Crows and Silver

Cue Frank Zappa

2012-02-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Baby Snakes!!

Ok, I couldn't help myself. They aren't really babies, but the song has been running through my head ever since I started making these little guys! Aren't they cute?! I am hoping I can get them into a little local gallery show. Stay tuned!

This womans work.

2012-01-22T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm working on some tiny treasures for an art show in February. I'm thinking about women, particularly Ariadne, and her thread. (I feel quite certain that it was red.)

Season's Greetings!

2011-12-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

Last minute treasures!

2011-12-16T08:18:00.000-08:00

I have been having a little rush of creativity, and the timing isn't too bad!

I love the softness of this piece, and how the creamy colors work together. It's a lariat-style necklace made from vintage bone beads and rings, and black, tan, and cream colored feathers.

This is actually another remade piece. I replaced the leather cord with a lovely, long, fine chain. It's a much better look. The proportion of the chain with the pendant is modern and elegant.

Technically, this isn't a new piece, but it's a new photo, and I think it shows the nice, creamy texture of the vintage bone rings.
I have been enjoying the bright white linen in these photos. I guess it's the snowy white that we are missing outside right now. You can get any of these pieces at my Etsy shop right now.
I hope your holidays are peaceful and bright!

Re-thinking

2011-10-11T07:35:00.000-07:00


Owl Necklace available at ClockworkCrow on Etsy

This little owl necklace had been languishing for a while in my inactive stock. The design of the bail was a bit clunky, and the pendant itself didn't fully satisfy me.

Finally a week or so ago,I came across it and decided to spruce it up. I removed the bail, and redid some of the rivets. (I don't recommend this. It was a challenge.) I attached the chain with some tiny vintage brass beads. Then I cut the moon out of the sterling backing. It immediately lightened the whole necklace.

I am now quite pleased with it and I have gotten some great feedback on it. If that wasn't enough, it was featured today in TotusMel's Wunderkammer!

Focus (and light)

2011-09-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

My goal for the past few days has been to work on new offerings for my shop, and to improve my photos. I am really excited by some of my new projects, and how they are progressing, and I want you to be able to see them as well as I do. I am still trying to master my fancy camera, and I have managed to throw caution to the wind and use a semi-automatic setting. And I have been trying to use more consistent lighting. Plus a few tricks from my old styling days in Seattle.

Oxidized Copper Hoops

Good Things

2011-09-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

The summer has roared past, filled with travel, family and good times! I am so ready to get back into familiar routines now. Taking my girl to school, walking the dog in our woodland parks, and more than anything, creating! Perhaps it's that back-to-school feeling from childhood. New supplies, crisp nights, etc..
I know there are good things coming.

I also want to stop and recognize how lovely my life is right now. My family is healthy and happy, my work fulfills me, my body is strong, the sky is blue, and I can afford to buy a cute sweater, just because. I know it won't be this simple forever because things change, but I know there are good things coming.

Happy Holiday!

2011-07-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Vacation!

2011-06-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Bodega Bay, CA

What Violet made....

2011-04-15T07:48:00.000-07:00


The creative urge runs in the family!

I'm not the kind of mom that gets all gushy about school art projects, but I am quite charmed with this little treasure that Violet brought home the other day. She formed, and glazed it and planted it with "some kind of herb". I can't wait to see what comes up!

Pretties

2011-04-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Some treasures that I plan to list this week!

Lust

2011-04-09T18:27:00.000-07:00

This hand embroidered treasure is at one of my favorite etsy shops. Feel free to buy it for me!!!

Taa-Daah!

2011-03-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my re-vamped blog! I am hoping to post a bit more about all parts of my life, instead of mostly the metalwork. I spend a lot of time making jewelry, but I also dance a lot and sew dance costumes, and cook, and spend time with my swell family. I hope this will allow me to post more interesting things too. Let me know what you think, m'K?

The Metalsmith Dances!

Spring will come again....

2011-03-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Some pretties I made for Japan.

Orion and Sirius

2011-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

The god of the sun Apollo was jealous of Orion because of Artemis' love for him, and looked for a way to kill him. Apollo challenged Artemis to hit a speck far out in the ocean, teasing her about her archery skills. Apollo knew, although Artemis didn't, that the speck was really Orion swimming. Artemis killed him with a single arrow. When she realized it was Orion, she was overcome with guilt and placed him up in the heavens as a constellation. His faithful hunting dog, Sirius, would not stop searching hysterically for his master Orion, so Artemis placed him, the Dog Star, at Orion's heels.

Cozy

2011-01-18T13:04:00.000-08:00

I hope you are staying warm this January!

A good days work....

2010-11-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

Makin' it a little better.

2010-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

I'm refering to my photography, but it's a perfect mantra for life, really.

Chance.

2010-10-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

I fell hard for these beads. This necklace happened so quickly. Sometime my pieces fight me 'till the bitter end, but this one just fell together...........

Happy Equinox!!!

2010-09-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

New Discovery

2010-09-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

I found something pretty amazing this morning. It isn't a new moon, or a soccer ball. It is bigger than a soccer ball though, and heavier too!

Actually, I think it's dinner!

Yea I am quite sure it's dinner. A lot of dinner!!! Anyone got any puffball recipes?

Made it, listed it, sold it.

2010-08-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks Mom!

Doings

2010-08-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went for a nice long walk up on Hawk Ridge. Among the frogs, and snakes, and ravens and jays, there were also lots of mushrooms!
M found the biggest bolete we've ever seen. It was clearly a king bolete, and it was literally the size of a dinner plate. It was also clearly past it's prime, so we left it to the squirrels and slugs and bugs. We were happy to do so because we came home with a lovely bag of chanterelles.
I dry sauteed them and then put them into a nice, cheesy quiche. Yum.

Today I have a meeting with some folks who would like me to make some anniversary rings for them. Life is good.

Creation

2010-08-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

"On the first day..."
Just kidding.
I just listed a piece in my Etsy shop that I really enjoyed making. Sometimes an idea comes fully formed, as if perhaps, the Muse has just tapped me on the forehead, and given it to me. These pieces are special to me. They often feel like archetypes, or that they contain a tiny essence of Truth.
It's interesting to note that sometimes other people "get it" and sometimes they don't. I don't think this invalidates the "specialness" I perceive, but it makes me wonder.

And then there are people that are really excited about pieces that I don't resonate with. I guess we all have our own personal Truths.

2010-08-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

A mysterious piece for the silent auction at Bradfest.

2010-08-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Brad was a member of the church of 82, you see.

What I did on my Summer Vacation.

2010-08-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

St. Kitts, West Indies

Wisteria

2010-05-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

I am planning to tie up my loose ends before our trip next week, but before I do I thought I would share this. It's a sterling cuff bracelet that I just finished for a friend of mine. She is of Japanese descent and the wisteria motif cut into the cuff is her family crest. I have finished earrings as well, and I have yet to do a necklace, and perhaps a ring too! She likes sets. :D Anyway it is a fun challenge, and so far I am pretty pleased with the results! What do you think?

Momentum

2010-05-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

was lost. Hopefully it is regained. I finally took some nice pictures today, it's been a while. I have been really distracted by the bellydancing thing. I was planning to keep the focus on the jewelry, and I still intend to, but dancing is taking a larger chunk of my attention lately, so I should mention it. In part because it has been affecting my jewelry work. I have been making larger and perhaps rougher things lately. Jewelry to pile on and dazzle with. It is modifying my aesthetic a bit. I try to let my designs evolve in an organic fashon. I can't wait to see whee I'm going!

A little something...

2010-04-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

agate-y. Production grinds to a crawl on vacation weeks. It's great to spend time with my young lady, but I do get conflicted about work -vs-"play". Hopefully, gentle reader, this, will tide you over 'till next week! As for me, back to coloring!!!!

Taking it to the next level

2010-03-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

There are so many ways that a metalsmith can take their work. That's one of the main reasons I love it! You can etch, use mills, solder, use cold connections, mixed media, etc.
I have been working pretty hard lately on improving my stone setting skills. I have been gaining confidence, and I have been aming to make each setting nicer than the last. I learned a lot about it from a wonderful diamond setter (who's name, sadly, escapes me-I am awful with names) in my jewelry classes at MCTC in Minneapolis years ago, but knowing how to do something and doing it are two different things.

Popovers

2010-03-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a little detour from the jewelry blogging. I just made popovers for the first time!!! I was inspired by Molly Watson's blog The Dinner Files. Her recipe looked so easy, and her popovers looked so tempting I couldn't resist! The results of my efforts? Even better than I had hoped!

We gobbled up 12 of them in no time! What a perfect Sunday treat. A little cherry preserves and another cup of coffee was all we needed to make a splendid start to the day!

Perseverance

2010-03-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

This is a little heart shaped pin that I just sent out to someone I care about.
I had a big list of jewelry projects to work on and for the last few days I have been quite productive. ( Now I have to take a lot of pictures.)
Anyway, I was working on my list and this just happened in the mix. No sketch, no designing. It just snuck into the production line. I did have to re-do the lacing once, but it all happened quite organically. Sometimes it's easier to do something than to say something. The recipient has been going through a bit of a rough patch lately, and I hope this trinket gives her spirit a little lift.

Making amends.

2010-03-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,
I am so sorry I have been neglecting you. I really do appreciate you and I will try to write more often. Promise.

It's such an old lament that time keeps going faster and faster, but it is clearly true. Perhaps now that we have turned the clocks forward I will be able to accomplish all of my daily to-do's.
BTW Have you checked out TeuxDeux? It's a cool daily list app that I've gotten hooked on.

Today I managed to make a new cape in the pattern of one I got about 20 years ago in Scotland. I loved that wrap so much I wore it out. My new one is charcoal grey lambswool. It's so soft-soft-soft and warm!
Of course I finally got around to making it as the temperature reaches.....60 degrees??!! Wow.

Miss Violet is outside playing. She is properly attired in duck boots, pants, a sundress, a tee-shirt,and mittens. Smart kid.

Whoops, she just came in for a parasol. I think she is using it as a parachute as she jumps off a stump.....

Meow

2010-02-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Smokey likes Diana.

A tool for life among the Fey.

2010-02-24T08:17:00.000-08:00

Chronisthysia Necklace

The Red Queen?

2010-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Swarvoski crystal and brass hairpins. The Alice in Wonderland wave has finally swept over my Etsy shop, Clearly it was only a matter of time. And, of course where there is the Red Queen, the White Queen can't be far....

But what of Alice?

Breaking News!

2010-01-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

My regularly scheduled blog has been interrupted so that I can bring you this important news!:
Ready?....
Ok, you simply must check out this sumptious Blog by my friend Choklit Chanteuse. She is currently running a contest, and this blog-post is my entry!!! I am not ashamed one bit because I might win an awesome prize made by the fabulous TotusMel! She makes (tats) seriously sexy lace adornments by hand! Or I might score some gorgous silk arm-garters hand made by the delicious Choklit herself! Can you blame me?...
I didn't think so!

Cold Hands Warm Hearts

2010-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Oh that smile! It has been cold, and I mean cold, in our part of the world lately. It makes everything just a little bit harder to do. All of those layers just to let the dog out! I thought I would post a couple of pictures to highlight the joy and beauty that can be found here in the North!
It was too cold for snowmen, but just perfect for sledding at the golf course! The photographer even took a couple of runs down the hill.

Our lucky day!

2009-12-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is the remains of the tree that came down on Christmas morning, and that is our house in the background. It missed our house by about 2 feet.
Here's wishing you a lovely holiday season with miracles whenever required!

2009-12-08T13:08:00.001-08:00

The big boat rolled and pitched in the fury of the gale. Huge waves crashed across the deck, pummeling and tearing at the wheelhouse. The boat rolled again in a gigantic swell, glass broke and the box tumbled across the cabin, smashed against the rail, and descended into the icy depths of Lake Superior.

Time passed as the shattered box and its contents lay shrouded in silt.

"Ooooh! Look at this Dad!"
"What did you find, Ben?"
Five-year-old Ben and his Dad were picking their way along the rocky shoreline, looking for agates and interesting flotsam that may have surfaced during the previous nights storm.
"Hmmmm, said Dad,"It looks like copper or brass. Maybe it was banding on a box of some kind."
"Like for pirate treasure?" squealed Ben.
"Could be...Hey, we know someone would be interested in this, shall we give it to her to make into cool jewellery?"
"Yea!!"

2009-11-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

I have a new teacher. She is a dance teacher, but she (or more correctly) my idea of her is teaching and inspiring me to live my life better.

I made these lotus earrings the other day.

Peace

for Indy...

2009-11-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

Waaay back in May I had the opportunity to meet some of my Etsy Steamteam friends in the flesh at MakerFaire in San Mateo CA. They were all as wonderful as I had hoped, and I had too much fun to have it feel like work even though the hours were ridiculous !! One such friend is Sarah AKA Industrial Fairytale on Etsy. She is a marvellous artist, and she has been making some wonderful cast jewellery of late. Which brings me to the subject of this post! We cooked up a plan to trade work for work. I have been thinking about the piece she requested for a while but didn't get around to it until last week. I think the fellow came out nicely, and I can't wait to see what she cooks up for me!!!!

Hayride!!

2009-09-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Pretty Bird

2009-09-17T14:48:00.001-07:00

Bambi and Thumper proof lettuce.

2009-09-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

yum.

Chanterelles

2009-08-07T09:00:00.001-07:00

RAW Un-retouched Bench Photos!

2009-07-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

Thats right, folks, this is where the magic happens! Ooooh! Ahhh!

Dragonfly Weather

2009-07-08T09:37:00.001-07:00

Last week the air was filled with flotillas of Dragonflies. Thousands upon thousands. Marshall shot this one as he was resting on our clothesline.

Sticks and Stones Necklace

2009-06-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

Just finished this and I must say I am pleased with it.
A rainbow of big, chunky stones are strung between sterling "sticks" to make a luxurious necklace that is over a yard long! It can be worn decadently long, or doubled, or even wrapped into a fantastic, modern looking bracelet. I can't wait to photograph it on a model!

Happy Solstice!

2009-06-21T14:32:00.001-07:00

Maker Faire Magic

2009-06-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just want to do it all over again!
More pictures here.

Sleep

2009-05-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

After a long, challenging day filled with a dance recital, a banana split, and a walk on the lakewalk, there is nothing like a nap to refresh a girl.

A letter.....

2009-05-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Dr. Reginald Frederick Eulenburg
Cambridge University

Dearest Reginald,

The Clockwork Paisley, thought to have been the stuff of legend, has recently been recovered! It was recently found wrapped in the tattered remains of a silk evening dress in the basement of a small warehouse on the waterfront in Liverpool. It is said to have been a gift to the exotic dancer, Mata Hari, from the German Crown Prince,William. Its history goes back further than that, of this I am sure! Several entries in the diary of Mata Hari (Margaretha Zelle) refer to the “Boteh”, and the “Map”.

Perhaps here, my dear Reginald, I should give you a history lesson. Resembling a large comma or twisted teardrop, the paisley is Indian and Persian in origin, but its western name is said to derive from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland. Some design scholars call the distinct shape boteh and believe it is the convergence of a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree: a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity. A floral motif called buta which originated in Persia circa 1600. The pattern was used to decorate royal regalia, crowns, and court garments, as well as textiles used by the general population.

I believe the Clockwork Paisley is the “boteh” she speaks so passionately of! She refers to it as her “most precious possession” in several entries. (Some fools here actually surmised she was speaking of her feminine assets.)

Now, of course we come to the crux of the matter. The Map. I am assured that by now, my brilliant Brother, you understand the nature of this missive. I beseech you to undertake a search of maps of the Indian sub-continent, and its environs. Of particular interest, of course, would be German-printed maps. I believe anything printed between 1900 and 1917 could be most important. A Dutch document that has recently crossed my desk makes reference to the lovely Margaretha, and more shockingly Emperor Wilhelm II himself! The longitudinal lines on the Paisley,the cunning gears, as well as a code of some sort that has been scrawled on the back simply must be a key to the location of the Tear of Ceylon, You, of course, know how obsessed the Empress was with finding it to help her poor doomed family hold on to the Monarchy. How the mighty have fallen.

Now it is our turn, dear Brother.

Yours Most Sincerely and Affectionately,
Lady Victoria Cecilie Wortham
Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Admiralty, Whitehall

Agatha is ready for her close up.

2009-04-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have had the Agatha Necklace for a while, but I just shot some nice new photos.......I really enjoyed creating the "netted" setting for the labradorite stone. It is my own invention, and I haven't seen anything like it elsewhere. (I did do a variation of the netting on the Quintessence Phial, but that is a subject for another posting.

Tentacles.......

2009-04-16T10:00:00.001-07:00

One more from Jana

2009-04-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a subject close to my heart.

Selected Photos from Jana

2009-04-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Jana Kleineberg is an extremely talented graphic designer, and photographer. She is also a sweet, sexy, smart lady. And she is my friend. :D You can check out her other photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkleineberg/. I could gush about these pictures she took around Helsinki, but I think I can let them speak for themselves.

Sneak Preview!!

2009-03-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here is my Clockwork Butterfly. I am quite pleased with her. She will be landing in my Etsy shop soon!

Diana

2009-03-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting the hang of my new camera-computer Combo! Here is Diana, who has been waiting for her close-up for some time!

She is the fifth in the series, and is listed on my etsy site!

The Rebel!

2009-03-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Santa was late this year, but he really came through for me. I finally got my new camera, a Cannon Rebel XS, and I love it! (Thanks Dad!)
While I am sure it is great for all sorts of photography, these days I am all about the Macro! I have a lot to learn, but I have been taking some pretty good shots without even studying the manual. Please stay tuned for fabulous jewelry photos!

Please do not adjust your set.....

2009-02-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

My poor computer is on life support until my tech-guru returns from cavorting through vineyards, eating grilled Greater Kudu at braais (BBQs), and hanging out at fancy clubs on the beach in suburban Cape Town. Oh, yea, he taught a bit too. ;)

As a result, dear reader, I have no new photos of my work. I am making a nice pile of treasure, though, and you can expect a minor deluge of pics when I am on my own laptop again. (Thanks Sarah for sharing your ibook!)

Teaser: I have been looking through my Art Nouveau books again, so you can exprct some lovely tendrils and whiplash curves, along with rivets, and animals, and...!!!

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was great! The whole crew, (except M who is in S. Africa, but that is another posting) headed out to our friends' house for a Winter Party in honor of daughter Logan's 4th birthday.

About 10 kids and their grown-ups enjoyed horseback rides, snowshoeing across a frozen lake (we saw wolf tracks!), a visit to wonderful fairy snow house encrusted with candy (!!), and handsome chickens to admire!

Then we all went inside their lovely cozy house. The kids dressed up as fairies, princesses, witches and pirates, while adults enjoyed Smokehouse chorizo sausage, and smoked salmon, and Fitgers beer. Then we all got chocolate cake! (It went rather well with the Fitgers Stout). The conversations were great, the kids got along, and Henry the deer visited the bird feeder.

Really. A wonderful day. Who could ask for more???

Violet's Bangle

2009-01-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

I hope to use this blog for ramblings and musings and for sharing my work. Sooo, here is a pretty little bangle bracelet that I made for my daughter for Christmas. It's very simple, which I think makes it a perfect adornment for a pretty 5 year old! (The bangles beside it are mine, and are shown for scale.)

Happy Inauguration Day!!!!!

2009-01-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

My previous post is appropriate today too. This is a new beginning for our country. I am hopeful that we are up to the challenge.

Hello world.

2009-01-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

Beginnings are a delicate time.