Found Objects

I just finished a commisioned piece for someone whom had found a large shark tooth. Found objects are always a unique piece. I am always honored I have been given the responsibility and have been entrusted to make them a wearable piece with their treasured item. Of course it is a bit nerve wracking, but Florence and the Machine helped me with this piece.

Front Page of Etsy!!

Woo hoo! My elephant ring was featured in a treasury and it made it to front page. My first time and very excited.
Here is the treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTU4NTg5NTd8MTE3MTc0NDA4Mw/the-moment-we-chose-to-remember?ref=pr_treasury

Fort Days 2011

Just finished up Fort Ligonier Days this weekend. Friday was nice and rainy. It was literally raining in my tent. Thank goodness for the hubby. All I had to do was dial a number and I got a new tent, just like that! Saturday was nice, a little windy, but that is expected in the lovely mountains of PA. Sunday was just lovely. A nice ending to the show. Thank you to all that stopped by to see me. It is always a treat to meet everyone. I have posted a picture of my tent and some of the new necklaces I had. See you next year!

Fine Silver

I ordered some fine silver wire, and I love it! It makes fusing silver so easy. No messy solder, just lots of flux and a charcoal block. It even worked nicely on some copper. I have been working on some new items for fall. Here is a preview picture of some new pieces, partially finished. I will post a pic of the final pieces in a couple of days.

Natural Rubies

I just received some natural rubies and I love them! What a difference they make. Here is a necklace I made using one of them. I really love it with the sapphire. I will be offering these in my shop. They will be included in the price of my Mother's Family Tree Necklace but will charge a small fee if desired in my birthstone stacking rings.

Fall Earrings

New earrings for fall! I love these earrings, even though they were actually an accident. They started out as leaves, and then with one wrong cut, they became feathers! They have been oxidized for a rustic look that brings out the texture. Just in time for fall, since I just drug out the jeans and sweaters.

Survived the sweltering heat at Music in the Mountains at Ohiopyle Park labor day weekend. It was such a beautiful setting. I really wanted to go jump in the river, but I thought I better not, since there was a large waterfall just downstream of me. I did get to watch several brave souls kayak down the falls. It was quite amazing to watch.

Labor Day Weekend

I will be at Music in the Mountains at Ohiopyle Park this weekend. It's a beautiful setting, overlooking the waterfalls. I will be one of the vendors there this time, instead of a visitor. The park is one of my favorites with the bike trails, unique restaurants, and tranquil views. Falling water is just a few miles away. Lots of music to be heard and fireworks on Saturday night. If you are out that way, stop by and say hi!

End of Summer

We had lots of fun at the beach, even though it seemed a little short. Beautiful weather and fun waves. Alot of frisbee and boogie boarding. Not much else. A perfect vacation! Aaah, now back to work. Time to get ready for a couple of upcoming shows this fall.

New Items

I finally got around to playing with my tube bezels. I love them! They are sleek, great for multiple rings, and different. I can't wait to play around some more. That always gets me in trouble. I get all these ideas, purchase new gemstones, and then don't have time to make them. Oh well, some day. I did manage to make a new necklace as well. Stamped "dream", which I tend to do alot of these days. Maybe it is the summer, thoughts of lazy days, but then there is what we call life...... and housework and kids, etc. I am starting my countdown to back to school. 15 to go and baby girl will be starting preschool this fall. Woohoo!

Biking

I think I have finally recovered from the MS 150 Keystone Ride. This is my second ride. It is a two day, 150 miles ride on a bike, to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. It was HOT!! We still had a good time, biking thru some beautiful scenery, eating some delicious treats. Our team, Blazing Saddles, raised over $6,000.00. I am already signed up for next year!

Remodeling

So, my workroom is one of those places that you don't want anyone to see. It is like one of those messy closets that you hope noone ever opens the door to, until now. My husband built me a wonderful new work bench. I now have room for my new metal cutters and I am going to finally unpack the rolling mill that I have had for 2 years, and never used. I just hope I can keep it clean enough to see the work surface. I will have to work on the other side now where the rest of my tools are. We will see what it looks like in a couple of weeks!

Brideblue

Here is a beautiful blog that features one of my rose quartz rings. Check it out.

http://brideblu.blogspot.com/2011/07/ballet-slippers-tobacco-color.html

Aaaah. Summer.

I was going to get some work done today but.... I guess it will all wait untill tomorrow.

Don't forget to drop in on Mama Days blogspot for a chance to win a piece of my handcrafted jewelry!! Click Here: http://littlemissemmylou.blogspot.com/2011/07/handmade-with-heart-laurel-treasures.html

It is giveaway time! Go to the link on Mama Days blogspot below and find out how to enter to win a piece of my jewelry. Good luck!

http://littlemissemmylou.blogspot.com/2011/07/handmade-with-heart-laurel-treasures.html

Beer & Gear Festival

Wow! We had a great time at the beer and gear festival. This was our first time here but hopefully not our last. A special thanks goes out to the crew at Wilderness Voyageurs. Tons of people and great beer and music. The rain held off so the weather was perfect.

Allowing Kids to Think Big

I found this wonderful blog post on etsy about letting our children dream big. I find that many times children are steered into a certain direction without much choice. I like the thought of letting them find their way, but giving them the tools to survive and make a difference. My son says he wants to be a blacksmith or work at Aeropostale or Auntie Anne's. I say that sounds like a fine idea. He is 10. My daughter says she wants to be a Mommy or a gymnastic girl at the ripe age of 4. They will have plenty of time to balance their checkbook and pay their bills, for now they should be allowed to dream.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/read/teaching-kids-to-think-big-12829/?ref=fp_blog_post

picture by Andrew d'Entremont on Flickr

Copper Willow Branch Necklace

I just made a new necklace and I love it. I must make one for myself now. Check it out in my etsy shop.http://www.etsy.com/listing/75809681/willow-branch-necklace-with-freshwater

They are here!

We ordered some butterfly larvae a few weeks ago and they have arrived. My daughter is so excited. I hope she doesn't love them to death. We have been seeing butterflies everywhere. I almost got one in my mouth the other day while riding my bike. I guess it would be better than a fly or bee. Yuck. It must be mating season. I even found one on the road that had died. I scooped it up to show my daughter, and then I took pictures of it. Yes, I know, a little weird.

We look forward to watching them transform. Look for some butterfly inspired jewelry to arrive.

And the winner is.......

Congrats to Tony Monnetti! They are the winner of the chalcdony and sterling silver ring sponsored by partypaperscissors.

Pittsburgh Marathon

Just ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon this morning. Weather was pretty good, just a nice steady drizzle. Definitely could have been worse. Faster than last year so at least I improved. Here is a picture, check out the lovely hair. I have also listed a new runners necklace. Please check it out. http://www.etsy.com/listing/74158029/marathon-necklace-city-and-distance

Party Time!

A local Pittsburgh Etsy Seller, will be giving away one of my handmade chalcedony and sterling silver rings. http://www.etsy.com/listing/71090481/blue-chalcedony-and-sterling-silver-ring

Check out her blog, so cute, and with some great ideas!http://www.partypaperscissors.blogspot.com/

Sawing Trees

This past weekend, my husband and son were sawing trees, and so was I. Here are a few of my new treees as well as a custom birthstone pendant I have been working on. They are turned out quite well and I am excited to get them up and running on my etsy shop.

Illustrations

I found the cutest shop on etsy. She makes etsy banners and shop logos. She even does full branding such as business cards, stationery, etc. If I ever decide to change my logo, again, I am going to have to give her a try. Check her out.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Reani?ref=seller_info

Birthstone Jewelry

Whew! I've been busy trying to get all my birthstone pendants ready and photographed. Lots of work, but excited to have it done, at least partly. There is always more to do.... Bring on the rainy days, those are perfect for a hot cup of coffee and finishing up some of those loose pieces I always have laying around.

Good Times

So this is what we have found ourselves doing the last few weekends. There is a place not too far away that is a skating center. They have the old roller skates, wood floor, and of course a disco ball. Brings back memories of when I was a kid and my Dad would take my sister and I skating. I had white skates with an orange pom-pom. I think I have more fun than the kids!

Trout

Let the fishing begin. Opening day of trout is next weekend. Today the spouse begins his fly fishing expedition in Deep Creek, Maryland and now his thoughts for the next few months will be focused on "what are the trout eating today, which stream should we fish, etc". Hopefully the creek isn't too high and he and his buddies can catch many fish. He is so excited, like a little kid before Christmas. We have been working on some more lanyards. Now we have one all gussied up with all the gear a fisherman would need. I will post a pic soon.

Labradorite is one of my favorite stones. I love all the sparks of blue, grey, black, and sometimes green. Tourmaline is my other favorite. I just got my gems yesterday, consisting of bi-color and pink tourmaline! Yippee!! I think I will have to keep one of the bi-color gems for myself. I just have to figure out if I want a ring or a necklace, maybe even a bracelet. Hmmm. It will take me forever to decide. Hope to work on some silver and gemstone earrings today. They will be so simple to make, I just have to do it. My kitchen floor is calling me first. It is in desperate need of a mopping. I have been saying I am going to mop for weeks, today is the day. I think.....

I think I can...I think I can...

These words went through my head when running the Pittsburgh Half Marathon last year, and the MS 150 bike ride. I am working on some jewelry for those who love their sport. I can personalize them with a quote or their event, date, time.. Once I get my bike jewelry ready, I will be posting it on etsy and contributing a portion of it towards Multiple Sclerosis. I will be riding again this year, in the MS 150, Keystone Ride.

Running Season!

Just got back from a hilly 5k race. Lovely day and for a great cause. Go Team Blazers!! I am running the Pittsburgh half marathon again, so I have to get ready! Here is a necklace that I created for those of us who are willing to train and push ourselves. Check it out on my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/70352038/runners-charm-necklace

My New Pet

Pentatomoidea - a superfamily of insects, commonly referred to as stink bugs. They are running rampant here in Pennsylvania. I have been finding them everywhere. You know you are in trouble when you begin naming them and don't even bother flushing them down the toilet. As you can see, I even photographed one that ventured into my lightbox and onto my photo prop.

Fresh Catch

I have started making some new items for my outdoors line. I have started some fly earrings and some trout necklaces for all you fly fisher men and women. More are to come. I plan on adding some biking, running, dragonfly jewelry soon.

New Items

I have been busy posting items in my etsy shop. Whew. This can be alot of work. Here is a new item, a sterling silver mini initial ring. I also have a copper initial ring listed as well. I think I am going to make some of these mini initial rings and birthstone stackers to go with them. Hmmmm. Will have to see how that one goes. Hopefully I can get some ready before Mother's day. Check out my new items at www.laureltreasures.etsy.com

Back to Reality

Just got back from Key West. I think I need a few days to recover. Lost my favorite pair of silver hoops while on vacation. Just simple and not even realy silver, but I loved them. Time to make myself some, so look for some hoops to be posted soon.

Things to come.

Just ordered a bunch of cabochons for some stacking rings. I think I am going to make Mother's rings with your children's birthstones. We also ordered all of our gear to make flyfishing lanyards. It always seems to take forever for you order of goodies to be here!!

Dahlberg Cup Dinner

These are some key rings I made for my husband's fishing group. I etched a trout onto a thick piece of copper, then stamped the back. They are avid fly fisherman who love their trout. Seems they are into making fishing lanyards, so my husband I will be creating some ourselves. Look for those to be ready soon!

Monogram Ring

Just added a new ring to my etsy site. So cute! It is a custom stamped copper disc on a sterling silver ring. Wear it alone or with stacker rings.

Here are a couple of my favorite necklaces. Little gems that have been wrapped in sterling silver and oxidized. They go with anything. I plan on making some of these with birthstones to represent your children's birth month. A nice alternative for those Mom's who like something more sublte.

Petal Earrings

Here is a pair of earrings I created out of copper and sterling silver. I hand cut a flower shape out of copper then domed and textured them. I created a sterling silver ball out of scrap wire, and then soldered it to the center of the flower. I then created my own ear wires out of sterling wire and then soldered them on as well. A couple hours in the tumbler and then there they are!