lots of sparkles

chicory
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

have i mentioned how much i am enjoying playing with faceted gemstones of all kinds??
i have several pair of post earrings and several necklaces being added to the shop now.

finally, finally.....shop update

dahlia
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i feel so ridiculously slow and embarrased that it has taken me this long to add anything new to the shop.
i have had little time to make and create, but i have had time.
i have probably two dozen pieces that are making it into the shop both this week and next.
among these pieces are a handful of necklaces, lots of earrings, and a couple of rings.
the colors and styles of the pieces will vary greatly since they were made over several months time.
these earrings are some of my favorites and i can barely stand to let them find a new home.

project runway challenge 8/2

project runway 8/2
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this week contestants were asked to create a look appropriate for a billboard advertisizing the magazine marie claire.
so, we were given the challenge to start with a base of 1" x 2" and go from there.
we had no other guidelines or limits.
we could use any metal and embellish said metal with whatever we so desired.
i thought this would be a perfect opportunity to add some text to my work, especially since the challenge revolved around billboards.
i knew i wanted a quote related to hope, but i did not want some overly long or nauseating.
i felt like this was the perfect quote for my flower related pieces.
the accents are monochromatic featuring two blue/gray sapphires and one blue topaz.
i am really pleased with this piece and would love to explore more text with my pieces.
however, lack of silver will mean that future pieces are much smaller for a while.

to see more 'billboards' check out the etsymetal blog

WOA challenge #9

woa natural elements
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

this weeks challenge revolved around natural elements.
i felt this was a little unfair because i tend to use flowers/leaves and natural stones in many of my pieces.
so, i opted to take the challenge another direction.
i have been riding bikes with my 6 year old almost daily and we have been passing a pile of shattered glass.
without fail, i find myself looking again and again and the reflections and pale teal color.
i made some of my flowers and bezel set some of this shattered glass.
it feels right, a little urban secret that most will not recognize as shattered glass.

project runway jewelry challenge #2

project runway - burlap
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

burlap.....i HATE burlap!!!!

i really do not like alternative materials challenges.
i like my metal and stone.
i don't want to use burlap or teeth or pleather.

i wanted to keep the burlap looking like burlap, but make something that still fit my style.
so, here they are.....

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.

so its barely the new year...

bottles
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

and i have committed myself to yet another project.

several members of the etsymetal team have been participating in a monthly blog carnival and i have decided to join.
this month's theme was "favorite treasure."
i chose my collection of (mostly vintage) bottles of dried flowers.
the bottles themselves are all significant, even if only for a simple reason.
most have been collected on trips or given to me as gifts.
the dried flowers are even more significant.
the flowers have been collected from proms, from youth trips, from vacations, and from weddings.
they came from bouquets, from gardens, and even from the side of the road.
most of my possessions can be replaced by rebuilding, printing, or purchasing, but these vintage bottles and their dried flowers cannot.

check out these other participants:
Victoria Takahashi
Danielle Miller-Gilliam
Rebekah Timlin Meddles
Sara Westermark
Beth Cyr
Ashley Akers

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

more project runway jewelry challenge

project runway challenge
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

last week's challenge was all about blue.
i decided to incorporate my enamel work with my flowers.
i think the idea (especially with the etched enamel and patina) will be something i expand on.
this pair did not turn out perfectly and will be in the sample sale section of my shop shortly.

check out the etsymetal blog for some of this weeks fab entries.

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

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.

the finished product

blooming
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after several mishaps and melted pieces, these earrings turned out absolutely perfect!!
i am so proud to have done some granulation and excited about utilizing some new shapes with my flowers.
i am also excited about the elongated earwires.
i have another pair of earrings using them and i think i might start using them on a regular basis.

for now, these earrings are representing my current work for the craftsmen's guild jury, but they will eventually (maybe) make it to the shop.

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.

update

gumdrops
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

so, i did manage to get a couple of things added to the shop during the etsymetal update.
of course, it wasn't as much as i had hoped.
i have yet another cold and the terrible weather has prevented me from taking pics of the other pieces i have actually completed.
and by bad weather i mean 2 hours of snow that promptly turned into a slushy, icy mess.

find sweet gumdrops here

etsymetal charms v2

charms
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

yes, i know, its about time.
things happen and i just couldn't quite get it together to mail these out on time.
i am pleased with them and think they represent my work.
thats the thing that is most exciting to me; the opportunity to own something that is so representative of another metalsmith.
we have been uploading pics of our charms and i have to admit i am getting rather giddy thinking about all the new beautiful things i will own.

now that these are completed and in the mail, other things will be showing up in the shop more frequently.

see, i really have been working

267/366 & spt
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am not even sure i can tally how much time went into this necklace.
the chain and clasp are all handmade;
each flower was hand sawn and filed;
every stone set by my two hands.
the necklace really did turn out lovely with pale greens and blues almost glowing in the center of each dark flower.
maybe more to come???
if i can summon the stamina.

new work

posey
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

i am finally getting around to taking some pics of my new flowers.
these are some of my favorites!!
i have a couple of ideas for new ones that tiptoe out of my comfort zone of circles.
check the shop for updates all week.

and thanks to a friend for watching parker while i worked yesterday.
it did get me kick started and i was able to accomplish a lot.

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.

watercolors

close-up
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

after finishing up some custom jewelry orders yesterday (see here),
i was able to work on a custom watercolor.
the colors NEVER photograph properly, so you will just have to take my word that they look great together.
the watercolors i have been working on have really been out of my comfort zone due to their larger size.
but i am finding that i really enjoy doing them and they help to break up the sometimes monotonous work of metal.

the final result

wildflowers
Originally uploaded by wildflowerdesigns

we made it home....
in preparation for any of these type of trips, i generally work myself up into a state of semi-panic - will i forget something? will people make me crazy? will i get sleep?
i am happy to say that this trip went much better than i had hoped and i will be looking forward to the next.
parker LOVED being with his "cousin friends" and ryan and i both enjoyed being with everyone too.
and, i ended up driving much less that i thought and was able to work on another scarf (hopefully i will get stocked up before fall shows start.)