52 Weeks Best Shot

This week's challenge is to share our best shot so I thought I'd share a couple photos from our summer vacation in August.

The Blue Ridge Parkway - Such a beautiful place. Words can not describe it.

One of the many trails we took.  I ruined a pair of shoes on this trip but it was worth it!

I think we walked nearly nine miles over streams, giant boulders, fallen trees, through mud and moss, and slippery trails in just two days.

If you are looking to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway is it!

One of these days I will share more photos of the parkway and the East Coast.

Check out Sally's blog to see more 'Best Shots'

52 Weeks A Quiet Moment

This is our couch. I'ts brown corduroy and very soft. The left end is my spot where most everything  I need is right at my fingertips: magazines, remote, light, Puffs tissues, reading glasses and a blanket.

The sheer drapes let just the right amount of light in without being too dark or too bright.  The room looks dark here but really it's nicely lit with the sun's rays.

Since our two oldest kids have moved away, and the youngest back at school, and me working just part time I basically have lots to quiet time.  Sometimes it's a blessing and other times not so much.

If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment.

Henry David Thoreau

 

Erin Prais Hintz Child of God Blog Hop

Erin is hosting a Blog hop inspired by this story. She created polymer beads just for this hop, and I was a lucky winner from one of the ABS Studio Saturday posts. This is the bead I received---gorgeous!

'you are a child of God, and with credentials like that you can do anything'

At first I started to make a bracelet but it didn't show Erin's bead the way I wanted, and ended up with this necklace. By the way, Erin's bead spins around so you can read it all.

I wanted the piece to be bright and cheerful because knowing I'm a child of God makes me very happy.

Included in the necklace are flowered polymer beads from Too Aquarius,teal lampwork beads from Lynda's Bead Dreams, green vintage beads, a jasper bead, tiny Czech bead, plus a lot of Vintaj Components; washers, 'Hope' ring, 'Believe' Ring, a flower pendant, and chain. Honestly I'm not happy with the placement of those rings. They look fine in the photo but not when worn.  I wanted to redo it but simply ran out of time.

Closeup of the beads

I encourage you to read the inspiration for these beads and the blog hop.  Also visit Erin's blog to see what the other participants have made.

Kristi Bowmans Wonky Bead Blog Hop

Kristi made several batches of her wonderful Wonky Polymer beads. And to celebrate she is hosting a blog hop.  We chose the primary color and Kristi chose the rest of the set for us. I chose the red set and below is a photo of the beads I received. Aren't they fabulous?! And for once, I already had a design plan in mind.

My twin sister takes lots of trips to other countries and always brings back beads for me. In return she asks that I make a necklace that represents the country she visited using the beads she brought back.

This time she wanted a necklace representing Africa, and this is the necklace I made.

It includes Kristi's polymer beads, African Green Heart Beads, and tan and brown discs from Africa. I chose a simple brass chain and lobster clasp so as not to detract from the beads.  I am thrilled with how well Kristi's beads worked with the African theme.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Be sure to check out Kristi's etsy site to see her wonderful polymer beads!

AJE Earring Challenge

It's time once again for the Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge. We are  at weeks 35 and 36!

'Rain Forest Mist'

Made with  brass ovals cut from brass sheet, then patinated with a vinegar and salt solution. Lampwork beads from Whitney Street Studio, and Vintaj components

You can see how I made them here.

'Infinity Pool'

Strips of brass sheet formed on a baseball bat, Ranger Verdigris Patina and Vintaj components.

As always I enjoy your comments.  Please stop by the AJE blog  and the AJE Pinterest site to see more wonderful earrings.

52 Weeks In Motion

Our assignment for this week is all about motion.

Our kids at the beach, each standing on something, maybe rocks or wood--maybe left from an old pier or dock...

This summer we took a trip to the East Coast.  This photo was taken at Wrightsville Beach near the city of Wilmington North Carolina.  Being from Kansas it's not often that we get a chance to dig our toes in the sand while the surf comes rolling in, then back out.  Oh the water was delightful! A perfect day!

The falling wave,
arch of identity, shattering feathers,
is only spume when it clears, 
and returns to its source, unconsumed.

~a verse from 'The Wide Ocean', a poem by Pablo Neruda

Experimenting with Ranger Patinas

I hardly have time to experiment on big projects but I am enjoying my experiments with patinas.

This week I played with Ranger Patinas purchased from Vintaj. They come in a package of three colors but I chose to use only the Verdigris shown here.

'Infinity Pool'

I carefully cut narrow strips of brass sheet and hammered them into shape on a baseball bat. Then I 'painted' them with the Ranger patina and added the Vintaj brass chain and earwires.  I wanted the lovely turquoise color to be seen from all angles while being worn so these earrings sit parallel to and slightly below the jawline. They are swingy (spellcheck indicates that's not a word).

There's only one problem.  I just dug in and painted the metal without reading the instructions. I was supposed to set the patina with a heat tool--something I don't have.  I wonder if the color will wear off...

A Happy Accident

I've been dabbling in patina, though not as much as I would like. It seems there is not enough hours in the day to just sit and experiment. But the other day I decided to cut some ovals out of brass sheet and patina them with the sea salt/vinegar method. I put the ovals on a Chinette plate and squirted the patina on the pieces.  The problem was that I had already domed the brass ovals so the patina solution just ran off. What to do?  Then I realized the plate had a dip around the rim and the solution was pooling there, so I turned the brass ovals face down into the solution. I thought it would take a couple days for the patina to be just right but they were done in just a few hours.

The brass ovals domed.

I love how the solution turned into that wonderful copper color in the center of the ovals. A happy accident!

'Rain Forest Mist'

And the earrings I made with the brass ovals. Also included are lampwork beads by Whitney Street Studio which I've had for a long time.  And Vintaj Brass washers, earwires, and jump rings.

I would love to hear about your experiments in patina as I'm quite fascinated with the idea of making my own components with different patinas.

52 Weeks By Twos

This week we are to focus on twos.

I'm a twin and that was the obvious choice for me. But my sister lives in another city so that was out.

And then my mind went blank (crickets chirping).

Later my husband and I went on a walk and I took my camera along. And wouldn't you know there were lots of things that come in twos!

and my very favorite:

Minions made out of propane tanks!  Aren't they darling?! The neighbor around the corner has several of these in their yard.

Thanks for stopping by!!! Please check Sally's blog for more things that come in twos.

Autumn Design Challenge Beads

I was one of several lucky people who were chosen to participate in the Autumn Design Challenge hosted by Lesley Watt and Caroline of Blueberri Beads

These are the beads I received.  

The ceramic beads are from Caroline and the bronze components are from Lesley.

One of my favorite colors to work with is green so I hit the jackpot here, and I can't wait to get started!      A big thanks to both Lesley and Caroline for hosting this challenge and for generously sharing their beautiful creations so we can play.

The reveal date is October 2nd.

In the mean time please check out the blogs and websites of these very talented women.