New stuff

by Patti Vanderbloemen

Blog titles...how does one come up with a catchy blog title?  I can't even come up with catchy names for my jewelry...so "New Stuff" it is!

I very recently received a fresh batch of pewter charms from Vincent and Nooma of Inviciti (link here)  and lo and behold, I used every single set in a week!  That NEVER happens, as I usually tend to "over buy" ANYTHING, thus my stash of beads keeps growing (out of control, I might add).

First up is a very simple pair of earrings. I have had these two "orphan" beads from Maryse of GlassBeadArt (link here) for quite a while. Inevitably, I always seem to be "left" with one or two beads from ANY strand. No worries...they all get used eventually!

But, I really love the shape of these clear glass beads! They are so unique, and the glass itself appears to have crackling inside - reminding me of an ice cube!

I have been adding to my gemstone hoard as well. I had these TEENY TINY gemstones (4mm) with what is I am positive the world's smallest hole. Not really, but I had to wear my Opti-visor's in order to string these itsy bitsy beauties.I bought these with the intention of making a multi-strand bracelet. 

I had a small, Blue Apatite cabochon sitting on my bench and thought it would blend so well with the colors in the gemstone mix. So, I made a silver bezel and wrapped it to the center hole in the focal. Notice the horse?  That horse is simply perfection...to my eyes! 

I am always torn between making a "matching" pair of earrings. When I don't make them, I am asked for a pair..and when I do make them, inevitably one is purchased without the other. So, I flipped a coin and made a pair.

I like the fact that earrings are not so "matchy/matchy" with the necklace.

With my hoard of Inviciti charms dwindling, I made one last pair of earrings.

Those two little silver tabs were a death wish! When I make earrings, like most artists, I tend to complete one step on one earring and proceed to the same step on the second earring....always hoping and praying for symmetry and consistency. Well, after cutting each back plate and stamping the design; cutting the silver tubing, soldering it onto the back plate, and cutting a seat into the tubing; creating and soldering a half ring for the wire wrap; soldering on the earring post; and finally, oxidizing/buffing/tumbling, I was ready to set the stones. The first stone set beautifully. When I began to set the second stone, the gemstone was sitting just crooked enough to drive me insane. So, I had to cut the tubing off the ruined back plate and start over. I ALMOST said forget it, but I am glad I did not!

Lastly, I had several people (on Facebook) ask me to make a wire wrapped cross pendant like the one I gave away in my last post.  So, I made a few and listed them in my shop.  My favorite is the mixed metal sterling silver with copper.

So, that was my week!

Thank you for stopping by today!  Have a wonderful week!

XO

Patti

Winner!

by Patti Vanderbloemen

The winner of one of these wire wrapped Cross Necklaces....

is Kristine!!!

Kristine, please send me you address via email (pattivan@verizon.net) and I will get this out to you right away!

Thanks for the comments - and for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

XO

Patti

Symbolism in Design - and a Give Away

by Patti Vanderbloemen

Symbols - they are everywhere! Recently, I embarked on using an inspirational symbol in a few pieces - the Cross. Although I am a practicing Catholic - I did not choose this symbol solely for the religious aspect.  To me, it symbolizes Life, Truth, and  Hope. All good things.

I have been using Vincent's (of Inviciti) hand cast pewter charms in my jewelry for quite some time, including making several necklaces with a cross as a focal.

Isn't that gorgeous?  Not sure what I love more - the focal itself or the aged patina he applies.  Either way, I am smitten!

First up, I have been coveting an absolutely perfect strand of graduated turquoise. The blue/green and veining in these beads are truly perfect.  I seriously considered just stringing the strand with tiny silver beads - that alone would have been beautiful. 

But, I made a cross out sterling silver sheet to serve as the focal.

I added a turquoise cabochon, set in sterling, to the center. The handmade stamp (Danny Wade/Ferro Valley Tools) is also a cross and shield. I had the hardest time getting the patina just right. I wanted an ancient/antiqued/just-dug-out-of-the-ground look to this focal.  I hope I achieved that look. When I cut out the cross pattern, I gave myself some room to fold the bail over and add a rivet for closure.

Then I made some earrings out of copper - and added two tiny faceted Amethysts set in sterling silver tubing.  My first tube-set gems! I was excited to cut the seat into the tubing and actually see that it worked!  It's the little things....

The last piece I made is a Sideways Cross Bracelet.  

It also features some stamping with hand made stamps by Danny Wade.  It is actually a flower stamp...but if you turn it on its side...it's a Cross. 

Still enthralled with setting a gemstone in silver tubing, I added a little faceted Peridot to the center of the Cross focal.

More handmade chain - this is my go-to wire wrapped link of choice.  It's double wrapped and substantial, but still tiny and not overpowering. A tiny Swarovski Crystal in Peridot - and a little sterling silver leaf charm - are wrapped to the last link in the adjustable chain portion of the bracelet. 

Are you all still with me today?  'Cause I have a little give away for you!

I found an old tutorial on Pinterest for a wire wrapped Cross Focal (here is a link to the artist's blog if you are interested in making one yourself). It looked so simple in the tutorial but to be honest, it took me 3-4 attempts to not have a mangled mess on my hands! The cross measures about 2" in length - and not heavy at all!  I soldered closed a sterling silver jump ring for the bail, and strung the Cross on a sterling silver chain.

I am going to give away one of these necklaces! To win, simply leave a comment on this blog. If you want a second chance to win, share this blog post on Facebook, come back to this blog and leave a comment that you shared the post.  I will pick a winner in a few days!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a safe Memorial Day and please take a moment to give thanks to those that ensure our freedom Every.Single.Day.

XO

Patti

PS - Spell check on Blogger is not working today for some reason - please excuse any typos!!

Thank You

by Patti Vanderbloemen

First off...many thanks for the comments made on my last blog post ---I truly do appreciate it!

Second...I am SO TIRED OF THIS RAIN! It seems that we have had only 2-3 days of sunshine since April - and not consecutive days either. It is so depressing! Okay..rant over.  

Anyway, one of my very best customers asked me if I could create a bangle or a bracelet for her cousin. The only requisites were that the bracelet have a horse theme and possibly have the name of the horse appear on the bracelet.

I really wanted a silhouette of a horse and somehow make a focal, but I had doubts about my sawing capabilities. But then I said, "what the heck", and I did.

Forgive this blurry image taken from my cell phone...but I was so pleased that I did not wreck the design or my fingers on this tiny little piece of copper that  I neglected to check to see if the picture was clear.

I then cut a brass oval and sweat soldered the copper horse silhouette to the oval. I was going for some dimension in the focal. I kept my fingers crossed that I did not use too much solder - nothing worse than excess solder bleeding onto that brass, which I would not be able to camouflage in the final design. I cut a piece of heavy gauge sterling silver, stamped on the beloved Horse name, and soldered the brass oval to the silver.  Two jump rings were added for connectors.

I have not used brass in a soldering project in quite some time and forgot that one of the components of this lovely metal is copper. Lots of sanding involved after pickling to bring the gold color back to the brass - which looks just like copper when heated.

If I am not given an exact wrist size, I prefer to make bracelets that are adjustable. I also wanted to use a lobster clasp, which, though not handmade, provides the most secure closure.

So, I made a chain of tiny double wrapped loops and wired this to to one side of the focal. To the other side, I added a few jump ring links, soldered closed for security.  This way, the clasp can attach to any of the soldered rings for a perfect fit.

I wrapped a tiny sterling silver bead added to the last link.

My customer told me her cousin loved the bracelet....always so very happy to hear that! Custom orders do not always go well! :)  Here is a picture of her cousin wearing the bracelet and judging from her tiny wrist, I am so glad I made it adjustable!

I am so happy my customer contacted me - it was the creative outlet that I needed!

Thanks for stopping by today!

xo
Patti

Not My Normal Cliche..

by Patti Vanderbloemen

Yeah...it's been a while since I have blogged.  And, I am not going to revert to my old cliche of "been too busy"... "not much going on".  

I am not one who tends to voice her opinion via social media.  Political diatribe?  Not for me.  I rarely even "like" those types of posts on Face Book. I tend to keep my opinions about the political arena (it is a stage..right?) to myself.

My blog has almost exclusively focused on jewelry. I am always excited to share new designs.  But, there has not been too much coming from my studio lately.

So, today's post is very different for me. I thought I would share what has really been going on with me. I will probably never bring this subject up again. So, here goes.

Two years ago, during a routine physical with blood work, I was diagnosed as having Hypothyroidism accompanied with Hashimoto's Disease.  It's a good word - just means that my thyroid is confused and is literally trying to kill itself.  It is a very common disease and is treated with a pill.... forever. 

Last Summer, I began to have bouts of dizziness/vertigo, along with a terrible neck ache, a weird rash on my neck, and total exhaustion and fatigue.  So, I went to see my Primary Care Physician. Hypothyroidism can cause lethargy and dizziness. But, my doctor was concerned with the degree of fatigue and vertigo, along with my other symptoms. In the months that followed, I have seen more specialists and had more tests than I thought possible.

• Extensive blood tests - including Lyme Disease, which were negative.
• Ophthalmologist - I have been seeing an ophthalmologist on a regular basis and advised her of my vertigo - she found no issues with my eyes.
• CT Scan - normal
• Cardiologist - EKG, ECG, Echo Cardiogram, Heart Monitors, Stress Test.  Except for slightly elevated cholesterol - everything is hunky dory.  And yes - I am now on a low dose cholesterol medication and my levels are back to normal.  While I am grateful that everything going on with my heart is fine - it was a long, 2-month testing period that literally scared the life out of me as I did not any answers until the very end.
• Physical Therapy - I went through two solid months of PT for my neck, twice weekly. While the PT helped during the actual treatment, the neck pain always returned.  The Physical Therapist - who I actually liked - thought that I could be suffering from Anxiety and suggested I contact a Therapist.  Although I did not believe I had anxiety, I was willing to try anything. Well, that proved futile--I attempted to contact three separate Counseling office.  Not one single return phone call or email. So much for Mental Health Care in 2016.
• Orthopedic Surgeon - I had an X-ray of my neck, which showed normal deterioration of cartilage, etc...for my age. In fact, this was the worst appointment - lasted a total of 3 minutes! Once I said "I am not looking for surgery as an option", he basically shooed me out his door. Shame on him.
• Dermatologist - The rash is simply the result of sun damage  -- probably from a bad sunburn I had when I was 8 years old. Typically, I avoid the sun like the plague - I remain pale and proud!
• Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist - Vertigo is typically associated with an inner ear ailment.  So, I had multiple tests that all proved normal. I even had my hearing tested just for grins, which I am happy to report, is perfect.
• Endocrinologist- He simply confirmed my Hypothyroidism and associated Hashimoto's Disease and that my Primary Care Physician is doing everything correctly (blood work check every 2-3 months).  My TSH level is is on a constant roller coaster ride of high and low - and my medications are adjusted accordingly. Once the TSH level achieves a normal rate, they have a mind of their own and tend to rise.  So, luckily I do not have an aversion to needles and blood tests, as this will continue forever.  And he reaffirmed that these with the thyroid are so very common and can cause some dizziness, and fatigue,  He reassured me that every patient has different experiences. And, that I am not nuts.
• Neurologist - EEG of the brain, MRI - without and with contrast - everything is fine. However, she ordered a certain blood test to check for Anti Nuclear Antibodies (ANA). This is a blood test to check for a variety of auto immune diseases.  The results were returned with a flag - so I went to my Primary Care Physician, who ordered a subsequent comprehensive ANA blood test. The results of this blood work also came back with a flag for a horrible autoimmune disease called Scleroderma. I DO NOT recommend doing a google search of this disease, as it is awful. I was referred to a Rheumatologist.
• Rheumatologist - My abnormal ANA test was probably due to my Hashimoto's Disease and Hypothyroidism - NOT Scleroderma. Basically, it is a disease that affects the skin (rash is an understatement here), and I had zero symptoms. He also stated that the abnormal ANA Level for Scleroderma was not all that high - but to have my Primary Care Physician perform the same blood test every 6 months to a year. 

I am sure I left something off of this list. But, 10 months later....I still have all the same symptoms from the beginning and there are days where I do not get off the couch or out of my bed. It is not every day - thank goodness.  

Through all of this mess, I have gained many valuable lessons.

• I have to be the advocate for my own health. Doctors do not know everything. Some are good - and some should rethink their career choice. 'Nuff said.
• If I am going to use the Internet for research on health issues - take every word with a grain of salt. The old adage "a little information is dangerous" applies. 
• My symptoms and ailments are real - I am not a paranoid hypochondriac... no matter who insists they are imaginary.
• I count my blessings every single day. It could be 100 times worse than it is, and I am truly grateful that it is not.
• I have always had empathy for those who suffer with chronic illness - now, more than ever.

I did not write this post to gain sympathy - I wrote it mostly for me and for the very few people who have contacted me via email or Face book...wondering where I have been (a sincere thank you to those lovely people, too!) There was a point during these past 10 months where I questioned my mental health, as I was not getting any answers, the time between making an appointment with a specialist and actually seeing the doctor was ridiculously long, and quite frankly, I was depressed, But I am not depressed anymore. I have learned to deal with everything and rest when that it what my body is craving.

And on those days where I am symptom free - there is metal, hammers, fire, and beads waiting for me in my studio.  For that, I am forever grateful!

If you hung in until the end - thank you for listening. And, as always, thank you for stopping by today! Next time...I promise...the post will be back to jewelry!

XO

Patti