One of my favorite necklaces

I made this necklace several years ago.  In my visit with my Tia Mary last year 2012, my Tia loved it so I knew she needed to have it.  She was so generous with me and my family on that visit it was nothing to give it to her.   One thing though I forgot to photograph it.  I was lucky enough to pay a visit to Tia Mary last weekend.  She still loves her necklace and so do I.  Now to make myself one when I get back into the studio!

I had fun showing Tia Mary my new stuff and guess what??? 

She bought my Saint Teresa necklace.  I'm so happy to pass it on to her!

Babies means baby showers means baby toolbelts!

Baby showers this time in my life are mainly my good friend's grandbabies. 

The PINK one is for baby Peyton, she's due end of July.  It's my friend, Debbie's first grandbaby.  The baby shower was very nice and fun.  The new Mommy is adorable!

 

 

The BLUE tool belt is for Oliver's dad, Stevie, as I call him, I think he's now STEVE.   I've know Stevie since he was a baby.  I met his mother, Kathy, the first month of my job I had for 25 years.  She had just had Stevie and returned to work & shared my first office with me.   She's an awesome Grandma!

 

 

I got the canvas tool belts at Lowes, but really didn't like the logo, so I painted over it and I like the way it looked much better.  I shopped at dollar stores, Walmart, and Lowes for the stuff.  One place I had never been to was Baby's R Us, omg what an overwhelming place!  I went looking for a basic rattler, cloth diaper pins, and diaper changing pad thingies.  I just had to walk the isles to see what the heck was in this store...everything and I mean everything is there.  I must confess most of the stuff I had no clue what it was or what it was for...haha.  I couldn't find a basic rattler but did find the changing pads and pins.

Sneak peek on rock rings

I got these stones in Flagstaff, AZ, but I really didn't pay attention to the names of the rocks.  I just liked the look and shape of them.  I needed to make sure they had a flat bottom so I could solder them to a metal ring band.  I'm back in the studio, they're soldered on to the bands, put a patina on them, just need to clean and polish.  I tried them on and I love love love them.

 

In the Studio today...soldering iron is hot!

Working on some cool stuff.  Eyeglass holder and some rings with big stones....photos to follow!

Eyeglass holders....hummmm?

Joni has a creating idea for me...reading glasses are annoying...put on, take off, put on, lost them, can't remember where they are, hold them in your mouth, stick in bra cleavage, on your head like a headband.   I don't wear readers myself but I have to take off my regular glasses all the time to see up close.  So, I'm gonna see what I can come up with...stay tuned.

Flagstaff, Arizona

Took a road trip to Flagstaff, mainly to see good friends and their son graduate from Flagstaff High.  A few things about the graduation, it was full, it was colorful, it was warm inside the dome, it was emotional.  The welcoming was spoken in four languages, English, Spanish, Navajo and Hopi.  That was so neat.  Also, all the Native Americans were in their traditional dress.  I was honored to celebrate with all the graduates and their family and friends.  I was a great weekend

 

Sean with his proud Mom, Tanya!

 

Sean receiving his high school diploma

In addition to Sean's graduation he enlisted in the Army and participated in ROTC.  We were invited to his swearing in ceremony.  All so serious for Sean but all so emotional for his parents and sister.

 

Sean being sworn into the Army.
He leaves for boot camp in July!



Main interchange, lots of signs and confusion.

Winston dog and I taking a break in the shade.

I looked up and saw the angels watching over us!

 

Winston dog wasn't allowed in the house
but he was a good sport about it.

Sewing up heart garland

I'm making heart garland for a wedding reception decoration.  I'm not sure exactly where all it's going to be used.  One place for sure is the sweetheart table.  It's to be draped in a scallop design on the front edge of the table.  Should look nice.  The bride typed up love related quotes and I printed up 20 pages and punched out hearts, lots of hearts!

 

 

 

 

I sewed up a sample of hearts going horizontally and vertically.  I'm not sure if she plans to use hearts as a back drop but I would vote yes on using heart garland both ways throughout the venue.

But, that's just me...can never have too many hearts.

 

 

By the way, see the cute heart/flower/love painting???  Don't you just love it?  It's a painting by Emily Costello, find her on Facebook and see more of her artwork.  It's so colorful and fun.



Funny how the universe works

A year ago I was having lunch at Pita Jungle and noticed their chairs.  Here's a photo of the chair.

 

 

I asked the waiter if he knew where they got their chairs.  He said they were custom made by some guy but didn't know much more then that.  I took the photo so I could begin my search for something like these chairs.  I decided I wanted a round dining table and these chairs would be perfect.  I even liked the rustic finish.  I found this chair on line, but still not what I wanted. 

 

 I shopped for the chair locally and I must of gone to 15 stores and still nothing like it.  Then the other night I was on Craigslist looking for a bird bath and thought I should see if there's any chairs I might like.  You are never going to believe this..... a guy was selling 15 chairs very similar to what I saw at Pita Jungle.  I called the guy and I bought 6 chairs for the bargain price of $50, now that's less than $10 each!!!  But here's the weird thing...they look just like the chairs from Pita Jungle from a year ago!!!  I mean the same exact style, same exact colors, same finish!  I'm going to have to stop in the Pita Jungle and see if they remodeled or something.  The guy I got the chairs from said he got them at a auction.  All in all a great find and it's so cool how these kinds of things happen to me all the time.

 

 

By the way they fit nicely with the round table.  Now to decide if I should paint and how I should paint them, what color or colors, or leave them rustic....oh my.

There's been some earring making going on around here

I had left over handmade chain links & never wanting to toss anything

 in the trash, I used them in the earrings.  I love how they turned out.

These are using the chain links.  I love the patina look, what do you think?

These are an inch and half size circles.  Some think they can't wait a bigger
size earring, but they hang so nicely you won't even notice you're
wearing them.



These are like the bigger one's but only about 3/4" circle.  Orange is the
new color of the season,  I love all shades of orange.

More earrings.  I've sold a few of these already but some are still available .
If you're interested, email me at jobi.tinajera.arens@cox.net
I would love you to wear a pair of my earrings!

Mustaches everywhere!

So I asked my young friend, Lili what she liked and she said mustaches, glitter & unicorns.  I decided on mustaches and glitter for now.  I put together the "I heart mustaches" image on and glittered the red hearts in the charms.  Wrapped with copper and now ready to solder.

 I really like my new soldering iron and I used silver solder and it all went so easy.

All done!  Soldered, cleaned and polished.  I think Lili and Lainy are going to love them.

Library themed wedding invitations

I was commissioned to make library themed wedding invites for Victor & Samantha's wedding.  Samantha knew exactly what she wanted.  I began by making the library card template in Photoshop.  

.  

I used a vintage typewriter font and library book pockets which were mounted on navy color card stock.  They came out so cute.  I also made their RSVP postcards to put in the pocket.  There were some unforeseen challenges.  Making the template was easy enough but cutting them was a challenge in they needed to fit in the pocket and also fit the postal service postcard size requirements.  But it all turned out okay once I used a punch to round the corners.  I figured out I  round punched 1540 corners!!!  Dang that's a lot, isn't it?

Printed invite, RSVP, and addressed RSVP and envelopes, cut, counted and assembled.

Packaged and ready for delivery.  I've very pleased with how they came out and so were Victor & Samantha.

Chalk paint project

I've had this old rusted tool box for about a year and I've been using it to store my soldering/metals supplies.  I decided it was the perfect thing to paint.

 

The last time I used plaster of paris to make chalk paint.  I used unsanded grout this time.  I would have to say I liked it better.

I used 2 tablespoons grout to 1 tablespoon water.  I did add a little more water since it seemed thick.

Added it to 8oz of paint.  I choose a vintage pink.  It was Behr Plymouth Notch (180E-3).  I loved the shade of pink.

I lightly sanded and cleaned up my toolbox.  It took the paint so well.

I left the details of the hinges and locks unpainted.  I used a white paint, Behr Powdered Snow (W-D-700), which I added the sanded grout to.  A nice shade of a vintage white.

As you can see I painted white stripes, too.

I've used wax on many wood projects and I love the look and feel of the wax finish.  I use Minwax.   I tinted my wax with some burnt umber to give the piece an antiqued look. 

I sanded the edges to give it a worn feel.  I loved this look.  I applied my wax and let it dry.  Once it's dry you take a soft cloth and buff it to a nice shine.  Love, Love, Love.

 

Here's a close up photo of the lock.  Don't you just love it!

 

 

My newly pink chalk painted toolbox!

 

I found this wooden box in the Casa Grande shop, "In a Pear Tree".  Another great thing for chalk paint!   I sanded and cleaned it.  I used the Behr "powdered snow"  color.

 

 I noticed someone by the name "Tom Finn" stamped the box.  Thank you Tom Finn for making this box!

 

Once I had it painted I added some detail, a scallop edge.  I used Behr Grey Morning (490-F-4).  I added the unsanded grout to it, also.

 

I sanded the edges and love the look.  I waxed it with the dark tinted wax.

 

Here's the finished box!!  Isn't it lovely!!!  What cool projects. 

 

I'm not finished with projects.  Today I'm working on 4 more pieces out on the patio.  Refinishing a wood table, a wood coffee table trunk, painting a entertainment center piece and a side cupboard.

Did I mention is over 100 degrees in the shade but the pool is a nice cool temp!

 

Art in the Alley

Today was the Art in the Alley event in Casa Grande, AZ.  It was my first time there and it was well worth my time.  To my surprise there was a large crowd and a steady stream of people stopping by my table.  A lot of compliments and lookie lou's.  When I asked for feedback on what they thought and everyone loved the uniqueness of the pieces and the use of metals.  One thing I heard was price was out of their budget but felt it was priced well because to the workmanship and creativeness.  One story was particularly fun...a woman was looking for a wedding gift...come to find out it was for her partner.  They have been together for 13 years and were heading to Hawaii to have a marriage ceremony.  She was looking for a gift to give her partner on their wedding day.  She had 2 favorites but decided on a beautiful red "LOVE" heart pendant.  I asked her to please email me a photo once she gives it to her partner.   What a honor to be part of something so special. 

This Art in the Alley is something I need to continue to participate in.  It's first Tuesday of each month from Sept-June.  Along with the artist, there are food vendors, live music, activities for the kids and a great classic car show.  There lots of men and a number of them came to chat about my jewelry.  I think the use of metals intrigued them.  I added earrings in this show and I'll have to say I'm so pleased with them, I could wear each one cuz I just love them.  The other major bonus is the artists and women I met.  Two in particular and I hope they follow up with an email to me.

I really need to get going on some kind of on-line shop, don't I?

Back home

 

I'm home from a great trip to Chicago and Washington, DC.  It was on my list of things to do.  I know most people talk about going to Paris, London, Rome, but one day I thought why not go to some great American cities.  Don't get me wrong... I've asked Paris to wait for me, I'll be there some day, too.  But in the meantime, I've been to Los Angles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Anchorage, Denver, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Vancouver, Boston just to name a few.  Lots of other smaller cities all in between these larger cities.  Chicago and DC did not disappoint.  Chicago was such a city a grown up city.  Beautiful architecture and skyline with great character.  Washington, DC was just as great.  Loved the history of America.  The memorials were eye opening experiences.  All of them left a lasting impression but the two memorials that moved me the most were the  9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon and the Vietnam Wall.  If you ever get a chance to visit them please do.  I have a tons of photos to sort through and I will post photos of these for sure along with others of my trip. 

In addition, to the sightseeing stuff we spend time with so many family and friends.  College friends we hadn't seen in a million years.  A cousin I hadn't seen since I visited him in California when I was 20 years old, he was just a kid.  A niece and nephew we now call them both "Dr Arens".  We stayed with good friends in Washington, DC and completely felt like no time had past.   Then the icing on the cake was a call from my nephew, Antwein.  It brought such an overwhelming good feeling to hear his voice.  We weren't able to meet up on this trip, but we will try again soon.

Chi Town 2013

In Chicago, what a cool city, a REAL city, tall buildings!

This is looking straight down 103 stories!!!

 

 

 

I always wanted to stand under the BEAN at Millennium Park....here I am!!

 

Standing under the "L"

 

Great day in Chicago!  Got four more.