Resolution for 2011

Once again time has slipped away faster than expected, and it's been months since I last posted.  I suppose I could blame it on the holidays, work, etc., but the truth is I just didn't take the time to update.  Bad me! 

So, my resolution for 2011 (coming at the end of January, no less!) is to try to post something at least once a week. 

I haven't been completely idle all this time.  I made Christmas gifts of jewelry featuring wire-wrapped focals for both my mom and my sister.  The one for my sister featured an African "turquoise" cabochon -- my first cab wrap! -- wrapped in sterling silver and strung with glass beads and fire polished crystals.  The matching earrings are a single glass diamond-shaped bead on wire. 

Sadly, I don't have a picture of the necklace I made for my mom -- a large free-form wrapped agate slab.  That one has hand-forged wire links attaching the focal piece to strands of amber chips mixed with Swarovski crystals and seed beads.  It also has a hand-made clasp, larger than most clasps to make it easier for arthritic hands to manipulate.  I didn't have time to take pictures before Christmas, and when I went back to visit her after the holidays, I didn't have my camera with me.  I'm going to start carrying the camera wherever I go! 

Since the holidays I haven't made any new finished pieces.  I've been reorganizing my jewelry supplies, experimenting, and making test pieces from different gauges of wire and creating a reference file of spirals, links, and individual components made from pre-cut wire of different lengths.  I don't like wasting wire -- especially the more expensive precious metal wires! -- by overestimating how much I will need for a specific component. 

Till next time....