Thursday, March 28, 2013

"Stamped Pottery Sampling" Treasury

I'm so behind on posting on my blog, but hope to catch up a little each day. I've been busy working on pieces for a local show coming up in April, and recently re-injured my shoulder which goes out of place unexpectedly at the worst times .... the price of getting old and being too active?

This Etsy treasury is made up of clay pieces, and one of my baking dishes is included.

'Stamped Pottery Sampling' by branwynzephyr

Here is a sampling of some of the wonderful stamped pottery to be found on Etsy! I love to stamp clay so I thought I would make a treasury from the shops of some of the other happy stampers out there.


Small Porcelain Rec...
$24

Ceramic Spoons Set ...
$38

Wall Pocket - Vase ...
$30

Architectural Blue ...
$39

Raven Dish - Rustic...
$18

Handmade Ceramic St...
$3

Stoneware Baking Di...
$28

Carved Wedding Ring...
$80

Ceramic Bead, Fish ...
$3.5

Small Burnt-Turquoi...
$10

Large and Small Cel...
$45

Small blue hand bui...
$10

Celtic Knot Linen T...
$15

dish, plate, Your s...
$18

Native American Lag...
$38

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

More Copper Etching

Back in October 2011, I shared "Etching Photos" with you and have etched many many copper pieces since then using this method. I did four separate batches yesterday to make a few new bracelets.

The first and second photos show my hearts and ovals resting on their creative hangers, ready to be placed into the salt water.




Both of the jars have the copper pieces with the positive probes attached, and the negative probes attached to wires holding scrap pieces of copper. The jar on the right with the hearts was started first. The water in it has already changed color in the little time it took to set up the other jar. Notice the tiny bubbles rising from the scrap copper.


After 30 minutes the color of the water has really darkened. The pieces continued to etch for an hour.


Here are the etched pieces that have been cleaned and domed. Tomorrow they'll get treated to liver of sulfur.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad -- Wonderful!!

I copied this recipe from the internet just a few days ago, but now I can't find the website. I think it was on a blog, so that's why I used the Preview feature on my iMac to copy the recipe only. So I am sorry I cannot give credit to that person ... But I will tell you I just made it for the weekend and it is WONDERFUL !!!!!! I couldn't wait for everything to cool before mixing; it was soo good slightly warm. I hope it tastes as good later when it chills! Here it is ... Enjoy!

Quinoa & Black Bean Salad
1 cup washed and drained quinoa. White grain. It also comes in red.
2 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
juice from 2 limes
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp red peper flakes
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 1/2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
5 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup corn. Sometimes I use roasted, frozen corn from Trader Joe's.
1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped, a little extra for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

1) Rinse quinoa and cook according to directions. Let quinoa cool.
2) Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cumin and red pepper flakes.
3) Combine cool quinoa, beans, tomatoes, corn, and onions in a large bowl.
4) Pour dressing over salad and toss in the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
5) Add extra lime or cilantro for pretty garnish if desired.

Easy, Delicious & Healthy!