Mrs Beadsley's Workshop

Edit - of sorts!

2011-10-09T09:14:00.001-04:00

While I loved the way the Copper/Red Enamel/Rhodochrisite necklace came out, I was not entirely happy with the balance of the piece - especially where the size of the heart was concerned. The other day, while making a "strong copper 'S' hook, inspiration struck. I twisted and smoothed and, VOILA, a heart. I soldered it together, wrapped an enameled head pin around the center and added it to the necklace. All in all a very successful re-work!

New Pieces

2011-09-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

Maybe the title should be 'Wordless Wednesday' - although by saying that I have definitely made it NOT a wordless day...........some of my new pieces for the show:

Full Speed Ahead

2011-09-19T09:41:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to get ready for a show that is set to take place at the beginning of next month.......I have been working furiously making bracelets, necklaces, enameling pennies, making headpins........whew..........

Here's a little of what I've been up to:

Leather and Copper

2011-09-14T09:31:00.001-04:00

I've been having a lot of fun in the studio using my torch and some copper wire. I made some double balled headpins (quenched in water in between torching to retain the nice hot red patina on the end) and then tried to figure out what to do with them. I had a length of braided leather that I decided to wrap them around - and here is the result - a tribal looking bracelet that can be for a man or a woman.

While I love the red patina on the end, I wanted some that were plain copper:

and then some with purple enamel on the ends:

And a couple more pennies............white with a layer of purple on the top:

..........gray with a purple layer:

...........and midnight blue with a spattering of red:

Autumn Colors (and some blues)

2011-09-10T12:04:00.001-04:00

I was in the studio the other day with my nephew - we were fitting a necklace I had made for him - and he expressed an interest in trying his hand at torch firing some enamel on pennies. After a short instruction period, he picked out a color (opaque orange - my personal nemesis for some reason), cleaned the pennies and proceeded to torch fire. It was a resounding success.

His very first penny - very first attempt at torch firing enamel, and he's a natural!!!

The color got me to thinking about autumn and how quickly it's sneaking up on us - so I wanted to do some pennies that would look good in a "fall" jewelry piece. I have been wanting to layer colors in a staggered way - not the way I have been but in such a way that the layered colors will show on their own - and this is what I came up with:

And then because I loved how the pennies were turning out, I had to try a couple different colors..........

Turquoise Bracelet

2011-09-09T13:43:00.001-04:00

Last week I made a few of these penny/turquoise drops using a domed, drilled penny (pre 1982), a turquoise disc bead and a handtorched copper headpin.........yesterday I made a bracelet using one of them and a couple other handcrafted pieces.

Like a few enameled pennies (turquoise colored, of course):

Some copper wrapped turquoise disc beads (using the torch fired copper/enameled headpins - red ones):

A lovely handforged copper clasp:

And then patinaed the whole thing (with Gun-Blu) to add to the "rustic" feel of the bracelet:

and the back of the pennies - the patina really adds depth, don't you think?

All the components on this bracelet were handcrafted - from the chain to the clasp, to the headpins and the enameled pennies. I love it when a plan comes together!

Pennies - Again!

2011-08-30T16:28:00.001-04:00

I am always thinking of ways to use pennies - especially since I have been able to quickly drill holes in my 2 quart jar full of pennies - thanks to my fabulous BIL and his machine shop (DMI). I had been drilling them by hand - marking each penny with a pilot hole, then drilling and filing each one - which took a few minutes for each penny. He suggested one day that I come into his shop (after picking my brain about the hole size and orientation) and use one of his "manual" machines - and being the tool junkie that I am, I immediately accepted. One of his machine gurus set up the machine for me - with a place for a single penny to be drilled, and after a quick consultation on where I wanted the hole, I was up and running. To say the machine made the work easier is such an understatement - (as is to say that I would "like" to work in the machine shop - no seriously, I would LOVE to work in the machine shop)........I was able to drill the jar of pennies in mere hours rather than the days it would have taken if I were to do them one by one.

After a day or two of drilling just the one hole I decided I wanted two holes in each penny ( for links or whatever) and with a quick flip of the penny was able to do just that. Then with a single adjustment, I drilled some center holes........and came up with this idea:

I drilled a center hole in each penny, then a hole at the top to hang; domed each penny so the date shows on the back side of the drop; wired (using one of my hand torched copper head pins) a turquoise disc to the penny and added a jump ring. I am thinking of adding a patina to them so they have a more "worn" look.

I also enameled a bunch of pennies:

I used some new color combinations - like the gold base with the red over top and the white base with the gold over top:

For the light green ones I mixed some white enamel and some deep green enamel together, sifted it on to the pennies and fired:

Some are domed and some are flat:

And some are colored perfectly for an autumn piece:

More Torch-Fired Enamel

2011-08-05T16:42:00.001-04:00

From the studio - a few successful finished headpins.

Gray

Dark Green

Gold with one layer of red

Cobalt Blue

This is the whole bunch

Some New Colors - but still Pennies!!!

2011-05-14T17:12:00.005-04:00

My new enamel colors finally arrived - and in less than 24 hours I was back at the bench playing with color combinations. I got some pink, some lavender and some off white which I combined in these:

The off white makes a nice base for other colors too...... like the red:

and the blue:

and the turquoise:

I did some other combinations:

orange and gold

gold, yellow and red

white, pink and red

These are currently available for purchase at Beads on the Kennebec AND she is having a contest (see rules and more information here ) based on pieces made using the enameled pennies.

From the Workshop

2011-04-29T17:01:00.002-04:00

More fun with enameling pennies!!! I really enjoy working with the enamel and playing with the colors and blends......and after making two bracelets and a necklace (picture of that to come soon!), I realized I was going to have a LARGE amount of enameled pennies - too many for l'il old me to use up for sure. So, I brought some in to my LBS (Beads on the Kennebec in Augusta) to perhaps place a few of them and see what kind of interest would be there. I was thrilled (to say the very least) when the dozen or so I brought in sold out in one day, and the owner requested "about 100" more!!!!! Yowzer! More play time with colors and the torch!!!!
Here is the first batch (I actually ran out of gas for my torch!!!) I brought over to her today:

As well as a large amount of the turquoise (specifically requested by one of the LBS customers) mix pennies, I did some red:

orange:

yellow:

green:

blue:

and some purple:

More enamel happenings

2011-04-18T21:42:00.002-04:00

After the success of my enameled penny bracelet (see it here), my mother decided she wanted a bracelet of her own - with the same "turquoisey colored ones" I used in the last bracelet. (yes, those were her words!)

I couldn't help but play with the layering this time - one layer of enamel is not enough for me to be happy with the overall coverage and color, so I experimented with the layers of color this time - and had a really fun time doing it. The first set of pennies (I do four at a time) I used a gold enamel as a base layer with a layer of light green followed by a layer of turquoise on top.

You can see the gold layer a bit around the edges, and the second layer (the light green) helped the turquoise layer come out a bit darker.

I used a base layer of light golden brown on these pennies - actually two layers of the brown and one layer of light green.

For the base layer of these pennies I used a brown mix, the light green for the middle layer and a light coat of dark green for the third layer.

All the pennies were drilled and domed before I enameled them.

Pennies......again!

2011-04-15T14:54:00.004-04:00

In the workshop today to finish up the enameled pennies bracelet and to make another bracelet - I am stuck on pennies right now for some reason - maybe because they are so plentiful here at the house (and most all of them are pre 1979 - a BOON for me because that means they can be used in jewelry making applications!) - as the pictures will prove.

Using the turquoise blue/green pennies I enameled, some 14 gauge copper wire and a wonderful copper toggle clasp, I created a charm bracelet of sorts.

Once I photographed it, though, I thought it looked too, well, copper. I decided it needed some patina (I use Perma Blu gun bluing), so I dunked it and rubbed it to show some highlights and like it so much more now.

For this bracelet, I used (again) some pennies that I drilled and domed; some 16 gauge copper wire and again a beautiful copper toggle clasp.

A spring connector

closeup of one of the pennies

Kumihimo Necklace with Copper Leaf Clasp

2011-04-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

My April 2011 Bead Trends magazine finally arrived. My Kumihimo neckalce with handcrafted copper leaf clasp was published! Thank you Bead Trends!

More Torch Fired Enamel Pieces

2011-04-04T13:51:00.003-04:00

Another day of working with enamel. This time I drilled the pennies then domed them before adding the enamel.

I worked more with layering and colors......trying to achieve a depth to the colors and a more uniform coating of the enamel. The multiple layers allowed a more varied palette of colors - I stayed in the blue/green family simply because I plan on making a bracelet with these. (the two red ones are from the last enameling session)

Torch Fired Enamel

2011-04-03T12:52:00.002-04:00

Oh what fun I had in the workshop yesterday. For the last six months, I have been collecting information and supplies to try torch fired enamel and finally gave it a try this weekend. And I'm hooked. I love it!!! Armed with a tutorial or two (and a comprehensive lesson on using the torch from my patient SO) I drilled some pennies; cleaned them thoroughly and then set out to color them like jelly beans! As a surprise, my DSO bought me a "starter kit" (of sorts) of assorted enamel powders - 14 little bags of color - to play with as I wanted. I couldn't wait to get started.

Using the first tutorial I found, I mixed my first enamel powder color choice with distilled water (50/50 ratio) and filled in the top of my first penny.......a penny I hadn't drilled. The tutorial said to let the enamel and water mixture dry but I did not have the patience to let it dry, so I fired away. I was a little tentative with the torch at first, but wisely started out making some copper head pins which relaxed my fears a little. After the first penny was fired, I let it cool in a fiber blanket. Once it cooled down, I was thrilled with the color and look of it and couldn't wait to do more.

Head Pins

Faced with the 14 bags of assorted colors, I couldn't wait to try more colors. Using a screen from a faucet (I absolutely have to get a small hand held sifter) I sifted the colors directly onto the cleaned pennies - and did layers of colors.

Turquoise enamel powder

Base of opaque orange with a layer of red on top

A layer of golden brown with a layer of turquoise on top

Golden brown with a sifting of my run-off waste

Just to prove that I really used pennies!!

A couple of great, informative articles/tutorials on how to torch fire enamel:

Copperheart's Blog and Ganoksin.

New Tools and Stuff

2011-03-21T16:46:00.003-04:00

My newest gift - a third hand kind of contraption (available at Radio Shack here) that will come in so handy I am sure! It has adjustment knobs on all the critical parts and it's nice and heavy on the bottom so it won't tip over on me when I get in the middle of a project.

On another outing on another day, I finally went to the central Maine store of all stores - the one I've been hearing about since I've lived here - the one that has three floors of shopping joy - everything from guns to wedding dresses to beer - yes the one and only...........

Husseys General Store. I actually spent more than two hours going from top to bottom - up and down every aisle and in and out of every hardware parts drawer in the place. It was awesome!!!! And I came away with some great jewelry making supplies - like a nice big bunch of steel shot (for under $4.00!!!!!!)

and a boatload of copper.........including some 3/16" copper tubing (6 feet for less than $3.00.......I will cut it up and use as spacer beads, tube beads, maybe even smash it flat and make a copper bangle) and some 1 1/2" round copper pipe - the possibilities are endless for uses!!

While trolling through the hardware drawers, I found these wonderful copper washers and rivet looking thingies -

and in the hunting section I found these hollow all copper bullets - which I already have a project in mind for.

A great afternoon of shopping!

Kumihimo and Beads - Experimentation

2011-03-15T14:46:00.001-04:00

More fun with kumihimo - this time I'm experimenting with different size beads. I made three different bracelets using size 8/0 seed beads as the main part and some size 6/0 seed beads as the center beads. Here are the results - now I just have to finish them off with end caps and clasps.

New from the Bench

2011-03-14T19:26:00.002-04:00

I've been working with some heavy gauge copper wire lately - 12 or 14 gauge, I'm not sure. It's been fun shaping it, forming it, beating on it and then heating it with the torch. While going through my pile of UFO wire projects, I came across a length of viking knit perfect for a bracelet.

I got some lovely ceramic beads with big holes that fit the viking knit perfectly. I added three of them to the viking knit.

Added a couple of bali-style copper end caps

Fashioned a nice chunky clasp out of some of that 12 (or 14) gauge copper wire

The bead hole is big enough to move the beads and arrange them in any manner you would like.

Under the heading of Recycling.........

2011-03-09T14:31:00.002-05:00

I love being able to use recycled items in my jewelry. Not only does it stretch my imagination muscles, it's good for the earth. So, imagine happening on a solid stainless steel chain link length perfect for a bracelet. Just sitting there. Seriously. I asked, but nobody wanted it. For anything. I was told it was a part that had been replaced. It was going to be thrown out. So, what would you do? Yup, me too. I used it.

I love working with steel. I've made quite a few pieces with steel wire, and while it's a tough wire to work with (oh my poor, poor little fingers) the results are worth it. I use only the annealed steel wire, which comes in black (I get it from my wonderful local Ace Hardware - a big shout out to Audettes)..........which doesn't always match what I'm using it with. Thanks to the wonderful and generous Deryn Boyd Mentock I learned that using some sandpaper on the black annealed steel wire will strip the black off it (leaving a nice patina, I would like to add here) so it will blend well with all you want to use it with.

As I said, the chain was the perfect length for a bracelet. I had some turquoise rondelles, some vintage AB crystals, turquoise colored seed beads, and some Chinese crystals so I set to wrapping beads.

Once I assembled the bracelet, it needed a clasp. I had a lovely hook and loop sterling silver one that worked oh-so-well with the bracelet.

It feels fabulous on the wrist and catches the light at every turn. Be careful while driving - it may catch your eye so much you forget to look at the road!!!

Oh yeah, and that steel chain.......I bet you wonder what it started it's life as?

Yep. This is it. Any guesses?

Copper and Kumihimo

2011-03-02T16:07:00.001-05:00

A productive day in the workshop - I beat on some copper wire and wove some Kumihimo!

I had some thick gauge copper wire - 10 gauge I think - so I fashioned it into a freeform bangle then beat on it for a bit. As you know beating on wire (or metal) hardens it, so to make it a bit easier to work with you have to anneal it to work with it again. To finish the copper work on this bracelet, I put it in the sand on my woodstove (which, poor thing, is working overtime this winter!) so it would be softened and easier to manupilate. I took it out this morning and it had such a beautiful patina on it (red-magenta tones) I had to take some pictures of it. It's not done, but I wanted to share this method of adding a patina to copper!

I also worked on another woven bracelet - this time with some wonderfully sparkly AB drop crystal beads woven with some dark bronze 6/0 seed beads and some amber shaded 6/0 seed beads.

I added a couple of Vintaj brass end caps

and a fabulous crystal studded brass toggle clasp

OWOH 2011 Winners!

2011-02-17T11:26:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to the three winners of my One World One Heart giveaway. Using random.org, the first number chosen was:

#28

Monica said...

Beautiful work you do! Thank you for your generous giveaway.

Don't forget to visit me too!

Monica

OWOH #340

http://www.giddygreetings.com

Congratulations Monica, you have won the brown satin kumihimo bracelet.....just email me your address so I can get it out in the mail.

#63

Jo said...

Those are gorgeous ... just gorgeous! what a generous offering!

Congratulations Jo, you have won the copper and red seed bead kumihimo bracelet......send me your address!

#103

Holly Days Closet said...

I have always loved these but never learned how to do it. They are beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.

Holly

Congratulations Holly - you are the winner of the sterling silver and white seed bead kumihimo bracelet. Please send me your address so I can mail out your prize.

Thank you, everybody, for taking the time to visit and leave some really nice comments. I love taking part in One World One Heart and am excited for what is coming next.

ONE WORLD ONE HEART 2011

2011-02-01T19:34:00.002-05:00

It's time again for a trip around the blogworld. I am happy to be taking part in the One World One Heart Tour for the third year. Welcome to my blog, I am mrs beadsley and I am a jewelry artist living in Maine, in the wonderful (right now) Great White North, USA. I design One-of-a-Kind jewelry pieces using brass, copper, steel, silver and gold and combining them with colorful gemstones and crystals and beads.........actually the shinier the better to satisfy my inner magpie. I take my inspiration from all that is around me and craft my jewelry with a rustic twist. I recycle when possible - and find myself in the hardware store more often than not to buy "parts" for my jewelry.

Lately, though, I have discovered the joy of weaving Kumihimo pieces........with beads and without. Over the years I have amassed quite a collection of fibers, and of seed beads.....enough to keep me busy making bracelets and necklaces for a good while (and in my case, through ALL the snowstorms we've been having).

Which brings me to this: my giveaway............my gift for the last One World One Heart. I actually decided to give away three prizes - one for each year I participated in the event.

First up - satin cord; vermeil toggle clasp; gold seed beads - eight strand kumihimo braid bracelet.

Second - red seed beads; copper bali-style cones; sweet copper heart clasp; eight strand kumihimo with seed beads bracelet.

Third - two color seed beads; silver cones; silver toggle clasp; eight strand kumihimo and seed bead bracelet.

This is open to all active bloggers, worldwide. All you have to do to be entered into the "hat" is to leave a comment on my blog - and please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you - so I can visit YOUR blog, and so I know who you are when you win. :-)
I will close the post to comments on the evening of February 16, 2011 and will pick three winners using a random number generator. Please check back here on February 17, 2011 as I will announce the winners here on my blog. (don't worry, I'm sure I'll be so excited I'll both email you and announce here - just to cover all bases!)

Good luck - and have a really good time on your journey through blogland. So good to "meet" you!

Attack of the Frogs!!!

2010-10-03T09:26:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, no matter how pleased you (ok, maybe it's just me) are with a piece, let enough time go by and you can always find something wrong with it. I was pleased as punch with the way the kumihimo bracelet with the leaf clasp came out. Really I was. (see for yourself here ).............that is right up until my friend tried it on - just to be a guinea pig she said. Never a bad idea, right? Well, it just didn't work on her. Not only was the bracelet too big, the clasp was entirely too big for her wrist (she's a tiny girl - small boned and just small in general) and not only that, it flopped around too much. I had to do something - so I rippppppp(ed)it, ripppppppp(ed)it, ripppppppp(ed)it (hence the frog reference) out the bracelet and started over. With 560 of the same color seed beads............and this time I made a neckalce.

This time, instead of using the cotton crochet thread, I used some 20lb test braided ice fishing line - it's called Cortland Ice and I love it because it behaves like cotton thread, it is thin enough to use a big eye needle to load the beads and it's strong - so adding 560 size 6 glass beads is like nothing to this line.

While I was in the braiding mood, I made another bracelet - this time finishing it with a sterling lobster clasp. The looped crimps ends hold really well.................I don't think I need to add glue to the ends - which I like because that step gets messy.

It may be too plain as is so for future ones I will play around with adding beads or another type of clasp - something a bit more decorative perhaps.

Autumn Leaves

2010-10-01T10:39:00.000-04:00

The beginning of fall here in the Northeast always means an over abundance of leaves everywhere........on the car, on the steps, on the ground.............and since they're more at eye level, they provide a lot more inspiration - at least to this girl.

I created a leaf out of some recycled copper sheet (here) which I had planned to use in a piece of jewelry, but then once that leaf was done, the ideas for what to do with leaves took over my brain. So, combining two of my most favorite things (right at this moment.......) I wove some deep green and dark bronze seed beads (kumihimo of course); cut a leaf out of my recycled copper sheet, hammered, shaped and drilled it and added it to the length of kumihimo as a clasp.

The leaf needs to be etched and oxidized - neither of which I have with me.......but you get the general idea.

This time, when I wove the kumihimo I used bead crochet thread (no idea what size it is). Once I wove the first half inch or so, I realized it was a very, very thin braid........and I had the idea to use a fold over crimp end (you know the kind that is used on leather or satin cord necklaces) as the finish on the piece and they worked wonderfully.

The hold is nice and tight. I added some antiqued copper cones which I secured onto the crimp end with some copper wire and then attached the clasp to that.

More Kumihimo Experiments

2010-09-26T12:50:00.000-04:00

As I've said previously (read: ad nauseum)........I love kumihimo. The possibilities are endless and the weaving works up to be a beautiful piece - in just about every material. The only blip on the radar for me is the finishing of the ends - I haven't stumbled upon a way to add the clasp (of choice) that I am entirely happy with..........hence more experimentation!

I started with some 2mm satin cord - really really love how it looks braided....................to start the braid, I slipped the round toggle end through the cords, then started braiding. I really like how it looks - clean and secure:

To finish it I added the bar part of the toggle and then using macrame knots, added a decorative end and left the tails flowing - after adding some gold seed beads and knotting the ends of each strand.

Not entirely in love with it, but it flows nicely and the overall bracelet looks good.

The bracelet feels good on and the "streamers" don't really get in the way - I suppose I could cut them off and glue the ends so the satin doesn't ravel..................will have to work with it a bit.

Using some black cotton cord and a copper washer, I started the next project the same way I've started a number of macrame projects - folded the cords in half, then knotted the cords around the washer

and started braiding from there. It holds nicely but looks a little more casual than the bracelet. Once at the other end of the necklace I added the toggle bar and once again using some macrame knots, finished it up but this time cut all the ends off and glued them so they wouldn't unravel.

I like this look - but the cotton cord is thinner than the satin cord and it was easier to hide the ends when done knotting.

To complete the necklace, I dug used on of my previously etched copper pennies as a focal

and *Voila*, it's a necklace!

Copper Work

2010-09-17T15:20:00.000-04:00

My muse does not seem to care that in this transitional home I am now living, there is no place to set up to do the sort of work she is compelling me to do. But, when it comes to art, you just have to find a way to do it. So, I pulled out the things I could

copper flashing (reclaimed as scraps from a top secret project going on down the street - we don't want to get our sources in any hot water), hammer, shears, steel block

various sized punches (along with some not pictured leather tools I've had for many a year)

I couldn't find my saw blades (lots of things still in boxes) so I drew something that I knew I would be able to cut out with the shears - a leaf. I had a leaf template (saved from some packaging or another)that I traced onto the copper, then using the shears pictured

I cut out the leaf design. I filed the edges then proceeded out to the driveway with hammer, copper leaf and steel block, to pound the copper and shape the leaf. (really excellent instructions on working with copper, hammer and punches on ganoksin)

It's not done yet.......it needs more definition and some clean-up work, but I'm encouraged by how the whole project is coming along..........studio or not!

Lifeus Interruptus - or how I got off track.......

2010-07-19T19:35:00.001-04:00

Once I signed in, I had to completely dust off the old blog in order to see well enough to post a new entry......I suppose the creaking sign-in should have tipped me off, but I was unprepared to see that it has been since April that I last posted. To say that life has gotten in the way is an understatement.....so we'll leave it at that.

I am so happy to say that I am now a Rings and Things Blog Partner. Why, you ask? Well, for one thing, it could be the fabulous assortment of beading supplies they carry, or the wonderful, witty Facebook entries they post, or even the fabulous information available on their website; you could say any of those things and it would be the truth......but here's a little secret just between you and I......I'm in it for the grand prize.....the big kahuna, the treasure trove of free beading supplies to do with what I want - I'm serious! They do that!!! (see here)

Oh they are awesomeness personified!

Finishing Kumihimo

2010-04-24T14:51:00.001-04:00

I am finding I love the whole process of Kumihimo. It's almost hypnotic to weave the strands, it's fun to experiment with different fibers and colors, and I learn something each time I make a new project. This time I experimented with some multi colored string (I found it in the hardware department at Home Depot or Lowes - really not sure what it's true purpose is, but I love how colorful it is) - which came out too long to be a bracelet and, of course, too short to be a necklace. I'm sure I'll figure out something to do with it - but it's wonderfully colorful. I will try this string again, in a longer length - that way I can incorporate all the colors and maybe make a necklace out of it.

Next I tried beads again - first using some white twine I have - a thicker string on which I pre-loaded size 6/0 seed beads. I made each length of the string about 2 feet long and loaded 55 beads on each of the 8 strings. I am still working out all the finer points of this - ie how many beads for a bracelet, how thick the string shoud be, etc., so while I knew 55 beads was probably too many, I wanted to err on the side of too much because you can always take away - it's not that easy to add. I ended up using 24 of the 55 beads.

This is the finished bracelet - I used some sterling silver end cones (I glued the end knots, glued the inside of the cones and then wired the cones onto the bracelet ends - as per some instructions I saw while searching for information on how to finish the braid ends) and a nice sterling silver toggle clasp. While I like how it turned out, it's almost too long and the whole process of gluing and wiring is rather messy.

I next tried some bead crochet thread - just a heavier cotton thread - and size 8/0 seed beads. I am not entirely happy how the thinner thread worked up with the beads - the bracelet is not as round and plump as the previous one, but that being said, it's still a nice piece. This one is also a little too long - I see now that the adding of the cones and the clasp add more to the overall length than I had anticipated. I finished this one the same way as the silver one, only I used copper findings.

I have another braid started - this time I braided the end and created a buttonhole so rather than tie the ends off and add the glue, I will add a button and it will close that way. It will be interesting to see how this one comes out!

Kumihimo with beads........

2010-04-22T13:11:00.002-04:00

Since I already had the bobbins loaded (leftover from my first project) I decided to add beads to the mix. I used two different colors; size 6/0 seed beads; and I added them to 4 of the eight strands. I read somewhere that you should figure on 10 beads per inch of braid, so I loaded on 70 beads per strand thinking I would get enough length for a bracelet, but I ended up with a length of beaded braid that is about 10" long.

Next time I will add beads to all the strands - this looks like a spiral, and while it would make a nice bracelet, I am hoping to get the look of a bead crocheted piece.

Learning Kumihimo

2010-04-20T19:14:00.001-04:00

This one has been on my 'to-do' list for a while now. Last fall, while shopping at (the now world famous)Mardens, I found some embroidery thread in some really wonderful colors - on sale for fifteen cents each! I, of course, could not pass up that bargain, so I bought an arm full of them with the thought that I could use the threads in jewelry - at the time I was thinking macrame, but whatever! I've seen some Kumihimo pieces that incorporate beads and I really love them (mostly because it looks similar to bead crochet, which I have fumbled trying to learn over and over and, yup, over), so I really wanted to try it.

I got the disk and the bobbins from my LBS (here)........the disk comes with an "instruction sheet" - which just tells you the most basic steps of the process - and didn't mention the bobbins at all.......so I cruised the web and found an awesome video on you tube (here) that explained how to get started - from threading the bobbins to weaving with the disk - really awesome video! So, I loaded my bobbins - I used four different color threads

(open bobbin)

(closed bobbin)

and believe it or not, after much less time than you would imagine, I had this length of woven braid.....

to which I added this fabulous vintage African Brass Spiral focal..........and some gold end caps......

here is the completed necklace (sans clasp - still have to make one for it).

Muse-ings

2010-04-13T18:37:00.001-04:00

I am convinced that my Muse was a plumber in a previous life. Why else would I be finding jewelry making supplies in the local home improvement store? Again - from the inconspicuous pipe hanger comes......

a focal for a bracelet!

but of course, beaten, buffed and smoothed!

some lovely little gemstones, courtesy of turquoise magpie

a darling little heart shaped clasp from Beads on the Kennebec;

this little beauty is winging its way North tomorrow morning!

woo - hoo !!!!

2010-03-23T16:33:00.000-04:00

My piece, "African Sun" was published in the April 2010 edition of Bead Trends magazine!

vintage brass handstamped leaf - African

colorful fire agate beads, brass rings, vintage brass bead caps

my photo of the piece

Etching on copper

2010-03-17T12:08:00.001-04:00

Again with the pennies!! After flattening a few pennies, I drew a freehand design on each of them using a red Sharpie (quick and simple - just experimenting!) then put them in the etching solution for about 40 minutes.

ferns and such (remember, freehand) - etched and patinaed with gun blue.

big old swirl, etched; then I added a "heart" <3 using my stamps; patinaed.

flowers and stems - this one was etched twice - once for 30 minutes, then again for 20 minutes; also patinaed.

Brass Heart Necklace

2010-03-12T12:36:00.001-05:00

I got a pair of metal shears and some dapping punches - I so love new tools! (I got the punches from here)

So, new tools means new projects - which means experimentation!!!!

I have a sheet of red brass, 22 gauge, that I have had for a while. So, I just started cutting.

Remember I said it was experimentation time - this heart came out a little lopsided so I decided to roll one edge of it so it appeared more symmetrical. After I cut it out, I used the dapping punches on it to give it texture, drilled couple of holes in it;

wire wrapped some of those wonderful 'red velvet' crystals (20 gauge brass wire);

added some petite glass pearls, some gold filled rondelles;

and a wonderful flower shaped magnetic clasp.

More copper etching

2010-03-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

After working on the pendant for the malachite necklace, I wanted to do some smaller etched pieces. I used the discs I made from the pennies (see here ) I flattened. I experimented with a couple of designs - one that was very busy and one that included some initials. For the "busy" one, I drew a web of sorts on the disc, then etched it in the etching solution for 30 minutes.

I put it in the gun blue for about 30 seconds, then wiped off the highlights so it's a little patinaed.

For the second one, I used a small letter template I have and put my initials on it, along with a few geometric shapes to fill it out a little.

I also used the gun blue on this one, but there aren't really enough crevices for it to look patinaed.

I got the etching solution from Radio Shack (more than a year ago though - I have heard they no longer carry it in their retail stores) and the gun blue from the local hardware store.

Copper Malachite Necklace

2010-03-04T12:24:00.000-05:00

I wanted to do something to the copper pendant on the malachite necklace I blogged about (here). I got the alphabet stamps but they seemed too small for the size of the copper pendant so I decided to do some etching.

I haven't etched on copper since doing some copper cuffs, so I reviewed my notes and took the plunge. I have to find my doodle pad (who doesn't have one of those?) as this off-the-top-of-my-head thing doesn't really translate into an arresting design but all in all I'm happy with how it turned out.

It's just Common Cents

2010-02-27T11:20:00.004-05:00

.........or maybe I should say the new jewelry line from mrs beadsley's is anyway! I am having fun with pennies and all the things that can be done with them. I think they are interesting when flattened, left whole, buffed or whatever. And since there are boxes and boxes of them here at the house, that equals a lot of opportunities to explore creative ways to use them in jewelry.

So, I collected some tools and wire and beads - and a penny of course

some lovely aventurine beads from Turquoise Magpie

a lovely heart shaped clasp from my local bead store - Beads on the Kennebec

copper wire from my local hardware store - Audettes - Ace Hardware

wheat penny drilled and domed

the finished piece. Now named "(un)common cents".

Copper Malachite Necklace

2010-02-18T13:09:00.004-05:00

Remember this guy? Imagine my delight when my dear SO came home with a smaller version! I was ecstatic and immediately went into my studio to see what I could do with it.

(the large one has 1/2" SCM stamped on it - the smaller one has NIBCO - the company name - on it)

After a lot of trial and error, I settled on some wonderful malachite; the large beads are vintage from Africa (I blogged about them here), and the smaller rounds I got from a wonderful gem shop over in Belfast, ME, Bennett's Gems.

then, I thought a wonderful little copper celtic component I had would be good as a connector, and would work well with the green malachite;

I added a clasp on one side using one of the large malachite beads (it clasps in front);

then I wrapped some 3mm malachite rounds (using 22 gauge copper wire) and made some jump rings from some 18 gauge square copper wire to create a chain;

added the copper plumbing thingy (which I hammered and buffed and shined), a dangle and there you have it!

the copper strip can be personalized by stamping or even perhaps etching a design onto it - many possibilities!

OWOH Winner

2010-02-16T01:41:00.000-05:00

Well, the Magic Carpet Ride is over. And what a wild ride it was. Over one thousand blogs joined in the fun and mayhem......I had a great time and I hope you all did, too.

Congratulations to Lisa of Lisa Lectura Creations. She is the winner of the leather and brass bracelet, drawn, as promised, randomly. Thanks Lisa and everybody who visited me and left such wonderful comments. I hope to do this again next year!

A Day in the Studio

2010-02-14T11:23:00.000-05:00

Another day spent hammering pennies - did I tell you how much I love my job? After creating the cute little copper and mixed gemstone bracelet yesterday, I did what I haven't done yet - I thought "line of jewelry". Yup. Shocked myself, I tell you - but still I thought it was a great idea. All because of that copper plumbing thingy and the bracelet created from it. Go figure. I love the look of the copper wire wrapped loops and the slightly smaller rondelle beads in the bracelet, and I think it makes for a mix and match possibility you don't really get with chunkier bracelets. Plus, when I wear bracelets I end up looking like a gypsy woman, I pile so many of them on.

So, some pennies - flattened, drilled and buffed - ready for words, names or just random letters to be put on them (once I get in my order from Harbor Freight - oh I DO love tools!!!!)

some fabulous little 'red velvet crystals' from my fabu local bead shop (Beads on the Kennebec), wrapped in yards of 22 gauge copper wire, and closed with a cute little copper heart clasp. To wear alone or.........

with one created with a mix of gemstones (wonderful strand I got from Turquoise Magpie - hands down the BEST place to get your gemstones)..............or maybe

you're like me and you'll wear them all at once. Why not? Life is short - make it colorful and bright!

The Plumbing Aisle.....

2010-02-13T10:40:00.000-05:00

..........offered up it's treasure - I'm not entirely sure what it is - some sort of hanger or bracket or something - but it screamed out "jewelry" to me! I bought three of them not knowing what I would do or what I would be able to do with them so they sat next to me on my bench while I figured it out.

I stretched one out and buffed and shined it - thought it might look good with some gemstones in it.........

I used some luscious large magnesite, garnet and sterling silver............I liked it but wasn't sure how I would attach it - the wire works but I can't get it to look messy enough (you know, that "chaos" look that some wire wrappers excel at - well, I don't) or neat enough, so put that aside while I thought about it.

flattened one of them and then buffed and shined it up (I just LOVE my new bench grinder) - I'm thinking a bracelet for this piece;

I found my leather stamps (I used to tool leather in a previous incarnation and have accumulated a number of stamps) and used one of them to stamp a design into the copper - random though it is;

and wrapped some cute little rondelle gemstones I got from Szarka (a fantastic buy - a strand of mixed gemstones - all sorts of colors and stones) and fastened on a cute little copper heart clasp. It's a rough prototype - next time I want to rivet the holes (once I get to that lesson :-)) and I will hopefully have my new letter stamps so I will do something different on the copper.

Now, going back to the copper and magnesite piece I was thinking about.........

While rooting around in my stuff, I found some copper brads, or maybe they are a sort of rivet - I got them a while ago with the idea that I would learn how to use them, but they seemed to fit this idea perfectly. So, I used some sterling silver wire to string the stones on (I left off the garnet - it just didn't fit into the cup of the copper thingy), put the end of the wire over the hole in the copper thingy, placed a brass nut over that and the copper brad/rivet thingy over everything; flipped the piece over and hammered the brad/rivet flat.

I hosed up the other end - very badly - so rather than call it a complete waste, I just kept experimenting (I now know what NOT to do, heh heh heh) and fashioned a sort of pendant. Or something. Whatever. It was fun and I got to do a lot of banging and buffing and the likes.

Shopping Spree

2010-02-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

Went on a shopping spree yesterday - at the bead store, of course! Our Local Bead Store is fabulous. Linda, the uber awesome owner of Beads on the Kennebec is an avid beader herself so she stocks all the latest and greatest, of course, as well as local artists' beads and findings. It's really an awesome little bead store with an amazing assortment of goods and great classes, too! Take a peak at my haul:

really sparkly, yummy huge crystal's in a rainbow of colors

these gorgeous saucer beads - here in blue

aqua

red

black

and green! (think I went overboard?????)

and some sweet little "Pandora" type beads I'm going to use for some bracelets for my young cousins.

All in all a great shopping day!!!

One World One Heart

2010-02-08T18:39:00.004-05:00

Time again for the annual One World One Heart blog event. What an amazing experience it was last year to go from blog to blog meeting new people and making connections with other artists around the world. I lost track of time this year, but am entering the event at the last minute.

As you can see by my other posts, I make jewelry. I love everything about it - especially the experimentation involved in MY learning process. My blog is a way of sharing with others that journey and attempting to show how my creative process works.

My "door prize" this year is a wonderful little leather bracelet - knotted and embellished with brass beads and a wonderful vintage brass button as a closure.

To get your name in the hat, you should be a blogger; leave me a comment and a clear way to link back to you, or leave an email address so you can be contacted if you should win. The final day for leaving comments is February 15th - at which point I will close the entry to comments and do a random drawing to determine the winner. Best of luck to each of you - and I look forward to meeting you along the way!

**edited 2/15/2010 to add that I will close this posting to comments at midnight EST and at that point, using a random number generator, will pick the winner. Thanks to all who left such kind comments on this post and others - I had a blast going from blog to blog this year.

More fun with the Bench Grinder

2010-01-19T12:25:00.001-05:00

Did I tell you I love my new bench grinder? I'm having the best time and experimenting with anything and everything metal! Starting with a piece of copper pipe (actually a connector), using my pipe cutter I cut it into three pieces.

One of the pieces I smoothed and then using my dapping block, I domed it very carefully. (remember, this started it's life as a piece of copper tubing)

I have some wonderful brass thingies - not really sure what they are actually used for but I love the shape and the heft of them so I bought a few. I took one of the pieces of the copper, domed it a little bit and fit it around the brass piece. The copper ring moves and rolls around the brass and is held in place by the flare of the ends on the brass.

Another penny - this time domed and drilled to make a bead cap. Now I just have to get some beads that will fit it! (off to go shopping at magpie gemstones!)

One down, eight hundred to go!..........

2010-01-19T11:25:00.001-05:00

Ok, maybe not eight hundred, but from everything I've crafted with the help of my new bench grinder, quite a few projects to be done! I created a bracelet with some of the pennies and flattened wire pieces and am looking forward to doing many more.
I used 16 gauge brass wire for the links along with some wonderful little copper washers I got from magpie gemstones to create the base of the bracelet.........

wired in some aventurine beads on the domed pennies (beads from magpie gemstones)

added a few wheat pennies that I drilled

and finished it off with a handcrafted copper clasp. I'm thinking of adding a patina to this bracelet - what do you think?

Tools are beautiful, too!

2010-01-17T14:17:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy with my new Christmas gift that I haven't had time to update my blog. But, here it is - an update as well as a picture of the aforementioned gift. A fabulous bench grinder.

Who would have thought I would be such a tool junkie - certainly not me! But, the more time I spend making jewelry, the more I realize I LOVE the tools that come with it. And this bench grinder is my new favorite. It has two wheels, one a grinding stone and the other a fiber wheel, as well as a flexshaft that comes in handy for all those curves and tight spots. I am still learning how to use it, but that hasn't stopped me from trying all sorts of things.

Using some pre-1982 pennies (they are 95% copper), I flattened some pennies (to see how I do this, check out this post ) and drilled holes in it.
I also flattened some 16 gauge copper wire, smoothed the edges and added some holes to make some copper connectors.

My next entry will be what I make with all these newly created copper components.

Fire Agate and Vintage African Focal

2009-10-19T16:14:00.005-04:00

Earlier this year I received a wonderful gift of some vintage African beads and components from a woman who lived in Africa for a decade or so. One of the amazing things I received (I blogged about the other pieces here)is this leaf - formed from brass and stamped with a lovely, simple design. I knew it would make an awesome focal but I also knew it had to be paired with the right beads and the right components. I used some 10 gauge brass wire to form the bail - hammered, of course...................

.........and while at Caravan Beads earlier this year found these fire agate beads -some big colorful roundels and some smaller rounds that I knew would work wonderfully with the brass. As links I used some brass washers (nice thick ones - heavier than what you find normally - these were a great find for me from my favorite closeout store here in Maine - Mardens) that I sawed using my jewelers saw. (Beading Daily had a great how-to article that made me want to pick up the saw and work with it again......if you have any hesitation or fears about sawing I highly recommend reading the article)

While I had the heavy gauge wire out to make the bail, I made two swirl components to add a bit more interest to the front of the necklace - also formed and hammered...........

I am really pleased with how the necklace came together..............

It can be seen in the April 2010 issue of Bead Trends magazine!

Lets Talk Embellishment

2009-07-19T12:44:00.008-04:00

Talk about bling........it never ceases to amaze me how creative people are......in all sorts of different ways! Check out the beaded auto in this video - ya gotta wonder how long it took!

Another (just like the other) beachy-summery-sparkly necklace

2009-07-15T21:14:00.003-04:00

A simple summer necklace using some black ice fishing line, sparkly aqua AB crystals, Karen Hill Tribe silver beads (some rounds, some tubes, some squares), hand knotted along with some gorgeous coin pearls, some mother of pearl rice shaped beads..... and joined with a simple nautical themed sterling silver toggle clasp with a large heart shaped mother of pearl shell focal

Swarovski, silver and pearls, oh my!

2009-07-15T20:13:00.006-04:00

A light summery silver necklace with a little of everything in it.......some freshwater pearl buttons, some of those fabulous pearl coins, Swarovski crystal in two different shapes and three different sizes, some seed beads and a myriad of sterling silver beads - tiny Karen Hill Tribe rounds, liquid silver, daisy spacers, bali-inspired starfish..........
a REALLY fabulous sterling silver sun shaped toggle clasp (I mean, what would the beach be with no sun?!).... and a big beautiful Swarovski crystal starfish. Three strands of varying lengths captured in sterling silver cones on each end - perfect for any time of day or night.

Turquoise nuggets and red brass wire

2009-06-30T17:33:00.003-04:00

I was playing in my "stash" today and pulled out some of the turquoise nuggets I got from Turquoise Magpie - they are a very beautiful shade of blue with some wonderful browns and greens all through them. I wrapped the turquoise with some 20 gauge red brass wire and connected them with some handwrapped coils. In the stash I had a nugget shaped almost like a heart so I added that as a dangle I wrapped and coiled on one side. Here is the finished bracelet - destined for Vicki "the Reiki Goddess".

Coin Pearl Earrings

2009-06-18T22:42:00.003-04:00

It feels good to have the time to make some jewelry again. Using some more of those gorgeous coin pearls and some of these luscious rubie rondelles wrapped with gold filled wire. *Congratulations and have a great summer Darcy!*

New Work

2009-06-17T15:48:00.005-04:00

Well, not really new work - this is actually a bracelet I made for my mother for Mothers Day. (*note to Mom - here's your new bracelet - sorry it's so late*) Gorgeous wine fluorite rondelles (from Magpie Gemstones, of course), some small (3mm) round gold filled beads....Wonderfully lusterous coin pearls with a nice easy to close ball and hitch clasp.

I had a request for a "silver ring with a light green stone in it - something cute" - so I used an oval peridot gemstone in a simple silver setting.

While making the custom order, I also made this ring - mostly because I really like emerald cut stones. Once again, emerald cut peridot gemstone in a simple silver setting. Tres chic!

A mothers bracelet - of sorts

2009-05-26T16:08:00.004-04:00

I got an order for a "typewriter key bracelet" for a woman who wanted the piece to have the first initial of each family member. In addition to the antique typewriter keys, I used 19 gauge stainless steel to create the coil components............
the spiraled "S" clasp, and the jumprings.

I used 22 gauge stainless steel to wrap the gy-normous and gorgeous Amazonite rounds (I got them at Magpie Gemstones, of course!)

All together a very funky, different sort of mothers bracelet!

New Photo of Copper Patinaed Romanov

2009-05-09T22:06:00.003-04:00

I received a comment on the last post and realized that the pictures didn't really clearly show the difference between the natural vs the patinaed bracelet. I am using a new photo editor that is far superior to my old software - and I am still learning how to use it. I took another photo of the patinaed piece, and here it is:
*sigh* - photography of jewelry is a never ending lesson!

Experimenting with Patina

2009-05-08T23:32:00.006-04:00

I recently created a Romanov chain maille weave using copper wire and some amazonite rounds. ( see below). I loved how it came out...I admit I am a real fan of keeping the metal as natural as possible......but the jewelry I make is not for me (well, not ALL of it!) and more often than not, I see buyers are more attracted to the aged, patinaed wire in the pieces. I resisted for a while but tried the hard boiled egg approach to darkening copper. Well, it didn't work for me, and rather than order some liver of sulphur, I decided to try a different approach after reading a conversation on one of the wire wrap groups. Sherry - aka Dancingfeather - spoke about using Gun Blue (read the Wikipedia story here ) in place of the liver of sulphur. After searching high and low, I finally found it at the hardware store in town. So this is the bracelet with no patina on it.

I dipped the whole bracelet in the Gun Blue - I was a little leery of dipping the stone in the solution, but I threw caution to the wind and dipped the entire bracelet into a jar (old fancy jelly jar with a strong twist on lid)and left it there for a few minutes since I really had no idea of how fast it would work - (and now is the time to tell you that before I used the patina on it, I cleaned the whole piece in a lemon juice and salt mixture - that takes off all surface dirt and oil) but just those few minutes was long enough for the piece to darken considerably.

Close up of a link with no patina:And here's the link after the patina was added.

The "after" picture is a bit washed out, but you can see the difference. I like the darker tone the copper has taken on - makes the amazonite rounds really pop!
Would be interested in hearing about your experiments with adding patina to your pieces....what do you use? how long do you leave a piece in the solution? what do you use to wipe it down and clean it up further? I used a sunshine cloth - and then a soft clean rag to finish it off. Has anybody used a tumbler? Would love to know how that works!

Cold Connections and Mixed Metals

2009-03-17T22:06:00.004-04:00

Some big giant wire -10 gauge red brass and 16 gauge copper. I couldn't resist - I love how it looks and the weight of a bracelet that's made with it.
Red Brass wrapped around the handle of my baby ball peen hammer with some copper tube cut to length to hide the join. Tool marks are very evident, I see!

Brass links joined with 3 copper rings.....now I just have to figure out what to make for a closure.

Some SERIOUS Treasures......

2009-03-11T15:06:00.007-04:00

Yesterday I was helping out the woman that is the head of the Maine Poodle Resuce Organization - we were working on some computer things and during one of our breaks, she showed me her "treasure chest" of pieces she acquired while in Africa. She lived and worked there for a dozen or so years and loved to go to the markets - where she bought items made, most of the time, by the artists right there at the market. Her treasure chest is one to be envied......and I had a great time looking at everything and hearing the stories behind the pieces. I was overjoyed and humbled when she offered me some pieces.........I could hardly believe my great fortune.

This is a necklace of some stone - perhaps white quartz, with an amber bead, brass wire and brass clasp.

This is a string of small copper beads and a necklace which is made entirely of silver jump rings.
Some really gorgeous malachite beads.

A necklace of clay beads.

Two stamped brass leaves, some brass bells and a brass spiral.

Some really interesting blue beads - they are really lightweight - I am not sure what they are made of.

A beaded choker.

An amazing multi-strand necklace - looks like seed pods, some wooden animal charms, what appear to be wooden tubes and some brass beads - that was made, then dipped to tint it green.

Some amazingly HUGE amber beads - I am not sure if it's what is called Moroccan amber or copal amber, but it's really beautiful.

Photography - take three!

2009-03-07T18:28:00.003-05:00

The third time is the charm......maybe! I promise, though, after this photography post I am going back to making jewelry! While it has been "fun" to take this break and do some pictures of my pieces, I am really quite done with making it an all day thing. So, here are the latest (and in my mind, greatest) pictures yet.

So, whaddya think?

Photography - Day 2

2009-03-06T17:08:00.003-05:00

Another day.........another set of pictures with different parameters. I changed the set up of my photo box..........I sprayed the bottom of the piece of glass with black spray paint and changed the aperture settings on my camera - the color is truer, there are no overblown highlights on the jewelry so now it would seem that it's just a matter of fine tuning the camera set up and I will be happy. Maybe.

A Necessary Evil - Jewelry Photography

2009-03-05T17:45:00.002-05:00

My new photography set up - totally different from my other pictures - no props, just the jewelry on a black background. I read somewhere about using a piece of glass on top of the black cloth - so I tried it. I made my own set up using a cardboard box, an old black ultrasuede shirt, an old broken piece of glass, a tripod and my camera. Here's the pics that I think might have merit.......

As always, it's a work in progress - any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

Copper, copper, copper

2009-02-27T17:00:00.003-05:00

Some more fun with pennies and copper wire. Byzantine weave (18gauge 5/32"), a flattened and domed penny.
Not sure I like how it's attached...........and am going to do some work on the penny - it looks a little plain......another work in progress.

A picture of the morning after our (Sunday night into Monday storm) two feet of snow here in Maine - a winter wonderland to be sure -but one man's wonderland is another man's, well.......not wonderland!

And to make matters worse, we lost power on Monday morning - well before I got up - so I had to resort to making coffee the old fashioned way.....................thank goodness for the wood stove and the gas cooking stove!

Big and Bold

2009-02-22T12:24:00.009-05:00

The fashion forecasters say big and bold is the season's new trend, so here's my contribution. Large faceted magnesite rondelles, (love them so much I already used the whole strand!) separated by some lovely southwestern style silver discs. The discs have a nice stamped design on them and they were just the right size for the chunky magnesite beads.

I found some wonderfully detailed toggle clasps -large and antiqued silver - a perfect closure for this necklace.

The necklace measures 16.5" - it sits at the collarbone and the clasp can be worn in the front or the back - or if you're really daring, on the side. It is casual and elegant all at the same time - at home worn with jeans on the prairie, or with a power suit in the boardroom!

Maille Redux

2009-02-18T20:38:00.004-05:00

My silver order came in yesterday and I finally got to make the commissioned Romanov weave bracelet. I used the 18 gauge sterling silver wire and some 6mm lapis rounds I had. I handcrafted a spiral"S" clasp for the closure. I hope the client is pleased.

Byzantine Bracelet

2009-02-16T17:11:00.004-05:00

Another attempt at byzantine - this time just straight byzantine.........again using 18 gauge Artistic Wire (non-tarnish silver - post office is closed today so I'm still waiting for my sterling silver wire) on a 5/32" mandrel. It is still a little too floppy - so perhaps the 1/8" mandrel next time. I wrapped a couple of turquoise rounds, a large faceted magnesite and some sterling silver bead caps and added that as a focal for the bracelet. I am not sure I like the clasp I used, however.........but I will show it to my friend Sandy who is a hound for all things turquoise and she will give me an honest opinion. :-)

More maille

2009-02-15T16:58:00.003-05:00

I had such a blast making the first Romanov weave, and while I wait for my sterling silver wire to be delivered, I thought I would try it in silver Artistic Wire. I used 18 gauge wire again, and for this one I added some 6mm red agate rounds and a pretty little silver plated star toggle clasp. Loving this look!

The Winner Is........

2009-02-12T12:48:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Nellie of Nellies Needles - she is the winner of our One World One Heart giveaway, and the new owner of my freeform copper heart pendant.

I want to again say a great big thank you to Lisa Swifka at a whimsical bohemian for all her hard work putting this together...............and a huge thank you to all that entered my giveaway, left comments, checked out my blog and the mrs beadsley of maine website. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip around the world and look forward to doing it again next year!

You've got Maille.......

2009-02-12T11:38:00.004-05:00

Chain maille, of course! At mrs beadsley of maine we take custom requests and during the store wide sale (to benefit the Maine Poodle Rescue) we got a request from one of our best clients for a Romanov weave bracelet. Since I have never done a Romanov weave, I wanted to practice on copper before working with the sterling silver wire - wire gauges and ID and OD and aspect ratios - it's almost like being back in high school math class! Having done byzantine weave before (Romanov weave is sections of byzantine weave linked together) I already had the gauge and ID calculations and just needed to figure the size bead that would fit in each Romanov link. After some trial and error, I ended up using a 6mm aventurine round, which I wrapped with some 22 gauge copper wire. Each Romanov section is linked with a jump ring made with some 18 gauge square copper wire, and I crafted an "S" clasp for closure. I love how this bracelet turned out and am really looking forward to doing it in sterling silver.

Copper and Magnesite Set

2009-02-08T14:55:00.006-05:00

Still loving the hammering of copper - using some 12 gauge copper wire, I made some over sized jump rings and hammered them flat. To add some depth to the flattened links I coiled some 20 gauge wire around them to hide the join, then connected them using some 18 gauge square copper wire (love it - it works with everything!). I had some large faceted magnesite rondelles which I wrapped with copper wire and joined with some large twisted copper rings. I made a chain with some square copper wire and some small coiled copper rings (got the twisted and coiled links at Magpie Gemstones), added the hammered pieces and the beaded pieces in an asymmetrical design...........a handcrafted copper "S"clasp serves as closure. Although the bracelet has different copper components, it still works as a set.

Thank You

2009-02-07T08:26:00.004-05:00

A huge heartfelt thank you to all that responded to my sale at mrs beadsley of maine. All the proceeds from the sale went to Maine Poodle Rescue to help them with their expenses - so that they can in turn help more at risk dogs. It's a worthwhile cause and they are just a great bunch of people over there and I was glad to do what I could to help.

Let me say, once again, if you are considering getting a dog, please check in your area for local rescue organizations...............most breeds have their own chapter......these dogs could really use you!!!

OWOH Giveaway Event

2009-02-05T09:01:00.004-05:00

I must say I am overwhelmed by all the wonderful bloggers that are participating in the One World One Heart blog event. Not only has everybody seriously made MY day by leaving such wonderful comments, I am truly amazed by the fact that 911 (yes that's right, nine hundred eleven) blogs are participating in the event. If you haven't yet done so, cruise on over to the OWOH blog and start checking out all the fantastic blogs that are participating. (they are listed in the right column). Lisa Swifka has done an absolutely amazing job organizing this event........and I have to say a big THANK YOU to her for all she has done.

On the business end of things, I need to update the information in my original posting - just to say that I am going to use a random number generator (thank you random.org) to choose the winner of my giveaway. I thought of using one of the dogs to choose, but they each have their favorite, none of them understand the concept of random winner and to keep in-fighting from breaking out I made the executive decision to do it the fair way.

So, grab a cuppa, sit back and start some serious surfing...........the OWOH bloggers are so incredibly generous.....there are some SERIOUSLY gorgeous giveaways out there!

Peace, over and out.

One World One Heart Blog Event

2009-01-30T15:37:00.013-05:00

I am coming to this One World One Heart blog event a little late - but I am in time to take part, which is the important thing! Many kudos to Lisa over at a whimsical bohemian for organizing this incredibly huge blog event. If you want to read more about the event, go to the One World One Heart blog and read about it. It really is amazing! I am looking forward to meeting some new people and getting to know other artists and bloggers around the world.

And so,without further ado, here is the giveaway from mrs beadsley of maine - a handcrafted copper freeform heart pendant with Swarovski crystals, fresh water pearls, and some vintage crystals wrapped in square copper wire. *edited to add - this is the same pendant - just two different views*

So, if you are an active blogger, please leave a comment here for me. I will be closing this post to comments on midnight of Feb 11th, at which time I will randomly choose a winner and post the winner here on February 12th. Please make sure when you leave a comment, you also leave your email address so I can get in touch with you.

If I haven't said it already, good to meet you!!!

New Beads - new bracelet

2009-01-29T12:44:00.005-05:00

LOVE these new beads I got from Magpie Gemstones - wine red fluorite, huge amazonite and some FABU copper spacers - and I love how they all look together. I used some square copper wire, the amazonite rounds, flanked them with the copper spacers and wine red fluorite (which I think looks so rich), handcrafted a spiral "S" clasp and Voila - it is a bracelet! My muse has been noticeably absent these past few weeks, but am hoping she is planning to return sometime soon. Until then, this is the fruit of my labors!

A Special Sale at mrs beadsley of maine

2009-01-26T10:23:00.005-05:00

Today through February 6 mrs beadsley of maine will be donating 100% of sales to the Maine Poodle Rescue Organization, of which I am a member. We recently rescued 12 dogs (2 adults, one of which we are fostering, and 10 five month old puppies)that all need to be spayed/neutered and two of which need serious dental work. All that is expensive, and since we are a not for profit organization, we rely on the kindness of others to help us do this work. Since I am owned by 4 standard poodles, all of whom have been rescued, I have to do my part to help raise some of the money needed to get these guys back to being healthy.

The hardest part of this is that these things continue to happen..........these dogs are part of a (seemingly) never ending supply of abused and neglected dogs that have been chained up, penned in, and used up all for the sake of making puppies, puppies and more puppies. I know that it isn't possible to close down every single puppy mill, or to stop people from abusing animals, but I do know that I can be there for those dogs that need help - and with help and donations that is the goal of Maine Poodle Rescue. Consider making a purchase - buy some bling and help a poodle! You'll be glad you did!

Here's my four guys - look at those faces!!!!

Nina Simone, Simon Schuster, Theodore Poodopolis and Ranger Dangerfield.

Down a Road Less Traveled.......

2009-01-09T17:04:00.004-05:00

on this blog, anyway. The newest member of our family arrived a little more than three weeks ago. He is a 7 year old standard poodle named Ranger (formerly Raven) who arrived in really sad shape. He was the stud for (what I would consider) a puppy mill - he lived in a barn in not so stellar conditions and he was just a really sad boy when he arrived. We cleaned him up, rough cut his hair (he was very shy and not comfortable with being touched) and then let the rest of the dogs take care of him. They did a really good job, coaxed him out of his shell, disabused him of any "alpha male" fantasies and actually accepted him - he now uses his own voice, initiates play, shows physical affection and let us run the clippers over his face, tail and feet.

The before picture was taken the day he got here

The after was taken three days ago. He's a happy boy now. There is something so uplifting about watching a dog transform the way Ranger has transformed - if you're thinking about getting a dog, check with a local shelter or look for rescue organizations in your area. Ranger came to us through a Standard Poodle Rescue group here in Maine, and as a matter of fact all 4 of our dogs are rescue dogs - and that makes a family!

**and as they say, now down off my soapbox..........stay tuned for regularly scheduled program of jewelry blogs!**

A Work in Progress

2008-12-30T21:00:00.004-05:00

I got a request for some bracelets - some of my wire bracelets, so I sat down yesterday to make some. I had a few ideas in my head........pulled out some beads, some wire, played with colors and finally had a couple of plans. None of which worked. Sheesh - finally have some time to work uninterrupted and I can't seem to wring a bracelet out of four attempts - but in the whole mess I salvaged a necklace from which to hang my (domed penny)copper/pearl pendant.

I used 22 gauge copper wire and made some wrapped loops to join some really gorgeous vintage crystal bicones (probably 8mm) and some vintage pearls and 2mm Swarovski crystals. I used square copper wire for the jumprings and connection components and added a really nice antiqued copper toggle clasp. I still don't think this necklace is done yet...........I have an idea for etching the pendant..............stay tuned.......

Black Steel and Brass Wire

2008-12-28T14:44:00.008-05:00

Gotta love Christmas - got a bunch of new wire to play with and here are the fruits of my labor. For the first bracelet I used the black annealed steel wire to make some coil components and wrap some pretty pink faceted glass beads, crafted some jump rings and added the antique typewriter keys to spell out A-N-D. I handcrafted a spiraled "S" clasp and added an extender chain and a wrapped bead so it would fit different sizes. I've made a few projects with these antique keys and I love them........but there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what I choose to spell out.........some would say I give my muse too much latitude!!!

In this bracelet I used 18 and 20 gauge brass wire - I love working with brass - some don't like the natural patina it gets (a mellow golden brown), but I do. Besides, it's easy to keep clean - swish it around in a lemon juice and salt mixture and it brightens right back up. Anyway, I found a tutorial on the Starving Artists forum (great place to learn and drool over pretties)for a wire wrapped bead bangle and tried it out. I think because I used some 10mm beads the wire measurements were a little off, but the tutorial is clear and well illustrated and I like the end result. So, because my bracelet was a little short on length, I added some jump rings, a hammered brass clasp and a wrapped bead to extend the length a bit. I made an extender chain so it would fit more sizes.

These two necklaces are some simple ones I made for my nieces for Christmas - the beads are actually small perfume beads from the Netherlands - I found them at my LBS and thought they would be perfect for each girl. I added a hammered and textured silver ring, some silver chain and a quaint little silver heart shaped lobster clasp.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T23:45:00.001-05:00

Just want to wish everybody Happy Holidays!

I'm So Excited!!!!!

2008-12-23T19:25:00.006-05:00

I got my January 2009 issue of Bead Trends Magazine - in which I have two pieces. Even though this is the second time I have been in the magazine, this time is extra special - one, because I have two pieces in it and, two, because one of my pieces is a photo for the table of contents. I am such a geek, I am posting pictures of the "spread" - and then below, the actual pieces as I photographed them.

Finally...........

2008-12-22T03:27:00.004-05:00

..........I can post this bracelet. I made it for my sister for her birthday (Happy Birthday Eileen), and through a series of unfortunate events, was delayed in sending it out to her.......but she finally got it so here it is:

This bracelet is actually what started me on the road to heating the pennies on the wood stove (confused?.....see here) before working with them. Initially I was going to use pennies with her birth year on them but then got to thinking that she probably didn't want to advertise her age on her wrist (not that it bothers her, but why have a constant reminder?)so I domed the pennies so they were wheat side up. A penny for each of her children (3 boys - I really don't know how she survives!), with sterling wrapped turquoise (her birthstone)and garnet beads and finished off with a sterling silver lobster clasp. I swished the pennies in a mixture of lemon juice and salt so they came out shiny and brand new looking (really, really hard to capture the pretty pinkish glow of new copper with a camera) - so they blended really well with the sterling silver.

On a side note, once the penny has been cleaned in the lemon/salt solution and put back in the sand filled bowl on the wood stove, they get a really nice shade of red - which is of course cranking up the muse. Expect to see some red copper pennies real soon!

Further Copper Explorations

2008-12-15T15:58:00.006-05:00

My newest pendant - I am having such a good time working with metal - I love being able to hammer it into shapes - in this case, I domed it, then drilled a hole into it and wire wrapped a Swarovski pearl which nestles right into the cup of the disc - kind of like a pearl in an oyster! I love the texture I got from the hammer - it was a little tricky to get that though. Why? you ask.........well, here's the rest of the story.............

The copper "disc" started its life as a 1957 wheat penny. Yup, serious. There has been a discussion going on in one of the groups I belong to about how much time it takes to pound a penny flat enough to be able to use it as one would a blank copper disc. I decided to give it a shot and see how hard it really is - but doing it my way. When I first started experimenting with doming pennies and making jewelry with them, my dear SO handed me a stainless steel bowl half filled with some sand and said "put your pennies in this and set it on top of the woodstove; it will keep the pennies warm and make it easier to work with them". Huh.......OK. I did.

We have a big wood stove (it's called an "All-Nighter) and the top of the stove has two levels, so I put the pennies on the top level toward the back of the stove and there they sit, day in and day out. I took a penny out (using a pair of pliers because they are HOT)and just started whaling on it with my hammer. (I used my steel block to hammer on) The hammer I used this time is a BIG one (the XXL version of this one ), so I flattened all evidence of the mint imprint out of the penny in about 6 minutes. I used the flat face of the hammer and made sure to turn the penny every 5 whacks or so to keep it flat. I turned the hammer over and started hitting it with the domed head and was tickled when the disc started curving and doming without having to use the doming block. I hammered it until it was as even as I could get it - keeping the thickness as uniform as I could, and once I was finished hammering it I filed the edges so they were round and uniform - drilled a hole in it, added the wrapped pearl and Voila - my version of a copper disc. Real cheap..........like, just a penny!!!!

Earrings it is!

2008-12-12T15:00:00.003-05:00

Got some gold filled wire (22 gauge, half hard) and since I'd never worked with it before, wanted to start out small. I decided to make a bunch of earrings for my sisters (yes, the ones that are hard to shop for)this year for Christmas. I had purchased a few gemstones earlier this year and decided to play with the wire and gems. I made all my own earwires - which was fun and really good practice on the pliers.

The earrings are, by far, the most delicate pieces I have made to date - it was a bit disconcerting to be working on such dainty wire - but by dainty I do NOT mean soft - half hard gold filled is hard - and made good sturdy earwires. I experimented with loops, swirls, lengths and gems - and all in all it was a productive afternoon.

Transformation of a UFO

2008-12-06T15:33:00.006-05:00

I was attempting (!) to organize my work area, and as so often happens when I do that, I came upon some pieces I had put away - either because they were not finished, or they didn't come together the way I had envisioned, or the colors were all wrong (......you get the drift - some of these UFOs have languished for years); and so in my organizational frenzy, I came across a zippered bag of peyote tubes - all colors, lengths and sizes, pulled out a long one created with some gorgeous iridescent orange seed beads, paired it with some antiqued copper spacer beads, some faceted opalite rounds, two opal Swarovski crystals and a length of memory wire. I kinda like the look...........................

When I tried just stringing the peyote tube on the memory wire, I didn't like how floppy it looked and felt, so I first strung some size 10 seed beads on the wire and then pulled the peyote over the seed beads. They seem to fill the opening of the tube just enough for it to retain it's round shape and not go flat on one side. I'm still not sure about the arrangement of opalites and crystals on the ends - I may rearrange that at some point as there is something "just not right" about the ends.

So, how many UFOs do you have stashed away? And how often do you take them out to try and finish them?

The finished steel necklace

2008-11-12T14:27:00.003-05:00

Well, here is the completed necklace. I added a beautiful pewter focal (actually a button!) and some more dangles from the focal - a couple of vintage crystals, a vintage pearl, a ceramic leaf and a few other things. I also took some of the beads off the right side - although I loved the look of two beads per loop, it seemed to make the necklace a bit lopsided.

A fun necklace to make!

Stainless Steel and Jewelry

2008-11-10T15:25:00.005-05:00

There has recently been a lot of discussion in a wire group I belong to about using steel wire in pieces of jewelry. I have done it before ( here, here and here to name a few) but the whole discussion kick started my creative process, so yesterday I sat down with some 19 gauge stainless steel wire (found in my local Ace Hardware store in with the "picture hanging" wire), some really cool old typewriter keys and some red/orange drop beads I found at my LBS.

Lately, I find myself being influenced by the style of jewelry artists such as Mary Hettmansperger (Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet; Making Designer Metal Jewelry), Richard Salley (his website), the work of (blog) Deryn Mentock to name a few. I am drawn to the mix of metals, wire, found objects and beads and fibers that get incorporated into each piece, and how, in spite of the fact that it would seem chaotic, it ends up being a soothing, inspiring mix once it's all put together.

In making this necklace, I tried to be more creative with my connections, more open to mixing shapes and textures of wire and attempting to assert asymmetrical-ity when I normally would not have. I love working with stainless steel - although it is a VERY tough wire to wrap with, unlike some other wire, the more it's worn the better it looks.

I have not finished the necklace yet, but here are a couple of pictures of the work in progress.

I spelled out SING using the antique typewriter keys, with a different connection joining each letter, a lot of 12 mm steel rings; some flattened and closed with a spring formed by coiling some 24 gauge sterling silver wire around a piece of 16 gauge wire and slipping it over the join in the ring, others left round and to them I added some delicious drop beads I found at my LBS - the color goes from garnet red at the top to a faint yellow-orange-red at the base.

I have a few other things to add to the bottom as dangles - I made a Spiral 'S' clasp - it closes in front - and for now have some steel and bead connections as a dangle. It reminds me of the fruit of a pomegranate - the right shape and the right color - mmmmmm yummy!

The People Have Spoken.................

2008-11-04T15:50:00.005-05:00

.........and asked for more of my "elegant jewelry", (their words, not mine) - so in the spirit of democracy, and because it is election day here in the good old USofA, I created a nice, delicate, sterling silver, pink pearl, garnet confection (but of course, the silver connectors were BEATEN with a HAMMER)which just happens to be very elegant. Well, that's how MY dictionary defines elegant........heheheh.

I created the wavy connectors with some 18 gauge and 20 gauge round sterling silver wire. I used my round nose pliers to form the wavy shape, then flattened them. I used some 24 gauge sterling silver wire to create the pink pearl and garnet rosette - as you can see it needs a little tweaking; then I added the pearl, garnet wrapped beads and a nice sterling silver lobster clasp.

Just my interpretation of elegant!

Another experiment.......

2008-11-01T21:41:00.007-04:00

Not too long ago, I bought a wooden doming block (from Magpie Gemstones, of course!) because I like the look of domed, curved metal - and to tell the truth, a new tool is always a great thing!
I had some old pennies (the pennies from 1982 and earlier are the ones to use, those minted after are only a covering of copper over a base of zinc) so I started with those. I found some information on the internet to guide me along on this journey, and got to work.
I found out soon enough that the lip along the outside of the penny is heavy and although not a seam, it is thicker at the edge - and so because my doming block is wood, it created ridges in the curves and now my curves have dents. Will definitely have to upgrade to a metal one to do more pennies.

I also experimented, using other things to pound with besides the wooden punches that come with it - they work great but I was just looking for some other tools that I could use. I found a couple of bolts with round smooth heads, one was about 12mm and the other one was about 20mm. I used the bolts on some pennies instead of the wooden punches and, as you would suspect, using the steel bolt as a punch worked oh so much faster than using the wood. So I found two 1963 pennies, domed them, drilled a hole through each one, wired up some freshwater pearls and some green stone (I got them from Magpie Gemstones - I am not sure what the stone is I got it in a multi-stone rondelle strand) and then crafted a sterling silver (with a coil of thin copper wire) earwire and, there you go............"My Two Cents"!!!!!!!!!!

Further Experiments with metals

2008-10-22T17:31:00.011-04:00

So, I was in the basement the other day, doing laundry, waiting for the washer to fill up (I have a point, I promise!) and just staring off into space while waiting. My eyes happened to fall upon the "plumbing" toolbox we set up - just so we would know all the required things are all in one place for those emergencies - and I saw copper. I LOVE copper......love, love, love copper, and every time I see it my mind is always making something with it. So, I took a few things out of the plumbing box and set out to make a piece of jewelry. Documented below is my journey - from piece of copper piping through to the resulting copper pendant created from it.

The pipe cutter and a length of 3/4" copper pipe

I cut a 1/4" wide piece of the pipe off

I used a piece of plumbers cloth to sand the rough edges of the cut piece - it actually works really well and got all the rough edges smoothed. I still had no idea what I wanted to do with it, so I decided to use more tools and see where that took me.

I got out my steel block and fancy-schmancy hammer and decided to start beating on the ring of copper - I decided to hammer the cut edges and as I was hammering it I liked how it was looking, so I kept hammering it until the top met the bottom. I made sure to hammer evenly, on the top and the bottom, and gradually it folded in on itself and made a wide circle.

This is the flattened piece of pipe - I buffed it and cleaned up the edges a little with a file but really liked the organic feel of the circle so I kept the filing to a minimum. But, I still wasn't happy with what I had, so I went in search of more tools, of course.

I found a nice heavy bolt with really good threads on it and decided I would use it to add texture to the circle - I used my hammer and the bolt on it's side and just smacked away until I liked the resulting design. I buffed it up, wire wrapped a piece of turquoise (really unusual piece, which I purchased from Magpie gemstones), hung it from a "spring" component I made with 18 gauge square copper wire and strung it on leather.

And Voila - the finished piece. So, how's that for an experiment?

The Absent Blogger........

2008-10-06T08:49:00.009-04:00

It's been a good while since I've posted - the out of doors work has been keeping me VERY busy and since there are only truly 3 months of warm summer weather here in the far reaches of Maine, we tend to try to take advantage of them while they are here. For those interested, I got a LOT done on the outside - added a Rhododendron bush, a Star Magnolia tree, a climbing rose bush, 3 Yew trees, about a million irises, 4 boxwoods and two other small bushes that I found in the clearence section of the garden shop.

The first 5 mentioned items were picked up (by my fantastic dear hard working SO)at an area business that had closed and subsequently been sold to the town for a new Fire Dept. Before they cleared the way for the new building, they offered up some of the gorgeous plantings on the property and we were SO lucky to have been on the receiving end of this - of course we had to go dig them out and transport them back here but it was really worth it. Next year the yard will be in full bloom and I am really looking forward to seeing it!

I made a few simple things, mostly because I HAVE to just to keep my sanity - just a bit of eye candy for you!

Tourmaline chips, fresh water pearls and sterling silver........mmmmmmm I LOVE tourmaline!

My newest favorite - millions of cobalt glass beads and yards and yards of wire - made it all from the jump rings to wrapping each bead.....didn't make the heart shaped closure though - got those (which I really like as they are so versatile) from my LBS .

Shopping for copper wire

2008-08-23T16:47:00.000-04:00

**A shout out to "Ken" at the Augusta, Maine Home Depot. What a lovely man and so very helpful.**

For those out there that don't already know it, if you're doing wirework and like to work with copper, make your way over to your local Home Depot. In the electrical department they have just about every size of copper wire (and some aluminum if you so choose) you could want. I took a trip out there today and found some really great wire on sale - I got six feet of 27 strand wire - which would make that 162 feet of copper wire (some 16gauge, some 18gauge and some 20gauge) all for a grand total of $7.50. What a bargain!!! All I have to do is to strip it (using a utility knife, or some tell me, a vegetable peeler) and it's ready to be twisted, formed, hammered and/or bent into some beautiful pieces. Copper is great wire to practice with as it behaves almost as sterling silver wire will, and copper jewelry is also gaining in popularity all on it's own. Read here about the properties of electrical grade copper, and here if you are curious about "health" benefits to wearing copper jewelry.

And, now, if you'll excuse me, I am off to make some copper jewelry!!!!

Getting ready for the show!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-04T17:06:00.000-04:00

I've been busy trying to get ready for a show (my very first - YIKES!) and here are a few of the pieces I just finished.

A simple amber/pearl/silver bracelet - freshwater pearls in this one, and an amber necklace with some funky Karen Hill Tribes silver beads and 8mm Czech glass pearls. The necklace is 18" long and looks wonderful on!

I also did some copper chain maille - this is full persian weave with some green faceted glass beads and some antiqued copper spacers.

New Copper Pieces

2008-07-23T14:56:00.000-04:00

Pulled out the copper wire (16 gauge round and 18 gauge square for the flower and 14 gauge for the free-form bracelet)the other day and decided to try a couple of ideas that had been floating around in my brain for a while. I made the free form bracelet first - I used a length of the 14 gauge and made some squiggles which I then beat flat with the hammer. (I highly recommend this for taking out some frustration!!!) I had some (17mm?) cobalt/copper swirl beads in my stash so I used those to join the squiggles, made a simple hook and ring clasp and...........Voila - a bracelet is born. It's a solid, big bracelet and not for the faint of heart, but I really like how it turned out.

The flower was born from 16 gauge round wire that I handformed into a flower shape - and I wanted the hint of a stem so I coiled one end of the wire over the other end for the join. (also, I have not yet had the soldering lesson!!!!) I beat this piece with the hammer, too (oh my poor dogs!) and then created an infinity chain link for the necklace. Once it was together I thought it looked too plain so I wrapped some beautiful faceted blue briolettes into a flower shape and wrapped it onto the flower as center petals. I added two briolettes from the "stem" and now it doesn't look too plain at all!!!

Inspiration

2008-06-25T15:11:00.001-04:00

Inspiration from nature - my brother was here for a really overdue visit - and we found these beauties hanging out down by the lake - it was a nice surprise for me since last year we only had one bloom! Isn't nature amazing?

Alternative start for Viking Knit Weave

2008-06-23T15:24:00.000-04:00

When weaving a viking knit piece I used to use the "petal over the dowel" method to start my weave until I ran across this method (and I wish I could remember where I saw this so I could give credit where it's due)which is SO much easier, IMHO. I still use the wooden dowel to weave around but now I use staples as the starting loop. I included a picture of the "set-up" to make it easier to understand. (except the photo does not show the heavy duty staples I actually use). I divide it into five parts, put the staples equi-distance apart, and then just start weaving. Once done weaving, I use the long starter piece of wire to weave through the end loops then remove the staples and tighten the weave, then draw the whole length through the drawplate. SO much easier!

More Fun with Murano!

2008-04-30T12:34:00.001-04:00

Another set of gorgeous Murano beads from my LBS - I couldn't resist - the colors are amazing! I used some of my (dwindling) stash of vintage crystals, a few topaz colored Swarovski crystals, some 2xab jet Swarovski crystals, twisted up some gold artistic wire to use as links and added a really fun hammered goldtone toggle clasp. I did a lousy job capturing the sparkle in the crystals - and I took a million pictures of this before I was even close to being satisfied with the picture. *Sigh*. Sometimes, it seems to take more time to photograph a piece than it does to make it!!

Heralding Spring

2008-04-15T20:19:00.000-04:00

Where does the time go? I haven't had a lot of time lately to make jewelry (2 10 month old puppies, maybe?) but I found these beautiful soft green Murano foil beads at my LBS and went crazy with the wire! I used 18 gauge (non-tarnish) gold artistic wire and made some "squiggles" and a couple of spirals; wrapped some Czech beads, some Swarovski crystals and a couple of faceted teardrops and added a couple of each in between each Murano bead. The bracelet has nice movement and, more importantly to me, looks like SPRING! (yes, we do still have snow on the ground!)

Where oh where has my Muse gone?

2008-04-01T15:58:00.000-04:00

I've been in a major slump lately - not sure if it's because of the overly long, hard winter (here in Maine we still have more than two feet of snow on the ground), the extra work created by the addition of two nine month old puppies that have to be trained (every minute of every day - but they are a JOY to hang with) or what it is, but my Muse seems to be on vacation. I sit down each day and try for inspiration but the well is dry! I even made a special trip out to my LBS (the fantastic Beads on the Kennebec) and got some beautiful new beads, but that didn't even help. So, to try and get myself over the slump, I took out the memory wire and some beads and started making bracelets. Guess what?.....it helped, I think.

I started out by making one with the last of my vintage glass pearls and some blue Swarovski cubes - it's bling at it's best!

For the next one I used some pink Celestial Crystals in various sizes along with some really versatile gold spacers:

This one has some beautiful turquoise nuggets, silver cube beads and long silver tubes:

And the last couple I used some seed beads along with some other beads for simple color blocks.

Mrs Beadsley's Workshop

Edit - of sorts!

New Pieces

Full Speed Ahead

Leather and Copper

Autumn Colors (and some blues)

Turquoise Bracelet

Pennies - Again!

More Torch-Fired Enamel

Some New Colors - but still Pennies!!!

From the Workshop

More enamel happenings

Pennies......again!

Kumihimo Necklace with Copper Leaf Clasp

More Torch Fired Enamel Pieces

Torch Fired Enamel

New Tools and Stuff

Kumihimo and Beads - Experimentation

New from the Bench

Under the heading of Recycling.........

Copper and Kumihimo

OWOH 2011 Winners!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART 2011

Attack of the Frogs!!!

Autumn Leaves

More Kumihimo Experiments

Copper Work

Lifeus Interruptus - or how I got off track.......

Finishing Kumihimo

Kumihimo with beads........

Learning Kumihimo

Muse-ings

** woo - hoo ** !!!!

Etching on copper

Brass Heart Necklace

More copper etching

Copper Malachite Necklace

It's just Common Cents

Copper Malachite Necklace

OWOH Winner

A Day in the Studio

The Plumbing Aisle.....

Shopping Spree

One World One Heart

More fun with the Bench Grinder

One down, eight hundred to go!..........

Tools are beautiful, too!

Fire Agate and Vintage African Focal

Lets Talk Embellishment

Another (just like the other) beachy-summery-sparkly necklace

Swarovski, silver and pearls, oh my!

Turquoise nuggets and red brass wire

Coin Pearl Earrings

New Work

A mothers bracelet - of sorts

New Photo of Copper Patinaed Romanov

Experimenting with Patina

Cold Connections and Mixed Metals

Some SERIOUS Treasures......

Photography - take three!

Photography - Day 2

A Necessary Evil - Jewelry Photography

Copper, copper, copper

Big and Bold

Maille Redux

Byzantine Bracelet

More maille

The Winner Is........

You've got Maille.......

Copper and Magnesite Set

Thank You

OWOH Giveaway Event

One World One Heart Blog Event

New Beads - new bracelet

A Special Sale at mrs beadsley of maine

Down a Road Less Traveled.......

A Work in Progress

Black Steel and Brass Wire

Happy Holidays

I'm So Excited!!!!!

woo - hoo !!!!