Monday!

Patti Vanderbloemen

Last week was spent playing with sterling silver-which will always be my favorite metal!

These little hoops are actually quite small.  I reached for some heavier gauge wire, twisted the ends together and then melted them into a ball.  Then, I flattened the ball, did a bit of shaping with my files, and soldered on a tiny little ball of silver.  I really like the organic look of these hoops.

Still thinking of hoops, I made a pair of double hoops.  I soldered the tiny  jump rings for security sake.  I did not add patina to these - just kept them bright and shiny.  These are quite dangly!

Then I got out the copper, added some silver and some tube rivets.  

Those mixed metal tabs, above, were my favorite of the week...until...

I discovered a new-to-me tool a couple of weeks ago.  It took a while for it to arrive, but, it is a shot plate and I used it to make those tiny little center flowers in the hoops above.  In fact, I wrote a blog post at Love My Art Jewelry and demonstrated how I made those little flowers.  Click here if interested in reading about that!

Then, I got really brave and made what started out as a solid sterling silver spinner bracelet.  I have only ever made these with a copper base, as an 8" length of metal is required.  So, I held my breath when I hammered, praying that the solder join would hold!  Well, it did!  BUT, I loved the texture so much on the base bracelet that I did actually CUT OFF the inner spinner bracelet...'cause I wanted to see the texture!

That little satellite/inner spinner bracelet did not go to waste!  I re-soldered and made a couple of sets of stacking bangles, instead.

I also worked on bezel setting a couple of gemstone cabs, but, not liking my results right now.  They are sitting on my bench...staring at me...begging me to make them better.  In time...

Last, but not least, I am having an End of Summer Sale in my shop.  I am hoping that this sale will raise some funds for hay for Miracle Horse Rescue.  Charitable organizations are really taking a hit this past year.  If nothing else, I am hoping that by having this sale, Summer will be over quicker...have I ever mentioned that this is my LEAST FAVORITE season??

Thanks so very much for stopping by today!  Hoping you have a wonderful week!

xo

Patti

Slowly getting back into the swing of things...

It has been a busy two months around here!  My niece and her family have settled into our house and will be moved into their home at the end of June.  I am not a Mom (well, dog mom counts, right?), but it has been such a pleasure to have this little guy hanging around the house.

Gavin

Yesterday Gavin and his folks were out and about and I headed to the studio.  I was attempting to make a Spinner Bangle.  I say attempt, because the first two copper bangles split at the solder seam ON THE VERY LAST BANG OF THE HAMMER.  Frustration!  Well, when I was forming the bangle the third and last time, I remembered why it split!  I had used copper solder on the first two bangles.  Now, copper solder is great - it's a good color match to the copper and holds just as well as silver solder...unless I have to further shape the bangle and apply pressure with a hammer!  I learned this the hard way a few months ago, but I had not made a bangle in a few months and simply forgot.  Well, once I switch to tried-and-true hard silver solder, it worked!

Of course, other metalsmith's may not encounter this problem...but I do each and every time.  Same for spinner rings - I always use hard silver solder.

While the first spinner bangle was in the tumbler, I wanted to see if I could make anticlastic cuff. This is 18 gauge copper - it's thick. The edges looked fine "folded", but I wanted a cleaner look. So, I melted a bunch of scrap sterling silver into balls, and soldered them onto the ends of the cuff.

The hardest part was creating a perfect flat spot on the ends, where the balls are soldered.

I really like this cuff, as it is adjustable and can fit just about any wrist size.  It goes on similar to a bangle - over the hand - and then lightly squeeze it to conform to the wrist.

I recently acquired a beautiful strand of turquoise. I love this gemstone, and the blues and greens in these barrels are exquisite. I paired the turquoise with some tiny hand cut copper tabs. I textured the copper with my rolling mill, and added tube rivets.

It was a good day!

It is gorgeous outside today - I am going to attempt to get out there to enjoy a bit of the sunshine! My allergies, which I apparently now have at the ripe young age of 54 (go Allegra!), may say otherwise and force me back inside!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

xo

Patti