Mid-week Bench Check

Yay, I have finally gotten caught up with customer orders! Now I'm working on two gallery orders, and then I'll be working on new designs. I have sooo many ideas for new pieces, I can't wait to get some of them made. And I'm feeling like the pink opal piece I blogged about back a couple of months ago might get done soon, too.

Another thing I'm very excited about now that I am not juggling my day job with my jewelry is finally having the time to get my metalsmithing area organized and looking better. My bead studio is a lovely bright space on the 2nd floor and overlooks the garden. What a contrast this is - I call it the "dungeon", lol!



My goal is to get a storage area for my tools, probably some type of rolling cart with drawers, and a real jewelers workbench with a place to attach real bench pins and everything. And a drawer to catch what I drop - I drop a LOT of stuff! I have gotten up the courage to post my "before" pictures. Please don't be frightened, ha ha! This is what it looked like this morning as I was working on a couple of stacking ring sets.

Also pictured are two stones I'm working on ideas for - an easter egg jasper cab with a little pocket of drusy, and a yummy moonstone. I'm thinking about making a ring for myself out of the moonstone - I really love that stone, it is totally gorgeous in real life.



Well, that's about it for today, time to get to bed so I can get an early start in the morning. And drink coffee out of my NEW CUP! (Yes, I bought the cup, and it came today - I love it!)

Sunday Morning Coffee and Etsy 09/21/08

I'm not much of a shopper in real life, but I'm an online shopping addict! Anytime I can do something in my pajamas with a cup of coffee, I'm all for it! Ever since I opened my Etsy shop on Valentines Day this year, I have been amazed at all the fabulous hand-crafted items there from laundry soap to paintings to greeting cards to vintage clothing. And, of course totally rockin' jewelry!!

Anyhoo, I thought that I would share my finds every week with you - I just have to tell someone about these great goodies I come across!

This morning I checked the main page showcase as usual, and found this completely cool potter's shop. Now I am a bona-fide pottery addict, so of course I want everything in the shop, ha, ha. But since I'm now a full-time "starving artist", I'll have to be satisfied with the occasional purchase, and a very long wish list. This cup is definitely on my must have soon 'short list'.

The Brilliante Award!

Thanks so much to my friend Pam of the Blue Between for nominating me for this award (way back in July, gosh I got behind with my blog posts!!). Pam is a great lampwork and jewelry artist, so be sure and check out her work here. What a great way to share great blogs and art with each other!

In return, here is my list of nominees that I'd like to receive this award as well:

1. A Metalsmith's Journey
2. Debra Linker - Living in Full Color
3. Tammy's Treasure Chest
4. Lisa's Lovlies
5. Chris Kerr Jewelry
6. Not Your Average Jo-Jo
7. Aden Angier Design Blog

Here are the rules for this award:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you've nominated.
6. Write an acceptance speech in the style of the Academy Awards, thanking every body's mother, father, sister, brother, aunties and uncles and the kitchen staff at your favorite restaurant!