‘Twas Two Days Before Christmas . . .

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. . . and all through the town . . .

Today I happily set out with a small group of errands to run, none of which would be life or season threatening if not accomplished. It’s a very cold day here in Central Texas and I was sure that shoppers would don the Christmas spirit along with their jackets today.

People were actually quite cheery at my first stop; but then I was just finishing up a previously ordered large purchase and they were feeling good about it. The “spirit” of people at my next stop wasn’t quite the same. There were lots of shoppers at Penney’s and they were NOT all smiling. I felt sorry for the little children there who were either being pushed in a store cart or ushered by hand around the building. I was hopeful of finding a smiling child and eventually spotted two. Their dad had them in a double stroller and was tilting it as he tried to convince the little guys that they were flying. I hope the mom, who was shopping nearby, appreciated the delightful squeals of her children.

I also saw a large fellow standing very still as he looked at the women’s slippers hanging on the wall. He just stood there; so I just watched. Finally he removed a carefully folded list from his coat pocket. He put it back and continued to just stand there. Perhaps I should have offered to help, but, knowing that advise sometimes adds more confusion, I just moved on.

Many of the people in the store just looked confused. It’s that time of the season when you can no longer put off choosing what to get for Aunt Margaret or Uncle Harry. I noted that some people look downright angry when they are forced into last minute decisions.

A pair of women, having trouble making a choice, eventually grabbed a garment and determined they could take the one they already purchased back. I think there will be many returns after Christmas and I’m really glad that doesn’t usually happen with the jewelry I sell.

I traveled on to Walmart and kept watching for smiling Christmas shoppers. Several times I observed older couples and thought one or the other of them was smiling. Then I realized that when you’ve lost several teeth, your lips take on a different shape that can look like a smile. (Actually, some looked like frowns.) I hope when my teeth fall out I’m left smiling.

Although I had planned some other stops, I came home right after Walmart. I had collected all the smile data I needed for the day and concluded that the facial expressions I sought just weren’t very abundant. At home, I put the Christmas music on, gave the animals extra treats and put on my own smile. I plan to keep it on my face for many days. This is more important than what I’m giving people. My family may not remember what I gave them for Christmas, but they will probably remember my disposition!

One of the gifts I made best depicts the source of my feelings for the season.

I just need to realize how happiness comes from that which touches my heart and let the cross remind me of the source of the true Christmas spirit. I hope this also puts a smile on your face.

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‘Tis the Season For . . .

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

. . . RED! It’s interesting to watch groups of people and note the predominance of things that are red this time of year. Red sweatshirts, red blouses, red skirts and red Santa hats seem to be in vogue. It also seems a good time for red noses as winter ebbs and flows in the center of Texas. Amid the red I keep hearing “cough, cough, s n e e z e!” Yes – ‘tis that time of year too.

Red jewelry also seems to be popular right now. I’ve sold all the coral necklaces I made and have noticed an abundance of red bling on the necks and wrists of shoppers.

I tried to wear red bling. Several weeks ago I made a red garnet pendant and hung it from black seed beads. It just didn’t work. One reason was that it was not the right length. This became apparent when I wore it to a wire workers meetup and people kept saying “pull your necklace up” or “pull your shirt down.” These gals are very helpful and obviously I needed to do something about that red necklace.

Last night I took it apart and reworked the little jewel. This is not my favorite part of designing, but every once in a while you just have to give in and admit you didn’t get it right the first time.

I changed the strands from which the pendant hangs to a type of figure eight double strand. In the dark last night it looked great. In the light this morning IT DIDN’T! Although all the beads are garnet, they didn’t all look the same color. Therefore, midday brought another necklace revision wherein I added some of the strand beads to the pendant. I’m almost afraid to look at it again, but am hoping I have it right this time.

Right now I’m thinking that it’s too bad you can’t give unmatched beads a dip in something, like you do with metal in liver of sulphur, to make them end up the same color. If there are any chemists out there – go for it! (OK – I’m sure all you gemologists just cringed – sorry.)

When I struggle with a piece like this I try to figure out what, if anything, I learned from the project. This piece taught me to pay more attention to how I finish something, to try on a piece as I work on it, to look at things more often in good light and to accept that good resistance to closure may go on for weeks. “Yet, red necklace, I’m definitely finished with you now.”

Happy Red to all of you!

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Laughter and Productivity

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Most of us know that laughter is an excellent way to prepare for creative thinking. The research certainly backs this up and I can attest to it. When I worked with the Creativity Division of the National Association for Gifted Children, it seemed the other divisions tried to avoid our proximity during our meetings. We were probably the loudest and most fun group in the building. Most years, the division meetings were all held at the same time and in various parts of the same large room. The Creativity Division could clear out the entire room when we met. While many probably thought we were just goof offs, we were one of the most productive divisions in the association. Our spontaneous eruptions usually led to a new idea that proved beneficial.

Lately, I’ve seemed to be in need of some of the Division’s spontaneity. At this point in December, I’m feeling a bit spent and my productivity has waned. It’s obvious to me that creativity and productivity are inextricably linked for me. If I’m not producing, I’m not problem solving and therefore am not being creative.

Yesterday, I got a little help with this problem from a friend . . . my mother. When I arrived at the nursing home to visit her, she informed me that it was about time I got there. She had on one earring and was trying to get the other stud on. I couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been at it. We laughed when she was finally “fixed”.

Then I asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Without missing a beat she said, “my TWO FRONT TEETH” and flashed me a big toothless grin. Indeed, her two front teeth are missing and she does need a couple! Again, we laughed and laughed. I think it was her spontaneity as well as her answer that got me. We went shopping together and then grabbed some lunch, but I just kept thinking about her Christmas wish.

This little episode reminded me of last year when we asked her where she was when she and my father got married. Again, without missing a beat, she said, “Out of My MIND!” The woman, who will be 91 in January, is quite clever.

When I got home yesterday, I continued to chuckle and decided to try a bit or jewelry work. That’s when things began to flow nicely and the ideas became present again. Was it just time to design or did the laughter really help. I vote that it was the latter.

I mainly worked with cabochons yesterday, but was pleased with a couple of the new wrappings and the bezel I created.  The first stone is a boulder opal and all the rest are turquoise (yes, even the brown one). See what you think.

I’m hoping to hang on to this productive thinking and continue to get some good work completed. I’m a believer that for me, at least, laughter leads to productivity and creative thinking.

I guess that the moral of this entry is . . . find something to laugh about and if you can’t find anything, go visit my mother!

Creativity, Diversions, family, Metal Work, Philosophy, soldering, Torch Work, Wire Work 2 comments

Suddenly, It Was Quiet

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My husband and I have enjoyed two weeks here with our daughter’s family, including a two year old, and five days with my son and his fiancé plus Daisy Mae, their dog. For those of you with a large family, this probably doesn’t seem like many people, but for us, it was a very pleasant house full. We are fortunate that we all get along so well and enjoy many of the same things. I looked in the den one evening and saw five adults on either computers or IPads and the two year old on an IPad also. I was the lone non-tech person since I was working with wire on a bracelet.

At other times, it wasn’t so quiet with either Daisy Mae, the Blue Tick Beagle, baying at something outdoors or my grandson working on his high pitched scream. Thankfully, it was a happy scream, albeit shrill.

Then, by ten o’clock Saturday morning, it was suddenly quiet again. Today, things are back to normal with the only loud sounds coming from my hammer on the bench block. I’ve completed a good deal of whacking and am hurrying as I prepare for a show tomorrow evening. Here some new earrings that just hatched. These are made from small squares of copper sheet that I annealed and thin rolled, starting at one corner. I used a hole punch on the bottom and now they remind me of faralitoes. These little lanterns are the focus of one of my favorite children’s books, The Farolitoes of Christmas, by Anaya. You might visualize these as little tin lights wherein a candle can shine through the holes.

I made a similar pair a couple of weeks ago and they left home before I took a picture. That pair didn’t have the holes, but were wrapped in half round sterling wire.

I was hoping to show you the texture on this second pair of earrings, but it’s difficult to see in the photo below. My friend gave me a new little hammer which I happily used to tap dents all over these discs which I then domed.

Today, I finished the cascade of beads and mixed metals shown below. I’ve made this necklace before and have always said I wouldn’t make another one. Alas . . . I gave in. It’s quite time consuming with all hand made chain and jump rings. Then, as you can see, each bead is attached with an individual head pin and wrapped loop. I thought I was finished with this twice, but then kept going back and adding more beads. Today, I’ve promised myself that I WILL NOT add any more beads! It’s going in the traveling display case right now! I hope this blog entry finds you relaxed after a quiet (or noisy) Thanksgiving weekend and that when the real world calls you back Monday morning, you’ll be ready for it.

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Set

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

If we brainstormed meanings and contexts for the word “set” the list would be fairly long. I guess early encounters of the term was when we learned about “ready, set, go”. Later, in school we learned about things that come in sets and about the specific mathematical use of the term.

The term also has multiple connotations in the context of jewelry design including how to “set” a stone and my most familiar phrase, “where did I set my glasses down?” When I first started making jewelry, it seemed my customers wanted things in sets. I never strung a necklace without also making matching earrings and often included a matching bracelet as well. Then later the trend of matching changed and I quit making sets. Many customers wanted a more eclectic style that didn’t include those perfect matches.

Now, I’m back to including earrings from the same stones used in a necklace mainly because I don’t want to have to hunt the stones when a customer requests a match. This week, I decided to go back to the early days and make a true set that included a necklace, earrings and a bracelet to match. I made the bracelet first and then used the same weaving and stones on the necklace. I couldn’t decide which necklace picture was best so below you find both. The stones are lapis and azurite from Magpie Gemstones (www.magpiegemstones.com).

I hurried to finish the above set before a show I did at a community center yesterday. I just knew someone would want the whole thing. Wrong! The necklace, with earrings, was the first piece that sold at the show, but the bracelet remained behind – so much for sets! Today, someone else selected the bracelet.

The question now is whether or not to make another full set. I guess I’ll try it again since even though the pieces didn’t all go home with the same customer, they did all go home. Isn’t that what really counts?

Right now, I think I’ll just “set” my body down and rest while I contemplate what stones to use in my next set.

Bracelets, Necklaces, Wire Work 6 comments

Off the Design Table . . .

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AND on to someone’s wrist. I’ve been working for several weeks to get the new bracelet design where I want it. The dimensional bracelets, for which I have a tutorial on etsy, have continued to be popular, but I think it’s really important to stay ahead of the market. I’m continually wondering what the next bracelet design should be. Since those dimensional bracelets are so comfortable and fit most anyone, I thought I should stick with another cuff type bracelet.

As I played with a new design, I employed the SCAMPER (from Bob Eberle) creative thinking technique in which each letter stands for a different way to make a modification. Using the ‘C” verb,  combine, I wanted to put the wire cuff and some wire weaving together. The “R” verb, reverse, led me to move the swirls in the middle of the dimensional bracelet to another point on the cuff. This also helped me decide to pull in the top middle rather than expanding it as I’ve always done before. I played with the other Scamper verbs and feel they helped contribute to the final product.

I’m still contemplating which of the various versions I like the best. The weaving was probably too difficult for my current technique on the two shown below. This will need practice. Yet, I was able to do a smoother job on the first bracelet shown at the top, indicating the promise of a smooth weave. I’m hopeful that I will continue to improve my skills.

It’s interesting that these bracelets are so comfortable. I’ve been letting various people try them on and they usually comment “this feels good.” I think that means I should stick with it.

My favorite part of the design process is the development of an idea and I’m truly thankful for the many creative thinking techniques I keep tucked in my back pocket. Now I’m at that tedious stage where I simply must keep practicing without much more modifying. Let’s just hope that my technique is on a fast learning curve!

I also hope these new bracelets will be coming to a wrist near you.

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Cross

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It’s that time of the year when many people begin to gear up for the holidays. For designers, that often means art/craft show after show after show. We speculate by buying materials and creating our products and then hope that we’ve designed things that people will want. It often seems like design roulette. The time and monetary investment in the products can weigh us down, but could it also make us cross?

I hope the season is remaining pleasant for you as it is for me. This year, instead of being cross, I chose to make a cross. One cross led to another and I am beginning to think I should just start a cross store. See what you think. Below are just a very few of those I’ve made.

The plain wire crosses are the easiest to make being composed of two pieces of 14 gauge wire soldered and then wire wrapped in the middle. These are then patinated and textured to provide the look of wood.

The flower-like wire crosses are a little more challenging. I eyeball the shape and occasionally create one that’s not as symmetrical as I would like. Yes, I know that I could use a jig and make them perfect, but that wouldn’t be me. Although you can’t see it very well in this photo the fold formed leaf at the top shares a jump ring with one of this style crosses.

The embellished cross required some problem solving before hatching. I saw a pendant in a magazine that was made by attaching beads to a filigree with wire. I tried this and liked the look except for the back shown below.

This was one big mess! As I pondered how to cover the mess, I, of course, thought about making it into a cross. First I soldered a wire cross onto a sheet metal disc.

Rather than overlapping the wires for the cross, I cut the side pieces and placed them beside the vertical wire. This made the cross a bit flatter. Finally, I wired the decorative filigree to the wire of the cross and finished the piece.

I made a smaller cross, not pictured, by whittling down the filigree piece. This removed the lovely outer curves and I didn’t like it as well.

Finally, I created a scroll type cross using double wires rather than single.

Customers at my last show seemed to enjoy selecting a cross and then choosing either chain or leather to go with it. They also had a choice of selecting a sterling silver cross. I’ve made these in various sizes.

Now it seems that every time I contemplate a new design, I can see the product made as a cross. Yet, I guess this is better than being CROSS! (I think I just heard a loud “Amen” from the other room.)

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Spangled Bangles

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Do you spangle?

I’ve been enjoying making bangle bracelets the last couple of weeks. They are certainly the easiest bracelet that I’ve made in quite some time and with slight variations in diameter they fit most folks.

Those in the above photo are formed with a basic 12 gauge copper wire armature that I soldered together and then hammered into shape. With a liver of sulphur bath and only a couple of hours of tumbling, they are ready to be spangled.

I thought I knew about “spangles”, but did look up the term just to be sure. A spangle is a small shiny/sparkling spot or object. It might be a sequin, a piece of metal or a bead, etc. If you spangle something, the dictionary suggests that you are sprinkling it with spangles. Hmm . . . it didn’t take any deep thinking to figure out that one, did it?

I wrap the base of my bangles with different sizes of copper or artistic wire and decorate them with small beads or charms.  Most of these are adorned with gemstones, but the red one shown below features glass beads. The turquoise spangled bangles seem to be the most appreciated.

I tried putting just a few charms on one of the bangle and like the look. I haven’t yet given it a trial wear and don’t know if it will be comfortable. I made small loops in the wrapping wire and attached the charms as I wrapped.

It remains to be seen whether these spangled bangles will be popular with customers and friends. I do, however, know that people like spangles of one kind and another. Whether these are on jewelry, garments or in the form of smiles on friendly faces, we can all use a spangle now and then. How will you create yours?

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Agitation Helps

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Many of us work hard to keep from becoming agitated. With me, agitation usually leads to anger and you know what that can lead to . . . don’t you? Therefore, I usually think of agitation as negative. Yet, the other day I read on a label for a new patina that agitation helps the process. Since I’m the type person who deliberately makes huge analogical leaps and repeats phrases out of context, I naturally had to continue thinking about how “agitation helps.”

If I go back to the original context of “agitation helps”, I can say that moving the solution around a bit while patinating the metal was supposed to help. What gets “moved around” when I become agitated? I think it’s usually my routine or the way I believe things should be that gets moved and this makes me agitated. Unfortunately, this context really does make agitation a negative; but is it really?

It seems to me that agitation often brings action and change. I remember years of working with volunteer forces in Louisiana trying to muster services for academically gifted youth. Our group often hunted for members when educational services were at their peak, yet when the legislature threatened to cut our funding or the schools committed some sin, our ranks swelled with eager voices. In other words, folks needed to be agitated about something in order to act. In this case isn’t the state of being complacent the opposite of being agitated? You can feel the silence when things are going well and be bowled over when people become agitated.

At this point, I might certainly break in to some political speech, but I’m not a politician, I’m a jewelry designer so how in the world can I make this big stretch? Actually, that big stretch happens almost every day when I want to be creative. I feel like I need to become agitated enough to change that with which I’m complacent and develop something new. What are the design problems that agitate me enough that I have to create something different? (I know that they say if it isn’t broken don’t mess with it. Yet, not everything unique and new comes because something was broken.) Following is an example.

Several entries ago I posted photos of a new wire weaving that I used for both necklaces and bracelet. Here’s a small photo reminder:

I liked the weaving and those designs, but was a bit agitated because I more or less copied the bracelet from a magazine and then made a necklace. Shouldn’t I be doing my own thing? What would be my own thing based upon this foundational design? How about . . .

The photo with the stone obviously shows abbreviated weaving on the sides. I thought I was being real smart by lessening the number of weaves, but found it very difficult to widen the distance between the main wires and keep a consistent weave. I actually did a better job on the first attempt as opposed to the smaller second try shown below.

My fourth attempt is progressing more easily than the others (no, you can’t see my third attempt!) if you don’t consider the fact that I got two of the main wires crossed in the middle. That’s why they are wrapped together and will soon be hidden behind a stone (psst, don’t tell anyone).

  I’m a little agitated about getting those wires crossed in the middle of this armature, but am now wondering about the possibility of intentionally crossing some wires . . . that bears consideration.

So, whether this entry leaves you agitated or complacent, I hope it at least provides food for thought the next time you get agitated. In fact, the next time you get agitated, I hope you do something creative! That’s my plan and I’m sticking to it.

Creativity, Necklaces, Philosophy, Wire Work 2 comments

A Touch of Silver

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I’m trying to get braver about the wire and metals I’m using. While copper is my mainstay, a few of my artist friends seem to be pulling me more into silver. I’m not easy to pull! In fact, if you asked them, I feel certain the word “stubborn” would be used to describe my lack of action. Lately, however, a few of the boutiques I serve have asked “can you do that in silver?” My quick response to the owners is usually, “I can try.” The silver has turned out to be a reasonably easy alternative for the designs and the pain of what I paid for the wire and sheet metal is eased when the silver jewelry sells relatively quickly.

I’ve tried to approach the use of silver as I learned to do in my Creative Problem Solving workshops by first stating a question. In what ways might I use sterling silver wire and sheet metal to create pleasing designs that are still affordable? There are a number of criteria inherent in that question including using as little material as possible while still producing a good design. The criteria create nice parameters within which to work. If I develop an idea that doesn’t fit the criteria, then I stop and revise it or throw it out. So far things are working reasonably well within this plan.

The pieces in the photos below show several new silver pieces that all required a little soldering. All of these were small enough that the cost was low and they stayed within the parameters for my problem solving. The earrings might have stayed in place without solder, but I wanted the waves in each direction to remain touching. They were bit tricky to solder.

Rings seemed an appropriate project since they don’t require much wire. The original ring with the heart was designed by my friend at Sherry’s Jewels http://Sherrys-Jewels.com. I made a variation that is adjustable and added a little solder to connect the loose end of the heart to the band.

The next ring design, shown with two variations is composed of four wires, each of which I soldered into a circle before placing them together. Each wire is about 1/2 inch shorter in length than the wire outside it. I then fitted each circle of wire inside the other and soldered in appropriate places. This one is adjustable as well. The one on the right is an overlapping version while both ends of the rings are meant to show on the left one.

I used some left over wire to make the wire ring for the leaf necklace. The ring was soldered and then shaped and textured. The leaf is made from the foldforming technique mentioned in a previous post.

I consider this type necklace a collage since the dangles are an eclectic collection or things. This one also features a copper wire dragonfly and hangs from leather.

I have found that silver wire handles a little differently than copper and due to its lower melting point I have to be more careful with the torch. Yet, I think practice will work these things out and soon I’ll be braver about the size and cost of what I’m making.

Speaking of silver . . . I regret to inform you that I found a tiny bit in my hair the other day. I’m fortunate to not yet have to color away any gray and found that little silver on the side snipped right away with the scissors. If you see me out and about one day and note a small bald spot on my head, you’ll understand what happened.

Creativity, Earrings, Necklaces, Rings, soldering, Techniques, Wire Work 2 comments