METALSMITHING 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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

COPPER WIRE JEWELER'S MAGAZINE, ISSUE FIVE

This magazine is a must-see! Each issue has something for everyone and you can look over the back issues, as well. If you love copper (other metals are also welcome), you will love this group!

Copy and paste the link:

http://copperwirejewelers.ning.com

and choose from the menu at the top of the page.

Blessings,
Anita

COMPLETED PIECES IN COPPER & ANOTHER SPECIAL ORDER

A while back I posted pics of some wire wrapped pieces I did while enjoying my new granddaughter.  Well, they are now completed.  I added a patina to them and tumbled them for hardness and sheen.  

I also had a special order for a black onyx necklace with elongated onyx beads.  I recently found these black onyx beads in a matte finish, which I thought was a nce change from the more typical highly polished onyx I am used to seeing.  I finished the piece off with small polished onyx beads and sterling Bali-style beads.  The hook and jumprings are wire wrapped in sterling. 

Jewelry Expressions by Anita is Up and Running

Ahhhh...success at last - I have my new name (JEWELRY EXPRESSIONS BY ANITA) and my Artfire site is in place. (For anyone new to this blog, it was previously named BeaDazzled by Anita, as was my Artfire site.)

I have listed some of my jewelry on Artfire today and will continue that process over the next few days. I do not have my Facebook page back up as I am awaiting a response from the Facebook team to see if they can get my page back up so I can rename it, or if I have to create a new page. It would be nice if I could get my old page back, but what will be, will be.

Thanks to those of you who helped me out with picking a new name. You gave me a lot to think about before choosing Jewelry Expressions by Anita. I will be in touch with you via e-mail in the next day or so to thank you personally.

Have a wonderful day!
Anita

SALE TODAY ONLY - 10% OFF

JUST AN FYI! I AM HAVING A SALE ON MY ARTFIRE SITE TODAY ONLY! PLEASE STOP BY THE STORE AND BROWSE - HTTP://AJHEARN.ARTFIRE.COM. IF YOU DON'T PURCHASE, THAT'S OKAY!! BUT IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING.

ANITA

MORE WIRE AND LAMPWORK

I have spent the day creating some more wire and lampwork pieces, as well as two copper focals. One of the focals is a gift, and the others I plan to place on Artfire. It's been a wonderful creative day! And a very hot, muggy one as well!

NEW A SNEAK PEAK - NEW DESIGNS!

I've been doing some work in sterling silver and learning how to solder. Soldering was a real challenge for me, but I did finally get it - at least the jump rings - it's a start. The designs are pretty much unplanned - I just start something and see what it works into. I hope to get some of these items on Artfire within the next week. Thanks for looking!

A JOURNEY IN METAL

I created this pendant a week or so ago while having morning coffee...I seem to be most inspired in the morning...anyhow, I wanted to string it and this is what I came up with. I really enjoy cutting the wire and making the chains myself - tedious, but it's a "feel good" when it's done. Now that I've gotten my tools, I hope to become more adventuresome.

PET JEWELRY

I was talking to my cousin Patti today about my jewelry business and she told me that one thing that always sells, good times or bad, is something for your children or something for your pet. So, I'd really like your feedback on this. Being a pet owner and a grandma, I wouldn't mind putting together a jewelry collection for dogs and cats or children...maybe even both. But I want to find out what sells...I need to know what people would look for to adorn their pets. I know that the small children love the Cinderella-type bling, so that shouldn't be too hard. I spent some time on the internet looking at what other people design for their pet lines, but nothing really jumped out at me. So, all you pet owners, what kinds of bling would you like to see your special kitty or pup wearing? This could be fun. Thanks....Anita

MY FIRST CRAFT SHOW

DONE! I did my first craft show with the help of my friend, Jeanne! Thanks, Jeanne! You were a great help to me. We had many visitors and many oohs and ahhs for the jewelry and for Jeanne's wonderful, artsy, beaded dolls, which she displayed on the table - see her dolls at http://gammiebrat.blogspot.com/. All in all it was a good first show for me, albeit not very profitable. Considering that there were many, many beaders at the show and taking the economy into the equation, I still felt it was a successful day. Why? Because I got to see how other beaders/crafters worked their booths and how my pricing compared to others. I had business cards and larger post-card type flyers on the display, so folks who were interested in my jewelry walked away with my name, my Artfire address, and my blog address. I did get a special order and also someone who was interested in having some family jewelry restrung. I signed on to do another show in the fall and I am told it's generally a more productive craft show. So, we'll see how that goes. We met some really wonderful jewelry artists and shared business cards and general information related to the craft. And we met the many people who stopped by to browse! That's always a plus and you get great feedback as to what type of jewelry people are drawn to.

I would love to hear about your craft shows and experiences, what works, what doesn't work....so please add a post to this blog and tell me what works for you! We can all learn from each other. Thanks for blogging with me. Anita

Copper/Brass Shamrock Necklace

I've been busy, busy this a.m. I made my jumprings yesterday and cut them, and this morning started putting them together, along with the beads and findings I wired up yesterday. This is what I came up with for my latest shamrock. I plan to wear it next weekend when I do MY FIRST CRAFT SHOW at Yankee Lake in Brookfield, OH! Hope you like it. Anita