it onto your piece (not on stones), rinse & buff with a soft cotton cloth. Voila- clean. Lemon juice works too but it's sticky. So there's your tip for today. ;-)

While I have your attention I would like to show you a beautiful treasury that I was honored to have a piece included:




This beauty was curated by TwoSilverMoons. Thanks so much for including an Azoho piece!

That's all for now....till next time!