Artisan Whimsy Metal Prong Challenge

The Metal Team on Artisan Whimsy threw down a Metal Prong Challenge based on this tutorial by Staci Louise Smith. The tutorial was so well-written, and the pictures made it look so easy, I decided to give it a whirl. I love working with metal, but am still pretty new to metalsmithing, and this looked like something I could easily accomplish. Thank you, Staci and Francesca for the awesome tutorial and the challenge!

I am a cab collector, so I thought that finding a cab for this project would be fairly quick. NOT!! I fondled and looked over my cab collection for days, trying to decide where I would go with the future piece. I finally pulled out a few, cut out some 24g copper sheet in matching shapes, and gathered the rest of my tools and materials. Some copper rivets had come in the mail, and those were perfect! I then textured the shapes, and made a final decision on the design.

Soldering the rivets to the back of the shapes proved to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. After 6 (yes, 6!!) tries, I finally got it to stick. Sixth time is the charm? Huh! I was ready to use my Gorilla Glue by the time I finally got it!  I then used some thinned gilders paste in Sandalwood to add a little color.

This is a two-part pendant, so I set the stone into the first one, and added the bail. I debated using some of Lisa Liddy's color patina here, but set it aside for a moment...

I then finished the second part, and made the necklace. I did use some of Lisa Liddy's patina --Fern Green--on top of the Gilder's Paste, and added a ceramic bead from Clay Genie, bought from Magpie Gemstones. I think I will work some more on the color...tomorrow!

Yeah, I got a little messy with the patina....

I played with another piece, to get my feet wet, and try out a couple of ideas that were in the back of my mind. I had some fun with this one, it is not finished and I don't know if it ever will be, but.....

The pink quartz owl also came from Magpie Gemstones, color from Lisa Liddy"s patina sampler. 

Thank you Francesca and Staci for this rewarding and challenging project. Check out the links below to see the gorgeous work of other participants.

The Beading Yogini, http://www.thebeadingyogini.com

Carolyn Dewison, Blue Berri Beads, http://blueberribeads.co.uk/

Pam Farren, http://www.re-maker.blospot.com

Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry,http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments, http://northernadornments.blogspot.com/

Gina Hockett, Freestyle Elements, http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com--you are here!

Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy, http://mybeadtherapy.blogspot.com

Lisa Laffend, http://kokopelliegirl.blogspot.com/

Laura Medeiros. http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things, http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Melissa Muir, Melissa Muir Jewelry, http://design.kcjewelbox.com/

Melinda Orr, Melinda Orr Designs, http://orrtec.blogspot.com/

Julie Panusis, http://catsmeowco.blogspot.com

Mary Ellen Parker, http://beetreebyme.blogspot.com/

Staci Louise Smith, Staci Louise Originals, http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame, www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Jo Tinley, Daisy Chain Designs Jewellery, http://www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com

Francesca Watson, Francesca Watson Designs, http://www.francescawatson.com

Jean Wells, http://www.jeanawells.blogspot.com

Linda Younkman, Lindy’s Designs, http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Window Shop Blog Hop--At Last

First of all, I want to apologize for my post not posting on the correct date. I knew I was going out of town, and scheduled my post for Sunday, 11-11-12 when I left. I am still trying to figure out what I did wrong, but unfortunately my scheduled post did not make it's scheduled appearance. I am so sorry, Rita of Toltec Jewels, who is the gracious hostess.  This blog hop was a beautiful idea, and I know I will enjoy hopping to see everyone else's window. So here is my contribution, even if it is a bit late.

My intention in joining this hop was to motivate me to go ahead and open my own shop, to make the time to finally make it happen. I am still going to do that, but it is not ready yet.  I do know that I love to give my jewelry as gifts. When Rita of Toltec Jewels came up with the idea of a Window Shop Blog Hop to advertise our own or to feature someone else's shop, I was hoping to open shop and fill it with lots of yummy handmade copper jewelry. When it became apparent that opening the doors to a shop wasn't going to happen, I decided that I would feature a shop or shops that supported handmade! Up first---

Christmas pillow boxes to wrap your handmade gifts to either put under the tree, or mail to the lucky recipient. The vendor, MIxed Messages 4 U , had crafters and artists in mind when she created her line of boxes, tags, and cards--blank or custom. All items are created by hand and with love. If you make your own cards, tags, and boxes or package your items with plain paper items, you might be interested in this very reasonably priced....

Handcrafted rubber stamp...It is only 1.2x1.25 inches for the stamp, 2x1.5 inches for the block. This would be perfect for handmade holiday cards as well! The owner is a stay at home mom that is a newbie blogger, and loves handmade jewelry! And when you are done wrapping gifts, it is time to pamper yourself with .......

 

Argan Oil Mist for Hair and Body~ Yellow Cake Flavor!

"A sprayable hydrating body mist with a blend of antioxidant rich oils and vitamin E that leaves your skin feeling silky soft and smelling epic. " from EpicallyEpicSoap  .  This shop makes flavored lip balms, soaps, hair products, lotion, and air scents that smell very yummy! 

Check out the rest of the blogs, and pull up a chair with a cuppa for some fantastic Window Shopping! And thank you, Rita, for hosting such a fabulous shopping experience!

Jewel School Friends (host)www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

A Grateful Artist http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Libellula Jewelryhttp://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/


Knot Just Macrame

http://www.knotjustmacrame.com


Amazing Designs by Marlene

http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com


Antiquity Travelers
http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/


Spice Box Designs
http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/


Freestyle Elementshttp://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/


Alankarshilpahttp://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com


Pretty Things
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/Lindy's Designs
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

The Adventures of Belle West
http://bellewest925.blogspot.com/

Kalmbach Bead Soup Party

Lori Anderson, author of Bead Soup: 32 Projects Show What Happens When 26 Beaders Swap Their Stash, told us that Kalmbach Publishing was providing an opportunity for jewelry artists to sign up and possibly be chosen to receive a bead soup from a retail bead store, and make a necklace from that soup in honor of Lori's book being published. They are also offering prizes! Thank you Lori, Kalmbach Publishing, and Beads Galore in Tempe, Arizona ----who sent me a wonderful Bead Soup!  Although I am required to use the focal and the clasp, I could use any or all of the rest of the bead soup, and/or any items from my own stash for the necklace.

This is what I received as my Soup. There was a gorgeous hematite heart focal, a clasp,  a heart charm, small heart spacers, hematite bead melons, gray cat-eye beads, and .....buttons!!! Okay!! Even though I have a spectacular button collection, I had never used buttons to make a necklace. I let my soup simmer for awhile as ideas began to descend on my creative muse. So I gathered a few materials....

I had some gray and black patterned sari silk, as well as solid black and turquoise. Some chain and leather cord, and ...

It was coming together! I just needed a few magnesite turquoise-colored beads, and few other hematite beads from my stash and I came up with..

After braiding the chain and silk, the buttons were attached with 1.5 mm turquoise leather cord. The focal, clasp, and dangles were then added.

Thank you again Kalmbach Publishing, Lori Anderson, and Beads Galore in Tempe Arizona! The soup was a thoughtful challenge as I added my own seasonings, and loved tasting the final product. This necklace is so comfortable and easy to wear. I think Jasper liked it too!