Wire on Fire!

I've just finished making my own ballpins using sterling wire and a butane torch! This may not sound exciting, but I'm quite titillated. I use tons of ballpins in my cluster earrings, and finding them premade in a gauge you like is difficult.

Below, a short clip of me making one. You'll see a thin piece of wire -- 24 gauge -- come in from the top, turn red hot, and then pull up into a ball on the end.

New Toys

I love bead shows. They're exhausting, both mentally and physically, but they're chock full of wonderful things. I went to one a couple of weekends ago and came home with a bag of beautiful treasures. Sometimes I think I really just like looking at them, and I make jewelry because I can't afford to keep them all. They'd make wonderful wall treatments.

Here's a sneak peek at the lovely new gemstones that will be soon making their way to a website near you!

Dreamy chrysocolla


Gorgeous turquoise


Luscious pink crazy lace agate


I've forgotten what this is, but it has beautiful veins.


Nearly-edible ocean jasper


Turquoise pendants

I'm still giddy.