the Donut Necklace

So late last January I blogged about a seed bead bracelet kit I had made, and I showed off the metal clay donut I made. Well here is the necklace that was born from those two elements in case you all were wondering where i was going with that! The sterling silver large jumprings are fused argentium silver. And the clasp is a variation of a design offered by Whole Lotta Whimsy's muse, Barbara Simon.

New Work -silver metal clay ring

So I have to do something creative! It's been months since I have sat down and made a bead or a piece of jewelry. And I am so tired of sorting and packing.

This ring was started at least 4 months ago. I found it - unfinished - on my bench in my frenzy of organizing the studio. So Saturday I sat down to apply the finishing touches. And voila!

Is it pave? Is it a bead? No it's not a bead....the rhinestones are all set by hand.

something new I tried.... stay tuned for more!

What do you think?

My Cover Bead - The Gatherer

I was away at the Synergy 2 conference in Baltimore, MD when my Winter 2010 issue of the Glass Bead arrived. Last year I entered the call for entries from the ISGB - International Society of Glass Beadmakers for a bead that would grace the cover of the ISGB's annual meeting publication. The theme was "Beyond Boundaries" and I entered a mixed media bead (lampworked bead with metal clay) called the Gatherer. I had just returned home from a vacation in Palm Springs where I went on a great hike. The guide showed us examples of rock art. There was one cave like area with a large rock that overhang the area like a roof. All of the petroglyphs there were of images with large hands. The guide explained that this area was for gatherings, and the large handed pictoglyphs represented protection of the people who gathered there. So I made my bead complete with a metal clay gatherer and it was chosen for the cover. The annual meeting of the ISGB is called "The Gathering" and it will be held in Rochester, NY this year.

I have decided to display my bead at home; and I purchased this great suspension gift box from Rio Grande for my bead. Now I need to make some more.

Donuts

So I haven't been at the torch in awhile (a wrist thing going on). But have been able to do some beady things. At the Bead and Button show last year I bought a kit from Tapestry Beads for a very cool bangle bracelet. And I have made -- oh about 6 to date. You just have to have one to match everything!

Anyway, wanted a necklace version but didn't want to make the same ole thing just bigger. So I made a 2 inch donut. Then I made a 2 inch silver clay donut. And...I'm about ready to connect them with another beaded donut. Will this necklace work? Stay tuned!

Matching Bracelet

So the bracelet to match the necklace that I posted a few day ago is done. I had originally thought I would connect the links with jumprings. But didn't like that look. So back to the drawing board. Ended up doing seed bead work yesterday (I'm making my daughter a bracelet)instead of finishing the metal clay bracelet as planned. Then last night on my nightstand was the current copy of metalclay Artist Magazine and on the cover is a bracelet made by artist Vickie Hallmark. She connected her bracelet with balled wire. So today I tried that technique. Not as easy as it looks, but I really love the finished bracelet now. Of course I am planning another - with original texture and some small improvements to the design. But for my next project I want to try some rings or maybe a brooch.

Day 2 Class at Bead and Button

Worry Ring taught by Donna Penoyer

I like to take classes at Bead and Button for professional development. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my skills and to become a better artist; and I love to take classes. You not only learn from the teacher, but you meet and learn from a variety of other students. In these hard economic times it's sometimes hard to justify the money to travel for a class, but I think it's important to add professional development to your todo list. If you can't afford to attend a class there are loads of books and magazine articles to challenge you in a new skill.

I have been working in metal clay now for awhile and rings always gave me fits. Donna showed us a wonderful way to create a seam in a ring that virtually disappears yet is a strong join. Now I just need to make time in my studio to put this into practice and create some of my own designs.

Luckily I have this worry ring to fiddle with while I sit and ponder my next design.

Published!

The current issue of Glassline Magazine was waiting for me when I returned from the Bead and Button Show. And it contains the Step by Step article I wrote for them a few months back. Yipee! 2 articles published this year.

This step by step tells you how to make one of my metal clay and glass "caged beads". I will be putting this tutorial on my website for a nominal fee to cover reproduction costs. Or you can go out and buy the magazine. Here's the link to Glassline http://www.hotglass.com/ for subscription information.

Desert Bloom Necklace

The inspiration..................

the flower is called a Mexican prickly poppy and it captivated my attention during a trip to Tucson. Here's the necklace it inspired

As usual once one piece is done it triggers new ideas and ways for improvement. Any comments?

Third Firing Worked

Ok, repaired a second time and refired for the third time.. alone. The patina changed again. I really love the light green on the left. The area of the repair turned a reddish color. Overall for a first project I'm pretty happy.

Bronze Bangle Bracelet

Remember those 4 pieces from my last post? Well I riveted them together with spacers and wire wrapped some pearl and crystal dangles and voila! a bangle bracelet. Glad I have a small hand. But this was a good experiement. Definitely see some possibilities.

Bronze Clay Bangle revisited

The Repair - so I rolled and cut a shape of bronze clay 6 cards thick again to fit into the gap created from the first firing. Not so easy to get the fresh clay to adhere to the fired clay. Used a little spit (wash your hands first) and it stuck. (thank you Hadar) Dried it, sanded it , carved it.

Also made 4 other pieces... will talk about those in a later post.

Put all 5 pieces in the carbon for firing. The bracelet went in the bottom layer and the 4 pieces in a second layer on top. Used the same firing schedule.

Interesting to note that the patina on the refired piece deepened and there is lots of purple on the back. (no picture, sorry). The other 4 pieces have a patina similar to the bangle after the first firing. ?/? wonder if more firings will increase the patina??

The repair is not quite successful. There was some pulling away at one of the attached seams. Maybe I should have filed it more. Anyway the plan is to add more clay and fill in the little gaps and fire it again.... Stay tuned.

Fabulous textile woodcuts

These were one of my first finds in Tucson - fabric wood cuts. In Asia these woodcuts are used for printing on fabrics and paper, but as soon as I saw them I thought what great texture they would be for PMC. Can't wait to try them. I'll post pictures as soon as I make something