where to rebuild…

by k.obrien jewelry on 11 April 2013

Lately I have been struggling with where I want to call home. The options are endless and include leaving the country. There is a huge part of me that wants to pick up and leave, get to another coast or cross a border to start a new. Will my troubles just follow me there or will a new scenery refresh my life and let me clear my head and rebuild my life? I struggle with these questions daily, just as I come close to packing up my car with my sights set on no destination, just roads to explore to find someplace to call home. 


I keep coming back to these lyrics from a Bob Dylan song, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue...

"Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you...
Strike another match, go start a new..."

More and more I am leaning towards searching for a new place to call home. Until then I will try and recall why I fell in love with Providence to begin with. It will make my stay here a little sweeter. 

happy thursday.
xo, kim


{ 2 comments }

k.obrien jewelry
I make shiny objects with dashes of color. I love nature, it inspires and intrigues me and haunts my jewelry. I love my dog, she couldn't get any darn cuter. My life is pretty great. I love my work and the city I live in. I adore bright pink boots and most any patent leather shoes. I am passionate about buying handmade. When I was a little girl I drew for hours on end which could be why I ended up terribly nearsighted. When I wasn't drawing I was taking apart my old jewelry and putting different pieces together to make into new jewelry. My only regret is not having pliers when I did this.
k.obrien jewelry
k.obrien jewelry
k.obrien jewelry

Latest posts by k.obrien jewelry (see all)

studio shots

by k.obrien jewelry on 10 April 2013

  I have been trying my best to get into a good routine in the studio. My stores have been so kind and patient in requesting my jewelry to replenish their diminished supply. If you have been waiting for some shiny objects with dashes of color at a boutique near you please know they are being made with love. 

Here's a peek at my process. 

 step one: sanding the edges of fine silver discs

 [why yes, that is a hammer in my apron]

 step two: dapping discs

[this slight cupping gives the enamel a home and allows the glass to fuse to metal just a little better]


 step three: sifting glass onto silver

step three: fusing glass to metal with my torch


 here's the crop!
 [this gets me through a long studio day, a soy cappuccino and a coconut macaroon.]

 step four: sanding stray enamel from the edges of silver

 [view of my soldering set up with a nice chuck taylors shot!]

step five: soldering ear posts to my enameled dots

step six: sanding solder and silver to a shine!


[the finished product photographed for my shop.]

 step seven: product packaging

step eight: packing up for shipping. my favorite step!

thanks for taking a peek at my studio shots. 
xo, kim


{ 0 comments }

k.obrien jewelry
I make shiny objects with dashes of color. I love nature, it inspires and intrigues me and haunts my jewelry. I love my dog, she couldn't get any darn cuter. My life is pretty great. I love my work and the city I live in. I adore bright pink boots and most any patent leather shoes. I am passionate about buying handmade. When I was a little girl I drew for hours on end which could be why I ended up terribly nearsighted. When I wasn't drawing I was taking apart my old jewelry and putting different pieces together to make into new jewelry. My only regret is not having pliers when I did this.
k.obrien jewelry
k.obrien jewelry
k.obrien jewelry

Latest posts by k.obrien jewelry (see all)

what I wore: stars and stripes

8 April 2013

This astral crown by giant dwarf may be one of my accessories. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to my day and these days have been calling for some extra shine.This striped shirt is a thrifted find. I will say, it took some courage to…

Read the full article →

stripes, scarves and teal

4 April 2013

Here’s what I’ve been wearing lately… stripeslots of ‘em clashing and not matchingthis new scarfand lots of tealwith my favorite teal accessory being this ume hair clip by the dearest Eling of migration goods. I may very well need an i…

Read the full article →

neighborhood stroll

3 April 2013

Callie girl has been given the okay to start taking strolls. Not only am I delighted to get outside with my girl but I will be back taking pictures again. I am always inspired when I get outside and take in my surroundings. Especially when life is star…

Read the full article →

welcome spring!

2 April 2013

This last sunny Saturday got me out of the house and into a little wooded area on the edge of the city.After a stroll through the dog park we sat by the river to soak up the sun. It was indeed a happy, sun filled Saturday.xo, kimps: how have you been e…

Read the full article →

handmade for me!

25 March 2013

I adore my ume clips made by one of my favorite crafters, Eling, of migration goods.  I couldn’t choose just one, the color combinations are irresistible. And the details are perfect. Thank you sweet Eling for making adorable clips….

Read the full article →

oh teal!

16 March 2013

 There has been a new color popping up in my attire. Teal! It has inspired me to come up with a blue enamel I really love. One that will compliment these poppy red boots. My earrings will need a splash of an accent color. That is just ho…

Read the full article →

moody whites

15 March 2013

With temper mental weather comes moody whites.Spring will come, until then, layer up and cuddle with someone you adore.happy friday!xo, kimps: these pictures are really calling me to experiment with whites in my enamelwork, texture too!Please leave a c…

Read the full article →

studio shots

14 March 2013

I have been trying my best to bust some rump in the studio lately. I buckled down during a snow storm to make some snow earrings for a few orders. I added a load of earrings to enamel for shops too! I haven’t forgotten about my brick and mortars, …

Read the full article →

WordPress Admin