It's finally Friday!

I had a couple of hours to spend in my studio this week.  I spent of an hour or so fiddling with my still-new-to-me rolling mill and it is getting easier to create an impression on the metal!  One of these days, I am going to find some bravery and slip some sterling through this thing...that day has not yet arrived!  However, the copper is working!

I made a couple of nice long sheets of patterned metal.  So, I cut some small tabs, added a hand cut and set tube rivet, and then added a slight curve to the tab.  They look wonderful with these gorgeous Lapis Lazuli rounds, don't they?

I can actually "feel" the texture on the copper - which makes this girl very happy!

After these were complete, I was itching to go back "to my basics" of wire wrapping.  So, I pulled out this incredible strand of lampwork beads by Judith Billig.

Judith named these beads Batik Sherbert - isn't that name perfect?  My mother, the quilter, uses lots of batik fabric, and this title reminds me of that beautiful textile.  I did not want a complicated design, as I want the eye to follow the beads.  After vacillating between using copper or sterling, I chose copper - to complement the pale orange of the beads.  Instead of just plain-old wire wrapping, I took a bunch of copper wire and twisted it first, prior to wrapping.

Note - twisted wire becomes quite fidgety when wrapping!  Definitely not a quick project, but I am so glad I went this route!  The texture created from the twisted wire is what I was after. The focal is wrapped with square wire - twisted - while the beads are wrapped with double strands of round wire. I found a perfectly shaped ornate copper bead and paired it with one of the larger lentils to create a small pendant.

I also used two strands of wire - twisted - for the clasp - and fused the ends for a smooth finish (don't want that to unravel)!

I just love how this necklace turned out!  If you are reading this Judith, thank you for your art!!! (This necklace has sold - thank you!)

I am headed out the door shortly - taking my mom to get her first contact lens!  I used to be a contact lens wearer, until I was around 35 years old and my eyes decided to never create tears again.  I sure hope she can get that sucker in and out of her eye without my help, as I may prove useless!

A scorcher weather-wise - cannot wait to get back home to my basement where it is so cold I need to wear a sweatshirt to keep warm!!  Thank you so much for stopping by - have a fabulous day!

xo

Patti