- Jul 14, 2015
- 1 min
It’s not all about jewelry-making…
Although it’s a wonderful material for making beads and jewelry components, epoxy resin clay does so much more! I’ve used it for mending...
- Jun 27, 2015
- 1 min
It’s been a long time since I’ve made anything with silver metal clay.
Why? Because it is so expensive! When the price of silver skyrocketed several years ago, a lot of jewelry artists started to use bronze...
- Jun 24, 2015
- 1 min
Like Christmas in July!
Look at the goodies that just arrived from Potter USA. I can hardly wait to play with these! There are two flower-shaped pancake dies, a...
- Jun 21, 2015
- 1 min
Happy Accidents…
Amazing what you can do with things that didn’t quite turn out as planned. I hadn’t used my hydraulic press in some time and I forgot how...
- Jun 18, 2015
- 1 min
Sticker shock!
My last order of Delica beads was placed several months ago. I thought I was well stocked, but noticed that I was running low on colors...
- Jun 18, 2015
- 1 min
When it comes to bead weaving…
Repairs are something I truly loathe to do! I was going to wear this piece today and it wasn’t until I pulled it out of the jewelry box...
- Jun 15, 2015
- 1 min
There’s always something new to learn!
The scope of what can be done with metal is vast and even though I have been a metalsmith for well over twenty-five years, I’m always...
- May 31, 2015
- 1 min
Creating hollow forms on the hydraulic press…
It’s something I haven’t done in quite a while. I’ve had my hydraulic press for over twenty years and when I first acquired it, I worked...
- May 22, 2015
- 1 min
Can one have too many earrings?
I’ve accumulated a really nice stash of Faux Bone™. If you haven’t heard of it, Faux Bone™ is sold by Robert Dancik and used as an ivory...
- May 19, 2015
- 1 min
I have only one…
Instead of taking classes, I’m watching jewelry-making and wire-working instructional DVDs and I’ve ordered quite a few of them recently....
- May 16, 2015
- 1 min
I’ve been watching “The Tudors” and…
My work is influenced by what I see. Being exposed to so much Medieval period jewelry worn by damsels in distress is partially...
- May 13, 2015
- 1 min
The long pendant is finished…
Several posts ago (Upcycling Bicycle Chain), I showed a bead woven pendant dangling from a bicycle gear chain that I had found some time...
- Apr 28, 2015
- 1 min
I’m so pleased!
Issue 19 of “Bead Me” digital magazine is out and I’m so pleased to have an article featuring my mixed-media and beadwork included!...
- Apr 11, 2015
- 1 min
Shelf life…
Practically everything has an expiration date. When it comes to art supplies, thankfully metal lasts forever! Polymer clay may get a...
- Apr 8, 2015
- 1 min
It’s like Christmas in April!
I can’t believe the “treasures” I’m rediscovering. while cleaning my metals studio. I’ve already sorted through the Delicas, seed, and...
- Mar 31, 2015
- 1 min
One down, five to go…
My beads and jewelry-making paraphernalia have been stashed in every available nook and cranny for far too long. It was definitely time...
- Mar 23, 2015
- 1 min
After twenty-five years of metalsmithing…
My original set of disc cutters, which has served me well, has seen better days, so I’ve treated myself to the “king” of disc cutters…a...
- Mar 18, 2015
- 1 min
I just couldn’t resist!
Having put beading aside temporarily while working with polymer clay and metal, I haven’t placed an order for beads in several months,...
- Mar 7, 2015
- 1 min
Thinking Spring!
Lately I seem to be gravitating toward floral themed jewelry. Over the past few years I have designed quite a few floral themed...
- Feb 25, 2015
- 1 min
Back in the studio!
I’ve had a delightful vacation, but am glad to be back in the studio. Although I missed the cats terribly, the reprieve from snow was...