nancys jewelry designs and creations

OOpsie

2012-03-06T16:35:00.001-08:00

Sorry I forgot to tell you where to find it out didn't I a long day today http://www.etsy.com/shop/Cornacopia this is where the destash is taking place , all my items will be here during the destash, now remember I do all kinds of art so there will be mixed medium , doll making supplies, I have some Susan O"Ryan Doll books that will be sold as well as some Patti Culea, ones and just all kinds of stuff now if you are looking for something special just let me know I probaly have it.

Destash Time for Cloth Lovers Everywhere

2012-03-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Its that time I am on one of my destash clean outs, this time fabric is on the block. Lots of really cool vintage 1940's feed or flour sac fabric, the prints and colors are so wonderful I use to do alot of fiberarts back in time, when I actually had time. I was a quilter, well then silversmithing came along and out the quilting and doll making went. So I am going to start offering my unbelievable stash of some of the coolest fabrics on earth and Doll making books , tibetian sheep hair gosh all kinds of supplies for sale hey even some mixed medium items just lots of odds and ends to everyone on etsy in this shop which is a part of me too. lol I will let everyone I can think of know whats going to hit the site so you can check back for it, all reasonably priced man I just have to much stuff, now hey it's all organized not like on horders or anything like that I have to have some kind of order to the casa okay. heres a glimpse of what is now on the site please check back I will be updating as often as I can Please don't be shy contact me on the site for additional bargains on multiples of something or if you need a discount or what I am easy to get along with. truly.

2012-03-06T15:51:00.001-08:00

Super Saturday

2012-03-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Oh what a nice productive day I had today. I finally got some new earrings in the shop this weekend, hurrah! Just added this pair to the shop

Love this pair, will make a pair for myself for certain. I love earrings long dangle kind that swing when you move your head that kind and hoops love the hoops. I have been training our yellow lab some manners whew what a job once he turned a year old he went wild like crazy I am not going to listen to you wild. Well that's not cool when you have a 85 lb momma boy wanting to run wild. So last week we went to the feed store got a clicker thing, and some special dog treats just for training. he is doing so good really smart is my little blonde boy with his golden eyelashes he is so cute, even has these unbelievable golden eyes. He's learned to lay down and STAY put which was the main reason for training, he would run over you when you let him out. He's such an odd one, doesn't like being outside except to play or do his business, doesn't like water at all. told you odd duck and is never than 2 deet away from me at any time of day or night. Oh remember his name is Bubba /Baby Beast.Ideas flying like crazy in my head for jewelry but now its school study tme. I am on springbreak but I still have two test due as soon as we return. Stay tuned for more of Baby beast progress as he learns to behave and mind his manners.See Ya nancy

New Turquoise Earrings

2012-03-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

Finally finished up a pair of new earrings for the etsy shop. Lately it seems to be so hard to ever get some bench time in the studio. I have been super busy studying at college which by the way I hate but have gotten over that little issue, I decided I really do need to go so chin up and get over yourself. Life is great lately except for a few health issues which will clear up or at settle down soon I hope. I am now determined to juggle everything which includes posting on this blog which I truly love to do. It's so much fun bringing you along with me on my adventures, life is never boring for me always something exciting going on. Well a couple of months back I talked about this book "The Artist Way" by Julia Cameron if you don't have got to get it, its so inspirational for me and the theory does really work odd don't know how but it does. Now every morning you must these three dump pages actually I love them lets me get my day going without any emotional garbage hanging around. I have never experenced a artist block but I do know people who have this book is all into that and other stuff, I have way to many design ideas enough for at least two maybe three silversmiths. Frank and I did a little rearrainging in the studio last weekend hopefully we can do a little bit more this weekend I now have these fantastic shelves that I can put stuff on its wonderful. I have been working with some designs in earrings for a while now so this is the first of the group.

They are now available on the etsy site: nancycreations.etsy.comThere are several earrings that will be available as soon as I can finish them up. I am so seriously trying to clear the path for this design concept with an alligator skute involved. Gosh I love the Swamp People those folks are fearless almost as good as the Moonshiners but not quite and my all time Friday nite date is Goldrush where they dig for gold wouldn't that be fun to do. I hope that is the name of the show , not bad for a girl who doesn't watch TV. Anyhow on the making of the alligator skute pendant you will be joining me along with each process gonna be fun be there for it. Updates will be coming in the meantime if anyone can come up with a great name to call it let us all know here on the blog just leave a comment all comments on the name will be published, I promise no gators were killed in the making of this pendant , this is a fossilized alligator skute found in the Peace River here in Florida. So start thinking of a name for it. this is the components so far for the piece.

New Ring to the Nancycreations site on etsy

2012-02-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

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This is a new ring that was just added to my collection on the Nancycreations.etsy.com site. I have long been a little intimated by setting faceted stones. These buggers are so much smaller than my usual huge stones and they like to fly all over the place when you try to set them. So I think I have it down now, only set faceted stones while sitting on the floor makes them easier to find. Must use the most powerful earwear you can find no matter what it is, duct tape a microscope to your forhead if necessary nothing is out of the question. A new experience this setting faceted stones, I enjoyed the experience not sure I want to do alot of it but maybe depends. This ring features a Peridot , August birthstone, made it in honor of St Paddys day, still miss the good old ST Paddy parade in Atlanta one year I am so off to the Savannah one which is supposed to be great. Add mardi gra to that wish list to. So much left to do in my life, places to go and see. Still looking for a good workshop for the summer , top leading places are Arrowmount, Penland and a cool one in California not sure yet where I am going , got to make a decision soon. I am so on for a class with Julia Woodman in Atlanta this summer may go hang with her at Penland, there is a forging workshop that looks promising. Decisions, yuck I have decided that since I go to college like a good girl I need to let my hair down at a artist class as well during the summer that's my reward for doing my homework like a good girl. On one last note check out these cool faces on this sculpture in the ManateeArt Center

Birthday Wish Continues

2012-02-24T16:47:00.001-08:00

You what I find the most interesting about living in Florida is how visitors that come here really don't understand that if there is a body of water anywhere near where you are standing there's probaly a gator in it for real. Especially if you see this

This is why when in Florida you don't let your labs play in the water unless you want to feed a gator. People that live on the rivers here actually feed gators like they are ducks a big no no. These are wild animals , preditors, will eat you and your little dog Dorothy please be careful while visiting here. Florida is a beautiful wonderful place lovely weather great native people these Floridians I am one, come from generations of them. I see people walking their dogs near rivers , creeks , canals, lakes, ponds all the time not a good idea folks, so everyone coming to visit us here in Florida we do have gators here everywhere please be careful and keep Fido and Fifi on leashes and away from the water. The gator featured in these photos is one of five local gator residents at a great restaurant in Bradenton

Birthday Getaway for me

2012-02-24T16:32:00.000-08:00

Well it comes every year that thing called "The Birthday" now lots of people get freaked out about this event, especially as the numbers on the cake get higher and higher. Well this was my 53rd, whatever. I jokingly have decided that every year I will pick a number any number that flips into my hear and for a year I will be that number. This year I am 47 okay sounds like a good number to be. This year my great present was a little get away to a jewelry workshop in Bradenton Florida, the first one I have done since I moved to Mt Dora. I found a great arts center in the Manatee Art Center .

This is a great center which has instructor Wendy Thurlow http://www.hammeredbywendy.com/ a fantastic artist who teaches there. The workshop I attended was all about finishing your jewelry not my strong point guess its that ADD thing to much buzzing going on in my head , ideas popping around to often. Here are some images from the workshop and the manatee center I highly recommend attending any workshops taught by her , she is very informative and shares lots of techniques and information with her students.I am so blessed to be attending another workshop with Wendy when the Aspiring Metalsmiths group on Etsy will have her teaching at our first ever retreat.

Creating and Surving

2012-02-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

First let's start with all the good news, please I beg of you to understand this struggle like lot of artists I know have the thought that their art is not good enough no matter what. Does this ever go away or will I always question myself on this. I love making jewelry it comes from my heart and my soul. It' the air I breathe this need to create no matter in what form it takes from rooting flowers to making any kind of craft or art medium there is, it's always there. Well this week something wonderful happens I had two requests for rings. This is some of the first requests I have had in a while. I am on cloud nine, people really do like my designs and my stones. I know I probably sound like Sally Fields when she won a Oscar I think it was an Oscar oh well I am so in awe of this feeling. I love communicating with the purchasers I don't like the word customer I don't think I like thinking of them in that way , they are more than that these are complete strangers I want to know they like my jewelry, they're not just customers they are new friends arriving in my life and not just because they buy my creations . I have talked to people in convos that's what they call them on etsy I like this word its a little funny to me makes me laugh. I try to answer all their questions some go on to purchase and some don't for whatever reason and that's just fine maybe I can't give them what they need but I am hoping they will find it from some of us on etsy. The Etsy Artist are so talented in so many different ways. I simply love Etsy and all it's wonderful creative treasures . One of the rings I made for a special customer is from the wonderful green turquoise, the ring is made in the same style of the turquoise ring with the brass balls on it. Thing rocked I truly hated to see it go , I will post the ring here on the site as soon as I know the customer has gotten it. I don't want to spoil her fun in opening it up and seeing it first , although I will share some exciting news, it has a baby druzy in it and when you put it in the sun it just sparkles like a diamond. This is a truly special ring, and I feel it came to her for a special reason I don't know why I feel that way but I do. I am such a firm believer in FATE. Their was no druzy in the stone when I started cabbing it none that I saw and then bam up it appeared. Life is such a strange thing. I will post the pics of the stone soon so you can see it. I am still hanging in school it's hard truly at this age of 52 to go back to school, times come when I want to throw up my hands and quit but no way man I am no Quitter. I am studying for a math test tomorrow and a 400 word paper on copyright info . It's strange in all my classes I think I am the oldest but all the kids are so eager to help me out with anything I don't understand they are so sweet . I thought I would feel uncomfortable going to school so much older than everyone else but I don't think they mind why so I? They crack me up , like in math class when the professor was showing usi stuff no one understood and I just said man no of us are getting this , then I asked everyone around me do you understand this and they were like NO it was sorta funny , now when they don't get it they look to me to ask for some help think they are embarrassed to ask they are so cute. Pictures this week of new rings and also an invitation to join me for a look at a new style of ring I am making to develop a style for my jewelry that is cohesive . I have been searching for the meaning of this in reference to my jewelry for awhile now and I think I have finally figured it out we will discuss this further I am looking at all the info etsy offers us to help with our shop success so come along and learn with me.

2012-02-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

Where are you at in your life?A very good question I think where are you at exactly in your life? Are you accomplishing anything do you even need to be accomplishing anything where are you? Now this is where I am . Studying my butt off in college, going crazy, thinking that I have finally lost my mind that's where I am.lol Okay it's been a rough couple of weeks okay, you gotta laugh or you will cry. Going to school at 52 years of age may not sound like a good idea to some but to me it was. I spent 31 years in a marriage that went bad, with only a quick skip of a year umm maybe 15 years ago I did attend a local technical school to study cosmetology and yeah I did finish and get a Georgia Cosmetology license which believe me was no easy thing to accomplish from the state board of licensing. Worked at it for about the last 12 or 13 years. But it was something creative, artistic, fun enjoyable, but you can't do it for long it will destroy your body and it did. Finished off with hand surgery and knee surgery so after struggling to survive by doing it after the divorce the back finally stood up and said okay girlie we are done here no more. And we were done. So now it's back to school and like Nike says "Just do it" and I am. It's rough and it's hard and extremely overwhelming but I am making it. Everyone in class is super nice and the professors are fantastic.There's help in learning centers to help you with homework so yeah I am making it test by test going down the path. And yes you can to, you get a big education there and just not from the curriculum from every person you meet, they have something to share with you to help you, to get you through to make it work for you. So if you are in this spot where I was and still are you too can do it, oh it's hard but you dig deep and do it because you need a way to support yourself in life. Your parents are gone, your kids are grown now it's time to do things for yourself. So lift your chin, grab your books get a fiancial help in whatever way you need. Don't worry you can do I am and I am surviving so can you. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while , been sorta busy but I am back and hey come along and create jewelry or whatever I am doing at the moment with me, learn about my crazy college life , laugh and cry right along with me, share some with me about what is going on in your life. Nancy

Finally it's Normal Again

2012-01-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

Did I ever mention one of the main reasons I love living in Florida is the warm weather umm that was not here last week. Man was it cold. But after a few days here comes the warm weather thank goodness. I finally got a chance to test out the studio in the colder weather with a few heaters it was warm and toasty in there. So I just settled in and starter working on some of the new projects I have been wanting to work on. I am always doodling new designs when I TRY to sit still and quiet for a few moments. I love to doodle do you doodle? I love swirls and dots and dashes all kinds of crazy doodles mainly doodle because I totally suck at drawing. I
would love to draw faces I love to do eyes which is my best drawing talent, now my son is fantastic so was my mom my daughter does great at drawing to. Why not me? Oh no but hey I can draw great eyes so it's alright. One day I will take a drawing class. But I love metalsmithing, forging etching all the cool techniques. Now finishing is another thing that is boring boring but necessary. Yesterday was my daughters birthday Happy Birthday Crystal. She will love this trust me. So here is a few of the new ideas I put into the shop.

A New Year A New Day

2012-01-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

I start this day with heavy thoughts on where I want to go this year what I want to accomplish. When I returned to Florida a few years ago after a trying time in my life I came with a plan of action of things I wanted to accomplish to achieve and suceed at. I am not there yet but thats okay it's been a busy time with lots of changes in my life all good and happy ones. Making plans for next year sorry going to keep them private and quiet please allow me to stumble along through these plans by myself I thank you for your I thank you for your continued support it means alot to me. Please come along with me as I continue to create my jewelry and learn to ideas and techniques to share with you .Plus we will also investigate lots of other art mediums to try out and see what we think.
Here is a little thing I do, I started doing a little journal a few months back I write in it every morning have to do three pages started the Artist Way book try it out it actually has helped me dump alot of stuff every morning so I can get on with stuff I need to accomplish in my day. Try it you may enjoy it.

Finishing Off the Old Year

2011-12-31T16:50:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day I have been in the shop in a little bit of a moment. I was up and going making new stuff for the shop it was a pearl of a day with these little treasures.

Christmas Holidays

2011-12-31T16:46:00.000-08:00

This was the first Christmas for us in Mt. Dora and they really go all out with the decorations here. So the season started off with my sis visiting us for a little visit, then it was enjoying my first gift from Frank a plane ticket to visit my son and his family in Alabama for a week. This is some pics of Trey and Asa somehow Shannon his lovely wife didn't get into the pics haven't figured that out yet.
What a wonderful visit it was, now it's on to the New Year and may it bring all that you wish for, hope for and now you will accomplish. Happy New Year all of you. See you next year!

Having a Creative Time

2011-12-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

I have just been creating away these last few weeks, working on all kinds of projects at one time which is usually how I operate on things around here. I am still trying to make my Memory Quilt of all the fabrics of all of my families lives from fabric that was in my mom's stash. Here is some more pieces and the process I chose to use to make them.

In addition to making the quilt I have been working on the cutest jacket for one of my grandsons, my daughter saw this jacket and described it to me and we found a picture of one like it and I created it for him. This was the final product of both our creative minds .

Then there was Turquoise rocks to cut and cleaned to prepare for cabbing. I love the ones with the ribbon in the middle these will be on atticktreasres.etsy.com this week.

And finally jewelry that was added to nancycreations.etsy.com this week

I must say this week has been a busy week, enjoying myself in Mt Dora and being the most creative I think I have ever been, see you soon.

Homemade Christmas

2011-12-06T07:18:00.000-08:00

     As a child I always remember my mother planning what she was going to make for this aunt and that aunt, cooking loads of all different kinds of cookies and peanut butter and chocalate fudge, red velvet cake, fruitcake from this old 85 year old recipe. One of our aunts would have to read us the Night before Christmas story, Nanny would come my grandmother will loads of food, aunts would come tons of people were there. Loads of cousins to visit with we wouldn't see any other time of the year. It was truly wonderful. A Christmas house always in total chaos getting everything made for Christmas.
     I always gave my children as much of this as possible when they were growing up, I still hang their ornaments on the tree and they are now 32 and 29. Maybe this year I will give them to kids and let them start hanging them mmm maybe not hang on to those memories a little bit longer.
     So in my house now once Novemember arrives it drag out the paper and start planning who gets what for Christmas. Christmas cookies to make, the old fashion kind out of old cookie cutters that are vintage , with lots of icing and sprinkly stuff all over them. Drag out the old fruitcake recipe of moms. There will pj's to make since now everyone is so spoiled and wants them since I made them all a pair one Christmas. A quilt or two will be finished that's been worked on throughout the year. Scarves hand knitted since I learned to knit when my mom was passing in the hospital my 85 year old aunt showed me how. There may be some hats crocheted. Christmas decorations done I hope this year to make a Bay Leaf Cone tree for my dining room table. I will start a new tradition this year by making a tree ornament. I always make just about the same menu for the holidays my gang is spoiled they want umm get ready for this , potato salad and devil eggs must be there for every holiday meal. There will be at least a 20lb turkey cooked in mom's old roasting pot who knows how old that thing is. Of course the Macy's Parade will be on for everyone to comment on. Laughter , good times, stories of Christmas past will be shared from everyone just good holiday fun.
     My Christmas list is almost finished for the buying bunch, I really try to shop from the artist on etsy.com They have wonderful presents for everyone in my family, there's a fantastic journal maker who makes wonderful journals for $9, some of the greatest supply arts anywhere you could possibly find for that budding artist in the family. Loads of Vintage clothing , jewelry, decorator items, sandals, hair ribbons, stuff toys, babie items, loads of cool t shirts with star wars stuff on them gosh the list just goes on and on . Have a wonderful Christmas enjoy your families and good friends, eat and be merry, all of us artist here on etsy appreciate and honor the fact that you like our art and you take the time to purchase from us and tell us how much you like it by leaving a feedback which shows others we are good people and we treat folks right and you are not just another person you are a customer who likes us .

Tuesday, December 6, 2011December Blog Roll... Handmade Holidays!!
December Project Blogroll – Handmade Holidays
Each month the Aspiring Metals team chooses a topic and each participant writes about that topic on their blog.

This month is all about the holidays which will be here in no time at all and so we are each writing about our ideas for making this a Handmade Holiday.

See all the great ideas by visiting the blogs below:

Mary Anne Karren - silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/
Jessica @ Abella Blue - www.abellablue.com/blog
Stacy - formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Brown – resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com
Lilian Genebra - www.girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/
Pennee- All Wired Up Jewelry Designs - allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Claire English - brightstar109.blogspot.com/
Gayle - thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com
Nancy - nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Autumn Bradley - www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Amy Estelle - amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/2011/12/handmade-holidays.html

Catching Up on Times Past

2011-11-30T06:01:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in life I read a quote that simply said it all "Memories are photgraphs in you mind." I love to collect quotes they are everywhere in my life in my mind and in my studio's and my home. So if you know any drop me a convo and let me know one of yours. When we moved all I could think of was the amount of STUFF I have, all kinds of stuff, fabric stuff, jewelry stuff, rock stuff just lots of stuff which making moving a real pain in the butt. So my big decision and yes I know it's backwards was once moved in I would start to part with some of it. I mean really I have to much stuff. So right off I placed some of my vintage hats for sale on etsy, and all kinds of other vintage stuff at cornacopia.etsy.com if you go there and don't see anything you like come back to visit often as stuff is being constantly put there. So that solved my vintage collection problem. Then onto the fabric stuff, well I have lots of old fabrics that my mom used to sew stuff for me, my kids , nieces nephews stuff she wore anyway lots of fabric and scraps . Well in another lifetime I was a quilter yeah me lil miss impatient, so when she passed my sister and I divided the fabric. My original plan was to make a quilt with all these fabrics but I stopped being a traditional quilter a long time ago. So I decided to do this the enjoyable way. I cut 8 inch squares from newspaper and started doing string quilting on it. This is the old traditional way of things back in the old days . Actually where paper piece quilt technique came from. I remember my mom doing it this way its simple my kind of way so here is a few photos to see how its done

First you cut your squares, then grap a handful of scraps press them yeah I know just do it and quit whining. Now the next part is your choice you can draw lines on the newspaper , or you can simply wing it. Cut you scaps into strips any width will do it doesnt matter all the same width or different whatever. Told you it was simple. Now start at a corner any corner. Lay two strips right side facing together on top of paper square now sew 1/4 inch seam. finger press open now add another strip to one side of the first and then you just fill up the square . If you addtional help I can show you step by step here on the blog just let me know and consider it done. So here is the first square . I have to do three quilts of these squares one for all of us to remember our mom by If you have any questions please email me or convo me on etsy or comment here .

Having a Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

Well we traveled no far to the Farm which is about and hour and a half away. There was my favoite uncle and his wife as well as my sis and brother and Franks brother and my daughter our long lost brother of course called and checked in as well as our cousin who is Uncles youngest child. complete with four dogs who just love each other and three cats and that is what we call a Thanksgiving feast. The feast was made by my brother and sis who live full time at the Farm and my daughter brought over mash potatoes, we brought along green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. They cooked a huge turkey , dressing, sweet potato pie, pineapple upside down cake, pumpkin pie, waldorf salad gosh I am sure I have lefted something out but we ate and ate and ate some more. All of us had such a good time talking about old times and holidays past , Frank and Mike shared some of their holiday pasts, it was alot of fun and loads of laughter and teasing which has always been apart of our get togethers. We all felt the presence of Mom and Dad and how much they all enjoyed the holidays with all of us. I hope your holiday Have a wonderful weekend and get started on the Christmas shopping on Etsy.com where you will find loads of artistic handmade treasures for your loved ones as well as yourself and loads of goodies to decorate you home for the Christmas holiday, please try to shop handmade and purchase from artist instead of the mass produced items you see everywhere, some of our items may cost a little bit more but they will be handmade and as a artist myself our hearts and souls go into everything we create no matter what it is and you buying from us makes it an extra special holiday for us. I would like to extend my own personal Thank you for joining my blog and shopping at my etsy shop nancycreations.etsy.com , this is one of my personal thank you's for the holidays.

Finally working in the studio again

2011-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week getting ready for college again and all that wonderful stuff. Although it's been a little rough getting time for the studio and the site. I am on a mission to fill nancycreations.etsy.com with lots of new goodies and the return of some of my oldies. The site now features two new items and pendant of labradorite and the silver organic bud earrings I featured here on the blog. A new rainbow moonstone will arrive this evening as well as a Labrdorite ring yes I have been busy in the shop at last hurrah , I have just got to be firm about this shop time. It's a short post for now until tonite see ya or go check out the new additions and let me know what you think.

My ring will visit Hollywood

2011-11-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

I was contacted on etsy last week and this ring was purchased to be worn on a certain actress hand when she does her televison show that will be featured in January, sorry folks that's all I can tell you until just before the show airs in January and I will tell you when to turn in to see it on television. I am very humble and excited to have this happen to me.

The Love of a Sunday Afternoon

2011-11-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

I love Sundays , it's the best day of the week , laying around the house , cooking big feasts, making cookies today , yes Franks favorite Sugar cookies. As I promised here are so pics I did when I was making the little silver flowers they are dainty sweet with a little organic feel to them they will arrive in the shop on etsy this week along with a couple of other pearl earrings in both silver and brass. This is a sneak peak at the new studio bench, well it will be nicer when everything finds a place to go on it. haha

In the pictures following the photos of the studio you will see the flowers as they are made, formed, soldered they will be post earrings , pickled and ready for the shop. Hope you enjoy a sneak peek in the studio and how I work on earrings and if they are any questions please do not hesitate to ask in the comment section or email me at nancy4133@gmail.com and they are no stupid questions especially in making jewelry, always please wear protection for your eyes and well as your nose for inhaling things you shouldn't always adhere to all safety rules for your own protection.

Working in the new Studio

2011-11-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well it's up and running full throttle. Oh there is still a little bit of stuff everywhere and my bench is still not organized but I couldn't wait any longer I had to get at it again. Feels like forever since I was working on the bench. So first I made these lil cuties now I did a photo shoot of the making of these and I will post them hopefully this weekend

I have an admission to make I am terrified of setting faceted stones I get all knotted up inside when it comes to setting them, now I don't mind making the settings for the designs just the actual setting of the stone. In the month of Novemember I am working setting these lil buggers as many .as I can . I am going to get through this trauma on way or another . And now lets get started with ring 1. Okay heres the info , I really wanted to just jump in there and start hard settings first okay, umm any of you like this, just go ahead and do a hard setting then the rest should be easy right? So I pick a Pear Shape stone of blue topaz, orginal design was for the band to start on each side of the stone, well that wasn't happening this time it just wasn't . So we when for under the setting on each side of the hole in the bottom. Which HB says we need to do I can't exactly remember why maybe to keep the stone clean or because it will cloudly otherwise I will have to ask her. Any how heres the results for ring 1.

The Cabbing Studio Arrives

2011-10-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right now all my treasures are here with me , Frank is calling me the Rock Troll , my daughter calls me a Leprakaun with her gold. Yeah I do like my rocks and stones and fossils treasures yes they are. Now comes the process of putting it together. Today was play hookie day and of we went to the art festival in Mt Dora.It was great, lots of people, bands played all day long, and I indulged in a funnelcake of course. This is home to some wonderful orange groves check out these right beside a Walmart Store can you believe it, isn't this great I am going to love living here. If you are ever in Florida Mt Dora is only 30 miles from Orlando come and check it out a very scenic little town and the people are so friendly full of southern hospitality.

Finally Made IT

2011-10-19T02:57:00.000-07:00

Yes it's official we have finally found the house, It's located in Mt. Dora FL. This is a small town full of art. Yes I have landed in a town that simply flows with art, everywhere you go you see it. I love it. We got a house on 2 acres of land , it sits upon a hill , the wind blows a gentle breeze all the time. The dogs have their own private dog park. Still putting the house together man what a lot of stuff to move and sort through. I can't wait to get the studio up and running again. Patience is the companion of wisdom although I don't do to good in the patience department umm looks like I am about to have a lesson. Hang in there have loads of pictures to post and info on chasing yes I am working on learning to do some chasing.

Finally Half moved

2011-10-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yes to some this may sound a little bit odd, but yes we are half moved . Actually we have arrived at the farm as most of you know I am seriously fond of here in Florida , this is where most of my ancestors came and settled besides Virginia. I was born and raised here along with all my siblings. Most children have a backyard mine was just a little bit bigger than most. Anyway this is my Home of homes in my lifetime. Its where I come to unwind and find myself when I get lost, it's my roosting spot, my sanctuary where I can find peace. We are staying until this wonderful realtor finds us a home that will not have any problems with 2 doggies. Then we will finish our journey to our new home. So tonite Frank finishes up his teaching at the local college here in Jax I am currently hanging out a Starbucks enjoying coffee and cake and catching up on my computer stuff. Got a package delivered this week of some secret stuff that I can't wait to add in the nancycreations.etsy.com shop for all of you to see of course you will see it first here. Yeah. I did bring a lil studio with me so I could work on some stuff here , this not having a studio is the pits I just handle life without some supplies on hand thats when creating gets a lil wacky and anything can develop. I am seriously going to have to destash when we finally get settled I love doing to many art forms , to many supplies to move around you wouldn't believe all the clear containers we moved seemed like thousands. Do you ever find you just can't limit yourself to one type of art medium, me I like to draw, paint, do collage, do fiber arts of all kinds. It just creates to many supplies so I have decided to get rid of stuff. Maybe we can put our heads together and figure out a way to destash stuff to my fellow art buddies if you have a favorite type of art you do and want some additional supplies let me know maybe I can send some stuff to you perhaps.

The Last Day in my lil Dollhouse

2011-09-30T04:21:00.000-07:00

It's the morning of the last day in my dollhouse as I lovingly call it, I have really enjoyed living in it with all it's character. Today is the last day of packing and moving, this evening the truck will arrive and all will be loaded up on it to leave Jacksonville. I really do love this city as I fondly call it my little Atlanta which it reminds me alot of. The houses here are fantastic , of course if you have a bridge phobia not the city for you although I always found them so exciting. I packed my mini studio to go with me to the farm for a week until we find another house going to do some cool stuff there to keep me occupied , take lots of walks , and just relax this packing has been the pits man I hope I don't move again for a long time. Life offers you up so much info if you see it clearly. This experience has shown me that I definetly need to downsize my stuff, you know your stuff as we artist commonly call it , its our stash, our supplies that we bring into our studio because we simply like them they can be anything from big to little, dull to shiny, picked up in the street or even a store, just STUFF. My stuff consists of many things, fiber arts, metal arts, lapidary and now to add to the bunches leather arts one day I will combine all together and make on heck of a wall hanging of sorts with all incorporated into it.
Tonite the girls from the salon will get together with me for our last time together for a while , gosh I will miss them terribly they are the greatest of friends, not many salons can put a group of women together side by side and there is absolutely no friction between any of them they all love each other and wish the best for each other and quite simply are there for each other no matter what. Well its time to finish up what is left to do before the load up , see you at the farm.

It's Moving Time Again

2011-09-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yeah it's true time to pack up the studio's and move on towards Tavares FL. Now Tavares is near Mt Dora which is a great place lots of really cool shops as well as a fantastic Artist Co-Op which I found last month when I visited Mt Dora and guess what they loved my jewelry and I am going to try to get into the Co-op. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Well first studio that got packed up was of course the Fiber Art studio, as you can see I did kind of sort of downsized the books and fabrics a little bit. Oh well. Bubba/Baby Beast has had enough already with this packing up stuff.

Fibert Art Studio Stuff

Daisy says this is way to much for her she will just take a much needed nap keeping up with mom is to tiring for her.

The Saturday Post at Night

2011-09-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Ah the peaceful evening here at the homefront, not a usual thing around here remember I live with two dogs which one answers to the call of Baby Beast or Wee Beastie oh but he is adorable and sweet and of course my precious Daisy and lets don't forget the cat I saved who now only loves Frank and ignores me umm oh well. The days and nights are filled with jewelry ideas fighting with fiber art designs inside my head in constant battle although as usual the jewelry mostly wins. I once again find myself wanting to try new techniques and visit old ones that I have learned. I have a long list of wants this week new etchings, some new enameling, some new copper and brass pieces I have loads of ideas just wanting to be made into creations and please give me some feedback here gang tell me what you think of the designs and if you don't want me to post the comments thats ok I will not post them we can keep them private.
I am so excited my baby girl is coming for a week long visit next week she is the sweetest girlie in the world even if she is all grown up and studying to become a nurse , she is one of the lucky people who to has the ability to walk in both worlds she is also a wonderfully gifted artist can paint fantastic pictures . My two babies were blessed with all my mothers artistic talent me I only got a little compared to them. My son is a out of this world tatoo artist he is the greatest artist aswell fantastic at all mediums , makes me madly envious . Good evening to all of you

The Holiday Visit

2011-09-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

It was so wonderful this last weekend visit for the holiday. I took an extra day off from work and the fun began, I learned traveling with dogs is alot like traveling with kids, very busy. Got everything all packed up and off we went. We celebrated Kathy's birthday who is my sister with a BBQ and lots of fun and laughter, even the dogs had a blast playing with my daughter Crystals dogs. They love the country almost as much as everyone else does,it's so peaceful and calm there. On sunday my cousin had to plow the fields of peanuts for harvest because the rains were coming in the next day. There is nothing like the smell of the fresh dirt of the earth brought to the surface it's a smell I never forget from growing up there. It was wonderful to take longs walks, enjoy morning coffee outside with a view of the earth meeting the sky. The quietness and peaceful sounds of the country side coming to life. The muscadine grapes are ready for picking so of course we had to savor some of them one day I hope to make some wine. Of course that southern tradition of eating boiled peanuts was on the menu of fun. It was just exactly what my soul needed to regroup and recharge .

TGIF Hurray!

2011-09-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry for no postings lately I have been taking a little time for myself so selfish of me I know. The summer is finishing up for all of us. Fall sometimes flows through the air so fleeting a feeling but its there. I have been doing simply not to much made a pendant for a friend leaving to start a new direction in her life, college I am so proud of her, her going away slash birthday present is this

Tomorrow is the Holiday

2011-07-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

All is quiet and peaceful here at the homefront, the tooth is getting better poor Frank grilled me spareribs today and I couldn't even eat them it was still a little bit painful. That sucked totally. Daisy and Bubba went for their first walk since Daisy surgery for spaying. They really enjoyed it alot just a short little stroll to get them out of the house. They had alot of fun especially Bubba who now weighs in at 43 pounds and is only 4 1/2 months old. He is so massive a true brute but so silly and goofy. He is terrible he jumps on the couch from four feet away he is so strong and powerful we have got to slow him down someway. Lots of training ahead for him I see in the future. I am enjoying our little holiday except for the tooth issue, each day it seems to get a little better. Next week it's back to work and to school, the normal life we have created here, It does not seem possible we have lived here almost a year time is just marching on so quickly it scary at times wish I could just slow down the clock a small bit at a time. This has become one of the best years of my life with all it's up and downs changes, but its been good , blessed with Frank my lil baby dogs, children, grandchildren, a good boss to work with, and great people to work with, a great teacher at school and lots of other wonderful things. I always believe one should enjoy life to its fullest as if it's your last day on earth because sooner or later it will be. thats life accept it we are all terminal in this world , take time to laugh love dance a little , have fun smille enjoy life to its fullest potential.

Hanging in for the Fourth of July Celebration

2011-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Frank and I are just hanging around the house, Daisy just got spayed and I had the root canal so its lets take it easy time, kind of like a mini vacation at home. We are doing some BBQ , checking out my supply of stones for my show that is coming up in the fall. Man has Ocean Jasper gone up in price, whew I was shocked, of course there is no more collecting it and when you could collect it was only found in Madagascar and by boat only you couldn't move it by land it was to rough. Thank goodness I keep a stash of rocks mountain high because I do sell cabs. This weeks choice will be turquoise, ocean jasper, chrysocolla, sodalite, and pink stuff. I can't wait to get started already have a game plan so in the fall I will have lots of cabs different sizes , shapes, colors all new and shiny. WEEEEE! Also some sonora sunset found my stash of that also. Lots of pretties coming these will be on the atticktreasures. etsy. com site for purchase .

The tooth is finally fixed thank goodness

2011-06-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Whew I just don't know where to start, the root canal was scary at best a little painful at worst but it's done all over and finished hurray! No pain other that where they gave me shots all 5 of them but they did get the little sucker numbed so great heh? Was there only a hour and a half, left office and found a great little old dame lady house for Frank and I. We will go and interview it tomorrow to see if its what we want , I really like it but its a little bit smaller than this house which could be a problem for us with all my STUFF. Fitting a silver studio , fiberarts studio and a cabbing studio into one house can be alot of stuffing. UMM we will just have to see.

Now onto my next news, well do you remember a few postings back about the avacado tree seeds, well I tried the putting them in water and that just did not work for me. So I just popped them in a pot outside and really didn't think they would come but guess what yes they did, I am so liking the idea of my own avacado trees gosh how big do they get they are the dark ones not the bright green ones guess I had better investigate this . So here they are the Famous Nancy Avacado Trees.
Folks I am afraid it's going to storm here in a few moments so happy to share with you the news of the avacado tree, wow isn't that great lil trees of my very own.

A Delay Sorry Folks

2011-06-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry everyone but I have a real super real tooth pain. You know it's wierd you turn 50 and everything goes to crap in a hand basket for real man, suddenly you become a high maintence person just to stay healthy. Suddenly it's diets, exercising taking care of your skin man just a few things the list goes on and on. Well this little tooth problem started off as a simple cleaning, then progressed to need to replace 20 year old fillings to a second filling because something was wrong with the first one, on it went to another exam and filling to discover that it now needs a root canal . Is this the pits or what? This entire process went on for 4 months yeah unbelievable right? So tomorrow I will go in for the root canal and hopefully this will be the end of the saga or else they will just have to remove it enough is enough. So it continues hopefully all better , then I will post second part of the prong series for everyone and share all my other news. Thank you so much for commenting on the blog , I was so happy to hear from people and thank you for liking my blog. Yes I do believe in sharing info and helping one another with techniques, all our creations are our own, each unique, I don't copy people's art I do my own thing its mine all mine now if someone else copies mine I am flattered , I am sad for them to miss out on the opptunity to create their own piece but it's okay because sooner or later they will gain confidence in themselves and so their own thing too.I am not scared of creating , it's fun its exciting, gosh if it all doesn't look good just melt it down and create something else, its done by you and only has to please you really not anyone else. Go for it , if you get stuck email me I will try to help you out if I can I am not a perfect know it all but I will help if I can but go create everyday create something its so good for your soul. I will share a little secret with you I knit yeah I know knit, umm yes but only scarves and only in the knit stitch nothing else this is my down time thing it relaxes me once I tried to knit a scarve in a sampler pattern okay, well I thought this will be cool I will learn all these new stitiches , well the scarf is still not finished , it was way to stressfull for me , so I just knit my lil scarves I think I will fill up a bag and give them to maybe the homeless to help with the cold this winter, it's my relaxation my medation my calming thing.

A quiet moment in my day at last

2011-06-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ah a quiet moment, how nice . I finally finished up a scarf I have been knitting for a couple of weeks its a dark grey and staying within the rules of my creations of art only with supplies that I have on hard forever it's finally done who its owner will be who knows probaly my Frank who is always cold in the winter umm now remember I do live in Florida but in Jacksonville where it does get a bit nippy. Picture to be included later. I also have a wonderful surprise for you but I won't share until later in the week but I was so shocked and suprised when I returned from Atlanta and found it. Pictures of the surprise also to come later. Pictures of my trip to Atlanta also to come later. Yeah I know I am lazy lately dealing with way to much drama yuck you ever notice how energy sucking it does to you. I am having a root canal done this week on this terribly infected tooth that is the result of trying to take care of myself and get old fillings replaced with new ones because my dentist said I needed to umm well two filling done on the tooth now a root canal has to be done I am none to happy about this would you be? Of course not. My plan of action is to finish up the second part of the prong setting go over two new books I just purchased with you , show you all my pics of everything and catch up everything . Now I need a favor from you, I want some darn comments okay come on folks I see you in the the tracker following me and my lil blog I share with you how about some return here okay? I would love to hear from you what you think any input would be great so come one leave a little comment or at least tell me what to do to interest you enough to leave a comment. Those of you who do leave comments I read everyone of them faithfullly. I am so excited when one of you leaves them , please join my blog what is it going to take folks just let me know so we can all get on the same page here huh?

Part One of the Prong Settings Cab Style

2011-06-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is the style we will be using today, the style can be made for a pendant or a ring pin really anything. This setting is using a cabochon of any size or shape , I will be using 14 ga sterling silver wire. I chose this larger gauge of wire because the pendant I am making is quite large and I wanted the size of wire to compliment the size of the finished piece which is a consideration I think of importance. Thats my opion not a definite thing you have to do , do your own thing make it cool with your own art attitude on it. Anyhow this is the stone set we will be using for the pendant set. These are my own cabochons I cut and cabbed.

This set is huge of course I love big jewelry and just for info one of my bestfriends in the world is probaly 5 ft tall and she wears huge jewelry and it doesn't look odd on her at all so go big . As I said sterling silver wire , now I use a jewelry to saw it with and file it down so the cut ends are nice and smooth, and I use plastic coated pliers that I actully got a Michaels a hundred years ago this is the pic of what type of pliers you will want to use so long as they are plastic coated they should be alright.

Now you will want to anneal your wire first because this is a sorta heavy gauge to be working with, just anneal it like you would any silver just till it becomes dull not red hot. Take your first stone measure around it , you will want the wire to be just a teeny little bit inside the diameter of the stone.

Measure and cut the piece of wire. Now onto the second piece of wire shaping

and cuttings . Now you are ready to solder . On each piece make sure the wire ends butt up against each other with no gaps showing if you can see light through the gap , go file them up nice and straight and check them again. Go ahead and do both pieces like this. Now place both pieces on the soldering block and apply flux and solder with hard solder.

This is the time where you must bow down to the solder gods to let it flow and melt or fry your wire. Just kidding but I always do a little solder dance afterwards that is really important to do. Now get out your clean up gadgets and get started making all smooth with no bumps this is a good time to straighten up any wommpies on your wire using the coated pliers, you can look at old jewelry zines, reference books look at online jewelry artists to see where the placements of prong should be used, this however is just for interest because your piece is your original piece , your cab may be irregular in shape , a fossil, anything so you will have to figure out what will work for you and your design , this is also a good time to figure out if it's a pendant like mine how to attach a bail , what kind of bail to use . For our next part if you can get a charcoal block or a soft fire brick , you can order them from Jff in Atlanta I will be happy to give you their number 770-455-1871 They are a jewelry supplier and just mention that you want a soft soldering brick and they will know what you want, they are very inexpensive and I love them for this technique.

I hope you have enjoyed part one of the technique of prong settings part two is being created as we speak so its coming up soon, If you should have question please email me Nancy4133@gmail .com. I do not pretend to be an instructor just a girlie who shares what she learns with others hopefully this will help you I hope you enjoy .

Busy Busy Busy

2011-06-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Man just call me a little busy bee just going from one place to another getting projects lined up and others completed. Today was spent preparing lots of little cabs for the cabbing machine. These are just baby cabs which is what I call cabs that are not my kind of size cabs which are ususally gi -normous of course I know alot of really cool people who feel the same way as I do. But not everyone likes that size, so sticks are on and tomorrow I will make a whole bunch of them. Isn't it funny how life teaches you something about yourself all the time? I know now that I do not like earring cabs that are perfectly just alike in the mirror image way, I like them a little bit different, it's fun to make them that way. I am off to the farm again this weekend to pick some more blueberries, these are the best in the world they are big fat juicy and just melt in your mouth so it's kind of like one for the mouth two for the container oh well discipline is not my thing okay. The fields there are full of vegetables, watermelons which are fantastic too by the way Thank you Jessie the melons were fantastic. The vegtable garden is blooming away bringing forth lots of bounties of veggies, corn, beans, squash, potatoes, cucumbers, spinach, peas, and finally the tomatoes are ripe there, My sis always plants these roma tomatoes which she cans up for the winter now me I love the cherrie tomatoes and the big boys and the heirloom ones. My pepper bushes are overflowing with peppers some really hot ones! Still trying to train Baby Beast to shake hands when he can focus that is. My Daisy was so easy to train to do everything Beastie is not! It must be a boy thing.

Coming to Atlanta next week, my bestfriend is having a special birthday so all the old jewelry gang is getting together to spend a week together having fun, making jewelry, laughing just us girls. I will have to post some pics of us, we are a group of women who started taking classes at Spruill Art Center in jewelry then along the way we picked up others , we all are so tightly woven together in friendship that is strong and good we support each other totally give advice add our opions of each others work so many different things these wonderful group of women have been with me through deaths of friends and family, divorce, everthing you can imagine. I truly can't imagine life without them, we are so different some stronger than others some sweeter than others, some personality traits that are so different but we have a bond that with stands the test of distance and of time. We have probaly been together for more than I am going to guess at least 6 years of contant contact . We are more like a family of sisters than friends always there for each other through thick and thin . I hope you have someone in your life like this, everyone should have a super bestfriend and should be a super bestfriend. .

It's another week

2011-06-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

Good day to all, my adopted Boxersocks kitty got spayed yesterday, here in Jacksonville if you live in a certain zip code they will spay or neuter your animals for free although you have to buy a license for the . I think this is a wonderful option for animals as well as for their owners. There was a great turn out of owners doing the responible thing.Gosh baby Beast as he affectionately called is growing so fast he weighs in at 30 lbs now I cannot even begin to tell you how into everything he is and his favorite thing is to bark alot, he will bark at you when he wants something you are eating. Of course Frank just gives him anything he wants he is such a lil monster. Daisy girl has finally accepted him and is now enjoying their play together. I am still working on the tutorials for the blog especially the prong one its coming along really good I ask for a little bit more patience from you and I will publish it. Well got to go study for school stay tuned in for the tutorial.

Checking in on the world at large

2011-05-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Umm Yeah I am still alive and kicking, just taking a little private time. Get prepared info coming your way a couple of tutorials I have been working on. They will be on embossing and how to make my version of the prong setting of Joanna Golbergs great new series of rings. I admit I am one of those people who is intimated by the prong setting, but I love this new style using the cabochons. With this new method of Joanna's you can use less silver which in todays silver market great, and add a new twist to style which is always great. I had no info on this method just really examined her jewelry on her website and made up my own version I personally don't think it's cool to copy anothers jewelry, I want my own style my own look, but I do admire her greatly she is a fantastic artist so hopefully she want mind if I do my own version of this type of style, now do keep a watch out for her style in a jewelry mag that is coming out can't remember which one but I did see an advertisement for it gosh I would love to attend one of her workshops, wouldn't you? I have seen her jewelry in person and i have got all her books , almost met her in Atlanta at a gallery a couple of years ago but I had just missed her she was doing an opening there. One day when all gets right in my little world of finance I am off to lots of workshops everywhere I can go .

The Making of a Bamboo Trellis

2011-05-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I will drive poor Frank crazy with all the wild ideas I have swirling around in my head. The other day I may a big decision to try to use up all my stash of STUFF I have here in the house so any new projects I start must be made out of existing STUFF. So spring is arriving and it's time to finally so up the patio and of course plant some tomatoes and that must include cherry tomates for my summer salads and the herb garden as well. Already Frank cooked a fantastic pork loin roast with fresh marojam and greek oraganoe from the herb garden which is in a fantastic old vintage iron rack found at our favorite antique store in little five points here in Jacksonville.

Gosh we are already rambling off the course of the title of the blog, I am so sorry, anyhow since I was going to plant the cherry tomatoes I needed a sunny spot for them now in my yard this is sorta a challenge. There is not alot of sunny spots which is actually fine with me, the patio is my little love my own special little place , so that is also the only place where there is a little bit of sun . So we went to get the cheery tomatoes, then I decided I wanted a trellis well Frank had already brought me some bamboo as I am going to make some chimes, so I used some off it for my trellis. I found the instructions online at the finegardening .com site which is a fantastic site by the way . Featured here is the process of putting it together with the instructions from the site, I also used some old twine I had here hopefully it will hold up if not I can put something to make it hold up we have lots of resins, glues, etc here at this house.
The top couple of phots show you the making of the trellis , and yes I will advise you to use a table top it will save some on the back but not much. As you can see I tied the trellis first on the sides on each row and then the middle before moving on to the sides.

In these photos you can the trellis in use with my lovely cherry tomato plants as well as some of the patio. The handsome garden assistant is my sweetie Frank , I truly love my little patio with its garden, it's very peaceful for morning coffee, and just relaxing after a long day, all it needs now is a little fountain hello mother's day everyone.

A Day for Making Earring Cabochons

2011-04-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

Finally I have slowed down long enough to make some earring cabochons, I have wanted to do this for so long but just simply been to busy. Do you ever get just way to busy to be able to accomplish something you really want to do. I am reading up on some information on time management. This is something I have a little problem with, there's just so much I want to do and experience in life that I am going to schedule some time frames and dates to do exactly that.
Today was the first day of trying this out, I got all my errands ran for the day, new sewing machine needles for the tshirt knit I am working with which was not doing so well with a regular needle on the sewing machine, got a new blouse and finally after much searching a new purse. For me searching for a purse is always a journey, looking for just the right one. I am choosy, I want a great looking purse for a cheap price, I usually shop for them at Marhshalls or Tj Maxx. I found it finally it's a SAK purse bluish black leather with alot of sassy style just for me. Thankfully the search is over for awhile. Tomorrow I will go visit my pals over at Follett and get my college books since I will only buy from them. I am really excited to hang with them for a short while.
Bubba is growing like a little weed getting very tall he is now up to 20 pounds and is definetly Franks baby. Daisy now loves him and he uses her as his favorite chew toy .

Earring Cabs I used a dopping stick with glue on them to make the cabs. rough cut the little slab, do your design, apply to stick. and get cabbing really that simple. And here are the results. I am practicing for now and will place some in the atticktreasures site on etsy soon.

So what do you think do you like them?

The Journey

2011-04-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

Ah going home, there is no way to describe that feeling when the city gets to much and it's time to head head home to the farm for some down time. Home that is a simple little four letter word that holds so much importance to all of us. There we know we will find peace and tranquility, be it in the scenes of the green grass, grazing cattle in the fields or the beautiful completely friggin straight rows of crops awaiting mother nature to give them their bounty for harvest. It may be the completely fresh breeze that flows through the tall green pine trees blowing softly in and out giving a light dusting of good ole Florida sand.For me it's the sounds of the birds flying all over the place the cardinals and bluejays with their vibrant colors like little special flowers in the sunset, oh yeah those sunsets although I know I am partial Florida can put on a display of a sunset like no other I have always wished I could paint them umm no talent in that area at all. I always step out of the car and close my eyes letting time stand still as I breathe deeply filling my lungs with all that fresh air slowly releasing it and slowing opening my eyes to take in the view and the sounds around me and a deep fulfilling sigh always escapes me , I have traveled alot of places in these years of mine but there is absolutely no place like home that little tiny piece of rural Florida that I love even if it has a magical spell on me. Enough of all that mushy emotional stuff .

Has your mother ever told you to be careful for what you wish for in life? Well my poor Frank just found this out to be true. For sometime now we have been talking about a friend for Daisy she misses Bella. We had decided next year would be a good time to start looking for one, well then Frank says yes let's get a golden lad I've always wanted one. Well whammy it arrives. On the way back from the farm I see the sign and it's actually hanging upside down mixed lab kind of hard to figure it out, so I said hey frank turn around and lets see what it says, we are no we are not going to bring home a puppy if we see one we are going to wait we are not even going to hold them . So we turn around because I would rather give a puppy who needs a home one than one who has lots of papers and certificates and all their are to many homeless puppies as it is. So we stop blow the horn see two huge yellow labs out front then three giant fat little pups show up and the man steps out. He is just a regular guy a farmer kind of guy, says yeah he has some puppies two boys who are yellow and a black little girl. Their mom is a chocalate lab golden retriever mix dad is a full bloodied yellow lab. I completely let Frank choose which one I had already chosen my favorite , first he looks towards going with the little girl and then he wants my opion I told him why I would choose one puppy over another personality, head shape , etc. He chooses a big huge male , who is ginormous, and then decides to call him Bubba I am like what a name . So I have affectionately named him BUBBA BURGER and here is Franks wish come true .

Sundays always fun!

2011-04-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well due to the fact I once again got a second dose of the stupid cold pneumonia I was once again laid down for a little while, I am up and at it once again. Lots of new plans for jewelry this week, I will post some pics tomorrow of the new stuff for the shop. I have been having alot of sucess with working on the series of earrings that are economically priced as I often love the items in others shops but know there is no way I could afford them on a starving artist partime stylist salary so I decided to try offer something of my design that everyone could afford. So please keep an eye out for such items in the shop as they would be great little gifts or stocking stuffers. Making jewelry for me is a need, it fills something in my soul I am proud of my little creations and I always hope someone likes them as well as I do. They are alot like me unusual, different, not to perfect, oh I know an original just like me . hee hee. Do you have something in your life that fills your soul, anything comment me and tell me about it. I would love to get to know all of you and hear about your lives and what you are doing.
Well next month I start back to college, I am so excited to finally get on with this part of my journey, last week I met a federal judge actually I cut his hair, he was very interesting man and even gave me some additional information on being a paralegal . That is one thing about being a hairsylist you never know who you will meet. Life is kind of like that isn't it.
I still haven't got to do to much work on the patio although sweet Frank hung some pation lights for me tonite and we did pick up some more flower pots at Big Lots where I love to flower pots they have such great prices on them compared to every where else. I can't wait till it's done so I can post some pics of it. I have done some Mosiac planters that are super cool and if anyone wants instruction please let me know and I will do a tutorial on them for everyone it's really simple. I found some bamboo and I am going to make a trellis for my cherry tomatoes since I am on this diet I may as well have some cute little tomatoes in my salads.

UPDATE: So far no roots or sprouts on my avacado trees, anyone know anything else I can do ? I change the water every other day, they are now in the sun outside. I am so impatient for them to grow.
Everyone have a wonderful week have fun , be creative, dig in the dirt and play in the sun it's all goo. od for you.

For the Love Of Gemstones

2011-03-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

Well what do you think of this ? Not very inspiring huh? Are you absolutley sure? Umm look a little closer do you see some pretty pink kind of stuff? As most of you know I am a crazy rock hound, love them all of them, never seen a rock I didn't like . Inside this bottle is a collection of Garnets from North Georgia that I had to move to Jacksonville Florida to buy. haha! I belong to the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society and ever so often we have swaps and sales and all kind of cool things going on. At on of these such events I purchased this bottle of garnets, just fell in love with these dusty lil devils, I could see in the sunlight the pinks and dark maroons and it was love at first site. In my blog I try to bring you along with me on as many of my discoveries as posssible so that is how we got to this point.

Now this is a little closer look at this treasure, as you can see the pinks are a little bit more visable this is taken on a piece of white paper, but if you a little closer I think I am not positive but I think I see a little bit of bluish color in the middle and off to the left. Now this could be Kyanite, I have already found one piece of Kyanite in this bottle so far. We will have to see later.

Now this is the same collection, only this time they are laying in water, by placing them in water their color becomes a little bit more clearer as you can see.

Now they are placed on sticks being cabbed , EWWW look at the color isn't it delicious wow, these Garnets are swirling through my brain in jewelry pieces right now, gosh what will I make with these ? So stay tuned folks to see what is created out of these lil treasures that started out as rocks in a jar.

Everyone Get Ready for the $10.00 Cabachon Sale

2011-03-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well this is something I have been trying to do for awhile making room for new cabochons in the atticktreasures site on etsy. This shop is where mycabochons which I make are for sale. These are all natural, freeform cabochons in a variety of shapes and sizes. Featured here are Turquoise, Chrysocolla, Shattukite, Amazonite with losts of sparkle and shine, and Varacasite. These will be put on etsy later today if you have a favorite let me know.

Aspiring Metalsmith Project Blogroll "What do you listen to when you work?"

2011-03-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well that's easy it's whatever moves me on that day, could be R&B, MoTown, Kid Rock, Jazz, Piano classics, gosh it could be just about anything and usually Miss Daisy snoring in the background like a lumberjack. And sometimes it's me dancing the magnificent Solder Dance which thanks To HB my great mentor, instructor, and great friend for teaching it to me. Now I will be honest ,sometimes it's some lil potty words when things aren't going as planned but not to often Well yeah, when I loose that teeny tiny stone and can't find the darn thing anywhere. Actually Frank has a good idea I should just make jewelry in the floor when it involves little stones . I grewing up in a house with lots of different types of music playing , a sister who was a 60's hippy chick, mother who loved all music. I actually remember my first little record player I was probaly 5 or6, Santa brought me the player and some 45rpms I loved that song My Darling Clementine I personally think my sister threw it away. Please join me in viewing what all the other members blog as their favorite thing to listen to, I think we may find out a few things about them, too.

Kat - http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/

Stacy - http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/

Clarity of Scrollwork Designs - http://www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/

Brandy - http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com/

Happy Tortoise Designs - http://happytortoisedesigns.blogspot.com/

Claire - http://brightstar109.blogspot.com/

Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks - http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/

Autumn - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/

hemlockhollow - http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/

Beatriz Fortes - http://cjbf.blogspot.com/

Resurrection Silver - http://www.resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com/

RadianTrace - http://radiantrace.blogspot.com/

nancycreations - http://nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Jessica @ Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog

Hurrah we have a winner !

2011-03-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Congrads Carol you are the winner of the hoops you must email me a picture of you wearing them when they arrive I love my pair and know you will too. This has been great fun everyone join the blog and check it out who knows when I get a crazy notion to give away again I love doing this it's so much fun go join up next time I might just pick from the followers and it might be you.

A New Ring for the Shop

2011-03-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

I know this may sound sick but I am beginning to think I create better when I am sick, wierd huh? Has this ever happened to you? I have really got this jewelry thing going on again in me thank goodness it's been a moment thought I had lost my creativity there for a second. I guess probaly everyone hits a moment like this where they get kind of lost in everday life and forget what is really important to them. My studio is like air to me, I need it, if I don't get to get there I get really cranky you know. I think it's what keeps me sane sorta I guess there's probaly people out there who think that's not possible at all . Oh well what do they know, I hope you like the ring kind of boho which I love, I still remember the days of clothes that look just like the ones they are selling now in the store near you I think once a litte hippie child always one.

Ah the Perfect Little Pair of Hoops for $10

2011-03-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

There are times when one is sick with broncitis one should stay in bed an be good unless they are Nancy then one should kill the being bored to death feeling by going into her studio and working right yeah. Well lately I am trying alot of new things out in the studio, so I was there playing around with ideas packaging up a pair of earrings to go out and I always prepare a little special gift to say thank you for liking my jewelry and I am thinking up this little gift when I go ah a perfect little pair of hoops is what is needed here. You know that pair that goes with everything, I have such a little pair I keep then in my purse because sometimes I forget and leave the house without a pair of earrings on which is a no no its like not being totally dressed, earrings and lipstick a total must even if you are only going to the market for veggies just a plain you can't do it kind of thing. Anyhow here they are just for us and for only $10.00 wow what a bargain totally handmade by me each and every pair now these are for sale at the http://www.etsy.com/shop/nancycreations or who knows they could come to you as a little thank you the next time you purchase from me somewhere at one of my shows or events. Or what the wow I think I will send a pair to the first person who is sweet enough to leave me a little comment on these earrings on the site here , yes you lucky winner they are yours just leave a comment and email me with your address and guess what they will be on their way to you hee hee I love having fun don't you? Email me at nancy4133@gmail.com

A New Addition to the Nancycreations household

2011-03-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well here she is, her name is Sydney and a friend of mine needed to place in a home where she would be loved and cared for so she arrived. Sydney is her name which is according to Frank going to be changed to Sydney Boxersocks because she has boxing gloves on and socks, so I guess she will adjust to her new name and home. She is very loving and since Daisy was raised with cats she is fine with her a little curious but that has already been handled with a swat to her nose now she is respectful around the kitty. Sydney was also raised with dogs so they will be just fine together although Daisy is a little bit jealous of her.

Have you ever grown an avacado tree from a seed?

2011-03-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

This is my selection of seeds two are the wrinkly black ones and one is the smooth green kind. I love avacadoes so since I had these seeds I thought why not grow a tree my mom did once when I was a child so surely I could. Now never having done this before I of course searched the world wide web for info on how to do it. If you want a link to the site please let me know and I will be glad to send it to you. I was wondering if ayone out there in bloggerland has ever tried to do this with success? Please let me know how it went. The article says in a few days about a week I am suppose to see roots coming from the bottom and then a sprout will pop up from the top of the seeds, I will keep you up to date as we progress with this experiment. If you have any tips please let me know I am so excited over having my own trees !

Ode to Aunt Zinnie

2011-03-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have lost my beloved Aunt Zinnie or better known as Zinnebelle Markham Speiglberg, the aunt who some how added to me her love of the kitty kats. As long as I have known her she has loved the kitties all colors and makes and models. What a wonderful person she is and will be missed alot by all of us of whom lives were blessed by knowing her. In her later years Aunt Zinnie joined in our family heritage of getting Alzheiemers seems to unfortunately run in our family gene pool. She was usually happy with a little touch of spice to her thank goodness she never showed me this side of her personality but I think my poor Aunt Florence sure got some of it when she got really sick and had to stay with Aunt Zinnie and Jimmy poor Aunt Zinnie couldn't figure out who this stranger was in her house. Jimmy my cousin who is her firstborn child, and son, took care of his mom through out all of it, right by her side walking with her in the yard and helping her feed her herd of cats as she did quite often, you will not find many men who would devote themselves to that task. She is a pickle as is as she is always with me everywhere always telling me to"Keep up my chin it will get better it always does" This article is to honor her while I sit here and write to you with tears rolling down my cheeks lets all honor a woman who raised I think seven children , spent a lifetime with one man, who we think personally crashed his plane in the field at the farm so he could meet her and his partner met my Aunt Era and fell head over hills for her also, so don't you know these farm girls must of had something. She raised her children through two wars I believe and a hubby who fought for our freedom we enjoy today. She is an incredible woman, my hat off to you Aunt Zinnie I know you are flying high with Uncle Cliff in heaven.

So today I started this project out in honor of her, made with vintage findings lots of color and as soon as I find one a vintage kitty will be added ot the mix. The idea comes from the the Spring 2010 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry . I used all components already on hand which is new rule of mine to try to downsize my stash of goodies

I tried to use the colors of spring flowers for she really enjoyed her flowers.

As you can see I am a bit messy of well that what having fun is all about being carefree when you get a chance .

This is part of the inside of the mag showing all kinds of wonderful ideas. This is the greatest zine and one of my favorite's. Please take a moment and remember the special aunt you had in your life who was your favorite or if you are like and blessed with a whole bunch of aunties who are each one special in their own way just to you. Love ya Aunt Zinne may you have lots of kitty kats with you always.

A New Addition to my Lifestyle Begins

2011-03-09T14:53:00.000-08:00

Well lately I feel like I am all over the place everywhere and no where all at the same time. Today after alot of drama I finally got registered for college. So at the bright age of 52 I return to college . Enough said on that subject.
I have been trying to get some time in on making some different types of jewelry, I have been putting some vintage pieces together and seeing what comes of it, I will feature some of the new styles when they get completed I want to incorporate some natural gemstones with the pieces for a special meaning. You know how I love my gemstones and their secrets from long ago. The first piece I am working on will feature citrines and vintage pearls and some other long ago treasures .

Isn't this a wonderful turquoise from Arizona this one has ring ear marked all over it for me.

These are available on Atticktreasures.etsy.com for only $15.00 each what a bargain this is for someone looking for handmade cabochons made by me I sell my cabochons in my etsy sister store called Atticktreasures.

Crafty Saturday

2011-03-05T18:24:00.000-08:00

I will admit it I love magazines, all kinds of magazines but one of my favorite one's is Belle Armoire Jewelry. I have probaly all of them as well as lots of others. I love to seach through them for fun to pick out something to create from the wonderful articles of treasures they have listed in them. Today is like any other crafty day which is what I call it when the urge to create strikes you and you just have to go for it. In the Sept/Oct/Nov of 2010 issure there is an article called Treasure Vessels where you use a Geode and make a cute little top for it and make a pendant with leather neck tie components. Well I am off on this creative road to do this. Now I have never been one to follow directions very well as some of you know, so I decided to do my own little thing and I can't hardly wait to show you my version of this fantastic design. The version of this great little idea is originally created by Janet Loomis, and this is her web site as listed in the article: JL3JewelryDesigns.com I am now off to check out her web site she is a fantastic artist. Follow me there and hey let's all try out our concept of this design and if you send me pictures and info I will post them on my blog. Just email the pics and info at nancy4133@gmail.com
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The Aspring Metalsmiths Challenge Entry

2011-02-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful pair of Labadorite cabochon post earrings, I have freeform cut the leaves and then I fold formed them , hand textured them and then for the swirly effect I tweeked them a little . We will see if I win this is my first entry into the group. Please check us out!

Moving Forward thru Life

2011-02-22T19:15:00.000-08:00

I go with the philosophy of "if life gives you lemons make some lemonade" and lately life is doing just that. I sit on the patio and enjoy the feel of the hot sun pouring over me through all my skin and into my bones. Hear the singing of the birds, feel the brush of the wind upon my skin like the caress of a lovers touch. Spring is coming thankfully I can now see it as well as feel it, the tulip tree in the front yard is showing her wonderful blooms for all to enjoy. When you feel mother nature really feel her power she seems so is so strong and forceful showering it everywhere for all of us to enjoy and feel and yes respect. As I set there I could feel the powerful sun soaking into me healing me making my back all better accepting the limitations now being forced on my being, acknowledging all the changes that are coming, challenges I must face and conquer. I have been diagnosed with sciatica which is simply a symptom of something not good going on in my back, I choose not to accept shots or surgery , instead I am going through physical therapy, weight loss, and exercising. What a wonderful time to heal this spring time going into summer with the sun and it's warmth as my constant companion on my journey.
Adding a little exercise to my life with my bronze friend here.

maybe jog over to the Maxwell House coffee factory for a little cuppa of coffee, although downtown Jacksonville you can smell the coffee beans baking gosh what a wonderful smell on a clear bright day.

Check out this fantastic piece of art, actually it's on an abandoned building those are old 33.3 records how great is this?
And how about driving out to do a little bit of shopping in this cool car, this was parked at a restaurant I ate at and I have this love for vintage cars man would I love to own this beauty.

A Very Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone

2011-02-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

Isn't Valentines day just the best day in the world. Lots of candy to eat and flowers everywhere in your home, little gifts and tokens of love and affection everywhere. Got to go and get Lil Daisy something for Valentines day tomorrow, although her newest toys Piglet and Tigger she is enjoying wonderfully, I think she still misses Bella but she seems okay just plays all the time. I am still working on a set of stacking rings to put on the site and finish up a new necklace in copper one of my friends at etsy wants to see so this week it's back in the jewelry studio again. Still working on my art a day projects need to find some time to post them so you can see them. Waiting on the pirate ship to arrive here in Jax this week to check it out hopefully Johnny Depp will be on board yeah right not likely.

A Day for Baking Bread

2011-02-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

Ah today was a day for baking bread. Last week I found a wonderful blog called UmberDove here on blogspot, and there was this great recipe for baking honey wheat bread which I truly didn't need on this diet I am on. Oh well, anyway the first batch my lil princess Daisy ate while it was rising

So on to another batch done today and it is delicious! And so easy to do, wow it makes three loaves and guess what she even makes Lemon jam also but unfortunately I didn't get in on the giveaway soon enough oh well maybe next time. She is a wonderful artist who creates these amazing birds gosh they are great, I am a birdwatcher I loe how they act with each other. So here is some pics of the process as I did it sorry but I am a messy cook but since I have to clean up it's okay. On the walls you will get a chance to see some of my fiber art works which is something I am trying to do again along with everything in the world. Oh well thats how it is with me.

Reflections of My Life

2011-02-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

Umm, it's the birthday month, do you ever start to go through the pages of your life when it's that time for you. Remember good times and interesting places you gone and explored. I was thinking of how on earth did the little small town girl ever survive turning 18 and flying across the country to such an exotic place like Iran. Yeah that's what I did lived there for a while, I remember when I first stepped out of the coocha(alley) everything stopped deal still. It was like a movie freezing up just stopped in motion the whole entire street, they just stared at me this tall blonde headed woman who was a giant at 6 ft tall, I think they had never seen one so blonde and light skinned and a giant at that, took a moment for it all to go back to normal. Now being the young innocent I was I wanted to run back inside but Aleece my landlady wouldn't allow that, so off shopping we went with everyone staring very boldly at me not even trying to hide it. I still don't know how I ever got use to that as I was a very shy young kid back in those days. I think for the rest of this month I will share these memories of my life travels all over the world with you so you can get to know me a little better, please join me grab a cup of tea who knows maybe I will write a book about all of it everyone says I should.

Tuesday off spending it peacefully

2011-02-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

Lately days have been spinning by so fast and quick, never enough time. I started my Art a day and am really enjoying the challenge of having to come up with something new everday a project to accomplish. Having a sense of achievement is so good and it makes one feel elated. I have chosen to make a schedule of the different mediums in art I wish to try out to seek knownledge I always feel as though I search for knownledge everywhere. Tomorrow will bring forth something new for each of us, enjoy it experience it acknowledge it and go forth on your own personal journey towards wherever it may take you. On the etsy site you will see a ring that has been added to my shop, I have also been trying the new techniques out that had once been taught to me, I hope you like it, the ring involves mixing metals silver and copper in this instance together to make a single piece of art .

Art of the Day

2011-01-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

During my art of the day journey I follow several great people who have their own blogspots. The UmberDove gave us a wonderful recipe for making Honey Wheat bread with flax seed. So that morning off I went an gathered all the ingredients needed. I came and went to the kitchen and got started right away. First I mixed everything following the recipe exactly, an Yes I did taste the dough and it was good. Did your mom ever tell you not to eat dough that it would give you worms my mom did, and I never go worms must have been one of the sayings.
Anyhow the bread was put to rise, now I got busy and forgot about the bread and of course Daisy found it and promptly ate it, and then of course she threw it up thank goodness I wasn't here for that lil clean-up whew! yuck! Now I am going to repeat this whole experiment for the Tuesday art of the day so check back then.

Hurrah Success

2011-01-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

In the previous blog hopefully you read of the problem with uploading the pictures. The technique I had tried was puttins silver dots on a copper surface to make perhaps a bracelet or a ring band to feature in my shop on etsy. Mision accomplished with the assistance of some wonderful artists on Aspiring Metalsmiths Etsy Team thank you everyone you are the greatest. The pictures show the process that I went through.

War with the Blogsite

2011-01-30T16:36:00.000-08:00

I honestly have been doing my Art a Day, I have been having a little issue with posting some pics for you to see, so here's goes another attempt. Please may the force be with me.

Art for the Day

2011-01-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

My next art for the day project was another pair of baby blue pj's which are the most comfortable oh man are they also nice and warm, believe me it does g et cold in Florida. I have a secret project to show you next week of course unitl my daughter recieves her present you can't see it yet sorry. Well this is the first RAW (Ring a Week Project) yeah I took that challenge as well, will show that this week so get ready, I have been so lazy this week in the studio. Time to get busy in there again. So stay in touch should be a good week.

The Art a Day Project 1

2011-01-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

I decided a few days ago to expand my artistic talents by challenging myself to create something artistic a day to include anything and everything . Todays project I used some material and a pattern I already had on hand to create a pair of pj's for hanging out comfortable at home in. They were easy to make and it has been sometime since I took the time to sit down and sew anything fun so here they are, isn't the ruffled bottoms of the pants leg cute?

The great RAW

2011-01-17T17:46:00.000-08:00

Yes I am making another commitment this time for a ring a week. So hang on and lets get started going into the studio now to find an idea check back for an update. I will be listing additional blogsites to check out for the entries as well.

A New Cuff of Mixed Metals

2011-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

I am always saying I am going to do some more mix metals designs and somehow i never get to it, so here is the start of that mission. This is a cuff composed of sterling silver and copper, I have used the technique of fusing for the designs pieces using recycled silver and some scrap pieces of silver I had saved for a purpose. So what do you think?

A New Year Begins

2011-01-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

Ah for all of us a new yeaf begins for all of us, bringing new challenges and changes but is't that what life is all about for us. I am starting this new year with going back to school, continuing on to learning more about the techniques I have studied in the various classes I have taken over the years. Now is a time for all of us to settle back and work on ourselves our economy is going crazy all the issues everyone faces everyday to try to make ends meet and survive these times we live on. It's definetly one of those glass half full or half empty I choose to half full and work on filling up the other half.
On one of my journeys into the Saturday Market here in Jax I saw some wonderful little birds that were filled with lavender, unfortunately I could not find any info on these little birds so I go to the big internet of the world in search of them and guess what, I found something I could use see I wanted to put some of these little birds in my linen closet and through out my home so here is the info I found hopefully you can use it , now if you don't sew you can find them in I think March at the market under the bridge here in Jax or email me and I will send some info to you on them of course you still have to wait until March. Here is the site http://www.flickr.com/photos/8515428@N07/3227421439 there are lots of folks on etsy.com that sell the lavender in fact this lady may sell them on her site on the flickr info . Good Luck enjoy the new year and bring it on with some positive attitude!
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USING LIVER OF SULPHUR FOR A PATINA

2010-12-21T17:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in life one has to take a little hiatus from the world and try to redefine their lives, this is where I have been. Often I think we have to step back and decide what in the world are we doing. The last few years of my life have been ever changing on a constant basis always some sort of drama and confusion, during this time my art has been my savior my constant helper throughout all of it. From the age of 14 I started sewing my own clothes thanks to my Aunt Florence who showed me how along with home ec teachers like Patsy Steagald whom shaped my life. They and my mother started my pathway to art. I then moved on to doing crafts of different kinds especially with my children during their childhood. My children are both wonderfully gifted adults secretly I have saved lots of their drawings and treasures from childhood. Now I am starting to see the artist in me come out and seek new ways to express itself. I attended silver jewelry classes in Atlanta at a wonderful school called Spruill Center for the Arts. Now I have this constant conflict of doing jewelry that I like the style I mean and the kind that sells , I question my talent constantly as most artist I think do. I am now going to concentrate on learning more about the techniques I have learned in the past and seeking new ones out to try to conquer.

TECHNIQUE ONE: LIVER OF SULPHUR FOR PATINA

A very good friend of mine said to get really the black color I was seeking to use everything hot, the metal, the patina to mix with really hot water, the rinse you really hot cleansing water. I use the liver of sulphur that comes in a liquid already mixed so I took it and cut a coke can close to the bottom. which made a little container, I poured the liver of sulphur in it then placed it in a pot of water the level below the container and heated it. Then I put the earring wires in it and they turned a beautiful black color a really dark color, rinsed in hot water with soap in it and total sucess it worked wonderful for me as
a black colorant to use on silver I highly recommend it made the earwires, wore them with no problems. total sucess hurrah!

A New Week Arrives

2010-11-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow a new week will begin for all of us, hopefully everyone is fine and looking forward to Thanksgiving which is right around the corner. I have big plans for two Thanksgiving Dinners so I will be very busy with all that. I have started looking back on my life this last week and my jewelry and have decided to go in the direction of my heart and go back to doing my own personal style of jewelry and not trying to do jewelry that I don't enjoy making or stuff that is not in my heart. So that's that and so be it. I am going to design something totally new and awesome for my site and I am hoping you will like it, SO this week lets start by making some chasing tools. Now to make these tools you can use old allen wrenchs any old tools you can possibly find at yard sales or flea markets will do you can use old screw drivers nails just about anything , Find an old BASTARD FILE first off mark this file for steel use only never ever use this file on anything else again just for steel stuff.

If you tool steel ( your old tool will now be called this) is now sorta clean you will begin to anneal it.
So take the tool stell put it on a firebrick and heat it up with a torch on the end till it turns cheery red.
Remove heat and let it air cool please be careful and let it totally air cool before you mess with it;.
Now that it has cooled , take your bastard file and start filing the point of your tool flat. Remember to file in only one direction . File until end it nice and flat. This is the time that you will need to start thinking of a SIMPLE DESIGN you would like to stamp on your silver, Maybe a square or a triangle or something else.
Okay tomorrow we will begin the making of a chasing tool , please comment on what you are thinking of making on your stamp.

Monday Nights Is not for just football

2010-11-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Oh it's Monday lets create something new. It is time to start to fill up the site on etsy time to move forward with new ideas, new designs taking form in the physical world and not just in my mind. Do you jewelry come to you in the middle of the night, do you notice iron work on buildings the cracks in the cement of the sidewalksomwhere. This is the little creator in your brain cells forcing its way out into the real world of your ideas. So let's start our journey this week. First stone out is a bubble gum pink rhodinite., cut in a freeform triangular cut of course I did cut it so its bound to be a little unusual. I am thinking of components lots of cirlcles with texture, making of special tools to use in the creations , the drawing of the design I unfortunately do not own a scanner so I can't show the design. I have made the tool, a stamping tool. So the creation begins.

Bromeliad: How to make a faux zebra hide rug - DIY style, frugal home design, budget travel#comment-form

2010-10-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

Bromeliad: How to make a faux zebra hide rug - DIY style, frugal home design, budget travel#comment-form

Moving into the small world of jewelry

2010-10-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well this has been a hard wacky week, I have come to the big decision to make some pretty little small jewelry to add to the shop on etsy. I have lots of people tell me to make stuff smaller so here's to you small jewelry lovers. It's just as challenging as making the large stuff but yet a little simplier, although I am a purist I will still make my own bezels not put bezel cups on my stuff, i want to fabricate my jewelry from scratch I know what a crazy idea. In the follwoing pictures you will see some pics of the new stuff, a set of rings to be added and some other neat cool pieces. I am still on the fusing journey and finishng up my Egor cuff which is becoming quite unique or at least I think this next week you will be seeing a step further into it's creation so stay tuned lets make some jewelry together wish we could all hang together in the studio and have some fun.

Wenesday Photo's

2010-10-07T04:41:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I could not load the photo's from yesterday don't know what happened so hopefull I will try again today , now remember everyone this was a collection of experiments not an actual piece so it may look a lttle rough.

Wacky Wednesday On the BENCH

2010-10-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

Well this weeks motto has been lets finish up old projects which I absolutely refuse to call UFO's, for whatever reason just sounds weird to me anyhow I am slowly working on getting things done. I have wanted to keep up working with the fusing idea thing yeah I am still obsessed with this technique, so in this picture you will see a sorta ring called "A Ring of NO Rhyme or Reason". Meaning it started off as an experiment in fusing silver onto copper well I oh Yes I decided that I wanted to use a thicker gauge of copper than I should have which actually soldered quite well. And then I decided to do a little warp checkerboard look using only sharpie which I will try this experiment again with the thinner gauge of copper like I was suppose to do and I think it will work. Well what should have actually happened is that the unmarked checks should have etched all the way down to the silver but it didn't , SO I once again decided to burr down to the silver which was kind of cool look which I will use again, SO I decided then to use the rolling mill to bring all the layer level which I should have not done because I lost most f my checkered pattern oh well, then turned the strip into a ring and since I have not dealt with brass before , SO I decided to add some brass balls to the ring and here she is the ring of no rhyme or reason but a heck of alot of fun with some simple scraps of silver and a day in the studio just going where the mind takes you sometimes . I will keep you up to date on the hurricane bracelet I am once again working on it soon I will add some stones and the seashell pieces if anyone has any info on fusing or making bimetal of any kind just email it to me please the brain is always looking for info , I have collected some already and am more than happy to share what I have with anyone who may need it .

New Earrings in Nancycreations.etsy.com

2010-10-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone here is the new earrings I did for the shop, I made a really cool punch tool to add dots on my metal , so I already had a small piece of metal that had a roller printed image of dots on it , so I went in and forged some dots on it in several places and added some patina to bring it all out and here it is fun an exciting the dots kind of look like pieces that are fuse on really cool I like it what do you think ?

Making pretties for someone out there in jewelry land

2010-10-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

I love to create cabochons , it is really a zen thing for me, I am always hunting for special stuff always on the hunt like a tracker in Africa looking for big game of course my weapon of choice would be camera gosh how exciting would that be huh? Well so I started think of cabs and of course you can feel a little crispness in the air even here in florida so it was fall colors coming to the forefront of my mind. So here they are my little beauties some not so little some medium and maybe a few by my standards. I love the graphics on the Picasso stones, love that hot pink on the rhodonite went a little crazy for some high domes like gum drops you can get at the fairs at this time of year, the fossils are wonderful to reminds me the summer has ended for some wierd reason all of it is wonderful colors ah and dont forget the fantastic fall sunset one these are all coming to the site this week that are pictured here some are already there some are to arrive soon so keep checking in with me . If you see something you need email me at nancy4133@gmail.com and I will give you a special discount because you like my blog !

Igor Cuff ( Honoring the people of Bermuda)

2010-09-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

This month Hurricane Igor hit Bermuda offering lots of damage to them, well just before it hit here in Florida we were feeling the undercurrents with rip tides and lots of danger in the ocean. I was on the beach during this time picking up lots of fragments of shells that were brought to shore because of this hurricane. I was amazed at all the textures on the shell fragments you could see lots of places where water had really smooth out the shells pieces I am thinking maybe these came up from the bottom f the ocean with all the churning of the water,,so I guess walking on the beach made me decide to create a piece of jewelry about how I felt about this Igor. You know we all walk around everyday taking so much for granted we use and abuse mother nature so much with all our wants of it and then we get shocked when she cuts loose and shows us what power she really has I believe there is a reason for everything, who knows what it sis , who are we to ask, damage can occur in any moment in time. So this cuff is all about taking hold of the damage and reconstructing from it . The metal is left over parts from other pieces mostly recycled some fused with other pieces, just a little of this and a little of that. The shell fragments are to show something broken can still be used in another way, the stones added to the cuff are left over pieces from slabs that I had used for cabs, the cuff is all about using damage or left over stuff into a thing of interest and intrigue and making do with what you have which is what these poor people in Bermuda are doing right now they are rebuilding their lives like I am rebuilding this cuff this cuff is all about honoring these people for their grit and stamina to make do and get it all together again to honor the beauty of Bermuda. Please stay with this blog as we go through the building of this cuff, I work on it when I can much like the people rebuilding are doing.

Hot off the press

2010-09-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

I orginally started out as a fiber artist then moved on to include metalsmith, jewelry artist and lots of other stuff, anyway after daisy and bella got a bath iI looked at their collars yuck was my reaction. So I started thinking about getting new collars of course the ones I wanted were expensive and I love the cute etsy collars but I wasn't sure if they would be strong enough for daisy who can really misbehave a pull you like a crazy woman sometimes. So I thought about it and came up with a enhancer that simply fits over your collar, can be easily removed for washing, then I decided to sell it on etsy and donate part of it to an organization to help anmals find a home. The fabric is recycled mostly will come from a thrift store who is for a cause so that helps them out to so everyone wins. They are cheap $5.50 each with .50 going to animal organization. And here they are http://www.etsy.com/listing/57427900/go-green-dog-collar-enhancer1-sz-lg

Sunday mornig at the beach !

2010-09-26T14:43:00.001-07:00

Isn't mother nature just the best, it is so beautiful and about as far removed from Atlanta as you can possibly get, I feel like I am finally home. In the remaining pictures I will show you a little bit of mother nature at her finest and hope you can enjoy this majical moment with me on this beautiful Sunday Floridian Morning.

Then this family caught this baby shark when they were fishing, looks like a baby hammer

head I think anyway they showed it to me and then took it off the line and through it back in the ocean to grow up. Notice the gloves !

The girls all dressed up to go to the Beach on Sunday Morning. They were so excited ! This was Bella first visit to the beach and she seemed to get right in the swing of things with Daisy and I . My little Daisy loves the water she is such a water babie my little beach bum.

UMMM!

2010-09-23T04:07:00.001-07:00

Here's one of my assistants her name is Bella she is the point guard and Daisy is the muscle or her backup in case of any trouble, she is a mix girlie of red heeler and Australian Shepard someone who needed a new home urgently, she spent the first 9 months of her life basically in a cage , she now enjoys the freedom and a loving family us she has really came out of her shell she is doing great. I do share info on jewelry designs, some don't and that's okay everyone should find their own style and not try to reproduce someone else, make your own with your own personal imprint on it , it takes a little time to get it just right just keep practising until you do, make your own designs not someone else's.

This is some sterling silver spoons I have had for years, sometimes I make rings and bracelets out of them, these two spoons had the most wonderful designs on the spoon part so I flattened them to make some restyle pendants out of them., they deigns are so pretty and romantic I use to deal with alot of antiques so I have a million of these everyone says melt them down I say no way !

In this picture you will see the shells after they have been filled in ready for the designs , I use plummers putty found at any hardware store. It comes blue an white and you mix them together umm get ready it really stinks! but the smell does go away.

These are two shell pieces I chose to do more jewelry designs with, their texture is so wonderful and inspiring. I love these shell pieces , these pieces were picked just prior to the hurricane even though it was far away from us in Bermuda the ocean brought in so many shells some whole and some in pieces . I wonder where the other parts to these shells are, what far away beach did they wash up on?

Well I think I was staying up a little to late last night and somehow missed putting the pictures up of my work yesterday sorry. This is the components I will be using for the bracelet that I am working on with the seashells and a little fusing.

2010-09-23T04:06:00.001-07:00

A wonderful Wednesday coming up

2010-09-21T20:53:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness tomorrow I am off from my little normal job and onto my have great fun job. I got up really early this morning to finish up these little pretties, I had already made some for myself and thought I would feature them on my etsy site. They are the greatest of earrings I just love them. Tomorrow fun is to begin work on the shell pieces I showed you the other day. I want to do some pendants of them, they're texture is so intriguing to me, I am always drawn to sea shells they seem to mysterious to me , I often wonder where the rest of the shell on what distant shore it landed upon. These shells are some of work of the hurricane that the rough seas brought ashore here in Jacksonville. I am enjoying being near the beach for the first time in a long time, I really don't think I knew how much I missed living in Florida. My little Daisy who is not so little anymore is enjoying her sister Bella so much, poor Bella has had a rough time in life but fate landed her with us , it's a little rough getting her use to living outside a cage which is where she spent alot of time in before she came to us , now she has total freedom and is finally learning what "calm down baby " means thank goodness and she is now loving to ride in the car and go for walks although she is still a little scared of the walking she is doing great.

It's a Super Sunday

2010-09-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

I have just spent the most wonderful Sunday , Frank and I went to the beach first and of course I picked up at least a million sea shells bits and pieces, jewelry ideas kept blowing through my mind. Why is there something so magical about seashells I mean really do you always pick them up to? I always like the broken pieces with all the texture on them that's me the texture queen. Now all these ideas are everywhere in my head going toward being put down on paper before I forget them. The biggest treasure was all the holey stones I found lots of them, now through out ages they are said to offer protection to those who wear them, the stones have holes carved through them from mother nature which is said to have healing and magical properties in them.

It is also said if you look through the hole during the light of a full moon you will see faires I will try this out.Folklore is so interesting , I enjoy reading about the properties of the stones.

Well after a visit to the beach we kept on Highway A1A on towards St. Augustine. It was great there was a wonderful breeze from the hurricane that is off Bermuda please say a prayer for these folks, we went into all the little cool shops, had a wonderful lunch in OLDE TOWNE which is of course where all the tourist shops are but it was fun and relaxing which is what Sundays are all about, sorry no Pics except of my treasures from the beach I forgot the camera.

Thank goodness tomorrow is wednesday

2010-09-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Ah tomorrow is a day off for some reason this week is already flying by. I went into the studio this moring got out a piece of silver and went and banged it on the patio pavers for some new texture think of something Bohemian again maybe earrings or a ring found some stones I had for saved back umm well lets see what pops out tomorrow so stay tuned check the blog tomorrow when we will discover what is on the bench plate being made in the studio. Hey that's a great name for new creations the "BENCH PLATE". STAY TUNED

Tuesday up bright and early

2010-09-14T03:42:00.000-07:00

Ah good morning folks I am up early today as I will be going to a regular job today instead of having fun in the studio. yuck! I stayed up way to late last night putting cabochons on the sister site atticktreasures on etsy. Since the move here seems like everything is in lost land somewhere these cabochons were some of the last I had finished at the farm. The Chrysocolla is fantastic as always, my miner friend sends the greatest stuff to me it's always so hard to choose. Actually we should all have this stone as it is said to relieve tension and stress sounds like a stone prozac to me. Cleopatra was said to always carry one with her history says , it's suppose to make ill tempered people tolerant and sensitive umm interesting huh? If you haven't checked out the site please do and let me know what you think http://www.etsy.com/listing/56286762/chrysocolla-cabochon-4-arizona

Sunday night again

2010-09-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry I have been really busy doing all kinds of crazy stuff this week. I am working on doing a little bit of riveting in addition to soldering. Riveting is something I have not done very much so I decided to add it on some of my jewelry pieces. Well it is fun sorta of and this comes from a chick who likes no loves using the torch. The only part I really don't like is sawing the little tube thing what a pain, other than that I can see where it will come in handy with other stuff I do. I have alot of ufo's hanging on that I need to finish so I am off to do them this week. As you will see in the pictures I added alot of texture to this necklace I have always wanted a thicker side to the back plates so I think I have found a way for this to happen. I love the amber beads although they were terribly expensive I love the warmth they give off when you rub them and they are good for metabolic disorders, asthma, arthritis and strengthening heart muscles. It is said that the color of Amber is to give you succes, we hope so.

At this time I would like to ask everyone no matter what you religion is please ask for my aunt who is very dear to me for her remaining time bring her lots of joy and happiness, no pain no discomfort, that her remaining time with us be blessed with lots of love and laughter and joy to enable her to deal with this issue that is facing her and may the sun always shine upon her face.

Sadly grief is once again coming to my family sad as it is to deal with, we must prepare ourselves to loose one who is wonderful and very special to us.

It's Sunday Nite

2010-08-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

And all is fine here at the casa. I have had an exciting week, met some new people, made some new friends, ate some of the best pizza at Ron and Sam's house it was fantastic. I met Frank's sons wonderful wives and parents of each had birthday parties and the best news of all is Daisy has a sister. Yes our little Daisy has a sister named Bella who is part Sheppard and red heeler. They are affectionately called "The Girls". They are getting along wonderful and Daisy is having so much fun playing with Bella so now I will have two studio assistants.
Have you ever stopped and thought about coincidences in your life, how things happen to you and you wonder why? About how all things seem to work out, if you do wonder about this lets discuss it please I am quite curious about how your life is affected by them and do you believe there is no such thing as coincidences in life. If you don't want to post here please email me and let me know what you think.
On another note I am going to do some pieces with cold connection this week been along time since I have done any but a ring design is stuck in my head so here it goes. Stay tuned for results this week and please tell me how you feel about coincidences.

Tuesday is almost gone in the fading daylight

2010-08-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

The was a very hard Tuesday lots of things to do some fun some not. Looking for some shark teeth to make a necklace for my grandson I have placed it somewhere , can't seem to remember where I put it so I wouldn't loose it. Oh well that is life so tomorrow I will go to Five Points here is Jax and hopefully find some to make his necklace or he is going to be upset with his grannie. I have been working once again on the fusing techniques, I want to make a braclet with alot of different fused components on it, I would like to implement brass, copper, silver and gold. I was thinking of Halloween coming and what am I going to put on the etsy site? Will have to think on that one. Well it's getting late and tomorrow I am helping out at the bookstore thing so long and please comment please tell what it going on in your life and if you are creating what are you creating post some pics to me . Lets do a little ineracting here folks!

Ah They Are Done

2010-08-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well I finally finished the pretty earrings, they are long and sexy and have alot of movement to them. I like it when the earrings I wear brush up against my face almost like a caress. Long dangle earrings always look so good on people don't you think? Don't they make you feel sexy when you wear them? I cut and cabbed the cabochons for these earrings. I have always wanted to make a pair of fraternal earrings you know the kind that are sorta alike but not really, some don't even have the same stones maybe just the design is similar but the stones are totally different. Anyway I finally did it and it feels really good, I am trying to go to the studio at least some everyday, although sometimes I make pretty jewelry I still prefer the bohemian look. I like that the style is more free and not so uptight which is alot like me, I will be the first to tell you I march to my own drummer and stay true to myself to do what I need to do, to create my own style. I think if you force yourself to create something that your heart isn't in to its bad for you and your spirit. I love creating treasures and interesting things, brought back some lovely coral from Hawaii that is actually very smooth of course with the ocean that rough how could it not be smooth. After our jaunt to the beach with Daisy the other day I am inspired once again to do something with the shells and stuff I find on the beach and of course I have some wonderful beach glass that Amy Rowe brought me from the islands and my daughter Crystal brought me from Puerto Rico that I am going to have to so something with all this stuff I think. Look and tell me what you think of the new earrings. Still trying to figure out what to give away for a prize on the contest I want to do for the blog site. Any suggestions????

Thank Goodness It's Friday

2010-08-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

I have only been doing a little bit of creating this week, I am having a little time adjusting to Jacksonville because Really only have one friend here, think I need to get out and make some friends. But I really like just being in my studio doing my thing all day long I am going to get started on my sis bday present this year it will be very sentimental for both of us, can't tell you to much I want it to be a surprise and I don't know if she reads my blog or not but it has a fantastic story and will be worth some laughs to you. Got some more herb seeds for my little garden to plant today the seeds I planted for flowers last week are already up. I admit I am a gardener at heart.Going to make some pesto with bowtied pasta this weekend got to go get some pine nuts. Did I tell you I have a pear tree in my backyard today I am making pearsauce kind of like applesauce only you use pears will let you it when I make and tell you how it was. Well gotta get busy, hey you can email me if you want to you know it will brighten my day.
Oh I almost forgot geez sometimes I wonder about my brain, I am going to do a giveaway to someone who is on my blogsite don't exactly know how I am going to choose yet think it will be a little contest so we can have a winner so stay tuned for details next week !

Wednesday is well Wednesday what can I say!

2010-08-18T04:47:00.001-07:00

Ah lets see Monday started off with doing test cuts for Great Clips here in Jax, so I will be cutting hair again part time, it's nice to doing some hair styles again didn't relize I missed it. I also found a great new knitting shop here in town. Yesterday I went to the farm and cut Crystals and Kathy's hair and loaded up the car with another load of stuff, slowly I am getting everything in one place which will be nice. Posted a new pair of earrings and took new pictures of the lapis ring. Yeah I have been busy , still working on the fraternal twin earrings hopefully today they will be finished and posted tonite they are really cool making a couple of pairs at a time one is for me. I love long dangly earrings that swing when you move your head it makes happy wierd huh? Hey check out this bog she is so cool love her creative side of lifehttp://annekata.blogspot.com/ love the sandals going to have to make me some lots of info for all of us to enjoy.

It' A Freaky Friday MovingDay Again

2010-08-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

Gosh am I ever going to quit moving this errr stuff here from the farm? I ask myself that every time I come home with a load. I have made peace with the understanding that when you are an artist you have lots of supplies(crap ok), you need it to create right, I mean how can you do anything if you don't have some kind supplies on hand. Now I know rusty metal beer tops are not a treasure to some but to me they are and someday I will do something with the few I have. Just lots of stuff for one art medium is ok but when you create with fibers like cloth, thread, and all that stuff in addition to making metal jewelry and doing lapidary work like cutting stones you need stuff for that to, in addition to tools lots of tools for each well to say the least I have lots of stuff and I refuse to give up to much of it, its like parting with treasure although not viewed as treasure by all so my new motto is to love me is to love my treasure and put up with it. Now luckily the love gods sent me someone who is patient and understanding of this situation and he is very supportive whew thank goodness!

Trucking ON in the Studio onTuesday

2010-08-10T08:53:00.000-07:00

Can you guess where I am going with this design UMMM lets see if You can????

Tuesday is ticking away already

2010-08-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Good morning all, well I finally got into the studio last night after a long wait of moving of course. I have always teased the idea in my head of fraternal earrings so now I am creating a pair, using a freeform pair of chrysocola stones cabbed of course by yours truly. I want them to be long and have lots of swing to them I may add some bling or not, will of course some patina too. Stay tune for them on nancycreations.etsy.com hopefully today if I can get it done in time.

Ah A New Studio

2010-08-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

Finally the new studio is beginning to emerge. I hung Daddy's old cowhorns above the door and the bench is in place. So today with everything still all over the floor I am going to create some jewelry for the etsy site which I have been terribly ignoring because of the move so stay turned for some new exciting jewelry coming to the Nancycreations.etsy.com

The Sunday Morning Nancy Times

2010-08-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

As usual it's 7 in the morning and I am already up and running. I am so excited today is the day I put the studios back together, hurra! I have greatly missed my jewelry fix with all this moving, I think maybe three more trips to the farm and I will be done. I am starting with the jewelry studio first this morning, the new room is painted a blue which by the way I didn't choose but I think its okay and it does have two windows to open for a view of the backyard so that is nice for working in. Oh by the way my little herb garden did the move just fine and is coming along great although I did loose some stuff while I was in Hawaii my little garden helper forgot to water so no nastriums for my salads that mean replacing them and also some cilantro, but the peppers came thru great as well as the chives , basil, oregano and the dill. Today it's fresh pesto with kabobs on the grill wow doesnt that sound great!

Fun Times Revue

2010-08-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Do you also check out people everywhere, is it the artist in us looking for something in them? I love to people watch it is a fun activity I want to attend some drawing classes to draw faces only faces so far interest me. I am checking out some places to do that here in Jax. When I was on the Artwalk I really got to check out alot of people very interesting people, but you know it's funny anytime I see a man in a skirt of any type be it a kilt or just a plain skirt if fasinates me. In the picture you see a man who is obviously very comfortable wearing a skirt and has learned how to bend down in one a great concept huh? I think its definetly cool for a man to wear a skirt do you?

Ah heres the pics

2010-08-05T06:56:00.001-07:00

Here is the wonderful pictures of the Artwalk.

New Life New City

2010-08-05T06:17:00.001-07:00

I have arrive at last in Jacksonville which is commonly known as Jax. My very first exploration was the "Art Walk " and it was fantastic, this artwalkk also featured the PetWalk so you could bring your four legged friends along for the evening. I saw all kinds of wonderful dogs as I will share with you in some of the photos. Please remember to help our friends in the pet rescue areas in your city in any way you can they really need our help with donations and time if you can and most of all please spay and neuter you own pets.You will see lots of local artists as well a fantastic dance theatre F13RCE DANCE THEATRE that preformed some special presentations for the artwalk that was awesome it was great featured in the pictures are Khaila Espinosa,Gabrielle Roulhac,Kyle Wynn,Sydney Keister, Lyndsey Misenar and Tyveze Littlejohn and special thanks to Mayra Fernandez who is the artistic director of the theatre for showing us a little bit of the wonderful talented artists who use her theatre to enhance their wonderful art. Right next door to the thatre is a terrific gallery named Salon which is a must see with lots of exotic and wonderful displays of art featured there. You will also see the famous Florida Theatre and its wonderful decor which I have tried to show in the pictures which cannot even present the obuiance of such a grand old theatre it is. Along our artwalk you will see different artist presenting the art and some of the great buildings especially the one featuring the Jaguar who is wrapped around the building and can be seen from both sides, just so you know the Jaguars us the Jacksonvlle NFL football team . Last picture you will see is of me enjoying some sangria at a wonderful restaurant in the San Marco area here in Jax my litle Atlanta.