Thursday, January 28, 2010

More fun with soldered shapes

These are the sterling silver shapes connected to my ceramic hearts. Images on the hearts are different but are from the same flowering plant.

Another pair of slightly unmatched earrings from Queen Ann's lace connected to the sterling silver soldered flower shapes.
Both are available on my Etsy Shop.

Monday, January 25, 2010

How they turned out

Before they were tumbled

Here are the photos of the copper flowers that I showed you yesterday. I also showed you a some silver ones. They were not part of this firing. Sterling doesn't fare as well in the kiln.
Tumbled

Charm


Charm



Earrings

The two charms and the earrings are available on my Etsy store.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Soldering Class


Picture of the soldered shapes after they were tumbled.




Yesterday, my friend Sally Hartman and I attended a class at Raw Treasures, the best little bead store in our Northern County, and learned how to solder. We used one of those fantastic Little Torches and made a fairly simple bracelet using a jig. Although a rather plain and simple project, I see so much potential in being able to form these shapes on a jig and solder them together. I actually liked our practice pieces in copper better than the finished ones in silver. I can see wonderful earrings, links and bracelets using the copper with other fun components. I know that today when I go to my studio that I will be experimenting with our practice copper pieces to see what I can do to jazz them up. The other cool thing about the class is that the little butane torch I have can be used to do these simple solders, as well. So I am all set. I have the wire, the copper solder and the torch. Can't wait to do some more of these.

These are the copper practice shapes soldered. I am going to play with them before they are tumbled.


I'll post some pics when I have some ready.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bead Soup Delicious








My Delicious package of Bead Soup has arrived from Lisa Oram. Aren't these a wonderful set of beads to get the imagination going. I absolutely love the colors and the different shapes. Since I have been emailing with Lisa, I have learned that she likes to do beadwork, especially bead crochet. She also makes her own flameworked beads. Here is a close up pic of some of her artists beads that she made and included in the stash she sent me.

You may be wondering where the clasp is. I requested that I be able to make a clasp with one of her beads so you will be seeing it when the piece is finished.


Now the challenge begins. I do not yet have a plan for how I will work with these pretties but will keep you posted.


Thank you Lisa for such a wonderful serving of Bead Soup.

You can see pics, and read about the beads, pendant and clasp that I sent to Lisa here.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Opening the Kilns

A video I made this morning when I opened up my kilns for the first time since they were fired yesterday. Join me as I am surprised and pleased with the results.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

New Beads and more on A Work In Progress

Look at these gorgeous orange coral beads I snagged at Cindy Gimbrone's Clearance sale last week. I just had gotten home from the HD performance in our area of Der RosenKavalier and checked out my blogs and found out I had 5 minutes left to get a chance at some of Cindy's wonderful beads. And there they were just waiting for me. One of my fovorite colors.

Below is an update on my work in progress that I showed earlier when I was wishing you all Happy New Year. It has been coming along. But I am not sure where it will end up taking me since I make it up as I go along. So here's hoping it turns out all right. I will show you other photos as the piece develops. It will be nice for me to document the making of this necklace. I hope you enjoy the process as well.





Monday, January 11, 2010

Packing up hearts for the BOC Swap


Today I photographed some of the pendants that I am sending out for the Beads-of-Clay bead swap. I made lots of hearts and some I will be saving for my Etsy shop. The ones for the swap. I will be shipping out tomorrow, just in time for the Jan. 15 deadline. I love the way these pale colors came out. And while I was making hearts, I made some little tiny heart charms. All of these will be going into my Etsy shop for a Valentine's Day sale I am planning for later on this month.


Thursday, January 07, 2010

Bead Soup Party

I just found out about this creative way of having some blog fun and there is still time for you to join in.
Lori Anderson is hosting it.
You can sign up here. Lori tells how it will play out:
Here's how it will work --First, you must have a blog!Next, email me (Lori Anderson) by clicking here or using the address in the above photo to let me know you want to go to the Bead Soup Party.On January 11th, I'll contact everyone with your Party Partner and list all the Party Blogs. You'll then send that person a Party Pack:~ A focal~ Some coordinating spacers or beads~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)When you get your package of beads, you make something with it, take a picture, and post it on your blog on February 1st. Then everyone hops around to all the Party Blogs to see what you made!
Doesn't this sound great!! I hope you will join me.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Happy New Year



Happy New Year to all. This is going to be a good one. I have been away for a week with my son and daughter-in-law and their 2 boys, my grandsons. Had a wonderful time at the zoo, sledding, ice skating, learning the Wii Mario Bros. and Olympic Sports. Not one thought on beads until the last day when I began a peyote stitch necklace which is still in progress. ( I think being a work in progress is going to be my focus for 2010--lots of ways to interpret the idea into wonderful beads and jewelry.) It is always an act of faith to begin one and steer it on a successful course. So far so good. I am loving using my ceramic beads, some of which I created just for the December Challenge. I will be shipping out the set designated for the lucky winner Monday.On the way home I picked up a copy of the House at Riverton, since Lorelei had recommended it. And now I see that Round Rabbit is having a book club with it. How great. I had hardly read any blogs while I was away so I didn't catch on until now. A most pleasant surprise.


Posted by Picasa

Raku Bead Video Part III