My First Bezel

I have been doing a happy dance all afternoon!!  I have been wanting to learn how to make a bezel and set stones for a long time, but have always been afraid to try it.  Well, today I said to heck with it, the worst I can do is ruin a piece of copper.  So, I went for it.  

I had a piece of copper that I had already designed and etched, so I measured the bezel wire around my stone, cut it and filed the ends.  Next was the soldering.  Mind you, I am not very good at soldering yet, but it worked perfectly!!!  So, by this time I am feeling pretty darn good.  

Next it was time to solder the bezel to the copper piece...........oh my, I was getting scared.  I put both pieces into the pickle solution to get them really clean, centered the bezel and added the flux and solder.  I remembered that I needed to heat the entire piece evenly and as I was moving my torch around the piece the solder melted and flowed like a river!!  Oh my gosh, I had done it!!!  

This would be happy dance time!  I was so excited!!  

Ok, so I had to calm myself down because there was still one very important element to this project..............the stone had to fit.  It did!!! 

Another happy dance!!!  

I know my piece is not perfect, but to me it's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!!!  I can't wait to do it again.  

 

Medal Day

Today was medal day at the Special Olympics basketball tournament. 

Kaidee's team played one game - which they lost, but that's ok because then we had time to go to lunch before the medals ceremony. 

Heck, I don't even know where Kaidee's team placed in the tournament and nobody cared about that.   They all had such a wonderful time and were so proud of themselves............that is all that matters.  Everybody was so excited to get their medals, they didn't care one bit what color they were. 

The energy level in that gym was amazing.  Everybody was hooting and hollering and clapping for everybody else............such an amazing experience. 

Here is Kaidee and one of her best friends wearing their medals. 

I have such a smile in my heart right now. 

A Special Young Lady

About a year ago a very special young lady came into our lives.  Her name is Kaidee.  Kaidee is my step-granddaughter.    Today I had the honor of seeing Kaidee play basketball in a tournament put on by the Special Olympics. 

I felt such joy while watching these amazing people play with so much determination and enjoyment.   The smiles on their faces as they ran up and down the court are unforgettable.  Their excitement when they made  a basket was contagious.   Their spirit...........amazing! 

Kaidee loves to have the basketball, even it means taking it from one of her own team mates............she's awesome!!!   Notice the green Converse tennis shoes????    Love her style! 

The tournament continues tomorrow and at the end of the day all of the participants will receive a medal.  I am so looking forward to that moment. 

I am so happy to have Kaidee  and her smiles and hugs in my life. 

Finally - A Full Day In The Studio

Bobbi and I finally had a full day in the studio.  It seems like there is always something coming up lately to keep one of us out of the studio.  Since Bobbi still works full-time I get to be there a lot more than she does, but we haven't actually been able to work there at the same time for awhile.  That thing called life keeps getting in the way. 

We had a great time today.  We started out getting a bunch of our boxes decorated - Yes, we send our jewelry out in beautifully hand decorated boxes.  After creating all of those amazing boxes we were hungry so off to lunch.  After lunch we got back and Bobbi went to work on this amazing necklace. 

I started working on a piece for our new series called "Inspirations".  It was going perfectly ........and then......DISASTER!  I wasn't paying attention (I was talking) and I stamped the wrong word.  There went that piece of copper!!  Obviously, I can't talk and work at the same time...........at least not efficiently.   I was so mad.  I decided to leave that project alone for a little while and thought I would finish up an etched cuff I had started last week. 

The day ended up being rather successful.    Have to meet with the accountant in the morning (taxes) and then I can get back to the studio and see if I can manage to make my "Inspirations" piece. 

Beautiful Treasury

One of our fabric cuffs was included in this beautiful treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d7c55a91fd16d91faffb35b/dream-in-aquamarine-cream

The Burlap Harlot Show

The members of the Burlap Harlot Show team are working hard to bring Shasta County an amazing antique/vintage/art show.  The show will be held at the Shasta County Fairgrounds on Saturday May 7th.   We are anticipating having between 75 and 100 vendors.  There will be music, wine, beer and wonderful food. 

We already have some  amazing artists, jewelry artists, and vendors of vintage and antique wares signed up.  We will be taking applications until April 1st.  This is a juried show.  If you are interested in being a vendor you can comment on this blog with your email and I will get an application to you. 

The fliers started going out to local businesses today and our blog is up and running - www.theburlapharlotshow.blogspot.com.  Follow along with us on this journey.  We will be posting stories about what the Burlap Harlot Show is, who the vendors will be, and pictures of the art and vintage wares you can expect to find there.   

This is the first of what will be a semi-annual show.  We are a grassroots group starting this up with nothing but a passion for all things beautiful and a desire to share these wonderful things with everyone.

Within the next few days I will also be posting the vendors and pictures on my blog.