WOYWW: Three Turquoise Beauties & Time to Play

Remember that beautiful pile of turquoise stones I got in the mail last week?  Well, I have been inspired!  So inspired that I have stayed caught up on orders just to have time to play and design with them, the stones are so pretty.

As a mostly self taught metalsmith, my real interest is in creating these more complicated kinds of pieces, but I hardly find time it seems with my other jewelry keeping me so busy.  It has been so much fun working this way again.

You see the finished product as well as some of the processes involved at my bench.  One of the biggest challenges for me when building a ring is the finish work.  I get so excited about the result that I want to stick those stones in to see what it looks like finished!  But it is really difficult to file and sand away imperfections (there are always many of these before the piece looks finished) with stones in the way.  And then there is the patina and the hand polishing..all before the stone setting which is the very last thing to do!  I'm working on being more patient. :)

These rings are fresh off my work bench, I don't even have them all listed in my shop properly.  Two of them are getting a new photo shoot (I had to go back and rework some of my finish work because I wasn't happy with it, see I have issues).

So I hope you enjoy seeing my work as much as I enjoy sharing with you, and creating it!

Linking up with Julia for WOYWW.

WOYWW: Commissions

Commission work can be so inspiring!  I received a request for a ring with an "angel heart" to be combined with two other stackers, and another set for her husband.  I sent the customer a sketch and got to work.  The flying heart ring turned out so cute, I decided to offer it in my shop!

This week, I was contacted for another huge commission for a total of fifteen rings, all different styles which included my faceted ring.  With such a big order, I was inspired to perfect my technique on my faceted ring...I wanted it to be just right.  With some innovation and a few more complicated steps, I was able to create a much better way of crafting this little ring!

And finally, you see Miss Bella sitting on her pillow, the prettiest shop helper.  Her little leg is healing up just fine.  In fact, I think she doesn't even remember that she broke it.  She will be on bed rest for another four weeks, but it looks like she is well on her way to being back to her perfect four legged self!

Hope to find you all crafty and creative!

Linking up with Julia for another WOYWW.

WOYWW: A Lotta Stuff and A New Wedding Band for My Man

1)  Troika Band in Sterling Silver

2)  Bound By Love Twist Heart Ring

So excited about how these two new rings came out!  The band was for my husband, I made him his original wedding band when I first started making rings, about a year and a half ago now.  I am working up to making him something out of white gold, but haven't committed to a design yet.  This is design number two now, and he likes it a lot.  Maybe he will end up with a huge collection of bands, one for every occasion, since I probably won't ever be able to make up my mind.

The second ring has been a design just waiting to make it to the bench.  Ahh, feels good to have the idea fully formed and now finished!

In between these projects, I have been challenged to keep up with the orders in the shop, but have begun the practice of working some each day to stay on top of things.  Seems to be working.

This last few weeks have been so hot, I have been drinking a lot of iced green tea, eating lots of fresh raw foods, and enjoying that true summer feeling.

Happy wednesday everyone!

Linking up with Julia, go say hello, won't you?