Smiles All Around

These were our fortunes from dinner last night.  Not so much fortunes as true statements about myself and Frank.  If you have ever met Frank you know his smile is infectious.  He can turn a sour mood sweet with his smile, so this "fortune" for him couldn't be more spot on.  I happen to think mine is pretty accurate too.

Speaking of smiling, this picture of Lucy smiling totally cracks me up and puts a smile on my face.

With Lucy being an only "child" now she is even more spoiled than before, if that is possible.  She definitely gets more treats than ever.

 

I finished Karlie's birthday gifts and think they are the most adorable things that I have ever sewn.  I will share them with you next week.  

I made homemade waffle cones last night, yes I may be a little bit crazy, but we scored a waffle cone maker at Tuesday Morning cheap (they have more).  We only have a one quart ice cream maker, so we can't make enough for the whole birthday party.  Instead we are making Salty Caramel and Banana Ice creams tonight to share with my family tomorrow night. 

I'm also considering making sugar cookies for the party, depending on how my day goes tomorrow.  I get obsessed with the idea of making something like that and just can't let it go.  Good thing people generally appreciate homemade goodies!

Have a great day, I'm off to check groceries.

xoxo

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

A New Treasure

My parents came down for Fort Worth yesterday, which is always a treat.  We had a delicious Mexican breakfast at a favorite spot, then escaped the heat at Barnes and Noble (mom and I also snuck over to Anthropolgie to window shop).  When they were leaving dad said he had something for us.  He pulled this wonderful hand carved wood and antler back scratcher out that he had made!  I can't believe he carved it and everything, so cool.  I love it as a back scratcher and as a table decoration.

Thanks Dad!

Garden Bounty

 

Zinnias always make me so happy, it doesn't feel like summer without them.  I am fascinated by all the forms of Zinnias.  These were all volunteers this year, and the ones I planted from seed didn't take.  I was a bit disappointed that I only have pink this year, but love them none the less.

 

There really hasn't been much harvesting from my garden this summer.  I pick and freeze the okra as they are ready, because there aren't enough for a meal all at once.  The cherry tomatoes are slim pickings and I have to compete with birds who pick at them before they ripen.  The zinnias are the stars for now.  I'm hoping all the plants will survive the summer and produce in the fall.  We shall see.

I got a new job!  I start next week at our local gourmet grocery store, Central Market.  I'm starting out as a cashier, so if you shop there you may see me when you check out.  

I think I'm going to love this job.  I probably won't be blogging as regularly, but will have lots of new recipes and food knowledge to share, so I'll try to keep the blog updated.  Of course I'm not abandoning jewelry altogether, this is a part time job so I will be juggling both.

We have two birthday celebrations this weekend so I'm doing a double batch of carrot cake again. Yum!

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.