by Barbara | Sep 28, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bronze, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Rings, Sterling Silver
Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 25 in 1558, succeeding her half-sister, Queen Mary. Beloved by her subjects, she was a brave and noble Queen. On July 29 of 1588 during the Spanish Armada (a fleet of 130 ships...
by Barbara | Sep 25, 2015 | Art to Wear, Bead Embroidery, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Fine Silver, Handmade, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Patina
It seems that I had just completed a large selection of fine silver metal clay Flower Disks and Faux Ammonites, but I have run out of them again! They are very popular components because they embellish and accent so many different art and craft projects from bead...
by Barbara | Sep 22, 2015 | An Aside, Delica beads, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
It didn’t take long for me to decide what I wanted…actually needed! Every geometric beadwork design I’ve created uses thousands of Delica beads and the color I use most is DB0022 Metallic Bronze. My supply was running low and I needed these to fill beading kit...
by Barbara | Sep 19, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Sterling Silver
The latest addition to my “Medieval Muses” collection is a ring titled “Lady Jane” for Lady Jane Grey who reigned for only nine days. Made of hammer-textured and patinated sterling silver, bronze, and 22k gold bi-metal, the tiny crown-themed...
by Barbara | Sep 16, 2015 | An Aside, One-of-a-Kind, Painted Furniture
It’s a good thing that I’m not superstitious or I’d plan on having bad luck until I’m 74! I’ve taken several days away from the metals studio to paint an antique vanity that belonged to my mother. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint because preliminary chemical stripping...
by Barbara | Sep 13, 2015 | An Aside, At the Bench, One-of-a-Kind, Tools, Tutorials
Summer heat is transitioning into warm days and cool nights with the onset of autumn. The green leaves of summer have begun their transformation to intense shades of gold, red, and rust. Even the air seems to have a different scent…a crispness that is sometimes...
by Barbara | Sep 10, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Earrings, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Sterling Silver, Techniques
Louis XIV, known as the Sun King ruled as King of France for 72 years, the longest reign of any European Monarch in history. He was a patron of the arts allowing classical French literature to flourish. Louis was also passionate about ballet…at fifteen years of age,...
by Barbara | Sep 7, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Fine Silver, Handmade, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Sterling Silver
There’s no getting around it. Unless treated with a protective coating, silver has an inherent tendency to oxidize and discolor. It doesn’t discolor quite as rapidly if stored in plastic bags with anti-tarnish paper, but when stored on a display in open...
by Barbara | Sep 4, 2015 | An Aside, Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Beading, Bracelets, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Jewelry kits, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Tutorials
The results of the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads 2015 Jewelry-Making Contest featuring Seed Beads have finally been announced. Drumroll…rat-tat-tat-tat-tat! My “Sea Dragon Variation Wrist Wrap” (inspired by CGB) has won the Gold Medal Prize in the...
by Barbara | Sep 1, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Earrings, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Sterling Silver, Techniques, Tools
You may have already guessed that my first project using the new star-cutter set I recently purchased would be another pair of earrings…and yes, this pair features die-cut hearts (I just love heart-themed jewelry!). The top layer of each earring is made of...