Wild Working Weekend

Last weekend I did all things enamel jewelry as I'm gearing up for the upcoming busy holiday shopping season and thought I'd share some of it with you. Sometimes I can become overwhelmed with the thought of the work I need to so but other times I get energized by it and I jump right in. I'm very happy to say that the latter is what happened last weekend. (And we hope it continues this weekend too!) And it's coming just in time because as of now I am set to participate in three craft shows and I'm also in stores and of course there is the Etsy shop to fill. Lots to do!

(At some point I want to do a proper post on my torch fire enamel jewelry making process but for right now I'll just show you the main points.)

Firing station with torch and exhaust fan. (Taking a break with Cooper).

All the fired pieces go here while they wait for finally assembly such as ear wires and chains for pendant necklaces.

Of course everything is organized! Half of the fun of making jewelry is the organizational system I need for it! :P

Cooper oversees the entire production and gets me back to work when I want to slack off. 

So it was a productive weekend getting lots of pieces underway and I'm hoping to continue it this weekend (and several more to come, of course). I hope you have a nice and productive weekend doing that which you do that you enjoy. :)

Pre Lift-off

I love Canadian geese. I know lots of people think they are a nuisance but for me they are not. I just don’t walk where they are or else I *look* where I’m walking. J So I think they are kind of cool. I like how they are strong and sturdy and since they are migratory they are good on endurance. Did you know a goose can fly 600 miles in one day. Wow! And of course, they mate for life and take good care of their young, which is admirable you can’t dispute…

I like this papa goose. He might just be telling me to get away from his babies but out of context I can see him as preparing for flight. Stretching wide and broad in order to get the kinks out and forewarn his wings for what might come next: a long journey. He knows he can do it and he knows it’s important to prepare for it. He does the stretch and practices the movement. He knows the journey will be long but he is up for it.

Endurance is a skill I would be wise to nurture. It’s not easy to stay focused and motivated to achieve a certain goal but in doing so you can achieve great distances – like a goose flying 600 miles in one day.

Safely Growing

This little bud appears so definite and self-assured of reaching greater heights, but, at the same time, she has tentacles (what else are they?) to clear her way and make sure the path is safe for growth.

The diminutive bud isn't just aimlessly or recklessly growing upward and outward but instead she has purpose and direction and intention in her growth and the tentacles are actually discovering the path first and then are leading the bloom to follow.

I'm thinking the bud will grow taller and stronger than she might have because of the "clearing of the path" and guidance that the exploratory tentacles provide.

The best part is that the tentacles are of the bloom's own making.