Sunday, September 30, 2012

Turtle Shells



In the kiln at the moment,
I've been looking for turtle shells of some kind to mold from and this is the first one I've tried.
I think they'll be cute!

Kristi

Here they are all finished
Turtle Shells in Copper on Etsy

Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Reveal

Using these wonderful buttons by
Diana Ptaszynski


Kristi

Saturday, September 29, 2012

I Heart Macro - Yosemite


I was in Yosemite for several days recently,
I only had a chance to take one photo of this beautiful pinecone.
It's quite large, about 10" long if I remember right.
One of my commenters informed me this is a Jeffrey Cone. Good to know, thank you!


I wish I could have studied it a little more.

A little secret, this isn't macro at all.
I took this photo from about 6 feet away with my 50mm lens.
It's the only lens I lugged around Yosemite.
I'm so happy the one and only picture I was able to take turned out so good,
 other than something in front of the lens in the bottom corner.

Kristi


studio waterstone

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Copper Shop Update


Large Copper Sea Shell
This shell is sold, I'll be making more!


Paisley Cut out Bracelet Focals


Tapestry Bracelet Focal




Tapestry Big Hole Component



Copper Urchin and Flower Toggles

Tapestry Bails

Some listed some soon to be listed,
please let me know if you want something that is not yet listed.

Kristi

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

WBW - Cooper's Hawk and...

I spotted this Cooper's Hawk way up in one of the neighbor's trees as I was pulling out of the garage to head to work one day last week! I immediately shut off the car and hustled to get my camera. It was quite far away and I couldn't tell exactly what it was but it was big enough I knew it had to be something good.


Above is one of the first pictures I took and when I spotted that striped tail I nearly fell over.
I didn't know what it was but I knew it was a hawk (of course) and that tail is so amazing!
He sat there for a minute with his back to me, focusing and re-focusing those amazing eyes,
he got himself turned around and then....


He took off!!!! I could tell he was getting ready to and this is the only shot I managed to get,
it happened so fast. Much as I would have liked to catch him with his wings out I think this is a fun shot,
he just hurled himself off the branch and I caught him mid air.


I got myself turned around and realized he had landed in my yard!!!!
Right on the fence in the middle of the bird feeders!


Then he jumped off the fence in to my yard and was very intent looking inside a bush.


Check out the intensity!!
It's out of focus but you can still see it!
Right after this he hopped in to the bush and a little bird came shooting out the other side.
Scary moment for that little one!!!


Then he hoped through my raised garden bed and on to the edge,
not 15 feet away right in front of me.
I barely managed to breath!!!


Then he turned around hopped back up on to the chain link fence,
 this is ight as he was about to pop up in to the tree.
Absolutely stunning!!!!
 I never saw him leave the tree and that had to be the end of my morning adventure, I was afterall on my way to work when I spotted him so I had to go!


Later that day when I got home from work, I had another first,
this handsome Male Downy Woodpecker showed up at my suet feeder.
I've seen a femal around on many occassions but this was the first time I'd seen a male.
This was the only picture I got before he scooted away!



He was back the next day,
it's so exciting to see a bird for the first time,
and such a relief when you see them again!




Not a good picture but I like it because it shows those 2 red spots on the back of his head.

And a few days later I had my 3rd life sighting,
not as exciting as the Hawk or the Woodpecker but new birds to me just the same.



Band-Tailed Pigeon


They tried hard to get to the feeders but ended up on the ground.


I counted as best I could and came up with 12, I think there might have been 1 or 2 more.
They have been visiting regularly, once a day or so, in smaller groups for the most part.
They help keep the ground cleaned up so it's ok with me.

A very good week for me!
3 more notches on my camera!!

Kristi



Monday, September 3, 2012

Yukon Gold

Yummy yummy yummmyyyy,
I finally harvested my Yukon Golds.
Oh how I love them!
Not a very impressive harvest but I will so enjoy eating them since they came from my own garden!




I would say there'a dozen or so good sized ones and lots of babies,
NOM NOM NOM!

Potatos are one of my favorites staples since I became Plant Based Vegan!
This may last me one week but what a week!!



One of my favorite and the most simple ways to use potatos,
slice thin or thick, sprinkle with your favorite seasoning and back in the oven at 400 degrees,
until they start to puff up and bubble and brown just a little.
My seasoning of choice is Lemon Pepper.
A little over 1 hour ago these were in the dirt, now I'm having them for dinner!

Kristi

Sunday, September 2, 2012

New pieces, pre-order, special order, re-stock Copper

A little bit of everything in last nights firing!
2 New large pieces, this Ammonite with Tapestry bail.


The large Shell with 2 holes at the top, made to fall at an interesting angle.
I think I left the torch on it just a split second too long,
not sure I like so much blue but it's lovely.
If anybody loves the blue let me know otherwise I'll be tumbling this one and trying again!


Below is everything I could fit in the kiln.


 The Paisley End caps bottom center are pre-order typically.
 I did get an order so I made 2 sets so one is available for immediate shipping if you like!





Kristi

Saturday, September 1, 2012

I Heart Macro

We're getting some pretty heavy dew these days,
and it's quite cold at night,
mid to upper 40's
feels like Fall already!



Thanks for taking a look at my macro shots for the week!

Kristi



studio waterstone

New Unfired Copper

I so was hoping to finish cleaning thes pieces and fire them last night but that didn't happen.
So tonight these will be fired and hopefully I can list some of them as well.

I've made this Ammonite Pendant before but this time, since I'm really in to mixing textures,
 I put a Tapestry Bail on it, I think it's going to be cool.


This is a new shell, I love it!
I haven't decided where to put the holes yet,
OR if I want to add a hidden bail...hhhmmm
What do YOU THINK?


Thanks for taking a look!
If anybody wants either of these pieces just let  me know and I'll reserve them for you.
As usual I will have lots of other smaller new and repeat components in the kiln as well.

Kristi