Etching Attempts - Pleasing the Muse

So, I have emerged (briefly) from my Creative Exile (aka taking care of a HUGE puppy!) and decided to plunge into trying some etching (pun fully intended).  My 1st attempt was this simple copper marker I etched the word "Sisters" on and some extra whirly-gigs to give it a little extra oomph. I learned two lessons; 1) careful of the amount of "oomph" you add, it can overwhelm what you're trying to do and, 2) remember to marker the sides of your piece so the etchant doesn't eat away at it. (whoops!)

"Sisters" etched copper, high-
lighted with alchohol ink and
the high points sanded.

My 2nd attempt was with some brass casings I have. I learned another lesson here; small spaces such as this need less detail to really stand out. Still, I like what's there. Now I just need to bring out the detail and finish them up (earrings, of course!). I'll post some pics as soon as I have 'em finished.

Here's hoping I can continue to get into my craft room for even some small sessions. My Muse is threatening to go into hiding if I don't do more!

Brass shell casings etched - learning process in action

...and, suddenly, puppy!

Staring at my Mom eating waffles. He
didn't want to chance missing the offer
of some peanutbutter... notice how his
eye level is above the counter top?



Helping his Momma feel better on a sick day



Puppy Training... Which One Of Us is BEING Trained!?

The last few weeks (okay month and a bit) I've been working with my new puppy, Zackery Tillar. I've put pics of him on this site but they don't show how HUGE this monster of a Weimaraner is getting! He's only 5 months old but his forelegs are already larger than our previous, adult Weimer's were. This is gonna be one huge dog! Right now, though, he's all... I do mean AAAALLLL puppy! And, AAAALLLL boy! Did you know being "all boy" translates across species? It does. It really does! Everything still goes in his mouth or gets dragged off as a new toy (in spite of the numerous toys he already has) and I swear, if he could talk, there'd be sessions of "Hey, Mom! Watch this!" which we ALL know means something stupid is about to occur which will cause us to scream or holler in reaction while they just smirk. Well... he keeps us entertained. (heee) Still, because of this nearly obsessive curiosity of his, I haven't been in my craft room to work (still!) as it's difficult to keep track of beads, wire, fire, puppy, findings, etc. when puppy is wanting to get in the middle of it. We're going to work a little at a time on being quiet when Momma's working (or, as my cyber-friend Dr. Brassy would say, "makering"... I love that!) Anyway, here's a few pics of the Pup (he has many nicknames, mein liebchen & toad are most often used, the latest is "furnado" when he's got a wild hair), enjoy:

On our way to Puppy School (well, you're supPOSed to sit
in the seat, right?)

First Day Of School Picture
(what, don't you ALL take 1st day pics?)

Headed home... not quite as alert as before!

Plumb Tuckered Out from school!

Enjoying a new toy!

Sitting in my dad's lap because he thinks
he's a lap dog... not much lap left!

"What'cha writin', Doc?

p.s., Zackery has his own Twitter page, now. Look for @ZackeryTillar to follow him.

Weekend Bangles

This weekend I spent only a short time in the craft room (still have a puppy to take care of!) but I managed to make these memory wire bracelets. I'm not usually a bracelet person so I was a bit surprised at (and pleased with) myself.

moonstone chips, pink & white square beads, one
murani style glass bead (just peaking from under
the moonstone in the center, there) and sea blue
glass beads as accents. I like this one. I'm actually
wearing this right now. 

 

made with crystal pearls from ZnetShows.com, silver
spacers from Michael's and a faceted black rondelle
as an accent. Like this one, too, but I let Saner Sister
have it, along with the one below.



black beads, square silver spacers, and one black swirl
glass focal bead. Really, I'm going to have to do this
again.... do I have enough beads? Hmm....

rose quartz chips, pink round beads, hot pink pressed
glass beads and a few glass moonstone beads as
accents (the glass moonstone are also from Znet)


And, suddenly, PUPPY!!


at 12 weeks... He's a Weimaraner (or Weim if you
want to shorten it) Also called the Gray Ghost
because of their coloring and style of hunting
(they're sight hunters)

1st visit to his new vet. He did SO well!

Waiting to see the vet... who came out and said,
"Oh! I see you have a pair of ears with a puppy attached!"
(snork) Yes, Weims usually have huge water absorbers
on either side of their heads.

 

exhausted from a hard afternoon chewing end tables



Learning that sleeping with Crazier Sister does not mean
IN THE SAME BED as me. Crazy, maybe, but not
insane! He's gonna be over 100lbs one day!!! Train 'em
now in the way you mean to go on! (13 weeks, 36.5 lbs)


And now you know what's keeping me busy!
What about you?