Oh yeah . . .

I'm heading back to Asheville, NC for a few days of metal immersion and learning from a few masters.  Can't wait to get my hands dirty!

The week that was

Our favorite girls and boys!

What a crazy jam packed week we had!  It started with a birthday and Easter celebration and it did not stop.  Thought I'd share a few of the highlights - and a bit of project progress - from the week.

The highlight was spending the holiday weekend with our girls.  Both are grown and live elsewhere, so weekends home are a special event.

As well, our eldest celebrated a birthday, so we hit The Palm and her father honored the occasion by ordering a 3 lb. lobster!  It was massive.  Check out those claws!

This week brought some progress to our various home projects as well.

Our plantation shutters were finally installed and we love them!  They created a new dilemma however . . . to leave the window grids in, or take them out?  We didn't realize that this project would create a new decision point on our windows and the exterior of our home (the horizontal lines from the shutters + the window grids = a very busy look!)  So we wondered, then asked our neighbors - and anyone else that came by through the week - and then drove around various neighborhoods to see what others have done.  The verdict?  The grids are now out (as you can see).  It is a much cleaner look, but it will take some getting used to. 

The next hurdle is deciding if the window panels should go back up.  It looks so clean as is - not sure we need the extra fabric framing the window.  (Opinions?  Please share.) 

The office also got new wall / trim paint.  We got it all done before the shutter install! 

I got busy in the studio this week too.  My goal was to make three new pieces and I exceeded that!  I fabricated two sterling silver rings, some bangles, earrings, the start of a pendant, and several more components for earrings that have yet to be finished/polished.  Oh, and I also hammered the heck out of my finger!  (No pics though!)  Now I just need to get over the second biggest hurdle involved with jewelry making . . . taking pics, writing descriptions and loading them to my site!  

I also rearranged some furniture in the studio.  My bench has finally been moved out from against the wall.  I think I'll enjoy this layout much better.   I much prefer looking out at the room rather than facing the corner!  =)

New blinds were installed in the studio too.  It's so much brighter.  

We also finally tackled the last remaining project connected to the dining room paint job - the switch plate covers!   We painted the dining room a few weeks ago, and after completing the walls - it was obvious new switch plate covers were needed.  (The old ones were bright brass.)  Since the walls are dark (Slate, by Restoration Hardware) and the switches and outlets are white - I thought it would look best to do painted covers so they would just blend into the walls and not stand out.

After a failed visit to Lowe's to get wooden / paintable covers (Lowe's had them, but looked so country - not my targeted aesthetic), I got the brilliant idea to reuse the brass covers.  We had never done this before, but decided it was worth a shot since we already had them.  They were sanded, spray primed/etched, then painted with the same wall paint, and then sprayed with a protective satin finish.  They turned out great and are finally back on the walls.  Now we can get the furniture back to where it belongs!  

Ahh, so glad it worked!  Every single wall had at least 2 switches on them!  

We also met with a landscaper to help us figure out what to do with our dead, and dying, Leyland Cypress trees.  It's so sad.  If you look at pics I posted last year, you'll see evidence of these big beautiful trees dying.  I'll leave those details for another post sometime soon . . .

Enjoy!

Hello Spring . . . & Summer!

I've been searching locally for a new Spring door wreath and just haven't found anything that seemed worth it.  I even considered making my own.  Just for a second though.  I have so many projects on my 'to do' list, it just didn't seem like a smart option.

I finally turned to Etsy and Artfire to see what the web could bring me.  Big surprise - it took me all of 5 minutes to find something to speak to me!  Plus, as it turns out Horn's Handmade isn't all that far away either.

While I seriously doubt it will arrive before the week's end, this bright cheery wreath will bring much needed pops of color to our dark front door.  (Black Eyed Susan's are one of my favorite flowers, by the way.)  Want to know the best part about this purchase?  This baby can stay up the rest of Spring and all through Summer as well!  

Show & Tell

Hi all!  I'm finally getting back to the blog and sharing pics of all of the pieces I made during my metals / jewelry class I took during the first quarter.  I should have taken pics and posted along the way, because when I finally got around to taking the pics this weekend, I kept realizing that I was forgetting a piece!  It happened 3 times actually!  Not to worry though - I finally got pics of everything.

I also need to apologize now.  1 - this is a long post, and 2 - something is going on with my text/font.  So Sorry!  I hope it doesn't bother you too much. 

It's still hard to believe that all of these finished pieces started out as sheet metal and/or wire, and I created all of them with my own two hands - along with some serious metalsmithing techniques, beautiful tools, and great guidance and support from my teachers!

The first class I started ended up being open studio time.  So during this time frame, I worked on sawing, piercing, forming, doming, hand-texturing, etc. and ended up making lots of components.  So many, in fact, that I haven't even yet begun to use all of them in finished pieces!   I also was able to experiment with various cleaning and polishing processes - and finally got to finish the brass cuff I made in a class some time ago.

These brass disc earrings were domed and textured by hand using various steel chasing tools, and polished to a high shine.  I paired them with black lava beads - to mimic the texture in the discs - and some carnelian gemstones. They are very tribal. 

I'm not sure why the orange carnelian beads look so florescent?  They aren't that bright in real life!

I love this copper and brass broken heart statement ring - I think it is my favorite piece.  I started just by drawing a heart shape and cutting it out with a jewelers saw - the only plan I had was to give it some texture.  After deciding I was a bit jagged in my execution - the "broken" heart idea began to take shape and I went to work modifying the piece with the intention of breaking the heart and making a ring.  The textured band was created from flat sheet metal as well.  Because I used silver solder with brass and copper, you can see all the connections well.  No matter to me - I think it adds to the character.  It was finished with a patina and protectant wax.   

I've worn this out once and got tons of compliments everywhere I went.  So I'm going to make this one again - most likely in sterling as well.  My daughter wants one, and I would expect others would as well! 

Ugh!  Please ignore my hand! My skin doesn't look like this in real life either! Really!  :o) 

 This copper cuff was my first major project pursued at Sawtooth Arts.  It looks basic, but believe me - there are many techniques involved in this one little cuff!  The actual focus of this lesson was to learn how to capture odd shaped stones in a setting.  I  decided to stay away from expensive materials while learning a new technique, so my materials remained copper and brass, and my "stone" of choice . . . a piece of coral I found walking the beach in Mexico a few years ago.  (It looks like a flower!)  The brass back plate was textured in a rolling mill with a piece of lace.  Once I made the setting, I decided it needed to be on a cuff.  The cuff was hand formed from heavy 18 gauge copper sheet metal and hand textured with a hammer.  The brass setting is attached to the cuff with two handmade rivets.  The cuff was given a patina and protected with wax.   

This ring was my first project pursued in sterling silver - a Russian Wedding band.  This band has 3 individually made, but interconnected sterling bands.  When you put it on / take it off - the rings actually roll together down (or up!) your finger.  These are so simple, but so complex at the same time. 

A few more pics of earrings made with textured copper components.  I textured the rectangular copper and  sterling earrings with a rolling mill and screen, then cut by hand.  The long copper bars were formed and textured by hand.  The finish was created with a patina and protectant wax.

The last lesson at Sawtooth Arts was to learn how to make my own prong or claw setting.  While you can buy settings commercially made (and casted with perfection!), knowing how to make your own by hand is important.  So again, the focus of this lesson was just the little "basket" holding the stone.  As I made progress on the setting, it became clear to me that I wanted to design and make a ring. 

As you can see - I decided to go big, or go home.  I jumped into this project committing to sterling silver.  I'm still amazed that I didn't melt the wire, as there were so many solder joins involved in making the setting!  It looks simple from these pics - but simple it was not!  This ring started as a few inches of wire and sheet metal.  Everything was hand formed, cut, soldered, and textured.  I think I'm going to make this ring again as well.  I love the design.  It is bold, yet simple.  I plan to make it with no stones, as well. 

I also finally got to work with a hydraulic press, and learned how to make our own die forms.  Since I've not done anything with the pieces yet, I'll leave those pics for another day. 

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share my latest learning stint.  I'd love for you to leave me a comment too! 

Enjoy! 

ouch!

It's official.  I finally experienced my first studio injury yesterday.  It's not major, but boy did it hurt (and still does)! 

Gross, huh? 

(My finger that is - not my cocktail PJ pants!)  

I guess I was moving too fast, and probably not paying attention like I should have been, and the result was a "bite" from the bench vise!  

I was simply tightening the jaws of the vise, and [obviously] my finger was just in the wrong spot at the wrong time and the slidey-handle thing got me.  I could literally feel my heart beating in my finger all afternoon and evening!!   Now its just super tender, swollen, and ugly. 

Considering my hands were on sharp saw blades, heavy hammers, fire spouting torches, and the like for most of the day - I guess I should be thankful that the vise handle got me vs. one of the other potential offenders.  

Perspective . . . I'm just saying'! 

So Much to Ponder

via Pinterest

Wanted to post more this past week, but I'm having a bit of difficulty deciding what to say.   There is so much swirling in my head right now, and lots of positives going on in my life, and yet - I just don't have much to say.  

Perhaps this little obstacle is connected to the amount of evaluation and transition I am dealing with right now.  Although I'm not shouldering these tasks on my own - my husband is right there with me - I am a thinker and a planner and I'm hunkered down in evaluating the risk vs. reward trade-offs.  

Progress is being made, but we are gathering information - lots of information! - and considering all of the options.  With the tasks at hand - good, quality decisions are needed!

Since we have so much up in the air right now, and no final decisions firmly made - here's a peak at a few of the major culprits:

• We just completed a consultation and planning process with an architect for our home.  It's time to make some major remodel decisions.  We love the plans, we love the direction.  Now we just need to decide.  Will we pursue all of the work?  Some of the work?  Or none of it?  (Oh yes, and the bigger question - should we stay here, or is it time to go?)

• We're getting ready to redecorate our home office.  The paint decisions have been made, the furniture layout defined (using lots of existing furniture and a plan to purchase a few extra pieces), shutter quotes received - so when will we pull the trigger? 

• We'd like to sell our rental property but we need to / think we want to make some repairs and improvements.  So again, we have received quotes - and now we must decide what to do and how to do it. 

• I'm in the final phases of work project and preparing for a transition.  I have a plan, it just needs to be executed.  

• I'm taking two metals / fabrication classes right now.  Although they just started, I am filled with anticipation.  My head swims with the possibilities.  I have no idea the direction we will go and what I will create.  (And yes, I worry if my skills will improve.  Silly.  This is not something I should worry about!) 

• I'm at the half-way point of creating a new exercise habit.  I fell off the wagon a few years ago and I decided its time to get back on.  This is my third week of consistently exercising 3 times a week, and week two of consistently hitting the elliptical and pushing the frequency target to 4 times a week.  While I feel accomplished - it is still early.  As well, the bigger hurdle is still in front of me - am I ready (physically and mentally) to begin a month long Boot Camp class I bought through Living Social?   

See what I mean?  

Knock, Knock?

Who's there?  
Anyone?  
If so - I'll be amazed (& oh so grateful)!

So sorry.  I've been neglecting this little blog.  It's been too long since I've posted and I really need to get back into my posting routine.  (Does anyone else feel like the weeks are longer in 2012?   I think so, and they are killing me!)      

Anyway - on to something more interesting . . .

One of the things I've been looking forward to is the start of 2 metals / jewelry fabrication courses I'm taking this quarter.   The first one started yesterday.  After attending Day 1, I've learned its really more like "open studio time" - but nonetheless, the facility and equipment are excellent.  The 'class' is a 5 week offering at the local community college.

Check out the space and some of their equipment:

3 Rolling Mills!  I'd love to have one of these babies in my home studio. 

Not to mention the drill presses, the shear, and hydraulic press on the back table, and the mini table to hold forming stakes . . . 

I have no idea why I took the pic like this - they have 20 jewelers benches lined up in a row.  

Brand spanking new benches!  

Have you ever seen an exhaust system this big?  6 separate soldering stations. 

5 Tree Stumps with Anvils, Vises or space for forming. 

 
Pretty awesome space huh?  I didn't even take a pic of all the cabinets filled with every tool and hammer imaginable!

To make the most of it - and I plan to . . . I'll just need to come prepared with projects and materials to use all of the great equipment that I don't have access to at my home studio.

My second class starts Tuesday.  This next class will be a studio fabrication class where I'm confident my knowledge and skill level will be challenged and stretched; it's an Intermediate / Advanced Fabrication Course at Sawtooth School for Visual Art.   I can't wait.  I've taken a weekend class there before, but this will be my first 8-week course in their newly refurbished / remodeled studio space as well.

Between these two weekly opportunities, as well as time in my home studio - and some custom commissions I have lined up - I guess this is my Jewelry Immersion Winter.

When all of this is over, I should have learned and acquired new skills, increased my fabrication confidence, made many new pieces of jewelry to practice those skills, and Spring will be just around the corner . . . Life is Good!