At my Bench ~ Ring Bands Today!

Rainy days can be very productive at Wild Woman!

Rain, Computer Meltdown and New Work!

 Add a new computer (I nearly lost my entire hard drive...but it's been rescued by my most talented, patient husband!) and several days of rain, and I've had a wonderfully productive week in the studio! Drop by the shop to see what's NEW!  And don't forget, there are over 100 pieces that are in limited supply and are discontinued ON SALE now!

 

 

Excitedly Waiting for New Tools...

I want to cereal for lunch and am not ready for bed til the middle of the night but we are officially back in Canada and adjusting to the 7 hour time change.  In many ways, it's good to be home and back to work (even if it is at odd hours!).  I've been planning improvements and additions to my workbench, ordering new tools and materials and am so ready to get started using some of my new metalworking skills.  Many of my new toys have arrived but I'm still waiting for the main parcel of equipment, including my flexshaft, disc cutters, soldering supplies and a new torch!!!

 

Today, to distract myself from the waiting (and to get some work done too), I decided to make some new earrings.  The shop is getting restocked with new and returning items and I made a few of each today. I needed to revamp my oxidizing station so that happened as well! These photos show my set up  - which is also my laundry room.  I love the natural light in this room - it has two large windows - which is also helpful for the smell of the liver of sulfur...good ventilation is absolutely necessary!

Then, I headed for my workbench. It needed a serious re- working to make room for the new tools and equipment and to better utilize my work space.  Because it's in the basement and there is no natural light, the top got a coat of bright green paint to add some color - I plan to spend a fair bit of time here and want it to feel happy and fun! A second little desk (don't you just love this vintage enamel table top?) means I can keep an eye on the shop without running up and down stairs all day (although the exercise wouldn't kill me :).  Looking at these photos, I can see that I'm a bit of a clutterbug in this room!  So, maybe those tools will arrive tomorrow...fingers crossed!  Otherwise, who knows what will get organized next!

New Metalwork Earrings!

Circles!

Crafted from heavy gauge sterling wire (and now available in the shop), these pretty rustic circles have been soldered, shaped and hammered then oxidized and tumble polished-- earwires are handformed from sterling square wire and are securely wrapped and filed for comfort.

 Simple Statement Earrings, fabulous for everyday!

Copper Starfish ...

I've been playing with some copper sheet metal this week. With summer just around the corner, I thought some starfish ornaments for the cottage would be fun and here are the results. The shapes were hand drawn on cardboard and then transferred to the copper. Next, I cut, sanded, shaped and hammered each one. Torch firing created the pretty patina of gorgeous color in the copper. Some I antiqued and polished to achieve a more rustic finish. Shiny copper wire hangers with a spiral flourish finish them off! I have two hanging on our guest bath right now!

I love this story about a starfish--

“Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?" The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean." "I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man. To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!" At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one.” ― Loren Eiseley

Sneak Peek ~ Silver Stacking Rings

Life must be lived as play. ~Plat0

I love rings! (maybe as much as I love earrings!) and have long admired artists who make them... rustic and organic, fun and playful, those with gorgeous bezel set stones, simple to elaborate detailed bands...all of them! With my new workbench set up, I've been playing at learning to make some of my own....cutting, filing, hammering, soldering, refining how to use my torch, more hammering, oxidizing, tumble polishing... I've 'disappeared' into my little workshop for hours at a time. Here are some of my first finished skinny sterling stacking rings. I love their patinas and organic shapes ... and am so excited to be making my own!