... Baby ...

So now you know why I've been absent...

I hope you've all been swell!

... from a heart full of indescribable love!

Canon Photo 5

With the purchase of my new Canon EOS 60D, I decided to take part in the yearly 'Photo 5' competition.

I've always loved photography, and got a better understanding of SLR cameras whilst studying Jewellery Engineering at NMIT here in Melbourne. We learnt all aspects of jewellery making, right down to running a small business, approaching galleries, and jewellery photography. We used film SLR cameras and scanned our slides to create business cards. I loved it so much that I bought a film SLR with my very first pay cheque!

In all honesty, though, I'm extremely pained by having to wait for the roll to finish and the film to be developed.

The natural move was to borrow my dad's SLR for about half a year whilst saving up to buy my own digital SLR!

The recent photos you have seen here on my blog have been taken using my new camera, and the warmer weather and longer days will have me clicking away without end!

Below are my entries for the Photo 5 competition, and you can also view them here on the Photo 5 website.

'Macro' using Foam - "Simply Cellular"

The tiniest of bubbles are an imposing web in comparison to the garden of pollen within the stamen of a flower. I guess we're all simply cellular under the gaze of a microscope. Taken using a reversed 18-55mm kit lens, held steady by hand. It's a beautiful world through a macro lens.

'Through a Pet's Eyes' - Open Brief - "Shadow's Shadow"

Cats have a way of seeing things that aren't really there. On this morning I watched my cat, Shadow, with the sunlight behind her. Shadow's shadow danced as the sunlight drifted behind the clouds. I captured the light and her soft silhouette. I saw what she sees, when there's nothing really there.

'Panning' using Ribbons - "Spinning, Twirling, Dancing"

Childhood memories of ribbons in my hair and spinning, twirling, dancing without end.

'Low Light' using Sequins - "Night Lights"

A textured glass platter, sequins and candle light.

Reminiscent of city lights through a rain soaked window.

'Fast Shutter' using Powder - "Happiness"

As a child, I hid from the food fights and carefully skipped around the mud puddles. I refused to be a mess, and I missed out on the happiness in that moment of freedom where you don't care about the mess or having to clean it up. I guess I'm making up for it now...

Judges will announce ten finalists for each category on Wednesday 9th November. Voting opens soon after and voters have the chance to win a Canon EOS 7D Super Kit.

The winning photographers receive a Canon EOS 5D Mark II Premium Kit and a 3-day creative photography workshop in Queenstown, New Zealand with Jackie Ranken & Mike Langford.

Good luck to all the entrants!

I'll post a reminder once finalists are announced, don't miss out on your chance to win a prize for your votes!

P.S. Your lovely comments on my photography have been so heart-warming and especially inspiring.

Thank you!

--- Mariann ---

Pretty Little Ducklings

 

Doting Mama and Papa and their sweet little ducklings.

Have a beautiful weekend!

--- Mariann ---

Spring Begins...

Sweet little Australian Wood Ducks

frolicking at McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park

... I breathe in deep,

the scent of spring ...

Pics from the Gem Show

The Frankston and Peninsula Lapidary Club's Annual Gem Show was a great success!

I was honored to be a part of such a great group of people.

I was the photographer for the event, and had a fantastic time!

We had beautiful mineral specimens, stunning stones and handy tools and equipment on display from very knowledgeable suppliers.

I'm looking forward to next year's show!

Gem Show This Weekend!

Come along and celebrate the 30th Birthday of Frankston Lapidary Club!

This Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of August

9am to 5pm

Meet our members,

View live demonstrations,

and check out our cabochons and faceted stones,

all cut and polished by our members!

There's also slab rough,

mineral specimens

and tools available for purchase.

Cranbourne Public Hall

South Gippsland Highway

(Corner of Clarendon and High Street)

Entry: $5

Seniors: $4

Children under 16: FREE!

I'll be taking photographs of the day for the lapidary club,

come along and say hello!

I'll have a few of my rings on display, too!

Can't wait to see you there!

--- Mariann ---

A New Embrace ...

 

STERLING SILVER, BLUE LACE AGATE

...For a girl with long talons

that she runs through her hair...

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

There's a big event on this weekend, details to follow!

Also, I'll be revamping my Etsy and Madeit stores,

though the event this weekend may delay this

until after next weekend.

In the meantime, I'll be listing these new 'Embrace' rings during the week.

And

as always,

thank you

thank you

thank you

for your kind words

and sharing in the ups and downs

of creating from the heart in stones and silver.

--- Mariann ---

xoxo

The Ring Setter's Clamp...

The greatest little gadget, and perfect for setting my 'Embrace' rings!

I found this one from an Australian seller on eBay. Great price and overnight shipping for free!

It contains the ring holder and different sized plastic pieces to fit inside a variety of ring sizes.

The tapered fitting on the right fits inside the plastic parts and expands it to secure your ring for setting.

It's just perfect for wide-band rings!

As long as the ring band is not too thick, it will hold it nice and tight for stone setting.

So far, I have been using my ring mandrel for setting stones on these wide band rings.

It was so awkward and the ring kept slipping off, my hands got sore from holding the ring in place and the ring band got bent out of shape with the force of setting the stone and I ended up with a frown on my face!

Here is the lucky ring next in line for the royal treatment of being set with this handy new gadget!

sterling silver and blue lace agate

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!

--- Mariann ---

xoxo