// BLOG
It runs in the family!
August 9, 2010
Gotta share these…
Kid's a natural!
Last month, I had a booth set up at the local county fair. We’ve been in the commercial exhibit building for 5 or 6 years, and it’s a good opportunity to see folks that I don’t get to see every day!
Jeremy tends the “shop” during the day, and asked me to bring my stash of rubber rings from Fire Mountain Gems and some aluminum rings. When I got to the fair on Friday, he showed me what he’d made.
Fun use of colors with the rubber rings!
Roundmaille…something I have only experimented with so far! And the twerp just “made it up” from an idea in his head.
I need to work with him a little on his closures, but he did a fantastic job on the weave…and check out the eye for color! I told him we’d put a price tag on his two bracelets and he could have the profit when they sell, but I’m tempted to snag that blue/purple/teal one for myself.
I’m pretty proud of his accomplishments. I may have to hire him!!
Music hath charms…
August 7, 2010
…to sooth the savage beader. 
While I love the sounds of silence, I do like to have some background “noise” when I’m working in my studio. I’m not much of a TV-watcher, although I find some of the “how to” shows on public television interesting (even if I have no interest in the subject, like sewing!). More often, I’ll pop a concert DVD in my studio TV, or turn on the radio.
When I’m working online – blogging, Facebooking (I guess that’s now a verb, LOL ), listing items on Etsy, or doing research – I occasionally will have my television set to a satellite radio station.
Until yesterday.
My daughter commented on her Facebook page that she was madly in love with Pandora…I instantly thought of the popular beads with the big holes, but no, she meant Pandora.com…online radio that YOU program yourself. After just a few minutes of using the site myself, I was hooked.
So, I’m off to listen to one of “my” favorite stations while I catch up on this morning’s news. What do you listen to you when you are working on your projects?
BTW, your useless bit of trivia for today is the source of the original quote, usually misquoted as “Music hath (or has) charms to sooth the savage beast”. It’s by William Congreve, in The mourning bride, written in 1697:
Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
‘Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv’d the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg’d
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?
New “Pandora-style” bead from Generation Gems
July 28, 2010
I’ve written about Generation Gems before…I LOVE their engraved beads for brag bracelets, and the customer service I get from Toni and the crew is absolutely the best.
Last Wednesday, I got a Convo on Etsy (Convos are Etsy’s version of a private message) from a gal who wanted to order a brag bracelet for her mom’s birthday…and it was a rush order. She needed it by July 30 – and usually I require 3 weeks lead time to order, receive, create, and mail one off!
I called Generation Gems, talked to Toni, and we figured out a plan of action. While I was on the phone with her, she mentioned that they had some new engraved beads and new fonts for engraving. The following day, I ordered three hematite beads for my customer…and I received my order on Monday! I had an out of town guest Monday evening, so I didn’t get a chance to open the box and work on the bracelet, but I got up early this morning to work on it, so that it could be mailed out today.
Opened my package, and had a great surprise! Not only were my beads in the box (carefully packaged, like always!) but Toni had also included a sample of the new “Reflections” bead!
The Reflections Bead looks like a nut you’d buy in a hardware store, but with a smooth center instead of threaded…and made from sterling silver. And engraved with names and birth dates on the four sides! The hole is large enough for a Pandora-style bracelet, Viking Knit or other bangle type bracelet. The square shape is unique – it’s very industrial-looking.
At $50 per bead (retail), the beads are a little pricey, but what an original gift! I can definitely see Generations Gems’ Reflection Bead as something to be handed down…for generations! 
And that brag bracelet? Done and on it’s way to Tennessee. I hope the recipient loves her new work of art!
Recycle, upcycle….
July 25, 2010
One of the things that really intrigues me is using items that aren’t really designed for jewelry in a jewelry design. (Boy, does that sound convoluted or WHAT.)
Like computer parts. Ruth Smith’s etsy shop, Periwinkle Dzns is a great example. Described as “handmade geek nerd jewelry/jewellery made from upcycled computer parts: resistors, capacitors, diodes, oscillators….”, she uses stuff that would otherwise end up in a dumpster, and turns it into functional and fun mini works of art!
And check out these steampunky pieces, made from old hardware and harness leather by Devin Johnson of Make Shift Accessories. Our booths were next to each other at the Stone Arch Festival of the Arts this summer, and not only is his work fresh and fun (bracelets made from old license plates and street signs are another of his creations), but he’s just a cool guy and fun to chat with.
I’ve got a few ideas for upcycling myself…some of you might remember that my parents “graced” me with a huge box of copper tiles from their kitchen remodel. The tiles used to be a backsplash, and I’ve used the sheet to make Christmas ornaments. Plus, hubby’s been cleaning up some of his work areas, and has gotten in the habit of asking me “Do you want this?” instead of tossing things like copper tubing, wire and other goodies.
So take a look around, get some inspiration from Ruth and Devin, and anyone else who’s using “green” components!
What can I do with 21′ of wire???
July 24, 2010
Heh. Make rings. Finger rings, that is…not jump rings for once!
Craft wire Rose Rings by Lynn Kvigne
These cute little “rose” rings are made using 2 6″ sections of 20g craft wire. I found that putting my ring mandrel in a vise helped with production, as I’m not always fighting to keep it stable. My next show is our local county fair, and these go over pretty well with the fair crowd…so I made up 21 of them last night in about an hour.
You can make these pretty quickly once you have the hang of twisting the wire. Here are the basic steps:
1. Cut 2 pieces of 20g wire (craft wire, copper, silver) 6″ long each.
2. Using a ring mandrel (or a dowel a little larger than your ring size if you don’t have a mandrel), wind both pieces, side by side around the mandrel. Wind the wire at the size mark that is 1/2 size larger than your ring size.
3. Twist the four ends around each other in a knot. Twist again, making a double spiral.
4. Remove the ring from the mandrel.
5. Wind the ends (two on either side) around the ring band twice. Clip the ends.
6. The raw ends will be a little sharp! You’ll want to either gently file them or put your ring in a tumbler with stainless steel shot for about 30-45 minutes.
Wear it with pride!
