tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74837288696250032152024-03-12T19:42:35.471-04:00All Wired Up Jewelry DesignsI make and sell handcrafted precious metal and gemstone jewelry. I have wedding and engagement rings for all budgets and tastes. Follow my journey and join in the fun!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-35723281345929698272016-08-31T16:31:00.000-04:002016-08-31T16:34:26.499-04:00How Do I Get This Cuff On?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
It's been a very long time since I posted a blog - long over due! To re-start I think I am going to pull from my now 10 years of jewelry making and problems I have encountered along the way. Some of these are the making itself, some getting correct sizing from customers to insure a proper fit of a ring, cuff or bangle. Today- the simple but lovely cuff and how to properly put it on and take it off so it maintains it's original shape and fit. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
What's not to love- the cuff comes in all shapes, widths and sizes and even different metals, bronze, copper, sterling and even gold. Behold - the simple hammered sterling cuff. This one is 1 inch wide and a reasonable but light 1 mm thick- a good everyday choice for work or casual day out. Now- How do you get that darn thing on and off a bunch of times and still keep it looking like this nice C shape and not some sort of twisted mess? The opening is only 1 inch wide- isn't my arm bigger than that?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJlWOF_-RbSTg2dJQoiieNEqimItpCxNqmo8rB3xSL48dubVX9cZTWJaJ6bvjPzpH7PqSY0a9jmRrCNMJaKnDVrtsAmaZibj5B0lfvgTMlTRAHb4CST-9I_bOVXpZ2WrxKP6qlcQze_4/s1600/Hammered+Cuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJlWOF_-RbSTg2dJQoiieNEqimItpCxNqmo8rB3xSL48dubVX9cZTWJaJ6bvjPzpH7PqSY0a9jmRrCNMJaKnDVrtsAmaZibj5B0lfvgTMlTRAHb4CST-9I_bOVXpZ2WrxKP6qlcQze_4/s320/Hammered+Cuff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Anyone can latch a bracelet and it fits right? Sure, but what about a cuff? Can you get it on and have it keep it's shape? Not hurt going on or coming off? This little trick will keep all your cuffs in shape, springy and looking great for a long time to come! </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
A cuff bracelet is one that does not close on the wrist but simply rests on the wrist with a gap or open area on the inside of the wrist. Unlike bangles (closed circles) cuff bracelets are worn low on the wrist bone rather than pushed up the forearm. Hold the cuff like a C in your opposite hand with the opening facing the arm your are going to wear it on. You want to find that soft area on the inside of your arm about 1 – 1.5 inches above your wrist- between the 2 bones in your wrist. Gently roll the end of the bracelet over the arm from the thumb side and just roll it over your arm. Let it slide down your arm to rest there. To remove the cuff, reverse the above and roll it right off your arm above your wrist!</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Don't hook the cuff on the outside of the wrist and pull it over the top of the wrist. This actually pulls the cuff out of shape and will loosen any set stones in or on top of the cuff. In time, you could break or crack the cuff due to metal fatigue. Always start on the inside of your wrist. Cuffs usually only need to be adjusted once and not bent each time.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
To order the correct size cuff - measure around your wrist where the cuff will be worn, not too tight, this is the inside circumference of the cuff including the opening. When ordering a cuff, look to see how wide the opening is and subtract that to get the length you need. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Cuffs are normally formed on an oval shape bracelet mandrel. This shape conforms to most wrists. If you have a round arm/wrist and not flat on top, be sure to discuss this with the maker of your cuff. Your artisan jeweler can allow a slightly longer length and shape the cuff to be more rounded on top and still conform to the sides of your wrist for a more comfortable fit. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Cuffs come flat, anticlastic with a concave center and curves that go up on the sides and synclastic with a dome that curves down to the wrist. Each of these basic styles has many variations, but all can be properly fitted and remain lovely for many years with proper care - AND putting them on and taking them off so they stay in their original shape.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
My hope is next time you think about putting on that cuff, you'll remember this blog and smile because you know how to get that cuff on!<br />
<br />
If you'd like to take a look at some of my cuffs- visit my shop on Etsy by clicking this link or copy and paste it into your browser- https://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com1Westminster, MD, USA39.5753791 -76.99581490000002839.4774786 -77.157176400000026 39.6732796 -76.834453400000029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-73575951146499775672013-12-15T07:22:00.000-05:002013-12-15T07:22:41.995-05:00Have You Finished Shopping Yet???Seems like forever since I have had time to sit and just blog about anything! But since I got up early to work on orders, I had the inspiration, and it gave me a small reason not to start at the bench at 6 AM.<br />
<br />
I'm not finished shopping yet, the gifts I do have are staring at me and needing wrapped. My house is only semi-decorated and I have cookies I need to bake! How about you, done yet, are you one of those well organized people that manages to get it all done and then have time to sit and relax? Not me, I am still working the day job, making jewelry to fill orders and trying to get in the holiday spirit to finish decorating and getting ready for the full week of celebrations that are the Christmas holiday!<br />
<br />
If many of you are like me, you have long ago stopped fighting the crowds of people at the malls and in big box stores. Unless you have a few favorite boutiques or specialty shops, you let your fingers do the shopping on line! This year though it seems a lot of people didn't realize how little time there was between Thanksgiving and Christmas - just 3 full weeks. I have never been one of those people who shop Black Friday sales or heaven forbid, start buying presents at the end of summer sales!<br />
<br />
For those of you that may need a few last minute stocking stuffers, or just something new to wear to one of the many open house or parties that seem to pop up this time of year, I am going to shamelessly self promote that I have a load of stuff still in my shop that's ready to ship! My very last, drop dead date. to make made to order to arrive in time for Christmas in the US is December 18. So many people are ordering late this year, my cut off is earlier than last year so I can be sure and finish.<br />
<br />
Feel free to browse my shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">All Wired Up Jewelry Desings</a> on Etsy but below, I'll post a few really great things that are just waiting to go in the mail same day or next day if you order by December 20 for first class or Priority. Those rally down to the wire, I have Express next day as a shipping choice for "ready to ship" up through December 23!<br />
<br />
Earrings- how can you have too many? These make great gifts for teachers, friends, your manicurist or hair dresser- or just because you like to have lots to choose from. My new enamel earrings in copper are on sterling or gold fill ear wires, priced right and ready to ship.<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171889291/green-heart-earrings-enameled-copper?ref=shop_home_active">Green Enamel Heart Earrings</a> - <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvzH3P7pZ9DYHSsZBkiDF_opwzvwm6nEovFGjvFLo-dbBGPwLzc-6qQV1NdlJWc845EnrEW9Uhio8LWWOVqgjfM__6GJfx41q58lmDbl6TSykY9Tv22EJWZuIMCnvLiehOWIkTdDSrZg/s1600/IMG_6135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvzH3P7pZ9DYHSsZBkiDF_opwzvwm6nEovFGjvFLo-dbBGPwLzc-6qQV1NdlJWc845EnrEW9Uhio8LWWOVqgjfM__6GJfx41q58lmDbl6TSykY9Tv22EJWZuIMCnvLiehOWIkTdDSrZg/s320/IMG_6135.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pretty little fall leaf earrings, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171968025/fall-leaf-copper-enameled-earrings?ref=shop_home_active">Red and Gold Enamel Leaf Earrings</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygF-zangt0JxnxhDpisEPeFEo8DScHi9e-FYNAUEl5uTshmxw0R-FuZiJWQYmsQfjN-mPmy8fVEqvvVuOYz-fWsOR9ec8nNpxg_xQLiWvvwpuhmXL58Cdj4RryyLcJFlx_4y6WIlfGCI/s1600/IMG_6142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygF-zangt0JxnxhDpisEPeFEo8DScHi9e-FYNAUEl5uTshmxw0R-FuZiJWQYmsQfjN-mPmy8fVEqvvVuOYz-fWsOR9ec8nNpxg_xQLiWvvwpuhmXL58Cdj4RryyLcJFlx_4y6WIlfGCI/s320/IMG_6142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and then there are always pretty sterling earrings - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/121349886/sterling-textured-hoops-moon-crater?ref=shop_home_active">Moon Crater Hoops</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EHhFrlPprxBqEQ6-dlSh63ZJjvZpEQqUQUxvbBS1ZrkLoPLEcr-XFnjT2TFq8BQn9ptLIXO98FJ-9zbSXpWbAzLLJiiIm3oLyJu1XO_jHFsMjX4x3e0M3EwUU_yjzRTPkwZKLm2-O94/s1600/IMG_4100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EHhFrlPprxBqEQ6-dlSh63ZJjvZpEQqUQUxvbBS1ZrkLoPLEcr-XFnjT2TFq8BQn9ptLIXO98FJ-9zbSXpWbAzLLJiiIm3oLyJu1XO_jHFsMjX4x3e0M3EwUU_yjzRTPkwZKLm2-O94/s320/IMG_4100.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
If your more of a necklace person, I still have a few in stock priced to go out the door and under someone's tree! For the gardener, or chef- this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/74750487/sterling-leaf-necklace-sage-leaf?ref=shop_home_active">Sage Leaf Necklace</a> could be a terrific choice in either the polished or oxidized finish<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokYWKoUPJJf1WNYcDpEky4LpfGe6rF7pvWdiOU_1FHwA5YzqmIM_0NygC_qbKqjl5JqUnZQktYAkkZ2fntS8RnxuFnaYN5cOArcpdqr_0rIAQQg16NuCdSRniRuyyRIM4s-sujpX8mt4/s1600/IMG_5253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokYWKoUPJJf1WNYcDpEky4LpfGe6rF7pvWdiOU_1FHwA5YzqmIM_0NygC_qbKqjl5JqUnZQktYAkkZ2fntS8RnxuFnaYN5cOArcpdqr_0rIAQQg16NuCdSRniRuyyRIM4s-sujpX8mt4/s320/IMG_5253.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
So, don't panic, there is still time, just make yourself sit down with a list of who doesn't have a gift yet and think handmade is always a great way to say, I chose something special just for you!<br />
<br />
Happy Holidays to you and all of your family and friends!<br />
Pennee<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-36611752901780519152013-09-16T14:30:00.001-04:002013-09-16T17:03:04.863-04:00September Inspiration<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 22px/normal Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
September Synchroblog -- Inspiration</h3>
<div class="post-header" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 11px/1.6 Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5020014505993933049" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/1.4 Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; position: relative; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; width: 676px; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post on the same topic on odd months and on even months we take on a Pinterest Challenge where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, creating something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then posting about it. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">This month's topic: </span></span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">September</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">INSPIRATION/INFLUENCES</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">“My inspiration comes from…” </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">Wow <strong>- </strong>what a loaded topic that is for me? Who knows, quien sabe, no lo se, and any other English or foreign phrase that says- most days, I have no clue what I'm going to do until I get to the bench and start. I could say I am inspired by nature and architecture because I love both and get loads of ideas while in my garden or on walks. Travel to other countries has opened up a whole world of texture and design for me that I love. BUT, I do not consider myself an artist - what I like to do is make things - I love the whole process of making the parts and watching them go together to make something beautiful and wearable.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ShRz1UEFpVillJB-c0IVasEO33OTy2grdQthMV0ss_TNlh1Cbnx-xVtfmNtjiXJT0zdAIQlm-uiYiadlIsn84bAoKSE6TC7VA1aUN755WkHwd4QGJrHsz4noVeS6HgurwvNNOCL8EKE/s1600/IMG_5913.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ShRz1UEFpVillJB-c0IVasEO33OTy2grdQthMV0ss_TNlh1Cbnx-xVtfmNtjiXJT0zdAIQlm-uiYiadlIsn84bAoKSE6TC7VA1aUN755WkHwd4QGJrHsz4noVeS6HgurwvNNOCL8EKE/s320/IMG_5913.CR2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vrV6KwUnqnpgjszh-yY7EMlZK7OXsVEz07XZi4CxOxqB8FKTIK4fHOXgQUPwybr1Yum_oNbZ0SF7CB8sJM4s5WLrQHYqhHhS1C4sqEc8ddsuhzQQpBnFnZMB8VNV8ANeFP-HLrMvnlk/s1600/IMG_5916.CR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vrV6KwUnqnpgjszh-yY7EMlZK7OXsVEz07XZi4CxOxqB8FKTIK4fHOXgQUPwybr1Yum_oNbZ0SF7CB8sJM4s5WLrQHYqhHhS1C4sqEc8ddsuhzQQpBnFnZMB8VNV8ANeFP-HLrMvnlk/s320/IMG_5916.CR2.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">As you can see from the two photos above- this was a construction conundrum! This was a huge piece of diamond rough, no real flat spot to make a normal cup for a setting and the customer wanted a specific side to show. I had so much fun working with my mentor to come up with a way to hold this stone and make it into a wearable ring. So maybe that's my inspiration- the challenge of designing so it works and still looks good?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My other inspiration is again a challenge. I love to try to learn a new technique as often as possible in between filling orders. My current challenge is learning to bead set. If you don't know what that is, it is drilling a hole to perfectly fit a stone inside, then instead of holding the stone by pushing the metal over the edges as in flush setting, you take a tool called a graver, which is a very sharp instrument and can do bodily harm if not used properly :) (ask me how I know). And you use the graver to cut through and push the metal up to the edge of the stone and create a small pile of metal. You then take another tool- a beading tool, and round that pile so you have just made very tiny prongs on 4 sides of the stone to hold it in place. All this is assuming you have done it correctly, not broken off one of the beads by pushing it to far or the graver has gone on it's own path and you have to start over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I do hope you've enjoyed my ramblings about what inspires me and I hope you will take some time to read some of the blogs below to see what inspires others in our Synchroblog group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;"></span></b></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com</span></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">
</span></b></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/</span></a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.26px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://marikach.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://marikach.blogspot.com/</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.createrecklessly.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.createrecklessly.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://design.kcjewelbox.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://design.kcjewelbox.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://silversmithblog.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://silversmithblog.com/</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/</span></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/22.26px Nobile; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px currentColor; color: #d05e0b; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com</span></a></div>
</span> </b> </span><br /></div>
AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-69104406348066998272013-07-15T19:31:00.002-04:002013-07-15T19:31:46.297-04:00Day vs Night, When are You Most Creative?The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post on the same topic on odd months and on even months we take on a Pinterest Challenge where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, creating something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then posting about it. You can read more about the Artists Synchroblog here.<br />
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root" id="id_51e486184d4472a36078150">
Which are you - a Morning Bird or a Night Owl?<br /><br /> Do you roll out of bed in the morning rip roaring and ready to go? Or do you stumble eyes shut to the coffee pot growling at anyone in your way?</div>
</span></span></h5>
<br />
Well, I work a full time job, but I do set my own appointments so I have a bit of flexibility. Do you know what *6* does on your phone- well if not, let me tell you, it mutes your end so people can't hear you- not the baby crying, the dog barking or me using my flex shaft to do final polishing on a customer order while on a silly conference call from 8-9AM!<br />
<br />
Yes, I am one of those chipper, ready to rock people at 5:30 AM. I got one of those new coffee makers, single cup, I am in heaven. I get up and head for the coffee, then the studio.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalLjBYTaVFfyRbHThZas44FqT9WoWoADqA35vWJQHDt_kp-2PAPcvqNCN5AgZhnBB6EDm4KWRGnxuFZmklBAVmOi9Uj2rZ-REoKV6u8InLPKCCbHoGSyjU1jYsg01qc7zrOb17aGN1qw/s1600/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalLjBYTaVFfyRbHThZas44FqT9WoWoADqA35vWJQHDt_kp-2PAPcvqNCN5AgZhnBB6EDm4KWRGnxuFZmklBAVmOi9Uj2rZ-REoKV6u8InLPKCCbHoGSyjU1jYsg01qc7zrOb17aGN1qw/s320/IMG_3377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yeah, I know, it's not much, but it's what I have to work with! And that pile of plastic bags in the corner, that's all stones in their own little individual boxes- they call to me while I'm at that bench! The light is my friend, it's daylight at my bench even in the dead of winter. I usually leave something for myself to do in the morning- my warm up- finish a ring, solder a bezel- just something. I honestly believe that my creativity is best first thing in the morning before the real world creeps into my brain and clutters it up with to do lists, customer (day job) concerns and even grocery shopping- which I love, but not what I want to think about when I wake up. So I am at the bench by 6 AM crank out a bit, draw up something I dreamed about even if it isn't possible and then hit the computer to check mail, print shipping labels, downstairs to package orders- THEN I actually get ready for work so I can get out of the house between 8:30 and 9 AM.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Try as I might, and I do get some work done late afternoon, but after dinner, I am pretty useless. I love chatting with my fellow on line metals groups teammates, look at all the new stuff friends post on facebook, chat with my other half and have a nice glass of wine. Absolutely nothing comes to me at night! My weekends, my metal is my day job and I love that time. Friday night I really do start to think creatively and can't wait to get to work Saturday and Sunday morning. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Want to see who else in our bloggers group id a day or night person- just check out some of these blogs! Now, not everyone posts every month, but I'm sure you'll find a few good reads!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/</a><br /><a href="http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog" target="_blank">http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog</a><br /><a href="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com">http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry" target="_blank">http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry</a><br /><a href="http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://marikach.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://marikach.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.createrecklessly.com/" target="_blank">www.createrecklessly.com</a><br /><a href="http://design.kcjewelbox.com/" target="_blank">http://design.kcjewelbox.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a><br /><a href="http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/</a><br /><a href="http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/</a><br /><a href="http://www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com</a></div>
AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-29770396816317442322013-06-15T15:54:00.001-04:002013-06-15T15:54:22.953-04:00Poking Around on Pinterest - June SynchroblogThis months topic is to show something you've done, made or created based on something you found on Pinterest! Who doesn't love poking around there looking for DIY ideas for decorating, cooking seeing loads of travel spots you want to visit and just plain stumbling on something you never thought of before?<br />
<br />
Since I'm a foodie, I know everyone would be disappointed if I didn't show and tell a recipe I found and probably changed if I know me!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thebitesizedblog.com/blog/2010/07/28/scallop-blt/#.UbzCXZ3D-M9">Scallop BLTs - Great Seafood Appetizer</a><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1361956021"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1361956022"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl5jObJ05RAzGl9ZT2FivihkaiALk8CVe4dvKnXa3_lDtF4lIbJ37MlVlwtt29J6CLkBzu7ZkF4a3_1qs_d8xK4LPZZ6gLFNJvdXaho26aD9-Gs0yWrQvsyBeMg9xU6eirU22hDiEEQg/s1600/SCALLO~4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl5jObJ05RAzGl9ZT2FivihkaiALk8CVe4dvKnXa3_lDtF4lIbJ37MlVlwtt29J6CLkBzu7ZkF4a3_1qs_d8xK4LPZZ6gLFNJvdXaho26aD9-Gs0yWrQvsyBeMg9xU6eirU22hDiEEQg/s320/SCALLO~4.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thebitesizedblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Scallop-BLT-Bite-%C2%A9-2010-Jonathan-Meter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thebitesizedblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Scallop-BLT-Bite-%C2%A9-2010-Jonathan-Meter.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now mine didn't quite look like this, I had to have little toothpicks with colored frilly tops in mine because whatever food stylist did this photo must have been using Elmer's glue for the herb mayonnaise (I made lemon aioli) because scallops and mayonnaise of any kind are a slippery combination! Tomatoes just don't come in scallop size unless you search really hard, and remember to put a weight on your bacon while cooking it otherwise it will curl up and also make your lovely appetizer look like the leaning tower of Pisa! I did try hard to add my own photo from my cell phone, but it just didn't want to upload to Flickr, Picassa or anywhere else I could go and grab it to show off all my colorful toothpicks in my own scallop BLTs. Maybe I should search Pinterest for cell phone upload tips! The other problem was, they were so darn good there wasn't a single one left on the plate for me to get a chance to go get my real camera to take a decent photo! I had what I assume were 6 vultures for dinner that night because they disappeared so fast I was dazed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post every other month on the same topic, sharing our experience or perspective. On alternate months we undertake a Pinterest Project where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, create something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then post about it. You can read more about the Artists Synchroblog <a href="http://www.jewelryartistsnetwork.com/index/the-artists-synchroblog/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Please visit the other synchrobloggers this month and see how Pinterest inspired them:</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com">http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://lesliervillar%20%20real.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://marikach.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://marikach.blogspot.com/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.createrecklessly.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.createrecklessly.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://design.kcjewelbox.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://design.kcjewelbox.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://silversmithblog.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://silversmithblog.com/</a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; border: 0px currentColor; color: #262626; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 12px/18px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px currentColor; color: black; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/</a></div>
AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-5459573900916697832013-05-22T14:06:00.000-04:002013-05-24T09:07:15.311-04:00Darn, I Must Be Terrific, I Got Ripped Off on AlibabaAny of you who know me, even just on line, know I am pretty laid back when it comes to my philosophy on original jewelry designs. My feeling is, jewelry has been around for thousands of years and it really is pretty rare to see a completely new design. It's mostly all been done before and what we see are the artists interpretation that makes it unique to them. Just go to any art museum and watch young artists copying the masters (or trying to). They say copying is normal for someone just learning, they copy the designs, the technique etc and eventually find their own artistic voice. We've all copied something sometimes that pleased us and was not our original idea- I'm ok with that. <br />
What I'm not ok with is some sweat factory seller in China who steals my photos right out of my Etsy shop listing, complete with watermark and says they are their designs and make my item out of junk materials to boot.<br />
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/795681516/14K_Gold_Filled_Pearl_Ring_Engagement.html">Ripped off on Alibaba</a><br />
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/795681516/14K_Gold_Filled_Pearl_Ring_Engagement.html">http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/795681516/14K_Gold_Filled_Pearl_Ring_Engagement.html</a><br />
<br />
Oh- and this is my Original<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw1u5olvl-B1ct8CBbTS9qLDoYZJIPLCTDhCwM9-tyk_9vi-P3yxIyk1481XkKRBQfiow-BW6JY4lf6C6dpWNF3lE-AO3czh84RShv3EupH-7hI03a6nUwXBrco-MySR8NBo56H1x6Ks/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw1u5olvl-B1ct8CBbTS9qLDoYZJIPLCTDhCwM9-tyk_9vi-P3yxIyk1481XkKRBQfiow-BW6JY4lf6C6dpWNF3lE-AO3czh84RShv3EupH-7hI03a6nUwXBrco-MySR8NBo56H1x6Ks/s320/IMG_0990.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
Solid gold, not gold plated- the seller somehow wiped out my watermark on the main photo but all the other photos in my Etsy shop, they left complete with my shop name <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">All Wired Up Jewelry Designs on Etsy</a>. <br />
<br />
Hey, I'm right up there now with Ralph Lauren, Tiffanys and a multitude of others- so I guess instead of feeling like I have really been violated- I should celebrate that someone liked my design so much they decided to add me to the long list of artists that have knock offs made of their fabulous work!<br />
<br />
So today I am celebrating, I must be great, terrific and astounding- I got ripped off and there really isn't much I can do about it but share with you so you know - it can happen to anyone!<br />
<br />AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-25580363053628822892013-05-15T08:56:00.000-04:002013-05-15T13:06:17.235-04:00Words Have Meaning!<div align="left">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I am participating in something new in the next few months- hopefully I can keep up and not get kicked out of the group! This new adventure is called Synchroblog! </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">The Artists Synchroblog (May) – The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post every other month on the same topic, sharing our experience or perspective. On alternate months we undertake a Pinterest Project where we each take inspiration from a pinterest picture, create something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then post about it. T</i>his month the topic is "Words Have Meaning"</div>
</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
I chose a quote that I think is me in a nutshell and just says it all about life in general- "Love what you do. If you don't, you're just wasting your time". <br />
<span id=".reactRoot[118].[1][4][1]{comment337855472959594_459161747495632}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[2]">~ Billy Joel</span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
For the better part of my adult life I have to say I have been lucky enough to say I love what I do. For a small portion of my younger life, I am absolutely positive all I did was waste time- I had jobs I didn't like much that weren't very interesting or challenging and I really did know I was just marking time until I found what I was looking for. I was very lucky, I did find loads of things I love.</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
I have a great job during the day working as an oncology representative calling on Drs and nurses, providing education and support for cancer patients. It is an extremely rewarding job and I love every minute. At night and on weekends I work in my little makeshift jewelry studio creating pretty rings, pendants bracelets and whatever strikes me. I actually even enjoy selling my little baubles on line here: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">https://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a> After a tough day at work what could be better than hammering the heck out of a piece of metal, playing with sparkling colorful gemstones or lighting a torch to put something together that will make someone smile. I love both my jobs!</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
Then there's my other two jobs (can we say workaholic?) the Mom job and the grand mom job- geeze, the mom job is a breeze- the kid is all grown up and pretty and smart and has given me two gorgeous granddaughters - but she still needs me now and then. Now the grand mom (Mimi) job is the best. I get to go have girl days with my oldest- at 6 she is completely in her element when we go get mani pedis, then off to shop and maybe a movie- then of course we must do dinner out. In between, play time in the local park and maybe stop for homemade ice cream! Tough job for a grandmother just keeping up. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10IYb68qUq9p6FYeXMUv0db0HX6jiZE7HOcF6uMCTkxTuMB2eE6nOKMy5ijfxc56qCn3accm_L8v_aYLPr4l4lPiYOlFQmBtwheIhZZmRl1dzPbkPfsTNUmXkwWuTvn-ZWL3NqGymXNA/s1600/521768_10200842024080794_1131073523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10IYb68qUq9p6FYeXMUv0db0HX6jiZE7HOcF6uMCTkxTuMB2eE6nOKMy5ijfxc56qCn3accm_L8v_aYLPr4l4lPiYOlFQmBtwheIhZZmRl1dzPbkPfsTNUmXkwWuTvn-ZWL3NqGymXNA/s320/521768_10200842024080794_1131073523_n.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
My little one, at 15 months, is way too smart and busy for her age. Into everything and keeps me on my toes- and the floor- and the grass and anywhere we can play and roll around or she can run and have me chase after her!</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
So- I never for a minute feel like I'm wasting my time because I love what I do!</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
I hope you will take some time and continue on reading some of these other terrific blogs about "Words Have Meaning" see all the blogger links below!<br />
Pennee<br />
<br />
<a href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog" target="_blank">http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com">http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry" target="_blank">http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry</a><br />
<a href="http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://marikach.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://marikach.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.createrecklessly.com/" target="_blank">www.createrecklessly.com</a><br />
<a href="http://design.kcjewelbox.com/" target="_blank">http://design.kcjewelbox.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a><br />
<a href="http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/</a><br />
<a href="http://silversmithblog.com/" target="_blank">http://silversmithblog.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com</a></div>
AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-21464661387607462342013-03-09T09:09:00.001-05:002013-03-09T09:09:31.228-05:00What Made Me Think I Could Become a Metalsmith?When something grabs my interest and attention, I grab onto it with the passion of a terrier with a fresh new bone! I had a friend who made very pretty wire wrapped jewelry, lots of baubles and shiny gems went into her every piece. I used to buy her work until one day she said, you can learn to do this yourself, let me teach you some basics. Well, that was the top of the whirlpool that drew me forever downward into the abyss. I had always made things, crafts were just something that were always in progress, but jewelry- who would have thought I could actually make that?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmuVk-71RyMGiF-le-HJD1SWvjiMMhSGZ613YaKc8ntpgJbIcVVWJ75CEs_qqMtmI3SO_yM_OaWMkKEP35TkGBcZjrJIprsb-1xhFwsl_NOHviR7vjQQjQslVzCsrJl0RL8b1zE9j2AE/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmuVk-71RyMGiF-le-HJD1SWvjiMMhSGZ613YaKc8ntpgJbIcVVWJ75CEs_qqMtmI3SO_yM_OaWMkKEP35TkGBcZjrJIprsb-1xhFwsl_NOHviR7vjQQjQslVzCsrJl0RL8b1zE9j2AE/s320/IMG_2752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The lemon quartz and gold necklace above was the type of work I seemed to enjoy most. Lots of pretty stones and pearls and detail. Did I mdention I love stones and detail? What no one cold have explained to me as I was wrapping stones in wire was that every time I went somewhere to get more stones and wire and chain, I would see more stones and I would also see jewelry I loved that just couldn't be made with m limited wire wrapping skills.<br />
<br />
Phase 2- I had to know how to set other stones, cabochons, faceted stones, rough odd shapes called to me. But where to learn? My same jewelry making friend suggested I look into Beadfest Philadelphia which always had classes and was not too unreasonably far from me. I found a class, not quite what I wanted, but it seemed like something a beginner could handle. Fusing silver wire taught by metal artist Anne Mitchell. The class was fun, wonderful and inspired me - look what I could do with wire when fire was involved!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ4JgWgwtS1yTRpeqKy5NaLn8fTzOvrfAdkGtZuUv618pDIfbZCQ-mgKiaBcZZ8beT4hpRn-o951L051zG9yKq47gQywE859UaDclKWokyKupF1B4Jb8cMNMfZ8ikT0_GWRQoyPVwitg/s1600/102_2300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ4JgWgwtS1yTRpeqKy5NaLn8fTzOvrfAdkGtZuUv618pDIfbZCQ-mgKiaBcZZ8beT4hpRn-o951L051zG9yKq47gQywE859UaDclKWokyKupF1B4Jb8cMNMfZ8ikT0_GWRQoyPVwitg/s320/102_2300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I made chains, and chain bracelets, chain dangle earrings, and links and more chains. Well, this wasn't what I was aiming for was it? I wanted to set stones! Around the same time, I decided I had way too much jewelry than I could ever wear so I started a shop on Etsy to try to sell some jewelry. My shop got stumbled on by the captain of the aspiring metalsmiths team and I joined up- knowing nothing but how to use a torch and fuse wire, I was prepared to look dumb and I was! I found some of the the most wonderful people on this team to help, lead, sympathize and teach me how to conquer all the pitfalls of learning to really hand fabricate jewelry and set stones.<br />
<br />
So I fell in love with fire and hammers and pretty stones, I had to do something with that and I guess that's why I wanted to become a metalsmith and now, I feel like I'm about half way there. I can actually set most stones, make a decent ring, earrings and actually do some good custom work. I still have loads to learn, but I still have my team, I have found some good classes and I will continue plugging away since I firmly believe, you never stop learning when it comes to making artisan crafted jewelry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllMbRp4Vf0Cn8eHO07TPvFmNRcq7bPOFmxY3flsP0nlXg0KMdMOUOK06MCtfUX1hQfXbs54-iZMyvVhYyRJjr_biLndpV-sN2Hv-wXbRRSG4J_lBbY1cVB8DgtUIT3Ezgc3JlSIuRT_g/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllMbRp4Vf0Cn8eHO07TPvFmNRcq7bPOFmxY3flsP0nlXg0KMdMOUOK06MCtfUX1hQfXbs54-iZMyvVhYyRJjr_biLndpV-sN2Hv-wXbRRSG4J_lBbY1cVB8DgtUIT3Ezgc3JlSIuRT_g/s320/IMG_3592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I hope you will also take a peek and read about some of my wonderful teammates who have also got blogs on why they became a metalsmith and enjoy their stories also.<br />
<br />
SilverBlueberry <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se</a><br />SerpentsDance <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://www.dancetothedoor.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">www.dancetothedoor.blogspot.com/</a><br />Marcus Berkner Jewelry <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://berknerdesigns.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">berknerdesigns.blogspot.com/</a><br />Valerie @ LilyEmme Jewelry <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://blog.lilyemmejewelry.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">blog.lilyemmejewelry.com</a><br />Kalicat Jewelry Designs <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://kalicatdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">kalicatdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/</a><br />Kim Bell <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://www.kimberlybelldesigns.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">www.kimberlybelldesigns.blogspot.com</a><br />Beatriz Fortes <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://www.beatrizfortes.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">www.beatrizfortes.blogspot.com</a>AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-8981535525860333482012-08-15T15:38:00.000-04:002012-08-15T15:39:05.353-04:00Finally - Vacation Time Is NearJuly was it's usual hot and miserable self here in Maryland, but I just kept remembering August means vacation time! Every other year we take a trip to somewhere in Europe we have never been and this year it's to Scotland. I really want to see men in kilts, but DH wants to play gold at St Andrews so we have to go there to.<br />
So the plan is Edinburgh for a few days, then off to St Andrews for a day, then to Inverness, Sky and Oban before we head back to Edinburgh. It doesn't sound like a lot of places, but we will stay a few days in each place and I'm sure I'll see more castles than I ever did in story books and I definitely plan to have a Nessie siting. We will do lots of historical sites, hiking, photography and gee, I can't wait to try haggis!<br />
<br />
On the jewelry business side, my computer hard drive died so I am waiting for a new computer so I can get some new work photographed and listed before time to go into full vacation mode.<br />
Keep your fingers crossed for me that the geek Drs can recover my pictures from my old computer. Why does technology have to be so fickle anyhow? So if you're wondering why no photos for this post, now you know the sad reason why!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ppennee">www.etsy.com/shop/ppennee</a>, my lovely Etsy shop, I have posted a shop notice of last day to order any made to order items of August 21. That should give me plenty of time to make and ship anything ordered before I leave. I plan to leave the shop open, but don't be surprised if you can't find the full line of items to browse. I plan to deactivate most made to order items so no one accidentally orders while I'm away and doesn't see my announcement that I can't ship for 2 full weeks. The last thing I want is to come home to an unhappy customer that thought they'd get their ring in less than 5 days.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and if you've been somewhere great this year on vacation, feel free to comment. I'm always looking forward to the next vacation home or abroad!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-27214282894187529422012-07-15T09:03:00.000-04:002012-07-15T09:03:36.475-04:00Adult Summer Camp - Common Ground on the HillI had no idea they had summer camp for adults! No clue that there were wonderful things that adults could sign up for for a week or even a full 2 weeks. You could be a "day camper" or you could make it "away camp" and stay in the dorms and be a full time camper taking as many classes as you can fit into the day!<br />
<a href="http://www.commongroundonthehill.org/index.html">Common Ground on the Hill</a> is just such a camp, right in my own back yard, which happens annually at McDaniel College. I know this isn't the only place that has these wonderful camps, I met loads of people who had been elsewhere or were going somewhere to do more summer camp!<br />
<br />
The most wonderful thing about this camp is it is totally dedicated to art and artists of all kinds. From making native black clay into beautiful works of pottery art, making a gourd banjo, taking women's blues singing lessons and yes- metalwork classes! Click on the link above to see the myriad of classes available for all ages! Yes, there were 70 year old women taking beginning blacksmithing classes and there were high school students with scholarships taking piano for the first time. So much fun and so many wonderful new friends I met!<br />
<br />
Of course I took a jewelry class! I have always wanted to take a class from Linda Van Hart of <a href="http://tollhousestudio.com/">Tollhouse Studio</a>. Linda is the director of the arts program for Common Ground and is also a full time professor of art at McDaniel, has a fabulous art studio and does shows all over the US. Her forte is chasing and repousse, but she is so gifted a teacher, she is able to teach all forms of metalwork to a class that includes rank beginners to those with experience and makes it fun, challenging and exciting for everyone.<br />
<br />
This years class was Reticulation, along with demos for chasing and repousse, wire work and forging. Reticulation is the process of taking a piece of silver a bit different from sterling (sterling is .925, so only about 17% copper - reticulation silver is 20% copper), heating and coolong it many times, and rising the pure silver, then painting your design with a hot torch to make beautiful hills and valleys of swirled silver on the surface. No two pieces are ever alike.<br />
<br />
This was my main project - a hydragea leaf from my garden, cut to shape then reticulated. Later I added the stem and created a neck wire to form the torque.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1Tfrq1M4cjOuXPutdqqKa2Sz2uLISxJHNnfW94x5flWauL2Ap0SjjWMP9owtOByGt9_da8fPgXYztzptQSCeVZ9Jppm8nJo20IwbNeRIoWn1gvhgNmfauzpvnwEzMbqv6ZTQlZj65lc/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1Tfrq1M4cjOuXPutdqqKa2Sz2uLISxJHNnfW94x5flWauL2Ap0SjjWMP9owtOByGt9_da8fPgXYztzptQSCeVZ9Jppm8nJo20IwbNeRIoWn1gvhgNmfauzpvnwEzMbqv6ZTQlZj65lc/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The process of reticulation was 7 steps, usually mine take
10-12. She had us heat (no flux), air cool (I used to quench), pickle,
scrub with a brass brush then scrub with pumice powder using the 3M
sanding pads- fine grit. Do that 6 times- on the 7th time after pickle-
no brass or pumice- just reticulate. Everyone in class got a perfect
result first time- even total beginners that had never touched a torch.
So the leaf shrug, and earrings were from reticulation silver- the cuff
was from 18g sterling. I had to use a torch in each hand to keep it hot
enough to reticulate, then she helped me holding one torch while I added
my trash and treasure to fuse the sterling and gold. No solder
anywhere.<br />
<br />
After trying the process with reticulation silver, I wanted to see what effect and pattern I could get with sterling. Sterling is a bit less expensive (not much) and I have more of that- I had to order the reticulation silver for the class. I also wanted to try fusing sterling and gold to sterling- no soldering. The result is my Treasure Trash Cuff with bits and pieces of scrap sterling, some granulation balls I made with scrap in sterling and a few 14k gold balls also made from scrap. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FxzCCIvs2x71xryG0TAtKdOO7qcOzVJh8g3UFpxCbiAHP3QU22NqSDL1mipzInfLuKECVyIb3ndUKc1DVSSqyKW9c5tUXEGP_4M4VZsoJQqrJDvAl_B4iN2g4jhp1qffNaH0K2c_grI/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FxzCCIvs2x71xryG0TAtKdOO7qcOzVJh8g3UFpxCbiAHP3QU22NqSDL1mipzInfLuKECVyIb3ndUKc1DVSSqyKW9c5tUXEGP_4M4VZsoJQqrJDvAl_B4iN2g4jhp1qffNaH0K2c_grI/s320/IMG_0057.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
With my left over scrap from my leaf, I was able to get 2 pair of earrings. The little circles were cut with a disk cutter, the aspen leaves were sawed from a traced aspen leaf from my neighbors tree!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_0kbhV_GmyE10X5uua3rGf17oY_r-uxRUR7IwES0hAYTwoZREwW9HUqf5jdvjX7aUSM_79pgltC-yyJLbbqq-4anU01sbvlc96OOj6ajG_HEXv3utjCjXAXCQmK8Bzo5KTQoJ_rmZao/s1600/IMG_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_0kbhV_GmyE10X5uua3rGf17oY_r-uxRUR7IwES0hAYTwoZREwW9HUqf5jdvjX7aUSM_79pgltC-yyJLbbqq-4anU01sbvlc96OOj6ajG_HEXv3utjCjXAXCQmK8Bzo5KTQoJ_rmZao/s320/IMG_0051.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYT1llw7v70ek9McRBY3-qlKjfMrcQzc1D9YafMOg6OBZ7phrw9t6TkyBbwcfHFv0qy93POJ0c-9SQFsuYaUJ8RuvSPJKbButxy1L2ximFLi5Pbq9IheiSNJvAKLc_dRrRwIMVI070_0/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYT1llw7v70ek9McRBY3-qlKjfMrcQzc1D9YafMOg6OBZ7phrw9t6TkyBbwcfHFv0qy93POJ0c-9SQFsuYaUJ8RuvSPJKbButxy1L2ximFLi5Pbq9IheiSNJvAKLc_dRrRwIMVI070_0/s320/IMG_0047.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
I hope you enjoyed my little story about adult summer camp- and I really hope you will look into these wonderful programs for yourself or your kids to expand and grow their love of the arts!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-46955326145931520232012-06-10T17:48:00.001-04:002012-06-10T17:48:37.712-04:00My First Outside Show ExperienceI suppose many sellers, of anything hand crafted, would be really upset to spend weeks and weeks getting ready for a show, to get there, and sell not one single thing. Maybe I should be, but I'm not. I had mostly a very nice time at the show, finally got to meet some of my local BEST ( Baltimore Etsy Street Team) members and I did have loads of complements on my jewelry from festival goers.<br />
So here's my booth, then I'll tell you a bit of the story, some of it should give you a chuckle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25BHP1lETtPhIH5f7Jc2DBILg00nAEcfOLBlfkP4u3HNFvm_-M-9y9sooCtZ3SlV3HoWANI9eX7caGkVpF8EaGwGdKevKgbuDfjus8T3KmpElmwa-73E2g9r_BnNPPAWHdM5PeKegBOY/s1600/IMG_9690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25BHP1lETtPhIH5f7Jc2DBILg00nAEcfOLBlfkP4u3HNFvm_-M-9y9sooCtZ3SlV3HoWANI9eX7caGkVpF8EaGwGdKevKgbuDfjus8T3KmpElmwa-73E2g9r_BnNPPAWHdM5PeKegBOY/s320/IMG_9690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
That's my teammate Abby working away behind my booth. I shared with Abby, who makes beautiful purses, and Kelly who makes these great kitchy anime polymer clay charms and necklaces that are so colorful and bright!<br />
<br />
So the funny part first. The show was in historic Gettysburg, PA. If you've never visited, it really should go on your bucket list. Great town and the historic battlefield tours and reinactments are wonderful for families to enjoy and learn about our history. I only live 45 minutes away if there is heavy traffic, but I decided to get a room so I could be up and ready to set up for the first time ever. At 3 AM I awoke on Saturday and I had left all my money at home- no change, no cash sales. Up at 5 and down the road I went. Got money, got back to Gettysburg at 6:45 AM. Yes, I drove fast, but not too fast. So funny, I never needed a dime!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXvD5uQwpDDwyvZRMDWwMabhJfPYlOfAkSfbY1spYVWWsnZJ0cm0J_eQt7LLPAC5AtA-E09MH6j0N7EBp16kxEUtu_MipbaUJSjwHfckXogm_K2d9t39mHdWKKEYIi8SCMFlS8TZCv8s/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXvD5uQwpDDwyvZRMDWwMabhJfPYlOfAkSfbY1spYVWWsnZJ0cm0J_eQt7LLPAC5AtA-E09MH6j0N7EBp16kxEUtu_MipbaUJSjwHfckXogm_K2d9t39mHdWKKEYIi8SCMFlS8TZCv8s/s320/IMG_9695.JPG" width="309" /></a></div>
I never did have a chance to set up ahead of time for a trial run, but the experience of setting up was made far easier by teammates to give advice on how to keep things from blowing over and arranging things so they would actually get seen. I had help from my aspiring metals teammate Amy on how to display my stone pendants and I really liked the frame and stand I found to show them off! Earrings, rings, bangles and cuffs sort of took care of themselves!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNy5XX0nBQKBznHQgVZ8vFKVb3zDx2iPKS9xDJKCEO2fAhdzZKDIQSWFOaMGRpgZBWg7MrrKVEm-QWite2U9WgBismuf0ZkbtkLTXZPMIkhtnlq_u-XrWtOo8a1M5F-N0VWML4vE_80Y/s1600/IMG_9697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNy5XX0nBQKBznHQgVZ8vFKVb3zDx2iPKS9xDJKCEO2fAhdzZKDIQSWFOaMGRpgZBWg7MrrKVEm-QWite2U9WgBismuf0ZkbtkLTXZPMIkhtnlq_u-XrWtOo8a1M5F-N0VWML4vE_80Y/s320/IMG_9697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The sad part of the day was the Arts Festival had moved from a busy touristy downtown location with 4000 visitors last year to a lovely spacious college campus grounds this year- with no signage anywhere in town to let anyone know we were even there! So, very few visitors, good bands played all day. My booth mates were chatty and friendly and our neighboring BEST teammates visited and chatted as well. It did get hotter than Hades at the end of the afternoon, which being a northerner, is never good on my sunny disposition.<br />
<br />
I came home very tired, a little disappointed I didn't sell anything, but very happy to have had the experience so I know what to expect when I can find a nice air conditioned indoor show to attend!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-21763888548239308432012-04-03T06:49:00.000-04:002012-04-03T06:49:18.160-04:00Spring Has SprungI had to kick myself into gear to keep up with my Aspiring Metalsmiths team for our most current blog roll. Once spring hits, I am torn between being outside in my garden enjoying all the beauty that surrounds me<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXWa4XLuAp90KYLFjkXU7tYtkJnMWenmYX-CJTd1MHGhtm7SoerW0XJkDoFFN0zROVwJg2WV2vkRTWAmUmpCmvAx7n5BaPhg-_TSPD2xs7LIkg3RIhDlyNYTV8keBhC8WqZwTGK1pclA/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXWa4XLuAp90KYLFjkXU7tYtkJnMWenmYX-CJTd1MHGhtm7SoerW0XJkDoFFN0zROVwJg2WV2vkRTWAmUmpCmvAx7n5BaPhg-_TSPD2xs7LIkg3RIhDlyNYTV8keBhC8WqZwTGK1pclA/s320/IMG_8636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNihYEUc_PDX0l9oC8ISFNIBohZCyEuuTmxpnxTkbrbllDXVzvlLTRxH1HFZlCfUr-p4OPavhPS0-YHCNRVEqa1UiZxshuzrmwgOyVb6CmP52DEIOP-GiHK5uZziI-wQYszMIOo6Iwd4g/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNihYEUc_PDX0l9oC8ISFNIBohZCyEuuTmxpnxTkbrbllDXVzvlLTRxH1HFZlCfUr-p4OPavhPS0-YHCNRVEqa1UiZxshuzrmwgOyVb6CmP52DEIOP-GiHK5uZziI-wQYszMIOo6Iwd4g/s320/IMG_8648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
or- staying inside and trying to capture at least one of the designs floating around in my head that seem to be inspired by nature and all her changing glory. All my beautiful flowers make me want to create something so I can freeze this beauty in time and metal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgznh6heeR3zCK25y7DwrAUbZtwh6GSzCht6D3sPvnXFv96X_RWKJdVlXMBd9WrRixMI8O0vivUuSTKmERxcD-g1zBD-_-u_0LeduuTj-4idCAezLBx_1x5zGlUfZxBVRBy4albnwLWzA/s1600/IMG_8643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgznh6heeR3zCK25y7DwrAUbZtwh6GSzCht6D3sPvnXFv96X_RWKJdVlXMBd9WrRixMI8O0vivUuSTKmERxcD-g1zBD-_-u_0LeduuTj-4idCAezLBx_1x5zGlUfZxBVRBy4albnwLWzA/s320/IMG_8643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XaUTnX0Q61vSf_sc00YMoZ3_ZA3l5XYBUXL9qRVbBTgK5WkFd-E-cCByPHrOiiSD_hSYdRTNActNmH456Z0T6_lM_TRXeuEo8AgppRKHaJ-JL1q9QRdt5eKQARMWI95-gEtH92-iM04/s1600/IMG_8646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XaUTnX0Q61vSf_sc00YMoZ3_ZA3l5XYBUXL9qRVbBTgK5WkFd-E-cCByPHrOiiSD_hSYdRTNActNmH456Z0T6_lM_TRXeuEo8AgppRKHaJ-JL1q9QRdt5eKQARMWI95-gEtH92-iM04/s320/IMG_8646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
More things to distract me- my granddaughter's birthday is coming up, I must shop. Taxes need to be finished- oh groan, inventory needs done. Being a metalsmith in the spring is just darn tough when you look out your window and see all this beauty!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHgmlf7uIN69Pn5Bwjy5mGAZZys-l2DaqMe5ie96rCfaTxEUqRKw46lK0xqMWZNdQiQq4HwS6DjhAaM7lsbFQrJ9nM5L1lrwfgrFaLY9ruldfzYU7IlD4tM2znGjbKZbcjFGxy_q1nDI/s1600/IMG_8638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHgmlf7uIN69Pn5Bwjy5mGAZZys-l2DaqMe5ie96rCfaTxEUqRKw46lK0xqMWZNdQiQq4HwS6DjhAaM7lsbFQrJ9nM5L1lrwfgrFaLY9ruldfzYU7IlD4tM2znGjbKZbcjFGxy_q1nDI/s320/IMG_8638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiiYbQh2KYVJ2cn-uRR3i0RbVBV84wHI_6xR_VSvJk0AAFAKIqfmkggu5RIHAPr8rSCeuhb27B3YQdj0aD1q6YwL34FjzOVf8Zttz5427MFnE_86XhZ5Z0j-7eYvxFGBhyphenhyphenaxx0x0YJQg/s1600/IMG_8642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiiYbQh2KYVJ2cn-uRR3i0RbVBV84wHI_6xR_VSvJk0AAFAKIqfmkggu5RIHAPr8rSCeuhb27B3YQdj0aD1q6YwL34FjzOVf8Zttz5427MFnE_86XhZ5Z0j-7eYvxFGBhyphenhyphenaxx0x0YJQg/s320/IMG_8642.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You may want to read some of my teammies blogs to see just how spring can affect other metalsmiths in different parts of the country - we have some great metalsmiths all with similar issues I'd bet!<br />
Steph Stargell <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://stephstargell.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">stephstargell.com</a> <br />
Lilian <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">girllovesglitter.blogspot.com</a> <br />
nancycreations <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">nancysjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a> <br />
SerpentsDanceDesigns <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://dancetothedoor.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">dancetothedoor.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Autumn Bradley <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://autumnbradley.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">autumnbradley.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://cjbf.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">cjbf.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Jessica @ Abella Blue <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://abellabluestudio.com/blog" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">abellabluestudio.com/blog</a> <br />
Sylvia Anderson <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">sylviaanderson.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Gloria <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Amy Estelle <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-has-sprung.html" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-has-sprung.html</a> <br />
Esmeralda <a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/2012/04/signs-of-spring.html" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank">jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/2012/04/signs-of-spring.html</a> <br />
<br />AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-1412636614388988042012-03-09T13:02:00.000-05:002012-03-09T13:02:17.243-05:00Design Your Own Jewelry!I've finally decided to try and use some of the fabulous cabochon stones I have been collecting for something a customer wants instead of just something I want to do. So many pretty stones, so many design possibilities, but is it what the customer wants? Is it too big, too fancy, not fancy enough, open in the back, closed back- can she wear it with her favorite chain? So many questions to answer when I pick the stone and create a design I love. I know many jewelry artists only want to make what they love and then find the customer that loves their style and designs, me I want customers to have what they want. It's how I shop, I shop for exactly what I want, I try never to just "make do". Jewelry is very personal to most women, it reflects their style and color palette, it says something about them. My first offering is a choice of two beautiful Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper stones that I have had for quite a bit. I actually have a lot of this stone, I love that each stone has wonderful flowers in different shapes, shades of red, yellow, orange, great earth tone colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeAbUQihmKtWmzEY_q1SZ0scRO-pSNPodqP_de3sEKqKobmGEeN2p0BTLKpPMnqv3iLnWUXTJwxxFMUC79OtPvDTtOuGGTQFKATLLs0OUuzXY5wOuS4OthwYzCMeDYnOmyM-rpGhABc/s1600/IMG_4779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeAbUQihmKtWmzEY_q1SZ0scRO-pSNPodqP_de3sEKqKobmGEeN2p0BTLKpPMnqv3iLnWUXTJwxxFMUC79OtPvDTtOuGGTQFKATLLs0OUuzXY5wOuS4OthwYzCMeDYnOmyM-rpGhABc/s320/IMG_4779.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
These stones make me happy when I look at them and I guess I'm hoping they will speak to someone else the same way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1mcwXibNfOn0WWGbSDDuyXh7ip-l-8UKGjsdoqJsPg0rACgxFqYwgCcPFEcMdaDI7QRYi_-nX3ye0kfxhaKKWyyIyx0-7Wkje_zv6aEun36iwvmfx9ijqqnbtmbtAoPF0Olh29zKQxg/s1600/IMG_4777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1mcwXibNfOn0WWGbSDDuyXh7ip-l-8UKGjsdoqJsPg0rACgxFqYwgCcPFEcMdaDI7QRYi_-nX3ye0kfxhaKKWyyIyx0-7Wkje_zv6aEun36iwvmfx9ijqqnbtmbtAoPF0Olh29zKQxg/s320/IMG_4777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I have loads of others to add as I go, but this is an experiment to see if anyone will even find something not labeled as an already made pendant, necklace or bracelet or even if there are customers out there even looking for such a service. I have lots of rings stones too, so maybe that will be my next experiment!<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear any comments or even recommendations!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-49588637726467344162012-01-27T16:19:00.000-05:002012-02-02T19:43:42.616-05:00My First Tutorial!! Make A Ring with Gold Fill WireEvery month my Aspiring Metals Team does what they call, blog roll. I miss a lot because sometimes I just can't think of a darn thing to contribute that I think anyone will find interesting. Well this month, everyone is going to do a tutorial- how to do something- metal, photography for your shop, a technique that someone is good at. I volunteered to do one, then- Oh My, what to do? So, great buddies that they are- they suggested I do a How to Solder and work with gold filled wire. Gold fill is not something everyone likes or enjoys working with but it is pretty, looks like real gold and is a whole lot more affordable than the real McCoy! And no, gold fill does not flake off like gold plated, it does have a core of an alloyed material but there is so much gold pressure bonded, it really does look and act like gold.<br />
<br />
How to Make a Ring with 14k Gold Fill Wire<br />
<br />
First- start with good material from a reputable supplier. Make sure you are using 14/20 or 14k Gold fill, or at minimum 12/20. Nothing worse than heating something and finding out it's plated as the gold peels off.<br />
<br />
Supplies you will need:<br />
Cupronil, Battern's flux or Boric acid and denatured alcohol<br />
Yellow GF solder- there are some better than others, my preference is the paste from Otto Frei or the sheet from Hoover & Strong.<br />
Acid pickle- hot -and possibly super pickle (half pickle and half hydrogen peroxide)<br />
Flex shaft or Dremel- for your wheels- If you don't own a rotary good wet/dry sand paper starting with 100 grit works just fine.<br />
Silicone abrasive wheel- black (this one really cuts through metal so go easy with it) <br />
abrasive wheels- 3M, 80 grit down through pumice<br />
Ring files #2 and #4 cut, other files as needed<br />
polishing compound- my preference is rouge then ZAM<br />
<br />
1. Measure and cut your wire to size for your ring. For this ring I used 12 gauge 14/20 GF<br />
<br />
2. Bend around mandrel and file ends so they are flush and tight- no light at all in the join area<br />
<br />
3. Take your formed ring to your soldering area and coat well with flux on both sides- use a soldering pick or tweezers to flip the ring. If you touch the gold, coat it again. These flux materials protect from fire scale and also reduce the amount of copper alloy that will rise to the surface when GF is heated. The more copper you raise, the more work you have to do to clean and polish after soldering.<br />
<br />
4. Heat your ring with a low flame all over to dry the flux, you should see a white coating covering the entire ring. If you have bare spots, more flux is needed. The one in the photo is just right- no shiny spots!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2mBQhL1pU7q7WYAGCU0BF8t5-SkcKutbH6TCF51Tvq5OVapE6E7f2IF3j3ZnficWJDcevhhZYm_Xn0Lmb0VpehQiTEsWPoSWz_pI-y8QVK2-mJ3tseeCgIfpjZO8e10p-5e7wgQWY7A/s1600/IMG_8172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2mBQhL1pU7q7WYAGCU0BF8t5-SkcKutbH6TCF51Tvq5OVapE6E7f2IF3j3ZnficWJDcevhhZYm_Xn0Lmb0VpehQiTEsWPoSWz_pI-y8QVK2-mJ3tseeCgIfpjZO8e10p-5e7wgQWY7A/s320/IMG_8172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
5. For the example above I used Cupronil spray flux- Next I add paste solder and just put it on the seam inside the ring join because I want to pull it through. I heat the ring all over again just to warm it. With gold or gold fill, you only need to heat on either side of the join. Remember, the hotter you get GF the more copper you will raise and the more work you make for yourself for clean up- I am all about less work for cleaning up my own mess. So, heat on medium to hot flame, alternating back and forth on either side of the join so the metal heats evenly. The solder paste will flow through the join and then stop heating immediately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1UnsPDQidiVgUusxypF8SyLJa9MvtSLshcv81k1c0PRgtkm4h3Fu1YYckxPqE65JAgoRRgp3QodLlek-W3hlSsVmsrt-APfhGfa7OvdC37_aEyz7rdcl78f2gmwI21ye71smbeoIv5M/s1600/IMG_8173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1UnsPDQidiVgUusxypF8SyLJa9MvtSLshcv81k1c0PRgtkm4h3Fu1YYckxPqE65JAgoRRgp3QodLlek-W3hlSsVmsrt-APfhGfa7OvdC37_aEyz7rdcl78f2gmwI21ye71smbeoIv5M/s320/IMG_8173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVSXe9CWS42oAVfKW_RhVeEZisaPh3J0VMllD9sjD8_YGqDcmJb1BggFVZu43Xd95vhVVBX1ydQ4g5y2OwefBga-kwlp3Tp3SY8G7KGQ__QJEpKDDwUWYLAmYV_buG6Sn8d-93n08-wk/s1600/IMG_8174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVSXe9CWS42oAVfKW_RhVeEZisaPh3J0VMllD9sjD8_YGqDcmJb1BggFVZu43Xd95vhVVBX1ydQ4g5y2OwefBga-kwlp3Tp3SY8G7KGQ__QJEpKDDwUWYLAmYV_buG6Sn8d-93n08-wk/s320/IMG_8174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj0G2cf1UUZ1M_ozefVcwDh3YMPm6kEe56bWA-YcN-Uw59Rrn8LHXB6bE96g5wwQUIFbYGDpw2tf895E_ggT0nx74qp-605cSmdru-ODrr5BJZd7KkOzeclGVE3vecpapf3UsQcWwMvg/s1600/IMG_8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwj0G2cf1UUZ1M_ozefVcwDh3YMPm6kEe56bWA-YcN-Uw59Rrn8LHXB6bE96g5wwQUIFbYGDpw2tf895E_ggT0nx74qp-605cSmdru-ODrr5BJZd7KkOzeclGVE3vecpapf3UsQcWwMvg/s320/IMG_8175.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
As you can see, I used a bit too much paste, but in my experience too much is a bit better than too little. If you use too little, sometimes you have to flip the piece over, add more solder and heat again. My preference, I'd rather file away excess solder than reheat and have my GF turn orange red from copper. As you can see, this ring is a bit pink, but the flux did it's job and I used just enough heat to flow the solder without getting the ring too hot. The solder is not the exact color of GF so you do have to file. I put this in a pickle bath- no need for super pickle since I was able to control the heat and didn't raise much copper.<br />
After pickle, I brass brush, then hit the files.<br />
I used a #2 cut half round ring file for the inside, followed by a #4 cut half round file, then a black silicone wheel on my flex shaft to remove an scratches left by the file.<br />
<br />
6. Now comes clean up. After filing away the solder, I start with a yellow 80 grit 3M wheel, then follow with white 120 grit, red 220 grit, the blue 400 grit<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirapEWjqiM62s-ohb3jMoSwRHn-eDOMTrwsSd6kxcFRZyKBp271k4zlkzDaX1VDuJJzW7Nk2x9w30lxqQUkg_LScYTyzsUD6zkcggNj5sSTg2ikwM8S8db56fGzO5uo96JLJuo4BPIfYY/s1600/IMG_8180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirapEWjqiM62s-ohb3jMoSwRHn-eDOMTrwsSd6kxcFRZyKBp271k4zlkzDaX1VDuJJzW7Nk2x9w30lxqQUkg_LScYTyzsUD6zkcggNj5sSTg2ikwM8S8db56fGzO5uo96JLJuo4BPIfYY/s320/IMG_8180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I keep a scrap piece of GF wire close by to compare color- this is after just the first sanding with the yellow wheel and almost all of the pink cast is gone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtAAUHhanmN5KbKZUZYobsF9PSaJoj25mXUnTaX1exg4gMW_DxvCwO_TFjiVje05vXI0Lu8yCyCM3C1qx-_RvYqdNtLgTW8OnWSJMUMUujCpiz5nqIQYlHoe3IJWDvk884jBE-1Y1k44/s1600/IMG_8182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtAAUHhanmN5KbKZUZYobsF9PSaJoj25mXUnTaX1exg4gMW_DxvCwO_TFjiVje05vXI0Lu8yCyCM3C1qx-_RvYqdNtLgTW8OnWSJMUMUujCpiz5nqIQYlHoe3IJWDvk884jBE-1Y1k44/s320/IMG_8182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The picture above is after 400 grit and you should see that the color match is almost perfect, the brassy yellow of the solder is gone and this ring is now ready for me to hammer and finish down through 1200, pumice and a final polish with rouge and ZAM.<br />
<br />
There is never just one way to do anything with metal. This is just how I work with gold fill. I have used this method for rings, bangles and bezels and my results have been fairly consistent. This is just one way, I am sure there are others. Each person that works with metal has their own tips and tricks. I enjoy learning how everyone does things so I have options in my bag when the soldering Gods aren't with me or things just aren't going well in general.<br />
<br />
I hope you will also enjoy some of the tutorials from my other teammates and learn a few of their tricks too!<br />
I know I am looking forward to adding the list of blogs below as the other tutorials become ready for prime time. So please come back every few days and learn a trick or two!<br />
<br />
Here are the rest of the participating bloggers each with something special they do and hope to share!<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10384119011854026" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.artisanoriginals.blogspot.com/">VCArtisanOriginals</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/">Sylvia Anderson</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.metalsaddict.com/">Metals Addict</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/">Lilian Ginebra</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/">Esmeralda</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com/">Amy Estelle</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/">Stacy</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/">Mary Anne Karren</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://gifteddesigns.blogspot.com/">Shannon of Gifted Designs</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">Pennee- All Wired Up Jewelry Designs</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.abellablue.com/blog">Jessica @ Abella Blue</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com/">Elizabeth Brown</a> - resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com</span></span>AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-24709391575370424152011-12-23T16:16:00.000-05:002011-12-23T16:16:27.751-05:00Happy Holidays !!!!!I wanted to be sure to say a huge thank you to all my customers and friends for a super holiday season and to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanza. Whatever or however you celebrate the season be safe, enjoy friends and family and take time to relax and enjoy.<br />
<br />
My shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a> is still showing goodies for sale, but I am officially on vacation for a few days until December 26th. I had such a lovely holiday season, with wonderful understanding customers and packages that all seemed to arrive at their proper destination. (Heaves a big sigh of relief over that). I made a few new things just for the holidays and did some custom items I thought turned out just great. Check out the gold stack ring set- ordered by an engaged couple for his mom and her future mother-in-law<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3VudjZTiic/TvTt6qKw2tI/AAAAAAAADN4/xrnFvUqo5PI/s1600/IMG_7689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3VudjZTiic/TvTt6qKw2tI/AAAAAAAADN4/xrnFvUqo5PI/s320/IMG_7689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I also had a special request to do a spoon ring- of all things it seems these are very popular still<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRiDmjkncw8/TvTubFyPb9I/AAAAAAAADOE/Mi2hyXkIWUY/s1600/IMG_7634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRiDmjkncw8/TvTubFyPb9I/AAAAAAAADOE/Mi2hyXkIWUY/s320/IMG_7634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> But best of all, I got an early Christmas present, my new granddaughter Alexandra Rose born on December 8. Ally is very happy to be loved by many but is especially enthralled with her big sister Olivia who sings to her and tells her stories.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDKaVH21S0c/TvTu799yp2I/AAAAAAAADOQ/4wIZCj7HTus/s1600/IMG_7632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDKaVH21S0c/TvTu799yp2I/AAAAAAAADOQ/4wIZCj7HTus/s320/IMG_7632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am looking forward to a full week of time spent with my family (off from the full time job too!!!!) and getting back to the bench after the holidays.<br />
<br />
Wishing you all a fantastic holiday!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-54604558879685138902011-11-01T07:13:00.000-04:002011-11-01T07:13:04.389-04:00I Have A Winner!!!I am excited to announce the winner of my very first blog give away! Congratulations to Lauren S who is the winner of my sterling floral pattern bangle. Lauren's name was chosen from using a random drawing program on random.org. I have made this drawing entrant accessible so anyone who entered can verify their participation but not see the names of the other entrants. Any entrant can go to <a href="http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=8009">http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=8009</a> and check to make sure I didn't miss their entry. I had a total of 60 entries!!!<br />
<br />
I have e-mailed Lauren this morning to notify her . Lauren has 3 days to get back to me to accept her prize. If I don't hear from her, the second name from the drawing will be posted here on my blog and on my facebook business page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AllWiredUpJewelryDesigns">https://www.facebook.com/AllWiredUpJewelryDesigns</a><br />
<br />
I appreciate all who took time to enter my give away and to visit my new website <a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/</a> . I do hope some or all of you will come back to shop or visit to see new items as I add them. Gift giving season is upon us - it always gets here so fast!!!!<br />
<br />
Thank you all for participating!!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-11673084125489664322011-10-08T15:45:00.000-04:002013-08-16T16:00:54.275-04:00My Very First Blog Give AwayI know, I know- I am really bad about chatting here on my blog. I am promising myself to do better after my daughter presents me with my new grand baby in December. In the meantime, I'm still working full time, trying to create new jewelry and just keep up with the daily grind. But- I have finally got my website <a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com</a> looking pretty much the way I want. Now all I need is for people to find me on a regular basis. So I'm going to do a give away- a lovely piece of jewelry made by me just for you, the WINNER!<br />
<br />
First and foremost - what you will win is one of my favorite and most popular bangles the Floral Pattern Bangle. I will make this in your size and shape in round or oval, your choice and finish in shiny as shown or oxidized to bring out the detail of this lovely pattern. I am choosing this bangle because the company I purchase the wire from has discontinued it- there won't be any more of these made when my supply is gone. This makes this just a little more special because no one anywhere can make one like it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDlEpiWg948oujQPB7XJ8n4P0GyGCy79Uv7qRZnDPIODv9b-l88pEMlyYXfXNTQxWQQ-NH7EoMvd7SqpN48j09HkrWvFW6PsVWhT8lP-6bD8-arZggjDkr4UQZwmyFNpnJC7neF_hgB0/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDlEpiWg948oujQPB7XJ8n4P0GyGCy79Uv7qRZnDPIODv9b-l88pEMlyYXfXNTQxWQQ-NH7EoMvd7SqpN48j09HkrWvFW6PsVWhT8lP-6bD8-arZggjDkr4UQZwmyFNpnJC7neF_hgB0/s320/IMG_5178.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
If you'd like to read the details about the bangles and see the options you can take a look on my site by clicking this link: <a href="http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Sterling-Floral-Pattern-Bangle-95.htm">http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Sterling-Floral-Pattern-Bangle-95.htm</a><br />
<br />
Since my blog isn't updated as often as I'd like, I will be posting my giveaway on Facebook and Tweeting about it also. Giveaway starts today, Oct 8 and ends at midnight Halloween - Oct 31. I will draw the winner on November 1 and announce the winner here on my blog!<br />
<br />
<br />
How To Enter The Giveaway<br />
<br />
Giveaway is open worldwide to entrants at least 18 years old. I will be pulling a number from my random.org top hat after 11:59pm EST on November 1, 2011, and the corresponding commenter will win! Pennee will contact that lucky soul for a mailing address. If she doesn't hear back from the winner within 3 days, a new number will be drawn.<br />
<br />
Mandatory Entry: Gaze around All Wired Up Jewelry Designs website shop then comment on this post with your favorite handmade item and a way to contact you, preferably an email or facebook user name. If e-mail is used, this is a secure site and no e-mail addresses are shared or otherwise used. Random.org deletes all e-mail addresses entered at the completion of the drawing.<br />
<br />
Extra Entries: Don't forget the mandatory comment before moving on to these! Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry to count.<br />
<br />
1. Like that same item on your facebook page and include the link when commenting. Don't forget to use @allwiredupjewelrydesigns so I can see!!!!<br />
<br />
2. Buy anything from my All Wired Up Jewelry Designs Website! Use coupon code NewSite15 at checkout to receive 15% off your order $20 and over (before coupon). Make sure to comment on my blog for anything you purchase, every $20 you spend is an extra entry! Please leave me message when you check out!<br />
<br />
3. Like this giveaway on facebook by using the like button on the right side bar of this post OR share it on your facebook page and comment with the link.<br />
<br />
4. Like All Wired Up Jewelry Designs page on facebook for one extra entry.<br />
<br />
5. Follow Ppenne on twitter. 1 entry<br />
<br />
6. Tweet ONCE about the giveaway using the one below or a variation of your own. Leave a comment with the link.<br />
<br />
Enter @all wired up jewelry designs #handmade #Halloween #giveaway to #win Floral Pattern Bangle<br />
<br />
7. Spread the word! Pin this giveaway to Pinterest. Click to share this giveaway on Stumble Upon, Technorati, Digg, or Del.icio.us. I'll honor one entry for every networking website you share it on, just make sure to leave separate comments for each.<br />
<br />
8. Follow my blog!!!!<br />
<br />
<b>Please don't forget- I need a comment for each thing you do and an e-mail address or username so I can put you in random.org for this drawing!!!!</b><br />
<br />
I am very excited about doing this give away. If for some reason you are not a bangle wearer and you win- we can certainly work out something so you get something you love for the same value!!!!!<br />
<br />
Can't wait to see who wins!!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-64758478497087106592011-07-25T19:57:00.000-04:002011-07-25T19:57:31.133-04:00What I'm Working OnHere it is almost another month and with all the crazy things that happen in life, no time to blog! My Aspiring Metals Team makes me get off my duff periodically with Project Blogroll which is the teams way of saying- write something about what's going on in your shop! This month we have an exciting bunch of posts (links below) of what some of my aspiring teammates are up to in their shops - what are they working on!!! Loads of fun things- please browse through and see some amazing art and the steps it takes to get a finished piece of fine jewelry.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, many of the items I am working on will be found in my shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a> very soon! At least that's my hope.<br />
<br />
My big news this month is that I finally bought a kiln so I could do more work in Precious Metal Clay - having the kiln should make my life a lot easier and I should get a much more consistent product. In order to create with metal clay, many people use templates, stamps, texture plates. Some sculpt and hand carve every piece. I love making molds with Sculpty Clay. I see a cool leaf, a sea shell or even a twig, I mold it- never know when it might come in handy . I also love to use leftover clay from filing and just dry pieces that inevitably appear. I make a slip with the dry particles and then coat real leaves from my garden which I will then fire to create jewelry. Below are some of my molds and also a picture of some leaves in the process of being coated with slip. It always amazes me that when fired, you can see every single vein in a leaf!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48DyL3ROf_F4TQmnOsTcD1etBS2j9YDR8SMHEIa0BORcxd_-ekfYQxYWmvaPJvxHZePwm62OMC3MPA7H_L3wIRojF-ERI1wR82w1TQMWsWW9xZKIpIB6aPebpgiLIAQQR8qOg6ZktIm4/s1600/IMG_5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48DyL3ROf_F4TQmnOsTcD1etBS2j9YDR8SMHEIa0BORcxd_-ekfYQxYWmvaPJvxHZePwm62OMC3MPA7H_L3wIRojF-ERI1wR82w1TQMWsWW9xZKIpIB6aPebpgiLIAQQR8qOg6ZktIm4/s320/IMG_5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The hen scratched mold at the top is my own hand creation of a cherry blossom branch, to the right is part of a nautilus shell, a coleus leaf and a ginkho leaf. All will eventually be pendants or earrings, some set with stones, some just pretty silver!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfc5S4PoTHyHqpkoPY52J5Tmdqf0X8PRFdSWi-Re47P5FY2ihTrK-PxpCTvzK0UofbO9G8E02dOvDdk2ImHNNxl_LjDvcp4pNCHue4ohVtk_ixJUYMbFfv5Fn8KS3qjhHNDfWoU0eJao/s1600/IMG_5956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfc5S4PoTHyHqpkoPY52J5Tmdqf0X8PRFdSWi-Re47P5FY2ihTrK-PxpCTvzK0UofbO9G8E02dOvDdk2ImHNNxl_LjDvcp4pNCHue4ohVtk_ixJUYMbFfv5Fn8KS3qjhHNDfWoU0eJao/s320/IMG_5956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Love the leaves- learned a trick on my Metal Clay Heads team that it you tape the leaf to something when you start coating it with the silver slip- it won't curl up on you and crack! Cracked silver is not a good thing at all! The top two heart shaped leaves are from a redbud tree from this spring, the small one and much longer one are from a verbena plant and the last one is from a tree I walked by and liked the leaf- not quite sure what it is!<br />
<br />
I also have a series of pendants that have been on the bench way too long waiting for me to have a day to decide how I want to finish each one and put the finishing touches on. The series will all have a different textured back plate to complement the stone and or the design of the final project. For starters I chose a pear shaped labradorite decorated with trim that I think makes it look like a birds tail feathers. So my plan is to oxidize the back plate, the dangle some oxidized chains from a hole I will drill in the bottom center feather then add some tiny moonstone, labradorite and aquamarine briolettes to make a really interesting pendant. The ocean jasper with it's great little orbs of color will have a pretty gemstone on the bail I create for it and the oval labradorite still hasn't told me what it wants to be!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jZChANoE94uLUGSftqQyZ4M5O40efLwuYMZhUP1vzWB5CfEyN7ePWeip8vBhqZ7534SxWabP8m80HI-zxiJEZ_YYDiExXQmDpQTVZdrDkV7D7mYbYZ8VtwTi4VYU1xLKouzQTMGdWOs/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jZChANoE94uLUGSftqQyZ4M5O40efLwuYMZhUP1vzWB5CfEyN7ePWeip8vBhqZ7534SxWabP8m80HI-zxiJEZ_YYDiExXQmDpQTVZdrDkV7D7mYbYZ8VtwTi4VYU1xLKouzQTMGdWOs/s320/IMG_5955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx3F00F5yMPgZlc_c3f0LEGYpxMXxkgMHDvAWSGOeF6yPj_z-Q-dCYxZRyVY1wFQq7AzhKODiq-Dqhedq5nWNgjIK-qcCwJuIuev059ewUABUmrJhc1ST7X6loBCJSeVsQFui3SorSss/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx3F00F5yMPgZlc_c3f0LEGYpxMXxkgMHDvAWSGOeF6yPj_z-Q-dCYxZRyVY1wFQq7AzhKODiq-Dqhedq5nWNgjIK-qcCwJuIuev059ewUABUmrJhc1ST7X6loBCJSeVsQFui3SorSss/s320/IMG_5953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I always enjoy making rings and I'm am way low on labradorite rings in my shop so here's a few in process.<br />
<br />
I always seem to be doing something with flush set (aka gypsy set) gemstones lately. Since I've learned how to do it, I feel like I need to keep doing it so I don't forget how! Silly I know, but practice makes perfect. Below is a heavy band ring with a custom order for a 2mm center hot pink sapphire with two 2mm black diamonds on either side. This combo would not have been my choice, but the buyer was adamant that she had to have it exactly like this so who am I to argue! Just waiting for my little diamonds to arrive!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_Uqtq4aZJNyRF9nGmwwYVhYUzZotJTLbGb4yTTA2AIK1Tgyy4ZS_Rql-6T4E8bHSpI7_LkCJHgNdDS-VVEv4nlrDOkNz-Qvsw7459pwoqNEawecJ9SelOFu0qt0Zhp373piz_IKf_8/s1600/IMG_5948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6_Uqtq4aZJNyRF9nGmwwYVhYUzZotJTLbGb4yTTA2AIK1Tgyy4ZS_Rql-6T4E8bHSpI7_LkCJHgNdDS-VVEv4nlrDOkNz-Qvsw7459pwoqNEawecJ9SelOFu0qt0Zhp373piz_IKf_8/s320/IMG_5948.JPG" width="319" /></a></div> I hope you've enjoyed seeing a little piece of what's on my bench- there's always something in some stage or another of being created and I love being able to walk to the bench and say- who wants to be finished today? He who squeaks me, me me- gets picked!<br />
<br />
I hope you will take some time and read some of the other blogs posted below. You'll see some amazing projects and beautiful artwork from my Aspiring Metals Team!<br />
<br />
<ul style="color: black;"><li><a href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Esmeralda</span> </a><a href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/">http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.happytortoisedesigns.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Tortoise Designs</a> <a href="http://www.happytortoisedesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.happytortoisedesigns.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://crowstealsfire.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Crow Steals Fire</a> <a href="http://crowstealsfire.blogspot.com/">http://crowstealsfire.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://cjbf.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes</a> <a href="http://cjbf.blogspot.com/">http://cjbf.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://stephstargell.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">steph</a> <a href="http://stephstargell.com/">http://stephstargell.com</a> </li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jessica @ </span><a href="http://www.abellablue.com/blog" style="font-weight: bold;">Abella Blue</a> <a href="http://www.abellablue.com/blog">http://www.abellablue.com/blog</a> </li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pennee-</span> <a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">All Wired Up Jewelry Designs </a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Sylvia Anderson</a> <a href="http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/">http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Stacy</a> <a href="http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/">http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Mary Anne Karren</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/">http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.brightstar109.blogspot.com" style="font-weight: bold;">Brightstar109</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.brightstar109.blogspot.com">www.brightstar109.blogspot.com</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://rubymtnbeads.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amy Nicole Artisan Jewelry</span> </a><a href="http://rubymtnbeads.blogspot.com/">Http://Rubymtnbeads.blogspot.com</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Resurrection Silver</a> <a href="http://www.resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com/">http://www.resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://kwantessentials.blogspot.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-from-start-to-finish.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Kwant Essentials</a> <a href="http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">http://kwantessentials.blogspot.com/2011/07/show-and-tell-from-start-to-finish.html</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Kit and Caboodle Shop</a> <a href="http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com/">http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jamauerer.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Julie</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://jamauerer.blogspot.com/">http://jamauerer.blogspot.com</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Lilian </a><a href="http://www.girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/">http://www.girllovesglitter.blogspot.com/</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">Autumn Bradley Jewelry Design </a><a href="http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/">http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com</a></li>
</ul>AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-87233297549190716632011-06-27T08:59:00.000-04:002012-01-28T11:30:59.994-05:00The Big Prong RingHave you ever seen something, anything crafty, that you wanted to do and just didn't quite know how. Then you search and search for directions, not knowing exactly how to word your search, you get tons of stuff you aren't even interested in. Then you land on something that sort of makes the grade! Woohoo- you have a starting place!<br />
<br />
That's sort of the story of "The Big Prong Ring". I just love prong settings. I read all the tutorials and books, and in theory, I knew just what to do. Problem was, every time I tried, I was working on something small and delicate and I would just totally melt things toward the end. I decided prongs just weren't going to be my forte. Then I saw a few rings, rather rustic looking, but with larger prongs, these looked very doable. Before I got around to trying the rustic route, I got my copy of the July 2011 Art Jewelry Magazine- WOW- Joanna Gollberg <a href="http://www.joannagollberg.com/">http://www.joannagollberg.com/</a>, the queen of prong setting, had done a tutorial. I was in heaven. This woman has some of the most beautiful work I have ever seen. totally my taste. I couldn't wait to dive in and read the instructions.<br />
<br />
Instructions were great, but I didn't want to be a copy cat, so I had to come up with my own version of her gorgeous ring <a href="http://www.artjewelrymag.com/Resources/Contact%20and%20Suppliers/2011/04/Art%20Jewelry%20July%202011.aspx">http://www.artjewelrymag.com/Resources/Contact%20and%20Suppliers/2011/04/Art%20Jewelry%20July%202011.aspx</a> on the front cover.<br />
<br />
I started by pulling out this huge emerald cut rutilated quartz with chlorite inclusions. It was perfect for a big prong ring, set up high on a sturdy band. I got out the biggest wire I could handle and created the frame, cut big heavy half round wire and soldered it in place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBay1wVv4zlHXIqDDn8X5k-raTsAb__JulPm7LiHg9-VtZo8CSXEtQ5xPGLWhQvU2s4OEQqux77NK5oe_Ygt91AUyErGbKcQ5pm92_bhBwH4SGElHV_JJJE6T00ZKwQGhNiSO808leSY/s1600/IMG_5413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBay1wVv4zlHXIqDDn8X5k-raTsAb__JulPm7LiHg9-VtZo8CSXEtQ5xPGLWhQvU2s4OEQqux77NK5oe_Ygt91AUyErGbKcQ5pm92_bhBwH4SGElHV_JJJE6T00ZKwQGhNiSO808leSY/s320/IMG_5413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So, now I had to think of something to solder the prongs to- what would make a great looking base, not take away from the great looking rutiles in my stone and not be so big and cumbersome that no one would ever consider wearing it?? I took a trip to my local supplier, Terra Firma in Baltimore, and he had some nice reticulation silver. That's the stuff that's 80% silver and 20% copper. The copper makes it very strong and you heat, cool and pickle the piece about 10 times in order to get fine silver to come to the surface and all the copper stuff to go away. It leaves an awesome pattern on the front and back of your little piece of silver. The best thing is no two pieces of silver ever look the same after reticulation- so this is one of a kind even if someone else made the exact same ring!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgkhMSxQRqqjNoYNFYc67e51-kKtGm8zNelxgedmueACxAg3lSs9yJi6DkZluQ6hH9V6LK2jMrxL0xSliTYIWhOsb74bk20RvQWW2D-1XbtxZP4BDHfilBFSJZ9I9Bjyn3X9zzgKHvmk/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgkhMSxQRqqjNoYNFYc67e51-kKtGm8zNelxgedmueACxAg3lSs9yJi6DkZluQ6hH9V6LK2jMrxL0xSliTYIWhOsb74bk20RvQWW2D-1XbtxZP4BDHfilBFSJZ9I9Bjyn3X9zzgKHvmk/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Soldering flat bottom prongs to bumpy surfaced silver is not an easy task! There was one prong just a hair shorter than the rest- even though I measured- so I had to keep bending the silver base up until it touched the prong perfectly with no gap and re-solder that one prong. This took more than one attempt I am not embarrassed to say- this was a first for me, so I learned lots along the way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrN56wboDFLH1kTnBSYY_BZ0UMA8jYD8qY3QhlyuLveExCUY5UF6Uute70DQ9FxFQ5KgpHngfnRKGAsXy0LhhmhdrO2zerm8SzNTa777XZLgjM1iQq2NqAFwwAmaWtK7kZY68Xpm5PkI/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrN56wboDFLH1kTnBSYY_BZ0UMA8jYD8qY3QhlyuLveExCUY5UF6Uute70DQ9FxFQ5KgpHngfnRKGAsXy0LhhmhdrO2zerm8SzNTa777XZLgjM1iQq2NqAFwwAmaWtK7kZY68Xpm5PkI/s320/IMG_5755.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Finally finished!! I know you can't see from this picture, so I'll add another, but the setting is elevated above the base. Getting these big prongs to close was nother challenge- OMG, I pushed and pushed and they wouldn't lay down. I finally used a bezel pusher as a punch and tapped down the tops. Who knew you had to be so strong to make jewelry?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKTDYWMCP6PwhukJuaY7BU4cqnelUeEUOPhCJMQ5i-F2aS3D7FZSq2KR8sPVQ8DrRQSJikKKLn3oMXW64wLege9ytshOrakTqRrcZQT8G5V1mqPWUGBHDh9pnGQgnkWTRasU834hFVo0/s1600/IMG_5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKTDYWMCP6PwhukJuaY7BU4cqnelUeEUOPhCJMQ5i-F2aS3D7FZSq2KR8sPVQ8DrRQSJikKKLn3oMXW64wLege9ytshOrakTqRrcZQT8G5V1mqPWUGBHDh9pnGQgnkWTRasU834hFVo0/s320/IMG_5756.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Sorry for the little fuzzy on the side, I think my cat, who was very interested in photos, must have been looking to close when I set this on the counter! So now you can see the side with just enough space under to make it interesting.<br />
<br />
What was really nice, I had leftover reticulated silver so I made this cute little pendant with leftovers. I feel so self satisfied when I use stuff I already have and don't have to start fresh! And, I got to do those cute little rustic prongs I want to try too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5-FMO2vA5Cnl80yZnQKIHT2S7bXS7LLtWASkQ78cA1LdbFcdESiHYKYM59oyv6GPtPmYA1wABeKRH1QAQkU1gZtYRTP4s89NMB3Y4EEmGLOeVOuk5PUMQdkLFGLClFddmnLohVDgoZA/s1600/IMG_5747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5-FMO2vA5Cnl80yZnQKIHT2S7bXS7LLtWASkQ78cA1LdbFcdESiHYKYM59oyv6GPtPmYA1wABeKRH1QAQkU1gZtYRTP4s89NMB3Y4EEmGLOeVOuk5PUMQdkLFGLClFddmnLohVDgoZA/s320/IMG_5747.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Hope you enjoyed the little story of my journey into the deep dark secrets of prong setting. Thanks to Art Jewelry magazine and Joanna Gollberg for sharing her wonderful technique!!!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-42634098030249177702011-06-11T16:03:00.000-04:002011-06-11T16:03:56.813-04:00A Couple Firsts for Me!I guess the most important first for me was my granddaughter's first ever dance recital last night! She was such a little trouper, all dressed in her costume, up on stage in front of a full house audience at the high school auditorium, she never got the least bit nervous. Now her mom and I, different story. So, being Mimi first, and jewelry designer second, I have to share a picture of just how cute my little ballerina looked for her (and my) first dance recital!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTxn1u91QxddrpkGK9AUnoV0329lu4HIj8_retXOtUK1zGAt0BK-h2SyjrvAj_Uzj3G6jyv9wuICaTFMJfbWERPbPxhMuELX1VV9p4n5LG5u1ScFz-qqXpuElUYpqqtR8IxV04fVrKIo/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTxn1u91QxddrpkGK9AUnoV0329lu4HIj8_retXOtUK1zGAt0BK-h2SyjrvAj_Uzj3G6jyv9wuICaTFMJfbWERPbPxhMuELX1VV9p4n5LG5u1ScFz-qqXpuElUYpqqtR8IxV04fVrKIo/s320/IMG_5641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was after she was finished, holding her little ballerina bouquet.<br />
<br />
My other first this week was to finally bite the bullet and add real gold to my Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a> and my new website <a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/</a>. I'm still refining the website so I haven't started directing traffic there yet- but soon, very soon.<br />
I know I have even posted here about the rising cost of sterling silver, which is now at least below $50 and ounce, but still fluctuating between mid and high 30s per ounce. All the trend this year seems to be gold tones. I just didn't want to add yet another metal to my supplies even though brass is very reasonable. It would still mean buying different solder, wire, sheet and jump rings. I already had some things in gold, I love gold, so I finally decided that gold is one of those forever popular precious metals that no matter what, people will love and buy for someone special. Here is my first little stack ring series. 14K gold tapered bezel with a soft brushed glow atop a heavy sterling band.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedcJANydbRUks5GDreCD3tHHLlThn1nPf9qNs7mX8nPAzriwqwPIsxuOTq-JqxSqXzrtx5HsOEJQwlWzZDbEKW0wlYct5V4LGcJvppDNibEaUnTuZRfEYj6EqEQdF2eaQ4KbDbI75H-U/s1600/IMG_5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedcJANydbRUks5GDreCD3tHHLlThn1nPf9qNs7mX8nPAzriwqwPIsxuOTq-JqxSqXzrtx5HsOEJQwlWzZDbEKW0wlYct5V4LGcJvppDNibEaUnTuZRfEYj6EqEQdF2eaQ4KbDbI75H-U/s320/IMG_5619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can see all the selections of different stones by clicking on this listing in my Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75759875/14k-gold-and-sterling-gemstone-stack">http://www.etsy.com/listing/75759875/14k-gold-and-sterling-gemstone-stack</a><br />
I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts or comments about the ring, the customizable features I allow the buyer to decide- whatever, please feel free to comment. I will also be offering these in the standard round shiny gold setting, but wanted to offer something just a little different. I hope you'll like my new little rings!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-66008080702678073942011-04-03T08:33:00.000-04:002011-06-11T15:45:47.912-04:00Design Your Own!!!I know I am not good at blogging on any regular basis, but today I was inspired by the launch of my new website <a href="http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/">http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/</a> which allowed me the capability do do something I have always wanted to do... offer Custom Designed Pendants and Rings! <br />
<br />
If any of you have ever shopped my Etsy store <a href="http://www.ppennee.etsy.com/">http://www.ppennee.etsy.com/</a>, you know that I do a lot of made to order gemtone stack rings, fine silver hoop earrings for everday wear and charm necklaces with a variety of gemstones. I have always wanted to be able to just have one listing with a variety of choices to make it easy for a potential customer to just go in and select what they would like to design their own. Just picture a young woman who wants to give a gift of my Lotus Flower Tag Necklace with a gemstone that matches each of her bridemaids dresses. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3opLgpW6ibc/TZhkFFnk9kI/AAAAAAAACqw/2B94XI-A7VI/s1600/IMG_3975-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3opLgpW6ibc/TZhkFFnk9kI/AAAAAAAACqw/2B94XI-A7VI/s320/IMG_3975-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>She sends me a message asking about what color stones I have, I get back with a list and drag out the camera to take pics so she can see colors and shapes, then she gets back again with what she wants, I create a listing and get back to her and so on. I am sure you can see this isn't conducive to the typical shopper who sees what they want and orders it on the spot and expects to get it in short order!!! We are a nation of spontaneous people who love to see it, touch it and then decide on the spot if we want it. Many of my shoppers have looked around a lot, they know what they want and how much they are willing to spend. Unfortunately Etsy doesn't offer drop down boxes to just go ahead and select a gemstone in the color of our choice. I am happy to say my new website does just that very thing!.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZHQpqeJqpUhfX9Aw1i8H_JNF-ww9cWIMkwbipso_NzeO-LxyqoP-DNpdmlAJh7ERi7gXr1Gb3qjwHUmoU_RnlEuhQsJvD2t2DqAbhVLxRBE7Y6D5uEfVKSud2LImy1SJh3Sqz9h5p8/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AZHQpqeJqpUhfX9Aw1i8H_JNF-ww9cWIMkwbipso_NzeO-LxyqoP-DNpdmlAJh7ERi7gXr1Gb3qjwHUmoU_RnlEuhQsJvD2t2DqAbhVLxRBE7Y6D5uEfVKSud2LImy1SJh3Sqz9h5p8/s320/IMG_4818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is my first attempt at a custom Design Your Own Pendant listing on my website. If you want to go play and see how much fun it is to browse these cool drop down menus here is the link to go play : <a href="http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Design-Your-Own-Pendant-Custom-Designer-Cabochons-56.htm">http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Design-Your-Own-Pendant-Custom-Designer-Cabochons-56.htm</a> . I have set up two groups of gorgeous cabochon stones, numbered them, fixed a set price for the work, then I am able to increase or decrease the price for each stone if I happen to have gotten some on sale or if I paid a lot for a rare hard to find specimen stone. Lots of options for chain length, bezel type and the customer can always contact me for a price for extras like beaded wire trim, silver granulation, hand cut designs etc.. I have also done a similar listing for ustom Designed Cabochon Rings, unfortunately I have to retake the photos since I didn't think to number the stones and that still needs work!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe its the pride in finally having a site that's all my own, or just the basic need to be able to do things my own way without "Big Brother" restrictions, I'm not sure, but what I am sure of, is I am a picky shopper and I believe todays on line shoppers are no different. I miss the old days of personalized service I got at a department store. I used to take a few things into a dressing room and then some lovely sales person would go and hunt for a different size, color, matching scarf whatever I wanted! Now I get dressed at least twice to go on the hunt myself- this does not make me want to stay and buy something! I wanted to be able to be just a little bit better at customer service and I just had too many restrictions on Etsy to be able to offer the level I felt my customers were missing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, I'll still be on Etsy for a while- very few people have "discoverd" my website. But, I am hopeful that very soon I will have someone stumble in, like what they see and how they are treated and send a few friends my way. Wish me luck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-6581645722200384512011-03-31T16:08:00.000-04:002011-03-31T16:08:39.027-04:00Why Make My Own Website??I don't think I can express in words the feeling of joy and pride that I have felt the last two days for just finishing and launching my new website <a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/</a>. I have for so long wanted to be able to print my own shop name on my business cards when I mail out a piece of jewelry, now I can!!!<br />
I have always been happy with Etsy and with my shop and friends I have made, that said, I made the mistake of being a buyer first, then opening a shop so I was stuck with my buyer name. Having a shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a> really doesn't draw anyone to looking for jewelry to my way of thinking, my real shop name All Wired Up Jewelry Designs is a sub-header under my name. I wanted a real jewelry shop!!<br />
<br />
Other reasons to want my own website and shopping venue:<br />
Etsy gets a percentage of every sale I make and a small amount for me to list a new item. If I want my items to stay on the first few pages of a search, I pay to re-list the item which costs me again. The Paypal takes a percentage when a customer purchases something. I told myself over the last few years that this was ok and to think of it as part of my meager advertising budget. But now that silver s approaching $40 and ounce, I feel that having my own website will save me all those fees and I'll be able to hold off from raising my prices to buy more silver to continue filling orders and making new things. If I concentrate on Etsy, I would have to raise my prices or just stop making new things. That just wasn't in the plan!<br />
<br />
Reason number 2: It's all mine! I can set my own shipping policies, return policies and refund policies without the hassle of having to ask Etsy to refund any fees and charges I lost. Privacy- big one for me- I am starting to get concerned that Etsy is trying to become the Facebook of jewelry sales. They want me to join teams and circles and unless my customers are savvy and set up their privacy filters, their purchases could be public knowledge. It's no one's business if you want to order a set of custom stack rings for your Mom for Mother's Day now is it??<br />
<br />
Third reason: You don't have to "join" my website! You can just come shop and be done with it. I don't want to join a Nordstrom's Club or even Target- why do I need my customers to sign up with Etsy to shop with me?? Their rules, not mine! Sure, you can register on my website if you like, you can bookmark me, make me a favorite or none of the above, but you don't have to!!! I like that.<br />
<br />
Number 4- I think websites make customizing so much easier!!!! In the world of Etsy, if I have a necklace with an 18 inch chain and a garnet faceted briolette trimming it, a potential customer has to "convo" me mutiple times to ask about additional chain length if wanted, other gemstone choices and possible additional costs. All easy peasy on my website- it's all about the little drop down box! The choices are all there and you just check the box for what you want to add, put it together just the way you want and head to check out.<br />
This should give you an idea of how it looks- go ahead and play- you never have to really check out unless you want to! <a href="http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Lotus-Sterling-Tag-Gemstone-Necklace-Customize-It-47.htm">http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Lotus-Sterling-Tag-Gemstone-Necklace-Customize-It-47.htm.</a><br />
<br />
This stack ring is another example! In my shop, you can choose any stone you want in this 5mm size! A separate listing for 4mm and 6mm with every stone I own listed- so much easier than getting skipped over because I don't have the particular stone listed you are looking for. And yes, I still order a stone you want and I don't have!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRL6pbcppl2dOpvv0LfTQXMErqaL0CRqa9jnEsHaoqdPpNuEMkc0cSToLnK9inB4Gbi3wbySPo4Vi6qYrZkNCNbPHZy9fZ2JKIvM32P4qdV0Kqs7m1ZdZr_Wq_81I1VWndbEGPSO3vL0/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRL6pbcppl2dOpvv0LfTQXMErqaL0CRqa9jnEsHaoqdPpNuEMkc0cSToLnK9inB4Gbi3wbySPo4Vi6qYrZkNCNbPHZy9fZ2JKIvM32P4qdV0Kqs7m1ZdZr_Wq_81I1VWndbEGPSO3vL0/s320/IMG_2207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Artisan-Sterling-Stack-Rings-5mm-Gemstone-Made-to-Order-15.htm">http://shop.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.com/Artisan-Sterling-Stack-Rings-5mm-Gemstone-Made-to-Order-15.htm</a> this is my website listing for all the different possibilities for you to create a special ring in the 5mm size.<br />
<br />
Setting up the website was so hard for me to do. I am not a big computer geek. I bugged lots of friends and called the poor help desk at the website daily. But that's a whole different blog to write.AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-89166234058979191052011-03-19T06:46:00.000-04:002011-03-19T06:46:37.114-04:00Playing with ColorI had a lot of fun yesterday playing with oxidizing some new pieces I did so I thought I'd share in pictures what I did and talk about what I learned.<br />
First let me say, liver of sulfur stinks! So does ammonia. Unfortunately, in the world of metal and oxidizing, to get pretty color, you have to use one or both in some sort of combination. For many years, dry LOS was the only thing available and it was sold in big containers and came in chunks that you had to break up and add to hot water to dissolve- Phew- the smell- think rotten eggs! And if any moisture got into your supply it turned green and wouldn't work to darken your metal. Luckily someone came up with LOS gel a few years ago and at least the problem of throwing away your ruined supply regularly was solved- it still stinks, but it's very stable and is easy to mix, no punding chunks so it will dissolve.<br />
I don't do huge amounts of jewelry when I play with live of sulfur, mainly because I'm never sure if I'm going to like the results. In hot water LOS will turn sterling or fine silver dark black in about 20-30 seconds. After you get your silver out, you have to dry it and go over it with very fine steel wool to bring up the shine on the raised areas leaving a very dark background. As you can see from this pendant- it can look very attractive, but it's not for every piece of jewelry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRWWtXj0vJeA_VO_PnsYbGE5HVms0yC0fpht5j-zvjmka82xpRD-rBLFUF2gVvOAHkGwKJG329UXeV0xHboyToTkXCcFIXR8QOeTR-Cs_P5RUrweMhjnKOwL0eEesmtH4cjSYWCjqFCk/s1600/IMG_4378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRWWtXj0vJeA_VO_PnsYbGE5HVms0yC0fpht5j-zvjmka82xpRD-rBLFUF2gVvOAHkGwKJG329UXeV0xHboyToTkXCcFIXR8QOeTR-Cs_P5RUrweMhjnKOwL0eEesmtH4cjSYWCjqFCk/s320/IMG_4378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I've been more and more interested in precious metal clay (PMC) and all the options it allows me to explore. I love anything botanical, flowers, trees, leaves! So I wanted to press some leaves from my garden into my clay and make some earrings and pendants for my shop on Etsy <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee">http://www.etsy.com/shop/PPennee</a>. I already had a few pieces I had oxidized with LOS, but they were the dark variety like the pendant below.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN8FWyBcjE0vMpHUMuJylEAGC4mEHqIZnfRbE04MBIfqwcwP7yvghfaNtnr-9HrOg08mlO4M8e2tSAC-DF1YNZSZ0ThK7p1bdbMYbYCLjPFuczs0msX5f4wCeVnPnW20tsyza_Q7uZAo/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN8FWyBcjE0vMpHUMuJylEAGC4mEHqIZnfRbE04MBIfqwcwP7yvghfaNtnr-9HrOg08mlO4M8e2tSAC-DF1YNZSZ0ThK7p1bdbMYbYCLjPFuczs0msX5f4wCeVnPnW20tsyza_Q7uZAo/s320/IMG_4385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I picked some leaves from one of my favorite ground covers, Cranesbill geranium which I love because it gets pretty pink flowers in the spring and summer, but at least where I live in MD, it never really dies back totally. It gets pretty reds and oranges on the leaves in fall and I can still at least see the leaves in winter if the snow isn't too deep. Right now- little green and reddish leaves are popping out all over my plant! I chose to do a round pendant and earrings to match. This is what they looked like after I pressed the leaves, dried and fired and then put them in the tumbler to work harden and shine up a bit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL41mrNG8zHCqahVfuI5vb24N_TyDLuzMz1Tbk_UXZX264AQ0tjImjcg4HuKtHochQClGUnXsd2uqOa5um8fxGFf_6X95xnt_z1SQqLNEKjfLH6OVKn4Orzw6PRY5eKKlb2ApXV28mTo/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL41mrNG8zHCqahVfuI5vb24N_TyDLuzMz1Tbk_UXZX264AQ0tjImjcg4HuKtHochQClGUnXsd2uqOa5um8fxGFf_6X95xnt_z1SQqLNEKjfLH6OVKn4Orzw6PRY5eKKlb2ApXV28mTo/s320/IMG_4676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdeU3zjSQMpNc3ELfWTYgEoIHzV7A_SHtLLevQN2fwyB6511KI1cz5r1nrxUKoDMAN844QajMba1QzaXhtlq4TTdh0SQoMEDKr2yOvIlwDtYBtYMhoSLoiQXGDCblPsMktjaL_GKQ76U/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdeU3zjSQMpNc3ELfWTYgEoIHzV7A_SHtLLevQN2fwyB6511KI1cz5r1nrxUKoDMAN844QajMba1QzaXhtlq4TTdh0SQoMEDKr2yOvIlwDtYBtYMhoSLoiQXGDCblPsMktjaL_GKQ76U/s320/IMG_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It always amazes me how much detail you see from a leaf- all the texture, veining, even a little piece of the stem where is picked the leaf from the plant. What I hoped to accomplish was to get some of the color I actually see in the garden and not lose the detail of the leaf.<br />
I knew from previous experiments that hot was not what I wanted, nor was cold. Cold LOS gives you what almost looks like gold- nice, but not what I was aiming for. So I tried luke warm, slightly hotter ( praise for the microwave)- I got a lot of yellow and brown, some red, still not what I wanted. I have lots of team mates on my Aspiring Metals Team on Etsy that work in copper. Many have mentioned using ammonia to get that great green verdigris color that looks so great. So I added a little ammonia, starting with about a teaspoon at a time.<br />
Each time I dipped in my silver it got a little more interesting. Keep in mind, if you don't get what you want, you have to keep cleaning off the piece and taking it back to almost shiny silver to start again! After about 3 tries, medium warm temperature and 3 tsp of ammonia, this is what I got!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO96fqYxu923SoczU49vhTIb5VR5NzsAB8JwU1WS-bUoDEiLAOhCDxVv8EA4mUj6S-rY2XFrKIL3DperZMZCOz7BZWf5QMV_7auSuuKI6qh_Hxa4QYbytSADLnmAxq5SWNcddZ3YQRAs/s1600/IMG_4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTO96fqYxu923SoczU49vhTIb5VR5NzsAB8JwU1WS-bUoDEiLAOhCDxVv8EA4mUj6S-rY2XFrKIL3DperZMZCOz7BZWf5QMV_7auSuuKI6qh_Hxa4QYbytSADLnmAxq5SWNcddZ3YQRAs/s320/IMG_4690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA0HQG_S3TT-z-gWMZvOmVl9FO2wzM21kUwXH7MMwq2gVuDDrcjgQzX9XjdIKpzSymCJK_A-p-5ExMkxhXJbBvFbkQTUkNeb0WGMRxsehyphenhyphennqkV4H1z7dCuzGyyt04kRQiy-lJamMDTpM/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA0HQG_S3TT-z-gWMZvOmVl9FO2wzM21kUwXH7MMwq2gVuDDrcjgQzX9XjdIKpzSymCJK_A-p-5ExMkxhXJbBvFbkQTUkNeb0WGMRxsehyphenhyphennqkV4H1z7dCuzGyyt04kRQiy-lJamMDTpM/s320/IMG_4693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I have to say, my leaves aren't blue in the garden, but I was really pleased with the effects I got- and I did get some reds and lavender which i thought looked pretty cool!<br />
Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoyed reading a little about playing with color.AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-44091315516823179592011-03-10T14:09:00.000-05:002011-03-10T14:09:55.814-05:00Rings and Things - 86 and CountingIt's been too long again since I updated my post early this year on 104 things I wanted to make. So right now I have 86 items to go in the two flickr groups I joined, RAW - ring a week and THAW- thing a week. So here are just a few items I have completed to give you an idea of just how much torching and hammering I've been doing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku9D1QQfohpacnWHSp_e9g8Jv61-0j4b-DCAI0q7m0328diOMzIZKtWeWfVNiHNmUy__tnmI27Q_njfRHzNC0jxRHyJaYL0I6C1rxSP3Z-_xmacSJqEME4g0YRCRaTjsCthwCFeBnLQU/s1600/IMG_4216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku9D1QQfohpacnWHSp_e9g8Jv61-0j4b-DCAI0q7m0328diOMzIZKtWeWfVNiHNmUy__tnmI27Q_njfRHzNC0jxRHyJaYL0I6C1rxSP3Z-_xmacSJqEME4g0YRCRaTjsCthwCFeBnLQU/s320/IMG_4216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This was my first hand made hinge- I got double duty out of this ocean jasper pendant. It was part of THAW and also my entry in the monthy design challenge with the aspiring metals team, this months being Movement. Well, it does move, but I got no where close to winning against architectural structures that spouted water, spinnin g rings and such, but I did learn how to make a hinge and I loved these stones. Ocean jasper always reminds me of colored bubbles kids play with in the tub.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuKvEgNejUevJjD8LFf4q-tv5fp_YmgWiAimjI9PFaU2_4wPHafq-6UqpVIy5kqhCbvOVSHF8Yjl5UuGmujYZDH2S6ksCmJHoEOIKfUe5TnSOIIxaRFftcgBPSdev6_tV1zdjBP-F13E/s1600/IMG_4258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuKvEgNejUevJjD8LFf4q-tv5fp_YmgWiAimjI9PFaU2_4wPHafq-6UqpVIy5kqhCbvOVSHF8Yjl5UuGmujYZDH2S6ksCmJHoEOIKfUe5TnSOIIxaRFftcgBPSdev6_tV1zdjBP-F13E/s320/IMG_4258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another THAW entry- again, I got double credit- for myself, because I did a rough prong setting (we all have to start somewhere) and another THAW entry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhqwWvzQ_oXrmEY5mKMxWnApSQdoZTXjZvP4DmskUlcQYJBdu6UwkXPZw-Vsp7Ju9ZuaPHTAQ_-p-PuJ5oPReQXXIKOyZkr10jKpmemlD1QVtu9FyBT_u_RSfh03Zhv8iuc1Lzn1YVSk/s1600/IMG_4322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhqwWvzQ_oXrmEY5mKMxWnApSQdoZTXjZvP4DmskUlcQYJBdu6UwkXPZw-Vsp7Ju9ZuaPHTAQ_-p-PuJ5oPReQXXIKOyZkr10jKpmemlD1QVtu9FyBT_u_RSfh03Zhv8iuc1Lzn1YVSk/s320/IMG_4322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Take your breath away? This was sold as fast as I listed it in my Etsy shop. A gorgeous piece of aquamarine rough, again a first for me to set something other than a calibrated cabochon, and this one was a RAW entry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0Xj4JKA3Q5d0Mp8Cy5iikRmAoR8k8Zay_RudYfBH5VSxcZxYuNX_YNOqHNVHcscQIU0oJvwLkssusZhyphenhyphen_qAadboXdrGbHSsaTciH-GKujLB8YND4tgij46ZxVETWiQruyxerefOTaWY/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0Xj4JKA3Q5d0Mp8Cy5iikRmAoR8k8Zay_RudYfBH5VSxcZxYuNX_YNOqHNVHcscQIU0oJvwLkssusZhyphenhyphen_qAadboXdrGbHSsaTciH-GKujLB8YND4tgij46ZxVETWiQruyxerefOTaWY/s320/IMG_4414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The last RAW entry I'll show off is what started to be a riveted ring. Rivets are just so versatile and it's not messy at all to rivet 2 pieces together, unlike soldering with all the flux and pickle and yukky quench water. But, it was not meant to be. No matter what size wire I hammered, I couldn't get the top rivet to be large enough to show that amount of copper I wanted for a pretty contrast. So, I made a copper ball and soldered it onto the sterling wrap ring. Seemed to me that shiny copper just set off the texture perfectly. I did the texture by hammering the silver on the sidewalk before forming. I have this listed in my shop as a made to order item since I think it will be a great casual piece to wear this season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxLAwuFIpiog2RclxvjE1dCTdDvf01h1sH9d0PeFzIwpsGUjD4QcKrjOk-O5EoIK0P4Zxw-Gqyi_FFU-Z5jNAjI52twku4RmDBOoYts7j5zM2JzsgEuVI3uPS8iOjjw7kIeCvPdJgp7g/s1600/IMG_4454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxLAwuFIpiog2RclxvjE1dCTdDvf01h1sH9d0PeFzIwpsGUjD4QcKrjOk-O5EoIK0P4Zxw-Gqyi_FFU-Z5jNAjI52twku4RmDBOoYts7j5zM2JzsgEuVI3uPS8iOjjw7kIeCvPdJgp7g/s320/IMG_4454.JPG" width="305" /></a></div>My last THAW entry- tryng to get more interesting pendants and earrings, I decided on precious metal clay as my medium. I love playing play dough with my granddaughter and this isn't much different- just way more expensive. I made an impression of a pretty dahlia, then used a pmc syringe to create a setting, fired to burn off the clay, which leave almost pure silver (.999 instead of sterling that is .925) and then set a pink CZ in the center.<br />
I just have so many things I want to learn to do with metal and there really is so little time. Hope you enjoyed my little picture update. Wish me luck, I only have 86 more things to make!AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483728869625003215.post-29949743559315457022011-02-23T15:27:00.000-05:002011-02-23T16:35:32.738-05:00Rock On!I'll bet you thought I was going to talk about music from my title- nope, I'm here to talk about rocks! Big ones, small ones, shiny ones and tall ones! Being part of the Aspiring Metals Team monthly blogroll makes me think about all sorts of fun things that have happened to me since I became a metalsmith. One is an additction to all sorts of rocks. Some talk to me and I know right away what they want to be, a ring, a pendant, part of a bracelet. Some just want me to look at them, they aren't quite ready to speak yet- they are my babies and I can wait patiently until they are ready to say what I need to hear to create something to show their beauty and allow them to go out into the world!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSesuhMJieOPZLEq9W9nqcpO38Y-CiwVySZIKFyiJMHkmIT-K7I8mxXhgJDGkdjqzh-h7EatHYlrLcfepBJHsaH4_hEfAsGAtvDR29Gw80N3eeJvU250Cxvz_N2_OK0-QaDIc5tuvz-E/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSesuhMJieOPZLEq9W9nqcpO38Y-CiwVySZIKFyiJMHkmIT-K7I8mxXhgJDGkdjqzh-h7EatHYlrLcfepBJHsaH4_hEfAsGAtvDR29Gw80N3eeJvU250Cxvz_N2_OK0-QaDIc5tuvz-E/s320/IMG_4443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I'll start with big ones and one tall one. These are some of my favorites because I love the colors and movement in them. The big center cherry creek jasper has already spoken- she wants to be a brooch set on a lovely hand stamped piece of silver with vines and hand made cherry blossoms. The poppy jasper in the upper left wants to be a pendant but hasn't mentioned yet what sort of embellishment will suit. The dino bone (yes- real dinosaur bone) is a very reticent stone- refuses to say anything at all. The Botswana agate on the bottom left and the rainforest jasper have started to babble some, but no real direction for me yet!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg-1bl1_x-upe0dRFI6CQ3a6ZMnG7lCpdDmRh-wE-eXiMUSP06lFo9H7fP13DI4hKl4UDW_doKIo7iBxe230rpOcmyxDaZ6NESOooK0Bf3_vBNS__YWk7BA-Qz0pVH28fNDSLQ-zXaBY/s1600/IMG_4435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg-1bl1_x-upe0dRFI6CQ3a6ZMnG7lCpdDmRh-wE-eXiMUSP06lFo9H7fP13DI4hKl4UDW_doKIo7iBxe230rpOcmyxDaZ6NESOooK0Bf3_vBNS__YWk7BA-Qz0pVH28fNDSLQ-zXaBY/s320/IMG_4435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next would be the shiny ones. They talk way to much- me, me, me! They all want to be set in a ring all alone so they can sparkle and shine, catch everyone's attention and be adored. It gets really noisy in my studio sometimes as I head to my stone corner looking for a new project. The loudest of these are the apatite- the pretty blue green ones left front- they know they are loved but still must always be first pick!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXVtJcOCToKthJ5FSkPGEvAsQKtYxKzZ7JiOP75_adx2v3YfoCMhaxV1sq3VESWql2cr7IxlzOdisNIY4KVAxAkrlu7k1ODgCsDI3RcYHBhfsFakDZL565CQ1ihj7WpwAv9e0QvRIA7g/s1600/IMG_4436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXVtJcOCToKthJ5FSkPGEvAsQKtYxKzZ7JiOP75_adx2v3YfoCMhaxV1sq3VESWql2cr7IxlzOdisNIY4KVAxAkrlu7k1ODgCsDI3RcYHBhfsFakDZL565CQ1ihj7WpwAv9e0QvRIA7g/s320/IMG_4436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1C9zfIx1D_bKfj6nxabKPDv2qhXKNhwMJlbvo6NthJ-ryMcZK80_jBQPbvwraOyH7UBoMH0sh_88SNp0hHuq5mJzX_DrUbD_m696ZQjHd7DR-EslIVVWxmFvvqKSHN67pb7aI4NvTi4/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div> Small ones- I love the little guys, shiny and faceted, rough crystals and polished stones. They come to me knowing they will be beautiful rings and sometimes just want to be held and cuddled. They don't have a lot to say, and seem to be very patient to wait until it's their turn. I look for intense defined color in my small stones. Rings are very special and very personal items for the wearer so they must speak to the wearer as well as to me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1C9zfIx1D_bKfj6nxabKPDv2qhXKNhwMJlbvo6NthJ-ryMcZK80_jBQPbvwraOyH7UBoMH0sh_88SNp0hHuq5mJzX_DrUbD_m696ZQjHd7DR-EslIVVWxmFvvqKSHN67pb7aI4NvTi4/s1600/IMG_4441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1C9zfIx1D_bKfj6nxabKPDv2qhXKNhwMJlbvo6NthJ-ryMcZK80_jBQPbvwraOyH7UBoMH0sh_88SNp0hHuq5mJzX_DrUbD_m696ZQjHd7DR-EslIVVWxmFvvqKSHN67pb7aI4NvTi4/s320/IMG_4441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next are just a few of my favorites. I love stones with pictures or that remind me of something I have seen or read. The Bruneau jasper top left reminds me of the book Dune with dark sky and sand everywhere- what's lurking beneath? The Sonioran Sunrise on top is just that- a gorgeous stone that has it's own internal sun that shines all the time. On the botoom right an Owhee Jasper that looks like a big dust storm rolling through the desert and on the left a picture jasper. A lonely outpost in the desert stands sentinel over the cactus and tumbleweed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So those are just a few of my rocks. I have a bad addiction to rock, so I couldn't possibly show the all or I'd be hogging up way too much blog space. I also want you to have time to visit some of my teammates to see their beautiful stone collections and read their stories, some will really surprise and captivate you!<br />
<br />
The Aspiring Metals Team list of stone addicts is below- have fun reading their stories!<br />
Now if you want to see some <span style="font-weight: bold;">really exciting collections</span>, check out these links below of the awesome Aspiring Metalsmiths.<br />
<br />
Autumn Bradley - <a href="http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/">http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Clarity @ Scrollwork Designs - <a href="http://thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/">http://thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Stacy Low - <a href="http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/">http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com</a><br />
Chrissi Lynn Designs - <a href="http://www.chrissilynn.blogspot.com/">http://www.chrissilynn.blogspot.com</a><br />
Sylvia Anderson - <a href="http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/">http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Jessica @ Abella Blue -<a href="http://www.abellablue.com/blog"> http://www.abellablue.com/blog</a><br />
Contemporary Jewelry by Beatriz Fortes - <a href="http://cjbf.blogspot.com/">http://cjbf.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Esmeralda - <a href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/">http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Steph Stargell - <a href="http://www.stephstargell.com/">http://www.stephstargell.com</a><br />
Pennee - <a href="http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Silver Pearl Jewelry and Metalworks -<a href="http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/show-us-your-stones/#more-4"> http://silverpearlmetalworks.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/show-us-your-stones/#more-4</a><br />
Claire - <a href="http://brightstar109.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">brightstar109.blogspot.com/</a><br />
AristiKat- <a href="http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/">http://artistikat-scratchingpost.blogspot.com/</a>AllWiredUpJewelryDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10964816930658776635noreply@blogger.com7