Busy day!

Just running through with a quick update. I spent the whole day experimenting with my new light box. Who knew product photography could be so complicated?! Lighting, angles, ISO, white balance.....oh my. After hours of test shots, trying different backgrounds and a little editing, I did finally end up with some photos I really like.

Oh so much I need to learn! I can tell this is going to be a never-ending learning process!

Spring has sprung!

What a BEAUTIFUL day here in the midwest! Spring is officially here. It's a wonderful 74 degrees, the sun is shining, there is a nice breeze and the yummy smell of neighborhood-grilling filling the air. Birds are singing and flowers are blooming. We could get used to this!

Nothing quite gets the creative juices flowing better than Spring in all it's glory. Time to get busy getting some new ideas down in the sketchbook! Stay tuned!

Happy Spring everyone! :)

Check out what all my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies are thinking about Spring.

Steph Stargell http://stephstargell.com

Lilian http://girllovesglitter.blogspot.com
Pennee - All Wired Up Jewelry Designs http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
nancycreations http://nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
SerpentsDanceDesigns http://dancetothedoor.blogspot.com
Autumn Bradley http://autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes http://cjbf.blogspot.com
Jessica @ Abella Blue http://abellabluestudio.com/blog
Sylvia Anderson http://sylviaanderson.blogspot.com
Gloria http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com
Esmeralda http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/2012/04/signs-of-spring.html  

Rock Candy!

Hello there! This blog post is a long time coming. It's actually a topic my Aspiring Metalsmith's team came up with last year. At the time, I wasn't able to participate in the blogroll, but now I thought, better late than never, right!?

So what's the team blogroll topic I'm talking about? Rocks. "Show us your rock collection!"

As with most folks, I had a rock collection as a kid. I'd line them up, in a certain order, on my little white bookcase and admire them. I'd dig in the backyard to find more to add to my collection. And I was convinced one of my rocks contained gold.  

Fast forward several decades and I've started collecting rocks again. After taking back up my love of metalsmithing, I have rediscovered my love of rocks and rock collecting! I'm amazed by all of the beauty in natural stones and gemstones. And I just love all of the endless possibilities that I have when incorporating stones and gemstones into my jewelry designs.

So, without further adieu, let's see the rock candy.....I mean rock collection!

Top, left to right: Landscape Jasper, Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Rosetta Stone
Bottom, left to right: Mexican Crazy Lace Agate, Globe Hills Chrysocolla, Tree Malachite & Chalcedony,
Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Globe Hills Chrysocolla

Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla

Dalmatian Jasper, Green Aventurine, Rhodonite, Tree Moss Agate

Lepidolite In Quartz, Zebra Agate, Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Turquoise

Clockwise from top: Dryhead Agate, Turquoise, Arroyo Picture Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla 

Clockwise from top: Polka Dot Agate, Brazilian Agate, Rocky Butte

Clockwise from top: Landscape Jasper, Sonoran Sunset Chrysocolla, Kingman Turquoise and Bronze

Some of the stash.

Well, that about covers my rock collection to date. I'm always on the look-out for new beauties to add to my stash. And I've enjoyed becoming friends with several wonderfully talented Lapidary artists. Their work amazes me! And what's better than having a beautiful, handcut stone blended with my handmade jewelry designs?!

If you have a few minutes, take some time and check out my Aspiring Metalsmith teamies' rock collections. Enjoy! (tip: look in their archives for "Feb 2011," to find their rock posts.)

Autumn Bradley - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/
Clarity @ Scrollwork Designs - http://thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/
Stacy Low - http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com
Chrissi Lynn Designs - http://www.chrissilynn.blogspot.com
Sylvia Anderson - http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/
Jessica @ Abella Blue - http://www.abellablue.com/blog
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes - http://cjbf.blogspot.com/
Esmeralda - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/
Steph Stargell - http://www.stephstargell.com
Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks - http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/show-us-your-stones/#more-4
Claire - brightstar109.blogspot.com/
AristiKat- http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/