All posts by Karen

Earrings, Metal Work, Torch Work, Wire Work

Ah, The Sweet Smell of . . .

October 15, 2010 Karen

. . . metalwork! I never imagined that working with metal would produce so many different odors, or aromas, depending on whether or not you like the particular smell. Most days I’m not even aware of this, but on an unusually sensitive day, my nose took offense to one project.

I was making three pair of etched leaf earrings to fill an order. First, I used the torch and annealed the copper to make it easier to handle. Ah, the smell of propane . . .

Then I painted nail polish on the back of each of the 6 leaves to use as a stop out for the mordant. Ah, the smell of nail polish . . . Then, I used a permanent felt tipped pen to mark the flower shapes, etc on the front of the earring. You really can’t see them in this photo. I tried hard not to inhale the marker.

Next I mixed an acid with hydrogen peroxide (outdoors, of course) and produced a smelly mordant for the etching. Yucky odor!

After the etching was complete, all that nail polish had to come off with that sweet smelling polish remover and the black ink had to be removed with alcohol. Can you smell it?

Since I needed the metal to have a red patina, I again used the torch and heated all six leaves until they glowed red hot. While still hot, I plunged them into a container of cooking oil producing an almost pleasant aroma. It was similar to that of chicken fried steak and all I could think was that finally I could fry something that wasn’t fattening.

Once the clean up was completed after the oil bath, I polished the metal with Renaissance Wax which I can also say produces an odor. Even the dog doesn’t like it!

I made the ear wires out of copper wire and used liver of sulphur to give them a dark patina. Ah, it was like the sweet smell of boiled eggs . . . After the earwires’ tumbler bath, the odors were all gone and I was able to assemble the earrings.

Now why in the world did I end up with a headache?

Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, Techniques, Torch Work, Wire Work

When Gold Turns to Silver

October 6, 2010 Karen

I believe this saying has to do with the color of someone’s hair (Knoffler sang something about when the gold of her hair has turned to silver). It might also represent a tact for saving money in the jewelry design business. With today’s spot price for silver at a practically intolerable $22.70/ounce, it’s still more economical to use than gold which lists at $1,330.50 per ounce. You won’t see me using any gold any time soon.

Of course, that’s the same thing I said about silver last year. I was working exclusively with copper, a good deal of which came from the recycling establishment. Lately, however, feeling that my skill has progressed, I’ve delved a bit into silver wire. Today’s photos show the use of fine silver which fuses to itself without solder. Sterling silver requires the use of solder for fusing. One problem that arises with fine silver is just how quickly it melts. My pieces have a few bumps on them where the metal got too hot. Still, I feel it is better to see small flaws that lumpy solder.

The first pair of earrings turned out much bigger than I anticipated, but they do make a statement. I’ve wanted to incorporate seed beads with the wire for some time and enjoyed using needle and fishing line to attach these embellishments to the ovals. They are very lightweight.

The second pair of earrings is, obviously, just a simple set of ovals.

Also, I fused some fine silver circles and put them on a double strand of sterling silver wire. This piece is very simple and delicate. It was trickier than I expected when I tried to get the circles to hang correctly.

What’s a girl to do with earrings, a necklace and no bracelet? I answered that question by getting brave and using some 14 gauge sterling silver wire to make a small simple wave bracelet. I’m still debating as to whether or not to embellish it with beads.

These pieces are a very different style than what I usually make, but were fun to do once I got past my panic of cutting the expensive wire.

I suppose the title to this blog entry should really read When the Copper Turns to Silver since that’s the change I made today. I’m just too much of a tight wad to work with gold right now. They don’t ever seem to have any at the recycling place!

Color, Earrings, Metal Work, Techniques, Torch Work, Wire Work

I Think That I Shall Never See . . .

October 4, 2010 Karen

. . . an earring lovely as a tree. I must certainly apologize to Joyce Kilmer whose original work compared a poem to a tree. Didn’t many of us have to learn to recite those verses in school?

The last few days I’ve been working with tree shapes. It may be the anticipation of the changes soon to occur with the leaves on the trees or simply an inclination to get away from things that are circles. For whatever reason, I’ve been working with the shape of some trees, triangles. This is always a bit of a problem since triangular shapes in jewelry mean you must deal with three sharp corners, but I decided not to let that deter me.

The first trees are a bit large, yet interesting looking. These earrings are copper triangles sweat soldered together to imitate firs. The liver of sulphur patina seemed appropriate on these. I also made a smaller, upside down pair. fir large

The next pair is made of copper that spent several days turning blue. The household concoction worked well and I didn’t want to spoil the color; therefore, I chose not to solder them. That would have removed the blue patina. I made them into pretty good swingers by using the copper rings.

The last pair of earrings initiated with a picture of a pair that a friend gave me. I intended to use silver circles as part of the embellishment, but the bottle caps sitting on the work bench begged to be used. The star in the cold connection adds a little western flair to this pair. Yes, I do realize that this tree shape is upside down, but it seemed like the way to go.

Maybe the next tree shapes should be rounded at the top – I’ll have to give that some thought.

In the last line of her tree poem, Kilmer wrote:

Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.

I could certainly say the same about these silly earrings.

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, selling, Wire Work

Walking Jewelry

October 1, 2010 Karen 2 Comments

We attended a small political “coffee” a few nights ago. I really try to stay away from politics having had enough of it in my gifted and talented education work, but I wasn’t given much choice for this one. When we arrived, the first thing that caught my eye was a piece of jewelry walking by. I tried not to accost the woman wearing it, but finally got close enough to determine that it was one of my sets. You’ve seen a picture here in an older blog. It was made of 5 round copper discs and a handmade chain. It also had matching round disc earrings. I was really tickled to see it and learned that the person’s husband purchased it at one of the stores for her birthday. I was so pleased, you’d have thought I just laid an egg. . . . I think this was the first time I’d seen one of my pieces on someone that I had never met. It was neat! Since I only work with one store here in the town where I live, it’s pretty unlikely to encounter my own jewelry on someone else. I don’t see too many women with jewelry on here at the ranch!

The woman wearing my jewelry didn’t know who had made it. This made me think about branding (not the type with fire and iron or as we do it here-dry ice, alcohol and iron) and how I might do a better job of labeling my work. Most of the store owners tell the customers the story behind the jewelry, but once a piece leaves the store I imagine this is forgotten. Therefore, I’m considering investing in tiny stamped metal jewelry tags to go on all the pieces. I’ve looked at this before and felt it was too time consuming, but now I’m thinking about it again. Do any of you other designers do this? I’m not as concerned about pieces such as the one pictured below. Those that are strung are not as important to me for branding as the more unique metal pieces, although the one below is pretty special.

[ labradorite, tiger eye and Chinese picture jasper with seed beads– all from Magpie Gemstones www.magpiegemstones.com) ]

Then again, the metal pieces are perhaps occasionally too unusual for me to want them to wear my brand. I’m not sure how I’m going to complete the one pictured here, but I like it! It’s one of those pieces that keeps evolving. Originally, I was soldering some silver wire to the diamond shaped copper piece. Before I could move the torch, I was watching the wire melt and spread on the copper creating an unusual metal effect. It sat on the workbench for weeks before I tried a little fold forming. Then it sat a bit longer. Finally, this week, I added the cab and copper and silver wires. If I ever complete the piece, it will certainly have a story behind it.

Why is it important for people to know who made their jewelry? There are, of course, many reasons but my primary business thought today is so they will know what “brand” to look for if they like the first purchase and want something else. There is also the ego angle, but I’m not going to make any money based on that one.

I think I need to get out more and conduct surveillance to try to capture a peek at my designs walking by. That way I won’t be quite so surprised when I meet one face to face. If I can put a little Dreamcatcher Designs tag on the pieces, the person wearing one won’t be so surprised when I say hello.

Uncategorized

How Many Earrings?

September 28, 2010 Karen

A teacher in one of my workshops years ago brought her gemstone catalogue to look at during our breaks. Surely, she didn’t plan to look at it during my “captivating” lecture! She told me that she just loved to make earrings. At the time, I thought that sounded pretty boring. How many ways could you make a pair of earrings? Little did I know what a silly question I had asked myself.

This week as I prepare for an upcoming art show, I’ve been trying to make some relatively inexpensive earrings to sell. I previously made a number of pair using various copper shapes and doing some riveting and etching on a few pair. Yet, in planning for this next set, I wanted some unusual designs that differed from what I usually make. Luckily, Magpie Gemstones (www.magpiegemstones.com) offered an online tutorial of how to make your own ear wires and that got me started. Rather than tell you about some of the pairs I’ve made, how about a gallery of a few?

ear turq

I have allergic ears and don’t wear earrings so my mother kindly tried all the above sets on to be sure they worked OK. There were a few pair that she noted she wouldn’t wear, but she said perhaps someone might like them. She’s so tactful!

I didn’t even ask her to think about wearing these bottle cap earrings. Let’s just hope someone does like them! There IS a limit when you’re almost 90.

My next step is to make a few of these pair in sterling silver. Can you tell I’m having fun with these? I hope that teacher, wherever she is, will forgive my initial unkind thoughts about her love of making earrings. I think the passion for them is beginning to grow on me.

booches, Creativity, Metal Work, Pendants, Philosophy, Techniques, Wire Work

Children and Problem-Solving

September 22, 2010 Karen 2 Comments

I was somewhat bothered by a short five paragraphs in the Parade section of last Sunday’s newspaper. I waited several days to comment in order to see if my thoughts changed. They did not. The title of the article was “Teach Problem-solving to Prevent Bullying.” It was based on research conducted through Louisiana State University and the University of California the results of which indicated that those youngsters who have trouble with solving problems are more at risk of being bullied.

Bullying has also been on the television news lately as a result of the school bus incident during which a child was bullied and her father later threatened her attackers. This child, who is handicapped, would probably fit the profile suggested in the abovementioned research.

It wasn’t, however, my concern about the relationship of bullying and lack of problem solving skill that concerned me about the article. I believe that is a good point. It was the fact that the article focused solely on how games could help develop problem solving skills. I was pleased that the author mentioned checkers and chess since these do require rational strategic thinking. We might add to that dominos, chicken feet (played with dominos) and a number of other similar games that require thinking. None of these rely solely on chance like so many of the simple spinner type games.

I wanted the article to also talk about the place of art in the development of problem solving skills. I believe that almost any form of art requires this type of thinking. Even when the child is merely drawing a picture, he/she must figures out and plan where things go on the page, what colors work well and often what to do when a mistake occurs. Consider why a cardboard box is so often a child’s favorite toy. The child must solve the problem of how to create something out of very little. Also, if the art form selected requires tools or supplies, a young artist may need to solve the problem of what to do with limited supplies or lack of tools.

Many of of schools have no art classes other than what the classroom teacher might squeeze in. With extremely tight budgets most of the “frills” of education are gone. I have heard parents at school board meetings plead for retention of arts programs. Among other things, their rational is often based on the value of art (including music) in bringing joy and self confidence to the child. Should we instead be discussing the higher level thinking and problem solving skills that the arts teach our children?

My most recent example of difficult problem solving in art comes from the angels I first mentioned on September 11. I have continued to work with them for days trying to solve the problem of their crooked halos and messy backs covered with too much solder. Finally, after considerable work (problem solving) I completed some angels that are working. The halo now goes around the angel rather than just in front and the solder is hidden between the body and the wings.I’ve also solved the problem of how to display/market them in boxes with a small poem. Doesn’t everyone need a guardian angel? (www.dreamcatcherdesigns.etsy.com ) I wish I could send one to each child who is forced to endure bullying.

This problem solving adventure is only one of so many that we find in art. Does that mean I’m ready for those big bullies? Hmm . . . I’d still just as soon they stayed away from me and from everyone else. Maybe the bullies need the opportunity to learn problem solving skills in order to direct their misguided energy down a better path.

booches, Hair Adornments

Blooming

September 18, 2010 Karen 2 Comments

Is it Spring yet? I seem to be all mixed up in the studio this week. I’ve been busily enjoying making fancy flowers and trying to ignore the fact that it will soon be Fall. It doesn’t feel like Fall in South Texas with temperatures still in the high 90s; so perhaps that’s the problem.

I just learned to make these flowers and, as usually happens with new things, I’ve gotten a bit carried away. I’m using organza and tulle in various color combination to produce flower brooches and hair accessories. One of the store owners where I sell jewelry asked why I was “sewing” instead of making jewelry. Do you think that was a hint? I made her a couple of necklaces and think she is happy now.

I’ve been seeing flowers on all sorts of things in the magazine ads and one of the boutiques just got in a sweater with velvet flowers on it. A boiled wool jacket at the same store has chiffon flowers already attached to it.

I took a basket of these to the nursing home today to show Mother and could hardly get down the hall for people stopping to look at them. I hope these folks are around when I need to sell them! In the meantime, I’ll just keep blooming.

Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, Torch Work, Wire Work

Copy Shamelessly?

September 12, 2010 Karen

I enjoyed going to the Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene today. It’s a fairly small gathering of metal artists displaying both large and small pieces. For example, there were giant metal flowers that stood about 3 feet tall and tiny metal flower earrings made from aluminum cans. This particular artist group always has demonstrations going on and this year these included torch formed metal clay, fold forming and many other techniques. Unfortunately, I always find it way too hot to sit outside and watch these demos; but happily, there were plenty of hardy souls who appreciated this opportunity.

My husband has been kind enough to go with me to this festival the past couple of years. Today, he figured out that it’s really a reconnaissance mission where I compare my work and gather ideas. On the way home, he queried what I learned. This year was enlightening because I could see that my work appears to be getting closer to those of the artists I admire. While there is still much to learn, I was able to recognize techniques they used and think about the needed materials and tools.

It’s always interesting to see that some artists want to share how the work is done but shut down the conversation when they realize you are trying to learn rather than trying to buy. Others will tell you everything about a piece and are excited to share and encourage you. So at what point is it rude to ask about process? Since I meet monthly with a group of people who are willing to share everything about what they make, I may be a little too brazen with my questions. At least I didn’t take my camera today. . . I think that would have been over the top!

It appears to me that people who are both teachers and artists are quite willing to share and encourage others. For example, my friend at Magpie Gemstones always encourages me to copy her designs and is helpful regarding technique. So, when is copying a design the same as plagiarism in writing? I think it’s very difficult to tell when a design is your own as opposed to a version of something you’ve seen.

As an example, the necklace shown here was inspired by Sally, an artist at Sunroom Studios in Ellicott City, Md. (sunroomstudiosonline.com). I wrote to her about a necklace on the Sunroom Studios website and she was kind enough to answer my questions. While my necklace may resemble hers, it is also quite different. Should she sue me? Gee, I certainly hope not. I hope she will be flattered to learn that someone liked her piece well enough to make it the inspiration for another. But, where do we draw the line?

I don’t have the answer to that question. All that I know is that my conscience is my guide and I hope that someday, if someone wants to view my work as a starter for their own, I’ll be willing to share.

Earrings, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, Torch Work, Wire Work

9-11

September 11, 2010 Karen

What should you do on the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy?

I watched some of the news reports and heard some of the names of the fallen as they were read aloud, but I wasn’t sure what to do.

My family was fortunate that we did not personally lose anyone on that day. My son, who was working in NYC at that time in a building not far from the towers hadn’t gone in to work that day. My daughter, who was working at one of the high rise offices in Atlanta was evacuated and sent home since authorities feared the possibility of other attacks. When my husband and I talked with each of our children, the distance between us seemed extreme, yet we felt close, and we wished we could still protect them as we did when they were little. Alas, we wondered if any of us would ever regain the sense of security taken from us on that day.

Of particular interest to me on the news was the report on the Ground Zero Memorial that is to open in another year. I was taken by the description of the two pools, titled Reflecting Absence, that are to lie in the footprints of the towers. The reporter referred to them as the inverted vertical of the buildings that formerly rose so high above New York City.

Today was 9-11. Today I made angels. It was the least I could do.

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, Torch Work, Wire Work

Things That Fly

September 8, 2010 Karen 2 Comments

A friend at our last wire workers meet up showed me her new book, Metalworking 101 for Beaders, and I was off and running. As she flipped through the pages, a metal bird caught my eye and it didn’t matter what else was in the book, I was certain I needed it.

After four order attempts, it finally arrived this week. I won’t bore you with the sordid details of the various online bookstores and delivery services that kept the book from reaching the ranch, I can only say “Thank you Amazon!”

The bird on the left is somewhat similar to the one shown in the book. Of course, I can’t make anything EXACTLY like the directions. I added the bottom piece of wire and can’t quite decide if he is a “bird on the run” or “a bird sitting still on a branch.” There’s probably something philosophical in that, but I won’t get into that either.

Another bird, much more like the one in the book will probably become a wall hanging for my mom who is an avid birder. When I told her I was making metal birds, she wanted to know what kind of birds. This was something I hadn’t considered, but she showed me how the birds at her window feeders had various unique distinctions. Not knowing if I could recreate my metal birds to her specifications, I changed the subject.

Another day, I minified the bird and created a necklace with the third creature.

These birds are actually quite simple to make and I’m hoping people will like them.

I made another type bird several weeks ago from a cabachon and sterling silver half round wire. He’s cute, but I’m not sure he will be popular. He was also tricky to make since his silver tail melted off once while I fused the pieces.

Well, you cannot think of birds without thinking about flight. My winged friends will fly out of here either as gifts or customer purchases. Flight will get them where they need to be just as flight got me where I wanted to be last week. (Yes, I know this is a stretch, but I wanted to include the picture below.) We flew to Atlanta to visit family and enjoyed the little cherub below. Hmm . . . I wonder if he needs a bird . . .?

Unique jewelry creatively made with care at The Ranch in San Marcos, Texas