Horse Pendant

This is my latest equine pendant necklace. I hand form the horse head with fine sterling silver, using heavy 18 gauge, then pound the form to harden and fix the shape. Next, I wire wrap with a finer sterling wire using black onyx, lapis lazuli, citine, and choice stone beads to complete the mane. With the ends of the wires, I curve and design the forelock, then add a jump ring and cord of choice.

Birthday gift for Daughter - Sterling Clef Note

My daughter came to visit this week.  We celebrated her birthday, and had a wonderful mother/daughter time.  We finaly got the rain we had been praying for, so we found indoor things to do...shopping, eating out, digging in my jewelry...and lots of laughs and sharing.

I gave her the music clef note pendant necklace I had made her from sterling silver, hammered and hand wrought.  I added three little rubies for her birthstone, and strung it on a black leather cord with sterling clasp.  She loved it.

She  brought her pup, Ozzie, and he is a load of fun.  Besides his tricks, he smiles whenever he greets you, showing his pearly whites in a straight line smile.  Carrie went home with other jewelry, too; here she is wearing a memory wire turquoise bracelet she found.

She also found my sterling and coral earrings that went so well with the cute coral things she found shoppings. 

We had such a good time; we need to do that more often. 

Business Expo and Home for Sale!!!

 Tuesday, our Chamber of Commerce held a business Expo which I participated in.  Even though I have spent this entire Spring preparing our home to sell, I still mustered some evenings to work on some jewelry and put a little showing together.  I was only able to get pictures of my own booth because I was by myself, with no relief person.  I enjoyed incorporating some of my antiques as props in my booth. 

 I sold several of my vintage necklaces with keys and coins and other old pieces.  Also several stone rings and hammered copper necklaces with stamping were hits. 

 I had an old wagon wheel and a footstool metal base which I combined to make use for a necklace display. 

 Old books also make good display props especially for sterling and turquoise.

 I just got this little camelback trunk, and was so pleased to use it in the booth.

 Another book on an easel made hanging earrings a breeze, and an antique hat mold holds an agate necklace.

Altogether it was a good day, good sales, good contacts, and good weather for visitors.  I am inspired to do more metal work and get deeper into forging, but one day at a time until we get our home sold.

We are selling our 1847 carpenter gothic, a home we both love, but it is just too big, and too much grounds care.  We have our other farm with the log cabin that is screaming to be finished, so we can have a happy downsizing.  Even though that farm has more acreage, most is wooded, in pastures, and less mowing.  We have both come to the conclusion that we do not want to spend so much time maintaining two places.  We have so enjoyed living here; God has been good to us here.