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

Post Earrings Trial

by Patti Vanderbloemen

I am not sure if I have mentioned it here on my personal blog, but I did mention in a post on the Love My Art Jewelry blog spot that I don't have the opportunity to take jewelry classes. So, I peruse way-too-many You Tube videos, and I purchase online videos here and there, usually through Craftsy (link here).  I almost always purchase these videos when they are on sale - usually half price, and I think they are a good deal.  One can access the video ANYTIME - there is no expiration - and if you are like me, you can replay a "scene" often.  Many times, I have purchased a class and do not even view it until I am at a loss for inspiration, which was the case here!  

The class Fabricating Dimensional Metal Jewelry, with instructor Lisa Colby (link here), focuses on fold forming, hammering, and basically, shaping sheet metal into wearable art.  I haven't finished viewing the class yet, but, I was intrigued with one of the projects - a post-style hoop earring.  

This is truly a classic style - and not difficult to make.  The tools required include a wood dapping block and the round side of any chasing hammer (like this one). The website's class materials includes a template for cutting out the basic hoop shape from sheet metal. The basic earring design does not add a lot texture - just a slight hammered textured finish.   Really pretty, but I wanted to try to texture my metal first.

Although the video did not address this, I already knew that if I first textured the sheet metal, and then attempted to create the hoops shape with a metal chasing hammer, my initial texture would become distorted by the chasing hammer. So, first I textured my metal, annealed it, and then I used this nylon hammer to create the hoop shape (link here)

Another note before I show you lots of pictures - the class includes a down-loadable materials list, along with a template to create the basic shapes.  I actually thought these earrings were a tad on the large side, so I reduced the template by 15%.  It was a little bit more difficult to get my hammer in side the smaller metal shape within the the dapping cup, above, but I persisted!

By using the nylon hammer to manipulate the metal in the wood dapping block, the texture stayed true.

My favorite pair - brass - antiqued just a bit.

I know that these appear to be on the large side - but the longest pair is only 1 3/8" long...and they are post earrings!  I am wearing a pair as I type this, and they are extremely lightweight.

The hardest part is soldering the teeny tiny earring post to the end of the earring.  I actually want to test-fit these for a bit before even considering offering them for sale.  I would just die if that post fell off! :)

Onward.

In my last post, I shared a picture of some gorgeous focal beads by Sarah Moran of Zbeads.  I have an idea to create a sort of fringe, with chain, but could not find a cone in my stash that worked well with the bead.  So, I made my first cone!

I envision a mixed metal-type necklace, so I made the cone from copper that I textured with a hammer, and then I soldered on a teeny tiny sterling silver bead made from my shot plate. 

I am still in the thinking stage here, but the fringe of chain will hang from inside the cone...at least, I think it will! Stay tuned! :)

It was a very busy week here, personally, so not much else was accomplished.  Monday through Wednesday will be much the same - two days will involve more visits (yes - plural) to my dentist....again.  Sigh.  Hopefully, by my next posting, I will have taken this design just a bit further!

Thanks so much for stopping by today - hoping you have a wonderful week!

xo

Patti

BIG Beads!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

Just a short while ago, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things/Bead Soup Blog Party fame (link to her blog here) held an auction fundraiser, where she offered these stunning beads for sale.  These beads are made by Sarah Moran (Zbeads on Etsy link here).  This type of bead is not my normal style - they are fairly large beads, and quite colorful --- I tend to stay on the earth tone side of the color spectrum, with just a splash of color here and there.

However, I have been an admirer of Sarah's beads for quite some time now. They are absolutely nothing short of spectacular!  The craftsmanship is jaw dropping.  Please zoom on the picture and I know you will agree with me!

Sarah calls these beads "Coral Cocktail", with intense coral, lavender, red, orange, and purple with bases of transparent pale lavender and blush on white. After taking a million photos of these beads, I do not believe there is a camera or photographer out there that can capture the true artistry in the details.

Frankly, stringing one of these stunners on a shoe string would be beautiful! But, alas, all my shoes close with velcro! :)

I knew that I would use one bead at a time - as I said, they are on the large size, appropriately so.  I did what anybody would do with a work of art - I framed it! One night while perusing You-Tube videos on my I-Pad (this is a nightly ritual for me), I found this great tutorial for an earring bead frame by Janice Berkebile at Beaducation (link here).  I thought it would be perfect for a pendant frame.

Janice's tutorial specifies 10 gauge fine silver, as the frame is fused.  I actually fused Argentium silver instead of fine silver - but I also soldered the seam.  Her tutorial also has one more side to it - I kept mine at an even number of 4 sides.

I added two hand textured/cut sterling silver bead caps. One of the design elements for three sides of this bead frame are what Janice entitled "Dew Drops"  - balled headpins, similar to a heat rivet. These can be tricky to make - too much heat and the balled headpin will melt and fuse to the frame - I used Argentium for the heat rivets, as well.  But, luck was on my side...thank goodness!

I recently made a heavy gauge copper bracelet similar in design to this bead frame, so the technique was familiar to me.

The hardest part, for me, was selecting which bead to wire in the center of this frame!

While many thanks go to Sarah Moran for creating these beads, I also want to shout out a huge THANK YOU to Lori Anderson for selflessly selling these beads for another artist in need.

One bead down...and six to go! :)  I am hoping I can come up with different ways to highlight these absolutely exquisite beads!

Thanks 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

Another Wednesday post!!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

It has been a busy week for me - lots of little non-jewelry-related tasks that have to get done.  I keep making lists, and crossing off the tasks, but I always feel like I am playing catch-up!

Anyway, I posted a not-quite-a-tutorial for a new-to-me technique, over at the Love My Art Jewelry blog.  It features a two-tone metal pendant, this time I used brass and sterling.  It was a practice piece (in case it did not work out), and I used a kinda  hum drum Labradorite that was devoid of the gorgeous flash that this stone is known for. So it is now mine! I've worn it twice already!

It was rather time consuming, but now that I have the gist of the steps to take, I will be visiting this technique again.

A very lovely repeat customer of mine quite recently purchased almost all of the sterling silver bangles in my shop.  Still my all time favorite piece of jewelry to create, I made another one.

I used 6 gauge sterling silver wire.  This time, I soldered 3 tiny silver embellishments to the top of the bangle - the center one is made using my shot plate.  I prefer to make the heavier gauge bangles in an oval shape.  They are much easier to put on (for me), and the decorative element is more likely to stay centered on the wrist when the bangle is oval, versus round.  

I also like to texture 3 sides of any bangle I make (I try to, anyway). When I wear bangles, I always tend to bang the bracelet on whatever surface is nearby (perhaps that is why it is called a bang-le???) Anyway, by adding texture, any future potential "dings" that may happen in the metal are disguised by this little bit of texture.  That's my theory, anyway.

I made some more hollow beads for some earrings.  These have sold already, but I have got to make a pair for myself!  They are so lightweight and comfortable!

It was time to add some color to my shop!  I bought these three GORGEOUS lampwork glass beads from Susan Kennedy (her shop is here) LAST YEAR.  I keep a pretty little handmade ceramic bowl on bench FULL of art beads.  I like to stare at their beauty every day - it is inspirational! Well, my bowl is overflowing, and it was time!

In my listing in my shop, I even went into detail as to why I loved these beads!  The ribbon of glass in khaki, navy, and ecru that flows all around the bead; the sterling silver droplets melted into the design; the rectangular shape of the bead; but mostly, it's that translucent deep blue glass! Just gorgeous!

I could not decide on copper or silver...so I used both, and made a little mixed metal chain.

My morning routine is cast in stone: I get up, brush my teeth, start the coffee, and turn on my I-Pad and read emails.  I received an Etsy email from a potential customer.  She referenced a pair of Sterling Silver earrings that I have in my shop, which are priced at $55.  She asked if I would sell them for $35.  Almost half of the stated price. I was shocked, and a tiny bit insulted.

Now mind you, my coffee was still brewing (I must have coffee FIRST THING in the morning - I MUST)!  I try very hard to keep my prices affordable.  It is stated in my listings that ALL proceeds are donated to charity.  I mean, I don't just pick a price off the top of my head - it's calculated.

I turned off the I-Pad, drank my coffee, and sat down at my computer. I wrote her back, thanked her very much for her interest.  I told her that my price was firm and fair, and is based upon the materials used in the design, the craftsmanship, and most importantly, the skill set required to create these earrings.

I have not heard back from her, and I am sure I will not.  But, it threw me off a bit!  I have had people try to "barter" with me at craft shows before - that never goes over well, either!

It took me a couple years making jewelry before I even considered selling it.  I am a private person with not the highest self esteem to begin with. Selling one's art is, in a way, like selling a piece of oneself.  Our art is personal - at least mine is.  It took me a while to learn that just because a piece of my jewelry does not sell, it does not mean that design is awful - it's subjective.  So, every once in a while when I receive comments like "why is that so expensive" or "can you reduce the price", I have to remind myself that it's not me - it's them.

If there are any other jewelry designer's reading this blog, I would LOVE it if you would share with me in the comments how YOU would have replied to this inquiry. I can tell that this is going to bug me for a while.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

xo

Patti