Mixed Metal

Well I haven't done much creating since the crafts shows but I had a sudden urge to do something and I'd just got some sheet copper so I thought I'd have a play.
I've cut out squares of about 3cm, gently given them a light hammered finish, very slightly domed them and suspended them from Sterling soldered hammered rings with a bit of chain.
These are nice and chunky - not for the faint hearted! Pin It

Treasured Craft Creations

This show was last weekend. Although I wasn't there Jane did a fantastic job of displaying my jewellery for me. Pin It

Post Surgery

Well, I'm out of hospital and resting up. I've just closed my Etsy Shop temporarily as my two craft shows are coming up this weekend and next. I won't actually be there, but my jewellery will be. I'm so lucky to have "stall mates" who are happy to hold the fort and sell for me in my absence. Thanks Jane & Petra :)
I've been adapting some earring stand/Frames I had made. Originally they were just the frames with a couple of small hooks for the earrings to hang from in each section. Unfortunately, the earrings were "lost" against the background of whatever I stood the frames against. So I taped card against the back of the frames with holes for the earring to go through.
My sterling silver and chainmaille looks great against the black although the photo doesn't do them justice. I've added shiny "Sterling Silver" stickers too.
Anyway, I'm very happy with the result - just hope the tape holds out if the weather is hot which it probably will be!
My sister Elaine has lent us some fabulous dark wood jewellery busts she got in Bali which will go great with these stands too. Pin It

so much to do..............

My focus at the moment is making as much jewellery as I can from the supplies I have on hand to stock my upcoming shows.
Once these shows are over I'll have time to experiment with some techniques that are newish to me. I've got all the supplies to etch metal and want to explore this avenue a bit more. I've done a quick experiment but haven't got back to it.
Also, a couple of months ago I did a basic photoshop course, my aim being to be able to improve the quality of my jewellery photos. Although now this has led me to an interest in digital scrapbooking and that's another avenue I'd love to pursue, to do albums for my kids.
Well, I've just bought some great designs on a scrapbook site, and have tweaked them in Photoshop and I think they will work perfectly for etching some copper.
Funny how all my interest are melding together and overlapping :)
Now, I just have to find the time to put it all together..........No wonder the ironing pile is so huge.........so much to do........so little time :) Pin It

Self Promotion or not!?

If you've read this blog you'll notice that I do promote my own creations and that I use it as a marketing tool with links to my Etsy shop. I'd be thrilled of course if you liked my style and headed on over to my shop to check out all the other jewellery I've created .
Well, my 21 year old son has told me that I have missed the point of blogging. In his wisdom, he feels that blogs are not for self promotion but to clutter up the blogosphere with inane ramblings that no one is interested in..........
Well isn't that what I'm doing ?? ;) Pin It

Recent Creations

Above are some chainmaille pendants I made for the upcoming craft shows. I also made some necklaces incorporating some silver discs that I hammered and domed - the one below uses amazonite and the little lizard one one the right is with Botswana Agate. Pin It

Craft Fairs are a goer!

Well, in my recent post I said that I was dropping out of the craft fairs I was scheduled to do on a shared stall because I'm going in for some surgery. I'm pleased to report - The fairs are back on again!! Well, Sort of ...I won't be there, but my stock will be. My friends are quite happy to continue the stalls including my stock, so it's business as usual in my absence.
I'm very grateful as I was wondering what I was going to do with all the jewellery that I had made.
Now I'd better get cracking and make a bit more, I'd sort of stopped production for a while there.

I was going to post some photos but all the camera batteries need recharging. Doncha hate that!
I've got 3 pairs and all of them are flat :( .....................................

.......Ok, the batteries are all charged up - here's my latest - copper, sterling, and fancy jasper pendant on Neoprene. Pin It

Craft Fair Drop out!

I was planning to do two craft fairs next month and early December. I'm really disappointed as I have to drop out of them. I've got some surgery scheduled and I'll still be in rest & recuperation mode when they are on.
One of them is held at the Fremantle Arts Centre. It's a fabulous historical building with the most awesome courtyard - a perfect venue for the bazaar. My jewellery making friends Jane & Petra & I were lucky enough to be selected to show our jewellery there last year and we shared a stall. (pics Above) We had a great weekend and were thrilled to be accepted again this year.
Meanwhile, as I won't be attending this year :( I'll be listing some of the stock I had made for the fairs in my Etsy Shop instead. Keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks as I get my stuff photographed and listed.
If you purchase anything from my shop from now on, I'll add a complimentary pair of sterling silver & Swarovski Christmas Ear threads (crystals in red & green) . I sell these at $US10. Just mention this blog when you order. Offer while stock lasts. Pin It

You can never have too many tools.

I got 2 new tools recently and I've used both of them in this piece. I got a neat pair of pliers that puts a hole in metal with out getting out the drill. It saves so much time - I've been putting holes in all sorts of scrap metal ...well.... just because I can!
My other new tool is a hammer that has ridges carved out of it and it made the neat textured pattern on the disc above. I've polished this one up to a high shine but I want to experiment with oxidising a few pieces soon for a different look. For all you jewellery tool freaks out there, here's where to find these tools and lots of other cool ones too.

The beads in this necklace are mookite or moukite (it seems to be spelt both ways) and I just love the colours which range from sandy yellows, browns& rusty reds. I've got more pictures of this piece here. Pin It

Getting Started

Well, I have to start somewhere and this post is it!

I hope to showcase some of my jewellery designs here.
I mostly do chainmaille, a bit of wirework and have been moving into basic silversmithing techniques lately.
The picture above is the sort of thing I do at the moment.
You can see more of my work at my etsy shop Pin It