Fretz Is A Real Tool!

Dharma Pendant - Copper and Jasper

Well, you have to like Fretz Metalsmith Hammers, one of the most versatile tools in the shop in my opinion.    From the start of this piece I envisioned the bale curve outward, aka concave, how to achieve this?  Get the Fretz and shape to my hearts content.  

Voila! This is the top of the bale where all the Fretz work was done on this piece.

Another pendant in which the Fretz forming stakes were used.  

Copper Pendant, deep bezel in Fretz'ed foundation

 Back of Pendant feathered using Fretz steaks and hammer

Shop Shoes

"Shop Shoes" There's a tongue twister, say that like 15 times fast! 

There's no place like home!

I picked this sweet ride up for wearin' only in the shop.  I need close toed shoes, and I wasn't about to start sporting runner just to keep my orthodics happy.  This is the lesser of all evils, they don't really require socks (unless I knit myself a pair of silver shop socks...) hey there's another tongue twister, say that one 5 times fast, damn I'm quipy tonight!  They are sort of orthotics, cuz they are called Orthaheals!  Anyway, they are the best shop shoes I've found so far, with the exception of a cute pair of Birkenstock "Mary Jane's" which are way outta my range right now.  I've worn them twice and so far so good, if I could change anything, I would have gotten a half size smaller. 

Here's to ma' Orthaheals, Do you think that make me sound too old?  Orthaheals?

Cheers
Grace

Blood, Sweat and Dharma

 I had a special order for a ring that stretched my ability to concentrate, and found myself trying to harvest more patience than I thought I had.  My Blog title says it all!  Yes there was blood involved, and a few lost finger nails.  There was sweat, lots of that too!  The best part was the Dharma.  Day two I thought I had it figured out, I wasn't going to worry about time,  taking my time was the goal.  This I thought would give me the focus and problem solving focus I required to finish the job.  Nope!  Nadda.... no no no.  The harder I focused the more I over-analyzed each step in the process, something I normally don't give a second thought.

The Ring!

My cell phone became my Dharma talk for the afternoon.  I logged into The Plum Village website and loaded a podcast "Peaceful Mind, Open Heart Retreat"  As much as I thought I was doing a good job of not letting past attempts interfere with this chance to get it right, somewhere deep inside I was creating a barrier.  Below are are two of my favourite mantras, hearing them in the Dharma Talk on my wee cell phone was more than helpful.  I had a wonderful afternoon catching up on Dharma Talks by Thich Nhat Hanh and just leaving the shop when I was done.  I left it all behind.

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.
Thich Nhat Hanh

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.
Thich Nhat Hanh 

Cheers
Grace

Women's Art Festival

Copper Spiral Pendant

A few pictures from the Women's Art Festival.  It was a blustery, lots of rain kinda day. Not exactly outdoor festival weather, but even with a few challenges, ok many more than just a few obstacles my daughter and I managed to get set up in the pouring rain, and even make a few sales.

I'm looking forward to next years event, and this time I'll think ahead and let mother nature know ahead of time we don't really need any rain this time, so'k.

Rings Set In Rice

A Display I Created Using An Old Typeset Drawer

Hats, Hats And More Hats

Here's to next year!

Cheers

Grace