Thursday, June 25, 2015

From My Bench ~ Modelling Photo Shoot and then some ice cream...

 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
Yesterday we had a perfect first of summer, school's out afternoon.  My niece and her best friend were hanging out at the lake, mostly at my house :), and they are both beautiful so I asked if they wanted to do some modelling for me.  They agreed - yippee! We wandered around the yard snapping pics of them wearing most of my latest creations. It was a lot of fun and resulted in some great shots!
Thanks ladies!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
Naturally, little miss Ethel had to make an appearance!
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_searchhttps://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WildWomanJewelry/search?search_query=elastic+bracelets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search
 and then we went for ice cream!!!
(click on any of the photos to see all the stone bracelets available in the shop :)

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

From My Bench - Summer Fresh Stacking Bracelet

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/237658350/blue-and-white-bracelet-blue-sodalite?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=sodalite
I've been on a stone, glass and silver stretch bracelet marathon these past weeks!
This is one of my favorites - fresh blue and white are a
summery nautical delight! 
Blue Sodalite stones are veined with crisp white. White Jade stones
complement and bring out the white in the blue stones!
A Karen Hill Tribe sterling silver heart is this bracelet's pretty focal point.
It is textured with a raised pattern of daisies- so lovely!
Wear it alone or stack it with your favorite
 silver bracelets - a great piece for a blue jeans, white T shirt,
 Saturday morning trip to the
Farmer's Market or shopping!
 

Friday, June 19, 2015

My Garden Path ~ June

The early summer garden is so fresh! After a long harsh winter in our area, the garden is late and sprinting to catch up - so much changes in just a couple of weeks! Here are some glimpses down my June garden path.
Enjoy and watch for ladybugs!
Our old hose froze and cracked so I replaced it with this fabulous
bright green one - LOVE!!
 
Climbing hydrangea bloomed for the first time last year after about 3 years
from planting.  It's really established itself and is twining around the railing on
the front deck steps, creating a cosy little nook.

Lovely wild ferns I transplanted from the woods, a snow white visitor and
a shady retreat on a hot summer day.

Some views of my garden shed (see last summer's redecorating project here http://wildwomanjewelry.blogspot.ca/2014/08/garden-shed-project-redecorate-reveal.html )
and the garden beside our garage.

Sweet lilacs, charming bleeding heart and finally, a clump of delicate Solomon's Seal.

Virginia Creeper climbs over a trellis made by hubs, blooming rhubarb and pretty
peach daisies in a flower box!

Blue iris about to POP and chives that literally bloomed overnight.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

On My Bookshelf ~ Summer Reading List

My summer reading used to include a much anticipated trip to the bookstore  
where I would emerge with BAGS of new books, excited and
 ready to settle in on the porch or the beach and enjoy.  I would bring them home and stack them on my bedside table, loving the pile of them there, ready and waiting, offering worlds to visit without leaving home.
While I still love the feel of reading an actual book and miss that beautiful stack,
my Kindle is
much easier to carry, travel with and I use it ALOT!
I downloaded my 'library' today (8 new books!) and
here is my list for Summer 2015!
 
 
 
It's a rainy morning, perfect for a cup of tea and curling up
for an hour or two of reading - enjoy!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Music Box ~ My New Ukulele

I'm excited! After a year of learning and having SO much fun with my first little ukulele, I knew that even if I'll never be an expert, I really wanted continue playing...and get a 'real' ukulele.  And, here it is! One evening, while we were in Maui this winter, we wandered into a close-by shopping center. A new ukulele shop had recently opened! The owner was working and encouraged me to try any and all I wanted - there were some amazing instruments and a huge selection made right on Maui! I loved the sound, gorgeous woods and metal G string of this lovely!


The front is made with Koa wood that is native to Hawaii.  The body is mahogany,
with this gorgeous inlay which is a mix of both.

And, since I knew I would want to travel with it back to Canada, I got the
hard case to protect it.  I feel very professional! :)
 
Now, back to practicing!
 
happy weekend, all!
xo

Friday, June 12, 2015

Monday, June 8, 2015

From My Bench - Photo Shoot Today

A peek into one of my photo shoots!
 
The light is great today - bright but overcast.  My little 'set' includes the windowsill (if the sun comes out, I can just pull down the blind), my NikonD80 SLR, a piece of cardboard I covered in tinfoil to reflect back the light, a piece of chicken wire that I've folded in half to support several sheets of white cardstock that I tape together and slope slightly to eliminate seams and shadows in the background. 
 
My 'go to' props are this little tin candleholder which I use ALL the time, a penny and ruler for scale, and sometimes a small ivory china dish. 
 
I have about 35 new pieces ready to photograph which means several hours and probably about 500 images - it's a ton of work and 80% will be too dark, blurry, too light or just plain bad! The other 20% will likely contain enough decent shots that I can edit them and use them for my listings in the shop. Some may have to be redone again- I'm on the third time for a pair of sterling silver hammered hoops that I just can't get the light right...maybe today's the day!
 
Here's the set up - pretty simple, eh?







ok. I'm off.  You know where I'll be :)
xo

Friday, June 5, 2015

Life at the Lake ~ June Nights

It was a beautiful evening last night! I wandered our yard and took a few photos - I couldn't resist the soft light of magical early summer.

 
Make a Wish

My favorites!
 
Fresh chives
 
Watching four deer in the field...

Sunset behind our field

 

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

From My Bench ~ Eye Candy!

 In yesterday's mail - my fingers are actually tingling!
 Prepare for some new bracelets and necklaces!!

Monday, June 1, 2015

From My Bench ~ A Bit of Boho

I've been keen to play with copper lately - saw it, hammer it, shape it, oxidize it, enamel it - and set up at my bench yesterday to explore.  Turns out I'm going to make a few pieces (bracelets for sure!) with words, flowers and some natural stones, and some whimsical enameled heart earrings too. 
 



I'll keep you up to date!
xo