Post time!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

I wrote a pretty lengthy blog post on the Love My Art Jewelry blog (link here) about how I recycle some of my sterling silver scraps - the leftover's from my projects. It seems, these days, that all of my blog posts are lengthy!  Perhaps because I spend so much time alone in my studio and blogging is my method of conversation?!

Silver scraps

Anyway - I don't want to bore you in repeating myself - in case you actually read that blog, too- so I just wanted to share what I made!

Post earrings!  It seems that my work - at least with components - is getting smaller, and smaller! :) I have two favorites here...and they are tied for first place!

First up are these turquoise posts.  These stones are just drop dead gorgeous with the blue and green veining (from Dakota Stones).  Plus, turquoise is my birth stone, so always special to me!

With my continuing fundraising efforts for Miracle Horse Rescue, I had to make these!

The little pony posts have sold!

Can you believe it?  This blog post is done!  I will make up for it in my next post, 'cause I am going to have a Giveaway...so stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by today!!!  Have a great 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