Enameling wrap up… February 14, 2018

Last night was the last class on enameling.  So time to wrap up with a few pieces and thoughts to share.

Let’s get the failures and learnings out of the way…  First, I am grateful for a class to play and learn in with a group of wonderful students who are so open to sharing with they learn too. And can’t forget our excellent teacher Pam.   Also, copper is a cheap material to experiment with.  Don’t think I’d be so free if I was working in sterling or fine silver.  In these two pieces I was trying to learn how to enamel on bits of millefiori glass rods.  When fired properly, they melt down flat into the enamel and turn into gorgeous flower blooms.  Just couldn’t get it done.  Mine just rolled up into balls and stayed that way.  Felt like I had fired it for ten minutes.  You can see that one got close, but with the amount of time I spent torching (or torturing) those poor little things, the enamel colors look scorched and burnt.  Nothing like the colors I laid down on the copper.  On the plus side, I did see the beautiful color possible on just putting flux on bare copper…a lovely orange-pink golden color is the best I can describe it.  I actually like the piece on the bottom and would have used it to make something, but one of the glass ‘balls’ popped off. You can see that it left a tiny ghost flower design behind.

 

And on to the more successful ones…  I wanted to show some finished jewelry, because I was a bit puzzled on how to use these components in creating pieces to wear.

 

 

 

 

Love  the colors of this next pair…reminds me of the red earth of Utah or Kauai.  I think my husband still has his red dirt shirt from the island.  These are like Zion, upside-down. Blue sky below, red earth above.  Pam showed me how to create the bottom pieces using the dye cutter…easy, peasy trick.  Love them!  But the camera’s ‘third’ eye is showing me some crazing on the left one.  Not sure what caused that.  Did I drop in the water too soon after firing?  Anyone out there know?

 

 

And just in time for Valentine’s Day…

a bit unusual for me, color-wise.

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!  Hugs all around!

Lynda

 

 

Pleasantly surprised! September 20, 2017

So a brand new Tuesday Morning store opened up in my neighborhood recently. If you aren’t familiar with this franchise, it’s a bit like a Ross or Marshall’s but more focused on home, bedding, and kitchen goods…but with some occasional great deals on jewelry makings, like beads, findings, chain, tools, etc…

On my second visit, I was checking out the craft section for any little fun finds when I spied a rack of embossing folders used for paper crafts.  99 cents each! Now, I have neither an embossing machine nor do paper crafting, but I wondered if these could work with copper sheet metal and a rolling mill??  I bought two at that price to take to class last night and try them out.  Bees and Flower designs.

They worked beautifully!  Nice deep two sided impressions.  In fact, for the one I probably used too much pressure and the plastic embossing folder curled a bit.  I’m pretty sure it can be used again…the raised designs were also not smashed or flattened any in the rolling mill.  A very good sign that these can be used multiple times.

You can see that the one on the left is curled. I’m wondering if I can ‘uncurl’ it by running it through the rolling mill again upside down (reverse side first)?  We’ll see.

Any of you have success or something to share about your experiences with these embossing folders in non-traditional ways??  Love to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

After embossing the metal, I die cut large rounds from the flowered sheet. Filed/smoothed the edges, drilled holes, oxidized in LOS, scrubbed with wet/dry sandpaper, domed, polished, and sealed.  Ready to use in earrings!

You can see the three pairs from the embossed copper.  Also one with small rectangles that I heat patinated with a torch.  Such lovely deep impressions!  They would probably be awesome with some alcohol inks or patina paints.  Hmmm…

 

These will be offered for sale in October at a church mission fair.  All sales donated to the mission fund.  Also for sale…eight of my favorite bracelets with leather, metal buttons, and Krobo recycled glass beads I bring home from Ghana.  Bracelet love.

 

 

 

 

From This to That… December 4, 2015

Yesterday morning was spent making a very nice stash of new copper etched components. I’ve had several people request a tutorial for this process. However, I do not feel nearly competent to a) explain it thoroughly enough or b) do an equal or better job that many already out there on the internet.  I searched many jewelry sites, like Rio Grande, for tutorials on the method I wanted to try. And did a search with “etching with ferric chloride tutorial”. You’ll get some for computer uses, but keep digging. And watch as many as you can before trying this…it does use a hazardous waste material…and one needs to be savvy about precautions. That said, it is addictive…No, not to the chemical, silly…the gorgeous things it does to copper.

 

I thought today I would give you a quick run down of the steps in the process. So you’ll know why my hands and nails are trashed, mostly from all the sanding and filing. Plus, I’ll admit I don’t usually use gloves for the LOS.  I’m too embarrassed to even go get a manicure.  Anyone else know what I’m talking about?? I’m not even going to show you a picture of my hands.

So how do I get from this…

Copper sheet metal I buy by the pound at an industrial metal supply. This is about half of what I purchased. It’s maybe 12×12 inches.

 

Then…

Punch out circles or hand cut shapes.

File, file, file, sand.

Punch and file holes for ear wires or attaching dangles.

Apply stamped design with StazOn ink.

Etch…this is where you might view/read tutorials.

After neutralizing in baking soda solution, clean off ink.

Sand lightly with 0000 steel wool.

Oxidize.

Clean and buff with wet/dry sand paper and steel wool.

Use dapping block to create nice curves.

Tumble for two hours.

Apply two coats of Renaissance Wax.

Last buffing.

Then, here is what you get…

 

 

 

 

I also threw in a couple of pairs of hammered pendants.

 

Here’s a peek at a few earrings I made with some components

last week for the new shop in Hillcrest.

 

 

 

 

So, that’s how I get from this to that.

If you haven’t already given etching metal a try,

I hope you are encouraged to at least add it to your jewelry bucket list!

 

Last minute additions November 19, 2015

This weekend is one of my favorite holiday markets. Even better that it is at our church and helps support several non profits. Friendly, festive, fabulous “church lady made” baked goods, and fantastic artisan wares…including my dessert pedestals and jewelry.

Yesterday, I decided I needed a few more etched pieces…

hand cut from copper sheet metal. 

 

Some plain.

 

 

Some with recycled glass.

 

 

And one hit with a texture hammer.

(oops…my camera caught some dents in these…

I need to put these back on the dapping block

and give them a few whacks with the rubber mallet again.

Gotta love that ‘third eye’.)

And just because I’m in love with these glass drops…

I’m in awe that there are 330 subscribers to this blog…and very grateful.

Not sure where you all live, but if anyone is near downtown San Diego

on Friday or Saturday, it would be a real pleasure to meet you.

Details and directions are here.

And wherever you may be…

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving !

October’s We’re All Ears Challenge… October 16, 2015

Thought I’d start right off with this month’s inspiration photo

from the Earrings Everyday blog …

Some rich, luscious creations from the Monique L’huillier Fall collection.

While I’d like to think I could rock the third look on the right,

I’m sure I’d more likely be wearing the first dress (in my dreams ).

How about you ?  See anything you’d like walk the runway in?

Erin, who hosts this challenge, thinks there is a serious lack of jewelry here.

I agree.

So we were asked to design a pair of earrings for one of these looks… or all of them.

I knew I had just the right colored beads for this and what I wanted to do with them.

Love these flower beads…reminds me of hibiscus blooms maybe?

Added a dash of old gold glass rondelles and faceted glass crystal brios,

all wrapped up in my prepped copper wire.

My biggest problem was in photographing them to show off that gorgeous deep plum

 purple in the Czech glass flower.  I tried several locations in my yard to get the sun to

shine through them. Came close, but just could not capture their real beauty.

So I leave you with all my attempts…

This next one is probably the closest to their true beauty.

A fun challenge for sure! Hope you can get over to Earrings Everyday

and see what the other designers have created for these looks.

Another One Done ! March 14, 2015

Not doing much in the way of jewelry making these days, but definitely need to pick it up again…another crafty affair on March 28th. Since I live in a very large urban-suburban area, I am trying out a couple of different locations to see who’s buying.  This one is about 20 miles away on the coast and will benefit a high school’s athletic program.

We shall see…

The one project I did follow through on was finally finished up today. I knew it would involve some leather. Pretty happy that I didn’t scrap the project, even though I came close a couple of times. It’s all about the learning. And sometimes things just don’t end up how you thought they would, but they are still fine and dandy.

Here’s a look…

I like the fact that the beading and leather slide strap compliment a rather large (for me) bezel setting. Enough details to keep it interesting, but not a distraction.

And that it is adjustable! Full length is 32 inches, but can be almost any length you wish.

So on to the next one… here’s a peek. It may involve copper or sterling leaves.

Just beginning to play around with those.

Quick Post of New Work January 23, 2015

Happy Friday, everyone!

I’m still getting components and finished jewelry ready for the February 7th event…

With over 60 crafters, really feeling like I really need to bring my A game.

Just finished up this butterfly necklace with some lovely pearls.

Next are just a few earrings…

 I hope that what sets my jewelry apart is that most all the components,

ear wires and headpins are hand made with lots of love and care.

And finally, a little progress report on my bezel setting work with this lapis agate.  I used a the sweat soldering technique to attach the ball details and bail. Which means melting tiny pieces of solder on the back of each piece first. Then hitting the setting from underneath with the flame to ‘remelt’ the solder to attach these pieces to the backing. Last steps were to set the stone and then a good polish and tumble.  My plan is to make a wire wrapped beaded chain with these beautiful little lapis lazuli stones I purchased at Lost Cities.

Hope your weekend is a great one !

Lynda

End of the Year Tidbits December 15, 2014

Just a few things before I close up shop until the New Year.

A few pieces of jewelry news…Fresh Baked Designs has made a return to The Upper Hand Salon in the east county town of Jamul. The owner, Lisa, has not only increased the size of this salon, but added a lovely amount of space for a gift boutique. I am very please to offer not only jewelry, but the one-of-a-kind, up cycled dessert pedestals. The Salon also frequently posts about the great gifts that are offered on Facebook, as well.

I just committed to an Artisan Crafters event in the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego on Saturday, February 7th. Very pleased to support Crafting for the Cure that in turn supports the American Cancer Society.  Here’s a link to their event information.

 

And as per requested by a blogger friend, Cindi, here’s a look at the pearl and leather necklace worn. On me. Very comfortable and goes with so much in my closet. May never take it off. I feel so much more lady-like with it on.

 

And a few other necklaces I recently made and like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, my last Pinterest Challenge post for 2014. I did pretty well on the Foody pin job, but kind of fell off the Crafty pin wagon the last few months. Very glad I challenged myself to actually get up and make some of the stuff that I pin to my boards. Most of the recipes are keepers. Including this last one I’ll share with you…

                                   Lemon Cool Whip Cookies

I chose it because it has only four ingredients and is great for those times you need a fast dessert to take somewhere.

A box of lemon cake mix, carton of Cool Whip, one egg, and one cup powdered sugar. You can use a chocolate cake mix instead of the lemon. That would be tasty, too.  I will say that they took longer to bake than the recipe states. I wanted to make sure that the inside wasn’t like gooey cake batter.  Oh, and I did add some lemon zest for extra flavor.

You’ll find the recipe at Eating on a Dime blog.

                                    Just look at how pretty they are!

 

 

 

 

 

  A huge thank you for your kind hearted support of my jewelry adventures this year.

And wishing you all the very best holiday season.

         ”  So the Word became human and made his home among us.

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. “

                                                                                           John 1:14  New Living Translation

                      May peace and joy be yours,

                     Lynda

A Good Day… October 20, 2014

I know I’ve got my creative making juices flowing again when I wake up

in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep

because I’ve got all these ideas for jewelry in my brain.

Gave up on the sleep and got up in the dark.

Confused the dog who thought it was time for breakfast at 4:00.

Made stuff until I ran out of ear wires.

Need to work on that tomorrow.

Here are just a few things I finished today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Using Czech glass leaves, fresh water pearls,     howlite, agate, turquoise. lamp work glass,                        ‘sea glass’, chalcedony, Swarovski crystal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Textured sterling pendant necklaces

     with turquoise and

          chalcedony briolettes.

 

 

 

And here’s the little giveaway I promised to you, dear readers…for your wonderful support these last four years and the over 101,000 visits to this blog.

Just add your comment to this blog post to have your name entered. Be sure to leave an email contact. Closes Monday, October 27th.

Oh, and here’s what you will win…a pair of hand shaped, etched copper pendant earrings in a feather design.

With gorgeous Boro glass beads and sterling silver ear wires.

 

 

 

Best of luck !

Lynda

Doesn’t Feel Like Fall… October 4, 2014

So I’ve been whining a bit that even though the calendar says it’s been officially Fall for several weeks now, the thermometer says otherwise. In the upper nineties again and likely to stay that way for a while. (Beg forgiveness from those who suffered last winter’s severe storms.) Meanwhile the media and internet sites, (cooking, clothing, jewelry) that I follow are chock full of gorgeous Autumn colors and flavors. I want to make big pots of soup, wear thick sweaters, and (pay someone else) to sweep up the giant piles of lovely leaves from our liquid amber trees in the back yard.

Meanwhile, regardless of my personal feelings about the current state in the weather, I need to get moving on some jewelry making. These two Autumn inspired necklaces have been finished recently. The first one sits up high with the copper leaf falling just under the collar bone, using copper chain and waxed linen cord.  The leather strap and brassy chain piece is 35 inches in length, more with the focal piece of Rainbow Agate and Turquoise drops.

This one is an add-on today…I’m apparently on a roll! Finally!

Again with a leather strap and brass findings…

stones are rough chunks of citrine, I think. Someone help me out?

How is your Autumn going?

Any jewelry inspirations from this season?

Love to hear what you’re up to !