by Barbara | Jul 19, 2015 | Art to Wear, Components, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
It’s a song I first heard on the album “She Cried” by Jay and the Americans in 1962. I was in 8th grade then and I played that record so much that the lyrics are permanently etched in my brain. The song played again and again in my head and I hummed the tune...
by Barbara | Jul 16, 2015 | Art to Wear, At the Bench, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
When it comes to heart-themed jewelry, there are those who simply can’t abide it and those who love it…I fall into the latter category! Heartfelt, heartbreak, big-hearted, sweetheart, change of heart, by heart, take heart, have a heart are words and...
by Barbara | Jul 5, 2015 | An Aside, One-of-a-Kind, Tools
Truly, I should have, but a drill press always seemed like an expensive luxury…one I could do without. However, I do a serious amount of riveting and drilling through thick material and when holding a flexshaft tool, it can be a challenge to drill accurately....
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 24, 2015 | Art to Wear, At the Bench, Equipment, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools, Tutorials
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 spiral impression die, a bracelet mandrel and bender, urethane pads and 2” x 2” contained urethane with a pusher, and...
by Barbara | Jun 21, 2015 | Art to Wear, Faux Bone™, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Techniques, Tools
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 much force a 20-ton press expends. My copper heart was pressed in a ½” thick die just a bit too much resulting in a lengthwise...
by Barbara | Jun 15, 2015 | An Aside, Classes, Materials and Supplies, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
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 learning new techniques and discovering time-saving tips. Having been primarily self-taught, I have relied heavily on...
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 25, 2015 | Art to Wear, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, Materials and Supplies, Mixed Media, One-of-a-Kind, Polymer Clay, Resin, Techniques, Tools
She’s dancing the Tarantella, turning cartwheels, rushing to and fro, bombarding me with ideas for new jewelry pieces. Lately, my mind is swirling like a whirlpool in a never-ending spiral and I’m loving this newfound flow of energy! Having cleaned my...
by Barbara | May 7, 2015 | Art to Wear, Components, Embellishments, Found Objects, Handmade, Inspiration, One-of-a-Kind, Techniques, Tools
Remember all those cast twigs, silver wire, drilled pebbles and pyrite nuggets shown in my previous post? Here’s the finished piece! I’ve titled it “Rockabye”, inspired by the lullaby, but it’s also a play on the granite pebble and...