Friday, February 28, 2014

Think Spring and maybe it will come sooner!

  Here in the Hudson Valley, we have had a long winter.  We are hanging on to any hint of spring.  I thought a good way to keep our chins up through the gray cold weather we are having is to surround ourselves with the spring visitors we will hopefully be getting soon.


Karen - Lark Practical

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Hudson Valley Etsy Treasuries - February

Treasuries are a great way to check out many of our items at once. See more of this month's Etsy treasuries from Hudson Valley Etsy here: February Hudson Valley Etsy Treasuries.

'Winter's Tale' by StoneandFiber


Black Brocade and Silver Satin Fleur De Lis Couples Matching Masquerade Masks - DaraGallery
Black Brocade and Silve...
$45
With Brave Wings She Flies, Literary Quote Scrabble Pendant AD, excludes Chain - TarryTiles
With Brave Wings She Fl...
$5.99
Black and White Large Necklace. Vintage Victorian Inspired. Ballerina Necklace. - pulpsushi
Black and White Large N...
$21
Silver Painted, Rose Bud Bracelet - SimoneSutcliffe
Silver Painted, Rose Bu...
$33
Snowflake Obsidian Simple Necklace * Seed Bead Necklace * Gemstone Jewelry * Black and White Necklace * Delicate Jewelry - ScrapsandPaper
Snowflake Obsidian Simp...
$22.5
Cut Paper Arabian Horse Silhouette Paper Art - arwendesigns
Cut Paper Arabian Horse...
$20
Modern Mirrored Candle Holder - LandMstudio
Modern Mirrored Candle ...
$30
Merino Wool Knit Scarf or Shoulder Wrap - Infinity Scarf - Black - ElenaRosenberg
Merino Wool Knit Scarf ...
$145
Crow Raven Black Bird Primitive Folk Art Soft Sculpture - digiliodesigns
Crow Raven Black Bird P...
$45
Silver Plated Figaro Chain Bracelet with Black Diamond Swarovski Crystals and Labyrinth Charm - anjalicreations
Silver Plated Figaro Ch...
$14
Black and Silver Swirl Dichroic Fused Glass Necklace Jewelry Pendant 01066 - GetGlassy
Black and Silver Swirl ...
$28
Yin Yang Yoga notecards, set of 10 - karmabee
Yin Yang Yoga notecards...
$20
Fleur de Lys Choker (black, necklace, lys, french, fashion, medieval, renaissance, lace, Quebec, gothic, goth, Louisiana, jewelry, chocker) - Arthlin
Fleur de Lys Choker (bl...
$25
Black Lace Ear Cuff Earrings, Baroque Style Jewelry,Cyber Monday-Erin - DorotaKosJewellery
Black Lace Ear Cuff Ear...
$50
Black leather pouch, clutch wallet for men or women, double snap closure - McCartyCustomLeather
Black leather pouch, cl...
$20
Vintage Flower Buttons Glass Silver Black Intaglio Czech 18mm but0195 (2) - BumbershootSupplies
Vintage Flower Buttons ...
$5.75

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'Beach Please' by GetGlassy

A little beach therapy.

I'm a lady with the vocabulary of a well educated sailor Quote Scrabble Tile Pendant, chain not included - TarryTiles
I'm a lady with the...
$6.99
F Winter - TheShayskiShop
F Winter
$15
Blue Sea Glass Charm Necklace Shiva Shell Suede Cord - StoneandFiber
Blue Sea Glass Charm Ne...
$45
Spring Landscape Quilted Wall Hanging - ForComfortQuilts
Spring Landscape Quilte...
$95
The BEACH FIXES EVERYTHING outdoor pillow your choice of lettering color on white background 12"x20" Crabby Chris Original - crabbychris
The BEACH FIXES EVERYTH...
$38
Jewelry, Handmade Earrings Soft Blue Apatite and Sterling Silver. SRAJD - Smokeylady54
Jewelry, Handmade Earri...
$33
Beach grass photo blocks x 3 beach art - home decor, beach wall art - NewCreatioNZ
Beach grass photo block...
$38
relaxing massage oil-- a light, nutritive, calming blend - medicinegardens
relaxing massage oil-- ...
$16
orange, yellow, ocean photograph, nature photography, sunrise, beach - nataliemikaels
orange, yellow, ocean p...
$25
Necklace, Turquoise, Magnesite, Blue, Green - SimoneSutcliffe
Necklace, Turquoise, Ma...
$34
Beach Quote, Wall Art, Life's Better with Sandy Toes, Wood Sign, Quote, Custom Beach Sign - InMind4U
Beach Quote, Wall Art, ...
$49
Seahorse Sign Cast Iron Wall Art Beach House Decor - CastawaysHall
Seahorse Sign Cast Iron...
$16
Hey Sailor.. Navy / White Bold Stripes Tote Bag / Beach Bag / ZIPPER TOP CLOSURE / Diaper Bag, Laptop Bag, Large, Medium - bayanhippo
Hey Sailor.. Navy / Whi...
$39
Ocean Beach Sunset Art Area Rug Size 5' x 7' - maremade
Ocean Beach Sunset Art ...
$225
TURQUOISE Blue YELLOW ORANGE Rainbow Drops Handmade Glass Lampwork Beads Lovely Bright Colors Shaped Beads Set of 6 - hyperdoggie
TURQUOISE Blue YELLOW O...
$4.25
Aqua Teal Shoreline Lampwork Bead Long Necklace - aStudiobytheSea
Aqua Teal Shoreline Lam...
$149

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

'Color Your World' by StoneandFiber


Mosaic Flowered Wooden Plate - ReclaimedDesigns
Mosaic Flowered Wooden ...
$40
Hand Dyed Silk -Lariat Style HARMONY - Grey Necklace of Aligned Chakras with Swarovski Crystals - anjalicreations
Hand Dyed Silk -Lariat ...
$32
Multi Colored Fabric Post Card Note Card Gift Card Mini Quilt - ForComfortQuilts
Multi Colored Fabric Po...
$15
Long Strand Necklace. Vintage Beaded Necklace. Pastel Color Jewelry.  I Want Candy - pulpsushi
Long Strand Necklace. V...
$24
Mixed Stones Leather Double Wrap bracelet with Flower Clasp - For LARGER wrist - ScrapsandPaper
Mixed Stones Leather Do...
$25
GOT ART?, Original Abstract Art, Urban Art, 8x8 Canvas Panel, Acrylic Painting, Wall Art Decor, Eiffel Tower, Artwork - NatsExoticCreations
GOT ART?, Original Abst...
$39
To the Sea Owl Monster Plush Collectible Doll - knotbygranma
To the Sea Owl Monster ...
$76
Cupcake Superstar Holiday Ornament - Kokma
Cupcake Superstar Holid...
$10
Preppy Party Ribbons Tea Towel in Pink, Red and Green - Linen Cotton blend Tea Towel 18 x 24 inch - wickedmint
Preppy Party Ribbons Te...
$18
SINGLE Tumbler or Vase - LandMstudio
SINGLE Tumbler or Vase
$30
Strawberry Birthday Cake Lollipop - catskillcandyco
Strawberry Birthday Cak...
$14
Summer Never Ends Beach Bead - Lampwork Pendant - aStudiobytheSea
Summer Never Ends Beach...
$55
Karmabee owl banner - karmabee
Karmabee owl banner
$25
Archival Quality Print of Original Art Chicadee, Tea, Bird, Tea Pot, Tea Cup, Flowers, Butterfly - digiliodesigns
Archival Quality Print ...
$20
Zipper Pouch Pencil Case Cosmetic Pouch Toiletry Bag An Apple for the Teacher - handjstarcreations
Zipper Pouch Pencil Cas...
$12
Ribbed Merino Baby Sox ! - theKnitChix
Ribbed Merino Baby Sox ...
$18

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Monday, February 24, 2014

A New Year, A New Project

As a creator of mosaics, I am drawn to the patterns and colors of china and pottery. In my studio, there are stacks of plates, bowls, and teacups, that are waiting to be incorporated into a mosaic. There are also several bins full of leftover shards from the pieces of dishes that didn’t make it into a mosaic. 


Recently, I have been experimenting with utilizing leftover shards to make shard pendants, with a soldered edging.  

To learn the process, I purchased a book called Simple Soldered Jewelry & Accessories, written by Lisa Bluhm.  This book gives instructions on tools and supplies that are needed, and provides easy to follow visual instructions on the process of soldering.


I bought the most essential supplies first, to give myself time to decide if this is a project that I wanted to pursue.  I purchased a soldering kit from Michaels, which included a soldering iron, a roll of copper foil, and a container of solder.
My most used tool, a tile nipper is what I used to cut a particular design out of a dish, or to even out the sharp edges of an existing china shard.


Copper foil, which has one sticky side, is wrapped around the edges of the shard, pressed down, and smoothed. Then using the soldering iron, solder is melted over the foil, and pulled around the front, side and back edges, with the tip of the soldering iron; sort of like painting with the solder.  The copper foil should be covered completely with solder.  A jump ring is soldered in place.


There is so much more to learn about different metals, melting temperatures, and materials  that can be used.  Now, I am ready to purchase more supplies and tools, and with more practice, I may be able to refine, and perfect my technique.