Video Alert: Watch Me Whistle While I Work!

Ever been curious about what goes into making a piece of jewelry? Well, curious-itize no more my friends! I thought I'd share with you all a fun little video I made of myself making one of my signature 'By Heart' Rings from start to finish. So I guess I don't really have much else to say in this post other than, I hope you enjoy my cinematic blog debut :)

Making of the 'By Heart' Ring from Ashley Nizolek on Vimeo.

P.S.- A suer huge thanks to Sarah Daly and Lizzie Mackie for providing the soundtrack to this video :)

Lot's of SALES and Frogs To Kiss

I hope everyone enjoyed the Pumpkin Apple Muffin post from yesterday. I have successfully made myself obsess over the muffins since posting it, so I'll be making another batch very soon :) If you make them too, let me know what you think!

Anyway, my sales in my Etsy Shop have absolutely exploded and I cannot believe it! I can't tell if it's all thanks to my current CraftCult Ad or if the Etsy stars have just decided to align for me, but I'm loving it! So, today will be a very busy day for me! I have much to do in the studio, some sketches of new ring idea's to work on thanks to Amy over at Ponder & Stitch, a visit with my cousin Annie and her cutie patootie, Eliza Doolittle, and even more studio time. I think at some point, my dog would also like to take a walk...so needless to say I have a pretty full day ahead of me...which will most likely bleed into tomorrow as well.

Whilst I am in my studio, working away like a little Christmas Elf who listens to Pearl Jam while working, I leave you with the cuteness that is my little baby, Vemelope Sweetie Pie Lover Lamb Chop aka "Mel", "Mellie", "Melvin", "Melverino", "Drumstick", or any combination of those. I took this shot a couple of years ago when she was just a little squirt. Even at such a young age, she had quite the "thing" for this frog fella.

Mellie, your such a little flirt! Oh, Behave!

Another Day in the Studio with friends...

I've spent the past 2 days working in my studio on new pieces. My time in that space during this stint can be best described as frustrating. Some days, the jewelry gods do not shine down upon me and I spend hours accidentally melting jump rings, burning myself or popping saw blades every 20 seconds or so. These are the days that I begin to really question my ability and can sometimes get pretty down on myself. I know we all visit that place from time to time...

Lucky for me, I never go to the studio without some of my best friends loaded into my fully charged iPod. And by friends I of course mean music/songs etc. I am incredibly moved by all different kinds of music and like anyone else I get into music cycles where I continuously listen to an album, a band, or maybe even a single song on repeat for LONG periods of time. I don't really know why but I begin to identify it with comfort and on some days can't go to sleep unless I've put in a good bit of time listening to whatever it is I've been listening to previously.

Right now, that band is Coldplay. Specifically the "Parachutes" album and "A Rush of Blood to the Head" album. Today in particular I find myself listening to the song "Spies", over and over and over again. It's got this haunting feeling to it that I love so much that it gives me chills from time to time. Such an amazing piece of music that really makes you think.

Anyway, as I head back out to my studio for what I hope is a very productive, non-destructive afternoon of soldering, sanding, oxidizing and polishing, I leave you with the song I will continue to listen to all afternoon, "Spies". Enjoy!