Shop Open!

I'm happy to announce that my shop is finally open again, just in time for the holidays! Unfortunately, my studio is still closed so I won't be able to make any more custom orders for a while, but everything in my shop is available and ready to ship.

Still Alive!

Well, way back in August (!) when I made my last post I said I was really busy getting ready for my new job. Well, since then, here is what has happened. I've been working at my new teaching job for about 8 weeks now and while it is very challenging I think it is going well. My husband got a new job in a different city and we just got a new apartment in a city halfway between our two jobs. My husband had exactly one day off between his last day at his old job and his first day at his new job, so we've been moving a little bit at a time after work and over the last few weekends. So, now that we're finally almost done and ready to start actually settling in at our new place, I got hit with H1N1. Seriously. So, now that I'm home sick with no energy for anything else, I finally have time to make another blog post! Funny, huh?
I am getting better though. I'm fever-free and hoping to be back at work tomorrow. Hooray!
The good news is that my new apartment has a perfect little studio space. One of the previous residents converted the pantry into a darkroom, which it turns out is also perfect for a metals studio. There's built in ventilation, lots of storage space and electrical outlets, and a nice tiled countertop. As soon as I get myself set up I'll be posting some photos!
I'm planning on my life being back to normal sometime in November.

One Busy Summer

Well this has been one exceptionally busy summer for me. I thought everything would slow down after summer school ended, but with job applications and interviews I stayed pretty busy. And now I actually have a full time teaching job for next year. Hooray! I will be teaching art to grades 1-5. I am super excited and still very very busy getting everything ready. Maybe next summer I will be able to relax. So for right now I am pretty far behind on making new jewelry and updating my blog and stuff, but hopefully when I get settled in a little more I will have some time. Happy back to school everybody!

Call For Donations - Wildlife Learning Foundation

If any of you artists and crafters out there are feeling charitable, here is a great cause that could use your help. My friend Christine of PorcupineSnuggles works for the Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar, CA. The WLC has a non-profit branch called the Wildlife Learning Foundation which provides educational experiences to children with limited access to the outdoors and natural science education. They are having a benefit at the end of September to raise money for their after-school programs. Christine is seeking donations of items to be included in the silent auction and raffle. If you might be interested in donating some of your handmade goods, check out this thread that Christine posted in the Etsy forums for more information.

Finally Done!

I finally finished this necklace that I have been working on on-and-off for a few weeks. I constructed all of the links, made all the enamels and settings by hand, made all the jumprings and the clasp myself, and soldered every single ring shut. I'm really proud of it.

Silver Threads: Making Wire Filigree Jewelry

I guess I've been on a bit of a book buying kick lately. I just got "Silver Threads: Making Wire Filigree Jewelry" by Jeanne Rhodes Moen. I've been doing some soldered wirework lately, but I have been pretty much making it up as I go along, so I wanted to get a book to learn some good techniques for making designs with wire scrolls. This book includes examples of filigree work (and some things that look like filigree) from around the world, as well as numerous examples of the author's own work. It includes a sections on basic metalworking techniques, and all the basic tools and materials needed for filigree work. It then goes on to explain how to form each of the classic wire units that make up filigree pieces. The book contains a sequence of step-by-step filigree projects from simple to advanced, with ideas for variations. Personally, I hardly ever work through the step by step projects in books. I prefer to learn the techniques and then experiment with my own project ideas, but the projects do give some wonderful examples of how different units can be combined to form a wide variety of designs. The projects in this book are primary done in filigree wire (round wire twisted together and then flattened) but I think the same techniques could be applied to any kind of wire that can be soldered. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who is interested in in making soldered wirework.

Copper Beads in Action by June Sprigg Tooley

Here's another wonderful example of my etched copper beads in action. This lovely neckpiece was made by June Sprigg Tooley, an avid beader and fabulous etsian. I really enjoy the combination of gemstone and metal beads in this one, and I love that beautiful dragonfly pendant. I don't have much of a knack for beading myself, so I loved seeing what June came up with!