I'm Not Here

I've moved to a new blog... Whimsy's Wonders (http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/).  Please join me there.

Lisa

Super City...

My city is hosting the Super Bowl this weekend, and I just want to say how proud I am of Indianapolis.  Everyone has done such a wonderful job and I've heard so many visiters say that this is the best Super Bowl experience that they have ever had.  Traffic has been murder for me, trying to get to and from work has been a challenge, but everywhere you look people are smiling and excited.  It's the Christmas giddiness without all the grumbling and hurrying. It's pretty darn cool.

I turned a profit on the earrings that I made (sorry for no pics).  However....I just turned around and spent it all and a little more buying more beauties.  Damn you Etsy for the crack supplier that you are.  I'll try and find the camera and post a picture of my haul. 

In other news...the experimentation continues.  I've been working with copper wire, trying to find different ways of coloring and distressing it.  I think I need a stronger torch and more experience in handling it, but I'm getting there.  I've been combing the internet gathering inspiration from other jewelry makers and crafts people.  There is so much out there, so many talented people.  It's a great time to be alive and be able to use the internet to connect with folks from far flung places, to see their creations and have them spark new ideas in you. Gag, it sound like I just fell off the turnip truck.  I promise that I didn't, but I can't think of anywhere, outside of a museum, where you can find so much beauty and inspiration in human creation.  Hello, my name is Lisa, and I'm a sap.

And, because it's Friday...

So long for now....

Let's try this again...

I tried getting in on Lori Anderson's Bead Soup, but didn't make the cut (sniff, sniff).  I'm going to try again, however, with a different give challenge.  Jo, of Daisychain Designshttp://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-500th-post-and-challenge.html is having a 500th post challenge and I'm going to go for it.  I'm a little late to the game, but I'm giving it a go.

                                                                   

But It Looks Simple Enough...

Ha. Famous last words.  I tried making head pins with 20g copper wire, but it so did not work.  I'm not giving up though.  I'll figure out what I did wrong and keep trying.  I love the way copper head pins look all distressed and patinaed with that little drop of copper on the end of the wire.  I just wish I could make them for myself. I did find it very satisfying to fire up the torch and attempt to make something with fire and metal.  It felt very ancient and primitive.  I know it's a modern butane torch and manufactured copper wire, but when you get down to it, the basics of using heat to form metal to make adornment for the body is the same now as it was when Og figured out how to make shiny pretties to attract the ladies.  I bet Og first used fire and metal to make sharp pointy things to combat the other Ogs, making pretties to attract the ladies was probably just a byproduct.

I was productive over the weekend.  I made nine pairs of what I'm going to call Kickin' It earrings.  They are just little earrings that you can just kick around in; little basic blue jean earrings.  I like making stuff like that because I get to perfect my wire wrapping and they are super easy to sell to the girls at work.  I just need to finish them up with the ear wires and get to the craft store for some card stock to make the earring cards, and I'll be in business.  I'm working on putting together a logo and trying to see if I can't make a real live business endeavor out of my hobby.  We shall see.

Oh, and the next time I say "But it looks simple enough..", just smack me.  Hard.

LOL

Since it's Friday the 13th, I say laugh in the face of danger and tempt the fates.....

Guess where I'm going...

http://www.beadandbuttonshow.com/ 

I'm so excited that I was able to get into the class that I wanted. I have lots of books that tell me (and show me) how to make cold connections, but there is nothing like being with someone and gaining hands on experience.  So, on June 9, 2012 I will be in a class to learn all about how to use rivets and micro connectors to help me make great jewelry.  I can't wait. The crowds at this event will be overwhelming, I'm sure, but I will pull up my big girl undies, slap a smile on my face and go forth into the great teaming masses.

I wonder what else there is to do in Milwaukee?  Planning the trip is just as much fun as going on the trip to me. I'm thinking of maybe renting a cabin and experiencing some of the beauty of Wisconsin.  I have never been there before, but do have some distant cousins that live up there. We shall see.

In other news, I'm gonna fire up the torch this weekend and make up some headpins.  Or try to.  This will be the first time I've had a go at this, but it looks simple enough.  I'll be working with 20g copper wire as silver is just too expensive to practice with.  I'm liking the look or copper more and more and also want to play around with adding some of the great patinas that I've seen around. 

Wish me luck...

Things that make me ......

 laugh like a six year old boy telling fart jokes.