Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! It's something new I'm trying. Here you will not only be able to follow my journey as a jewelry artist, but interact with me on a variety of life-related topics.
We've all hear the old adage "Practice makes perfect"...well, it's true.
Just over a week ago, I created another project from Joe Silvera's book, Soldering Made Simple---a box clasp. Let me tell you, it was enough to eat my lunch. I'll admit though, the problems were of my own making because I'm not one to follow a "recipe" exactly...I made the clasp a little too large for a first project, and my little torch had a problem keeping up. After about 6 1/2 hours, I finally finished it. However, not without a huge dent in the top (that's a whole other lesson). I had to cover up the dent with some flowers; it doesn't look too bad for a first project, but I am not really that happy with it. Thus, I had to try it again.
This attempt went much more smoothly. It only took a couple of hours to complete the bulk of the project. The only thing I have left is decoration. As I'm writing this, I hope inspiration comes to me as to what to put on it...we'll see.
I'm not saying this second attempt is perfect, but it it is much better. I expect it will get faster and better each time I do this project...(the faster it goes, the more fun it it for the ADD me:-)!!
Here are a couple of pics---please excuse the shadows...
Above is attempt number 1...
Above is the back of attempt number 2...still deciding what to do with the front. I'll post a pic when it is finished.
Cheers,
LaLa
www.jewelrybylala.com
lala@jewelrybylala.com
So...I worked on three projects today. One made it to the website already (small skull pendant/charm); two did not. I finished them too late to get decent enough pics to post on the website. However, I will share them here:-)
The first one was inspired by my love of tea...the second by a bag in which I carry my jewelry books when I travel.
Please forgive the shadows...hopefully I will get better pics tomorrow.
Cheers,
LaLa
www.jewelrybylala.com
lala@jewelrybylala.com
Here are a couple of pieces I've created this week. I am working my way through the projects in a book entitled "Soldering Made Simple" by Joe Silvera. It has been fun learning new techniques. That's not to say there haven't been some glitches along the way; however, not on these two projects!
This one isn't my usual fare, but I had a great time creating it and tweaking his design a bit to make it more mine.
I was amazed at how well the project in the second picture went. I anticipated a bit of trouble soldering the round wire to the top and the base of the band, but it worked on the first try!! Praise God!! Can't wait to make more rings using these techniques.
Till next time,
Cheers,
LaLa
www.jewelrybylala.com
lala@jewelrybylala.com
Last summer I spent several hours (about 10 or so) working on a large cross pendant and neckwire. It was three layers of metal; copper, brass, and sterling with a sterling silver neckwire. It was a labor of love, having been commissioned by my Mom as a retirement gift for her best friend and prayer partner. The cross was created with cold connections (rivets); no soldering. My Mom reported that her friend loved it, and I was very glad.
Yesterday, my Mom lost her friend. Judy Sullivan was killed in a car accident, and her husband was critically injured. Obviously, we were all shocked; it was one of those unexpected tragedies. When I heard, I felt sadness for Judy's family, and concern for David, her husband. I was also mourning for my Mom's loss. Mom and Judy had been friends and prayer partners for the past several years.
For me, Judy's death is a reminder that life is short. In James chapter 4, verse 14, the Bible says, "You don't even know what tomorrow will bring--what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes." (HCSB) The Bible doesn't stop there, though. It tells us of God who loves us so much that he sent His ONLY Son to die on the cross for our sins. Sins that we all commit; even if we don't want to admit it. Romans 3:23 states "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." That means you and I and every other person that has ever lived or will ever live has done something wrong and is separated from God by that sin, condemning us to hell. However, there is some wonderful news...since Jesus Christ paid for our sins by dying on the cross, there is a way to be assured that when we die, we will be reunited with God. The way is FREE---all we have to do is believe. That's right--believe. John 3:15 promises "That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. " (KJV) If we believe that Christ is the way to heaven, not our works or anything that we can do, say, pay for, etc, then we will have eternal life in Heaven. "For you are saved by GRACE through FAITH, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift. Not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8&9 (HCSB)
Praise God, that Judy was one who had believed. She is no longer with us on this earth, and she will be mourned and missed. However, my Mom can be comforted and know that one day, while in Heaven, she and Judy will once again be laughing about their great adventure on the way to San Antonio.
I know that some who read this will rejoice at the fact that Judy is with her Savior. Others will not quite know what to make of this and have questions---I hope those individuals will email me (lala@jewelrybylala.com) with those questions so that I can help; I am confident that Judy would want others to know the same peace that she had through Christ Jesus. Lastly, there will be those that will completely reject it. To all, I end with a prayer for you; to those in the latter category, I leave you with these words, "Can you afford to be wrong?"
In Memory of Judy Sullivan.
Cheers,
LaLa
www.jewelrybylala.com
lala@jewelrybylala.com
So today I became reacquainted with an old foe...it was actually a purposeful meeting; one planned because the eventual outcome will be worth dredging up the feelings I have managed to suppress for years. Sounds painful, huh?! Well, my experience today did reaffirm my dislike, so I suppose it was a pain of sorts.
What warrants this drama, you ask? One word...painting. Not the wonderfully artistic way of expressing oneself on canvas, but the boring, monotonous way of coloring one's walls in a house. At one point I felt like I was the Karate Kid, clueless as to how this was beneficial, and that Mr. Miyagi was lying in wait about to tell me that the next step in my training was "wax on, wax off".
I can't quite say when my aversion to painting started. Maybe it was the second time we painted the living room growing up; or maybe it was painting the exterior of the house...I really don't know. I just know that it exists, and, for the past few years, whenever possible, I kindly refused to paint.
This time, however, I decided to face the foe head-on. After all, what's a little sacrifice for pleasing aesthetics?! Ok, I'll admit it, it wasn't quite as bad as I anticipated. We are using Sherwin Williams "Harmony" paint (in Iceberg) which is No VOC and low odor...we chose this because I am extremely sensitive to smells (I think that is one reason for my dislike of painting,) and would not be able to actually paint with regular paint, much less inhabit the house afterwards. I would absolutely recommend this paint to others. As I am writing this, I do not even detect a smell. I did take precautions and wear a small respirator mask while painting, but took it off immediately after we finished. We opened the windows on the front and back doors and let the house air out awhile--that's all it took. For someone who cannot even wear perfume anymore, that is a blessing. Despite the moments of wishing I was doing almost anything but paint, it was a nice little project for us to complete together. We hope to finish the rest of the area by the end of the week. We will NOT, however, be tackling the flooring project...we've decided that is better left to the professionals.
Looking forward to the end result (and no more clustered furniture),
Cheers,
LaLa
It was a grimy day in our household today; the start of a new journey. One in which we will encounter new experiences. We decided to finally tackle putting in new flooring. Of course, to do so, we had to dispose of what was there. Wow! I had no idea there would be so much fine dirt under the carpet pad...so much for that expensive vacuum I bought! I was a bit discombobulated until I was assured that it is pretty routine to find dirt under there. Phew!
Now when I say tackle putting in new flooring, I mean that we will actually be doing the work; not hiring out. We have totally different approaches to tasks, so it should be an interesting few weeks. Today actually went smoothly, so I'm trying to have faith that we can continue this journey with a wonderful working relationship!
Today we concentrated on the main living areas; we'll save the master suite for later. Tomorrow we begin painting, which, by the way, I REALLY dislike. If I knew my guilty conscience wouldn't eat at me, I would make up an excuse to get out of it! But, alas, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I stuck my amazing husband with all the fun, so I'll be right in the middle of it all.
If anyone out there has an anecdote to share about a time you completed a home improvement project with your husband or wife, I'd love to hear about it!
Hopefully, I'll manage to survive this journey, and I'll post pics of the final outcome.
Cheers,
LaLa
