Here there be dragons

So, we all know sterling wire is way to expensive to use now. I do a lot of experimenting when I create critters from wire, and I can't afford to waste sterling wire. I decided to give red brass a go, and this is my first thing created from it. :)

Sterling Seahose Pendant

I'm rather fond of this pendant, so I thought I'd share it with y'all. The beads are some lovely 4mm teal round pearls. I hated to use them, because I wanted to just keep them forever (my beads, mine, mwahahaah). It's my own design,  I start with wire and imagination. I have 2 dragon pendants (made of red brass) in the works. I can't wait to share them too! :)

Ruby, Dragon Queen

From kittyd

Let me present Ruby, Queen of Dragons. There may be other dragon queens out there, but I wouldn't let Ruby know. Ruby is fond of garnets, crystals and copper. All dragons have their own peculiarities. She measures 3 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. The copper rope chain is 22 inches long and included with purchase. Ruby is made from raw copper and will gracefully patina with age. She represents over a dozen hours of work. She really wants to come home with you, but beware! She may decide your jewelry box is her own personal treasure trove...
Ruby came to life as a challenge presented to me by my jewelry making forum friends from about. *waves*
They saw the other wire wrapped animals I was making and said that they knew I loved dragons and should create one. This presented a real challenge, as I cannot draw. I have to start with raw wire and imagination. My first attempt at a dragon wound up being a raven. Darn wire has a mind of it's own!

I'm Bacccccccccccccccccccckkk!

Well at least for today.../grin. I finally listed a few new items in my shop, including this carnelian leaf and crystal quartz necklace

Well, I've started making a few rings..

This is the second one in my shop! (In my son's favorite colors, black and red)

Ever had one of those days?

I was volunteering at the public art gallery in Elizabeth City this past Friday, and everything I touched went wrong. I usually bring something along to work on. Everything I tried to do I messed up, plus I was knocking things on the floor. Fortunately it wasn't artwork, just books and a book holder on the counter...lol!

Amethyst Wire Wrapped Earrings

Who doesn't love purple? I took sterling wire and wrapped these absolutely amazing 12mm multi faceted coin amethyst beads. I then added some sterling diamond dust and 4mm amethyst bead dangles to the bottom. I really don't want to give these up...
These earrings measure about 1.5 inches long from the bottom of the earwire

My muse is back!

My muse is back, and this is the first thing she inspired me to create! I'm waiting on some wire so I can create some rings too! :)

My son is graduating on June 12th

My son's senior pic
Originally uploaded by kittydabc

My son is constantly reminding me to not care what other people think. He's his own person and if people don't like him, well he considers it their problem.
People have talked about me in my small town because I don't have a job. They think because I don't have one, I haven't looked. (Despite numerous health problems I've put in hundreds of applications over the past 3 years).
He is always saying, "Mom, their life must be pretty dang boring if all they have to talk about is you. You should feel sorry for them."
/giggle
I gotta love him! He's beautiful inside and out!

I'm Featured on Blog Awards Site!

I'm featured on makingjewelrysupplies.com Blog Awards Site!
http://makingjewelrysupplies.com/blog_awards/index.php?id=18883

Swan Song

No, this isn't my swan song! It's just the name I gave this pendant, because it looked like my swan's neck was stretched out and that she was about to break into song.

I hand forged this pendant from 16g sterling silver wire. I then wrapped the edges with 20g wire, and covered them with a wrapping of 4mm white opal crystals. Isn't she lovely? This is my own original design, and it's ooak. (I couldn't repeat it if I tried). The pendant measures approximately 3 inches by 3 inches.

Bluebird of Happiness

is not what I've been calling this pendant as it kicked my butt for a week. But, I've finally finished it, and I must say I'm rather pleased with the results.

Wire wrapped Nautilus

My muse has gone from disappeared to overdrive! I forced myself to sit down and start creating jewelry yesterday. Not only did I finish that bracelet I had on hold for 2 weeks, but I also created this wire wrapped nautilus pendant. Who knows what I'll create today. I think my muse has returned!

New Bracelet!

Well, Keith of http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterflyBayDesign is doing a 365 day art project. IN other words, he's creating a new art project every day for a year.
He has inspired me, and I don't know if I'll finish something every day, but I'd like to try. Today I finished a bracelet I had been putting off finishing for two weeks. I feel good about this accomplishment! :)

There was a bird trapped in our attic

We have no idea how he got there. My daughter was outside and walked by the window and saw him frantically flying from window to window to try to get out.
We went up there to open a window, and that's when we found out they're all nailed shut. Did I mention we live in a 200 year old house?
I was on my way to go get a hammer when my daughter said she was going to try to catch him. She was able to and walked down the steep attic stairs with him clutching her fingers, and took out to the front porch and let him go.
I couldn't of done it! I panicked when he flew to the window I was at and he got caught in my hair a little.

Backwards Thyroid

My thyroid has been underactive for 10 years. I've been on varying levels of synthroid during that time. Well, the first two years my doctor put put me on unithroid which really didn't work.
For the past 6 months or so, I was getting symptoms of overactive without realizing it. I went to the doctor, she lowered my dose, but I was still getting symptoms of overactive so I stopped taking it. She fussed me out, put me back on meds, and now I'm heart racy, nervous, jittery, crying, and my leg muscles are so weak and wobbly I can't walk at times.
She sent me for a thyroid ultrasound yesterday, after visiting her, but I can't get to the endocrinologist for 2 weeks, because there is only one in my small area. In the meantime, she wants me to stay on the synthroid, and I can't. It's making my symptoms much worse. Even though I'm reading low now, my symptoms scream high, other than the 35 pounds I've gained in 6 months...
Just want some sympathy! /sniff

Bacon Team

Well, the lovely people of etc have decided to create a team based around the fact that we all love bacon. What a great idea! Hmm....I belong to a team of boomers, and a team of people who create despite disabilities (or caretakers of people with disabilities). To round me out I need to be on a team that celebrates bacon!

Bead Star Charity Auction to Benefit AHA

has now started! :) Here's the link to auction for my piece (first place in stones category) http://tinyurl.com/ylq3h8f


And here's the link to the rest of them...
http://shop.ebay.com/beadstar2009auction/m.html

My Bead Star Winning Entry will be auctioned March 23

on ebay. The auction will benefit the American Heart Association. My entry won first place in the stones category!

Second, and maybe even third thoughts

Well, I've been thinking about my allergic reaction yesterday some more. They do use gelatin in the yogurt, and if it's fish based (which it is usually fish or beef based in yogurt) that could of been my problem. I am deathly allergic to fish, and that would definitely explain my reaction. Anyway, gonna stay away from gelatin and inulin. I think that might be my safest bet...lol! :)

Activia and inulin

So, I just found out the hard way today that I'm allergic to activia yogurt. At first I burped a little, then I was burning up and then my neck swelled up and my heart started racing and I had trouble breathing/swallowing. I used my epi-pen and called 911, but by the time they got here (10 minutes, I live in the sticks) my oxygen was back up to 90%. Thank goodness for that epi-pen! I still don't feel too great, but hey, now I know I can't have that yougurt. The only thing I can figure out is that I must be allergic to inulin, the only ingredient in there that I haven't had before. After having the reaction, I read this site, which I found interesting...
http://www.healingcrow.com/ferfun/conspiracy/conspiracy.html

Wire Wrapped Chrysoprase Bracelet

This gorgeous Bracelet was wire wrapped by me using 5mm Chrysoprase rounds, and lots of sterling wire! I wrapped the centerpiece, and then added some links with some more of these stunning green Chrysoprase beads, and finished it off with some sterling chain, and a handmade clasp. This bracelet would best fit a wrist no more than 7.5 inches.

Garnet Wire Wrapped Bracelet

I just adore wire wrapping. And the luscious red of this garnet was calling out to me to make somethig with it! :) Ask any jewelry artist, your beads do talk to you! :)

Senior Discount

So, last week I went thrifting while waiting for my daughter. She was taking a sewing class. I went to check out at the CHKD thrift store, and the young girl at the counter asked me if I qualified for a senior discount. I almost cried! I think senior discount there is 55, and I'm not quite 48.
I'm wondering if I shoulda just taken the discount.../giggle! (I wouldn't really, I don't want anything I'm not entitled to, but 10% mighta helped my hurt-ed feelings).

I ♥ you allurebyjen!

I used to never leave the house without lipstick. Then, my allergies became rather severe, including an allergy to red dye. I haven't been able to wear lipstick in 4 years....
Recently, I found allurebyjen, and I ordered a sample of chocolate berries lipstick from her. I am in love! The lipstick feels and looks great. Many ♥'s to her! :)
I have posted a picture of me wearing my new lipstick! Yeah! :)
Ah yes, and here is the shop link http://www.etsy.com/shop/allurebyjen

Made something for me!

Yep, I decided to be greedy and make something for me! Y'all can't have it...neenar neenar! :)

Notable Jewelry Artist

I was so thrilled to see myself listed as a notable artist in the jewelry making community on Fire Mountain Gem's Website! :)

http://www.firemountaingems.com/jewelryartists/jewelryartists_bio.asp?docid=BURGESSK

It's because I won first place in the stones category in Bead Star 2009, can't wait for a try for 2010! :)

(((Hugs))) to all!

Kitty

Denture Cream Lawsuit

http://schmidtandclark.injuryhelpnetwork.com/hyperzincemia

They are only handling the people who were diagnosed with high zinc levels, and Neuropathy.
This was not the case with me. For almost 4 years, I have suffered from severe anaphylactic reactions to almost every food I ate. I had to carry epi pens, and was rushed to the emergency room on a consistent basis for this reason. I was diagnosed with "nerve problems" repeatedly until I finally convinced one doctor I was having an allergic reaction. They dismissed me because I had lost my ex-husband recently and figured I was having nervous reactions from that. I got to the point that the only thing I could eat was organic wheat noodles and organic spinach (I needed the spinach for potassium, came very close to a heart attack according to my doctor, at least once due to low potassium levels).
I lived like this for four years, until my daughter found out about the high zinc levels in the cream. I had quit using it by then, and if I hadn't of it would of probably killed me with what it did to my autoimmune system.
I turned yellow at one time, and my liver started acting up, and I do not drink. I started losing the feeling in my hands and feet, I'm lucky that there was no permanent damage.
After a few years off of the cream, I am doing somewhat better, but I am terrified to try new foods because of the severe reactions I have had previously. (Some grape juice came near to killing me one day, my children were terrified as I was). So many times, so many misdiagnosis, so much trauma (on a daily basis I was terrified to eat, thought the next bite of food might kill me).
I hope the people with permanent nerve damage actually get some compensation for this, and I hope that something like this never happens to anyone else.

(((Hugs))) to all

Kitty

PS The ironic thing is my permanent teeth had to be pulled because they were damaged by an antibiotic I was given as an infant to keep me from getting flu, because the rest of the family had it. Yeah, gotta love irony.