A Stainless Steel Cuff...

...that begs to be worn...

 I became interested in chain mail while doing a necklace restoration project for a friend of mine. In trying to find a replacement for the chain that over time had become damaged on the necklace, I realized that I would have to make the chain myself. The project it self is a permanent page on this blog.

Since then I have been weaving chain mail working with different size, shape and gauge metal rings. I love how the same pattern can look and feel so different depending on the type of ring that is used.

This is a cuff I just finished using the Euro 4 in 1 weave using 16g, stainless steel, square wire. I finished the bracelet with a sliding clasp so that it fits like a cuff. 

This bracelet will be listed soon in my Body Armor line as a custom order so that it can be sized to fit the wearer's wrist perfectly.  Follow the link below to see my other Body Armor designs for the neck, ankle, hand and shoulders.



Moon Stone Chainmaille Asymmetrical Body Armor Necklace



My walk along Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi, Vietnam

Today we set out on a walk along the railway tracks behind our apartment which leads to the Long Bien Bridge. It is amazing to see houses built right up to the tracks. When the train goes by there is only a sidewalk span of space, which is the shared stoop for the row of houses, between them and the roaring train. Yet people carry on with cooking, washing and other day to day things without really taking notice of the train on their doorstep. Walking along the train tracks I could see right into the houses and observe the lifestyle of the Vietnamese people that lived there.

The Long Bien Bridge crosses the Red River and you can see houseboats on the water. The train runs down the middle of the bridge with roadways on either side for motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians. It was a nice walk of about 1 1/2 miles across. There were a couple of sections where the bridge got wider and locals had baskets selling fresh fruits, veggies and various types of seafood (some of the fish were still gasping).

You can see the newer bridges used for larger vehicles, cars and of course the ever present motorbikes, to cross from the "city" of Hanoi to the quieter outskirts of Hanoi City in the background.

  Here's a bit of the bridge's history...

It was built in 1903 by the architects of Daydé & Pillé, a French company. Before Vietnam's independence in 1954, it was called Doumer Bridge, named after Paul Doumer - The Governor-General of French Indochina and then French president. It was, at that time, one of the longest bridges in Asia with the length of 2,500 m.[1] For the French colonial government, the construction was of strategic importance in securing control of northern Vietnam. From 1899 to 1902, more than 3,000 Vietnamese took part in the construction.

It was heavily bombarded during Vietnam War due to its critical position (the only bridge at that time across the Red River and connect Hanoi to the main port Haiphong). The first attack took place in 1967, and the center span of the bridge was felled by an attack by 20 USAF F-105 Fighters[2]. The defense of Long Bien Bridge continues to play a large role in Hanoi’s self-image and is often extolled in poetry and song. It was rendered unusable for a year when, in May 1972, it fell victim to one of the first co-ordinated attacks using laser-guided "smart bombs".

The bridge now stands like a patched-up war veteran. Some parts of the original structure remain intact, while large sections have clearly been built later to repair the holes. In this way the bridge is a strong visual expression of history. Only half of the bridge retains its original shape. A project with support and loan from the French government is currently in progress to restore the bridge to its original appearance.

Today trains, mopeds, bicycles and pedestrians use the dilapidated bridge, while all other traffic is diverted to the nearby Chuong Duong Bridge and some newly built bridges: Thanh Tri Bridge, Thang Long Bridge, Vinh Tuy Bridge, and Nhat Tan Bridge.

...a warm bowl of soup on a winter's day

Butternut Squash Soup w/ Lime, Garlic and Ginger

1T unsalted butter (I used salted)
1 Spanish (or yellow) onion
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1T peeled, coarsely chopped fresh ginger
1 butternut squash (approx. 2 – 2 ½ lbs.) peeled, seeded and chopped (smallish cubes)
*I added a couple of carrots, cut the same size as the squash cubes
5 cups fat free chicken stock
Pinch of brown sugar
¼ cup fresh lime juice
Fresh lime slices for garnish

Place a heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium heat and when it is hot, add butter.


When butter is melted, add the onion, garlic and ginger; cook until tender and lightly colored, about 10 minutes.


Add the butternut squash, chicken stock and sugar; raise the heat to high and bring to boil.


Lower the heat to low and cook until the squash is very tender, about 20-25 minutes depending on size of cubed squash.


Remove the solids and place in a blender and blend until smooth. (I used a ricer but you could also mash by hand for more texture)


Gradually mix in the cooking liquid and lime juice to desired consistency.


Serve immediately garnished with lime slices (or cover and refrigerate up to three days)

Yield: 8 – 10 cups, Approx. 1 – 1 ½ hour preparation time.

Primative Boho Statement Necklace

...Loamy Green Moss Agate Pinned with Gunmetal Chain

Natural Raw Moss Agate stones hand wrapped with gunmetal wire are linked in pairs by multiple strands of gunmetal chain. A gunmetal kilt pin fastens the necklace and can be positioned various ways.  Total Length: 20 ½ inches.

My personal favorite is to arrange the necklace so that the kilt pin sits along the collar bone giving, asymmetrically, fashionably primitive. Moss Agate is a variety of chalcedony with dark greenish mossy markings, used as a gemstone.

...soon to be listed in my online Etsy, Art Fire & Facebook Shops :)

China...a funny little cat who need a loving home



China & Jeanne

 China is about 10 years old and female. I got her from a rescue shelter 4 years ago. She was born with a cleft pallet and has an ear/nose/throat issue which is why I could not bring her to Vietnam with me. She is accustomed to living with other animals both other cats and small dogs although she is a queen bee by nature. If you are interested in adopting a rescue pet contact me on Facebook

I love a good ear scratch...

China may have been abused at some point and may take a minute to warm up to people but is extremely loving. Basically if she is warm and taken care of she will sleep all day with short breaks to lick your face and get a little snack. She needs her eyes cleaned with a tissue or warm damp wash cloth if they are bad or else they get gunked up and she cannot see all that well. She has a tendency to scratch herself silly when she is upset and is very vocal if she is not happy. She is accustomed to living with other animals both other cats and small dogs although she is a queen bee by nature.

...oh my, was I drooling!

Special thanks to my good friends Jeanne and Billy for re-rescuing China who was abandoned in an empty apartment by the person who adopted her when I left for Vietnam. She will be taken to a rescue shelter in Doraville, Georgia "Fur Kids". They will make sure she is given any necessary medical treatment, look after her until she can be placed in a good home with someone who will love her just as much as I do.

Sneak Peep at my Spring 2011 Jewelry Designs

The "fall/winter" weather I am accustomed to has finally reached Hanoi, Vietnam so of course I am thinking of spring. This fall I introduced my "Body Armor" line for Phoenix Design Artisan Jewelry while I was still back in the states. While I have been acclimating to life in Hanoi I have been teaching myself new chain mail weaves and contemplating the direction I want my jewelry designs to go in moving forward into the New Year. Below is an excerpt from one of the blogs that I follow forecasting trends for Spring 2011.

Though 2011 will see us move still further from the economic woes of recent history, don't expect a massive change in the tangent of fashion: the major excesses of the last decade are gone, and 2011 will see us, rightfully, continue on with a drive of subtle consumption mixed with obvious quality. 2011 fashion trends will accomodate the fact that we'll be buying less but spending more. That means less bland, and more quality. Fewer indulgences, but better statement pieces. - Rebloged from Fashionising.com

I just finished these three new statement pieces and I am really pleased with the result. The designs below feature a mixture of various types of chain and chainmaille with natural semi-precious gemstones like the hand cut faceted moonstone and free form amethyst.

Silver Night, Silent Night - Christmas Gift Idea

Christmas in Silver Collection as seen on Art Fire

I was drawn to these "Eco friendly knitted cuffs" when I was checking out this collection on Art Fire so I thought I would share.

I enjoy knitting but having just gotten settled enough in my new home in Vietnam have not had the time to knit and now I cannot find my needles, Oh well. I love these delicate coils that can be worn stacked together or independently. Follow the link above to check them out :)

Ho Chi Minh Trip

Warm Winter Finds on Artfire

Cabled Mug Cozy
by A Stitch in Time on Art Fire

I found this on an Art Fire collection I am part of and the color and warmth of this piece spoke to me so I thought I would share...

To check out the entire collection follow this link, there are many great Christmas present possibilitys :)

Spring Forward 2011

Looking forward to what is in store for Spring 2011? I have been following Fashionising's Trend Report and love the new fashion trend "loungerie" but what does one wear with this trend and how can one have fun and follow the latest up to the moment trends without breaking the bank?  The answer may be to go for a couple of quality key statement pieces that can multi-task. We are so often asked to multi-task in every other part of our lives, so why should our accessories not do the same. I love this belt/necklace that combines statement worthy draped chains with vintage inspired floral components.

Rose Gold Pansy belt/necklace by Tuleste Market 

How will you wear yours, chains slung round the waist and pansy's resting on the hips like a Greek goddess. Or as a statement necklace gold chains and pretty pansy's resting on the collarbone.

Singapore Early November Trip I

New Addition to my Body Armor Line

Athena Shimmering Silver & Pearl Medallion Shoulder Harness

 In Greek mythology Athena was known as the goddess of war, civilization, wisdom, strength, strategy, crafts, justice and skill as well as a shrewd companion of heros and the goddess of heroic endeavor. 

...may she that wears this "one of a kind" shoulder harness draw from the strenghts of it's namesake to accomplish her own heroic endeavor whatever that may be. 

I have crafted this piece using two up-cycled silver earrings set with a rhinestone center surrounded by pearls from my grandmothers from my grandmothers estate as end caps on the front and back of the shoulder, gunmetal disks run between these medallions which are strung between two uniquely twisted link gunmetal lenghts of chain. Three types of silver and gunmetal chain drape the top of the arm and a sturdy silver chain secures the harness beneath the arm with an adjustable vintage silver glass pearl charmed extender.

I love this piece and will be listing it soon in both my Etsy and Art Fire Shops.

Settling into life in Hanoi, Vietnam...the first three weeks.

My new favorite breakfast:

 

Phở (often written pho in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom)




is a Vietnamese noodle soup, usually served with beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga).



Street Life seen when eating breakfast



 Exotic fruits and Green Tea Moon Cake with Egg:

Dragon Fruit (Round, often red colored fruit with prominent scales. The thin rind encloses the large mass of sweetly flavored white meat with black seeds, tastes similar to kiwi fruit), Ugly Ponelo (local grapefruit), Moon Cakes are sold/given to celebrate the 10,000 year fesival 10.10.2010.

My Hanoi Apartment




Street View: We are on the 6th floor

 


Apartment Lobby

  

Street Entrance





Building Entrance





Hustle and Bustle of the City



Light Traffic, Scooters/Motor bikes are the preferred mode of trasportation.




Many people wear masks due to the dust of new construction.




My prefered way to travel is to take a Scooter ride vs. a cab!



An easy way of life...

...Living the Dream in Hanoi, Vietnam

Scooter the jet set Cat...

Scooter's Preflight check up...

...i will not publish his post flight pics but wish us luck on our journey!

We are on the way my love, Viet Nam here we come!!

New Addition Autumn 2010 & Espresso Coffee Quartz Series Private Collection

New Additions Autumn 2010

Relocation Countdown!

Only Four Days Left to take advantage of my current low shipping rates US $3.00 US to US $5.00 for Everywhere Else!

Convertable Mother of Pearl, Gold Chain,Necklace/ Shoulder Piece/Back Accent

On September 6th I will be temporarily closed while I am  relocating to

Paris, France via Hanoi,Vietnam.

Jet Black, Silver Frilled Tulle Collar Silver Pearl Charmed Chain

Shops will reopen once I am settled in &

 have researched the local shipping options

Tart Apple Green Chalcedony Briolette 5 Strand Sterling Silver Necklace

Updates will be posted on this blog along with posts and pictures of my travels as I begin the adventure of a life time with the man of my dreams :)

Gold Chain Maille/Mail Breastplate Body Harness/Body Armor

Thank you for visiting, see you soon!