Sale Use Code SpringForward

Dear Lovelies,

I'm running a sale in my Etsy shop and I'm so thrilled this found a home :-)

Receive 20% off any item your purchase from my shop, AutumnLeavesJewelry, remember to use the word SpringForward in the sale code area at check out. Your total will automatically be reduced by 20%.

I took Ginger to the dog park yesterday and she loved it. I loved watching her enjoy the open area and freedom to run. We did venture from the small dog area to the bigger area, and she was a bit lost, we think we'll stick to her size area for a while...

Custom Order and New Item

...but first, here's Ginger...she had a bath today, she's eaten a little bald spot in our shag carpet, and I'm back online on my own laptop after she ate through my power cords...but look at her mug, I fall for those eyes every time I look at her :-)

Custom Order for Lauren

A Manly Gift :-)

This has been rivited with sterling silver tube, stamped, and forged into a wonderful keepsake. The back has a special message from the gift giver, it is stamped .925 and has a sterling silver chain and clasp. I really enjoyed making this piece. A love token, another way to say "I Love You"

Have a close-up look inside each heart, I loved adding texture.

(my heart shaped pendants are still available)

...the back...

Fold Formed, with 14K Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver Leaf Pendant

this is new...I'll list it tomorrow...it's similar to my other Sterling Silver Leaf with 14k Yellow Gold, but this one has a bale and a non-hand smithed chain, and it's just as stunning if I do say so myself.

Great news about my right ear, no Mineare's...so I'm going to try Clariton for a week or 2 in hopes this ebbs the distorted sounds I'm hearing.

Meanwhile this tinnitus and nausea are not going to get the better of me...too many things to do and see :-)

New Ring, Earrings, & Dealing With Ménière's

Hello Friends,

Here are photos of 2 of my latest pieces. They will be listed in my shop later today with a full description of each. Both are Ready to Ship, and both will also be Made to Order for further sales. I'm trying to get as many lovely items ready for the Ratner Museum show as possible. (I've got more in the works, ready to finish)
Yesterday I started and finished this ring...I love it, it's so me...I promise the size and full description with listing later today...

Here are more every-day earrings ala Carolyn,

These are also Ready to Ship and will be listed as Made to Order...

Yesterday Ginger had her first time at an open, off leash, dog park. There are 2 sections, one for large dogs and the other for smaller. She sniffed the area out for a while, there were no other dogs in her area, so I dribbled the ball with her (via my old soccer playing days from when I was 8 and playing on a Reston team). Before long, another dog came along and relieved me of my pack leader duties and boy did Ginger and the other pup have a blast running around together. On the ride home, Ginger passed out with her head in the drink holder. (had a good belly laugh over that site)

My Ménière'shas flared up. I'm getting through okay. There are so many things that could have set it off ... I'm not giong to dwell over which one triggered the beast. This time, the dizziness is only from laying down and rising. The worst part of this one is a strange interpretation I am hearing from my own voice, other people talking, and from the tv. It sounds like I am speaking through a fan (did you ever do that as a kid? Talk into a full speed fan?) That's the best way to describe this uncomfortable sound sensation. Last night I turned the sound down very low on the tele and went to bed early. Sounds were just so uncomfortable. The nausea isn't as bad today, tinnitus is much higher...I'm grateful to have spent quality time with Ginger at the dog park, and get these items made in the studio before this hit.

New Item From An Old Favorite

Petite Noisy Pendant Necklace In Sterling Silver

Museum Showing

I will be showing at the Ratner Museum in Bethesday, MD (near Washington, DC) on April 14th and 15th. Myself and 9 other metal smith artists will be showing. Please see the attached Postcard for more information.
Also, please RSVP if you would like to attend the show at this FaceBook invite. You might be seeing this more than once from me, if so, I apologize in advance. :-)
Please please PLEASE come out so we can meet in person!

New Piece for AutumnLeavesJewelry

This is a Beauty.
Spring is almost here...almost...the recent days tease us with sun and the ground is teeming with little buds wanting to unfurl.
Waking from a long winter with the promise of sunny days, this pendant is a reminder that ocean shores and mountain retreats surely await us.
The chain hangs 21"
The stone is Picture Jasper (as you can see it's a fantastic scene)
I have smithed a gorgeous round fine and sterling silver bezel and added an extension so that it can be worn short or long.
My makers mark and .925 are stamped on the back of the pendant.

Landscape Pendant

you can see more photos of this by clicking the link above.

On a personal note, I woke up exhausted. I must have had some intense dreams. Hubby said I kicked him in the rear while asleep (sorry DH)...I haven't overdone anything, so the tiredness must be from dreams.

Yesterday Ginger and I enjoyed 2 lovely walks. She loves to be outside in this weather. It's going to be hard to train her not to bark, she's currently over by the back window enthralled by squirrels, kids and birdies.

I started Phase 2 of my South Beach diet, just in time, I was craving carbs, good carbs, so much. I enjoyed oatmeal with a sprinkle of cinnamon and walnuts for breakfast. The weight is coming off at a good pace, not too fast. Loving the meals I'm preparing, though last night though I couldn't stand the idea of any more...chicken...

Will have all of the details about the Museum Show very shortly.

Busy in The Studio

...meanwhile this lovely pair has found a home, I'm so happy

Feather Earrings

I'm busy in the studio making items for the museum show for mid April...

Details soon...as promised...

News

Hello Friends,

This April I will be showing my work at a wonderful museum along with several other metal smith artists in the DC Area. More details to follow...soon.

If you are in the area (or will be) the weekend of April 14th, please send me a message and I will send you a reminder.

Things are a little too quiet in my etsy shop lately...I know the recession hasn't really let up, and each day etsy welcomes more and more shops. Must keep this in mind and continue to create wearable and beautiful pieces for you :-)
It's going to be quite sunny today. I have a sneeze, and wonder if its due to the early pollen we could be experiencing? Hope to get up in my studio later...

Ginger starts her next level of puppy training classes this weekend. As I watch her grab a tissue and run with it, jump at one of our cats from the window, I wonder if the classes are for us, not her.

Loving my shorter hair (once again) and am happy to say I've lost 7 lbs in the first week of my South Beach (once again, lol) diet. Anyone else on a specific diet? Last time I managed to keep the weight pretty even for about half a year, would love to make this last longer.

That said, off to enjoy my morning spinach, onion and green pepper quiche cup :-)

The great thing about these, you can make them on Sunday and have them last all week in the freezer!

New Everyday Turquoise Earrings

These are metal smithed by me. They are not "tiny" though I did use a macro lens to photograph them. The size is just so perfect! The ear wires are very curvy to accentuate the curve of the luscious Sleeping Beauty turquoise round stones. All parts have been hand forged, a patina added, and they were tumbled to a high shine.

I have made a pair for myself, wore them today, and love love love them.

A note about the patina I have added to the silver:
The Silver components have been dipped in liver of sulfur BEFORE the stones were added. This is how I treat all of my stone set/stone added jewelry. I do this because chances are great if you choose jewelry that has been treated with stone in the solution, the stone might discolor or eventually fade. Our pretty stones need every chance to make it to the next generations as you choose to hand these lovely pieces down.

Turquoise and Silver Hoop Dangle Earrings

Just Sold, Just Listed, We're getting Snow!

This pretty just sold, thank you Sweet Customer, this was half price...

Just Listed...

(and I'm so proud of this work...)

Gold and Silver Leaf Necklace Listing

I was on call for Jury Duty and all set to go...alas my group was not called so I will be picking Ginger up soon from the vet's. She was spayed, also had a baby tooth pulled. I hear she's doing very well, a little more active than they'd like...I may need to decorate her plastic cone collar...she's going to have it for a few more days.

Later we expect snow...nothing like we had 2 years ago, enough to make things pretty, and mess up the DC Area traffic...everyone please drive safe and stay warm :-)



New Silver and Gold Leaf Necklace

Listing soon...
Sterling silver and 14k yellow gold fold formed, chased leaf pendant with hand forged sterling silver chain, clasp also hand forged in sterling silver...

Hosting a family and friend Super Bowl get together (whole lotta cookin' goin' on) but I had to finish this piece this morning...

now I need to vacuum...

Here's what it looks like on...I do love this piece...

The back is soooooooooooo beautiful, wasn't sure which side to make the front. You'll see in another photo how gorgeous the curving fold of the back of this leaf looks.

Stamped along the back are my

Makers Mark

.925

14K

...will be back later to list...

Smithing With Friends

Yesterday was a blast. (Let's just say it's been a long winter though we've had our fine share of sunny, warm days here near DC) It's been a while since I've had a smithing date with fellow artisans. Yesterday we did just that.  My friend Sandra has a wonderful studio. (In fact she teaches classes there, if you want information please let me know or see her blog for contact information) She graduated from F.I.T (the same college my daughter attended) and all this aside, she's a very talented smither/jeweler.
She offered a "smith" date and I gladly took her up on it. This isn't the first date we've had over the years but like I said, it feels like it's been a long winter.
Our friend Caroline was there as well. I also met her years ago at The Art League and immediately knew she was a kindred spirit. Her work is so beautiful. She forges out lovely clean lines in metal and the results are stunning. One can pick out a piece of her work among others and know instantly that Caroline created it.
I wish I'd snapped a shot of the 3 of us, the one I took of Caroline and Sandra is a wee blurry.

For this session I had a decent sheet of 12 gauge sterling silver that needed to be annealed (over and over) and rolled out (over and over) for a bit of a smaller gauge to work with in my studio.

Caroline had several gorgeous rolled out sheets of metal she's been working with. She was forging a ring as well.

We sat around drinking coffee and eating choccy chip cookies (thanks to Sandra's sweet hubby) and discussed what we've been yearning to make, what we love to make, things we make repeatedly and the way to balance all these artistic endeavors out.  It felt like a much needed art-therapy session with friends (if that makes sense.) 

The week before the group The Ladysmiths held a meeting hosted by Sandra where she gave a talk and demonstration on fold forming in metal. This was another huge relief, a sort of coming out of the long dark winter day and holding our faces to the light. Having a show and tell section of the meeting where we chat about our latest

 projects and inspirations.

Both sessions reminded me of taking a walk and noticing pods about to bloom, green plants in the state of unfurling from the soil of winter.

Back to yesterday...Sandra was eyeing my chunky sheet of silver and I was in love with one of her recently formed metal pieces...(those of you who fold form know how tedious this technique can get).  A light bulb went off and we instantly knew a "trade" was in order. The negotiations began and we both felt happy about the results. Here's a photo of the work Sandra has done...I cannot wait to open this baby up and bring it to life for you in forms of some sweet pieces!

Here are some formed pieces by Sandra in various stages

(see the juicy 12 gauge sheet under them?)

Sleep has been evading me...so I'm taking advantage of this time to get things done.

My Etsy shop has been unusually slow...so I'm working on kicking things up a few notches. I do like to stay busy with work.  Just a reminder that I do have a sale going on, if you use the code

Loved

at check out, you will receive 15% off your total order (not including shipping).

Pretty, New, Shiny Disc Earrings

are finally here, look for more soon...

(though you will love these I think)

Shiny warm copper, each disc cut and forged by my hands, sanded to smooth shine light as feathers. Great for everyday wear....they have sterling silver ear wires made by me as well.
These lovelies dangle to 1 3/4 inch from top of earwire to bottom of disc. Each disc is approximately 3/4" wide (they are domed as well)

Ginger will be 5 months old this week! She's just a little over 11 lbs. The weather was so warm today she had 2 long walks. She's become a sweet member of our family. Scrappy wants nothing to do with her and Diamond holds her ground. I'm hoping in time they can all coexist in our home. :-)

Use code Loved to receive 15% discount off order from my Etsy Shop

Use this code
Loved
for 15% discount off your etsy order from my shop, AutumnLeavesJewelry.

This includes items that are currently on sale.

Happy Love Month :-)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AutumnLeavesJewelry

Last Chance Sale Items

Sweet Customers
After tomorrow (Sunday) I will be moving several (not all) of my items I've had on sale for you, back into their regular categories at their regular price. I've enjoyed some really nice sales in this section, thank you :-)

Yesterday I spent several hours with a local group I belong to called The Ladysmiths. This month we met at my friend (and smithing extraordinaire) Sandra Z.'s studio. She introduced us to fold forming, a really tedious technique that proves beautiful outcomes! There is a link to the Ladysmiths blog along my right column.

Today Ginger graduates from puppy class (knock on wood) and we hope to move her to the next level. She's becoming a barker. I'm not sure what to to about this, I'll ask the trainer. If you have suggestions please feel free to leave them.

Hoping to add a new design to my shop soon. A simple walk with Ginger, looking at the dry winter foliage has inspired something inside of me. (good times)

I miss the warm sunny Florida skies. Coping with staying busy and enjoying morning coffee :-)

I hope to have a give-away in the near future...please stay tuned!

Happy End of Frigid January

Our puppy, Ginger, continues to grow. She could be around 12 lbs by now. We've enjoyed puppy classes with her where she has learned several commands. Her best command is "sit"... we're not so great at the others, but we're getting there. Recently we ventured to sunny Florida for a vacation with our daughter. Ginger was in a puppy hotel and she loved it. It was her first time actually socializing with other dogs. This week we're getting back into our walking routine, and she has to go outside more than when we were in FL.

Enjoying sunny Florida with daughter

Father and Daughter, every day was sunny! :-)

We saw several stingrays, first time for all of us

Ginger was pretty much passed out from Playtime when I picked her up. She's slowly getting back into our routine.

I currently am working on a setting for a stone I procured from Terry's shop on Etsy - LostSierra

Coming soon!!!

Utah Yellow Cat Mine Jurassic Petrified Redwood Limb Cast w Amethyst Druzy Banded Agate & Barite Crystals 

I have created a pretty bezel setting for it an will have it ready by this weekend.

 

My previous large piece I made from one of Terry's cut stones sold very fast.

 

Take Me To The River Necklace in Turquoise 

  every part of this piece was hand smithed by me, including the looped chain and bale. It was a joy to make. I was thrilled to see it sell so fast. Thank you sweet customer :-)

Valentine Necklaces

Hello  Friends,

These are back and ready to be made for you...they are Made to Order and if you would like another simple (clean) phrase stamped for your order please just send me a message when ordering. Your heart will arrive ready for gifting in a box with ribbon. The chain is 17" and can be made smaller or longer (again please message or convo me).

Heart Conversation Necklace in Sterling Silver

Ginger Update

Hubby and I started puppy training classes for Ginger. Turns out we are the ones being trained. (we figured this would be the case!)

Her Jack Russell Terrier traits are showing and she's such a joy to have in our family. 

I also want to extend a sincere thank you to my sweet customers who have ordered jewelry using my free shipping offer :-) (some of you forgot to use the code...no worries...each of you were reimbursed please check your ppal accts)

I have some new colors to introduce into my shop for the new year. Now that I can schedule time for Ginger to be crated while I work (until her puppy days are over) there will soon be splashes of new hues in my etsy shop, AutumnLeavesJewelry.

After discovering Terry's shop on Etsy, LostSierra, I've fallen in love with setting stones again. If you get a chance check out his shop, but hurry, his stones go fast. He can be found on flickr too under LostSierra. There might be another person who uses his name in her tags for her jewelry, but Terry's shop is strictly cabochons...just a heads up :-)

Been baking a lot of banana bread for a colleague of J's, and pumkin bread for home.

Each Sunday J's dad comes over for the game and then more games (on tv). It's a sweet day, we have a home cooked meal and naps, lol. It does make me miss my father who has relocated to San Diego. 

This is how I felt after our first puppy training class yesterday...

This is Ginger of recent days...

and...

It's time to take my Ginger for another morning stroll outside, it's starting to feel cold here, how about where you are?  Happy Holidays :-)

\

New Turquoise Silver smithed piece just listed

This is a magnificent piece. The stone is a Nevada mined piece, so gorgeous you'll want to touch it as you wear it.


The bezel I created has details that continue up the circular chain. The chain is made from 13 gauge sterling silver. (This is super thick silver) I felt this stone deserved nothing but dazzling sterling metal around it. The links were given a texture. (Each link and all parts were handmade by me, all parts have been soldered)

She is 20" in length from chain to chain. Even the bale is made by these hands.

My makers mark is on the back, along with the decade, and a USA and .925 stamp.

Take Me To The River Heirloom Turquoise Necklace

This is an instant heirloom worthy of that beautiful gift meant to last and to be passed down through time.

She.will.love.this.piece.



It can be worn as a choker with several “hoops" hanging down into the pendant. It's quite a versatile piece.



A bit about this stone:

Heirloom Nevada Candelaria Turquoise Designer Cabochon 22mmX33mmX11mm *Investment Heirloom Stone!!!! Absolutely one of the finest of all turquoises ever having been mined. From the Candelaria Mining District. Cut from a one of a kind nugget of Old Stock Turquoise having been mined decades ago. Beautiful Polish. Spectacular colors and web matrix. Does not get better than this. Natural Non Stabilized Non Backed.100% Guarantee.

♥♥♥Free Shipping Use Code GINGER♥♥♥

Today is Thanksgiving and tomorrow Black Friday, how about an early savings offer from my shop?




Hello friends I'm offering Free Shipping for an early Black Friday deal in my AutumnLeavesJewelry shop. Just use the code:
GINGER

Your total at check out will automatically reflect this discount. Remember to use the code GINGER

Also, this offer DOES apply to my sales section...I will be adding more sales items later today :-)