Flower Mandala Pendant

For the next couple entries, I am showing off a couple of nature-inspired mandala designs. Mandalas are circular geometric patterns which represent the cosmos from a human perspective. Initially the purpose of a mandala was to focus and aid meditation in Eastern religions. In art, a mandala can be thought of as a microcosm of the universe. And using something from nature on a smaller scale, like a flower, as a representation of something large (the universe) is an appealing idea to me.

So this week's entry is my flower mandala pendant - etched and oxidized copper 1 1/2”(4 cm) diameter on a 36-inch vinyl cord with adjustable Love Knots terminal and copper wire bail, along with some pictures of flowers that I have taken.

Armadillo Pendants

Here are a couple of different etched oxidized copper pendants that I've made, both with an armadillo motif. Nine-banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are pretty common in Oklahoma and I see them frequently. Armadillos are fascinating for a lot of different reasons - for example, they are the only known mammmal to always give birth to four identical young (which develop from the same egg and share a placenta). A female armadillo can also delay fertilization for up to two years. Everyone knows that armadillos are great diggers but they're also great swimmers and can jump straight up in the air nearly four feet as a defensive mechanism (which is also why they end up being hit by cars so often, as they tend to jump rather than stay put when a vehicle passes over them). The Nine-banded Armadillo has relatively recently colonized the U.S., not crossing the Rio Grande until the turn of the century, but is now one of our most common mammals in Oklahoma. Contrary to popular belief the Nine-banded Armadillo cannot wrap itself into a ball in its shell. Of the several different armadillos found in the Americas (family Dasypodidae), there is only one genera that can truly perform this trick - the Three-banded Armadillos of South America.

This is the first of two armadillo themed pendants I made. I call it "Rustic Armadillo". This is an etched and oxidized copper pendant 1½ x 2 1/8’’(4.5 x 6 cm) with armadillo motif on 36-inch vinyl cord with adjustable Love Knots terminal and S-clasp bails.




Here's the other pendant, which I call "Tribal Armadillo", an etched and oxidized copper pendant (1 1/2" x 2") with tribal armadillo motif on 18-inch leather thong with pounded copper S-clasp.





Here's a couple pictures of nine-banded armadillos, and a picture of me trying to chase one through the brush!





And here's a Three-banded Armadillo.

Horned Lizard Pendant

This is another interesting wildlife-themed design for a copper pendant that I came up with - a Horned Lizard or "Horny Toad" pendant. This one was inspired by actual experiences that I have had doing field research in western Oklahoma. I have come across Horned Lizards many times doing that work.

Here are some pictures of the pendant which is an etched and oxidized rectangular copper pendant 2 x 1 5/8” (5 x 4.5 cm) on a 36-inch vinyl cord with adjustable Love Knots terminal and cooper wire bail. The actual size of the Horned Lizard on this pendant is about the size that they are about a month after hatching.






And here are some actual pictures of Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) that I have taken over the years doing research. One of them is of a Horned Lizard posed on a Cheez-its box and another shows one outfitted with a radio transmitter collar.

Heron Earrings

Another bird-inspired metalwork design - these are etched copper earrings featuring a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). These birds may be common but they are still beatufiul and make an interesting design. I depicted this bird standing in front of some cat-tails at the water's edge.





Here's a picture of a real Great Blue Heron:

Elf Owl Pendant

Out of all my etched copper pendants, this may be the one that I am the most proud of for several reasons - 1) I created this image from scratch, based on my own drawing 2) I got an incredibly large amount of detail into such a tiny space and 3) I made this as a custom request for an 11 year old girl's birthday present - she is really into the Guardians of Ga'Hoole and her father is an ornithologist. She loved it and wears it all the time now.

If you haven't heard of it before, the Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) is the world's smallest species of owl. Elf Owls live in the Southwest U.S. and often nest inside cavities in giant saguaro cacti.

This is a two-sided pendant featuring a closeup of the adorable little owl in its hole surrounded by a cactus spine motif around the edges of the hole. On the reverse side is a wider view of the giant saguaro with the tiny owl visible peering out of its hole.





And here are pictures of an actual elf owl.

Stillwater Craft Show

So I know that it has been a long time since I've updated this blog, but I intend to make a serious effort to start updating it on a regular basis again, and perhaps broaden the scope a bit. Where our adventures left off, I was excited to have a table at my first ever real craft-fair, the 2009 Fall Festival Craft Show in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the Expo Center. It was three days of fun, selling my metal jewelry and other items, and checking out the other tables (they had three buildings full of them). I made lots of sales. My friends helped me at the table and kept me from getting too bored or tired (sometimes you have to make your own fun). I cant wait to do another show.

Upcoming Craft Show

I am very excited right now because my first craft show is coming up soon. I will have a booth at the 28th Annual Fall Festival Arts and Crafts Show in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I’m going to be selling etched copper jewelry – pendants, earrings, and barrettes, as well as other items. I’m a lot more serious about this hobby than I was when I started, and this seemed like the natural next step. Right now I’m still in the planning stages – mostly, I’ve been brainstorming new ideas and designs, but soon it will be time to really ramp up production of new merchandise. I invite anyone who will be in the area to come meet me and look at my stuff. The show will be close to the holidays, and casual hand-made jewelry makes a great and affordable gift. It’s the Fall Festival Arts and Crafts Show at the Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma on November 6th, 7th, and 8th. If you’re interested in attending and you need directions or any other information, please email me. I’d love to see you there.