Last night, the Triangle Jewelry Makers group met at Ornamentea. Someone had this wonderful idea... "bring out your dead" project night. [Dead, as in those beads you've had for 5 years yet havent done anything with them, the 1/2 wire wrapped pendant, a 1/2 finished chainmaille braclet, etc, etc.] Since we were in a wonderful store, I got to do my needed shopping... this was one of those anticipated shopping trips that I was almost drooling thinking about it. Here's the load I picked up - everything to begin my silver soldering experiments at home! I can't wait until I can make an ammonite ring :)

More with the ammonites

So I mentioned lots of ammonites before. Marilyn (Handcraftusa on etsy) bought one and has created this beautiful pendant delicately crocheted in black cotton. I've often admired her crocheting with wire:

But, my most favorite would be these little zipper rings:

State Farmers Market in Raleigh

The weekend before this past one, my husband and I ran up to the State Farmers' Market in Raleigh. I love visiting during their spring craft fair (which ends up being my yearly visit). Last year, my neighbor and I went for veggies and came home with crafts only.

This year, I went for crafts and came home with plants and honey. It always surprises me how that turns out.
I got a few blueberry bushes (that are covered with blossoms!) and have them in the ground near my new garage (It's still new if it's a year old, right?).

I had to move my apple tree away from the garage and am so excited because this is the first year it will blossom (and I didn't kill it when I moved it.... my normal M.O.).

And this was my prize. The Ann Magnolia. Stands about 6 feet tall and is planted next to the southern magnolia. I can't wait until next year when I get the full force of his bloom in my yard.

Those flowers are ever so pretty!

Are you adding to your gardens this year?

Ammonites and Findings

I tend to go overboard when I'm buying any sort of supplies I need... especially if it is a favorite item. Swiping the drool away when I open one of my drawers, I can now look at hundreds of ammonite fossils. In the past, I have only wire wrapped them. But recently I stocked up on all sorts of items including tie tacks and cuff links where I can use an adhesive.
And so I've started some new types of inventory like these clip on earrings:
and this pendant:

I'm happy with the results.

Bead Mixed Lots...

Sometimes I buy beads and findings in mixed lots.... and until recently, they've been sitting around in my studio still in the original packaging.

Just this week, I discovered something in a mixed lot bag of gold plated findings: Magnetic clasps. Now, I've seen magnetic clasps before and since I make most of my own clasps, I'd never thought of using them in my own jewelry. But for those pieces where I need something more streamlined than my large handmade hook and eye clasps, I think these will do. Now I'm off to order some in sterling and gold fill :)

Spring has finally come!!

(Yes, this is a cropped photo so you don't see the dandelions that still need to be pulled out of the garden!)

the kitchen is still trying to beat me...

So, I've previously mentioned that my stove does not work... well, now the dishwasher has decided to die... Oh, well... now I'm really seeing how spoiled I got in the last 3 years by actually having a dishwasher!