What I've been working on- December Update

I've had a lot of stuff going on lately on the artistic front. I created a piece for a challenge and actually submitted it (it didn't win, but that's not the point), I've been doing a fair bit of teaching, and I've been invited to teach a weekend workshop in Metal Clay at the Appalachian Center for Craft. I am participating in a show this weekend at the Brooks Museum- the Holiday Artist Market- and i'm pretty excited to see how that goes. Shows this year have been very positive experiences so far, decent sales aside, and i've learned so much from them. the shop is full of new stuff- tools, blanks, beads, chain and of course, finished jewelry. :)

So- yeah- I've been a busy little bee! Here's some Eye Candy for you. :)

Sterling Triskelion Earrings

Iris Fine silver button pendant with LOS background patina

Torch Fired enamel beads

Various rings

Infinite Love necklace

Ginormous garnet ring

Tool Corner: Mini Hammer Review

So, with the popularity of Bill Fretz's PrecisionSmith hammers, it was only a matter of time before the knock-offs arrived. After all, for the growing population of weekend jewelers, $45 or more on a single hammer that they may not use frequently is understandably hard to swallow.

Forming and fabrication are currently the darlings of the hobby jewelry making world, as evidenced by the plethora of new tools, books and videos available. This is a good thing! It means more toys for me to try out and give recommendations on :)  Which is what i'm going to do here, in what will hopefully become a regular feature for me- Tool Corner. I have the ability to order ones of tools, give them a go and then, if they're great, i'll carry them in the shop.. if they're not so hot, then i can let people know where better to spend their money.

Back to the hammers- everyone seems to have their version of the Fretz PrecisionSmith hammers now- and it is important to note that these hammers are the same size as the smallest of the Fretz hammers. The SilverSmith line has not yet been replicated. EuroTool, BeadSmith, Contenti and even Wubbers have their own take on these hammers. I have taken the EuroTool and BeadSmith hammers for a test drive. (Note- I do own several of the precioussss, i mean Fretz hammers, so i am comparing these to the real deal)

The EuroTool hammers (Mini Trustrike) have a darker wood handle than the BeadSmith, so they are visually a closer match to the Fretz (the Contenti are even closer, as they have Rosewood handles, just like the Fretz). The heads are highly polished and look very nice. they're secured to the hardwood handles with a pin on the side opposite the EuroTool logo. I took the Embossing Hammer (face 65mm) for a test drive and loved the feel of it in my hand. It's not quite as light as the Fretz- the handle is a little thicker and a touch longer. At $24.99 retail per hammer, it's a considerable price difference for minimal difference in feel and performance- i will have to see how it holds up over time. There is also a 7 hammer set with a stand that retails for $129.99-149.99, depending on the site. I am waiting on the texturing hammer to arrive so i can compare the quality of the texture faces to the Fretz (the raw silk is my absolute favorite texture and i use the Fretz whenever i can for it!) That they are called the Mini Trustrike makes me think that the standard Trustrikes are in the works.

The BeadSmith hammers, just known as Small hammers have a light wood handle that is longer and not as thin as the Fretz hammers and made of a lesser quality wood. Of the 7 Beadsmith hammers, only a few have handles that are the same length or shape. It sits in the hand slightly different from the EuroTool hammers as well. The head is coated in black and polished on the faces. It is also pinned to the handle and a few of the hammers display a little overrun of glue. At $18.99 retail, they are less expensive than the EuroTool, but they also feel cheaper.

Understanding Silver Jewelry Treatments - Plating

I've heard some comments at shows about my jewelry 'not being real silver' because it isn't as bright or shiny as the silver jewelry people see in places like Macys or mall jewelry stores. I understand that this is an education issue and if people are willing, i try to take the time to explain why my jewelry looks different (other than because i make it by hand and it's not mass produced) but i have discovered that even people who make jewelry and/or are very familiar with silver may not know the industry practices that make store silver look different.

If you've ever bought (or looked at buying) platinum jewelry, they should have disclosed that platinum is often rhodium plated for brightness (so is almost all white gold). Many jewelry stores will offer lifetime re-plating for their platinum and white gold pieces as an add-on because it really does affect the look of the piece. Rhodium is a metal from the platinum group and has a lovely bright white color that has a high light reflectivity, therefore appears 'more shiny'.

Incidentally, it is also used to plate sterling silver as the rhodium prevents tarnish. Very few jewelry stores could afford to carry sterling silver jewelry, especially en masse, if they had to polish it all the time. Some of the mid-range silver jewelry, think bridge collections like the $30 rings at Kohls, are coated with a hard, scratch resistant jewelry lacquer that is much less expensive than rhodium plating. Just like the plating, the lacquer will eventually wear off, especially if you wear your jewelry often).

This is why some people think that 'real silver' doesn't tarnish...

The problem with this, and there not being full disclosure on the treatments to consumers, is there is a false expectation that is harmful to the perception of not just our untreated jewelry, but jewelry that may wear in an unexpected way or look odd as it wears.
Further more, because the rhodium plating requires nickel to adhere to silver, once the very thin (.2 to .5 microns) rhodium wears off, the nickel plating comes in contact with the wearer's skin . Nickel allergies can range from a barely noticeable itch to blisters that resemble 3rd degree burns. So, some people (often erroneously) think they can't wear silver because they have had this reaction. The nickel content is also why some people can't wear white gold- the common alloy contains up to 10% nickel to create the white color. (some new alloys use palladium + silver, platinum or manganese)

So, to sum it up, if you have the opportunity to educate your clients (and students, if you teach) please do!

Joanna Gollberg: Collected @ Velvet da Vinci

  Joanna Gollberg is one of the 'super star' jewelers i have admired for years. (I *will* own a piece of her jewelry.. i just have to save up for those lovely purple earrings at the Metal Museum!)

In her new exhibition at Velvet da Vinci, she displays pieces that have a slightly different narrative than her usual work- they're documentations of her travels in wearable, portable, and extremely beautiful form. Just when i thought i couldn't adore her anymore, she goes and does this. :)

From the exhibition release: (click the image above to go to the full text)

On this pivotal new body of work, Gollberg writes: 
“I had never before given myself permission to use (these elements) in my 
 jewelry, because they were physical objects that kept me connected 
 to places that made my whole heart feel crushingly full... I chose to use 
 techniques that I rarely employ in my day to day jewelry making life—mold 
 making, wax carving, casting, enameling which gave me deep pleasure. I 
 freely used gemstones and materials that suited each piece,disregarding 
 any pre-planned price structure... The results are twofold: I am spiritually 
 refreshed and ready to re-enter my work life anew, and I have created a 
 body of work that is personally meaningful, yet still beautiful and true to my 
 aesthetic.”

I relate strongly to this kind of creation-  the spiritual refreshment and the personally meaningful part as well as the desire to create with no pre-planned price structure. That's creative freedom.

I also relate strongly to the idea of being a gatherer...  I've got little jars of things i've picked up on trips that sometimes work their way into jewelry or art projects, but more often just get pulled out, arranged and then I decide that they're still too precious to put out into the world. I still need them to invoke the smell of the surf in Cozumel or the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet as i hiked to a waterfall. I envy her ability to share and covet her pieces all in one breath.

Most importantly, i am reminded that 'being creative' and 'being an artist' isn't an action you do at a certain time or a certain place. It is something that permeates everything you do. It's what makes you look at the ground as you walk along the beach, picking up the perfect limpet shell or pebble, it's what makes you notice the shiny landscaping rock that has fools gold on it in the flower bed outside the restaurant you're having dinner at. It's what drives you to take a picture of the table at Starbuck's, to the protestation of your friends because of the way the light, shadows and texture relate.  It's about color, texture, sights, sounds and smells and how we can capture those, preserve them and ultimately share them. And by capturing and sharing these things, teach others how to see the world in its full HD, 3-D wonder.

New Work- incorporating GOLD!

 See the process below!

It started as a sketch.. i purchased this amazing Canadian ammolite from one of my favorite Etsy sellers (devali) after he sent me a pic and asked if i was interested (it's nice to have that kind of rapport with folks that i buy from on a somewhat regular basis!) 

well.. truth be told, it was even more amazing in person than the picture he sent, and i was sort of in love with it from the picture, so i knew it had to be made into something special... 

here's the sketch- i tried not to think about it too much- just trust the artistic gut and go with it. (i sketched out several more designs after this one, but i kept coming back to this one because 1- the simplicity lets the ammolite be the star and 2- it just felt right.)

Here's the stone laid out on the back-plate with the bezel on the main stone and the tube settings laid out. I was playing with the arrangement of the cups to see which way was more balanced. 

  

Here's the layout with the bail (sporting it's 14kt gold 6mm tapered tube bezel!) and the 2 pieces of 14kt gold 18 gauge wire, prior to balling the ends. 

 Here it is all soldered together. the gold balls and wires are all well attached and it just needed a long soak in the pickle to get the crud out of those tube bezels. I thought i was going to mirror finish the piece, but i really dig the satin finish on the bail as i was cleaning it up, so i decided to reevaluate once it's cleaned up to see which way to go.

Out of the pickle

 With the accent stones set and a satin finish on the piece...  then into the tumbler to work harden (as if i hadn't done that enough already with the hand finishing!!!!) and clean up any small scratches from setting

out of the tumbler and the main stone was set! Ta-da!

Jewelry a Week Challenge- New Work

I've finally completed the piece i started back in February using a lovely artisan cut Lepidolite in quartz rounded triangle cab and Amethyst pear CZs. It was intended to be a brooch/pendant but after i melted one pin setting and flooded another, i decided the piece was telling me that wasn't the direction to go. 

I envisioned a modernized take on a Balinese granulation technique- so i made big, bold fine silver 'granules' to adorn the piece. By the time it became a pendant, instead of a brooch, i knew the chain was going to need to echo the streamlining of the pendant's design. So i paired sterling mod components i fabricated with strong, sleek rosary links featuring spiral cut amethyst beads. 

The toggle closure is fabricated to match and the cross bar has balled ends to keep the circle/dot theme going. the entire piece has my signature sea foam patina. (here's a pic of what it looked like before polishing- the black and purple are really striking!)

This piece was a challenge to me. I had to let go of my idea of how it was supposed to be and let the piece (and apparently my skill and patience levels) direct the development. Once i decided to just go with the flow, the piece became something that i enjoyed working on again and finished as a lovely piece i'm proud of. :)

Upcoming Class- Chain Making 1- Solderless Chains

You’ve just made a gorgeous and unique art pendant, put your heart and soul into it and you’re looking for a chain to wear it on. STOP! Don’t put your amazing hand crafted pieces on generic store bought chains!

Join jewelry artist and teacher Brandy Boyd for a day of chains that are unique and strong, without the need for solder! You can whip these babies up with nothing more than wire and pliers. Perfect for waiting at the doctor’s office, in the carpool line, or anywhere else you have a lap and 10 minutes or more. Add a steel block and hammer and you’ve got a variation on a theme and a totally different look.

You’ll learn how to make a horse-shoe chain (with variations), a beaded rosary chain (VERY versatile), a sticks and stones chain (this one can go so many ways) and an infinity chain.

Your class fee will include several spools of wire, various jump rings, instruction sheets, and a steel mandrel set to keep. There is enough wire to complete 4 necklace length chains. We will cover handmade clasps as well so your piece can be 100% yours from start to finish!

You will need to bring to class- round nose pliers, flat nose pliers, chain nose pliers, and files for cleaning up the ends of your wire.

If you have these items, bring them- steel block and hammer, hole punch pliers, smooth jawed hemostats.

Contact Laurie at the Memphis Botanic Gardens to sign up at 901-636-4128 Members $75, non members- $90

I've been working.. promise!

I haven't been very good about posting regularly, but i have still been working. My piece a day has (realistically) become a piece a month, but i'm still making smaller things all the time.

Here's what i've been up to lately.

i had some Gibeon meteorite beads custom cut for the necklace that will showcase this lovely pendant. 

This is one of Ryan's gorgeous cabs set in sterling and fine silver

Finished up the fold formed pieces from my June class samples, Finally finished the piece with the branch and made another gum-drop ring with another one of Ryan's cabs. :)

Upcoming Class- Kitchen Table Silversmithing- Bling Ring Edition

Join me June 21st 10am -5pm for Kitchen Table Silversmithing- the Bling Ring edition!

Ready to take your silversmithing skills higher? In this workshop class, we will create a bezel set statement ring. I will have an assortment of fabulous boro glass cabs made specifically for this class by local glass artist Ryan Pleso.

You must bring a butane micro torch, fuel, firebrick, jewelers files and pliers for this class. Additional tools that you may wish to bring are- texturing hammers, rawhide mallet, burnishers, decorative/letter metal stamps, ring mandrel and metal shears. Some shared tools will be available for use in class.

A class kit containing silver sheet, solder, bezel wire and ring shank/pattern wire is included in the class fee. Bench incidentals like finishing supplies and flux are included in the class kit. Additional wire options will be available for purchase in class for those wishing to try more advanced techniques.

Contact Laurie at the Memphis Botanic Gardens to sign up at 901-636-4128 Members $95, non members- $110

Fold Forming class this Saturday!

If you're looking for something AWESOME to do this weekend- come bang on some metal with me this Saturday at the Memphis Botanic Garden ! Fold forming is easy to learn and is infinitely customizable (and pretty much impossible to mess up!)

If you've never done it before, all you need is a hammer and a bench block and a desire to do some greatly satisfying, stress-relieving forging. At the end of class you will have a bracelet, pair of earrings and pendant to show for it. (All in sterling silver!)

All materials are included in the class fee of $150 for members of the Gardens ($170 for non-members). Bracelets like the ones you'll make in class start at $250 on etsy!

Call  Laurie at 901-636-4128 to register. Email me if you have questions about the tools required for class (or borrowing tools if you're just not sure if metal work is for you )

Untapped! or How to save the Tennessee Brewery

I had the pleasure of going to the volunteer opening of Untapped last night. For those that don't know, the historic Tennessee Brewery, home of Goldcrest 51 beer and some freaking amazing architecture and views, is under the gun. The owners have been unable to turn it into viable space since purchasing it in 1997 to save it from demolition and are looking at having it torn down at the end of July and the land sold off. 

When I first heard the Brewery was set for the chopping block, I freaked out... I literally cried at the thought of the loss of this amazing building. (and at this point, i had never been inside it- only taken photos of the facade and seen photos from within). I started researching the economics of the area and projects that had saved buildings like this- i'd been pretty active on Indiegogo and Kickstarter looking for 3-D printers, so i'd seen a few where they raised money towards something like this. The Huntridge Theater in Las Vegas was my case study- they raised $207,355 against a $150,000 goal to just put on an event to show the space was viable and worth saving. 
Per their indiegogo campaign "Even if we raise this campaign’s full amount and end up with $150,000 or more, that’s obviously not even close to enough to lovingly renovate, and reopen, or even buy the Huntridge.
It will prove that community support exists to justify much larger private investment in a project that is motivated more by passion than just profits."
>So i decided to start an indiegogo for the Brewery, but i needed help. Photographer Walter Arnold (look here! ) had taken some amazing photos of the Brewery, so i asked if i could link to his images to show people what they were saving. He was all about it and suggested i contact June of Memphis Heritage to see how they could get involved in saving the Brewery. I'm sure my email came across as a little bit of begging, but i was desperate to get people in action- the newspaper article said we only had 30 days! I flooded my facebook feed with photos, links, requests for action, and down right pleading.
June was already in action. Memphis Heritage also sent out the call for people to save the Brewery and on a cold evening in January, Andy, Chris and I squeezed into a packed room at Memphis Heritage to brainstorm and discuss the future of a building. Our idea of the Brewery as a beer garden (and potentially the host of the annual brew fest) was well received (thank you Chris for speaking up and sharing it!) 
>I'm loving the idea of using the Brewery as a pop up shop (i believe the MemShop folks had a hand in that! It's worked great in Crosstown and Broad Ave and i have my fingers crossed it's going to do its magic at the Brewery) Doing sectional revitalization as opposed to a top to bottom renovation means that you can make an impact with less initial investment. If only the first floor of the Brewery was utilized as a mixed use space for retail, food, and a performance venue, the whole building could be saved. (excellent piece here about ways to use the space that the whole city can enjoy)

I am looking forward to the next 6 weeks with cautious optimism. I am hoping that this will provide the basis for a long term sustainable and profitable use for the Brewery. I'm hoping that in July, i won't be mourning the loss of a landmark, a gorgeous building rich with history, uniqueness and a presence that takes me to another time. I'm hoping that i'll be able to say that i was involved in helping save something- that i helped make memphis a better place. Instead of letting it be the city that 'destroys its history and defiles the graves with stripmalls', instead of letting memphis continue to bear the label of "The City that Doesn't Care".  

Keep tuned here, on my G+ page and my Facebook for updates and images. 

And if you want to get involved:
Here's the link to the Untapped page on Facebook, and their Google+ page
Also, I recommend following Memphis Heritage on Facebook for info on this building and dozens of others in Memphis that are just as important.

Show season!

I have jewelry pieces from this weekend to post, but i forgot to take pictures. So, here's a teaser of the booth set up that Erin and I have been working on for our shows this season.

I've added some vertical space and Erin has brought in some non-traditional displays to create some visual interest that i'm really digging!

Be sure to come see us at the Broad Ave Art Walk April 11th, 5-10pm, V&E Art Walk, April 26th 11am-6pm and East Buntyn Art Walk, April 27th, 2-6pm.

Something to do this weekend- Forging on the River!

You all know I *love* the Metal Museum, so I have to give a shout out when they have something going on.

April 4th, 5th and 6th, they have their annual Forging on the River event. It's not just for blacksmiths! There's an art auction and wild game dinner Saturday night that is a huge event for the Museum. Tickets are only $50 and they're for a great cause (the museum and its programs) *AND* you can bid on some amazing works, like a pierced vessel from enamelist Sarah Perkins (i love her work) .
Click the link below to go to the Metal Museum's page on FotR for all the details.
Forging on the River

If the conference isn't your style, there are some spectacular exhibits on display right now- including a kinetic sculpture exhibit that is quite neat. Think of star gazing. :) 

Jewelry a day challenge- March 28th

Sterling silver fabricated from 18 gauge square wire. Approximately 3/4"- commissioned earrings -triskle design.

Wanaree Tanner is coming to BMB Designs!

That's right! The super talented Wanaree will be offering her Metal Clay Gallery Box pendant 2-day workshop, September 13th and 14th from 10 am to 5 pm. 

Please take a look at the prospectus here for more information. 

 Go here to claim your spot in this amazing class on Square Market. Only $100 deposit to reserve a seat!

Jewelry a day challenge- March 26th

Well... It looks like I lost over a month of making- but I'm working on getting back on track.
I *have* been making things, like today's piece that has taken me almost 2 weeks to finish.  Inventory,  getting sick twice, concerts, midsouth con and trying to balance having a social life with being a hermit artist has had me ping ponging. It's a difficult balance- being a part of the world, having a family and friends, working a full time job and being an artist. The day to day is sometimes enough to drain the creativity right out- it's a slippery slope but I am climbing back up :)

So tonight I present for you a piece that was originally a pin/pendant combo and is now just a pendant. It features a rounded triangle lepidilite in quartz cab flanked by 3 faceted pear purple CZS and balled silver.

And since it matches the color scheme, me in my dark elf (drow) costume from Con. :)

Jewelry a day challenge- February 19th

Three spinner rings (still doing catch up)

One sterling with a sterling and titanium mini Helm weave chain maille spinner.
One copper with copper pattern wire spinner
And finally,  copper with two hammered copper spinners

The class i am teaching at the gardens this Saturday is a silver ring with silver spinner(s), but the copper is easier to take pictures of for my instructions and I can make tons of them! :)

Jewelry a day- February 18th

Here's the piece I put the finishing touches on today. It's a size 16 men's spinner ring in sterling silver.

Jewelry a day challenge - February 12th

I must be dreaming of sundresses and walks on the beach. This set makes me think of a barefoot stroll on the sand, with my hair pulled up, a flowy dress fluttering in the breeze and my movie star shades and floppy hat on.

Yeah- i need a break from this cold!

This set has exotic wood beads paired with hand blown hollow beads, Bali silver, and a large floral design pendant, also of dark wood. The matching earring are super light weight and feature the gorgeous gray blown glass as their focal.

This set is available. Email for details.

Jewelry a day challenge- catch up

After finishing my-favorite-piece-EVAR!  Last monday, I started working on some mokume gane pieces- soldering on rings at the tops of the earrings, filing down the surfaces, hand sanding.... The Super labor intensive part. And they were going along well Tuesday night- i figured I would finish both pair on Wednesday and be current with my challenge.  Then Wednesday had other plans- i stayed in bed all day with flu like body aches and sore hands and joints. :(

So, today, I sat down and made some earrings to get me back on track :)

Clockwise from the top: Bali silver with red coral and hypersthene, aquamarine puffy cubes, amethyst and sterling silver, pink amethyst and rose gold filled, tanzanite and sea green apatite on sterling silver, Ruby in kyanite with microfaceted rubies on 14k gold filled, and finally, hand carved quartz leaves with rose gold filled. 

All are available for sale and are priced as follows for my Valentine's special: (again- clockwise) $12, $32, $36, $18, $45, $35. Please email or Facebook message to purchase. Prices go up after Valentine's!

First pic with flash is to show the sparkle on those pink amethysts- they're gem quality :)

Jewelry a day challenge - February 3rd

Today's piece is my favorite I've made to date.
The fabricated pendant features a bronze trilobite I cast from an original (from Utah) I bought at the last rock show, a gorgeous Labradorite with a full soft rainbow, a pyritized ammonite with rainbow druzy pockets and a rose cut labradorite.  The edges of the pendant are coined and the back bears my makers mark, sterling quality mark and an amazing patina that looks like bubbles in the surf.
The necklace has microfaceted pyrite with mystic labradorite faceted rounds and micro Bali silver daisy spacers. It's finished off with an old stock box clasp with a smooth oval bezel set labradorite that balances it nicely.

Jewelry a day - follow up

I decided to finish up the charoite and moonstone pendant with a necklace.

Here it is: hand forged toggle, native cut rainbow moonstone and faceted amethyst rondelles, sugilite rounds, microfaceted amethyst,  old stock Bali silver and charoite puffy squares.

Jewelry a day- February 2nd

I have been trying to break the dragon habit of hoarding all the pretties. Today's piece uses an exquisite cab of oolite with lovely orbs and consistent pattering. It is polished on the back as well, so I've cut a window out behind the stone so all its greatness can be admired.

I set it in a scalloped bezel, to echo the pattern. Then paired it with a bronze cab I made from a vintage button mold. Its smooth bezel is complemented by a halo of bead wire. Topped with a brushed bail,  it's an eye catching pendant. 

I learned I need to brush up on my sawing skills as the 22g sterling base gave me a few fits. My maker's mark is on the back, sterling quality mark on the bail.

Jewelry a day challenge- February 1st

Sorry about the delay. I got tied up with another piece and didn't post yesterday. (Friday I was at the Incognito gala for the Memphis botanic gardens)

These are fold formed brass with sterling silver earwires. The patina on the brass is heat patina.

Jewelry a day challenge January 29th

I began working on this piece yesterday when I found it in one of my cab trays. It was a piece I made for one of my PMC certifications, which would date it to 2000-2003.

It was a very experimental piece with metal clay hinges and metal clay bezels for the two non kiln safe stones to be set after firing. The square one shrank perfectly, the large one for the charoite was too small. So back then,  before I learned to solder, I patched the bezel with metal clay and refired that part. The hinges were too thin, the hinge 'pin' was a bundle of lopsided torch balled 24g headpins, that never sat right, and the bezel looked like it was Frankensteined.... I had worn it a couple of times and it would get caught, as the headpins were too long and the hinge finally broke slightly. It was tucked away as an example of failed design.

Fast forward many years and much improvement in skill. The base is solid. The shape is good. The design has a nice Asian flair, reinforced by the kanji texture on the back of the piece. It was worth saving. So, I reworked its weaknesses.

I removed the hinge. Unset the rainbow moonstone and charoite. Cleaned up where the hinges were and removed the patchwork bezel. The I set to evening out the fine silver base where the bezel had been attached,  patched and filled in. I made a new bezel from fine silver bezel stock. I cut a piece of silver tubing and cleaned up its edges

Then I soldered it all together with silver solder- the top piece with the moonstone and purple czs, the tube and the bottom focal part. And then I had to put the bail back on after I set the moonstone because I got a little too rough with it.  So, moonstone came back out, reattached the bail and then cleaned it up. As the piece was originally executed in metal clay, there was a lot of cleaning up to do. Fingernail markes, uneven thickness of the edges.... I toiled until almost midnight last night, vowing not to let the piece win. But I had to let it, and me, rest.

Tonight's work was finishing the edges, filing and sanding out a divot in the bail, polishing everything, setting the stones, applying patina and then final finish and polish.

I think for an experimental piece from my early career,  it cleaned up nice. :)
If I can find a pic of the original,  I'll post it so you can see the comparison.

Jewelry a day challenge- catch up

Well.. Sunday i went to the bead and gem show and got some amazing old stock Bali and Karen Hill silver. I mean, this is the real deal primo stuff from before the market crash when everything went to silver plate and simple designs.. i got some rounds that have some of the most amazing granulation on them i have ever seen.

And the weather here was amazing that day- 65, i think.. and after weeks of bitter cold and knowing that bitter cold was again, right around the corner, i went out and enjoyed the day. I collected some acorns and seed pods that will be excellent for elecroforming, so even when i'm not making jewelry, i'm thinking about making jewelry. :) I did put together a pendant that i could technically claim as a piece for the day, but i have plans for it to be an entire necklace, so i'd rather save it and show it finished than get partial credit.

Monday was a productive day, just again, not on the jewelry making front. I repaired one of my corsets- the busk needed a set of rivets repaired- i wound up making new rivets and putting it back together. and i listed a piece of jewelry on etsy- 1 towards my goal of 2 a week.

Tuesday, i worked on revitalizing old work. I had some great ideas back in the day, but not always the skill to execute them. So, i pulled out an old pendant, took out the stones and fixed some things. I will post a picture of it with my challenge piece tonight (don't think i got extra industrious and made 2 pieces today)

Jewelry a Day Challenge Jan 25th

This is kind of cheating... it's the piece i made as my demo in class today. Still needs a little finishing, but looks pretty good so far.

It was a fun class- fine silver metal clay, cut, domed and dry fitted and then assembled post firing. the ladies in my class made some great pieces and i can't wait to see where they take the 'technique'

Jewelry a day- January 23rd

Today's piece is a lovely statement ring with a wave patterned sterling silver band, fine silver bezel,  and a handmade boro glass cab from Appling Glass Studios.

Jewelry a day- January 22nd

Well.. there's no picture to accompany this post today because i learned a very important thing... paste solder isn't as strong as wire solder. and annealing is important when flaring spinner rings.

So.. no jewelry for today, but i certainly learned something. :)

Jewelry a day -January 21st

Two lovely pair of earrings from tonight's studio time.

Both feature hand blown glass from an artist in Toronto and natural stones. The capsule earrings have pyrite inside and are topped with silver plated brass from the Phillipines. They hang from handmade sterling earwires. The large rondelles are filled with assorted tumbled gemstone chips and are topped with handmade Bali style copper caps and suspended from artistic copper earwires. 

Jewelry a day - January 16-20th

I've been working on several projects at once- more samples for my locket class this Saturday and mokume gane samples for an upcoming private class.

The lockets are just waiting on rivets, which I'll do in class to demo how to do it.
The mokume pieces are 2 pairs of earrings and various cabs that I'll set like stones.