Square Rings Today...

Today was a great day in the studio! I spent the day making square rings and bead pendants. The pendants aren't quite done..... I will try and get a photo of them sometime over the weekend!

The patina's on these rings came out great! I think it is in the water! I haven't been able to get these colors anywhere else but here!!

The weather here has been fantastic! This is what we wait all year for!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Rings!

Felt great to be in the studio again for a full day!

My sister and some friends have been here all week and we have had a great time playing in the studio. I am looking forward to working all next week in the studio as well! I have been having a few problems that have kept me out of the studio lately.... you can read about that below the photos.

These rings were made with 2mm thickness silver strip. I like the heaviness to the ring. I have had several requests from my customers for rings to match their bracelets and pendants. So here are the first cup rings so far.

The plain band has a message stamped inside of it that reads "i love whit"! Something about having that on the inside makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.... silly but true.

I was extremely happy with the patina on all of the rings... but especially the 3 cup one.

Let me know what you think of the rings and offer up any ideas you may have for other rings!

Have a great weekend!

I had been having a lot of problems with my left hand lately and finally went to my hand specialist. He gave me a second shot of cortisone in my thumb. At the moment I am pain free and should be for a few more months. Monday I am getting fitted for a custom hand brace that will help me when I need some extra support. I am scheduled to have carpal tunnel and joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) in October. In the latter procedure the surgeon removes the affected joint and replaces it with a graft from one of my tendons. I had the same procedure done to my right hand and now it is good as new... soon the left will be the same. Not looking forward to the months of recovery but know that in the long run it will totally be worth it.

Liftoff

Eagle update.......

My friends husband snapped this photo of the eaglet being airborne for the first time that he knows of, even though it was just hovering over the nest. Can't wait to see his photos when it takes off!

Animals and Patterns

A raccoon came by for a little snack today and we where sitting out on our deck and could hear a baby raccoon crying..... it was so small we barely saw it in this bush! Can you find her!

Today we went to a game farm in Sequim, WA. As we were driving around looking at the animals I was thinking of what great pattern there are in nature. This Zebra was amazing to just look at and be so close to him. I love the way its black and white stripes continue up to the mane.

Look at the great patterns for a bead on the back of this peacock!

Got milk to go with my bread?

I am still thoroughly enjoying my vacation....

Vacation continues....

Continuing my vacation...

Today we went whale watching and spent the afternoon in Friday Harbor. We can see the islands from our home but rarely see the whales come by. Some friends of ours own a whale watching boat and invited us to go out today. The weather couldn't have been more perfect! We saw a group of about 9 whales including a baby.

A harbor seal that hangs out in the marina in Friday Harbor. Her name is Popeye. She is blind in one eye .... she has been hanging out here for years. There is a fish stand close by and people buy herring and feed her. Popeye had a pup this year but we didn't see it this trip.

The baby breaching!

You can see the splash from the mother that breached just before the little one.

I love taking photos of skies....

Matt took this photo of the boat... I really like it! Thanks Matt!

Stay tuned for more of the vacation as it continues!

Enjoying Life.

I have really been relaxing and enjoying life this last month. This year so far has been crazy busy for me. I have already been to Turkey, Israel, England, Switzerland, Austria and Germany, as well as teaching in St. Louis and doing 2 big bead shows (Tucson and Bead and Button in Milwaukee) all in 6 months!

After teaching and showing at the Bead and Button show I came home totally exhausted and was so happy knowing that I could take a months vacation and just enjoy life. I feel like I have truly deserved this time off.... I have worked very hard up to this point! I have had no desire to travel during this month. It has been nice to just go in the studio and experiment with some new ideas with no deadlines in sight. I am really looking forward to taking a silversmithing class later this month and learning some new techniques. I am also thinking of taking a lost wax casting class as well......

I know that some of you are probably hoping for photos of beads or my silver work but really I am just enjoying life and not getting too involved with work. There will be plenty of time for my bead and silver posts in the upcoming future.....

It is truly paradise right here where I live. Everyday brings something new and wonderful. The raccoons have been bringing their babies up close to meet us. There are lots of deer passing by that we hadn't noticed before. (we remodeled part of the house and put in a 10' sliding door and it has really opened up our view). Otters stopping by for some fresh water in the pond..... Eagles soaring by and resting in the trees... no reason to go anywhere!

Today I went horse back riding on the beach with some family and friends. It was the lowest tide of the year. Here are a few photos of our day....

There was a great fog hanging over us as we started our ride... very mystical... We counted about 7 bald eagles on the beach....

This is my beautiful niece Carly from Texas...

and her boyfriend Matt... who we all just adore!

The tide was so low today that crab post were exposed all over the beach full of dungeness crabs! We were very tempted to take a few home with us! Actually some friends who have been going crabbing regularly have been bringing us some! They are so yummy!!!

Well that's it for this weekend..... I am looking forward to about another 10 days off then back to work for the rest of the year..

I hope you enjoy my vacation as much as I do!

Growing FAST!!!

Won't be long before this chick is soaring!

It looks so proud! I love keeping up with this eagle!

Just like clockwork...

Every July for the past 8 years an artist by the name of Stephanie Johnson is the featured artist at Artisans on Taylor Gallery in Port Townsend. And this year was no different. It has been so fun to see the changes year to year in Stephanie's work. She had her first show while we still owned the Gallery, she was 12 years old! We started this gallery in 1992 and sold it about 6 years ago. There have been 2 owners since and they have both done wonderful things with the Gallery... so if you are ever in Port Townsend be sure and stop by and check it out! They carry some really awesome jewelry too.... you can check them out online as well, they have a great online store!

A recent painting done by Stephanie...

Stephanie in front of the Gallery...

And then just like clockwork the baby raccoons always appear the first week of July. Here is a video of one of the little guys... be sure and have your volume up so you can hear the little one..

We will end our day with a nice BBQ with friends and family then we are off to watch our local fireworks display at Fort Worden.

Have a great 4th and be safe!

Happy Fourth of July...

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend!