More Outback Wood Jasper

A continuation of this series. I have a limited quantity of these stones and at this point I am not able to obtain more. If you see one that you like, send me an email, as I do not expect these to hang around very long. These outback wood stones have a beautiful matte finish. Each of the 30x30mm pendants looks like a mini landscape painting. Some with an Asian flair, some remind me of the desert, and others Wyoming.

 SOLD

 The seed beads on this one are a very dark brown.
SOLD

 This one is dark brown also. SOLD.

SOLD

SOLD

 SOLD

And just to be different, here are two matte outback wood jasper chokers.

SOLD

SOLD

Project - Tent Weights

To weight the corners of my 10x10 tent I have been using white cat litter tubs filled with sand. They were an easy and inexpensive solution. But this spring I have noticed that they have seen better days. The plastic is starting to deteriorate and at least one bucket has a crack that I have sealed with white duct tape.

 

My neighbor in this photo is using a common type of weight - pvc pipe filled with sand or concrete. I decided it was time to replace my tubs. I perused the internet to see how others are making these tubes. I opted for cement. One addition I liked was to add handles, both for ease of carrying and to keep them from rolling around in transit. I also decided on white bottoms and tops. I used one 10 ft length of 4 inch pvc cut into 4 pieces.

My new tubes ready for cement. 

Cement mixed and filler (old laundry detergent bottle) ready.

We decided to add a twist for more weight - we filled them halfway and tapped them on the ground to settle the filling.

Now the twist - we added 1/4 bag of lead shot #8, which is 12.5 lbs. 

Then we continued filling, tapped some more to settle, brought the cement to the top

 and then added the cap fitted with the eye hook. 

Last step was to glue on the caps and wipe off any excess glue or cement. 

We checked the weight - all are around 40lbs. That gives me 160 lbs, which is close to what I had in my old tubs. I also still have my first iteration of weights - small pvc/cement tubes that are 12lbs each. If I need extra weight I can always add these.

Ta da! Once they set and the weather is drier we will pop up my tent and add the right length ropes.

What to do with the left over cement? Why make a leaf casting birdbath of course! 

I will know in a few days if it worked.

Recent Work - Drop Necklces

Somehow I missed posting these when I made them. This is a drop style necklace. It joins just below the neck and drops down to a chalcedony or glass teardrop. The silver findings are pewter and silver plate.The center one has been sold.

The center one has been SOLD.

View from my Tent - Salish Sea Designs

With my annual show season these fun series of posts return where I feature artists I meet at shows. At Shrimpfest one of my neighbors was Gerry and Barb Guertin of Salish Sea Designs. Gerry handcrafts rustic art for your garden and patio. My favorite were the beach chimes. Each piece is handcut from heavy steel plate, then suspended to create a visually intriguing work that emits a rich soothing sound in the wind.

 Another popular item that weekend were the Dungeness crabs. Can't you just picture a few of these crawling through your garden?

There is also a selection of wall art and staked garden art, as well as large bells.

Take a look at their website to see all the options. http://www.salishseadesigns.com

All About Ears - Pink, Coral and Orange

Often when I need to make a number of earrings I lay them out all at once, rather than make one at a time. For me this is a much faster way to work. I have small hash marks taped to my work table that I use to line up the headpins as I make loops and wraps so that every pair is equal in length and my loops are the same size. It also helps that my round nose pliers have been used so many times that there is a small dent right where I position the headpin! 

Todays Work - Outback Wood Jasper

After an extensive search on the internet, I finally found a precious few of these beautiful stones. Twenty to be exact, at a place in Toronto! If anyone ever sees these anywhere please let me know. They are 30mm x 30mm squares of outback wood jasper with a gorgeous matte finish. So far every necklace I have made with these has sold the day it was out on display.

Today I was working with black and brown seed beads. I was able to locate the smaller square, coin and oval shaped stones so am making bracelets and earrings with those.

 SOLD

SOLD

All are SOLD.

 This stone has an incredible pattern to it.
This one sold within an hour of going on display!
Earrings and bracelet have also been SOLD.

All have SOLD.

Odds and Ends

My goodness, almost a month since my last post! I have done several show since then and I always jot down things I need to make when at a show. This time my list included peachy/orangey earrings. That was a popular color last year and it is continuing this year. There are always earrings I need to make to go with necklaces when the ones I made to match get sold. Special requests. And my assorted gemstone bracelets are continuing to be popular. Here are a few things that were on my list....

 Flower jade and copper earrings and bracelets.
Bracelet and earrings on the left have been SOLD.

 The original pendant was owyhee jasper and it had a small crack across it. I thought it gave it character, but customers have not appreciated it. So I made a new pendant using ocean jasper. SOLD

 Green gemstone bracelets. I laid out the bracelets for some variety in my photos,
but I think I prefer them round and bracelet shaped.

 Blue gemstone bracelets.

A special request. Dragons blood jasper earrings to go with a necklace. SOLD

All About Ears

Time to stock up on earrings for my upcoming shows. 

Here are a few new earrings in a myriad of colors and styles.

Todays Work

With the warm forecast I was inspired to work with turquoise today. Nothing says summer to me like turquoise! Some quick pictures of what I created. These are a mix of matte outback wood jasper, turquoise, copper and glass.

SOLD

Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

Recent Work - Dragons Blood Jasper

Dragons Blood Jasper. I just love saying that name!  

 

The red in this stone is said to represent the blood of the dragon, and the green its skin. It is said to make one strong enough to fight and slay the mythical dragon.  

This Australian jasper is a very protective and grounding stone. It brings joy to community interactions. It increases courage, energy  and strength. This stone is kown for physical heart healing and grounds spiritual energy through the heart chakra. It calls forth the gentle strengths of love, forgiveness, & compassion - the only energies that can tame your inner dragon.

A mix of Dragons Blood Jasper, red glass rounds and glass seed beads with copper and pewter accents. 

All have been SOLD.

Necklace has been SOLD

Both necklaces have been SOLD.

All have been SOLD.