Wrapped and Tabbed

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I posted here. Wow, it has been busy. I did post on my Art blog so you can always find me there if I'm not here. In fact, follow them both and then you'll find out everything that is going on in my artsy little world.

This week has been all about pendants. It started as a desire to create a tutorial for the newsletter of a gem and mineral club I belong to and has morphed. I found a picture of a Linda Larson pendant that doesn't use solder and thought that would be perfect for those not wanting to learn to solder or afraid of using a torch.

My first design was to just use 12 gauge wire and hammer the dickens out of it and then punch holes and use wire to sort of wire wrap the stone in place. Fun, fun, fun. I love hammering. So, I've now made several with a couple of different wrap designs and think I have a good handle on the tutorial part as I try to streamline the process.

My second design I just finished today and was inspired by one of Linda's pendants...you can view it HERE. It is a piece of copper sheet, cut and then tabbed to hold the cabachon. It's really my favorite but does take some time to cut, shape, file, hammer and fit the cab.

Well, I will be taking a break from working with wire tomorrow as we are headed to the beach for the day. Maybe I'll even remember to take my camera and get the dogs in action on the beach.

Beach Glass Anyone?

It was a rainy cold day here in Western Washington and after going to my exercise class this morning I decided to spend a little time in my craft room. I had been wanting to use some of my stash of beach glass in pendants or charms so I grabbed my jar and dumped the contents on the table. I started out looking for blue and white pieces for a charm swap I'm in but unfortunately that wonderful shade of blue beach glass was elusive today and I only found one piece. I did find some white, green and brown. These were so much fun to make. Most are large enough for a pendant but the smaller ones I'll save for a charm bracelet or a different swap. My favorite is the light green with the silver wrap with the brown piece coming in a close second.

Since I have so many, maybe I'll list a few for sale or save them as Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Well today was my first day of Creating Every Day Challenge and I found it very easy. I still have yet to "create" a newsletter tonight for the gem and mineral club I belong to and tomorrow will be to write up the tutorial I promised. Hopefully the rest of the month will be as easy to "Create" as these first few days of the month.

If you are taking the challenge, let me know by leaving me a comment and I'll add your blog to the blog list located in the right hand column.

Now go Create!

Trying New Techniques

I'm always learning new ways to do things or maybe just easier ways, but this year has been all about trying new things. I've started doing more altered art jewelry (not for sale at this time, but soon). You might call it my hobby vs. business. Sometimes we all just need some type of break.

So I started with the art collages between glass and then soldering around them to create a pendant. These are fun and challenging all at the same time. Working with the solder was a new thing for me and I still don't have that soldering gun mastered, but I'll keep working on it. In the meantime, family and friends can get soldered pendants dirt cheap (my cost or free) while I'm perfecting my skills.

Next I ventured into art on bamboo tiles. Okay, similar to the art between glass, but much different as you use glue and glaze stuff. It's messy, but I'm getting the hang of it. Last week, I found some glass tiles that you glue your image on the back so that it shows through magnified. I have to say this was fun and pretty easy. I'll provide links at the end of this post if you are interested in joining in the fun and want to know where to find all these great items.

Since I'll be watching my nephew for a few weeks before he spends part of the summer with his mother, I'm on the look out for kid friendly activities. Now he is 11 and not really into coloring and fingerpainting, so I'll have to look a little bit harder. What do 11 year olds do during the Summer besides ride their bike and go swimming?

I did order some scrabble tiles and thought for an art project he could glue images to the back of them and then add some magnets. He could take them back when visiting his mom to give as gifts. If some turn out good, I may even add a pendant bail. So we will see and I'm sure you will hear all about our adventures.

Here are some pic's of what I've been playing with. Some of the images are my watercolor paintings.

Just dry bamboo tiles that I haven't added the wire for making into a pendant.
Here are the links:

For Memory Slides and bamboo tiles - http://www.rubbernation.com/servlet/StoreFront

The soldering tape, solder iron and lead free solder I found at - http://www.bigmsg.com/ any stained glass dealer would have this.

The Glass Tile kit came from Annie Howes - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5262601

The digital images from Piddix - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=46139

For the bamboo slides I used 3 dimensional glue (scrapbook aisle) and mod podge that I purchased at Michael's.

Remember to always keep learning and keep it fresh. Love what you do or don't do it.