New foster kittens

Time for new foster kittens!  The last crew went back a few weeks ago and a new litter took their place (there are always new ones waiting!).  These are our "L" kittens....Little, Lucy and Lilly.  Little is still only half the size of her sisters and almost didn't make it.

She's a fighter and will be up and ready for adoption in a few weeks.  As of now she's a total terror running around the house and pouncing on the dog's tail.

Elastic Bracelets

On occasion I get "into" a beading frenzy and make a ton of the same style piece.  Over the past week I've made about 20 gemstone & Pewter elastic cord bracelets.  I love to throw these on a few at a time.  They are easy to wear, inexpensive enough to have several and buy different colors to match outfits.  I love them for summer as they aren't at all tight and are lightweight.

My new Knotty Board

I recently ordered a "Knotty do it all " board developed and produced by Sandra Younger.  It's a great improvement to my old macrame technique of taping my cord to a book!  It's easy to use and holds my cord when I'm working.  I've been working mostly with leather & some fabulous Pewter beads I got from Antelope beads.  For the necklace in the photo at the top I added a hand textured Nickle flower which has a hand pressed center flower from Copper PMC (Precious Metal Clay).  All my necklaces can be seen on my website at www.threedogstudio.net

Leather & Pewter beads

Turquoise on beading cord

First wire wrapping project

At this year's Rocky Mountain Bead Bazaar I took a class on beginning wire wrapping.  The teacher was great and I learned a lot.  This is very step by step process oriented project.  I like to be a bit more free form in the way I design and assemble so this was a challenge for me.  Once you've done all the "capturing" of the stone you are left with 8 wires sticking out of the top of the design.  Looking at 8 wires sticking out of the top of your project is a bit intimidating at first but once I started playing with a few wires it all came together.  This is the part that leaves everything up to your imagination!

Foster Kittens at 6 weeks old.....

Just a couple of pictures of the crew at 6 weeks.  Getting bigger everyday and getting lots of "house" time to acclimate to the other cats and dogs in the house.

First kittens of 2012!

Just as Paisley was healthy are ready to go back to the shelter I got a request to take a Mom and her 5 newborn kittens.  Mom is settled in and doing well.  Check back for updates on the crew......

White kitten at 5 days old

Litter of 5 at 5 days old

Paisley

PAISLEY

Paisley is my latest foster cat.  She came to Foothills Animal Shelter with a broken jaw.  They repaired her jaw and then sent her into foster to finish her recovery.  She is a sweet, sweet girl who lets Ben carry her around the house.  She's doesn't miss a chance to snuggle and just revs up her purr motor!  She's going back tonight for her final health check before joining the other cats on the adoption floor.  She's not going to last long and her new family is going to be the lucky ones!

Aqua Terra Jasper

The International Gem & Jewelry show was in town this weekend and I purchased some fabulous gems!
These stones are called "Aqua Terra Jasper" and are a dyed stone.  The will be great for spring and summer designs. 
It's always enjoyable to design for spring while the weather outside is still cold and reminiscent of winter.

Creativity

Abstract Flower pendant in Silver

With the kids back in school it's easier to take time to "create".  I'm one of those people that needs to take advantage of that creative feeling when it comes upon me....it's really hard to make time to be creative.  I work best in the morning so after the kids get on the bus at 6:15am I spend some time on business related stuff.  That could be uploading to Esty, starting the kiln or sitting down with some materials and designing new pieces. 
My sister-in-law (a wonderfully creative person) on the other hand has been scheduling time for her creativity.  Last I heard it was Tuesdays and Thursdays which seems to make sense for her .  I'll have to check in with her and see how that's working!

When I began this business venture I started hand in hand with the Colorado Small Business Association.  I've taken several classes with regards to small business finances and several free consultations with various members of the CSBA.  Next on my list is meeting with a  marketing consultant (tomorrow).  Surprising I've found this area of my business that hardest to deal with.  I love making my jewelry but I find it hard to sell that jewelry/myself!  I've been reaching out to friends and family for opinions and advice but now it's time to start reaching out to others.   

Silver flower pendant with black Swarovski crystals

New Direction

I've learned over the years that if I start waking up in the middle of the night thinking about my jewelry designs then I have some creativity that needs to get out!

Utilizing my skills with PMC and metal texturing/stamping I created these adorable metal flower pendants.  Layering Copper, Nickel and then adding a hand textured Copper PMC center makes a great flower look.

Check them out on Three Dog Studio CO on Etsy.