tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65764476385972865372024-03-13T12:14:32.932-04:00HouseThatCrowBuiltHouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-76941393334034519012015-01-27T10:37:00.001-05:002016-12-19T09:39:30.503-05:00I'm going to start writing some stuff down. Maybe you will read it. Maybe you won't. Maybe it will be good. Maybe it will be terrible but it will be me at this moment and sometimes I just need something to look back at and remember.<br />
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I have a problem with sharing my thoughts. I am shy and reserved. Mostly quiet in the blogosphere but I want people to know who I am, I suppose. At least, in this moment in time I am not feeling inadequate with my social skills so I am going to share. <br />
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I am a jewelry artist and I have recently switched gears. I usually focus on soft soldering with a soldering iron and use butterfly wings in a good portion of my soft soldered stuff. I want to begin to move away from that and go deeper into the metalwork. I have been working with sterling silver and metal for a long time but have been basically afraid of them in general. Part of my fear is the cost in general and also I am totally self taught in this medium so techniques have to be trial and error for me which ends up being more costly due to fuck ups.<br />
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Another reason is that I'm afraid I'm not good enough for it. I'm afraid every time I make a piece someone will look at it and say that looks like so and so's stuff. It has been a very big fear of mine since I see so many other artists' nasty posts about copying. I just need to get this off of my chest, though. I touched upon it in a previous post but this one is personally about me. When other jewelers instill a fear of copying in others it just hinders their progression. It has for me. I want to ask those artists to think back about when they were learning if they ever re-created some example in a class or a work shop? It was part of the path though, that led you to where you are now. It was permissible in that class but as soon as you start selling your items and trying to learn your own style by trying techniques you are shunned. I look at jewelry a lot to try to figure out techniques. You may have learned those techniques in a jewelry class or years of college. I just have what is available here online. So I try things out. I'm sure you have too. But is it fair to put someone else down because this ring looks like that ring? It is fair to halt someone right in the middle of their journey? Is it your duty to do so? I know it hurts to be copied. I've been copied too. But it will never stop, especially if you are successful at your work. <br />
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I've recently worked through some of this turmoil about this that I've had within myself. I've decided to give myself permission to continue on with the metal work that I have been so afraid of but so in love with these past years. I've given myself permission to love what comes from my mind, my heart and my hands. I've decided that you won't stifle the creative thundering of my heart and my soul will be rooted in love. Love for myself. Love for the ones who are struggling along their own path, trying to figure out who they are. Love that is infused in every single piece that I make. I offer it to you unabashedly and wholeheartedly. HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-58647280348057636162014-12-08T10:08:00.001-05:002014-12-08T10:08:46.913-05:00WonderingI see it often. Artists that complain people are copying. I often wonder why they feel so self-righteous? Don't you know this is how people learn? They learn life lessons by copying. If you never copied you would never have learned how to talk or walk or write words. When you learned your craft don't tell me you didn't re-create works that were similar to others. Sometimes you still do. Why do you feel it is your duty though to deny these stepping stones to others? Why do you feel it is necessary to cut down others? An artist that is confident in their work will ignore all the others. Be humble and grateful for the love you receive without throwing others to the fire.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://michellekpoems.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://michellekpoems.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://michellekpoems.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://michellekpoems.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://michellekpoems.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
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Also why do you think it is not ok for others to "copy" your work but you feel fine about suggesting that this work is yours by not crediting the artist? Isn't this a form of stealing? Please note that this post is not about the writer of the poem listed above but about others that want to steal words from her and profit from her words without giving credit or asking permission. Give credit where credit is due or find your own words to use. HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-64695648418334136702014-03-12T10:57:00.001-04:002014-03-12T10:57:30.935-04:00It's a beautiful grey rainy day here. These kinds of days are like a comfort to me. I take solace in the darkened skies. The mist that descends upon the fields that I can see in the distance calms my heavy heart and soul. A confession here of some sorts: I am a very melancholy and introverted person. I love to be alone. I do not like to be the center of attention. I think that is why I have neglected this poor little blog of mine. Really I do try. But when I try I feel like I am trying to be someone I am not. I think this hinders my creative process. Right now I am stuck at a standstill. I recently moved and I am able to have my very own room upstairs to work in instead of the basement and you would think I would have everything set up and be full of creative energy but when I think about it I just feel exhausted. It makes me quite sad but I feel better now having said it.<br />
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In other lighter news, here is my new/old house. It's an American foursquare built in the early 1900's. Not exactly sure when but will research it at the local courthouse eventually. It does need some work here and there. I would like to restore it as much as I can. I want to re-do the kitchen, bathrooms and the hardwood floors. There is some awful texture that was applied to almost all of the walls that I want to sand off. I was told it was done due to the cracks and such that occur in the plaster of old houses like this. I would much prefer the cracks. Heck even missing plaster would be better than these awful walls. Of course I am happy that none of it is drywall with the exception of the finished attic. I love old houses and I am so happy to have found one that fits us. <br />
<br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-32409132477636716362013-10-16T13:49:00.001-04:002013-10-16T13:49:57.321-04:00Full Unfull<div style="text-align: center;">
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In the dark, the new moon </div>
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Unfull yet full at the same time</div>
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Hidden from our gaze</div>
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But no less beautiful</div>
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This is the time the moon feels most like herself</div>
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When the sun does not reflect itself upon her</div>
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When the illuminating light does not press down upon her</div>
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This is when she truly feels free to shine with her own light</div>
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Shine bright new moon</div>
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HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-59509815670622500162013-10-07T09:54:00.001-04:002013-10-07T10:04:24.223-04:00In The Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love the woods. The dark, rich earth beneath the fallen leaves. The small creatures that lurk beneath the rocks. The way the light sparkles through the trees. There's nothing like that filtered light in the woods. As I walk I try to find the tiny life hidden on the forest floor. I love unearthing and discovering the unseen. Millipedes and salamanders. Mushrooms and fungus. Moss and lichen. Solace and comfort. <br />
<br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-43663177738462957272012-12-07T10:36:00.001-05:002012-12-07T10:38:31.909-05:00Wallflower <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/117147344/wallflower-necklace-sterling-silver" target="_blank">Wallflower Necklace</a><br />
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I am a self-proclaimed wallflower. <br />
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This necklace is a
celebration of the plain ones. The ones who observe. The ones who need
not be in the spotlight. Those that are comfortable in their quietness.
This one is for you.<br />
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<br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-71031462054996059872012-12-04T19:25:00.003-05:002012-12-04T19:25:56.129-05:00Magazine Famous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Those are my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/86721070/twinkle-brass-earrings-with-sterling" target="_blank">star studs</a>! </div>
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Etsy asked if I would send them to the magazine for a gift guide feature they were working on with Health Magazine. I was thrilled to be picked and they did a great job photographing them. Thanks Etsy and Health Magazine! HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-46871290333893287602012-10-27T23:36:00.002-04:002012-10-27T23:36:30.464-04:00Grave Digger Shack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On the edge of an old city graveyard rests a dilapidated shack that was used to store the grave digger's implements. Every fall the ginkgo tree to the right turns a vibrant shade of yellow that is so beautiful next to the blue of the shack. I made it to this place too late to photograph the loveliness as you can see all the leaves have fallen to the sidewalk in front of the shack. It is sad for me to see the eaves are in need of repair and I hope that will happen. The Gothic arch window dresses up the simpleness of the shack and really endears me to it. I hate to see old places like these being torn down and I hope that is not where this little place is headed. HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-41015086531154951042012-10-21T17:57:00.000-04:002012-10-21T17:57:07.347-04:00I heart macro<br />
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I love macro photography. Here are a few shots I took recently around my yard.<br />
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Nature is so beautiful, isn't it? <br />
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="169" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-22496933899628389942012-10-20T16:18:00.004-04:002012-10-20T16:23:57.533-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> There are nettles everywhere,<br /> But smooth green grasses are more common still;<br />
The blue of heaven is larger than the cloud</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning </span>HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-36725852191903074322012-10-02T02:50:00.002-04:002012-10-02T02:50:32.191-04:00Take it with you"You can't take it with you when you go" they say. <br />
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I think I can.<br />
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I will fill my soul to the brim with the love and beauty of this world. With the good memories as well as the bittersweet. I <i>will</i> fill my soul to the brim. It will be heavy with joy when I leave this world and I <i>will</i> take it with me when I go. <br />
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<br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-4570682173215361082012-09-18T04:03:00.000-04:002012-09-18T04:04:45.180-04:00KitesI had the most wonderful dream the other night. I was walking down a dirt road. To my right was a field of green with wooden folding chairs and people dressed in old time clothes seated in them. In front of them was a black preacher preaching in an animated, glorious way. To the left of me was another luscious field of green with children in white billowing dresses playing and laughing. The sun broke free of the clouds just ahead of me and I looked toward it to see two white kites floating side by side, back-lit by the sun. They floated ever so slowly towards the sun and I could not see any strings tethering them to the earth. An amazing feeling washed over me in the moment I saw the kites. A feeling that everything is going to be okay. I knew I needed to remember their beauty when I awoke. It was a vivid dream and something about it brings me peace when I think about it. HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-74153700157168716432012-08-03T22:09:00.000-04:002012-08-03T22:09:10.630-04:00Grief has made a home in my heart for you. A tiny nest in each chamber where it will always slumber. Every once in a while it will awaken and remind me of your death in time but right now it has crash landed and made a mess of me that will take some time to heal. You were my father and I was your youngest daughter. A coal miner's daughter. Memories of you are frequent in this grief and have made me realize that while you didn't say it out loud you did love me the best way you knew how and I loved you the best way I knew how. It wasn't perfect but it is what it is.HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-63284511903111128552012-06-14T14:12:00.003-04:002012-06-14T14:14:41.164-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But what if I'm a mermaid in these jeans of his with her name still on it? <br />
Hey but I don't care cause sometimes, I said sometimes, I hear my voice and it's been here<br />
silent all these years.<br />
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HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-85127399736329248242012-06-09T19:48:00.000-04:002012-06-09T19:48:46.765-04:00The Cusp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel on the cusp of something wonderful. Have you ever felt that way? Your heart is full enough to burst. Your soul is brimming with brightness and light. You swear you can feel a change somewhere in you so deep down into the very being of your cellular make up. These are the days when I feel my breath quicken with the happiness of life. I hope you have these days too. <br />
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Oh and just so you know I heart you! It's true. It is written in stone.HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-60537605436691697992012-04-22T01:45:00.000-04:002012-04-22T01:45:23.747-04:00Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hope you are enjoying the spring happenings so far. I used to love the spring when I was younger and now as I get older it is just the harbinger of hot humid weather. I hate the heat now more than ever. I do love watching the plants and animal wake up from winter though. I guess I still love spring but will pine for the fall and winter once summer hits. I think i will make it my goal to enjoy summer more this year. It really isn't fair to dislike it so much. Summer can't help being hot. It is in it's very nature. I'll just have to make more of an effort to visit the river that I love so much but is a little far away. There are natural water slides there and deep dark pool of water at the bottom that is oh so lovely to slide into. The cooling water can be so healing and I definitely need a bit of that.<br />
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I really feel I have been just letting life pass me by these past few months. It has been dark here figuratively speaking and I need a bit of light to grow towards. It is difficult for someone of my nature to find the light though. I read so many blogs of so many upbeat positive people and just wonder how I can be that way too. But then if I try to be more upbeat and it isn't really who I am then am I being true to myself? I'm not saying here that I am a negative person. Just a recluse that has a tendency to relish in the darkness and being alone.<br />
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Well anyways enough of that for now. <br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-36311148273428303492011-11-08T12:36:00.001-05:002011-11-08T12:36:36.237-05:00Just wanted to say THANK YOU, ETSY, for tweeting my anatomical heart and posting it on facebook. Thank you also for featuring me in Etsy finds today along with so many other amazing artists! <br />
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I am so appreciative of all of this. Much more than mere words can say. Now I need to get to work on hand sawing out dozens of tiny hearts! Thanks for all the love Etsy and etsians! <br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-64300316553365631562011-11-04T11:59:00.000-04:002011-11-04T11:59:04.121-04:00Indigo Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I fell out of love with you for a little while there, silver. I think I am rekindling the fire now. I love how this ring turned out with the pressed filigree detailing on the sides and the beautiful indigo flash of the labradorite stone. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85331634/indigo-sky-labradorite-ring-sterling" target="_blank">Indigo Sky Size 9.5</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />I made the band in a wide cigar band style. I do not have a rolling mill so I just taped a piece of brass filigree to the metal and hammered the heck out of it to create the impression. It really dresses up the band and I do plan to make more like this.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85331634/indigo-sky-labradorite-ring-sterling" target="_blank">Indigo Sky Ring</a></div>
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<br />HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-75070663489784406452011-10-28T17:51:00.000-04:002011-10-28T17:51:36.424-04:00Finally Something NewI have been wanting to make this for a very long time. I had the idea so long ago to mount a butterfly in an old broken vintage clock but I was never able to get to making it until now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4D8oWJgTcm8/TqshCqVg9ZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rT921VNKONU/s1600/20111028_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4D8oWJgTcm8/TqshCqVg9ZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rT921VNKONU/s320/20111028_2.JPG" width="315" /></a></div> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84872363/real-phoebis-philea-butterfly-displayed">Vintage Clock Butterfly Display</a><br />
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I have always loved old clocks and have collected them for a long time. I never cared whether they worked or not. In fact the more worn the better. I have always wanted to use a full spread butterfly in some of my work. I thought that I would love to do some wall hangings but did not want to frame them how they are usually framed in a shadow box. One day it just hit me that there is just enough space between the clock face and crystal to mount a butterfly. I've been too terribly busy to make it but this week I was inspired to finally see how this might turn out and I just love it!<br />
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I am in the process of making more. Wouldn't a display of two or three of these be just amazing? I hope you love this as much as I do and I would love to hear your thoughts on it :)<br />
HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-44347452563487945102011-07-11T21:23:00.000-04:002011-07-11T21:23:11.476-04:00Hush Now and Listen To The Birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>Assembled from much loved antique pieces. The focal piece feature an enameled bird in beautiful colors. Amazingly, I had some Swarovzki crystals that matched the blue enamel of the flowers perfectly. The rest of the necklace is assembled from old glass beaded chain and brass chain. The lobster clasp and the crystals are the only pieces that weren't salvaged from old jewelry. In the<a href="http://housethatcrowbuilt.etsy.com/"> shop</a> now.<br />
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</tbody></table>Another wash me ashore ring. Size 9. I made this for a customer but the sizing wasn't right so it is now in the <a href="http://housethatcrowbuilt.etsy.com/">shop</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76976548/traditional-heart-necklace-you-are-here">Traditional "You Are Here" Heart Necklace</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>A new twist on my "You Are Here" hearts done in a traditional heart sahpe insted of the anatomical heart shape. I think this one is more feminine in nature and love how it turned out. I have been meaning to make this one for quite a while now and am so glad I finally did. In the <a href="http://housethatcrowbuilt.etsy.com/">shop</a> now. <br />
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Hope everyone is having a great summer so far! I am longing for the cooler days of fall and winter. Summer is not my season at all although I do love going to the local flea markets. It was sweltering hot here today until we received the mercy of a cooling storm. <br />
HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-909728407298457262011-05-14T10:54:00.000-04:002011-05-14T10:54:20.748-04:00Can't stop listening to this<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2EIeUlvHAiM" width="560"></iframe>HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-78193715985634058112011-05-09T12:12:00.000-04:002011-05-09T12:12:05.863-04:00Digging DeepI've been doing a bit of digging. Deep. Soul searching you may call it. I call it excavating. Unearthing who I think I am and what is important in my life. During this process I have been in a bit of a creative hiatus. Looking at the work that I currently do and wondering if it is really a part of who I am anymore. I love the darkness, the lost and forgotten, the decadence of decay. Peeling, cracked paint and rusty nails. Old torn silk and lace. History forgotten. Mysteries of memories buried within a piece of something old and broken. I want to unearth these memories hiding beneath the rust, the worn finish, the darkened sparkle of a an old rhinestone.<br />
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I opened a new <a href="http://www.cinderedsister.etsy.com/">shop</a> a month ago selling some of these old pieces I have collected for others to find the treasure these types of pieces hide inside but some things I have collected I can't let go as they are. I feel the need to make them into something. And I will be doing so once I dig myself out of this rut.HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-845969868805878922011-03-24T11:46:00.000-04:002011-03-24T11:46:02.513-04:00These were tough to photograph!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I finally finished the butterfly wing post earrings and they turned out lovely! They glow and flash when the light hits them the right way. I am really pleased with them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f89L9DFSU3g/TYtlnCM0oDI/AAAAAAAAAEk/hSUHDpRJfGs/s1600/20110324_42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f89L9DFSU3g/TYtlnCM0oDI/AAAAAAAAAEk/hSUHDpRJfGs/s320/20110324_42.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They were extremely difficult to photograph as are all of my butterfly wings but I hope the photos show how jewel-like these wings become when magnified with the resin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p6iDcUvdQGM/TYtlmijLufI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FM_55_DXWE0/s1600/20110324_36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p6iDcUvdQGM/TYtlmijLufI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FM_55_DXWE0/s320/20110324_36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They are not tiny post earrings either. They are around 9mm in diameter so they are small enough to wear daily but not too small to be noticed. I only have three pairs of these in the <a href="http://www.housethatcrowbuilt.com/">shop</a> so far but will probably be offering these indefinitely in my shop along with other resin items I may work on in the future if I can find enough time!HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-14530149765673750582011-03-19T16:29:00.000-04:002011-03-19T16:29:12.700-04:00Butterflies and ResinI just wanted to take a moment and show what I have been slowly developing over the past few months. These are real blue morpho wings that I have set in handmade ( by me) bezels that are going to hopefully become stud earrings. I originally wanted to do stacker rings but it seemed like so much work to make the ring and then pour the resin only to mess it up at some point. Also I would be using more sterling in a ring as opposed to an earring.<br />
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The first picture here shows the bezels with the wings in it without the resin. I have sealed the wing circles so that the wings don't change into a weird color from the resin. Oh and do you know how hard it is to cut tiny circles out of a butterfly wing? Very tough but I figured out how to do it without ripping them to smithereens. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sg64xK8DpvE/TYUPqw7H2CI/AAAAAAAAAEU/IxRXv3KF8T4/s1600/20110319_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Sg64xK8DpvE/TYUPqw7H2CI/AAAAAAAAAEU/IxRXv3KF8T4/s320/20110319_3.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>Here I've poured the resin and it magnifies the color of the butterfly beautifully! I'm using Ice Resin here which is a dream to work with compared to the Envirotex lite which is what I started with.<br />
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So since I had to mix up a full ounce of this resin and I barely used any for the earrings I decided to make up a ring real quick and use a piece of an embossed binding from an antique leather bound book as the focal of the ring. <br />
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I love how this looks and hopefully it turns out well because I made this in my size. :)HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6576447638597286537.post-29884158570647845352011-03-08T10:19:00.000-05:002011-03-08T10:19:56.513-05:00Painting With Fire ( Learning how to torch fire enamel)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I received my Painting With Fire torch enameling kit in the mail yesterday and had so much fun learning the immersion technique to add color to my metals. Here are a few pics of the results. I am still getting the hang of it so most of these are mess-ups in one way or another. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5CoClWQs9xY/TXZFVXEwt8I/AAAAAAAAADg/73enuIE3YKE/s1600/20110308_15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5CoClWQs9xY/TXZFVXEwt8I/AAAAAAAAADg/73enuIE3YKE/s320/20110308_15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Group shot of some of the beads that the kit came with. I think they are lovely despite the flaws!<br />
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I had these bead caps already and they were so tough to get the enamel to adhere. They were an antique brass finish and it took forever to get them to this point. Maybe it was the fake antique brass finish that made them so hard to enamel.<br />
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This is a simple copper disc that I stamped with a bird and then enameled with the transparent enamel that the kit came with. I love the sheen of blue that combines with the deep red of the copper. When you tilt the disc at certain angles it looks iridescent. What a totally unique color surprise! I hope I can do it again. I stamped the bird to see if i could see it well enough through the transparent enamel. It shows up nicely here but is not quite as noticeable in real life. I am very happy with the evenness of the enamel on this one.<br />
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And then I made a pair of enameled copper earrings in the robin's egg blue opaque enamel. I love the coloring of these. It is unfortunate that the one on the left had the enamel burned a bit by putting it too far down in the flame. I did this while re-heating the piece trying to get the disc off the mandrel. It is not as noticeable as the pictures shows so I will keep these for myself and start on a new pair for the shop.HouseThatCrowBuilthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09769607363596648204noreply@blogger.com3