Several weeks ago I went to the antique market I go to almost every weekend and found just one thing. It was a sweet little sterling silver bird with little silver curls at the bottom of his feet. I have no idea what his original purpose might have been, but I knew, the moment I saw him, a couple of things: I knew he HAD to be mine and I knew I wanted a bunch more! So, I went home with my one and only treasure that day, immediately packed up my sweet little bird and sent him to my caster.



Yesterday my sweet bird and all of his buddies arrived. And I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them (to begin with anyway). I attached two birds to sterling hoops to make the most wonderful earrings ever! Then I brought the earrings down to Baltimore to Liz's so she could silver solder the birds into place permanently. This morning I attached tiny, tiny little gemstone beads to the hoop and made these earrings.


More are coming and Monday morning I'll be calling my caster to have more of these little guys made.  What fun!!

I made this necklace yesterday, photographed it and was in the middle of listing it on Etsy when I got side tracked into going swimming.  Then Liz came home to go swimming too.



Swimming was cut short because of thunder storms, so Liz and I hung out up in my studio. 


Liz found this necklace, loved it and it became her's.  As quickly as that!


I love it when Liz loves my jewelry.  And I love giving her pieces I've made.  For one thing, she needed cheering up.  And it made me happy to see her happy with her new necklace.  For another thing, I love it that someone Liz's age wants to wear my jewelry.  Makes me feel a bit younger!

And there's nothing wrong with that!!

And when the beach you choose is Sanibel Island in Florida, you have the added bonus of pelicans, osprey, herons, cranes, ibis, and more!


Sanibel is known for it's seashells.  They are in abundance all over the beach!


Anne and I went a little overboard collecting shells.  The day before we flew home, we boxed up lots of gorgeous shells, mailed them home, then snuck back to the beach after dark and returned the rest.
Silly girls.


If you're in the market for a vacation destination, try Sanibel!  It's perfect!!!

With one exception:


I don't like lizards!!

Help!!


About ten or so years ago, I was contacted by the daughter of a very well-known sampler collector/expert/author and asked if I'd like to purchase this sampler from her collection.  Purchase it I did!  I'd like to list this piece in my Etsy shop, and would like to be able to include the name of the person who owned it before me. 

Today is the day!!


Today I will be listing a number of antique samplers for sale in my Etsy shop.


I believe I have ten or so to list.


I shot a few photos this morning, but want to get (MUCH) better quality photos so will work on that today.


I knew how to correct barrel distortion in my old computer, but don't know how in my mac.  It's driving me nuts!!


Anyway, there are quite a few, they will be up soon, so please check out my Etsy shop when you get a chance!

Here's the link:  www.kathybarrick.etsy.com.