The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles: fine silver

Showing posts with label fine silver. Show all posts

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Prehnite Teardrops Earrings...

Prehnite Teardrops
Originally uploaded by Dancing Monkey Jewelry

More jewelry waiting to be posted in my Etsy shop.

Faceted teardrop shaped prehnite beads dangle from hand formed fine silver French ear wires. The silver has been oxidized and have lovely warm patina.

Triple Treat Earrings

Triple Treat
Originally uploaded by Dancing Monkey Jewelry

More jewelry that I am planning on posting in my Etsy shop.

Three white freshwater pearls are stack neatly one upon another. They are dangling from hand formed French ear wires and have been oxidized - which contrasts nicely with the whiteness of the pearls.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Dancing Monkey Jewelry

How would I describe my jewelry? I could do it in two words: Funky Elegance. I love the jewelry in the Sundance Catalog - to me it's the epitome of funky, artistic, sophisticated jewelry.
Many times I've looked at their jewelry and have fallen in love with a particular piece and then looked at the price - most of it was prohibitively expensive. Then I took a few jewelry classes, learned some simple wire-wrapping techniques and the next time I looked in the Sundance Catalog I noticed that those artists were using the same techniques that I had learned to do. So, now when I look at the catalog I alway think "I can do that."

While Sundance was a source of inspiration of mine at one time, I've gone on to find my own style. One that is simple, with uncomplicated lines, but elegant and organic.

The materials I like to work with are sterling or fine silver, Precious Metal Clay (totally awesome stuff), semi-precious stones (Chalcedony, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Peridot, Citrine and Poppy Jasper are some of my favorites), and freshwater pearls.

I would describe myself as partly trained and mostly self-taught. I've taken all of my classes at The Bead Factory, in Tacoma WA. They are such an awesome business I don't mind putting their name on my blog. You should check them out www.thebeadfactory.com.

The Recipe of the Week - March 3, 2008

I love spicy, savory foods with complex flavors - and this recipe provides all that. However, this recipe takes time to prepare because you'll will have to marinate the chicken for 4 hours at the least, preferably overnight to infuse it with as much flavor as possible. It might sound like trouble but I guarantee it's worth the time. This is a delicious recipe.

In our house, couscous is a favorite side dish. Add a spinach salad with chopped dates, pecans, crumbled goat cheese and a orange vinaigrette dressing and you've got yourself a fantastic dinner.

So, here's my first recipe.

Moroccan Chicken

10 minutes to prepare marinade. 4 - 24 hours to marinade chicken. Approximately 55 minutes to cook chicken at 350 degrees. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 pounds chicken, pieces (breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks)

2 teaspoon orange peel

1/2 cup(s) orange juice

1 tablespoon oil, olive

1 tablespoon ginger, fresh

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon cumin, ground

1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground

1/4 teaspoon pepper, red, crushed

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoon orange juice

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag set in a deep dish. For marinade, in a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup orange juice, the olive oil, ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, and salt. Pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together orange peel, honey, and the 2 teaspoons orange juice.

3. Drain the chicken, discarding the marinade..Place chicken, skinned sides up, on lightly greased broiler pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is done (170°F for breast halves; 180°F for thighs and drumsticks); brush occasionally with honey mixture during the last 10 minutes of baking. If the chicken is starting to get too dark, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent it from getting browner.

.

The Dancing Monkey Jewelry Chronicles

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Prehnite Teardrops Earrings...

Triple Treat Earrings

Dancing Monkey Jewelry Monthy Shop Specials

About Me

Dancing Monkey Jewelry

What You Will Find In My Etsy Shop

iCraft.ca - A New Web Site Featuring My Jewelry

Resource Center

We Love Etsy

Etsy Sellers Who Blog

Seattle's EtsyRain!

Slideshow

Some of My Favorites Shops on Etsy

My favorite blogs - worth the click to visit:

Sign My Guestbook!!!

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed

The Recipe of the Week - March 3, 2008

Blog Archive