Construction Progress

 It's hard to believe that cement can be poured in the bitter cold, but evidently it can. This was weeks ago, and it's still freakishly cold.

 Jewelry production is slow due to ummm, well, life.. but I did manage to get a few pieces to the gallery and have a few more to take over.

 

I am a member of The Cross Makers of Seward - a group of volunteer retired guys (and me) that make palm crosses. I maintain the etsy shop and do the shipping. There was an article in Thrivent Magazine that went out to 3 million readers. Needless to say, I turned into a Shipping Department overnight last November. Today I have just 105 crosses to ship out...

Sister Bee rescued a Husky Mix Puppy and named her Merci. They are living together at La Ruche while Bonnie is remodeling her mansion into a B&B.

I love puppy pictures.

Patience, Grasshopper

For two weeks we've been waiting for "dirt". 

Seems silly, but yes - dirt. Dangerous Dan is now on his way with a load of dirt to make the surface level. He needs seven more. 

I am again learning the lesson of Patience.

Meanwhile, people are coming and going staying for months/weeks at a time at Two Dog Pond. I am thoroughly loving having Sister Bee here. She just bought an old Victorian and is turning it into a B&B. More on that later...

...~*~...

It Is Coming.

 This is it! This site of my new studio!

Things That Fly

 New necklaces I made for the Red Path Gallery.

 Most have wings. I'm listening to Jeopardy, so the correct answer, Alex, is "What are things that fly?"

 I was going to keep this one for myself. I love it.

 Tomorrow I am getting on an airplane and flying to San Diego.

This one is for a very special customer. She has the greatest beads and old coral to work with. This is actually two necklaces, but I like them worn together. I hope it flies.

Wild Ride

 Since late June I've been on what feels like a carnival ride... sometimes up here,

 Sometimes like I fell off...

 sometimes like there's too many...

I know that things will settle down, I'll figure out the right right direction, and I'll be back on solid ground and ready for the next ride.

Changes are coming.

Feathers

The stained glass feathers I've been making for the Red Path Gallery have been very popular. This morning I finished up an order for 30 feathers to be given to the Healers at the Native American Wellness Conference. I am so honored to have been asked to make these. 

Are you admiring the giant springs I bought? I'm not sure what to do with them, but I love them. The feathers are each 7 inches long, so you can see the springs are huge. Any ideas?

Now Is The Time

 This Saturday - at the Liberty House in Seward from 9-5pm - I will be selling my inventory of soldered glass pendants at HALF PRICE!!!

 All of them? YES!!!

 I've decided not to carry a huge inventory of soldered glass pendants anymore...I've been making them since 2004, and now want to focus on your custom items instead... like pendants of your sweet babies, and your beautiful grandchildren...

 I will still be making soldered glass pendants as they are ordered, but just not carry such a large inventory of them.

Even these wonderful round pendants will be half price!!

Red Path Gallery

 

Recently a new and amazing Art Gallery and Tasting Room opened in Seward.

It's called Red Path Gallery.

 

 I do have a few jewelry items in the gallery - 

 The building was built in 1886 and was originally a bank. Look at the lovely vault in Melissa's Studio...

 This is my space...

 

 Below are some of the stained glass feathers I've been making exclusively for the gallery.

 There's an amazing collection of art at the gallery. An eclectic group of artists, really.  - please visit the Red Path Gallery Facebook Page to see more... then stop by and have a glass of wine! Tell them Rachel sent you!

The Fire Pit

Ever since we moved to Two Dog Pond I've wanted a fire pit. Tim isn't as much of a pyromaniac as me, so if I wanted one I needed to build it. Today was the day for that....

Step One: go look at every stone option in town. Ask how many it takes to make a circle and then use whatever number you think is right. Te correct answer is twelve.

On the driveway, lay them out in a circle and measure the diameter.

Haul all your shovels and a can of spray paint and a couple of bricks and a level to the site.

Since you know the diameter of the fire pit, tie a string around a can of spray paint and then spray a circle the size of your fire pit...

Start digging! This is the point where I realized that my paint circle was way too big. 

Try to make it level. Or not...

First layer down..

Second layer down...

Dump in all the pea gravel...

Add the third layer and you are done.

Lashed Wrapped Bracelet Two Dog Pond Style

 I was asked to make some lashed wrap bracelets, so I tried it!

 I found many instructions on-line and they all said use size 12 beading needles and size D cord... I had some needles, but no idea what size cord I had so I guessed it was D and proceeded to try to thread it through the freakingly tiny needle. I bent the head - no big deal, I can straighten that with a pliers, says me. Then realized there was a giant knot on the other end....

...after fighting with needle and thread for an hour, I did figure it out and proceeded to complete the bracelet. I like it, but wanted mine earthier...

 ...so I made some buttons out of deer antlers...

 last year Terry, the big-game hunter from Montana, sent me antlers, bullet casings, and turkey feathers.... I have been having fun with them ever since.

 This lovely skull hangs on my studio wall - a trade with Ed for a necklace for his wife.

I ordered some thinner leather, some size D cord and will attempt this again. If I was Chan Luu I would charge a million dollars for these...

The End.

Getting Back On Track

 A custom necklace...

 There were a few requests: Incorporate an "M", a "2", Travel (1949 Pfennig), a key...

 A few more bug (and an upside down bird) cuffs

 An Eagle Feather Pendant (It's about 3" long)