Camera Sketches

I started using my camera as a tool to "sketch" designs. Another bonus is that it helps me remember where I want the stones to go! Here are a few pieces I'm working on. I need to remember to put them on white paper next time, but you get to see my dirty workbench here. I'm really excited about all of these pieces. Now if I can just finish these and more in the next week and a half!

Belt Buckle

Flower Pendant

Collage Bracelet

Collage Brooch

Collage Brooch

Collage Rings

I need to get out more!

I heard something yesterday and peeked outside. I can't believe I had missed this. My Texas sage is in full bloom! I think it is from all that rain last week.

Preparations

In my continual preparations for the Texas Metal Arts Festival I am trying to keep up with photographing all my new work. I still have a lot of photos to take, but here are a couple that will be my vinyl banners for my booth. I got the idea of using vinyl banners for photos from Pat Guerrero. She had them in her booth at Fiesta in San Antonio this year. I loved it because they are waterproof, and the large format with grab attention. I chose these two images for 2'x4' banners.

Show Pony Show

Sorry I have been absent. I finally uploaded my booth pics from the Show Pony Show to flickr. The show was a lot of fun. Especially because I got to share a booth with Lena Eschelle and had great neighbors like Megan of Muttsy Wonder. I got a couple of wonderful shirts from Megan, which I still need to photograph.
Here are the pics of my booth. I really like the way it turned out.




I tested out one of my new plexi glass cases that I will be using for the upcoming Texas Metal Arts festival. I am really happy with the way they look. For this show I went for bright colors, turquoise and lime green and I think they had a really great effect.

Tada!

Tada!
Originally uploaded by ashleyjewelry

You won't be hearing from me much for the next few days. I'm getting ready for the Show Pony Show on Sunday . I am headed to Ikea this morning with my mom to pick up some stuff for my displays and booth. Check out my new sign, I feel so professional! It is a galvanized metal sign with vinyl letters. Of course I picked aqua, my favorite color, for my lettering. I'm super happy with it.

WOW, Big Day!

I am getting ready for the Show Pony Show, Texas Metal Arts and Vacation(!!!) so I have been running around like crazy. Yesterday after many errands I was dragging when I got home. My spirits were lifted by not just one but two exciting and highly anticipated packages form Etsy Metal friends.
These Large Branch Earrings from Sarah Hood Jewelry are spectacular. Large enough to be stunning and showy, but still very wearable. I am in love.
And WoW, two packages in one day. I also received these Amazonite earrings from Experimetal. Can you tell what my favorite color is? I'm not kidding when I say I will take one of each piece that Victoria makes. She is genius with metal!

Thanks ladies!

Grow Lively

I just received these wonderful Ginkgo Hoops from Leslie of GrowLively on etsy. I am totally in love with them! They are super light weight and sure to become an everyday favorite.

Mark your calendars

I would love to see you at the Show Pony Show next Sunday in Dallas. There will be a real, live pony for picture taking!

Olive and Aqua

I have been adding new cabochons almost daily to my supply shop. Hop on over and check it out. I havesome great Labradorite, Sunstone and lovely faceted Carnelian.

Etsy Buy Handmade

Winged Creatures

I have been really into birds this year, and increasingly drawn to winged creatures of all kinds. Here are some wonderful example expressed in a multitude of ways by fellow artists.

Damselfly Pendant by Wendy Humphries aka Alphabetti Spaghetti

Insectae Ornata Print by Phippsart

Green Beetle Photo by Amandakay822
And the lovely Little Yellow Etching by Michele MauleI would love to have each and every one of these pieces by these talented artists!

Lunasa Designs

My friend and fellow Etsy Metal member Rebekah Meddles of Lunasa Designs is having a big sale. In celebration of her birthday and two year Etsy anniversary she is running a sale with different discounts for the first eight days of August. Yesterday her sale was, if you wrote her an original limerick you would receive 50% off (HALF OFF!!) one item. Well, I just couldn't resist and actually came up with a fun little limerick. Here is my limerick:

Lunasa Designs is so clever.
Her jewelry I will wear forever.
The Woman I adore,
She has talent galore,

I'm so glad she took on this endeavor!

And, for my efforts I purchased one of her gorgeous Bumpy Road Ring that I have coveted for ages.TODAY'S SALE: Buy any ring in the shop and receive a pair of earrings 1/2 off!! Make your purchase and I'll send you a revised invoice with the sale price.

Head on over to Rebekah's shop everyday through Friday for a different sale!

And The Winner Is....

The answer
Originally uploaded by ashleyjewelry

Summer! With her goofy guess came in closest and will receive a pair of my Raspberry Pearl Hoops. The total weight in Carats came in at 642.86. Thanks so much for participating everyone! This has been fun.

Don't Forget!

If you haven't submitted a guess to my contest do it soon, today is the last day. The person who guesses the closest weight in carats wins a pair of Raspberry Drop Earrings! I will announce the winner tomorrow. Submit your guess by posting a comment here.