Emmy Jewelry: Sneak A Peek At the Jewelry You’ll See On The Red Carpet

I thought this was an interesting article on  jewelry that was spotted on the red carpet..  Even though the Emmy's were 3 weeks ago...I think it's still nice to look at what is trending.  These pieces are a good indication of what will be popular in the coming months as well! Some of the pieces in this article are so timeless.  I love the pearls, the big gold cuff bracelet, the hair pins and the super sparkly cocktail rings!
Btw...the gold inscribed cuff was made by my friend, Cassandra Erin.  Looks like she is gettin' famous!!!

What is your favorite piece??

 












 

 
 See the full article at the link below!!!
 
http://blog.justfab.com/2013/09/emmy-jewelry-sneak-a-peek-at-the-jewelry-youll-see-on-the-red-carpet/

Tips on Pickle, Wolf Clay and Mini Fiber Wheels

Hummm...just wanted to share a few things I have learned over the past few months.  Since I want to remember these things I thought I would blog them.

1.
Going back to my pickle situation.  I was having a rough time with something messing with my pickle.  My Argentium would come out of the pickle pot with this nasty grey color all over it...and would not come off for anything...and I mean nothing would take that color off my silver.  I was using Argentium...and I don't know if it was some kind of mineral in my well water I started with or if the pickle was some how getting contaminated, but I threw everything out ...and started over.  New pickle pot, new pickle, distilled water, and a new charcoal block.  The pickle I decided to go with was an  environmentally friendly one called Otto Tech Citri-Pickle by Otto Frei of course!  When I purchased it back on 2.22.12, it was $5.95 for a 2 pound container.  I filled my crock pot 1/2 way full of distilled water and mixed in 8 scoops of pickle...and stirred until it was dissolved (you should mix it as 1 part pickle to 3 parts water).  It has worked like a charm...not one problem with that pickle.  I have made more since then, but yesterday I found my jar was empty.  Sigh...  I am expecting another container of citric acid from a different supplier (FTD) in a few days.  I hope this one works as well.  After I ordered it, I noticed that it was more expensive (twice) than my Otto Frei pickle.
So next time I will order from Otto Frei!!!  :-)





2.
I have recently discovered something called Wolf Clay.  It's a soldering clay.  It has made complicated soldering jobs MUCH easier.  I got mine thru Jayne Redman, but I would think you could order it thru www.wolftools.biz  I think it was $42.00 for a jar of it...which sounds like a lot but it is reusable so I hope mine will last for a LONGGGGGGGGG time!!  :-)



3.
Lastly ...the mini fiber wheel pictured below is suppose to get rid of solder spills.  I haven't tried this yet, although I have these, I tend to use them for texturing the metal.  Now that I ran into this tip, you better believe I will be trying it out in the near future!!  :-)

Well... I am BACK, and it FEELS GOOD!!!!!

Below are some pieces I have made really recently or they are pieces I worked on eons ago and am finally finishing!!!

These earrings are made of sterling silver and enamel (glass)... these are from my old "Bubble" series that I love to revisit and make different designs. 

One of my favorite earring designs...curves and textured circles....reminiscent of a flower.  Made of sterling and 18 karat gold. 

From the "Remnants" series....this is my new baby.  Made of sterling, 24 karat gold, topaz and a patina.  Love this...but of course, I made them!!  :-)

The "Remnants" series focuses on the beauty and life of Pompeii, before and after the eruption. 

To learn more about this series, click here to go to my website!!

Just a nice classic design.  Made of sterling and topaz.

Some of my Recent Work...

I have to take a small break from metalsmithing...I am so sad.  My kiddo's are having some health issues...so they need some of my undivided attention.  In the mean time, so you know I am not a slacker...I thought I would post some of the work I have created this year...
Here goes...

 More to come...

New Tools

This is the new... or pretty new, "Knew Concepts" saw frame.  It's suppose to BLOW DOORS off of the old standard jewelers saw.  The official spec's are below:

Enjoy the superior engineering of the original Knew Concepts jeweler's hand saw frame plus a quick-change cam-lever tensioning system.
The cam-lever system lets you quickly change blades without losing your tension adjustment: simply flip the lever up to release tension, swap out blade and flip the lever back down. Save time and trouble when work demands repetitive blade changes, such as when piercing metal.
Knew Concepts saw frames are light and rigid, providing precise control, reduced blade breakage and virtually no flex. The hardened aluminum frame weighs only 129 grams, far less than a comparable steel saw frame. The 5" (127mm) throat depth is ideal for fine work on small pieces; working length of the saw blade is 4-1/4". A comfortably curved wood handle and excellent balance and control make this saw an excellent choice.

I plan to order this soon...so I will let you know if you should  blow $78.00 on this saw or not (I added shipping to the cost...but that's what comes out of your pocket)

Clayton Art Fair

Probably the best known art fair in this area is this week-end!! The Clayton Art Fair...I can't wait! 

    
 

Some of the jewelry artists that will show their goods (and my favorites) are:

(no particular order)

Hilary Hachey  =  http://www.hilaryhachey.com/index.html


Christy Klug =  http://christyklug.com/


Janice Ho =  http://janiceho.com/home.html



Michele Friedman  =   http://www.micheleafriedman.com/


Debra Adelson  =  http://www.debraadelson.com/

Those are just a few of the artists that are going to be at the fair!!  Obviously there will also be ceramics, metalwork, paintings, printmaking, sculpture, wood works...and so on.  Along with some of the BEST food around!!
For directions, parking information and a music schedale you can visit the below link!!!

Cultural Festival - Clayton Art fair 2012

Have a good one!!!

New ring made (fast) after a vacation!

Wow...just got back from vacation...
I jotted down jewelry ideas all week.  I packed some colored pencils for the kids...but I ended up using them on some sketches.  However, I didn't touch a tool the whole time I was on vacation.  I usually take "something" with me.  I either take some earring finding tools and some wire or my tool "kit" for making Viking necklaces...or something...but NOT this time.  I did manage to run across a store called "Direct Tools" and I ducked in for a look.  I found some really nice pliers for delicate work...so I bought two pair:-)

Anyway...when we arrived home we looked at the damage caused by the storm and unpacked a little.  I made dinner for the kiddo's and watered the plants.  Then I headed upstairs to look over all the stuff I had left on my bench.  For some reason I started looking at my gemstones and decided it was time to set one of them in a ring.  After all, I never made that cocktail ring for myself and we came back from vacation 3 days early...so I figured I had some time to spare.  I set off making a cage setting for my dazzling blue topaz :-)
I am usually a pretty slow butt when it comes to making rings.  But believe it or not this one only took me about 6 hours!!!  That's a huge record for me. It usually takes 2-3 days!! I made a quick tutorial on this setting...it's the second one on my tutorial page!

 
                                

I am pretty happy with it.
I guess the vacation was a good idea!!!