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 | Aug 25, 2015 | Art Jewelry, Art to Wear, Bronze, Cabochons and Gemstones, Components, Earrings, Handmade, Inspiration, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Patina, Sterling Silver, Techniques
As the first wife of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon fared somewhat better than Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn…Catherine, at least did not lose her head! Raised as a devout Roman Catholic, which factored largely in her later life, she was the daughter of...
by Barbara | Jul 24, 2015 | Beads and Materials, Components, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques
There is no doubt about it…silver metal clay is expensive. When the silver market escalated several years ago, the price of metal clay skyrocketed. In the past few months, the silver market has dropped in price, but the price of silver metal clay has barely declined....
by Barbara | Jul 8, 2015 | Art to Wear, Components, Embellishments, Enameled Work, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Resin, Techniques
It’s lovely to finally have a few free days to do whatever I please! I spent several days last week making metal clay embellishments and now that I’ve restocked those components in my Etsy shop, I have time to create with my newly acquired Potter USA pancake dies!...
by Barbara | Jun 30, 2015 | An Aside, Art to Wear, At the Bench, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Tools
I’ve already sold out of the collections of fine silver metal clay Ammonite components I listed several days ago so it’s time to make more! I’ve also made several collections of Flower Disk embellishments, which I’ll be listing in my Etsy shop soon. The work shown...
by Barbara | Jun 27, 2015 | Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind
Why? Because it is so expensive! When the price of silver skyrocketed several years ago, a lot of jewelry artists started to use bronze and copper in wire and sheet form instead of silver. Thankfully, the price of silver has recently come down making it more...
by Barbara | Jun 9, 2015 | An Aside, Art to Wear, Beading, Beads and Materials, Components, Designer Patterns, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind, Seed Beads
I just came across the needed bronze clasp and disk embellishing components required for the “Op Art” Cuff beading kit…I was sure I had completely depleted my supply, but there was enough for one kit. I haven’t worked with metal clay in some...
by Barbara | Jun 6, 2015 | Art to Wear, Beads and Materials, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
I’ve just finished a somewhat ambitious project…a very large pendant measuring 65mm in width by 130mm in length. The substantial disk swings from a length of forged 12 gauge sterling silver wire on a matching neck ring. A spiral of textured silver wire on...
by Barbara | May 16, 2015 | Art to Wear, Components, Embellishments, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, One-of-a-Kind
My work is influenced by what I see. Being exposed to so much Medieval period jewelry worn by damsels in distress is partially responsible for the creation of my “Cross of Alisee” earrings. Made of hammer-textured sterling silver sheet and Argentium silver wire, they...
by Barbara | May 13, 2015 | Art to Wear, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Metal Clay, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques
Several posts ago (Upcycling Bicycle Chain), I showed a bead woven pendant dangling from a bicycle gear chain that I had found some time ago. I really like the way the chain fits and find that it is extremely comfortable to wear! It is also sturdy and versatile as I...
