When Your Hardwork as a Parent Starts to Pay Off...

Being a parent is hard! Sometimes you're totally in love with your child and other times you want the ring their cute little necks!

My son is 9 and definitely has his share of 9 year old moments (like wearing his jeans and t-shirt under his martial arts uniform for practice yesterday!?), but lately he's been showing a side I'm loving. Responsibility!

The example that sparked this post is what he did this morning. --He woke up early (as usual, he's always been an early riser) and got himself dressed, made and ate his breakfast, made his lunch for school and packed his backpack, and then came to wake me and his Dad up!

After thanking him and telling him how mature and responsible that was, I went downstairs with him and literally walked in circles... I had nothing to do! Crazy. So I actually made coffee and sat down for a leisurely breakfast (unheard of :) before he went off to school.

This isn't the first time he's done something constructive when he's gotten up (while we're still sleeping). He's unloaded the dishwasher on a couple of occasions and he has made his own breakfast several times, but these occurances are becoming more frequent and functional and it's so cool it gives me goosebumps!

But, I'm seriously torn between being the proud Mom, who realizes she's done something right, and the terrified, no longer needed, empty nester... I've 9 more years to enjoy, I hope I remember that the next time he has a 9 year old (or worse, teenager) moment!

:D

New! Wire Gauge Calculator

I found an awesome widget that calculates wire gauge to inches and millimeters! How cool is that?

I actually put in in the right column of my blog (about mid-way down) so you can use that one at anytime, or you can get your very own widget from the one shown below, or by going here: wire-to-jewelry.com

Color Combos - I love Teal and Brown!

I thought it'd be fun to periodically feature some handmade items in particular color combos.

I'm starting with one of my favorites, teal and brown. I don't know what it is about these two colors, but they really call to me. Maybe the mix of warm and cool, or the natural, organic feel to them, like the sea and driftwood, I don't know, it's just gorgeous.

Another favorite is green and brown, but maybe I'll leave that for another Color Combo post.

What are your favorite color combos?

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LeahPelligrini

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KainKain

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BargainHeadbands

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MelsBellsClocheHats

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Studio827KC

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AnnaArt72

LucyEliseDesigns

Aren't they all just beautiful!

From Sheet Metal to Earrings, part 2

So, I'm finally getting to posting the second half of my production photos, life is just too busy sometimes! ;)

Here they are sanded, textured, smoothed and ready for details

After they've been oxidized in a liver of sulfur compound (to give the aged look and to highlight the texture) I've also soldered the bezel cup onto the one pair (to hold the stone)

 

Deciding on details like what kind of stones, how to attach them, type of earwires, etc. (the one pair in the bottom right corner have just been oxidized, I put them in to show what the pieces look like after oxidizing and before polishing - pretty black and ugly) 

Finished earrings. Stones set and in place, all earwires attached, final polishing done!

These are comparing the finished pieces to my original sketches, some just like the sketches, some have changed.

A finished, photographed pair!

See more of the individual photos of the finished earrings on my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aweshop/sets/72157623840174573/

Yay! I just love the transformation that metal takes from just a flat sheet of raw copper or sterling into a highly textured, gracefully shaped, beautiful piece of jewelry!

How It's Made! Photos of my production process.

Gosh, I haven't blogged in so long, it's shameful. To make up for it a little I'm posting some images of some work I have in progress.

I always think it's fun to see behind the scenes, to see how people make what they make. That's why I thought it'd be fun to post some pictures of what I'm working on currently.

I'm in the process of making some new designs and trying to stock up for several big shows I have soon. These pics are of the "Ethnic Vibe" style earrings in many different variations.

Here are my sketches, the cutout paper patterns and some partially cutout metal pieces.

These are some of the pieces roughly cutout.

A close up of the rough cut pieces. See how uneven and sharp the edges are?

And here is the jeweler's saw and "bench pin" that I use for most of the cutting (and drilling holes, as you can see LoL)
I also use metal snips to cut out some of the initial, larger cuts and straight lines.

Believe me when I say my hands are quite achy after I've finished cutting out a few pieces. Normally I don't cut out this many at a time (I usually make one item at a time) but I'm trying to build up stock for the shows, so production line procedures are required! ;)

I'll post the next stages of production in a day or so. Probably the next time my hands need a break from polishing! :)

Fenton Street Market in Silver Spring

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Hey everyone, I'm kind of excited to show my work in this market, it just sounds really fun.

I haven't been before, but it seems like it really focuses on the community with local crafters and businesses. Kinda like a farmer's market for crafts. It's right downtown Silver Spring so it's easy to come by early and then head over to have lunch afterward.

I'll be there on April 24th at least, and maybe more dates depending on my schedule. The market is every Saturday until October 31. I'll be sure and let you know if I'm going to be there more dates. Get more details on the show here.

DC Metropolitan Art Expo -- Please come!

This show is going to be fantastic! I'm very proud to be one of the few artists selected to show this year.

A huge Art Expo alongside an even huger Food, Libations & Luxury Home Show. There are going to be some awesome artists showing (including Moi ;) and unbelievable home show displays. So even if you're not looking to buy any home related items, it's worth coming just to look at all the amazing art and taste the great food. -- oh, and bring the kids, the show is kid friendly! :D

The ticket shown above is a buy one get one FREE All Access pass, good for the show and alcohol & food tastings! (some amazing artisan beer, spirits, and wine :) Download the All Access 2 for 1 pass by clicking on the image or here!

I also have postcards for FREE general admission, so if you don't care about the beer and wine tastings you won't have to spend a dime and you DO still get free food tastings.

If you'd like a postcard for the FREE general admission just email me --deb [at] aweshop.com-- with your name and address and I'll mail one right out to you. --I only have hard copies of these tickets, sorry :)

Stop by my booth and say Hi. Hope to see you there!