A Metalsmith's Journey

Got plans?

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:06:00 +0000

It's Friday night - my LG is spending the night at a friend's house so of course - bench night!

YAY!

Haven't had one of those in a while.

(finish reading after the jump)

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Reality check

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:34:00 +0000

On the same day I was writing my semantics post - unbeknownst to me, my friend was dealing with the death of his daughter.

I didn't have my cell phone on, so I didn't get the message until the next morning. and when I did --

I have no words to describe......

I am SO thankful that I am blessed to have the flexibility in my job to alter my hours on short notice, to work from home, etc. And it allowed me to drive up and spend a few hours with my buddy.

The whole thing is just so sad, beyond words. And it is such a reminder that life is sometimes so fleeting and so fragile.....and that the world is so broken in so many ways.

I guess the only thing I can say is to slow down as much as you can, take care of yourselves and be gentle with those God puts in your path.

It's a good time for me to say Thank You. To all of you who read here - whether you comment or not - I appreciate that you take time out of your life to read - It means a lot to me - I appreciate YOU. And I am so grateful for the comments and emails - especially when I've shared personal things - your words reaching out over the internet often pull me from the edge of a dark place I can slip into.

Thank you.....know you are special and important to me.

Semantics

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:10:00 +0000

Some people call them 'resolutions', others 'goals', and the word I hear repeatedly this year is 'intentions'.

No matter what we call them, they are all ways to declare, either publicly or privately, our desire to change something. . . to make our lives better in some way.

We have lists of things we want to do more of or less of.....habits we want to break or form....we want to take control or let go.

Some people opt for a word for the year, something to focus on (which often ends up being goal oriented anyway).

I am stepping out into scary territory for myself this year.

I am going to adopt a word, which is also a goal, an intention, and a resolution. But its a scary word for me. For someone who has spent a long time taking care of others, putting others first -

my word/goal/intention/resolution this year is:

Me.

It sounds selfish, but its not.

It sounds counter-intuitive to the Christian walk which has so much to do with service etc. but it doesn't replace that.

Its scary to me because its not something I'm accustomed to. It means I have to listen to myself and give myself the same sort of attention and consideration that I'd give to others.

It is important though because 2011 was a REALLY hard year for me. It didn't occur to me until recently that the big issues and HUGE stresses of last year actually began in March. And they continued, with new stresses being added in through the year....a few things resolved in late November/December, but many have brought a new way of life that is simply here to stay.

To begin the new year, I am cutting back drastically on commitments. This year I will NOT be 'the joiner' that I have enjoyed being in the past. I will forgo some things in an effort to listen to what "I" really need.

I believe that in doing so, not only will I benefit, others will actually benefit too.

And that is a very good thing. :)

There should be some changes coming here soon - I hope you will stick around to see how this progresses. I'm looking forward to reconnect with many of you!

If you are still reading (bless your soul!) I would love to hear your thoughts on goals, intentions, resolutions....did you make any this year? Care to share them with us?

are you THAT busy?

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:56:00 +0000

Christmas is fast approaching and I know many of you are just as crazy busy as we are.....life can really be a whirlwind, yes?

This is the first year that I can remember, ever, not having a Christmas tree in my home.

With moving and then helping my parents move, and spending last weekend in DE helping them unpack and put up THEIR Christmas tree. . . and with plans to be out of town here and there over the holidays, it just all of a sudden turned into being less than a week before Christmas and still no tree.

There was a mad dash to Target' to see if we could pick up a tiny tabletop tree - fake, with lights already in place (yes, its THAT busy here!) - and lo and behold - there was nary a tree to be found at Target'. Who knew?

Not me obviously.

Or I would have gone....dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn,

to WalMart.

Yes, I would have...for my LG, I would have done it. (Actually I don't hate WalMart like some folks do. Evil abounds. WalMart is such a small slice of suburban sinister-ism comparatively speaking. )

However, my LG came out of school today positively devestated and decided he just wanted to go home. (he had already decided a tree was NOT a huge issue anyway) We have a few decorations around the house, a small string of white lights outside - and that's enough this year.

I am so hopeful that the New Year is going to usher in a period of relative rest. . . and since LG is gone the week between Christmas and New Year's I am already envisioning evenings at the bench. This is SURE to help me find me slow down. The repetitive motions of hammering, sawing, filing....my very own playlist pouring from my little purple ipod.

Sounds heavenly - right?

OK, maybe not for some of you - for some of you it might be similar to having a manicure/pedicure or working your garden under the warm sun, fingers in the dirt, muscles stretching and bending, the sun on your back.

Now are we in the same place? Same but different? Yes? Good.

Please don't get me wrong though, part of the busy-busy around here is directly due to Christmas - we've got happy holiday preparations well underway.....some decorations up, cookies baked, presents bought (and even some wrapped!). And I have proof!

I tried a new cookie recipe the other night - these are a yummy, chewy, pumpkin spice cookie with a sweet sugary frosting drizzled on top.

Much to my surprise, EVERYONE enjoyed these, including LG who typically stays with the chocolate variety of cookie, sweet, treat....

Then a variation on what has become a standard the past few years - the peppermint cookie. Typically I do a red/white dough and make candy canes dipped in a sugary glue and then crushed peppermint candies.

This year a different recipe and no sugar glue! These are dipped in crushed candies while they are still HOT - so the candy is self sticking.

Gotta love self sticking candy.

I made some round like above,

and then I flattened a few

'Cuz I'm creative like that.

And of course - the real favorite - the choco chip variety.

These are already half gone and I am going to have to make more.

And I would complain about that if I hadn't eaten a half dozen of them yesterday

and the day before

and well, the day before that too.

While Christmas shopping LG and I stopped for a quick dinner.

we split an appetizer -

the calamari

sooo, good.

then split a HUGE cheeseburger (nothin' raw about that)

then he ambled over to the dessert case and selected something for himself -

his own dessert -

the mousse mouse cake

Cute - right?

And not at all tiny like a mouse should be.

This thing was HUGE!

so try as he might

he just couldn't finish it

(could you?)

he DID make it a little further than this though

:)

If you are local and want to try this monstrous mousse mouse cake, stop in at Players.

The food was good as was the service.

LG's only critique was that the bathrooms could have been slightly better attended.

I hope that you all are enjoying the holiday season but not 'over' enjoying, if you know what I mean.....

~Janice

Afraid to admit you're wrong?

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:39:00 +0000

worth watching/listening all the way through:

Janice

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:35:00 +0000

This year, for me, holiday shopping, gift giving, BUYING things....its a challenge. A Big challenge.

I'm not complaining mind you - I am VERY happy to have purchased my house. . . . but it does mean that money is tight. REALLY tight.

I know a lot of other people are feeling a crunch as well. In addition, many people are trying to be more conscious about where their money goes. I am planning to buy local when possible and handmade as much as possible. With that in mind, I put together a little local (Baltimore area) gift guide from Etsy - local, handmade, UNDER 25.00, with a selection for men, women, and children.

Browse the items, and the rest of these artist's shops - you are supporting an artist, an individual, and possibly your local community when you buy from them. Not to mention, you are getting a quality HANDMADE product!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Janice

That special man

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:37:00 +0000

With Christmas just around the corner, I've given a lot of thought to the special man in my life...what his interests are, what he might like as a gift - and I think I know what I'm getting him.

Of course, he's easy - he's TEN!

Guys can sometimes be SO hard to buy for. I still have my Dad and my brother to consider. And so far, I have no plan.

At all.

Thankfully though the number of items for men available on Etsy is growing - and THIS should make life easier for all of us!

I took some time tonight and made a Treasury of items for Men - maybe something there will pique your interest and be just perfect for that special man in your life!

what a weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:51:00 +0000

With all the craziness of my life - with all the heartache and all of the stress lately - with everything that has been said and done and left unsaid and undone.....with all of it sometimes really weighing me down - I do know I am blessed.

This weekend was a perfect reminder - of the good, of all I 'have', of all the blessings.

Rina, Gary, & Lisa

On Saturday I had the great gift, of a day spent with close amazing metalsmithing friends. We met at Gary's - me, Lisa, Rina, Gary. (and my LG). We spent the day eating and talking and laughing mostly. We did make it into the studio....but for this visit that seemed almost an afterthought.

Gary did show us his sandcasting set up - and WOW! he is able to get an amazing amount of detail. And the process is quick - AND you get to keep your master!

This photo doesn't do the casting justice due to the flash and the little bit of patina on the original.

But the result was really really good. And we did this quick and without all of Gary's usual tools.

I had toyed with the idea of a sand casting set up a while back but was really on the fence.

I don't think I'm on the fence any longer. :)

On Sunday I was able to sleep in a little (8 am-ish I think) and then we had a leisurely morning until it was time to leave for church. A quick run to the grocery after that and then home for the ENTIRE rest of the day. YAY!

I spent the rest of the day working in the house. Moving furniture, unpacking boxes, moving my studio around.....working HARD. That may not sound like a blessing - but holy cow - I am able bodied and strong enough to do what I did! My sore muscles attest to the effort I was able to expend doing what I needed to do and what I wanted to do.

I got to hang with friends, go to church, work in my house (MY house!) - what a blessing!

Leave me a comment and let me know how YOUR weekend was - or what blessings you see in your life recently. Or just say HI!

~Janice

perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:38:00 +0000

interesting perspective....

Abstract back from Lacey on Vimeo.

I see things like this - wild and unique and focused perspective.

They eye that sees something so unusual and beautiful (or sometimes weird and grotesque) and I am inspired and hopefully that I can translate that unique perspective into my jewelry.

What about you - what have you seen lately that is as unusal and uniquely creative? Either beautiful or weird........ Share with us. :)

Withdrawal

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:15:00 +0000

Its like this every year.

In late October I go through this period of withdrawal.

I crave the noise. The laughter.

I long for a garage full of tables and tools.

There are exponentially less people around the dinner table. And that's kinda sad.

And it's kind of funny because I'm really a homebody and a quiet person.

But in October I meet up with some of the most fabulous talented friends - and we spend the most amazing week together. And its loud and chaotic and hilarious. And tiring and touching and just OH so much fun.

Talking the same language, sharing favorite foods, working until late at night - or going to bed early - its a week of freedom. No expectations. Just hanging out in a lovely lake setting.

And now its quiet. *sigh*

And I'm counting the days until next year!!!

This year's retreat was maybe one of my favorites (of course, I probably say that every year!).

While there were certain things we wanted to see or share or try - everyone has skills and has the ability to just jump in and work. As the years go by we all just settle in more and work. As much as we want....when we want. There is an incredible amount of respect and sharing. It's an amazing cohesive group.

Every year we have a group exchange of some sort - this year's group gift 'thing' was a charm swap coordinated by Nancy. YAY! AND, Wendy brought us fabulous gifts from China - I am now the proud owner of a tea cup (not like any teacup you've seen though) and a water temperature testing thingy - I forget what its called, but its a watermelon with a frog and it apparently squirts water after it soaks up water...I dunno - I'll fill you in later.

I know if you are still reading that you're hanging in for photos. So, here is a teaser....

Back row (L->R) Lisa, Janice, Christy, Tara, Angela, Rina, Anne

Front Row (L->R) Linda, Sue, Saree, Wendy, Nancy

Some of my work from the week:

handcrafted sterling silver necklace with gemstones

Fabricated - sterling, charoite, peridot garnet, onyx, citrine

This was my 'big' project this year. I created all the components playing with the theme of shapes/geometrics. I am really pleased with how this turned out and think it could be the start of a new series.

handcrafted sterling silver necklace with gemstones

Fabricated - SS, plume agate, amethyst, smokey topaz

I actually made this pendant last year, but had not set the stones. I was really happy to find the original stones and set them!

Sterling Stackers - SS and sapphire

(Each year there are one or two items that catch on and a bunch of us make. This year it was Lisa's a stacking rings - her 'galaxy rings' she teaches in a basic metalsmithing class. I've never made stackers but I'm hooked!)

SS, 14k gold, garnet (copper back)

These began life intending to be something very different. They are layered ss over copper, textured, and given a satin finish. 14k gold textured sheet stirrups allow the earrings to sway and a garnet bead (on front and back) offer a little pop of color.

More photos to come!

Catching up (again)

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:02:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that the Jewelry Artists Retreat is only a week away! This is year 5 at our present location in NC and I can't wait to get there!

The group has more or less remained the same for the past few years although we tend to pick up a new person here and there.....some years a past attendee is unable to come, so we have the pleasure of meeting someone new.

This year we have a new friend coming in for a few days mid-week which will be fun. :)

Thankfully I've been able to unpack my studio in the past few weeks (finally!) and have found some time amidst all the chaos (and really, it has been chaos) to dust off the tools and make a few things.

This is the most recent piece. SS ,lapis, citrine, and a little 2mm amethyst.

Not quite as clean as I might like, but I'm astonished I haven't forgotten how to do this all - with not having been at the bench for at least 2.5 months. I did 'warm up' first though on a couple of other pieces - two rings & a pendant

AND, before that, I dug out an old piece from last year's retreat that has been sitting unfinished for the past 10 months. I added a little texture and a patina and yay, its now done. :)

It feels really good to be back at the bench - AND, I know I will be able to USE the time wisely on retreat now that I'm warmed up some.

Now maybe I can finish up two other pieces from last year's retreat that have been left to collect dust....we shall see.

I had mentioned that I'd be doing a step by step of a little ring and I apologize that I haven't gotten to that yet - it IS coming! Just so many other things I'm trying to get to as well. Maybe later today I can finish it up. :)

oh, and since several people have asked - yes - my hair is growing back (rather fast!) (thankfully!)

not near as long as it was -- but we're getting there! (if I don't chop it off again..) I've been getting/resisting the urge to dye it. I have been growing the color and grey out for a while now. But I'm getting itchy for a change. I may trim some of the ends after the retreat...I don't know.

Is anyone else like that - always changing their hair? I can't seem to ever let mine alone for too long.

ok, must run.

HAPPY WEEKEND ALL!

~Janice

So what do YOU think?

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:19:00 +0000

Many of us are Project Runway junkies, errrr, fans. We love to watch the design process and the end results.

And now Lifetime is bringing us something new - "Project Accessory".

Contestants will accessorize! Belts, hats, jewelry, purses, scarves and much more I am sure!

From the Lifetime Website -
"A brand-new series, "Project Accessory," will follow enterprising artists who will be put to the test to create the newest and hottest trends in accessories as they compete for a cash grand prize to help them launch their own fashion accessories business."

Casting calls took place in June, Molly Sims is set to host -Eva Lorenzotti will be the "Tim Gunn" of the show, and designer Kenneth Cole and InStyle editor Ariel Foxman are rumored to be judges.

I'm not sure about taping or when the show will air - information was a little hard for me to find.

I'm intrigued though. I think this could be fun. Its a different kind of designer that can work across those mediums - fiber, leather, metal, gems.

but I want to know what YOU think!

Are you going to watch or take a pass?

From freight train to ocean

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Ya know when you stand at the edge of the ocean listening to the waves and feeling the icy cold water softly sweep against your toes.....?

Eyes closed, breathe catching in response to the cold water, the scent of the clear crisp ocean air..? then you exhale and relax and open your eyes to the beauty of it all?

That is what I feel like -

Well, sort of.

But without the sound of the waves, or the fresh air.....or the icy cold water.

hmmmmmmmmmm.

anyway - Its been a long couple of months.

There was a baby, and an earthquake, and hurricane Irene who left me with a SEVEN day power outage......then, after all of that, there was the subsequent rain storm and local flooding - and water and mud in my basement. There's been the SLEEPLESS nights getting up with the wee-one, my son being back in school (FIFTH grade - where do the years go?), a blown computer (um, yes I'd like my power back on, but no, please don't blow my hard drive in the process....*sigh*), unpacking and cleaning

My life has always been a bit chaotic, but it was chaos that was familiar and 'controlled' and it morphed slowly over the years. THIS recent couple of months was chaos that just came barreling in like a freight train! I've just been trying to peel myself off the tracks.....and now I think I've finally dusted myself off and ummm 'adjusted' - things are starting to feel normal again. ;-)

So yea, there's no ocean air, no waves, no water (well, there has actually been TONS of water - rain rain go away) - but I've got the exhale....and the relaxing...and seeing the beauty.

In the midst of all of that has been happening, I've managed to mostly unpack into the new house -- and,

the best thing of all

FINALLY

I unpacked my studio.

YAY!

I have the luxury of space.

Its unfinished.

Raw.

Concrete and block walls, exposed beam ceiling, wires, cobwebs, dangling lights kind of space....Yes, its one of those scary basements.

But it is large. LARGE I SAY!

And its mine!

MINE MINE MINE! (mine!)(I SAY)
(well, yes, there are other people who live there. and yes, LG does have half the basement....and uh, yea, I'll let the baby come down sometimes. . . BUT HALF OF IT IS ALL MINE! mine!)

Anyway - in MY SPACE, I have decided to create 'stations' for my studio. In the past I did almost everything in one spot - and I kind of like it that way. But I have decided that it might be nice to dedicate an area to certain tasks and move about the area.

So I will have my actual bench where I will do pieercing, filing, stone setting - that sort of thing.

Then to the right a table where my flex shafts hang and I will drill and grind and semi-polish.

At the end of that long table is an extra area, for a visiting friend maybe? Right now I am using it for resin.

To the right of that, along the wall is a desk for soldering. Just past that a desk with my bench polishing unit.

Then to the right of that is a H UGE wooden work bench that has my stakes and a vise (or 3) and several stumps.

Moving around the room to the right again - along the other wall is my long table with my cabbing machine and saw.

Next to that is a table set up for tumbling and patinas.

And finally, turning back towards the beginning, sort of floating in the middle of the room is a long chest of drawers that is my enameling/firing/glass/clay/whatever area. the kiln is there just waiting to be fired up!

I am planning on enclosing the polishing station and the kiln area - just with shower curtains hanging from the ceiling, but the idea is to help keep dust in and out.

I will share some photos soon.

In the meantime, I finally sat at the bench over the weekend - first time at the bench in over two months. I was a bit afraid that I'd have forgotten how to do everything! I pulled a stone, a little 6x4 emerald cut peridot (inspired by my friend Jennifer of www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com who recently shared a ring she crafted that is set with a lovely little emerald cut stone) and got to work. Surprise! Surprise! it actually ended up passable! I haven't forgotten how to solder and I actually set that little stone without too much trouble! YAY! I made a little step bezel and put it on an organic backing - and ended up with this:

not my best work - and I am not crazy about the stone in that particular setting....they contradict each other too much for me -- though in person its not half bad - but

its DONE!

So goodbye freight train - and hello ocean......

do I get to relax now?

~Janice

Photojournal

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:10:00 +0000

There has been so much happening that I haven't had time to blog or post on the forums or do much of anything except take care of what is right in front of me each day. Which hasn't always been what I planned to take care of on a given day. The past few months have just been like that - such is life.

While I've been far too tired to post, I HAVE had my camera with me most of the time and on occassion have had enough composure to pull it out and snap off a few shots. So although I am very tired tonight - quite beat actually after getting less than 2 hours sleep Wednesday night - I feel a huge need to get back to posting. . . .to connect. So here are a few photos to share what's been going on...

Two shows in June - this from one that had lots of fun entertainment with it. :)

LG turned 10 in June - birthday party

end of baseball season - twas a good but LONG season

we've had lots of critter visitors

in our garage:

on patio door

loads of holiday fun

a baby shower just following July 4th fun

and then a baby not too long thereafter!

less than 10 minutes into the big world...

and a few minutes after that : -)

packing and transporting...on a HOT HOT day (around 100 with HIGH humidity!)

we are still moving slowly - painting, putting up curtains and shades now . . . need to pick up a few more critical pieces of furniture. Slow going but nice to have the time to take our time.

AC is out today and its still HOT HOT HOT here....so going to shut this thing down now.

Hope to be posting regularly very soon!

Things are coming together

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:27:00 +0000

I've been so incredibly busy with all of the packing and getting my parents house ready for showings, and all the packing getting my household ready to move, then there were the inspections and repairs and there was settlement and more repairs, and pods to be moved, and more repairs.

I'm now the proud owner of a very small, rather old, ranch style house. Soooo different from anything I've ever lived in! I am quickly realizing that the 'work' will never be done. But the neighborhood is nice and in my area, where houses are high, this was within my budget.

Now there is painting to be done and then the real moving in will take place. I am so blessed to be able to do this over time, but now I think we just all want it done. :) I have a few 'before' shots, from the original listing...

HOUSE

KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM

SHED. :)

and one part of the basement - that whole back corner will be my new studio.

I won't be doing too much to it, just moving my things in and putting up a divider.

I'll actually extend left to behind the steps and come out at least as far as the "I" beam. So it will be pretty big! YAY!

the previous owner left that huge work table, a fairly large vise, and at least one pegboard. Also left maybe 5 of those large steel shelving units. YAY! :)

Now some progress photos.....

don't get excited - nothing major. (I'm working on a REALLY tight budget here!)

kitchen has received some major elbow grease - its very clean now. :)

and I replaced the light....not my first choice, but needed something quick.

Its very small and only has one bulb - not the best choice.

But for now - its all good. :)

Master bath was gutted (with the exception of the tub)

and all new everything - from drywall to tile to toilet etc...new. :)

The photo does not do it justice - its really very pretty.

The walls are a deep charcoal grey and the tile is much whiter than what shows. I {love} it even though its very very tiny. :)

the living room is a dumping ground right now...

and thats more or less all I have to show for now! :)

oh, wait, think I have a hall bath shot...

all new.

HATE the cabinet - will replace it. It was a bad choice. The walls look white, but they are a very light beige that LG picked out. Floor tile is same as the wall tile in the shower -keepin' it simple - ya know? the brain gets to spinning with ALL of the decisions that have to be made, from big ones to tiny ones.....its just so much. I'm on overload.

The only semi major thing left is to paint. For now. I'm letting everything else wait. We'll paint, get curtains and other window treatments, and then move in and just live for a while and then see what the next project should be.

Not to mention, I need tons of items like bathroom towels/washcloths, cleaning supplies, ohhhh and kitchen stuff - pots and pans -- and just all that day to day stuff. Most of my belongings have been in storage for about 8 years and its just not good anymore or I gave it away rather than place it in storage. So its really almost like starting over.

New starts are a good thing.

(but expensive)

Because I'm not quite busy enough

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:14:00 +0000

I offered to do a cake (and possibly some cookies) for an upcoming event at my son's school.

Not that we will be attending the event - my son has a baseball game and I have a show (Gunpowder River Artfest - at Boordy Vineyard - June 4th - mention the food in this blogpost for 20% off your purchase!) but I can never pass up a chance to volunteer - especially when it means cooking! (I so {love} to cook!)

I originally had grand ideas of a cake to rival that of Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes, Ace of Cakes, and now Duff Goldman.com - whoa) but then quickly admitted that my skill level and available time simply wouldn't do, so I scaled back.

Immensely. (though I still harbor inner dreams of a wild and zany cake)

I did manage to bake the cakes the other day, in the middle of cleaning and packing, and cleaning and scrubbing so the kitchen would sparkle - yea, in the middle of all of that - I pulled out my mixer and eggs and all the other applicable cake baking tools. :)

I am going to freehand a cake made of 3 or 4 tiers, the bottom levels being regular round flat cakes (but I may cut them at an angle to do a wonky tower).

And the other levels are more rotund. I baked them in mixing bowls of two different sizes.

Normally this results in a very tall dome, but for some reason these came out a little bit 'squat'.

Still cute though - yes?

YUM.

They smelled fabulous.

And the bits I cut from the bottoms to level them - yeaaaaaa, they TASTED fabulous too.

In addition to the 4 cakes I baked for the school, I also baked two tiny cakes (cakelettes?) .

See that little glass bowl far left?

I used two of those and microwaved two little cakes for the two men in my life.

Then I doused them (the cakes, not my two guys) with melted chocolate that I piped out of a sandwich bag.

A little side of cool whip.

And YUM!

Despite the mess, I'm glad to be going for it, and they are glad I went for it too. ;-)

Now I just need to ice/decorate and stack them and deliver them to the school Friday evening.

And then pack the car for my show on Saturday.

And all in between running out of the house for showings, with two chihuahuas in tow, and LG....yea, it promises to be an interesting few days coming up. :-)

A little house tour

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:23:00 +0000

As previously mentioned, my parents are selling their 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, big roomy comfy colonial with the HUGE BACKYARD.

I ran around, ok, I limped around yesterday and took some photos of the house.....and although they didn't come out so great - this is all I got until the realtor takes photos tomorrow.

Soooo, lets begin!

As you enter the house, this is the foyer

we stripped wallpaper in the hallway and painted a very neutral color. I thought it would be a little darker - more grey - but since we're not going to be here, we didn't redo it. Its clean and light.

then to the right as you come in is the living room

there was wall paper on at least 2 walls (mauve, same as in dining room)

that was removed and the walls were painted to match the other walls - they are a cream color - a little more yellow/tan than the photo shows

And from the other direction.

it is a fairly big room.

then the dining room..

blah blah blah

basic room

then the extra big ginormous kitchen.

{love}

eat-in part

{love}

and I love the color in here - its a sort of light celery green.

{love}

and totally love the built ins too

such an amazing amount of storage!

(ignore the blue chairs - the room used to have a lot of blue)

and then the family room/den/whateveryoucallitinyourarea

yum.

there used to be dark wood paneling in here which my dear dad painted several years ago.

such a good move.

and from the other angle - which is by the front door.

and that concludes the first level. :)

This is the master bath - looking a bit messy.

the vanity/sink area is open to the bedroom

and the shower/potty are behind a door.

:)

there is also a BIG walk in closet but I didn't get a photo of that.

and I seemed to have forgotten to upload the bedroom photo. hmmmmm.

then as you go down the hall - there is a bathroom on the left.

which I love.

And the glass carafe with the mouthwash in it.

so pretty. :)

the bath/shower/potty are behind a door

I like that the areas are distinct.

dual use.

private.

then there is the office. Which used to be a bedroom. and then was an office and now is technically a bedroom but is staged towards office with the sofa bed left in there, the bed-bed taken out. Desk and computer removed from dining room and placed in there. And this is actually one of my favorite room re-dos but it photographed horribly.

the walls look a tad green, but in reality they are a lovely golden yellow. I may have to tweak the photos or redo them

Cute. Nice.

then LG's room!

which lost a lot of personality when we decluttered and de-personalized. Walls are bare, but it really is nice to see it looking so crisp.

He's a tidy boy so it usually looks fairly picked up but all the trim in the room used to be red, including curtain rods. Its neutral now - walls are a pale blue and trim is all white.

The third and final bedroom.

Also blue. The red curtains used to be my daughters (this was her room after it was my room AGES ago. and now its my room again and we left her curtains. they match my hat boxes. :)

then we move to the basement - which has 3 sections. Storage behind a wall and door which I did not photograph. Then the main section shown below. And then behind the green curtains and over (where you see green floor) is cement floor and part is my studio and part is now staged as an exercise area (used to be an office)

TV and entertainment area.

Lots of older furniture down here. Hand me downs, etc. Mismatched.

But quite functional!

from the other direction.

and almost forgot the laundry room. Nice and big and bright. :)

Love the green and white.

The floor is cement with an epoxy overlay.

Little nook in the back

and from the back looking out.

and then if you go through that door....

there is a landing and steps going down

and then of course the yard.....

which is big

{love}

and the deck is fairly large too. :)

we got rid of most of the deck furniture and pulled up some chairs we had out in the lawn.

and LG wanted to eat dinner out there the other night, so I pulled one of my 6 foot tables up

and we've left that in the nook up against the house for now. :)

and that is it!

There are some things I didn't get - like the garage. Its covered in boxes and furniture so you can't really see it really.

And there is a full size freezer built into the basement.

But this gives you an idea. :)

House love.

What day is it?

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:43:00 +0000

I keep thinking today is Monday, but yes, it is Tuesday.

Holidays have a way of throwing me off a bit. Not that I'm complaining about an extra day off! No way!

Not that it was relaxing though.

Not this time around. Nope.

It was a weekend of WORK.

You see, my parents are selling their house. The sign goes up on Wednesday. the lockbox will be on and the showings may commence!

And let me tell you something - it has been a HUGE endeavor getting their house ready.

Not only did they have almost 40 years of accumulation, but they had much of my household furniture and all of my belongings stashed in their attic and garage.

AND they had taken on some of my Uncle's furniture.

It was really overwhelming. Mind boggling how much 'stuff' we have!

We've been chipping away at it for a month or more. And yesterday, Memorial Day, we finished.

Well, almost...still a couple of small items to take care of, but for the most part - DONE!

What a relief.

We are so exhausted.

Their house is a 4 bedroom, 3 story colonial on 3/4 of an acre and sits in the middle of a cul-de-sac.

There are some really nice features to the house - one of them is the backyard.

The backyard is HUGE. And its quiet and its private.

Sitting at the top of the cul-de-sac, and with the shape of the yard -- it is very park like.

This photo is taken from almost the furthest point in the backyard looking back up at the house.

I've grown up here - this house, this yard...and I've watched it change and the trees grow, grow, grow.

The house has been added on to - expanding the kitchen. Expanding the laundry/mudroom. And expanding the garage.

It has been a fabulous place to live. And it makes me sad that there is going to come a time very soon when I won't be able to just drive up and walk through the front door.

*sniff* *sniff*

At the same time, I know its time for my folks to move on. Its a lot of house and a LOT of yard for them to keep up. Too much. It is time for them to relax.

When we were almost done yesterday, I went through and took photos of the inside of the house. It was a great way to see those little missed items.

I was going to post all the photos but not sure everyone really wants to see them. I did it all - bedrooms, living room, dining room, den, kitchen, laundry room, basement, etc. An eye opener for sure! I knew there were some things still sitting around that we needed to pick up prior to the official photos being taken, but there were still some little surprises. (anyone want to see the photos?)

The photos aren't the greatest, I am so used to doing macro I forget how to change everything back for other types of settings!

So while we've all been cleaning, packing, cleaning, arranging, staging, and cleaning some more....LG has been left to his own devices.

He's been GREAT about the whole thing. But he really did so want to go to the pool yesterday.

Unfortunately, it just wasn't going to happen - we really had to use the time on the house.

As a consolation, I set up a sprinkler for him (yea, some consolation huh?!)

He DID have some fun with that.

Its not the pool, but it was cool -- and it was SO hot yesterday! (I really don't know WHAT that face is about!!)

And then his friend Rob came over for a couple of hours, they hung out and Rob had dinner with us

Then I cleaned some gutters.

And then ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I relaxed a bit.

But only for a bit, because then I remembered my laundry wasn't done.

So at midnight I was doing laundry.

Yippy skippy. :)

But really, its ok, because TODAY, I feel like this

WAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(well, sort of....)

Things are pretty much done, I woke up to a VERY clean house, I know it is ready for listing (well, I do need to clean out the built in freezer tonight), and now we can relax a bit. (apart from having to bolt out of the house every time there is a showing!)

Its just upkeep from here on out. :)

YAY!

RAW Inspiration 5.25.11

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 26 May 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Here are just a FEW of the rings that caught my attention in some way today.

by 3dots

by Lisa Hopkins

by TwoTrickPony

Good eats

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Tue, 24 May 2011 02:34:00 +0000

First was a quick throw together meal for my son. Cheesy noodles. Just boiled some pasta and then while the pasta was draining....I mixed milk, three cheeses, and a splash of mustard in the pan and put it back on the heat until everything melted into a lovely sauce.

Also this past week we had a birthday at work - we LOVE to celebrate each other's birthdays. :) A good reason to take a collective break from work and also enjoy some good eats. :)

Happy Birthday Bern!

We had a delightful and delicious tea party!

Tea and muffins

lemon squares

Little chocolate mousse tarts with fresh raspberries

Fresh fruit - lots of goodies in there - kiwi, pineapple, strawberries. mmmmm

It was a lovely table

with fresh flowers from Nancy's garden. :)

As promised

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:16:00 +0000

I said I'd grab some photos for you and I have.

They aren't the best mind you - still working with this set-up.

But here they are - the lovely handmade earrings from Chris Kerr

The photos don't quite do them justice.

But at least you can see all the detailing!

They really are fabulous!

The weekend flew by as usual. Seems these days everything is zooming along. I am sure many of you can relate.

School has either wound down or is getting ready to end. For us, its sort of getting ready to end. We are extended until June 22nd due to snow days.

Yippy skippy huh?

I'm not one of those parents who dreads the summer. Maybe that is partly because I'm not home FT, but even so, I just enjoy my LG.

He's smart and funny and sometimes a bit odd.

Or maybe, every kid, when faced with a piece of pink duct tape, automatically sticks it to their forehead.

?

No?

I dunno.

He likes art and books

and we often spend time reading together.

the other day we positioned ourselves sideways across the bead, raised the window AND the screen, and read with our feet sticking out the window.

"Why?" you may ask?

I DON'T KNOW WHY!

He caught me doing it and said it looked like fun.

So, ok, maybe I'm a bit strange too. Think he gets it from me?

And just because I love these SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much

Janice

Knew it was coming, but still.......

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Sun, 22 May 2011 02:00:00 +0000

Yes, yes, I knew it was coming. In the back of my mind I knew it was coming. But I didn't want to focus on it....and I sort of almost forgot about the whole thing.

But today when the mail came, there was a little puffy envelope for me.

For me! me! Me! ME! me-me-me-me-me-me-me-me-me.

And its all mine-mine-mine-mine-mine-mine!

I sort of kind of knew what to expect before I opened the envelope. .but I was still ah-mazed.

And I'm not just saying that.

What I found in my hands was even better than what I had seen online.

Pretty, precise, shiney, and somehow 'soft'. I think its the finish.

A soft sheen to the copper.

Lovely really.

Beyond what I expected.

I'd show you a picture, but I haven't taken these earrings off since they arrived today.

They are stamped and beaded copper earrings from Chris Kerr, similar to these. And although those are beautiful - I love mine bettererererer. lol

Mine are just perfect for me! I really am amazed - at how precise Chris gets her stampings, how she uses so many elements in her designs and they all WORK together to create something cohesive and BEautiful. She packs SO much into such a small space and they are so precise!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Chris!!

I am so very lucky to be blessed with such a great creative group of friends - and to think - jewelry has brought us all together. I never would have been able to imagine it just 7 years ago. I wasn't making jewelry then.

Chris and I agreed to a trade.....she'd make me earrings and I'm cutting her some stones. Unfortunately my lapidary equipment is packed....but in just a few more weeks it should be unpacked and then I plan on doing my best to create some lovely stones to send to Chris and maybe another little something special. :)

I also need to say that Chris took the time to package the earrings in such a lovely way and with the sweetest note, her attention to detail carries through the entire package - this girl has it all - and it shows.

(pics of the earrings etc tomorrow!)

A plea

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:00:00 +0000

to the fabric folks.

Those of you who are sew terrific. Makers of bags, purses, wallets......

I may be the only one who ever asks you this. but please, consider making coin 'purses' for little boys.

I searched and searched at Christmastime for a small coin purse type wallety thing for my son. They are insanely difficult to find for boys. At least on Etsy.

At least for me.

I did end up buying this

and we LOVE it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Its by artist Marcia Furman on Etsy - and it has a cool graphic for a boy.....and it came so well packaged and we DO love it -

but its a tad bigger than what would be ideal. In a perfect world and all. And I'm all about trying to create a perfect world (and all)

uhhhhhh, yea.

anyways....

Little boys are.............................well......................

little

And they have little clothes, with little pockets.

And they NEED little coin pouch thingies.

At least this little guy does.

See?

He has on little shorts and those shorts have little pockets.

But he has a BIG appetite and needs lunch money and snack money to take to school.

And spending money on other occassions....

and, well - What's a boy to do?

Either someone else needs to make somethign just a bit smaller.

Or I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands.

And that might not be very pretty.

I don't know how to sew. (though I desperately want to learn)

I don't have a sewing machine nor can I afford one right now. (there was that ninja purchase, and now a new tent that's NFPA 701 compliant, but don't get me started on THAT right now...oh yea, and that house/mortgage thing.)

So I think it would be better for all concerned ( but mostly me ) if someone ELSE would take on this task that is so hugely important to so many of us (but mostly me ) and then the world would rejoice (or maybe just me ).

Truly, I'm just looking out for all the little men of this world who need to safely carry their lunch money (or maybe just me, being a Mom to a little man and all....)

:-D

In the studio + photos + free lightbox

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:48:00 +0000

I just realized that I've yammerd on the past few days (weeks?) about all sorts of things besides jewelry and metalsmithing.

(yammerd - you know - yammer, as in ramble)

Yes, I did feature some RAW rings - lovely, right?

But I haven't shared much from my own studio. Partly because I have been very busy with other things.

And partly because of a few other issues we've been dealing with that are FAR less than pleasant (understatement of the century) and I've just needed to chit-chat to keep my mind going in more pleasant directions.

But, despite the berserk boxing of belongings that is going on - and on top of everything else I HAVE managed to maintain my sanity (such that it is) by retreating to the sanctuary of my studio.

I'm not sure it was even a 'want' it felt more like a 'need'.

ALONE time.

Quiet - despite the ring of hammer blows and whir of the flexshaft.

Its an oxymoron for sure.

But there is a sweet solitude found in the studio, and a distinct purpose that is now so second nature that my mind can rest as my body takes on the tasks at hand - Cut, hammer, solder, pickle, rinse - repeat. Refine, clean, sand, buff. and on and on.

And I sorely needed my mind to rest.

Rest or fracture seemed like the two possibilites.

the studio where I can explore.

Long ago I gave myself permission to play and explore without restraint or worry. This has been one of the most freeing things in the world.

Sometimes the explorations result in something wonderful in terms of a piece of work or a new direction or technique.

Sometimes I end up with nothing tangible except lessons learned.

And that is something wildly wonderful as well.

Times like these that I feel truly blessed.

Almost beyond words.

I also finally made a ring for a special lady who has been ohhhhh so patient.

Perhaps she decided that this ring was never going to happen.

I've been so embarrassed by the length of time that has gone by that I haven't contacted her about the ring in ages.

But working within the constraints of the Transformations series, I used all scrap to create this ring. Carefully chosen scrap - some of it leftover keum-bo with 24k gold on it. Added new are 4 small faceted stones - ruby, sapphire, peridot and amethyst.

It is done and it will be mailed out tomorrow morning.

I hope she likes it. I hope it was worth the wait
And I have to apologize for the quality of the photos. The perpetual packing has resulted in my little lightbox being collapsed, folded, and packed. It closes down so small - I love it!

And because I really wanted to get a few photos to put up on the blog I made a small, single use, disposable set-up - that was ENTIRELY free!

You can make one too - seriously.

It's easier than you think.

First gather your supplies:

ok, heck, its even easier than that....see photo below

My bedside nightstand.
Two pieces of white paper. One as a backdrop and the other as a 'tent' to diffuse the light.
The light shown there, plus the overhead bedroom light was on.

And "snap" - and I have the photos you see here on the blog.

Not the greatest, but CERTAINLY not the worst. Yes?

What about you - do you ever McGyver a lightbox?

Is that your preferred method or do you have a commercial lightbox like mine (or better?)?

I could even get my hand in there and by tipping the camera juuuuuust so, get a photo of me wearing one of the rings.

I love that this lightbox is 'green' and biodegradable. :)

Thanks to everyone who has been commenting and emailing - I can't tell you how much it MAKES MY DAY! Seriously. I love reading your comments and hearing your thoughts - thanks so much for being a part of my life!
(more photography info here )

RAW Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Janice Fowler) — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Some of my recent favorites

by 3 dots

by Lisa Hopkins Design

by MaddockMusings

by ArtbyWinona