Monday, May 11, 2009

I guess I am back in the swing of things. I was both creative and organized this weekend. I purchased some new organizers and spent hours on Saturday and Sunday sorting and putting everything into the new containers. I also got plenty of creative time. I worked on the concept for a piece that will be using a new product that I will write about later. Saturday I spent the morning making two new bracelets for the shop. One is classic and of a style similar to others that I design. The other seems very different at first, much more urban and heavy on the metal. After some thought back to some of my necklace designs I think it is reflective of my sense of style.

I used some copper wire coated in black to make wire tubes and then combined the tubes with white beads of different types and sizes.I have a number of variations of white stone and glass beads from previous designs. I included a black and white lampwork bead I purchased at an artist's stall in Ashland, Oregon in 2006. Matthew raised his eyebrows at this design but Julia liked it.

The classic bracelet combines those shades of amber I tend to favor along with some glass and metal beads and lampwork beads including the last of the Ashland beads. A twist on the design is the placement of the charm. I included a copper tube with a ring on it in the middle of the bracelet and left the ends in a simple loop. I hung a three quarter inch glass drop of pale amber glass from the tube bead.

The bracelets were a bit easier to work with as were the silly earrings I made for myself because I finally started using a tool I have long needed.The tool arrived on Friday along with some other items I had ordered.

My hands shake from a familial tremor. It has developed as I have matured. It is hardly noticeable at times and at other times (especially when I need to have a steady hand) it is quite a nuisance. My wire work has suffered as a result and small beads can be a nightmare. I had ordered a forceps hoping the two dollar tool would help. Oh my! Why did I wait so long. I can clip those things onto a piece of wire, hold the forceps with my left hand (steadied a bit more by propping it against something) and actually work with the wire. So stupid that I waited. So relieved that I will be able to do more for longer.