I took a leather tooling class at Paco Collars-in Berkeley- http://pacocollars.com/
I made a flower patch, that I added to my bicycle club jacket.
I am currently working on a bracelet with a tooled acorn and leaf design, and just finished making a necklace from a small leaf design.
I haven’t purposely been avoiding my computer, but I have found summer a time to spend the majority of my time outside. For the most part it has been a pretty mild summer, and I am happy to say I have spent quite a bit of it having adventures.
Also, I have begun making jewelry inspired by the things around me, especially biking.
I am creating a blog focusing on those creations- artichokegarden.wordpress.com and an etsy- http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtichokeGarden
I will continue (or start again) to use this blog to plot my daily adventures.
Most recently, a 30 + turnout for the silly movie Premium Rush with my bike crew.
I don’t want summer to end…
So, according to a select group of believers the world will end next Saturday.
I have already heard of people using their life savings to advertise on subways. And if it is anything like the last time this old man predicated the end (yes, he has said this before) then people are using their life saving to travel the world. At least it is good for the economy.
Things I love Thursday, second installment
Law and Order: SVU
Although I have watched so much Law and Order over the last 10+ years that I often can call the twists and turns of the episodes before they happen, SVU still shocks with me with the story lines it decided to pursue. The relationship between the two lead detectives Elliot “El” Stabler and Olivia “Liv” Benson has developed into the kind of friendship where seeing one on the others stoop in the middle of the night is as commonplace and toting guns and saving each others lives. And call me a sicko but I love the crazy sex crimes the writers come up with.
Beluga Whales
Every since learning that Baby Beluga song as a child. Pictures can only describe how cute these guys are.
High Karat Gold
I love the buttery rich yellow that people not in the know see and think is faux. It matches blacks, whites and bright colors. Oh! And when made into jewelry, my preferred state, I could just eat it up.
One of my favorite things is gemstones. Another one is adornment.
As a result, I have a huge jewelry addiction. Working in the jewelry industry has allowed me to fulfill that addiction, and as body modification has reached a peak in popularity more and more people have been learning lapidary skills and making stone plugs. I’ve always wanted to have a custom pair made with my favorite material- Ocean Jasper, and I came across the company Relic Stoneworks. They have great word of mouth, and a website that shows awesome rough material.
http://relicstoneworks.com/home.html
Today I got the most beautiful drop shaped Ocean Jasper plugs in the mail, and without a doubt this companies quality exceeds my expectations.
My friend spends every week in a lapidary studio. As his friend I have been able to take advantage of his time and skill. As a result I have gotten some amazingly beautiful jewelry, including the Ocean Jasper Labret- seen on right. He’s making me a matching Ocean Jasper cabochon, so I can make a matching necklace when I get metal studio time. Organic material makes me happy!
My pie crust success!
I miss the Bay Area like crazy, and decided sporting a couple maps of the bay area in a glass locket was the way to go.
To recreate- get a sterling silver and glass locket (google, or visit a local jewelry store and riffle through their Rio Grande catalog). Cut up your place of choice on a map in the shape of the locket and insert. I love these lockets cause they are two sided and you can mix and match what you put in them daily!
Came home from work to my partner cooking me an amazing dinner.
Artichokes with freshly infused veganaise- spicy!
And cous-cous with veggies and tofu sauteed in garlic olive oil.
Also got this beauty the other day. Prehnite and sterling silver ring by Kay Taylor! (Photo does not do justice!)
Gatherparadise 
