in the running . . .

Okay, so I'm getting close to sitting back down to work.  Now I've just got to decide what I want to work on!  I've got all my ducks lined up to dive into my next new experimental thing ...

Robert Dancik's "solid expressions" concrete

I've been collecting ideas for what I want to try with it.  I've got my wax paper and masking tape and sketches.  Just need to settle down and dive in.

But I'm also feeling really hungry for color ... you might have noticed that all the recent work is solid silver ... no jewels or beads or shimmery bits at all.  But what to do?  I'm thinking about taking some one-off pieces and seeing if I can translate them into pieces that can be replicated.  First I need to make sure I can readily source the materials.  Maybe not the most practical, but it's always fun and hugely inspirational to lose myself in my stash of raw lapis lazuli nuggets ...

raw lapis nuggets ready for shaping and drilling and designs unknown

And lord knows, I've got a pretty decent stash of all sorts of other gorgeous beads and nuggety things ... 

I've had these Chinese turquoise cubes for ages ... really would like to do something with them

and I'm always drawn to all things russet ... carnelian, Oregon sunstone, tangerine quartz, hessonite garnet and I love those orange glass faux trade beads

for very special pieces only ... agatized bamboo ... 'cause these precious beauties are really expensive ... won't be making it into a wholesale collection anytime soon!  I just like to haul them out on occasion and look at them ...

and I do have a great fondness for these greens ... vesuvianite, green (demantoid) garnet and peridot

I can always tie everything together with watermelon tourmaline

or just go for it and stick to raw diamonds ... talk about expensive ... looking at a small fortune here ... oh, but they are so beautiful!

Right now, I'm leaning towards diving into the concrete experiments ... stay tuned!

with deep gratitude - kvk