Oh gadgetry...how I lurve you.

I was mad one day and told a fib to my hubby that I didn't like technology. He laughed and I knew I lost whatever argument was going on. What a huge lie...I lurve technology...it is the magic that continues to fascinate beyond the everyday miracles of existence.

To that end, I just purchased a Pepe Jump Ringer from Otto Frei (they are on sale right now plus they had 5% off during their Las Vegas show, http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=10076) and decided to put it through some quick paces with some Celtic cage earrings.

One thing that had slowed my testing of new chainmaille designs was the need to either create jump rings or buy them. If you've priced jump rings, you know they can get quickly expensive and while I will need to continue to purchase them for things like anodized aluminum, I want to be able to make my own things out of copper and silver (sterling and argentium) as needed.

I had been using knitting needle mandrels and sawing them with a jeweler's saw which is fine for very small batches but it is...so...slow.

After some initial messing about with getting the jump ringer configured correctly (and note to Otto Frei, your instructions included with this product are *very* confusing) I whipped up enough jump rings to do one pair of these fun earrings.

So next I am tackling a Jens Pind chain and have promised hubby a helm of some sort...

Getting back into the swing of things...

I've not been handling stress well the last few weeks and have felt pretty much like I'm stumbling around (sometimes literally) a lot. I've dealt with a few sick days, a few of hubby's banged up elbows (he's teaching himself to skateboard but that's been fun) and just an overwhelming sense of too much to do even if it's stuff that I want to do. I tend to shut down completely when that happens.

But not today, no sirree, I got back up on that horse and got some neat photos taken of a couple new pieces including Moops (moderate hoop earrings) in copper and a necklace-length Mmm, Mobius.

Tomorrow I start work on learning Full Persian chainmaille weave in a bracelet for hubby so will post photos on that work in progress.

Listings on Etsy:
Mmm, Mobius - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30243130
Moops in copper - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30243515

Thursdays are always good...

Today was a new Art from the Heart from Foxy G. Knits and she featured Seedlings! I feel extremely honored to be featured since previous (and future) features deal with much more serious issues and folks doing hands-on work with cancer survivors.

If you haven't visited Foxy G. Knits blog or Etsy shop, please do so. She has gorgeous creations and does many Pay It Forward items all the time!

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I had made a list of things I wanted to accomplish today and I hit a few of them. I fixed the chainmaille necklace I made last week so that I can actually wear it. I'm going to road test it tomorrow at work.

I also made two new pairs of earrings that I will post in my Etsy shop early next week. Once the end of the month sale is over I'm reorganizing a bit (again, haha!) and they will be part of that rollout. Please do take advantage of the BUY ONE, GET ONE 50% OFF sale while it lasts through May 31. You won't hurt my feelings!

Coming in June:
Red Planet - earrings in argentium sterling silver and glass


Sustain - earrings in copper, glass, and shell

Chainmaille and watermelon...excellent combo!

Although I won't likely put it up in the shop, a new chainmaille necklace I've been working on the last couple of days was a definite learning experience. It is made up of anodized aluminum rings (7mm) in black and a 4-color blue/green blend. The weave is European 4-1 that is folded over on itself to make the tube. If I do it again, I want the contrasting color to be silver I think.



The new addition to the shop from the last three days though I really love. I saw these coral beads and had to have them. They are squares but top-drilled so have a really unique look. Stuck them on some lightly hammered argentium square earwires (handmade) and dubbed them Melon Bits. Going to wear them today to the in-laws and get some feedback!



A quick note to all the folks expecting a sale...it is coming this week. I just didn't want to do it on Memorial Day because that's not what the memorial is supposed to be about. Please take the opportunity to honor our country's fallen military.