Something Sublime

I'm Holding A Big Raffle!

I'm holding a ginormous raffle! (scroll down to see prizes and purchase tickets.)

Hello, friends! Some of you may know that I've been spending some time on the BOD for Care Net Pregnancy Center of NW Houston. Care Net is a truly fabulous organization and I'm so blessed to be able to serve them. My heart is touched, every time I'm there, by the amazing way Care Net saves lives (physical and spiritual) and touches hearts and souls. They are genuinely concerned for the clients, and their babies, and offer care for women who might not receive it, otherwise.

So many inspiring stories come from this place. The ultrasound image, above, is from a client who was considering abortion. The ultrasound, provided by Care Net NW, showed her what her baby looks like, in the womb and, it just so happened that this baby was giving a "thumbs up" sign to mama, as if to say "I'm here. Look at me!" It's amazing that you can see that tiny fist, with the thumb sticking straight up.

Care Net NW is a non-profit, funded through donations of people who believe in the compassionate, practical care and support they provide. One of their two major fundraisers is coming up in April and, I'm sad to say, I'm not able to attend. Care Net NW is holding their Walk for Life, Sat. April 13, 2013.

"Steampunk in Color"

So, here's what I'm proposing...a raffle!

I'm going to raffle off some fab prizes and you can join in for $10 per ticket.

Buy as many tickets as you like. All payments will be through Paypal.

ALL of the proceeds will go directly to Care Net NW. Because I need to keep track of participants for the raffle, I'll be doing it, right here, from my blog and will deliver a check to Care Net NW.

Here are the prizes you'll have a chance to win:

• "Steampunk in Color" steampunk style necklace
• "Musical Notes" earrings
• 5---yes! 5!---spots in my Build Zone online jewelry making class
• 3 Wire Wrapped Nest tutorials
• 3 Fabric Wrapped Link tutorials
• 3 Double Loop Link tutorials (this is a brand new tutorial, from me!)

Take a look at the photos below to see...

"Steampunk in Color" Necklace

Prize 1: my "Steampunk in Color" necklace, featured in the book "1000 Steampunk Creations." The focal features an antique clock key with antique enameled keys and other elements, along with chunky turqoise.

 

 

"Musical Notes" earrings

Prize 2: my Musical Notes earrings are handmade from steel with pages from an antique Bible, and resin, with sterling silver ear wires. This style was featured in "Step by Step Wire Jewelry" magazine.

You want 'em, right?

The Build Zone: Solid Foundations in Mixed Media Jewelry

Prizes 3, 4 and 5: 5...count 'em...5!...spots in my online jewelry making class, The Build Zone. Class is in session, right now, and runs to May 8. The class sells for $130 so this is a nice chance for you to get in for $10. You will love this workshop...I promise!

Double Loop Link tutorial

Prizes 6, 7 and 8: Finally! I've created a brand new tutorial for you. In this one, I'll show you how to make these versatile links, perfectly.

Wire Wrapped Link tutorial

Prizes 9, 10 and 11: I'm offering 3 of my super-popular Wire Wrapped Link tutorials. You'll find a dozen ways (or more) to use this link in your work.

Wire Bird's Nest Charm tutorial

Prizes 12, 13 and 14: The final three prizes are my Bird's Nest tutorials. These adorable little things are addicting to make!

I'm really hoping that you guys will turn out like you did for my Build Zone class giveaway. I know this isn't free but, for $10, you have a chance to win some pretty great stuff, and support an incredibly great organization.

All you have to do to purchase is click the "Buy Now" button. It will take you to Paypal where you can complete the transaction. Raffle is closed...thank you!

I'll randomly draw names of winners on April 8th and let you know the winners. Jewelry winners will be drawn first, followed by Build Zone class winners, then tutorial winners. Good luck and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support!

deryn xxoo

Adorn Me In Review

I have to tell you a little secret...this title, "instructor," means a lot to me. Not because it makes me important or special but because it means I get to share with you. If you come to class, I get to share everything I can squeeze into our time together. I get to share a little bit of what I love to do and, hopefully, pass on my enthusiasm for making jewelry. It's not just slap-a-few-things-together and you have jewelry...oh, no. It's learning the craft of making fine art jewelry.

I didn't take many pictures, at Adorn Me...I wish I had! I always get caught up in the moment and forget to take photos.

I did get a few pics of student work  from my Hoop-La class. This is the first time I've taught this one and we crammed tons of stuff into the day.

They made some gorgeous things...those students of mine. It makes me excited to be teaching this class again, at Art Unraveled, this August. I've been very blessed to be an instructor at both of Linda Young's events; Adorn Me and Art Unraveled. They're two of my favorite venues and I look forward to traveling to Phoenix, every year...in August...in the summer...in Phoenix...did I say it's in the summer? I love it!

At the AM vendor night, I finally, finally got to meet Mary Hettmansperger and snag this fab brooch from her. Isn't it wonderful? It reminds me of and animal skeleton or a turtle shell...something organic and mysterious.

Here I am goofing off with my pal, Diane Cook on vendor night. Diane always takes the very best pictures...always. She looks like she's just heard something very clever. If she did, believe me, it didn't come out of my mouth. We do look a bit devilish, though...don't we?

Ok, my friends...so, next up in my schedule is teaching at The Prairie; end of April. See that cool spoke link? I'm going to show you how to make that, as well as a version that can be used as a focal, as well as how to make one really-big-whopper-of-a-statement-piece. I'm wearing this one in the photo with Diane. The cross is about 4 inches long...really a great, honkin' thing.

(photo by Diane Cook)

If you haven't moseyed on over to The Prairie, you're missing out. Trust me when I say, this is a gorgeous place in which to take classes. It's a true retreat atmosphere and you'll feel like a spoiled rotten princess, by the end of the weekend.

I'm also teaching this Sacred Heart Pendant. We're going to be doing a little bit of foldforming, amongst many other exciting things.

Also, my JouJou Charm Keeper necklace. This one is chock-a-block FULL of techniques. I'll be sharing with you, all my secrets of working with steel wire. Fun...yes? This is probably the last time I'll be teaching this one so I hope you can come.

And speaking of...I also won't be offering my online Build Zone class again, for a while. Registration is still happening...until April 8th. Last day of class is May 8th. So, you have plenty of time to join in the fun. In fact, the students are busy, busy, watching videos and practicing techniques. If you have an interest, it's not too late and I'd love to have you.

I've been working like a fiend on a big project but I broke away for a while today and took a photo safari with Number One son, today. It was a bit boring, though, as he hogged the lenses. Of course, as his mother, I felt it my duty to allow it. Unfortunately, he took way, way too many shots of his old mom. This was the best of the lot...how sad is that. That look on my face is a reflection of my brain madly thinking "There are about a million things I should be doing right now and photo-safari-dog-walking-sitting-in-the-lovely-sun are not any of them andpleasedon'ttakeanotherhorridphotoofme!" 

Sweet boy.

Crazy, runaway brain.

deryn xxoo

Winner, Winner! The Build Zone

Before I announce the two winners of places in my Build Zone online class, I just have to say "thank you" to you all for participating and for being so very kind in your comments. Ya'll have just floored me with your sweet and generous praise and desire to be in class. I'm so grateful.

And now the winners...

Donna Gunn

and

Elisabeth (beads for busy gals)

Congratulations, ladies!

Today is the very first day of class but registration will continue until April 8th. So...if you really wanted in, you can still join us. I won't offer this class again any time soon and I'd love to have you!

deryn xxoo

Giveaway! The Build Zone Online Jewelry Making Class

I can't believe time has gone by so quickly but my Build Zone online class begins in just two days, on March 8th. Sooo...I think it's time to give away a couple of spots in class. If you've wanted to take this class but just couldn't swing it, now is your chance! Here's the deal:

Leave a comment on this post to enter into the drawing. (Please, one comment and only one comment.) 

That's it...that's all. Of course if you had an irresistible urge to go to my facebook pages and friend me or like me, that would be great too. Just sayin...

One more important thing...if you're already registered for this class, and you enter the drawing, I'll put your name in for TWO chances to win. Sweet, no?

Ok, so folks, make sure you include, in your entry, some way for me to contact you. I'll randomly draw two names on Friday.

Good luck and I hope to see you in class!

deryn xxoo

The Build Zone-Registration Open

Some of you will be very excited to find out that I'm offering my popular Build Zone online class, once again. I know you've waited a long time for it and am not sure when I'll be offering it again so...ta da! Now's your chance to take it while slurping hot chocolate, in your bathrobe and slippers.

I love seeing you all in class, in person, but I know that some of you just can't travel...that's why I also love teaching online. It gives us a chance to meet up without worrying about travel, hotel, food or luggage. Well, you probably will still want to eat, but this way you can do it while you're learning!

I'm working on some new things for ya'll so, as I said, this will be the last time for this class until...who-knows-when. Let me show you some of the student work that's come out of this class:

student work by Amy Knutkowski (and a fabulous photo, as well)

student work by Karen Park

student work by Roben Marie Smith

student work by Eloisa Mueller

As you can see...truly beautiful work has come from past sessions of The Build Zone. If you're still hesitant, you can take a look at what my students have had to say about my online classes, here...they're so very generous!

So, there you have it, my peeps! Registration is up and running and students are gathering in the classroom...milling about, anxiously awaiting the first day of class, which is March 8th. I hope you'll join us!

deryn xxoo

Adorn Me 2013!

It's that time again...Adorn Me starts, here in Houston, this Thursday! This is one of my favorite venues because it's all jewelry, all the time. You can see what I'll be teaching, in the above photos. My Bloom Bangles class is sold out but there are still a few spots in the others and...it's not too late to register.

There are lots of fabulous instructors and a vendor sale on Sunday evening...it's free to get in. You can see the class listing, here. I hope you all will join the fun or at least pop in and say howdy!

deryn xxoo

Ch Ch Ch Chia

  

This is what I had for breakfast this morning.

Thank you, Susan Street, for providing this recipe.

For those of you who know me, you may have guessed that I'm not really into eating healthy. I like meat. I like bread. I have a wicked sugar addiction. And, I'm not apologetic about it. But, having suffered yet another all day migraine, yesterday...headache, nausea, shakes, exhaustion, confusion and just all around general despondency...I thought, what the heck. Susan's comment that "I rarely have a migraine now and the inflammation of joints that caused pain with every movement is gone" got me thinking that maybe I can rid myself of this nastiness, as well. Maybe I too can be happier and healthier.

So, off I go, to the market where I immediately get caught up in a crazy conversation with this wacky stranger who holds me hostage for about an hour. Really.

Silly me. It's not easy to extricate yourself sometimes.

I get the fruits. So far, so good. I like these things. But then...

Huh? Almonds have milk? I don't even like real milk so I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna like this but I've made an pact with myself that I will get everything on the list for this recipe.

Even the lentils. Lentils? Those go into soup...not breakfast. They almost didn't make it into the basket but...the pact.

Lentils.

And, wheat germ...and a bunch of other healthy sounding crapola. But then there was some other stuff on the list and I had to ask the store clerk in the bulk section who informed me that these are super foods.

huh.

This is a super food. Who knew?

I could grow 5000 chia Homers with this many seeds. I'm really starting to question the whole endeavor, at this point.

And then, this...

Ok...now this just doesn't seem right. Isn't this illegal, or something? I turned, once again, to the all-knowing, ever-helplful store clerk who gave me a brochure and...sure enough...this is a super food, as well. Pot...or a pot-like product! A super food! 

huh.

Well, I tried to warn you...I'm a meat and potatoes girl.

But, guess what I did learn...bacon is NOT a super food. Can you believe it?

The good store clerk looked at me like I was from the moon.

So, I cooked the stuff up. I added some cinnamon and the vanilla almond milk smelled suprisingly good...even sweet...which is one thing I was worried about; the porridge wouldn't be sweet enough. I think, next time, I'll use only one cup of almond milk to start out, though. I like it thick and this took a long time to thicken up.

Yes, there will be a next time because...guess what else? It was good! Really good. I wouldn't have even know there was a bunch of healthy stuff in there.

Mom would be proud.

Well...maybe just a slice of bacon, on the side...

deryn

xxoo

12 Loves

Valentine's day has me thinking of a few of my loves...12 to be exact. Of course, there are many, many more. In fact, so many that I decided just to throw out a few fun ones, in no particular order. I'm leaving off the biggie but, well...not really because here it is:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5

1: First up: Boys. Love me some boys! This photo was taken several years ago but I just adore what it reflects; men, being men. My guys, doing some big time bonding.

Yeah.

Speaking of...

2: Wife Whisperer.

This is a really, really old photo...back in his Peter Frampton days. If you don't know who Peter Frampton is, please don't embarrass me by saying so. Thanks.

Btw...I didn't nickname him. That came from elsewhere but, let me tell you, it's fitting.

Poor man.

3: Bacon. Who in the wide world doesn't love and adore bacon? Which is why I'm going to share with you the perfect, mess free way to fix it.

Really.

1. Line a cold (it must be cold...don't preheat it or anything) baking sheet with parchment or foil.

2. Lay bacon strips side by side on sheet, careful not to overlap.

3. Place in cold oven and turn to 400 degrees. 

4. Bake for 20 min. or until done to taste. You may have to adjust the time for a convection oven.

5. Remove from oven, drain on paper towels and enjoy crispy, splatter free bacon. Yay!

4: Oregon. Yes, land of the most beautiful danged mountain of all time...Mt. Hood.

And this guy...

I found him in Portlandia. Doing weird finger tricks.

What-up with that?

Portland.

It's gorgeous...and they have a coffee named after me. Sort of.

It's my home. I miss it.

5: Beads. Rocks, minerals, stones, fossils, bones and other fun stuff. Isn't this morrisonite amazing? Morrisonite jasper is from a small area in southeastern Oregon, and is known as the "king of jaspers." It's prized for it's lovely, deep colors and interesting patterns and is quite rare. Seeing as how it's from my home state, I just had to have a bit.

These lovelies are Australian stichtite. I'd never heard of it before and it's quite rare. The green is actually serpentine with the violet stichtite inclusions. I hope I do something fabulous with this.

Aren't you wondering where I found these rare and mysterious rocks? I'll divulge my secret source, just because I'm in a valentine-y mood and I love y'all. It's an Etsy shop called Earthly Treasures. They've got some really unique things. I hope you enjoy checking them out.

6: The Cabin.

Big Horn Mountains. Fresh air. River. Moose. Trees. 'Nuff said.

7: Mayzie <3 <3 <3

This dog is crazy cute. Crazy cute, I tell you.

She thinks she can fly.

That makes me feel happy.

8: Chipotle Beer and Lime Roasted Pork Tenderloin. I posted this recipe last June and it's still ranking up there as my favorite. If you haven't tried it, shame on you. If you have, then you know what I'm talking about. It's not for the faint, though. If you like to walk on the spicy side...dig in!

Btw...still battling the brown widows. Don't ask.

9: Wyoming. Land of the urban herd and U-Dub. 

It's the place I met Wife Whisperer.

It's the reason I learned how to dance, after all these years.

 

It's the wild west, y'all.

It's wild and free and uncrowded.

It's my home. I miss it.

10: Photography.

There are few things more fun and absorbing, for me, that playing around behind a lens. I can lost in the view from there.

11: Boots. Cowboy, ankle booties, knee high, snow boots...you name it, I'm obsessed with boots.

Shoes too, but let's just stick with boots, for now.

I can't even really tell you why. But, they're sexy...no?

12: You. My friends, my readers, my students, my peeps. How can I possibly say how much I love and appreciate you, in this silly little post?

Well, it's true.

You've been supportive, encouraging and downright nice. You've friended me on Facebook, looked at my Instagram photos and re-pinned me on Pinterest. You've taken classes, purchased my jewelry and been my cheerleaders. You're my inspiration and you keep me coming back here.

Thank you.

xxoo

deryn

Row Your Boat Gently

In just a few short weeks, classes will begin at Adorn Me. Have you registered, yet? Classes are filling up! These earrings will be part of my Hoop-La class. A new one I'm teaching only at Adorn Me and then again at Art Unraveled, in Phoenix, in the fall (love Phoenix in the fall!)

These embossed hoops are part of that class, as well. I'm so excited to be teaching in Houston, again.

Wax On

Living here makes it that much sweeter. I'm happy to share with my fellow Texans as well as all of you who are coming in for the big event.

Between working and getting ready for classes at Adorn Me, I managed to slip away, with Wife Whisperer, for a weekend camping trip. I mentioned canoeing and so......this is what our weekend looked like.

Actually, this was my view as I sat in the front and loafed off most of the time while WW did the heavy lifting, in the back.

Floating along the shore of the lake were these charming, little pink lily pads. This shot looks like a painting with ripples of the water.

Of course, the trees were mostly bare and the sky was grey but I can always find something to take photos of.

Even with the cloudy, chilly weather there were lots of birds. No alligators, though. I still haven't seen one here, although WW has. I'm glad they're still napping. I'm not that great a paddler.

Miss Mayzie isn't, either. It was her second time in a canoe. She took a little trip with WW and Number One, a few weeks back. She's very well behaved, as long as someone's keeping an eye on her. She did do a number of naughty things...one of which was chew through the fancy harness you see her wearing. She sheared it into three bits. Clever girl.

Well, it was getting a little small, anyhow.

Our little home-away-from-home was very festive and cozy. We used to be avid tent campers but, over the years, have really enjoyed this trailer, with our guys. But, it might be time to downsize.

It was a different kind of trip, this time. No muddy feet, bike crashes, gashed knees or squirrel bites. My guys are both busy at school. It was...quiet.

But, that's ok.

All is as it should be.

I hope the same for you, this week!

deryn xxoo

The Glass Heart

I had so much fun working on these puffed heart glass valentines. I started on them and couldn't stop. These little hearts are deep with an inner, mercury glass glow. I added them to my Etsy shop and they went really quickly but found it interesting that the non-traditional colors went first. They are lovely hues...

However...I have these two left, in classic scarlett. They're soooooo pretty!

I'm not sure when I can get hold of these little hearts again, but I've so enjoyed them. They just feel good in the hand and are the perfect size for jewelry.

I strung this one with some of my favorite things. The first strand is a solid strand of faceted garnet heishi, which doesn't photograph very easily but, oh...it's so beautiful...translucent and deep, deep red. The second strand is of cut (not molded!) black glass, vintage seed beads with black crystal rondells and faceted garnet coins. 

Yeah.

More goodness: A gorgeous...seriously!...vintage red rhinestone clasp and a super fine faceted spinel drop.

Oh, my.

This clasp was one of only two that I had. This one has been laying in wait for several years, for just the right piece to come along. Do you do that? Keep things in your stash, long-term? Some of my stuff has been with me for many years.

This is the other classic red glass heart valentine necklace that I have. It's a beauty, as well, with chunky garnet nuggets and faceted gemstones.

I have a real weakness for vintage metal and rhinestone drops, like this one, and buttons like the one I've used just above the heart. The emerald-cut shape is especially appealing to me and I have an apothecary-type jar for my little collection. This is the back of the piece, with a hand made, sterling hook and eye clasp and rhinestone dangle.

If you're interested in either of these sweet valentines, check for more photos in my Etsy shop.

Oh........did I tell you? Registration for Art Retreat at the Prairie is now open! I can't wait to teach at this amazing venue, again. If you'd like to see what I'm teaching, class details can be found, here. I know that some of you have already registered...thank you. My "Go Big!" and "Sacred Heart" classes are brand new for this year so I'm really looking forward to seeing how you like them.

I have one more thing to share with you, quickly. I took a little hunting trip, with a friend, yesterday and found some lovely treasures. This round stencil was one of them. The tag said it was for stenciling barrel tops. I've not seen anything like it....have you?

I must run, for now. Miss Mayzie is nipping at my hem, which means she's in need of playtime!

deryn xxoo