The studio is open...

It seems that you like to watch me work,

to see a creation come to fruition


from a seed of thought through to a wearable jewel.

That is human nature though, isn't it...

to be voyeuristic :-)


I love to see the creative process of other artisans,


so it is my pleasure to share my own with you!

~*~

So, the door to my studio is open...

come on in!

The kettle is boiled


and there is orange cake baking in the oven.


Take a seat over there...


I'm going to sit down at my workbench


and we'll chat as I work...


There is a custom ring to be made,


my *Desert Flower* Ring in a size that is *just right* for someone special :-)  

It starts with a circle...

...which is curved ever so slightly...

...and you're wondering why there is a latex glove sitting in my wooden doming block?


It's so that the metal disc doesn't get wedged into the indentation in the wood (which happens rather too easily!)  The glove helps the disc to pop right out after I've finished hammering ;-)

...my makers mark, stamped and sawed...
(I do have so much fun with these...nearly every mark I make is a different shape!  But that story deserves a post all to itself)

...the components wait patiently to be married together...

...and not forgetting the Flower itself, waiting in the wings...

It's time to solder!  So I crank up the iPod...

...the ring starts to take shape...

...and I remind you that you can never have too many (third) hands! ;-)

And at this point, my two little rugrats come screaming into the studio and everything must be forgotten for an hour or five :-)


Such is life!


Do drop by the studio tomorrow though...


there is a ring to finish,


and more cups of coffee to sip.


Oh, and half an orange cake that we have yet to devour! :-)

Do I look like Mickey Mouse to you?

Over the years, I've been told I look like anyone from Kate Hudson ...

*flattered*

... to Britney Spears from side on...

*hmmm*

...but I've never, ever been told that I look like Mickey Mouse ...


...until yesterday.


I was hammering away at my workbench, wearing my husband's very fashionable ear muffs, when my three year old daughter came out to see what I was doing...


...and this is what she saw...

Mickey Mouse?


India decided she wanted to look like Mickey Mouse too...

...and Jett decided that it would be the perfect time to steal my nylon hammer...

...and tripod...

...and make alphabet soup with my letter stamps.

*le sigh*

There is never a dull moment!


Amidst the chaos, I did manage a little creativity...

...an exercise in experimenting...


...and learning new techniques.

Many hours of soldering and pickling...


...and soldering and grumbling late last night...


...and I have a pretty little pendant that is ready to be given a pretty patina.


But you will have to wait until tomorrow to see it!


~*~


Have you ever been told that you look like someone?

My creative space...

During my recent online travels, I came across Kirsty's blog.  Apart from creating cool stuff, taking gorgeous photos, and writing an interesting blog, Kirsty hosts 'My Creative Space'.


Every Thursday, artists and crafters from all over the world amalgamate on Kirsty's blog to show off what they're working on.  It's all a bit of fun, who doesn't love a sneak peek!  And I want to be part of it.  


So here is 'My Creative Space' today:

Now, usually I don't like to show you what I'm working on because (a) it may turn out to be a dud design, or (b) I may never get around to finishing it.  But by showing you a preview, I'm forced into (a) turning it into a success design, and (b) finishing it!  Win-win!


Pop on over to Kirsty's blog to see what other artists are creating today...


Be well!