It's my birthday!

And more myself I made some amethyst earrings and a swirlie pendant! I love them! Thank you, me! The earrings i based on a design in the Sundance catalog, but I added a big amethyst briolette in the center, which I bought in Vermont. I tried these in a dangly the other night, but it just wasn't working for me, so I took it all apart. The shape is a little wiggly. I need to find some sort of a shape to bend it around instead of freeforming it.

The pendant I completely stole the design from one that Pam emailed me from a lady on etsy. The s shape in the middle is a little angular. this is with 18 gauge half hard wire and it's just too hard to bend into shapes like that. I may invest in some 18 gauge dead soft wire for stuff like this. I'm just a little nervous about dead soft since I've never worked with it and I'm not sure how it holds its shape.

The 2nd pair was attempt #2 at copying a design from etsy (see yesterday's entry for teh 1st attempt). I still didn't get it right, but I think I ended up with yet another cool design.

Well, summer has finally made it to Maine, which means we're busy busy busy. We have bees, and gardens, and triathlon training, and house projects, etc. etc. etc. Which probably means less time for jewelry making, alas. But we'll see how it goes. Even wtih this busy weekend, I was able to make a few pairs. For now, I've given up my dreams of a kiln, but I'm seriously thinking about getting a blow torch and at least learning how to solder. You can do some pretty cool things. AND my two favorite sisters in teh world each got me $50 gift certifictates to my two favorite online jewelry suppliers! Yay! Yay! Yay! Unfortunately my internet (and phone) have been acting up so I can't do a proper shop, but wait till I get in to work tomorrow! I can't wait!