Wow..it's been a while!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

Cannot believe I have not blogged since November 2015 - and here it is, 2016!!

I basically took most of December "off".  But, I eased back into jewelry making and managed to make a few things, and listed them in my shop.

I truly love these earrings. Hand case, lead free pewter tear drop charms from Inviciti.  I have seen some beautiful creations on "the web" made with Vincent's charm - really colorful creations.  After several attempts, I decided to keep it simple.

A pair of earrings and a bracelet made with gorgeous beads by Judith Billig.  She named the beads "Delphi Relics" and her technique in acquiring that "just found in an archaeological dig" look is spot on!

These beads - also from Judith - remind me of the desert sky.  Beautiful color combination!

The last pair of earrings with Judith's beads - I swear, the photo of the Grand Canyon truly captures the beautiful colors in these beads!

The bracelet below was made with gorgeous translucent beads by Susan Kennedy - I cannot capture the swirl of amethyst in my photos - but they are truly beautiful!  I added some handmade beads caps, a handmade toggle and hollow bead, and two recycled silver beads - sandwiched together to make a single link in the chain.

Things kicked up a bit in late December.  I am currently enrolled in an on-line class with Leslie Kail Villareal (link here).  I blogged about this at Love My Art Jewelry.  If you are interested in seeing my progress, just click here.   The picture below Leslie's example of the sterling silver cuff that I am attempting to complete. 

Source: Leslie Kail Villareal

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

xo

Patti

Tuesday - Copper Love

First off, as a follow-up to my last post, both my mother and I have each been wearing a pair of these post earrings every day.  We take them on... we put them back on again...we take them off...put them back on....all day long.

In fact, I have repeated this process at least 12 times today, and those posts are still snug as a bug on those earrings!

Anyway, I made a quick pair of earrings today.  I bought a bunch of gemstones a while ago, from Dakota stones, including a strand of Pyrite...love this stuff!  It has a brassy luster, and the stone is sometimes referred to as "Fools Gold".  I paired them with some jasper and a couple of textured copper connectors that have hand set rivets.

Another piece of jewelry that I just cannot get a good picture!  The picture below does highlight that brassy gold luster just a bit better.

Also in my last post, I shared a picture of copper cone bead I made, with the intention of making a necklace with fringe.  

Well, I made the necklace and the fringe...but I did not use the cone!

The necklace features yet another one of the large - exceptionally gorgeous - lamp work focal beads by Sarah Moran of ZBeads. Every time I looked at this bead, I saw a drum! It's not really a round bead - as the top and bottom edges are flat - like a drum. This particular bead is lined with shiny purple foil, encased in clear glass, and has wonderful thick stringers of orange and red.  So pretty!

Still thinking that bead reminded me of a drum, although not a true Clef, like this...

....I made a swirl out of 14 gauge copper and soldered that top hoop closed for security. Added a little texture, and then some bits of silver to serve as the fringe - drumsticks maybe?  I am so NOT musically inclined!

The focal hangs from a copper chain, with a hand wrought hook and clasp.  Simple, but I like it.

I still have to think of some way to use that cone!  

I made a pact with myself to start using the HUGE stash of lampwork beads that I have been collecting.  So, I started to make what began as a very simple bracelet with lovely, earthy beads by Judith Billig.  Once I had the beads wrapped, I decided to make this a multi-strand (well - two strand) bracelet, so I wired up some handmade chain. That morphed into making a focal toggle for the bracelet.

The picture makes the toggle look HUGE  - it is large - about 2" x 1 1/2", but the details on the metal look so cool!  Instead of just punching a hole in the toggle, I decided to solder on a round of wire on the back - hiding the connection of the two chains.

Can you see the large (12 gauge) ring in the picture?  First I flattened one edge of the ring slightly with a file so it would sit flush on the toggle, and raised it a bit before soldering.  I wish I had taken a picture of my solder setup -  there was so much stuff on that charcoal block keeping everything "just so" prior to hitting it with the flame - it was comical!  But hey, it worked!

I had fun shaping the toggle - it's rather organic...on purpose ... and it truly hugs the wrist when worn.

Judith named these beads Sediment Rustica - love that name!

That's about it for now.  I have no idea what my next project will be.  I am NOT a planner when it comes to jewelry design.  Just like the necklace in this post, I create as I sit down (though I actually work standing up at my bench). Sketching - for me - DOES NOT WORK.  I wish it did, as I gets lots of ideas on the fly, usually when I am doing some mundane task like laundry or cleaning.  If I just took the time to do a quick sketch, perhaps those ideas would come into fruition.  But, the rule "old dog/new trick" applies here.

So tell me - do you sketch?  If you do, do your final designs even remotely resemble those sketches?

Thanks so much for stopping by today!! 

xo

Patti

Fall is here!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

First off, thanks to the artists who left comments on my last blog post regarding questions by potential customers on my pricing - I very appreciate your taking the time!

I am simply overjoyed in how the weather has been in Virginia this past week!  When I woke up this morning, it was 45 degrees in my neck of the woods...heaven!  Though, it will warm nicely to the low 70's or so, I will take it!  Other than the fact that I broke a tooth over the weekend and had to make a quick visit to the dentist this morning to affirm the fact that my teeth are failing yet again (there is more crown in my future, next week), it will be a good week!

Last week, I revisited my first love of wire wrapping lampwork beads.  Zoom in on the picture, and you will see why I am so in awe of the talents of lamp work artists:

Beads by Judith Billig

Judith appropriately named these beads Sediment Stones.  Reminiscent of a slice of the earth's crust, I say.  Just loving the pops of orange and green!

Photo Source - Merriam Webster

I put a lot of thought into the chain links I made.  It just seemed appropriate to add an Infinity link to a bead that resembled something as old as the earth - lasting.

I recently purchased an online class from Leslie Kail Villarreal (here is a link to her website).  The class is for making a boho-style saddle ring.  Well, I am awaiting 2 more supplies before I can attempt this style of ring (so excited to at least attempt!)  In the meantime, I did make this one.

In my last post, I shared a two-toned metal pendant I made, with a brass "collar" cut to fit on top of the silver bezel.  This time, I used the same technique, but stuck with just silver.  I do love the banding in this green malachite.

This is a wide band ring, with a tiny little button soldered to the bottom.  I first flattened the ball of silver, then added a hand stamp.  I just love this little button!  I have seen it on many other rings "out there", and thought I would give it a try.

The folks at Miracle Horse Rescue  are having a fundraiser to raise $$ for hay and all of the other upkeep required for the horses.  It seems non-profits all over the place are really struggling these days, as the economy continues to stress everyone.  But, if you want a cool sweatshirt to keep you toasty warm in the coming months, please consider purchasing one from their fundraiser (just click on the picture to be directed to the Booster).  Thank you!

Onward, they say.  Time to get off my chair and get something done!

As always, thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

xo
Patti

There are days I sit in my studio in a complete stupor - there are so many techniques/tools/beads - you name it - that I want to try, but there is no mojo. None. Zippo. Zilch. It can be so depressing. Today was NOT one of those days.

So, I have had these beads by Judith Billig sitting on my bench for about 4 months now.

Photo and Beads by Judith Billig

I am not a pastel person, by any means.  But these colors are truly fabulous.  What I like about this set is that there is more than one color in each of the beads, yet all of the beads are different.  I did not want to "over design" this one, but I knew the end result had to be special - I mean....those beads!

I truly felt patinated silver was THE metal to use, so I looked in my stash for some sterling accent beads.  Not. A. Single.Bead...that would work (believe...I am not lacking in beads-it is a sickness I have!).  So, I made three hollow beads instead.  I love this texture - it reminds me of reticulated silver - kinda melty and "touchable" by the texture.

See the striations of color?!  And, Judith gave these a matte finish, so appropriate with this pastel palette.

I really, really like how this piece turned out!

While the silver elements were tumbling, I decided to re-visit a hoop design I made - only once before.  Kept my fingers crossed that I could solder this design again, and so happy it worked (did you hear my screams of joy about 10 AM this morning?!)

The last time I made this design, I did not texture the sterling. But, I knew I was using these gorgeous turquoise beads and went at it with the hammer. I think these have just a bit of Southwestern vibe going for them.

In combing through my stash for a silver accent bead for the sterling necklace above, I got side tracked and went through my own handmade findings box.  It's a mish-mash of copper and sterling - beads, toggles, clasps, jump rings.  I forgot about these hollow copper beads I made quite a while ago.  See...distraction is a good thing!

This is another amazing lampwork set by Judith.  You need to zoom in on the pictures - rustic turquoise!  This is actually my favorite piece today - the beads are just so intensely colored.

See?! :)

So, today was a blissful day in my studio.  I am grateful for days like today, where everything seems to fall into place.  They do not happen very often, and I hope I have more of them!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

xo

Patti

It's finally Friday!

I had a couple of hours to spend in my studio this week.  I spent of an hour or so fiddling with my still-new-to-me rolling mill and it is getting easier to create an impression on the metal!  One of these days, I am going to find some bravery and slip some sterling through this thing...that day has not yet arrived!  However, the copper is working!

I made a couple of nice long sheets of patterned metal.  So, I cut some small tabs, added a hand cut and set tube rivet, and then added a slight curve to the tab.  They look wonderful with these gorgeous Lapis Lazuli rounds, don't they?

I can actually "feel" the texture on the copper - which makes this girl very happy!

After these were complete, I was itching to go back "to my basics" of wire wrapping.  So, I pulled out this incredible strand of lampwork beads by Judith Billig.

Judith named these beads Batik Sherbert - isn't that name perfect?  My mother, the quilter, uses lots of batik fabric, and this title reminds me of that beautiful textile.  I did not want a complicated design, as I want the eye to follow the beads.  After vacillating between using copper or sterling, I chose copper - to complement the pale orange of the beads.  Instead of just plain-old wire wrapping, I took a bunch of copper wire and twisted it first, prior to wrapping.

Note - twisted wire becomes quite fidgety when wrapping!  Definitely not a quick project, but I am so glad I went this route!  The texture created from the twisted wire is what I was after. The focal is wrapped with square wire - twisted - while the beads are wrapped with double strands of round wire. I found a perfectly shaped ornate copper bead and paired it with one of the larger lentils to create a small pendant.

I also used two strands of wire - twisted - for the clasp - and fused the ends for a smooth finish (don't want that to unravel)!

I just love how this necklace turned out!  If you are reading this Judith, thank you for your art!!! (This necklace has sold - thank you!)

I am headed out the door shortly - taking my mom to get her first contact lens!  I used to be a contact lens wearer, until I was around 35 years old and my eyes decided to never create tears again.  I sure hope she can get that sucker in and out of her eye without my help, as I may prove useless!

A scorcher weather-wise - cannot wait to get back home to my basement where it is so cold I need to wear a sweatshirt to keep warm!!  Thank you so much for stopping by - have a fabulous day!

xo

Patti

Busy...but not in a Jewelry-Making kind of way...

Not much going on here of late.  Yes...my kiln was delivered, and it sits in the same spot as the day it arrived!  My niece, her husband, their adorable 9-month old baby boy, and their equally-adorable white golden retriever Griffin moved in with us this past weekend.  They sold their townhouse, and bought a new home, that will not be complete until the end of June.  The past few weekends have been spent packing/moving etc.  I feel I need a good long stretch of time to dedicate myself to all the idiosyncrasies involved with the kiln.  Until then, I dabbled just a bit in "the familiar".

I recently went nuts at an on-line trunk show where I purchased a BOAT LOAD of beads by artist Judith Billig.  I just could not help myself!  Every time she would post a new picture, I gasped!  This is what I bought...

One of the bead sets included earrings pairs made with a most unique spiral shape:

These are lampwork rounds.  First, I wanted to mimic that spiral somehow, so I grabbed a piece of wire and wrapped up the orange rounds.

I must have snapped 50 photos of these earrings - so hard to photograph, and these little buggers would not sit still ('cause their round)!  

Though I love the earrings, I realized the spiral effect is kinda lost.  So, I wrapped up the black ones with the spiral "on the side".

Again - impossible to photograph!  I would set them up on my gray board "just so"...turn on my camera, and those puppies just kept rolling!  And, the spiral is lost in the picture.  Sigh...

So, I grabbed a pendant and make a necklace.  Much easier to photograph!

That's about all I have done in the past couple of weeks.... I will hopefully speed up my production in the coming weeks!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Enjoy your weekend!

xo

Patti