yay, faceted stones!!

lavender
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

there are not many options for local classes and two children limit things even more.
so i play, i experiment, and i yell when things work and when they don't.
often, this allows me to push and even ignore boundaries that others cannot.
for a while i have wanted to add faceted stones to my work, but it seemed so scary to me.
i have admired so many of my peers and how they have been able to set almost any stone imaginable, but i figured that would never be me.
but now it is!!!!
i am not taking about tube setting either; i completely fabricated these settings from scratch.
now that i have done it once, i plan on adding even more sparkle to my collection.

(oh, these will be the least expensive pair because i got a sweet deal on the stones!!)

ms craftsmans' guild

petal necklace (to be named)
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

the official deadline is next friday (i think) but the deadline for me is even closer.
i am going on vacation to visit my bro and ryan's bro. so, i have to get things together a week sooner and this is becoming more complicated as the days tick away.
i haven't totally decided on the three pieces that i will submit and that will determine what pics i use.
i got some of my pics back today and 4/6 were usable which means that i have to reshoot a few tomorrow during possible rain.
why, oh why do things have to be so complicated??

on a more accomplished note, i did finally finish getting the awful wallpaper out of my kitchen with the help of a friend and was able to paint a closet.

MY prototype

salvia petal
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i have had this idea floating in my head for months.
i did the gem and jewelry show and the only plus was the gorgeous cabs i snagged.
this one i knew would be mine.
i LOVE sugilite and this has great color!!
i finally got brave enough to finish this one up as my prototype and i am thrilled with how it turned out.
i am already planning my week around making a few more (with slight variations of course.)

here's another pic

and let me know what you think about the background...
i am thinking of using it for a jury next month.