Special

I'm still in jewelry making mode.  I'm thinking I may be here a while.  :)  At the Rose Bowl Flea last November I found this cat trio brass stamping in the $1 box.  (note to self...buy it all!)  I knew then it was destined for my friend who has fostered hundreds of kittens.  I didn't know what I was gonna actually do with it though.  Along came Brenda Sue.  I labored over this piece.  Not just with the design elements, but the assembly as well.  I redid each connection many times. 

Once I finished the necklace, I cleaned up my work space so I could begin playing with my first shipment of pretties from BSue's Boutique.  The filigree beads and the Victorian bird charm are "rusty black patina" finish, which I sanded with 0000 steel wool to bring out the copper underneath the black. Now they need to be sealed since I sanded off part of the protective finish; Krylon Matte Spray still traveling at the glacial speed of Amazon's delivery...I can't finish them yet.  OK, I'll just have to move on to something else, or I could watch another of BSue's educational videos.  I've watched hours and hours of her videos on youtube bsueboutiques/videos and learned so much. 

 

 

Pliers in hand...

I'm still in fun mode, as much as possible with a right arm that has limited mobility right now.  Using my left hand more is a good thing.  So, this was my small work space yesterday.  I'm pretty much finished with the evil eye brooch on the left; it's awaiting purchase of a good pin back.  I decided it was too long for a necklace with those chain dangles.  Guess I gotta go shopping...

 I found some pretties on eBay...

 and on etsy.  All of this is vintage.  The filigree at bottom is Miriam Haskell stock, so I'm told.  Vintage elements are most appealing to me.  Yet for quality elements and the chain, jump rings, pin backs, etc., the glue that brings a piece together, I think my best bet is to shop from B'Sue's Boutique. 

The World of B'Sue's Boutique

 It has been a LONG time since I've posted here:  Life with a teenager, aging parents, aging horses, a big house and yard can consume all of my time. Which doesn't leave room for fun and, let me tell you, that is not good.  I need FUN!!!  By happenstance I wandered into the world of B'Sue's Boutique about a week ago, in early April.  If you love jewelry making, if you love good people who are generous and down to earth, go there now.  I jumped in with both feet, watching many of her videos from her boutique and from YouTube.  After hours of inspiration and education, I got out the beads and tools.  Above is a little pendant I made in the B'Sue style yesterday. 

 I needed something handmade for my niece's 18th birthday.  I found what I wanted in my stash and I think it is really cute.  Much of this is made from "big box" store components.  That works for a teen trinket, but B'Sue encourages us to use good quality and from now on I will be more particular about supplies. 

 B'Sue's glue for this type of collage jewelry is E6000.  I am running a little low on that, so I may try this G02 from Loctite.  I used it to glue all of those stones and geegaws to my phone case.  I've lost not a one in over a year. 

 Now that I'm excited to make stuff, I'm thinking "What's next?".  I mocked up this piece which will be for by BFF, with trinkets that are meaningful to her.  Much of what I shall use is vintage. 

 On hand I also have the necessary findings, and I think the quality is OK. 

And here is where I work on jewelry.  I really gotta improve the lighting.  That Ott task light is the bomb, but it could use a little support.