Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Still Here

Many thanks to all of you who have so thoughtfully asked after me. It really means a lot to me. So, yep, I'm still here. Life rudely interupted my routine last week when I found out that I was showing at a gallery opening on Friday night. That was at 1 pm in the afternoon with set up at 4pm and opening at 5pm. What was needed was what I usually stock for monthly market. Problem was I didn't actually know what I had. I am not Ms Spontaneous and like to plan, arrange, think things through.


Well I did not cry but I did walk in circles for an hour. It was a matter of missed communication and it all turned out OK, better than OK, even. In fact, after a glass of wine (or two) it was quite fun. And best of all, the gallery opening was quite successful.


It did put me in a bit of a spot for the market Saturday. So head down, tail up I have been in the studio night and day. Almost caught up.

Sunday, when I should have been in the studio replenishing my supply of little trays, I made bracelets. After all the beads were sitting there in a little pile after my frantic search for things for the gallery. A little while ago, Cindy at Sweet Bead posted a photo of bracelet she made using spiral links. I loved those links and they just stayed there in my mind for days, fermenting into an idea. And this is what came out. Those green beads are from Sue at SueBeads and are wonderful little etched glass disks that slide and spin on the links. I love those beads and they seem to go well with my favourite glaze.


This is the second bracelet I made and these beads have got a glaze combination that I had forgotten about. I quite like this glaze effect.


For this second bracelet, I made a clasp that mirrors the links that are close to the center bead. I wasn't too sure about how well this would hold up. But all of the brass wire pieces have been tumbled after I put patina on them. The tumbling has harded things up nicely. I wore this one to a function on Sunday night and it's very comfortable and the clasp held up just fine.


You know, this wire bending stuff is quite addictive. The pounding part is pretty much a bit of alright, too. In fact I would like to go off and do some more of that right now. But I have a spray paint and ceiling tile project that needs to be finished up. Intrigued? Well if this little bit of garage floor magick works out, I'll get back to with the wonders of using a $2.50 ceiling tile to create a table top display.

12 comments:

mairedodd said...

first things first - so glad everything is ok... and that the show ended up going well!
love the jewelry you created... the spirals are wonderful... wireworking is really fun, right? and using the hammer is therapeutic... i am very intrigued by the project with the tile... have at it - we'll be watching!

Silver Parrot said...

Great bracelets. I really love the look of the brass wire. I'ma haveta get me sum of dat ;-)

SummersStudio said...

MJ, I love pounding wire. You are right it is soooo therapeutic. And all of those little dents pick up the patina in interesting ways.

Kelly, I order my wire from Whimsey, I think. You can get dead soft brass for a very reasonable price. I'll look it up and send you a link.

SueBeads said...

LeAnn - I'm the same way - I need to plan and I can certainly waste time walking around ruminating - but it does work out, doesn't it!?!?!! I love the bracelets - you certainly have the jewelry talent, even though you won't admit it!!!!!

SueBeads said...

Oh, and wine does make everything better, doesn't it??? ;)

SummersStudio said...

Thanks, Sue. And a glass of wine definitely makes things that little bit better.

sharon said...

Sooooo good to hear from you LeAnn!! Glad you had a good showing, I know you can pull everything together, you are a class act! Your bracelets are sooooo beautiful and amazing.....your beads and glazes combine soooo well with the brass. Believe it or not, you are a jewelry artist!

SummersStudio said...

Oh, Sharon, coming from you that is a high compliment, oh queen of wire bending! Jewelry is still not my 'thing' but I do enjoy wire. But I am so so slow.

stregata said...

LeAnn - I am just so thrilled!! Love your bracelets! You talented girl! And so glad to hear the gallery show was successful! And the ceiling tile sounds very intriguing. Wow, you really have been busy!

Cindy said...

LeAnn - what an experience, about the gallery! So glad it worked out! And those bracelets!! As soon as I visited your blog and saw them I was just drawn to them immediately. Your new pieces are just amazing!! :-)
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com

Marie Cramp said...

Can't wait to see how that turns out!! I LOVE your bracelets!! I just took a class on making wire findings and I love it. I am actually working on something similar to those bracelets. You did a fantastic job, I hope you make more {and let us see them}

Hugs
Marie

Esther said...

beautiful bracelet!! i love beads colors!!