Some simple single bead earrings with square & rectangle beads and Rectangular ear wires.
Friday, January 28, 2011
JAW - Week 4
Busy week with other things so to make up for the lack of creativity - I've gone for multiples!
Some simple single bead earrings with square & rectangle beads and Rectangular ear wires.
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Some simple single bead earrings with square & rectangle beads and Rectangular ear wires.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
JAW Week 3
This week I tackled an unfinished object. I have very many UFO's and I look at them periodically to see if they move me to finish them! Mostly they don't - but this week I saw this disc that I'd "bumped" texture wise and decided to make a pendant with it.
I'd textured the metal previously with my Automatic Centre Punch - a neat tool that is designed for making a mark in metal where you want to drill a hole - it stops the drill bit from slipping. I had more fun with my less boring use for it though. I loved the bumpy texture it made which I discovered when I was doing the holes in my button pendants.
Even though this is my personal challenge and I make the rules, I thought I'd better not cheat, so I made another piece of jewellery from scratch as well: the "(less)Bumpy" Earrings!
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I'd textured the metal previously with my Automatic Centre Punch - a neat tool that is designed for making a mark in metal where you want to drill a hole - it stops the drill bit from slipping. I had more fun with my less boring use for it though. I loved the bumpy texture it made which I discovered when I was doing the holes in my button pendants.
Even though this is my personal challenge and I make the rules, I thought I'd better not cheat, so I made another piece of jewellery from scratch as well: the "(less)Bumpy" Earrings!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
JAW Week 2
Aargh, I'm only into week two of my personal challenge to make a piece of jewellery a week and I really thought it was going to go pear shaped this week - I've been very productive in other things around the house and at work this week but the week slipped by and I hadn't looked at my jewellery tools at all. (Except for my vice which is still attached to the meals area table from my last project -so it's hard to avoid, in fact I even dusted it!)
Last chance today for week 2 so I knuckled down and made this little Pendant. It may seem like I have a haberdashery obsession but really I don't - it's just a phase I'm going through, but I do like all the bits and pieces when they're replicated in Silver :)
My pendantwill be is up for sale soon here in This Etsy shop which has been set up by volunteer members of the Etsy Community to help raise funds for The Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal.
The shop is full of great stock, so check it all out, as proceeds (less Etsy & Paypal Fees) from your purchases will help the Victims from the recent tragic flooding in Queensland. Pin It
Last chance today for week 2 so I knuckled down and made this little Pendant. It may seem like I have a haberdashery obsession but really I don't - it's just a phase I'm going through, but I do like all the bits and pieces when they're replicated in Silver :)
My pendant
The shop is full of great stock, so check it all out, as proceeds (less Etsy & Paypal Fees) from your purchases will help the Victims from the recent tragic flooding in Queensland. Pin It
Sunday, January 09, 2011
JAW Week 1 - New Personal Challenge
I notice many bloggers set themselves challenges. The one that springs to mind is the photo a day challenge. One friend Amanda has just finished her year of photos and another Feli has just started for the year.
Last year many jewellery artists took on the challenge to make a Ring a Day (RAD) and this year there's a Ring A Week (RAW) challenge going on. I sat on the sidelines and watched in awe at the creations and the commitment.
Inspired by this, I've set myself my own little personal challenge this year - My Jewellery a week (JAW) project - It'll be a personal little motivational tool just for me to get me moving: off the computer (hopefully) and into production. And at the end of it all I hope to have at least 52 pieces of jewellery to show for it.
No other rules or conditions apply, I'm just setting myself a goal to make at least one piece of jewellery a week.
Week 1: Handsawn and Textured Sterling Heart Pendant with Single Crystal drop.
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Last year many jewellery artists took on the challenge to make a Ring a Day (RAD) and this year there's a Ring A Week (RAW) challenge going on. I sat on the sidelines and watched in awe at the creations and the commitment.
Inspired by this, I've set myself my own little personal challenge this year - My Jewellery a week (JAW) project - It'll be a personal little motivational tool just for me to get me moving: off the computer (hopefully) and into production. And at the end of it all I hope to have at least 52 pieces of jewellery to show for it.
No other rules or conditions apply, I'm just setting myself a goal to make at least one piece of jewellery a week.
Week 1: Handsawn and Textured Sterling Heart Pendant with Single Crystal drop.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Happy New Year
Happy New Year to all.
Years ago when the kids were younger we got a few little cacti and popped them in a terracotta bowl. It was something for the kids to grow. They lost interest in their little 'garden' about a week later but the cacti have continued to grow over the years, surviving on the water I give them sporadically but mostly thriving on neglect. I've often thought to rehouse them in a bigger pot but if I get too close they warn me off with their spikes. That and the redback spiders that reside there ensure I keep my distance- they don't seem to mind the prickles.
The biggest cactus thanked me for the rations of water I've provided by coming out in this beautiful white flower on the last day of 2010 - it wasn't over thankful though because by the end of the first day of 2011 the flower had drooped and wilted and no amount of talking, attention or water was going to bring it back!
What great timing - that it's short 24 hour lifespan saw the old year out and welcomed the New Year in!
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Years ago when the kids were younger we got a few little cacti and popped them in a terracotta bowl. It was something for the kids to grow. They lost interest in their little 'garden' about a week later but the cacti have continued to grow over the years, surviving on the water I give them sporadically but mostly thriving on neglect. I've often thought to rehouse them in a bigger pot but if I get too close they warn me off with their spikes. That and the redback spiders that reside there ensure I keep my distance- they don't seem to mind the prickles.
The biggest cactus thanked me for the rations of water I've provided by coming out in this beautiful white flower on the last day of 2010 - it wasn't over thankful though because by the end of the first day of 2011 the flower had drooped and wilted and no amount of talking, attention or water was going to bring it back!
What great timing - that it's short 24 hour lifespan saw the old year out and welcomed the New Year in!
Friday, December 31, 2010
A time for reflection - where the heck did 2010 go??
As 2010 comes to an end and I reflect on the year - all I can think of is - heck - that went fast! It may have dragged for others but I'll bet they are young - Pretty much for anyone my age ( I'll be coy!) I expect that it flew by!
Creatively 2010 has been a 'so so' year for me. I've had many great ideas for designs but in reality many pieces have bombed - Firescale - how I hate thee! I've unintentionally melted a few great ideas and I somehow wonder how I managed to solder anything successfully sometimes. My enameling has been a bit hit and miss but I loved the class I took earlier this year and am looking forward to experimenting more with powdered glass!
On a positive note, I redid my button pendant in 2 sizes. It's evolved very subtlety - but I think they work as well as the original which is currently with my daughter on her backpacking adventures around Europe and the UK and is apparently collecting the occasional compliment when she wears it. .
I was chuffed when, after sending some work to my retail stockist the other week that these pieces and another piece sold immediately :) So, all in all maybe 2010 wasn't too bad after all :)
Anyway, I've decided that for 2011 that I'm going back to basics. I'm going to revisit the techniques I learned as a beginner - piercing, hammering, riveting and yes even soldering, maybe re do a few pieces that were successful, maybe reinvent them a little, but generally hone in on technique. I might even do a few step by step projects from the magazines I subscribe to consolidate the re learning process.
And to finish off the year creatively I made these two pendants. The simple clean lines that I love - no soldering just simple metal forming. I was playing around to see if I could make a mobius ring inspired by my friend Annie's love of all things mobius. The ring bit didn't work for me but I loved twisting the metal and these were the happy result.
I'm feeling very positive about it all.........Roll on 2011 ...Happy New Year to you all........ Pin It
Creatively 2010 has been a 'so so' year for me. I've had many great ideas for designs but in reality many pieces have bombed - Firescale - how I hate thee! I've unintentionally melted a few great ideas and I somehow wonder how I managed to solder anything successfully sometimes. My enameling has been a bit hit and miss but I loved the class I took earlier this year and am looking forward to experimenting more with powdered glass!
On a positive note, I redid my button pendant in 2 sizes. It's evolved very subtlety - but I think they work as well as the original which is currently with my daughter on her backpacking adventures around Europe and the UK and is apparently collecting the occasional compliment when she wears it. .
I was chuffed when, after sending some work to my retail stockist the other week that these pieces and another piece sold immediately :) So, all in all maybe 2010 wasn't too bad after all :)
Anyway, I've decided that for 2011 that I'm going back to basics. I'm going to revisit the techniques I learned as a beginner - piercing, hammering, riveting and yes even soldering, maybe re do a few pieces that were successful, maybe reinvent them a little, but generally hone in on technique. I might even do a few step by step projects from the magazines I subscribe to consolidate the re learning process.
And to finish off the year creatively I made these two pendants. The simple clean lines that I love - no soldering just simple metal forming. I was playing around to see if I could make a mobius ring inspired by my friend Annie's love of all things mobius. The ring bit didn't work for me but I loved twisting the metal and these were the happy result.
I'm feeling very positive about it all.........Roll on 2011 ...Happy New Year to you all........ Pin It
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
I should be so Lucky - Lucky , Lucky, Lucky!
Yep, not Kylie Minogue but me! (Aussie reference for my US readers!)
Today the postie delivered a package - I won a prize on a blog giveaway and today it arrived! Thanks so much Jacquie :)
Jacquie makes the most wonderfully luscious Body Products. My prize was the 'Energy' Body Butter from her Empire of Delight collection. And receiving this was a delight. First, the cool Art work on the Post Pak - I'll bet that made the postie smile, then the wrapping which made me smile, then the product packaging which was so classy and stylish and finally the Body Butter which smelt divine. I put some on my hands right away and now several hours later I'm in awe of how soft & smooth my usually wrinkled housewife hands feel.
Jacquie has an Etsy Shop and a web site which she is currently revamping, so check out her blog for updates.
Empire Of Delight sell at selected markets around Perth too so make sure you keep an eye out for her - she has a huge following locally for her awesome bath bombs too. Pin It
Today the postie delivered a package - I won a prize on a blog giveaway and today it arrived! Thanks so much Jacquie :)
Jacquie makes the most wonderfully luscious Body Products. My prize was the 'Energy' Body Butter from her Empire of Delight collection. And receiving this was a delight. First, the cool Art work on the Post Pak - I'll bet that made the postie smile, then the wrapping which made me smile, then the product packaging which was so classy and stylish and finally the Body Butter which smelt divine. I put some on my hands right away and now several hours later I'm in awe of how soft & smooth my usually wrinkled housewife hands feel.
Jacquie has an Etsy Shop and a web site which she is currently revamping, so check out her blog for updates.
Empire Of Delight sell at selected markets around Perth too so make sure you keep an eye out for her - she has a huge following locally for her awesome bath bombs too. Pin It
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree............
Each year when I unpack the tree, I look at the box and silently wonder why my tree looks nothing like the picture on the box. The photo on the box is a lush Canadian faux Pine with dense branches full of greenery. On my tree the branches are not dense or lush and I can see the wall behind through all the gaps.
I muse on which family got the got the lovely Canadian Pine that was supposed to be packed in my box ;)
I was thinking about getting a real tree this year instead and found this article online about real versus fake trees. Real trees come out way in front despite the longevity of a fake tree - apparently fake trees are replaced every 6 to 9 years. Using that logic then, if I keep my tree out of landfill for longer than the average 9 years then I'm reducing it's carbon footprint a bit more to try and even up the score.
So for the sake of the planet it's here to oversee many more Christmases with us. It's already done it's 9 years of duty as I have photos of the kids sitting in front of it in 2001 when we got our first digital camera.
Besides it brushes up pretty well when it's all dressed up.....and it doesn't drop pine needles either...
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I was thinking about getting a real tree this year instead and found this article online about real versus fake trees. Real trees come out way in front despite the longevity of a fake tree - apparently fake trees are replaced every 6 to 9 years. Using that logic then, if I keep my tree out of landfill for longer than the average 9 years then I'm reducing it's carbon footprint a bit more to try and even up the score.
So for the sake of the planet it's here to oversee many more Christmases with us. It's already done it's 9 years of duty as I have photos of the kids sitting in front of it in 2001 when we got our first digital camera.
Besides it brushes up pretty well when it's all dressed up.....and it doesn't drop pine needles either...
Friday, November 19, 2010
Pickle Break out!
The other day I made up some pickle with a mix of vinegar & salt in a little container. I had a copper piece to pickle and I didn't want to use the same solution that I use for my silver jewellery.
I used the satay stick to stir the solution and the plastic forks to get my jewellery piece in and out and when I'd finished I just rested them across the container and walked away. Today I walked past and noticed this rather disturbing but none the less pretty scene.
Little did I know the pickle had aspirations to be a science experiment and would use these implements to transform and attempt an escape :)
PS: for non jewellery makers - I'm not talking about the yummy crunchy green things we eat but a solution to remove fire scale after soldering! Pin It
I used the satay stick to stir the solution and the plastic forks to get my jewellery piece in and out and when I'd finished I just rested them across the container and walked away. Today I walked past and noticed this rather disturbing but none the less pretty scene.
Little did I know the pickle had aspirations to be a science experiment and would use these implements to transform and attempt an escape :)
PS: for non jewellery makers - I'm not talking about the yummy crunchy green things we eat but a solution to remove fire scale after soldering! Pin It
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