Post Earrings! These are my favorite earrings to wear - I tend to push my hair back behind my ear, and almost always knock my french ear wire earring straight to the floor. Does anyone else have this problem? Please tell me I am not alone! Although, my dear sweet mother has lost several earrings this way, though she does not have long hair, so I am not sure how that happened! :)
One of the classes that I had at ArtBliss was with Stacie Florer. She was kind enough to share many tips on how to solder on that tiny, tiny post to an earring back. And I am going to town with it!
I hand cut the discs from silver sheet and hammered them for texture:
I put no texture on these discs - just brushed them to a mirror-like finish. Of course, now I have yet another photography hurdle to master - how NOT to capture a picture of my camera, my hands, the light bulbs...etc. in the silver. Ugh...
This pair looks awesome when worn - I cut a rectangle from sheet, then cut it into triangles.
I was so excited to finally use a tool I have had in my arsenal for AGES - a Swage block! This tool helped me achieve a cool curve on the metal. I added some garnets to the bottom for just a little bit of swing.
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| Photo Source: RioGrande.com |
Two discs together, hand stamped with "XO" - As I look at this picture now, I see a snowman....hmmm...
One of the highlights of artBLISS was shopping for art beads! We were treated to the ultimate shopping experience - pizza and beads! I blew my budget on lampwork by Sue Kennedy (SO HAPPY TO FINALLY MEET MY FAVORITE LAMPWORK BEAD ARTISTS!!), Jenny Davies-Reazor, Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio, and Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studios! I bought several sets of tiny ceramic cabochons from Diana - this is the first pair, bezel set in silver:
Love My Art Jewelry has been focusing on hoops this month - I am always a day late and a dollar short in joining blog hops. But, I follow this blog religiously and made this cute little pair of hoop earrings. Pretty, tiny (5mm) Sunstone cubes have been wired to the bottom:
This last pair of earrings is MY FAVORITE! I mixed up the metals, and added these sterling silver charms that I have had 4EVER! So lightweight!
I bought several ceramic and porcelain focals from Jenny Davies-Reazor. So far, I have used two of these Halloween-themed focals. The first necklace used links from Cindy Wimmer's awesome new book, The Missing Link. It has sold (the equines at Miracle Horse Rescue say THANK YOU for the sale!)
This wrapping on this last necklace took me a LONG time...I am not quite sure why...but I love how it turned out! Mixed metals of copper and silver:
Thanks for stopping by today! Enjoy your week - I know I will, as the high heat has left Northern Virginia - yahoo!!!
xo
Patti
Patti~
ReplyDeleteEach pair I think "These are the best!!!" I am enjoying all the eye candy of the ear candy :-) And am really enjoying your excitement in this new process you have learned!
OMG, Patti!!! Those earrings are fantastic! I don't know which pair I like best! I envy you your soldering skills. One of these days I'll figure it out. I love the necklaces. Those links are great!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are having so much fun Patti. The sky's the limit! I too wear mostly post earrings. Soldering those little posts in place is such a good technique to know.
ReplyDeleteAnd, don't you just love finding a use for a tool you've had around "forever?" Looks like you got a lot out of this class.
Patti, I know I've commented on your updates on FB, but this is really your online "home" and I wanted to stop by and say how incredibly proud I am of you and all of your work - for the generosity you have shown to Miracle Horse Rescue (and it is no wonder your fine necklace sold so quickly!), for managing to make SO many beautiful pieces of jewelry in just one week, and for helping spread the word about my new book. You are a one woman PR dept. and I appreciate how you've helped to promote the book by actually making/photographing/sharing pieces that you made recently. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with how you've taken up so many new techniques and really ran with them - like the post earrings! I had to smile about your photography comment - I agree, taking pictures of sterling silver is not easy! And I love your snowman comment - those X O earrings are just beautiful! Would you believe I have not placed a single tool/supply order yet after artBLISS?? I have my wish list but just haven't taken the time to do it. Hmm...my birthday is coming up, maybe I should start a wishlist for my husband.... :-)
ReplyDeleteThe earrings, each pair are gorgeous, amazing! I love the necklace as well what a beautiful focal and the wire work is amazing.
ReplyDeleteyour work is really, really stunning! I love what you're doing with metals and how fun to have taken classes at ArtBliss! so jealous - would have loved to have been there. I saw a beautiful pair you sent to Christine - your work is even more beautiful in person :)
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