Friday, June 28, 2013

New stuff....and a Giveaway!

I have been trying new things lately...and I am LOVING it!  Like this toggle clasp..

Stone Rust Charcoal 


The gorgeous beads above are made by Jody Brimhall (Inspire Glass Studio on Etsy) . I am going to make more of these toggles...in copper and silver.  They have more punch than a wire clasp - which I still love to make!

I made a necklace this week and posted progress photos on Facebook.  I bought a set of "orphan lampwork beads" from Jody as well - each bead was different from the next - but each was a piece of art in my mind's eye so I could not justify breaking up the set.  I envisioned a double strand necklace, but I only had 20 lampwork beads.  I also did not want an extremely heavy necklace.  I had recently finished a DVD from Cassie Donlen - "Metal Jewelry Making with a Micro Torch".  Now, I have taken a soldering class (bad teacher...remember? I won't even link to that blog post because memories of the teacher give me a headache)!  I also have a few other DVD's...I watch these videos for the TIPS!  Each artist has different tips on doing this...or doing that.  And that's what makes the video worth the money to me!  Cassie did an excellent job!

Anyway, one of her projects was a toggle clasp made from fused silver - I digressed a bit and instead made these connectors for my double strand necklace:

I soldered some links from 14 gauge wire.  Now, I have copper solder, but I don't like the color I achieve.  So, I used silver solder and in an effort to cover up the silver, I simply coiled some copper wire on top- I love how these turned out!  It gave the piece incredible texture...which I cannot get enough of!

I made a smaller version of the connectors for the clasp.  And there is that "ladder chain" again!!


Can you see why I did not want to separate these beads?  So pretty!  
I love how this turned out - and it sold already....always a plus!

I loved these connectors so much, that I ventured into making some bangles.  So, I got out my 10 gauge copper (thick!!) and made a set of three bangles.


I will be making more of these - so much fun!

So, Stacie Florer had a tutorial in Bel Armoire Jewelry using thin gauge sheet metal to make earrings.  Stacie is an awesome teacher and I cannot wait until September, as I will be taking another class from her at artBLISS.  Anyway, these are the earrings I made from her tutorial:


SO LIGHTWEIGHT!!  The bottom disc is sterling silver - the top disc is copper, which has been fold-formed.  There is incredible texture on these earrings!  I placed an eyelet at the top, and two rivets on each earring.

Thanks for the tut Stacie!  

Would you like to win these earrings?  Very simple - 
Just do one (or all) of the following and LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT ON MY BLOG for each:

1) Leave a comment
2) Become a follower of my blog - or leave a separate comment telling me you are already a follower
3) Post a link to my blog to Face Book about the giveaway.

I will pick a winner on Monday - July 1st.

Thanks for stopping by - have a great weekend!

Patti



52 comments:

  1. I woke up early hoping you would have your earrings online so I could see them! You did such a great job, Patti! Isn't it so much fun working with thin gauge metal? And I love how you made this pair so you...the eyelet for the earring wire hole is beautiful! And you achieved great texture using the copper sheet metal...the cool thing about this technique is that each pair you make are so unique...great job, and thank you so much for giving them a try...watch...your imagination will start going into overtime now that you have had the experience of Chasing On Air!!

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  2. That necklace is gorgeous! I agree, those beads couldn't be separated. I love both toggles! I really have to practice my soldering. I feel not being good at it is really holding me back. Love the earrings too. I saw Stacie's tutorial in Belle Armoire. I'll have to give it a try!
    Stay cool!!

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  3. Your wire work is incredible!

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  4. Patti - it is so much fun seeing all your new pieces and seeing your skill level grow by leaps and bounds - you just seem to be a natural at it. Your work is gorgeous. Thanks for the chance to win the earrings.

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  5. You are so great with wire Patti!! Love them all but ESP the earrings And the bangles. I can tell you are enjoying yourself.

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  6. Oh, I'd love to win those earrings!!
    Your necklace and bracelets are gorgeous!! Fabolous wirework!!

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  7. I'm already a follower of your blog :-D

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  8. I LOVE that necklace Patti, I can see why it has already sold! And the bangles, mmmmm. And the earrings are pretty special!

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  9. And I'm a follower of your blog, through the soon to be defunct Google Reader (and now Bloglovin!)!

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  10. And I just shared on FB!

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  11. Patti - I am so proud of you! You have grown by leaps and bounds in your jewelry making...all these pieces are so gorgeous and innovative. You rock!

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  12. I love mixing metals. Beautiful work.

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  13. I've become a follower of your blog and look forward to seeing your new creations.
    Janeen Burlingame

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  14. Love these - you did an amazing job!!

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  15. I'm now officially a follower!! :)

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  16. Beautiful creations, I love them all!

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  17. You know how much I love your pieces, and I'm with you, that coil just adds a special touch to the clasps. The things you've been making lately are just stunning, so yes, please add my name to your giveaway pile. :)

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  18. I love your designs! They are so original and unique! Pretty please count me in for this amazing giveaway! Thanks!

    Angi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  19. I'm a loyal fan of your blog! Thanks!

    Angi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  20. I linked you on FB!

    Angi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  21. I envy your talents and especially your getting to Art Bliss! I would love these earrings and can picture myself wearing them with such a sense of strut! Thank you for the opportunity.

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  22. I also follow your blog by email

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  23. I am going to like you on FB too....it will be my first as I just got on there....lololol I suppose I should have put down my hammer and done that before huh?

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  24. Love it all! Metal is so much fun. :)

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  25. I'm now a follower (not sure why I wasn't before...)

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  26. I'm already a follower of your blog.

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  27. I love those earrings and the chance to win them! Your jewelry is beautiful.
    Lynn Carling

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  28. I am now a follower of your blog---glad I found you.
    Lynn Carling

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  29. Love your jewelry, have just started experimenting with metal folding. I also like buying orphan beads-so thanks for the linc to inspire glass. Susan Cornish

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  30. Love your jewelry, have just started experimenting with metal folding. I also like buying orphan beads-so thanks for the linc to inspire glass. Susan Cornish

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  31. Patti, I saw your jewelry post today through Janeen Burlingame's FB :) She is up there a ways in comments as "unknown" lol ... I came just because your jewelry looked so intriguing and cool. Surprise, a giveaway too? Well, you've already given to me! Love love love visiting your blog (and yes, I follow it and I list it on my blog, right hand column for "cool Jewelry making blogs"). Should that be a separate comment? Oh well, as I said, I got my gift! This post!!

    Patti Patti Patti, amazing. Seriously.

    I am in awe of your work. And all week long, I've been exploring components wrapped in coils, used as clasps, as connectors, as aspects of design. And here are more: your coiled wire work art! love how life is like that! magical, flowing and good.

    Your links and your 10 awg copper bangles are exquisite. Your orphan bead necklace divine. Your stone rust charcoal clasp is completely cool. Your fold-forming silver and copper earrings inspiring!

    Namaste & WOW, lol...
    Love,
    Rita

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  32. I follow you (above)

    Now, sharing with the FB Jewel School Community:
    https://www.facebook.com/JewelSchoolFriends

    Have a happy giveaway :)


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  33. The earrings are fabulous! but I LOVE the toggles ;-) art all by themselves. Hope to win but happy to follow!

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  34. Fabulous designs.

    Regards diane

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  35. eek! I can't miss entering as I would totally love that chasing fabulousness

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  36. indeed I do follow.. until it all blows up tomorrow and my little bloggy world goes boom. Trying to build feedly right now and the rest of the world must be since it seems it's busted :(

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  37. I let my facebook peeps have a chance at these lovelies too

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  38. amazing job Miss Patti...im in awe of all your designs and I hope to be as good with practice...<3

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  39. shared on facebook and thanks for sharing your wonderful designs and the earrings...xox

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  40. love those earrings and bangles.

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  41. already a follower of your blog!

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  42. Sorry I missed this giveaway but I am going to be working on some of the same skills. Interesting post.

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