I'm Back....

So, I thought when I finished school, I was going to have all this time to make jewelry and blog. Uhhh, why isn't this happening yet? Oh yeah, I know why. Spring is a very busy time when you own close to 2 acres and have to open up a pool! My hubby and I have always worked as a team - there are no gender specific duties around our house - especially since he is still in school, I have to pitch in and help. There's a lot of give and take sometimes, but whenever I start to moan about it I just have to remember that he does a killer job cleaning the bathrooms (which is usually something he does).

I was especially frustrated this week when I did get into the studio because it seemed like I had bad mojo. Wednesday night I was working on gluing some flat back components back to back and proceeded in getting glue all over my fingers. Thursday night I knocked my container of a gazillion crimps all over the floor! Even last night I had an episode of cutting a chain too short. But, today was a great day and I got many projects done. Just in time too because I need to fill up my shop again with all sorts of new goodies. I had to deactivate them all on Friday when I took my stash to a store I sell at in town and the owner wanted to keep everything there! Usually, she picks and chooses what she wants. Hey, I'd rather have them out to a new market than sitting here at home.

Anyway, I thought I'd start by showing how I used the rest of the treats I won from Zoa Art's giveaway. Remember the Patina necklace? It's still available and it's absolutely one of my most favorite creations!

I used their Prosperity charm in this necklace, full of talismans. I haven't gotten back to etching copper yet, but had this extra plate from the first batch I did. It has a ton of other cool charms, including a Hill Tribe silver peacock feather I bought from Shiana a while ago.I also used 2 of the Hill Tribe silver feathers to make these simple earrings.I also shared a while ago my first experimentation with resin, in which I filled the other bezel I got from Zoa Art with a peacock feather. This one is staying with me, but I finally strung it onto a simple necklace of labradorite chips separated with tiny delica beads. The subtle shimmer is a perfect match to the metal and image.