New Pieces

Filed under: Color, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

I’m short on time and short on words today, but wanted to put up some pictures of completed necklaces. The copper pendant with the sterling silver cross was born of my efforts to put more movement into pieces. The cross hangs from a hammered figure 8 piece of wire that allows it to swing inside the copper piece. The bumps on the outer edge of the copper were made with my doming set.

The butterfly pendant is atop a domed and stamped piece of copper. I used the torch on the butterfly to give it a bit of color.

This piece is made of ruby zoisite (large chips) and kiwi. I used plated silver beads and added some blue rounds to the necklace. I regret the color doesn’t show very well in the photo

This piece took several days because I didn’t know what I was doing. I wanted to do a layered pendant and use rivets, but in the end I just have layers and fake rivets. The oval is copper and the diamond shape is brass that I stamped with Ranger brand alcohol ink to add a bit of color.

The seed bead pendant has been close to completion for quite a while. Now I can check it off the list of UFOs (unfinished objects. . . check . . . Hurray!)

Color, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work comment

Using the Right Tools

Filed under: Philosophy, Techniques | Back to: Homepage

I started beading ten years ago and remember spending considerable time searching for an appropriate way to store, yet have available, the many beads in my stash. At that time I had no idea that my hobby would eventually require so many different tools. While stringing beads requires several tools, working with wire and metal in jewelry design takes many more. Today, I spent most of the day rearranging my studio and realized just how many great tools I’ve acquired. Most of these came my way as a result of generous gifts from my family and friends. (Thanks!)

I’m not a big tool buyer. I try to make do with what I have, but have learned several lessons lately about how having the correct tools can make things easier. This, of course, doesn’t just apply to making jewelry, but to many other things.

For example, yesterday I visited my mother at the nursing home., I meant to take my good scissors because she has been considering having me cut her hair since before Christmas. I put it off by saying, “Let’s wait and ask your granddaughter.” This seemed to be a good idea and it worked well until after the holidays and everyone, including her granddaughter, went home. I had my nerve up to cut her hair this week, but forgot to take the needed tool – my sharp scissors. When I told Mamaw, she announced that SHE had scissors. “But Mother,” I said, “ those are for paper”. “Well, I don’t want to be butchered up,” she replied. To show her that they wouldn’t work, I took her scissors and whacked through the nearest thing I could find – a Kleenex. Unfortunately, the scissors worked great and we took on the task of cutting her hair with the old pair of scissors meant for paper. Now grey hair is not the same texture as a Kleenex, but by the time I thought of that, I was worn down and resigned to my task.

We started with a towel around her shoulders to catch the falling hair. She couldn’t see how much the towel was catching, but she could see the tiny pieces of hair that kept falling on her sweatshirt and so she kept wiggling as she flicked them off. Eventually, we removed the sweatshirt, but that didn’t help much. I hooked up her hairdryer and used it to blow the hair off of her, but she insisted that it was “too hot.” She hollered once when I got the comb hung in her earring and we had to stop to remove them. We stopped again to remove her hearing aids since she was sure I was going to cut them and another time to move her glasses (I thought this might help if I got the hair a little crooked, but it didn’t help at all. That woman has great eyes for spotting uneven hair whether or not she’s wearing her glasses.)

A couple of times I thought I was finished, but when she looked in the mirror, she found places that needed more whacking. She was sure one side was longer than the other and I was unable to convince her that her head was just leaning. When I thought I was finished, she still complained about her fly away hair, full of electricity due to the full-blast heating of the room. Thinking I could cure it, I used hair spray and announced her complete. Then she took the comb and, of course, when she ran it through her hair, it flew away again. Eventually, we agreed that we would stop for the day realizing we could always cut a bit more since she had her own scissors. I donned my coat to leave only to see her looking in the mirror and pointing to her neck. Yes, I had left a little long hair that was now showing. I whacked it off and exited quickly.

With the right “tool”, I’m sure I could have done a better job cutting my mother’s hair, but we might not have had such an interesting time. Part of the problem was not the tool, but rather my lack of expertise in cutting hair. I guess you can have the best tools in the world, but without technique and practice, you can’t be an expert.

While I don’t plan to become an expert at cutting hair, this Mamaw episode does bring light upon my wire work. I have good tools, and creative designs, yet much of my work still looks quite amateur. Those great Lindstrom tools that I bought just can’t do it all by themselves. So I guess I’ll keep asking questions of my expert friends and keep practicing. I used to try to teach my highly creative students that they couldn’t get by on just great ideas. They had to learn how to bring them to fruition and that takes practice. Now I need to practice what I used to preach.

As for my wire and metal work, I believe there is hope.  Besides, now if I need to really find out how my designs look or whether the wires are even, I’m just going to ask Mamaw, with or without her glasses.

Philosophy, Techniques 2 comments

Warm

Filed under: Bracelets, Metal Work, Techniques | Back to: Homepage

The word for today in Central Texas is warm . . . as in try to stay that way. With temperatures lower than we have seen them in over 10 years, the men here at the ranch have raced to stay ahead of the freeze and provide water for all the animals. We’ve worried about how our cattle would get water if any pipes burst since our animals largely get their water from above-ground containers. Trying to keep the pipes warm, every water outlet has been covered and/or insulated along with other precautions. Getting ahead of any potential pipe problems, many of the animals have been moved to different pastures where natural tanks are located. In other words, warmth for the pipes has been a big deal.

The dogs and cat get to stay warm in the garage at night (in separate rooms, of course) and the pregnant dog gets to come indoors. The people at Dreamcatcher are on their own.

Before the coldest snap hit, I was happily warming copper with a torch outdoors. Yesterday, that activity took place in the garage, but today it’s even too cold for that. I like the colors produced by the torch on copper as shown in the cuff below.

I also torched a flat piece of copper and then cut out earrings in the places where the colors were most vibrant. I think this may be a good process as opposed to cutting out the object and then hoping to achieve good colors. “Warming” the metal is intriguing and I’m anxious to get going with other designs. Check back for more pictures.

Of course there is another connotation for warm. What warms your heart? A couple of pictures from Christmas morning tell most of the story for Nanaw and Sir (the name my husband said the grandchildren should call him).

   Here’s hoping you can stay warm one way or another.

Bracelets, Metal Work, Techniques comment

Sinful Hammering

Filed under: Pendants, Philosophy, Techniques | Back to: Homepage

Last night I picked up my largest hammer and smashed the beads!

It took a good deal of nerve and went against my usual routine of caring for the beads, but I did it anyway. It was the right thing to do.

I decided my relationship with those beads was an analogy to people relationships. Most of the time, you really nurture them, but occasionally, things just need a good whack, figuratively speaking. ( I don’t believe in violence.)

A customer mentioned that she was hunting a large black cross and, looking at all my earth colored offerings, said that she really liked burgundy, black and silver. Hmm . . . I guess my carnelian, turquoise and copper didn’t quite work. Figuring that if this person spoke up about wanting different colors there were probably others who were too timid to tell me, I launched a search to fill her desires.

I located a big silver plated cross at Paper Bear in San Marcos. It is the type with a reservoir for filling (a smaller one is pictured here). The problem became how to fill it. It tried various beads, chips, etc., but came up a loser. Finally, in desperation I saw my hammer and took action. First I tried to hammer black obsidian. I think the beads broke, but they went scurrying off the bench block so quickly, disappearing into the carpet, that I really can’t say how they turned out. Next, I tried hammering black onyx. Starting gently, not wanting to lose onyx like I did obsidian, I whacked the bead. Nothing . . . adding a bit more umph, I whacked again . . . nothing. I do believe that onyx is tougher than obsidian.

Now what? I hunted for black chips appropriate for smashing and finding none, I grabbed some Miyuki 4 mm cubes. I put them in a plastic sack and hammered. Those little guys are stronger than you think and punched holes in my sack before morphing into the small powder-like substance I wanted. Three punctured sacks later, I had the material for filling the cross. As the picture shows, the effect is rather unusual, but it certainly was a good deal of trouble. The cross will hang from a strand composed of sterling silver spacers, black onyx rounds and kiwi from Magpie Gemstones. I’m also thinking that the next time I decide to hammer beads, I’ll use the less expensive variety and a stronger sack.

Here’s the question. Is it a sin to hammer your beads? Someone or something worked hard to get them into their purchased shape and with a wham of the hammer, it can be gone.

I think it’s OK. I have a feeling there will be many sinners in bead heaven. Perhaps some will have done far worse things than hammering the beads. Here’s my philosophy . . . it’s better to take your frustrations out on your beads than on your family and friends. So, go ahead and WHACK!

Pendants, Philosophy, Techniques 4 comments

Mixed Metal Jewelry

Filed under: Bracelets, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

When I first saw mixed metal designs advertised in the magazines and books, I didn’t think I liked them. Yet, I’ve tried to keep an open mind about it and the idea of putting copper, brass and silver together is growing on me. I’ve had a great time making mixed metal earrings as shown in earlier posts. I’ve made about 10 more pair this week which incorporate not only the three metals mentions above, but also leather and assorted findings from Home Depot. I think the people who work at that store were a bit amused when this woman got excited about discoveries made in the assorted washers isle. I found some great washers in aluminum (I think) that look like tiny cog wheels.

I’ve had Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet by Mary Hettmansberger since my son gave it to me as a gift last year. This week, I tried the pendant on the cover which I made with adjustments for my materials. I added a couple of mother of pearl rectangles to calm the bright brass on the pendant. Since I didn’t have any silver sheet metal, I used a bit of hammered wire. The heavy copper washer on the back that helps keep the pendant from flipping over is not shown. I first tried this pendant on a silver chain, but thought it was too much and over powered the pendant. I like the leather better. I’ve worn this piece a couple of times this week, but had only one comment from passers by. I’m perplexed as to whether it wasn’t noticed or whether people didn’t like it. Perhaps it requires a different venue and deserves another outing.

I also made a mixed metal bracelet and am happy with it. It hasn’t been “out” yet. I have a feeling it will be more popular than the pendant since woman really like their gemstones. I may try adding a gemstone to the next mixed metal pendant to see if that improves its popularity. Sometimes, a designer just needs to realize that a piece may not have mass appeal, but be looking for that one person who appreciates its uniqueness. hmm . . . this sounds like marriage!

Bracelets, Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work 2 comments

The Seedier Side

Filed under: Bracelets, Techniques | Back to: Homepage

I haven’t done as much seed beading lately as I used to, but Friday, as I walked by a tray of turquoise on my table, a bead whistled my name. I picked it up and felt it should become a Fall bracelet. In order to make the freeform peyote used with this stone more interesting, I started in the middle with the stone. Usually, I start at one end and work toward the focal. I enjoyed this technique and will try it again soon. The pictures shown really don’t do the stone justice. I would take another photo, but I had it with me and a store purchased it. Don’t you just love a fast turn around?

The problem with quick sales, is that I sometimes jump to erroneous conclusions. I begin to think the design or color combination is really going to catch on and I repeat it too many times. Then I realize that the initial sale just happened to go to the one person who liked it rather than selling because it was such a winner. Alas, how do we know a winner from a one-timer? Lately, I’ve been trying not to go all out when something sells quickly. Should I make another similar piece like this bracelet? Of Course! Shall I make 14 of them? Of Course NOT! It’s such a shame that I must use common sense even when I’m creating. Bummer!

Bracelets, Techniques comment

Out on a Limb

Filed under: Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

Today’s photo shows another pin turned pendant from the same family as the dog shown in an earlier post. Although these pins, given to me for creation by the owner of Dovetails of Wimberley, presented considerable challenge, I’m pleased to understand how to alter a pin and will be more open minded about the pendant possibilities that other pins offer. In case you didn’t read the earlier post, the process involves making and gluing a wire finding to the back of the pin which turns it into a pendant.  Thankfully, I’m no longer “out on a limb” regarding this technique.

Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work comment

Summer Colors?

Filed under: Color, Necklaces, Techniques, vendors | Back to: Homepage

Finished! I’ve been working on this piece for several days and it finally came together this afternoon. It was ordered by a store in Fredericksburg that sold one in similar colors earlier this summer. I’ve always thought of the browns and blacks for Fall, but mixed with the light teal and a touch of yellow and gold, this seems to work for summer. This peyote necklace has a nice Turquoise Jasper cabachon (Magpie Gemstones) in the center and I backed this stone with ultrasuede. I also added an extra row of beads completely around the neckline at a right angle to the peyote stitches. This should help the piece keep it’s shape while it remains supple and comfortable. The piece is stitched with 6 lb test Fireline fishing line.

It was amusing that as I was finishing this piece, the ping of my computer alerted me that I had received an email. It was from Barry at Caravan Beads. This is my main source for wholesale seed beads (Miyuki) and the vendor from whom I purchased the beads for the above necklace. He was offering to trade the cloudy, rainy northern weather in his neck of the woods for some sunshine. I offered to take the deal and said I would throw in some feral hogs from my pasture to boot. He replied that he wanted the weather, but not the hogs. While both he and a store I deal with in Maine were sharing that customers were hard to come by due to their too-wet summer weather. The merchants I talked with close to San Marcos and the Hill Country had much the same concerns with our too hot summer weather. Either way, I guess it’s summer and we’re all dealing with one thing or another.

Just as I’ve had to keep an open mind about those dark colors and their appropriateness for summer, I’ve got to keep an open mind about the weather. When it changes (for the better) people will be ready to get out and will definitely need to shop. I plan to have plenty of options for them to see. As I’ve heard Suzie from Aunties Beads say “you’ve got to have product!”

Color, Necklaces, Techniques, vendors comment

New Vendor Find

Filed under: Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, vendors | Back to: Homepage

I enjoyed attending the Bead Jamboree in San Antonio last weekend. Being a bit of a home body, I tried to talk myself out of going several times, but finally went ahead. I currently purchase most everything from www.magpiegemstones.com and really didn’t need to go to the show. Yet, I wanted to support my friends who were vending and teaching at this venue.

Luckily, I met a “new-to-me” vendor and enjoyed exploring the possibilities her merchandise provided. (www.acharmcollection.com) The cross necklace at the left resulted from the use of her metal products and I have several other pieces that will evolve from visiting this vendor. She sells metal charms, etc. such as those shown in the picture below. While it may not be a new technique, she talked with me about layering gemstones on her pieces. Prices were quite reasonable and I’m trying some of her ideas. The first few customers who saw this cross wanted it and I’m hoping the designs will be pleasing. 

Economically speaking, the price point for these plated silver and gemstone pieces will be very affordable for customers. While I didn’t use expensive turquoise in the necklace shown, it is still pretty and Mother says it will be meaningful to those who see it. (She was sure that I had made it for her . . . hint, hint.)

I’m pleased to find another helpful, pleasant vendor, but I still want to support those suppliers who have been good to me. This “new find” simply adds one more possibility to design options.

Metal Work, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, vendors 1 comment

Look for Connections

Filed under: Creativity, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work | Back to: Homepage

I’m still “gone to the dogs” today. Dovetails sent the dog in the picture home with me to use for a necklace. The dog is a pin and we thought it might be cute in another design. Sherry, from my wire work group, showed me how to create a wire coil with loops that will fit around the pin for attaching it. Thanks Sherry!

After finishing the doggie necklace, complete with handmade copper wire dog bones, I donned it to be sure it would hang correctly. OOPS! That silly little dog wanted to flip over and lay on it’s stomach. Now What? 

I had been to the Bead Jamboree in San Antonio and talked with a vendor selling plated charms, etc. She showed me how she glued filigrees on to the back of the charms that didn’t have holes in order to make a hanger. I more or less disregarded her suggestion thinking I would just drill a hole for the hangers I needed. But, when that puppy did its flip, I realized that her idea might be golden. Using E 6000 glue, I attached the dog pin to the handmade filigree and “hurray” now he’s a dog on his feet.

While I can’t proclaim that this is a major “aha” and some would say it was obvious all along, I do know that we must remain open to connections. Although I often disregard a technique someone it showing me, I do try to pay attention and store it in the back of my mind. You just never know when someone’s idea can be adapted to your own problem.

I guess that’s really what listening is all about – making connections for the now or for the future. Part of listening is honoring the person who is talking by giving him or her your attention. I’ve always thought it was my job to applaud the person for their discovery even if I didn’t value it for myself. Yet, someone else’s idea may later combine with your own adaptation when you least expect it.

Just think about the Wright Brothers who could fly their plane, but couldn’t make it turn. Watching an eagle tip its wings one day while making a turn is said to have provided them with the idea for making that first airplane turn. I’m sure glad they were paying attention or we all might be flying straight into mountains were it not for that great connection.

I’m looking forward to using this technique again on the bird pin that’s next on the queue. We’ll see what hatches.

By the way, you’ll soon find these necklaces at Dovetail of Wimberley just waiting to be adopted.

Creativity, Necklaces, Pendants, Techniques, Wire Work comment