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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

BACK TO WORK AT THE APPALACHIAN ROCK SHOP!

My friend, Jeanne, and I are back to classes for another 10 week session at the Appalachian Rock Shop, 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. 

In the last session, I missed a couple of lessons, so have started this one finishing up my ammolite pendant.   Jolan Naleppa, 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.

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.

According to Wikipedia, "Ammolite is a rare and valuable opal-like organic gemstone found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is made of the fossilized shells of ammonites, which in turn are composed primarily of aragonite, the same mineral that makes up nacreous pearls."

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them here or e-mail me at jewelryexpressionsbyanita@gmail.com.  Thanks for visiting!  Anita

NEW, 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.

PROJECT #2 AT THE APPALACHAIN ROCK SHOP

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

For more information about flint, Ohio's State Gemstone, visit http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entryphp?rec=1875. 

Wire Wrapped Quartz Crystal Points

I'm having an open house tomorrow afternoon and wanted to make some wire wrapped crystal quartz points - this is something new for me, so we'll see what my visitors think!  I did one last week and posted it on Artfire along with a sterling silver chain.  I am going to offer these three without chains - many people have their own chains and interchange the pendants!  Two are in jeweler's bronze wire and the other is Argentium sterling silver.  (Purchased at the Appalachian Rock Shop & Jewelry Emporium).

According to Emily Gems, "Quartz crystal points 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 crystal point is often used in healing. Pointed away, it draws energy off the body. Pointed inward, it channels energy inward."

Stop by again.  Have a great weekend!  Anita

SILVERSMITHING CLASS - PROJECT TWO!

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!
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!

Round Two of Classes at the Appalachian Rock Shop!

A few weeks ago I began another 10 week metalworking course at the
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. 

For more information on the healing properties of Ruby Fuchsite, visit Crystals, Rocks and Gems!

Next - two more stones to set - one a pendant and the other may be a ring.  More later!

More 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. 

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, Anita

CUSTOMIZABLE JEWELRY

Always 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.



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! 

Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles with Amethyst

Sterling Silver Plated Silverware Handles
 with Opal Green Puff Beads



Creations in Sterling Silver

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 Argentium 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

A WEEK IN METALSMITHING

I 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.  

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! 

Have a great week.  Blessings, Anita

A MOTHER DAUGHTER METALSMITH CLASS

Well,  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.

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

A New Ring for an Old Friend

And that is not to say that she is old, but that we have been friends now for about 30 years!  My friend, Jeanne, got me on my way to creating jewelry about eight years ago!   I have gone from beading to chainmaille, wire wrapping, and now metalsmithing.  As you read in my previous posts, I learned to sweat solder a band ring and Jeanne liked it so much, she asked me to create one for her.  It is made with nickle silver and a copper overlay.  I made a soft curve in the copper and added texture with the diamond head of my interchangeable head texturing hammer (a great little tool!).  The metals were sweat soldered together with cleaning, filing and sanding as needed between steps.  The only problem I ran into was in the sizing...I need to get that process down!  But it was easily remedied by leaving the back of the band open.  I am very proud of the end result!  My next project is a pendant I am working on using copper and sterling silver filled materials.  More later.  In the meantime, here is a picture of Jeanne's ring!

Artfire Metalsmith's Guild

It'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! 
Canadian Rockies Art

Nathalie's workmanship is beautiful and I especially love that she uses a lot of copper in her creations.  

While you're at it, take some time and to check out the guild site and see the works of all its talented members.    Artfire Metalsmiths Guild

Blessings!  Anita

Week Nine/Ten at the Appalachian Rock Shop

I 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.

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.

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!

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, Anita