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

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. 

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. 

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!

New Earrings Listed

Finally got a decent photo of these Bloom Earrings. Very rustic, organic. I just love them. The texture is fantastic. I have a pair too & they are very comfortable.

Gotta post & run....I'm off to class! Yay!

Bloom...The Ring

I know I'm just dropping quick photos & running....life's been that way. But I wanted to post a pic of a new ring. I haven't been able to get a great photo to post it in Azoho yet, but I'm close. It's a "bloom" ring. I love it. Wearing it on my pinky right now. Earrings are close to finished. And a ring with a little bezel set stone is finished except for some patina & polishing (& setting the stone). Hopefully some time in the metals studio tomorrow morning & I'll get it all done. Then photographs. The last part is still the tricky part for me.
The kids are almost finished with school for the year. At this point I'm usually thinking that I'll have more time....but this year I'm not kidding myself. My time will have to be stolen moments here & there. Unless I can work out some sort of schedule. Hmmm....will have to give that a try!

What goes around....

I snagged another treasury this weekend. This time I featured the fantastic talents of the SATeam. Here's a snapshot:






It seems that everything I was working on this week had some sort of circle in it, so with circles on the brain I just went with it. But they're nice circles aren't they?

Was going to post a link but the treasury expires tomorrow. So instead- I'll just post a link to a team search instead! Almost 5000 items of handmade goodness. Nice.

PS- Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mamas out there!

Mother's Day Sale

The Starving Jewelry Artists Street Team is having a Mother's Day sale this weekend on Etsy. This is a wonderfully talented bunch. If you search "sateam" you'll find a plethora of gorgeous goodies for any special woman. Mom, Grandma, Aunts- anyone who is special to you who deserves a special gift for Mother's Day.

Don't wait to the last minute to pick up a gift. That's the Motherly advice that I get- so I'd thought I'd share that!

Sale ends Sunday (4-26-09) at midnight and started a few minutes ago!

Tiny Bubbles

Every so often I have some frustrating torch time. Where it seems I melt things constantly. Never wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth- I save it. Afterall- who knows what it could become one fine day! Some of these were supposed to be head pins which ended up too short for what I needed them for. So on a better torch day I balled up the other end too. They happened to be on my bench next to a lonely pair of rectangle hoops that just needed something else before they felt done. You know the feeling right? So they were lovingly wrapped around the hoops to finish up this pair of earrings. I like them but have been undecided about whether they need a patina. Any thoughts or opinions? If so- tweet me. Otherwise, these will be listed on 1000 Markets soon.

BTW- you can find me on twitter @StacieWilliams


edited to add: Thanks for the tweets! They're in the store now