Aug 31, 20111 min read
When I'm in my studio working...
I always enjoy listening to music or watching movies. I use the term "watching" loosely, as I can only catch a glimpse of what is...
Aug 22, 20111 min read
A collection of new works...
for my trunk show at Brio Gallery in Galena, Illinois is in the making. I've just finished this mixed metals charm necklace. The focal...
Aug 19, 20111 min read
I'm back in my studio...
and still catching up on everything that kept going on while I was on vacation. Email, snail mail, my Etsy shop, and kitty love - all...
Jul 9, 20111 min read
A great deal of engineering is required in jewelry making...
especially when moving part are involved. Often mathematical equations are involved - not something I enjoy! When designing a beading...
Jul 2, 20111 min read
It's here! My new kiln...
just arrived and it's ready to fire up! The pieces I've been making with bronze metal clay over the past few days in anticipation of the...
Jun 30, 20111 min read
The Evenheat Sierra 360 Kiln...
that I've been using for firing metal clay for the past five plus years is starting to become temperamental. My last three firings of...
Jun 18, 20111 min read
Faux Bone, brass, and copper...
are the materials we u sed in Richard Salley's "Ancient Shield" class at the Bead and Button show last week. I like and am very familiar...
Jun 9, 20111 min read
I must admit...
that I love jewelry making t ools, especially these beautiful hammers made by Bill Fretz. In my eyes, they are works of art in...
Apr 8, 20111 min read
Polymer Clay...
is probably one of the most versatile materials in existence. I just love working with it! I enjoy blending custom colors from...
Mar 27, 20111 min read
You have no idea...
how long it takes to assemble beading kits unless you've done it. Coordinating the color and types of beads, crystals, pearls, etc.,...
Mar 14, 20111 min read
Bronze Metal Clay...
must be fired in a reduction atmosphere. Activated coal carbon is used for this purpose. Stainless steel containers are used to hold...
Feb 27, 20111 min read
Home again...
and back to crisp weather with frigid temperatures to match. Quite a shock to one's system after ten days in a tropical climate. It...
Feb 3, 20111 min read
Life in the country...
is wonderful and I don't miss city living a bit, but when we have a massive snow storm with three feet of snow arriving in one day, it...
Jan 27, 20111 min read
I've been playing with resin again...
and having so much fun! This time I've printed text on translucent paper and when the resin is poured on it, the paper virtually...
Jan 24, 20111 min read
Absolutely delightful!
That's what this past weekend was. I didn't step foot in my studio! In fact, I only left my boudoir to forage for food! Over Saturday...
Jan 18, 20111 min read
This Piece of Equipment...
is a rolling mill and it serves several purposes. It is invaluable for reducing the thickness of metal sheet and it can be used to...
Jan 14, 20111 min read
Back at the Bench!
A new tool just arrived! It's the Knew Concepts jeweler's saw frame made by Lee Marshall of Bonny Doon Engineering...and it's...
Jan 10, 20111 min read
More Clay Work in Progress...
I'm working on a batch of bronze metal clay at the moment...lots and lots of teeny seashells to have on hand and to include in my "Tide...
Jan 6, 20111 min read
Recycling and Repurposing...
is something I do with jewelry when I've tired of a piece or have a better use for it. In this case I had a pair of metal clay earrings...
Jan 2, 20111 min read
Polymer Clay Mania...
has struck again! A set of tools used for carving both metal and polymer clays may work beautifully, but if they have wood grips that...
