Playing with Others

A few weeks ago fellow Etsian Susan from Jackson River Glass contacted me about a possible collaboration. She would send a couple boro glass cabochons for me to set. Of course I was super excited, as I'd never really done a collaboration before, and quickly agreed. She sent a wonderful array of cabs, a variety of colors in a range of sizes, small to biggerish. 

It took me a little bit to get started, as summer is in full swing and the hours seems to disappear from the days. But finally, here are some of the pieces I created with her cabochons.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but this cab is a swirl of navy blue and dark green. The green has little flecks that look like sparkles or star dust, not a lot just a hint. The cab looked like what I would imagine would be the view of a nebula, so I wanted to go all the way with a celestial inspired pendant. 

Lampwork and Sterling Silver Metalwork Necklace

For forever, I've been wanting to make some stacking rings. So not time like the present with this little cab. It's only about 10mm, pretty amber and pinkish colors and I really like the look of the mixed metals.

Copper and Sterling Stacking Rings with Lampwork Cab

And finally, this necklace was kept more simple, as I really like the colors in the cabochon and wanted to showcase the bead.

Bezel Set Lampwork and Sterling Silver Necklace

I'm looking forward to working with the cabs that are left but in the meantime, all these pieces are in my Etsy shop. 

Shelby

A New Love

Over the weekend, I stole away for a few hours to work out in the studio. I've had some of the cabs that I picked up at BeadFest sitting on the bench that I've been wanting to set. It's hard to tell from this picture, but this Pietersite has such a wonderful shimmer that moves over the stone, it reminds me of Labradorite, only darker. I really wanted to showcase the beauty of the stone, and since we constantly move our hands this stone will catch light at all angles. 

I'm not much of a ring gal, but I gotta tell you, I'm in love with this ring! It's the perfect size and will go with lots, and lots of my outfits. But alas, I won't be keeping it :( No, it will be making it's way to my Etsy shop later this afternoon. And, I'm sure that it will make someone very happy.

Sea Creatures

I have long been intrigued by many sea creatures. Things can get a little hairy when we visit the aquarium. I'm the one you're running into and pushing out of the way when you're trying to get a glimpse of the jelly fish, coral, starfish...you get the idea. I love to gaze into the tanks and take in all the vibrant colors, textures, and how graceful all these little creatures are. Same goes for the beach, I especially like to walk the beach after a storm to gather, and sometimes rescue, the starfish, conchs, sand dollars, sorry, I leave the jellyfish unless I can find a stick. I'm not the only one who love the little sea buddies! No surprise there, during local art shows I frequently get ask "Do you have anything ________?" Take your pick: beachy, with starfish, seahorses, shells, and the list goes on. And most of the time, yes, but it's usually a piece with Thai silver beads, or lampwork beads. Nothing that I actually fabricated, only put together. So recently I wanted to create my own beachy.

This pendant has been in the making for a couple months. Well not really, I just sawed the pendant out a couple months ago and it sat on my bench until I could decide what to do with it. And, just like that one day it all came together. I had the perfect Chrysocolla stone to set as the belly, added a silver ball for the eye, and textured the base. It's quite substantial at 2 3/8" in length. And I'm thrilled to pieces with it!

Ocean Beauty Chrysocolla & Sterling Silver Metalwork Pendant

available in my Etsy shop

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

More Metal

I haven't chatted about it lately but I'm still loving the metalsmithing. Still taking classes, and trying to figure how I'll get my session in once the kids get out of school. Here's a peek at some of the pieces I've finished as of recent...

The stone for this necklace is a beautiful Apatite. It's the most beautiful shade of blue. I love, love this necklace, but can't keep 'em all, right?

the back

Love this one too...Larimar necklace

I cut out the back on this pendant, the back of the stone is as pretty as the front.

Prehnite earrings, this is my first pair of earrings. I'm looking forward to making a couple more pairs, with different stones of course.

I've got some more metalwork projects in the mix. They are a little more time consuming to complete, and once I get started I don't want to stop, so I have to pace myself.

Metalsmithing

I've been M.I.A. lately in the blog world. With the coming of spring, life picks up a little more hectic pace. We headed out of town while the kids were on spring break, softball has begun, and I'm frantically trying to kick it into high gear so that I'll be ready for upcoming art shows.

Today will be another hectic day, but I wanted to drop in and share a few metalwork projects that I've finished. I'm totally, lovin' doing metalsmithing. There is SO much to learn!

Peruvian Opal Pendant

I love, love this pendant and can't wait to get a chain so that it can be worn. However, this setting set me in a fit everytime I worked on it! The flower petals and cut out back...I was probably a little ambitious to start with something like this, but it's done, gorgeous, and I love it!



the back...I cut the back out so the light can shine through, the stone is so pretty, and added the flower petal to match the front.



Pendant

I'm unsure what this stone is, any ideas? I purchased it quite a while ago. Anyway, I'm not quite done with this. It looks kinda blah right now, but there will be colorful dangles on the bottom loops, and of course chain. I forgot to photograph the back, but I there is lots of scrollwork. More photos when this is finished.

Druzy Ring

 Ring

Here's another...don't know the stone, ugh! Love this too! I wear it all the time! Copper back sheet and silver balls. This is the first piece I completed entirely on my own. To say the least I was giddy with excitement when it was finished and realized...I. Can. Do. It! Yea!

I promise, it won't be so long before I check in again, and I'm trying to catch up on reading the blogs I follow.

Have a great weekend!

Class

As you know from my previous post, yesterday a friend and I had a metalsmithing session with Heidi Lowe. She's a fabulous artist, with a studio right on Rehoboth Ave., for those of you who are familiar with this area, and...it was Swweeet! She is SO super nice, and persnickety (in a good way) when it comes to details, a plus, plus. Anywho, when we arrived yesterday I had a couple of cabs that I wanted to set. I had drawn ideas of what I wanted, or my thoughts rather, in my new journal. One basic project and the other...well, I wasn't sure if I was being to ambitious. But, instead of her poo pooing my sketch, we just ran with it.

I jumped right in and started on two projects. One is a Drusy cab, that I am making into a ring, and the other a Peruvian opal, that will be made into a pendant. I've read a lot of books and watched a ton of tutorials on metalwork, so I was pretty familiar with what to do with measuring and cutting the bezel wire. Then sawing out the back sheet, hence the practice session, which I was SO glad that I did! But then, omg...all the filing and sanding. I think they purposely only touch on this part in the books. There is so much to do! and it's time consuming! At any rate, I was super happy with what I had accomplished in our three hour session.

The next session is Monday. I'm hoping to get some more sanding done in the meantime, so that I can get my projects close to finished during the next session.

Preparation

Last Wednesday, a friend and I were suppose to have a metalsmithing session with a local artist. But, then came the snow and ice, and our session was rescheduled:( Bummer! Alas, we have another session scheduled for tomorrow. I'm so giddy with excitement, I can hardly wait! So in preparation for tomorrow, I broke out my jewelers saw...which I haven't used in a LONG time, except to cut jump rings...and practiced, practiced, practice cutting...straight lines, curves, and 90 degree angles.

It took a little practice to really get comfortable cutting out shapes but by the end of my practice session, I was quite please with what I had done. I'm hoping for the same success tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally....I'm coming out of the dark ages

Ok...I'm finally going to attempt to start blogging. I feel like I need to come out of the dark ages. I'm constantly reading other blogs, getting lots of useful tips and reading the ramblings of others. So here goes, I'm going to make a conscious effort to post on a regular basis. Although, this is probably not the best time of year to start something new....with Christmas looming.

Recently I have been so busy that I barely have time to concentrate on my jewelry designs. I recently had a holiday open house at my home that was very successful. However, that was the weekend after Thanksgiving and I have created only a few pieces since then. As much as I am looking forward to Christmas, I'll be glad to get back to my regular routine. I'm like that...I have a daily groove and not happy if my groove gets disrupted.

Anyway, be sure to check out my online shop for some great jewelry pieces that are available. And, sign up to receive my blogs via email, please enter "subscribe to blog" in the comments section.