what do you think...

too busy for a skirt?

shiny bits...

I've been plugging away at completing some special order jewelry designs in the last few weeks and have only remembered to take pictures a couple times during daylight hours. I don't even bother taking pictures at night. And lately even the daylight pictures have turned out "eh" at best. I guess it's time to actually READ the camera instructions. That and invest in some lighting equipment.

stop what you're doing...

and go here now. You will not regret it. I promise. In fact you'll probably come back here and thank me for sending you there ;). Hurry!

heat patination...

While working on this special order necklace I decided to play around with heat patinating the copper. I would have liked to have used some ammonia or potash along with the heat but I didn't want to run to the store for ammonia and the potash I have around is mixed into pre-emergent fertilizer and who knows how that would effect things...never mind possibly blowing something up or making someone sick too!


I had a hell of a time getting a good picture of this necklace. Will have to try again tomorrow before I deliver it. Anyway, I'm pleased with the outcome although there's no telling how long it will last as it's always oxidizing. Hopefully the oxidization process is kind to the piece.

catching up...

Well, sort of catching up anyway. I spent last week getting the house back in some sort of working order. We spent the weekend visiting with Lynn's parents. Today I'm working on a special order necklace; kicking myself for not taking a photo of a special order i.d. bracelet I did earlier this month; and working on my Halloween ATCs. All that with a bit of laundry and vacuuming sprinkled in here and there. Fun times here at the Lyons' Den!

Logan has glasses now and is enjoying them immensely. Thank goodness, because one never knows how things like this will go over with the six year old set. Caleb is trying his hardest to drill his last weeks as a three year old into the ground with as much stubbornness and whining as he possibly can. And wee miss Molly is busy out doing her little six month old self. More on that Thursday after her well-baby visit.

I'll have some art related posting to do coming up in the next few days. Plus I'm getting my butt back into gear to start selling again too. There will be a sale soon to clear out what's stale and make room for fresh goodies too. Keep your eyes peeled! It's going to be fun!

* * * * *
Recently I've come across several of my photos of my children being used without permission or attribution (by major publications no less) so from now on I'll be posting pictures like you see above for general public viewing and will post the full versions as "friends & family only" on Flickr.

the centerpieces...

I really wish I'd stopped to take more process photos...freaking hindsight...

we're home...

and now things can get back to normal! The wedding festivities were fantastic. Logan, Caleb and Molly were fantastic {even Lynn was on his best behavior ;)}. It was hotter than forty hells most of the time, but the beer and whiskey treats were cold and the food was great. I have a good bunch of pictures to put up and a whole mess of stuff to catch up on around the house and studio too.

Today is Lynn's birthday so we'll be pretty busy for the rest of the day. Let's plan on pictures and maybe a tale or two later this evening or tomorrow some time.

halloween atc swap sign-ups end today...

it's not too late to join in the fun! Click here for the details.

friends in need...

are friends indeed. My friend Theresa needs your help. Her little boy has extremely severe food allergies. Severe to the point of anaphylaxis and trips to the emergency room. All she is asking of you is to send her boy good-health vibes and/or prayers. Personally, she'll get both from us.

As you're sending those vibes and prayers to Theresa's son, please send some on to my Aunt Marian also. We've been praying for comfort, healing and strength for her, her husband and her children. I added her name to the prayer book at our church. I'll be doing the same for Theresa's son.

It only takes a second or two to think the thoughts or to say the prayers. It is so simple, but so very powerful at the same time...especially if you think about the number of people one can reach through the internet. Strength in numbers, people, strength in numbers.