Delft Clay Casting

Inspired by my friend Shannon's (rubygirl) sand casting, and wanting to try something new, I bought myself a delft clay casting kit. While it has some different properties, the process is similar. I spent some time watching how-to videos on youtube - and was therefore an expert! The kit came with written instructions and possibly the worse instructional DVD I've ever seen. I was ready to go! Below are pictures of my first successful casting. This after a couple of "learning moment" attempts (fortunately you can just melt those down). The actual process goes very quickly so there's a large portion of instant gratification, a big positive for those of us lacking a large portion of patience. I can see why Shannon loves this technique and I can't wait to do more.

The clay, instructions and a small
crucible for melting metal.

The mold together. This is just
after I've poured the silver.

The mold pieces separated. You can barely
see any metal peeking through. A beginner's
mistake: I almost didn't use enough silver.

Here I've turned over the top of the mold
and you can see the casting and the burned
clay in the bottom.

The shell I used as a model with the casting.

Removed from the mold. This shell casting
is almost a full ounce of silver!

Day At The Beach Necklace

Another new item available in my Etsy shop. (This could get to be a habit!) A one-of-a-kind stunner: the Day at the Beach Necklace. Sterling, lapis lazuli, and red aventurine. The combination just reminded me of a warm summer day. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking because it's currently snowing out!...

Snowmygod was really Snowbigdeal

Snow Buddah

Koko prints on the back steps.

 

This is what it looked like around my house when I woke up. And yes, the schools in Portland were closed because of this "blizzard". The east coast and mid-west have yet to pick themselves off the floor from laughing. It was all melted an hour later. That's snow in Stumptown.

Today's Reality Check: Libyian Protests

 

 

My thoughts are with the brave people of Libya on their quest to self-governance.

Large Spiral Earrings

Another earring design that I've been making for quite a while (yes, I tell people *I* invented the spiral - and, yes, some people believe me), but have never listed in my Etsy shop. That is until now. Sterling silver Large Spiral Earrings: big, bold, spirally. A popular seller for me at the Portland Saturday Market, now available online.

Sun Flower Necklace

I've been making this necklace design for a while and often have one for sale in the Portland Saturday Market booth, but (I don't think...) I've never listed it in my Etsy shop. Well, the wait is over. Now available for online purchase, my sterling silver Sun Flower Necklace. Many people like it because, while it's bold and larger - over 2" across - it also has a delicate feel. It's also not too fancy so it's suitable for casual wear, but can still dress up that LBD. I like the way it floats between the chains  - something you'll find in a lot of my work. Bring a little sunshine with you everywhere!

Four's Good

 

Quite frankly, I hardly ever look at who or how many have "favorited" my Etsy shop.

Today, for some reason, I did and I had 4444. I like numbers like that, don't know why.
I like catching numbers like that too. Something transient about it,

like I glimpsed a moment. 

Four four four four.

Molecule Necklace

I'm trying to be better about listing new items in my Etsy shop. Really. (I'm just lazy about taking pictures is all.) So, here's my stunning, sterling Molecule Necklace. I like bib style necklaces and want to make more of them. With the right outfit, they can be real showstoppers.

For this necklace, each circle is individually made, then arranged and the whole thing is meticulously soldered. While I do recreate this design, each combination of circles and layout is different, making each necklace unique and one-of-a-kind.

Today's Reality: The Egyptian People Have Spoken

I love this picture of the soldiers dancing! I have my ideas of how this came to succeed, but my heart sings for the Egyptian people and their steadfast stance for their freedom.
Photos nicked from The Huffington Post

Today's Laugh

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

This is the first windmill William Kamkwamba built when he was 14.

This is an AMAZING, inspiring story of a Malawian boy, William Kamkwamba, whose parents couldn't afford to send him to school, but whose thirst for knowledge is so insatiable that he taught himself English, how to read and through that, how to build a windmill so his family could have electricity. His story has moved me to tears. I have been to Malawi. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, but people like William know how important education is to alleviating some of that poverty.

Here is the Boing Boing story: http://www.boingboing.net/2011/02/08/the-boy-who-harnesse-1.html

Watch this short documentary on his story: http://missingpiecesvideo.com/kamkwamba/movingwindmillsFINALsubtitle.mov

Today's Reality: The Revolution IS Being Televised

 

All photos nicked from The Huffington Post