Wire wrapping and a beaded dragonfly pendant

I sat down late last night in front of my work table and started on a wire wrapped amazonite necklace. I've had these beads for months, have loved them, even petted them from time to time, but just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with them. When I discovered the other night that I really enjoyed wire wrapping, they came to mind. I'm pretty pleased with the results and have another wire wrapped project all lined up. Click on the title if you want to see the listing and more pics.



I couldn't help myself. I just had to see this new treasure up close and personal. lol I've been hanging out in DorriesBeadStuffs studio again. Her bead work just amazes me. So precise, so neat, so beautiful and this dragonfly button pendant is no exception. I really wish I had a camera that could do this pendant justice. Heck, I really wish I had a camera that could still zoom in. :)


My eldest sister was here the day the dragonfly pendant arrived and while she was here I showed her this blog (she doesn't have internet access). She says I'm enjoying this blog way too much and that I'm using it to pick on her. (reference to my steam roller comment and others in "Parting with a new treasure" July 21st. hehe) Now I don't agree that telling the truth should be considered "picking on her" but I will admit to having fun with the blog.

After reading the blog it was suggest that she would feel much better about it if the pendant went to live with her. You know to ease her injured pride. (what an actress she is!) I told her, "In the interest of family harmony (and to keep you from just taking it!) the dragonfly pendant can go live with you." What she doesn't know is that I planned on giving her the pendant all along. Her thinking she conned me out of it is just too funny. lol

Parting with a new treasure

Back in May when my sisters and I were discussing whether or not we should try to sell our "treasures" online, the subject of re-sizing rings came up. My sisters and I all have large hands so when we buy a ring, 99.9% of the time we have to pay for it to be re-sized. My oldest sister (She's always has been the bossy one. lol) decided that "I" should learn to do this since she knew I wanted to learn to be a silversmith anyway and because I have a more flexible work schedule. I just smiled and nodded and said sure, knowing full well that I couldn't afford the sterling silver supplies let alone all the tools needed, and the dream would fade away like so many others I couldn't afford to act on.

She casually asks how much it would cost for the basics. Without hesitation I tell her and go on to explain the need for each tool/supply while adding that it was way beyond my meager budget. A few moments of silence follows. Then she drops the bomb: She offers to finance the whole sha-bang as long as I promise that when I finally learn, she gets free ring sizings for life. She then points out how much she actually pays every month for sizings and that in only 4 months time she would break even on her "investment". Pride being what it is, I didn't want someone, even a sister, buying my supplies so I told her I would "think" about it.

Remember that I mentioned she's the bossy one? Well couple that with my other sister egging her on, it's like trying to stop a steam roller by placing a marble in it's path when she gets an idea in her head. Needless to say, I now have the basic supplies and I'm learning as fast as I can. :)

So that brings me to "parting with a new treasure". Last night I finished working on a crazy lace agate and sterling silver pendant. I was so overjoyed. This piece, while not grade A workmanship, was good enough to list for sale. I hurriedly took some photos (had to do extra editing on them because I didn't have the proper lighting) and listed it for sale in my Artfire studio and made sure I pointed out the flaws in the workmanship.

Seconds later, I called my 3rd sister and told her to go check out my new listing. I bask in the "Oh how cool!", the "Oh I really like how you did that!" and the "Good job! I'm so proud of you!". Just as I was getting warmed up in telling her the trials and tribulations of making the piece, I notice I have new e-mail in my business account.
Multi-tasker that I am, I check my mail and see that I have sold one of my Artfire items. Woo hoo! Then I see the buyer's name and the item... I was talking to her on the phone and she just purchased the pendant!!! My sister can apparently multi-task too. I scold her, tell her she shouldn't have, and explain that now she will get to see the flaws up close and personal. She says, "But I wanted it". I stop protesting. You just can't argue with a statement like that. Trying my best to leave the sarcasm out of my voice, I thank her "for her purchase". I am grateful for that sale. Really I am.

Today, with the pendant all packaged and ready to go to the P.O. I'm experiencing seller's remorse. Yes I was willing to sell the pendant. Yes I wanted to sell it... but I wasn't ready to part with it so quickly. lol At least I know it's going to someone who will treasure it, not so much because it's a great piece of jewelry but because they know how much it means to me. It's all I could have asked for and more.

As for learning to re-size rings... I'm almost there. :)