Half Cracked

I've never been one for smooth, shiny, flawless surfaces in my metalwork. There are plenty of artists out there who do it and do it beautifully. I prefer a little more texture, distress, and time-wear. Maybe it's because I'm an old soul with lifetimes behind me, who knows?

So I surprised myself last week when I was tinkering in the studio with some fold formed copper charms. Rarely one to plan out an exact design beforehand, I started out this pair by simply annealing matched squares of copper, folding them, hammering flat, annealing again, and unfolding---revealing beautiful rustic creases in the metal. Now normally I would next turn to my favorite texturing rock (plucked from our garden) and start banging away as if my life depended on it. For some reason, I stopped short halfway through this time. 

How about we just leave half shiny, smooth, and serene---as a stark contrast to the chaos of the textured side?

And this is how designs are born. 

I'm quite fond of making coin-like discs out of copper, so that's the final shape I decided to go with here. Reminiscent of an ancient coin plucked from the soil, perhaps. I filed a bit along the folds of each, sanded, sanded, sanded, oxidized, buffed, and sealed with wax. Simple, perfect for everyday wear, yet noteworthy enough to make you feel like a pagan goddess. 

Happy Wednesday!
Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Full Circle

Summer calls for easy, breezy clothes when the sun gets hot. Today I am wearing the first maxi dress that I have ever owned. I have been holding off wearing it because I didn't want to look like I had a baby on board. But after spending the morning in it, I actually feel cool and comfortable and really pulled together.

[Green Stripe Halter Maxi Dress by Jessica Simpson]

 
I paired my own emerald green and navy color blocked maxi with these simple earrings in silver and copper: different sized twisted wire jump rings wrapped with thin wire for a cage effect. This dress from Jessica Simpson (yes! that Jessica Simpson!) has a similar flowy feel perfect for louging poolside... or even picking up groceries. Add a long dangly necklace, some bangles climbing your arm, strappy sandals - a must - and you look like a million bucks. I feel like I am on vacation when I wear this dress even though I am just sitting in my office.Who knew that this much fabric could be this much fun?! To me it finally feels like summer has arrived and come full circle.

Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.