Anvil Envy

Whoa, proof that time flies whether you're having fun or not!  I imagine that summer is a whirlwind for most of us.  Hoping that you all are having a wonderful time, whatever you are up to.

We've had a few adventures, a little excitement and a few unexpected surprises since I last blogged.  And boy do I have some photos to share with you.  We had a little stay-ca over the 4th.  We took day trips and then slept at home each night.  It was a pretty fun, non-stressful way to spend a few days.  Such a welcome mini-break.  There wasn't time to travel out of state to go visit all of the friends and family we're missing, so we explored our new digs around Texas.  Here are some of the things we saw and thought you might enjoy seeing too....

The restored courthouse at Waxahachie.

A cool little town recommended to me by my hairstylist, who grew up there

and shared all of the must see's with me.

Thanks, Corene!  We had a great time!

  

I loved this texture on the walls.

How cool would this be on ceramic beads?

Petra, what do you think?

The ceiling was amazing.

We saw three of these.

Drool. and again...and again.

One of the courtrooms. 

Not a bad place to await your fate for cattle rustling, eh?

Look at that curved balcony.

The carved wood was so beautiful.

  

I love the rich details of old buildings.

The craftmanship of making utilitarian items, objects of beauty.

  

The bullethole in the door.

Story goes that a girl smuggled a gun into her boyfriend while

he waited in a secure room for a jury to decide his fate.

No, he didn't get away.  Neither did she.

If I remember correctly,

 she ended up with a sentence of 20 years which was more than he was facing initially.

Things that make you go hmmmmm.

Another story goes that the stone carver used his beloved as the model

for the beautiful face to grace the Courthouse's outside columns.

  

And the story continues that you could tell how they were getting along

by what the faces looked like.

hahahahaha.

This face says it all, eh?

and who told us all these fascinating tidbits?

This guy did...

Michael Navarro

the Ellis county Auditor.

Who had quite a hand in the restoration project and knew all the good stuff.

We just happened upon him while we were exploring.

I didn't think we could just go in and check out the place, but turns out it's

one of the last open courthouses where people are allowed to just wander about.

He graciously offered to show us around.

Thanks Michael! 

It was wonderful getting to explore the nooks and crannies of this magnificent building.

Secret rooms, hidden staircases, sequestration areas...all of it!

Michaels office took up most of the third floor.

What a beautiful place to go to work each day.

This shot was taken from the third floor balcony.

next was a bit of junking er, I mean antiquing, Texas style...

You'll see more of these later on.

With slightly more attitude. 

Wagon wheels.

There were lots of these!

Tin elephants!

Then off in the opposite direction looking for the local canoe launching site.

On the way we stopped in Mineral Wells.

We saw this amazing building... 

 The Baker Hotel.

No, not the Bates Motel,

but close.

Creepy place.

We stopped to take some pictures and a couple of ladies and their kids

who were also exploring

filled us in on all the local lore about the place.

  This shot was taken through a broken out window.

Love the patina on this light fixture

 A charming view.

My very favorite shot of this abandoned 9 story hotel was this...

  

Abandoned decay in it's most glorious state.

  

The courtyard at the back of the building

  

It must have been breathtaking at one point

Well, it's actually still breathtaking......

  

But for a completely different reason.

That's black mold growing all over the outside walls.

The smell was unbelievable!

Now onward to find that local (local being a relative term in a state the size of Texas)

canoe rental spot.

We spent a few minutes checking out a state park on the way, then on down the road.

I vaguely recalled that there was supposed to be a good fossil spot somewhere around Mineral Wells.

Lo and behold we found it!

 I lasted all of ten minutes in the extreme heat.

What a wimp.

Lots of little crinoids. 

Very little or "micro fossils" as Mr. Wonderful refers to them.

As we were leaving that area, these guys caught our eye...

  

 Long horn steers

He was not amused.

A few minutes later, turning his backside to us and just standing right there,

making sure we got the point. 

Pretty funny actually, considering that there's not alot of

paparazzi continuosly bothering them around there.

 This was on our way too.

When I saw this group of buildings,

I thought of

how completely opposite parts of Texas are from Colorado, Florida, Illinois or Virginia.

A world apart from places I've lived previously.

Then there was this building with it's specific purpose...

which made me think of how the passage of time has changed artisan spaces.

It made me think of all of the artists studios people have been sharing via their blogs lately.

Petra creating her fascinating ceramics in the conservatory at her beautiful Treetops

in the middle of her lush English garden.

(Ok, Petra didn't actually blog the pictures but she did share them privately and trust me,

 it's gorgeous)

Or Tracy being entertained by masses of delightful hummingbirds as she saws, and solders and

forms amazing metal in her inspirational studio.

And Kim in her Garaj Mahal in Alaska with resident moose stopping by her picture window  

or her desert studio in Arizona.  Two completely different environments to inspire her.

And Lucie in France working patiently at her bench in front of her sundrenched window,

inspired by the plants with names such as Ruins Of Rome growing in her charming garden .

Or Fanci living in the heart of downtown Chicago,

working crosslegged on her hardwood floors, surrounded by her mass of unusual supplies.

(Thank you one and all for sharing your studio spaces with us)

What made me think of all these talented ladies?

(as well as others that I am omitting, not because I am intending to slight anyone,

 but because I suffer from a spotty memory)

This......

This is how they used to do it. 

old old tools on the porch.

the highlight being....

  

the sudden onset of severe anvil envy.

ok, getting on with the plan for the day.....

  

Mr. was impressed with the size of this wild cactus

growing in a grazing pasture on the side of the road.

By now it's probably looking magnificent, loaded with all those buds in full blossom.

But you're getting the idea, I think, and rightly so, that nothing is close by here.

So Nope, not going back to try and catch it in bloom for you.

I know you all have vivid imaginations you can put to good use.

We eventually did find the canoeing spot, so now we know where it is,

which was the whole objective of that day.

Tidbit, you don't know about Mr. Wonderful. 

He takes ladies he's trying to impress, canoeing for a first date.

Smart man. I was impressed.

I'll go canoeing on the Wekiva in Florida any day.

Then back to the city, which is always a welcome sight.

Being from Denver where we could quickly escape to the mountains,

 I love the getting away from the traffic and people 

and I love the getting back.....

 to civilization.

Where we have these...

Seriously, we do.

In front of the restaurant where we ate dinner.

hahahahaha

It was wonderful.

 Numinosity Kim, this picture is especially for you.

Granted, the real live baby and mama moose right outside your window

trumps this any day of the week.

But hey, I do what I can.

Now would you like to see the treasures we found junk-tiquing?

Well, that I found.  Obviously this is girly, jewelry making stuff.

oooohhhh awwwww

  

New photo props!

Which I've already put to good use.

I've got a few new things listed in the etsy shop.

Well, some of these aren't so new now as it's been a whole month since I last blogged.

Which blows my mind.  Blink and another month has flown by!

 These rustic dangle earrings feature multi-sized rings of mixed metals surrounding an etched and domed copper disc. The largest hoops have been soldered for added visual appeal. These metal hoops of sterling, brass and copper hang beneath simple hammered metal connectors that have been oxidized for a rustic yet refined look.

Yes, more of the cut and paste listing info.

I still can't believe it took me so long to try that out!  sheesh!

  

 recycled tin earrings in bright tones of pink, red, orange and coral embellished with polished stones of the same colors and with etched and antiqued copper circlets that compliment the brass flower beadcaps cradling the vibrant stones.

Which have since sold. 

The mysterious raven looks as if she is flying with her treasured gift held firmly in her beak, framed by the rays of the sun behind her.

These mixed metal earrings feature brass birds that I have colored black with cold metal enamel, textured brass and hammered copper.  The gift of the raven is a ceramic egg dropper made by the talented Petra of Scorched Earth on Etsy.

I have a question for you guys since this is something new I've just started doing.

Is it too much to include all this listing info in the blog or do you enjoy reading

what I did with each piece?  I'm asking for your brutally honest feedback here.

 These are sold so I'll spare you the lengthy details.

Soldered wire wreaths with verdigris beadcaps and onyx

or is it black agate?  Don't remember at the moment.

 Same as above with caramel-brown agate.

 Mint rhinestones, etched copper and mixed metals for our family songstress.

  

 These unique assemblage earrings feature metal hummingbird skulls paired with richly colored slabs of orange howlite. Further adorned with stone and glass beads in red, green and orange.  The stone slabs have been embellished with textured, antiqued copper wires for visual interest. 

 I've soldered assymetrical sterling silver arches to eco friendly, recycled tin in shades of red, turquoise and butter yellow. I've applied a subtle texture to the tin and oxidized then sealed the metal for an aged, rustic effect. Below, I've dangled sparkling turquoise stones (Amazonite, I believe), vibrant red stone beads, deep turquoise crystals and sparkling turquoise rhinestone rondels. 

  The colorful combination of the vintage micro mosaic pieces, the positive and negative spaces in the kuchi metal, the amazing hooped- assymetrical ceramic drops by Scorched Earth on Etsy and the lime and deep red embellishments, together add up to a richly colored and textured visual feast. Beaded leaves draw the eye to the delicate yellow flowers in the micro mosaics. I've oxidized the entire earrings to heighten the drama and preserved the patina with micro wax.   

 Another view.  They've also sold.

 I've imprinted a boho gypsy design onto raw aluminum with my rolling mill. Then cut the metal into these romantic teardrop shapes, oxidized them and preserved the patina with micro wax. Dangling below are crusty green ceramic spikes by Scorched Earth on Etsy. The soft matte texture of the aged aluminum compliments the unique finish on the spikes perfectly. For a tiny bit of sparkle, I've added textured sterling beads and mint green rhinestones to the sterling earwires. The effect is one of bohemian elegance. Mysterious and down to earth at the same time.

It appears I've been on another Petra kick.

And why wouldn't I?  Can't go wrong with her glorious bits.

 These rustic, eco friendly, recycled tin earrings in bright tones of pink, red, orange and coral hang below arcs of matching glass beads. I've overwrapped these beads in a random, rustic way to look organic and rough. A faceted orangy-pink crystal hangs from each arc. I've textured the tin then oxidized the entire earrings.

I've imprinted the intricate design of a sea fan coral onto raw aluminum with my rolling mill.   Dangling below are fabulous deep red droplets by Scorched Earth on Etsy. 

The fan coral texture compliments the crackled red glaze

on these luscious ceramic drops beautifully. 

 

  I've imprinted a flower design of a onto raw aluminum with my rolling mill, then hammer textured it to resemble stylized clouds.   Dangling below are fabulous platinum and soft soldier blue droplets by Scorched Earth on Etsy.  You have to see these to appreciate the way the soft patina of the aluminum compliments the lustrous platinum and muted blue glaze on these luscious ceramic drops .  The matte finish of the aged aluminum pairs beautifully with the highly polished sterling beads and earwires.The effect is contemporary with a hint of understated sophistication.

 

To be listed soon.

As are the mini "spoken For" earrings below....

 

  I've imprinted the texture of alligator skin onto raw aluminum with my rolling mill.   Dangling below are fabulous bronze droplets by Scorched Earth on Etsy.  

and a few new things in the attic....,

which much to my surprise and utter delight has already made a few sales!

 The Red Collection

Vintage tin, metal Romeo and Julieta cigar tube with screw on lid, old stamps,

wooden chess pieces, red tickets, vintage dice

and a sassy pair of legs.

With red high heels.

Because everyone needs an extra pair of red shoes.

A vintage Dog all in plaid.

Lest you think he's all good looks and no substance ...

not so... 

he has a tape measure attached to his tail!

Adorable! 

 Vintage floral needlepoint purse on a dramatic black background.

 A vintage red courderoy jacket with

princess seaming, oversized fabric covered buttons

and three quarter length sleeves.

Love this!

 The Yellow Orange Collection,

a garland of silk ribbonwork in soft shades of peach, green, yellow and white,

a metal cigar case similar to the one above, but in a different color,

A fabric covered button in printed redwork of a little boy on a natural background,

vintage buckles, trims, flowers, needles and buttons.

 A divided serving dish that I used for storing jewelry making supplies in my studio.

A wonderful chippy finish in my favorite light aqua color, with

a romantic couple on a porcelain cabachon

adorning the top.

  

Some of you may remember these from the blog tour of my new studio.

Headpin storage otherwise known as Art Deco style salt and pepper shakers. 

 Fancy, exotic dancing ladies on a vintage purse with black background.

These adorable little girls already sold.

Yes, you guessed it! 

I uploaded these pictures days ago intending to post this,

but it's taken me till now to have time to fill in the dialogue! 

Now for the local critter pictures, cuz you know it's become "a thing"

This poor bird is having heatstroke in triple digit temps.

You guys thought that last spider was scary?

Get a load of this.....

 ACK!

My new swimming buddy.

Yes, he's in the pool.

That's right where I reach in to get the thermometer to check the temperature!

Runs screaming like a girl.

Again!

Remember the rattlesnake I told you about?

After telling you how much I hate spiders and snakes.

Please meet our lovely friend, Paula.

And the not-so-lovely-snake that bit her dog.

She looks pretty happy to be getting rid of this thing,

wouldn't you say?

Thank you Paula!

It's kind of scary even though I know it's dead.

And frozen. You can see the frost crystals on it.

Definately dead!

Paula's husband warned me that the fangs can still deliver venom even in death.

Which makes me grossed out about snakes all that much more.

 Now to find a taxidermist who will tan the skin and clean the vertebrae,

which no one wants to do.

Go figure.

 Just in case you ever wanted to see a rattler up-close.

 On that note, I shall bid you adieu.

Have a great time everybody till next time

 and thanks for stopping by!