Just a few tidbits

I have so much that I want to blog about, but not enough time right now. It's so nice having Jeremy home! He's still here, but is now staying over at my sister's house, Laura, spending time with his nephews and everyone. He's making the rounds until he has to head back to Portland next week.

So, just a few tidbits to fill my lonesome blog until next week. Above and below are my new Slide n Go Interchangeable Ear Wires.

Below are my very cool Big Loop Wild West Earring/Ear Wires. One of my customers wanted a bigger loop than my standard Wild West and, yes, you know it. I loved them so much that I just had to make a pair for myself AND add them to my shop. One in Sterling Silver:

And one in 14k Gold Filled of course: Big Gold Loop Wild West

Tonight we're going to Corbin's graduation, my nephew/Laura's oldest son. It is an outdoor ceremony at the stadium, but it may be changed to another venue because we're due for thundershowers today & tonight. Guess we'll find out shortly.

My wrists are healing quite well. I think I simply over worked them far too long and have now changed the way I do things. The doctors office called yesterday to have me start therapy - no can do. I don't have the time to spare, plus I don't want to spend $35 a pop 3x per week when I can do it at home for free. I'm juuuuust fine :)

I'm off like a prom dress. Time to make the donuts. Time to get this party started. I'm heading out like a baby. Too much coffee perhaps? ;)

Happy day everyone!

Rocki

Thar's gold in them hills

Gold Rush - Wild West Series

I was going to blog about a funny/scary little thing that happened to me the other day, but I'll save that for next one as I need to get into the studio.

As you can see, I've been on a gold streak. I've added several more 14k Gold Filled findings to my shop - and there is more to come soon!

Small Organic Wrapped Hook & Eye Clasp

Wire Wrapped Twisted Bail

I'm now making wire wrapped bails. I have more designs on paper and in my head, but there is only so much time in a day and I'm STILL searching Etsy for a shop that sells TIME!

That's it. Just a short & sweet ... okay, shameless little plug, what can I say?

Happy Wednesday everyone!
Rocki

Brief Updates

Back from vacation (I need another one!), our holiday was fabulous, finally over my neck and back thing and now fighting a cold/flu crud - but life is good!

Here's a brief post of some new creations of mine. Hopefully later in the week I will post some fun pics of the past week and my goals for 2009. Oh and tomorrow is my birthday - #48 on paper, 20 something in life! Mark treated me to an early surprise birthday present this past weekend: Broadway Musical of "A Christmas Carol" - it was AWESOME!

The pic above is of my new "Twist n Wrap" findings - available in different lengths, finishes and wire gauges. One of my customers uses these in her own jewelry and suggested that I make them. You know I ALWAYS listen to my customers! You can twist them around wrapped beads, wire, connectors, links, charms, etc. Your imagination is the limit.

I finally added a small version of my Organic Wrapped Clasp.

Above is a smaller version of my Retro Balloon Hoops.

Above is my Elongated Squoval in a hand brushed Antiqued Finish.

Although I always make hearts, below is my Trio of Hearts. I also sell them separately.

Okay, back to bed for me. Until later in the week, be well, be happy and enjoy!

Rocki

More New Additions...

I planned on blogging about something else this morning, but got a late start and am running out of time, so thought I would just share some more new additions that I have added to my shop.

Above are my new Oxidized Brass Long Ovals. I've been trying different methods of oxidizing Brass and I think I've found my favorite one :)


These little hotties I call "Sexy French". What can I say? That's the first thing that came to my mind.

I know, nothing exciting about headpins, but I'm slowly adding a variety of gauges and below, obviously, are my 20 gauge headpins for larger beads.


Well that's it. Just another quickie and now I'm off to get some orders filled. I'll be back later on to visit all my buddies blogs :)

(added note: Hop on over to my buddy's blog "Heart of a Cowgirl" to read the awesome feature she did of me this morning - plus look around, her blog rocks! Thank you B!)

Happiness to all,
Rocki

Hi Ho Silver, Away!

You're not seeing things. That's Roy Rogers & Dale Evans above, even though "Hi Ho Silver... Away" is from Clayton Moore of The Lone Ranger, who's horse was "Silver." But I just loved watching Roy & Dale and The Lone Ranger too. Actually, I think I loved his horse Trigger the most. However, I did adore Roy because he always, and still today, reminds me of my Papa (my dad's dad) with the smiling blue eyes. Not only was he your typical loving grandpa, he had the sweetest smile, loving personality and twinkling blue eyes that I've ever seen. I miss him more just thinking about him.

Anyway, I loved the part where the Lone Ranger said "Hi Ho Silver, Away!" Wow. Does this date me or what?! Oh and I used to sing the "Happy Trails" song all the time. Hmm, sometimes I still do.

Speaking of silver. I've now added my handcrafted Fine Silver (.999) Ball End Headpins to my shop. Yep. I just keep adding and adding - what can I say, I'm enjoying playing with metal so much that I don't know when to quit. Oh, and I'll be adding oxidized headpins as well, but they can be requested until I'm able to post them.

Well, I need to 'skedaddle' on out of here and mosey on over to my studio as I have a ton of work to do today. Hi Ho Silver, Away!

"Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?

Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,

Others are blue.It's the way you ride the trail that counts,

Here's a happy one for you.Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?

Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again."

Rocki

(p.s. Just a note that I updated the post to include The Lone Ranger, just so you don't think I've lost it. But then again... ;)

It's New & Mini!

I just adore Mini Me! He's just the cutest little guy and reminds me of my brother Chris. Well, Chris is a little taller actually.

Some of the creations in my Etsy shop have been by the suggestions of my super fabulous customers. They have great minds and ideas and I truly love it! So, the other day one of my customers asked if I could make my Baby Elfin's a little smaller. You know me, it's hard to say no - well, most of the time anyway - so of course I said let me see what I can do.

Without going into all the details, let me just say that I have a new member of my Signature Elfin family. I now present to you, Mini Elfin!

Mini Elfin weighs in, er, I mean measures in at a petite 3/4" length. Don't let this little guy fool you though, he may be little but he can handle dangles & drops just like the rest. I just added Mini Elfin in my shop last night and I'll be adding other packages in different quantities as well.

I'm off to start my day. Hope you all have a terrific Thursday!

Luv,

Rocki

To Brass or Not to Brass...

Okay everyone, put your thinking caps on. I'm taking a break for a few minutes to ask my wonderful friends, fellow bloggers, buddies, customers, etc. a question that was presented to me, not only once, but a few times, and it has me thinking.

Some of my greatest additions to my shop have come from the requests of my FABulous customers. So the great question is... what do you think of Brass earwires? I know I know, this isn't the million dollar question, you do not win a prize, you do not get to pass Go & collect any money or get your name in lights. What do you get out of this? My humble friendship (insert cheezy shiny metal grin) and sincere appreciation.

Most of you know I only use Sterling Silver & 14K Gold Filled wire, with the addition of oxidizing. However, I do notice that Brass is very hot right now and since I've been approached a few times (and I'm one for signs) I wonder if I should go ahead and make this happen.

There is a variety of Brass: Red Brass, Yellow Brass, Antiqued Brass... what are your thoughts, suggestions and opinions? I sincerely appreciate your replies!

Now, just pretend you haven't seen me as I must get back into the studio :)

Oh and Josh buddy ol' pal, I just KNOW you'll have some sort of opinion for me, right? :)

Thank you all SO very much!
Luv, Rocki

Just a few new creations

Just thought I would share with you some of my new creations and what I've been up to.

Above is a pair of my new Long Ovals French Style earwires that I just posted last night. I really love this pair: sleek, slender, secure, sexy...hmm, maybe I should have named them SSSSexy Earwires?

Above are my Oxidized Elongated Squovals that are selling pretty well. I also offer them in Sterling Silver and, by request of my dear sis Laura, 14K Gold Filled - coming soon!

These are my soon to be added Sterling Silver Rings/Links. They are a tad over 10mm in size and will be available in Hammered or Bright Finish. These came about from a request from one of my dear friends... Ang :) and since shipping them off to her, I decided to start offering them in my shop as well.

There are a few other new goodies in my shop, so feel free to take a peek at your leisure.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Rocki

Patina, Patata, Pinata

So I owe another big thank you to one of my customers. She wanted dark oxidized earwires and asked if I could do that for her. Of course I said yes as I will do anything that I am able to in order to please my customers. I don't just say "I'm happy when my customers are happy" for nothing, I sincerely mean it.

Above are my Medium Hoops in a dark patina, rather like a gunmetal to black. I was quite surprised how cool they turned out. Even Mark commented how great they looked.

These are my Signature Elfin earwires in a random brushed type patina, kind of like an antique look. Again, big approval from Mark who originally thought that oxidizing them wouldn't look very good. Okay, I have to be honest, I kind of thought the same thing, but wow - these are so pretty!

Above are my Baby Elfins in the same finish as the hoops. I just can't get over how awesome they turned out.

I've oxidized before and having been wanting to add some oxidized supplies to my shop, but guess I was waiting for someone to nudge me along. It's actually kind of fun to do, well except the horrific smell of the Liver of Sulfur (LOS). If you don't know what LOS smells like here's a little hint: have you ever smelled rotten eggs? I mean LOTS of rotten eggs? Well, put them all in a zip lock bag, stick your nose in the bag and take a little whiff. There you go. Now you know.

My customer's order has been shipped out and I listed my new additions the other day. Last night I sold 2 of them! Much to my surprise they were sold to one of my sweet friends who I will not name unless she wants to let everyone know (just in case what she is making is a surprise).

I'm off to start my day. Lots of earwires to make and the smell of LOS is calling my name.

Patina, Patata.... anyway you say it, Patina ROCKS!

Smell you all later,

Rocki

Gold Digger

No, I'm not a gold digger, but I do dig gold.

Up until I started working with Sterling Silver all I wore was gold jewelry. However, I've always worn silver with my blue jeans because they look so darn hot together. Anyway, over the last year or so I've added more and more silver to my jewelry case. Funny, but the last time I put a piece in the case I could have SWORN I heard one of the gold pieces make a snide comment to the others about me, but that could have just been my wild imagination, right?

So what does this mean? Well, I'm excited to say that by Friday of next week I will have handcrafted 14K Gold Filled earwires in my shop! Whoo hoo!

Yep. I can hardly wait to see what my Signature Elfin earwires look like in gold! My Silver Leaf earwires will look so lovely, but of course they will be called Gold Leaf. Oh and the Hoops and the Leafettes and the... this is going to be fun!

Oh, and I heard rumors from my jewelry case that the silver will strike if I pay too much attention to the gold.

Dig it!
Rocki