I'm so glad it's Friday, PAYDAY! Oh, darn.. I forgot all monies are already gone, paying bills, fixing car and so on, YUCK! I did manage to squeeze a few dollars out of my tight budget and buy some more wire.
I bought some more 18g silver filled wire so that I can do some chainmaille. Last night I coiled and cut about the last 3-4 feet I had left. I did leave about 6 inches to make a couple of pendants or a ring from, haven't decided. I need to find my tiny collection of wire files so that I can smooth the cut points on the rings. Yes, I'm still hand cutting and filing my rings. It's not to bad cause I don't cut that many.
Yesterday I took a personal day. I sat down and made a lovely mess. LOL! I started with some light green glass pearls, some faceted glass rondelles that I got at the Whole Bead Show earlier this year. These lovely rondelles have a greenish-purplish shimmer to them. Just 8 more months till next year's show. Anyways, I tried different bead caps and nothing was really working. I remembered having some sterling silver hoop earrings with loops so I pulled them out, some chain and some 20g sterling silver wire for doing some bead links. The design is working, just not my wrapping skills. Either I need to practice more or I need to dig out my mini pliers set.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Finished Pendants
So it seems that my muse has come back to fiddle with some wire. I've got a headache brewing and I should probably go and take something before it gets full blown. I think it's just a combination of poor sleep and sinuses. I really didn't want to get up this morning. I was comfortable and warm all snug as a bug in a rug.
Last night while finishing up the circular pendant I had another idea for some simple pearl earrings. Off into my own little 3D world I went or starring off into space as other's would see it. I can visualize the shape of the pearls, tossing the design from smooth round pearls to more natural pearls. I toss on posts, french hooks and lever back ear wires to see which one seems to fit. Natural shaped pearls of somewhat uniform size look lovely hanging from the lever back ear wires, simplicity at it's best.
I'm happy to have some things brewing and my muse letting my hands cooperate enough to make things. I'm slower than I usually would be but it's slowly coming back, it's a nice feeling.
So without further boring ramblings from me here are my 2 finished pendants.
Moon Pendant- silver filled and non-tarnish wire in 18g, 22g,and 24g. A small selection of glass beads and seed beads along with a shell heart.
Pearl Pendant- silver filled and non-tarnish wire in 18g, 22g,and 24g.Glass and natural pearls in different sizes and colors.
So maybe tomorrow I'll have some pearl earrings to show. I wish I could come up with witty stuff to say to make this blog a bit more interesting. My cat loves me, she keeps my bed warm.
Edited to add: sorry I had the wire gauges wrong but they are fixed now.
Last night while finishing up the circular pendant I had another idea for some simple pearl earrings. Off into my own little 3D world I went or starring off into space as other's would see it. I can visualize the shape of the pearls, tossing the design from smooth round pearls to more natural pearls. I toss on posts, french hooks and lever back ear wires to see which one seems to fit. Natural shaped pearls of somewhat uniform size look lovely hanging from the lever back ear wires, simplicity at it's best.
I'm happy to have some things brewing and my muse letting my hands cooperate enough to make things. I'm slower than I usually would be but it's slowly coming back, it's a nice feeling.
So without further boring ramblings from me here are my 2 finished pendants.
Moon Pendant- silver filled and non-tarnish wire in 18g, 22g,and 24g. A small selection of glass beads and seed beads along with a shell heart.
Pearl Pendant- silver filled and non-tarnish wire in 18g, 22g,and 24g.Glass and natural pearls in different sizes and colors.
So maybe tomorrow I'll have some pearl earrings to show. I wish I could come up with witty stuff to say to make this blog a bit more interesting. My cat loves me, she keeps my bed warm.
Edited to add: sorry I had the wire gauges wrong but they are fixed now.
Friday, July 11, 2008
I'm still here
PHEW! work has been keeping me busy and I kept forgetting to grab the camera and download a few pictures. I didn't get to much done over the July 4th weekend but here is what I'm currently working on
This is supposed to be a moon pendant. I'm using the silver filled wire and 11/0 pearl colored seed beads. I have several different types of beads to fill in the center part, just haven't gotten there yet.
This is also going to be a pendant but I haven't really decided anything concrete on it yet. This is silver filled wire, hammered. I have found that if you hammer it to thin it becomes brittle and soft and will break fairly easy. Sorry that I don't have the thickness off this hammered piece, I'll try to remember next time. I did manage to wrap the whole of the frame in a thinner gauge of silver filled wire.
These are a couple of polymer clay cabs that I made a long time ago and I finally got around to sanding and sealing and buffing them. They will be made into pendants.
I made this bead, it's actually got a hole that runs through it, several years ago. It was the first really big swirly bead I made, using black and alazarian crimson premo clay. Such gorgeous colors together. I had started making a wrap for the other 2 clay cabs but I made it way to wide and nothing fit, not even some of my really nice stone cabs. This was the only thing that fit. I'm not real thrilled with it because it just kinda lost interest when the setting just wasn't working. I'll try again another time.
These are just a lovely pair of earrings that I made for myself. I love purple, it's even my birthstone.
This is supposed to be a moon pendant. I'm using the silver filled wire and 11/0 pearl colored seed beads. I have several different types of beads to fill in the center part, just haven't gotten there yet. 
This is also going to be a pendant but I haven't really decided anything concrete on it yet. This is silver filled wire, hammered. I have found that if you hammer it to thin it becomes brittle and soft and will break fairly easy. Sorry that I don't have the thickness off this hammered piece, I'll try to remember next time. I did manage to wrap the whole of the frame in a thinner gauge of silver filled wire. 
These are a couple of polymer clay cabs that I made a long time ago and I finally got around to sanding and sealing and buffing them. They will be made into pendants. 
I made this bead, it's actually got a hole that runs through it, several years ago. It was the first really big swirly bead I made, using black and alazarian crimson premo clay. Such gorgeous colors together. I had started making a wrap for the other 2 clay cabs but I made it way to wide and nothing fit, not even some of my really nice stone cabs. This was the only thing that fit. I'm not real thrilled with it because it just kinda lost interest when the setting just wasn't working. I'll try again another time. 
These are just a lovely pair of earrings that I made for myself. I love purple, it's even my birthstone.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Thank you and Happy 4th!
First off, I'd like to say thank you very much for everyone who has come to check out my new blog. Ya'll are great. I know it's probably a bit boring, sorry, I'll get my groove back. :D
To everyone celebrating on July 4th, I hope you have a fantastic day and view some spectacular fireworks and listen to great music.
I will see ya'll next week!
To everyone celebrating on July 4th, I hope you have a fantastic day and view some spectacular fireworks and listen to great music.
I will see ya'll next week!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Hello Monday
I need COFFEE!
I have no energy and a crick in my neck that doesn't want to go away. BLEH!
Luckily I have a 3 day weekend coming up, I might be able to get some rest.
I got my buisness cards from vistaprint! YEAH! (happy dance)
I decided to get cards so that when someone does buy something from my shop I can send a nice looking card along with it. It's a step in the right direction, a more professional type approach. I'm thinking I might decide to get a stamp later on down the road. Right now I need to try and put more stuff in my shop.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine, it was okay. I pulled out my torch but got cold feet. LOL! I made 2 ring shanks for a couple more dangle rings. I also made two pairs of earrings, both in purple and I'm working on a wire moon pendant. I need to charge the batteries in my camera so I can get pictures.
Seems like I have a little bit of creativity going, though it's mostly in wire. I did get some more headpins over the weekend instead of attempting to make them myself. I think I may keep the purple pearl earrings I made and put the other purple pair of earrings in my shop. I used faceted glass beads and sterling silver on the 2nd pair.
The moon pendant is made using the silver filled wire as the base, wrapped in 26g non-tarnish silver craft wire, using 11/0 seed beads as an outer edge. I haven't decided if I want to use some magatama's that I have as well, as part of the design. I might use a few of them.
I'm going to try and remember to charge the camera batteries so I can get some pictures.
I have no energy and a crick in my neck that doesn't want to go away. BLEH!
Luckily I have a 3 day weekend coming up, I might be able to get some rest.
I got my buisness cards from vistaprint! YEAH! (happy dance)
I decided to get cards so that when someone does buy something from my shop I can send a nice looking card along with it. It's a step in the right direction, a more professional type approach. I'm thinking I might decide to get a stamp later on down the road. Right now I need to try and put more stuff in my shop.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine, it was okay. I pulled out my torch but got cold feet. LOL! I made 2 ring shanks for a couple more dangle rings. I also made two pairs of earrings, both in purple and I'm working on a wire moon pendant. I need to charge the batteries in my camera so I can get pictures.
Seems like I have a little bit of creativity going, though it's mostly in wire. I did get some more headpins over the weekend instead of attempting to make them myself. I think I may keep the purple pearl earrings I made and put the other purple pair of earrings in my shop. I used faceted glass beads and sterling silver on the 2nd pair.
The moon pendant is made using the silver filled wire as the base, wrapped in 26g non-tarnish silver craft wire, using 11/0 seed beads as an outer edge. I haven't decided if I want to use some magatama's that I have as well, as part of the design. I might use a few of them.
I'm going to try and remember to charge the camera batteries so I can get some pictures.
Friday, June 27, 2008
New Ideas
Yesterday while sitting at work during a slow period an idea began to form in my head as I perused through the jewelry section on Etsy. There are a number of very talented people on there and makes for some great eye candy and inspiration. So I was perusing through the rings section and looking at all the wonderful pieces and an idea began to form.
This idea is a ring and it probably actually started a few days ago when I made the dangle ring and the other ring. It wasn't much more than just a passing thought at the time but yesterday it began to concrete itself in my mind. Gears began to turn and decided it might be an interesting idea cause I haven't seen anything like it, yet. I look at some more jewelry and ended up buying some more wire. I bought some 26g sterling silver dead soft and 28g sterling silver half-hard to make headpins,this should be interesting. I hope they ship quickly cause I'd love to have them within the week. I pulled out my small stash of sterling silver yesterday and took stock. I do have enough sterling silver to attempt a few headpins without hurting my small supply.
So back to the idea, after doing the hubby's laundry, I pulled out some of my craft wire and began to fiddle. The concept works, just needs a wee bit of tinkering. I think that I could do it using round wire but I'm betting that square wire would yeild the best result. The design will also incorporate a weaving technique which I have no idea what it's called at the moment. I know the name is filed away but access is on dial up at the momnet. LOL! AHA! I think it's called the Ladder Stitch.
After making the prototype last night, poor pathetic thing. I then analized everything I saw wrong and asked the hubby to give me his opinion and he confirmed some of the things I already saw. On the couch I sat and let my mind conjure up a 3D image and I began working the image in my mind and sorting out some of the issues as mind twisted the wire this way and that. It's kinda like working with wire and seeing the results but it's all in my head instead. I can usually work out schematics and design issues that way instead of the hands on approach. My drawing skills are sub par and that doesn't work to well. I have just enough drawing skills to jot down an idea and most of the time can be only understood by me.
It lifts my heart to be able to make things that I'm really proud of. This creative slump was really bringing me down no matter how hard I tried to fight it off. Some days I'd win the battle and be okay with this lull and other days the thought just wanted to make me scream and pull my hair out. I can't remember a time that I have ever had such a long dry spell with very little ever created. Most of these dry spells would last about a year. This one just feels like it's been going on forever, I think it's been close to 3 years now or 3.5yrs. Who knows, maybe it's been longer, my days just seem to run together.
This idea is a ring and it probably actually started a few days ago when I made the dangle ring and the other ring. It wasn't much more than just a passing thought at the time but yesterday it began to concrete itself in my mind. Gears began to turn and decided it might be an interesting idea cause I haven't seen anything like it, yet. I look at some more jewelry and ended up buying some more wire. I bought some 26g sterling silver dead soft and 28g sterling silver half-hard to make headpins,this should be interesting. I hope they ship quickly cause I'd love to have them within the week. I pulled out my small stash of sterling silver yesterday and took stock. I do have enough sterling silver to attempt a few headpins without hurting my small supply.
So back to the idea, after doing the hubby's laundry, I pulled out some of my craft wire and began to fiddle. The concept works, just needs a wee bit of tinkering. I think that I could do it using round wire but I'm betting that square wire would yeild the best result. The design will also incorporate a weaving technique which I have no idea what it's called at the moment. I know the name is filed away but access is on dial up at the momnet. LOL! AHA! I think it's called the Ladder Stitch.
After making the prototype last night, poor pathetic thing. I then analized everything I saw wrong and asked the hubby to give me his opinion and he confirmed some of the things I already saw. On the couch I sat and let my mind conjure up a 3D image and I began working the image in my mind and sorting out some of the issues as mind twisted the wire this way and that. It's kinda like working with wire and seeing the results but it's all in my head instead. I can usually work out schematics and design issues that way instead of the hands on approach. My drawing skills are sub par and that doesn't work to well. I have just enough drawing skills to jot down an idea and most of the time can be only understood by me.
It lifts my heart to be able to make things that I'm really proud of. This creative slump was really bringing me down no matter how hard I tried to fight it off. Some days I'd win the battle and be okay with this lull and other days the thought just wanted to make me scream and pull my hair out. I can't remember a time that I have ever had such a long dry spell with very little ever created. Most of these dry spells would last about a year. This one just feels like it's been going on forever, I think it's been close to 3 years now or 3.5yrs. Who knows, maybe it's been longer, my days just seem to run together.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Just a spark
Just recently I purchased some 18g silver filled wire (SS/40) for a great price from an Etsy store, Catdancingranch
6-27-08 (Note) Upon further research the silver filled wire can not be technically called sterling do to the amount of actual sterling not meeting the standard of .925. It's okay I still like the wire and is an inexpensive alternative to the sterling, it keeps a nice shine and seems to be fairly tarnish resistant.
I just got my wire in the mail and wanted to make a dangle ring for sure and ended up making two different rings. Of course I have more color ideas brewing for the two rings, unfortunately i'm out of sterling silver headpins for the one and need different bead caps for the other. Looks like I may need to go buy some more bead caps and headpins. I could make my own headpins, I have an inexpensive butane torch still sitting in it's package I bought just for making my own headpins and soldering. I think I might make some this weekend when I will have more time. I bought this torch to see if I like torch work. If I decide that I like it then I plan on getting a better torch. Guess for now I just might use the coupons I have to get some more headpins, to save a bit of money. I don't have a lot of sterling silver available for making headpins at the moment.
Ring #1 - "Ocean Daisy" - 18g silver filled wire,Sterling silver daisy dangles, 4mm bicone violet Opal and pacific opal swarovski crystals and 2mm sterling silver beads.
Ring #2 - "Baby Blue" - 18g silver filled wire, sterling silver bead caps and frosted faceted blue glass bead.
6-27-08 (Note) Upon further research the silver filled wire can not be technically called sterling do to the amount of actual sterling not meeting the standard of .925. It's okay I still like the wire and is an inexpensive alternative to the sterling, it keeps a nice shine and seems to be fairly tarnish resistant.
I just got my wire in the mail and wanted to make a dangle ring for sure and ended up making two different rings. Of course I have more color ideas brewing for the two rings, unfortunately i'm out of sterling silver headpins for the one and need different bead caps for the other. Looks like I may need to go buy some more bead caps and headpins. I could make my own headpins, I have an inexpensive butane torch still sitting in it's package I bought just for making my own headpins and soldering. I think I might make some this weekend when I will have more time. I bought this torch to see if I like torch work. If I decide that I like it then I plan on getting a better torch. Guess for now I just might use the coupons I have to get some more headpins, to save a bit of money. I don't have a lot of sterling silver available for making headpins at the moment.
Ring #1 - "Ocean Daisy" - 18g silver filled wire,Sterling silver daisy dangles, 4mm bicone violet Opal and pacific opal swarovski crystals and 2mm sterling silver beads.
Ring #2 - "Baby Blue" - 18g silver filled wire, sterling silver bead caps and frosted faceted blue glass bead.
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