Adventures in Metalsmithing

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625107263994274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTn_DfUZkpqmxalDt-k3zVQXAeAYS2B59eGD6dfethtCX_7FbAeysUsthaPNp0LI-lb8N-a-yez_fIrs-f7d1tew7EYl9d6nSexBBXtvRmzAxgUEl-_USaZNWS1EDAAzgGNVEu5mj374/s400/Texas+necklace.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><br /></div><div> I've never been one to take a class on something when I want to learn something new. Usually I feel like I can learn just by watching someone do something--either on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tv</span> or on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">youtube</span>. After watching Vickie Howell on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knitty</span> Gritty I felt like I could learn to knit by picking up a book and some knitting needles and sure enough I learned. I've always loved working with metals. Maybe it's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> they are durable enough that if you make a mistake you can usually fix it. I mean let's face it I "can't have nice things" because I am a bit like a bull in a china shop most of the time. Whatever it is I find myself at home when it comes to metals. But since I am stubborn and like to learn on my own it's about a lot of trial and error. So experienced <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">metalsmithers</span> get ready to cringe over my technique!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>My brother in law Jim asked me to make his wife, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Christy</span> who is from Texas, a necklace in the shape of Texas with a jewel on it. I was excited! I was too nervous to work with the sterling silver (it's so expensive!) so I did my first one on sheet metal.<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624245582472050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLVA9buvjnck2x4dVW6E0hi2Zlc72TfQ-Kbc7pKe1wWBSIXfYAKs-oK9hzeBZcvWfatwII0pLRhuG72kMXV1E2qKEYoeXjW3voj75xgG1VbfxSw6ebiGr2GSqCLRA29JY3dYGtBi-wbw/s400/texas+necklace+sheet+metal.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" />I love the way it turned out actually. I made my first bezel by cutting a thin strip of the sheet metal, soldering the joint and then soldering it onto Texas. I mixed up some resin and tinted it dark purple and poured it in.</div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Next it was time to do it in sterling. I printed out another 1" map of Texas and used rubber cement to adhere it to the metal. I didn't have a very good saw so I bought a new one at CR Hill and wow what a difference it made. It cut out so well.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625100944975570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCjj6nCQMYYQbOPh4LfoR-u6MESqU2su3dtFNU03zFOpAX1JUXinb4dMA0KmLqPglZaxdEuPZX4e9ZYTv2CBnT6Dwjd9k5L5kYWnB2zJdHDebh9JSMMosYGV_BBw0Id2iG5EoIylrXFE/s400/texas+necklace+1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625098455890546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhw0B7Ich85VnKojKsM0SqH9kVEqVr3b4ttBN7wtsy2DAjG1UTVIbB3WS0LUOfUxd3308YvpwmT4MgY6E9r31X-FfVvb1nESyusAyqnCepo2qU5SA5ma-oIO_04m1L4dPMlEJiWp0nVA/s400/texas+necklace+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /> The cuts on my finger tips are still healing. But at least we had neon pink <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">bandaids</span>.</div><div align="center"><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557625090794295042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS1OP1b9rDvNlxNR6eCp89WUgV44yb_ZM4k4LeLjfZf53pQXuII8nF3Stq3avssSBGsnenqiJ0mULhzsuySko_3oGu1VV7hw1azs6xONiMFI9cig7O0IQW3FghJD5Ajy6EUJWIvxJxxg/s400/texas+necklace+3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><div> After cutting it out I used my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">dremel</span> to sand down the edges and shine it up nicely.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624874570195970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjLctJmDZrrr-SNjpcp4qWAEx-rg5uPdNOhI4l1xt3JwvqwXv-ZpS97HTz1ddGjS0QJkjKlvtcKOKIdShHVVEQOAucmYX_TH1zpxWfcK86VHeWuYjVnEaSUWevL35oXvkLKDP6ZrztHo/s400/texas+necklace+4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /> Bezel time. Here is where I spent an entire day of frustration. After driving to the metal supply store to buy bezel wire (because for some reason the bezel wire I already had just wouldn't solder for me) I arrived to find a note on the door saying they were closed for the day. I tried 2 different stores and they did not have any. I was out of luck. I also tried to buy garnet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">swarovski</span> crystals at Munro's jewelry supply but they didn't have them in the size I needed. I ended up at Michael's and found a pack of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">swarovski's</span> that were perfect. Plus now I have a bunch more to experiment with. I tried making my own bezel by cutting a thin strip out of the sterling and soldering the joint.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624867319310946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr64GdE_bKt6CjxSbyY1u06LeLhJ7AumcepF6zh6KwJiGGwUpXSOlAtJ7stJ1qzgIo4iV7uypAgIfj6jBoesjRma8bCkMXXJCEyXus3LN-KVd5mB_7wftKCUXXQrl28IZ3q7jwndweWU/s400/texas+necklace+5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624863692476994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoS5gvzZ0e2ycpUMqXD3Zx_rypjFOUnd_Ry0YIV3kRPTaOe4BL0QgILYKgA8ZjQEHUjdY-QxliDyNugODBjfgWOYL5mi6IoXuXn4ll0gpECorH3FwDabUwtg_1_4PsDSoy5zaV9Ds7j8/s400/texas+necklace+6.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /> It seemed to be working great.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624859111186802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn3wO9xpBtxmd_lGVBDbF1lyx0WmySPdukesqW85mGFxdG75nloxzK1A2r3_qnxGghTBfD93T1t5KMZXfGAbVFMnbf28AK9K5aQLkPXFO-xNPkO0KuYU4T0p1aCjes7CHR0XcjmyP1XI/s400/texas+necklace+7.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /> (Another time to cringe. Not only do I use a huge torch with hardly any control over the flame but I do it at my kitchen counter. I am super careful not to wave the flame around the cabinets though.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624856966541042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJBkcS0wz8Muk_mSavaogzIM7_BiC2Cv8q_QYDY7fXbJwRkKvdgyk4SEnrjHETCpSdYAV1jfKkRk99D6_6hKdtMpBLSAE0JZfzlTfykjoUk9jyXW03pLsuhF2Dp6GnIQP-ZldsXDc7jo/s400/texas+necklace+8.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624273773222594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VlGLKmaX6FT5KumOpxbgrtUv9kCK11L0yN5kZYPblAx158_GBRBDY3ewdt-r0anEIiWfbuzboFNOIMVUH8KTroxmeiHO1iUUNxCFrj92xnSkA9kRHGwOGhf8ytMRBhc29SVSv1arGCA/s400/texas+necklace+9.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /> <div><br /><div><br />I sanded it down and got it all ready for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">swarovski</span>....it was too small. I tried using my files to sand it down in the inside. Still too small. I tried using the grinding tool on my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">dremel</span> but I just couldn't get it right.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624269984821490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2w-gPNEnTG9WXjCZ9wcZ_F26xHzYTb6EDlmKNLAjXjzq_FQDdwbnx2kG3S5vnVreRlfBq1zmnWpN2z51EBbFdBbtJAGk-sHqY-w8BjEl0IItDa-mDoedX2WT_Sz6RimioXM6uqbbwo/s400/texas+necklace+10.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><br /><br /><div> At this point I had given up on doing a bezel and thought I'd be wire wrapping a crystal and hanging it next to it. But again, I am stubborn. I decided to try hitting up the bezel wire I had one more time. I cut it in half and soldered it together. After a lot of fussing and a lot of flux I finally got it to stay on Texas. Whew. I used E6000 glue under the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">swarovski</span> just for some added strength and then bent the bezel around the stone. It's not perfect but I'm still pretty darn happy with the way it turned out. I found a beautiful sterling silver chain for it too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624262284364722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnIgMD9akYAcTLK_Rq3nyHU2LU-3PptN3OGnHc-gpkG7VfZt3SgivLyHK1bDqeWYLPcCMIFpsWrC3KzpB0nSbYGYNmM3vVroNCJyUqpAR0AeXP2AYMkNumqVJRyIlpALAq76tGELccAc/s400/texas+necklace+11.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /> In between waiting for the piece while it was in the pickle I worked on another piece with copper. I cut 3 strips and when I used my metal snips it sort of bent the copper. I went with it and overlapped the 3 pieces and soldered them together. Then I cut out a half moon shape and 2 pieces to bend and shape around it to create a half moon bezel. I was so proud of how it came out, especially after the issues I had with the sterling. I soldered it into the middle of the other pieces and below is the result. I mixed up some more resin, put the typewriter #4 sticker from the scrapbook store in the bottom and filled it with resin.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557624256053268130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ281o-Urx-PT_yClTG9fP_1AHy3h5He56gKkq4QsVC2ee2SX6ErS5HwgyR5SNxtBU4ht2C_Fczy9D9kH6wuxtWl0C7rYYlfzI8c-MjVNcRLGuriBwfAxPubHMOJbUCpnHs3GwBaOjZc/s400/texas+necklace+12.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" />I took some sterling silver wire and melted the ends into little balls, oxidized it, and then hammered it flat. I bent it around each side and then hammered the loop part to give it extra strength.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630398383859746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGinmRdSD1kj6fD4RsLHsK81sz7vLCEAxYItWMDv6iUujyCw2WxU0-JwB9OVNEvoUyBsGCMpf1zI-HXOZEgP9X0PKTTiYCYyK4NU7SGChxcj13Z2pmkkpsPLlkaDwLGSqWjz9HVltMB18/s400/copper+metalsmithed+necklace+3.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630401894657426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvS1vmh-YkLdZB3xBLDs5CnoOJCrRMi3828OxfMbhMdgaIBqwOA4GctmlgaxDTUQoLNbi7-9lfvbxcFiB0M-48b5152F1XTP8HepklNSd1NlqTUo7HdJvrd8t-6tpxWbiZbKFgFvfkoA/s400/copper+metalsmithed+necklace+4.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630392255523394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQogVGc42D3i-k2izfp9HlI7pyKBvaH_G_33uVtELNvpFfWfFvWOxJUp8bnYsdCAcsbv_9peAfbQ3o-jDcyB7W2hCSyWEL_KUNqA49kn-AWWpJf4VEaaj95r97rfTtlLvol87mKgMBfkU/s400/copper+metalsmithed+necklace+7.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630386583952866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76jRsTWjznN2uTh01RCiO3FEfA5k6Q-OiUWYLcpOar6FnL3D6ONn6rSCq6UgKthrOANVHeoR06VxxT3JNVKvP04KnsY4m_bAAFA05gCD_mB6gme9Y_5eEH19-yHkK9x8v1Zp3XKHm6nU/s400/copper+metalsmithed+necklace2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557630404262210370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AUGRfD4dKVfhos_CA1cJtwiMZGZ2RpgaBIHJOrPzJw-il8E1SQPxqJSAsVPElHTS8sas6A56EuEjA0Wbr_jj5O7IHSlHcp85VYOTZIyyZLzOjJj3LqFvENgaZ3TIigRrQR0uq3pqD7w/s400/copper+metalsmithed+necklace+5.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br />Follow me on facebook <a href="http://facebook.com/lilacpopphotography">here</a>.</div><div>Follow me on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/lilacpop">here</a>.</div><div>My jewelry etsy shop <a href="http://lilacpop.etsy.com/">here</a>.</div><div>My photography etsy shop <a href="http://lilacpopphotography.etsy.com/">here</a>.<br /></div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Adventures in Metalsmithing

I've never been one to take a class on something when I want to learn something new. Usually I feel like I can learn just by watching s...

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Recharged Batteries

<div>I am sitting here with a nice big pot of french press coffee in my funky robin's egg blue coffee mug from the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/claylabdetroit">Clay Lab</a> listening to an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">eclectic</span> mix on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pandora</span> of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beastie</span> Boys, Adele, Yeah Yeah <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yeah's</span>, and Bitter:Sweet, and smelling the incense I bought in Ann Arbor reflecting on the past weekend. I feel like I totally recharged my batteries, made new connections, created new metal pieces, and found out I actually like soccer.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI5RUJZIAQlAY_G_6qoJQPE3MEZseH6QY0VEwSW0k1wI5lyECd6cnYmYcA4a02Nd8TjyxIrPFoVeVq_q4O8eP7bCaLFp_Nqa-K8G04xFr07NV-cgCEBP5mBFhpIy_oL7okBk08AjoU9vU/s1600/ann+arbor+art+center.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482650598143969250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCI5RUJZIAQlAY_G_6qoJQPE3MEZseH6QY0VEwSW0k1wI5lyECd6cnYmYcA4a02Nd8TjyxIrPFoVeVq_q4O8eP7bCaLFp_Nqa-K8G04xFr07NV-cgCEBP5mBFhpIy_oL7okBk08AjoU9vU/s400/ann+arbor+art+center.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div>Every Friday morning a group of parents get together and have breakfast together while our kids are in school. It's a great time to vent, chat, share ideas, and laugh. Last Friday was the last Friday before the kids all get out of school so to make it special we met up at <a href="http://www.cafemuseroyaloak.com/">Cafe Muse </a>in Royal Oak. It was a great time and amazing food! Vanilla bean waffles, egg scrambles with exotic mushrooms, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">boursin</span> cheese and truffle oil, and egg scramble with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ammoglio</span> sauce. AMAZING. Afterwards my friend, Julie and I drove to Ann Arbor to drop off my piece for the Alumni Show. After that we drove over to the Ann Arbor Art Center and dropped off new jewelry. Then it was shopping shopping shopping! We walked around Main street then wandered down to State and up Liberty. The store on Liberty with all the exotic clothes has converted half of their shop to a $15 and under zone. I got this amazing dress made from recycled pieces of silk and a really chunky thick black beaded necklace with this really unique wood clasp in the back. I wore it the next day and my friend Penny actually counted how many times I got compliments and we got up to about 18!<br />So yes, it was a good buy!<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSRDX7FjUjmafVmm4oNgdBQ8eb5eLj2zL7pKpZiRq-VzGtSRJdsirnbpSQwfdJiMQpmvaFsemMFOAdOC1PzCcciE8VcV1WvnzuJVygonUz6KK4oCyNnzYkoItKcroWe14m8AIkcpRw9QD/s1600/new+dress+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482646673583744546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSRDX7FjUjmafVmm4oNgdBQ8eb5eLj2zL7pKpZiRq-VzGtSRJdsirnbpSQwfdJiMQpmvaFsemMFOAdOC1PzCcciE8VcV1WvnzuJVygonUz6KK4oCyNnzYkoItKcroWe14m8AIkcpRw9QD/s400/new+dress+3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 248px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br />I bought some incense from <a href="http://www.fallingwatermi.com/page/page/2878865.htm">Falling Water </a>that totally reminds me of college. Now my whole house smells just like my room in Ann Arbor. I drove by the house I used to live in too. Ah memories. Sometimes I wish I could go back and relive some of those days. I also pulled out my old portfolios filled with large charcoal drawings and came across some drawings of old roommates and friends when I got home. I didn't realize I still had some of those.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSRDX7FjUjmafVmm4oNgdBQ8eb5eLj2zL7pKpZiRq-VzGtSRJdsirnbpSQwfdJiMQpmvaFsemMFOAdOC1PzCcciE8VcV1WvnzuJVygonUz6KK4oCyNnzYkoItKcroWe14m8AIkcpRw9QD/s1600/new+dress+3.jpg"></a><br /><br /></div><p align="center">After we got back I still had some time to make some jewelry. Here are some of the new pieces I listed over the weekend or plan on in the next few days.<br /><br /></p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9hhm8o6_h1FWIxd7WbPN1CJJnJo8RMk7ERr99-NIdTJ17oHeVk7zxVba928vv9fhhhKUFaLV1k0PuAbrBppUpwdBdmZisUij3vlsLJXWHPLUFYKK1DY32mWjcYwc8g_6uknfqBzpuRQ7/s1600/brass+flower+necklace+5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482650584398703586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9hhm8o6_h1FWIxd7WbPN1CJJnJo8RMk7ERr99-NIdTJ17oHeVk7zxVba928vv9fhhhKUFaLV1k0PuAbrBppUpwdBdmZisUij3vlsLJXWHPLUFYKK1DY32mWjcYwc8g_6uknfqBzpuRQ7/s400/brass+flower+necklace+5.jpg" style="WIDTH: 332px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">Double brass chain with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">swarovski</span> crystals and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Chinese</span> glass crystals.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49348780/graduation-2010-necklace-free-shipping?ref=v1_other_1"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482650569844603042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpB19BxzWLbPp7Ln4MzZnDe05qwkmTCLb0oEbcuE_ioJLgJRnTQ6mchgAqReMwVMUGHNtIljUX4xbOimBzvl6VqAyVCZlJEfFwDasNzNnvoxTk6tK6S0nUiGvB_rcmJ6Fbqpg64tPAi5d/s400/2010+necklace+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">I made some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49348780/graduation-2010-necklace-free-shipping?ref=v1_other_1">graduation pendants </a>too. I can do these for any future grad too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILhC8k8_W3aXLCZW7FlfuocEmSuZP70M9ykcCyS2do03T_C2H4nybkj80trrdBdNVvNPRIoxIix60w7ETeH8IpRtMb7ODaeWMBmmc13vYRGBYwYW1p5p2q3Mj_XLeqMuvElNKk5Pp_RQ/s1600/journey+necklace+6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482649281720084418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLILhC8k8_W3aXLCZW7FlfuocEmSuZP70M9ykcCyS2do03T_C2H4nybkj80trrdBdNVvNPRIoxIix60w7ETeH8IpRtMb7ODaeWMBmmc13vYRGBYwYW1p5p2q3Mj_XLeqMuvElNKk5Pp_RQ/s400/journey+necklace+6.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">I am predicting a trend: jewelry made with old keys and also jewelry made with recycled silverware!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49339618/industrial-pendant-with-screws-on"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482649270740488962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVpUIawq1SRnlA6RYYOjE2DYm2FIxVpnycsysTtxHMAUNeK5X4iuFbzunKqUIR4r-q32RSZqIA0rK1FaU_jc5SVn7pkTHzbJ2FLq-u6w9sahw68YYmitq8qGu94_J9xiJbxLFjVj1Hn9J/s400/screws+necklace+double.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mtguV7eT8dsPlrL61WSTR4h9zRrceU0PBLArTRXxq_kLO2nGi7i_BXcr2x7zSNggt6ojbTQ32xrMASdy0GicEVViozvABiZT0awr_DM4SdtNO5c-9ddCxSvyoDogP47zdUyBWccGirA4/s1600/2010+beaded+necklace+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482649267356612370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mtguV7eT8dsPlrL61WSTR4h9zRrceU0PBLArTRXxq_kLO2nGi7i_BXcr2x7zSNggt6ojbTQ32xrMASdy0GicEVViozvABiZT0awr_DM4SdtNO5c-9ddCxSvyoDogP47zdUyBWccGirA4/s400/2010+beaded+necklace+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">Another cute 2010 graduation necklace.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg6n8Dh2-kuoZu_xzHUnqbHXOpDBlZQTzIEWzW1j8Iv3ZQYmDmKslgCNCNeXN8eWR_u10QIaHX0rtheRwQKi8lT0yLDwOOq4qb3bNRnZLv7s6Y7WgSSz7BUu3Jhb0ky3fYp3hTjN5BG5P/s1600/working+pendant+necklace+5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482649260321469698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg6n8Dh2-kuoZu_xzHUnqbHXOpDBlZQTzIEWzW1j8Iv3ZQYmDmKslgCNCNeXN8eWR_u10QIaHX0rtheRwQKi8lT0yLDwOOq4qb3bNRnZLv7s6Y7WgSSz7BUu3Jhb0ky3fYp3hTjN5BG5P/s400/working+pendant+necklace+5.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /></div><div align="center">I am so proud of this piece! I worked so hard on it. It is oxidized sterling silver and the little pendulum moves around too!</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Then we dropped the kids off at my parents house and got to go out to dinner. We ended up at the Post Bar in Auburn Hills. It was fun.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Saturday!!!</strong></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="left">Ah Saturday. I had such an incredible day with my friend Penny. The kids had a sleepover with my parents (had their own fun on my dad's boat) so I was completely and totally free. We started out at the Berkley Bash, which was even better this year. Next year I hope to be a seller there! We stopped at Catching Fireflies for their annual sidewalk sale and I got a big white purse to doodle on, a hand knit baby hat for some friends baby, and these awesome metal boxes with wings that hang for only $1 each. Not completely sure what I will do with them yet...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLno-mDUogPqmcPl_wD9W8Lzj5PO8gczvFpte9dn62hSkie6pFnIwH91L-xk5NzkDdOgequpfT0TEdtvFyh5boPVXRX9zlxI-wCpmGdq02rQcF5gZp9hLRRW__fCj1K1DtzSzpkz0TNLob/s1600/catching+fireflies.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482646696767642210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLno-mDUogPqmcPl_wD9W8Lzj5PO8gczvFpte9dn62hSkie6pFnIwH91L-xk5NzkDdOgequpfT0TEdtvFyh5boPVXRX9zlxI-wCpmGdq02rQcF5gZp9hLRRW__fCj1K1DtzSzpkz0TNLob/s400/catching+fireflies.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroLKwGoHpRWJPNMebLEc2U-EruYUEBz3xq9EIPeVZt0fAylfi7kmNR-6r3O0b0fHSi4X1dQKITDhhdJEUObDgKxZmbMpxMUXl3PL1esNSSkUYkmpCN7EOL12JMyfBdld5lSWubTCoYxZS/s1600/Janna+berkley+bash.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482646716807018370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroLKwGoHpRWJPNMebLEc2U-EruYUEBz3xq9EIPeVZt0fAylfi7kmNR-6r3O0b0fHSi4X1dQKITDhhdJEUObDgKxZmbMpxMUXl3PL1esNSSkUYkmpCN7EOL12JMyfBdld5lSWubTCoYxZS/s400/Janna+berkley+bash.jpg" style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Hey, that's my photo! ;)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0YCPrxuDcVN50P-wlxy6mPjbnAPe8zwZwE0C9QM37J8PHrdgLV9qO4WjRKNp-Man-18z5zfUdKySuzjrCn2iyOkT-724A_Q9hA2dCmw8zKoy2jEMWtPZwPJk6r4jjLarT4UTWUe3si4d/s1600/cool+display.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482646707242863298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0YCPrxuDcVN50P-wlxy6mPjbnAPe8zwZwE0C9QM37J8PHrdgLV9qO4WjRKNp-Man-18z5zfUdKySuzjrCn2iyOkT-724A_Q9hA2dCmw8zKoy2jEMWtPZwPJk6r4jjLarT4UTWUe3si4d/s400/cool+display.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiWQavtBn0IoN3PqaK4PXvO9wa38_Kf56In7t7E5rrGNC-UksfP_g8t8cX_E0KhYaIvUWAkeACP0ov8ELUA00uvvpNWA3D8R894Pg10GhRloQ6DbzRgP57NEZSJZVwoTXmHglteCqWCqQ/s1600/robot+necklace.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482646711114709330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiWQavtBn0IoN3PqaK4PXvO9wa38_Kf56In7t7E5rrGNC-UksfP_g8t8cX_E0KhYaIvUWAkeACP0ov8ELUA00uvvpNWA3D8R894Pg10GhRloQ6DbzRgP57NEZSJZVwoTXmHglteCqWCqQ/s400/robot+necklace.jpg" style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I don't usually buy jewelry since I make so much of it but when I saw this robot necklace made from recycled watch parts I just couldn't resist! I LOVE it. And her display rocked too.<br /><br /><br />After the Bash we headed over to Royal Oak for lunch at Black Finn and then the Clay, Glass, and Metal Show downtown. Well....we ended up spending HOURS in Black Finn. The USA/UK game was on and the place ended up packed with crazy fans! It was so much fun. Penny is from the UK so she felt a bit odd--her accent totally gives her away! Ha. When the U.S. team scored a guy was running around the bar with an American flag on his back. It was so loud that our ears were ringing. We ended up having 3 Peach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Bellini's</span> each. I like soccer now but probably would only watch if I were at Black Finn.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wX6pfKff289TeTAxRFpvCMqJzztYKzPvFbn69iZxk3oY5Y1KX-23aO_0D2C2ojbE0yZCUKtGGTikJgh2OCqxWwNerF_8Dj8Z3mX4LacyYoZTlTdTI3iTCjfNejyRa3M75CrWy6QzMv2w/s1600/bellinis.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482661951393738658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wX6pfKff289TeTAxRFpvCMqJzztYKzPvFbn69iZxk3oY5Y1KX-23aO_0D2C2ojbE0yZCUKtGGTikJgh2OCqxWwNerF_8Dj8Z3mX4LacyYoZTlTdTI3iTCjfNejyRa3M75CrWy6QzMv2w/s400/bellinis.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OVwmGoXDwsvzmywQA3Cnq-_iX6vkwEkdctkLOnALLYZoxkfJ08KLjW-6yk94BdKhGjZO98H5z7cRE2W3GRwQHPDeO5Ici0CkIlWb0xlA2Y4yc0wR6_zf2I25UCkOlsOtiwyTgZb6p_xz/s1600/janna+penny+black+finn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482649248132814498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OVwmGoXDwsvzmywQA3Cnq-_iX6vkwEkdctkLOnALLYZoxkfJ08KLjW-6yk94BdKhGjZO98H5z7cRE2W3GRwQHPDeO5Ici0CkIlWb0xlA2Y4yc0wR6_zf2I25UCkOlsOtiwyTgZb6p_xz/s400/janna+penny+black+finn.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div>When we finally left, we briefly walked through the art fair on Washington then headed over to Black Lotus in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Clawson</span>. </div><div> </div><div>Sunday was spent making more jewelry and getting some stuff done around the house. The kids tried to swim in the pool but quickly turned into p<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opsicles</span>. It was chilly! I worked all the way until dark on the front porch and I couldn't see anymore! This week I need to work on my displays and get ready for the Pleasant Ridge show and then the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Peacefest</span> on Sunday. I feel like I was on vacation over the weekend. I cannot believe how much fun I packed into 3 days! Good times, good art, and GREAT friends!!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>

Recharged Batteries

I am sitting here with a nice big pot of french press coffee in my funky robin's egg blue coffee mug from the Clay Lab listening to an ...

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Custom Necklaces

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuP3plxFPTrEoLlA4sTMVP7VrCJYUM3PmcBlYOfx8I8_oUOY0t1Gl0yHcZhxcmKbmJVpN4ol0EIQPkXL7HQnQnDsKj7o2Z-l_D3vWcjPRKu2pj7a2hLf0Z_UmY9yNhvSDCrMo_gt-YmQw/s1600-h/all+text+necklaces+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451277058644327746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuP3plxFPTrEoLlA4sTMVP7VrCJYUM3PmcBlYOfx8I8_oUOY0t1Gl0yHcZhxcmKbmJVpN4ol0EIQPkXL7HQnQnDsKj7o2Z-l_D3vWcjPRKu2pj7a2hLf0Z_UmY9yNhvSDCrMo_gt-YmQw/s400/all+text+necklaces+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I am getting ready to start selling my custom made "text necklaces." I have the tweet one in my shop now and will keep adding all week. I can do any word or words that you would like. I already got two custom orders for "who dat." I can do children's names (and I can add swarovski birthstone dangles too), college names, highschools, your name, "Team Edward", pretty much anything you can think up! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid_skBBBNrRIoRtry47MyGT6vNuxCCiNCdcZlI8ml0Rx0_g_NNCSzsGIw3QebKrHhi0_9Pv_JIBWmIVc3qmwwou15HABJxOo7LnXxnOhHq09qa_A89PDCwoNx4ybRUh4k5uVedAYHPwMo/s1600-h/all+text+necklaces.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451276993613343426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid_skBBBNrRIoRtry47MyGT6vNuxCCiNCdcZlI8ml0Rx0_g_NNCSzsGIw3QebKrHhi0_9Pv_JIBWmIVc3qmwwou15HABJxOo7LnXxnOhHq09qa_A89PDCwoNx4ybRUh4k5uVedAYHPwMo/s400/all+text+necklaces.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> They are available as circles or rectangles and they hang nicely from either an 18" sterling silver chain or a 24" gold plated chain.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6rFR4u3gxUFH6A-QLJu7K1pGAjNpZj_W1Y4Y9Px45sFgXXRdTt_wVY5VA7bF0JCyvH3yH-eGE62uSXcfvWXxkBYKBXob7V11jbFRoETyeISP67Va8Qyr3LQbQCp7Qp4azniw2-9FKZIm/s1600-h/osado+necklace+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451276986169751586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6rFR4u3gxUFH6A-QLJu7K1pGAjNpZj_W1Y4Y9Px45sFgXXRdTt_wVY5VA7bF0JCyvH3yH-eGE62uSXcfvWXxkBYKBXob7V11jbFRoETyeISP67Va8Qyr3LQbQCp7Qp4azniw2-9FKZIm/s400/osado+necklace+1.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> My awesome friend, Alvita, is taking this necklace to the Mexican museum in Chicago to ask the gift shop if they'd like to start carrying them. Fingers crossed!!!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Hey%20twitter%20peeps-Check%20out%20this%20TWITTER%20NECKLACE!%20Ha.%20http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43213737"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451276983369223202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw3pSEGhfKiIHzhMh7m7mlIsRFuNxvJaumagB9xDv5coZqx8kv-zDa7Yc-OoWjLJG20azylqjq3hVO_XKu0-pVwg3P5Eh0rpuHEg-8axh8DeksCXMY4J7Qf4e0pD9e82CPoTC5BrPEqmf/s400/tweet+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> This one is available for $24 and can be purchased <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Hey%20twitter%20peeps-Check%20out%20this%20TWITTER%20NECKLACE!%20Ha.%20http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43213737">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP5LDBocYeqoNei5t8WfB3itcMMMmYuWOrLiqBxnqC8V1jZca-WYnrFENtO2yqsmVoRbYD1PH4jT06ZZ785o7w0lOJMWH5EaZGUMBAJXE0TqoHODyGW4L70iTCKNvcdGUfB0SHsXXfmoO/s1600-h/text+necklaces+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451276978784299618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP5LDBocYeqoNei5t8WfB3itcMMMmYuWOrLiqBxnqC8V1jZca-WYnrFENtO2yqsmVoRbYD1PH4jT06ZZ785o7w0lOJMWH5EaZGUMBAJXE0TqoHODyGW4L70iTCKNvcdGUfB0SHsXXfmoO/s400/text+necklaces+2.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 348px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbAc2R4Mazl5BHcWhC5UxDdK0ocdQSRt-MlCfenyD_sQYf6HBCYZZguHLa_tvi0MiL6lKtVeSEw82qWZL806Fe3sDZi52GOhaMujy1PIenOdOiTccMF6Zko3ygKNSyj8LPMzDeqG7QFls/s1600-h/DSC_3875.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451276969393363890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbAc2R4Mazl5BHcWhC5UxDdK0ocdQSRt-MlCfenyD_sQYf6HBCYZZguHLa_tvi0MiL6lKtVeSEw82qWZL806Fe3sDZi52GOhaMujy1PIenOdOiTccMF6Zko3ygKNSyj8LPMzDeqG7QFls/s400/DSC_3875.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Custom Necklaces

I am getting ready to start selling my custom made "text necklaces." I have the tweet one in my shop now and will keep adding all...

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Metal Work

<p align="center">Yesterday I experimented more with metals. I bought some more brass and a big piece of sheet metal from the hardware store. I don't like to use traditional metals. I like to mix it up a bit. </p><p align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrM8FS_UczUwsDHSniJ_fsyLm5XNW1nhtykr48253CvAhG3hku4GQ05Ej2ZDRvmkpo1kTKgWjrMZPAIlRcrUbrTc-9G6nIe9ZJZYuiLJ0u3HqU9WgrfRD6p4U6Yp-w_g8yOGYg-BhlIbs/s1600-h/DSC_3314.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810171429467618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrM8FS_UczUwsDHSniJ_fsyLm5XNW1nhtykr48253CvAhG3hku4GQ05Ej2ZDRvmkpo1kTKgWjrMZPAIlRcrUbrTc-9G6nIe9ZJZYuiLJ0u3HqU9WgrfRD6p4U6Yp-w_g8yOGYg-BhlIbs/s400/DSC_3314.jpg" style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdD_CXXNmicu4ViRgWWLU5Votf7at4wO47V9Gute_XZ_hfvJodN58RixEPin6r0BXw_P5nfKkxeZ_VjOyTEmuuB4S1U-lRigSlonT2RiZ0TqGnju_eBKAHBlQgh1GL_TgFMZfd5B2ZAPo/s1600-h/DSC_3310.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810176474349026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdD_CXXNmicu4ViRgWWLU5Votf7at4wO47V9Gute_XZ_hfvJodN58RixEPin6r0BXw_P5nfKkxeZ_VjOyTEmuuB4S1U-lRigSlonT2RiZ0TqGnju_eBKAHBlQgh1GL_TgFMZfd5B2ZAPo/s400/DSC_3310.jpg" style="WIDTH: 249px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHP2mJ4kF3jv9MhUR8yfORCB550Ktn0IKah9ByWn_W9aOqvuXMC439v_E8-6WbEFqk8bG6qq7R0uiUYktv7YyYOK8F1rbnO0dx3b-HqSCHF9bbQx3MCkFegVLDs5UMoA2J98ZUD-FWcBk/s1600-h/DSC_3181.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777807012602130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHP2mJ4kF3jv9MhUR8yfORCB550Ktn0IKah9ByWn_W9aOqvuXMC439v_E8-6WbEFqk8bG6qq7R0uiUYktv7YyYOK8F1rbnO0dx3b-HqSCHF9bbQx3MCkFegVLDs5UMoA2J98ZUD-FWcBk/s400/DSC_3181.jpg" style="WIDTH: 251px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnM4F7-_KN6gyU_dtamLbNdHPgiF_S4vwHfnN8iuYCiy4pLtavWr9gQfaRkG16AtzLQyzoojcBuFuvEfX1R_ShJhaXEIoBbmD-fFlK1QyuKAk5xi5Cu5bWhm55p_26TdkNw0I0ytjh9oE/s1600-h/DSC_3183.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777793000027410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnM4F7-_KN6gyU_dtamLbNdHPgiF_S4vwHfnN8iuYCiy4pLtavWr9gQfaRkG16AtzLQyzoojcBuFuvEfX1R_ShJhaXEIoBbmD-fFlK1QyuKAk5xi5Cu5bWhm55p_26TdkNw0I0ytjh9oE/s400/DSC_3183.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <p align="center"><br />I started out using my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">dapping</span> block and making rounded discs of varying sizes and metals.<br /></p></div><div><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /> </div></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgQqlaygwrEYWx4-KITuXw0J_cOKyJNE8kzWgyLtaqJvIo00b3vTBIDiGs4fX3gnHB-OIObs6xhQ6DbOCYRJkf6xcKtSDuD7inrW2RqZq7e_gdI7BKMkxM4liwiuh1hyphenhyphenILV7jhvs5lgA5/s1600-h/DSC_3184.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777791228942402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgQqlaygwrEYWx4-KITuXw0J_cOKyJNE8kzWgyLtaqJvIo00b3vTBIDiGs4fX3gnHB-OIObs6xhQ6DbOCYRJkf6xcKtSDuD7inrW2RqZq7e_gdI7BKMkxM4liwiuh1hyphenhyphenILV7jhvs5lgA5/s400/DSC_3184.jpg" style="WIDTH: 274px; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64yplxD-4qXgJF0y_SmlathVxD_BFuoLXJMMDGko1XrjmXvGSTv-sbqFyo2v7muymgLs4PBJEC4JG7IYkm96HCTu3z8PViW48-Gz2OQU9oWXRIhvoVQqXXMJEYUZRjN6w0JsLtBMR217U/s1600-h/DSC_3186.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777788190096306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64yplxD-4qXgJF0y_SmlathVxD_BFuoLXJMMDGko1XrjmXvGSTv-sbqFyo2v7muymgLs4PBJEC4JG7IYkm96HCTu3z8PViW48-Gz2OQU9oWXRIhvoVQqXXMJEYUZRjN6w0JsLtBMR217U/s400/DSC_3186.jpg" style="WIDTH: 278px; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Then I made this little bale for the pendant to hang on. I cut a strip then bent it around my round pliers and hammered it shut on one end.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi691sMF_kwIAaCNvz8VWJYJil47LVrJZjEVzvOBVAFEx7gLscVOdZ2RrZTZdXDWhliTpiEbJA5B_vjBseIgo4ESVPAfoOWd0jyayT7BSUTqobZIoDoapl4c-wfSqDnSpmlzozviFtlzluy/s1600-h/DSC_3188.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777065409823282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi691sMF_kwIAaCNvz8VWJYJil47LVrJZjEVzvOBVAFEx7gLscVOdZ2RrZTZdXDWhliTpiEbJA5B_vjBseIgo4ESVPAfoOWd0jyayT7BSUTqobZIoDoapl4c-wfSqDnSpmlzozviFtlzluy/s400/DSC_3188.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />This is what I had hoped the finished product would look like....well it's all experimental and it didn't quite turn out like this.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qkSSLrtjleeGdZ0aKOv2OlgcuK-KlcI7rWYH_g3kfT2YWzieiFt-xf4k0-ZFGTtsJ8UsvOZh4YiePFRy09kRWbyAE7fYzxpX1xnCMe9_1t8Fw3evkil5KKuhZZqnB97HRCLxCpWP7F4K/s1600-h/DSC_3189.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777060261033698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qkSSLrtjleeGdZ0aKOv2OlgcuK-KlcI7rWYH_g3kfT2YWzieiFt-xf4k0-ZFGTtsJ8UsvOZh4YiePFRy09kRWbyAE7fYzxpX1xnCMe9_1t8Fw3evkil5KKuhZZqnB97HRCLxCpWP7F4K/s400/DSC_3189.jpg" style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBw8m_jfpmAR6Jp1tgGtF81Fitof4GPH_RTcaApxblAW_HGMFmdT4kRgvoVmMVMdF32CoQFO40xZA-6MeD4PvZGAR6jbyUFYGRYTMSzoBLlyMqWU8-gQeMJfl8zqXtuD7lvu7z6ruScaq/s1600-h/DSC_3190.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777054696265346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBw8m_jfpmAR6Jp1tgGtF81Fitof4GPH_RTcaApxblAW_HGMFmdT4kRgvoVmMVMdF32CoQFO40xZA-6MeD4PvZGAR6jbyUFYGRYTMSzoBLlyMqWU8-gQeMJfl8zqXtuD7lvu7z6ruScaq/s400/DSC_3190.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Yes, I do this in my kitchen. Not an ideal space but it's what I have to work with. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">The solder didn't work the first time so I had to do it again, which means coating it in flux again and cleaning it off.<br /><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYtgOuPUPSw4ugTk8Gs4-SWGWwCjQy86PA7CQDZEC2bR_7JHKNVYgf10xxcTGVFb63PTz9xVLbyjgV-zF0-EeL7UPBpdU5-YoyCv9RVEqPFkkzoA-kmHoNhgoop2BWmiec6VldVWxA6AI/s1600-h/DSC_3194.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777047847772274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYtgOuPUPSw4ugTk8Gs4-SWGWwCjQy86PA7CQDZEC2bR_7JHKNVYgf10xxcTGVFb63PTz9xVLbyjgV-zF0-EeL7UPBpdU5-YoyCv9RVEqPFkkzoA-kmHoNhgoop2BWmiec6VldVWxA6AI/s400/DSC_3194.jpg" style="WIDTH: 261px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWBUn28S3hcIfH6GizvPkK-ewvShiOrUL99V6U7ecrPi0-g07ddSh2hQ6yVFw1_P9Sg38tJ4MIUothiXdfNde-c2jwytxhWAyO_M_Y3LAXJ5Z7yP23r0uY-EXN7Be9wYhyphenhyphen78yT0pxrhug/s1600-h/DSC_3195.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447776698376780258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWBUn28S3hcIfH6GizvPkK-ewvShiOrUL99V6U7ecrPi0-g07ddSh2hQ6yVFw1_P9Sg38tJ4MIUothiXdfNde-c2jwytxhWAyO_M_Y3LAXJ5Z7yP23r0uY-EXN7Be9wYhyphenhyphen78yT0pxrhug/s400/DSC_3195.jpg" style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />This is what the piece looked like after I tried again and again to attach the stupid bale to.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAaXTbpvw5HFkxDp64R8x2eAJpGC8p8HK5DegvMNXLc_sGA-gg8ZrrntXTqnxD_E3DHyg5aQ-81AiEJpUwCoqwBaW1RMtfdXWpsZEY_6fW6NDkt4RhFgUcy5zOuM4QTk-laNMi7Cd269J/s1600-h/DSC_3197.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447776691367738914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAaXTbpvw5HFkxDp64R8x2eAJpGC8p8HK5DegvMNXLc_sGA-gg8ZrrntXTqnxD_E3DHyg5aQ-81AiEJpUwCoqwBaW1RMtfdXWpsZEY_6fW6NDkt4RhFgUcy5zOuM4QTk-laNMi7Cd269J/s400/DSC_3197.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWBUn28S3hcIfH6GizvPkK-ewvShiOrUL99V6U7ecrPi0-g07ddSh2hQ6yVFw1_P9Sg38tJ4MIUothiXdfNde-c2jwytxhWAyO_M_Y3LAXJ5Z7yP23r0uY-EXN7Be9wYhyphenhyphen78yT0pxrhug/s1600-h/DSC_3195.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B-B6HhOSEWuhfSdU07nU7Bn6Vr7MUxnzGjpIVWdg8UpPWQNFShqgVk6rsidpai4KpOA7nKXIoknItSkqReXkD6QydZdUlZd4r7leXyFgljZpTEPtH2JMIejfA5GzVioS74XssBvIySYl/s1600-h/Picnik+collage.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447776688132725762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B-B6HhOSEWuhfSdU07nU7Bn6Vr7MUxnzGjpIVWdg8UpPWQNFShqgVk6rsidpai4KpOA7nKXIoknItSkqReXkD6QydZdUlZd4r7leXyFgljZpTEPtH2JMIejfA5GzVioS74XssBvIySYl/s400/Picnik+collage.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />I had to give up on the bale. It was a good idea but for some reason I just couldn't get it to stay in the place I wanted it to be. Plus I just lost patience.<br /> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIXHtSEGdLnOAqCKqbkcCGcx2uIWYuEhHVK_L8c43O4nxJQiohQcHgERpGe-mDj-c6o0Z7W2vTqpZMaXYORsr8an7d9x_Wq7NleKi-ELEOYXzlcexOxFUM0VV0Gs_e_EPbxfOYTM5Gxhc/s1600-h/bowls+necklace+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447776680606700146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIXHtSEGdLnOAqCKqbkcCGcx2uIWYuEhHVK_L8c43O4nxJQiohQcHgERpGe-mDj-c6o0Z7W2vTqpZMaXYORsr8an7d9x_Wq7NleKi-ELEOYXzlcexOxFUM0VV0Gs_e_EPbxfOYTM5Gxhc/s400/bowls+necklace+3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /></p><p align="center">After a lot of polishing with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">dremel</span> this is the final product! Pretty cool huh?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d_7mXd5YeWOMtMTuHH5Fdr7xWl8GrVkBZURA4jb4tENvalLOIGycLvSK2VjGOUT-RpgmFVo7Xa872TvU4uMNh5A7VNPjjT-XkjvOey4210wj48D0DydWm6llamSevCHPraUNOcXk3QZ0/s1600-h/bowls+necklace+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447776672236238946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4d_7mXd5YeWOMtMTuHH5Fdr7xWl8GrVkBZURA4jb4tENvalLOIGycLvSK2VjGOUT-RpgmFVo7Xa872TvU4uMNh5A7VNPjjT-XkjvOey4210wj48D0DydWm6llamSevCHPraUNOcXk3QZ0/s400/bowls+necklace+2.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4M71B0XR70NwL7j85ggz9sy8S9CgrcfrsE25H7gh8lspN9Xid0ZhGoi3g07XNRKZt_OyE_S7kJM55GFOp_xOTWxG4ToqIJ2_2lMoLBGAuHRZMXXzbm_BI087b_1bNcMO7R2hccLij_jF/s1600-h/DSC_3304.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810181700480290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4M71B0XR70NwL7j85ggz9sy8S9CgrcfrsE25H7gh8lspN9Xid0ZhGoi3g07XNRKZt_OyE_S7kJM55GFOp_xOTWxG4ToqIJ2_2lMoLBGAuHRZMXXzbm_BI087b_1bNcMO7R2hccLij_jF/s400/DSC_3304.jpg" style="WIDTH: 219px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkge1J2K9zObOeYsLnxmCV_Fvb0usZiK-v2NZDB09UKNS7mi5AwQz6BJBMhJskMc2d8vBNdSQ7Du_K254n0g3CgL2vP6bZ74PEz0GrVqDM1CqbbRKsuwDblMhSCUXlRJsI5NNcusJmFOn/s1600-h/DSC_3297.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810197023275538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkge1J2K9zObOeYsLnxmCV_Fvb0usZiK-v2NZDB09UKNS7mi5AwQz6BJBMhJskMc2d8vBNdSQ7Du_K254n0g3CgL2vP6bZ74PEz0GrVqDM1CqbbRKsuwDblMhSCUXlRJsI5NNcusJmFOn/s400/DSC_3297.jpg" style="WIDTH: 211px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />More product shots for etsy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAqMdEvnBmg6lhoFNGzNdC9AQ1-2OZcTi1YLy88ePHdXPusSJzcd3HmNMxB9438HT861I3aAsMbO9Mz0eel-iQpLLF_4GL113CNaafRDPCSUqaSq7E-a7ZS2s_GU9R1eY7cjb7-_Gb4VV/s1600-h/ring+collage.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777036238675026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAqMdEvnBmg6lhoFNGzNdC9AQ1-2OZcTi1YLy88ePHdXPusSJzcd3HmNMxB9438HT861I3aAsMbO9Mz0eel-iQpLLF_4GL113CNaafRDPCSUqaSq7E-a7ZS2s_GU9R1eY7cjb7-_Gb4VV/s400/ring+collage.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">I also finally got around to polishing up the ring I made a while ago. It looks so pretty all shiny. Next time I will make the band silver though. I've been wearing the ring to test out it's durability and it does turn my finger green after I wash my hands. I'll still wear it though.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdeSoaGZhW7g5sN7dvD0scb_QhMkQLIrhH63TgUoqqkYNypJwHNfs6dDHj6vXJSttE1puMrxjzwyuKtTsdHVlhGnPwKSDv7D1n-yChe8FxZ7WsDmc_Pe5hypH-N8Py14EFThcWYZgrU-s/s1600-h/flower+brass+necklace+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447775914913086738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdeSoaGZhW7g5sN7dvD0scb_QhMkQLIrhH63TgUoqqkYNypJwHNfs6dDHj6vXJSttE1puMrxjzwyuKtTsdHVlhGnPwKSDv7D1n-yChe8FxZ7WsDmc_Pe5hypH-N8Py14EFThcWYZgrU-s/s400/flower+brass+necklace+3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 352px; HEIGHT: 386px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /></p><div align="center">I also made this pendant last night. I am really happy with it. I cut the flower first and sanded the edges then bent it in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">dapping</span> block. I cut and "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">dapped</span>" the sheet metal middle and put a hole through both pieces. Then I used a jewelry pin through the middle and added a silver bead and bent the end of it in a circle. They spin!<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /> </p></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9oYS8drcTr9Je0n9YwgwAWpQ-BNvxllsVFS3wEP925_d5n9haUKs4R_7q_mqYbQpbiBPTdSgHWhf6H-U-1GZK1PuEP5S6xjWLA9HmCC9C_MjK7P7UyVnHNodEejcUfBXT71f-Qqp0YT9/s1600-h/flower+brass+necklace+6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447775909970913842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9oYS8drcTr9Je0n9YwgwAWpQ-BNvxllsVFS3wEP925_d5n9haUKs4R_7q_mqYbQpbiBPTdSgHWhf6H-U-1GZK1PuEP5S6xjWLA9HmCC9C_MjK7P7UyVnHNodEejcUfBXT71f-Qqp0YT9/s400/flower+brass+necklace+6.jpg" style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXF0rxDaJbZN_dxN2XNj4kjOA4oFu-vUYx88WX0Lh-KnDWIU-zqvfV5Lu37EhB-zAljZMXlfBcADxOT__CIdhUSLIm4vLFxNZ4kflrSsR0MnQTVuiiNGrJxdxfqtOSOcrDYeBAS0XF2rI/s1600-h/flower+brass+necklace+9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447775895556545490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXF0rxDaJbZN_dxN2XNj4kjOA4oFu-vUYx88WX0Lh-KnDWIU-zqvfV5Lu37EhB-zAljZMXlfBcADxOT__CIdhUSLIm4vLFxNZ4kflrSsR0MnQTVuiiNGrJxdxfqtOSOcrDYeBAS0XF2rI/s400/flower+brass+necklace+9.jpg" style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZjGsdilbAnMjRJHSlQDSGLf54HeIShdckKriIT0ecoo_3iSOnysoVn4X6Ivfl55bu7fQJxKX7li5redLUxIleHmOPp90LacDjtBr6mvmDR3K2eScq8McRsg0AQnFgoBwTmuJBU76oAk_/s1600-h/osado+3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447775899380487858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZjGsdilbAnMjRJHSlQDSGLf54HeIShdckKriIT0ecoo_3iSOnysoVn4X6Ivfl55bu7fQJxKX7li5redLUxIleHmOPp90LacDjtBr6mvmDR3K2eScq8McRsg0AQnFgoBwTmuJBU76oAk_/s400/osado+3.jpg" style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwT0LnhqxKgfQiGwjGOsWN3T6MzDYlaTXbolNM6VdhvQTvzbhDZHyFFIWEEaLFDgh2Xc6r4OBsft-xkvI_ZuDaR29gRtcm9yImtdwdwqlfS5eH4kkOVWNi9FY3A0HmJnXIo9OZFsW4xr/s1600-h/who+dat.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447775888180799746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwT0LnhqxKgfQiGwjGOsWN3T6MzDYlaTXbolNM6VdhvQTvzbhDZHyFFIWEEaLFDgh2Xc6r4OBsft-xkvI_ZuDaR29gRtcm9yImtdwdwqlfS5eH4kkOVWNi9FY3A0HmJnXIo9OZFsW4xr/s400/who+dat.jpg" style="WIDTH: 261px; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> </p><div align="center"><p align="center">I also finished up some custom orders and made them all nice and shiny. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Osado</span> necklace is for a friend who is going to take it to a Mexican museum gift shop in Chicago and ask if they want to purchase them wholesale for their shop! That would be incredible if they do. I'm so excited.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2Oo14Sj3mzK_f84oRMLsZ6dWkahvmekPcXa27x33rtuK_UBpPO4m7inF06nfl3bIGzn-ITLcwlicZBTb5fYCjLZbQTX0wInlhdUzgb_zXyfeoC4cLiU_-nAkJRt7DLZbakVBE6lkV6oE/s1600-h/janna+silly.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810190672199266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2Oo14Sj3mzK_f84oRMLsZ6dWkahvmekPcXa27x33rtuK_UBpPO4m7inF06nfl3bIGzn-ITLcwlicZBTb5fYCjLZbQTX0wInlhdUzgb_zXyfeoC4cLiU_-nAkJRt7DLZbakVBE6lkV6oE/s400/janna+silly.jpg" style="WIDTH: 306px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></p><div align="center"> A silly picture--just because. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaVJYem1s1zZuALYh-KJAIVFQuuzX5o99zELzVUh8D9VzPKftd155kWKQoln5l_zubraFGSrbK-NBJeROcokZtpBg0eno9Q3m42kieWOnGmSylU_AOS2spRQW6MThXLtcUldO0uIjbvAl/s1600-h/Never+too+old+to+have+fun!.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447777811531158450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaVJYem1s1zZuALYh-KJAIVFQuuzX5o99zELzVUh8D9VzPKftd155kWKQoln5l_zubraFGSrbK-NBJeROcokZtpBg0eno9Q3m42kieWOnGmSylU_AOS2spRQW6MThXLtcUldO0uIjbvAl/s400/Never+too+old+to+have+fun!.jpg" style="WIDTH: 252px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />And on a completely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">un</span>-art related note I thought I'd throw in this shot because it cracks me up. My brother got me and 5 friends tickets to the Black Eyed Peas last Tuesday and I gotta say it was one heck of a good concert. I danced the entire time (which I paid for with a mild hangover the next day) and it felt like we were at a club rather than a concert. Even Kid Rock came out and performed a song with them. I'm not a big Kid Rock fan but it rocked. And <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ludacris</span> was a great opener. I shook my money maker. ;)<br /></div></div></div></div>

Metal Work

Yesterday I experimented more with metals. I bought some more brass and a big piece of sheet metal from the hardware store. I don't like...

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