Buttons and Dots

I finished a few pieces today, photographed them, and played kitchen with my daughter. I love days when I'm somewhat productive topped off with a big slice of playtime with the girl!

Yeah, it's really a diamond. A .21ct cognac diamond...or in plain ol' terms, a brown diamond...to be exact. I've had this stone for 8 years, patiently waiting for my muse to sing her sweet song. At last, she did and this bit of cognac dazzle found a home!

More stacking yummies. As with the stone above, these cognac diamonds are set in 22k gold. The stuff is like magic putty. It is so forgiving and moves under the burnisher with ease.

Another view of the stacking trio. Working with gemstones is like a new romance. I can't wait to get to the bench again. I find myself daydreaming about diamonds and lumps of sterling. I fantasize about stud earrings and bracelets! Love struck I am and I want no cure!

The Brew at the Bench

Somehow between all the motherly duties, dog fiascos, and tax forms, I produced at the bench this past week. An amazing feat, I know. I'm lovin' my Dot Collection. The addition of high karat bezels and precious gemstones provided a much needed kick in the butt to these lumps of recycled sterling. Yup, I'm happy, however my eyes could use some snazzy new 10x magnifiers! Sorry for the poor photo quality.....BAD lighting in my new digs.

Ah yes. Another button cluster creation. Gosh, I love making these pieces. The next direction will be cluster brooches. Wait for it....

New earrings (well, designs are not new, but it is new stock). Strangely enough, I am applying to summer craft shows already! I'm so not ready to think about swelting temps and my craft show checklist, but to avoid that last minute crunch, I am building my inventory.

Finished cluster piece. I listed this yesterday. It is absolutely smashing on the neck. I need to wrangle up my model from her nursing duties to supply you all with proof positive that this is perhaps the loveliest necklace ever made! :)

Goodies in the Mail

What a treat! After wasting a chunk of the morning tackling a piece that will find a home in the scrap bin, UPS rewarded my efforts with a box from Monsterslayer. Much needed wire and sheet, bezel wire, and earring findings. This is way better than a box of chocolates...well, not Black Dinah chocolates but all others indeed.

Have a happy, safe weekend!

Pendants

New pendants coming to Quench Metalworks soon!

New Work, Finished

Yes! A new group of work ready to list, but not tonight as this metal mama is t i r e d. But, here's a sneak peek....

brooch with a huge vintage MOP button

rustic heart stackers with cognac band (I might add another ring to this..perhaps one with a teeny tiny gold heart?)

same as above, but with a Ceylon sapphire

big button brooch

heart pendant with 18k gold dots and a Ceylon sapphire

I have 2 pendants almost finished and will post tomorrow! Nighty night!

Hearts in Progress

Hello, my dear friend, the bench.

After a long vacation that consisted of absolutely no bench work, I have returned to the studio (in a new location...yes, I moved, again). I'm thinking hearts and the next holiday that begins with V. However, if I was a marketing extraordinaire, The Valentine's Day pieces would have been made and promoted six months ago. Unfortunately, I'm unable, and outright refuse, to plan, think, and market that far ahead! So, I am creating a handful of heart-themed rings, brooches, and rings for the coming weeks.

The studio's new digs is the old nursery. Our girl has grown out of this little room and we switched rooms during the holiday break. The curtains will be history in a couple of days, but the striped walls WILL stay....a labor of love procured by yours truly and my mum. Taping everything off took forever and shall the stripes stay forever (or until I have a strong yearning for robin's egg blue walls...hmmm).

Soon to be pendants.

The dark hearts will be stacker rings.

Ah! The stacker almost ready for the finish.

And, hello 2010! What will you bring the bench and me this year?

Simple Gifts

Sometimes, the very best gifts are the ones you least expect. My favorite gifts are those that allow me to slow down and savor my life and those I love. As our dear girl grows and matures, I am presented with daily gifts from this little fiery biscuit in the form of songs (carols as of late...she sings the 12 Days of Christmas perfectly from the Fifth Day down), grown up words (she used "actually" this morning referring to the ice on the river and had us both in stitches), and handmade artworks.

I'll cherish this handmade card always. I'm sure her teacher helped her with the writing of her name, but this is priceless and innocent and marks a stage in my girl's growth into a little person. Can you tell I am a proud mama? Another gift comes in the form of time to spend as a family during my husband's vacation. I get the gift to observe father and daughter being silly, discussing football, and cuddling while sharing a good book. Can you tell that I am a proud mama and wife?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Quench household to yours!