YET ANOTHER ADDITION TO OUR HAPPY HOME...

Well we have yet another roommate dwelling in our humble abode. If you check in my archive you will find a post entitled "A tribute to lucky". A short tale of a crafty gecko that had outwitted our cat Lola, and lived to see another day. Well lucky is long gone but there is a new little friend that has recently made an appearance. Enter George... This little guy also has managed to survive the evil paw. Though there is something quite different about George. Most geckos will travel around our home observing from a distance never letting you get within arms reach. George on the other hand is the exact opposite. Watching me intently he decided to eagerly take a ride on my hand and pose for a photo shoot... I have never seen anything like this EVER! To my amusement he was quite comfortable with his new surroundings. When I was done I gently let him down on my workbench to which he has decided to permanently set up camp popping his tiny head out for an occasional fly or two...

MY NEW WORKSPACE!!!

Well I finally finished setting up my studio. Boy was that a project. One of my wonderful roommates Shadya decided to move out, so I was able to turn our spare room into a work area. There was no quarrel with the other roomies due to the fact that I had been cluttering our kitchen table for the better part of a year. (see bottom photo) My first mission was deciding to go on a work bench hunt, but let me tell you desks are expensive now a days. Lucky for me Salvation Army had my back. I bought the cutest 1960's retro solid oak desk for 30 bucks. Perfect for countless hours of hammering away. Sure it was a little on the ugly side but I fixed that right quick. A little sanding and a splash of plum paint and shes as good as new. Well that's sorta the way it went down. My first intention was to sand it down and then to stain it. Sounds simple enough... Let me just say I have a new found respect for carpenters. I have never used an electric sander before in my life, and believe me it showed when I turned it on with the bottom part facing toward me... Yes that's right, I was immediately covered in sawdust from head to toe. Once I was sudo done sanding it was time for the stain. Yea, quick tip, sand evenly cause stain will show every mistake you make. So there I went back to Lowes to buy the prettiest paint there ever was and presto my new desk... I am sooooo happy with my new space...I can find things now!!! As you can see it has been a definite upgrade to my old part of the kitchen. What a mess. Dont cha just looooove It!

Holy Heatwave Batman...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29591085

I have recently discovered there is a price to be paid for living in the tropics... This summer has been exceptionally humid. The heat is one thing but the humidity is something totally different. We were lucky enough to dodge two Hurricanes this month. Although I wish we would have gotten a little rain. But no luck. The two storms just seemed to pass right by us which seems to make it almost unbearably sticky with not much wind. I'm sure it doesn't help that I sit over a torch all evening... Oh well winter is just around the corner. Well maybe not winter per say but I might be able to wear a pair of jeans rather than shorts and a tank top... Anyway I finally broke down and turned on my AC which helped immensely. If It wasn't for central air I wouldn't have been able to finish my new listings for you all to see. That's all for now, off to do a rain dance...

The Right Direction Ring...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29380754

Well here's another wood and silver ring for you to feast your eyes on... A laser burned wooden bead has been bezel set in fine silver with a horseshoe band for added comfort. For some reason this ring reminds me of a compass hence it's name. I have fallen in love with this ring...I know I know, I say that about most my projects but I really mean it with this one. I hope whomever buys this little bauble will be just as happy. Stay tuned...More to come...

Know God, Know Peace, No God, NO Peace...

I awoke this morning to find that some wonderful person has included me in there treasury... Check it out!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=76513

Its kinda ironic that I feel I need this message today more than other days...

I love the outcome. Some how everything is so cohesive. Great job everyone! And thank you Noah's Landing Art for picking me to put in your beautiful Treasury... Erin

Solar System Hoops...

Asymmetrical fine silver spheres orbit around hand forged sterling silver hoops to create these fun and futuristic earrings.The hoop itself moves freely along the handmade sterling ear hook only stopped by the tiny silver ball.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29272542

I just love it when you begin working on a piece with a very clear direction of what you want but somehow in the end you create something totally different. Ahhhhhh the creative process...

WORKING LIKE A DOG NEVER FELT SO GOOD...

Well I picked my tools up at the airport about three days ago and haven't put them down since. I'm having so much fun trying all the things I've been dreaming about all year. There's been a few surprises along the way. for example, did you know glass enamel cracks off brass like popcorn. Yea, right into your face...(That was fun....NOT) Thank god for goggles. It figures though, I've always been a little accident prone. As my friend Rachel lovingly puts it "Erin+Day to Day Life= Walking Murphy's Law...That which can go wrong will" Needless to say those who know me well were a bit sceptical when it came to the thought of me using power tools... So far so good eh?

So I have posted two of my new rings...I am so happy with how they have turned out. As I experiment with different materials my mind flutters with new ideas of what to mix and match. Above I have bezel set a laser etched wooden bead in fine and sterling silver with some silver balls to accent. This ring is followed by a fun and funky fine silver Pomegranate Ring made from PMC.(Precious Metal Clay)I was surfing on Etsy a while back and ran across the cutest store that sold hand carved stamps with a Latin flair named Fawa.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6048918

This is where I spotted my little POM art. I contacted the owner to ask permission to use and sell her artwork in the form of my jewelry. With her blessing I was able to give birth to one of the weirdest and might I add most special pieces to date. I freekin love it. Ta Ta for now faithful readers...

MY VERY FIRST BEZEL...IM SO HAPPY I COULD JUST SPIT!

Well I finally did it...I set my very first stone. What a long road this has been, and it's only just begun. I have wanted to learn how to make bezels and set stones since I started making jewelry, though there were a few obstacles holding me back. First you need like a million tools and second someone to teach you. Though It took a little longer than expected I have done it. Thanks to You Tube and many other free websites I was able to teach myself the basics of bezel setting. I swear the funniest part of this whole experience was my boyfriends face when I told him I would be using the torch INSIDE... Needless to say there is now a shinny new fire extinguisher right by my side. Yes that's it next to my torch...Safety first people, safety first! (LOL) Well off to play with more stones...Bye bye for now...

Wrong Order Rant...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28676689

Well I got my big shipment in with all my pretty new tools to play with, and wouldn't you know that I ordered the wrong ring mandrel. Arrrrggg!!! OH well, its not all that bad, still get lots of other trinkets to play with. (Pictures to be featured soon) On a more positive note I had a couple sales this weekend. I always get so exited when a piece sells...Just another step closer to the dream eh? I'll post a the tool pictures tonight or tomorrow, for now I leave you with a new Etsy listing...See ya!