November Synchroblog: My Studio

The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post on the same topic on odd months and on even months we take on a Pinterest Challenge where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, creating something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then posting about it. You can read more about the Artists Synchroblog here. 

This month's topic:  Studio/Home Tour


Ha. It's not really a "studio", it's actually a corner in a bedroom.  The desk was my grandmother's and I really like using something of hers.  She was a fan of well made jewelry and I hope my designs would be something she liked.

I placed a piece of plywood on top of the desk to protect the surface a bit and to provide a place to clamp my bench pin and flax shaft hanger.  I am considering adding height by making a frame of 1x6's and a smaller piece of plywood on top of that. Doing so would allow me to put my bench pin directly in front of me, but I don't think it would let me use my saw.

Please visit the other bloggers this month to see their studio spaces:

http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com

http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/

http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog

www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com

http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com

http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com

http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

http://marikach.blogspot.com/

www.createrecklessly.com

http://design.kcjewelbox.com

www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/

http://silversmithblog.com/

http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/

www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com

September Synchroblog -- Inspiration

The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post on the same topic on odd months and on even months we take on a Pinterest Challenge where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, creating something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then posting about it. You can read more about the Artists Synchroblog here. 

This month's topic:September
INSPIRATION/INFLUENCES
“My inspiration comes from…” 

This is a much tougher question for me than it probably should be.  As I have stated before, I never considered myself artistic.  The part of metalsmithing that I enjoy the most is the construction, design is the part that I am trying to learn.

At this point, I guess most of my inspiration comes from other jewelry.  I have been making simple stacking rings and wire earrings.  There really isn't any design in these pieces, I just put them together.

I actually have a Pinterest board of Jewelry to Inspire that contains the designs of others that I like.  As you can probably tell from the name of my business, I prefer designs that are simple rather than fussy.  I am learning to draw and using those designs as a starting point.  Fortunately, I have associated myself with some amazing designers to get inspiration from.  Be sure to check out their blogs to find what inspires them. 

As a follow up from my last post regarding ArtFire, I have had more views in ArtFire than Etsy for the same period, however, no favorites or purchases.  I'll keep going and see what happens.

http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com

http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/

http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog

www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com

http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com

http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com

http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry

http://simpledesignjewelry.blogspot.com

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

http://marikach.blogspot.com/

www.createrecklessly.com

http://design.kcjewelbox.com

www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/

http://silversmithblog.com/

http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/

www.beadsbythebay.blogspot.com

Giving ArtFire a shot

With all the changes Etsy has been making, I have decided to give ArtFire a trial.  I have not closed my Etsy shop.

It's not that I don't like Etsy.  Quite the opposite, actually.  Overall I think they do a great job for the independent artist.  I do have concerns, however, with the constant "testing" the site is doing and with their attitude that every engineer employed there can implement a test at any time.  I'm afraid the constant change will have a negative effect on customers as well as my shop's ability to be found.  Then there is the constant Etsy problem with re-sellers.

Let me know what you think. Simple Design Jewelry

July Artists Synchroblog - Morning Bird or Night Owl?

The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post on the same topic on odd months and on even months we take on a Pinterest Challenge where we each take inspiration from a Pinterest picture, creating something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then posting about it. You can read more about the Artists Synchroblog here. 

This month's topic:
Which are you - a Morning Bird or a Night Owl?  

Do you roll out of bed in the morning rip roaring and ready to go? Or do you stumble eyes shut to the coffee pot growling at anyone in your way?

or

Are you in bed before the sun goes down? Or do you burn the midnight oil?

This is a tougher question than one might think.  I tend to be a night owl, if given the chance, but when I am working a regular job, I definitely get more done in the morning.  Strange.

As far as jewelry goes, I can really only work in the afternoons or at night.  I live with other people and have to be considerate of their schedules.  Also, I am on the 2nd floor of the house so I can't bang around too much.

So, I guess the answer is:  Yes!  I am a Morning Bird and a Night Owl.

Here is what I have been working on (in the afternoons and at night):

These rings are larger than my normal stacking rings and I hope they attract more attention.  They are really substantial and I like them even better.

Be sure to read these other Synchrobloggers.

http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com
http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/
www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.comhttp://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog
http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com
http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry
http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/
http://marikach.blogspot.com/
http://design.kcjewelbox.com
www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

A new ring

This is the result of the recent class I have been taking  at my local community college. I learned several tips from this class and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Amethyst Ring

Tonight I am hoping to get at least one pair of earrings made from these beautiful Tiger Eyes.

 Hopefully I will have photos of the earrings soon!

Some New Listings and Some New Orders

I have just listed some new stacking rings, without stones this time.

As you can see, I have also been playing with Liver of Sulphur oxidizing.

My class is going very well.  I learned how to polish last week.  The funny part is, while I was waiting for the instructor to show us the polishing machine I just kept sanding the ring I had with smaller grit sandpaper.  By the time we went to the polisher, the ring had been sanded with 12,000 grit and looked great.  Once it was polished it was beautiful.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures before it went out.  I will try to remember from now on.

The day that ring went out I also sent out another.  Normally I am not able to get a ring out the day after it was ordered, but this was a special situation.  The order came in at 11:00 P.M. my time on Sunday night, along with a note saying that is was for the person's sister who had just lost her baby.  The baby's funeral is Saturday and she wanted her sister to be able to wear it.  The ring is a pearl stacking ring, June's birthstone.  The story broke my heart and you can't imagine the love and tears that went into that ring.

Narrow Stacking Rings - Again

Well, I finally got some of the Narrow Stacking Rings photographed and listed.  I learned my lesson.  Of course, I couldn't simply make the rings, I had to hammer some, oxidize some, and leave some alone.  I love the look of the Freshwater Pearl ring, with its hammered and oxidized band.  I really love the photo with the black rocks.  What do you think?  By the way, Pearl is the birthstone for June.

Here is a shot showing all of the new rings.  They have not all been listed yet, but I am getting favorited on Etsy.  I love this picture.  The colors are so pretty.

I started my class on Saturday.  This will be fun!  I am planning on making a ring and a pair of earrings, both from the new stones that came in.  I am going to use the Amethyst for the ring, probably with some silver balls on the bezel, and a pair of the Tiger Eye for the earrings.  I have been using premade bezels so I am looking forward to learning to make them.  I am hoping to improve my soldering skills and learn to properly finish and polish.