Nifty Framing

I have been inspired to start taking pictures of some of the more interesting framing jobs I have done. The most recent being some wedding gifts that I made for a great couple, our friends Forrest and Liz. Since I framed these without taking picutes, Liz was gracious enough to send me these pics.



This is a shadowbox I made using their wedding invitation. I matted the invitation in a red suede, and built up the sides to make it 3 dimentional. At the wedding itself, I collected certain items to include in the box. Then I closed the whole thing up and presented it to them. The feathers and red berries came from the centerpiece on my table...I had to explain to the other guests why I was gathering these things, and they all liked the idea, so no one gave me up. What you cannot see in the photo is a black cat hanging from the mat from his tail, these were on the rim of all the mixed drinks, very cool.



Set of USPS motorcycle stamps. Both Forrest and Liz ride, so I thought it very appropriate. This design was not original to me, as my sister Julie framed these same stamps the same way more or less for someone this summer. I just thought it was so cool, and I thought they would love it, and they did!

Ami's page in my book

This is the page Ami from McHenry, Illinois did in my book.
Everyone's pages are looking so different, I can't wait to see it in person!

My altered book

These are pics of the journey my book is going through right now.
The first are pics of the cover that I did, and my first pages, then what others have done.






This is after someone added a bow to keep it closed.


My sign in page...


My Zetta page.



My Cowfirl page. Now my book is ready for its journey from Massachusetts...



This is Cammy's page. Cammy is in Gander, New Foundland, Canada.




Patti's fab Christmas page. Patti is from Fremont, CA.

Altered Book Group

I am in an online altered book group through a forum I frequent with other Jewelry Designers. I have been having a great time working on the books that are mailed to me and seeing the progress my own book is going through. If you don't know what an altered book is, it is just any old book that you turn into a piece of artwork. Pages are torn out, glued together for strength, and any medium is used to decorate pages.
There are 8 of us in this group, so my book will be altered by myself and 7 other wonderful women.
My camera broke in late summer, so since I have to borrow my sister Julies camera to take any pics until I buy a new one, I have not taken pics of the first book I did.
I did get photos of the second, and here it is.

My pages in Kelly's book






As it is the christmas season, I went for a christmas theme. I hope she really likes it.

Perry's Dew Claw

Perry is doing much better, although I think it has a lot to do with me keeping tabs on his licking.
He totally knows the english language!
When I notice that he is 'worrying' instead of just licking every now and then, I say 'no licky pup' and he stops. It sounds like it may just be the sound of my voice but I can assure you that this dog actually knows what 'no licky pup' means!

I had a hard time getting the bandage off and the wound exposed, anyone who knows Perry, knows that he has some serious foot issues (all psycological) so it is nearly imposible to inspect his feet, nevermind take a bandage off!
It took two days to get the bandage off, and that was leaving a piece of very sticky tape on the back of his paw. This dangled there for another couple of days, but I finally removed it, with a little yelping from Perry. He seemed grateful when it was totally removed.

Anyway, his wound is healing, the dew claw bud is exposed which I think is very painful, but he is doing better and I hope it heals nicely.

Freshwater Pearl Cuff Bracelet

I just finished working on this cuff bracelet, although it is not done yet. I plan to add pearls along each side to hide the wire wrapping.
I am going to have to go get some more because I ran out of the colors I was using.
These pearls are about 2mm to 5mm in size and they vary in pinkish tones.


I used 16 gauge sterling silver wire as the base cuff (skeleton), and wire wrapped with 30 gauge sterling silver wire.
These pearls are so tiny, I went through a full 3 strands of them so far...and it's not even finished yet!

Poor Perry!

Birdie died yesterday morning...so sad.

This morning Perry jumped off the front porch and ripped his do-claw in the process. It was gruesome, blood everywhere.
I took him to the vet which for some reason or another is terribly understaffed today, so who knows how long he will be there. I am afraid they will have to remove the little claw. I am so upset over this. Not to mention the fact that I am sure he will have to wear an upsidedown dunce hat around his neck which is never a fun experience. Poor Perry!

Baby Bird, hatched today?

This morning a tiny bird fell out of the nest that is inside the back door to my sisters frame shop. By the time I got to work, the incredibly small creature was toast. A day of bright sunshine dried the poor thing out. It was heartbreaking to witness this process, but the bird had been dead since I got there, so it's not like I watched it die.





Tonight on our way out, to go home, there was another bird that fell out. It must have just fallen out, because about 15 minutes earlier it wasn't there. We struggled with what to do about it, and I guess since I don't have cats, and Julie has 4, I decided to take the bird and try to raise it until it can fend for itself. The nest is inside the building between the ceiling of the first floor and the second floor, so returning it to the nest was not an option. If we left it where it laid, it would most definately die.
Julie got a paper coffee cup and nestled some toitet paper in it for a cushion, and she carefully lifted the bird and placed it in the cup.
I called the Wildlife Rehabilitation in my area, and they told me that I could feed it mealworms, and water from a dropper. He also told me that he thought it's siblings most likely pushed it out of the nest. I went to Petco and got the worms, and the dropper and came home and fed one worm to the bird, who was actually pretty frisky for food, to my pleasant surprise.
I really hope this little creature lives through the night, I would hate to get bird flu and loose the bird in the process.

Endicott Estate show in Dedham

The Endicott Estate show ended up being a fun experience. Thanks to all who visited me there. I had a lot of help, mainly my sister Julie who maintained an air of mischievousness throughout the day, keeping the rest of us amused. She was my key to sucess. I actually quadrupled my expectaions. I would have been happy with making back my booth fee.
I had quite a group of help actually, my buddies Jape and Suzanne supplied a shelter so I could blend in, and tables and chairs. I had a very colorful table which I thought looked very nice. Jape made all my signs (and by the way, I love the font).
Mom showed up and ended up staying all day. Kathy ended up coming for the last hour, I was very happy she could help me with the break down. My husband came and went throughout the day, and I think he had fun, too.
It was sunny and cool, and I couldn't have asked for a better day. I had a lot of fun.

Byzantine chain bracelet

I made my first byzantine chain bracelet. I had to make it from copper to test if I could do it, and maybe I will make one with sterling silver next. It is made from copper I bought at the Home Depot in the electrical section. I am not sure of the gauge of the wire, as it was just a multi strand of electrical wire that I had to unravel before making jumprings for this bracelet. Also, I cut all the jumprings by hand using wire cutters, as I don't have a jewelers saw yet, and I have the bruises on my palms to proove it! I think the wire I used is 12 gauge. I have been wearing it since I finished it, and I have to say that the weight on my wrist is quite comforting, although I can't help but take it off every once in a while to toss it in one hand to feel the weight of it, and marvel at the weave. This is such a cool looking weave and it makes me want to learn all the weaves of chainmaille.
Don't worry, I am not going to sell this specimen as there are marks on it from the tools used, if I had a tumbler and could tumble this piece, maybe the marks wouldn't be so bad. I may keep it, or give it away to someone who really really likes it!

First Craft Show

I am both excited and a bit scared to have my first booth at a craft show. This show will be Sunday, May 7, 2006, 10am-5pm rain or shine at the Endicott Estate in Dedham. I have never been to a craft show, so I do not know what to expect really. I am hoping for the best.
The 'rain or shine' clause, I am not so pleased with. But, hey, you have to start somewhere, right? I have decided not to update my website, during this time, as I will be focusing on making a whole mess of jewelry to sell. I will probably list a lot of items the days after the show, assuming that I don't run out (wishful thinking). I have been making earrings and bracelets for this event, as well as the necklaces I seem to be so attatched to. I also have some ideas about copper windspinners and beaded votive holders, but only if I have the time after making a wide selection of jewelry items.
I hope everyone can make it, and that it doesn't rain!

Cheeky Diva!

As I was driving home from NEST with a check for 4 necklaces, I decided to stop into Emma's bridal to show them some of my bridal designs that have been living in my bag since I went on my bridal store search a couple of weeks ago. Well, after parking accross the street, and walking up to the ghost-town like storefront, I realized they have been closed for quite some time. I looked in the windows, and walked around the building, hoping that I was wrong, but alas, the store was empty and there was no sign of life. As I walked back to my car I noticed a pink and black sign accross the street. A store I never saw before. Cheeky Diva just opened before Christmas. A feast for sparkly eyes, and everything a girl could want. All sparkling and pink and black. The shop owner Jacquie, was thrilled to include my crystal line. We ended up talking for what seemed like hours and settled on 10 necklaces. Then she said that I could have a whole display case for my treasured jewels. I couldn't be happier! At first she was a bit concerned that there was a store less than a mile from her that was already carrying my designs, but I assured her that the necklaces that NEST is carrying could not be more different.



NEST is carrying these sterling silver crocheted necklaces in different colors. This image is of a necklace in Amethyst. They also have one each in Lapis, Malachite, and Rose Quarz.






Cheeky Diva is carrying a variety of swarovski crystal and sterling silver necklace and earring sets. The one that is pictured here is light and dark amethyst crystal, but the line has all different colors and styles.

Forced into my first blog

So, I was reading my sister Julie's recent blog and wanted to comment on what an angel she is. She was jailed yesterday by the MDA in an attempt to generate donations for Muscular Dystrophy. Anyway, in my attempt to leave a simple 5 word note, I got forced into creating my own blog. So, lets see where this goes.