Category Archives: Metal Work

Creativity, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Wire Work

Mixed UP Metals

October 10, 2009 Karen

In an attempt to complete some pieces that have been on the design table way too long, I worked with a copper piece today. It was one that I must have cut over six months ago. Several weeks ago, I picked up this piece and tried to do something with it by adding fine gauge wire and some gemstones. After making numerous holes in the piece, I realized that I didn’t really have a plan and just let the wire and stones meander across the surface of the copper. It looked all “mixed up” to me, but a kind friend saw it and admired it. “OK”, I thought, “maybe I shouldn’t throw it away.” Instead, I put is aside AGAIN! Today, I picked it up, added the chain and put it on leather. It’s finally complete. I believe in creative incubation, but I think this was excessive! The learning I take from this piece is that perhaps I shouldn’t be so quick to throw something out. Some of my work may just need to go to the time out bin.

The second metal pendant resulted from a continuation of my efforts to make mixed metal pieces. I added one of Ralph’s Rocks from Wildtype Ranch (mentioned in an earlier post) to this piece and am pleased with it. The rock hangs atop a copper shape with sterling silver rondells wired to the side. It has a hammered brass circle at the top. I’m finding it difficult to include the brass with the other metals and am hoping to get used to working with it. Brass doesn’t seem as “earthy” as the other metals, but I think small amounts of it may work in the designs.

As I continue the mixed and/or mixed up metal work, I hope to include more gemstones as accents and more unusual shapes and color combinations. While it seems my hope should be that whatever hatches is pleasing and wearable, I know from my educational training that this goal could hold back the creative process. It’s better to remain open to all possibilities and then later alter the ideas to fit the need. A bad case of the “too”s, as in “that would be too big,” that would make it too bright,” that would be too crooked,” etc. can hold back creative function. So for now, I’m leaving the word “too” in the same wastebasket at “can’t”.

Bracelets, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work

Mixed Metal Jewelry

October 9, 2009 Karen 2 Comments

When I first saw mixed metal designs advertised in the magazines and books, I didn’t think I liked them. Yet, I’ve tried to keep an open mind about it and the idea of putting copper, brass and silver together is growing on me. I’ve had a great time making mixed metal earrings as shown in earlier posts. I’ve made about 10 more pair this week which incorporate not only the three metals mentions above, but also leather and assorted findings from Home Depot. I think the people who work at that store were a bit amused when this woman got excited about discoveries made in the assorted washers isle. I found some great washers in aluminum (I think) that look like tiny cog wheels.

I’ve had Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet by Mary Hettmansberger since my son gave it to me as a gift last year. This week, I tried the pendant on the cover which I made with adjustments for my materials. I added a couple of mother of pearl rectangles to calm the bright brass on the pendant. Since I didn’t have any silver sheet metal, I used a bit of hammered wire. The heavy copper washer on the back that helps keep the pendant from flipping over is not shown. I first tried this pendant on a silver chain, but thought it was too much and over powered the pendant. I like the leather better. I’ve worn this piece a couple of times this week, but had only one comment from passers by. I’m perplexed as to whether it wasn’t noticed or whether people didn’t like it. Perhaps it requires a different venue and deserves another outing.

I also made a mixed metal bracelet and am happy with it. It hasn’t been “out” yet. I have a feeling it will be more popular than the pendant since woman really like their gemstones. I may try adding a gemstone to the next mixed metal pendant to see if that improves its popularity. Sometimes, a designer just needs to realize that a piece may not have mass appeal, but be looking for that one person who appreciates its uniqueness. hmm . . . this sounds like marriage!

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants

Papaw Polished

September 27, 2009 Karen

The pendant at the right is Papaw polished! You see, my father was a woodworker, not a professional, but a great hobbyist with a purpose. After retiring from the Army and then from work with the Soil Conservation Service, he spent many of his hours in his workshop, sawing, sanding, and polishing wood. He could make a new claw foot for a broken antique table leg or build a cabinet from scratch. He fixed things for the neighbors and built things for his friends and family. When my family visited him, I could hardly get in the door before he required me to take a trip out to the “shed” to see what he was doing. Often, I was solicited to help with the sanding and polishing.

Often I thought I was finished sanding a piece only to have Papaw run his rough hand across it and shake his head. That meant, there was more to be done. Although I really thought the sanding was often excessive, I quickly learned that I might as well do it right or he would go back and fix my work which was the ultimate insult.

Following the sanding, there were usually layers upon layers of varnish that went on a piece until the polish was just so. Of course there was sanding to be done between the layers. Sometimes, things then required a light coat of wax or oil to produce the appropriate finish.

Today, I couldn’t help but think about Papaw as I worked on the pendant for the pictured piece. I cut it, hammered it, oxidized it and put it in the tumbler thinking that would be the end. Wrong! The edged were still slightly ragged. So, I ground them with the Dremel, smoothed them with the file and felt sure I was done. Wrong! The piece still wasn’t just right. I could practically see my father shaking his head. Finally, I worked on it with steel wool until I had something to be proud of. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if Papaw ran his hand over it would it be Papaw polished or would I be put back to work? Maybe I’d better go feel of that pendant again.

Earrings, Metal Work, Wire Work

Daily Oral Math

September 20, 2009 Karen

When I taught first grade, we were supposed to follow a prescribed set of exercises for Daily Oral Math. These were very short exercises in which the teacher posed a mathematical problem and the students solved it without the aid of pencil and paper. I really liked the idea behind these exercises, but I didn’t especially like having to follow the teacher’s manual. (Aren’t you surprised?) Often, after doing the oral problem in the book, I added one or two of my own. They were often based upon a recent first grade happening or something we had seen on the playground. (If Johnny hid Jason’s shoes out on the playground, how many single shoes were brought back into our room? How many little boys were in trouble?) As I was taking photos of designs today, I almost wished again for a group of first graders to whom I might pose the problems at the end of this post.

The pictures today are of new earring designs. I’m been trying to get used to the idea of using mixed metals in more of my pieces and have used the earrings to jump start this process. As you will see by the numerous photos (minus two that have already gone out) that I got a bit carried away.

I fear that some of these earrings are in search of a woman with a long neck. Most of them are definitely swingers! It was fun to play with the mixed metals and the look is starting to grow on me. Next, I need to tackle pendants with mixed metals.

Oh, and that math problem . . . let’s see . . . something simple here first. How many people would it take to wear 16 earrings? How many women would it take to wear 16 earrings if three of the women had two holes in one ear and one hole in the other? Would this create any type of problem? How many different combinations of pairs of earrings could you create with four pair of earrings? Would that number double if you used all eight pair of earrings? How many readers DO NOT want any more Daily Oral Math?

Earrings, Metal Work, Philosophy, Wire Work

It’s Been a Long Time . . .

September 16, 2009 Karen

. . . since the dogs and I have been for a long walk. The four of us used to walk every other day, but the 100 degree plus days of this long summer gave me an excuse to be lazy. Today, a 78 degree morning, seemed the time to start anew. We were all excited as we started out. I actually thought the Blue Heelers might just leap over the fence and out of their pen when they realized we were going. They acted like three children who had never been to a McDonald’s play scape before and their mother finally let them go.

Knowing the youngest one could not control her exuberance, I placed her on a leash. When her mother took off to bark at the hilltop bulls, she did also, jerking me sideways to the point of nearly falling. Bad Puppy! Finally under control again, we peacefully, more or less, made it down the hill to the front pastures. There awaited another temptation, our beautiful yearling heifers. Instinctively, the mother dog went straight for their legs attempting to run full speed through the gate to get them. Unfortunately, she is a very FAT dog and initially got stuck in the gate. With great fortitude, she backed herself out and went under the gate only to be stepped on by one of the heifers. Back she came holding one little paw up in the air. I’m sure I should have felt sorry for her.

The three legged dog and the rest of us continued our relatively pleasant, albeit slow due to the limper, walk. When we came to the weaned bull calves, the same silly dog went racing through the electric (arf, arf, ouch) fence only to be chased back through (ouch, ouch, arf) the electric fence by the little guys. Now, a very dejected three legged dog walked even more slowing back home. Did she learn a lesson? Absolutely not! When we got back to the hilltop, she again tried to get after the big bulls.

I think that dog is a good deal like some of us. I go flat out when something is of interest to me and often pay the physical consequences later. Moderation doesn’t seem to be a word that fits with my personality (or the dog’s). My poor dog will probably suffer for a day or two, but what do you want to bet that the next time we walk she does the same things again? I’m ordered a shock collar today!

The eventful walk did, give me energy for design work and I started right in this morning. Now, I have pieces polishing in the tumbler and more earrings on the brain. The picture shows a couple I made last night. Hopefully as I work today I will try to remember the morning walk, my age, and my physical abilities and do a better job of balancing myself than my dog!

Belts, Earrings, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Wire Work

Just Pictures

September 13, 2009 Karen 2 Comments

This blog runneth over with philosophy lately, so now I’m just showing a few pictures of some of today’s work. These are a little of this and that as I attempted to stay focused on my to do list. The first strung necklace and earrings shows how I just keep coming back to those bone horses. These are a bit larger than what I usually use and so I didn’t do a double strand as in previous designs.

The next design is entirely of copper wire and beads. I used both 18 and 20 gauge wire selected according to the size of the hole in each bead. The pendant is surrounded by a new type cage that I am trying.

The bulk of the work time today was spent on hammering copper sheet metal and preparing components for an order. Armed with drill, dremel and a new texture hammer, I finished most of the pieces. I have not yet put the patina on these, but a few are shown below. The top piece will be a belt buckle; the round piece will be a pendant and there are six ovals requested by the customer for an unknown purpose. I’ve used the same type ovals previously in necklaces and in belts. I purchased the texture hammer on etsy from Hodpodgerie. It is one texture on one head and a different on the other. I’m not showing a picture of how my index finger looks after I hammered it with the new texture. Those little grids on the hammer are quite sharp. I imagine I will lose my fingernail. I also imagine I will be much more careful in the future. OUCH!

Bracelets, Metal Work, Philosophy, Wire Work

Shiny

September 10, 2009 Karen

Today was a shiny day! You might think this means that the sun was out today, but it was dark and cloudy. Usually, we would think this is bad, but today it was a happy phenomena. Following what seems to me to be an eternity, we have received over an inch of rain and this initiates hope for our drought stricken area. While that doesn’t sound like very much rain, relatively speaking, it’s huge. We went out after supper tonight to move the young bull calves to a different pasture and they were leaping, jumping and kicking in the cooler weather. If I weren’t partially over the hill, I would have been kicking and jumping too. The wet, black animals looked shiny and clean following the day’s washing and I can’t remember ever being so pleased to come back to the house with muddy shoes. I’ve decided “shiny” has nothing to do with the sun.

As an example, several years ago, my husband remarked that a young woman at a meeting he attended was “shiny”. Since I hadn’t heard that term in reference to a human before, I wondered if he was talking about her makeup or her clothes. My husband just kept saying, “you know . . . she’s real shiny.” Finally I decided that this was a half compliment indicating the woman was polished or fixed up to look attractive. I’m still not quite sure about that one, but when I learned her young age, I quit worrying about it.

A person could certainly have a shiny personality. This often connotes a bubbly disposition and a gregarious person. While this is usually pleasant, there are times when a shiny personality can be downright irritating. Someone with a shiny personality needs to know when to and when not to SHINE.

Today, shiny is an adjective for a new bracelet. It’s copper and I elected to omit the patina. It definitely has bling! The ovals were cut from a sheet of 24 gauge copper and the rings are handmade from recycled copper wire. I made a second bracelet in the same style and did patina it. This is for a boutique owner who doesn’t like shiny (on her jewelry).

All things considered, shiny can describe a feeling, an action or a state of being. Some think shiny is good and others see it as negative. All I ask is that tomorrow’s shiny day also brings more rain to central Texas.

Belts, Metal Work, Wire Work

Not Your Grandmother’s Belt

August 20, 2009 Karen

I’m still belting it out here. As the post several days ago indicated, I’ve been making copper belts for a few weeks now. I need to STOP, but keep having little ideas that need developing pop into my head. The idea for one of the belts shown here came from showing my ranch workers what I was making. One of them said he had seen women wearing large double link belts and suggested I try enlarging my original horseshoe links. I tried the double links, but it made the belt too heavy for my taste and I ended with the style shown on the right. When I asked what type belt he saw on the women, he looked a little funny. We decided, he probably shouldn’t be looking that closely at “other” women’s waists. His wife might wonder! The second rather poor photo shows how the belt hangs. The buckle has a white magnesite heart wired to it and deerskin fringe hangs on the other end.

The second pictured belt is much smaller and made with links less than half the size of the one above. I have been wearing it and find it to be very light and comfortable. These links mold well and stay in place.

Belts, Metal Work, Wire Work

Belted

August 14, 2009 Karen

Usually when I think of “belted”, I’m in the arena of music as in “the singer really belted it out.” But for the past few weeks, the word has conjured new meaning.

Earlier this year, I made a couple of mixed link belts that took a good long time to create and made my hand ache. The original practice belt is in the picture below on the far left. When the second of the belts was complete and had been sold, I vowed never to do another one. Then our bead group decided to make belts at our last gathering. “Urgh”, thought I, but I decided to give it another go.

I wanted something western, but the only readily linkable shape I could think of was a horseshoe. The first prototypes are in the right picture. The horseshoe links worked much better and were easier to make than the mixed links. The horseshoes swivel easily and fit nicely around the torso. The final version of this style belt is in the picture above. I added turquoise to the buckle at the request of a boutique. You can see how these look in the picture below.

I’m also experimenting with heart shapes for the links and learned that they require a horseshoe link between each heart in order to swivel and fit. I’ve also played with a bird shape, but that didn’t hatch well.

Next, I’m trying a smaller gauge wire and smaller horseshoes with dangles in multiple locations on the piece.

I would enjoy hearing other suggestions for shapes. Until then, I’ll just keep belting it out.

Creativity, Metal Work, Pendants, Wire Work

Too Many Pea Pods

July 23, 2009 Karen

For the past several days, I’ve challenged myself to see how many different ways I might embellish the copper pea pods I’ve made before. It seemed like a harmless activity. Since I have such a dislike of making something more than once, I thought I’d work on that problem with the pea pods. When training to teach piano pedagogy, one of my instructors always said “attack your weakness”. Ok, I attacked my weakness and worked on becoming more willing to copy my own work. I just kept telling myself that I was using creative elaboration to change the pods slightly. After four pods, I declared that the challenge was complete and I should move on to another weakness (there are plenty to attack). But what am I going to do with all these pea pods?

Although it may be difficult to tell from these small photos, all four pea pods in the top two pictures are slightly different. The split pea pod in the last picture resulted when I rewarded myself for sticking to this challenge and took the time to make something different.

By the way, I don’t even like peas!

Dreamcatcher Designs