friday. in which i entertain myself at the studio.

I spent several hours at the metal studio on Friday, practicing basic techniques on scrap metal pieces. I'm most interested in texture, so I did a lot of damage with a roll press, several hammers and stamps and a really beat up metal brush (I think I'll bring my own next time...). And let's confess, I annealed my copper unnecessarily at least twice because I just like torches and the pretty colors that the heat makes and that nifty snuffing sizzle that happens when you drop hot copper in water. Didn't really come out with anything finished, but I did amuse myself by making two sets of matching copper tags that say grr on one, and argh on the other (I got carried away and added one too many r's on grr. Extra fierce.). For those of you in the dark about why that's funny, I venture to suggest that you may be watching the wrong tv shows.

Afterwards I went to Margie's for an ice cream shake, because nothing's better than metal studio followed by ice cream on a hot summer evening.

good day

I made my 1,000th sale today! A huge thank you to my friends and family who have offered me their unfailing love, support and patience while I obsessed over my shop, missed their phone calls and forgot their birthdays. To my customers, who make this entire venture so worthwhile and rewarding, my profound gratitude. I feel so privileged to be able to make something I love, and meet wonderful people while doing it.

And now back to the workbench. Seven weeks to Renegade.

to do list

Staying up unconscionably extra late pays off yet again. I just got the email telling me I was accepted to Renegade. Now all I have to do is panic uncontrollably for 8 weeks. Right. Best get started.

oh lord, won't you buy me a mercedes benz?

Or a Mac? I'd really like a Mac. My hardworking but aged laptop has frozen an unprecedented 8 times in the last 24 hours. Woe.

thanks!

The talented and generous AmyEsther featured a pair of my earrings on her blog this week - thank you, Amy! Check out her beautiful handcrafted pottery shop on Etsy (psst...littlest sister, you'll like this one).

current reading

I'm a little late getting started on this series, as Flight is now up to Volume Five, but I want to give it a plug anyway. Flight is a series of graphic short story collections by various artists, and edited by Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the enchanting Daisy Kutter. Each story is based on the common theme of flight, but the authors use the theme variously - some are literal flights, some are metaphors, and some use the idea as a platform for stories of human interaction, dreams, heroism and family entanglements. The themes are complex and subtle, and the artwork is exceptional. At $20 for a collection of 20+ artists, it's a steal. I've been reading a few stories each night before I go to sleep. It makes for wonderful dreams.

Speaking of enchantment, I've also started rereading Mark Helprin's Winter's Tale. Many thanks to a friend who mentioned it recently - that's good stuff.

Bling Around the Rosey (or, Shana Won't Stop)

Shana's been making fistfuls of rings with vintage enamel flowers, and I don't seem able to resist them. It started with this one, which I obsessed over for about 10 days, and then bought. I wore it constantly, and had a dangerous habit of stopping in the street to admire its sparkle and wonderful chippy edges.

And then came this curvy, even chippier purple one. As you can clearly see, I had to have it. I mean, really. Look at the pale peachy edges just under the purple. Look at the graceful petals, and the sticky-outy middle bits.

But wait, there's more...

She let me have this one, but I'm no longer allowed to leave the house without an escort for fear that I'll walk right in front of a bus while I'm gazing lovingly at it. There's an intervention scheduled for next week. And still she posts more rings...