Posts

Expectations

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This is the time of year I try to set realistic goals that are achievable.   Probably you do too.   These are not the overwhelming ones like I used to make – lose 100 pounds, make 5 art projects a week, make $100,000 a year and on and on.   No, now I make goals I think are possible – have fun with whatever I am doing, learn something new, share kindness, eat healthy and exercise (almost) every day and acknowledge joy.   I still have timelines that are measurable and I give myself a little wiggle room.   I’m in charge of my happiness and what I want to accomplish.   I used to forget that.   It is so easy to try to please others and so difficult to look inside and understand what pleases me.   Losing 50 pounds would please me but not at any cost!   Making lots of money would please me but not at the cost of focusing my life on that.   So now, I look at what really brings me joy, happiness and pleasure. Last year a friend of mine and I ended each email with a statement:   Joy

Taking End Caps a Step Further

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Last Friday I shared by first sterling silver clay project - the bead end caps that I formed by hand.  This Friday I wanted to share my next experiment with bead end caps.  These are made with fine silver clay and I used a 2 part mold mixture from Cool Tools instead of hand forming them. The mold I made 2 parts to the mold and rolled my clay to 2 cards thick.  Placing the clay into the deep mold was more difficult than I anticipated.  The clay cracked and I had to repair it in several places.  It was a little scary taking the two parts of clay out of the molds.  After I wiggled the silicone mold, both pieces popped right out.  While they were drying on the cup warmer, I rolled the clay for the next end cap.  This time I rolled it 3 cards thick and it was easier to put into the mold halves.  It did not crack. Drying in the mold Drying on the cup warmer After both halves were dry, I attached them with clay paste and set them to dry again.  Sanding and smoothing and t

Learning New Things – 2013 Resolution!

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Kim's Beautiful Beaded Necklace and My End Caps What a way to start the New Year!   First time working with Sterling Silver Clay, using my rock tumbler and hand forming bead end caps!   A very good friend, Kim Neff ( www.beadjeweledraven.com ) needed large size end caps for her beautifully beaded spiral necklace.   When she could not find any, she asked if I would make them.   Oh, why not???   I’d never done anything quite like them but I was certainly willing.   Polymer Prototype First I decided to use the Sterling Silver clay I had sitting in my drawer for way too long.   It needed to be used and I needed to learn to work with it.   Then I decided to make a prototype with polymer clay.    Seemed like a mold would be good to create since I needed two matching caps and of course, my 2 part mold mix was way past its shelf life.   I ordered more. Being impatient, the thought of creating the end caps using the polymer prototype sounded worth trying.   I cut a circle