Ways to say "I Love You"

I hear that Valentine's Day is on its way. This has never been a holiday that my husband and I have really celebrated...at least not in a very traditional way.

Last year for instance, hubby surprised me by coming home and telling me to get ready to go out to dinner and that we could go any where I wanted to go. Any where?

Well my job is not exactly the type you dress up for as I end up most days covered in polishing compound and metal shards and I was really not feeling like changing. I also was hungry and didn't feel like waiting for a table which is almost impossible on Valentine's Day. My only solution to this....SPORTS BAR!

So we headed on over to the sports bar around the corner and were seated immediately. (Shockingly no one goes to places like this on Valentine's Day....no one but us) Guess what! It was all you could eat wing night! Amazing right?!?!

That night I told my husband I loved him over greasy chicken wing fingers and whatever  beers were on special that night, by making this for him.

It was the kind of romance that spoke right to my man's heart.

I have talked about it before, but I have found myself creating necklaces these days with seemingly random thoughts stamped on them. If you knew me, you would know they are not random but the deep, true loves in my life. I will stay on this course as long as I can come up with meaningful things to say like my newest piece...

Now tell me, what could say "I Love You" better than this? I would love to hear the ways you all say "I Love You".  Well, the innocent way that is. 

Tutorial: Tree Pendant

The tree pendant, something I have made since college and I still love making it!

Here is what you need: metal sheet (sterling, brass, copper etc), saw frame plus blades o/2, texture stamp or tool, flexshaft, drill bits, metal files, sandpaper, bench pin, hammer, jump ring, chain (ribbon or cord works too).

Here is how to make it...

Step 1: Draw the shape that you would like your pendant to be and cut that shape out of your metal sheet. I am using 22 gauge sterling silver sheet.

Step 2: Using a pencil, draw the basic shape of your tree onto the shape you just cut out. Then drill a hole inside your tree. Make sure it is large enough so you can thread your saw blade through like so...

Step 4: Carefully cut your tree from your pendant. This is known as piercing. Be careful when cutting the branches not to turn your saw blade faster than your metal or you will break your saw blade as I have done a million times. It is no big deal, they break all the time but it can be very frustrating!

Step 5: Once you have pierced your tree it is time to create the leaves....of course you could opt to stop there and have a winter tree. If you choose to move ahead, select the texture you would like your leaves to be. My tool of choice is unconventional. It is a big wax file that has a tip broken off of it. I love the foliage it give me.

Step 6: Now file and sand you edges down so they are nice and smooth and choose your finish for the pendant. I prefer a brushed finish on my pieces. Drill a hole where you would like your pendant to hang from the chain, cord or ribbon.

Step 7: WEAR IT!!