Monday, November 28, 2011

ETSY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SALE

Starting today I am participating with some other Etsy Fort Worth shops in a Friends and Family Sale!

Use the code "EFWfriends" for 15% off your purchase. This includes everything in my shop.

Lots of other great shops are also participating in the sale so go take a look at their shops, too. You can find everything from handmade soaps and jewelry, to children's clothing and pet goods.

Remember shop Handmade for the Holidays!


Thursday, November 24, 2011



Fold forming adds dimension to working with metal. These leaves were made using the instructions for the Romero Leaf Fold as written by Charles Lewton Brain. I found the instructions in the September 2008 Issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. Charles Lewton Brain also has written a great book on fold forming and there is also information on the the Orchid Jewelry website http://www.ganoksin.com/brain/gallery.htm

I'll be adding some more examples of fold forming in the weeks to come.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My Copper Shell Box Reveals Its Secret

Boxes, hinges, latches, and lockets – adding functionality, dimensional form and compartments that can hide secrets to your work.  My copper shell box hides a lovely free form pearl that is secured to the inside with copper prongs.
Here is a hinged box that I made with a friction clasp. This is a simple hinge created with copper tubing for the knuckles and the hinge pin is a brass rod that fits snugly inside. Just like with rivets it’s important that the hinge pin is the correct size. It will be much easier to flare the ends with a snug fit.
On the left and right of the Shell are the plexi-glass die and the rubber build-up I used to push the metal in the die. A very low tech way to add volume to your work.
One of my favorite books is sure to inspire and instruct you is Tim McCreight’s The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes & Lockets.  This book will take you from the basics to complex construction. Chapter 2 covers hinges and lids, with pages 49 – 50 explaining how to make the basic hinge.  The photos and the step by step instructions are clear and concise. Tim includes tips to make the hinge stronger and soldering using a clamp made from a coat hanger. This is just one example of the detailed and helpful information packed into this book. This book is a must read for any jeweler or metalsmith wanting to add a more enticing tactile element to their work.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Copper Leaf Pendant at the Dallas Arboretum

On a beautiful fall day in the gardens of the Dallas Arboretum I taught basic jewelry skills to 10 wonderful ladies. We hammer textured, stamped and added patina to a copper leaf which was the focal of the necklace. Using basic wire wrapping techniques we added colorful bead accents to our pieces. Every one's pendant looked great.





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