another necklace

mushroom
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am finally making a little bit of time for projects i want to work on
and not just the etsymetal challenges.
i rarely do mixed metal pieces, but i think this one turned out just perfect.
i am excited to introduce more copper into my pieces.
the stone is another phantom quartz and i have a handful of these left to play with.

find the specimen necklace here

spring meadow

spring meadow
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

besides working on the ring a day challenge, i am trying to push myself to make new things.
i am trying to expand my pieces to include more necklaces and earrings (other than studs.)
this necklace features a gorgeous slab of ocean jasper that reminds me of old wallpaper.
not necessarily the most appealing thought, but i still love it.

find spring meadow here

i learned something new yesterday...

my new earrings
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i tube set my first faceted gems in a pair of earrings.
i am really excited about all of the possibilities this opens up.
i was rather nervous, but had read great advice from my fellow metalsmiths on the etsymetal forums.
i have to admit that i would not be where i am now without the advice, talent, and encouragement of my online friends.

project runway jewelry challenges are back

project runway jewelry challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i first have to say how excited i am that another season of project runway is underway.
i really get a kick out of watching the show for both the impressive and horrible designs.
then, i really get to push myself to create new and sometimes innovative pieces with other members of etsymetal.

for the first challenge, the focus was on the number five.
i chose to incorporate five elements that i really love to use in my pieces.
*flowers -- this necklace features both my tiny cut-out flowers and pierced flowers hidden behind the mexican lace agate cabochon
*cabochons -- this necklace incorporates both the itty bitty round cabs that can be found throughout my work as well as a lovely detailed mexican lace agate cabochon
*handmade chain -- this necklace has me wanting to play with handmade chain again
*oxidized silver -- this necklace, well, you can see that its black along with so much of my other work
*monochromatic colors -- this necklace focuses on the red tones in the mexican lace cabochon, something i usually do with enamel, but may be expanding upon since it worked so well with stones

you can find the other entries of both other etsymetal members and guests here

all i want for christmas

for those of you who just can't decide what to send me:

flowers of course

moira k lime

maybe some itty bitty earrings

singleBbeautiful

or a gigantic cocktail ring

rosyrevolver

and did i mention that they are all handmade by some very talented ladies?

etsymetal's secret santa

secret santa
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

every year etsymetal (well, rachael or maggie) have organized a secret santa jewelry swap.
we all write down our sizes and then wait for our assignment.
this year i was very excited to make something for someone i have known for several years and whose work is very inspiring.
i wanted to make something in my style that she would enjoy.
now i will just have to wait for her gift to arrive....

it might just be a miracle...

canyon rose
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am FINALLY updating my shop with some new pieces.

i have been working quite hard to produce some new work (and some old work), but the rain has prevented me from taking pics.
it finally let up and i will be frantic all week trying to create more for the chimneyville arts festival and trying to take pics of everything i have lying around.

find canyon rose here

bling

project runway challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after admiring maggie j and sara westermarks hollow form rings, i knew i wanted to make one.

this week's project runway challenge was to make a show stopper that was sparkly and shiny.
i thought this would be the perfect opportunity to combine some modern metalwork with my new rose cut gems.
this ring was fabricated from scratch and features two green amethyst gems.
i plan on exploring hollow form rings more in the future.

to see more bling, check out the etsymetal blog.

project runway challenge

project runway challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week's challenge was to select a movie genre (western, film noir, period piece, sci-fi, or action adventure and to create a costume for a character of your own creation.
i wanted something that would be a challenge in both the story aspect and the actual 'costume' so i choose sci-fi.
the ring itself was a challenge because it had many solder joints and i only use hard and medium-hard solder.
(i am much too rough on my jewelry to use anything else.)
everything went together just as i had planned and nothing melted unless it was planned.
the ring itself belongs to a wandering alien (for lack of a better word.)
she does not feel at home in any one place and chooses to explore far away galaxies.
thus, the ring is weathered and worn in appearance.
at the uppermost point is a star ruby that extends from its hollow base and is used as a homing device when she is ready to be whisked away to the next mysterious world.

to see other pieces for the challenge check out the etsymetal blog.

new release thursdays

petite garden
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i have managed to get it together and list some things today.
honestly, this feels like a miracle since i have felt soooo tired and unmotivated.
i keep telling myself that i have to do this now because in june i really won't want to do anything other than sleep.

check out the shop for more updates

the year of.....

mountain blossom
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

lately i have read several entries on blogs about an artist's theme for the year (for lack of better explanation.)
it really got me thinking about what direction i want to move in and what i want to focus on in the little time i have available.

so far i have thought about:
dots/granules - maybe too trendy for me
flowers - but i ALWAYS have flowers
motion - kinetic pieces can be a lot of fun
piercing - how far can this take me?
and then i decided that it was simply the year of MORE.

i know, can i be any more vague?
but the idea does seem to define my newer work the best....
i have been trying more techniques, using more techniques per piece, incorporating more details into each piece and this will continue.

to see some of my newest pieces check out the shop

another lace chain

red lace
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i just finished up this new lace chain and wanted to show it off a little before it went to its new home.
even though the chain was an accident the first go round, i love how it turned out and will continue to make more.

i also have a few projects mid-completion (thanks to a low butane supply.)
i have since restocked and should have time to finish several of my new pieces in time for new release thursdays.

new release thursdays

sunscape
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am still attempting to participate in etsymetal's new release thursdays.
some weeks it feels like i have nothing and need to scramble to put the finishing touches on projects.

i have continued to play with granulation and have been pleased with the results so far.
i have found that it is tricky and i can't really predict how long it will take me to get each project just right.

besides scrambling for new release thursdays, i am working on several custom pieces.
one is a chain and i LOVE making those!

i also got my acceptance letter from the guild in the mail today.
i am pleased that i made it into an organization that will help fill out my resume and provide some extra conveniences, but i still have no clue how my work this submission really differed from last.
i suppose i should just be happy for the positive outcome, but i find its still overshadowed by my results last time.

production work

finally a thistle
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after swearing off production work (at least in my mind), i have decided that sometimes it isn't so bad.
i know that i need a steady flow of cash so i can keep buying supplies to create new pieces, but i realize that it is super hard to get this from just one of a kind or even very limited edition pieces.
i brought back my itty bitty studs to the shop and have been selling them well.
honestly, i got a little frustrated about how well they were selling in comparison to my more complicated and one of a kind pieces.
then this morning i woke up to such a nice sale that it should help me remember to find a balance between doing my next favorite piece ever and something that will help me to afford to make my next favorite piece ever.

another submission and new release thursdays

petite garden
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

here is the 'petite garden' stacking ring set that was also submitted to the guild.
i am pleased with how it turned out and proud of myself for staying away from the liver of sulfur.
i do have to admit that the 3mm bullet amethysts sucked to set.

i will have some new work going up in the shop tomorrow.
i have a couple of earrings on the new elongated earwires and then a couple of itty bitty studs.
lets hope i can take and crop pics in a timely manner.

busy, busy week

posey
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am taking pics of some older work and newer work to add to the shop for new release thursday.
i am pleased with how well the weathered wood works with my pieces.
i have also been putting the finishing touched on the pieces i will be submitting to the craftmans guild tomorrow.
i planned to get things completed before the last minute, but then other things become more urgent and i have to focus on them.
luckily, things are working out well and i won't be remaking anything at the last minute.

ms craftsman's guild round #2 pieces

garden
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after no inspiration, melting, and then cursing, my pieces for the ms craftsman's guild resubmission are coming together.
things have gone well this week and i really want to throw a party to celebrate how much i have gotten accomplished.
yes, three stacking rings and two earrings are enough to get me excited at this point in life.
this is mostly due to the fact that i am practicing some granulation, YAY!!

new release thursdays

deep space ring
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

YAY!!
not only do i have some new things to list but i am getting things together so i can list them today.
i've got a cocktail ring and a couple of itty bitty stud earrings making their way to the shop.

i have been working really hard on a couple of pieces to submit to the guild and they are finally coming together after melted pieces and new stones.
pics for those will be showing up soon since i am super proud of them.

shop update

cloud
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

as promised, i participated in the etsymetal weekly update.
i plan to make this part of my regular routine throughout the first part of the year.
i did add some new designs and still have a couple left that need finishing touches.
i have also decided to redo my pics.
there are too many colored backgrounds and i feel that my shop does not look as cohesive as i would like.

find stormy afternoon here

etsymetal secret santa

secret santa
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

etsymetal is a wonderful, talented group of metalsmiths on etsy.
so, who could really be surprised when such talented members suggest fun things like the charm swap or secret santa gifts.
it took me FOREVER to decide and complete my gift because i was quite daunted by making something for someone that i admire as a person and as a metalsmith.
lets hope she likes it!!