Taking the positive experience making the egg shell brooch, I was curious what would happen with the foil from the Hershey kisses with Valentine colors - red and pink. The E6000 glue wasn't working - it was like rubber cement and way too globby as I worked with it. The super glue was much better. After my fingers had one coating of super glue, my finger tips were hard and made it easier to pat the additional foil pieces. Problem -- the glue made the foil color lift and transfer to my fingers, so I had to dab carefully while the glue was wet. Once the glue dried, I could continue working.
The other challenge was making the accompanying stick pin. There were 4 failures attempting to solder the piano wire (steel) to the copper (not enough surface connection), Solution - I hammered the steel end for a flat and wider surface. I reused the brooches center disc to create the pin's end bead.
Copper 22g, piano wire 20g
Copper disc 1/2" inside dia, 1" outside dia.
Hershey kisses foil (silver, red, pink)
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ovals in the Round Necklace
I've been working on this necklace for about 2 weeks, in addition to other quicker projects as posted. In essence, there were days when I made a completed item and finished a few of the individual necklace oval links.
The steps include -
Copper - 23 disc, 18-19"
Natural torch patina
The steps include -
- punch discs,
- roll into ovals,
- create arch longways & then hammer anticlastic around the edge.
- Drill hole in one end and drill a depression in the other which will accept a soldered post.
- Solder the posts (1 1/8" long)
- but do not pickle (leave the heat induced red).
- Apply several coats of wax, buffed in-between coats.
- Assemble, curling the post in the back into a swirl.
Copper - 23 disc, 18-19"
Natural torch patina
Monday, February 18, 2013
Knuckle Ring - Leaves
Inspired by a Black Hills Gold Ring I saw on tv, I created this one.
I soldered the back of the ring, formed it, then soldered the leaves, carefully balancing each one on the charcoal block, using Hard and Easy solder. The plus side of putting the leaves on last -- I could cut the wire to length after it was formed when I could decide where the stems would fall on the finger.
Next time - I'll try soldering the leaves on first, then solder the ring together, followed by forming it. For this however, I'll have to make sure I have the length of wire just right before starting.
Nickel Silver, Copper, 18 g., adjustable size 7-9
Silver plated, heat patina, Renaissance Wax
I soldered the back of the ring, formed it, then soldered the leaves, carefully balancing each one on the charcoal block, using Hard and Easy solder. The plus side of putting the leaves on last -- I could cut the wire to length after it was formed when I could decide where the stems would fall on the finger.
Next time - I'll try soldering the leaves on first, then solder the ring together, followed by forming it. For this however, I'll have to make sure I have the length of wire just right before starting.
Nickel Silver, Copper, 18 g., adjustable size 7-9
Silver plated, heat patina, Renaissance Wax
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Nutmeg Pendant
After grating some nutmeg (from a trip to Grenada some time ago), I noticed the beautiful speckled pattern. My first attempt to slice a slab off only resulted in crumbled pieces. So I decided to leave the 'nut' with what was left (semi-whole). It was encased with Renaissance Wax and then Turtle wax to prevent aging and deterioration.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Be My Forever Valentine
A tie-tac for my forever love - my husband John. Made from the Curly Willow branch from our front yard.
Forever Valentine Tie Tac / wood, copper
silver plate, Crimson acrylic paint
Forever Valentine Tie Tac / wood, copper
silver plate, Crimson acrylic paint
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wire People
This design is from ArtJewelryMag.com. It is slightly kinetic and I can't help smiling when I see it. :0)
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Radiating
A radiating design pendant / charm. Starting with 22 g copper, roll printed using paper towel, heat treated and sealed with Renaissance Wax. The heat treatment shows more yellow with hints of blue. Bail is 18g NuGold.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Loves Me, Love's Me Knot
Rio Grande's website offers video how to's for the maker. I have a Swanstrom link-forming plier tool. It's a jig that allows you to stretch wire links into a consistent repetitive forms. I haven't used it yet so I looked to Rio Grande for inspiration. There was a video for making a love knot. The process took 3/4 of the day to complete the 18" necklace. I need to get some jump ring mandrels instead of using a pen - but the mandrels are expensive - $108 - $220. Really? For steel rods, come on.
Love Knot Necklace / N. Silver (18 g)
Silver Plated.
20 sets of love knot components (40 jump rings hand soldered)
19 jump rings
Labels:
365,
jewelry,
Karen Carley,
love knot,
necklace
Location:
United States
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Double Heart Bracelet
Inspired by a similar design, the double heart bracelet is Valentine ready. (Nickle Silver 18g. each heart made from 1 1/2" length).
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Lapidary - First Cabochon
The Michigan Silversmith Guild offered lapidary instruction at the Toledo Gem & Rockhound Club, located within the Toledo (Ohio) Botanical Gardens. It was a 60 min. drive and there was terrible snow filled roads in the morning. The normal 65 - 70 mph was creeping along at 45 mph. Luckily the ride home at 3:30 was back to normal.
Loved the experience of using the trim saw to cut out the oval shape from a slab of jasper. The grinding and pre-polish process included 6 different diamond gradations. While my stone is on the rather small size, 16x11, it will make a great stone for a ring. I don't consider the natural hole in the stone to be a flaw, but the inherent characteristics of mother nature. I may add a diamond there.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Rosette Ring
Building on yesterday's learning curve, the companion rosette ring allowed me to do a better job on the wrapping to the side of the rosette. I also learned that working on a mandrel is good, but the finished size was about 1/2 to 1 size smaller once I finished the wrapping. Note to self - next time start with a larger size on the mandrel.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Rosette bangle
Rosette Bangle / copper 14 g Liver of Sulfur patina 20" wire / 6.5" finished |
Inspiration: Art Jewelry Magazine, March 2013, just received in today's mail.
I normally see a few ideas in my art magazines, but I don't act on them right away, and then the magazine is put on the bookcase....well, you know how that is. This time I decided to put my 'I should' into "I will" and "I did".
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bookmark - double swirl
Double Swirl Bookmark 2.5w"x3.5", Nickle Silver 18 g |
I love bookmarks and I have bookcases full of books. This one has multiple ways of using it - hang it over the spine, hang one end over the adjoining page, or clip one loop on top of a page. The nickle silver wire (18 g 20" length to begin) was swirled and then flatten in the roll mill.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Scarf pin with egg shells
Pin / brass, nu gold, wood egg shell, black marker |
While working with egg shells on the black branch pendant, I thought I'd see what would happen if I put some on a dapped (rounded) washer. The egg shells became stained from my handling the black branch, so that transferred to the egg shells. It resembles marble veining.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Curly Willow Branch con'td
I'm quite enjoying working with my curly willow branches - the ones that fall from the tree and I don't have the heart to throw out because their twisted shapes are all so different and beautiful. This thicker branch is not like the smaller diameter twigs. While sanded some of the bark off, I noticed the light and dark patterns and quickly decided to only remove a portion of the bark. I've included a photo of a before look and the after result. I'll put this aside to become a handle on a future project.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Branch pendant, con'td
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sticks into Pendants
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wood Jewelry Stand
Need a break from metal and soldering today.
Material - 1) squiggly branches from the Curly Willow tree that the wind brought down. Yah, I couldn't bear to see them in the garbage can. 2) tree stump from the tree we cut down for Mom several years ago.
Project - a stand for displaying jewelry and for photography
Thoughts - I so love the feel of found wood and stones in my hand. They please my eye and soul. I've wanted to incorporate them into art pieces, but have always procrastinated. Will it look stupid? Will it be worth my effort? No more self-doubt -- I'm just going to dive in and risk.
While working on the thin twig, I wondered if it would break. Whenever I work with found wood, I go in with the notion that if it breaks / comes off then it is unveiling what it needs to become. Also, this twig was suck up in the tree for who knows how long, survived the fall, survived being tossed in the trash & removing, the debarking with a wire brush, the sanding with a dremel.....it is one tough little thing. :D
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Domassylum - Disc 2
Disc / Copper, Nickle Silver 22 g 2.25" dia. |
The challenges:
1) hammering the largest / outer washer stretched it. The washer has a thin border, so I couldn't put another one on top like I had thought.
2) The second washer was punched with the same size punch, not hammered. After several playful arrangements, it was soldered, creating an inner contour.
3) The center is a hammered domed copper disc. I couldn't get the exact contour so the solder is only 7/8 in circumference Further tapping couldn't fix it.
The happy surprise:
The outer copper washer rollied to the back of the n. silver while filing it down, which I hadn't planned but like.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Domassylum, Disc 1
Inspiration for the next several items came from the various workshops being offered for the Bead Fest Philadelphia to be held in August 2013. One topic is flared frames taught by Melissa Cable. My first domed disc is a combination of brass 24 g on the bottom, copper 22 g roll printed in the center. The inside of the disc has a small brass disc in the center. The photo doesn't show the metal tones very well - the brass is on the gold side. I hope to make a bracelet or necklace using 5 discs of various designs.
Labels:
365,
brass,
copper,
disc,
dome,
jewelry,
Karen Carley,
mixed metal
Monday, January 21, 2013
Fortune in Resin
Pendant / Fine Silver 28 g, 59m x 18m (2 1/3" x 2/3") |
Working with resin yesterday for the first time was a good experience. I wondered what else I had set aside waiting for its time to become? Ah yes, the fortune from the Chinese cookie I had a few days ago. Creating the bezel to hold the fortune and resin took longer than I thought. Getting it square was tricky. I chose to put the paper down into the bezel rather than up where the resin 'doming' would form. The unveiling was educational. The bottom (to be the finished top) was wavy because it took the shape of the tape it was stuck to. The top (to be the finished bottom) was not level & needed filing which created a more mate tone rather than glossy, which is ok. So, I need more practice. I would rather attempt something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed. Another project with a quote, yipee :0)
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Pebble Ring - Jade's Collection
Have you ever bought something because you wanted to give it a try (resin) or you know you should have some on hand for when the inspiration hits (empty bezel rings)? But then it just sits in a drawer or on a shelf? Stuck on what to make today and half wanting to take a day off from creating, I decided to make use of the ring blank and resin. Last summer John & I took two of our grandchildren to their elementary school. Jade (age 6 1/2) and I sat under the play gym and collected pebbles. There were plenty of white and gray ones, but Jade handed me the reddish ones. They've been in a plastic cut waiting. This is my most cherished piece.
Labels:
adjustable,
jewelry,
Karen Carley,
pebble,
resin,
ring,
rock
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Lentil Bead Pendant
Without a plan or design, I decided to draw two circles on a scrap sheet of 22 g. copper (3/4" or 20 mm dia.). With my circle template, I drew 7 smaller circles within each (#35 bit). Since I liked it so far, I continued to brainstorm what to do next. I punched out the two discs, dapped, hammered for texture and sanded the edges flat. Yes, it will be a lentil bead. Another first for me to make. After hard-soldering the two together, I laid it on paper to sketch out three options for the bail. The real challenge was balancing the bead on it's edge in the fire brick and also balancing the hanging wire onto the top with the second-hand tweezers. The easy/soft solder went well. I rather like this one.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Solder Inlaid copper
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Enameling Success
The challenge for this pendant were tough to work through in one day. The awful torch fired enamel turned out brown and dull. The "I'm not giving up" kiln version is better. Whew, ok, I won't throw it out so......now to create the bezel or backing. This usually would take me days drawing up thumb sketches, debating which I preferred, doubting, etc. This time I drew up two ideas and jumped in. I had to complete it today. Of course I had to make it more difficult than it needed to be, so I repeated the exact triangle cutout spacing from the enameled piece onto the back.
Temporary Art - Food & Photography
Artwork is subjective. For some reason, I receive a lot of joy in the temporary design of things I come in contact with. If I come upon an interesting rock pile while hiking, I must stop to create a land-art piece. Food prep is a perfect opportunity for temporary artwork. I shall categorize it as food-art, why not. Today while cutting frozen polish sausage, I found the arrangement pleasing to the eye. It is temporary and it is ok.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Enameling Failure
Brooch / brass 24g, Thompson vitreous enamel, torch fired (red turned out brown) |
Monday, January 14, 2013
Earrings - round on round
I had some left over roller printed copper (22 g) imprinted using wire mesh. I thought the angular lines would be a nice contrast on a round shape. Not a bad job positioning the center cutout which was reused for the top. What a challenge soldering a teeny tiny half-jump ring to the back. I am getting fond of the silver plating effect. Next time I'll place the half-jump ring vertical instead of horizontal.
Earrings / copper (22 g), silver plated,
fine silver (20 g)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Quotations
Quotations. I've got a binder full. I've been collecting them. I keep thinking I should include it in my art pieces. Some of the graphic / poster quotes on Facebook give you insight into the person who has posted it. They are looking for self-validation, or expressing anger, or showing appreciation. I read one today that was perfect for my new venture to get in the habit of creating, of making something, of not being afraid to just start. "I don't know where I am going, but I'm on my way." Indeed, I'm on my way, making one creation at a time....I wonder where it will take me?
Brooch / copper 22 gauge, nickle silver, patina (Baldwin's, Liver of Sulfur) |
Saturday, January 12, 2013
My Website
Today I created and published my first website to showcase my work. It is a start. KarenCarley.com
KarenCarley.com - home page |
KarenCarley.com - metal page |
Labels:
365,
artist,
Karen Carley,
metal,
metalsmith,
portfolio,
website
Friday, January 11, 2013
(1) I don't know what to make
I need to get in the habit of making art on a regular basis. Oh the excuses that run through my mind like the stock market ticker tape. There are so many excuses and they re-play over and over until whatta-ya-know the day is gone. No more. This is my first blog, created as a motivator to start. Start anywhere. To push away the excuses, the fear, the yada yada.
Even this blog was a challenge to post. The voices told me it's not perfect....I don't know what to say....I should change it. For now, I will start. Today's excuse to NOT create was - I don't know what to make. With no ideas and no drawings, I will start.
WHAT TO LEARN
* to accept the outcome
* let go
* don't over analyze or criticize
* there will be the good, the bad, & the ugly
* it's ok, keep creating
* I enjoy spontaneity - letting a design unfold as I go
Even this blog was a challenge to post. The voices told me it's not perfect....I don't know what to say....I should change it. For now, I will start. Today's excuse to NOT create was - I don't know what to make. With no ideas and no drawings, I will start.
Pendant / copper, silver plated, 1" long, steel cable |
Pendant (alternative view) |
WHAT TO LEARN
* to accept the outcome
* let go
* don't over analyze or criticize
* there will be the good, the bad, & the ugly
* it's ok, keep creating
* I enjoy spontaneity - letting a design unfold as I go
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