I have a thing for books. I have always had a thing for books.  
Believe it or not, I really did not enjoy reading until I was in the 4th grade. I think it was probably due to the dyslexia which was not really identified until I was in college but looking back it makes perfect sense. 

And what got me to read? My father gave me an anthology book called Without Sorcery by Theodore Sturgeon with an introduction by Ray Bradbury.  Should this have been given to a 10 year old - who cares cause I loved it and from then on I was hooked. I LOVE READING. I can read a book a week if left to it. But I am veering off track.

If you read by personal blog you might know that I also sew (clothing and quilting), knit, weave, hand embroideryand do many other fiber arts; and along the way I buy books. I have the shelves in my studio/office organized by subject. quilting/sewing, temari, embroidery, weaving, knitting. Then there are the other subjects: Japanese arts, art deco, art nouveau, celtic design, pocket watches, antique purses (Whiting & Co.), engineering/science/technology, history, and of course METAL WORK which keeps growing. 

In actuality the metal books have now become the biggest subject and so it is time I rearrange the book shelves and reposition the shelves so the tall books can fit.  I originally had the sewing/quilting on the top shelf on the left and metals on the next two shelves.   In the right hand bookcase I had the weaving, knitting, temari, and some other random subjects. The lowest two shelves had the engineering and history stuff since I don't use them as much anymore and some fiction books.  

I have now moved all the NON-metal subjects to the right hand bookcase and all the metal is now in the lefthand bookcase. The fiction books are being given to the library as are many of the history of science and technology (I had started to work on a PhD in that subject years ago but have since moved on).  This is an in-process picture of the books being moved and shuffled. 

Wondering what metal books I have? Well, head over to my library page to have look as this is long!

Oh, and if you are with me when I go to a bookstore (new or used) be warned, I will be in there for at least an hour, if not two or three and I will leave with a bag of books too!

This showed up in the "Contact The Silversmith" form in my website.
Isn't it interesting that for $3,500 I get to set up a booth and schmooze with "celebrities".  If my knowledge of these things is correct, if a celebrity likes your stuff, they would like to get it for FREEEEE. Oh, and notice the wording "..will be asked to endorse.." there is no obligation on their part to do so and I would assume the might only do it in exchange for that gift you gave them.  If you add up the cost of the booth and the cost to make the stuff you have in the booth, and then to give it to them, this can be a pretty pricey deal. 

BUT then again, if there are pictures of your stuff,  and you with them (oooh, how exciting!) it can pay off, yet I wonder if it really does.   Hey, this is a write-off isn't it?? 

Some how this reminds me of the Publishers Clearing House ads - "You may be a winner!". 

This past weekend I taught the crumpled cuff workshop at the Palomar Gem & Mineral Club.
I had three students in attendance and one teaching assistant (Diane).  The workshop was held over two days so we did not have to rush to finish.

Besides learning how to make the cuff we worked on stick soldering. Everyone did great and I was able to make a cuff as the "teaching" sample as we went along and Diane was also able to make one. 

Here are some pictures.

Yup, it is open topic today. 

Actually I don't have much to write about this week cause the day job took over my life this week and I spent 14 hours yesterday trying to finish a complete code re-write of a module.  Which I did YEAH me but it has left me a bit tired and brain dead. 

I am pondering the Sea Urchin II, designing a pair of earrings, and what the next chasing challenge will be in the Chasing & Repousse FB group will be. See, I am doing something.

See you all soon.