Catching Up

Last week, after I finished my coin, we used rectangular brass plates to practice sawing, filing, and sanding. Even after all that, I still can’t saw a straight line, but I’m getting better at it.

Finally, this week I started on a real project.

I melted silver into a blob, and turned the blob into a wire and a sheet. Then I used the wire to make oval jump rings and solder them into a chain. I used the sheet to make a toggle clasp and made my chain into a bracelet.

Pictures to come when I am at my computer.

Cat

More Filing!

First thing I did today was finish off my coin by sanding it smooth. My fingers are really sore from all the filing and sanding. My shiny coin:

Then, Marc handed me four squares of brass and I got all excited because I thought it was time to drill! Alas, no. More filing. I had to file all the edges straight and make sure the corners were 90 degree angles. So here they are:

I'm pretty sure tomorrow is the day I get to practice drilling. It should go fast because I know how to drill, but I've never drilled brass before. It's a pretty hard metal so I hope it isn't more difficult to drill than silver. I'll let you know tomorrow!

Cat

First Day of School

today was the first day of jewelry school. We had orientation in the morning, then we got started on our first lesson.

We were given a brass coin with writing and a picture on it and told to file one side down flat. I think I have cramps in both hands after a full day of filing!

After one hour:

After three hours:

After four hours:

After five hours:

Yes, I filed that silly coin for five hours! But it looks nice, doesn't it?

Cat










After four hours:

Working With Metals

For a while I've been wanting to expand my jewelry work from beading into working with metals. I got a kick in the rear when El Novio bought me a butane soldering torch for Christmas last year. The only problem was, I didn't know the first thing to do with it!

I played around, soldering little scraps of copper to each other, but nothing resembling jewelry. Then a kind friend of mine spent three days with me teaching me the basics of soldering and working with metal. Now I could really make jewelry!

Soon the butane torch wasn't enough and I bought myself a "big-girl" torch, the Orca EZ Torch, which uses a propane tank and draws in oxygen from the air. Then I took a few workshops at Jewelry Creations Workshop in Miami. I could tell I was getting hooked on this hobby and wanted to learn more than I could through project oriented workshops.

I found out that there is a jewelry school in Miami, Miami Jewelry School, that offers real classes and can teach me everything I want to know about creating metal jewelry. I signed up for classes and I start school on August 20th.

I'm so excited to be embarking on this new endeavor! I'll be updating my blog frequently as I gain knowledge and new skills. Follow my progress while I'm in school and see all the new jewelry that I'll be making.

See you on the 20th to let you know how my first day goes!

Cat

A Totally Beady Christmas

I know it's a bit early for thinking about Christmas, but those of us who handcraft our gifts have to think about it early. Lots of gifts to make and not much time if I wait until too late.

Someone I know is having a totally beady Christmas this year. I make her an Advent calendar every year, and this year I'm filling lots of the slots with jewelry. Here is what I've made so far for her.

I just love the little wreath earrings! They are from a bracelet pattern by Beads Gone Wild, I used just one of the motifs.

Are you handcrafting gifts for the holidays? Have you started on them yet?

Cat

Beaded Badge Reels

I recently learned how to make beaded badge reels, and I've been having so much fun with them! They are quick and fun to make. I love playing around with all the different colors. And they are full of bling!

I gave one to my daughter hoping people would see it and want one. The first day she wore it to work, her boss ordered six of them to give all the employees in her department for Christmas. Yay!

I have three of them listed in my Etsy store. They've gotten some views, but no sales there yet. I seem to sell much better in person. If only there were an easy way (not a craft show) to get my jewelry viewed in person. Oh, well, I just enjoy making it. If it doesn't sell, I end up giving a lot of it away. It's fun to make people happy with my beading.

Cat

Still Raining

I just woke up, and it's STILL raining out! It has been raining since last Tuesday, and yesterday alone we got 6 inches of rain. I just want it to stop already. I have things to do, and driving in this is a bear!

Journey To Design

I love beading, and I also love making someone else's design my own by putting different finishing touches on a pattern. One thing I have always wanted to do, though, is to design my own beadwork. I am so in awe of those who can just sit down with a pile of beads and emerge with a beautiful structure.

I think that's why I enjoy beading Nancy Dale's Summertime Wrap Bracelet so much. Even though I'm following a pattern, I feel free to go my own way with it and change things up so that each one I make looks very different from the others.

The question is, how do I start learning something like designing? Can it even be learned, or is it something you have to have inside you from the start? I don't know, but I intend to find out. I have a craving inside to design beading projects. This leads to a lot more questions.

Do I just sit down with a pile of beads and start beading? How will I know what to do? Should I buy Karen Williams books on freeform peyote to get myself started? Will freeform eventually lead to design? If nothing else, it will make me more conscious of what the beads can do.

Do I start by designing something on paper first, then trying to bead it? Even though I know I want to design, I don't have jewelry ideas floating around in my head. Maybe I should look at pictures of vintage or antique jewelry, then try to design some of the same styles.

The one thing I have designed is my Superduo ring. The way I came up with that idea is I wanted a beaded ring, but Delica peyote rings were too flimsy, so I decided to try peyote with Superduos. It made a nice sturdy ring, and I made a tutorial out of it. I've even sold a couple of them.

So, I need to choose a first step. As stated above, I'll look for pictures of old jewelry to get a taste of which styles I like. We'll see where it goes from there.

If you have any ideas that will help me get started, please let me know in the comments. I could use all the help I can get with this project.

Cat

The Big UFO Reveal

So, today is the day. We have to show the world how many UFO's (UnFinished Objects) we have, projects waiting to be finished. I think I have way too many. So many that I had to buy a drawer system for them. A small drawer system, but still...

I have no idea why I haven't finished this one. It's going to be very pretty, and it's from one of my favorite books. The Beaded Sphere, by Judy Walker. I even have an autographed copy of it. But I put this project down about a year ago, and haven't picked it up since. It will only take a day or two, then I'll have a beautiful pendant.

This one is a great bracelet. I tried to pick it up the other day, but it's been so long that I can't remember where I am or what comes next. It's a shame, because it's a beautiful design by Beads Gone Wild. I really need to take the time to go over the pattern and figure out where I am so that I can finish it.

Now, this one, I know why I haven't finished. Because it's a PITA. Even though I know I will love it when it's done. It's a little "pod purse" by Idele Gilbert. First when I ordered it, for some reason I thought it was peyote stitch. Then I got it and it is square stitch, ugh. With 30 colors. In size 15 beads. I've been trying to make myself do a row a day, but I'm actually doing about a row a week. I may have it finished sometime in 2025.

 

And then there are a few more: a pair of earrings for a friend, another bracelet, and a few "beginnings" of 'I don't know' what. And I keep starting new projects, instead of finishing these. I need help. And that's why I'm glad that Karen Williams, of Skunk Hill Studio, has started a support group for us on Facebook. Maybe I'll finish one or more of these projects with support from the group. Maybe.

To see all the blogs and unfinished projects of other members of our group, or to ask for an invite to join us, hop over to Karen's blog at http://blog.baublicious.me

Cat

Cute Little Bunny

Thread-a-Bead is a website from the UK that has really cute beading patterns for peyote and brick stitch.

I bought this little Easter Bunny pattern last week and beaded it up the other day. The instructions said it would take 3-4 hours to bead. It took more like 6-7 hours, but it was fun. It turned out so darling!

I'm going to send it to my grand-daughter for Easter. She always appreciates any beaded items that I make for her, and I know she'll just love this little bunny!





Cat