My First Torched Enamel Pieces

Had a fabulous class today. Torch Enameling by Steven James.

Here’s what I made in this half day class:



Considering this is the first time I've used enamels like this, I think the results are okay. This is a skill I plan to continue working on to improve. I really like it.

Learned a lot this weekend that will help me in my attempt to minimalize by studio set-up as well as continue in a greener direction with everything. I’ll touch on these things in future posts.

On Nov 13th's blog post, Melanie-Pearl commented: L.O.V.E. the colors! WOW!!!!!!!!!!! you know what's funny about that riveted jump ring---i just paid $100 for link-lock jump rings yesterday. i'm going to use them on some custom orders i'm putting together. i figured the expense was worth it because i don't won't to be repairing these orders for life. (they have enamelling on them so i don't want to solder them shut.) i can hardly imagine setting a hundred tiny rivets in tiny jump rings. did you need a microscope? :)

Ha! Thanks for the compliment, Melanie. I, too, love the colors, but I don’t think I can sell any of these creations until I do a LOT of testing… the first thing we were told in class is that these colors are temporary. Hmph! They won’t FADE, but they will eventually WEAR. I want to define “eventually” a little more… and I want to test out a variety of coatings in an attempt to make the longevity of the jewelry a bit more.

Wow… that’s a lot of link-locks you bought, but they sure look like they’d come in handy. I hope you bought them at somewhere like OttoFrei ‘cause I just saw some somewhere else for $4.55 each. Eek!

Too funny about the microscope. :-) It wasn’t as dreadful to do as it looks. The jumpring is actually 19mm, so it’s pretty big. I might try making a few for a more industrial-type necklace. We’ll see.

BTW, I love the rings in your blog today. You rock!

TTYL!

My First B.A.B.E Class 2009

B.A.B.E (continued)

Had a “Color and Patina” class at B.A.B.E. today. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was really cool and I learned a lot. (Okay, I thought, y’know… patinas… as in liver of sulfur and stuff like that… heh.)

If you want to see what I made, go to Going Green Jewelry.

Aside from color, I made a ball headpin and a cold-riveted jumpring (which I liked so much I’m using it as a pinky ring!).

The two instructors, Anne Mitchell and Gail Moore, are really nice.

Okay, pathetic time…. It’s 8:30pm and I’m crawling into bed now. I’ll write more tomorrow… just SOOOO tired right now.

TTYL!

What I made in color and patina class

Had a “Color and Patina” class at B.A.B.E. today. Here’s what I made…








That last thing is a cold-riveted jumpring (which I liked so much I’m using it as a pinky ring!).

Tomorrow is torch enameling.

I have more to talk about regarding green and stuff… but right now I’m exhausted and heading to bed.

TTYL!

New Jewelry, Necklace Project, B.A.B.E.

B.A.B.E.

Going to BABE (Bay Area Bead Extravaganza) this weekend…. Starting tomorrow, with a class on color and patina. Have a shorter class on Saturday on… um… oh yeah, torch enameling. Will spend some time Saturday morning wandering around the bead show with Alex. I may go back Sunday if I don’t get a chance to see everything (or everything I want to see) on Saturday.

Since I’m not buying BEADS for jewelry making this year, the only things I can buy at BABE will be tools, findings, spacer beads, and focals for my own personal use.


THE NECKLACE

In light of that, I think I should get started on… MY NECKLACE.

What is “my necklace”? Over the years, I’ve collected some really neat Lampwork beads… ones I wanted to keep for myself, rather than use in jewelry I sell. But… it seemed a shame to keep these fabulous beads stuck in a box or a drawer and I didn’t feel much differently about putting them on display somehow in my house/apt… I mean, c’mon, how many people come over? Ha ha ha!

So… I thought I’d make them all into a necklace. Yeah, I know it won’t like MATCH or anything, but it would make ME feel good to have all those beauties around me. I mean, afterall, what’s the point of collecting something unless the object(s) brings you happiness.

So I’m thinking of wire-wrapping with heavy gauge sterling, just one bead after another. I may alternate large beads and smaller beads, but that’s probably it for variation or pattern.


NEW JEWELRY

Here’s what’s left of the new listings (sorry I was late in posting them here)…






Got some copper rings in the mail today (thanks, Karen!) for a project that a handful of LE’ers are participating in. Don’t have a clue yet what I want to make… maybe I can put some thought to that tomorrow.


TV

I’m watching a documentary at the moment about the 2012 predictions. I don’t personally believe anything too significant will happen then but it’s interesting to hear all the science and history that marks the occasion.

The Sharks are on in half an hour. They play Dallas. Hope it’s as good a game as the last one we watched (and how fabulous that Mon, Gabe and I all got to be together to watch that last game!). A co-worker is going to tonight’s game… it’s her first hockey game ever. :-)

At nine is Supernatural.


Anyway, I’d better go now. Want to straighten up the apartment a little so it’s clean during the weekend.

Before I go… I just wanted to show you what I think of as fabulous precision (and awesome beauty)…

Gina beads!

TTYL!


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Spending Time, and Some New Jewelry Listings

TIME

I might try taking the laptop to practice tonight so I can finish listing. No listing time!

Unless I have enough time between work and leaving the house to organize the supplies needed to make something for the raffle/auction for this Saturday… then I could do that.


JEWELRY

I got three bracelets listed yesterday (I think it was yesterday).
(Click a pick for more info)










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