I am a GIANT Jane Austen fan, I'll admit it. Just so all of you know, I often listen to Jane Austen novels (and by often, I mean every week. I probably listen to two of them each week. Wait, you might say, aren't there only a few novels total? Why, yes, I would say. I listen to them over and over again. Especially Persuasion and Mansfield Park) as I work. I reveal this incriminating detail in order for the next silliness to make some sort of sense.

A couple of weeks ago I went camping on the coast with a few lady friends. It was awesome. I love my lady friends. And I also love the ocean. And Jane Austen. And so, when you combine two of these three loves you get:

"...and still descending, they soon found themselves on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a first return to the sea, who ever deserve to look on it at all...."

Whenever I see the ocean, I think of that quote. And I sort of love how it is protective of the sea, and basically says that if you are an ass-hat who can't appreciate the ocean, you shouldn't be looking at it at all. Period. I wonder what Jane Austen would think of ATVs. Effing ATVs.

I looooooove this old gnarled piece of wood, burnt in spots, worn in others. Textures! I want to make something with this same beautiful texture.

And just for fun:

I texted this drawing to the Shop Monkey, and he was like "hahaha, very funny". I was a little confused, since I had drawn it with the sweet intention of cartoonizing (I draw lots of these little cartoons to document our life together) our engagement, so I sent back: ? And he replied that he thought I meant: "Where's my rock?" Hehehehe! Where is my rock, btw?

And tiny Dieter. Sweetness pug. He seemed cold, so I put him up on the chair in front of the heater. He was just sitting there, dozing, but I didn't get a picture of it in time. Just as I was getting the camera ready he laid down.

All right my sweets

Okay! I feel like I've totally been dragging ass on this blog, but I think I am ready to return to once a week posting or more. I am going to schedule it in and drink a cup of coffee and blog once a week at least (the coffee will be a real incentive since I've forbidden myself coffee during the weekdays!).

I've had this wax kicking around for quite a while and I think I am about ready to cast it in 18kt yellow and set some diamonds in the ends. Perhaps this will be my engagement ring?

Right now I have switched from the Today and Tomorrow ring stack to the Helios ring, since it was recently returned to me after being used as the stand-in proposal ring prop for my friend Suzanne (congrats!). I'm glad to have it back, and I think a solitaire might be more my speed. The problem with me is that I get bored very easily with rings and jewelry in general. I don't actually wear much jewelry anymore (I used to be a real earring girl, and I like a good bangle), so I think it will be an adjustment to start wearing something every day. My job really sort of makes it hard as well, not only am I working with my hands, but I'm also making new and sparkling things all the time.....and the grass is always greener.....

Anyhow, I think I might tweak it, make the upper curves just a little smaller. They don't feel bulky on or really look that way (the picture on the hand is not at all true to life), but I'm afraid they will be too heavy in gold.

Thoughts? Suggestions?