The Tangle

  I'm still not feeling very enthusiastic about wire. I did submit some work to a juried website last week and got rejected. This only deepened my lack of enthusiasm:(

  I do trust that my excitement and interest will return in time if I am patient about it.

  I have seen some wire artists over the years abandon wire for metalsmithing. It's not like wire workers have any where to go to get advanced teaching and personal one and one training at the level you are at. There is just nothing like that out there for us.

  It can be tempting to ditch wire when it gets tough or you struggle to bring your ideas into reality and have noone to help you.

  I'm not ready to ditch wire yet.

Spiral Brooch

I continue to be fascinated by the spiral in all its forms, both open and closed, coiled, straight, flat or in 3d.

This brooch design allowed me to bring another idea to life without being thwarted by trinket boxes:) I wore it to the office today on a black top and it  feels unique and special;)

Rebellion

I know it's been a long time since I posted, but I am going through a rebellious phase right now.

Just 6 weeks ago I was smugly patting myself on the back for having so much patience to do these long projects. I thought I had conquered myself. But, I was getting tired and I wondered about other areas of my life that were getting neglected because of it.

My daughter got a job recently and since we are sharing only one car in the household, this has disrupted the daily routine of my life. I've never seen anyone so happy to have a job though!

I'm not sure what direction I want to go in next with wire and jewelry, and due to some recent failures, my motivation is low.

I know that things will turn around again. After I regroup;)

Buried Treasure Necklace

This entire necklace came about because of the carved bone skull bead. I decided I needed a treasure map to go with it.

Than I decided to make an Lynne Merchant style octopus bead to go with them.

Than I pulled out my vintage beads to add more unique items, like bakelite and purple crystals to go with the carved jade and amethyst and peitersite.

Than I pulled out my box of old components to complete it, some of them are as old as 5 years.

Very tricky to assemble something like this in an attractive manner, but I finally got it.

The octopus bead is something I have wanted to make for years and only just now did. I enjoyed it so much! I already have plans to do another using more of my vintage beads that I haven't used in years.

Those Aren't Beads

Every time I used this method of weaving I am asked 'where did you get those beads?' "How did you do that?"

Well, I'm telling you now, they aren't beads. These are head pins that I made myself and flattened. Than I did my weave using short head pins rather than a long strand of wire. The copper ball is woven using 5 inch long handmade headpins. It is just as strong as weaving with one long strand.

As far as I know, noone has ever done this method of weaving before and I am very proud of it. Feel free to use it, but it would mean a lot to me if you give me credit:)

Spiral Brooch

I've recently discovered the work of metalsmith Andy Cooperman and loved his style which seems a combination of art nouveau, organic textures and engineering connections. While looking at his gallery I decided to make a broach.

You can view his work here http://www.andycooperman.com/

Making pins is such a useful way for me to try out some of my new weaves without having to worry about the precision and commitment required for trinket boxes

The Fairy Ring

I decided to work on something a little bit easier than my latest big ideas:) This is the enchanted circle where fairies gather.

All copper wire, coated to block oxidation. Onyx, carnelian and chalcedony gemstones.

Measure about 2 5/8" wide by 5/8" high