An increased desire to be more organized is typically associated with spring and yet I find myself more eager to tidy up various aspects of my life as the leaves are changing and falling off the trees. I have organized my gallery through the removal of a few older pieces made with enameled copper wire and will be adding new sterling silver pieces shortly. I have finally made the transition to sterling silver wire and have loved every minute I've spent playing with the shiny metal. Fun and exciting changes are on the way!

I've been neglecting my dA account as well as my interest in jewelry-making. I've made numerous pairs of dragonfly earrings that were not photographed (and thus never uploaded). Hopefully this will all change as I've found my creative spark again and am looking forward to coming up with new ideas. My next endeavor will likely involve lead-free pewter butterfly wings and 4mm Swarovski bicones in colors inspired by spring and the thought of warmer weather. Light sapphire, rose, peridot, and tanzanite are all potential candidates for butterflies although jet and crystal are always popular choices regardless of the season. Other options might include violet, blue zircon or padparadscha.

I would also love to find a way to use Swarovski cubes as I love the shape but never seem to be able to decide on the best way to use the beads. Perhaps it would be beneficial to simply buy some cubes and "wing it" rather than trying to plan everything without a physical representation. One can never have too many Swarovski crystals after all.

I've officially been seduced by the pretty colors found in the world of yarn. Maybe it sounds odd to put it that way but it's true. I've always had a thing for color and texture so I guess it was only a matter of time before I decided to play with yarn. I was given a tour of the sewing/knitting/crocheting section at work and that was essentially the end of whatever subconscious resistance I had toward trying something new. I'll just have to get over my issue with holding high standards over my head (not that it's unusual for things to be over my head since I'm quite short but that's another story).

Working with yarn certainly provides a different sensory experience than using wire or beads. My first project will hopefully be a scarf in the sky blue Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. I doubt there will be a photo in the near future but I will share my latest chain maille piece once I can think of a decent title.

The bracelet is by far one of my favorite creations from the past three years (18 gauge copper FP), the photo turned out great, and yet I can't think of a title. It would be funny if I were not so annoyed about my sudden writer's block. Oh well. Maybe I'll have an epiphany while working on the scarf or if I end up making the same bracelet in 20 gauge copper for myself.

I am feeling incredibly good about myself at the moment. I finally sat down and learned how to do even-count peyote. I've always been a little intimidated by anything involving peyote as the instructions I've seen often seem complicated and beyond my comfort level. It turns out that peyote was not the monster in the closet after all. Working with peyote feels very relaxing, actually. The feeling is similar to the zen-like peace I've felt while working with tubular herringbone.

My next goal is to learn how to make peyote beads since I think they would make rather neat earrings if done in the right size. And then there is also the fact that I have managed to procure a large stockpile of Toho 11/0 seed beads in various colors and finishes so it would be a shame not to play with them.

I'm finally starting to get the hang of the new ultra flush cutters! Yay! While that is cause for achievement in itself (especially given the ranting I've done lately regarding the cutters), I would also like to note that I recently discovered that I know a minimum of 17 chain maille weaves if I include the variations.

1. Byzantine
2. Boxchain
3. Romanov
4. Atlantis
5. European 4-1
6. Barrel weave
7. Calypso
8. Centipede
9. Japanese
10. Mobius
11. Helm chain
12. Roosa
13. Empressa
14. Full Persian 6-1
15. Shaggy Loops
16. Aura
17. Flowers in Cages

Writing the list made me realize that there seem to be several opinions regarding the definition of a weave. I don't know if I consider the so-called Byzantine Rose a weave, for example. The name applies to a combination of two existing weaves (byzantine and mobius) and seems to be used by many but it is not posted as a weave on M.A.I.L. And yet there is a tutorial for Flowers in Cages on the same website and that weave is essentially the same thing except the mobius balls are inside the byzantine segments.

Other weaves I would like to learn at some point include Celtic Visions, Half Persian 4-1, and Double Spiral. I guess you could say I'm feeling very ambitious but I did master Full Persian eventually after a lot of time and patience so anything seems possible. I just have to get the cutters to work with me instead of against me.