Spoiled?

Last year my husband got me this really cool dragon ash tray that has become part of my jewelry making process.

I set him on top of the shelf behind my chair in the living room and one day I was looking for a place to set some pendants that I had cut but not filed yet. The trey in front of the dragon became the perfect place! The pieces were not likely to get knocked off and it was a place the cats wouldn't go. Our cats like to play with my pieces, they think rings and findings make great toys not to mention the cords and chains I work with.

After using the dragons tray for a few weeks I realized my folly... Dragons like to keep the pretty shinnies for themselves! So I made a deal with the dragon... I would give him some pieces to keep so long as he let the others find homes of their own. It was fine at first but now I think he is getting spoiled. It started with a hematite ring crown then a blue paua shell necklace. But now he wants a bracelet and wing cuffs! Perhaps I should have phrased our deal more carefully ;)

A Glimpse Into My World

Since I enjoy seeing how things are made and where they come from I figured today I'd give you a glimpse into my world. I don't have a traditional studio yet, we are still working on getting the basement cleaned out so I can set up shop down there, so for now I work in different parts of the house. My cutting is all done in our book room.

My cutting bench with a few of the pieces I am working on. Ok so the cutting bench is really a bed side table I have had for years but after moving in with my hubby there really wasn't any other use for it. Yes that is the hand saw that I use for cutting all of my pieces with its tiny blade. Today I cut some of the Ogham pendants seen in that photo. The Ogham pendants I am working on are Peace, Permanent, and Truth.



Once I have the designs cut I remove the paper and put it on the side of a shelving unit in the living room. I like having my previous designs where I can see them and it confuses people when they come to visit ;)

















The three Ogham pendants after they were cut, given the brushed texture for the back, and the paper design was removed. I have yet to file the edges, sand the pieces, and polish them.