Happy New Year!

I am late to the party, nothing new there. We had a good holiday, how about you? I took off three extra days in the weeks leading up to Christmas in order to preserve my sanity and it worked. We visited my family in Austin, then hosted four of our best friends for New Years.

Here are myself, my niece Karlie and mom all wearing tops that I made on Christmas day. Theirs were Christmas gifts. We look alike, don't we?!
For mom I used a gorgeous crossweave linen from Joann and the Fisherman's top patterns from Merchant and Mills Sewing Book. Karlie's tunic is made with the juvenile apparel knit from Joann and I'm so in love with it! I used Simplicity 1785, which I had sewn for her before.

And her model pose.     I asked Frank for this ring made by our friend Claire for my Christmas gift. I adore it! It fits perfectly with my wardrobe and my everyday jewelry. I never wear rings but this one is perfect.

I also felt inspired to make some new jewelry designs. My friend Matt asked me to make his wife some small-ish earrings. Inspired by Claire's work, I finally got my hands on some brass to play with and am happy with what I cam up with. I think I need to make both of these for myself now!


Here are my top nine instagram pics from last year. Pretty much sums it up, lots of sewing, a little travel, including our trip to Tulum that I still need to share, and some adventures in the kitchen.


There hasn't been any New Year Resolution stuff going on over here just yet. I have plans but got sick and have no groceries, so no gym or healthy eating plan for us at the moment. I promised myself to get back to the gym asap. We are in the midst of refinancing our home and planning to do some work around here, so that will consume most of our Spring. I also promised myself to not buy any new fabrics, but instead work my way through my stash this year. I may break this rule for things I really need but don't have fabric for, like winter wear and possible jeans sewing. We shall see. Mostly I won't be too hard on myself or too rigid. I'm in a good and happy place and hope to stay here.

 I hope you too are having a wonderful new year filled with whatever it is that makes you smile.
 xoxo Ashley

Dreaming and Working

In typical Spring fashion I'm obsessed with my yard at the moment and have been putting in some serious effort to whip it into shape. I do realize it isn't truly Spring yet, but we didn't really have a Winter and it has felt like Spring for some time. Sunday and Monday were perfect, but of course I was at work. It turned windy and gray the last couple of days but I haven't let that keep me inside.

The plum tree is blooming










Larkspur and poppies are shooting up like weeds.


And I'm daydreaming of sprucing up my cute furniture with fresh paint and cushions.


I don't even know if I can find out door fabric like this, but I'm picturing cushions in yellow and white chevron stripe.  Doesn't that look cheery and fresh?!

Source: jenniferdelonge.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Those aren't weeds  by the way, they are larkspur and mexican feather grass that I can't bear to pull out of the patio.  I'm thinking Navy or Teal for my sad metal chair.  It is in desperate need of paint!




My poor hands and arms are looking worse for wear from both this work and my work in floral.  I'll survive and I'm sure I will keep on working in the yard sans gloves until opressive heat drives me inside.

*How cool is this?!  My Polymer Bead Pendants are featured on Daily Art Muse today. 

Grandmother's Necklace

I was commissioned to make a Grandmother's necklace with eight birthstones.
The stones are Emerald, Sapphire, 3 Opals, Diamond, Garnet and Ruby.  We decided to arrange the stones by birth order and I think it worked out nicely.
I'm thrilled with the outcome!







I'm off to the zoo today with my brother and niece. I have finally recovered from my birthday weekend craziness and will post pictures and recipes soon.

The Thanksgiving craziness has already begun at work. Monday was busier than normal and I'm sure this weekend will be busy too. I have no idea what next week will have in store for me at work! It should be interesting. I need to plan out my shopping list now and not be shopping in the midst of the madness next week. I am in charge of desserts but think I want to make the Mad Hungry Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Vidalia Onion and English Cheddar that I made last Christmas as well. What are you planning for Thanksgiving dinner? Are you trying any new recipes?

Soaking Up The Sun

These gorgeous treasuries remind me of the beautiful days we have been having.
I just want to be outside as much as possible.
Yesterday I was chasing Monarchs around the yard and finally caught a couple of them enjoying our Abelia shrub in the front yard.

This morning felt so good.
I sat in the sun on the hammock with my coffee.
Lucy sat on the back steps.
Soaking up the sun always reminds me of Malta.  She loved to lay in the Sun.






The days are getting shorter but we are still enjoying the trail.
Frank wasn't feeling well last night but he went with me anyways.
I jogged with Lucy and felt the stress float away.
These days are few, and I am soaking them in while they are here.






I will post the details of the Etsy Metal Anniversary sale either later today or tomorrow.
We have a full weekend ahead with my work and having our nieces over.
My mom had surgery this morning to remove her Gallbladder and all went well, thank goodness.
I love this time of year.  I hope you are enjoying Fall as much as I am.

Project Runway Challenge Week Two

It's week two of the Etsy Metal Project Runway Challenge.  I got done and took real photographs on time this week! Here is the challenge from the Etsy Metal blog:

Episode 2: "My Pet Project"
Air: 8.4.11
My Lifetime, Thursdays, 9pm PST.

The Project Runway Challenge:

In this episode, the challenge was to create an outfit using pet store supplies. They were allowed to use muslin as well, but were encouraged not to.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:

Yup, you guessed it. The EM challenge is to make a piece of jewelry using pet store supplies! Try to limit your time in the pet store to 30 minutes. You may use some metal in the piece but try to use as little as possible. Make it work!

I was inspired by the plastic aquarium plants and actually wanted to bring a lot more of them home!  I had a really hard time making a decision but ended up with this green grassy plant.  I was able to take a piece off in the store without hurting the product and I could immediately see what I would make with them.  I had second thoughts at home and wished I had brought home the others that I had my eye on instead, but I persevered and love the outcome!

I think these earrings are elegant, despite being made of plastic grass, and I think that is the whole point of using uncommon or found objects in a new way.  I think you will be seeing more plastic plants in my work.

Don't forget you can play along, even if you are not an Etsy Metal member.  Just check the Etsy Metal blog each Friday for the challenge instructions and to see all the entries.

My Jewelry in San Fransisco!

I should have told you about this a while back.  I sent a collection of my fiber jewelry to Perch in San Fransisco back in June.  I love San Fransisco and am so thrilled to have my jewelry shown there!  I've never been to this store but have heard great things about it.  If you are in the area go check it out and let me know what you think.

I just found a site that has Perch as the winner of Best Homegoods store in San Fransisco.  With such wonderful shopping options in the city, this must be an awesome place!

Etsy Metal Project Runway Season Nine Challenge

I've never participated in the Etsy Metal Project Runway Challenges, but have always wanted to, and have admired the work that came out of them. It's sort of ironic that I chose now to participate, now that I have started a new job and am working most days and my jewelry making time is severely limited.  Because of that and the fact that our main air conditioner, the one that cools my studio, went out two days ago and it's been around 110º everyday, because of those things I'm all the more impressed that I finished this project.

Here are the instructions for playing along, and a description of this week's challenge.  This challenge is open to non Etsy Metal members, so if you would like to participate just check the Etsy Metal blog each week to see instructions.

Here is my bench mess that I was able to pull materials and inspiration from.

My piece under construction

The finished Ring

I used a Lace Agate stone from my Paw Paw's collection.  I have a bunch of his rocks and this is the first piece that I have utilized, but hopefully not the last.  My accent stones are Labradorite and Sunstone.  This is one of the most complex pieces that I have made in a while and I'm really pleased with the outcome.  I will take better pictures of this ring soon, but have not yet decided if I will offer it for sale or keep it for myself.

I needed this challenge to inspire me and deadlines always get me motivated!  I hope to keep playing along and I hope you will too, if you are so inclined.


Enjoy your weekend!
xoxo
Ashley

Looking Back

I found these images of my first art show recently. It was Art Antiques and Auto, a show in my hometown of Denton, Texas in either 2000 or 2001. I did that show for several years, the last one I did was in 2004. I got Best in Show this first year, and won a cash prize! It's crazy to look back on my booth and my small amount of inventory and see how far I have come.

Some of these pieces still stand out in my mind and I think they were good, solid designs. The pendant on the top left above is one of my all time favorites and I would be proud to create it today. It had a Sea Shell, Fire Agate, Amber, Peridot and Carnelian. All the stones were bezel set and connected by jump rings so that they moved. I remember the lady that bought that from me, I hope she still has it and loves it.
I wish I could get my hands on some more affordable Fire Agate now!

I remember lots of people asked about that little ikebana bud vase, I had gotten it at my job at Home to Garden. I also learned early on that if you put a dish of candy out people will grab a piece and not even look at your work!

Also crazy to see how low I priced my work then! Of course silver was much, much cheaper, but I don't even think I was taking the cost of the stones and my labor into account. I just didn't know how to value my work.
Oh well, I had great support from family and friends, and I learned a lot at these early shows. This was all pre-etsy and when I had no website. I intended to learn html to build a site, but of course that never happened. Things got so much easier when etsy came along and also artist website services like Other Peoples Pixels that just let you plug in images and text.

More of those pendants. I need to bring that design back, it is similar to the Sun Moon and Stars Pendant that I recently showed you, but much more simple.

Dad in my booth. Both of my parents have been so supportive of my creative endeavors from the beginning! I did have an ez-up, black table clothes and the same mirror I have today, but my booth sure has changed a lot. Check out my booth at my last show.

I have really great memories of these early days of jewelry making. I remember creating these pieces in my first duplex in Fort Worth. I was pretty fresh out of college and in a newish relationship. I had my workbench in the kitchen of that little duplex and I was doing what I loved. Frank was always very supportive too and would come help out at the shows, and he still does when he can. I think those little small town one day shows are a great way to get started, especially if you have a built in audience of people that you know. I got a letter in the mail the other day from this show wanting me to participate again. I don't think I would now, it is more focused on the Antiques and Auto than the Art, and I think I have priced myself out of being able to sell my work there, but I certainly am grateful for the experience I gained there.

My first Prong Setting!

I didn't always like the look of prong settings, so I hadn't found the need to learn to make them. I did try once, unsuccessfully last year to set an opalized clam shell in a prong setting. I'm digging the more contemporary look of thicker gauged prongs, and after seeing a tutorial by Joanna Goldberg in the current issue of Art Jewelry Magazine, I wanted to try again.

A friend wanted me to come up with a setting for her turquoise cabochon. Her husband gave it to her for her birthday, but the bail came unglued and it needed a new setting. I thought prongs were the perfect choice, since they show off as much of the stone as possible and had a similar feel to the original idea of just the stone hanging from a bail.

I didn't have the soldering brick that Joanna recommends, where you can push stuff down into it. It's on my list now! I used this honeycomb brick and made it work by pushing the wires into the holes, but that might not always work depending on the spacing of the prongs and the gauge of the wire.

I'm thrilled with the outcome!
I see lots of possibilities with this new technique that I've learned. I'm so happy that I'm enjoying jewelry making and having fun playing around and learning new things. Of course its not perfect, but its pretty good for a first (well second) try.