I'm really proud of this.

I made this. It's a Byzantine chain maille weave necklace with chain rollers from a bicycle chain, made from 4mm jump rings. I created the flower pendant too...from chain rollers and jump rings.

I love this necklace...it's gorgeous.

Oh Dollar Tree, How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways...

1. Today I got "ornament holders" for...yep! $1 each. Cuz it's the Dollar store, doncha know.

2. Today I got TEN tiny little containers to put my jewelry shit in. Guess how much? ONE LITTLE DOLLAR!!

3. Today I got some fake pine garland shit so I can hang ornaments on it to take pictures. It was....A DOLLAR!

How can you not love Dollar Tree?

BTW...the ornament holders are going to double as jewelry holders after the holy-days.

Dollar Tree: Me love you long time.

NC State Farmers Market Fall Craft Fair

So I got into the Fall Craft Fair. YAY!

I got the email last night saying I'm in. Only one little issue, which may or may not be an issue at all - I'm not under the covered area. My Mom is bringing me one of those collapsible tent thingies, so hopefully that will work out.

I'm concerned that I don't have enough stock. I didn't want to make too much because I wasn't sure I'd be accepted; but now that I know I'm in, I need to make more stuff. Unfortunately, it's been a shitty few days that have left me feeling less than creative. And I'm one of those people who have a really hard time creating when I don't feel creative. I think part of it is my meds - I started taking the AD every other day instead of every day and I think it's catching up to me and my body is realizing that it's not enough. I'm going to go back to daily, I think.

Anyway, I need to make stuff. And get stuff together to take with me.

Just because I can...

...shameless plug for my bike jewelry!

Click HERE to go to my website!

Sports Photography

Ok...I'm not a sports photographer by any stretch. Today's race, the Huck-a-Buck at Lake Crabtree, was by FAR the most difficult race to shoot of the 3 I've done. The other 2 were up at Carolina North Forest, near Chapel Hill, NC.

Why was this race so difficult for me to shoot? A couple reasons, I think. Firstly, it is VERY shaded there. As in so shaded that what sunlight gets through is dappled and not consistent. I didn't walk the whole race course, but from what I know of Crabtree, there really aren't any places that get good open shade light. It's either full sunlight (which I would have paid for today) or the dappled stuff I mentioned. So I was at a bit of a disadvantage already as I don't have good low light equipment. I can use my 50mm prime lens, which stops down to 1.8, but then I'm limited in my range because it only has one option - 50mm. My 18 - 55mm lens stops down to 3.5/5.6, but I had a hard time with that as well for most of the morning, unless I bumped my ISO up to 400...which is what I ended up doing. I have a long lens, but it has the same max f/stop as the 18 - 55.

So the other thing I could have done was use my flash. And I did on occasion, but the problem with my flash is that it takes a bit for the flash to recharge, and mountain biking is fast paced stuff. You can't sit there and wait for your flash to recharge and not miss stuff. I'm referring to my on-camera flash, btw. I have a small hot shoe flash, but I don't think it recharges very quickly either. I just got it, so I'm not for sure about it.

So I saw all these other people taking photos and was almost embarrassed at my equipment. Then I reminded myself that it is not the equipment that makes the shot, but the person using the equipment and whether they know what they are doing. Not that I always know, but I try, and I've learned a lot in the past few months. One thing I did notice was that most of them had hot shoe flashes, and what looked like diffusers over them. They had the kind that could be swiveled up and down for better light control - mine doesn't swivel. It's just a little guy a bit more powerful than the on-camera.

Something else that I did notice...and maybe it's just me being me...I like to move around when I shoot. Try different angles, get nice panning shots, etc. A couple of the photogs I saw there were literally in one spot for the entire race (3+ hours) - with the exception of going to the starting line at each stage of the race. I don't understand that...I'm not knocking it, I'm just trying to figure out how that could be fun for them. To get the same shot every time. My question then becomes, is that what "real" photography is about? Getting the perfect shot? Or is it about trying different things? Or maybe it's just personal preference.

Anyway, I had a good time despite the fucking heat...it was OPPRESSIVE today. I got lots of good shots and met some new people, got to hang with some people I don't get to see often. It was good.

I'm just sorry I didn't catch Kim before she left so I could give her the bracelet...that I actually brought this time. ;)

Check out the awesome write up at singletracks.com!

I'm really excited about this.

For those who don't want to click, here's the text:

Bike Part Jewelry from Designs by Jodey
posted July 24, 2009 by mudhunny


I’ve always been proud to show off my wounds and scars from mountain bike crashes, but there is actually a much easier way to show off my love for the sport. Bike part jewelry is a really unique way to take a little bit of your mountain bike with you (literally) anywhere you choose to wear it and it makes for a great gift too.

I was super excited to see the wide variety of handcrafted jewelry designs that Designs by Jodey has created from bike parts. Jodey, a mountain biker herself, makes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, bookmarks, and keychains out of new and used bike parts. It was hard to decide on just one piece but I finally chose a custom sized Double Row Chain Link Bracelet. The chain link is such a classic and obvious representation of a bicycle part - I didn’t want anyone to mistake this as just another ordinary bracelet.

When I read that Jodey used worn bicycle parts for her jewelry, I was a little skeptical. I wondered if I was going to end up with dirt and grease rubbing off on my wrists or clothes. On the contrary, the silver chain link plates in my bracelet are clean and shiny! The cool thing is I can tell they aren’t new due to the characteristic scratches and friction marks. Sometimes I like to imagine the killer trails this chain saw in its former life - if only chain link plates could talk.

The bracelet also uses black bike chain rollers in between the chain link plates. I really like the contrast of the black and silver which makes each part stand out and together, well, it just works. The toggle clasp is a complementary gunmetal color and makes getting the bracelet on and off easy with your single opposing hand.

The fact that this bracelet has a really simple and unique design using recycled bike chains make this one of my favorite everyday pieces to wear. I got complements the first time I wore this bracelet to work and I’m proud to wear it most casual Fridays. It also goes great with the little black dress ;-)

Just like the little black dress, every girl that rides mountain bikes needs bike part jewelry. You can order the jewelry on Jodey’s website, www.designsbyjodey.com. And guys, when you’re buying bike jewelry for your lady friends you can also check out men’s bike part necklaces and bracelets for yourself too!

WeeehooooO! Got in the local bead store!

If you live in southern Wake County and want to see or buy my bike part jewelry then head over to in Fuquay. I should have some jewelry there in the next few days.

:D

My Jewelry in a couple stores!

If you are in the Chapel Hill area, check out my bike part jewelry at

For the next week or so, check out my jewelry at Cycling Spoken Here in Cary, NC:

Spoke Nipples - sigh

I NEED SPOKE NIPPLES. BLACK!

I've found a few that are either 50% or 100% more expensive then the ones I got from the LBS a couple weeks ago. I called that store today to get 100 more and was told the price I got them at was not accurate.

I've been looking around for a couple hours - comparing prices, including shipping - and can't find any that aren't a lot more expensive, percentage-wise, at least. Guess I'ma have to suck it up and pay more. :(

Memory Wire Bracelet with Charm

On my other blog, I See Through Glass, I said I'd post a pic of another memory wire bracelet I made. I didn't want to post it over there since I'd already posted my pic for that day...so here it is on this blog:

Jewelry Stuff

To date, I have made 21 different bracelets and 11 different necklaces. Today I covered a small cork board with purple fabric that I had and made a display out of it. I put this shiny purple tulle on it and hung some stuff up on it.

I also covered the floral foam I made my other smaller displays out of with the same purple material.

In other news, I discovered memory wire today. That stuff ROCKS.

Bike Chain Jewelry

I'm excited about this! Jewelry that incorporates bike chain links! I love the way it looks and how it wears too. I have made a few pieces and will make more.

Maybe I should sell them somewhere...hmmm...wonder if there's any interest out there for that. Whatever, they're fun to make and to wear.

If you both ride...

I was looking at my anklet today and the idea popped into my head that the links on it could be engraved with something special...kinda like we got our wedding bands engraved on the inside with something meaningful to us, it would be cool to do the same for a piece of jewelry made from a bike chain, like mine is.

I was looking at the links wondering too if I could make an eyebrow ring out of one, but that would be huge and weird looking. :D But earrings could be made out of 2 links or a ring could be made out of one link. Wouldn't that be a cool setting for an engagement ring? :D