Tigger

A lot has been going on around here lately and in other ways not a lot at all.  This is Tigger, he is one of our newest family members.  He has one brother and one sister.  They are now over three months old-where does that time go?

At the end of this year I will be done delivering newspapers.  I will miss it in some ways-I will miss seeing all the does, bucks and fawns along with all the other wildlife.  I will miss the peacefulness of the wee, early morning hours, sunrises on the horizon and hanging with my sons.  In many ways it has been one of the coolest jobs I've ever had.

What I won't miss is being constantly sleep deprived with reduced brain function, never having a day off and not knowing the pleasure of a good night's sleep.  Waking up enough to get started on the day and finding it already over.  Rarely getting to see family and friends.  

I found that the world runs in the day and if you work nights/early mornings the world doesn't care.  You are expected to give up your sleep to do the everyday, mundane tasks that daytime never even think twice about. 

So Many New Possibilities!

I'm not sure how many of you remember this simple pendant I made as a commission piece for a lovely lady to match her earrings.   

After my friend who makes silver jewelry returned the cab to me refusing to set it because of it's irregular surface I had to really think and improvise on this piece as I don't like making "traditional" bezels where they are backed with sheet metal. 

 Why?  Mainly because of the grinding, sanding, polishing and buffing required to finish it.  Without a proper ventilation system I won't set up the Genie for this.  I can do it with a rotary tool, BUT  working on that small of scale takes forever and I don't have the patience for it.  Also I really wasn't all that happy with the few pieces I have previously set.

After a bit I had the brilliant idea to use flattened wire shaped to fit the bezel and solder them to the bezel back. It worked wonderfully.   Simple, easy and so little finish work to get it shaped and shiny.

Since then I have discovered paste solder which I love as it allows me to precisely place and control the amount of solder I want.  

I have finished my first pair of earrings this way and am finishing up a similar necklace.   And another pair of earrings.

As time passes I see more and more ways I can design and create beautiful jewelry.  So many possibilities have opened up for me creation wise!

Three Day Weekend

I took a mandatory, necessary three day weekend.  I "took" Saturday, Sunday and Monday off due to a nasty head cold.  Bottom pictures shows me napping with Noa and Brutus prior to the weekend.  This cold left me exhausted and achy-of course. As  much as I wish I could of slept through the whole thing I can't spend that much time lying down.  Also my whole head ached less sitting up.

So to keep myself awake and upright I made earrings while I hid out in my bedroom.  I enjoyed my time hiding and feel like I had a sort of mini-vacation.   I left the housecleaning, cooking etc; to others along with refusing to worry or stress about anything.  Boy it was nice and rather refreshing too!

On Friday I finished last week's WIP pair of earrings.  (top picture)  I LOVE how oxidizing them dark makes the dichroic glass cabochons come alive, they seem to glow.  Did I mention I've started a similar necklace because of them?

Saturday I started on the Emerald Rose Gemmie Earrings.  I found the second cabochon in my stash cupboard and made the frames up.  Then I realized that cab #1 was no longer in my pants pocket.

So then I started on the Peach Blush Drop Earrings.

Sunday I ended up cleaning my bedroom and locating the missing cab.  I finished both pairs of earrings in between cleaning spurts.

I still have a cluttered bedroom, but the clutter is clean again.  Bed stripped and re-made, laundry washed folded and actually put away.

Sneak Peek WIP Wednesday

I am finally working on some of my "newer" ideas!  Combination soldered and wire wrapped earrings.

Surie, Silver Wire Wrapped Dichroic Glass Pendant

Another new listing, the lovely Surie Pendant.  Sterling and fine silver wire wrapped around this beautiful pink, white and silver striped handmade dichroic glass cabochon.  Clusters of handmade fine silver drops set off a single pink chalcedony briolette drop wrapped in 14k gold filled wire.  A pair of 14k gold filled beads accent the frame.  I've finished it with a rich black patina.

Violetta, Wire Wrapped Purple Dichroic Glass Earrings

Just listed these pretty purple earrings, Violetta, wire wrapped purple dichroic glass earrings!

I'm also working on re-listing some of my other pieces too.

Rapunzel Wire Wrapped Hot Pink Dichroic Earrings & The Seahorse Pendant

Finally I am starting to add the new pieces to my Etsy shop!

Rapunzel Wire Wrapped Hot Pink Dichroic Earrings.  A pair of my handmade dichroic fused glass cabochons in a shimmery hot pink.  I've paired them with deep pink hydro quartz briolettes and wire wrapped them in sterling silver, fine silver and 14K gold filled wire.  Accented with clusters of garnets, pink sapphires, moonstone rondelles and finished off with a black oxidized finish!  All the wire work including the headpins are made by hand by me.

The second picture is a pendant featuring one of my handmade dichroic fused glass cabochons in gorgeous shades of greens, golds and hints of blue on a white base.  I've wire wrapped it in sterling and fine silver accenting it with tsavorite garnet rondelles and finished with a moonstone briolette drop.  I've named it the seahorse pendant because when looking at it straight on one can see the head of a seahorse which my lovely mother-in-law pointed out.  This pendant will not be going in my shop as it is already spoken for.

Clearance Sale, Part 2

I still love this necklace.  Green and red fractured streamy glass over dichroic glass.  Although I have named this "Winterberry", this gorgeous necklace will go with most anything green, red or a combination of both.

I would love to make more pieces using fractured streamy glass.  What do think?

50% Off Clearance Sale!

I'm having a final clearance sale in my Etsy shop, Willow Walker Designs.   I've had these lovely pieces for several years now. It really is time for them to find their forever homes. Hopefully at these "steal a deal" prices they will.

As I have learned more about wire wrapping and jewelry design my style has evolved quite a bit and I am tired of doing similar or almost the same thing with dichroic glass that others do.  

 "Out with the Old"  so I can bring in the new!

Spring Has Sprung!

In my "little ole neck of the woods" spring has definitely sprung!    For me the definition of spring being here is when the first crocuses bloom!  This little patch in the flower bed in front of the East facing black rock chimney is always the first to bloom.

30 Day Challenge, A Bit More Info

30 Day Challenge, A Bit More Info

Made my bed again right after I was up and dressed.  Also have the dishes soaking, a load in the washer and one in the dryer.
Small potatoes to many I know.  I have never gotten back into having good housekeeping habits after losing my first home and my recovery.  In hindsight I look back and instead of seeing myself as being "lazy" I realize I was suffering from depression.

I really, really need and want to get back in the habit of cleaning regularly.  That is what my personal 30 Day Challenge is about, re-training myself to good habits.  I have chosen to work on one little thing instead of many or one big thing.

Right now I keep the dishes done fairly regularly as I usually have to wash dishes before I can cook or I do them as I'm cooking. (Hey, washing them keeps me occupied in between stirring, flipping or waiting for the next step.) I don't do dishes after dinner, due to my weird schedule I'm busy crawling into bed instead!  Also I keep the counter and stove tops cleaned and I clean out the refrigerator on garbage day, weekly.

As for the tops of cabinets, fridge, sweeping and mopping the floor and other miscellaneous spots......I tend to be a hit or miss person.

The rest of my home is the same.  I seem to clean only as I really need to instead of regularly.  sigh   I know that if I get back to regular cleaning it will be so much easier, faster and I will feel better too!  

WIP Wednesday & 30 Day Challenge

Hmmm, WIP Wednesday... 

I've re-vamped the look of my blog.  I'm finishing up a simple repair and will be starting two Bend logos.    One is a custom size and color.  The other will be "original" colors if I have enough of the background glass.  This latter one is a partial donation for an auction at a school.

Also today I have set myself up a 30 day challenge to make my bed every morning unless ill or having a "jammie" day.  Then I will make it at least once that day.

Most days I at least pull the covers up.  Nowadays the covers seem to get horribly messed up and I end up making the bed before I crawl in at night.  I just need to get in the habit of doing it in the morning!

WIP, Window Repair

Today I will be finishing repairing this round stained glass window.  The first picture is an overall view.  The second is a close up of three of the broken pieces I will be replacing.  Look closely  for the pieces marked with an "X" as these are broken and will be replaced.  And the last picture shows one piece replaced and awaiting being soldered back in and the hole where a new piece of blue glass will be going in.

Where have I been lately?  Recovering from walking pneumonia in the middle of my big "clean, re-arrange and organize the PC room for me" project.

Clearance Sale!

Time for a year end clearance sale!  I have taken my Etsy shop, Willow Walker Designs off of vacation early.  I am only listing clearance items right now.  This is a chance for some great deals and your last chance for these items!  Please stop by and check out these amazing bargains!

Some pieces like the Azteca necklace will be torn apart and made into something new if it doesn't sell.  I originally listed this necklace for $125.00 US.  It is now clearance priced at $75.  

I am going through my stock and will add more items as I do.  I    will be fairly ruthless as I go.  Previous work will be put into one of two categories, keep as is or tear it apart and recycle the pieces into something new.  

Welcome 2013!

New pieces and designs!

I'm ready for 2013.  I have a few goals in mind.  Nothing too overwhelming. I am feeling better than I have in many years and wish I would of seen a doctor sooner. That negative voice in my head is quiet.  All the daily aches and pains are gone.  I finally feel that I have the energy and interest to do much of what I have been putting off in my life.  

I have chosen the word "Explore" for 2013.  I will be exploring my home, finding everything in it and about it.   I made a good start in the kitchen when I did the kitchen-but I've never made it any further.   Cleaning, sorting, tossing, re-purposing and organizing it to suit me and mine.

I will continue to explore new techniques and all those umpteen  jillion ideas I have for jewelry.  New ideas for fused dichroic glass cabochons and of course wirewrapping.  

I will be doing a bit or re-branding for my products and will be offering some great bargains on some of my older pieces as I take my shop and jewelry in the direction I want to go.

My first goal for 2013 is the cleaning, sorting, tossing and re-organizing of what was my father's "computer room".  I really feel that getting this room done will be key to the whole house. It will help me to move books and more out of three or four (or more) rooms in the house.  And the idea of having it all in one place is rather amazing. When it is done it will be my "office".

I have made it through a shelving unit (used as a bookcase) of books, catalogs, and other miscellaneous junk.  I have thrown stuff away that is older than my 19 year old son! I don't think it has really been cleaned since my folks moved in here back in the mid-nineties!