First in what may be a series

I've contemplated doing a series before but have never followed through. I think though that this may be something that I play with in a 'series' sort of fashion. This is a super quick project with lots of possible variations.

This pendant is 20 ga sterling with a TINY 14k gold ball on the side. A section of sterling tubing completes the piece on the back for a bail.

I already have another one in progress, but its VERY different. The next one will go back to being more like this but with smaller variations.

After a long absence...

After a long absence from creating, I finally got back to the bench and have made a few things over the past couple of weeks. First is a pendant that is STILL in progress even though it began almost 4 weeks ago - the pic is prior to setting the stone and prior to LOS and finishing.

(Please click on the pictures, they look pixelated until you do!!)

Next is a ring, and maybe you'll see a pattern developing:


The ring is garnet and sterling





then a pendant of 24k gold and sterling





And then to round it off a pair of earrings - lapis and sterling




I have been greatly inspired by my friend Barrie - you can see her "Sticks and Stones" rings here

Napoleon Challenge

So we're running a little late this year in organizing, but the Napoleon Challenge is getting underway. You can read about it here.

Several people, over the course of several years, have asked why the name? Why is it called the Napoleon Challenge?

To understand, you need to be familiar with the movie - Napoleon Dynamite. Napoleon is a surly teen who thinks he has nothing to offer the world in general because he has no "skills". A quote from the movie:

Napoleon Dynamite says: You know, like numchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills... Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.

So, the challenge is set up for artists to use their skills in a new way because the challenge always includes a surprise element.

by the way, Napoleon really does have one great skill, not sure he ever recognizes it - but he is a skilled friend. Just ask Pedro. :)