hammering it out...

well, so we didn't get the retreat weekend we had hoped for-- my mom and I had planned to go to Westridge Shores resort in Alexandria to do some major jewelry production work. We're getting ready for a craft show May 2nd and needed some uninterupted time to work. However, mother nature decided to interupt. My mom lives in Fargo and they're currently battling the Red River floods, so we are postponing for a couple of weeks.

But I did find time to hammer out some ideas, literally!

Do you ever seem to have so many ideas, you feel like your head is literally going to explode?? That's how I felt Friday and after putting Jaxon to bed, I went down to my studio and got to work. I played and played all weekend, anytime I had free time. I can't say I made any finished pieces, but I did have fun playing and experimenting with my torch, patinas, and hammering. And I think I got that little bug out of me so my head won't explode now.

It seems a lot of the blogs I read of other jewelry artists, most of them are full-time jewelry artists. If there's anyone out there who is a part-timer, has a 16 month old and an equally busy husband and volunteer and work life, I would love to know how you balance it all! I think that's why my head sometimes wants to explode... thank goodness for hammers!!!

the journey...

Today I went to the Twin Cities Bead Bazaar. It's a fairly small show, but we don't get too many that we don't have to travel to, so it was nice to get a bead fix. It also reminded me what a huge pool of talent there is out there. Wow. I was both inspired to create and at the same time had that tiny negative thought in the back of my head- who do you think you are? You're not a metalsmith. Or a bead maker. You don't belong in this arena.



But then I remembered one of my favorite quotes: the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.


So I bought some beads.


Here's a photo of my purchases- I was very restrained as I had Jaxon with and he always keeps me multitasking so I'm never quite able to spend as much. Which is good.



But, I did find some interesting pearls, I'm hoping to use in something, perhaps a new earing design I have in mind. I also snagged some silver charms from Hip Chick Beads. I love her stuff. It's so fun and whimsical. I also bought a triangle mandrel. Not sure what to do with it yet, but I couldn't go to a bead show without buying tools!



Look for some more photos after next weekend's getaway-- it's jewelry retreat time!

top shelf

Well, it has been forever since I've posted. Geez, what have I been doing? Well, aside from wondering if anyone even reads this blog (other than my mother who's somewhat obligated), I've been busy dreaming of working part time and building a jewelry business. Okay, I did say dreaming. But a girl needs to dream right? My friends would tell you I have been having this recurring dream for a little while now... BUT, I have been able to check one item off my New Year's Resolution list (okay from last year and this year). I recently brought in a bunch of our WaVu Designs to Dabble, a super cute, trendy and fun gift shop in NE Minneapolis (think Patina/Bibelot Shops, only WAY tinier and much more locally made goods). They will be selling our stuff on consignment for us. And, I just went in the other day and couldn't be happier with our placement in the shop. We're on the Top Shelf! If you happen to be in the area (28th and Johnson St.) you should check it out. Here's a sneak peek for you though!