Origami isn't just for paper

Origami Experience #1

In my Blind Date Hall of Fame, there is an origami snail made from a dollar bill.

Still have this origami snail after three years. 

This was made by "Circus Boy," who besides being an origami guru and massage therapist, wanted to be a fire breather in a circus.

I have nothing more to say.

Origami Experience #2

My friend Julie saw a metal origami crane pendant on Pintrest and thought, "Jill could make me one of those."

And I did. Not without a few bumps, of course. The first crane I made was practically life size, which is not ideal for a pendant. I also knew that PMC (precious metal clay) paper shrinks more than the clay I use regularly use, so it was a bit tricky to gage what the size of the pendant would be after it was fired. 

Origami crane pendant made from PMC paper.

I hope this little crane will bring Julie all of the hope, peace, and happiness it represents as she enters a new chapter in her life: retirement.

Project #5 completed. Now I need to get 5 more done by the end of the month. Better get working!

Angel wings for Baby Luci

The thought of angels brings hope, comfort, and peace, and this is what my friend Cammy wanted to give her friend who recently lost her baby Luci.

After discussing various ideas, we settled on an angel wing pendant with Luci's April birthstone set next to it. I inscribed Luci's name on the back.

April's birthstone is a diamond, so we used the next best thing: cubic zirconium.

For this pendant, I created the setting for the stone and attached it to the wing with syringe clay and metal paste---a technique I've been working on. Project 3 completed.

I also made a tie tack for Dad with baby footprints and birthstone on the front and Luci written on the back.

Sending hope, comfort, and peace into the world.

More accomplishing goals, less Bethenny Frankel

I wish keeping, achieving goals were as easy as making them. My commitment to my goals ebbs and flows; some days are better than others.

The year is almost to the halfway point, and I feel like I really need to step it up, kick it into high gear. I have things to accomplish:

• By June I want to have 10 projects completed, which will get me back on track for accomplishing my goal of 35 this year.

• My goal of selling at new venues is in the works, but I'm not quite there yet. Need to make it happen.

• Designing new athletic-inspired jewelry is just at the ideas phase. Time to start to do more than just thinking.

So I have thought of three things that will help me accomplish my goals---

Three things that are going to help me achieve my goals

1. Make (and wear) a bracelet that says committed (belief is too vague) that reminds me every time I see it that I have goals that I want to achieve.

2. Create a playlist with songs that will keep me going during the hard workouts or during the times when motivation is lacking (or when all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch Betheny Ever After).

So far on the playlist is Florence + the Machine's "Shake It Off, Shake It Off, " Katy Perry's "Firework," Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger," and P!nk's, "Raise a Glass."

3. Focus on accomplishing my goals each day. Make good choices, use my time well, cross items off the to-do list. One day at a time.

Check out these manly tie tacks!

For the five male nurses in Salt Lake Community College's graduating class of spring 2012, it wasn't enough just to receive their SLCC pin at the official nursing school's pinning ceremony.  

They wanted something more. Something that expressed their essential maleness and solidarity: a tie tack.

They had come up with their own design, but it wasn't until Jeff and I were working together that he had the epiphany that I could make their tie tack dream a reality.

I took this opportunity to try a new technique: the photopolymer plate. However, after many attempts at getting it right (i.e. used almost entire 8.5 X 11" photopolymer plate for just a tie tack), I realized that I need more practice with exposure times. (Note to self: Don't procrastinate.)

So I went to Plan B and carved them all by hand. Project #2 complete. Just 33 more to go. (Another note to self: Really, don't procrastinate.)

According to Jeff, the Latin around the edge is all about throwing down your female oppressors.

Congratulations Jeffrey and your fellow male nursing comrades! Welcome to the profession!