Studly

Earlier this year I discovered that my favorite kind of jewelry to make is these little gemstone stud earrings.  Whether they're my favorite because of the tiny size, the one-of-a-kind nature, the fact that they give me an excuse to do more stone shopping, or something else I've yet to discover, I really do enjoy the process and the finished product of these more than other pieces.

My favorite will always be the herkimer diamond studs, but after adding pink tourmaline, apatite, and garnet to the earring family, there's definitely some competition.  I have a couple pairs currently available for sale, and if I can ever get caught up on screen printing and packaging orders, I might finally get the rest of these added to my shop!

What have you been working on lately?  Have you been busy getting ready for Christmas or Hanukkah?

what i've been working on...

i took a little time off from making anything new because i started to feel kind of burnt out on metal and stones and jewelry entirely, but i feel reinvigorated and have fresh new ideas i want to bring to life!  here's what i've been working on the last few weeks...

since these earrings have really caught on and are currently the most popular item in my shop, i've also used the same idea to make that heart bracelet as well as a ring i still need to get photographed.  i've decided that pyrite is my new favorite stone to work with, so be on the lookout for more of it!

what have you been working on lately?

what i've been working on.

i hope this tuesday finds you well! i spent a lot of yesterday making a few new items for my website, and today chris and i spent some time in the garage with the metal chop saw, the band saw and the grinding wheel (and i hope i have a few of those pieces ready to show you next week) once we got back from his doctor's appointment. good news: his eye continues to heal, so he should be able to wear his contacts again this weekend, although i really like him in glasses. anyway, here's a little peek at a few things i've been working on...

i'm not sure how long i'll continue making the bullet necklaces, but since i still have some casing i've drilled i figure i'll keep them around a little longer at least. i'm so excited to do more work on the metal pieces i worked on today (with the help of my sweet husband who's willing to handle hot metal when i am not) because it means i have a reason to get some new stones!

ugh, i don't mean to be a debbie downer, but i'm not feeling so hot. the pollen has been giving me terrible headaches the last few days, plus i'm tired, plus i got sick from lunch, and i'm still not sure that's over with, so i had more to tell you, but i think i'm going to lay here on the sofa and have a pity party and hope that when i turn on the TV there will be sex and the city reruns on E!

what i've been working on.

lately i've been really inspired, and (luckily) it's been one of those times where i look at supplies i haven't used in ages and all sorts of ideas just jump out at me! i love it when my mind works like this! and since i've been so inspired lately, i placed an order for some completely new metal to make things i've never made before, so when i see the UPS man coming down my road on tuesday or wednesday, i'll probably squeal at a pitch so high i'll attract dogs from a 50 mile radius! but until then, here are a few things i've been working on for my shop...

the earrings at the top are made with real teeth beads! isn't that crazy? all i know is that the necklace i got them from was from an old lady who did some traveling, but i don't know the animal or country of origin.

tomorrow is going to be an early day. chris and i are going to monterey, va (an itty bitty little town in the mountains) for the maple syrup festival. what can i say, chris really likes breakfast food. he'll get his buckwheat pancakes (gross) and i'll get regular pancakes, and we'll eat junk food, buy some amazing handmade soap and see what else there is to eat! we like food. a lot.

i hope you guys have a good weekend! i'll see you next week with another interview from a blogger and shop owner i REALLY like, as well as a giveaway!

i'm gun-toting crazy!

Crazy for target practice. Crazy for gem stones. Crazy for bullet necklaces. I got a bit behind when my little brother came to visit over Thanksgiving, but I'm back in action with new bullet necklaces all ready for le shoppe!