I forgot to post these photos of rings I recently made–the bezel practice continues!  That said, these are a few pieces that I would actually wear.  I’m working on adding flourishes to this style ring (granules, flowers, cuts into the ring shank, etc.).  Trying to work anything ornamental around a bezel is tricky–you need room to push the bezel to the cab, but once you do that, you can’t heat the ring again for fear of cracking or discoloring your stone. For these rings, I made the ring shank, as well as the bezel cups:

Petrified wood, sterling silver, copper

Sterling and fine silver

Sterling silver and hammered copper

This ring was my first attempt to use half-round wire for the shank. I like the way it lays, but I had to file a flat surface to set the bezel cup.

Chrysoprase, sterling silver

With only 20 random hits a day, really, this is for you, Jennifer!

My friend, Jennifer, has a post called “Is there anything left to invent?” for a seatbelt product called–get this–the Tiddy Bear. I have another one to add to the list: The Chococlock.

From the website:

“This stylish retro-modern timepiece is a bit like a cuckoo clock but when its shutters open, on the hour every hour, it delivers a scrumptious chocolate treat to the tune of the ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’. You then have 30 seconds to retrieve your reward before the clock snatches it back. Loo break? Forget it. “

We have 8 of these…I can’t believe it! There are a type of Kabocha squash–I’m not sure what is up with the oblong shape–maybe they eventually flatten out? Or maybe this is what Missouri summers do to squash? Either way, we’re so happy…if only fall weren’t early this year. Figures!

Oh, and there are two pumpkins turning, three total.  We’ve never been able to grow pumpkins before.  Yay!!!

No canning today, just picking fruit from our grape tree.