tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88858961963486050692024-03-05T16:59:15.659-06:00Jewelry On My MindThis is a blog by Dawn E. Bryant, award-winning artist/photographer/artisan jeweler who lives in the lovely Sandhills of Nebraska. The blog follows her joys, triumphs, ups and downs as she learns to paint, designs jewelry, raises children and lives life in general.Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-39382949509401537602011-04-17T17:12:00.004-05:002011-04-17T17:58:47.783-05:00Beads, Brushes, Bronze and Braids<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_elapMEAkz_V1SURg3k1j3xwfdkmJkNFMRGL0Sr1a8Oe4FzuXwft8JuXspKvAOzJu3shsJPYCmOLBkG0VB-IExONwIhqpB6lw-GRl6ZZR4gGUDGhyphenhyphenouye6DhhETkMAZjHioG4hh9e5xeh/s1600/swirls+and+curls+ring+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596689755375764802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_elapMEAkz_V1SURg3k1j3xwfdkmJkNFMRGL0Sr1a8Oe4FzuXwft8JuXspKvAOzJu3shsJPYCmOLBkG0VB-IExONwIhqpB6lw-GRl6ZZR4gGUDGhyphenhyphenouye6DhhETkMAZjHioG4hh9e5xeh/s200/swirls+and+curls+ring+2+wm.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gATZkbqrtaD3nDaEUb27x-pmKlJ9tPtDLLcXTZIbsBmnghzmmQRAnJ6WfZDqeY-yFwSgYBwnaiVNTYCcvXprO9NGIFZFl8V-BYuNxjFiWLLgytgkxuvquieplOtswu9WINMRnQuGbFam/s1600/freeform++pearl+cluster+ring+with+filigree+shank+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596689758600374210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gATZkbqrtaD3nDaEUb27x-pmKlJ9tPtDLLcXTZIbsBmnghzmmQRAnJ6WfZDqeY-yFwSgYBwnaiVNTYCcvXprO9NGIFZFl8V-BYuNxjFiWLLgytgkxuvquieplOtswu9WINMRnQuGbFam/s200/freeform++pearl+cluster+ring+with+filigree+shank+wm.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHOdKpY97qjc79XFiaSdz8oaZqgkJmTT8WW4a-Tba-rzIESXg07n3zpF5qeHL8K0kHNdpEDCTWuzvR9PV8vyB8Iyxgzz_oc2bZDbvBj_cDaRtHkUbtawIxtpqMOIFm-6EYHHaI3PBr0Ra/s1600/bronze+braided+hoop+earrings+with+post.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 168px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596689748974726786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHOdKpY97qjc79XFiaSdz8oaZqgkJmTT8WW4a-Tba-rzIESXg07n3zpF5qeHL8K0kHNdpEDCTWuzvR9PV8vyB8Iyxgzz_oc2bZDbvBj_cDaRtHkUbtawIxtpqMOIFm-6EYHHaI3PBr0Ra/s200/bronze+braided+hoop+earrings+with+post.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMnzmkgZ6PIEXJpKJ0CeCajoxhZ1R_g_7LCtCBSZuExwnLLuPRUuXaEPXlApKu3KXf_OYPTC7Nc6bqqRKYTShVHEcVLHXlErlUNNiQr4TAJ0qPedvB11bYoNTFaqqpYVOC7UkaP-UwyI6/s1600/September+Windmill+Sunset+bead+painting+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596689745608323666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMnzmkgZ6PIEXJpKJ0CeCajoxhZ1R_g_7LCtCBSZuExwnLLuPRUuXaEPXlApKu3KXf_OYPTC7Nc6bqqRKYTShVHEcVLHXlErlUNNiQr4TAJ0qPedvB11bYoNTFaqqpYVOC7UkaP-UwyI6/s200/September+Windmill+Sunset+bead+painting+wm.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JL-DCKZRN42yanQ1aKRV6iwoubqrmPYm3kAyj5BpkI0FlPbvLr61zT-BIU_j1WqzJPblkUZC8lwrcWrdXLGLCBV09M1jtO-h_FXYQjn-oRdNrl0-kqhIFHArOOPQXs0Vz6Nd3El2nTfv/s1600/A+River+Runs+Through+it+--+stone+and+bead+painting+pendant+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596689738476605362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JL-DCKZRN42yanQ1aKRV6iwoubqrmPYm3kAyj5BpkI0FlPbvLr61zT-BIU_j1WqzJPblkUZC8lwrcWrdXLGLCBV09M1jtO-h_FXYQjn-oRdNrl0-kqhIFHArOOPQXs0Vz6Nd3El2nTfv/s200/A+River+Runs+Through+it+--+stone+and+bead+painting+pendant+wm.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I haven't written a blog entry in FOREVER -- probably because I was down in the dumps and had nothing positive to write, and I don't want a downer blog! Now it is spring, the grass is growing, the leaves are budding and the cat is going to have kittens. The hills are covered with layer upon layer of green -- in every shade imaginable. Birds are singing, turkeys are gobbling, and baby calves gambol in the fields. Sunshine -- it does wonders for the soul!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyhow, after a slump, I have finally gotten back into making jewelry and painting! I even have plans to combine the two. For now, I'll keep them separate though.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My latest joy is that I have two of my bead paintings going to the ANAC (Association of Nebraska Art Clubs) State Show in June. One is based on a fabulous moss agate that appears to have trees, a river, a winter sky and a rocky foreground in it, and the other is based on one of my miniature colored pencil paintings.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The moss agate piece was runner up to Best of Show at the annual member show at the Thedford Art Gallery, which is where I currently show my work in photography, painting and jewelry design.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am also writing tutorials for www. jewelrylessons.com with the latest ones being:</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/braided-hoop-earrings-posts">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/braided-hoop-earrings-posts</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/freeform-bridal-pearlcocktail-cluster-ring">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/freeform-bridal-pearlcocktail-cluster-ring</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/curls-and-swirls-ring">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/curls-and-swirls-ring</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/bead-encrusted-headband">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/bead-encrusted-headband</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am working on three more right now.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Speaking of which, I had better get back to work on those.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-60239232947082889242010-09-30T10:46:00.004-05:002010-09-30T11:02:09.940-05:00Composition, Camouflage and Contests<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ht7qa8uZdh3zzkeNjl-1KG6xZtTKCWRXFLszw0sFdRwALo8IGJfa3pg74Hw1F-XNFLtSvB3gx7D3-_G9EGGr8B702xxg6dXNXKnvC9jer25V5zhebjhLjrX-pI7JiNdpoeUUOhDKUmTc/s1600/morning+mist+on+the+middle+loup+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737032971922706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ht7qa8uZdh3zzkeNjl-1KG6xZtTKCWRXFLszw0sFdRwALo8IGJfa3pg74Hw1F-XNFLtSvB3gx7D3-_G9EGGr8B702xxg6dXNXKnvC9jer25V5zhebjhLjrX-pI7JiNdpoeUUOhDKUmTc/s200/morning+mist+on+the+middle+loup+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ-FcnmXpSb2dBpmOKjv0WWGudWHOvIPUCnWO92UDjptXOcPAGqLnuFjF_h3BqikK1H1S5tDimSmEKsZEDbbgspXeiWThymZhPqulELBgdZVycW5AosscBPckrYL6H646P5h_uPNwaxab/s1600/Hay+bales+along+the+middle+loup+river+--+jrb+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737032443757522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ-FcnmXpSb2dBpmOKjv0WWGudWHOvIPUCnWO92UDjptXOcPAGqLnuFjF_h3BqikK1H1S5tDimSmEKsZEDbbgspXeiWThymZhPqulELBgdZVycW5AosscBPckrYL6H646P5h_uPNwaxab/s200/Hay+bales+along+the+middle+loup+river+--+jrb+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtbwuLdd8GCIZuAPZOIcGEhZVXfHftwHVIIyk6bY6loskvvMwGb1vjW8blPVTCMHy5mCKlB_kM0feSkCyTTAhLSq9RyhQ_PMeD41MrHRvzM7lsI7m94Jf3BnspSzCd2JEPCtJHCcv0siZ/s1600/camouflage+for+women+survival+bracelet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522737028139585106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtbwuLdd8GCIZuAPZOIcGEhZVXfHftwHVIIyk6bY6loskvvMwGb1vjW8blPVTCMHy5mCKlB_kM0feSkCyTTAhLSq9RyhQ_PMeD41MrHRvzM7lsI7m94Jf3BnspSzCd2JEPCtJHCcv0siZ/s200/camouflage+for+women+survival+bracelet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It has been a long week, full of sick kids, very little sleep and my own version of the flu bug. Needless to say, I have not accomplished a whole lot.</div><br /><div>I have also been preparing to spend the weekend at a Becoming an Outdoors Woman seminar, where I will be teaching a course on outdoor photo composition.</div><br /><div>In light of that I have been taking photos and making more survival bracelets -- this time with a color geared more towards women who love the outdoors -- pink camouflage!</div><br /><div>I am also working on a new "bead painting" with a fabulous Owyhee Picture Jasper center stone. It is being done in brown, cream and gold tones with a little blue (sky) and green (grass) thrown in. I will post photos when it is completed.</div><br /><div>The temperatures are cooling off so the mornings are crisp when I head out to drive the school bus, but by afternoon, when I am painting, I am down to shorts and a tank top. </div><br /><div>The cool temperatures and shorter days are triggering the Autumn color change and the prairie grasses covering the Nebraska Sandhills are beginning to turn to the burgundy and gold hues of Fall.</div><br /><div>I have the itch to create, but I still have handouts to prepare for my class, bags to pack and laundry to do, so I had better head out. </div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>OOOPS!</strong></span> I almost forgot my newest thing -- <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">a weekly contest</span></strong>! Comment on my blog posts during the week and at the end of the week I will put all posters' names in a hat and draw a winner. The prize this week is a survival bracelet in your choice of colors: pink camo, olive drab, black or hunter green. I am out of antler buttons, so the closure will be a simple knot and loop. This being the end of the week already, I will carry this particular contest through NEXT <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Saturday, Oct. 9.</strong></span></div><br /><div>Happy Creating!</div><br /><div>Dawn</div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-29682257405601055292010-09-23T13:36:00.008-05:002010-09-30T10:45:16.074-05:00Beads, Bracelets, Buses and Brushes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKyIyOermIbDpnetpPUo-dtARx3P6juaDq0AhvUJRab-TY3t2_ZYnEKZgeQp5nNUxmSLcMTlxE-QHb5tfS4Z1quImlBE0K4ytxnIQyiiNPLEzoeTF-i2lY2D1QFlFxR7bJVj4tpDxtHVw/s1600/sandhills+windmill+--+completed+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520335262715686162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKyIyOermIbDpnetpPUo-dtARx3P6juaDq0AhvUJRab-TY3t2_ZYnEKZgeQp5nNUxmSLcMTlxE-QHb5tfS4Z1quImlBE0K4ytxnIQyiiNPLEzoeTF-i2lY2D1QFlFxR7bJVj4tpDxtHVw/s200/sandhills+windmill+--+completed+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE-HgO2uDSsnRyNwI80ZOfQN_b0Qin4-1d5fknTzXsZWSw6hdbeTuOZ6vbSLwddy9XZPea1zQCLazYR9QBpmvHIYywceGSUP3Lk-O_th_xvwcm2p0b_vZ7URxRDe5LTQ_agJIsb-heX66/s1600/Sandhills+Evening+--+alkyd+day+4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520334492879244466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE-HgO2uDSsnRyNwI80ZOfQN_b0Qin4-1d5fknTzXsZWSw6hdbeTuOZ6vbSLwddy9XZPea1zQCLazYR9QBpmvHIYywceGSUP3Lk-O_th_xvwcm2p0b_vZ7URxRDe5LTQ_agJIsb-heX66/s200/Sandhills+Evening+--+alkyd+day+4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxheSOI3EPXcuf-HlKzvpGszKfYul_ZnLyGWe46fYbNGuZ0l5QQTCfb0JqeA-1n4QHeXFVJjwN6rLyirP2FYGhXHAYUG3TVAiuaqGeMmd0I7Z4iR9T2l2icxyUtsLPpPKbwmtfIakGYRi/s1600/550+paracord+survival+necklace+with+antler+burr+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332571547492418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxheSOI3EPXcuf-HlKzvpGszKfYul_ZnLyGWe46fYbNGuZ0l5QQTCfb0JqeA-1n4QHeXFVJjwN6rLyirP2FYGhXHAYUG3TVAiuaqGeMmd0I7Z4iR9T2l2icxyUtsLPpPKbwmtfIakGYRi/s200/550+paracord+survival+necklace+with+antler+burr+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKECasY-JyZXmzZ93I6o3Zh3zfj9ubbNAZZTxkQwUenrC0endBFDwmv7jP1ObM0Bmaa57cgu3Kq1F2P-yx-hCfqhK9GAmjfeK_DAltAzZ4CJyD-KQ9nVChAL6Kq5379H7xXTzcnyO6nLgQ/s1600/550+paracord+survival+bracelets+--+more+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332569117066002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKECasY-JyZXmzZ93I6o3Zh3zfj9ubbNAZZTxkQwUenrC0endBFDwmv7jP1ObM0Bmaa57cgu3Kq1F2P-yx-hCfqhK9GAmjfeK_DAltAzZ4CJyD-KQ9nVChAL6Kq5379H7xXTzcnyO6nLgQ/s200/550+paracord+survival+bracelets+--+more+2+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowhH_Zh7PUu8Teg-k1iy8KDXiPFHm_-wLJPz4jdEfRLciaO4alW7IHzpvcEEcFnKZRSk0tHJI8xa9TZr5JJtrvCBYIzVCYfp4Y2sCAjHOul4RUm0hWA0tNnPmfnz7joqzyQ2SoPbg3aW/s1600/September+Windmill+Sunset+bead+painting+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520332566932364130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowhH_Zh7PUu8Teg-k1iy8KDXiPFHm_-wLJPz4jdEfRLciaO4alW7IHzpvcEEcFnKZRSk0tHJI8xa9TZr5JJtrvCBYIzVCYfp4Y2sCAjHOul4RUm0hWA0tNnPmfnz7joqzyQ2SoPbg3aW/s200/September+Windmill+Sunset+bead+painting+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEaD1lVpruf6G3tUnoaYRhnOEAm4C6CMpFwa-uDil6sC80EobClq59LA322ovNlIxJTSTjImR6E7sQsRz4TXWZvQeH8z9EbnVdN8ViS9f8QglGfS11i5pxfmfUtF44AUVPhuyJOZHJyEQ/s1600/September+Windmill+Sunset+bead+painting+wm.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi-avFhZLwBnz1T4XqG72diE3O1X1BGN7uj_pnl6cZ-LHm3m7zSk_1tyGmPRIIkKLKcaV4G0ghdLnFt26iLFdL7Qqx6vxU0tYGgcfLn6OpJtDyOx4kaUfLZOGvSpCgWvGK8Wwztzs2J8P/s1600/Autumn+Mountain+Lake+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520318984951451506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi-avFhZLwBnz1T4XqG72diE3O1X1BGN7uj_pnl6cZ-LHm3m7zSk_1tyGmPRIIkKLKcaV4G0ghdLnFt26iLFdL7Qqx6vxU0tYGgcfLn6OpJtDyOx4kaUfLZOGvSpCgWvGK8Wwztzs2J8P/s200/Autumn+Mountain+Lake+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>It has been a while since I posted a blog entry -- since the day my kids started school, actually! They started school and I started a few jobs. I now drive the morning bus route to the west, which requires that I be up at 6 a.m., and I am also the afternoon overload driver, which means I drive a bus to hold "extra" kids if necessary. During the day I am painting outbuildings on a local ranch.<br /><div><div> </div><div>I have also been learning how to paint landscapes. So far, it is quite obvious that I have a LONG way to go -- my outbuildings look far better than my landscapes! I have done one painting a day for the last four days. I have a lot of trouble making the paintbrush do what it is supposed to do.</div><br /><div>Needless to say, with all of that going on, the jewelry creation has been slow. </div><br /><div>I did, howover, learn from my nephew in the Army, how to make survival bracelets from parachute cord. They are pretty cool -- I use a slice of deer antler as the clasp. There is around 10 feet of useable paracord in one bracelet -- if you ever find yourself stranded in the wilderness, LOL. The cord can be used as shoelaces, clothesline, strapping cord, a snare, or take off the sheath and inside you have numerous smaller fibers that can be used as fishing line, sewing thread, and more. I wrote a tutorial for the bracelets, which can be found at my website, <a href="http://www.dawnebryant.net/">http://www.dawnebryant.net/</a> or at <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/dawnebryant">www.jewelrylessons.com/dawnebryant</a>.</div><br /><div>I have completed two more of my "bead paintings." For those I used my miniature colored pencil paintings as the focal stone, then continued the paintings on out with the beads. These are a lot of fun!</div><br /><div>Happy Creating!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-79124497157688347592010-07-20T08:13:00.007-05:002010-07-20T09:33:47.512-05:00Bangles, Beads, Bugs and Buddies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHII8nSLf1UE6LN-xEOdN6xyHXS_mnWMJyCeij9wsk4qpN_Th15dlz5YpX1HRRO7FOjnzwqbFAhh_egbQ1XHvtnzt9xaw-NjPHeaYHUAu3ag6kYaJv14VnywrV7N2Vl1B90LhrA3mVTYc/s1600/bracelet+challenge+photo+1+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495996102994352242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHII8nSLf1UE6LN-xEOdN6xyHXS_mnWMJyCeij9wsk4qpN_Th15dlz5YpX1HRRO7FOjnzwqbFAhh_egbQ1XHvtnzt9xaw-NjPHeaYHUAu3ag6kYaJv14VnywrV7N2Vl1B90LhrA3mVTYc/s200/bracelet+challenge+photo+1+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ90qx_CDHdXc7FyogNJ7MN70rGSsLKNPBgKcwqpkymLJsuGdOUk5ONeMC8Jn-iRKaemHcy-s-FzdDnYkb5FttYXvxuq9-zgXX8vhai9l8qdJ5-ZoazRVZzEs9cqzZ6bXqRo0Sb4-_cen/s1600/Summer+in+the+Sandhills+--+beaded+cabochon+painting+pendant+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495995721691884946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ90qx_CDHdXc7FyogNJ7MN70rGSsLKNPBgKcwqpkymLJsuGdOUk5ONeMC8Jn-iRKaemHcy-s-FzdDnYkb5FttYXvxuq9-zgXX8vhai9l8qdJ5-ZoazRVZzEs9cqzZ6bXqRo0Sb4-_cen/s200/Summer+in+the+Sandhills+--+beaded+cabochon+painting+pendant+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBawVxEnvf0BM0vbcD3Y4HreKrIgo2LlECjLWiadiLRSFGgPQOtr-e9YiehLe6lJHoJdFyqg1a2c2D9f5dzQGsC0WHr5Vvqgu0idi80ucNkZaxfNQKwgzzKCiwZ42Nz715uRlbRF2I3bcE/s1600/yeller+1+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 139px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495995357737115074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBawVxEnvf0BM0vbcD3Y4HreKrIgo2LlECjLWiadiLRSFGgPQOtr-e9YiehLe6lJHoJdFyqg1a2c2D9f5dzQGsC0WHr5Vvqgu0idi80ucNkZaxfNQKwgzzKCiwZ42Nz715uRlbRF2I3bcE/s200/yeller+1+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMRJd_QRODj4BZOzOPwDOLQWf5qgoYZnFKyZTKiTzqi-VXTHDkKobmPiV5CJ6trWsMN0r6r4bPjCOMXFzt5PguIBssw5BR5kkfXuAqCxJjYHqLkiwDbmSEVnQsbaMxsGt9h1rnSszj4u4/s1600/pair+of+calicos.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 167px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495995206406412194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMRJd_QRODj4BZOzOPwDOLQWf5qgoYZnFKyZTKiTzqi-VXTHDkKobmPiV5CJ6trWsMN0r6r4bPjCOMXFzt5PguIBssw5BR5kkfXuAqCxJjYHqLkiwDbmSEVnQsbaMxsGt9h1rnSszj4u4/s200/pair+of+calicos.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3kaZj4HL0Ot6Q4EzpwUlpKiiqk52GTQBDCSpLIpEwE6H_MjR0PzDJurI6VCuReE0sDCD-IyzwdGqtD_LJ0ouVL527DYL4BLRUANWpUJrDJ2t2Cgn7OBlAS6dlnRA5jtFAFjXJKwIF40d/s1600/calico+1+wm.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495994947956303810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3kaZj4HL0Ot6Q4EzpwUlpKiiqk52GTQBDCSpLIpEwE6H_MjR0PzDJurI6VCuReE0sDCD-IyzwdGqtD_LJ0ouVL527DYL4BLRUANWpUJrDJ2t2Cgn7OBlAS6dlnRA5jtFAFjXJKwIF40d/s200/calico+1+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHclkcev-X970J5VV-YujXLw3PzvXflDk0ydGWu_uqDFe9Pu-WNfZlkkRyYOy850kP92sG0DpnKnhfMAPNxBwF48PC0YZkFeDFdk71TRy756weSV0mrkD2MfaOEVwQxnOmyx3fM8uZCvr/s1600/blackie+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495994809839175218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHclkcev-X970J5VV-YujXLw3PzvXflDk0ydGWu_uqDFe9Pu-WNfZlkkRyYOy850kP92sG0DpnKnhfMAPNxBwF48PC0YZkFeDFdk71TRy756weSV0mrkD2MfaOEVwQxnOmyx3fM8uZCvr/s200/blackie+2+wm.jpg" /></a>Finally, the end of a long, long week and the beginning of a new one. Last week was spent nursing sick kids and mourning the death of good Christian man who died much too soon. The kids are feeling better now, the hubby has gotten over his share of the bug and my buddy has been laid to rest, but the sadness lingers.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>To help keep the sadness at bay, I joined in a bracelet challenge -- a cuff challenge to be specific. Since I don't wear bracelets much and NEVER wear cuffs, the challenge is an interesting one. We are all working from the same photo of a cuff made by a friend and doing a similar cuff in our own style. Very interesting and quite tough, actually. One friend works in colored wire and is making a bright, happy colored cuff, the other is working in earth tones and I am working, as usual, in two-tones -- gold and silver.</div><br /><div>The other project I worked on was based on some lovely mini tapestries one of the local artists here does -- her name is Roberta Barnes and she does these teeny tiny landscape tapestries, and teeny tiny landscape paintings on ceramics. They are breathtaking. I decided I could do something similar, but using the landscape cabochons I have already been incorporating into my jewelry. So, now I am painting with seed beads! My first one was rather rough, as I was flying blind, but since then I have read up a bit on seed beads and hopefully the second one will be much improved. I really like the first one and it is quite a conversation starter. I also plan to use my miniature colored pencil paintings as the focal point of some of these pendants -- which will be lots of fun!</div><br /><div>We also got some new "critters" for the acreage -- kitties! We have a mouse problem in the machine shed (including one that crawled up in the pickup's air conditioning shroud and died --peeyew), so a friend gave us some kittens. I went after two -- one for each kid -- but came home with four! Cute little guys though and one has totally adopted me. We now have one black kitten, one yellow kitten and two calico kittens. They are from three different litters, so all at different stages. The calicos are the youngest and the yellow one is the oldest.</div><br /><div>Time to feed the calf and the kittens, then off to work at the art gallery for the day. Guess I will take my newest bead painting project with me to work on.</div><br /><div>Happy creating! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-88256231879887320882010-06-30T22:51:00.012-05:002010-06-30T23:39:26.771-05:00Doming, Dapping, Daydreams and Danger<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82fsHrFguUWEptDnyq3UmqKlmCFShLTb7p1Gbys4_kpoeRWy4Yp_y3sHtRVQeniYEHyPBxVAPwqu8BxSoQTdFWpXGpUbtkHF89q_lPF0lFDiBdwJtnphlL0Gv0r8p9rak9ndsTlgbxDZY/s1600/view+of+the+house+from+our+trailer.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488791707105271826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82fsHrFguUWEptDnyq3UmqKlmCFShLTb7p1Gbys4_kpoeRWy4Yp_y3sHtRVQeniYEHyPBxVAPwqu8BxSoQTdFWpXGpUbtkHF89q_lPF0lFDiBdwJtnphlL0Gv0r8p9rak9ndsTlgbxDZY/s200/view+of+the+house+from+our+trailer.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqqTd1PF_xB0ORlgX1rcVaRSPNk58cYN7FkEbcFpVUulRZBL_OqIPGKAdhqYhSWHqPRfJRopV1mS9_pPWhVBA1UsjxmRF3xzye484bTMtiISzhM8jdR6EEbNwuuz7-42mK6mY3m1rcY0Q/s1600/anniversary+present+--+desk.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488791700491146194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqqTd1PF_xB0ORlgX1rcVaRSPNk58cYN7FkEbcFpVUulRZBL_OqIPGKAdhqYhSWHqPRfJRopV1mS9_pPWhVBA1UsjxmRF3xzye484bTMtiISzhM8jdR6EEbNwuuz7-42mK6mY3m1rcY0Q/s200/anniversary+present+--+desk.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rqSJ4y7GxYXU0VBv5AZiS9tELscyyBEowAVUtAj2yRgwg5fGDr_nLpy5i_45TnMv3JmkKNJ2kFJN_A9goZ184tn0aTYUw7ZhAsLIe751UELog1kgpi5uW-O68lGpF6KTvWSCwD1xxaLB/s1600/lakeside+idyll+--+state+bound+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488789172745416914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rqSJ4y7GxYXU0VBv5AZiS9tELscyyBEowAVUtAj2yRgwg5fGDr_nLpy5i_45TnMv3JmkKNJ2kFJN_A9goZ184tn0aTYUw7ZhAsLIe751UELog1kgpi5uW-O68lGpF6KTvWSCwD1xxaLB/s200/lakeside+idyll+--+state+bound+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkht9gQ3FokolEYBylk2OOFuxy00j-yDEzadAOf8zmxsK6N5NWaU6tv1hip7o24X8re8hXjKCqZSZc1j_8iDOVuiEjmuzjdLHPyGfyrbXiKaIkjGN9pXhzuTBTt7DMVwMf2stiw_s1-uOT/s1600/soapweed+up+close+and+personal+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488789168520140546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkht9gQ3FokolEYBylk2OOFuxy00j-yDEzadAOf8zmxsK6N5NWaU6tv1hip7o24X8re8hXjKCqZSZc1j_8iDOVuiEjmuzjdLHPyGfyrbXiKaIkjGN9pXhzuTBTt7DMVwMf2stiw_s1-uOT/s200/soapweed+up+close+and+personal+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BlYFzbPCSiOxmiFRFI-71Zmg11BzNXhn5N7LGB2G7vmCKlVQ9Qh208ZIBE6TeC6GK_UiVCaRZ4-EQ1uaEQNKHJrA2MTI9yn8MVjQNVwbOlE7Qt5o5I2AzlVBXtnKkXzXgLrsXep8sVdv/s1600/sand+dunes+at+White+Tail+campground+again+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488789157903081122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BlYFzbPCSiOxmiFRFI-71Zmg11BzNXhn5N7LGB2G7vmCKlVQ9Qh208ZIBE6TeC6GK_UiVCaRZ4-EQ1uaEQNKHJrA2MTI9yn8MVjQNVwbOlE7Qt5o5I2AzlVBXtnKkXzXgLrsXep8sVdv/s200/sand+dunes+at+White+Tail+campground+again+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6atD8eIyaGRpFnPYalgwHJZMnSTUuDON_KeO4F34Tcgjk25ENj3qWbmWE1Ahvb2FTzfmfXZOC-DuJzS-sRFcGdT5-gjsrwCrSA3fhmaox_73pDQ0H6or-HLY-pOMT5tdFkPTWuEy8F3H/s1600/tornado+from+hwy+83+near+mile+123+west+6-25-10+3+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488787333029221490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6atD8eIyaGRpFnPYalgwHJZMnSTUuDON_KeO4F34Tcgjk25ENj3qWbmWE1Ahvb2FTzfmfXZOC-DuJzS-sRFcGdT5-gjsrwCrSA3fhmaox_73pDQ0H6or-HLY-pOMT5tdFkPTWuEy8F3H/s200/tornado+from+hwy+83+near+mile+123+west+6-25-10+3+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97MVuTyQNcgNZxTc7fg3LaAqIIW8yiRUscsXA6NTmc7Sc_pfm9P1CHtZGAXgBDU-UCmPlFyFCyzc0k8I5vhxu9cTz7zwHW4RCd-kYIRPnAcd2BJRNuCpCeejUQ1OTrsRxt1H-2lznwZr6/s1600/tornado+from+hwy+83+mile+123+6-25-10+4+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488787327512721890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97MVuTyQNcgNZxTc7fg3LaAqIIW8yiRUscsXA6NTmc7Sc_pfm9P1CHtZGAXgBDU-UCmPlFyFCyzc0k8I5vhxu9cTz7zwHW4RCd-kYIRPnAcd2BJRNuCpCeejUQ1OTrsRxt1H-2lznwZr6/s200/tornado+from+hwy+83+mile+123+6-25-10+4+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb04KV-N4HEKmeZU8WeSB3PeTDCThjJqMtZMRldS93tUXY3zIeKZKgkh4q7muJf-nCCmY2jEGGxk9Zuu-620_SVY-UktawUwr9qUIYXa6cI_U8uPfZLOCOIN95nP1_TL78XTtgtlAu_vmy/s1600/rope+funnel+west+edge+of+Thedford+6-25-10+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488787318165577138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb04KV-N4HEKmeZU8WeSB3PeTDCThjJqMtZMRldS93tUXY3zIeKZKgkh4q7muJf-nCCmY2jEGGxk9Zuu-620_SVY-UktawUwr9qUIYXa6cI_U8uPfZLOCOIN95nP1_TL78XTtgtlAu_vmy/s200/rope+funnel+west+edge+of+Thedford+6-25-10+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jE9qyoDwmGaAE1JRgwW5hTPoSXAh4Ps5Lj9AjzGnj90A34WhUCEbOkl77_wG6b-DXGBriZVNAcfAEV4GEdgV-jgOcHj9LKBYWSy3nvH7rxArS2d5dUcGOJ9rgM8KPsxH5pzAJ0N_lzFf/s1600/hammered+copper+domed+post+earrings+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488787314334628850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jE9qyoDwmGaAE1JRgwW5hTPoSXAh4Ps5Lj9AjzGnj90A34WhUCEbOkl77_wG6b-DXGBriZVNAcfAEV4GEdgV-jgOcHj9LKBYWSy3nvH7rxArS2d5dUcGOJ9rgM8KPsxH5pzAJ0N_lzFf/s200/hammered+copper+domed+post+earrings+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fqbkq429aS1-Ubvfn7GrlET1AqciTavKcU9wAlHWoHYCsd5DDLYbgHRYSvc7C4QrjG8Bpx9y5AkER63-sy16NYerBJNwnEgHNDkxxpWj2cgqA8MKgFyrDcaRU_v4OzfSciGzBr0A1fCN/s1600/Moon+and+Stars+Ring+--+bronze+and+sterling+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488787308541420898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fqbkq429aS1-Ubvfn7GrlET1AqciTavKcU9wAlHWoHYCsd5DDLYbgHRYSvc7C4QrjG8Bpx9y5AkER63-sy16NYerBJNwnEgHNDkxxpWj2cgqA8MKgFyrDcaRU_v4OzfSciGzBr0A1fCN/s200/Moon+and+Stars+Ring+--+bronze+and+sterling+2+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I was trying to work on some tutorials for <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/</a> today and was struggling to get through them. Just one of those days. So, I decided to try my hand at dapping. I bought a dapping set when I set up the shop in the caboose, but I haven't really played with them yet. I also bought a shear. So I played with both today.</div><br /><div>First, I made a set of domed and hammered copper earrings. I wanted them to sit properlyon the ear, so I had to make a back for them. First, I took copper discs and dapped them (using the steel block and dapping heads). The challenge was adding the hammered texture AFTER they were dapped, since they loose the texture while they are being dapped if you do it beforehand. I managed though. Then I had to figure out the back. I remembered a pair of earrings I had many, many, many years ago in college -- they were huge-- and I did the back in a similar manner. They work! *Dancing with joy.*</div><div>No, I won't share how-- I am going to write a tutorial, so I can't share all my secrets just yet. ;)</div><div></div><div>Next I used the shear to cut a rough circle out of sterling sheet. I left it somewhat rough, for an organic look. Then I domed it with the dapping set as well. I had a strip of fired bronzclay on my bench, waiting for a use, so I formed it around a ring mandrel, leaving it partially open. I hammered the INSIDE of the circle (not as hard as the outside of one that has already been domed) to represent starlight. Then I placed a small flat circle of fired bronzclay in the ring, off to the side, to represent the moon. I call it "Moon and Stars." The outside of the sterling dome portion is textured to match the texture on the outside of the ring shank. I want it to be something people can stare into and think of a starry, moonlit night when all their dreams came true. </div><br /><div>One of my favorite things to do is sit on the hill behind my house, watching the moon and the stars (after the glorious sunsets of course). After all the rain we have been having, I have to load up with bug spray first though -- we are growing a great crop of mosquitoes in the Nebraska Sandhills this year after all of the rain we have been having.</div><br /><div>I have a "Sunset Moon" ring in my head now, so I may come up with a design for it soon.</div><br /><div>Tomorrow is our annual open show at the local art gallery, so I may enter my "Lakeside Idyll" pendant that went to the state show earlier this year -- and "almost" won an award. It was good to hear it was up for consideration, but an actual award would have been even nicer, LOL.</div><br /><div>I am also entering a few photos -- one of a soapweed that I took closeup, another of the handle on the old machine shed on the hill, and one of some used horseshoes hanging on the fence at my in-laws.</div><br /><div>We had some tornados the other night, and I got some funnel cloud photos. I was actually driving alongside one -- which was nerve wracking even though I knew it was a ways away. I don't know if I will enter any of them or not. However, later that night I also got some photos of the storm clouds and the sunset, complete with the full moon and our barn. I did a mixed media piece from one of those photos that I also plan to enter. No photos of it yet.</div><br /><div>So, wish me luck -- I could use some positive feedback -- it has been a rough few months.</div><br /><div>On the other hand we have a new house -- in the country, with lots of space and awesome views! I even have room for my own studio at home -- a far cry from a 40-year-old 2-BR trailer, I am happy to say! :) *Dancing with joy again.* </div><br /><div>The Lord is so good to me! :)</div><br /><div>Happy Creating!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-88268946868747760242010-04-18T21:06:00.007-05:002010-04-18T21:26:49.952-05:00Camp Comeca, carving and choosing to learn to paint<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGwi6qVc2qReGIKjSI46z5C2y1mrm1BbeF61vAcpxSGFefIS-lU0JggdET_kYof8J0CAm5VEuzywuwtNFakqnNRlOb5qevg9rJa6o_oPyP2mRdYTr1a3sxu3WtWo8bxrB5m3hVdKsYPTp/s1600/My+first+wood+carving+project+--+comeca+2010+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461669149299772370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGwi6qVc2qReGIKjSI46z5C2y1mrm1BbeF61vAcpxSGFefIS-lU0JggdET_kYof8J0CAm5VEuzywuwtNFakqnNRlOb5qevg9rJa6o_oPyP2mRdYTr1a3sxu3WtWo8bxrB5m3hVdKsYPTp/s200/My+first+wood+carving+project+--+comeca+2010+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf94aRYtp-8wfMYe_cVunBmL3kEJKwAYb1m96xlUnfhiKaEyokbNdQjx4P6C2EfS5Ki-Fx2mfCRA7cMf1zzSUggXB2Lamkxp8TVTcWLuOml3G8G_Cs89hI_Bp-apRn78MGQHvA2bSzFx4/s1600/my+first+oil+painting+--+woody+at+sunset+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461669143179577922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf94aRYtp-8wfMYe_cVunBmL3kEJKwAYb1m96xlUnfhiKaEyokbNdQjx4P6C2EfS5Ki-Fx2mfCRA7cMf1zzSUggXB2Lamkxp8TVTcWLuOml3G8G_Cs89hI_Bp-apRn78MGQHvA2bSzFx4/s200/my+first+oil+painting+--+woody+at+sunset+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUnfQ0p3FB2jaaU4dHIux07alXSfGntrz1XIJJgB8bug4GuH1RRvpqeRCEa8bLCEWfVPhwIRVvoiisqDnDU_1sipATe3t2UG8AmN-WCtwcaq5pXqoAj9eOtd4gJ5NUPxlcNB6btukoEdD/s1600/fs+and+dichroic+earrings+--+comeca+2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461669139672407138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUnfQ0p3FB2jaaU4dHIux07alXSfGntrz1XIJJgB8bug4GuH1RRvpqeRCEa8bLCEWfVPhwIRVvoiisqDnDU_1sipATe3t2UG8AmN-WCtwcaq5pXqoAj9eOtd4gJ5NUPxlcNB6btukoEdD/s200/fs+and+dichroic+earrings+--+comeca+2010.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsFJuFdVegk_cVNPHp9GPZ-BnuvzaZvws5ZpDeFP8UL_veJL6aqZaTp12LKgX33003te7qoupyi8scoUzxKbLhwnUNm9Coenp-MAz98-rV37qCRNI7iASbZG3IuCq_ZMBP9Jt5s4qwB0N/s1600/FS+and+dichroic+glass+pendant+--+comeca+2010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461669135161583058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsFJuFdVegk_cVNPHp9GPZ-BnuvzaZvws5ZpDeFP8UL_veJL6aqZaTp12LKgX33003te7qoupyi8scoUzxKbLhwnUNm9Coenp-MAz98-rV37qCRNI7iASbZG3IuCq_ZMBP9Jt5s4qwB0N/s200/FS+and+dichroic+glass+pendant+--+comeca+2010.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I just spent a week at the Great Plains Creative Arts Association's 60th annual craft camp at Camp Comeca south of Cozad. What fun! I was teaching a photo composition workshop, along with helping people decipher the settings on their cameras. When I didn't have students, I also had the chance to learn various things myself. </div><br /><div>I started with the precious metal clay area, where I designed a textured fine silver and dichroic glass pendant and earrings set. I also brought home another matching cabochon to make a ring to add to the set.</div><br /><div>I also tried my hand at carving wood. I'm a little scary with a knife, but when I switched over to using a dremel tool, it got much easier and I ended up making a surprisingly good looking walleye lure painted up in the fire tiger design. I also learned about using my flex shaft to engrave patterns in the wood stocks on guns. Fun!</div><br /><div>Painting walls is something I enjoy and am good at, but the art of wielding a paintbrush to create beautiful pictures has always eluded me. Despite that, I took an oil painting class this week and came home with a rather passable painting of a wooden windmill at sunset. What is even more surprising is that my husband, who doesn't care for paintings in general, and my art in particular, actually LIKES it and wants me to hang it at home! </div><br /><div>Now I am interested in learning more about all of those things -- which is exactly what my hubby was afraid of, LOL!</div><br /><div>I have also started a beading project -- much harder with these old eyes and I hope to finish it soon.</div><br /><div>For now I need to unpack and get rested before the work week begins again tomorrow.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-6281434032467108032010-03-03T00:49:00.000-06:002010-03-03T01:11:57.096-06:00Buckles, Brooches and Bills<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQfSCTWJSHAjot5UMFZzUlRMCXsEnt3bHzFwfEmIJjHlLS-8YyhMa4jVhMQ-pdMcPFXGxJAohMSnkGlst2JXM2p4lAiJ1OkvQQICMbZyBFM_rAhY5hW27My1GDIl6oTWFexF2NDLfOR1k/s1600-h/leaves+and+vines+bling+ring+redo+--hammered!+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 157px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444301767522650066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQfSCTWJSHAjot5UMFZzUlRMCXsEnt3bHzFwfEmIJjHlLS-8YyhMa4jVhMQ-pdMcPFXGxJAohMSnkGlst2JXM2p4lAiJ1OkvQQICMbZyBFM_rAhY5hW27My1GDIl6oTWFexF2NDLfOR1k/s200/leaves+and+vines+bling+ring+redo+--hammered!+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pTbm8LOmkJZ8W7Hh0NizwAM2srhFsMH64IPksyXzNBTqK7GC2GU98uoocNNbIoeU5aw-NhSTzHNLGLlklevNetTaReMXKwknx_X-LF40vejAm5sqpnJPrf7e0QcZbpCqtJmEY0Sc4Ziv/s1600-h/custom+order+charoite+and+amethyst+earrings+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444301760617065842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pTbm8LOmkJZ8W7Hh0NizwAM2srhFsMH64IPksyXzNBTqK7GC2GU98uoocNNbIoeU5aw-NhSTzHNLGLlklevNetTaReMXKwknx_X-LF40vejAm5sqpnJPrf7e0QcZbpCqtJmEY0Sc4Ziv/s200/custom+order+charoite+and+amethyst+earrings+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtx5Jyse1jNgC3EJfY-cn6qV1nvl4z-1Lhgs3piCvdOzxrgJyYjYEZx5ftHRpTXQy4YPBq8eMOyfOIsyv6TS0hIIOyV1UWhaSMp9btlj8bY68E0xgg483Km9HQy-iR_-Dkd_nMBJLXle4/s1600-h/custom+order+charoite+and+amethyst+necklace+pendant+closeup+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444301758905364402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtx5Jyse1jNgC3EJfY-cn6qV1nvl4z-1Lhgs3piCvdOzxrgJyYjYEZx5ftHRpTXQy4YPBq8eMOyfOIsyv6TS0hIIOyV1UWhaSMp9btlj8bY68E0xgg483Km9HQy-iR_-Dkd_nMBJLXle4/s200/custom+order+charoite+and+amethyst+necklace+pendant+closeup+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I have spent a busy week making custom order rings, fixing rings that didn't turn out as I hoped, wire wrapping lovely stones, working on the Thedford Commemorative B.R.A.N. belt buckle (and the pins) and freaking out over power bills.<br /><br />I also had a few really nice sales! Hallelujah!<br /><br />The B.R.A.N. buckle is finally nearing completion. The hills, windmill and road are on the front, with the lettering as well. The silver trim is fitted and just needs to be soldered. The back apparatus needs to be soldered. Polish the whole thing up and it should be good to go! Whoo hoo! Finally!<br /><br />I wire wrapped a gorgeous charoite pendant the other day and mixed it with charoite, amethyst and sterling beads. Absolutely yummy!<br /><br />I finished the leaves and vines custom ring without the CZs -- huge improvement! I also ground off all the ugly little czs from the original ring and then hammered the ring -- also a huge improvement!<br /><br />Tomorrow I will get a shipment with new silver solder (to finish the buckle) and some fine wire for weaving. I feel the need to weave some awesome new jewelry!<br /><br />I also hope to make a Viking weave necklace to hang my first handmade bezel project on. The pendant is copper, with a tiger iron cab set in a sterling, plus a sparkly cz at the bottom. I made the bezel by hand, which was not easy for the freeform stone I used. I think a silver Viking weave section, with copper end caps would be nice to go with the pendant.<br /><br />I have a friend who suggested I turn it into a brooch (pin). She is right, it would make a GREAT pin! However, the stone is already set and if I try to heat the piece, the stone would blow up. So, it won't become a pin.<br /><br />I have been struggling so hard with high heat bills this winter, but when I received my latest power bill, my heart dropped into my stomach. How could it cost $450 to heat a 10x30 space inside a Burlington Northern caboose for one month?<br /><br />It didn't. I noticed the bill said estimate, so I called to have them refigure it with the reading I had sent in with my payment. Glad I did -- it is now $235. Still h igh, but certainly better than what it was before. :)<br /><br /><br />I continue to work on my website -- adding new inventory to store as often as I can.<br /><br />I had better get to bed.<br /><br />Happy creating!</div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-45630368562850899632010-02-15T23:53:00.000-06:002010-02-16T00:12:05.068-06:00custom orders, cold, carts and computers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNC-IvHboqMlKDtkRtGpcAZcPmhsLWt4UyikWZnO1cd3JXC-BmL3I-op5jo4GAYtD7T1vTIjPwkNqxdXmODjvTtoBpqW4imcjH9qf6kUePL-gcrRyJYez695r2dxxOm5QL07LR-OHj7bl7/s1600-h/brushed+bronze+asymmetrical+bling+ring+5+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438720110686838514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNC-IvHboqMlKDtkRtGpcAZcPmhsLWt4UyikWZnO1cd3JXC-BmL3I-op5jo4GAYtD7T1vTIjPwkNqxdXmODjvTtoBpqW4imcjH9qf6kUePL-gcrRyJYez695r2dxxOm5QL07LR-OHj7bl7/s200/brushed+bronze+asymmetrical+bling+ring+5+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzAHYjOrZziHIbyMJvQjdq7qQqvWjFSUS-hXlMEnimc9lY6VOaaMR6fPA7IEIhutnn-VUOhDS1IrW-cE2Mp3p9w_I_YCxcLybwx4D8CQXjHsKzZToWMVeZgsLrzYPa8Th1tR6DT2cSNIp/s1600-h/custom+order+leaves+and+vine+ring+in+progress+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438719868118742850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzAHYjOrZziHIbyMJvQjdq7qQqvWjFSUS-hXlMEnimc9lY6VOaaMR6fPA7IEIhutnn-VUOhDS1IrW-cE2Mp3p9w_I_YCxcLybwx4D8CQXjHsKzZToWMVeZgsLrzYPa8Th1tR6DT2cSNIp/s200/custom+order+leaves+and+vine+ring+in+progress+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I have been busy this week, making custom order rings, which is a nice problem to have. Less than two weeks ago, I made a brushed bronze ring from a scrap of fired bronze. The idea came to me in one of those rare "lightbulb" moments and I came away with a winner. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>A friend overseas saw the ring and decided she had to have one. Another friend locally saw it today and also thought she needed one. So, I will make the first one "just like the one in the picture," and the second one will have a synthetic blue topaz. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>It is a nice simple ring with clean lines and a great big shiny stone. Classic.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I also have a custom ring order that I am working on -- in silver, which is so much more user friendly than the copper or the bronze. The ring carries on my "In the Garden" series with the leaves and vine motif. This is a fun one to make!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am continuing to work on my website, and the shopping cart especially. I have added a number of items to the store and I will be adding more each day. It will be several weeks before the search engines pick me up though.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Speaking of things you do with a computer -- mine is on its last legs and I need to find a good used (or refurbished) printer to replace my 8-year-old version of a darned good printer -- the Epson Stylus photo 2200. I hope to find another of the same model. After getting stung twice trying to buy a used one, let's hope the third time is a charm!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>It is so cold here! I have the heat set on high, the woodstove burning and a space heater for my feet and it is STILL cold in the caboose! BRRR!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Well, time for bed, I have to run to town for errands tomorrow, and that will probably take all day. Good night and happy creating.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-24102508051089509992010-02-11T02:11:00.000-06:002010-02-11T02:26:24.820-06:00Websites, Workshops and Weaving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP2iBg5EgiMAZDFv68bm1PSn4BBI3rqO1poT9MTzjMSxPTCOFjMw_xCqlI2-cjqlnDa8FMEXcCLPXJxSGcF3L8hSP52qKbdMsSG5CeWgytQaYk7Gvj9QJM71JEqcCrttfxsTAzO2VY0jh/s1600-h/copper+viking+weave+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436898918878417410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP2iBg5EgiMAZDFv68bm1PSn4BBI3rqO1poT9MTzjMSxPTCOFjMw_xCqlI2-cjqlnDa8FMEXcCLPXJxSGcF3L8hSP52qKbdMsSG5CeWgytQaYk7Gvj9QJM71JEqcCrttfxsTAzO2VY0jh/s200/copper+viking+weave+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have spent the last few days recovering from ambulance runs, workshops and an ear infection, but I have kept busy designing my new website.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The home page is done and there are items in my online store, so I went ahead and took the site live. I will continue to revamp the site as I get more "website" savvy. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love the color scheme, made up of my favorite colors of burgundy, hunter green and parchment tan. I know they are passe, but they will return someday, and for me they are comfort colors. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These colors are also considered to be trustworthy and soothing in website studies, so hey, I may be out of style in home decorating, but I am right in there as far as website design. :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now live: <a href="http://www.dawnebryant.net/">http://www.dawnebryant.net/</a> Check it out! Please. All constructive criticism and advice is welcome!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I taught two fun workshops last weekend, one of beginning wire wrap -- make your own findings, and the other was a beginning jewelry design workshop for basic beaded jewelry.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Several of my students have requested new workshops, so I will soon be lining up a "wire wrapped stones" workshop and a "beginning precious metal clay" workshop. I'm just tickled that anyone would want a repeat workshop from me! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My teaching style is very relaxed, which may not appeal to some folks, but I kind of just go with the flow and let the students decide what they want to work on the most.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, tentatively planned next is the wire wrapped stones workshop at the Thedford Art Gallery, on Saturday, March 29. I haven't decided whether to do a morning or afternoon class.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have also been working on something that has eluded me for a while - the Viking Weave. I love the look of necklaces that feature this weave and I have been struggling to learn the weave. With the help of a wonderful tutorial on <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/feelingstone">www.jewelrylessons.com/feelingstone</a>, called the "Something New Viking Weave," I was finally able to complete (but definitely not master) a project using this weave. Hallelujah! I can do something similar with my tube knitter, but when comparing the two, the Viking weave pieces are much more flexible and have a neater appearance, so I will probably end up retiring the tube knitter, except when I want to make something out of yarn.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I ended up making a copper bracelet, but it turned out huge -- too big even for my husband, so I will probably cut the ends off and make earrings out of them, and size the bracelet down to fit myself or someone else with small wrists. That is one of the joys of Viking knit -- its versatility.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bed is beckoning, so I had better heed its call. Happy creating everyone!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Dawn</div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-27825819662680857632010-02-07T23:14:00.000-06:002010-02-07T23:54:07.124-06:00Workshops, Websites and Worms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA4t0l2qjRCWJ_38tw8SDB8wo1kJEYwtdp93bGW3yoOxu4TPGWVoyYpZtThJPLQGK5gFgRKpwMArkhU_WdykQLerdkcxfEK48gmvM4r2J5ou7c9alr4ve7qrW3bMgJoBXLaGKQ3_kNMQN/s1600-h/winter+caboose.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435746261952755138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA4t0l2qjRCWJ_38tw8SDB8wo1kJEYwtdp93bGW3yoOxu4TPGWVoyYpZtThJPLQGK5gFgRKpwMArkhU_WdykQLerdkcxfEK48gmvM4r2J5ou7c9alr4ve7qrW3bMgJoBXLaGKQ3_kNMQN/s200/winter+caboose.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-5IJ3CDZbZL41jdq9Bm_2GVfKuwQ-o0sM85ZBrct7IU0G-NTblXDMD8qoUfJwA5nFBYOEZfcM_uQV8zIb1F1zEKDxDDjcp0r4pB1jM48VVUtCb8acmvl7tJ6pyz2mjYCMqcy8Z09TYNB/s1600-h/summers+afternoon+rain+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435746256207052850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-5IJ3CDZbZL41jdq9Bm_2GVfKuwQ-o0sM85ZBrct7IU0G-NTblXDMD8qoUfJwA5nFBYOEZfcM_uQV8zIb1F1zEKDxDDjcp0r4pB1jM48VVUtCb8acmvl7tJ6pyz2mjYCMqcy8Z09TYNB/s200/summers+afternoon+rain+2+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqjWBTF8GHdm-UXkjB27iTl8mNXxgYD7z0KfJS2xgs4Gc8wMJ6OLjI4Tio3UDmyljEPhqh4ejQwrckM9hfZUXoD_fFteXFLPu87F88waVrhTTXKaxus-45padynO992ta6BL-WWU4ANBI/s1600-h/A+summers+afternoon+rain+--+bronze.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435746250666139218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqjWBTF8GHdm-UXkjB27iTl8mNXxgYD7z0KfJS2xgs4Gc8wMJ6OLjI4Tio3UDmyljEPhqh4ejQwrckM9hfZUXoD_fFteXFLPu87F88waVrhTTXKaxus-45padynO992ta6BL-WWU4ANBI/s200/A+summers+afternoon+rain+--+bronze.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Despite several days without sleep due to overdue prescriptions, computer failure due to worms (viruses) and late night ambulance runs, I was able to function enough to teach two workshops over the weekend.</div><br /><div>Saturday morning, I had a lot of fun teaching a group of women from around the area how to save money and add value to their handmade jewelry by making their own jump rings, chains, clasps and ear wires.</div><br /><div>Most of the women were suprised at how easy these things are to make themselves and how inexpensive, compared to buying them ready made. </div><br /><div>Several of the women stayed for the afternoon class (and a few new ones arrived) where I taught basic jewelry design. I was fading fast by this point, so it got a bit dry to start, but I think everyone had fun once we got to the hands-on portion of the workshop and most of them went away with some very nice finished pieces, while others took home several "works-in-progress."</div><br /><div>In the midst of all of this, I finally got the go-ahead on my website, so I have spent most of the day trying to build my own website, which is difficult, even with templates. I am NOT the most computer/technology savvy person around, and most of this stuff is Greek to me.</div><br /><div>I think I finally have a decent looking home page, but I still have four pages and a shopping cart to go. Yikes! </div><br /><div>I like the color scheme I picked out -- burgundy, hunter green and tan. These are the colors I had initially intended to use for the caboose, but budget woes put the cabosh on that.</div><br /><div>I started out using a <span style="color:#ff0000;">red</span> and black template, but after cruising through the "what color works best for a website" info on the web, I found that black is hard for older eyes (like mine) to read from, <span style="color:#ff0000;">red</span> is considered jarring and <span style="color:#999999;">gray</span>, <span style="color:#660000;">burgundy</span> and <span style="color:#663333;">brown</span> are considered soothing, solid and elegant. </div><br /><div>I looked at the <span style="color:#666666;">gray</span> generic templates and just couldn't get excited about them, but then I found this gorgeous one with my favorite colors, and I knew I was home. Think <span style="color:#660000;">cherry wood</span>, <span style="color:#003300;">hunter green leather</span> and the rich look of <span style="color:#cc9933;">expensive parchment</span> and you will have the colors of this site. It took all day, literally, but I finally have my home page set up. I am sure it could be more high tech, but I'll start small and revamp as I learn more. Wish me luck!</div><div> </div><div>Coming Soon: <a href="http://www.dawnebryant.net/">http://www.dawnebryant.net/</a>!</div><br /><div>Tired of the cold, dreary weather, I was dreaming of warm sunny summer afternoons when I designed a neckband out of bronze wire and wrapped hammered bronze droplet components around it for a necklace that reflects the light as the wearer moves. I titled it " A Summer's Afternoon Rain."</div><br /><div>It is gently snowing right now, so my hubby could get called out early, therefore, I had better be prepared to get up early to take my daughter to school. Her father usually does that, since our son is a night owl and generally gets to bed late, and therefore, so does Mom.</div><br /><div>Good night and happy creating!</div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-14385638528859845662010-02-07T23:12:00.000-06:002010-02-07T23:13:08.584-06:00Wire Wrapping, Workshops andDawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-34008142864129961642010-01-26T23:28:00.000-06:002010-01-26T23:57:24.315-06:00Hat Bands, Hearts and the How-tos of Social Networking for Business<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAtKGnBMktYqnSMrAojU5V0AeXUZ3sPgTWmwX4ZHl96HfdFNLoJxPGiKHBzx5FzsZ8lHJvFx7lBFrgqb1xofxzEuiVZ-n-0XW3xhcu83a2B-y601OXhso9PKrY1D-6A3N4kyVS2Ef1xXx/s1600-h/spiral+love+set+--+bronze+and+pearls+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431294295375188626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAtKGnBMktYqnSMrAojU5V0AeXUZ3sPgTWmwX4ZHl96HfdFNLoJxPGiKHBzx5FzsZ8lHJvFx7lBFrgqb1xofxzEuiVZ-n-0XW3xhcu83a2B-y601OXhso9PKrY1D-6A3N4kyVS2Ef1xXx/s200/spiral+love+set+--+bronze+and+pearls+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBenYH2KR3fwH2jGT8p63tz7zEEc6B5jTIHAlcpYtyspj_GndSkbUnWvPRTeECfD9kw5vWgDpyAHYvhfVf6NgJrF9m9CITtGuMiJaTOuhelmYr9-efDC9BQt84hnCThsSKCYM8wgMQ1f0j/s1600-h/spiral+love+coat+or+scarf+pin+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431294281120472274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBenYH2KR3fwH2jGT8p63tz7zEEc6B5jTIHAlcpYtyspj_GndSkbUnWvPRTeECfD9kw5vWgDpyAHYvhfVf6NgJrF9m9CITtGuMiJaTOuhelmYr9-efDC9BQt84hnCThsSKCYM8wgMQ1f0j/s200/spiral+love+coat+or+scarf+pin+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyLAxh6yTEZRziqpHDW7VWj8R1iIR2U_-EplKw_h_Y4GgHzboxICiEFUIMGeGd99IEkjOuZBBp109DzhAphjXy4WVsLHfh93Lr3v3ES6fMGSJjMGsX2t9oQ6ZaLUiYnzhAFNiSemU1mKC/s1600-h/Sizzling+spiral+love+set+on+white+2+wm.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrhUzU_MtkvpefOx7PTNhEwWztgUQkwYd6wYEq1xbJ5D1_X1UTloPuwjJr7sS8UFXBn-sEyrOgsx34kS-3YpsJhve0D2Sd0qRLeaClRJx-V-LRkbjhwfE3hyvYqqYylI1_nXrfeYA1wh8/s1600-h/black+and+gold+spiral+woven+splendor.+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431294003278751922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrhUzU_MtkvpefOx7PTNhEwWztgUQkwYd6wYEq1xbJ5D1_X1UTloPuwjJr7sS8UFXBn-sEyrOgsx34kS-3YpsJhve0D2Sd0qRLeaClRJx-V-LRkbjhwfE3hyvYqqYylI1_nXrfeYA1wh8/s200/black+and+gold+spiral+woven+splendor.+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoIM6E4vvqaFxr2sq0N6ujRkIhHABMhTBXEzM8P0vL9BGFn9Kq-4QUs4EnAbPOReL7Dmu3Dupxz_-azkB7Qv2KcFpvKuPdx1OBLURUaC_URJVZ0nRv6-UocliqyHtI7jCKG1YPRZEob3U/s1600-h/bronze+and+sterling+custom+hatband+prototype+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 155px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431293999432543634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoIM6E4vvqaFxr2sq0N6ujRkIhHABMhTBXEzM8P0vL9BGFn9Kq-4QUs4EnAbPOReL7Dmu3Dupxz_-azkB7Qv2KcFpvKuPdx1OBLURUaC_URJVZ0nRv6-UocliqyHtI7jCKG1YPRZEob3U/s200/bronze+and+sterling+custom+hatband+prototype+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvuLPleDL5nq6_0yPcyhMPBeieK-W7A6fyI_yszgtPsZCS8rtBvH4YaNht_GhFj8zCdIPIw7foxRol3E8hidJPzmMtpsujAO31hb3BFs6H-q71z2swyXMktDKK9xpP_HUOfYMIb4cJO7L/s1600-h/barbed+wire+hatband+prototype+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431293984582988130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvuLPleDL5nq6_0yPcyhMPBeieK-W7A6fyI_yszgtPsZCS8rtBvH4YaNht_GhFj8zCdIPIw7foxRol3E8hidJPzmMtpsujAO31hb3BFs6H-q71z2swyXMktDKK9xpP_HUOfYMIb4cJO7L/s200/barbed+wire+hatband+prototype+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYy2X7cehRwLbBhtg3Fczw3Ou_NFIC4MzZZdS_Gf7lvHTF2y3kwTxnUs39BpnDZbnAA4372uMDylwQqtJWCXNamV5Ucwfsrt_EYx2O2HckLovq25-KUSinOLlmSrApnZtmtLosjMfH01O/s1600-h/two-tone+wiggly+chain+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431293978192831682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYy2X7cehRwLbBhtg3Fczw3Ou_NFIC4MzZZdS_Gf7lvHTF2y3kwTxnUs39BpnDZbnAA4372uMDylwQqtJWCXNamV5Ucwfsrt_EYx2O2HckLovq25-KUSinOLlmSrApnZtmtLosjMfH01O/s200/two-tone+wiggly+chain+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I spent the day at a workshop on social networking and how to make it work for your business. I learned a lot -- about how important social networking is, how to make it work for me, and how to do it more efficiently. The workshop was put on by GROW Nebraska, of which I am a member. It was time well spent. Their site can be found at <a href="http://www.grownebraska.org/">http://www.grownebraska.org/</a>.</div><br /><div>I have been working on custom hat bands this past week, as well as diving into the learning of chainmaille techniques. I have also been preparing all my Valetine's themed items to mail to various GROW Nebraska stores, and to have inventory on hand in my studio. I also wrote a tutorial for the wiggly weave chainmaille weave, which can be found on <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/dawnebryant">www.jewelrylessons.com/dawnebryant</a>.</div><br /><div>The Valentines stuff is heart-shaped of course, from brushed bronze earrings to delicate, feminine spiraly stuff, to pink and white thulite heart shaped stones strung with the ultimate feminine decoration -- pearls.</div><br /><div>The hat bands come in all shapes and sizes, including barbed wire, two-tone links and bars, wire wrapped bands and more. I am developing new designs day by day.</div><br /><div>I have a few custom orders to finish and get out the door, but this is a slow time of year customer-wise, so I am catching up on things, trying to find someone to build an e-commerce ready website for me at an affordable price, and prepare for the busy season to come in a few months. </div><br /><div>I also pray daily that enough sales will come in to keep the lights on.</div><br /><div>That said, I had better finish the wiggly chain weave necklace I am working on, finish posting to the GROW Nebraska e-commerce site, work on a new hatband design, and get some sleep so I can work on rings and belt buckles at the studio tomorrow.</div><br /><div>Hopefully my young son, who has been coughing and running a low grade temperature, will feel better tomorrow. His sister, thankfully, has only the cough.</div><br /><div>Good night, good sleep and happy creating!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-46725716839377095862009-11-23T22:11:00.000-06:002009-11-23T23:25:40.854-06:00Commissions, mourning, crosses and buckles<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCWJfCHB86aIg-4VIRRRzmx6jpWDQfkjB5NGkG23nUXPvXNilEp0SDrEaFwUw8td9cYu41cRW00R5Z_n2bO6i-nG5eHnrueZfkAifJqgfpbjHMhTONx9Wftmm9Y5qhMXZwV73yzwwDRJz/s1600/onyx+elegance+pendant+closeup+wm+greyscale.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527951101678754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCWJfCHB86aIg-4VIRRRzmx6jpWDQfkjB5NGkG23nUXPvXNilEp0SDrEaFwUw8td9cYu41cRW00R5Z_n2bO6i-nG5eHnrueZfkAifJqgfpbjHMhTONx9Wftmm9Y5qhMXZwV73yzwwDRJz/s200/onyx+elegance+pendant+closeup+wm+greyscale.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_cBBmUUlJM5Y_OFu09YRAX_ZNOiktxOtLJJYgq0J7eSqq2cP378kShwOr9Kkz-tdH0HQ1mfrMhVWRbjn9SnfHbbkOhaaoIL9NfU_oJ4DzUtQ05_b_5C_wTxoMwF_jA11DJtMZcEz3I8d/s1600/two+tone+rope+design+wire+wrapped+earrings+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527948158210706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_cBBmUUlJM5Y_OFu09YRAX_ZNOiktxOtLJJYgq0J7eSqq2cP378kShwOr9Kkz-tdH0HQ1mfrMhVWRbjn9SnfHbbkOhaaoIL9NfU_oJ4DzUtQ05_b_5C_wTxoMwF_jA11DJtMZcEz3I8d/s200/two+tone+rope+design+wire+wrapped+earrings+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn6hSMGfU93LABslX6-6gEUwF3yIFQbzSGdxH9neUwk8vFK6GggnKxExxvadIDUofUY_7rhFaoNJjLyYnvXzbcVM6NTaTY6FMXgb8CcNJwg0xuuy4r2lpd3dJBcxsy8cQ7Gy6bsnTzrXX/s1600/two+tone+fancy+band+prong+ring+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527941526855010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn6hSMGfU93LABslX6-6gEUwF3yIFQbzSGdxH9neUwk8vFK6GggnKxExxvadIDUofUY_7rhFaoNJjLyYnvXzbcVM6NTaTY6FMXgb8CcNJwg0xuuy4r2lpd3dJBcxsy8cQ7Gy6bsnTzrXX/s200/two+tone+fancy+band+prong+ring+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PbS39jeueAklWanevR7IN9N_iVm9zfYxwbUtrIbqhp_0LGG6n5wqnStyJIM-t8OKT6gbH0-tCku_7Qb6VVrBkqbe2lA_CRJXqvVchs-Jyy1vvm9fS86AQ3r7LXSYPTy3Swdyo39Mwot/s1600/two+tone+rope+design+bangle+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527938373627122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5PbS39jeueAklWanevR7IN9N_iVm9zfYxwbUtrIbqhp_0LGG6n5wqnStyJIM-t8OKT6gbH0-tCku_7Qb6VVrBkqbe2lA_CRJXqvVchs-Jyy1vvm9fS86AQ3r7LXSYPTy3Swdyo39Mwot/s200/two+tone+rope+design+bangle+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeGrESb4JwPSootHVFBIQBPE5X5-RomZS0Xt1QLPbFy_BskWrXxwqXbYpQoyWCNoAeSs2HQghjM1tTLWYRqwRXpm8GcR6eZq0hsp4Ra5GiCSm7Z_8rOVMv_xfwCe-l6yooo-zgS1rT05b/s1600/two+tone+rope+pattern+wire+cross.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 162px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527433596073858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeGrESb4JwPSootHVFBIQBPE5X5-RomZS0Xt1QLPbFy_BskWrXxwqXbYpQoyWCNoAeSs2HQghjM1tTLWYRqwRXpm8GcR6eZq0hsp4Ra5GiCSm7Z_8rOVMv_xfwCe-l6yooo-zgS1rT05b/s200/two+tone+rope+pattern+wire+cross.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih949w3olT_kA35AGK9SbjigEph7XCZbsujLqz6EebcWqtEuTBhwcsOAggQ2pAuQGSSzzxgWkwG9JKi_CyNYqQPBvq35GdrwqwVIJP0eu4fylJRJfGYEGfUH1MrLHVK4IMcrEJyhcsI3D3/s1600/two+tone+rope+pattern+wire+cross+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527425389095042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih949w3olT_kA35AGK9SbjigEph7XCZbsujLqz6EebcWqtEuTBhwcsOAggQ2pAuQGSSzzxgWkwG9JKi_CyNYqQPBvq35GdrwqwVIJP0eu4fylJRJfGYEGfUH1MrLHVK4IMcrEJyhcsI3D3/s200/two+tone+rope+pattern+wire+cross+2+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuumeQec3OsDZdE4X0TD7iQZGR8oR9izzCzup65eH5oK_Ibtd4fRzrXolUmvNtxoYysiai-z0MjnooFSP_ci9RjrmTYs5nnmdXGbs6ihk_6YSh5mO3YNdDF9YZQZDiJcBjvGi-YMnY8HFK/s1600/Maple+Leaf+and+Dew+Drop+2+--+moonstone+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527422719203266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuumeQec3OsDZdE4X0TD7iQZGR8oR9izzCzup65eH5oK_Ibtd4fRzrXolUmvNtxoYysiai-z0MjnooFSP_ci9RjrmTYs5nnmdXGbs6ihk_6YSh5mO3YNdDF9YZQZDiJcBjvGi-YMnY8HFK/s200/Maple+Leaf+and+Dew+Drop+2+--+moonstone+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM8TBuVEOIkM0Rf7dwKkO8UB1KRY790BU01xOZbG6_KQ0yvNTZ0wTV14GTWSaNUANHVoeUXfKzSYnaBnaPsQwD_4lH5T7yGODW8yxLQ8451QLUfGZj_gzC00QVoEfkqqL-y46LXWe5ZAs/s1600/hammered+bronze+hoop+earrings.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527417566271394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM8TBuVEOIkM0Rf7dwKkO8UB1KRY790BU01xOZbG6_KQ0yvNTZ0wTV14GTWSaNUANHVoeUXfKzSYnaBnaPsQwD_4lH5T7yGODW8yxLQ8451QLUfGZj_gzC00QVoEfkqqL-y46LXWe5ZAs/s200/hammered+bronze+hoop+earrings.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiOe0vtZEoPtXvaHujhRIksnVXOcA3e5ddDEWsh1wWf9lVVX2LmNPDLQ1GKOBVp3Al_P2uLoXzPnjuYg7t6MjBYAgwUPNxpVHQFc559ePBkqln_Pc7c5-hDapr77E9FQjd4cYyzkaU2qr/s1600/maple+leaf+set+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407527413503120738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiOe0vtZEoPtXvaHujhRIksnVXOcA3e5ddDEWsh1wWf9lVVX2LmNPDLQ1GKOBVp3Al_P2uLoXzPnjuYg7t6MjBYAgwUPNxpVHQFc559ePBkqln_Pc7c5-hDapr77E9FQjd4cYyzkaU2qr/s200/maple+leaf+set+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It's been a while since I've updated this blog, but it has been a very busy, albeit, sad time.</div><br /><div>I received a huge commission of 750 Prismacolor pencil paintings pins to be put into the welcome bag for the participants in the Bike Ride Across Nebraska (B.R.A.N.) riders that will stay in our town next June. The pin features a windmill at sunset. I imagine I will be heartily tired of the scene by the time I am finished, but it is a huge honor to get the commission. I have yet to photograph the pin, so it will be posted later.</div><br /><div>I was also commissioned to make a triple metal commemorative belt buckle to be raffled off at the same time. It will be made from bronzclay, with a sterling decorative trim and a Sandhills scene done in copprclay. I will post a photo when it is done.</div><br /><div>Both are very time consuming projects.</div><br /><div>At the same time, I prepared 60 items to go on consignment to a holiday shop in the mall 65 miles from here. Hopefully sales there will be good.</div><br /><div>I teach a workshop on my Prismacolor jewelry to 32 high school students next Tuesday -- my first actual "workshop" of the type.</div><br /><div>I have been working on several cross designs, with my newest one matching the silver rope bezel wire with gold accents bracelets, rings and earrings I have been making. I already have a commission for a larger version as a Christmas gift.</div><div> </div><div>I received numerous compliments on the sterling and black onyx necklace and earring set I made and wore to the Thedford Area Community Foundation Banquet this Saturday, which was nice to hear. The design is called "Onyx Elegance."</div><br /><div>My photography stash is building again, after losing all my photos earlier this year. I was lucky enough to be able to photograph a nice 5x5 mule deer that was near my caboose early last week and I got several nice sunset photos yesterday while helping my husband (unsuccessfully) hunt a buck to fill his deer tag.</div><br /><div>This next month will be filled with hunting, making and purchasing gifts and hopefully, lots and lots of sales.</div><br /><div>Hopefully it will be happier than this one, as our town has had its share of deaths in the past few weeks. It is time now for the joy of the holiday season and no more sadness, I hope.</div><div></div><div>Happy creating!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-54347471402334924302009-10-30T20:55:00.000-05:002009-10-30T21:12:49.563-05:00Sales still slow, learning how to work with bronzclay and dealing with children in small spaces<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY2Mgfdn7Q_FvKTLMXMGXbs0dwiQHmF3VuO1KcYax3QZbvhFSQvwusSOS__KxqB-tmzhHjlf23v_XZ2JsMoDmlLcsjPKqW5gQ_edSy6qgpGBGmeAH_kVwlDzkBAvdDsA80wbJIP5-4jpX/s1600-h/two+tone+belt+buckle+completed+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398581258238228194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY2Mgfdn7Q_FvKTLMXMGXbs0dwiQHmF3VuO1KcYax3QZbvhFSQvwusSOS__KxqB-tmzhHjlf23v_XZ2JsMoDmlLcsjPKqW5gQ_edSy6qgpGBGmeAH_kVwlDzkBAvdDsA80wbJIP5-4jpX/s200/two+tone+belt+buckle+completed+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIEuQaUGALrwBbqFoxBy8jWX6WNWp97lq960g7t_UtGCbJ-pOPPGQinnlkPcRgcBWYf9qMqiF8swatYp576U6OZ4C1SnkRyRS2wAa0tXPCDW4jggA28nvKpKE7JAZsk3I7vBozhp2go3E/s1600-h/fourth+phase+of+a+bronze+belt+buckle+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398581256286813698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIEuQaUGALrwBbqFoxBy8jWX6WNWp97lq960g7t_UtGCbJ-pOPPGQinnlkPcRgcBWYf9qMqiF8swatYp576U6OZ4C1SnkRyRS2wAa0tXPCDW4jggA28nvKpKE7JAZsk3I7vBozhp2go3E/s200/fourth+phase+of+a+bronze+belt+buckle+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi288EgxRMtWGwl8yXZWIWstvmVCSudqi0KXeoI9Bxl1lbkEdetqDZ4e2m0216Z4_7j2cO_hdrGHKchMV_clg8GTeZIW92fhPhUD4xkFlkKw-SlMp0hLjSIJjUDU3MJzolSf26zdkhRUKuN/s1600-h/Sonora+Sunrise+--+textured+copper+and+turquoise+set+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398581251888867138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi288EgxRMtWGwl8yXZWIWstvmVCSudqi0KXeoI9Bxl1lbkEdetqDZ4e2m0216Z4_7j2cO_hdrGHKchMV_clg8GTeZIW92fhPhUD4xkFlkKw-SlMp0hLjSIJjUDU3MJzolSf26zdkhRUKuN/s200/Sonora+Sunrise+--+textured+copper+and+turquoise+set+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>The last two days have been "flu" days at school, and the schools have been closed -- which means that in addition to my 2-year-old son, who enjoys being at the caboose -- I have had my 6-year-old daughter, who does not. The two of them alternated between hitting/poking/jabbing each other and complaining that the other one touched them. Grrrr! Very hard to concentrate and get anything done in that environment. Luckily Dad got off early today and came to get them. Yeah!<br /><br />I worked on several projects this week -- a two-tone belt buckle made of bronzclay, PMC and sterling silver; two bronzclay pendant and earring sets; and a bronzclay prototype pin for the B.R.A.N. (Bike Ride Across Nebraska) riders that will be coming through town next June. I also made two pin prototypes in my signature colored pencil mini paintings on plastic.<br /><br />I am working on a wire pendant in sterling and black onyx as well.<br /><br />The bronzclay gives me fits as it bubbles when fired, and comes out of the kiln with totally unpredictable patinas. I have also found it shrinks more than PMC3, so I have to figure out how big to make a ring so it is the right size after firing. I can't rely on my regular PMC3 ring sizers, apparently, since my size 6-1/2 ring broke the mold, cracked its shank and became a size 3 in the kiln. Arrrggghhh!<br /><br />I mended the shank and refired it, but it still needed more work and made a return trip to the kiln tonight. I have a leafy pendant and earrings in the kiln as well, and another leafy pendant and earrings drying on my workbench to be fired tomorrow.<br /><br />The pin prototype needs some tweaking tomorrow and I will let it dry all day then fire it tomorrow night. Bronzeclay takes so long to fire that I just put it in the kiln as I leave the shop at night -- that way it can fire overnight and be just cool enough to remove from the kiln in the morning, plus it helps keep the caboose warm at night!<br /><br />I miss my syringe clay when working with bronze and copper clay though! I really rely on my syringe for stems, vines, squiggles, pasting, etc...<br /><br />The stuff is new, so I am pioneering along with the rest of those using the stuff though. I am a self-taught artisan anyway, so why not teach myself on this stuff too!<br /><br />The buckle is finally finished, after numerous snafoos while soldering. I like the two-tone look and it is very simple, but showy as well.<br /><br />My needle texture pendant and earrings will be finished up tomorrow.<br /><br />I mailed out a special order this morning and another earlier in the week. Now, I just need some actual customers to come to the shop and make some purchases. Business is SSSSLLLOOOOWWWW!<br /><br />Frustrating!<br /><br />Oh well, Christmas is coming -- hopefully people will buy local. I will be having my Grand Opening sometime soon. I will know by the end of next week, I suppose.<br /><br />Lots of work to do and I had better get back to it. Happy creating!</div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-28970489747303310402009-10-23T21:03:00.000-05:002009-10-23T21:22:38.920-05:00Work benches, slow sales and new fun with clay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6XspkwNi05pq-t0fAwUTZ1wB8HxAJWlSSbK5DW1uoT8B4V1m-V8ShUzV7w92Af9I0IuuWeqq7yrhQ7ppoQOJz1aR1oYCturGE6npPwxkmtsIYfJVwPwJPKl2I8Oc0l7IrAl67On215hM/s1600-h/copper+clay+beads+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395986178385952002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6XspkwNi05pq-t0fAwUTZ1wB8HxAJWlSSbK5DW1uoT8B4V1m-V8ShUzV7w92Af9I0IuuWeqq7yrhQ7ppoQOJz1aR1oYCturGE6npPwxkmtsIYfJVwPwJPKl2I8Oc0l7IrAl67On215hM/s200/copper+clay+beads+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFJiGEJgSzBXITRHqSq3qKPs-Yw5CI6yc63v0pu6NucxCdwn0ABQbHcXUc6LAmuPSCxkm2KmvJ8wqiNVadCOARUQpRCoSpVh538y_U64YPgi4qK1eW_MfpzCX3zlfax-BHvSrINNhX2Bs/s1600-h/what+went+wrong+bronze+buckle+blank+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395985454271893602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFJiGEJgSzBXITRHqSq3qKPs-Yw5CI6yc63v0pu6NucxCdwn0ABQbHcXUc6LAmuPSCxkm2KmvJ8wqiNVadCOARUQpRCoSpVh538y_U64YPgi4qK1eW_MfpzCX3zlfax-BHvSrINNhX2Bs/s200/what+went+wrong+bronze+buckle+blank+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5-DxYDiQREFTzdcum9tUr_uqkwJOl1o_OF1vLFx7A8goLB10stySe1PbTaVDfuwBOFuH9tKHj9UQx-tczxRwwaBBtqTSMYEw24XM7wcnXO3IfYnJ2frU8Spd_csmzgS4f7ZYKWEfhHoB/s1600-h/leaves+and+tendrils+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395985448985284946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5-DxYDiQREFTzdcum9tUr_uqkwJOl1o_OF1vLFx7A8goLB10stySe1PbTaVDfuwBOFuH9tKHj9UQx-tczxRwwaBBtqTSMYEw24XM7wcnXO3IfYnJ2frU8Spd_csmzgS4f7ZYKWEfhHoB/s200/leaves+and+tendrils+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UNn_L0J9z43DIICHmvLfGLkSbUtalKjWj5mV3pzso7i5ALpZTefSaoPzbd7-Nxgrhyphenhyphenj4xcVQn6KHIm5YneinVYmgbJcO7zR3pJsXBaOx_kZpWsaMSwXHwITGOp0SCQGbEmHkTNph-4eU/s1600-h/Copper+Sandhills+Buckle+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395985449115702562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UNn_L0J9z43DIICHmvLfGLkSbUtalKjWj5mV3pzso7i5ALpZTefSaoPzbd7-Nxgrhyphenhyphenj4xcVQn6KHIm5YneinVYmgbJcO7zR3pJsXBaOx_kZpWsaMSwXHwITGOp0SCQGbEmHkTNph-4eU/s200/Copper+Sandhills+Buckle+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iBH8ZlrteLShskOwPm6WhjOiqu10SP4Q__x4SDKqRYLad4AHfKIswYoLQkq27kFfltHqVgmGMTjeuy4AvpUCitjUriKTXHm_O_6bXXgl8i2nBUFcN-xMqicc0BW2jBUvZ_QuoAGfv49o/s1600-h/new+workbench+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395985444928878402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iBH8ZlrteLShskOwPm6WhjOiqu10SP4Q__x4SDKqRYLad4AHfKIswYoLQkq27kFfltHqVgmGMTjeuy4AvpUCitjUriKTXHm_O_6bXXgl8i2nBUFcN-xMqicc0BW2jBUvZ_QuoAGfv49o/s200/new+workbench+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIJOeHpuQBfk_FYUApi0xp3PSNP91s2HD193yOEQBgc0qK7OAeFIFtLEtRYTeX_vSsoGH2rN6TFWOGKVJiQGXUJa4fJQTXWVJceiyb1LoyVqnrrUJ-n9QE0ZKfHdvGXPT_UGlFDgUg0cm/s1600-h/new+workbench+2+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395985441072098530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIJOeHpuQBfk_FYUApi0xp3PSNP91s2HD193yOEQBgc0qK7OAeFIFtLEtRYTeX_vSsoGH2rN6TFWOGKVJiQGXUJa4fJQTXWVJceiyb1LoyVqnrrUJ-n9QE0ZKfHdvGXPT_UGlFDgUg0cm/s200/new+workbench+2+wm.jpg" /></a> I have spent the last three weeks carefully tending to my back -- despite injuring my neck somehow in my sleep one night - and I am now back up to snuff, as long as I don't overdo things. Good thing, as I go back on ambulance call tomorrow night for a week.<br /><br /><div>Business has been extremely slow (only one customer in the door in the whole three weeks) so I have been slowly building up inventory in prepration for Christmas.</div><br /><br /><div>I ordered some CopprClay and some BronzClay as they are more affordable than PMC (for me and for my customers) and I played with it a bit this week. I made some beads and a belt buckle from the copper version and then made and fired a buckle blank from the bronze version.</div><br /><br /><div>The copper came out great! The bronze, however, had some issues. The buckle came out all bubbly and rough. I called my supplier and they told me that even though it was thin, I should have fired it like a thick piece because it is so big. Okay, back to the drawing board on that one. It did come out with beautiful colors though! I love the patina that gets fired onto it, and if you polish it up, it is the color of spun honey -- gold with a hint of autumn.</div><br /><br /><div>I can't wait to make some pieces that combine all three types of clay!</div><br /><br /><div>After waiting over four months for my neighbor to build a workbench for me (I have been getting by with a sheet over a plastic folding table -- much to rickety to do much with and I can't bolt anything down) -- I decided to design my own. It was going to cost about $100, so the project was on hold.</div><br /><br /><div>Today my hubby and his dad surprised me with a workbench! It is shorter, narrower and far less fancy than the one I designed, but since my father-in-law donated all the materials from stuff stored in his barn, the price is more than right! </div><br /><br /><div>The formica may be orange, but it is certainly easier to clean a mess up from than that darned sheet! </div><br /><br /><div>I can hammer away and not worry about it collapsing either, and I can finally bolt down my vice. Yea!</div><br /><br /><div>Now, if the customers will just come!</div><br /><br /><div>Better get to work on some more inventory -- Christmas is just around the corner, I need stuff for a storefront in a mall about an hour away and there is a craft show just about a month away.</div><br /><br /><div>I also need to work on my prototype for a colored pencil painting pin to commemorate the Bike Ride Across Nebraska stop in Thedford next year. The pin would be given to each of the riders that stays in Thedford when they stay overnight next June.</div><br /><br /><div>So much work and so little time! Happy creating!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-33562624308261237972009-10-04T22:58:00.000-05:002009-10-04T23:26:37.736-05:00Bad backs, horse sales and falling leaves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAWHu01gV1R-zDzXU4kMbLfF-dhXzEplokWVlaPA6KC79wrJG6Xxy14mj1l08d7FiO6YwBDrEuAxav-_xni2tPnVKAUtv_4l4dGapct27T7uFA7Vn3KoSPBgQ1Wj7OWVNCyzhyoMBuZLQ/s1600-h/in+the+vineyard+earring+closeup-wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966281773950306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAWHu01gV1R-zDzXU4kMbLfF-dhXzEplokWVlaPA6KC79wrJG6Xxy14mj1l08d7FiO6YwBDrEuAxav-_xni2tPnVKAUtv_4l4dGapct27T7uFA7Vn3KoSPBgQ1Wj7OWVNCyzhyoMBuZLQ/s200/in+the+vineyard+earring+closeup-wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqzuCu5g3Kj5TIUU_YHF-rrRzZCJG2XWV2OzHOmsJvF-iYoKTK7uj5CYt8OXO9lwp2isgh2MhuKvhC36wFjrqerybDUJk0qo41F8hwTD2sqDJH5tryY1BUUfZivbGLfuvk924wh5nQVE8/s1600-h/in+the+vineyard+pendant+closeup-wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966276668989218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqzuCu5g3Kj5TIUU_YHF-rrRzZCJG2XWV2OzHOmsJvF-iYoKTK7uj5CYt8OXO9lwp2isgh2MhuKvhC36wFjrqerybDUJk0qo41F8hwTD2sqDJH5tryY1BUUfZivbGLfuvk924wh5nQVE8/s200/in+the+vineyard+pendant+closeup-wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvdMg-GIwyKOvFkv8x22WLA5F4-uWVB82oR3lU0nLgr5NbiGlbKLu2f8K0RIWKbFMsmkP1RqZ3xXWXHKy0Wbga2Z4FiNc3Lqce0uvTjW5hZ01mmJWcixmcVEnoLofrxpmARh7d-krnyeD/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+3+pendant+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966269673603042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvdMg-GIwyKOvFkv8x22WLA5F4-uWVB82oR3lU0nLgr5NbiGlbKLu2f8K0RIWKbFMsmkP1RqZ3xXWXHKy0Wbga2Z4FiNc3Lqce0uvTjW5hZ01mmJWcixmcVEnoLofrxpmARh7d-krnyeD/s200/In+the+Garden+3+pendant+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsZzPhL53714ODWjyMkKl3l42spGu6yRqeJ0Vgstwwbbel65Bcq4-w21FwhC1yHTy-Yn2Z2mbSadBNt7PwGGtkQZenDWv3kUJfuIt13hKhBnP2uh_3IxzYUDoBYjdSvOgzjg-1m98dlSW/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+3+earrings+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 123px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966268335627410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsZzPhL53714ODWjyMkKl3l42spGu6yRqeJ0Vgstwwbbel65Bcq4-w21FwhC1yHTy-Yn2Z2mbSadBNt7PwGGtkQZenDWv3kUJfuIt13hKhBnP2uh_3IxzYUDoBYjdSvOgzjg-1m98dlSW/s200/In+the+Garden+3+earrings+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2MWH4TbUMbuRa8gtv3GmajosxY6WBP7rWS46wFQjXchALvLNjFpu9wD-t6cACxGKU59BqxiP7mCgqnCB60-6fm-UBVYuIEa4oyYZNdUYeFglWUMXLoF3acyMNlHrJnDmZzepr3gnXMDw/s1600-h/in+the+garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 108px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388966257374986562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2MWH4TbUMbuRa8gtv3GmajosxY6WBP7rWS46wFQjXchALvLNjFpu9wD-t6cACxGKU59BqxiP7mCgqnCB60-6fm-UBVYuIEa4oyYZNdUYeFglWUMXLoF3acyMNlHrJnDmZzepr3gnXMDw/s200/in+the+garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This past week has been a blur of pain meds, chiropractor appointments and aches and pains mixed in with a frenzy of creation as I have worked feverishly to get ready for my first "show" at a horse sale where the sellers are also holding an "invitation only" vendor show. I was invited and it was of no cost to me, so hey, what was there to lose?</div><br /><div>Okay, first the back. Last Saturday I bent over to get something out of my purse and slipped a disc very badly. I saw a chiropractor before attending the funeral of a friend and the chiropractor would barely touch me for fear of making things worse. I could hardly walk. I saw him again two more times last week and now I can walk, but by the end of the day I am still in a lot of pain. Frustrating!</div><br /><div>I knew I was going to the horse sale on Sunday, so I spent the week, bad back and all, trying to make as much inventory as I could. I was nearly out of clay so I made what little I had into small earrings, a small leaf pendant and matching earrings, and a new piece for my "In the Garden" series. </div><br /><div>I also finished up the grape leaves I have been working on for weeks (painstakingly painting on layer after layer of clay slip to build them up to be heavy enough to wear). I finished the grape leaves just before closing yesterday, and after much prodding from fellow jewelry artists, I tried a patina. For once it came out great! I loved it! The patina came out an awesome coppery color with irridescent blues, greens and purples all through it - - perfect for fall leaves. I had formed "ivy tendrils" with syringe clay and then carried the design through into the bail and ear wires by making them into "tendril" too. I was really happy with how it came out. I planned to run them through the tumbler for a high shine, but didn't have time. I figured I would do that Monday. Not going to happen. They SOLD! So, now I have to get some new grape leaves at my inlaws' house before they freeze so I can make some more of these. I have lots of new ideas for grape leaf jewelry.</div><br /><div>Today I worked on a new woven cross, but it is not finished yet. It has a turquoise stone in it and I am making a chain with turquoise stones scattered through it as well.</div><br /><div>This next week I need to make two PMC pendant/earring sets for a customer who wants to give them to her granddaughters. I have already made two pendants for another set of granddaughters who don't have pierced ears. I also have a custom order PMC ring to make and about 12 repairs to do.</div><br /><div>My PMC cross "In the Garden At Gethsemane" sold yesterday to a teenager who was brought in by her grandfather and told she could pick out "anything in the store." I was surprised (as was the grandfather) when she picked a large showy cross out of all the items in the shop. It only took her two seconds to choose it too. She honed in on it the instant she walked in, so it must have been meant for her.</div><br /><div>I am still working on my woven mother's ring design and I had a new design for a woven cross pop into my head today. I also had a design for a very dressy woven necklace begin to take shape, as well as two new PMC necklace ideas. So many designs, so little time! </div><br /><div>OOOh, a new PMC cross design just popped in too! A new addition to my "In the Garden" series that is also a "family" piece. OOOh, I can't wait until the PMC order arrives on Tuesday!</div><br /><div>I had better close and try to get some sleep despite the design ideas running around in my brain.</div><br /><div>Happy creating!</div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-50489106580375249232009-09-25T23:18:00.000-05:002009-09-25T23:34:45.709-05:00Great Sales Today, funeral tomorrow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yF9EpSklN_uRYgeBbjbUooduMHYbxhzWcxQ-uaoP5dtFksOqMqZU5m7iJttUgrtc7L9X7NZd9Am5TPcDQl8NGIbJfiN8COwEilfW6IJcwBqI9bwuMgl0SaAAClEN97bbm8iDCPIuxPoT/s1600-h/maple+leaf+and+dewdrop.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385629204847734786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yF9EpSklN_uRYgeBbjbUooduMHYbxhzWcxQ-uaoP5dtFksOqMqZU5m7iJttUgrtc7L9X7NZd9Am5TPcDQl8NGIbJfiN8COwEilfW6IJcwBqI9bwuMgl0SaAAClEN97bbm8iDCPIuxPoT/s200/maple+leaf+and+dewdrop.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaD0EGyAMq5exY_3A3MBXUFga-ID6m5ZoO2JRtao3bain2pU6kPuV7WpeZkA_uqyV09vdjub84IFzU1Nn_Q5zJTGPlC7PiVsSodLecwATlJY5fjCg3dQHev71Cc1fZmxCi1aoE_ig6dBF/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+2+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385629197221836002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaD0EGyAMq5exY_3A3MBXUFga-ID6m5ZoO2JRtao3bain2pU6kPuV7WpeZkA_uqyV09vdjub84IFzU1Nn_Q5zJTGPlC7PiVsSodLecwATlJY5fjCg3dQHev71Cc1fZmxCi1aoE_ig6dBF/s200/In+the+Garden+2+for+internet.jpg" /></a> The fact that I had great sales today is tempered by the fact that tomorrow I attend the funeral of a friend. To make matters worse, his wife died two years ago and now their 15-year-old daughter has no parents. My heart just aches for her!<br /><div>Her Daddy was one of my first friends when I served as a volunteer firefighter in the town where I used to live. He was always supportive and friendly and I was devastated when he had to quit the department for health reasons.</div><br /><div>Aside from that sad note, today was good in that I had several really good sales and made some new friends.</div><br /><div>I sold a Prismacolor painting pendant yesterday and then today I sold a number of items, including two PMC pieces! I also had the joy of creating a pair of earrings to match a pendant a customer picked out. I think she really enjoyed watching me make her earrings right in front of her.</div><br /><div>I almost missed these customers, but some geocachers that showed up to find the geocache that is hidden in the caboose (outside) got to talking with me (I geocache too) and I was late getting out of the shop. Good thing, because I would have missed several good sales and talking with the woman who bought the items.</div><br /><div>Now I have to get on the stick and make a bunch of stuff before the horse show I am taking my jewelry to next weekend. I also have a group of women coming in on Thursday. Hopefully I will make some sales there and if not, perhaps they will keep me in mind for Christmas time.<br /><br />I hope to get my workbench built on Sunday and I plan to pick up a large stone block to put under the woodstove while I am in town tomorrow. It is supposed to freeze next week, so I need to get the woodstove in and get the plumbing insulated and the heat tape installed.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Okay, it is late and I was up very early this morning, so it is time for bed. Happy creating!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Dawn</div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-86669041778765511602009-09-19T00:42:00.000-05:002009-09-20T00:17:25.093-05:00White Rock, Sidewalks and Western Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpflXlWsGCe57n4Z_SAC3sfP8B6G3tvdMHUaCJM23GgDJeB7MqipJd07LIqaFuxl6rK26nRKVavx8X5efXqDAIxZkgoTrXcqzfXTJnpWB0HCaf6UGU3HmddDvxkgMsWF66NSKPot183IzK/s1600-h/sidewalk+going+in+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383090270164882706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpflXlWsGCe57n4Z_SAC3sfP8B6G3tvdMHUaCJM23GgDJeB7MqipJd07LIqaFuxl6rK26nRKVavx8X5efXqDAIxZkgoTrXcqzfXTJnpWB0HCaf6UGU3HmddDvxkgMsWF66NSKPot183IzK/s200/sidewalk+going+in+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1cv2HaVGiC1DcSXFTKIBk-CD4tunFNExFiNhsAWGNZuQedm7ljfywM3vpHLzeln99lutkJRWKYx1E-AWxd3UzIueb2d1Gma1TIMdtQH1L5xygG46SpFfSHFrCL-kAcrNDa677y9_6r1H/s1600-h/gravel+out+front.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383090261551944354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1cv2HaVGiC1DcSXFTKIBk-CD4tunFNExFiNhsAWGNZuQedm7ljfywM3vpHLzeln99lutkJRWKYx1E-AWxd3UzIueb2d1Gma1TIMdtQH1L5xygG46SpFfSHFrCL-kAcrNDa677y9_6r1H/s200/gravel+out+front.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbkIYkE-gB4DKL4nzXKLo28QX-Hajwexl13PQdEep2IbkKmfR8LXi7CL3bWAU-srIslhIg9YGFTPsSNqxSCSaGFXfjXsmJ4X6zjdcikGXorBfqzBidwUh8W7-Tks7brzeZUI2clerqiwS/s1600-h/august+windmill+sunset+pc+set.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383089510296439586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbkIYkE-gB4DKL4nzXKLo28QX-Hajwexl13PQdEep2IbkKmfR8LXi7CL3bWAU-srIslhIg9YGFTPsSNqxSCSaGFXfjXsmJ4X6zjdcikGXorBfqzBidwUh8W7-Tks7brzeZUI2clerqiwS/s200/august+windmill+sunset+pc+set.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkeBKHszAUwKfhXNYROP28ky8CrUe5DS-Elk6CHQTZwwKBM3lDFVmc66eyICsWDQsgBkMA-jLZ6qPpjg2a6R6NCVDu9_HDxHlhwxum1dV7D9aMxms6nVld1pnICCybQXAYMxpGYl4-ewb/s1600-h/capturing+summer+sunshine+--+honey+jade+knitted+pendant+closeupwm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383089503210098674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkeBKHszAUwKfhXNYROP28ky8CrUe5DS-Elk6CHQTZwwKBM3lDFVmc66eyICsWDQsgBkMA-jLZ6qPpjg2a6R6NCVDu9_HDxHlhwxum1dV7D9aMxms6nVld1pnICCybQXAYMxpGYl4-ewb/s200/capturing+summer+sunshine+--+honey+jade+knitted+pendant+closeupwm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJe7u2zcULVGDqeeekKAPbSCwpU_yPLOoXYlV9M4t3hao-DA7KOKWcVmocfVQxJ7tWgOIVxIVp65zfaybHJEzupEpsZUAiSwCmgVwAriXFbVn7JlbZbb6AuvTQ8xDmIETR1payrgujcDG/s1600-h/capturing+midnight+necklace.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 187px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383089496091350242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJe7u2zcULVGDqeeekKAPbSCwpU_yPLOoXYlV9M4t3hao-DA7KOKWcVmocfVQxJ7tWgOIVxIVp65zfaybHJEzupEpsZUAiSwCmgVwAriXFbVn7JlbZbb6AuvTQ8xDmIETR1payrgujcDG/s200/capturing+midnight+necklace.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOERcqQzRzANF1p6Z7EtF_mmvvXqaZSuuNibSb-WGTdcCIGuidom8bn6NRv8b8F8jyV00oohyphenhyphenSKCvCOPVu_Wx8o2PEXBnDNRgtFrGEviPJJc2LAlKn5NyaVHIQjHFoAoNyQSl6Y3Oe0vSp/s1600-h/capturing+midnight+again+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383089489540104498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOERcqQzRzANF1p6Z7EtF_mmvvXqaZSuuNibSb-WGTdcCIGuidom8bn6NRv8b8F8jyV00oohyphenhyphenSKCvCOPVu_Wx8o2PEXBnDNRgtFrGEviPJJc2LAlKn5NyaVHIQjHFoAoNyQSl6Y3Oe0vSp/s200/capturing+midnight+again+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnf1ge1ZqQ4SINCFb-MDDpozqvgUJgOwNLSNsamZpfNg8cvxUmzCRInzuvHWVLOJucYrPMj5qIhsWkvL2aGnyoTp2KDiH82xPI7Ms_1nf-1wlKTz0sa8epCdVvMRwErtYHglGOcxHmN-s/s1600-h/triple+copper+pendant+--+being+worn+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383053716709790194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnf1ge1ZqQ4SINCFb-MDDpozqvgUJgOwNLSNsamZpfNg8cvxUmzCRInzuvHWVLOJucYrPMj5qIhsWkvL2aGnyoTp2KDiH82xPI7Ms_1nf-1wlKTz0sa8epCdVvMRwErtYHglGOcxHmN-s/s200/triple+copper+pendant+--+being+worn+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewW5m7bV6uYezT8eQpUgSqm9Bmo4HHWNa_p9HU2RgFvuCwGcFc6QId0SJgHV4UuCPw0WpO_EbR8nqUqtRhPIjFZQ66ILv2SuVA0FY1N9fYhyxIGy4ioHKZ62Ux7Ksv6lJywt8pk6fiXyE/s1600-h/triple+copper+necklace+and+earring+set+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383053710123958002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewW5m7bV6uYezT8eQpUgSqm9Bmo4HHWNa_p9HU2RgFvuCwGcFc6QId0SJgHV4UuCPw0WpO_EbR8nqUqtRhPIjFZQ66ILv2SuVA0FY1N9fYhyxIGy4ioHKZ62Ux7Ksv6lJywt8pk6fiXyE/s200/triple+copper+necklace+and+earring+set+wm.jpg" /></a>My wonderful landlord came by last weekend and dozed off all the sandburs out front of my shop (without even being asked) and then dropped a load of white rock on the sand for a parking area.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>Earlier this week he talked with some people doing cement work and asked if they would mind dropping any extra off for a sidewalk in front of the caboose. This week he formed up a sidewalk and a cement truck came by and filled in one third of the sidewalk. Hopefully some more will be coming later to fill the rest in. Hey, the price is right, I can wait a bit for completion!</div><br /><div>Today he came by with more white rock for the parking area.</div><div></div><div>Business was quite slow this week, although I did sell one of my Prismacolor painting pendants. I had an off week as far as creating, as nothing seemed to go quite right.</div><div></div><div>Now I have several special orders and one repair to do, so I had better get started on those. </div><br /><div>I also had a woman come in and see the shop after her pickup broke down. She was carting horses to Kansas to a rodeo. She is having a horse sale the first weekend in October and is having a few vendors (invitation only) during the sale. She invited me! No cost to me whatsoever, other than gas to drive 65 miles one way -- and I do believe I will go! :)</div><br /><div>I am trying to find a good mother's ring tutorial because I would like to make my sister a mother's ring. She is a single parent and deserves to have the sort of things most mothers would get from their hubby's (guess big sister will have to step in). Anyhow, I'm having a hard time finding something that will accept two facted stones, yet still be wire wrap, and not be too advanced for my limited wire wrapping skills. I found one and bought the tutorial, but it only gave instructions for adding one stone. I don't know if I am good enough to figure out how to add the second stone.</div><br /><div>My REAP (Rural Enterprise Assistance Program) representative was here yesterday to take my photo while working inside the caboose and another of me outside the caboose, to put into a book they send to all the state legislators. He is also recommending me for a national video being made about micro business loans. He said they were looking for color and the caboose is definitely colorful!</div><br /><div>All the information has been sent to the Omaha World Herald and hopefully they will come to do a story on me for their statewide section. I also hope to join GROW Nebraska soon and have them build me a website. They are a great cooperative marketing group that operates here in Nebraska.</div><br /><div>I have created some new copper pieces and some new Prismacolor pendant pieces, as well as two "knitted" pendants.</div><br /><div>I'll have to get a lot more made in the next two weeks if I am going to take my stuff to that horse sale! She said she thought my silver and my stone jewelry would both sell just great. She also thought I should take my belt buckle prototype. She said tiny belt buckles (western) as pendants are all the rage right now too.</div><br /><div>It is late and I am tired, so I had better close. Happy creating!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-55408775709339698672009-09-10T01:41:00.001-05:002009-09-10T01:58:06.544-05:00Crosses, Tutorials and Tonsils<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEXxuQIf6c0CyCYatZLhF_k4PqEgXQ6plxDbigt-cWZf4_Oe0ZWO_NyWc_NIXXQfEO5EGARxrvJWlZijPhPzC_vKHLhsfIk5w3BSJRmkB4sxxB1E0HMlk1V2QHFQ_fGddAqlltYREsjuY/s1600-h/two+tone+rope+design+wire+wrapped+earrings+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728789542411330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEXxuQIf6c0CyCYatZLhF_k4PqEgXQ6plxDbigt-cWZf4_Oe0ZWO_NyWc_NIXXQfEO5EGARxrvJWlZijPhPzC_vKHLhsfIk5w3BSJRmkB4sxxB1E0HMlk1V2QHFQ_fGddAqlltYREsjuY/s200/two+tone+rope+design+wire+wrapped+earrings+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwy-8eHRftN4yT93AUN96NATrwSNy16U89ieQswP9jZO5wYwQkBvUzALA3pyce3x-ZCswNT8kbfXs04T38UAqnxrIITrgv6acefd7wqBNXhBfr4C9OpBwk-2CeY7aD6vj3-gNjNGGTEpSj/s1600-h/two+tone+rope+design+wire+wrap+earrings+wm.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77760A9SzCHexJxTi8TE2ueSM-AUetCmzQEVr0dST74Ovq_DadcfbP0B_cavkV1b8T8PljJdrSbuuzdnTSRnvNazs17iLfbielU6KPO2uttD19tY57gx3wF11pMpYQ2fH-Xyyzb1ymDDe/s1600-h/two+tone+rope+design+bangle+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728770628946658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77760A9SzCHexJxTi8TE2ueSM-AUetCmzQEVr0dST74Ovq_DadcfbP0B_cavkV1b8T8PljJdrSbuuzdnTSRnvNazs17iLfbielU6KPO2uttD19tY57gx3wF11pMpYQ2fH-Xyyzb1ymDDe/s200/two+tone+rope+design+bangle+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt9ZAkSEr5UGNhyphenhyphenbvGulRevCA-udZUJgPk3CKgqBzrd1cM0Lj0cFT5B3Fp1X7kDTs54YJWKWlU0g9AfqwMeBJJQaEj53SFWuGoHB8OiLwOwfmDwpYjD_zLeGihWL6js7HhnA1ZSaruF8J/s1600-h/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728391614960098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt9ZAkSEr5UGNhyphenhyphenbvGulRevCA-udZUJgPk3CKgqBzrd1cM0Lj0cFT5B3Fp1X7kDTs54YJWKWlU0g9AfqwMeBJJQaEj53SFWuGoHB8OiLwOwfmDwpYjD_zLeGihWL6js7HhnA1ZSaruF8J/s200/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57i13dm-s_sQZ2YyMjvkOe82-Repiz6YYfSaUG-OKpD48WLdrnHt48i3lYt0pvbq0Pg692PbiKpKMM8VcPyGxZx7Ia9e71eIk4y5vVckSEBxSx-PrqdZ29u61UGtIpgFulN_VdZk63HJy/s1600-h/hand+textured+silver+and+cz+band+--+pmc+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728390116238290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57i13dm-s_sQZ2YyMjvkOe82-Repiz6YYfSaUG-OKpD48WLdrnHt48i3lYt0pvbq0Pg692PbiKpKMM8VcPyGxZx7Ia9e71eIk4y5vVckSEBxSx-PrqdZ29u61UGtIpgFulN_VdZk63HJy/s200/hand+textured+silver+and+cz+band+--+pmc+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNo1o4ZKO3lOqBJotgHN2UmrLTgDYTtqBIF167vig_t8pBvxBBjtT_WiZ-3RUwsrz7_7kwJjGbWpyKKhGFligNsCaZrYS352Lt1IIi7HSctCyf_gpmhV6h5Vo4fixplaxTUta0YH6KFjC/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728374160969634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNo1o4ZKO3lOqBJotgHN2UmrLTgDYTtqBIF167vig_t8pBvxBBjtT_WiZ-3RUwsrz7_7kwJjGbWpyKKhGFligNsCaZrYS352Lt1IIi7HSctCyf_gpmhV6h5Vo4fixplaxTUta0YH6KFjC/s200/In+the+Garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW4rObhd4qJo6nbJYcgtDVbLlZEUPMHLnjRvVFQbzAdYStP_sKdG-suWZXKbvFbU7T9fAEyMdxVYSNAIch3Jgzy7MxlmHMlnsuw7U8uVcvZdPvitKFeNDOvtOK1mGzW3RARNWC33gsvdt/s1600-h/in+the+garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 108px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728372405250866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW4rObhd4qJo6nbJYcgtDVbLlZEUPMHLnjRvVFQbzAdYStP_sKdG-suWZXKbvFbU7T9fAEyMdxVYSNAIch3Jgzy7MxlmHMlnsuw7U8uVcvZdPvitKFeNDOvtOK1mGzW3RARNWC33gsvdt/s200/in+the+garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvfVE8R8vKl58mLUtk04djp5QB1gppSMV0G9cAbuKYqsJDtwAYa5Y_PWD4BNtuWbI8sEZYqGr4oFcs3GA0h2MzOrWwLI8HEeiwXLnj0del0Fu402q3Scn-EepLGsPfcWhGuavaI_0ZExx/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379728363854991234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvfVE8R8vKl58mLUtk04djp5QB1gppSMV0G9cAbuKYqsJDtwAYa5Y_PWD4BNtuWbI8sEZYqGr4oFcs3GA0h2MzOrWwLI8HEeiwXLnj0del0Fu402q3Scn-EepLGsPfcWhGuavaI_0ZExx/s200/In+the+Garden+at+Gethsemane+--+surface+polish+only.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This has been a busy week for me. I started a new part time job cleaning my church, I wrote a tutorial and I finished up a few pieces I had started. Yesterday I took my 2-year-old son to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.</div><br /><div>I am a high-stress person when it comes to surgery, so it was VERY hard for me to watch them wheel him away without me yesterday morning. It was a short surgery and he did very well, according to the doctor. Doc also told us Aidan had the biggest tonsils and adenoids he had EVER seen. He also cauterized Aidan's uvula (the hangy down thingy) to make it shrink, because it was very long. I had lots of friends praying for him though.</div><br /><div>That little stinker worried me to death, then all day yesterday was a real trooper -- eating, drinking, playing, etc... Today he was a bit cranky and by evening he had dark circles under his eyes and had quit eating. Now I am beginning to worry again. I think the after effects of the anaesthesia are wearing off and the pain is setting in. Poor kiddo!</div><br /><div>On a brighter note, I finished my PMC cross and it came out great. I call it "In the Garden at Gethsemane. </div><div> </div><div>I wrote a tutorial for my hammered copper bracelet with braided trim and I have sold several, along with a resurrection of two of my older tutorials that suddenly started selling again (no complaints there) on the <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/</a> website.</div><div> </div><div>I am in the process of writing two more -- one for my "Indian Summer" hammered copper set and one for the bezel-topped cabochon like the custom job I did last week. It was made for a man but could be worn by a woman as well.</div><br /><div>I continue to work on getting my photo collection built back up after losing ALL of my photos a few weeks ago when my computer crashed. Frustrating! That also means I have to rebuild my business cards and brochures. I am out of notecards in all the venues I sell them in, but can't make new ones until I have new photos. Grrr!</div><br /><br /><div>Oh well, time for Aidan's pain meds, so I had better go! </div><br /><br /><div>Happy creating!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-47193126251086959192009-09-03T00:13:00.001-05:002009-09-03T01:30:49.339-05:00More repairs and custom jobs -- one for a man this time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYn8DyfANVeza5nVN5J8jG-kdwNEHkaGJmURV8gq5hYDl5_iFn28Wv4lvlkYuMPMuRypJyNs6hQor-_OoEp-8ggqJ9wLYqbvxKDjNiSsGLF3UE3rN703aIYVNwK-7aYi_O0425rjFhuWJ/s1600-h/In+the+Garden+Cross+--+in+progress.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377124537719645746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYn8DyfANVeza5nVN5J8jG-kdwNEHkaGJmURV8gq5hYDl5_iFn28Wv4lvlkYuMPMuRypJyNs6hQor-_OoEp-8ggqJ9wLYqbvxKDjNiSsGLF3UE3rN703aIYVNwK-7aYi_O0425rjFhuWJ/s200/In+the+Garden+Cross+--+in+progress.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZc83VbnavCv8q4u6jfjEjzs7ZhvS3JCZNCizGnwc4qCpmry8yVwFFvlaBkwwGNMVNWQJbDP-dOCkYFaGP_QiRANCqtQlNPe-gUpKe8IShCve1HFHHoqzKtyPp9nLUTwSiZZADn9FOZxW/s1600-h/ornate+two-tone+cross+with+spirals+and+beads+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377124162055198914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZc83VbnavCv8q4u6jfjEjzs7ZhvS3JCZNCizGnwc4qCpmry8yVwFFvlaBkwwGNMVNWQJbDP-dOCkYFaGP_QiRANCqtQlNPe-gUpKe8IShCve1HFHHoqzKtyPp9nLUTwSiZZADn9FOZxW/s200/ornate+two-tone+cross+with+spirals+and+beads+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI3QyuRI6xZB6mF7CHH0tTGdVIM8eUe2Wf9XV6pkLZwD4WVnixfj6uPPlPtEvY6n_TnO0XJDBhyphenhyphena3mXfQteWCahsInXT7FGFZm3laLlIfm7Po0quD1DI-ROodB7jGPFJEubBNjuA6cZnw/s1600-h/custom+seraphinite+pendant+for+him+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377124158940315890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI3QyuRI6xZB6mF7CHH0tTGdVIM8eUe2Wf9XV6pkLZwD4WVnixfj6uPPlPtEvY6n_TnO0XJDBhyphenhyphena3mXfQteWCahsInXT7FGFZm3laLlIfm7Po0quD1DI-ROodB7jGPFJEubBNjuA6cZnw/s200/custom+seraphinite+pendant+for+him+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJvAO1bDcZzvMu4nE0bLx3oWuwML_TDFpc1j2GaCgOXqxoD4YtzbGr_8rCKJFGPP0ih_oWQ-y6GwCcUcbcfI2q0AKqeGU0My9LGDicq7dWMezmiMe9-2HzbsblsS4yCWP6b3QEJdqDqX8/s1600-h/custom+order+seraphinite+mans+pendant+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377124149391482258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJvAO1bDcZzvMu4nE0bLx3oWuwML_TDFpc1j2GaCgOXqxoD4YtzbGr_8rCKJFGPP0ih_oWQ-y6GwCcUcbcfI2q0AKqeGU0My9LGDicq7dWMezmiMe9-2HzbsblsS4yCWP6b3QEJdqDqX8/s200/custom+order+seraphinite+mans+pendant+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This week I have gotten all but two repairs out the door and I have three more custom orders. Two I have to find the stones for and the third I finished up today. </div><br /><div>This last custom job was a challenge because it was a pendant for a man, so I couldn't do any of the curlicues and geegaws I do on my other pendants.</div><br /><div>After much thought, I decided to try making a bezel out of pattern wire and it worked quite well. </div><br /><div>I am also working on a PMC cross. I did a two-tone wire wrap one the other day. My wire woven cross sold last week, so I need to make another one.</div><div> </div><div>I am working on some black and white (grayscale) Prismacolor painting pieces for my mother. I am finding it difficult to find a good way to wire wrap the rectangular versions of my work. Hmmm, have to work on that.</div><br /><div>Better get to bed -- my daughter has school pictures tomorrow, so I need to get up early and help her shower and get all "pretty."</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-40242013013736602982009-08-30T16:57:00.000-05:002009-08-30T17:09:03.245-05:00Tutorials, repairs and custom jobs done! Time to create!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4oqBcQGaEWyV60EEgSPWOhtHsSGfdvGNHQFPEYXLAo16CV1Sk86_YKJP-agEzGuTg0P1Vv7YgMp3OXQ9eLNDjrCgwHaAStueLRuLxLz_TnClW45nw_GpsACvp-9JbCVdLi-NbutKlepa/s1600-h/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375881250445521426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4oqBcQGaEWyV60EEgSPWOhtHsSGfdvGNHQFPEYXLAo16CV1Sk86_YKJP-agEzGuTg0P1Vv7YgMp3OXQ9eLNDjrCgwHaAStueLRuLxLz_TnClW45nw_GpsACvp-9JbCVdLi-NbutKlepa/s200/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zy2KoyRwCd7AV01BlEBFtcZ59plkG7_I0SjQ5YKSJ_ac_CFFBFOe-ZmN22WlADPu7CcxIe_8nqku4Z9kDrV7aSYeluvc5Oo5Tqe7sGdJgTinmQt82byIerDQgPPJieRxbYhgWohEMUft/s1600-h/custom+ring+final+-+geometrics+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375881077903589698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Zy2KoyRwCd7AV01BlEBFtcZ59plkG7_I0SjQ5YKSJ_ac_CFFBFOe-ZmN22WlADPu7CcxIe_8nqku4Z9kDrV7aSYeluvc5Oo5Tqe7sGdJgTinmQt82byIerDQgPPJieRxbYhgWohEMUft/s200/custom+ring+final+-+geometrics+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUHFxiuMhYiT0OwYYsgine-Vt5-VsGiYex_iGv6CMv9JWIQ4jSRB8yK5bIYaLW4DuNHiwsZr4rT9XVB1mSb6f3ba0YOTZsaUnoveGGp3grfqTcU_YGsLSPejMSrUO-l9HjTSJFWcdXxHD/s1600-h/inside+custom+geometrics+ring.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375881070029288722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUHFxiuMhYiT0OwYYsgine-Vt5-VsGiYex_iGv6CMv9JWIQ4jSRB8yK5bIYaLW4DuNHiwsZr4rT9XVB1mSb6f3ba0YOTZsaUnoveGGp3grfqTcU_YGsLSPejMSrUO-l9HjTSJFWcdXxHD/s200/inside+custom+geometrics+ring.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8-gPXMqJnTmE112WFocPdyNP-YCWhUPPTGCoY9xiSCnEu2oYEJ6uahQr72k0yJpIWdwK_5OfKSH5ljs5EslEKvP8LS3b3S1ZCIhXL0ZUs6Pu5BrkOx4lL-ZwRyzN16CAqnBTRtc2kC9m/s1600-h/cold+forged+copper+wave+bracelet+2+wm.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I had a busy week of repairs and finalizing my first custom ring, as well as writing a tutorial for my <span style="color:#006600;">"Cold Forged Hammered Copper Cuff with Braided Trim".</span> It has been posted to <a href="http://www.jewelrylessons.com/">http://www.jewelrylessons.com/</a>. Now it is time for me to create again! Fun! </div><div></div><div>I have been playing with some Prismacolor paintings and working on a good way to wire wrap them. I think I saw a wrap today that might be just the ticket -- I hope, as the perfect wrap for rectangular stones has been eluding me.</div><br /><div>My mother wants some Prismacolor pieces in black and white so I have been working on those (they are actually in greyscale). I will post photos when I get them finished.</div><div></div><div>I had a really good day on Monday, when the traffic was stopped for over 30 minutes at a time while they put the beams on the bridge over the highway and I made some sales. Yesterday I had another sale! Yeah! I still need more to make the loan payment, plus pay for the phone, internet and electricity. Yikes!</div><br /><div>Time for supper -- fresh corn from the garden and pork chops on the grill! Yum!</div><br /><div>Happy Creating!</div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-33396665264717269772009-08-23T03:47:00.000-05:002009-08-23T04:25:26.203-05:00Lack of supplies spawns creativity with copper wire<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmo3v4UJK-O_FPYKuSazJiXvfeNrvfimAM0dLOoEm5vTomP2f6X1zUFGTZonRkLFqMBe2ocAM6TzYf1Pz54Zm_vupzeImjvxyDykThTSD85DxthB4ZvEghGDkRPgFWsJDvmh2oHpOIfWF/s1600-h/cold+forged+copper+wave+bracelet+for+him+or+her+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373087633969337666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmo3v4UJK-O_FPYKuSazJiXvfeNrvfimAM0dLOoEm5vTomP2f6X1zUFGTZonRkLFqMBe2ocAM6TzYf1Pz54Zm_vupzeImjvxyDykThTSD85DxthB4ZvEghGDkRPgFWsJDvmh2oHpOIfWF/s200/cold+forged+copper+wave+bracelet+for+him+or+her+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9x9MLW9Mmkrhx4KNxs6TCS-gUyWnQcE7p2nB08p2vWUEVCgmEq1VwYUPDeDTjCyXLpHqs0LqoeH9ZEukL7lssbmek8n6Ujo0jEyuji337XBQ096XUYtSD1zwLZagoPpkp4noQDwFXEJh/s1600-h/start+on+a+custom+belt+buckle+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373086868950589138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9x9MLW9Mmkrhx4KNxs6TCS-gUyWnQcE7p2nB08p2vWUEVCgmEq1VwYUPDeDTjCyXLpHqs0LqoeH9ZEukL7lssbmek8n6Ujo0jEyuji337XBQ096XUYtSD1zwLZagoPpkp4noQDwFXEJh/s200/start+on+a+custom+belt+buckle+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzJtBhxC_Qr_lmZ2hsOZHP11rvEQE1n0JbxoSmoMiKcB6qR-c_X-lxsdjrVZo9A4HXYW2krEmx6KnGgViQF7gtiNFtEI_RNUNmRWMgWcXdcxKaQCTCb_AN6IOcratFY0KwRJTrQq9HNbd/s1600-h/recycled+custom+ring+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373086866587666546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzJtBhxC_Qr_lmZ2hsOZHP11rvEQE1n0JbxoSmoMiKcB6qR-c_X-lxsdjrVZo9A4HXYW2krEmx6KnGgViQF7gtiNFtEI_RNUNmRWMgWcXdcxKaQCTCb_AN6IOcratFY0KwRJTrQq9HNbd/s200/recycled+custom+ring+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuFulLsTZw7luYjwyvxsrPW9EimtGyPvmvBMPpWSEuA2CiZoUk-NDoKyZQr4QkoXDGi5S5tmtvE4x3mAMHY9OyioGg588lIOjWXAnS0KJLAZvoluJncdEOR1KuNFTOfalONfDmp-pQbGi/s1600-h/maple+leaf+project+ready+for+second+firing+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373086862198923506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuFulLsTZw7luYjwyvxsrPW9EimtGyPvmvBMPpWSEuA2CiZoUk-NDoKyZQr4QkoXDGi5S5tmtvE4x3mAMHY9OyioGg588lIOjWXAnS0KJLAZvoluJncdEOR1KuNFTOfalONfDmp-pQbGi/s200/maple+leaf+project+ready+for+second+firing+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH5Ov6cDMCyQ8uG35dj6hXc87G9XuJcjFBy8lPz7HvXD_oF2P-DZwTmYUp2uAg1n996OPNjpQR0hsIa_x91ZDF_Wo3sCJAbxAOEbOUqkdStOHQvc9Qq0nqUAXiEEbOC9kvvXERGGXE83Y/s1600-h/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373086852930651218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH5Ov6cDMCyQ8uG35dj6hXc87G9XuJcjFBy8lPz7HvXD_oF2P-DZwTmYUp2uAg1n996OPNjpQR0hsIa_x91ZDF_Wo3sCJAbxAOEbOUqkdStOHQvc9Qq0nqUAXiEEbOC9kvvXERGGXE83Y/s200/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrg4EB1CqLjum8VA0DLEfNSc09t6-Vza0VCmZeek-BPLZHI3d1ffhBUKdg_w_T3OQJ6khWdrtzfn_-VpVmyu3zVBHVKTiGOYsRCzMO95onxK4Yt3Md_BBDrGOx305KPsky2vJWJbAj7z9/s1600-h/cold+connected+copper+and+braid+bracelet+wm.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Since I was out of PMC and didn't yet have the supplies needed for the repair jobs I had sitting on my workbench (UPS doesn't come until late afternoon around here) I decided to play around with some copper wire and my anvil.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>In the end I came away with two bracelets. I ended up selling one the very next day, to a friend of mine who has a hard time finding jewelry to fit her larger frame. She also bought a hammered copper ring and placed an order for two more custom copper pieces. Woo hoo!</div><br /><div>The first piece I made was fabricated from 8g bare copper wire which I braided loosely, then hammered and formed around a bracelet mandrel. The second bracelet was a hammered piece of 6g bare copper wire. I then braided 20g copper wire, which I made into a strip a bit shorter than the bracelet itself. I then wire wrapped the braided piece to the bracelet. This is the one I sold to my friend.</div><br /><div>I love metal work! I can be so frustrated with work, family, life in general, and I go to my workbench and hammer on some metal for a while and not only do I release a lot of pent up frustration and tension, but I come away with something useful (and sometimes even beautiful).</div><br /><div>I finally got my printer to work again too, which relieved a lot of tension on its own -- I use my printer for almost everything I do!</div><br /><div>The electrician comes to finish up on Monday -- meaning I will have power to the mercury vapor security light behind the caboose, and I will have motion lights on both decks. The electrical outlet for the heat tape for the plumbing will also be added and he will look at the two outdoor outlets that keep tripping as well as the bathroom light that flickers and buzzes and sometimes goes out altogether. He will also ground my new aluminum staircase to the caboose to make sure no one gets shocked due to inclement weather or electrical problems.</div><br /><div>I am working on a custom PMC ring and a custom PMC belt buckle. They are both about half finished. I have three repair jobs that are in varying stages of repair as well. </div><br /><div>Jewelry making and jewelry repair both require working a bit, then letting an item dry or sit in the pickle pot, or have a run through the tumbler. So, I generally have 4-5 projects going at once. </div><br /><div>I have several projects that need to be treated with Liver of Sulphur as well, which I have yet to try, as I fear the stench. However, these particular projects would benefit so much from the smelly stuff that I will have overcome my fear and Just Do It! One is a maple leaf and the other is the remains of my first attempt at the custom ring, which met a bad demise after the cz melted into the setting and after set with a new CZ, split in the shank and was resistant to repair. I ended up making a pendant/earring set out of the pieces.</div><br /><div>Off to bed now after a wonderful evening alone with my hubby -- yes we went on a real date -- dinner and a movie with no kids! Grandma and Grandpa watched our lovely little ones and we had some time to ourselves for a change. What a treat! We love the kids, but for the second time in six years, we were able to go off by ourselves. Fun! Great movie, great food, great company.</div><br /><div>Happy Creating!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-69752118949934913722009-08-20T00:42:00.000-05:002009-08-20T01:05:54.873-05:00Back from vacation and raring to go<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1SSkGcAblGrWRMVRKycg7ubkgE6hcLLonyPrBvksmZnYKJxix1zFjYNJt5lPE4FN59bIgqhveCiqnGusbIbfvSDHlp-jBU1zJNJS7_L5ilXhJwtFtfq66X6AvOYIQhyjCGl4TzEeGBnd/s1600-h/kiddos+on+the+big+rock+in+the+forest+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371922616434162002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1SSkGcAblGrWRMVRKycg7ubkgE6hcLLonyPrBvksmZnYKJxix1zFjYNJt5lPE4FN59bIgqhveCiqnGusbIbfvSDHlp-jBU1zJNJS7_L5ilXhJwtFtfq66X6AvOYIQhyjCGl4TzEeGBnd/s200/kiddos+on+the+big+rock+in+the+forest+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08FcbzTzolfS39eQ9Ztv3XnEwabJPGfcPWw7B1tYZZHHnWPej3sZ-6dVYV-pGa0sutl0t5KG62AXyjVuQrig76pAl-dXLYNObJrUQ4icr8d9QXgZHZKxx5f9QVr1pG9O7KzPdrd1Clyk6/s1600-h/playing+in+the+rocky+mountain+stream+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371922607180626802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08FcbzTzolfS39eQ9Ztv3XnEwabJPGfcPWw7B1tYZZHHnWPej3sZ-6dVYV-pGa0sutl0t5KG62AXyjVuQrig76pAl-dXLYNObJrUQ4icr8d9QXgZHZKxx5f9QVr1pG9O7KzPdrd1Clyk6/s200/playing+in+the+rocky+mountain+stream+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1e8DTfjaoz3Cwmr1kdn2T-c3Y-5p5olZnzbFWoZsjABMowxMyCIJc4AVg3SJJuPyv9r7w_Stwia3QI5kqFzeZJge5A3CWQhaCKXiIDhWIU0RXxy6dSdY0b_9GyPMtOJyc_FReqGH97YP/s1600-h/royal+gorge+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371922603559401602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1e8DTfjaoz3Cwmr1kdn2T-c3Y-5p5olZnzbFWoZsjABMowxMyCIJc4AVg3SJJuPyv9r7w_Stwia3QI5kqFzeZJge5A3CWQhaCKXiIDhWIU0RXxy6dSdY0b_9GyPMtOJyc_FReqGH97YP/s200/royal+gorge+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyvmeFomPTjrDCrc8y0Deg5XHLaIQJd2DwINZx6TKxsSPIgoWF9TDMSLZhQPTzR49Syat8_vOFPNnk0HE68NdLjckwQRxWsJMJ-zqLFb1gLTCdjk5rP4hVbPM8PD_Zl0usRTtLnecxryc/s1600-h/view+from+pikes+peak+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371922596757026594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyvmeFomPTjrDCrc8y0Deg5XHLaIQJd2DwINZx6TKxsSPIgoWF9TDMSLZhQPTzR49Syat8_vOFPNnk0HE68NdLjckwQRxWsJMJ-zqLFb1gLTCdjk5rP4hVbPM8PD_Zl0usRTtLnecxryc/s200/view+from+pikes+peak+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZV1kIvMfZVuU67_KEFhv1FQnPG0ll5S6d1yxDgQ8pT1zs3WJbpG5awpCc2ElflY-ZEdCGsKEGcRwuP51-qSzRDlbaMWzyW_dPbWAKfVPj1cxyvD7rk_GNHkb1JzBv1XT4iFMzKjJYnV6/s1600-h/mom+and+kiddos+at+waterfall+2+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371920657948900706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZV1kIvMfZVuU67_KEFhv1FQnPG0ll5S6d1yxDgQ8pT1zs3WJbpG5awpCc2ElflY-ZEdCGsKEGcRwuP51-qSzRDlbaMWzyW_dPbWAKfVPj1cxyvD7rk_GNHkb1JzBv1XT4iFMzKjJYnV6/s200/mom+and+kiddos+at+waterfall+2+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPaPPGhFXYy_epUHlogxFTK5b1ogGSQkrVenSvrMbXZ56u7LNuE4cerNOnJu69pGzuScTfg-HMuyydH6111jskteJUN3-akZ2VeGkSGNE-pkpD_Rk5HTF9vvhmbvZ8PHaCDvKlPkE7YPv/s1600-h/ariel+and+aidan+at+waterfall+for+internet.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbM9PUvF7sX9sUJL6I0YAupD7GdUoPL-DWFTBrpO6hDXGSUPIbF6kxBPOeMkVMAhrkFnh9jhDaVqPv2fblEQUeZqxqAcgxD8mFMx13kAKnANZHGZSZZnQ8AzQqPa3f1sd9efeujphkkJy/s1600-h/mountain+pass+vista+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371920648260160514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbM9PUvF7sX9sUJL6I0YAupD7GdUoPL-DWFTBrpO6hDXGSUPIbF6kxBPOeMkVMAhrkFnh9jhDaVqPv2fblEQUeZqxqAcgxD8mFMx13kAKnANZHGZSZZnQ8AzQqPa3f1sd9efeujphkkJy/s200/mountain+pass+vista+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ3fcov0O_XttV1nO8ZK76lLgkCX9Nq3Gb_ut_rgfUP8h8r6CHszFcWO8AcU1475nmcVh401sWpuznqgewpY9QvqBZ6SnFtEaZnpiJpddxZHcXYNBdj6U0O_zzIWsMVbfsjYEZS8W8ssQ/s1600-h/mountain+waterfall+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371920640838652146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJ3fcov0O_XttV1nO8ZK76lLgkCX9Nq3Gb_ut_rgfUP8h8r6CHszFcWO8AcU1475nmcVh401sWpuznqgewpY9QvqBZ6SnFtEaZnpiJpddxZHcXYNBdj6U0O_zzIWsMVbfsjYEZS8W8ssQ/s200/mountain+waterfall+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXu7NrqJGeoSDicfTcihFo_9NcVNIguI7YDSlsZdJRHqvNaf1ZvCEK-_h6vzfs9-zwbXvBLuP7Nhl-2uRSi1QpiOpPIZ-i1t_J8vFxMonBaDhoL164aLdGkPOskwxKqBZ8nLPfJk3-8S-/s1600-h/mossy+streams+pendant+closeup+wm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371920630196446242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXu7NrqJGeoSDicfTcihFo_9NcVNIguI7YDSlsZdJRHqvNaf1ZvCEK-_h6vzfs9-zwbXvBLuP7Nhl-2uRSi1QpiOpPIZ-i1t_J8vFxMonBaDhoL164aLdGkPOskwxKqBZ8nLPfJk3-8S-/s200/mossy+streams+pendant+closeup+wm.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371919774681003826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihDV7WBRYT8eye94y6kkQoEYOq_lZe4LdkowVOwYoxhCcazClw72_KSGStcBvczEaWBW4AqLOqMq8w-60nb-cjQictchr3A_3BKdBfW6DQGSS0-wno3chofUfQml1NqQ7fBAlN9dDoE8E/s200/mossy+streams+set+wm.jpg" /><span style="font-family:arial;">My hubby sprung a surprise vacation on me last week (a week after opening the shop) and we took the kids to the Colorado Rockies to go camping. We camped two nights, then met with his folks who wanted to camp closer to where his dad was planning to pan for gold. Unfortunately, after breaking camp, we were unable to find a campsite that night, so ended up in a motel. It had a pool, for which the kids were thankful. The next night was also spent in a motel, as we had to get up very early and get home because my hubby had to be at work at 6 a.m. Monday. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We saw glorious mountain vistas and drove down some very scenic (and windy) one-lane gravel roads, surviving a near miss when a crazy young man came speeding around one of those hairpin curves and nearly ran us off the road and down into a ravine (if I had been driving we would have been dead, but my dear hubby kept us safe).</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The babbling brook full of mossy rocks near our campsite, along with several beautiful waterfalls and mountains covered with the varying greens of pines, cedars and aspens, helped me to create a necklace and pendant set I call "Mossy Streams." The set is made up of moss agate, forest green freshwater pearls and sterling silver. The white reminds me of the splash of the stream and the green of the moss and trees. I have another piece of moss agate I need to utilize too.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">We took the kids on the train up to the top of Pike's Peak (glorious scenery) but they both got altitude sickness and ended up throwing up. The next day we took them on a much shorter (and less altitudinous) ride up to the top of the Royal Gorge.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Of course, I took tons of photos, some of which will be used to create PMC pieces. I have all sorts of ideas spilling out of my head right now! Unfortunately, I am out of PMC, so I placed a rush order today, which will hopefully arrive tomorrow or the next day, along with some supplies I needed to have to do the repair jobs I've had come in.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Family vacations -- fun in the beginning, melding into "Family Vacation," towards the end, then morphing back to fun in retrospect. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'll try to keep up with this thing better and write more tomorrow. Now, if I can just get my printer to work, I'd be so happy -- the darned thing worked when we left, but not when we returned. Grrr!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Happy Creating!</span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-64770097414458997042009-08-08T23:29:00.000-05:002009-08-08T23:41:08.172-05:00Open nearly a week and business is pretty good<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kod129CQzf6zczqlRzscgkDrw6Uce_d7M3IWqCq19czrglg4jOjLexqNiRBTriiSpTvsmUe28aVcwo9tzaJY_d59Jad3WztbYmxxXBy2a2MgJ7WRIY4NQEAtM9bBvqRnDW80PEk3eg47/s1600-h/grandmas+buttons+--+the+sunflower+buttons.+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367819329216542370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kod129CQzf6zczqlRzscgkDrw6Uce_d7M3IWqCq19czrglg4jOjLexqNiRBTriiSpTvsmUe28aVcwo9tzaJY_d59Jad3WztbYmxxXBy2a2MgJ7WRIY4NQEAtM9bBvqRnDW80PEk3eg47/s200/grandmas+buttons+--+the+sunflower+buttons.+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0DwAfvvwL99F17YyxOoxPe_LpplC-QJZGBKosEWbA6P6cpkKFLJz8-7U-yxctyUVnoHudywSl2Fu6BMRFHNAdH9CYedcoF_WIg-U3D7Hltx22Rl3cVKxbtx8_9vEfHy8xVm74pVFyHOZ/s1600-h/grandma's+buttons+--+the+jet+buttons+earrings+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367819325437244930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0DwAfvvwL99F17YyxOoxPe_LpplC-QJZGBKosEWbA6P6cpkKFLJz8-7U-yxctyUVnoHudywSl2Fu6BMRFHNAdH9CYedcoF_WIg-U3D7Hltx22Rl3cVKxbtx8_9vEfHy8xVm74pVFyHOZ/s200/grandma's+buttons+--+the+jet+buttons+earrings+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDTssc4fXBzbnA_vq-I6BmKwgtmjpJST_5JtoBjj1vlHkoILQ4t2SAVcv1aGE8v-pYJCBZnWED0p9jKcvt8TU_xaq4Io2EYG6pPoG_HYx1z5GffPla6rCWmlSyp9UIM_7-4swQR3FQdkh/s1600-h/double+onyx+bypass+wire+wrap+ring+on+finger+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367819319506452322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDTssc4fXBzbnA_vq-I6BmKwgtmjpJST_5JtoBjj1vlHkoILQ4t2SAVcv1aGE8v-pYJCBZnWED0p9jKcvt8TU_xaq4Io2EYG6pPoG_HYx1z5GffPla6rCWmlSyp9UIM_7-4swQR3FQdkh/s200/double+onyx+bypass+wire+wrap+ring+on+finger+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGnEXAz0IFRGeLobGpHd5WxYzQRMcJFJQ4v2_AITiX9YLccgBZn7eNhsyc_mgxvy4waDXuDI6U9j_z3BnFRoi54G0U7rYP1phs0u9r89JW6CIQpLsZLQjRZyYYchJqQqJYYux5k46RzOz/s1600-h/black+swirls+pendant+for+internet.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKpSeEUhbjAy-OOlwuJ90kla_zCMevOMCe3xqn6kSE0moTDJ-exfRi25GSQD9HKm2onEJE8ifrqtQncuqrmNrS7FmfCmxOAMK68Jw814l1MxtJdv-z0rpGQDe4qm_FGPTUmIqQY55LYbM/s1600-h/black+swirls+pendant+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367819317613499362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKpSeEUhbjAy-OOlwuJ90kla_zCMevOMCe3xqn6kSE0moTDJ-exfRi25GSQD9HKm2onEJE8ifrqtQncuqrmNrS7FmfCmxOAMK68Jw814l1MxtJdv-z0rpGQDe4qm_FGPTUmIqQY55LYbM/s200/black+swirls+pendant+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I officially opened Monday, August 3, after a few months of hard work renovating a beat up rail caboose. The hard work paid off and the caboose actually looks pretty good.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it is still really HOT, since the donated heat/air combination unit only worked when it was 70 degrees outside and froze up when it hit the 80s. Today we installed a new (used) unit given to us by our neighbors, but it only blows air, it doesn't cool. Bummer!<br /><br />I had several necklace sales and an earring sale this week, as well as a custom order for a PMC ring. I also sold two watch batteries.<br /><br />Not enough to make the loan payment due in a week, but not bad business for only being open five days so far!<br /><br />I have several works in progress, including a hammered copper slide, a silver maple leaf pendant, tiny button earrings for young girls, and hammered copper bracelets, plus the custom ring.<br /><br />I made a woven wire cross and a wire wrapped bypass onyx ring that I really like too. They are finished.<br /><br />I have also started a line of jewelry I call "Grandma's Buttons" since they are made from buttons from my grandmother's collection that have been pressed into the PMC. She had some truly beautiful buttons.<br /><br />The phone was finally installed, a month later. The DSL remains unhooked as of yet, and will probably stay that way for a few weeks as the tech is out of town.<br /><br />So, I must now find a WORKING AC unit or risk roasting my children, and I must sell like crazy the next few days so I can make my first loan payment.<br /><br />Still, all in all, I am enjoying the business and the creative juices are flowing.<br /><br />Happy Creating!<br /><br />Dawn</div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885896196348605069.post-64508795168561726502009-07-28T22:38:00.000-05:002009-07-28T23:42:14.464-05:00Opening for business on Monday August 3 -- finally!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVPx4WENgzwc7kbWDKsnT0JGwd9ZdaftcszXiL-UJXUQqBcT6FGmqEOdI3_Ip4nQKPvTe9rAqdCmAd-BHEcripZIAQe7QEURh4jLfo58P_z-7ECaeUqjjpoeo56SvxF-s7_2qNpJduMzu/s1600-h/display+side+2+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363737311100164098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVPx4WENgzwc7kbWDKsnT0JGwd9ZdaftcszXiL-UJXUQqBcT6FGmqEOdI3_Ip4nQKPvTe9rAqdCmAd-BHEcripZIAQe7QEURh4jLfo58P_z-7ECaeUqjjpoeo56SvxF-s7_2qNpJduMzu/s200/display+side+2+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88ahd8MxMFEsJBv9EYmlEaoV4IfUofvVPj-2FW7oWkjrp_YXIiZ_UGSnd-ZlVRvc8IdQvPZSxMklFLcBiICocCedPHFwNicvLMslKHlbTOtbcjrCQXvUnYv6DDNI_ISfrHpMnxAzpajg1/s1600-h/overall+view+for+itnernet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363737310921999042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88ahd8MxMFEsJBv9EYmlEaoV4IfUofvVPj-2FW7oWkjrp_YXIiZ_UGSnd-ZlVRvc8IdQvPZSxMklFLcBiICocCedPHFwNicvLMslKHlbTOtbcjrCQXvUnYv6DDNI_ISfrHpMnxAzpajg1/s200/overall+view+for+itnernet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeOrsihYgKFFMM6OcMRQhgsgezKZApmri1Q4l4HvyzkO4ONmeMYfTRSDEWfBwtIY-vQCvzLs6mDaUdbozZFB8-LZ9Q9FvaSOPmmi6Oz9UYildaLrD_mosiIYyyOvnKZTBvg_J97i7HkaB/s1600-h/jewelers+bench+with+bookshelf+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363737306046547234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeOrsihYgKFFMM6OcMRQhgsgezKZApmri1Q4l4HvyzkO4ONmeMYfTRSDEWfBwtIY-vQCvzLs6mDaUdbozZFB8-LZ9Q9FvaSOPmmi6Oz9UYildaLrD_mosiIYyyOvnKZTBvg_J97i7HkaB/s200/jewelers+bench+with+bookshelf+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0HZIxgJvNAC0l5z_xCSk2rrN5hDG6wydkb1mZMzhdtzKpg6AzBuA2_UxBGdXbdTcHwh2hmSst_p_dcPprQNStGEgL5WZjdA8fbqytFzqF-JkwL_V_KVxTgCzPi4Czvq-FuLubHGg2gDN/s1600-h/metalsmithing+and+polishing+bench+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363737304147372450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0HZIxgJvNAC0l5z_xCSk2rrN5hDG6wydkb1mZMzhdtzKpg6AzBuA2_UxBGdXbdTcHwh2hmSst_p_dcPprQNStGEgL5WZjdA8fbqytFzqF-JkwL_V_KVxTgCzPi4Czvq-FuLubHGg2gDN/s200/metalsmithing+and+polishing+bench+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWhmN8kD45QVSd1jcZ8OXVviVP8SA8obPmLQV6BUB6EjAIrCcEtV67N7mEUXL1SlUiANjtGDotQ-R5-WQfkGjdxBR4nljLWwlKuks8hOlAP4cNgiqFcOSPN2BdSVgQMr3FBlBF0BAchbq/s1600-h/working+side+for+internet.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363737296040749346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWhmN8kD45QVSd1jcZ8OXVviVP8SA8obPmLQV6BUB6EjAIrCcEtV67N7mEUXL1SlUiANjtGDotQ-R5-WQfkGjdxBR4nljLWwlKuks8hOlAP4cNgiqFcOSPN2BdSVgQMr3FBlBF0BAchbq/s200/working+side+for+internet.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The day has finally come when I can announce my opening date -- yeah! <span style="color:#ff0000;">I will officially open for business on Monday, August 3. FINALLY!!! </span></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I had an open house Saturday night, during our county fair, but it was so HOT in there that no one stayed long. The power had only been turned on the day before and we had not been able to get the combination heat/ac unit installed. It is in now and appears to work, although to be honest it has not been hot enough to really test it yet this week. </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">I tested the heat this morning, as it was actually CHILLY in there!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The display side of things is set up using dressers borrowed from home since the totally awesome display unit my neighbor is building for me is not ready yet. It will have two towers with 16 total shelves, plus a wide area in the middle for displaying lots of art. The towers will have cabinet doors below them and the center section will have drawers. Storage! Yes! Display area! Yes!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The walls are textured and painted, but the decor is not quite what I had planned, as my budget and time constraints, along with prior damage to the caboose did not allow me to go with the original plan of sumptuous dining car design, which would have included refinishing the hardwood oak floors.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">A fire under the diesel stove had burned through the floor, up the wall and into the ceiling, plus water pouring through two leaky upper windows had warped a huge chunk of floor and what was left was damaged by the 24-volt battery that leaked all its acid out onto the floor and ate it through. So, I pieced in what I could with plywood and covered it with a nice burbur carpet that is predominantly cream and tan with flecks of blue, hunter green and burgundy. It should mask the dirt well, yet is light enough to keep the room bright.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since track lighting for that tiny 8x13 room was going to run $800, I decided to chuck the whole dining car theme and go for the ultra bright, commercial gallery look, with bright white walls, flourescent shop lights and exposed wiring -- painted white, of course. It makes the space appear very large and bright -- but cold. The addition of some plants and some touches of hunter green help to soften that appearance, as do the warm tones of the dressers I am using for display. The coming display cabinet will feature posts with hand-carved oak leaves -- made by my neighbor for a customer who decided against them after they were made -- his loss, my gain! Since I love the outdoors, they are right up my alley. So, green accents with an outdoor flair it is, in that totally white space.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">On the working side, my jeweler's bench is put together, but it didn't fit behind the door as planned, and due to the setup of the wiring, only fits where the wood stove was to go. So, no woodstove. I sure hope that window unit heats well! I have commandeered a plastic folding table to use as my metalsmithing bench until the real workbench arrives (also being built by my neighbor, but strictly utilitarian).</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Last night I used my Foredom drill for the first time ---OOOH! I had forgotten how much I LOVE those things! Tonight I was able to polish my wedding band myself for the first time since I got married. It looks brand new! I started a few new PMC projects that I will probably fire on Thursday, since tomorrow I am off to judge the 4-H photo show at the Lincoln County Fair, followed by a trip to the Robert Henri Museum in Cozad to take down my first one-man show.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">This all follows a perfectly HORRENDOUS day which began this morning when I realized that my Passport storage device, which houses ALL of my data - including business data and all of my photos and artwork, had crashed, taking all of that info with it. I store NOTHING on my computer which has been threatening to crash for the last six years. Then this evening we found out that last's two-inch rainfall had flooded our storage unit from above AND below -- everything in it is ruined! Since we moved from a 5BR 3Bath house with a 30x40 shop and four other outbuildings and into a tiny 2BR trailer, nearly 95% of our belongings were stored in that storage unit! The worst thing is the tools and furniture I got from my grandparents' estate as well as all our hunting clothing, my extra art supplies, my Ansel Adams prints that I had no room for in this tiny house, etc... are all totally ruined! I'm so numb I haven't even been able to cry -- two totally catstrophic losses in one day is just too much to take in!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Better go, gotta get up early to drop the kids off and make the 75-mile drive to judge the show before 9:30 a.m. After the judging comes another 60-mile drive to pick up my art show, followed by a 120-mile drive home. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">First, I will post some caboose photos -- the ONLY file I had on my hard drive!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Oh yes, I DID design a new ring today in addition to the PMC pieces. It is a wire-wrapped double onyx bead offset ring that I am really quite proud of -- even if the first one DID turn out to be a size 12! Anyone wear a size 12 ring?</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">Happy creating!</span></div></div></div></div></div>Dawn E. Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13736400339319638649noreply@blogger.com0