I am done making a batch of these beads, that is! The picture below is what is left after I made a bracelet.
Making this bracelet has given me new meaning to the words "One of A Kind". This is due to the multiple-step process in creating each of the beads, which translates to I will probably not be making another one! :) Kidding!
In all seriousness, it involved so many different metalsmithing techniques for each step in the process. It feels WONDERFUL on the wrist - substantial but not weighty. When I was wrapping the bracelet together, I toyed with the idea of connecting each beaded link without a jump ring. But, given that beads are 3/4" in length, they move better on the wrist with a jump ring between each link, so I just doubled up on the jump rings.
I made two sets of these beads without the "toppers". We are working on a Fiber Boot Camp at Love My Art Jewelry and I am trying to complete a project by next Monday, using these beads with the fiber...wish me luck, as I so very rarely use any fiber in my work.
In between steps for those beads, I also made a pair of earrings. These feature heat rivets at the bottom of the wires.
These are so darn lightweight - but long - 3 1/4". The pearls have a wonderful rainbow opalescence, and dare I say it, these are sexy earrings! Swingers!
Totally unrelated to this blog post, my Monday Post at Love My Art Jewelry was hijacked and posted on another site - including the links, but my name was suddenly gone. This type of stealing has become, unfortunately, quite common in this day and age. So, I am now adding what may appear as weird bi-lines and footnotes to my own personal blog, in the off chance this happens "here" as well.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by today, and I so very much appreciate your comments!
xo
Patti
This blog post was written by Patti Vanderbloemen for her own personal blog, My Addictions Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti. If you are reading this on another site, it has been copied and used without permission of the author or blog owner.
The bracelet is gorgeous!!! I love it but I can understand why there won't be many of them! I'm sorry to hear about your Monday post. I've never heard of a post being hijacked and put on another site. That's awful.
ReplyDeleteWell, the weather is certainly chilly today. Great weather for being in your studio making jewelry! Enjoy!
Patti - that is stunning - I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is quite lovely -- I can imagine that the double jump rings make it fit much more comfortably on the wrist. And those earrings are drop-dead gorgeous! Love them!
ReplyDeleteAll of these pieces are really fantastic! As you say, the bracelet is truly ONE of a kind! I can't wait to see what you do with the beads and fiber. I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone stole your post?! What is wrong with people?!?!?
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is fantastic!!! What a time consuming process it all must have been, but in the end ~ a HUGE success!!!
And those earrings are holy crap the best earrings ever!!!!! Industrial meets femininity. I LOVE THOSE EARRINGS!
Sensational!
ReplyDeleteYour bracelet is so much fun!! And the earrings are beyond gorgeous. I am so anxious to see what you do with those beads and fiber. I am really enjoying the fiber boot camp and have gotten some wonderful tips. I love working with fiber and finally feel like I am getting the hang of it after a couple of years. I am so sorry about your post getting hijacked. It is just so rude and unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteHi Patti,
ReplyDeleteYour bracelet is beautiful I love how you wrapped the copper tubing with silver PMC great idea. I love the earrings they are gorgeous. I really need to get a torch so I can make more wire and metal pieces. I can believe that someone would stoop so low as to steal your post and claim it as their own, so much of that mess is going on in these days.
Therese
I can't believe someone copied your post? that is crazy ... so not only can they not create themselves, they can't write either?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love these new tube beads of yours! they are fantastic with so much texture! And those earrings - LOVE I've been wanting to try the bail for earrings and really love how you've done yours here
Aah! GORGEOUS! I'm biased I know, because I'm SUCH a fangirl when it comes to your work, but WOW - that bracelet is somethin' special, lady! Ans the earrings are perfection. Everything you make just looks so tactile and utterly fabulous. Awesome stuff there missus - hugs from Shroo:)xxx
ReplyDelete