Bead Shopping!

So a week and a half ago I ventured out to the Intergalactic Bead Show.  I was so happy when my weekend plans fell through and I had a chance to make it to the show.

Not that I really have room for any more beads in my studio, I came home with lots of prizes (so many so that I had trouble carrying my canvas bag out of the place!)

Check out this super cute frog made by Nikki Thornburg-Lanigan of the Thornburg Bead Studio.  Isn't he so cute... he was just asking me to ake him home.  I love the iridescence on his body.  Makes me think he will look good with pearls or paua shells!



Frog Bead, Thornburg Bead Studio



 And I got some excellent looking cabs.  The 3 on the left are turitella shell fossils and the one on the right is ocean jasper.

Cabs from Jewerly Gems & Stones, LLC

 Oh, and Paua Shells... you can't forget those.  I'm always looking for a deal on these.

Paua Shell Strands from Blue Fire, Inc.

 And my real damage was in the freshwater pearl department.  I have a thing for these that I just cannot resist and want to buy up every color I see.



Freshwater stick pearls from Beads Bagan



Freshwater pearls from Beads Bagan

Visiting Richardson's Rock Ranch (again...)

This week, my husband and I were in Oregon visiting family so I was able to stop by one of my favorite places for stones - Richardson's Rock Ranch. They're known for their thundereggs: but I really prefer all the things I can find the in the Rock Shop - like these polished amethyst pieces, crystal points,
the large stone hearts,
small jars of stone chips,
stone starfish,
and pieces of argonite.
I can't wait to begin playing with these!

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 :)

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.

New Toys!

Don't you love those days when you get a new toy!

Mine came in the mail in the form of these two books: Woven Wire Jewelry and Silver Wire Jewelry. (Plus the necessary clamp I bought at Lowe's.) My goal is to make some woven wire necklaces (like the one on the cover of Woven Wire Jewelry), but instead of a PMC pendant, I put in one of my huge wire wrapped pieces. I cannot wait to start experimenting!

I want to have 2 or 3 of these statement pieces done before my holiday craft show season.

Wire, Wire, Wire...

Last week I ordered a gigantic spool of 20 guage wire... one of those "uh oh, did I order too much... yes it was a great price because of the volume, but should I be spending so much right now? " moments. It arrived yesterday and I'm so excited because there is no way I am running out of wire on this sucker! All 3,450 feet is now sitting on my big folding table just waiting to be used

Check out the new loot!

While visiting my parents last week in Rotonda, Florida, I was able to stop in the Rotonda Rock Shop and came out with all sorts of new treasures! I have these beautiful ammonites:
And some new hematite ammonites:

a fossilized sand dollar:

Shark's teeth:

And this beautiful Blood Stone:

I can't wait to get out the wire and start playing with these!