Yummy Gumdrop Rings

This was a new one for me, and I'm excited about how it turned out. Don't they look like juicy little gumdrop candies?

Rings Galore

I had a productive few days! Some of these are custom orders and the rest will go up in my shop very soon.

Labradorite & sterling silver ring {possibly spoken for}

Pink tourmaline & sterling silver ring

Prehnite & sterling silver ring {custom order}

Rutilated quartz stacking ring set {custom order}

Labradorite & sterling silver ring {custom order}

Labradorite & sterling silver ring {custom order}

Labradorite & sterling silver ring {possibly spoken for}

Labradorite & sterling silver ring

Labradorite & sterling silver ring

Another cloudy aquamarine ring {custom order}

Stacking Swiss blue topaz ring set

Afghan tourmaline & sterling silver ring {custom order}

'Clover' ring - rainbow moonstone over resin {custom order}

'Dewdrop' ring - rainbow moonstone over resin

WHEW!!!

I love FedEx

It's so fun to get packages of sparkly, beautiful beads! Here's what came today... I'll start with the beads -

Faceted citrine ovals

Mmm... faceted kyanite marquis briolettes

Just look at that color!!!

Prehnite briolettes

Sunstone briolettes

I also got a few new types of cabs -

6mm square cushion cut peridot

8mm x 12mm faceted pink amethyst teardrops

8mm x 12mm faceted prasiolite (green amethyst) teardrops

12mm faceted square cushion cut rose quartz

I also branched out this time and bought some simple faceted stones -

8mm round amethyst

8mm round citrine

8mm round white topaz

Finally (and most exciting), I discovered a whole new section on one of my favorite supplier's websites that I had never explored before!!! They sell these amazing hand carved fancy stones and I just couldn't resist buying some, especially since there were several tourmalines available, which as you've probably noticed is a favorite of mine.

Green tourmaline flower tiles - these will make lovely pendants or earrings, or nice large rings.

Pink tourmaline carved teardrop - perfect for either a ring or a pendant.

Green tourmaline art deco-ish leaf-like something-or-others

Pink tourmaline flowers

Wouldn't these be cute all used together to make a pendant or a pin, with some silver stems and leaves to tie it all together?

These carved watermelon tourmaline slices are to die for. They are quite large and will make stunning rings.

And what can I say about these? Bi-color tourmaline, amazing hand carved detail, and huge size - I think I'll use these as centerpieces for two amazing necklaces.

I mean really, what can you say but WOW?!?!!!!

I'm going to hang on to some of these fancy carved pieces until after I take my stone setting class at the Mendocino Art Center in July because some of them (the ones with irregularly shaped edges) won't lend themselves well to bezel setting, and are probably more suited to prong settings or some other type of setting I don't even know about yet. :-) But others, like the watermelon tourmaline slices, the green tourmaline flower tiles, and the pink teardrop, are available now for custom orders, so if you see something you need, let me know!

There's a chicken convention going on in my planter box...

...and I'm not happy about it. I'm ready to plant some vegetables in my raised planter bed, but the chickens keep digging holes in it. Anyone have suggestions? I tried sprinkling cayenne pepper on the soil but apparently my chickens don't mind a little spice in their dirt.

As a follow-up to my tutorial post, I thought I'd share a picture of my workspace in action. If you click on the photo, it will take you to a Flickr page that has notes of what a lot of the things in the picture are.

Tutorial Update / Soldering, Part 1 - Bezel Set Ring Overview

I know I promised a long time ago to put together a soldering tutorial, but I kept getting overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task, so I've decided to break it up into smaller bits. Many of you expressed interest in just seeing a general overview of how the process works, so I've started with that and put together a short introductory section.

Next, I'm going to work on compiling various resources, pictures, written instructions, and perhaps even some video clips to provide more detailed information for those of you who are interested. I'm thinking it will go something like this...

Soldering, Part 1: Bezel Set Ring Overview (download pdf version)
Soldering, Part 2: Tools & Equipment
Soldering, Part 3: Soldering Fundamentals
Soldering, Part 4: Ring Fabrication
Soldering, Part 5: Metal Finishing Techniques

I think I'll probably publish each mini-tutorial here on the blog, and also provide a link to a pdf version so that you can easily save it to your own computer for later use. Sound okay? Let's get to it then!

Soldering, Part 1 - Bezel Set Ring Overview
copyright 2008, Tamara McFarland / McFarland Designs

This segment provides an overview of my process for making bezel set rings. Future tutorials will go into greater detail on soldering and ring fabrication techniques.

Materials needed: sheet metal, bezel wire, ring stock, and cabochon (not pictured)

A section of sheet metal is cut slightly larger than the cabochon; a piece of bezel wire is cut to fit snugly around the cabochon, and ring stock is cut to the appropriate size.

The bezel wire is soldered shut and shaped to fit the stone.

The bezel wire is soldered to the sheet metal to form a bezel cup.

The excess sheet metal is filed off from around the outside of the bezel cup, the ring band is soldered closed and formed into the desired shape, and then soldered to the back of the bezel cup.

The cabochon is placed into the bezel cup.

The bezel is pushed closed tightly around the stone.

The metal is finished as desired, either with a shiny finish or, in this case, a satin finish.

That's it! Feel free to download the pdf version of this tutorial for future reference.

Pics from the homestead :-)

Moment of Zen

It's funny how entertained I am by just sitting and watching the chickens do their chickeny business.

More Rings, Up For Grabs

Here are the non-custom-order rings I finished today; they will be going up for sale in my Etsy shop soon.

Lapis lazuli & sterling silver ring, satin finish

Oregon sunstone & sterling silver ring

Custom Order Rings Finished Today

I finished a batch of rings today... these are designs I've made before but I figured it wouldn't hurt to post them again in case I have any new readers who haven't seen them before. :-)

Cloudy aquamarine & sterling silver ring

Labradorite & sterling silver ring

Pink tourmaline & sterling silver ring

Prehnite & sterling silver 'dotty' ring

Rutilated quartz & sterling silver stacking rings

Prehnite & sterling silver ring

How to satisfy a chocolate craving without overindulging

The other day I felt like baking, and was seriously craving chocolate, but I didn't want to pig out and feel totally gross, so I made these delicious chocolate muffins that aren't overly sweet. Just the ticket!

Dark Chocolate Muffins

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup non-dairy milk
3/4 cup applesauce
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour through baking soda). In a separate bowl, combine liquid ingredients (non-dairy milk through vanilla). Mix wet ingredients into dry and add 1/4 cup chocolate chips.

Pour into muffin tins (fill cups about 2/3 full and you should get 12 muffins) and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool for five minutes in muffin tins, then cool completely on wire rack (or eat 'em warm - yum!).

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I made the carrot cake from Vegan with a Vengeance the other day, and it was SO good. The recipe suggests a coconut frosting, but I'm not a huge coconut fan so I used the cream cheese frosting recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World (I doubled the frosting recipe). Absolutely delicious! I will definitely make it again.

Finally, Some New Rings

The first batch to emerge from my new studio...

Diagonally set faceted labradorite & sterling silver ring, size 8

My signature big round labradorite ring with satin finished sterling silver, size 9.5

Moderately flashy oval labradorite ring on floral textured band, size 8.25

Another big round labradorite ring, size 7.75

Faceted pink amethyst & sterling silver ring, size 7

Prehnite & sterling silver ring (custom order)

Seraphinite & sterling silver ring, size 6.75

Cloudy aquamarine & sterling silver ring (custom order)

I'm headed back out to my studio during naptime today and for a full day tomorrow, so if you're waiting on a custom order that you don't see here, yours may be in the next batch. (Then again, maybe not, the list is overwhelmingly long right now...)

Someday I will be caught up.

Summer Vacation Planning

With a high energy two-year-old in the family, and an empty bank account thanks to our numerous recent home improvement projects, Matt and I aren't too keen on flying anywhere in the near future, and our summer vacation plans so far include day trips to the river (about an hour away) and a five-day stay in Mendocino (about three hours away), where Matt and Carlos will lounge at the beach while I attend a class at the Mendocino Art Center.

So while this information may not directly affect my own summer plans, I thought it was really interesting and would be good to keep in mind for future years. Maybe it will influence some of your decisions as well...

From the No Impact Man blog (Making Summer Vacation Choices):

• One round-trip, long-haul flight causes as much contribution to climate change as—get this—an entire year of driving.

And some tips from the same blog on ways to make your summer vacation as minimally environmentally harmful as possible:

• Vacation closer to home.
• Take direct flights that don’t zigzag to your destination.
• Combine three weekend trips into one week-long trip to reduce travel and flights
• Take the train or bus instead
• One less round trip means 6000 lbs less greenhouse gas
• If you must fly, buy a carbon offset from Native Energy

Chicken Pic of the Day

Chuck Norris & LaFonda

Gem Show, Part 3

A couple of new creations made last night using beads purchased at the gem show on Friday...

Labradorite pendant on necklace of smooth, glossy, tumbled aquamarine nuggets. Yum.

{another view}

Prehnite & Bali silver pendant on necklace of luscious multicolored tourmaline beads

{another view}

SALE!!!

I decided I need to get rid of some of my older beads to make room for the new, so I've just marked down a bunch of stuff in my bead shop. Clicking on the photos will take you directly to my 'sale' section.

Gem Show, Part 2

New beads from the gem show...

Multicolored sapphire pear briolettes, 6-7.5mm

Iolite onion briolettes, 5-6mm

Labradorite round briolettes, 9mm

Moonstone briolettes, 13-17mm

Iolite pear briolettes, 10-11mm

Moss aquamarine pear briolettes, 7-11mm

Pink amethyst onion briolettes, 7-8mm

Aquamarine marquis briolettes, 15-19mm

Ametrine oval briolettes, 7-9mm

Hessonitne garnet briolettes, 6-7.5mm

Aquamarine pear briolettes, 9-14mm

Gem Show, Part 1

I went to a local gem show yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the quality and selection I found at several booths. I'm going to separate my findings into a couple of posts; first, I'm going to show off the gorgeous cabs I bought, most of which are available for custom orders.

Rhodolite garnet cabs
Top: 6.5mm x 8.5mm; 2.27 carats
Bottom: 9mm x 13mm; 5.72 carats

California green tourmaline cabs
Upper left: 9mm x 16mm
Right: 8mm x 10mm
Lower left: 10mm; 3.83 carats

Labradorite cab, 19mm x 30mm

Labradorite cab, 14mm x 22mm

Labradorite cab, 10mm x 18mm

Aquamarine cabs, 8mm

Bi-color California tourmaline cab, 10mm x 14mm; 8.23 carats

Afghan blue tourmaline cab, 11mm x 13mm, 8.7 carats

Charoite cabs
Upper left:11mm x 14mm
Right: 9.5mm x 13.5mm
Lower left: 10mm x 16.5mm

Afghan blue tourmaline cab, 8mm x 10mm, 3.55 carats

California pink tourmaline cab, 7mm x 9mm; 2.75 carats

California pink tourmaline cabs
Left: 6mm
Right: 8mm x 10mm

California pink tourmaline cabs
Upper left: 8mm x 10mm
Upper right: 10mm
Lower right: 7mm x 9mm
Lower left: 8mm x 10mm

Amazing Oregon sunstone cabs
Upper left: 8mm
Upper right: 7mm
Lower right: 7mm x 9mm
Lower left: 7mm

These labradorite cabs didn't actually come from the gem show, but they arrived in the mail yesterday and they are fabulous!

A few new designs

I still haven't had a chance to do any metal work in my new studio, but I did tide myself over by making a couple of new beaded pieces, which I will attempt to list in my shop in the next day or two.

Labradorite & aquamarine necklace with Hill Tribe silver flower

Sunstone, kyanite, & Bali silver necklace

Custom order dangly Swarovski pearl & Swarovski crystal earrings

I'm looking forward to spending a long day tomorrow soldering, sanding, and polishing, and hopefully getting some rings finished for the first time in a too long!

More Chicken Pics

Chuck Norris

Clarabelle (aka 'Hairy Toes')

Greta (aka 'The Loner' or 'No Toes')

LaFonda

Rosa

Chicken butts

Sharing some melon

These guys are my new best friends. They run to greet me when I go outside and sometimes follow me around. Too cute!!!

Quack.

New Beads & Cabs

I got a shipment of some beautiful new beads and cabochons about a week ago but just realized I'd never posted pictures. Some of these are up in my shop, and others will be soon.

Faceted pink amethyst cabochons, 10mm

Prehnite cabochons, 8mm

Amethyst cabochons, 10mm

Pink amethyst cabochons, 6mm

Faceted green amethyst (prasiolite) cabs, 10mm

Faceted labradorite cabochons, 12mm

Lemon quartz cabochons, 6mm

Amethyst briolettes

Ametrine briolettes

Home Safe & Sound

We got back from our little trip today and it's nice to be home. We had fun visiting family and friends; unfortunately I was so preoccupied with keeping Carlos happy and safe, I never really got it together to take any pictures until the guilt caught up with me this morning and I took a few cute ones in the diner where we had breakfast. Carlos, as usual, had a blast hanging out with his big cousin Calvyn, who (whom?) he idolizes.

{dog puppet eating tub of jam}

We got a nice little tour of Animal Place today when we picked up our chickens. The staff was very nice about showing us around even though it wasn't a regular tour day. The chickens did great on the way home... they were a little stinky in my car but that's not their fault of course.

We wedged 'em in between all of our luggage...

I took a few pictures this evening - they aren't the greatest, but I'll share anyways.

Front to back on the ramp, that's Rosa (the boss), Clara, and LaFonda. The ducks (whose names we've finally decided are Shannon and Dean - named after the couple who runs the rescue group we adopted them from) are swimming in the background, and the rooster is there on the ground on the right. We're having a bit of a heated discussion over the rooster's name - Matt is pushing hard for Chuck Norris and I'm madly in love with Thomas Magnum (both the name itself, and the character, and the show, ha ha).

Another shot of Rosa, LaFonda, and Clara

And here's the fourth hen, Greta, who seems to be a bit of a loner.

Aren't they cute? I'll post better pictures in a few days once we let them out into the main yard and I don't have to shoot through the fence.