Sunday, July 10, 2011

Rattlesnake Walking Stick Is Progressing

Just added a couple more pics to the walking stick project page. The head is starting to take shape and the body is even more vivid. Been really busy with the gardens. Alfalfa is planted. Garlic and Sweet Peas have been harvested. And weeds, weeds, weeds have been pulled! The chickens get a lot of the fresh weeds so they're happy!

Finally, the long awaited pics of Itty Bitty Kitty and her babies are here!


Well, not the best pics around but at least you can tell they are cats.

See you later

MichaelJamesoa

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Itty Bitty Kitty Walking Stick

Sorry for the time past since the last post. Itty Bitty Kitty ended up with only the four babies we had at last posting. Three are Yellow/Gold in color with a little white and one is slightly calico with Black, White and Gold coloring. Mommy and babies are all doing fine. In honor of Itty Bitty Kittys' blessed event I've decided to start looking for a tree branch that will support Kitty carving(s). If any of you are cat fanciers and in need of a walking stick let me know what you might like to see on a stick.

Update pics for the rattlesnake stick are on the project page. Haven't had a lot of time to work on it or any jewelry since its planting time. So far we have Broccoli, Onions, Garlic, Red and White Potatoes, Celery, Horse Radish, Red Radish, Peas, Lima Beans, French Horticulture Beans, String Beans, Cabbages, Spinach, Water Melons, Cantelopes, Tomatoes, Hot peppers and Sweet peppers in the ground.



Plus a few other things I've forgotten. Next in is a plot of Alfalfa to feed our rabbits and chickens. Sure will be glad when it's all planted so we can have a little time off before we start harvest, canning, etc. And I mean just a little time! Garlic is already to harvest in a few days and onions aren't far behind. Oh, here is a new pendant I just finished. Gold fill wire wrapped Dichroic Glass. This is a large pendant measuring 65mm top tip to bottom and 30mm wide. The Dichroic glass is 40mm high and 29mm wide. At first it appears the glass is dark blue, but held up to the light it actually is dark purple. This is a gorgeous piece in person and a one-of-a-kind irregular shape item.
There is a second picture of this gem in the Currently for Sale page. Go see it!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

IT'S A BOY! AND A GIRL AND A......

ITTY BITTY KITTY IS A MOM!!!! 1ST ONE BORN TODAY SATURDAY JUNE 25, 2011 AT 3:42P.M..

Seems like she is an old pro at this birthing thing, even though this is the first time. It's now 5:50p.m. and there are four babies nursing. Itty Bitty Kitty is doing just great but shes meowing again so maybe there's more on the way. Pics to follow soon.

Michael James of Arizona

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Update on the New Walking Stick project

Happy Fathers' Day!

Don't have a lot to say today but I wanted to update you on the new walking stick project. After much contemplation and a sip or two of Bud, I decided to carve the top of the stick into a rattlesnake with its mouth open in attack mode. The bottom half of the stick will be opened up to create a four post cage and lighten the stick. I've also decided that this stick should lend itself to a little shorter user so I reduced the length of the shabby tree branch by about fourteen inches. Check out the New Walking Stick project page for new pics and a narrative on what I've done so far. Next week I will add pages on a couple of other sticks I have been working on. One is a parrot in the jungle motif and the other is an elephant in the tall grasses. Both of those sticks include silver smithing and lapidary work which I also do. Also, check out the new page on Jewelry currently on sale. Only a few items now as my camera broke and I have to wait til I can get it fixed to add more items.

God Bless,

Michael James o.a.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

A NEW WALKING STICK PROJECT

Good morning to you all!
Today I'm going to start a new walking stick project.  I think some of you may enjoy following along as the stick is being transformed from a shabby looking tree branch into a work of art so I am starting a new page called projects and I will post pics to it as we progress.  Since I live at an altitude of 5300 feet I am blessed with property that is covered with Cedar, Juniper and Pinion Pine trees.  The Juniper trees make the best walking sticks if you can find a piece that fits your length and diameter requirements.  Many people think that a walking stick is just a straight piece of wood you might carry around with you.  I go a little further with my definition of a walking stick to describe it as a life long companion and the focus of many conversations.  To my way of thinking if I'm going to carry a stick around it better do more than weigh me down!  It needs to be a statement and a reflection of who I am.  It needs to be unique and eye-catching ......and I think you will see that my walking sticks are.  Here is a pic of the simplest stick I have carved so far.



The top picture, of course, shows the whole stick. The center shows the hand carved and wood burned and painted decorative band with the feather and thong drop.
The third pic shows the natural whales eye feature of the Juniper stick. The finish on this stick is all natural. The surface has been burnished with a hard polished stone to harden and shine the wood. Over time the color of the stick will darken slightly to a more yellow/amber tone. All of my walking sticks are signed and numbered and owners are placed in a registry. And finally, here is a picture of the branch I will use to start this next project.


I have not decided what the subject of the stick will be yet so I am going to close for now, pop the top on a cold Bud and contemplate just what the subject of the stick should be.

Michael James of Arizona

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A New Beginning

Welcome to my blog! I am Michael James of Arizona. I design and make jewelry.  I also carve, wood burn and hand paint walking sticks.  My wife and I live forty miles from the closest town in the high country of Northwest Arizona, U.S.A. We live in tune with mother nature growing our own "better than organic" vegetables, chickens, rabbits. We would like to share the simple products of our efforts with all of you who visit this site. Primarily this will be a blog about jewelry, gemstones, and any natural item that strikes our fancy. But I warn you I have a tendency to switch from gemstones to solar power and alternative energy at a moments notice so don't be surprised at what pops up here.

For now I will close. Hope you will come back often to see what we've come up with.

Michael James