tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13176897926818687532024-03-12T22:15:00.606-04:00JEWELRY EXPRESSIONS BY ANITAHello. Welcome to my blog. I hope to generate some interest in beading and wirework, as well as develop a group of fellow jewelry artisans who want to share and inspire. Thanks for visiting. AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-35475920346159715802012-10-23T13:32:00.002-04:002012-10-23T13:35:28.891-04:00METALSMITHING PROJECTS ON MY OWN! It's been a good while since I posted on my blog!! I have been keeping busy and trying some new things based on the classes I took at the Appalachian Rock Shop. Sooner or later, when we learn something new, we have to go it alone!! I am posting pictures of some things I created after finishing up my summer classes. One of the items, a beautiful labrodorite cabochon that I put into a sterling silver pendant, sold within days of posting it on Facebook. I was so excited that I managed to create it without any major issues and more excited that someone loved it as much as I did.<br />
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Most recently, I have been working on Lotus Pendants. A client requested a jewelry item that was meditation related and I did some searches, coming up the lotus flower and of course, crystals. So I went to work, sawing, sanding, polishing, wire wrapping, soldering, and breaking lots of saw blades along the way. I used copper and sterling - plain, hammered, layered - and these are the pendants I ended up with. Hope you like them. I have a show this weekend, but hope to get them listed on Artfire next week.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-4936772504140007012012-06-25T09:55:00.001-04:002012-06-25T09:55:34.914-04:00BACK TO WORK AT THE APPALACHIAN ROCK SHOP!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mayhirAjnig/T-htjs2mIII/AAAAAAAAyZA/s3ks1U0ogyw/s1600/DSCF0867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mayhirAjnig/T-htjs2mIII/AAAAAAAAyZA/s3ks1U0ogyw/s200/DSCF0867.JPG" width="200" /></a>My friend, Jeanne, and I are back to classes for another 10 week session at the <a href="http://www.appalachianrockshop.com/" target="_blank">Appalachian Rock Shop</a>, Harmony, PA. I love the classes and love the store with all of the unique rock specimens, polished stones, works of jewelry art, and more. If you live in the area, you really should stop by and see it for yourself. <br />
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In the last session, I missed a couple of lessons, so have started this one finishing up my ammolite pendant. <a href="http://www.appalachianrockshop.com/69/Silversmithing.html" target="_blank"> Jolan Naleppa</a>, our instructor, has been wonderful in helping me in the creative process, to see things in a different way, and to design a creation and make it flow. Design is my challenge; it does not come naturally.<br />
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To conclude, my final piece from the last session is done in sterling silver with reticulated metal and a beautiful ammolite stone. We designed the entire piece in the shape of the ammolite, giving it a contemporary feel.<br />
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According to Wikipedia, "<strong>Ammolite</strong> is a rare and valuable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal" title="Opal">opal</a>-like organic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemstone" title="Gemstone">gemstone</a> found primarily along the eastern slopes of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountains" title="Rocky Mountains">Rocky Mountains</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America" title="North America">North America</a>. It is made of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil" title="Fossil">fossilized</a> shells of <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonite" title="Ammonite">ammonites</a>, which in turn are composed primarily of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragonite" title="Aragonite">aragonite</a>, the same <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral" title="Mineral">mineral</a> that makes up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacre" title="Nacre">nacreous</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl" title="Pearl">pearls</a>."<br />
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If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here or e-mail me at <a href="mailto:jewelryexpressionsbyanita@gmail.com">jewelryexpressionsbyanita@gmail.com</a>. Thanks for visiting! AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-60040716766228443482012-06-05T17:21:00.000-04:002012-06-05T17:21:31.282-04:00NEW, FOR ARTISTS OF THE RUSTBELT, SUMMER MARKET!I have been busy, busy today making some new items for the Artists of the Rustbelt, Summer Market! It is held at the B & O in Youngstown, OH on Saturday noon to 7 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm (June 9, 10)! If you are from the area, I hope you will attend! Great people, great art, great food, music, and B & O's own brews! Stop by and say, "Hello." I have some new items to offer this season: wire wrapped crystal points, spoon rings and bracelets, wire wrapped rings, and more! Here are some photos of today's work! Thanks for visiting my blog! Blessings, Anita.<br />
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com3Ohio, USA40.4172871 -82.90712338.870037100000005 -85.4339785 41.9645371 -80.3802675tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-80206737025321757172012-05-21T12:00:00.000-04:002012-05-21T12:00:52.365-04:00PROJECT #2 AT THE APPALACHAIN ROCK SHOP<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAVSb_tENMY/T7pkxiAdP6I/AAAAAAAAvvA/PK-Ugxek2LY/s1600/DSCF0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mAVSb_tENMY/T7pkxiAdP6I/AAAAAAAAvvA/PK-Ugxek2LY/s200/DSCF0687.JPG" width="199" /></a>I completed my second project at the Appalachian Rock Shop in Harmony, PA. I purchased this beautiful, polished, Ohio flint stone at the shop and set it in a hand crafted sterling silver setting, opting this time for prongs rather than a bezel setting. It gave me the opportunity to try something new in stone setting. Overall, I am very happy with the end result, but would have done the bail a little differently - perhaps added on some wire or more silver balls. I may ask my instructor, Jo Naleppa, about making these changes. Otherwise, I accomplished a different look from my last stone pendant. Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you stop back. Anita<br />
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For more information about flint, Ohio's State Gemstone, visit <a href="http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entryphp?rec=1875">http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entryphp?rec=1875</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcR1dxMnYKI/T61kECEEd_I/AAAAAAAAviQ/LOpTruVw-DU/s1600/DSCF0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EcR1dxMnYKI/T61kECEEd_I/AAAAAAAAviQ/LOpTruVw-DU/s200/DSCF0663.JPG" width="198" /></a>According to <a href="http://crystal-cure.com/points.html" target="_blank">Emily Gems</a>, "<b>Quartz crystal points</b> are used for healing, meditation and expanding
the mind to touch the spirit world. Quartz crystals are used for protection and
capturing and changing bad vibrations...A single <b>crystal point</b> is often used in healing. Pointed away, it
draws energy off the body. Pointed inward, it channels energy inward."<br />
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Stop by again. Have a great weekend! AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-45185491162367449432012-05-11T14:58:00.000-04:002012-05-11T14:58:08.172-04:00SILVERSMITHING CLASS - PROJECT TWO!<br />
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Project two at the Appalachian Rock Shop with Jo Naleppa - yes, it's another pendant!! My goal was to get a good grip on bezel setting stones, but I decided to go in a different direction this time and am setting this beautiful stone with prongs from 16 ga. wire. The back plate and bail are created with sterling silver. This probably looks pretty simple, but for those of you who don't make jewelry, there is a lot of time that goes into the simplest creation. I was in class for three hours and in that time, I outlined my back plate and bail, cut them out with a jeweler's saw, rounded the edges with filing tools and then sanded them with three different grits/sanding papers. I hammered the edges to add a little interest and will probably have to go over the edges again before I am done. The pieces were pickled and cleaned. At that point, I formed the wires, gave them a little sanding where they were to be soldered, and fluxed everything. We also added some "mud" on the parts of the wire that we didn't not want to get soldered (accidentally). After soldering the wires, they had to be placed in water and pickle. Then back to the drawing board so the soldered wires could be soldered onto the plate. More flux, more mud, then pinned to the soldering brick so it wouldn't move during soldering. After a successful join of metals, back into the water and pickle for cleaning. The next step should be attaching the bail...next week The bail will be carefully bent in half and placed on the back plate - more flux - place the solder, and we should be close to setting the stone.... but I think there will be more polishing before that. So, that is the process. More next week!<br />
I tell you this because when artisans have to price their work, it is not just the materials, but the time and energy that goes into creating a piece that is pleasing to the eye and of good workmanship. The best part (for me) of creating, is finding that special person who falls in love with something you made That brings me great joy and keeps me going! Thanks for reading my post! Please leave a comment! I appreciate knowing when someone has read my posts and if you have something to add, I would love for you to share!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-74527714919452720972012-04-29T18:19:00.000-04:002012-04-29T18:19:00.828-04:00Round Two of Classes at the Appalachian Rock Shop!A few weeks ago I began another 10 week metalworking course at the <br />
Appalachian Rock Shop and Gift Emporium in Harmony, PA. Since I have already taken one course a and learned the basics, now I can continue under the guidance of our instructor, Jo, but can choose what I want to make. My first project is a Ruby in Fuchsite or Zoisite (can't remember which!) cabochon that I wanted to set in silver and copper. I wanted to continue to work on my bezel setting skills, so this was a perfect project and I have two more cabs after this! I don't have start to finish pics to show the progress, but this is the final result. Since the cab had such an organic feel to it, I wanted the bale to resemble vines. It did not come out exactly as I had envisioned it, but I am very happy with how the bale turned out in the end! I can't wait to wear it and have ordered a s.s. omega chain to showcase it. <br />
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For more information on the healing properties of Ruby Fuchsite, visit <a href="http://www.crystalsrocksandgems.com/Healing_Crystals/Fuchsite.html" target="_blank">Crystals, Rocks and Gems</a>!<br />
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Next - two more stones to set - one a pendant and the other may be a ring. More later!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-43003048743175697162012-03-24T13:12:00.000-04:002012-03-24T13:12:21.313-04:00More Silverware and Gemstone Bracelets!I am doing an event tomorrow, "Creativity for a Cause", at Casal Aveda Institute in Youngstown, OH. It's from 12 - 4 p.m. - if you are from the area, stop by! I wanted to make some more of the silverware bracelets, so now have five total. Two are in my previous post, and these are the three I just completed. I want to see if there is an interest in this type of art jewelry. Each bracelet has a different gemstone. The ones pictured here are with Pink Aventurine, Blue Goldstone, and Turquoise. I think they have a Victorian or antique appeal. If my clients like them, I'd like to find a variety of silverware pieces, perhaps even odd lots of sterling silver forks and spoons. They can also be made into rings. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64FaQDVndi4/T23_wa-6T-I/AAAAAAAAsjM/nRFqvinnGDc/s1600/DSCF9840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64FaQDVndi4/T23_wa-6T-I/AAAAAAAAsjM/nRFqvinnGDc/s200/DSCF9840.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubQ-bXdgSVY/T23_1m2IXZI/AAAAAAAAsjU/5-7Op78b4jY/s1600/DSCF9829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubQ-bXdgSVY/T23_1m2IXZI/AAAAAAAAsjU/5-7Op78b4jY/s200/DSCF9829.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DI3dgaYhcA/T23_7YWDYPI/AAAAAAAAsjc/1pJmokrgtgs/s1600/DSCF9834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DI3dgaYhcA/T23_7YWDYPI/AAAAAAAAsjc/1pJmokrgtgs/s200/DSCF9834.JPG" width="199" /></a></div>It is a process to make the bracelets, from cutting and drilling, to annealing and forming/bending, and adding embellishments. The hardest part for me is the process of bending them. Since these are silver plated pieces, the metal is not as forgiving as sterling silver may be. I hope you enjoyed the post. I'd love to hear from you! Blessings, AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-79012481673758112842012-03-19T14:22:00.000-04:002012-03-19T14:22:55.592-04:00CUSTOMIZABLE JEWELRYAlways looking for a new market? Me, too! This is nothing new, I have just never posted a lot as doing custom jewelry. But chainmaille is one perfect example of this. Chain type - Byzantine (pictured), Persian, half Persian, box link, mobius (pictured). Metal: Sterling Silver, Argentium Sterling Silver, Copper, Jeweler's Bronze (brass for jewelers), permanently colored copper wire comes in many colors, and of course, size! Embellish or not, toggle or hook. There are so many variations your clients can choose from to make it personally their own. These two photos are of a Byzantine with pearl embellishment and a Mobius link bracelet. I just made this one today as a prize for an event I am doing this weekend at Casal Aveda Institute in Youngstown. The possibilities are endless.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjbHO4oAmgM/T2d1MrFSDmI/AAAAAAAAsbY/HOKqSOskGU0/s1600/DSCF9807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjbHO4oAmgM/T2d1MrFSDmI/AAAAAAAAsbY/HOKqSOskGU0/s200/DSCF9807.JPG" width="199" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZYuC3lWj4I/T2d0_SJExcI/AAAAAAAAsbQ/YkD3ZeA6fts/s1600/DSCF9817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZYuC3lWj4I/T2d0_SJExcI/AAAAAAAAsbQ/YkD3ZeA6fts/s200/DSCF9817.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A friend and fellow jewelry designer suggested I offer this "silverware" jewelry as a customizable item using a piece of silverware from their family in the creation. I thought that was a great idea and further, you could add stones/embellishments in their birthstone colors! Just some ideas! Share yours with us! Thanks for looking! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles with<a href="http://magpiegemstones.com/" target="_blank"> Amethyst</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles<br />
with <a href="http://magpiegemstones.com/" target="_blank">Opal Green Puff Beads</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-45750163109450149752012-03-03T14:37:00.000-05:002012-03-03T14:37:09.241-05:00Creations in Sterling Silver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIrsCGMAJw8/T1JuNCEnCBI/AAAAAAAAr-g/Rr5AHByJJT0/s1600/DSCF9566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIrsCGMAJw8/T1JuNCEnCBI/AAAAAAAAr-g/Rr5AHByJJT0/s200/DSCF9566.JPG" width="199" /></a>It's been a while since I have posted, but I HAVE been creating and doing more in sterling silver. I was always a little apprehensive to use my sterling silver wire because I was worried I'd waste it, but with the addition of the metalsmithing classes, my confidence has grown. Fortunately, not too much wire has been wasted and I have found ways to use the bits and pieces. Time is a great teacher in all things! I thought I would post the pictures of some of my recent designs in silver. I have been using a lot of <a href="http://www.argentiumsilver.com/">Argentium</a> s.s. - it is tarnish resistant and has beautiful shine. And, you can use Argentium for fusing! A big plus if you don't want to mess with solder. I have been very happy with the results and am still learning to use this wire. But if you like and want to add patina for a more antiqued look, then stick with sterling silver wire. Most, if not all, of the pictured items are listed on my Artfire site. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for following! Have a wonderful 2012! Anita</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iE-iu-Pco8/T1JuyKEFgXI/AAAAAAAAr-4/WhyTduH1RjA/s1600/DSCF9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iE-iu-Pco8/T1JuyKEFgXI/AAAAAAAAr-4/WhyTduH1RjA/s200/DSCF9603.JPG" width="199" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-87405977207012988272012-01-18T12:32:00.001-05:002012-01-18T12:33:55.358-05:00A WEEK IN METALSMITHINGI loved my daughter's layered metal cross pendant (previous post) so much that I decided to make more for my Artfire store. In my search for patterns that I thought would look good cut into metal, I found a "fire/flame" pattern that I loved. I like the way the flames bend and curve and come out looking somewhat like a hand. I tried different textures on the crosses and went with something simple on the flames to give them added interest. I also played with different types of bales to see what worked for me and was visibly pleasing. I think they all work and would appeal to your personal style. I used copper and sterling silver filled sheet to complete the projects. Argentium silver is used for one of the bails. I plan to add chain or leather cord to complete them. <br />
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</div>Everything didn't go smoothly and I had some re-dos, but overall, I was pretty happy with what I accomplished on my own. Next - I am thinking of a wire heart I'd like to try. Maybe today! <br />
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Have a great week. Blessings, AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-26493749029556458372012-01-18T12:15:00.000-05:002012-01-18T12:15:26.601-05:00A MOTHER DAUGHTER METALSMITH CLASSWell, my classes in metalsmithing are long over and I had to take the push to do some things on my own, without the guidance of my teacher, Jolan. My first step in that direction was the ring for my friend, Jeanne. Then my daughter got me started again because she wanted a layered metal pendant... and she wanted me to teach her! I was very intimidated, because I don't feel I am ready to teach anyone something I only just learned myself. But I pushed onward and it was a great bonding time for mother and daughter. She is already creative by nature and a quick learner. So I had her come up with a design and showed her how to use a saw. What a trooper she was - she cut out her design, breaking only one blade. My first time sawing was awful, sawing lots of "wood" on the block and I know I went through more than one blade. So now I am feeling a bit more intimidated, but VERY proud of my daughter. Here is her finished pendant.<br />
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We then went to work on her cross pendant, cleaning, filing, sweat soldering, more cleaning and filing, and voila! A beautiful pendant. Being the perfectionist that she is, she was not happy that the cross was not perfectly square on the backing, but I told her that is often the nature of handmade - it does not have to be perfect! The only thing she did not have a hand in was the soldering, but that will change with the next project - her own layered ring. She has already cut out her pieces to go on top of the band. She created her own pattern using texturing scissors, cutting out pattern on heavy paper. She traced it onto onion skin paper which was glued onto the metal for sawing. She did a great job sawing out the pattern. We are awaiting more metal sheet so we can finish up the ring. I will post a picture when it's completed. In the meantime, is a picture of the copper elements we are using. More later! Anita<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-20775318191209604312012-01-13T12:49:00.000-05:002012-01-13T12:49:27.282-05:00Artfire Metalsmith's GuildIt's a new year and I am starting the year with some new challenges. One of those is belonging to the Artfire Metalsmith's Guild. I will be linking some of my blog posts with the guild, including featuring other member artists. There is such great talent out there! I will start out giving you a link to our guild master, Canadian Rockies Art, featuring her Peruvian Blue Opal ring! <br />
<u><span style="color: #0066cc;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/canadianrockiesart/2953749/peruvian_blue_opal_rustic_round_fine_silver_and_sterling_ring_size_7/handmade/jewelry/rings/gemstone">Canadian Rockies Art</a></span></u><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Nathalie's workmanship is beautiful and I especially love that she uses a lot of copper in her creations. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">While you're at it, take some time and to check out the guild site and see the works of all its talented members. <a href="http://www.artfire.com/guilds/artfire_metalsmiths">Artfire Metalsmiths Guild</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;">Blessings! Anita</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-14687672299530852192011-11-18T10:33:00.000-05:002011-11-18T10:33:13.485-05:00Week Nine/Ten at the Appalachian Rock ShopI can't believe we have come to the end of our ten-week silversmithing class. It has been a wonderful adventure. Our instructor, Jolan Naleppa, was always very thorough in instructing us not only in procedure, but also in safety working with the various tools on hand at the shop. The shop owner, Leslie Metarko, and her staff was always very helpful and eager to assist with our needs. The Appalachian Rock Shop has so much to offer - from fossils and rocks to beautifully hand-crafted jewelry. If you are from the Youngstown/Pittsburgh area, it's a must-see! And if, like me, you want to pursue the art of making jewelry, I highly recommend their classes.<br />
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At our final two classes, we continued our work on our bezel set ring. We soldered the silver pieces together, filed, polished, buffed, cleaned, and finally, set our stones in the bezel. We carefully hammered the bezel using the bezel pusher and ball portion of the hammer, bringing the bezel snug to the stone. I used a burnishing tool to smooth the bezel further. The last step was to give it a final polish. This is the final result.<br />
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My thanks also to Phyllis Riegle, Riegle Design, who created the beautiful stone I used in this ring. Phyllis was also a member of our class, along with many other wonderful and accomplished women who are always continuing to learn and grow in their art of creating jewelry. Because class members are all at different levels in silversmithing, it was great fun to see what they were working on!<br />
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I plan on taking the March class, so be on the lookout for more silversmithing posts then. I hope to try out some of these new skills over the winter and will keep you posted. Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving holiday! Blessings, AnitaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-2894440198208638012011-11-04T11:57:00.003-04:002011-11-18T09:56:33.236-05:00METALSMITHING - WEEK 8 WITH JO AT THE APPALACHIAN ROCK SHOPWe are getting down to the wire now with one project left and two weeks to complete it! I was excited to have completed the layered metal ring this week! We hammered it into a C-shape on the ring mandrel, using a leather mallet. Then, using the pliers, we then the ends together and held the ring up to the light looking for gaps. For a good solder, we needed the ends to be flush. Some additional filing was completed and the piece was made ready for soldering. The ring was fluxed and pinned to the fire brick seam side up. The solder was a success, the piece cleaned, sanded and polished! And this is the final result. For my first ring, I think it came out pretty well! I actually had someone ask me to make them one just like it! What a great compliment! I know I still have so much to learn to refine the skills I am learning, but it's going to be a wonderful adventure! Here is a picture of the ring!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next and last project - a bezel set ring - I picked out my stone, an oval agate (cut and polished by one of the other students here). I am in love with this beautiful stone and the lovely earthtones creating a beautiful piece of art! Our instructor, Jo, went over the fundamentals of choosing bezel wire, sizing it around the stone, marking and cutting. Following her lead, this was accomplished and the bezel was readied for soldering. There was a small amount of overlap, so some filing was done to make sure the bezel would sit flush to the back plate for the next soldering step. This was all we had time for today - but we accomplished a lot in our three hours! Here are photos of the stone and bezel and the back plate we will be using in the next step! We are working with sterling silver and I decided to keep it pretty simple for my first project! More next week. Thanks for looking. Feel free to leave a comment! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-34960826209264928852011-10-28T09:59:00.000-04:002011-10-28T09:59:41.559-04:00Week Six/Seven - MetalsmithingI lost a week of class due to illness, but was back yesterday to continue working on my layered copper and silver ring. I was able to make up some of the lost time yesterday and got quite a bit accomplished. Previously, I had cut out the design in the copper layer of my band ring and had done some of the filing and smoothing at home. Yesterday I continued that process. The ring was wider than I wanted, so I sawed both pieces to the desired width and continued filing and sanding the edges. The pieces were placed in the pickle and scrubbed with soap and water with a brush. After a coating of flux, the solder was placed on the back of the copper piece and the first step of the sweat soldering was completed. Back to the pickle and cleaning. The pieces were fluxed and fit together on the fire brick. We put some antiflux on the T-pins so the piece could be pinned/secured to the firebrick. The antiflux was to prevent the pins from being soldered to the ring during the firing process. The solder flowed and the piece was quenched in water and put back into the pickle for cleaning. After cleaning, we were back to the filing and sanding process. Each end of the ring needed to be filed straight for a flush fit in the next step. I sanded the piece with various grits to clean off the scratches and excess solder. Flux was added to the piece and it was fired to anneal the band for the next step! Week seven will hopefully complete the ring! I can't wait. Hope it fits! Our last project will be a bezel set ring!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQTGWxtUiw/Tqq0lzCTlCI/AAAAAAAAqjE/FnE6bQyYwxs/s1600/DSCF9033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPQTGWxtUiw/Tqq0lzCTlCI/AAAAAAAAqjE/FnE6bQyYwxs/s320/DSCF9033.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-24238212397529495992011-10-18T20:56:00.000-04:002011-10-18T20:56:12.635-04:00Hammering and Forming Instructional VideosI recently got a notification in my mailbox regarding two new metalsmithing videos. Since I am taking a metalsmithing class, it peaked my interest and I indulged myself and purchased <em>Metalsmith Essentials: Basic Jewelry Hammering and Forming with Bill Fretz. </em>Bill Fretz is well known for his complete lines of jewelers stakes and hammers. I also purchased <em>Metalsmith Essentials: Hammering and Forming Jewelry, Vol. 2 with Bill Fretz. </em>Since I am new to this area of jewelry design, I can only offer my best opinion of these videos<em> </em>without something to compare them to. I thought the videos were well coordinated, starting with the simplest of designs and working up to four or five others, all cuff bracelets, but each a little different. Of course, it showed the uses of all of the Fretz tools, but he took his time and went through all the relevant information required to complete one of his projects. He showed his use of filing and soldering techniques. I found both videos very interesting and a valuable resource for future reference. I highly recommend them! He's a great teacher and shows you up close what each tool is capable of helping you create. I will add a link where you can purchase them!<br />
<a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Jewelry-Making/DVDs-Videos/Metalsmith-Essentials-Basic-Jewelry-Hammering-and-Forming-Download-in-HD.html">http://www.interweavestore.com/Jewelry-Making/DVDs-Videos/Metalsmith-Essentials-Basic-Jewelry-Hammering-and-Forming-Download-in-HD.html</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-10656541148537347152011-10-18T20:11:00.000-04:002011-10-18T20:11:48.249-04:00Week Five - Metal/Silver Smithing Classes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hBMnRg1kQ0/Tp4SVAb4Q5I/AAAAAAAAqiA/lTj6sbUy7JU/s1600/DSCF8999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hBMnRg1kQ0/Tp4SVAb4Q5I/AAAAAAAAqiA/lTj6sbUy7JU/s200/DSCF8999.JPG" width="199" /></a></div>Following one week off from classes, the group met for Week Five! I can't believe we are half way through already! It was a morning split between our first project, the layered pendant, and project two, a layered ring. Having already done most of the sanding, we went on to adding some patina to highlight the dents and lines. I did not want a mirror finish on either side, so that eliminated having to take the pendant to the polisher. I personally prefer a more satiny finish, especially on this yin and yang pendant. Our instructor, Jo, gave me a bottle of brown/black blackening agent and a paint brush and told me to paint it where I wanted it to darken the pendant. Having only used liver of sulfur, this patina was a new experience....and I probably add "just a little" too much But never fear, we were able to clean it up with a brass type Brillo pad...excuse my lack of proper terminology! But this is the final result. I plan to add a double leather cord to it and wear it to my next class. <br />
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On to the next project - a layered ring with design and metals of choice. I decided to go with the same metal contrasts I used in the pendant - copper and silver. Having traced out my design, I set about preparing my piece for sawing. Now, sawing is still not my strong suit, but I am less intimidated by it and overall, I don't think I did too badly. I will let you be the judge. I completed the sawing and did a little clean up. This is the result. I will probably have to do some more filing and will probably lessen the width of the bands. That's it till Thursday (this week). I lost a week due to illness, but I am hopefully on the road to recovery. Questions and/or comments are welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings. Anita<br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-16480631312362842011-09-29T15:06:00.000-04:002011-09-29T15:06:23.996-04:00Metalsmithing - Week 4As you know from my previous posts, I am taking my metalsmithing class at the <a href="http://www.appalachianrockshop.com/">Appalachian Rock Shop</a> in Harmony, PA. Well, before I go any further, you must check out their new web site! It's beautiful! There is something for everyone: the mineral and fossil collector, casual and/or metalphysical rock enthusiast, jewelry collector, artist, children and educators! Click on the shop's name above and have a visit!<br />
Back to my classes. Today we continued working on the bail for my pendant. I decided to add some texture to the bail so I took a ballpeen hammer and added some ball-like indentations. Of course, this hardened the metal, so, once again, we had to go through the annealing process. We then continued the process of shaping the bail so that it would fit snugly onto the pendant - pinch, squeeze, hammer - it's a process! After fluxing the entire piece, front and back, it was secured to the firing block. In this step, we used medium solder and small pieces were placed around and within the bail and it was fired, quenched and placed in the pickle for cleaning. Now for the hard stuff - the sanding begins. I went to the bench pin and began this process. Whoops - a little error here - not realizing, I turned the piece over to do some sanding on the back side without protecting what I did on the front - nothing major, but in doing this, the front got scratched from the bench pin that I was using to stablize the metal while I worked. Before turning it, I should have protected what was already done by covering it with masking tape! That was today's biggest lesson for me!! By this time, three hours had gone by and it was time to shut down for some festivities! The shop celebrated three birthdays today and we had pot luck - cheese, crackers, chicken croissants, jambalya, ambrosia fruit salad, cake, cheese cake, cookies, artichoke dip - these gals KNOW HOW TO PARTY! It was great fun. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51bfDb94FN8/ToTA_AsTtKI/AAAAAAAAqaM/QLO_kEo4xgo/s1600/DSCF8908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51bfDb94FN8/ToTA_AsTtKI/AAAAAAAAqaM/QLO_kEo4xgo/s320/DSCF8908.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKmuJQM6pYo/ToTBC7GySDI/AAAAAAAAqaQ/IRoeXhvrKBw/s1600/DSCF8909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKmuJQM6pYo/ToTBC7GySDI/AAAAAAAAqaQ/IRoeXhvrKBw/s320/DSCF8909.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>Thanks for stopping by to see the posts. No class for two weeks, so I'll post more then. This piece is still in the sanding/polishing process, so hopefully, the next photo you see will be one of a completed pendant!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-90994492965866635862011-09-22T16:28:00.002-04:002011-09-22T16:31:25.062-04:00Metalsmithing - Week Three - Creating the bail...Today we soldered all the pieces of my Ying and Yang pendant. I had to place the piece on the fire brick, set the copper pieces onto the nickle silver round where I wanted them and pin them into place. Pinning the pieces is done with pieces of wire and T-pins to keep the pieces from moving while they are being torched. With assistance from Jo, the pieces were easily soldered, quenched in water, and placed in the pickle for about 10 minutes for cleaning.<br />
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Next we set about creating a bail. I did several tracings on paper, cut them out, and folded them in half in the form of a bail to try different sizes against the focal piece. Once I found the tracing of choice, it was traced on tracing paper and wrapped around the nickle silver (set with glue stick) and I was off to the bench pin to saw out another piece of metal. I did get a few scratches on the metal and broke, not just one, but three saw blades getting the job done! However, the final cut piece came out well. Using grits 240, 400, and 600, in that order, I sanded out the scratches. The bail was torched to soften the metal so the bail could be formed. Out of time today, so until next week, here is a picture of the focal piece and the half-formed bail. I think the next step will be to solder the bail to the focal. I plan on hammering the bail and one of the pieces on the focal, so we'll see which step will be next! Until next week, here is a picture of what we have up to now. See you next week! Blessings, Anita<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4jynw2XZTw/TnfXXKWptXI/AAAAAAAAqW8/ZkVuWvFdroI/s1600/DSCF8850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4jynw2XZTw/TnfXXKWptXI/AAAAAAAAqW8/ZkVuWvFdroI/s200/DSCF8850.JPG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-17264302554537035432011-09-16T08:49:00.001-04:002011-09-16T08:57:17.140-04:00SILVERSMITHING CLASSESI've not posted for a while, but have been busy this summer creating and doing some local art shows. While at an ArtieGras show in Sharon, PA, at Quaker Steak and Lube, I met a lovely gentleman and his daughter who told me about the <a href="http://www.appalachianrockshop.com/">Appalachian Rock Shop & Jewelry Emporium </a>in Harmony, PA and the various classess they offer. My friend, Jeanne, and I took a ride out there to check it out! What a wonderful shop with beautiful rock specimens, beads, findings, beading tools, and hand crafted jewelry! Owner, Leslie, was very helpful in getting me set up in the fall silversmithing class with instructor, Jolan Naleppa. My first class was two weeks ago. Jolan gave us an overview of the upcoming classes and what we would be learning. She demonstrated the various tools in the shop and how they are used. Printed hand-outs were distributed, one with the fundamentals of soldering and the other about the projects we would be doing. <br />
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Yesterday was the first hands-on class. The project - a soldered pendant using two pieces of metal that would be sweat soldered. We had to pick out a design that would be cut into one piece of metal with a jeweler's saw. After sawing out the design, we learned to clean up the edges of the metal with various filing tools. The piece was then cleaned in pickle (an acid bath) and prepared for sweat soldering, covering the entire piece with flux and then strategically placing solder on the back of the pieces. Jolan assisted with melting the solder. The pieces were put back into the pickle for cleaning. These are the pictures I took this a.m. showing the nickel silver and copper I chose for the pendant, the design cuts, and the melted solder. Next - we have to reheat the solder to fuse the metals together, add a bail or pin closure, and learn the process of cleaning and polishing.<br />
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More next week. There are eight more classes to go and two or three more projects.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1317689792681868753.post-78392338624908088082011-09-03T09:36:00.000-04:002011-09-03T09:36:53.849-04:00CREATIONS IN JEWELER'S BRONZEThis week I have been doing more wire pieces in Jeweler's Bronze wire. With real gold being so expensive nowadays, and for that matter, sterling silver, the jeweler's bronze is a nice, affordable alternative in creating custom wire jewelry. Jeweler's bronze wire is a form of brass. However, there is a difference in the metal mix that gives it its beautiful gold tone. In time it will develop a patina. Like sterling silver, keep it in a zip lock bag to delay the patina. The first set pictured is a combination of free formed wire coils/swirls with Byzantine links. The ear wires are bronze colored nickle and lead safe lever backs. <br />
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This second set is a hammered flat coil "8" connected with jump rings (an Sharilyn Miller design). A hand-crafted toggle is used for closure. I used two figure "8" coils attached with small jump rings to create the earrings. They measure 2 1/2" long from the top of the ear wire. The bracelet is a generous 1" in width. I used 14 gauge wire for the hammered pieces, so it has a nice chunky look, in keeping with today's current jewelry trends. <br />
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I watched a performance of "Stand Up" by Sugarland recently and during the performance saw banners with "Love" spelled out with the o as a peace sign. I thought it would make a great piece of jewelry. And so began my journey in metal work. I've done a few small things in metal, but this was a challenge to me - especially my limited soldering skills. Two of the pieces were done 3-4 times before I finally got it right...my solders were not taking on the peace sign or the "L". I think the crux of the problem was that these two pieces were not fitting properly to the copper before firing. I persevered and used a leather hammer to get the fit as close as possible at diffent points. Finally, sweet success. If you are considering metal work/soldering, be patient, read up on the technique you plan to use or take a class and learn from someone more experienced. Most importantly, don't be deterred. Just do it. For your enjoyment, I am also adding the link to see Sugarland perform "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwdOUW2abqI">Stand Up</a>"! You'll see one of those "love" banners at the end.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13554139576058586167noreply@blogger.com2