Here it is laying and on a [...]]]> After a big push yesterday … thanks Tom for puppy-wrangling! … the necklace is DONE! I’m glad to have it finished. I hate deadlines hanging over my head and frankly, there were a few times there that I despaired whether I would ever get past the clasp and hinge!

Here it is laying and on a black background.

Light background and hanging. Clearly if I go into jewelry making I have to resolve my pitiful photo taking skills! For what it’s worth, the beads in the dangle are actually silver metal that have been tarnished so aren’t quite as black in real life. They look like magnetic beads. But they aren’t! The drop bead is vintage.

Detail of the handmade clasp, chain and added washer/bead combo (there’s got to be a name for this, yes?)

Blurry dangle detail. You can see the more silvery colour of the beads in this one.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the result of this experiment. Would I do it again? Likely I wouldn’t. Not this way at any rate. I have some other ideas for containment lockets but they don’t involve hearts! I think the shape is too ubiquitous to do poorly. (read: we all know what a heart locket is supposed to look like!) Perhaps reshaping the heart would work better? I don’t know. But I loved creating something small, something wearable, pushing my own limits and all the problem solving that needed to take place. A success in anyone’s estimation, I would think!

Thanks for visiting. Thanks for the comments and Good Luck to all those of you in the draw!

Check back on Monday for the randomly drawn winning name!

Initially I was going to do the entire thing in metal but after going through some options, I think a bit of red is in order. After all, Valentine’s [...]]]> I have entered the embellishment stage of the necklace. The locket and surrounding “cage” being done. I still may age parts of this but the construction? DONE!

Initially I was going to do the entire thing in metal but after going through some options, I think a bit of red is in order. After all, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!

Onward…

I can’t believe I posted the wrong address to Nourish & Sustain. What a doof! Anyway, you can still check out the works and even bid on them online, if you’re so inclined. The correct address is: marylouzeekgallery.com and here’s the  direct link while the show is on.

Below is a shot of some of the works. And if you direct your view to just above the word “comfort” you’ll see my piece “Teach a Man to Fish” (which is still available, I might add!).

Oh. I know. It LOOKS innocent enough. All sweetness and bright coppery goodness. But don’t be fooled. As a quick glance at my work area can attest:

THAT is the mayhem that the so-called “innocent” locket created. And that’s just today’s [...]]]> Or how a simple necklace/locket turns into a multi-day extravaganza on how NOT to make closures!

Oh. I know. It LOOKS innocent enough. All sweetness and bright coppery goodness. But don’t be fooled. As a quick glance at my work area can attest:

THAT is the mayhem that the so-called “innocent” locket created. And that’s just today’s flotsam and jetsam. Part of the problem is not having a soldering area in the house. Because frankly, I would’ve simplified the design with some well chosen joints had they been at my disposal. Still. I’ve learned TONS!

For example, when creating something that has to move, think about how it moves. Sounds like a no-brainer but there IS a reason there is a certain amount of play in things like hinges and doors.  And if you need to keep something closed, figure out HOW before cutting, filing, sanding, attaching said something. (I’m still working on it!) And expect for the f*&(&#?!!ing thing to break when you really really REALLY don’t need it to. (like when you’ve FINALLY figured out how the hinge is going to work and it’s…almost…done. Yep. That’s when.) And though copper is really easy to manipulate, it might be just a bit TOO easy with this application.

After all is said and done though, I’m thrilled beyond reason with how this is turning out. And I can see some more jewelry making in my future. Maybe not lockets!

The gist … throughout the 4 weeks of The Magic Carpet Ride of One World One Heart, I will be making a piece of jewelry [...]]]> So that the OWOH post stays at the top, I made it sticky, but I wanted to keep the process of my giveaway linear. (well THAT was an awkward sentence!) ANYWAY.

The gist … throughout the 4 weeks of The Magic Carpet Ride of One World One Heart, I will be making a piece of jewelry – my first from scratch – and you’re invited to see the process.

To start things off here’s my initial sketch:

The heart piece will actually be an opening locket. Oh boy! Nothing like setting my sights high huh?!

And don’t forget to check out all the participants by visiting A Whimsical Bohemian’s site for the entire (GIANT) list! Let the blogging event begin!

I decided it would be fun to combine this Global Giveaway event with something I’ve been wanting to do anyway. You can click on the image above to get the whole [...]]]> And the winner is? KERIN GALE! Congrats Kerin, I’ll be emailing you for an address. Thanks to everyone that commented. Hope you come back sometime!

I decided it would be fun to combine this Global Giveaway event with something I’ve been wanting to do anyway. You can click on the image above to get the whole story on what’s behind One World One Heart but here, the deal is this – comment on this post and your name will be entered to win my giveaway.

And here’s where I’m adding a little bit of my own spin. My item will be made while this event takes place starting today, January 25 and ending Monday, February 15, 2010 (by noon AST).  I’ll be posting about the creation of the piece during the next 4 weeks, so y’all will get to see its progress (starting below this post).

This is the sketch of my giveaway. You can click on the image and it will take you to the first post.

Follow along and watch as I try and make this piece of jewelry, my first from scratch. It should be interesting!

Sometimes a Frog Prince is just a frog

Y’know something I never ever have problems with are titles for my work. They generally come to me during the creation, usually quite forcefully, occasionally sotto voce. This one didn’t commit until I was making the back label before it’s sent off to The [...]]]> … is just a frog.

Sometimes a Frog Prince is just a frog

Y’know something I never ever have problems with are titles for my work. They generally come to me during the creation, usually quite forcefully, occasionally sotto voce. This one didn’t commit until I was making the back label before it’s sent off to The Flying Pig. And then it just trilled off my pen. It makes me laugh!

I was experimenting with plaster over burlap which I’d applied onto the framework – an old canvas I didn’t like/want anymore and ripped off the material and was NOT going to chuck a perfectly finished frame. I love the textural quality of this combination though I think I’ll try it with some finer weaves to see how that works.  I’m almost out of these great metal ceiling tiles which make dynamite house hats dontcha think? Guess an ebay troll is in my future. Oh the suffering for my art!

And thanks to Patti Edmonds for givin’ me some love. I couldn’t possibly single out seven blogs … there are just so many good ones out there … but a start might be to visit some of the blogs listed over there –> OODLES of eyecandy to keep you occupied for hours and hours and hours. Thanks again Patti!

Ever since seeing Jane Wynn’s awesome work, I’ve wanted to learn how to create a bezel. Here’s my first, and not [...]]]> I can’t believe it’s the last day of June. Where did this month fly to?!? I’m not quite through with Stephanie’s book and plan to finish but here are the latest pieces from my challenge.

Ever since seeing Jane Wynn’s awesome work, I’ve wanted to learn how to create a bezel. Here’s my first, and not so shabby, attempt. I used a piece of brass for the base and copper pipe for the actual bezel, filled with an animal molar and resin. I aged the metal with the Uzzhhh (Michael’s name for the combination of Quinacridone Gold/Black). My daughter the metalsmith said it was good. Woot!

Again, pretty proud of this one. All the chain is handmade as are most of the elements. I learned SO much from this one. I can’t tell you how stoked I am at all the techniques I’ve picked up from doing each project in this book.

This is a work in progress, as I need to fill the bezel with resin.  As I was painting the plaster bird piece, it cracked. Not enough to actually break apart but it got me thinking. So I pulled it apart, painting the raw edges then glued it into the bezel. I love the crack! I have a couple more pieces still drying – a resin ring and a plaster bezel – that I’ll post when done.

It’s been a long and wonderful journey and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed visiting everyone’s progress as they’ve worked through their books. Kudos to y’all for taking the challenge. As tomorrow is Canada Day here in, well, Canada, I will post July’s challenge on Wednesday. I’m also thinking of doing some sort of give away for all these pieces I’ve made so stay tuned for that.

As promised here’s the leather cuff with the plaster cast included. The imprint was from a goofy little doll I have kicking around though I did end up chopping off his forehead so he’d fit more easily on the band. I also used brass etchings for the ends and practised my hook closure rather than [...]]]>

As promised here’s the leather cuff with the plaster cast included. The imprint was from a goofy little doll I have kicking around though I did end up chopping off his forehead so he’d fit more easily on the band. I also used brass etchings for the ends and practised my hook closure rather than add ribbon. Again, apologies for the photo quality. This little stuff is making my camera ..erm.. barf.

Another project that didn’t get photographed right away. This one was for earrings – which I didn’t make – and a ring using wire to create the nest and beads for eggs. I really like this idea and have seen other jewelry artists use it. It reminded me a lot of knitting with wire.

Continuing on with the cuff theme, here’s one made using etched brass as the main element. As I don’t have easy access to a copier/laser printer, I simply stamped the brass and then etched. I added some eraser dots (use a clean, new pencil eraser end as a stamp) on the side and wrapped the duct tape to create a border. I’m pretty pleased with this one. And it’s actually quite comfortable to wear too!

My silversmith daughter thought this ring was pretty funny. She was taught by Master Goldsmith Orland Larson so the very idea of using solder as the basis of a ring is anathema to her. I say, "Expand your horizons, Girl!" I would use a different stone next time, as even though it was quite pretty as a stand alone, it really doesn’t show up once surrounded by the solder and wire casing. Still. I’m ever so impressed with myself.

And the final photo for this update … and maybe my favourite to date … is my take on the spoon cuff. I didn’t have a sterling spoon, so decided to substitute a fork. I cut off the handle, flattened the tines, curling the outside ones and then stamped my work "Consistent" along the remaining handle. I used the word "Intent" for the metal charm as an homage to my New Year’s resolution to live in "tents" this year. Because I hacked off the handle, I needed a few more rings to be able to close the bracelet. With each subsequent project, my soldering skills are getting better and better. Oh! And lest you think I completely suck at the pounding metal thang, just so you know, I’m using a piece of some old tractor part as my anvil – it’s rusted and pitted so all my rings’n'things get that aged look right away. I WILL be buying myself a proper anvil – or smooth steel substitute – but until then? Rustic jewelry BayBee!