Inspiring Moth by my Studio

This little moth, and his friends, have been hanging out by the studio door since the weather has warmed up. Look at the shape of the wings and the flipped up tail - such inspiring forms.

I wonder what kind of moth they are.

***Updating to add --The UW-Madison extension entomologist says that it is the lettered Sphinx- Deidamia inscripta and that the caterpillars feed on grape. We have lots of wild grape here.

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.

studio update

I'm always thinking up great creative blog entries about making art or raising kids- usually when I should be focusing on my studio work or sleeping. Then when it's time to blog, I can't remember, or maybe it doesn't seem so profound.

So here, I'll just show you the small beauties that I've been making in between the commissions, while I'm waiting for things to cool off, or in the 20 minutes at the end of the day when I can't start anything else, or during the times when the kids might walk in so I can't do anything dangerous.

1. Wrought Iron Maple Wall Art 12-1, 2. Hand Hammered Copper Oak Leaf Pendant, 3. Bronze Oak pendant 3-1, 4. Handforged Maple Leaf, 5. Copper Oak Leaf Pendant, 6. Elegant Tendril Hook Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Another thing - Why is it that I never want to do what I should do. It doesn't matter what it is. If I should be doing it, I'd rather be doing something else. Pressure!!! I can't handle pressure!!!

Studio Updates

 I never knew it would be this tough to stay on a blogging schedule.  I've been busy.  The kids have classes, their last official classes of the summer.  I'm preparing to go teach a workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Pennsylvania.

I'm working on a small commission, not pictured in this entry. 

I listed 2 new bronze ivy pendants on my Etsy shop.  I also updated my banner and avatar. 

 
 I'm working on gazillions of chasing tools for the workshop and resisting the urge to list them all on Etsy immediately.
   
 
I'll be listing tools after I return in mid August. 

I'm working on more pendants in varying price ranges.  Here they are on the welding table, waiting ...
 

I've been playing with a little copper vessel form that I started sooooooo many years ago as a raising sample.  It will be a sweet little bud vase when it's done.
 

These big acanthus leaves are calling my name, but I absolutely must finish some other things first.  So I keep looking at them.  I've got some even bigger blanks waiting for me up in the storage area, sigh.

I do not lack for creativity or motivation.  I have piles of things waiting for my attention - bamboo, bas-relief panels, flower blanks, and more. 
I don't think many of us lack for creativity.  I think most of us are just afraid to start on an idea that isn't good enough or isn't fully formed.  If you can't think of something, just start, even with your most vague of ideas.  Work it out in progress and the ideas will keep coming.  Don't wait for the right tools or supplies.  Use what you've got.  Save all of your samples.  They are great for trinkets and collage pieces.