INSPIRATION!!!

I decided to do some "beading" rather than wire, and guess what? I went right back to wire....I guess it's becoming a part of me. This was a really fun project for me. Creating the wire pieces, putting them together, and incorporating the beads - it fulfilled the creative need in me. I love the way it came out and especially how the colors work together. My mind is already working towards a next project - I seem to create as I wake in the morning...that's when the creative juices seem to flow! There is so much beautiful bead and wire work out there in cyberspace and in magazines, that you have a lot of ideas to work with to create your own unique piece of jewelry. I read of one designer who gets ideas as she drives down the road - like the way a truckload of logs is stacked in a truck - so I am trying to learn to keep my eyes open to everything around me - colors, textures, or the way something twists or bends. You never know what might inspire that next piece of jewelry! Until then....Have a great day! Anita

Rolling Mills for Metal and Wire Workers

I read a great article today by Melissa Muir: "Tool Time Tuesday - Rolling Mill Textures."
Permalink: DESIGN.KCJEWELBOX.COM/2010/01/26/tool-time-tuesday--rolling-mill-textures.aspx

The article has great photos, by Valerie Heck, showing the different textures you can achieve using the rolling mill, as well as information on how to use and care for the mill. I would love to have one, but perhaps a smaller, more affordable one for my needs.

It also happens I recently read an article about a small pattern mill that is offered by Dave Arens of Gemstones Etc in Tucson, AZ. To quote the information he sent me:
"A mill for applying patterns up to 3 gauge wire or strips 3/8" by .229 thick of non ferrous metal. The nine patterns can be applied to 1 or 2 sides of the wire. The optional pattern rolls are changeable by the user. There are three sets of pattern rolls, a straight line 90 degrees to the length of the wire, a straight line 30 degrees to the left, a straight line 30 degrees to the right. The spacing is 12, 20, and 40 lines per inch. The mill comes with 1, 90 degree 12 lines per inch pattern roll."

He also offers several other products and you can get more information from Dave at Gemstones Etc. His e-mail address is gemstonesetc@gainbroadband.com.

Well, I have a birthday coming up in a couple of months - sooooooooooooo....do you know where my thoughts are going? Have a great day! Anita

New Artfire Items Posted

Visit my Artfire store and start shopping for Valentine's day! I've posted a few new items on Artfire today and hope to add a little more every day. I've added some of my copper wire hearts, a lampwork bracelet, a red, Crystallized pendant on leather cord, and a lampwork necklace with copper accents, on leather cord. The lovely Lampwork is hand crafted by my friend, Jeanne. If there is something on the blog that you're interested in, but can't find on Artfire, please e-mail me - I will be happy to accommodate you.

Also on Artfire, and a great gift for Easter, is my COLORS OF FAITH BRACELET, made up in sterling, pewter, and Czec fire polished beads. It makes a lovely gift and a portion of the proceeds are donated to my church Missions Committee to help support our local food pantries.

Thank you for looking!

P.S.

The items I posted today are not on Artfire as yet, but if you have an interest, please e-mail me through the blog! Thanks again. Anita

COPPER, COPPER, AND MORE...

I promised an update this week of my current projects and this is it! I have incorporated hammering, wire wrapping, stringing, and using a dapping block into these items. I don't have them posted to Artfire yet, but hope to soon. Please post a comment and let me know what you think of my newest creations! The glass beads were made by my friend, Jeanne (AKA gammiebrat) and I love the color of the beads with the copper. Thanks, Jeanne! Jeanne and I also invested our dollars together to purchase a kiln and are hoping to make some good use of this learning to use PMC (precious metal clay) and perhaps some other glass items. Thanks for looking!

WELCOME 2010 - A YEAR OF POSSIBILITIES

This is my first post for 2010 and with it comes the hope for a better future for our country, our state, and our local community. And I should add, for the world, most especially Haiti, right now, during its time of great need. Find a way to give through your church, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or any other organization that you support that can reach out to the people of Haiti.

Keep in your prayers, our leaders, our military, and our mission to stop terrorism in the world. Pray for our children and teach them well, so they can lead our country with integrity when their time comes, preserving the freedoms we value so highly.

Until later - I have NEW JEWELRY TOOLS (thank you Christmas), including a dapping block, disc cutters, alphabet punches and design punches. I have been trying them out and will try to post again by the week's end with pictures of my newest jewelry pieces. STOP BACK SOON!

Have a BLESSED, HEALTHY, AND HAPPY 2010! Anita