new.

have been working on some new ideas and a pretty fantastic custom order.  above - twelve skinny stacking rings - six in sterling, six in 14K gold fill - as per a customer's request.  love love love them.

another view of the rings. 

some mini fingertip rings - not sure if they're shop-worthy yet but I quite like them.  I am afraid to test drive them though in case I lose them.

and a larger size version of the wavy fingertip ring.  reminds me of the sine/cosine wave that they taught us in trigonometry.  too bad I failed trig - this would have been a nice tribute to the subject.

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new in the shop...

showing off some new creations - I have been working on my bezel settings as well as some new additions to the Celestial line and the fidget rings.  thoughts?

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more monoliths!

I don't think words can even tell you how much I love this new ring stack.  seriously GORGEOUS.

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from paper to reality.

 

this drawing stayed stuck to my desk at the office for a few months before i took it down to bring home with me when i started my maternity leave.  then it stayed stuck to the fridge, then on the cupboard above the kettle, then in my sketchbook... until i finally had the time to make the design.  i am really happy with the finished product, which i made entirely from scratch (earwires and all!!!!) from sterling and reclaimed rose gold filled wires.  part dreamcatcher, part jellyfish, and completely modern and organic, i love them.  thoughts?

 

 

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more love.

i don't know if it's because i'm in the home stretch at work (less than 2 weeks left to go then VACATION and maternity leave - whoot whoot!) or if it's because i'm anticipating the drastic reduction in torch time that i am going to have for the next few months (boo hoo!) but i've been working on some new designs.  including these really lovely modern hoops - with rose gold hearts - my newest addition to the "we are in love" collection!  kind of romantic, don't you think?  yeah, me too - almost sickly sweet romantic.  oh well.  hormones will do that to you.

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it's all about the necklace...

i always love working with people on custom jewelry - they always have wonderful ideas and perspective!  this is a trio of pendants that i made for a birthday present - organic and modern at the same time, and in sterling, rose gold and 14K gold filled.  love love love these!

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a lesson in copper.

now this is not me blowing off steam or me not being able to accept criticism, but i felt that it would be a good time to do some education around copper jewelry.  a customer sent me a prickly email about a set of copper and sterling rings that she had purchased from me, stating that the materials i use must not be pure copper or sterling silver because they had turned her ring finger green.  i'll admit that my anger flared up a little for a hot moment - mostly because of the insinuation that my materials aren't pure.  but then i realized that not everyone has the background that i have in regards to metal, so i figured i'd post some information here in the hopes that it will help someone else - because i want the people who wear my jewelry to love it.

there are mystical healing properties associated with copper.  not only is it one of the oldest metals known to man, but it also is an essential nutrient to all living things (and conversely, in large quantities, can be poisonous).  copper has a high electrical and thermal conductivity, surpassed only by silver, which is why copper is used in wiring and piping.  this property of conductivity is also attributed to spiritual energies and thoughts, as well as to helping to align and cure physical and emotional ailments.  pretty awesome, if you ask me.  the fact that copper has a gorgeous sheen and can oxidize to a fantastic multi-coloured patina adds to the beauty of it.

so why does copper sometimes turn skin green?  it's all about the body, baby.  the green stains that may be left on your skin after wearing copper jewelry are formed as your body absorbs the copper.  the chemical makeup of some people's sweat (in this case, the acidity) will react with the metal, which is why some people react and some people don't.  healers who wear copper state that the green tinge is a sign that the metal is "working", and that the colour also can indicate a body that is deficient in copper.  a body that is severely deficient in copper can also respond to the minute levels of copper in 14K gold.  related news - if you have a nickel allergy (and none of my metals contain nickel) you won't get a green stain on your finger, but will have redness at the point of contact with the metal, accompanied by itching and a burning sensation. 

i use certified sterling silver (92.5% pure silver, 7.5% copper) and pure copper (100% copper - duh) in addition to brass (an alloy of copper and zinc - we'll go into that another day), 14K gold filled and rose gold filled wire.  however, people's sensitivities all depend on their chemical makeup, and unfortunately, there are no sure fire ways to guarantee that one won't react to any metal - unless you stop yourself from sweating (yeah, right - seriously, how would you do that?) or don't wear any sort of jewelry at all.  you can coat the inside of your rings with clear nail polish to create a barrier between your skin and the copper, which most people find helpful.  it does need to be reapplied once in a while, but apparently does the trick.  you should also keep your jewelry away from chlorine, salt water, soap, lotions, and hot tubs (right, L?) and clean them often to keep their shine. 

having this response to copper is not unusual, just unsightly.  and of course it seems to affect the people who hate it the most.  it's not just a matter of avoiding "cheap" jewelry, because for some people, even the trace amounts of copper in gold or pure silver can cause a reaction.  i take great pride in the work that i do and i would hate to have someone be unhappy with a piece that they purchased from me.  however, that being said, nature sometimes finds a way to sabotage even the most beautiful fashion choices.

(thanks to metaphysicaldirectory.org, shimmerlings.com and about.com)

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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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Autumn Giveaway!

seriously, the days are just flying by. sometimes i turn around and i can't even remember where the week went! i even find that this new job is even busier than my other job - and that job was CRAZY! however, i have to admit that i am liking the change and am adjusting slowly.

one of the best things about change is that sometimes it triggers little bursts of inspiration for me. i love simple designs in sterling and i have become obsessed with the idea of the eternity circle as an earring. i have been focusing on rings for the most part, but have made several pairs of earrings that i can't stop wearing!

so, in celebration of the change in the seasons, i'm giving away one of my newest designs - the simply rustic eternity earrings in sterling! all you have to do is follow my blog and leave a post here and tell me about the most recent change in your life! if you blog or twitter about this giveaway, you'll get an extra entry - just remember to post here that you've done that as well. i'll use the all omniscent random.org to choose a winner on october 15th! don't forget to also leave your email address or a link to your site so that i can contact you if you win!

happy autumn, everyone!

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stamping my feet...

... well, not really. i've been experimenting with some fantastic stamps that i purchased from my friend romazone on etsy - thank you, roma! i had tried stamping about a year and a half ago but quickly stopped when i couldn't "get" it. yes, stamping SEEMS simple, but it is really hard to get all the letters lined up and imprinted perfectly. needless to say, after having to scrap a bunch of copper and sterling blanks and smashing my thumb about three times, i gave up.

fast forward to now - i decided i was going to expand my creative horizons and try my hand at stamping again. and i didn't do too badly - check out the picture! not bad for a former stamping failure! and NO injuries! (yet.)

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new idea - FINALLY! introducing the knot & tangle ring!

so thanks to the lovely katie shuttle, i finally got inspired! i am introducing my new knot & tangle ring - the latest addition to my 'knotted up' collection! i made one each in copper and in sterling silver and they are just lovely. a new classic, perhaps? what do you think?

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is it wrong to fall in love with sterling silver?

in the midst of planning the mini's christening and house hunting, i actually had some time to do some metalsmithing! (probably a reaction to the stress.)

seriously, i think i'm in love with these sterling stackers. totally edgy, these are less organic feeling than my original stacking rings, but just as cool. these babies are more substantial but sit quite nicely on my finger... hmmm... a new favorite perhaps?????

as for the house hunting, well, we're hoping that the 3rd times' a charm. we're currently working on our third offer, so keep your fingers crossed! then we'll have to gear up and get ready to sell our house! stressed? yeah, i totally am.

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sterling silver sampling!

amidst all of the crib/sleep training drama, i've been working with some amazing sterling silver wire. half round, square, beaded, twisted, patterned, different gauges... such loveliness! in the stack to the left, i've incorporated several different types and the combination of textures is quite amazing. i've also been working with awesome domed floral patterned wire, which has made some lovely, baroque/medieval inspired bands! who knew that silver could be so versatile!!!

so... how goes the sleep training, you ask? meh, not so good. the mini has had NO problem returning to the crib, and i've somewhat overcome my "missing-baby-insomnia", but i realize that eventually halfway (or so) through the night, we end up together in my bed. oh well. i seem to have found a balance where we both get enough rest. when i'm better rested, i'm less moody and emotional about leaving her, plus i'm able to function well in the daytime. even the sleep training gurus say that nothing is worth it unless mommy is well rested... so i'm just going to go with it for now. survival, right????

i have learned a few things in the last couple of days:

1. thank God for the white noise machine

2. an early bedtime is best - darn you, cortisol!

3. i sometimes think i hear the mini crying when she's not

4. the battery in the baby monitor wears out very quickly.

5. an hour of alone time with the husband is quite restorative

6. the better she naps, the better she sleeps.

sleep. who knew it was so complicated???

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Late Night Musings...

i know i'm supposed to be sleeping. all the books tell you to sleep when your baby sleeps. but i can't. the mini goes to sleep (and usually, the husband does too), and i hit my second wind. my head gets full of design ideas, random thoughts, things to look up on wikipedia, or i fire up the torch to make a set of rings. i should be sleeping.

instead, i make a new "knotted up" necklace - one of my favourites. i try to drum up some interest in my blog giveaway. (not that i'm posting about this to promote it again) i wonder why it seems like my hair is starting to fall out. i read a chapter of "New Moon", which i am rereading for the second time in preparation for the movie. i start casting a set of maple pods in fine silver. i clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher. i eat some camembert cheese and potato chips, wash it down with chocolate soy milk, then feel guilty. i catch up on some of my bookmarked blogs. i think about how i wish i had named my company something more elegant than "muffin top". i polish my toenails.

but i know that soon the baby will wake up to eat. i will inhale her sweet baby powder smell and put her back into her crib... and finally, crawl into bed myself.

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August's Giveaway! My NEW Simply Skinny Earrings!

can you believe the summer is halfway over already? not that the days seem to matter to me - oh the joys of maternity leave! i seem to measure time now by whether or not the husband is going to the office or when Michaels opens later. how funny - especially since i used to be the girl with the daytimer!

anyhow - i've been trying to do some more designing in my spare time, and am launching a simply skinny earring line! in celebration, my august giveaway is the very first pair of simply skinny earrings in sterling silver and copper! you want 'em? (and of course you do!)

all you have to do is this:
- go to my etsy shop - http://muffintopdesigns.etsy.com/ - heart what you like the best, come back here and leave a comment

- become a "follower" of my blog (if you are already, that's fantastic!)

- for an extra entry, tell me what the colour scheme is for the mini's nursery! (i mention it in an earlier blog post - so go look!)

make sure you leave details (a link to your blog, an email address, etc.) so i can find you! go enter! now! i'll be picking a winner on august 20th!!! (why the 20th? i dunno. sounded like a good day to choose a winner!)

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The Humble Egg and it's Oxidization Powers!

three of my oxidized sterling rings worn with three polished skinny sterling stacking bands

so i've been experimenting some more with polishes and finishes for my metalwork. i've always loved the look of heavily oxidized sterling silver - the patina is rich and dark and so lovely in contrast to shiny, high polished silver! however, i've been a little reluctant to use silver black or liver of sulfur - the whole chemical thing isn't conducive to pregnancy, you know? so i did a little digging around on the internet and discovered the joys of oxidizing with a hard boiled egg. and yes, it DOES work! i really have to thank my friend lauren from http://jerseymaids.etsy.com/ for inspiring me to try this method - because i never would have done it without her encouragement!

i'm posting a little how-to here so that i can share the instructions - and make sure that i don't forget how to do it!

above: here are the rings prior to oxidizing. they've been tumbled for strength and polish. make sure that your pieces are work hardened/tumbled/pretty much finished. i would suspect that if i threw the oxidized pieces back into the tumbler they would just polish back up to a relatively high shine.

here's my hard boiled egg, straight out of the pot and still HOT, in a plastic container that has a tight fitting lid. (i'm assuming that everyone knows how to hard boil an egg, right? if not, let me know.) you can also use a ziploc bag if you like. you need a container that seals. the more pieces you do, the more egg you'll need. i found that one egg worked just fine for these rings.

smoosh the egg, shells and all, in the plastic container or ziploc baggie. i found using a container a little better for me and my pregnancy clumsiness since i'm not too great at handling hot things.
i laid the rings on top of a paper towel on top of the smooshed eggs inside the container. you can also put the pieces right on top of the eggs - i just am a little bit of a neat freak and don't like touching the egg. if you put the pieces right on top of the eggs, it seems to speed up the oxidation process a little. make sure that you cover your container (or zip up your ziploc baggie) to keep the nice sulfur fumes in there!

and here are the rings - all deeply oxidized! this is only after about an hour on top of the warm eggs. i kept the container in the microwave for insulation purposes, hoping to keep the egg warmer for longer.

and here is the finished product! i love the rainbow-y finish that the oxidized rings have - not totally uniformly dark like you would get from some of the chemical methods, but really nice and rustic! who knew that the humble egg could conquer metal like THIS?????

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