Twisted Sister Arts - Incredible Wire Wrap Artist

I was cruising through Etsy to see what was out there and discovered this terrific wire wrap artist.  Her stuff is amazing and very reasonable priced considering the work.  I was hoping she did tutorials, but she is so busy making stuff (plus that day job) she can't keep up.  Check out her stuff at http://twistedsisterarts.blogspot.com

When I e-mailed her she was very responsive and seemed like a great person willing to help out others who love to create.  I have been reluctant to try bold crazy designs because I didn't want to "waste" sterling wire, but found out there is a pretty good enameled copper wire with silver coat that is viable.  Just bought some from Beadalon even though I promised myself to stop spending money on materials.  Anyway the wire is  called Artistic Wire and will let you know how I like it.  Sometimes the coating is too thin, but this is supposed to be better because they put the enamel over it. I bought a really small gauge which will be new for me also because I am used to big and bold.. 

Raining like crazy here so I am off to organize the Shiva Shop and get out some books to see what I can create today.   Hoping to transfer some of those basket weaving skills into new jewelry.

Hundredth Monkey Concept

After such a beautiful day in the garden yesterday, today has turned rainy and windy.  Instead of creating in the physical realm, I spent the day with my friend, Kate, exploring the avenues of the mind and the creative power of thoughts.  There is a concept called the Hundredth Monkey based upon some Japanese researchers observing monkeys washing their dirty sweet potatoes.  It seems after a critical mass of  monkeys began washing their food this behavior spread to monkeys on other islands who had not observed the behavior.

The idea is that once enough people tap into the akashic records the idea becomes commonplace.  Not explaining this very well, but seems like the patent office also sees a number of people unconnected to each other inventing the same thing within days and sometimes hours of each other.On some cosmic level, we tap into the energy levels or thoughts of others if we are on the same wavelength.    The solutions to things often come to me when I am taking a shower or a nap.  I guess I turn off the ego brain long enough to tap into the universal source of answers.  As my dear old dad used to so often say, "there is nothing new under the sun." 

Beautiful Day for Creating in the Garden

Had a booth at the Daffodil Festival last weekend so this week I am enjoying the sunshine instead of producing more wares.  Today it is 69 degrees so I have worked my raised beds, planted the spring vegetables and will be going for a run.  Alpine Community Gardens blog has helped me with the cutting up of my potatoes.  Great blog for the gardeners around  the Willamette Valley.  

Joined the Alpine Country Trail, so off to a meeting tonight to see about setting up that web site.  Like others out there always looking for an avenue to promote my wire twisting addiction.  Any pointers out there on good websites.  Get some hits on Etsy, but could use more. 

Tools that are Cool

I love to make holes in tin, but the drill takes too long. I just discovered a new tool (at least to me) from Eurotools which punches square holes and oval holes. Sources seem to be quickly running out of them so they must be popular at the moment. I ordered it through a supplier on Etsy since Wired Up Beads was already out of them.

Speaking of Wired Up the Wubbers are the best pliers I have ever had. Wired Up really stands behind their products also. I had the little metal piece that keeps the pliers open break and they sent me a new pair of pliers and asked me to return the old ones. This was exceptional given I had used the other pliers for a year. So if you are looking for some pliers that can stand the strain of large gauge wire I say get Wubbers. I now have them in all sizes and prefer them to my Lindstrom pliers that cost twice as much.