PMC Fun!

So I recently learned how to work with copper clay.  It was REALLY cool to be able to create in clay then torch the piece to true copper!  Now I'm thinking up all kinds of ways to use pieces.  I also found a artist that teaches creating mokume gane with metal clays... I believe I MUST take that class!!! http://artinsilver.com/ 

In other news ;), I have decided to make a move from Allstate to a new company.  I accepted a position with CSC as a UNIX manager.  I will be working at one of their client sites in Joliet which means a much easier and shorter commute for me. I am really looking forward to a new challenge but I will really miss a lot of the people I have gotten to know and care about at Allstate.

My first treasury!

I made it into my first treasury today!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d570ca699956d91f71d0a57/cabin-fever

Light Box...

SO... importing the photos I took with our very nice camera to Flickr... LOTS of shadows but I did buy my light box and am just waiting on it to arrive.  Hopefully after it gets here my pictures will get better. :)

My First Jewelry Show

So I had my first jewelry show this past Tuesady! I would call it a success, I sold three pieces and the ladies who were part of the show also sold items. Up until then all my jewelry were gifts so this is BIG news! :D How does this make me feel you ask? Well some what validated; all the work and research is paying off. I have no real expectations to make a living at this but if I can get to a point where I can fund my efforts then BONUS! I'll be posting new items to Etsy this weekend so I can hopefully find out if others like them. I'll keep you posted ;)

Getting Started

     So today I'm starting my blog. I'd like to says it's going to be all about my jewelry but that's just not the way my brain works.  I joke with my friends about being ADD but I think it might be a little bit true.  To expect I would ramble about just jewelry well... I can pretty much guarantee it will include not only my obsession with making jewelry but somethings about my kids, work, and life in general. Just ignore if you don't like it ;)
     So who is April and what is she about.  First and foremost I am a wife and mother.  I have been married to my wonderful husband since '02 and we have two beautiful children.  I am a techie.  I work in IT as a profession; my title is Systems Engineer but that seems to change pretty regularly so we'll just leave it at that.  So what does an SE do you ask? Well I design and set up large computer systems that support large corporations.  So the systems that support your day to day life with the various companies you interact with like insurance and banks, I design and build the systems those run on.  Not very exciting I know but I'm good at it so it works. While I do "create" in this position its not creative, if you get my meaning.  Its not a real outlet for my creativity, which is why I started working with jewelry.
     My first real path into the jewelry world was less than a year ago when I took a lampworking class.  It was AMAZING!  I got to use a torch to melt glass around these skinny things called mandrels and once the glass was annealed then I had a pretty glass bead of my own that I could use in my jewelry designs.  Since then I have learned to work with wire, sheet metal, resin, and bead weaving (I told you...ADD).  Who knew jewelry had such a wonderful mix of science and creativity?
     So now I play with what I know, trying new ways of doing things and incorporating new techniques I've learned from my crafty friends. I am ALWAYS looking for new things to try!  (My next class is going to be felting.)  Here on the blog I will post pictures of what I'm working on, playing with, or selling.  I hope you enjoy them!