Love to Make Art with Fire

I have a new "love" or passion in my jewelry making. I have been experimenting with torch enameling and have experience the joy of immediate color from the torch flame.

This heart and the 3 flowers were all "torch" fired. 

Detailed instructions on the technique are in

"Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire"  

by Barbara Lewis

Painting with Fire

Etsy Fort Worth: Treasury Tuesday

Treasury Tuesday from Etsy Fort Worth

Love is in the Air

Pearl Dangle Earrings - Pear... ArtJewelryByIl... $49.00	lavender palmarosa vegan fac... thesoapaddict $6.00
You're The Cat's Meo... thereddogbarke... $5.00	Hunger Games Every Minute Pe... Serenitystorms $11.95
LAST ONE Vanilla Buttercream... robotpop $15.00	I Love You Solid Maple Teeth... JustOffNormal $12.00
Floral Greeting cards, set o... Zyada $12.00	Romantic Hearts Earrings ArtMasqueradin... $25.00
Crystal Drops with Red accen... Gnashchick $10.00	Infant's Eyelet Lace Tri... heartsandhome $20.00
Pink, Red, and Purple Malabr... dye2spin $34.00	Sterling silver and Turquois... AmyNicoles $175.00
Valentine's Gold Heart P... bespangledjewe... $62.00	Hearts Themed Bib, Burp Clot... kraftymommy09 $42.00
Framed Rose Print jmlphotoworks $25.00	Je T'aime Ruby Earrings

A Great Little Christmas Art Show

 This was Brenda Benson's first time exhibiting at the Randy Brodnax and Friends Christmas Art Show. Brenda sculpts glass and "light" in most inventive of ways. Each of the lighted glass sculptures evokes a different emotion. For example the tree form next to Brenda in the photo has a surprise - the back of the light box creates an entire work of art in colored light on the wall behind the light. My photo from my phone does not do justice to the inventiveness of this piece of art. The next time you see Brenda at a show take the time to have her show you the subtle beauty that she creates with glass and light.

Another fun part of this show is that Randy shares his Cajun roots by reading a Cajun Christmas Story. Great fun for kids and adults alike.

The Importance of a Craft Support Group

Like most artists I find creative inspiration from many different things, but I sometimes find it difficult to creatively promote my work. Fortunately I have found a great network of creative people from which to draw inspiration, Etsy Fort Worth. 

Members find artistic expressions in many ways - Art/Photography, Ceramics, Children's Clothing and Accessories, Handbags, Hats and Accessories, Home Decor, Jewelry, Pet Products, Screenprinting, Soap, Cosmetics and Candles, Teen  and Adult Clothing and more. With such diverse medium and artistic styles its no wonder that there are just as many great ideas on marketing, creative copy writing, photography, and social media.

At each meeting ideas are freely expressed and every time I feel energized, excited and equipped to promote my business. Brain storming with a creative group opens up many more ideas and refines these ideas.

Esty Fort Worth is the group to join to learn the skills, get the inspiration, and the accountability to build your craft business.  These are some of the benefits.

• Live member support at our monthly team meetings
• Live member socializing at our monthly "Coffee Time" and quarterly craft parties.
• Feature in our "Spotlight Moments" blog column
• Free promotion (team blog, twitter, facebook)
• Vendor priority at all Etsy Fort Worth events
• Free business advice at our mini "Indiepreneur" classes held at our live team meetings
• Access to our members only calendar of local events, craft shows, deadlines and more

Membership is open now - Applications will be accepted from  December 1, 2011- December 15, 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!

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.

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.