New Footprint Charms

This one was created for a special friend for her birthday.  Her daughter's feet were a little challenging (or should I say her baby feetprint)  ha ha.  When I shrunk them down, they were just too light and the left one didn't even show up but at the top so I had to fill in with black to make it work.  I am so thankful for photoshop software.  I was able to keep all of the lines, etc and only darken what was already there.  I'm so careful to make sure that the charm is a perfect duplicate of the actual print.  That's what makes it so special.  I am so thrilled with how this one turned out!  I polished it to a super high shine and it has the birthstone embedded down in the silver.  The Polymer Plate turned out perfect and the clay fired great.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  I made this one nice and thick and took a lot of time buffing and polishing.  I'm having so much fun with precious metal clay.  I hope you like it and I hope my sweet and dear friend loves it!

UPS...

Well, it's official...I have decided that UPS has some problem with me and does not want me to get my packages.  Within the past 5 months I have experienced delayed delivery of 4 overnight packages that I paid dearly for.    The 3 earlier in the year were due to weather.  The crazy thing is that my store is directly on Main Street and through out the day I see numerous UPS trucks zipping by.  On one of the occasions that I didn't get my overnight package, my sister that lives in Crumpler and has a driveway that is a nightmare in snow managed to get her regular ground package.  Still I didn't.  I ended up making arrangements to drive down to Wilkesboro and pick it up myself or risk losing customers. 
My question is...when you know that they are calling for 10 inches of snow and you probably won't be able to finish your route, do you not look though your packages and make sure that the people that paid for overnight or 2 day air get theirs first since they obviously need it or they would not have paid dearly for it???  I just don't understand.
Today was no different.  Except there was no snow....no explanation...just no package.  Well, I'm sick of it.  The 3 earlier in the year did not give me a refund because of the increment weather "clause".  So I lost so much money on those.  Especially when I had to use my gas and borrow a 4 wheel drive to get down the mountain to Wilkesboro.   I wonder what the "clause" will be for this one and will I get my $52.00 back?  Probably not.  If I'm lucky it will come tomorrow or the next day and there will be no "I'm sorry" or anything.  Just please sign here. 
So if there is anyone out there that has experienced the same problem...PLEASE speak up! 

Sweet Baby Feet!

This Mother's Day was so special for many reasons. I got the opportunity to create some really unique pieces for that perfect gift. The one that I really enjoyed the most was a new item for me that I have been working toward perfection for some time now. Baby footprint charms. I have always loved them and have been dying to learn how. So...I have been doing lots of research and alot of samples to get it right. I'm still trying and will continue to get better, or at least I hope I do. For now, this is my pride and joy. Well, someone else's pride and joy that I got to play with!! Here is a picture of a finished piece with two footprint charms that were taken from birth certificates, scanned, reworked, reduced, and with lots of time and effort, I created them into charms. 
Let me know what you think! If you would like one created, feel free to send me an email. I'd love to work one up for you.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a special time of year for me. I am so fortunate to still have my mother here with me. She is so special and I want to thank her for everything that she has done for me and my family. So much I have learned from her and still do.
I hope you don't forget to give your mother a special hug, gift, card or just a phone call to tell her how much she means to you.
I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!!