Tucson Sunsets

I think maybe I take our beautiful Tucson sunsets for granted, they are so commonplace. Although I notice them, I only really absorb them when time allows (how sad to admit). They are quite breathtaking and I find myself wishing I could save it for at least an hour longer and then I realize it will come again, never exactly the same, but a really beautiful sunset that we will be ooohing and aaahing over, as though it were the first time we'd ever seen a sunset. There is something about the inspiration one gets from such a beautiful vision. The colors are so rich and extraordinary that it just makes one feel the same way. It seems to penetrate our very being and become a permanent part of us, enriching our lives and making us see things from a different and unique vantage point.

Fair A-Flair at Plaza Palomino November 5th-7th 2010

Green Enamel House Earrings

I received a request from a customer that happens to be a real estate person in Lincoln, Nebraska for more house earrings in color. These are the result of that request and I plan to make more as time allows for blue and red houses. If you'd like to see more images of this pair you can go to: http://www.restringit.etsy.com

Mixed Metals House Earrings

Even though it was hot in my garage, I spent the better part of the day working on jewelry and barrettes. I’m making little house earrings out of copper and sterling silver. I have one completed and will probably finish the other one tonight. I made them post earrings but could just as easily (easier in fact) have made them dangles. I kind of like them. They are different and the possibilities are endless for adorning the homes. You could even make them seasonal and have enameled Christmas lights around one. I love working in my studio, just wish I had some natural light (a nice big window facing north, when I win the lottery) would be perfect!

Mosaic Barrettes

I bought some barrette blanks at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show last February and have been planning how to use them ever since. The other day I tried using some beads to make a mosaic and I really like it. My first one sold and the customer seems to be very pleased. So with the remaining 15 or so left, I have continued with the mosaic idea and am very pleased with the results. I look forward to taking them to the fall craft shows. I’m hoping they’ll be popular.
For more images go to: http://www.restringit.etsy.com

Early Morning Desert Experience

It’s officially hot in Tucson. The temperature was 100 degrees yesterday but we are supposed to have cooler weather now for a week or so and by cooler I mean in the mid to lower 90s.

My daughters and I have been exercising at the local high school. We see a Cooper’s Hawk there everyday and everyday I say I’m going to bring my camera the next day… Today there were two and we found their nest. I am going to take my camera tomorrow. They are so close and rather tame acting. We walk or run (not me) around the track and they just sit in the bleachers about 20 feet away. It is really cool and I know I could get some interesting shots of them. A golf course is behind them and they always appear to be watching the golfers at the driving range.
As we were heading home we saw hummingbirds in the mesquite tree, rabbits scampering about the desert vegetation, ground squirrels standing erect and then diving into holes, and of course lizards of all sizes and colors running across the path. Once we saw a poky gila monster loping along and what a huge and majestic lizard they are.

I love the desert and the peacefulness of it in the early morning is quite tranquil.

I've added a picture of the nest up in the lights and a bad one of the Cooper's Hawk on the telephone pole. Can imagine it gets very hot when they are on, since it's already 90 degrees at night without the lights.

Hammered Copper Chain

I've made a 20 inch copper chain that I love! It is simple and yet as my 16 year old daughter says,"It stands on it's own." I tried adding an etched piece and a few beads but it just wasn't happening, so I now let it stand alone and it works beautifully. Using 14 gauge copper wire I created good size jump rings, next they were soldered, shaped into ovals, flattened, hammered on both sides and attached to hard round jump rings. The ovals measure approximately 3/4" by 3/8". I love the shine and sparkle created from the hammering and the boldness, yet super lightweightness of this piece.

www.restringit.etsy.com

Baby Blue Flower Enamel and Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Yesterday I completed a matching necklace that matches the blue enamel earrings and I love it! I love baby blue and white and the colors in this necklace are perfect for a spring necklace. Scoop neck tee, especially brown, and you'll have a beautiful color combo. This is my all-time favorite necklace. Vintage inspired, each copper flower has been hand sawn from a sheet of copper, shaped into a 3 dimensional flower, enameled with the softest baby blue enamel and wire wrapped with plump white freshwater pearls complete with solid copper chain and secure catch creating the sweetest 17 1/2" necklace. For more images go to: www.restringit.etsy.com

Blue Copper Enamel Spring Flower Earrings

Sometimes I make a piece of jewelry and I just love it! This is one of those times. These blue enamel earrings look even more beautiful on than they do in the photograph. Sometimes you take a picture of something and you think that it looks so much better in person, and then sometimes you take a picture of something and you think that photo came out really good. I love these earrings and I love the photo of these earrings, but even my teen daughters agree, these earrings looks fabulous on, just fabulous. They are not heavy but the colors and size create a pair of earrings that are sure to get compliments galore.

These earrings have been created from a sheet of copper. Each spring flower has been hand cut with a jeweler's saw, enameled with a pale blue enamel, and hung from handcrafted French style solid copper ear wires. The drop on this pair of earrings is 1 1/2" and diameter is slightly more than 3/4".
For more images you can go to: http://www.restringit.etsy.com

Mixed Metals Giraffe Ring

I find it so hard to photograph copper, sometimes the pictures take longer to do than the actual product. :)

This giraffe patterned ring is made from a domed piece of copper which has been acid etched with a giraffe pattern, lightly oxidized, and polished. Both ring base and band are sterling silver with the base having a diameter of 3/4". This ring is size 7 1/2 but can be made any size upon request. Please allow one week if requesting a different size.

For more images go to: http://www.restringit.etsy.com

Turtle or Tortoise Shell Ring

I made a tortoise or turtle shell ring today using mixed metals, sterling silver and copper. The copper piece was etched with acid in the pattern of the tortoise shell, domed, oxidized, and polished. The silver part was the rest of the ring. Tomorrow I plan to make a giraffe patterned ring using the same method and eventually a zebra patterned ring.
I love the idea that I can still use my favorite metal, copper, and yet others that like it and are worried about its green effect will still be able to enjoy it because the copper part doesn't rest against the skin.
This particular ring is size 6 but can be made in any size.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

This is an exciting week in Tucson. The much awaited Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has arrived in town and just about everyone is affected by this event. We love it and hope it remains in Tucson forever! There is talk, sadly, that the event may not remain here, but who can ask for a better location. We have sunshine galore, warm temperatures, and the best, I repeat, THE BEST Mexican food I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Even our former president Bill Clinton came here just to enjoy a Mexican meal at a favorite restaurant, and it happens to be my favorite in Tucson, although there a many, many wonderful Mexican restaurants in town. I have never had a bad meal at a Mexican restaurant. You can't go wrong and the prices are always super reasonable.

I'll be scoping out the vendors for lots of natural stones. Last September I fell in love with aquamarine and do believe I'll try to pick up some more, I just love the soft blue color that looks so beautiful against ones skin. This is a stone that looks even better on than it does alone.


Maybe I'll take my camera and add some shots of my shopping to one of my blogs, sure wish everyone could be here to enjoy this yearly extravaganza. Natural stones, to antique artifacts, sterling silver, and findings galore. You would love this event that begins tomorrow and can entertain jewelers to fossil lovers, vintage jewelry to contemporary, and the scent of grilled foods on site that are perfect for lunches as you break from your shopping adventures.


If you're interested in something and you'd like me to hunt for you, let me know!

Enjoy!

http://www.restringit.etsy.com
http://www.tucsonvintage.etsy.com
http://www.GreenWayAvenue.etsy.com

Vitamin D Deficiency - Hype or Real

I love weather like this in Tucson. It is beautiful and perfect for outdoor living. Perfect for getting that vitamin D that is all the rage. What is the deal with vitamin D deficiency? Is it real or are we just helping out the vitamin industry? Is it a fad like vitamin E, that they have now found isn't so great for your heart after all...

This is the first year I've attempted a garden. I have cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and lettuce to name most of them. So far it has been lovely to look at my garden but here's hoping I'll actually be able eat something and hopefully make some soup. I love cauliflower soup!

Hoping Haiti a speedy recovery and lots of help, soon!

Wendy

Happy New Year

We rode our bikes to the Oro Valley Farmers Market today. It is a 9.5 mile ride round trip. We bought mesquite cookies, pea soup, German potato salad, kumquats, mesquite tortillas, and red lentil soup. I LOVE mesquite cookies. They have no sugar, are a puffy soft cookie, with almonds in them. Delightful! The weather was so nice we had to remove our jackets and tomorrow is supposed to be pretty much like today. :)

It is hard to believe that it is 2010 already. Time flies... Happy New Year! Good health, comfort, and creative adventures to all!

We flew Southwest Airlines to Kentucky over the holidays and it was a very nice experience. All of the Southwest employees that we encountered were very nice and helpful. It was a great trip and the travel part was very pleasant, aside from the drive to the Phoenix Airport where we encountered the awful 22 car accident on I-10 due to the dust storm. The dust was very thick, we drove for a minute or two unable to see. You can't stop because cars or trucks will plow into the back of you and you have to continue driving with the fear you'll drive into someone. Awful!! I couldn't pull over either because it was in a work zone and they had the concrete pylons. Maybe someone should build a tunnel through that stretch of blowing dust.

Now I'm looking forward to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. If you've never experienced it, you have missed the best thing that happens in Tucson every year. We have many wonderful events in Tucson, but in my opinion, the Gem Show is the BEST!

Again, Happy New Year and may it be the best yet!
Wendy