Susan's Birthday Card

Happy 48th my friend...

The final card - had to add a splash of colour.

Original, minus colour.

Peacock Tangle

The more I "tangle", the more I discover which styles of drawing appeals to me.  Lately, the ease of drawing mutliple curved lines is the flavour of the day.  As this design was developing, I realized how much it reminded me of peacock feathers.  If no one has coined this design, I'll call it the Peacock Tangle! 

This is my ultimate favourite!

Kidney-Shaped Doodles

More wacky doodles, from beginning to end. Or is there an end?  I keep adding to it, sometimes regretfully.  No colour to these - simply black & white.

Another kidney-shaped drawing!

Kidney now looks like a shrimp.

Got carried away with the swirls and a little too much black.  On to the next drawing...

Wednesday morning Zentangling

This year, my family will receive handmade cards by "moi".  As a child, my brothers and I were expected to draw birthday cards for each other, as well as for our parents.  Never liked my art work - nothing like the talent my mother possesses.   However, in the last year, I've dabbled with Zentangles.  Basically doodling for adults with an element of "Zen" - it's suppose to be a relaxing activity...well, that depends on the type of day you're experiencing.  On the most part, it can be relaxing.  So, Zentangled birthday cards it is for 2016!

There are umpteen pattern ideas available online (Pinterest and Youtube videos).  Today, I practiced the Woven design which, I believe, is an official Zentangle design.

Begin by drawing squares

Start joining squares, as above

Join the squares in the opposite direction (this is where you pull your hair out!)

Incorporate some shading and VOILA!

Memorial Beads - Part 1

A friend inspired me to attempt making memorial beads using dried flowers from her late mother's funeral.  What a cool concept!

I used Fimo polymer clay in a translucent colour, crushed dried lavender & dried chamomile.  The toughest part is kneeding the clay by hand otherwise the clay is too brittle to hold its shape.  Next, I roll it out and sprinkle dried flowers and knead again until plyable.  Once again, roll out the clay to a rather thin consistency and use a tiny cookie cutter - any shape is fine.  This ensures each bead will be consistent in size.  Roll into a ball.  I'm using some of my 18 gauge silver wire and piercing a hole through the centre of the bead (easier said than done!).  Leave beads on wire and lay over an oven-ready pan to bake for 1 hr in a 265F oven.

Results to be posted at a later date!

Where did November go?

A busy month.  Have been preparing for an upcoming craft show at my former employer's.  There will be a number of creative vendors exhibiting glass work, pottery, natural skin care, repurposed wood and of course, jewelry.  This is where I come in.  I will exhibit a selection of wire-wrapped silver & vintage bronze rings, bohemian bracelets as shown previously in this blog, and a few jars of Stress Relief Smelling Salts!  These are fabulous & convenient little containers filled with Himalayan salts & a combination of 5 pure essential oils...inhale, and reap the calming benefits.  I could use some of that right now...sigh

Stabilized Turquoise Rings

Ah, the colour turquoise - my all time favourite. Brings back memories of our trip to Arizona a few years back - where turquoise jewelry was in abundance on every street corner.  I've incorporated stabilized turquoise stones into my latest ring creations - they inspire me.  The blue hue is attributed to copper content, while some turquoise gems lean towards shades of green right up to a white colour. Unfortunately, using genuine turquoise is not affordable, therefore, a stabilized version is a good alternative.  Stabilization is the process of using resin, water & crushed particles of unsaleable American turquoise & compressing into faux stones.

Enjoy today's little "gems".

 Embossed turquoise ring. 18 gauge silver, size 6

SOLDTurquoise tubular ring. 20 gauge silver, size 7

Turquoise oval ring. 20 gauge, size 7