Carrying A Torch

Here I am firing up my micro torch for the first time. Life will never be the same!  I selected a few pieces of cleaned raw brass to test on. 

Over at the B'Sue Boutiques FB group I posted this peek of my work table. As you can see the torched pieces have captured my imagination. 

It happened to be a close friend's birthday. Yay! I can have a really fun play day at my work table and give something special to my friend. 

The FB group had a discussion on the sadness that can come from letting go of a beloved creation. My love affaire with a piece seems to last just the duration of the creative process through a test drive. Then...NEXT!  

All brass components from  B'Sue Boutiques, including the flower and the vine leaves. The vintage chain is from the BSue etsy store. 

Last Place?

I'm a senior woman with a lot of responsibility. Yes, we all have a lot of responsibility...so I won't bore you with my list and I sure don't have time to read your list. Doesn't mean I don't love you!  As I was recounting my list to myself, I ended with me. I came in last place on my list of things to take care of.  I vowed to give myself playtime today.  You are looking at it!!

I knew what I wanted to do. I sorta knew how to do it.  With the help of a kilt pin as the base, I played with chain, silver connectors, sari ribbon from B'Sues Boutique.   I got the green enabled seahorse and crab charms from Harry Wood's etsy store, oscarcrow. 

So that hour was about all I was able to carve out of my routine. It isn't enough time to dream designs and then to put pliers to wire. I have chain to drape.

I have new beads to combine. This stuff doesn't come cheap. Use it or lose it. 

Why Not?

After I colorized some brass this week, and it finally dried, the fun began. The lady and the connector piece between the heart focal and the chain is old brass from my sister.  The heart, silver pearl chain, bead caps and jump rings are all from B'Sue

I worked on the lady first, adding flat back pearls and crystals from my scrapbook supply stash. Those choices created the color scheme. I had just enough of BSues lovely pearl chain, along with some cornflower blue beads from my stash. I wanted something different for the clasp...I had salvaged the old fashioned clasp from somewhere. 

Bonus photo!  I'm using an app for blogging since I only use my iPad for all computing needs. Well, I got some learning to do since I'm unable to remove a pic once I add it in. 

I had a "why not" moment the other day. I make jewelry for me and to give away. So, ya know, a girl only needs so much. If I don't need it, no point in making it, right?  Wrong.  I can make it just because, or even to donate it. This little necklace came from that decision. I used a round "bracelet blank" to collage a small image from a Mod Podge paper pack, little goodies laying on my work table, a bit of AB rhinestone chain, a few beads...done!  The rolo chain and tiny bow are BSue, too. So simple. 

Today I have a few painted pieces ready for their make-up. So, if you'll excuse me...

For Starters

Today I whipped myself into some crafting action by watching a couple of B'Sue YouTube videos on colorizing brass. I've watched many of these videos, seen many excellent examples posted on the group's FB page, yet I hadn't tried it seriously. Today is the day. It all starts with washing and drying the brass to remove any trace of grease. Only then can I start to color. I used parchment white acrylic paint. Front and back. 

In used a heat gun to hasten the paint drying process. I painted 2 coats front and back which means there is drying time between coats; can't be avoided. Once everything was barely dry (I'm so impatient) I used 0000 steel wool to buff out some of the paint. 

Next I used clear Stamp Medium and Perfect Pearls to add some color on the painted brass. Hit it with the heat gun and let dry a bit.  

Then I was ready to seal the finish with Krylon Matte Spray; 2 coats on front and 1 on back. Good gravy this is taking forever. By now a couple of hours have passed. The final Krylon coat needs to dry a few hours at minimum.

 So...I'll see these guys again tomorrow. 

Haider Ackermann: Where have you been all my life?

Why can't I wear this?  I mean everyone can wear this, and should. If you can find it. Plus you need to be size 0 or 2, maybe a 4. 

Still, these clothes have grabbed and shaken me. Yeah, let's put some style back into ranch life. 

Honestly, why would you need any other street clothes?  

Here is the man himself, with the MAN. 

I say why shouldn't the guys be comfortable and oh so metro. 

Chain Me

Here is my first collage or assemblage necklace. All of the special elements are from B'Sue boutique. That octopus is in the rusty black patina that I sanded lightly with 0000 steel wool to bring out copper highlights. The large flat back pearls I colored with black acrylic paint, then an overcoat of copper Guilders Paste. Everything glued down tight with e6000. 

I used some vintage garnet beads and a length of vintage brass chain from B'Sue etsy store. It was the perfect length for this; I surely did not want to waste any if it. I am so taken with brass in all of its forms now. 

The Raku cabochons from Harry Wood's etsy store, oscarcrow, are still my go-to for focals. Here I used three in the lariat necklace. All of the rest of the components are from B'Sue except that green bead. 

Gifts Galore

My sister gave me a shoebox full of fab brass stampings. She has been collecting them, these few with an Egyptian style, but many many more of all types. 

Within a day of my sisters gift to me, I won a gift from B'Sue's Boutique. Oh my what a treasure she gave me. These are all items she sells in her web store and all first rate. 

I am a very lucky girl.