I could become addicted to this....

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.

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:

The sale in my shop continues through October 31, 2013.  All proceeds will be donated to Miracle Horse Rescue!  Thanks for our support!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy your week - I know I will, as the high heat has left Northern Virginia - yahoo!!!

xo
Patti

And the winner is....

Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment/share my post! :)

The winner of these awesome earrings - inspired by Artist/Teacher Stacie Florer is....

Susan Marling!

Susan - please contact me via email (pattivan@comcast.net) with your snail mail address and I will get these out to you right away!

Even though it is Monday ... have a great day!

Patti

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

A new addition and artBLISS!

I have been a VERY BAD blogger lately.....but I have a very good reason!  On March 26th, this little guy became a permanent member of my family:

 

 

He was adopted from the local Prince William County Animal Shelter ( a kill shelter....ugh).  He was named Sarge, and his name seemed to fit him, so Sarge it is.  He was picked up as a stray on 2/16/13, and 10 days later was put on the adoption list.  I believe his days were numbered, as he had a big Red Dot on his badge.  Anyway, he is a beagle/pointer mix - fully grown - and estimated to be between 1-2 years of age.  He was mal-nourished when he got home...but not anymore!  He has put on 5 pounds and is now at his optimum weight of 40 pounds. My vet also did some major bloodwork and discovered that certain levels are very high and he may have Lyme Disease - though he shows absolutely no symptoms.  So, 30 days of antibiotics just in case.  He is the sweetest little guy!  And, he was housebroken in 1 day!  He is an ESCAPE ARTIST and does suffer from separation anxiety - working on these things now! I believe he was somebody's pet, as he is very well mannered!

 

So, my life has been quite full these days!  However, I was so excited to get my email from artBLISS announcing registration is open for September classes!  Yay! !  I am filling every hour of this 3 day weekend - 2 classes with Richard Salley & Jessica Papke, and classes from my all time favorite teachers ever - Stacie Florer and Kerry Bogert! 

 

 

  

The classes with Richard Salley and Jessica Papke are focused on ring-making.  I am finding my inner metal-smith these days and believe this is the path I want to take.  Stacie's class will focus on post earrings - (I purchased several of these post earrings from Stacie as gifts for myself and family members and they are drop-dead gorgeous)!

 

Image from Stacie Florer's store on Etsy.

 

Kerry's class will focus on making a unique wrapped bracelet using one of her awesome lampwork beads as the button closure. 

 

I am very excited about these classes and I hope to see some of you at this fantastic event!

 

I hope to get back to regular blogging soon - I have been creating some beautiful pendants and rings from some cabochons...just need to get them photographed and sit down to focus on my blog again.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Craft show....hmmmmm

Last weekend was my first craft show - I had only shown my work at home shows in the past.  Wow - what a difference!  I had armed myself with all information available on what to bring to a craft show, how to display your work, etc.  I have to admit I did not forget one thing!  Here is a pic of my table:

 

Click on pics for a larger view

 

 

This was a 2 day craft show - Saturday from 9:00 - 2:00, continuing at 5:30 - 8:00, and then Sunday from 8:00 - 2:00.  It was held in a church Parish Hall.  There was NO HEAT.  NONE.  It was very cold last weekend and the room temperature felt like it did not rise above 45 degrees the entire weekend.  Brrrr..  And...it was slow.  Very slow.  The busiest day was Sunday - after each Mass.  But in between each Mass was an hour-long lull. 

 

The upside is that I met some of the nicest vendors!  They all noted that sales had been down for them...way down...all year long, including this show.  People just don't want to spend money right now.  I did fair - I did not expect to sell a single thing, but I did.   It was a great experience - especially since I have 2 more shows coming up next week.

 

Here are some pics of my table.  I bought the coolest necklace and bracelet displays from Last Summer Treasures - they are handmade from bamboo!  I got several compliments on the bamboo.

 

I bought this pretty papered box at Michael's with a 40% coupon - I don't think I paid $8.00 for it.  Well, my mother had matching deep purple satin, so she made me a little pillow to fit inside - Thanks Mom!

 

I had made my own earring cards and tags, and I bought this nice earring stand from Rio Grande - it holds lots of earrings and it's made of solid oak.  I found that people actually lingered a little longer at my table and looked at every single earring! 

 

 

My back and legs did not fare well, however.  I am still suffering from the affects of my bulging disc, which is pinching my sciatica nerve.  I stood most of the time, as sitting was just NOT. COMFORTABLE.  I go back to the Doc on Tuesday...we'll see what he says.

 

All I can say is I felt every day of my almost 52 years by Sunday night!  The weeks worth of prep work involved - plus just the added anxiety of having my first craft show - well, let's just say I was overly tired and achy!  I am not sure if I will do this show again next year - 2 days in a row and it was so slow - I will wait to see if the economy improves first!

 

I will end this post with some pics of my newest designs.

 

I love this bracelet - handmade bronze clasp by Lesley Watt of TheaToo, peeled paint beads by Jeannie Dukic, and ceramic beads by Marsha Neal.

Another bronze clasp by Lesley Watt of Thea Too, bronze accent bead by LeAnn Wieh of Summers Studio, and polymer beads by Humblebeads

I swear - this bracelet was the most popular of any of my other pieces!  I am surprised it did not sell!  Vibrant polymer beads by Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf.

I love how this necklace turned out!  I used lamp work beads by Javabead and Sue Kennedy of Sues Beads.  It's wrapped with silver filled sterling, antiqued, and tumbled for shine.

I made another Elemental Bracelet, which I learned from Stacie Florer at ArtBliss.  This time, I intentionally made it "big" - in silver.  It fits so well - like a cuff.

A close up of the bracelet - I soldered a tiny little silver bezel with turquoise on one of the links.

This necklace is my favorite and I am keeping it - it took me six straight hours to make!  It is based on a design by Kerry Bogert from her Totally Twisted Book - double stranded, and it includes her beads that I bought at ArtBliss.

Thanks so much for stopping by...what a long winded post! I enjoy reading your comments, if you are so inclined to leave one!  I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Production Time

I have stowed myself in my basement (that's where I have my studio) and have been banging away day and night.  I have some craft shows coming up in November (3 in a 2 week period!) and I need to make sure I have enough inventory.

This is some of what I have made this week:

I could wrap Donna Millard's lampwork in an old shoe string and they would still shine!  Cool twisted clasp by Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp.

I got these beads from the Art Bliss Bead Swap so I can't give credit - but here is Marie's clasp again!

Okay...so I love Marie's clasp-I admit it!

Heavy Metal Beads-learned this technique from Stacie Florer at Art Bliss - this time in silver with turquoise and wrangled into earrings

Stacie mentioned "air chasing metal" in class - I was not in her class when she demonstrated this technique. But she had a sample and I was intrigued.  So I found an article in Art Jewelry Magazine (July 2012) - I will be exploring this technique more for sure!

More of the same - after creating the earrings, I formed the curve on my ring mandrel - I love these!

 

Heavy Metal beads - in bracelet form and in silver

Stacie's Elemental Bracelet class - I made a few of these bracelets, and here are two examples.  If I could just make these bracelets every day for the rest of my life, I would be happy!  Although they look the same, each link is different: different textures, different techniques...SO.MUCH.FUN!

On Sunday, the temperature is supposed to drop to the mid-50's here in Virginia.  I.LOVE.FALL!!!  I plan on banging on more metal this weekend - I cannot tell you how satisfying this medium has been to me.  Do you have a favorite technique that "calms your nerves"?

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy your weekend!

Pay It Forward - Complete!

Following the lead of Ms. Cilla Watkins of Tell Your Girlfriends, I posted a quick sign-up to "Pay It Forward".  The first 3 people to comment on my blog would receive a handmade gift from me.  In turn, they would blog, and send a gift to the first 3 responders on their blog...and so on.  What a neat concept!  I sent a brief list of questions to the recipients, i.e, what colors and metals do you wear, wrist size, etc.  Once everyone responded, I got to work. 

 

First up is Ms. Kari Asbury of Hippie Chick Design.  She said she liked blues and purples - a favorite combination of mine, as well.  I made her a bracelet of sterling silver and 3 beautiful blue swirled lampwork beads from Sue Kennedy, along with some purple lampwork beads, a deep blue lampwork nugget bead, and a sterling silver diamond-shaped filigree bead. 

 

Click on pictures for a larger view.

 

Next up is Ms. Lisa Lodge from Pine Ridge Treasures.   She preferred "classic-styled" jewelry in silver, and typically wears bracelets and earrings.  I had these gorgeous filigree lampwork beads from Sue Kennedy - one of my all-time favorite bead styles.  I also had some tear drop shaped beads from Unicorne - the matte finish on both bead styles complemented each other so well - so I set off to make Lisa a bracelet.

 

 

Next up is Ms. Stephanie Stamper of Rainy Day Designs.  I happen to know that she has 3 children, and she answered that she liked brass, copper, and silver.  Well, I had JUST replaced my old disc cutter and was still in "metal mode" at the time.  So, I got to work and made her an ID necklace with one brass disc, one copper disc, and one sterling silver disc.  After stamping her children's names on their respective discs, I antiqued the copper and silver discs using liver of sulfur.  Luckily, I had recently received Kerry Bogert's Rustic Wrappings book - which included tips and recipes to antique the brass, which does not react with liver of sulfur. 

 

Once the tags were made, I made a bail from sterling silver wire and attached the new pendant to some Vintaj chain and clasp.  I like how it turned out!

 

 

I had fun with this and I hope the recipients enjoy their gifts!

 

I will be headed to ARTBliss Workshops tonight for a full weekend of jewelry-making classes with Kerry Bogert and Stacie Florer!  I have been looking forward to this for months now and cannot believe it is finally here! I am equally excited to meet all of the "virtual jewelry artists" whose blogs I read daily and share comments on Facebook!!  I started to pack last night (lots of materials and tools to bring), but did not get very far! I. Must. Pack.... Now.!!

 

Have a good weekend and thank you for stopping by!