The Making and The Being

Some days in the studio, when things go just the way I will them to, when my saw makes my silver sing, when metal responds to fire without melting (except when I want it to), when solder flows and parts align... some days in the studio are really, really good.

Yesterday was one of those days.

It's hard to describe the feeling of seeing something I imagined, and then sketched, coming to... be. And some days it all happens so effortlessly.

Yesterday, I finished this ring. 

It's hard to say which part feels better: the act of creating a thing, or holding it in your hands afterwards and basking in "I made this..."

Sterling and New Mexico Apache Rhyolite. 

Size 8.5 (wears best on a middle finger) and available in the shop now. 

Lucky

Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve to be so lucky.

First of all, look at how damn cute my kids are:

(Aidan as Cleopatra)

(Alice as... Brian Setzer? She refused to wear a costume so we just went with a punk/rockabilly theme. She played the part pretty well, don't you think?)

This was the first year that she actually walked to trick or treat.
♥ 

 (her tattoo says "moms")

Aidan liked that she got to wear makeup.

~~~~~

In the studio this week I've been working on way too many projects and have only finished one of them. A going away gift for my dear friend Aimee:

(sterling and dyed coral)

I feel so lucky to have met her and gotten to know her during her time here in Lawrence. She's an incredibly talented artist, she's (as Foxy put it last night) devastatingly funny, and best of all, our families get along together perfectly. In fact, they feel more like family than friends. (but the kind of family that gets along, not the kind of family that's full of drama and conflict! ;) ). 

We're going to miss them terribly. 

But I can't wait to visit. I'll finally make it to NYC!

Safe travels, Artysville girls! We love you!!

xo

(PS. I will be listing some of these Aimee-inspired dangles in the shop too!)

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

Honestly, I'm at a loss for words.

 It seems like a cliche to call her a "miracle child," even though that's exactly what she is. And, actually, it feels wrong to even bring that up on her birthday, even though every year it's impossible not to think, "take that, medical community!" 

But she's so much more than  a child who overcame (and is overcoming) major medical obstacles. 

She's Alice!

She's the sweetest girl you'll ever met.

She's joy

She's curiosity

She's perseverance

She's discovery

She's love

She's happiness

We celebrated her birthday yesterday so we could concentrate on Halloween today. I'd say she had a pretty good day. Spent the morning at the park (where she preferred to play with leaves over playground equipment).

Then we went to the toy store where she got to pick out a few things with her birthday money!

Big sis had some fun too

Then dinner at Alice's favorite restaurant (she loves Thai!)

Then home for presents and cake

And we all had fun with her new toys!

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet girl. 

Oh, and happy Halloween! Costume pictures tomorrow! ;) 

Just Some Stuff

The past few days around here have consisted of the following:

Yardwork,

A going away party for some dear friends

 (it was sad and fun all wrapped in to one colorful package),

And the making of this ring

Sterling and a stunning glow-y green cushion of fluorite. It's pure magic, I tell you!

  In the shop now (sorry, sold!). 

I've got a few other things under construction in the studio, including a pair of jasper earrings and a ring so big it will knock your socks off. Not sure if I'll finish them this week, but I'll sure try!

Hope your week so far has been both productive and pleasurable!

Flying Through Autumn

Really, it seems like I was complaining about the summer heat just yesterday and now here Alice and I are, snuggled up under a comforter on the couch keeping each other warm because I'm too stubborn to turn on the heat. 

But I'm basking in every chilly, sunny moment and remembering how I longed for them just a few short weeks ago. 

It was actually the perfect weather this past weekend for the Maple Leaf Festival. We look forward to Maple Leaf every year, both because it signals for us the start of the fall/winter season and all of the family fun time it brings, but also because of the doughnuts.

Oh, the doughnuts. 

Nothing warms your belly on a cool October morning quite like a hot (made-right-in-front-of-your-eyes) doughnut and a cup of cider!

We look forward to those doughnuts all year.

We made sure the animals in the petting zoo got some treats too:

I had a pretty quiet week in the studio last week. Alice was sick and the girls both had Friday off so I didn't get many days to myself. Hopefully I'll have some new things by the end of this week. 

I hope you're enjoying the cooler temperatures (if that's the case where you are) and taking full advantage of the start of snuggle season! 

xo