Thanks Jean!

Took a much needed day off today. Had a girls day that kept me laughing and cheered me up. We drove up to Pennsylvania and did a workshop with Jean van Brederode on enameling. Jean did a great job, we all learned a ton and brought home really cute necklaces. Enameling is a wonderfully creative process and even though we all made the same thing they all looked completely different.

 Everyone should make time from their busy lives to do something completely selfish - it's so important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of the rest of your life. So, be selfish!

New Photograpghy Technique

I have this amazing light box that my husband got me for Christmas last year. I still have not figured out all the cool accessories. Here is my first attempt at using the backlighting pad. This is a flat pad with a low wattage light inside. It's not a bright light, its very filtered. I'm assuming that it's purpose is to give luminosity to pieces. As you can see, my first attempt was not a complete success! I do like that the piece appears to be floating in nothingness. The bad part is that there are too many shadows to deal with on the front. Back to the drawing board!

All Thumbs!

Okay, so I've spent most of my bench time the last week working on making knots - I've learned that I'm not a sailor! I did manage to tie one bracelet together using the book by Stephanie Sersich - but it was crooked. I'm going to continue working on those damn knots until I have something better to show.

I still wanted to make something that had the lush feel of the spiny knotted bracelet - so back to the bench I went and this is what I came up with ~

Not the Stephanie Sersich look - but one I really loved! I used a large focal that I got from Chestnut Ridge Designs for the 'button' and everything but the kitchen sink, including a lego or two!

I feel better now...