It's my Blogiversary …. stop by for some cake!

Isn't this cake interesting?  It caught my eye because I've been into collecting real crystals again lately.  I had a nice assortment from years ago, some sitting on a shelf, others in bowls, but hadn't paid much attention to them.  Then, I guess they started calling to me because I've gotten quite a few new ones. 

Amethyst!

 Quartz

Celestite … I'm holding a small flashlight and shining it thru a small opening to show the pretty blue color inside.  

 Rose quartz

I have quite a few other pieces.  There is a gem shop not too far from us and they have a decent selection and good prices.  I've started a collection of goodies for the grand darlings, too.  I got that shark tooth there and made it into a pendant for Alex's birthday.    

In other news….

Sadly, I have to share that Greta crossed the Rainbow Bridge this week.  She was almost 15 and had been her normal badass self for all those years until recently becoming sick ...losing weight, not eating as much, etc.  We were trying to let nature take it's course but things got a bit worse and we decided it was best to end her suffering.   I requested the Vet who is into Reiki and crystals be the one to give her the shot.  She went very quickly.  Love that little Greta… despite her attitude at us lowly humans.   

Okay, gotta get happy again…. this picture makes me smile!!  My youngest grandson is a little older than in this photo… he turned 2 a couple months ago.   His hair got pretty long and he looked like a wee hippie… but they cut it last weekend so it's this short again.  Still super cute!  Updated pics of the grands soon.  

Since this post is all over the place…. here's an old hinge.  From the last post, you know I'm into flea markets finds and this called to me.  It was stuck shut and covered in rust and old paint chips.  You're thinking maybe I've come unhinged.  What's she gonna do with that dirty old thing….  

And here's my creation.  I put metal glaze over it… you know, for a little lead paint and tetanus protection… and once it gets a chain will be a real conversation piece necklace.  

Before…..

After….

Thanks for stopping by and being part of my blog's birthday.

Hope you all have a terrific weekend.  I'll try to visit soon ….  

I'm back ….

Since my last post was about jewelry…. let me jump back into blogland with that theme and we'll see where I go after that…. 

So … a friend of a friend was changing her jewelry line and I was the recipient of her old supplies!  At first, it was totally overwhelming.  When my friend brought the bags over… and by bags we're talking large freezer type bags filled with beads, crystals, metal charms, chains, stamped brass, etc… I didn't know what to do with some of it!   After many days of looking through the collection, I packed up a nice supply and gave it back to my friend because she mentioned that maybe her grandchildren would like to do some projects, too… can't wait to see what they came up with.   

It sure took me some time to get organized and do a bit of research, but am now seriously into it.  This type of jewelry can be called 'assemblage', also... repurposed, up cycled, etc.      

Of course, I'm getting pictures of the process…..   

Here are some of the pieces.   Will ya look at that big honkin' piece of brass.        

Certain pieces had to be cleaned.  Others were fine, already sanded and lacquered.  Some that were bright and shiny, I decided to age, or paint.  A girl's gotta have options, right?       

 

I go thru the boxes and find pieces that might go together … to be attached with jump rings, glue, wires, etc.   Some of the items are from my own supply having been making jewelry for years.  So I just start gathering things and getting a color scheme in mind and then experimenting.    

Interestingly, there were a couple drawer handles and pulls in the gift bag… at first I thought what would I ever do with them??  Then I found that odd items, and found objects are actually used quite a bit in jewelry making.  

For years I have had a box of old pieces, broken jewelry, flea market finds…. and am now adding to it!  You just never know what might work until the assembly starts.  The pin of a brooch can be taken off and then the piece used as a pendant, etc.  A piece missing a bead can get another one glued in.  I think E-6000 will bond a freaking bridge together, so a loose stone is no problem.   

If you asked me 6 months ago what I'd do with this next collection… I'd say throw it out!  NOW, OMG, I could make best friends with a junk collector.  This sweet little assortment, minus one piece Ron found on the ground at the flea market was five bucks!  Ron had to carefully reach into an old toolbox with a bees nest in it to get one or two of these.  That's love I tell ya!  He's actually bringing me home things now… wire, faucet handles, pieces of pipe.   Flowers, schmowers.  I want RUST baby!  Guess we better plan on getting updated tetanus shots soon.  Ha! 

Just look what you can do though…..  a faucet handle, and old chain, an old key, some bling, a rivoli button.  And that is a conversation piece of a necklace, is it not?  

And don't even get me started on door knob plates.  Oh, Lord… this is a little slice of heaven right here!

So these are some of the things I'm doing lately.    

Hope you are all happy and well.