Wonderful Wednesday - Feline Favorites

For all the kitty lovers out there, this is for you! I have a soft spot for black cats in particular, having two myself. These are a collection of a few I've come across on Etsy.

Etsy Buy Handmade PandoraDesigns

Wonderful Wednesday - Spring Things

Wednesday is wonderful because it is my day off from my day job! Every Wednesday I am going to scout out and share some of my fave items. Enjoy the first installment.

Etsy Buy Handmade FreshMetal

Some of these items are from my Unique Women in Business group! Check out the tab on the right side of my blog for more info!

A Good Sign

So Friday was one of those days when I woke up saying "Please send me a sign that its going to be a good day - that things will get better...." I'm sure you can relate. And as I am getting into my car to go to work, what do I see sitting at the bottom of my drive way? A mallard duck. And he won't move. I've lived in my neighborhood over 3 years, and have NEVER seen a duck here. I took that as my sign! Now, when I am having a rough moment, I think of that duck and smile.

Ahhhhhh Spring

There is just something in the air this time of year that is so refreshing and gets the creative juices flowing! I feel like I am coming out of a looong sleep and new jewelry ideas are just popping into my head... Hope you enjoy these little pics of my world!

I'm really proud of our garden so far...

My l'il Inspiration

Exploring the grass.... wait, nice undies Dad!

Want to do something DIFFERENT for Mother's Day that actually makes a DIFFERENCE????

If your mom already has everything, or you are looking for something unique and special to do for her, why not make a donation to Margaret's Hope Chest? Or better yet, both get involved? This charity survives on the generosity, creativity and hard work of quilters and non quilters alike to make a difference in the lives of others facing a difficult time.
Margaret's Hope Chest donates beautiful hand made quilts to those in need of comfort. Check out some of the gorgeous work in these pictures. If you'd like to know how to become involved, click on the Margaret's Hope Chest tab on the right hand side of my blog!

Drum Roll Please....

After a little hiatus, I have finally gotten around to adding more items to my shop on Etsy! Here is a sneak peak, but you can also find them at www.freshmetal.etsy.com

"In The Pink" Silver necklace

For some reason, when I see the colors of these jasper stones, I think of a tasty raspberry mocha. Yummmm I am craving one now even though it is after midnite here.

3...2...1...Sugar Buzz!!!!

Dreary Day = getting things done!

Its been awhile since I've posted anything at all! I blame the gorgeous weather lately. Saturday we enjoyed our first ice cream cone of the season, and a nice but messy wagon ride. Now that its raining, I can focus on a whole lot of new silver pendants... keep your eye out for some new items!

Calling all busy Moms out there....Join the blog party 2009

Thanks to Island Girl Bags for cluing me on this great idea!

Black Coffee Blues...

I stole that line from somewhere, not sure where, but it fits my mood perfectly right now. I am sipping my umpteenth cup of coffee, trying not to think about all the stuff I haven't accomplished on top of the fact that I have to go to work tomorrow, and meanwhile, I have a pile of new beads that just came in tempting me....but no time to create. Ah well, just one of those days....
www.freshmetal.etsy.com

Seafoam Green & Rhodonite Rose Necklaces

I managed to get a couple of things done.....

Quilting for Hope

I wanted to let you all know about a wonderful organization called Margaret's Hope Chest started my good friend Amy's sister and Mom after a family tragedy. If you know someone who is in need of hope in their lives to get them through trying times, this message is for you! So far they have donated 80 quilts all over the US! Check out the link on the right hand side of my blog to see the beautiful work and how you can become involved!

Fulton Street ARTisans Market: Esty West Michigan comes to FSAM August 17th#links

Fulton Street ARTisans Market: Esty West Michigan comes to FSAM August 17th#links

For those nice warm lazy summer Sundays when you have nothing to do..... Mark your calendars!!!!! The artist's market will be starting mid June and going all summer long. Check out this link to see some of the talented artists from last years Etsy Day (including me!)

Wire Wrapped!

Lately, I've been pretty obsessed with learning the diverse techniques of wire wrapped jewelry. I thought I'd include a few pics of what I've done so far. Herringbone wire wrap is by far my fave. Although a little tedious, it produces a visually amazing effect. If you would like some inspiration and ideas for your own projects, visit www.wirejeweler.com Some of the work will knock your socks off!!!

Purple Passion Silver necklace

Here, you can see the herringbone method of encasing stones in silver wire. This creates a stunning visual effect

Purple Passion close up

Spring Bloom Necklace

This style is what I like to call a reverse choker - the necklace wraps comfortably around the back of the neck, with the flowers resting in the front for a fun effect. The entire necklace is created using wrapped wire.

Crystal Surprise Earrings

This is an example of very simple wire wrapping techniques that seem make the crystals to "float" inside the wire.

Our Kitty Cat Family

Bear Bear, Biscuit, and Baby Girl . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... ..... ..Water Cat
I thought I'd share a few pics of our kitty cat family. We seem to gravitate toward black cats and have never been happier! Biscuit and Baby Girl have now passed on and are very missed. Simon is our newest edition, and he and Bear Bear have bonded immediately.

The wonderful world of Etsy

Maybe I should title this "what I am doing to quit my day job" but I couldn't make up my mind. Anyway, for those of you who have not yet discovered the wonderful world of Etsy, this is your lucky day! http://www.etsy.com/ is an online gathering of artists and craftspeople from all around the world who showcase their creations. You can browse, you can shop, you can share, the list goes on and on.

And this brings me to quitting the daily grind. I have recently discovered a passion for creating wearable art in metal (silver) and also beading. And so I've opened FreshMetal, my shop on Etsy. It has offered my an escape from the daily grind and a creative outlet. I also decided to start a blog, because one thing Etsy doesn't provide is a way to offer shoppers a view into the world and creative processes of each artist. You can view my collection at www.FreshMetal.Etsy.com I hopefully will be posting new items I've created on a regular basis.

I'm a member of Etsy West Michigan, which is a group of artisits/crafters who collaborate, give and take feedback, and generally support each other.