Archive for May, 2011

I promised myself I would participate more on Jewelry Lessons this year. Here was my entry for the March MOJO challenge. The task was make a pendant using your birthstone/gem color, your birth date in Roman numerals and use a technique that represents you as an artist.

I’m learning metalsmithing and decided to try incorporating some of the techniques I’m learning. My birth date is 11 so the Roman numerals I had to work with were “XI” (you can see them if you turn your head and view the pendant on its side).

My birthstone is sapphire. I can’t afford that so I chose to work with a sodalite cabochon and kyanite sticks. They both contain lovely deep blue tones and I liked the way they looked together.

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If you’re a Charlotte area jewelry artist, you might want to put the Rings & Things Bead Tour on your calendar. They set up a sea of beads and allow you to browse with no pressure to buy. I seriously can’t wait! If you’re interested, here are the details:

Sunday, June 19th, 2-6 PM

Renaissance Suites Hotel Google Map
Terrace Ballroom
2800 Coliseum Centre Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 357-1414

Be sure you bring along your tax ID/license if you are tax exempt. Questions? Read their FAQ.

The Beadaholics will have an informal meetup there also. We’d love to see you!

I’ve mentioned how excited I am about learning to do bezel and prong settings on Twitter. Thought it was time I shared a few of the pieces I’ve made in Dan Haga’s class.

This was my first attempt at a “real” ring and my first bezel set cabochon. I have been aching to learn how to bezel set a stone for years! I’ve read numerous books explaining the technique. But I was too nervous about it to try it on my own. I had enough trouble just soldering jump rings.

This was the fourth project I made in Dan’s class. I did a pair of soldered earrings and two different soldered bracelets before attempting this. Since I am an admitted beginner, I needed to learn to solder properly prior to trying a bezel.  One of the things I appreciate about Dan is that he selects the projects you do based on your skill level and interests.

I am so happy with the way this turned out. Plus, it’s a beautiful piece of amber.

The pendant at right was the first piece Dan had us co-design a bit. He gave us some parameters: bezel set a much larger stone (lucky me, he had another amber cabochon!), create a swing bail and attach the bezel cup to the piece with wire solder (we had been using paste). It was up to us how to design in the two pieces of hefty sterling wire that make up the base of the piece. He provided us with a few sample designs for inspiration and asked us to sketch. (more…)

Let’s face it. If you make jewelry, you end up giving it as gifts. The nice thing about that is people are generally happy to receive handmade pieces.

Here’s the necklace I made for my Mom this Mother’s Day. The large stone is a Butterfly Agate my silver teacher, Dan Haga, gave us to experiment with. It was huge and heavy but just gorgeous. I had not made a bezel this hefty before so I was a bit intimidated. Decided to jump in and give it a try in copper. I thought the warmth of the metal would work with the stone. I know my Mom loves the look of oxidized copper since she’s purchased several copper pieces at art fairs.

She also likes her necklaces long. This one is about 24 inches with an adjustable toggle. The wire wrapped beaded chain includes citrine, several kinds of agate, faceted smoky quartz  (made the copper bead caps for the quartz) and red jasper. It was quite a challenge to make the bail and bezel. I thought copper would be easier to bezel than silver since copper is softer. But it stiffens up and is very strong. I’m also still learning to solder copper so I was happy to have another piece to tackle.

I’m glad I was able to finish it in time for Mother’s Day. I would have shared this earlier but that might have ruined the surprise. My Mom lives in Michigan and is always poking around online.

Since some of my pieces offer more than one “wearing opportunity”, the Hornet’s Nest Crafters Etsy Street Team suggested I create a few videos to show you how each design works. Here’s the idea behind my “Look Look Look” necklaces.

This is a design I created for a necklace that can be worn in its longest state or taken apart to wear as separate pieces. Take a look at how to wear my “Metamorph” design.