MINERALARTS:

Crested Saguaro Pilgrimage

Dan found this wonderful crested saguaro cactus a few days ago, so we visited it today for more photos. Crested cacti are rare but some areas tend to have more than others. We have found crested cacti of several species, including saguaros, Arizona barrels, chainfruit chollas, and several of the small cacti. There are a few well-known…

ironwing

December 26, 2011

Nature

Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is the quietest time of year in the desert. A deep hush rests on the cool earth, and the pale gold sun warms the air for only a short time at noon. In lucky years such as this one, this also the time of winter rain. Of snow on the highest mountains,…

ironwing

December 21, 2011

Nature, Scratchboard

Smithsonite Necklace

I finally finished a necklace to hold the smithsonite beads that I carved back in August. My Pink Bead Necklace is so comfortable that I made this one in a similar style. Forged from high-carbon steel and black steel wire, with bronze spacer beads cut from a broken Tibetan singing bowl. The copper beads were cut…

ironwing

December 14, 2011

Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

Walking Sticks

I’ve been carrying a Trekpod (camera tripod/hiking stick) for about a year now when hiking off-trail or on rough trails and washes. I recently decided that my everyday walks – partly on pavement and partly on dirt roads – would sometimes be easier if I had a stick. In my neighborhood, many people carry one anyway,…

ironwing

December 12, 2011

Iron & Metalwork, Nature

Embroidered Patchwork Vest

I recently finished this vest which had been an intermittent evening project for several months. I love vests but it is difficult to find one that fits properly, since I have such a short back. It took me three paper drafts and two muslin ones to get this pattern just right, but it was worth…

ironwing

November 25, 2011

Needlework

Tucson All Souls Procession 2011

Last night was Tucson’s annual Day of the Dead celebration. Some of our photos (and many others) can be viewed on Flickr’s ASP group page: http://www.flickr.com/groups/tucson_all_souls_procession/ As usual, we walked in the procession but skipped the finale. This year’s finale was held at a new location, so the procession route was longer (2 miles one…

ironwing

November 7, 2011

Cats, Iron & Metalwork

Halloween 2011

We spent Halloween in the backyard, lighting candles in memory of our two cats that died this year (and entertaining the ones who are still with us, since they were watching through the screen porch). A couple of weeks ago we salvaged 11 sets of iron security bars from the windows of an old house…

ironwing

November 2, 2011

Cats, Nature

Forged Iron Cat Mask

This is the forged iron black cat mask that I made for this year’s Tucson All Souls Procession. I won’t post a photo of me wearing it until after the procession, since I’m still deciding on the rest of my costume. The mask is hot-forged from heavy steel sheet, and has a riveted nose and whisker spots. …

ironwing

October 19, 2011

Cats, Iron & Metalwork, Needlework

Earrings for the Autumn Equinox

These Cat Eye and Claw earrings seem appropriate for the Autumn Equinox, with their balance of brown and blue, transparency and opacity, receding earth and rising water. I carved the “claws” some time ago and only recently made the “cat eye” cabochons to go with them. Settings are sterling silver with fine silver bezels and…

ironwing

September 23, 2011

Cats, Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary

We’re Back

OK, we’re back, and the computer has a new graphics card. Meanwhile I’ve been working in the shop, drawing, staring at a “to-finish” list of too many projects, and setting priorities. I re-did the Pink Necklace to include some forgework and more stone beads, which frees up the iron beads to use for something else. It’s also more comfortable (and…

ironwing

September 15, 2011

Iron & Metalwork, Lapidary