Friday Floraporn

How do I get the Special Forces to come to my house?

Rainfall Necklace

I love the bold graphic of this new piece, Rainfall Necklace. It's simple and modern, but has a distinctly tribal feel also. The contrast in materials of the hard sterling and soft leather cord adds another dynamic that really brings this together for me. I guess I'm just really fixated on circles and should just come to accept this about myself!

This was another jewelry design that appeared to me fully formed that I was able to translate into metal. Lots of my ideas don't necessarily work out when I try to fabricate them and, literally, end up on the scrap heap.

I did discover something funny and potentially dangerous when working with tubing: when you apply fire to the piece after quenching the piece or pickling it, the water left in the tube quickly (in seconds) becomes steam and shoots out the ends. Scared the poop out of me the first time it happened! This necklace is currently available in my Etsy shop.

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

I've been trying to diet and lose those pesky 10 pounds that have crept on and keep me from fitting in my clothes. I'm fallen off the food wagon and can't seem to get back on.
My downfall?... Trader Joe's.
I try not to go grocerying when I'm hungry or in a foul mood. I was both the other day. I headed straight for the cheese. And the bread. And the chips (barbecue...ummmmm). Did I mention the olive tapenade?
Now that all that's gone, *burp* I'm trying to get back to it, but not having too much success.
Power. Will Power.
Shaken, not stirred.

Delicious Decay

With the defused quality of light, I thought this dying vase of flowers had a really victorian look. I took these pictures a long time ago, but just got to posting them anywhere.


I don't do this often, but I really like them and think I might frame a few.

Floralicious

While they are still blooming, I've been out with my cell phone taking groovy pictures of the various flowers in my neighborhood. Above is the inside of a large orange poppy just past it's prime. (I had some quick explaining to do when the home owner came out just as I was lurking in their yard). The others are some lovely tulips from the underside and then after they fried in the 95+ degree heat we had here in Portland last weekend. Yes, this is the same group of flowers.

*waves back to Charmaine*

Posties - Bar

These have an industrial look, don't they? They remind me of piercing jewelry (but without the extra holes in your head - or wherever!). Kind of funky, they also have an almost classic look.

Another in a small series of post earrings I'm working on. Posties - Bar Earrings are available in my Etsy shop.

I've Crossed Over to the Dark Side

I'm dressing the dog up and taking pictures.

Posties - Round

Should I admit that these earrings were inspired by a towel rack I saw in a catalog? There, I just have. I definitely think this design will evolve as I make more of them. I also have ideas for other versions of these. I don't make very many post style earrings, I think, because I personally prefer dangly things, but I like how the design comes right out of the earring hole but isn't static like some other post earrings. The hoop can move around in the post. Also, it this particular design, some of the earlobe becomes part of the earring design, peeking through. I call them Posties (clever huh?) and they are available in my Etsy shop.

Spring Flower Porn (2)

I don't normally take my cell phone when I go out for the morning dog walk. I don't really need it - no one calls me anyhow - and it's just another thing in my pocket. Well, the last few days I've been toting it along and taking some pictures of the spring flowers that are busting out around my Portland neighborhood. The phone takes pretty crappy pictures and that's one of the things that intrigues me about them. The photos have that watercolory, out-of-focus, impressionistic look and of course, the colors are incredible. Aren't they sexy?

Flower Porn

Transfix Sprout Ring

The latest in an occasional series of rings called Transfix because they are all designed around one side piercing the other. The new one, Transfix Sprout, is very graceful and fluid. I've been told it's really a heart even though *I* think it looks like a leaf and sprout. The other two Transfix rings are below.
These rings are fun to create and I really enjoy the organic feel of the finished design. The new one is made of a little heavier gauge wire than the last couple and also stands much taller. I'm a tall person, I guess I like making tall rings! Each ring requires quite a bit of work in tapering the one end, annealing over and over and hammering and filing, polishing, etc. Although they are one-of-a-kind, it's not to say I won't be making others really similar to the ones that exist.

Man Ring

My first real foray into men's jewelry. I have, in the past made a pendant (on the right), that was based on a more feminine version I was selling, as a custom order. And I recently made leeettle earrings for a male friend. But up to now, nothing in my Etsy shop specifically for men.
So I took it easy on myself and went for the clean, simple band, called Man Ring. Very heavy gauge sterling, hammered square and left with some of the hammering for texture. (Shhhh, I actually have something similar for myself) Although I think it's very masculine, a woman could just as well wear it. Bright and strong - just how I like my men!

Juncture Necklace

Like a talisman, this handsome hematite bead hangs on an extra long sterling chain. Hematite is said to be a good healing and grounding stone. The sleek hourglass shape feels wonderful in your hand (and it's fun to fiddle with). I call it Juncture Necklace and it's available in my Etsy Shop.

Love and miss you Doghm.

Riddle Earrings - Chartreuse

Another creation from the metal thingees I got at the hardware store. These Riddle Earrings have a wonderful chartreuse bead. I just love the yummy color, and the shape reflects the steel disc and the holes. I used oxidized earwires with them for a bit of contrast. Of course, any bead can be used. Because the discs are so light, even a larger bead wouldn't make them too heavy for comfortable wear. There is something about these found discs that I really dig. I guess I'm just a circle person. Or maybe I'm holey.