I had been looking forward to this class since it was first mentioned months ago! In fact, I’d been looking forward to it since I took the Cabs I class! Dr. Karen Meador, Ph. D. of Dreamcatcher Designs TX, creates an environment of learning through wit, fun and natural inclination, in which it is impossible to not come away smile on your face and new skills in your pocket. Through gentle sternness, she was able to tame our rambunctious group this afternoon, and we managed to create not just one, but TWO wonderful pieces! (I am going to start bring my camera to class, to take pictures during the creative learning process!!)
We had a great group of students today, and I really enjoy the company of the ladies who were present! I met a few new faces, and was glad to see the few I already knew!
Here are my two pieces, after I polished them with a good ol’ Sunshine polishing cloth when I got home:

I love them. The stone in the little one measures exactly two centimeters. I had never wrapped anything so small! But I selected that cabochon specifically to challenge myself. The wrap on it is a creation of Karen’s and *I* call it “Karen’s Hug Wrap”. I think after learning how she made it directly from her, and hearing her descriptions, and the background of how she came up with the concept, it makes perfect sense!
Here are a few pictures of that one from slightly different angles:

Of course, I had to add my favorite additions: tight little coils on either side. It just wouldn’t be *me* if I didn’t!
The larger pendant was another fun challenge. See those little prongs? That’s what holds the stone in the wrap on both sides. It was fun to learn, and I can’t wait to experiment with more ideas Karen gave us, as well as come up with a few of my own! Here is that one, a little closer:

I really need to get the Muscle to build me that light box.. too much glare! It takes away from the stone. I had a great time, and look forward to the next installation of jewelry-making education: Hot Stuff!

Later on, back at home, we took the kids out to play after dinner. We could see a storm rolling in, and managed to snap a few pictures before it got too dark:

I took these two with my hand-me-down Nikon D40. I do need a new lens on it, but she does what she can 🙂 The first picture is actually the reflection of the sunset behind me and the second is the actual sunset. The world is a beautiful place, and I love where I live…

The Muscle decided to hang out for awhile, using his Nikon D7000 to try and capture a few good images of lightening. I’d say he succeeded:

Well, I have homework to do. Til next time, stay dry and remember, don’t take a bath or shower during a lightening storm! =^..^=