It's been a couple days since my AMAZING metalsmithing class on Monday, so by now I can happily block most of the traumatic mishaps that were a result of my utter gracelessness OUT of my fading memory...However, just to give you a good laugh, let me share of some of the RIDICULOUS things I did during class this week... I messed up my bezel settings and had to start over AT LEAST three times, I manage to sit on the space heater again (i really have no idea how that happens...), I spilled over 5 years worth of TINY, TINY soldering clippings onto the floor (and subsequently tried to pick them all up WITHOUT MUCH SUCCESS-sorry Amanda), and managed to somehow accidentally solder a bezel setting to my pick!!! Yeah... sometimes everything just goes so well...other times, NOT SO MUCH!!! Of course, everything worked out for the best-I had LOADS of fun AND I somehow miraculously avoided permanent physical harm while around flames and sharp pointy objects!
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| It's amazing how different the glass looks after being in the kiln |
So even though i could hardly get out of my own way on Monday, I learned SO MUCH and had a great time doing it. We covered dichroic glass making (FUN!!!), AND I got a great start on some CITRINE earrings that are a part of a DESIGN CHALLENGE given to me by my instructor. I am sure at this juncture, if you have been following my blog at all, you feel:
A) UBER jealous of my amazing METALSMITHING class
B) Really, REALLY sick of hearing about my METALSMITHING class
C) AMAZED at my level of unbridled ENTHUSIASM about my METALSMITHING class
Now, for more unbridled enthusiasm, (I've been told I am an
"excitable girl"-hope that's a good thing!?) let me tell you about the AMAZING new set of earrings for the DESIGN CHALLENGE I'm working on! I am going to use 14K gold, Citrine cabochons, sterling silver bezel settings, hammered gold swirls, and MORE!!! The challenge is, I must:
- Use all three of the different types of soldering techniques I've learned in class (chip soldering, pick soldering, and sweat soldering- are you proud I remembered Amanda?)
- Include an element that has some sort of motion
- Use two different types of metal in the design
- AND include an element with texture
Yeah, my instructor doesn't mess around!!! LOL It is such a great challenge, and I was excited to come up with something that would fulfill all those requirements. I have to say, the design I came up with is pretty SWEET...it surprised even me. You can see the rough sketch of the design I came up with, along with a few elements that I have started making already. DID I MENTION EACH EARRING HAS TWO BEZEL SET CITRINE? Gasp. I'm going to use 14K gold for the
first time in my design. NERVOUS! My instructor said that my design is very AMBITIOUS...Yeah, that's pretty much how I roll. LOL!
I just think I have to say at this point, that I am SO DONE with being sick this winter! Apparently, I have become a petri dish for every weird and ridiculous flu/cold various that has EVER been know to mankind in the past few months However, on the upside, I was able to stay in this weekend and get A LOT of new designs ready to be listed! Oh, and NO WORRIES, I clean and sanitize all my pieces before I send them out for others to wear...you won't catch the
plague from me if you buy something!!! I'm excited because I came up with some exciting designs that I really like. My sister is coming over today to model them so I can get them up and listed in
my Etsy shop. HOOORAY! Whatchya think?
So, I had a bunch of other things that I wanted to talk about in this blog post (to shake it up a bit and NOT talk about METALSMITHING THE WHOLE TIME), like the fact that I need to be getting ready for my first EVER craft fair in APRIL in PORTLAND, Maine! It's called
THE BIG THAW. I am trying to come up with ideas for what to wear, how to display my jewelry, and what to make that would sell well at a craft fair. I've come up with some pretty ridiculous ideas, so stay tuned for my next blog post!!! It's sure to inspire some funny mental images and loads of giggles.
Also, I wanted to share with you a really cool shop that I ran across on Etsy,
brownidgurl85. She makes"bib or collar necklaces, chokers, brooches, or other creation" from "many different textures and materials."PLUS, she does custom work! Her creations are really pretty, and VERY affordable! If you love a good deal as much as I do, check out her shop! You can find her on
Facebook too, or even read her
BLOG! Here is a little sample of the beautiful things she creates and sells...Pretty, right!?
Finally, as it is my custom, here are a few BEAUTIFUL treasury collections that my work has had the privilege of being part of! CIAO FOR NOW! :)
