Category Archives: Metal Work

Cold Connections, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work

Stars

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starry2

I made the pendant on the above necklace in preparation for the upcoming Cold Connections class that I’m teaching. It has a nickel silver back disk and I used a scrap book punch to cut the star hole out of a light gauge piece of copper which was dunked in liver of suphur. I riveted this to the silver. Then I got a little carried away with this star idea. I riveted a couple of other disks and wired more stars to the piece. I wanted a “Texas” Starry Starry Night. The beads are turquoise briolettes and spiney oyster barrels. The components hang from a purchased black chain.

Part of the difficulty with a piece like this is figuring out when to stop. I prepared more riveted stars and considered using more little silver components, but enough was enough! Two of those pieces are now earrings. I’m trying to learn that one consideration is designing a piece is the size of the person who will likely wear it. I wanted to wear this piece and since I’m only 5’1’’ I can’t have anything too big. This is about all the dangle my neck can handle!

This is the first time I’ve made a true “theme” piece. I supposed as a Texas necklace it might have included boots and an armadillo, but that’s just a bit too themey for me – don’t you think? Would Van Gogh be disgusted by the idea?

Creativity, gifts, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Philosophy, soldering, Teaching, Torch Work, Wire Work

Pass It On . . . and On . . . and On

It’s not a surprise to anyone who knows me that I like to teach. I tend to grab most any “teachable moment” whether you want me to or not. With adults, I try to curb my appetite for devouring those moments, but little children need to beware!

I’ve truly enjoyed the two jewelry classes that I taught last week, one in Wimberley, TX and the other in San Marcos. I worked with seven women as they learned to make a wrap bracelet in Wimberley and then four more who worked on wrapping cabachons. I enjoyed hearing from the first group about who some of them planned to pass their bracelet to as a gift. I regret not getting a photo of that group, but note the happy intensity on the faces of the second.

cabs girls

It’s common for someone to ask a designer ideas come from. I have no doubt that many of mine come during preparation for teaching. I think that is why it takes me so long to get ready to teach a class. There’s something about this pre-planning that gets my creative juices flowing. I used to fight this urge, trying to stay on task, but now I just go with it. I do, however, have to resist my propensity to want to teach the new idea instead of that which was designated for the class. I just keep wanting to pass it on.

As an example, a couple of gals came over for a little assistance in starting their journey into soldering with a torch. They hardly got off the ranch before I was cutting and planning the piece below. Yes, I know it’s a bit bird-like, but it wasn’t planned that way – oh well, it’s definitely different!

bird

I’ve also done a new soldered design that someone on Facebook suggested is Bohemian. The legs on this piece are soldered to the bottom half of the arc and then wire wrapped. I was tickled that the very first sale of this went to my good friend who often calls and says “is the Dreamcatcher Designs shop open?”  (Of course you know I don’t have a shop!) Sometimes she just runs out to the ranch and gets what she needs. This piece was gifted from her to a co-friend of ours and I’m pleased for her to have it. Do you think you can wear “Bohemian” at the Lutheran Church?

           sue

As you read, many things, both concrete and ideational, were passed on last week. From teacher to student, student to teach and friend to friend. I think life was very productive.

family, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work

A Season to Remember

It often seems that Easter is the “lessor” of the two main Christian seasons. This is largely because merchants spend months reminding us that Christmas is coming and we’d better get out and make those great sales. There is less “hoopla” surrounding Easter; yet it’s just as important in Christian heritage.

I like Easter! It reminds me of standing in my little short white choir robe with the big bow at the neck waiting in the wings of the sanctuary for our turn to advance down the isle and sing. I can still smell the starch in that bow and feel the pinch on my toes in my new Easter shoes. My Mom usually led the children’s group and then waited for us to arrange our wiggly selves while she adjusted her music at the piano. We were advised to smile and sing or vice versa and I could never quite do both at once. I just remember be glad to get that itchy robe off!

We usually ate deviled eggs and ham for our Easter dinner. When I got a bit older, I made cake with icing, green colored coconut and jelly bean decorations. Much later, I became the one at the piano for my own little choir.

Now, I enjoy singing with my grandson and making crosses for the Easter season. I know these aren’t just for Easter, but it is a fitting time to create them and remember their meaning. I’ve been preparing crosses for a class I’m teaching in San Antonio. You’ve seen these photos before.

scroll cross

I wanted to try some other styles and have a couple of new designs.

crosses

The first is simply multiple pieces of wire wrapped to hold together. I found this to be tricky, but liked the result. The cross on the right is made from the same soldered base cross design as the filigree crosses, but features weaving and the use of bead embellishment without the filigree piece. It has a small copper disc on the back, like the filigree crosses, which covers the wrapping that secures the beads.

I’m hoping to spend more time “near the cross” in the weeks before Easter and will show you if anything else “hatches” on the design table.

charms, Cold Connections, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Teaching, Techniques

Making Cold Connections

Thinking of the word cold could lead us to a conversation about weather or about personalities. Have you ever heard someone say that a person is cold? Of course that usually means that the person isn’t very friendly. In that case, aloof might be another term to describe the person. Most of us prefer friends and acquaintances who are warm! By the way, I also prefer weather that is WARM!

I’ve been making cold connections for the past couple of weeks. No, I haven’t been meeting cold people and the weather here has been quite warm. Instead, I’ve been making cold connections with metal. When we join things to metal in a way that doesn’t require heat, usually through soldering, we say we’ve used a cold connection. This week my cold connections have been through riveting.

It was my turn to lead and share a technique at our monthly Faux meet up. Yesterday, we had about 20 in attendance and I think most of us got a little better at riveting in the time we spent together. I was determined to have some new projects that my fellow designers could try and thus the reason for the past weeks of making those cold connections. I thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of the pieces I designed.

The first is the easier of the two and is just a simple variation of the wave necklaces that I’ve made. This one features a riveted charm in the center. This charm utilizes both a copper disc and a nickel silver disc with the center cut out. I riveted these two together and also riveted a pewter finding in the middle. I used a headpin that I balled with the torch for the center rivet. The other rivets were purchased from Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. I wired the charm onto the wave necklace armature.

wave rivet

The second necklace is a bit modern looking, but it’s definitely different. I used alcohol ink to color some copper discs and then riveted them together with nickel silver discs. Again, I used balled headpins for the rivets. I also riveted some big hole rose quartz beads that I got from Magpie Gemstones (www.magpiegemstones.com) onto a couple of the discs. Although you only see two rose quartz beads on this necklace, it took four to make it if you count the two I broke while trying to rivet them. You really have to be careful when riveting a gemstone.

rose rivetedI demonstrated how to make a few other riveted charms, but haven’t yet used all of these in a particular design.

Riveted Charms and LinksI really enjoyed working with my friends yesterday and helping them initiate or hone their riveting skills.  Although they were making cold connections, thankfully none of them were cold!

Here’s hoping all your personal connections are warm and that if you end up with cold connections, you’re riveting!

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Wire Work

Imitating Nature

How many times have you read that an artist gets inspiration from nature? If you aren’t “into” art, you’re laughing and saying “NEVER!” Yet if art and the process of making it does interest you, you’re probably thinking you’ve read or heard this many times. Whether it’s painting, sewing, making jewelry or most any other art form, the influence of nature is apparent.

One of my favorite boutique customers requested some new collage style necklaces on leather. I had fun making this type for her last Fall and it was time to add a Spring twist to things. Nature led the way for the two below.

The first piece features a dragonfly and a couple of lilies. My spouse assured me the lilies were upside down, but I hung them anyway. (Maybe they are lilies that didn’t get enough water and are hanging their heads down . . . ) I put these on a simple small S type link and then attached the leather through jump rings.

liliesThe second necklace features a smaller dragonfly, a couple of bead dangles and a pea pod. The chain allows them to have a nice little swing.   This piece has an interesting swirl bail at the top – one I don’t imagine I know how to make again. I think I have to be watching TV while I do it unconsciously!  My friend, Shannon, of Vixens Natural Jewelry showed me how to made the pea pods. I also used her design to make some earrings.  You will most certainly see the influence of nature in her work. You can check out her shop at    http://www.facebook.com/#!/TreeandMoonJewelry?sk=app_169505045786

   pea pod necklace

pea pod earringsI made a third necklace, but it hasn’t quite taken off yet. I created a little wire bird and hung her with a bird’s nest and a cage. I was calling it freedom. Unfortunately, the cage seemed out of place; so that one is back on the workbench for further consideration.  Perhaps it will fly before long.

It’s a great day in Central Texas to be out with nature; so I think I’ll get out of the studio for a while and go study outside. Do you think I can call that work?

Earrings, Metal Work, Wire Work

Earring Revival

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I’ve largely spent this week reviving my earring batch which was pretty pitiful after the holidays. I’m sorry for my family and friends who have been inundated with my requests to “try on” a pair so I could see how they look. Even though I’ve had pieced ears twice, I still can’t wear earrings; so I have to look for models. I guess I’m going to have to create some type of fake ears here in the studio so I can quit bugging people. Hmm . . . I wonder if I could make a model out of clay . . . ?

earrings You can see from the photo that the bulk of these are hearts which were requested by one of the stores. I also made something in copper that’s supposed to resemble calla lilies and there’s another unknown shape in sterling silver at the bottom left. I thought the latter shape was a trisket, but it seems I’m wrong and must have invented that name since I’m not finding it on the internet. Do any of you know what this is called?

dancing earringsThe above picture shows earrings that look better on that laying flat. I thought I’d call them “dancing feet”, but I’ve yet to figure out how to explain the pair on the right. I guess those have two left feet!

I often feel that I either have two left hands when I’m working or that I don’t have enough hands to hold everything I need. Some days I wish for a real human who would willingly lend a skilled hand and work in tandem beside me at the bench. Alas, I’d probably talk to the person too much and neither of us would get anything done. I guess I’ll have to stick with my own two hands and do the best I can.

Creativity, Diversions, family, Metal Work, Philosophy, soldering, Torch Work, Wire Work

Laughter and Productivity

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Most of us know that laughter is an excellent way to prepare for creative thinking. The research certainly backs this up and I can attest to it. When I worked with the Creativity Division of the National Association for Gifted Children, it seemed the other divisions tried to avoid our proximity during our meetings. We were probably the loudest and most fun group in the building. Most years, the division meetings were all held at the same time and in various parts of the same large room. The Creativity Division could clear out the entire room when we met. While many probably thought we were just goof offs, we were one of the most productive divisions in the association. Our spontaneous eruptions usually led to a new idea that proved beneficial.

Lately, I’ve seemed to be in need of some of the Division’s spontaneity. At this point in December, I’m feeling a bit spent and my productivity has waned. It’s obvious to me that creativity and productivity are inextricably linked for me. If I’m not producing, I’m not problem solving and therefore am not being creative.

Yesterday, I got a little help with this problem from a friend . . . my mother. When I arrived at the nursing home to visit her, she informed me that it was about time I got there. She had on one earring and was trying to get the other stud on. I couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been at it. We laughed when she was finally “fixed”.

Then I asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Without missing a beat she said, “my TWO FRONT TEETH” and flashed me a big toothless grin. Indeed, her two front teeth are missing and she does need a couple! Again, we laughed and laughed. I think it was her spontaneity as well as her answer that got me. We went shopping together and then grabbed some lunch, but I just kept thinking about her Christmas wish.

This little episode reminded me of last year when we asked her where she was when she and my father got married. Again, without missing a beat, she said, “Out of My MIND!” The woman, who will be 91 in January, is quite clever.

When I got home yesterday, I continued to chuckle and decided to try a bit or jewelry work. That’s when things began to flow nicely and the ideas became present again. Was it just time to design or did the laughter really help. I vote that it was the latter.

I mainly worked with cabochons yesterday, but was pleased with a couple of the new wrappings and the bezel I created.  The first stone is a boulder opal and all the rest are turquoise (yes, even the brown one). See what you think.

boulder                     brown turq

turqsI’m hoping to hang on to this productive thinking and continue to get some good work completed. I’m a believer that for me, at least, laughter leads to productivity and creative thinking.

I guess that the moral of this entry is . . . find something to laugh about and if you can’t find anything, go visit my mother!

Earrings, Metal Work

Gifting

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I’ve been busily adding inventory to my etsy shop this week. I don’t usually have much in this since I mainly sell to boutiques, but I’m currently at the end of that season, finished with all the shows and thought I would do a bit more with etsy. You can see the listings at the side of this site.

I’ve had a couple of neat challenges this week from people who saw my work at a local San Marcos, TX gift store, Paper Bear. One person requested some earrings similar to a pendant in my display at the store. These were a challenge, but I enjoyed trying to make her idea come to life.

stars2

It’s hard to get a sense of them from the photo, but they are copper ovals that have copper stars soldered to them. I set small denim lapis stones in a premade bezel in the middle of the star. There are small silver balls at the side of each star. The challenge, as always, was trying to get the earrings to match. I hope the person likes these.

 

Another person asked me to wrap some rocks from her family vacation. I thought that was a really neat gift idea and hope her family members will appreciate her idea. I’m not showing those since I don’t want to spoil any surprises.

I think it is interesting to brainstorm with customers regarding what they want made. Often, they can’t quite put into words what they want, but a wave of the hand and a few drawings often brings their ideas to light. The fun part is seeing the pleasure when their own ideas comes to fruition. I’m sure they will have a story to tell when the gift is presented.

Gifting . . . isn’t it fun?

Bracelets, Color, Creativity, Earrings, Metal Work, Pendants, Techniques, Torch Work

Forming with Folds

Those of us who love to learn new things sometimes move to new avenues for this too soon. Either the initial fun wears off, something new calls our name, or time for the learning simply runs out. Often for me, I move on to something new before completely exploring the myriad of possibilities for creative development in the existing arena. This may have been the case with fold forming, a technique  developed by Charles Lewton-Brain. “Mr. Fold Form's” book, Foldforming, contains a wealth of information on how to construct various shapes from metal; yet, it doesn’t show as many completed pieces of jewelry as I would like to see.

Frequent and long time readers may recall that fold forming was the new technique I chose to develop last December and January during the winter lull between completion of the Fall products and the development of the Spring designs. Unfortunately, I may have moved too quickly from fold forming last year and back into rapid production for my customers. Also, I “closed” on the technique partly because I couldn’t figure out new things to do with it. I chose not to face the somewhat discouraging struggle that forces one into creative generation. I currently have renewed interest in fold forming due to a couple of happenings. Two of my lucky friends took a recent workshop with Kim St. Jean at the Texas Beadfest and their discussion of the class helped add to my refinement of the technique. Also, I gave a demonstration on the technique at a recent gathering of wire workers. Therefore, I had to practice.

The trick for me with fold forming has been trying to make something besides a leaf that would comfortably work as a piece of jewelry. First, I practiced some different ways to hammer on a few leaves and learned how to better ruffle the edges. Then I created a couple of copper cuff bracelets. I like using a long diagonal fold to start the bracelet design and following this with appropriate texture. I quickly learned that it’s important to begin with a longer and wider piece of metal than the size of the anticipated product. I folded the metal first and then cut the final bracelet shape. When I annealed the metal bracelets with a torch during the fold forming process, beautiful colors appeared on the pieces.

brace cuff

I’ve also been experimenting with a star shape shown in Newton-Brain’s book. First I made several pairs of earrings and then I created a larger star and used it as a pendant on a strand of coral. I gave the pendant a liver of suphur bath, tumbled it and then used the torch on it again. It adopted a very rich color.

star                   star2

coral Now the struggle is to try to develop some ideas of my own for fold formed shapes. Hopefully, I’ll have the time this year to stick with fold forming until I’ve either developed some new ideas or convinced myself that I CAN’T come up with anything new. Wish me luck.

Earrings, family, Metal Work, Necklaces, Wire Work

Suddenly, It Was Quiet

My husband and I have enjoyed two weeks here with our daughter’s family, including a two year old, and five days with my son and his fiancé plus Daisy Mae, their dog. For those of you with a large family, this probably doesn’t seem like many people, but for us, it was a very pleasant house full. We are fortunate that we all get along so well and enjoy many of the same things. I looked in the den one evening and saw five adults on either computers or IPads and the two year old on an IPad also. I was the lone non-tech person since I was working with wire on a bracelet.

At other times, it wasn’t so quiet with either Daisy Mae, the Blue Tick Beagle, baying at something outdoors or my grandson working on his high pitched scream. Thankfully, it was a happy scream, albeit shrill.

Then, by ten o’clock Saturday morning, it was suddenly quiet again. Today, things are back to normal with the only loud sounds coming from my hammer on the bench block. I’ve completed a good deal of whacking and am hurrying as I prepare for a show tomorrow evening. Here some new earrings that just laterns hatched. These are made from small squares of copper sheet that I annealed and thin rolled, starting at one corner. I used a hole punch on the bottom and now they remind me of faralitoes. These little lanterns are the focus of one of my favorite children’s books, The Farolitoes of Christmas, by Anaya. You might visualize these as little tin lights wherein a candle can shine through the holes.

I made a similar pair a couple of weeks ago and they left home before I took a picture. That pair didn’t have the holes, but were wrapped in half round sterling wire.

 

I was hoping to show you the texture on this second pair of earrings, but it’s difficult to see in the photo below. My friend gave me a new little hammer which I happily used to tap dents all over these discs which I then domed.

discToday, I finished the cascade of beads and mixed metals shown below. I’ve made this necklace before and have always said I wouldn’t make another one. Alas . . . I gave in. It’s quite time consuming with all hand made chain and jump rings. Then, as you can see, each bead is attached with an individual head pin and wrapped loop. I thought I was finished with this twice, but then kept going back and adding more beads. Today, I’ve promised myself that I WILL NOT add any more beads! It’s going in the traveling display case right now!cascade I hope this blog entry finds you relaxed after a quiet (or noisy) Thanksgiving weekend and that when the real world calls you back Monday morning, you’ll be ready for it.