A Few New Things

...are listed in my Etsy shop. My favorite torch, solder picks and Xuron cutters.

My beloved torch.

My indispensable solder picks.

The perfect flush cutter, heavy duty version.

The perfect flush cutter, regular version.

You can also check out my latest article for Jewelry Making Daily on Filing and Finishing. My favorite Pro Polish Pads that I use in the article are in stock in my shop as well. Find them here.

The 10% off sale is still running on all products in my Etsy store through July 31. Use code ETSYJULY2012. Happy shopping!

I Heart Solder Cutting Pliers!

Did you happen to catch my article for Jewelry Making Daily on soldering brass, copper and nickel and about how copper wire solder ROCKS?!

Well, let me remind you. Not only is the wire solder awesome, the tool that I use to cut it with is also one of my faves. No more wrangling tiny cut-up pieces of solder. No more chasing down solder that flies every-which-way after it's cut.

Tah dah!

Cutting sheet.

Cutting wire.

Meet the solder cutting pliers

I love this tool so much that I have added it to my Etsy shop (that's the link). Did you know my Etsy shop stocks my favorite metalsmithing tools and supplies? Well now you do. And if you have stuck with me through the end of this post you can use this code ETSYJULY2012 to save 10% on everything in my shop through July 31. Yep. That also includes THE BOOK.

My favorite things are trickling in so keep your eye on my shop. I have some cool stuff coming.

Thanks for your support!

Kinda feels like my head is...

...on fire. I have so many things to share with all of you and not enough hours in the day to do it. I promised myself that I would write at least a quick post today, because I did not want to neglect by beloved blog.

So here is what is going on brought to you by the magic of iPhone photos:

Final editing for THE BOOK.

 Buying vintage jewelry on Ebay.

 Making pretty earring prototypes for Jess Imports.

Whooping it up at the Amanda Palmer concert in San Francisco.

Spinning yarn for Tour de Fleece.

 Teaching at Bead Inspirations.

Teaching at Baubles & Beads.

Plus playing with the lovely beads from my Bead Soup Blog Hop partner, Sweet Freedom Designs. She did a lovely post on what I sent her. Check it out here.

Not only that, she posted a pic of what she sent me... I stole the picture above from her blog. She also posted great tutorials on the other components that she made for me. See them here and here. I LOVE THEM!!!! (P.S. She enameled those lovely beads.) I have my own post to write about the beads and components that she sent me.

Getting proposals done for the Bead & Button and Bead Fest shows. Adding new products to my Etsy store. Hiking. (Getting those glutes toned.) Writing. Celebrating six wonderful years with my sweetheart. And getting it all done before you know what hits the fan in August. (And that's another post. There is some EXCITING stuff brewing on my horizon.)

That's it for now, though. I am going to quickly douse my head under water and keep going. Have a great day, everybody!

Crochet Flowers & Soldering Copper

I started a little project on the 4th of July.

I love to crochet and have had crocheted flowers on the brain lately. I found this pattern on Pinterest. You can check out the original tutorial here.

I filled my basket with a variety of yarn and got to work.

I am using Debbie Stoller's Alpaca Love. Read all about it here, if you are interested. It's a nice yarn and not too spendy.

You just need a few tools and you are ready to go.

They may become this bag. I really like the looks of that pattern. Or they just might become a simple tote or even a pillow cover. We'll see what happens.

Also on a jewelry-related note my latest post is up on Jewelry Making Daily. It's all about soldering copper, brass and nickel. Read it here. And you can buy the copper solder right in my Etsy Store.

Have a great weekend everybody!