My Leaf Pendant

This is another project from my Metal Clay course.

What we had to do was wet our clay into the consistency of paste, and then use a paintbrush to dab the paste onto a leaf. This particular leaf was from a bougainvillea bush just outside the classroom.

So we had to let one layer of paste dry up, then apply another. And then let that one dry, and then apply another. Until the leaf-plus-paste is sturdy enough not to be blown away by the hairdryer. Then we fire it up, give it a brush, and then there you have it - a 99.9 fine silver leaf. The actual leaf is distintegrated in the firing process.

I love the juxtapose of an organic subject with such a glorious pure silver sheen. Our instructor also gave us tips on how to embellish the silver leaf's surface with bling. I think that would be SO interesting and absolutely gorgeous!

On My Lust List...

The Sylvia ring from ermadid at Etsy. How super-cool is this? A wooden filigree cocktail ring that's bound to be a conversational piece. ;D

New Commissioned Stuff

A good friend wanted a super-dramatic turquoise number. And this is what she got. ;)

Makes Me Drool

Yep, still dreaming of a lovely, inspiring, conducive workspace. As soon as I get this part-time help sorted out, and Those Two are back to their usual school schedules, I will organise my worktable. Now that my repertoire has increased (with the metal clay course), I have an entire extra tool box and work area to find space for...

*sigh*

(pics from the nest)

Featured by Angelolli

I'm ever so honoured to be featured by Elaine of Angelolli. She is a prolific work-at-home-mother-of-2 who hand-makes gorgeous contemporary quilts and buntings, and runs a beautiful blog full of inspiring ideas and recipes for the work-at-home mom.

Click here to go to Elaine's blog and here to read the interview.

My First Ring

I started my Metal Clay course and this was what I made - a solid 99.9 fine silver ring with a synthetic emerald. :)

So this metal clay stuff is just absolutely amazing! It starts out like grey Playdough, and you just shape it the way you want, put it under the hairdryer for 10 minutes, then over the stove on a little grill for 2 minutes. Give it a brush, and voila!

OK so the basic principles are easy-peasy, but in reality, it does involve a lot of fine motor skills, and if you have a nice design, it requires a creative application of the various techniques on how to manipulate the clay.

So although the design of my ring is a little dated and I'm not a fan of green, this was one that the entire class had to do in order to grasp the basics, and understand the nature of the clay. Also, the need to remember that only synthetic stones are able to withstand the heat involved, and that green stones (even if synthetic) NEVER takes to heat, oddly enough. So this emerald was set only AFTER the ring was baked and polished.

I have 4 more lessons to go, and I can't wait to see what else I can come up with. I am already getting rather ambitious-looking pieces in my head, and working backwards as to how it can be made from an unassumingly unimpressive little lump of clay...

A Lesson

There is nothing quite like the violation of having your house help steal from you. On one hand, you feel sorry for them, and on the other, you think "WTF?!" As such, I am a tad fragile at the mo...

As of today, I am done with having live-in help. After all, Those Two are more independant, and are away at school half the day, which gives me some time to do my thing. In fact, in the 2 weeks' interim without help, Those Two proved to be excellent little helpers themselves. Who knew! We wouldn't, had it not for Olive (bless her) wanting to go back to the Philippines to get married and settle down.

For the past 3 weeks, we had new help. 3 days into her stay with us, my husband had money missing from his wallet. He said he was 99% sure about the missing 10-dollar note. He decided to give her a stern warning, and give her a 2nd chance.

Then 2 days ago, I had 10 dollars missing from my wallet. And I was 100% sure. So today, I told her to pack up and leave. I am sure between my husband's 10 dollars and my 10 dollars, she must have pilfered here and there from piggy banks and the coin pool too... oh well.

At the end of this whole experience, I am pretty sure of not ever having live-in help. Plus, I am positive it's going to be a better life perspective for all of us.

Gratuitous fabulous jewelry pic

Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz

"Deco-Burst"

Jet and Clear Swarovski Crystal

So classic you can't go wrong. *happy sigh*

March Monthly Giveaway Result

Maya channels Frida Kahlo this month to pick the winner of the giveaway.

I told her Frida never smiled too much because her teeth were really bad from all the smoking she did...


...but Maya couldn't keep it up for very long.


And the winner is...

Congratulations, Dee! Please email me your mailing address, and your prize will be on its way! :)

Thank you so much everyone for playing! It has been really good fun. Hope to see you around the blog AND at next month's Giveaway!

*N.B.*

Maya wants everyone to know that the earrings she is wearing in these photos, is made by her. (Sort of... she wrapped the beads, and Mummy did everything else.)

New stuff at Nuroots

I have been at it with the ever-popular Chic and Uniques, and I'm gonna give them a go at Nuroots at Great World City. These will be available from tomorrow afternoon. 'Coz the morning will be taken up by Maya's ballet lessons and Ruhi's taekwondo lessons...

*update*

Nuroots is having a major sale at the mo, and regular items are not on the shelves. But you can ask for these over the counter if you like. ;)