A Taste of Spring

Spring is easing in this year, slowly but surely.
The bleeding hearts are blooming. I haven't gone out searching for any wildflowers. I'm satisfied with the flashy, yet coy reddish pink of the dicentra.

I do love the wild, or half-wild, violets that grow in the margins between yard and woods.

Yes, I have gotten a little studio work done, silver ginkgo leaf pendants. Four of them are for a custom order.

They actually have more of a white silvery satin sheen. In the photo, they are reflecting too many of the dark colors around them.

In the house, I've been completely redoing the kids bedrooms. If I have any energy left, I will take photos. Son gets a big heavy old style tv, complete with rf modulator, so he can play Wii in his own bedroom, with plenty of space. Daughter of course gets lots of pink flowery fluff, so much fun for Mom! :). Now if I could just find some yellow eyelet curtains..... If you see some, let me know.

fyi- I am completely giving up any serious gardening this year. I am devoting myself to all of the little home finishing jobs that we've talked about for the past 4 years but not done anything about. We still need trim in some places. We need a total interior paint job. I'd like a minimum of landscaping around the house - that sort of thing. Let's not even mention that "temporary" railing in the loft. It's time to "finish" this house.

Mother's Day is coming up.

What's your Mother getting for Mother's Day?

Mine is getting the silver heart ring in this picture.

Here's another one, size 7, available in my Etsy shop that could go to your Mother. Or buy it for yourself!

I know I like to pick out my own presents. I don't want to be surprised. I just want what I want.

Hey, if you do buy it for your mother, put a note in the "message to seller" letting me know if you need it shipped to a different address or if you need a gift card enclosed.

Butterflies and other pretty bits in progress

Many Etsymetal Street Team members participate in a monthly theme challenge. There are no votes or prizes. The goal is to stretch our creative skills and grow as metalsmiths and artists. I'm currently working on the insect theme with butterflies.

There are 2 different butterflies, each one about 2 inches at its maximum dimension. I haven't decided yet if these will be pendants or pins, maybe both.

Some other things going on in the studio...

Leaves and cattails in progress! Oh, you don't think those pipes look like cattails yet? They will. I'll show you later this week.

Hearts and Leaves, No Bunnies

I know.  I should have bunnies right now.  Instead I have Hearts and another Ginkgo Leaf.

The matching set of heart pendant and earrings are on their way to their new owner.

And here's the back sides of them. They are created completely with chasing and repoussé.  You can see the little tool marks on both sides.

Yes, I can create more like this.  Yet every single heart will be slightly different, each one unique because I freeform sculpt each one with my little chasing tools and hammers.  I don't use a mold or form.

I also finished a sterling silver Gingko Leaf Pendant for my online shop.

Again, every leaf is individually handsawn and hammered out, using no molds or forms.  Every one is unique and has its own special magic.

The Hearts of March

You knew I couldn't stop making hearts once I'd started....

Delicate Hearts

about 1-1/2 inches long, Both already on their way to a new home

Blue Hearts

needlefelted, about 3-1/2 inches or 8.7cm tall and wide

Lucky Charms!

No no, not the cereal (even though it is one of my favorite sugary processed cereals)

Sterling Silver Lucky Shamrocks- already off to their new owner

It's a pin and a pendant. Take a look at the back.

Another pendant

Those went over so well that I decided to make another for my online shop.

This photo will give you an idea of the scale.

and Monkeys! Maybe monkeys are your own special lucky charm. I finally put together the last of my monkeys into earrings and just a few tie tacs.

Spring is coming, even though our yard is still covered in multiple feet of icy snow and the driveway is mud. I'm starting to think of butterflies and bunnies, more hearts, and lots of flowers- in metal and in fiber.