Kalaya Steede

but finding myself back where I started... causing suffering to others and then myself... I stray from the path... but to find myself again... ॐ mary jane you are such an inspiration... Namaste Kalaya

For the follow up (2014) on jump ring makers go here . Introducing Pepe's new AND improved Jump Ring maker... When I received my new jump ring maker I knew the new model was more compact but did not expect it to be so unstable.  It was precarious but I accepted it.  After all I will have jump rings galore with a single swipe!  The outcome outweighed the little difference and yes...I am lazy!  hahaha!!! To the bench I go to test things out. Test No. 1 The first set of jump rings turned out great!  I was satisfied.   ☺ I then received an email saying that the top plate (cover) that came with the system was too thick and needed to be replaced.  Okay.   I receive the new plate but did not test it out until some friends were over and wanted a demo.  Well...it was difficult to place the handpiece collar over the plate.  It did not fit over the coil holding device very well.  I had to finagle it to go in ...

cause Kalaya wants to come out and play!   It is just as well that it is raining because I really need to be in the studio anyway and has it really been two weeks without a post?  For the last two weeks all I have been doing is playing, playing, and then played some more!  Hehehe!!! And here I am...Wednesday, April 3rd with only 2 1/2 days left until Freret Fest this Saturday! My latest creation is for that Starbucks junkie in your life. Click on the picture below to find out all about Freret Street Festival. I will be there with a few of my 200+ artist friends strutting their stuff.  Here is a preview... Alison Ford Metals NOLA Breeze Art Libellula Jewelry Bead Dat And of course myself... A Bit Of Mexico In My Heart Next post will be about how to make bezel wire.  So come back and visit me! Have a great Hump Day! ♥ Namaste Kalaya

even in the kitchen! Before I continue let me just say the kitchen is the last place I would ever want to be.   That is my Hobo's domain.  My excuse is that I am a scientist and therefore, I cook all day in the lab.  However, in my search for healthy, good tasting food I have retreated into the kitchen.   Today I introduce you to a spicy hummus recipe my friend, Jacque (♥ her), gave me and it is so delish that I just have to share it with you all!   I have prepared it several times but with a not so good blender and it was most frustrating.   Today I will test out the... NINJA! First the ingredients... First I roasted my own pine nuts in an oven set at 400°F for ~5 minutes. Place the following ingredients in a blender... 2 cans chick peas drained (save the juice) 2 Tbsp tahini 1/2 c fresh lemon juice (I used ~2/3 or 3 lemons) 2 garlic cloves 1 large jalapeño (including seeds) 1/2 c roasted pine ...

I think these are the most fun things I have made this month or was that last month? Have you guessed what they are yet?  Yes, they are money clips made from brass and copper and found objects.   I think the hardest part of the whole process was cutting out the blanks.  Talk about arm fatigue and these were only 20 gauge! At the market someone asked if I made the one on the right out of a ruler.  Hmm...what an interesting thought but no.   I took a bullet casing and sawed off the top which is not for light weights.  I have to use the force to decide where I place my saw blade because being too far up means sawing more and who wants to do that?!  The reason being is as you move up the casing the metal gets thicker somehow.  Also, while I am sawing I often wonder if the casing is going to blow up or something which is totally ridic!   After sawing the blank I file, anneal, clean, and patina.  Riveting is alway...

at Freret Market !!! Oh what a day it was... Music, cool weather, old friends, new friends, and just enjoying that journey. Getting ready for the market. Inventory    ✓  Tables  ✓  Tent   ✓ Display cases...somewhat checked Table cloths...not checked at ALL! I headed out Thursday morning to make my "chocolate table cloth". $60 to make it myself...NO!  Strike #1 Walmart...NADA!  Strike #2 Was I panicking?  Believe it or not I was not. Target...Oh YEAH! I wanted to try to keep my booth display costs as low as possible and that I did.  The cloths were on sale for $4!  Can you believe it?  Total cost for table cloths...$12!  Friday I spent a good bit of time ironing out those creases.  Who does that anyway? Now it was time for the market... 10 am...claim your spot and set up! That EZtent was not so easy but my friends managed to put it up with some help from some seasoned ...

Happy Hump, Hump Day! So far my morning has been pretty calm.  It is the calm before the storm.   I am currently getting ready for my first Art Market this Saturday...EEEEEeeee!!! Yesterday I finished up making some torch fired enamel earrings.  First you must frost zee cake. Then you must torch zee cake. Now...listen closely...next you MUST play a bit! hahaha!!!  I kill myself sometimes! Okay now lets get serious...NO NEVER! I also worked on my booth display. I decided to bring in the tables (after freaking out the night before) and play with my display.  Monday night I was trying to visualize my booth and how I would display everything and it just did not flow!  Maybe it was because I was trying to force things and that does not often work for me.  So I dragged the two tables out into the studio and went to work. You must imagine it with a chocolate cloth draping over the tables with a cream colored runn...