reclaimed.

I've been experimenting with some of the s-crapload (pun intended) of sterling odds and ends that I have lying around, and i'm really happy with these hammered reclaimed 'pebble' rings.  nothing like making silver molten, then hammering it into a lovely organic shape.  the texture is pretty awesome too. 

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stud.

In my nearly non-existent spare time, I have been trying to perfect my technique for soldering posts onto my earrings because I have been enamored with the idea of utilizing sterling scrap (between Julie and myself we generate tons of scrap) - it's the eco-friendly part of me I suppose.  so now I finally am happy with the results and am introducing these recycled sterling stud earrings into my repertoire!  using a combination of solder and fusion, I've been able to solidly attach sterling posts onto wonderfully rough and organic recycled silver "buds".  so yummy.

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still here. still waiting.

yup, i'm still here, still waiting for this baby to make his/her appearance... and it looks like this kid is taking his/her sweet time!  which is okay - just uncomfortable.  i haven't been venturing far from the house, just in case something happens, which has given me some time to work on some of the designs that have ended up in my sketchbook.  i'm loving the geometric linear-ness of the open hoops in the photo above, and think that they might be my new favorites!  a little bit new wave, a little bit minimalist, they are lightweight and really quite stunning, if i do say so myself!

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we are in love. with silver.

yup. i'm still here.  still brainstorming ideas.  here is the latest, hormone-fueled, emotionally charged pair of earrings - the newest addition to my 'we are in love' collection.  check them out HERE!

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curvaceous. (not me, the earrings!)

i've been working on some decidedly curvy designs lately, and these are ones that have passed muster.  (my workspace is littered with remnants of copper and silver wire!)  these are lovely, with a little bit of a punky edge to them, but still quite feminine.  almost like a question mark, these are lightweight and seriously fabulous.  and, like all of my other open hoops (yes, i know i am using the term "hoop" quite loosely but i don't care) these are made of reclaimed sterling silver.  eco-friendly and cool!  seriously.

(not being very curvaceous, it might be the case that i'm living vicariously through these earrings.  sigh.)

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insane week. seriously.

 i just realized that i haven't posted in over a week, which hasn't happened in MONTHS. but seriously, this week has been totally insanely busy on both the work and home fronts. here's the list summarizing the crazy: - totally brutal work week and i'm pretty sure i'm up for some disciplinary action for sticking my nose where it doesn't belong (even though the work gets dumped on my desk in the end anyways), doctor's appointment because the mini sliced open her leg on some scrap metal that the contractors left in the backyard, being displaced because we had contractors working on our house, when they opened up our house the foundation was full of bugs all living together in some psycho harmony, and then helping L recover from a brief and misguided reunion with mr. robot.  (she's okay - but i think that we realized that he is just never going to change and we have to move him out of our lives but more on that later)

i do have to say though, the stress actually worked in my creative favor a little bit - i had been working on orders in the moments in between all of these things and created a new stack of rings.  I also find that when the husband is away (boys weekend - YAY!) it gives me time to think about new designs (and not worry about bothering him as i smash away) as well as spend some lovely quality time with the mini.  Pictured above, this four ring stack combines a reclaimed pebble ring, a twisted ring, a beaded ring and an infinity band.  delicate and rustic, i just love it.  another alternative to a conventional wedding set, maybe?

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itty bitty earrings. swoon.

so i've been licking my wounds and am now determined to hone my hoop earring technique.  and i've started making these miniscule, diminuitive, tiny little hoops.  totally awesome.  and great for those gals - like me - with multiple piercings. i have 3 pairs in now and they are just great.  lightweight, shiny, and - the best part - made of reclaimed silver!  now that is swoon-worthy!

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the open hoop. again.

 yes.  i am obsessed.  the idea of the open hoop earring is floating through my brain all the time lately (that and that darned katy perry song "california girls" - the mini is crazy over it and we've listened to it about 50 times in the last two days - don't ask) - probably because i have about 10 feet of gorgeous, reclaimed sterling silver sitting on my worktable and i can't stop myself from fooling around with it.  (oops.  that sounds kind of dirty.)  i just pulled these babies out of the tumbler and i think they are my new favorites.  they are a larger version than the ones i made earlier this week and are more along the lines of my "wishbone" earrings.  they are lightweight and just full of silvery shiny goodness - the little rustic balled ends are also a nice design element, i think.

i had asked my friend julie for her feedback on the earlier version and she said that she preferred the "wishbone" design rather than the crossover.  (like L, julie has impeccable taste and is a fantastic model for my jewelry - not the mention the inspiration behind the original mini open hoops)  and i think i have to agree.  i'm loving the more improvised, informal shape of these, as well as the softer lines and rounder forms.  i think that i'm going to make myself a killer iTunes playlist, melt a little metal, and go a little larger with the next set of earrings. 

hmmmm.  stay tuned for more.  i'm psyched.

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open hoops.

lately i've been thinking of other design possibilities for the 'open hoop'.  i have found that for someone accident-prone like i am, that these types of earrings seem to be the best choice.  not only are they lightweight and easy to wear, but they are less likely to fall out or be pulled out of shape (or out of my ear) by a small toddler.  i also love the organic look obtained by melting the end of the wire into a little ball and these on the right encompass all of those qualities.  i like the modern, linear quality of these - kind of a like a little punctuation mark for your ears (or maybe a safety pin?  punk throwback, much?) can't beat that, now can you? 

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sustainable.

just thinking about minimizing my carbon footprint.  and these choices make it easy.

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the smaller, the better.

you don't hear THAT everyday. (*wink wink*)  but certainly in this case, small is awesomely fabulous.  with some time on my hands this weekend, i've been working on an even smaller version of my tiny bud open hoop earring... and here it is!  at just over 1/4" in diameter (the other ones are about 1/2"), these are perfect for people with multiple piercings or tiny earlobes.

i've been experimenting with texture as well, and there will be a version that is hammered (similar to the original style), one that is more of a "flathead" (see picture) and then one that is perfect just as it is (like in this listing).  they photograph beautifully too.  but the best thing about these earrings?  the reclaimed sterling silver wire i have been working with to make them is pretty flawless.  it makes me feel a little virtuous to be making something that is eco-friendly as well as super stylish - and at $10, a steal as well!  want a pair????

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