Bracelet for Farmgirl Robyne

Hey Y'all, here is a little ole bracelet that I put together for a sweet little farmgirl named Robyne.  Farmgirl Robyne wanted an accessory to proclaim her farmgirl status and requested a black leather, cuz she's a tough little gal.  I added a silver plate with FARMGIRL stamped on the front.

I'm so happy that being a farmgirl has elevated status these days, thanks to the ultimate farmgirl - Mary Jane Butters.  Don't we all just love her?  When I was growing up it wasn't so cool being a country farmgirl.  My city cousins thought we talked funny and were a little bit too unsavy of city ways.  Basically, they thought we were hicks and I guess we were.  But, whenever I visited them in the city I couldn't wait to get back home to the farm.  Boy, did I ever get home sick - or should I say farm sick.  I remember teaching them how to climb over a barbed wire fence without getting snagged, bait a fish hook, ride our mini bike, drink from a hose in the well so we wouldn't have to go inside, and swim in the creek.  I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything in the world.  I loved riding horses with my friends, driving that great big hay truck during hay season, and spending every Sunday afternoon at my Grandma's house just down the road with all of my cousins.  The fried chicken dinners were something special.  My Grandma Hannah Mae was the very best cook and the thought of her peach cobblers still makes my mouth water.

The last time we were at the farm, traveling down our dusty gravel road we saw a tractor ahead and as we got closer we saw a long blonde pony tail dangling beneath a straw cowboy hat.  As we passed, it was one of our neighbor's wives heading out to the field to cut hay.  I so wanted to pull over and jump out to snap her photo, but I didn't have my darn camera in the truck with me.  Yes maam, I said T-R-U-C-K.  I drive around in a white Chevy pickup when I am at the farm.  I like sitting high in the seat!

Don't ya just love the vintage feed sack in the background of these shots?  I sure do.  It's one of my favorites and makes a nice background for Robyne's farmgirl bracelet.  I just finished the bracelet today, took the photos, sent an email to Robyne with photos attached to see if she likes the design.  I'll let you know what she thinks.

Tomorrow I head back to the country to get the farm ready for the July 4th weekend celebrations.  It's one of my favorite holidays and I am looking forward to another small town Independence Day celebration.

Blessings - Julie

A Day In the Studio Making Jewelry Is Bliss

Another one of my silversmithing class projects - a necklace I like to call "Light of Heart".  The pendant features clouds made from brass and etched copper.  Floating above the clouds is a shimmering heart that sparkles and flashes in the sun.

This was my first project in silversmithing class.  Our assignment was to design a pendant with a bezel.  We were free to design our pendants to our own personal styles and each pendant that was made in the class were beautiful.  Everyone did a great job constructing their pendants.

I placed a silver tube in the back that is soldered in place that allows the snake chain to slide through lifting the pendant above the chain.  I originally soldered the tube to the top of the pendant, but later changed my mind opting for an elevated pendant instead.

Instead of sinking a stone into the bezel, I decided to add vintage German glass glitter.  I purchased a bottle at an estate sale many years ago, and only use it for special projects since it is so hard to find these days.

I am also working on some resin pieces that received a few flecks as well.  They are curing today and will receive another layer tomorrow.  I'll share those with you once they are finished.

I was busy at the bench today, preparing things for my upcoming show and I made a few things that I really love, like this rusty metal pendant with a cultured pearl set in the surface.

 I really love this piece...there's just something about the lustrous surface of the pearl set against the rusty metal that I love - it just gets me.

I also put together some fun BLING sterling silver rings - just for fun.

 A huge rhinestone cocktail ring on a sterling silver band that is adjustable so it fits any finger you like.  Isn't it fun?  Can't you just imagine wearing this baby out for drinks with the girls? 

I also made some other things, but I'll share more later...  I love productive days in the studio.  You know those days when the stars are aligned and you are holding your mouth just right and magic happens... I just love days like that!

Which piece is your favorite?

Blessings - Julie

Sisters Bracelet

Sisters Silver Spoon Bracelet - Purchase Here

Recently, a few of my girlfriends sent me an email with the nicest sentiment attached about sisters and sisterhood.

Time Passes,

Life Happens,

Distance Seperates,

Children Grow Up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end...

BUT.....Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.....

Another sweet soul from Texas requested this phrase...

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost".

Daughter-in-laws, sisters, sister-in-laws, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, cousins, and extended family, and dear friends all bless our life!

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other..

.

As I sat with my Mom over the weekend talking about this and that and nothing in particular I thought of this email that was sent to me by my friends and I remembered to be grateful for the priviledge of sitting quietly with my Mom talking about nothing in particular on a Saturday afternoon.  So often I take these moments for granted and forget that time is fleeting and these are precious moments to be cherished.  My Mom and I are cut from the same cloth, as the saying goes...I see glimpses of her when I look in the mirror, I hear her voice when I listen to myself on the answering machine - long gone are the days when I used to dread becoming like my mother.  It's not so bad and in a way it's a comfort to know that she will always be a part of me.

I guess this sentiment was on my mind while I was working at the bench.  Hopefully, this bracelet made from a cast off vintage silver spoon will make it's way to woman's wrist that understands the gift of sisters and sisterhood and she'll remember to be grateful for the days of sitting talking quietly about this, that and nothing in particular on a Saturday afternoon.

Blessings - Julie

You Are My Sunshine Bracelet

You Are My Sunshine Bracelet - Purchase Here

I made it into the studio today, finished up orders from the weekend and had a little time to spare to experiment with a vintage silver butter knife.  I have had this lovely little butter knife sitting on my bench for months just waiting for the right expression to be stamped onto its gleaming surface.

Today, I grabbed my stamps and began hammering - You Are My Sunshine onto the blade.

Maybe I was thinking about the movie, Oh, Brother Where Art Thou with George Clooney or maybe being at the bench for fun brought the expression to mind.  Whatever, the reason - I really love it.  I have a deep love of cast off vintage silver.  It's just too pretty to sit in a box!

I chose a coral bead, faceted turquoise beads, a lustrous pearl and a sterling silver flower to adorn the side of the bracelet.  I love the combination together and it reminds me of Spring blossoms.

What do you think?  What expression would you choose to wear on your wrist as a visual reminder as you go about your day?

My First Ring from Silversmithing Class

This ring is one of my silversmithing projects from a class I recently completed with Genevieve Flynn at her studio in Kansas City.  The ring is called - Not For Sale (it's really called that in the book) and is a project from the book, The Jeweler's Studio Handbook by Brandon Holschuh that I highly recommend for the beginning silversmiths.  I love Brandon's style and fabrication techniques.  You can visit his website here to see more of his work.

River Rock Ring - Brandon Holschuh

On this piece I used the jeweler's saw to cut out all ring shapes from sheet silver, soldered the ring joint creating a circle, domed a copper cap and used a tube rivet to connect the bead to the ring.  It's a fun chunky ring that I just love wearing.

Not For Sale Ring - Brandon Holschuh

I finished three projects during the 6 week class including a pendant, this ring and a broach and had alot of fun with my classmates in the process.  There was alot of apprehension over the torch, but we all took to it like ducks to water...Genevieve is a talented instructor.  This is a great class for anyone who has an interest in silversmithing, I highly recommend it.

Cattail Bracelet - Genevieve Flynn

 

Silversmithing was on my list of things to learn this year and with Genevieve's class under my belt I am well on my way to a fun Spring spent in the studio.  I'll be sharing some of my other projects with you very soon.

Flower Ring - Genevieve Flynn

What's on your list of things to learn in the upcoming year?

Blessings - Julie