welcome to your first stop

barbara lewis of painting with fire generously invited me to host a stop on her virtual book tour...  there will be 16 days of people sharing all kinds of information about barbara and torch-fired enameling... if that doesn't have you racing for the book, i don't know what will... 

so let's get to it - 

if you have purchased the tutorial (which got me started in may of 2010) or own the book (which is a must if you want to take the technique further) you will know that often enameling is done so that it covers the whole bead or component.... this is a gorgeous effect, but it doesn't have to be done that way... 

'i found i could say things with color and shapes

that i couldn't say any other way - 

things i had no words for.'

~ georgia o'keeffe

this is how i feel about enamel... it allows me to add my own color - the way i want to apply it, where i want to apply it... in my work, color is sparingly used for emotional impact... 

leaves - mjdodd 2011

with hints of red or green...

landscape of the sky - mjdodd 2011

with layers of opaque and transparent enamel... 

and this week i set enameled metal into a bezel, the way i would a stone... i am beyond thrilled with the possibilities present for this use... 

cold connection bezel - mjdodd 2011

there really are so many applications - and i look forward to finding more... i think the most important thing for you to take away from this is the realization that enamel can be used to reflect your aesthetic... (and did i mention that it is affordable and quite easy to do?)


in addition to everything you want to know about torch-firing enamel, barbara shares all kinds of tips and tricks... this is truthfully one of my favorite parts of the great books... those tried and true hard learned things that we all work through... this book is one of the ones i refer to often - for information and inspiration... 

during the book tour, there will be prizes given - 

i would personally like to offer a pair of earrings similar to 'landscape of the sky'... i will draw a winner for them at the end of the day from those who comment on this post... 

but there is much more... 

first, here is the list of hosts for you to follow:

October 6, Mary Jane Dodd, www.mairedodd.blogspot.com

October 7, Gaea Cannaday, www.gaeabeads.blogspot.com

October 8, Linda Larsen, www.objectsandelements.typepad.com

October 10, Andrew Thornton, www.andrew-thornton.blogspot.com

October 11, Lori Plyler, www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com

October 12, Diane Cook, www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com

October 13, Lori Anderson, http://www.prettythingsblog.com

October 14, LeAnn Weih, www.summersstudio.blogspot.com

October 15, Jen Judd Velasquez, www.jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

October 17, Melissa Meman, www.melissameman.blogspot.com

October 18, Lisa Crone, www.abeadaday.blogspot.com

October 19, Shannon LeVart, www.missficklemediacom.blogspot.com

October 20, Cindy Wimmer, www.sweetbeadstudio.com

October 21, Laura Twiford, www.souvenirsfromlife.blogspot.com

October 22, Erin Prais-Hintz, www.treasures-found.blogspot.com
October 24, Jennifer Cameron, www.glassaddictions.com

October 25, Sharilyn Miller, http://sharilynmiller.blogspot.com/

barbara has set up these rules to play along:

"We'll have prizes throughout the book tour plus a grand prize at the end! The more you spread the excitement, the more chances you have to win some of the goodies our bloggers are giving away!

Leave a comment at your host's blog and become a follower = 1 chance.

Tweet, facebook or blog about the giveaway and leave a comment at this post (the original Virtual Book Tour post)  = 1 additional chance.

While you're at my blog (barbara's), if you become a follower or say that you're already a follower in your comment = 1 additional chance.

So, you can earn up to three chances per giveaway.  A winner will be selected by 10 p.m. eastern time and be announced the following day. You can check back at my(barbara's) blog for the name of the winner or at any other of the participating blogs.

To thank you for following along, we will have a BONUS PRIZE at the end of the book tour!  All of the entries will be included in the drawing for a kit containing all the elements of "Floral Cascade," one of the projects in the book! You'll receive everything you need to make the necklace, including the chain, jump rings, clasp, enamel beads, and head pins!  

But that's not all!

For a chance to win the Grand Prize - a Torch-Firing Kit (or $110 shopping experience at www.paintingwithfireartwear.com) - please leave a review at Amazon.com by November 24.  Remember, leave an honest review... the book must stand on its own.

Thanks for playing along! This is going to be a lot of fun!

P.S. Unfortunately, we have to restrict the giveaways to U.S. residents.  Winners should contact me with their name and address through my author website:

www.torchfiredenameljewelry.com so that you can receive your prizes!"

thank you, barbara, for allowing me to share my experience with enamel and to participate in your first book tour! i am personally so grateful that you shared this technique (and am certain i speak for so many others) - you are helping to spread around a lot of beauty... i wish you only continued success...

acuppla things -

counts as a word when you are sick - says me!


a couple of things going on -


today is the 'big reveal' at the painting with fire ning group bead swap... very interesting work being posted - these are always so much fun to look at... some find me gazing in wonder at the 
way a piece was integrated or interpreted... 


i was fortunate to be the recipient of patricia decardenas' work... she sent to me this pendant and some autumn colored beads... i was so smitten with the pendant that i chose to focus upon that...

the palette, texture and theme were so softly spoken - i wanted to keep the vibe going... so i kept my end of it pretty simple... 

i have a feeling i am going to have to fight (not fight, this is a peace piece, right?) work with emily in a civilized mediation to see who wears it today... 


thank you, patricia - this was really lovely to work with... and so perfect for me... 


on the ring front - i got the urge to make a spirit rattle ring, a mindfulness ring... on the band it reads 'present moment'... 

but really, it is about how the present moment ties into the infinite... 

infinite moments, infinite energy, infinite connections... 


and this is what it sounds like::

i would like to thank the talented nan emmett for sharing her thoughts on this with me... she is so knowledgeable - and makes ceramic spirit rattles that sell all over the u.s...

this beautiful excerpt is from the 'magic of findhorn' by paul hawken::

“The earth, once white and molten, represents a thought. It was a fire in the heavens, glowing as a sun, visited by the Deva of the Wind which came and blew across the surface, playing with the Fire Deva until all was mediated. The Deva of Water and Rain formed and collected in the skies and fell to earth.

Great clouds of steam issued forth from the surface, the skies were enlivened and heavy with its presence, and across the surface the Wind Deva began to cool, carve, and chisel away at the crust of the planet. It created pools and eddies, lakes and streams, and bigger bodies which we know as oceans.

With each successive change, a new Deva or impulse came forth until, like a procession, did the Earth receive the new hosts, each Deva bringing with it a variation of life ever present in the divine potential.

The Earth prepared itself to receive and serve the thought of a man and a woman. The Earth would be their temple and guardian; the heavens would be their guide and vision. Humans affirmed the link between the infinite spirit and the totality of matter. They related from the highest spiritual planes to the most concrete levels of form.

The Earth was for humanity to enshrine, to make holy, to blend their unique qualities and work as a family in cooperation with the Devas, the spiritual stewards of the planet.”

things that bring me joy::

a grinning cheshire cat moon

'cheshire puss,' (alice) began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would be like the name: however it only grinned a little wider. come, it's pleased so far, thought alice, and she went on, 'would you tell me please, which way i ought to go from here?'

'that depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the cat.

'i don't much care where --,' said alice.

'then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the cat.

'-- so long as i get SOMEWHERE,' alice added as an explanation.

'oh, you're sure to do that,' said the cat, 'if only you walk long enough.'

and helping a friend promote a new venture

the uber-talented barbara lewis is hosting a giveaway... she has been working on creating a banner & blog style that unifies her diverse talents... and what she has achieved is just that... congrats barbara! your look is colorful & vibrant... recognizably you!