Two Dog Pond

Happily Ever After

2012-01-29T07:19:00.000-06:00

This necklace was commissioned by Abby's (she's the bride) good friend. The vintage brass whistle is so she can TWEET about everything she does. The photos were the favorites of her fiance. He also provided favorite verses for the word pendant. The necklace was hanging among some other one-of-a-kind necklaces in one of my display cases. Abby shrieked with delight when she saw it! She is adorable.

These lovely young women were all college friends and are now living across the country - they came together for a weekend of "Domestic Bliss" to celebrate Abby.

Abby donned the goggles, lit the torch, melted some glass and decided this was her favorite sort of Domesticity. She's my kind of girl.

Congratulations, Abby. Best wishes for a long life of Happily Ever After with your {much younger} man.

My Name Is Rachel And I Am A Doodler

2012-01-26T08:43:00.001-06:00

I've been doodling while waiting. Sometimes I go overboard with the curlies, but I'm just learning. I was influenced/motivated/inspired by Lindsay Letters. She writes beautifully.

Below is the handmade leather journal I'm doodling in. It is beautiful. I bought it at an Artitudes event two or three years ago and have been 'saving it' for....

I don't know what. So I decided to use it. If someone from Artitudes ::lynnie:: knows where to find these, I will post it.

Rumple was jealous that I posted a pic of Scootch, so here he is with his face right in the camera.

Hello Girls

2012-01-16T14:02:00.003-06:00

I don't think I've posted a picture of my chickens for awhile.

(Scootch either)

Trash To Treasure

2012-01-14T17:01:00.000-06:00

Start with a beat up old box. My friend Patty from Liberty House gave me this one. Nail it back together. Add a wooden heart with wings. Varnish it all.

Cut some PVC Pipe to fit. Glue all the pieces together. Add some little wood holder-uppers.

Voila!

It's my new glass rod holder!

If that doesn't make you feel all tingly and happy, you must have the flu.

PS. The MRI wasn't that exciting or terrifying. Remember the Ministers of the Silly Walk on Monty Python? They wanted to add the way I walk to their long list of silly walks. It was just the push I needed to find out what the pain is that makes me walk like a goof. Thank you for all the concern and care. Makes me feel loved.

Checking Things Off The List

2012-01-13T15:15:00.002-06:00

Photo Collage. Done.

Stained Glass Frame around it. Done.

A Ton of License Plate Letters. Done.

It is unusually satisfying to check these tasks off the 'to do' list.

That and an MRI this morning. Done.

Happy Hour starts at 5....almost.

Simple. Complex.

2012-01-06T08:39:00.000-06:00

I just finished these (and a bunch more) leather wrap bracelets for an order. The stones are moonstones and agates. Simple, elegant, fun. I'm going to make more.

I was given the challenge of making a necklace out of a some beautiful amber colored beads. There were a few requests - use the silver-tone face, rosary style beading, incorporate The Sun card into the design.

sun rays...

Ta Da!

Torch-Fired Enameling

2012-01-02T07:04:00.001-06:00

A couple years ago, I took an emameling class at the LUX in Lincoln. Loved it, but haven't had the time to set up an enameling station and work at it. So... I bought Barbara Lewis's book "Torch-fired enamel jewelry", cut some copper tubing, and yesterday made the beads above. I shall call them "burnt macaroni". Yuch.

Those crusty pasta beads won't stop me from trying again...

Happy. Happy x 5.

2012-01-01T14:15:00.002-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

and

HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY TO
TWO DOG POND!

It's true. I have been making soldered glass pendants since 2004. We moved to Two Dog Pond in 2005. On December 31, 2006, I quit my day job and on January 1, 2007, started Two Dog Pond Jewelry as a full-time adventure. Time flies when you are doing what you love!

Thank you to everyone who has helped make my dreams come true.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

That adorable child is Sweatshop Baby's brother, Cael. I babysat those two New Year's Eve. My friends Shelley and Fred brought over hats, leis and noisemakers - four sets. Within an hour, several were missing and the toilet was flooded and Sweatshop Baby was sweetly saying "pee. pee." Ha.

The Lauritzen Gardens

2011-12-31T06:50:00.001-06:00

We decided to take a few days and shop and stay in Omaha to celebrate my birthday early. We stayed at the Magnolia Hotel - lovely - our friends Fred and Shelley met us there and we had a fun time exploring the Old Market and dining at the Twisted Fork. Friday we toured the Lauritzen Gardens (right before 50% of our party got too sick to carry on...)

We're replacing lots of the light fixtures in our home, so I have an obsession with them right now. Isn't this lovely?

The pointsettia and model train exhibit is up through mid January. I can't keep a pointsettia alive for more than 10 days. This exhibit has been up for two months and all the plants are gorgeous.

bridges built of sticks...another of my current loves.

Happy Birthday to me. (Tune in my head...)

Happy New Year to my Friends and Family and All Of You!

Pretty treats for the birds were everywhere outside.

Things That Are Round

2011-12-28T07:45:00.003-06:00

On Christmas Eve afternoon I made a few bracelets using leather and ball chain and lampwork beads I had made. I like them so much that I plan to make more.

I used some bootie yarn (the yarn I make booties with) to crochet a jar of balls. Just because. I have a hard time doing nothing, so filling a jar with balls seemed like a good idea while sipping my end-of-the-day cocktail...

I was delivering some jewelry to Liberty House and had to take a quick peek at all her lovely vintage goodness when I spotted this HUGE roll of woven strapping. I would like to make some bags, and this would be perfect for the straps!

As I had promised myself that I would play with my new glass rods after I finished up the majority of my orders, I pulled some wonky stringers and then made some beads which will end up on bracelets like the ones at the top of this post.

just look at the green, orange and red one with it's pretty star!

Surfacing

2011-12-23T13:58:00.001-06:00

Christmas orders just about did me in this December. It was great! Since December 1st I've had orders for 367 necklaces and 52 ornaments. That's Incredible! Thank you! Above are some necklaces I assembled for a friend. She showed me what she wanted with what, and I put them together. That was yesterday. Since December 1st, I've been getting up at 4am and working on orders. Most of them were one-of-a-kind custom pendants. Three hours later the sun would come up and look like this outside my studio window:

I would work until the sun went back down... then have a cocktail. Most days have been 12-13 hour work days. Maybe I work slow....

Here are a couple of favorites:

Wait - I have to show you this. We have 15 big fat hens. They are all molting or lazy. Usually we get one. ONE. egg a day, which means that I had to buy store eggs. THEN look what someone laid. Doesn't that look like an add for "be yourself"?

Above: the lace from the wedding dress. Hand made. The customer had seven made for family. Beautiful.

These glass rods arrived and have been my motivation for getting orders done so I can make beads...

Again - thanks to everyone who ordered pendants and ornaments. And to everyone who came and shopped here at Two Dog Pond...Merry Christmas

Do Not Open Until Christmas

2011-12-06T07:38:00.001-06:00

I wish I had something more clever to post about, but it's all in these boxes and I would hate to give away any surprises, so you'll just have to wait until Christmas.

This is this mornings stack of orders going out...

Maybe I should ask someone to give me a hand... oh wait.... looks like she did.

More Soft Stuff

2011-11-27T08:06:00.001-06:00

I finished this cowl/scarf thing last night. I'm all proud because it was on pinterest and I made one instead of just pinning it on my board.

The very cool vintage button was one I picked up last fall when Tim and I went to meet the munchkins in Kansas...

Lack of posting is due to my mom being in the hospital and all that goes with that... My apologies to anyone waiting on an order to be finished -I'm running a bit behind, but will catch up soon! Thanks for your patience...

Thank You!

2011-11-20T07:21:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was the SJWL Craft Fair. It's a well organized and fun show to do.

What made it especially fun was that my bff Shelley helped me. Thank you Shelley.

That and the fact that soooo many people stopped by and shopped. Thank you to everyone!

During the afternoon lull, Shelley went to "the other building" where friend Carolyn of Cottonwood was set up. She and her daughter Julie are the most creative geniuses in the world. IN THE WORLD.

Shelley took some pics so I could see what they were offering... oh my! I should have just braved the cold and gone over there. That's the downside of doing shows...not enough shopping time.

The dresser below? It's still available. Go to her blog and see how you can own it.

Again - I can't thank everyone enough for coming to the show and shopping. I have the best customers in the world. IN THE WORLD!!!

Poke Her With A Stick. See If She's Dead.

2011-11-15T13:20:00.001-06:00

Not dead. Just busy. Isn't everyone? In between making school pendants, I've discovered that if I cut MIG rods to 7" long they fit in my kiln and I can properly anneal beads. Woo Hoo.

I've made a few copper/brass and treasures necklaces.

Had orders for bullet charms which meant I had to do some target practice with my vintage pistol and still can't hit the bullseye...

and now am trying to keep up with the Christmas orders.

Remember that if you need something custom made, you can order through my website www.twodogpond.com or e-mail me.

My husband lit the burnpile on the Saturday - the one day there weren't high gusts of wind. The flames went 35 feet high. It was quite impressive. 34 degrees out and we were sweating.

Special thanks to everyone that thought I was dead and checked in with me. Love you guys!!

Dis Is Pwetty An Dis Is Pwetty

2011-10-26T09:01:00.001-05:00

This tiny shopper was visiting the shop with her mom yesterday. She said in the sweetest voice as she arranged pendants over and over "dis is pwetty. An dis is pwetty..." She was just delightful.

A sweet young man ordered a custom bracelet for his girlfriend...

Using a wonky flameworked bead I made and a vintage carved leaf.

Black on clear fused glass pendant.

Nonjewelry Poem About Two Dog Pond

2011-10-22T08:30:00.004-05:00

Since I've been working on school pendants and wholesale orders all week, I really don't have anything new or clever in the way of jewelry to show {thus the lack of postings} so here's the rest of my world.

ONE TWO - make a shoe. Still obsessed with booties.

THREE FOUR - paint the door.

(not done yet...maybe tomorrow) The last windstorm blew the door open so hard it knocked the panels out!

FIVE SIX - pick up sticks. Scootch helped me pull out the tomato plants after the 'big freeze'.

SEVEN EIGHT. Lay them straight. Tim stacked firewood in the garage. Bring on the cold nights!

NINE TEN - Big Fat Hen. Seriously. Ten Big Fat Hens are now in Foster Care in the Two Dog Pond Chica Casa. Sweatshop Babie's Auntie is moving to Nebraska and didn't have a place for her hens yet, so they are staying here until she's settled. They are absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, they can't go free range here because of the large numbers of coyotes, foxes, weasels, owls, hawks, etc. that seem to like to terrorize our chickens.

Miss Blowfish, my scruffiest, smallest hen is antogonizing her beautiful house guests. Establishing a pecking order... it's surprising that she would take on these large Cochins...

LARGE cochins.

In Fifteen Minutes

2011-10-14T15:12:00.003-05:00

At 3:30 there's a wild bunch of women coming out to shop here at Two Dog Pond. In fifteen minutes I have to get some snacks ready (wine, pretzels, peanut m&m's - the basic food groups). Above is a picture of my attempt to decorate for fall. My friend Janey from Wisconsin made the cement headless baby for me. Isn't she adorable? Awhile back I found that diver helmet at a local thrift store and it freaked many of you out. How about now? It's just perfect on a naked headless cement baby.

I haven't been doing too much new stuff... lots of wholesale orders and school orders.

Yep. Still a big fat mess.

Now I have 5 minutes before I have to get ready for my field trippers....

Hope you all have a perfect weekend.

On The Edge

2011-10-08T06:55:00.003-05:00

The next day Janey and Rick took us to the top of Mt. Morris to witness the beauty of Wisconsin. The trees were on the edge of turning lovely fall colors. There were giant rocks sticking up out of the ground as evidence of the glaciers that used to cover this area.

A giant cootie swept down and carried Janey off. It was surrealistic. She didn't mind though. She's used to the bugs in Wisconsin.

From there Tim and I took off for home. A flat tire on I90 meant a 24 hour delay as no one seemed to carry the size tire we needed. No worries. We drove to Lake Okoboji in Iowa and found a great spot for lunch. The flag on the end of the dock dictated what we should have:

We spent the night at a hotel with a lakeside view.

Toasted the setting sun. Had a late dinner and headed back north in the morning for the tire, then back home to the two dogs, the pond, the chickens and my fabulous sister, Bonnie who had kept it all order for us.

Fini.

M Schettl Freight Sales

2011-10-06T14:25:00.003-05:00

Rick and Jane were taking us on a field trip in Wisconsin. They knew that I would love this place. It was starting to get dark, so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked to, but this will give you an idea of what you can see at M. Schettl Freight Sales.

There were these cool glass 'shrines' all over the property - they housed more treasures...

When we have grandchildren, I would like to have one of these in the yard for them to play in...

Mr. Schettl said I could climb in and manuever it. OK says I.

The inside...

Amazing. I wish we would have had more time...

Ollie Ollie Outs In Free-Oh

2011-10-05T15:38:00.002-05:00

I've been gone for a bit... My husband and I took a little trip North to Wisconsin to see our dear friends Jane and Rick. Jane and I were art majors together in college. Above is their grainery and below is just one of Jane's beautiful gardens.

We saw lots of great things and shopped at lots of great places. Crescent Moon Antiques and Salvage in Oshkosh, Wisconsin was fabulous. You can see by the drawers below that they have tons of great stuff.

The show, Bling, was in town at the local museum. Shop owners made their own Bling Art for the Art Walk on Saturday night. This is Crescent Moon's. So wonderful! Ceiling tin and chandelier crystals.

It was too windy to fish so the boys were thrilled to go shopping with Jane and me...

...more tomorrow!

Garage Sale Treasures

2011-09-27T13:04:00.004-05:00

We had family here last weekend and lucky for me, they too like to go garage sailing.

I found the kitchen tray above for $1.

Cool wooden organ-pipes. They will hang on a wall soon.

No idea. I just loved it.

And a few great old books including this one that even has a pattern for British Knickers.

Last Week's Winner - Make a Wish

2011-09-26T09:54:00.004-05:00

So - there's not really any exotic excuse for why I didn't get this posted last Friday. The weather was beautiful, we had family visiting, the beer was cold, the fish were biting, the garage sales were booming, the target was calling "shoot me", the stars were bright... you get the picture. I wish every day was like that. Speaking of wishes - and if they were fishes - Miss Natalie is the winner of last week's contest. She entered "A glittering star in the sky is a tiny flicker of hope. Make a Wish". I just liked the Make a wish part. (the rest had too many words). Miss Natalie, please e-mail me your mailing address and I will grant your wish - as long as your wish was that you would win with half of your entry!

Thanks to all who played last week and for your patience.

...::~*~::...

That brings me to this - There won't be a contest this week or next week... There's more beautiful weather in store, but that's not the main reason there won't be a contest. After three years of contests, it's time to switch things up... and that's all I'll say about that right now. It's not over - just changing.

And the winner is...

2011-09-24T15:28:00.002-05:00

Another Custom Order

2011-09-21T15:30:00.000-05:00

...for a customer that likes her necklaces big and bold.

Before and After and Inbetween

2011-09-21T08:27:00.003-05:00

I was sent the above word document and turned it into the collage below:

The background and floral images are from the Beautiful Fall packet from Deviant Scrap.

The customer requested some soldering and some fall colors. I made not one, not two, not three, but four of these yesterday. I think they are beautiful. She picks them up this morning - I hope she loves them!

(the giant clunky stand doesn't go with these pieces. She's providing her own...)

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Over the Moon

2011-09-19T06:24:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. This week's image is another vintage image I've colorized and am contemplating adding some glitter to. The contest is simple, really. Make a suggestion for what you think the perfect quote/phrase/poem/word would be for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen by a panel of experts (some without poseable thumbs) and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.

I Made Myself A Necklace

2011-09-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

Last night we went to a retirement party for a gentleman my husband works with. I needed a necklace to wear with my pretty new top and my old blue jeans (that's just how I roll). I received a couple boxes of rocks and beads I had ordered and made this necklace. It doesn't look like much - it's cathedral beads wired rosary style and a giant chunk of quartz. Simple. I love it. I plan on making more.

The quartz has a lovely glow to it's roughness. Of course I made a simple pair of earring to go with the necklace.

This Week's Winner - A Passive Aggressive Halloween

2011-09-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

TLee is the winner of this week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. Congratulations! Her entry was "It's kinda sad to see your family leave, sweetheart!" Admittedly - I left off the word 'sweetheart' because my memory didn't last from reading it to taking it to Photoshop to make the graphic for the backside. My apologies, Miss TLee. Anyway - I think this is the funnies pendant we've done for a while, don't you? And TLee, if you haven't moved, I will send out your pendant right away. TLee has been with this contest since almost the very beginning in 2008 or 9. A loooong time. Thank you. Actually, lots of you have been playing for a couple of years - thank you!! Honestly, what would I do without you? Post pictures of booties?

On My Desk

2011-09-15T08:02:00.003-05:00

Not exactly "on my desk" {More like resting on top of the kiln} since my workspace is covered with pendants and pearls right now, but I had requests for more "Through The Keyhole" Pendants and will finish those after I complete the 72 necklace orders sitting here. (Yahoo!!)

Close Up of my fave with added X's

Cowboy Booties. Do you like 'em, Vikki?

I just didn't want anyone to think I wasn't doing anything this week....

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Goodbye Summer

2011-09-12T08:23:00.002-05:00

This week's Necklace Contest image is Halloween themed. (oh, really? we hadn't noticed, Miss Obvious). The contest is simple - you come up with a phrase, a quote, a word, a saying or whatever you think would be a perfect caption for this image. A winner will be chosen on Friday and rewarded with - you guessed it - a soldered glass pendant on a chain!

Enter as often as you like. Check back to see what other people write - I'm not kidding - there are some clever people out there.

Monkey Shine

2011-09-11T13:51:00.003-05:00

I've been making sock monkeys since I was a child. I love them. When I had a retail shop in the 90's I had a basket of them in there. For a while, everytime someone gave birth - sock monkey gift. So last week when my husband and I were on the road heading for the seminar, I made some sock monkey hats. This morning I asked Sweatshop Baby, DittyJo and her handsome brother Cael to pose for me. The sun was right in their sweet faces. They still look adorable in these hats.

This is my entry for last week's contest:

This Week's Winner - Death Defying

2011-09-09T17:24:00.000-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest Winner is Kathryn with her entry of "Live Life Defying Death". She is probably a total daredevil! Miss Kathryn - please e-mail me with your mailing address and I will send you your soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain! Thanks for playing!

I apologize for the lateness in this post and for being delinquent all week. I was out of town at a seminar with my husband. If I can get Sweatshop Baby to pose, I'll show you what I made while on the road... more baby goodness.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Death Defying

2011-09-05T06:35:00.002-05:00

Welcome back to the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest! This week's image is a vintage Houdini Poster. It makes me want to hold my breath! The contest is simple: post a suggestion for the perfect quote/saying/word/title for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. Mystifying!

Special thanks to everyone who came to the Liberty House on Saturday and shopped! What a nice day it turned out to be. We set up on the front porch because it was raining and you all still showed up! Thank you!

This Week's Winner - No Chicken Dinner

2011-09-02T08:44:00.004-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest Winner is Meaghan with her entry from My Fair Lady "I could have danced all night, and still have begged for more." I know. I know. It has nothing to do with the bird... (Thus the "no chicken dinner" part of the title). Send me your mailing address (rachel@twodogpond.com) Miss Meaghan, and I will send you your winning pendant! Thanks to everyone who played this week!
Just in case this week's necklace was too sweet for you, here are some new Halloween pendants. I especially love the POISON ones - probably because they have the antidotes on them.
"Mustard and warm water to vomit, give freely of epsom salts and water."
-and-
"Give no emetics. Give at once large draughts of water containing milk of magnesia, milk, soft soap or soap and water, magnesia, oxide, white of eggs beaten up with water, or olive oil. Avoid carbonates. Call Physician." I know. I know. We used the image on the left last year in the necklace contest. I made the pendant 1.25" square and the back side now has an owl sitting on a glitter moon (which isn't showing up).

Keys Me You Fuul

2011-09-01T16:07:00.002-05:00

The new copper vines from Vintaj are perfect for riveting on to vintage keys. These will be at the show on Saturday.... I'm dangling them in front of you...

You Are All Invited

2011-09-01T14:11:00.002-05:00

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Dancing Fools

2011-08-29T08:25:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest is from a vintage postcard my hooker friend Judy brought over. A lovely Victorian couple dancing to the music of their giant bird's song... They must be in love... anyway - here's the contest: You leave your comments and suggestions as to what you think would be the perfect caption for this image. On Friday a winner will be selected and rewarded with a delightful soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. Enter as often as you like - the rest of us love to read all the clever entries.

On Yesterday's Bench and This Week's Winner

2011-08-26T11:02:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I worked on some components for some pieces for the show next weekend. (Self Promotion here - at the Liberty House, Labor Day Weekend)
3/4" beveled glass, soldered and patinaed. They make great connectors.

Butterfly wings have joined my collection of dragonfly wings.

I won! I won! The silent auction at our local thrift store... beautiful silverware.

More booties made during the sleepless hours of the wee morning.

Little Man Loafers. Seriously, fun to make. Go see EBethAlan at The Lovely Crow and get yourself some patterns.

Lots of school pendants. (More Self-Promotion: If your school or organization wants an easy fundraising opportunity, contact me! These soldered glass pendants are a great way to make some money for your group!)

And now - the part you've been waiting for: THIS WEEK'S TWO DOG POND NECKLACE WINNER is Miss Dog Trot of Dog Trot Farm with her entry of "Friendship warms the soul". (that and a bottle of wine!) Miss Dog Trot, please e-mail me your mailing address and I will send you your soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.

Welcome to several new contest players!! It's nice to have you here.

Booties Banners and Baubles. Fini.

2011-08-23T06:05:00.004-05:00

Pumpkin Booties.
Turquoise and Tangerine Booties.

Fused Glass Baubles Soldered into earrings.

Wedding Pendants before they were put on chains and boxed up for shipping.

Banner for the Installation Processional at our church.

I stamped the Bible passage in copper tape and blackened the letters.

The copper pieces on the cross are etched with words from the passage.
...::~*~::...

Thanks for asking, Vikki and KathyS! I love posting finished projects - there are about 3,459 unfinished projects around my studio...

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Pull Me!

2011-08-22T07:24:00.003-05:00

A couple weeks ago the TDP Necklace image was a little girl with a snowman on a sled and a basket of goodies. Evidently, the snowman melted, the girl found a boy, and now we have a new image! Here's the contest: (it's beautiful in its simplicity) make a suggestion for what the caption should be for this image. Enter as often as you like. Tell your friends. Dream about it. On Friday a winning caption will be chosen and the winner will be rewarded with a lovely soldered glass pendant on a chain.

Around The Two Dog Pond Studio

2011-08-20T06:10:00.002-05:00

In case you're curious what else I'm working on besides the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. The pendant above is a custom order - "M" came to the studio and chose the components she wanted for a gift for her mom.

Tomorrow is the installation service for the new pastor at our church. I'm making the processional banner. Did I say tomorrow? More on this when it's done...

"P" ordered a flock of adorable necklaces for her wedding party. I am now covered in glitter...

I pulled some glass stringers - just because I needed a little torch time.

A new initial for a new bride - custom order.

"A&M" are getting married. The wedding is an outdoor wedding, a wooded area near a lake, so the bride chose elements to reflect that theme for the bridesmaids. They turned out beautiful.

Fused some transparent glass for earrings.

Custom ordered keychains. These four sisters have all had breast cancer and now one has lung cancer. Their love and care for each other is inspiring. Please send up a prayer for them.
...::~*~::...

This Week's Winner - My Mantra

2011-08-19T09:24:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest Winner is acorn hollow with her entry of "I feel like I forgot something." I can so totally relate that I had to make this the winning pendant! It was either Miss Acorn or Heatherj with her little ditty about the shiny hiney. Ha ha ha. That stuck in my head for quite a while!

Anyway, Miss Acorn - please e-mail me your mailing address and I will send you your winning soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. I promise not to forget! (and I promise to remember to wear pants when I walk to the mailbox!)

Dragonfly Wings

2011-08-16T07:27:00.002-05:00

The other day, while taking a walk, I found a freshly deceased dragonfly and brought it home. Yesterday I made this necklace with one of its wings. It's possibly the most favorite thing I have made.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Nakedy

2011-08-15T15:14:00.003-05:00

Welcome, dear friends, to the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. The Contest is simple - you think of a phrase, a quote, a verse, a word that fits the image (perhaps a pair of pants would fit this image) and on Friday (provided we still have internet service) a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" ball chain.

Enter as often as you wish. Be as snarky as you please.

Last Week's Necklace Contest Winner - Accessorizing

2011-08-15T11:31:00.002-05:00

HOLY COW! I feel like I've been gone forever! A storm blew through last Thursday night and we lost internet connection... This morning my husband was finally able to get in touch with our provider and they said - "it must be on your end... nothing wrong here." Two hours later - we're back up and running. hmmmm....

Anyway - without any further delays... the winner of last week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest is ................ Coloradolady! Congratulations! I love the thought of pistols as accessories. Please e-mail me and send me your mailing address and I will mail your soldered glass pendant right out.

'Tis The Season

2011-08-11T18:14:00.004-05:00

The tomaters are ripening and it's time to make salsa.

I gathered some fresh friends from the garden and the local Farmers Market.

The jalapenos and sorrentos made me cry.

I did lots of chopping. LOTS of chopping.

and ended up with lots of salsa to can for later...

hopefully much later...

When the weather gets like this again, and it will... then it will taste like summer when we open the jars of salsa and I'll remember all the little 'maters that made it possible.
It always seems to take me 10 times longer than anyone else to make salsa. The vegetables always put on little plays or sing some songs and dance about... I thoroughly enjoy playing with my food.

I have a bunch of orders to finish sitting on my desk. A couple of major designs to finalize, and a couple stained glass windows to build... but - the tomatoes were calling my name! Actually - a couple of them were starting to smell a little weird, so I knew it was time.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Dead Shot

2011-08-08T08:35:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. This week's featured image is from a vintage postcard titled "Dead Shot". Your assignment is to come up with a better saying/phrase/quote than that for this image. On Friday, the owner of the comment deemed most worthy will receive a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. It's Fun. It's Fabulous. It's Dead On.

Enter as often as you like - or just read what fellow commentor/bloggers have to say. The humor and wit shown in these contests always amazes me!
Thanks to everyone who plays and keeps me laughing!

This Week's Winner - She Likes the Bad Boys

2011-08-05T09:19:00.003-05:00

There were so many good entries this week! I had a hard time choosing... admittedly, I was influenced by your comments on what you thought was a good saying. Seriously - you all were quite hilarious this week. Thank you for the good laughs.

Now - on to the winner: It's Miss Vintage Revamped with her entry of "I guess I've always been attracted to the bad boy type." At least I hope that was her entry and not her public confession! I will get that in the mail to you right away!

The pendant is 1.25"x1.25" (in case you're wondering). The snow hearts on the back were in a digital image pac I purchased through Deviant Scrap.

Thanks to everyone who played this week! Come back again for a new contest on Monday!

Bootielicious

2011-08-04T08:32:00.002-05:00

My new obsession. Baby Booties. No, there aren't any babies in my future. Hopefully none of our children are reading this! "No pressure kids!!" I just like baby booties this month.
Lately, I've been buying lots of crochet patterns on etsy. I'm working on a crocheted top for myself - turns out it's for my younger self..... The patterns for these two from The Lovely Crow. She has lots of great patterns! Easy to follow too. I used the same colors the Lovely Crow did, but think I'll switch it up and use some tangerine and turquoise....or not... depending on how long my new obsession lasts...
What's your obsession this month?

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Chilling!

2011-08-01T09:29:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image is meant to cool you down. Much of the US is stuck in a heat wave with lots of humidity. Sort of like being dangled over a pot of boiling water for weeks on end... Perhaps the thought of a snowman smoking a pipe and carrying a bottle of champagne is part of the hallucinations that comes along with the high temps... Anyway - the contest is quite simple: You think of a phrase/quote or other appropriate word group that would be a good caption for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant. Enter as often as you like!

Stay Cool!

This Week's Winner - Hot Flash Mary

2011-07-29T15:52:00.002-05:00

Congratulations, Anonymous Mary! You are this week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Winner with your entry of "Dang, These Hot Flashes!". So True! E-mail me your mailing address and I will send you your winning soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.

...::~*~::...

Timmy Ta-Tonka wanted to enter this week's contest, but hadn't set up an account yet... his entry was "Hey lady! You caught my nuts on fire!" I believe that Timmy Ta-Tonka is an innocent animal and meant no harm by his comment... he was just thinking of that poor squirrel.

Divine Visitation

2011-07-28T17:24:00.002-05:00

This morning the Sutton Garden Club visited the Two Dog Pond Shop in the Studio! These women were divine! I'm not sure what the rest of their schedule for the day was, but I am positive that this group had fun at whatever they chose to do! Seriously wonderful women. Thank you for coming out and shopping, ladies!

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - She's Oblivious

2011-07-25T06:53:00.002-05:00

This image is from an old Smokey The Bear postcard. Carelessness causes fires. And what is more careless than leaving your cowbooy hat where bugs can get in it? Anyway - The contest is simple. Leave a comment here as to what you think would be a good quote/bible verse/license plate number/caption for this image and on Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.
Carry on.
Remember: "Only YOU can prevent forest fires"

Treasure Hunting

2011-07-24T10:19:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we went back to South Dakota. Our friends, Fred and Shelley went along. They're a hoot. Anyway - I found some more treasures to add to the collection from Tuesday's adventure. It's all for making jewelry... Yes! Twice in one week! My husband loves the buffalo. He named him "Timmy Ta Tonka"

Shelley was freaking out when Timmy Ta Tonka tried to get in the front seat.

This Week's Winner - Surrounded By Turkeys

2011-07-22T14:11:00.002-05:00

Kathy S - you crack me up! Yes, you are! (Surrounded by turkeys...) just kidding!

Send me your mailing address - unless you haven't moved since your last win...

AND - just thought you would all like to see my entry which also turned into a pendant:

I'm hoping it's a glitch, but my blog looks like it exploded...does anyone else see that?

Oh.Oh.Oh. It's Magic!

2011-07-21T16:18:00.004-05:00

I am in love with double helix glass rods. Being a newbie to the world of lampworking, I find it all magical and intriguing. Just look at the colors in those beads... don't even try to tell me you don't love them too.
The glass starts out this transparent grass green. It changes when you put it in a reduction flame, cool it a bit, and then stick it back in.

Seriously! Look at those colors!
I used the beads on this necklace this afternoon. I fused a dragonfly in iridescent glass, soldered around it and added some metal doo-dads. I made some head pins with the same glass and hung them from the doo-dads.

...dreaming of a real torch instead of MAPP gas canisters....

Field Trip With My Junker Friends

2011-07-20T08:43:00.006-05:00

First stop (not counting potty breaks and wrong town complete with a b*tchy postal worker stop...) was Coleridge, Nebraska.

The fabulous Cammie Metheny from Daffadowndillys let us pick through her shop, her work shop, and two of her storage sheds. She's a professional picker and an amazing junk artist. Watch for her creations in the fall "Flea Market Style" magazine.

Cammie and Carol... look at that stack of suitcases! I bought a stack of clarinet cases... WTH?

I went straight for the junk drawers...found some great treasures.

We made several more stops at several more towns then realized we were this close to South Dakota, we might as well go there too!

This is us at Gavins Point Dam.
More antique shops/junk shops and last stop.... this amazingly organized shop.I'm going back on Saturday for this:

Seriously.

Just the buffalo. Not the moose. That would be overkill...

Field Trip to Gavins Point Dam

2011-07-20T08:32:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, my junker friends Judy and Carol and I went on a field trip... we ended up in South Dakota and decided to watch history being made. This video shows how much water is still coming through Gavins Point Dam.

The above picture (snagged from teh Gavins Point Dam Site) show how much water usually is coming through. Below shows how much is now pouring through.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - He's A Turkey Too.

2011-07-18T08:04:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the weekly Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. Fun. Easy. Chucklicious.

Make a comment here - what would be the perfect caption for this old photo (I picked it up at Art Freebies). Check back every once in a while to see what other people write - that's where the Chucklicious part comes in. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant. For pity sakes - could that be any more fun?!

Meanwhile - we're in a stinking heat wave - yesterday the heat index was 135 degrees... stay tuned and I'll show you how we're trying to keep the chickens cool. Miss Hootie had heat stroke and is in chicken heaven...bless her little soul.

This Week's Winner - That's Not So Bad

2011-07-15T07:19:00.005-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest is Bon - with her entry of "I have a message for you." But that's naughty - you might think... when and where would a person ever wear that necklace? Well, says I - consider this scenario:

The Boss: Do you have that 11 page report I asked for yesterday? I put a sticky note on your desk at 4:30. I think it fell under your chair 'cause it wasn't really sticky.

You: Yesterday was my 25th wedding anniversary. Michelle Obama and the Dali Lama flew in to celebrate with us - we had a marvelous dinner. I left early yesterday, remember? You gave me permission.

The Boss: Who cares. Have that report on my desk by 9:30.

You: It's 9:25.
The Boss: Then why are you standing here telling me about your personal life. Get going.
You: {with a sweet smile on your face and your middle finger on your chin} I have a message for you.
The Boss: Who cares. And where did you get that necklace?
You: Two Dog Pond.
The Boss: Get another one and wrap it up for my wife. Our 50th Anniversary is next week. She said she wants jewelry and I think she'd love it.
You: I'm sure she would.

See? That pendant is not so bad....

Steaming Hot

2011-07-14T11:10:00.003-05:00

I've been working outside alot lately. We've had some really steamy days. Today is one of them.

My current project is putting pavers around the "squirrel garden". I had to stop because I overheated...
When I cooled down and went out to take photos - even my camera steamed up!

This is where I stopped. I'll figure it out later... like in October when it's not so hot.
This is the vegetable garden. No way in H. E.Double hockey sticks am I putting pavers all the way around that one.

It's so hot only one chicken came out to see what I was doing....

I'll be inside the rest of the day.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Beach Season

2011-07-11T07:42:00.004-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image is a vintage postcard image of a woman at the beach. Your assignment is to come up with fun, snarky, or sentimental (the choice is yours) comments that go well with this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with soldered glass pendant of this image and their saying all hanging on a 24" ball chain.

As I was colorizing this image, I did notice this:

hmmm.....

SPIROGRAPH!

2011-07-07T17:29:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I found a Spirograph at the local thrift store for $1. Today - I made a collage and added a spirographed design! It's called "Dropping A House" because that's probably the last thing you noticed. Thanks to Deviant Scrap for lots of the items.

I know. I know. Stick to soldering and metal.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!

2011-07-05T10:22:00.004-05:00

Special thanks to everyone who came to the Liberty House either Sunday or Monday (or both!) and shopped my booth. Everyone was so nice and in such great buying moods - I couldn't have asked for a better turnout. My customers are such great people! I even had three long-distance customers calling their families and ordering by phone! I love it!! I can't express how much it means to me that you support me and my soldering habit. You people rock! Thank you!

The booth shot is from Sunday. On Monday it looked a little more organized - I bought a little table from one of the antique vendors.

This is how we spent the evening.... several of our local nephews/nieces and families came out to fish and have slow boat rides on the pond. We had some supper with lots of sugar and did fireworks and watched the sky for more. It was a fun night.

Again - thank you! My life is made more wonderful because of all of you.

This Week's Winner - Bald Guys are Magical!

2011-07-01T08:32:00.004-05:00

Kitty - you're crackin' me up! This week's winner of the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest is Miss Kitty with her "She rubbed his head and got her wish." comment. Perhaps there should be a second pendant on the necklace that says "be careful what you wish for." Anyway - I will put the necklace in the mail to you, Kitty! Congratulations!

...::~*~::...

Speaking of Miss Kitty - she is the fabulous pasty chef of Tasteful Indulgence. She has a weekly contest going on for cupcakes! CUPCAKES!!! Go to her website and enter to win - you do need to live close enough to Seward to drive over to her shop and pick them up... I speak from experience when I say that her cakes are absolutely divine. I'm going to go rub a bald guys head and wish for a cupcake...

Have a great 4th of July!! No Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest next week.... too much other fun stuff to distract me!

What I've been working on

2011-06-29T15:30:00.002-05:00

I've been working on inventory for the 4th of July. I'll be on the Liberty House lawn (Seward) again this year....

Notice my little lampworked headpins? I had a bunch made up and had some etched copper pendants. I saw something similar in the Rings&Things catalogue... those headpins are showing up on everything!
Love using carnelian beads...

bracelets, necklaces, earrings and lace. These make me smile. Guess you have to be mid-century to remember these shows. I used ice resin on the TV images. Wild Wild West, Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans, The Monkees, Man from U.N.C.L.E., test screens and more!
Add them to whatever your heart desires...
If you're in Seward on the 4th, please stop by and say hello! The Liberty House is on the corner of 5th and Moffitt. Lots of great treasures to be found there!

Creating Outside Of The Box

2011-06-29T07:54:00.002-05:00

This is the fairy wand and headpiece I made for an upcoming wedding - a four-year-old will be wearing it. The wedding will take place at the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln - an absolutely beautiful setting. I don't usually (ever) work with flowers and ribbons, but the bride trusted me enough to do this for her.

Blessings on your wedding day!

...::~*~:::...

I've also been working on inventory for the 4th of July show - I'll be at the Liberty House in Seward. I'll show pics of some of the things I'm working on as soon as blogger quits giving me error messages...

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Losin' It

2011-06-27T09:24:00.004-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest photo is from an old postcard. I might have edited it a bit to make the guy a wee bit bald. (Thus the title "losin' it"). Anyway - the contest is simple: make a comment as to what saying/quote/word/etc you think would be perfect for this image. Enter as often as you like, check back to see what everyone else suggested too. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant with their saying on it. It's fun, it's easy, it's like kissing a bald guy!

This Week's Winner Is Great Uncle Murlin!

2011-06-24T13:46:00.003-05:00

This is the keychain that Shara's Great Uncle Murlin will be receiving - After looking at his picture all week, and reviewing the comments I think we all really wish we had a Great Uncle Murlin. He is smart and funny and a snappy dresser. He will be receiving a keychain of himself looking his best.
It was hard to choose a winner knowing that we would be sending GUMurlin a keychain and never wanting to offend. Nomaloke entered with her comment of "I'm the only sane one in the family" and then Shara said "for the record, I am the only sane one in the family" but she was trying to convince us with that statement, not really entering it as a suggestion for a caption. Therefore, I pronounce Nomaloke the winner of this week's contest along with GUMurlin. Did you follow that? So Miss Nomaloke, send me your mailing address and I will send your necklace right out!
I've been a bit delinquent in posting again. The interviewers in my head are back - I'll share those conversations soon. Both my boys are home this week and I am easily distracted by the cinnamon rolls on the counter that have appeared out of my oven. I have been working on pieces for the 4th of July Show at Liberty House and will share some of that soon...after I wipe the frosting off my hands and put on some stretchy pants.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Great Uncle Murlin

2011-06-20T07:28:00.005-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image comes to us from Shara of MonkeyBox (she had a drunken pet monkey as a child) who won last week's contest. This is her Great Uncle Murlin and here's what Shara has to say: "I'm attaching a photo of my Great Uncle Murlin. I think he would be perfect for one of your pendants and I can only imagine what people will think of to say about him. He was Dean of Architecture at U of OK and was a pretty serious guy. But at a party he was funny stuff! (He is still alive despite that fact that I am referring to him in the past tense.) My great grandmother made those crepe paper hats for every party and forced everyone to wear them."

Here, then, is what I'm thinking. Great Uncle Murlin is still alive - right? So - not only will the winner of this week's contest win a pendant, but Great Uncle Murlin is going to receive a lovely keychain with the winning pendant on it. He'll be thrilled! (I hope) So, put on your crepe paper thinking caps and come up with some great captions of this image and enter them all week. Special thanks to Shara who also won the "Blue Ribbon Weiner" pendant last year. She's going to wear it in 'honor' of Congressman Weiner's idiot crotch-photographing behavior.

PS - Does anyone have the directions/pattern for making those crepe-paper hats? I kind of like it!!

PPS - Yes. You know I will colorize that hat before turning it into a pendant...

This Week's Winner - She's A Fast One!

2011-06-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

Admit it. You all cracked up when you read Shara's suggestion of "If you smoke after sex, you're doing it too fast." HILARIOUS! So needless to say, Shara wins this week! Congratulations!! It does seem that Shara wins some of the naughtiest pendants... hmmm... that's why we love you, Shara! Send me your mailing address and I'll send you your necklace. (rachel@twodogpond.com)

I had some fun writing with smoke in Photoshop. I don't know much at all about the program, so I just used the smudgey finger and drug it through the smoke... Scootch thinks Shara is hysterical.... (OK... that's not really Scootch, and I have no idea where I found this picture, but it looks just like her!)

Bada Bing Bada BOOM

2011-06-15T08:54:00.004-05:00

I was out of bullets and couldn't finish this bullets and fresh water pearls bracelet until I did a little target practice this morning.
Seriously!? Look how close I can get to the bullseye and yet never hit it....

The raw materials.

This is how far I was from the target - AND - the sun was in my eyes...
The bullet bracelets will be available on the 4th of July at the Antiques and Arts Festival at the Liberty House in Seward. By then I hope to have hit the bullseye at least five times...

Last Week's Necklace Contest Winner - Yo' Momma

2011-06-13T17:05:00.003-05:00

Last week's necklace contest was delayed because I burned up my soldering iron - a new one has arrived, and I love it! I just finished soldering last week's winning pendant - Miss Lorelei said "My mama wore combat boots." (I just realized I spelled Momma differently than Lorelei... hope she doesn't mind!) When I first read this comment, I was too slow to realize it is a great honor to say that... So - here's to the women that serve their country wearing combat boots! And here's to you, Miss Lorelei, for suggesting it! E-mail me with your mailing address and I will get your necklace right out. Did you notice that Natalie asked if she could buy one? Here's what the back of hers looks like... It's on the way to you, Miss Natalie! Thank you!

Sometimes I pretend I'm being interviewed for a show... Here's the interview that went on in my head today:

Them: So Rachel, were you able to come up with some inventory for the 4th of July while your soldering iron was MIA?

Me: Yes. Here's my favorite - it's a bullet bracelet.

Them: Did you shoot the gun those came from? Are you some kind of lunatic member of NRA? Did you kill anything while shooting those bullets? Does the wearer need to be aware of what poor animal lost it's life while you were making this bracelet?

Me: Nothing was killed that didn't need to be. With me shooting a pistol, even the target is safe. My aim sucks. The same is not to be said about me with a rifle, however.

Them: You're a nutjob. What else did you do?

Me: I etched this pendant and made this lovely necklace. It features a Hans Christian Anderson Quote: One must have Sunshine, Freedom and a little flower.

Them: Did you shoot at it when you were done?

Me: Shut up.

Me: I also made some lampworked headpins. Nothing spectacular... I just love making them.

Them: You know this interview will never air. You're quite boring and ridiculous.

Me: Thank you. Now get out of my head, pin.

Perhaps I really do spend too much time alone in my studio....

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - She's Smokin'

2011-06-13T08:54:00.002-05:00

This week I've chosen a sassier picture for the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. Do you love it? The contest is simple... if you want to know more, you can read about it off on the sidebar. Make a comment - win a necklace. It's just that easy! What do you think would be the perfect caption for this image? Tell us... please.

AND - good news! One of my new soldering irons just arrived. It's got a built in rheostat! I'll post last week's winner just as soon as I figure out how to run the new iron! Until then, enjoy the Rod Stewart poster....

Out Of Order - Winner Announcement Delayed

2011-06-10T08:15:00.003-05:00

I burned up another soldering iron (that makes four) and can't solder for a day or two until the replacements (I've ordered three) show up. My apologies to this week's winner and to all the orders sitting on my desk waiting to be filled!

Soldering Vintage Lace

2011-06-09T11:22:00.004-05:00

My friend, Jackie the Peony Princess of Bliss Farm Antiques, is a collector. She has the most beautiful shop and acreage and eye for all things beautiful, especially children. She shops the world to fill her shop with beautiful things. Recently she asked me to make soldered glass pendants out of some handmade vintage lace she bought in France. (she knows I will attempt to solder anything...) They turned out beautiful.

Some have a coppery patina, some a black patina, most I left silver. Jackie also sent a silk hand embroidered cloth from Japan. She told me to cut it up. It took me a couple days to work up the nerve to cut into the fabric. This picture doesn't do the hand work justice. Once Jackie has these, she'll do much better with photographing them. Until then - here's a peek:

Silkscreening Adventures

2011-06-06T15:30:00.000-05:00

The "local nephews" raise Bucking Bulls - they brand them with the brand shown above. This week they are taking some bulls (some Nationally Ranked Bulls) to Oklahoma for national competitions. I silkscreened some shirts for one of the families. One of the nephews just had a baby girl - I thought it would be cute to put their brand on the left hip of some onesies. I hope they find this as funny as I do!

I silkscreened some canvas bags that say "Living Life on a Gravel Lane - and loving it" Two Dog Pond. Most of them worked - some are quite blobbely. I've also been making some earrings - OK - lots of earring for the show on the 4th of July...

Look at my fingernails!! Isn't that amazing?! My sister and I had 'shellac manicures' done ten days ago. Holy Cow - I've never had polish last this long....

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Flag Boy

2011-06-06T10:21:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image has been greatly influenced by a number of things. The biggest? YIKES! It's less than a month until the 4th of July and I live in the 4th of July City (Seward, Nebraska) and that means that it's my biggest sale day of the year and I'm not ready not one little bit and I don't have a new 4th of July pendant made for this year yet. Oh - I hope my stress isn't showing.... anyway - this is the image I chose for this week's necklace contest. You come up with a clever saying for the back and make your comments here. On Friday a winner will be chosen and presented with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.

Honestly - I have been doing more than just this contest - I just haven't been posting much. Perhaps that's a goal for this week....show you the silkscreening projects and the etching projects and the bugs in the garden I've been tackling...

This Week's Winner - Beatle Fan!

2011-06-03T10:14:00.003-05:00

Such a great song... perfect for a puppy in distress. Congratulations go to Miss Natalie for winning this week's necklace contest. She submitted "I get by with a little help from my friends" by the Beatles. There were three or four other quotes that were so close to winning. You all rock, but Natalie wins. Send me your address, Miss Natalie. I think you know the routine!
Have a great weekend.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Puppy in the Pond!

2011-05-30T07:27:00.003-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image is from a vintage postcard. It's cute, right? And the contest? Easy Peasy! Make a comment as to what you think would be a good caption/quote/saying for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a chain. Whoo Hoo!
I realize that contest pics are all I've been posting lately. It doesn't mean I haven't been doing other things too - I have! Quick trip to Kansas with siblings, taking pontoon rides on the pond, perfecting my martini making skills, and sitting on the phone with my website host (dotster) trying to resolve issues... my apologies to anyone who tried to contact me through e-mail and couldn't the last few days...
Anyway - The contest is on - Life is Good.

This Week's Winner - Flies With Her Own Wings

2011-05-27T11:29:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to this week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest, Miss T Lee!!! Her winning entry is "Seek Advice But Fly With Your Own Wings". At first I thought that meant to ignore the advice and do what you want. Then I contemplated the saying and kept coming back to it. I like it. We all have the ability to "fly with our own wings". We should seek advice and take the advice (when appropriate) and then not rely on someone else to do the 'flying', but Fly With Our Own Wings. Hopefully that's sort of what T Lee meant. Sometimes I over analyze.

Anway - TLee, Congratulations and please send me your mailing list so I can send you your winning pendant!

This Week's Winner - Flies With Her Own Wings

2011-05-27T11:29:00.001-05:00

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Prayer of the Butterfly

2011-05-23T07:40:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest features a sweet little Victorian girl dressed like a butterfly and looking like she's in a world of trouble and trying to pray her way out of it. Maybe not. She might be innocent... Anyway - here's where you dear readers come in. Make a comment as to what you think would be a perfect thought, quote, caption, phrase, passage etc. for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen, a pendant created, added to a 24" ball chain and sent to the winning poster. (Postee?) Enter as often as you like - it makes us all giggle!

Remember - if you ever want to design your own pendants, I live to make them for you. Go to my website www.twodogpond.com and take a look around. You design it, I'll fabricate it.

My Obsessive Behavior

2011-05-21T11:26:00.005-05:00

Last year a friend of mine sent me a link to some fingerprints done in silver. She knew that I had done some with the fingerprints of little children for young moms in fine silver. The problem was that her daughter lost her life in a tragic car accident a few years ago. I knew there had to be a way to do this from a fingerprint on paper. I read about it - too hard. I asked other artists about it - Blah blah blah - fast forward to me buying an imagemaker, then realizing my printer wouldn't print black enough... then buying another printer - this one does. Yesterday I got it to all come together. That's my fingerprint (don't tell James Bond that it's so readily accessible - he'll be all over that) and my new word "uniquity" done in copper. I also experimented with some new LOS...love it! It's called XL Gel in case you too are looking for an easier to use LOS with a longer shelf life... I also had to set up a new work space:

Dangerous? Who Cares! There is so much potential here for etching unique designs in metal, I can hardly sit still my mind is spinning so fast!!

(Confession - that's a bunch of canvas bags and onesies under the table waiting for me to get all silk-screen obsessive on... my obsessions don't always last very long...)

This Week's Winner - Good Karma To All

2011-05-20T09:31:00.004-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Winner is JAS! It's always a good idea to have Good Karma, send Good Karma, share Good Karma, so - here it is... Good Karma for JAS.

Please e-mail me your mailing address and I will send you your soldered glass pendant on a 24" ball chain. I really like the way this one turned out - the circus influence comes from seeing 'Water For Elephants' last night. Great movie!

Thanks to everyone who played this week - it's always nice to have you here. Have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to scoop water out of the paddle boat before it sinks from all the rain water in it while wearing my husbands big giant boots...Hopefully I won't get sucked into the mud.

More On The Window

2011-05-18T08:33:00.004-05:00

A couple months ago I posted a photo of the installed window I had fabricated for the Lutheran
Center for Mission and Learning in Santa Ana, California. The Pacifica Synod wrote an article about the window in their recent newsletter which I would like to share with you if you're interested. It's a really nice article - it was a project done out of love which provided the opportunity for me to honor the One that gave me the desire and skills to create.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Charming

2011-05-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

The image for this week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest is from an old postcard. I'm not really sure what this woman does professionally, but I admire that she allowed someone to take her picture doing it and then have them sent all over the world! Think how proud she would be to know that she even ended up in this contest! This is where you come in - leave a comment as to what you think would be the perfect quote or caption or phrase for this image. A winner will be chosen on Friday and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain.

Enter as often as you would like - check back to see what other people say - it's all great fun!

Thanks for your patience on last week's contest. Seems blogger went down for a bit and then I got busy watching my great-nephew do adorable baby things for a couple days...

This Week's Winner and A Guest Blogger

2011-05-15T14:46:00.002-05:00

'Sup dudes and dudettes?! Rachel's California nephew Josh here. We're visiting 2DP this weekend so Auntie Rachel asked me to pick this week's winner and write a guest post. I'm a sucker for a bad pun, so watermelonmom's entry "I will love you for heifer" was just too good to pass up.

My family has been loving our time here at the Pond. My 19-month-old son (a total city boy, just like his dad) has discovered that eggs come from chickens, not the refrigerator. He is simultaneously fascinated with, and terrified of, Uncle Tim's riding lawnmower. And he giggles with glee when Rumple and Scootch run circles around him. I wonder what he'll think when we show him where milk comes from...

....::~*~::....

Rachel here - it's so much fun having Josh and family here!! We are in heaven!!

Mis watermelonmom - please e-mail me (rachel@twodogpond.com) your mailing address and I will send you your winning pendant on a 24" chain.

Sometimes It Doesn't Work

2011-05-11T06:30:00.006-05:00

When I make the "Drink It~Break It~Wear It" earrings and bracelets from upcycled wine bottles I always have lots of glass left over... parts that are too small or too curved to fit my plans. So - I thought it would be cool to make some pyramid shaped paperweights out of wine bottles. (It's sad how there are so many empty wine bottles here...how does that happen?)
I smashed some merlot bottles...
...added some chardonnay bottles....

...fired and annealed...

...and ended up with more of a weapon than a paperweight...

Back to the Drawing Board!

There's No Place Like Home

2011-05-10T06:20:00.003-05:00

My friend Patty and her sisters grew up in the best world. I love hearing their stories! They lived in an old bank complete with tin ceilings - their parents were both entrepreneurs and raised the girls on a shoestring. They say their mom could make anything out of anything... Recently Patty showed me a piece of crumpled tin ceiling she had discovered in the pile of the now demolished bank building. I was honored when she asked me to make earrings for her and her sisters. I kept the design simple by cutting and polishing the tin and adding different colors of faceted rutilated quartz. Thank you for trusting me with this project, Patty!

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Babies Are So Cute

2011-05-09T06:11:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest! This week's image is Adorable. Look at that sweet baby. The image is from a vintage postcard from Texas. The contest is simple: make a comment with a suggestion for what would be the perfect caption for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. For complete information on this contest using more words than you would normally like to read, scroll about over there >>>

I hope all of you that are Mothers had a lovely day yesterday. I did! We went fishing on the pond and caught a ton of fish. It was all catch and release... a nice way to spend the afternoon.

This Week's Winner - Don't Judge

2011-05-06T17:37:00.003-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest Winner is Natalie! She wins with her suggestion of "Don't Judge a Fairy By The Size of Her Wings". I love it!! Natalie - e-mail me with your mailing address and I'll get your necklace right out to you.

The background of the picture above is one of Paula Kesselring (Deviant Scrap). I'm addicted to buying their products....

It's still really windy here - keeps blowing the internet out.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Taking Over The World

2011-05-04T11:47:00.004-05:00

This custom necklace was made as a gift for an adult confirmation. Her Patron Saint is St. Terese of Lisieux, Little Flower of Jesus.

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Rated N (Nakedy)

2011-05-02T09:01:00.004-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest image is a nakedy fairy. If you are opposed to what's under your clothes, please stop before you burn your retinas. If not - the contest is simple and fun. You make a comment (as many times as you want) as to what you think would be a good caption for this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain. I believe that this image is a Graphics Fairy image, but am not certain.... it is a lovely image that makes one want to come up with all sorts of snarky comments.

HEY! I had a great time at the Tents on the Fence Art Event yesterday!! I got to meet some blog readers, some customers that I've only met through e-mails and hang out with Lynnie from ::Silverwork:: and Jan, the amazing Fine Silver Artist, and catchup with Leah From Plainview. There were tons of other people that stopped through too! Thank you thank you thank you! Even Sweatshop Baby brought her parents and brother along!!

This Week's Winner - Affirmation And Alliteration

2011-04-29T15:41:00.002-05:00

This week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest Winner is Miss Vintage Revamped!! She's Blooming. She's Brilliant. and She's Beautiful! Congratulations, Susan! I will put your soldered glass pendant on a 24" chain in tomorrow's mail. Notice there are two backsides? I used the pansies from Alice in Wonderland and then felt quite guilty...so I destroyed all the others and did a new design. If Mickey asks... you didn't see it here. I couldn't help myself. I see faces in Pansies and they always remind me of Alice! I believe that Heather J said the same thing...

I apologize that this post is late - tonight I am running the video for our school's Spring Musical. This morning was the big rehearsal so I got home late. Now - the wind is blowing like mad and chairs and garbage cans and doggy kennels are blowing about the yard. It's just nuts! The wind is blowing so hard that the innernets don't always make it to my computer... (don't you miss George W?) I'm digressing - Thanks to everyone that played - you're all blooming. You're all Beautiful and Miss VR is Brilliant!

May Day Tents On The Fence Art Event

2011-04-28T09:12:00.004-05:00

This Sunday, May 1, I will be joining a host of talented local artists on the Liberty House lawn for a Celebration of Art and Spring. Everyone is invited! We will be setting up our 'tents' along the fence (and on the porch and under the big oak trees) and selling our handmade goodness. Click on the poster above for details and a map. My friend, Lynnie from ::Silverwork:: did most of the organizing - she'll be there with her silverwork and enameled copper jewerly. I've been working on some new fused glass pendants. Including some with wire words fused right into the glass. Above are a few that are complete and ready. Wouldn't your Mom love one for Mother's Day?
When I was in Los Angeles with my sister, we found some really great findings... these little kewpies (how do you spell that? QP?) cracked me up. I lampworked the red beads and made a little bracelet. Honestly - it was cuter off than on my wrist. I took it apart three times and added more metal and now I like it better in it's original form. Luckily - I bought a few...
Back to the drawing board!

Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest - Big Pansy

2011-04-25T06:47:00.003-05:00

We've had brave cowgirls, bored geishas, and now a big pansy. Don't you love these colors? I have no idea what sort of ideas you clever enterers will come up with, but I have no doubt there will be some giggling and some deep thoughts happening. The image is from an old postcard - I removed the words and cleaned up the scratches, but didn't touch the colors.

The contest is simple: make a comment as to what you think would be perfect for the backside of this image. On Friday a winner will be chosen and rewarded with a soldered glass pendant on a chain. Lovely!
Why a pansy? Because it's the harbinger of Spring. AND - because if you come to the May Day Tents on the Fence Art Event this coming Sunday, Pat said she's going to decorate her delicious cream puffs with edible flowers. Doesn't that sound beautiful? I digress..
Back to the contest - enter as often as you like. Snarky to sweet, all comments are treasured.

This Week's Winner - Bored to Tears

2011-04-22T10:44:00.002-05:00

I know this face. Sometimes I see it on people when I'm talking about my delightful chickens and naming them one by one and telling about the funny things they do, about how Shizzle Frizzle kicks up wood shavings, and Earl of Sussex unties my shoes.... do you have that look on your face now? Anyway .... That must be why I chose Bon's entry of "My face hurts from pretending to be interested" for this week's Two Dog Pond Necklace Contest. Your necklace is on it's way, Bon.
Cheers to the rest of you! Thank you for playing and coming up with a bunch of really good comments this week!
Happy Easter!

Night Lights

2011-04-20T10:27:00.003-05:00

I have a ton of metal bed springs. A TON! (not really, but it looks like a ton...)

I know other people have asked what to do with metal bed springs also. Here's an idea I came up with this weekend. These little 'poke in the dirt solar lights' are just $1 at WalMart. You can easily detach the black part that pokes in the dirt. They now fit right in the bedspring! Just plop them right in! Use some wire, chain, ribbon, whatever - and hang them in your trees! You could also hang chandelier crystals from the bottom, or pretty ribbons, or little chimes to keep the neighbors awake... anything! They will charge themselves up in the sunshine all day long and then twinkle by themselves all night long. How cool is that?
This is the $1.00 size solar light. The bottom sticks out of the spring. The $3.00 size is a bit larger and doesn't stick out of the bottom. It's a matter of economics, and I would rather have 100 lights with their bottoms showing twinkling in my trees than 33 twinklers that fit.

Anyway - won't this make your yard magical and twinkly all year long? I love it!

I've made some with tea-light candles, but here in Nebraska the wind never stops blowing, and it's really dry all summer. It's a recipe for a prairie fire...

(PS that's not really a tree - it's the deer head that hangs on the wall in my shop)