The very late blog hop post

Well, I'm finally getting to my post for Amy's Spring Fling Blog Hop.  As I mentioned yesterday, I've had major computer problems and I emailed Amy to let her know that my post would be late, very late!  So, without further ado, here is what I did with the beautiful components we used.

 

 

 

Because I'm always thinking of how I can use metal with beads and cabs I once again tried my hand at cold connecting a cab to a piece of metal.  This time I cut a piece of copper sheet into a flower-like shape after running it through the Vagabond with an embossing folder.  I love embossing metal that way.  It's easy and it changes the appearance completely.  I used Melissa Cable's technique for cutting metal into a flower shape leaving prongs as part of the shaping.  You can find her techniques in her new book Metal Jewelry in Bloom.  I love the book because it gives me lots of ideas for using my favorite motif, flowers, in metal jewelry. You'll be seeing more things made using her techniques as the summer goes on.

 

After creating the flower I cut a strip of copper to make the bail and ran that through the machine with a leaf embossing folder and attached the flower with a micro fastener. I dipped the entire thing in LOS and polished the raised parts.   I then made some dangles with the beads that came with the kit and attached them to a chain.  In looking through the extensive stash of ribbon I have I found this sheer ribbon that had the dark blue, purple and copper in the components.  I had to use it because it was so perfect!  I wove it through the chain and tied the ends.  Here's a close up of the chain, bail and dangles.

 

 

 

 

So, there you have it.  Late, I know, but I hope you like it.  I was fortunate enough to visit with Amy last week and was able to show it to her in person.  It was great visiting with her here in Maryland.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful day!





Cold Connections

Just a short post this morning to show you a new pendant I made using cold connections to attach a cab to a piece of copper sheet metal. 

I'm not very good at soldering yet.  I'm making working on soldering a goal for after the New Year.  But, for now I'm not very good at it.  I also love cold connections!  I love to find ways of attaching bits without a torch.  I had this amazonite cab and decided to try attaching it with wire to a backing.  This is the result.    I added some of my favorite random wire weaving to one side and riveted the other side to another piece of sheet metal.  I like how it turned out..  It's asymetrical, which I can never resist, and I love way the colors of the amazonite worked with the copper.

Here's another picture.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great Sunday and remember our Veterans today.  

 

My First Cuff

I should clarify that to say my first METAL cuff!  I've made several bead embroidered or freeform cuffs, but I've never made one from metal.   I've wanted to for a long time but I never had the materials I needed, or I didn't have the right tools, or I just plain didn't have the courage to try it!  Well, yesterday I decided that I had the copper sheet, and I had all the tools I would need, and as far as the courage, well, that was going to have to just show up!  I had seen a copper cuff in Bead and Button's June issue that I liked the shape of but not the details.  So, I decided to draw a similar shape and make my own details.  I have wanted to try an embellishment that Lisa Niven Kelly uses on one her projects in her book Stamped Metal Jewelry.  So, I thought I'd give it a go since everything seemed to come together, design idea, tools, and materials.  I love the results.  Anyone who knows me, knows this my style!

I had a large piece of 20 gauge copper sheet, so I drew an asymetrical shape on paper and traced it on the sheet.  It was an adventure cutting it out.  I've only used a jeweler's saw one other time and since metal shears weren't working too well, I decided to get my saw out.  Well, several blades later I had the piece cut out.  Of course it was very rough and sharp on the edges, so I filed, and filed, and filed, and ended up with sanding.  But, as I kept at I began to realize I was starting to get a rhythm going and it became enjoyable to watch the sharpness become smooth.  Once that was done I textured the surface and punched holes along both long sides.  Then I shaped it into a cuff.  I should say that I have a very small wrist and so I was never able to buy cuffs that fit me.  I've loved cuffs since I was a teenager and was always disappointed that I couldn't wear them.  Once I was able to bead my own cuffs, I loved it.  Now I'm able to shape a metal cuff to fit me! This morning I oxidized the metal and the wire for the embellishment and then gathered my tools and crystals and took them out onto our screened porch and sat in the glorious weather we're having today and started to embellish.  Anyone who has followed along with me on this blog knows that embellishing anything is my favorite thing to do.  The technique that Lisa shows in her book involves lacing wire along the edge of the project.  In the book the project is a beautiful silver pendant.  As you lace you string on a bead or crystal (I love crystals with metal!), and lace into the next hole.  After a few lacings you double back and go through the wire already there.  Most of the embellishment is the wire with just a few wire wrapped pieces I made and the crystals peeking out of the lacings.  It was fun to see where the wire and beads ended up.  The results you can see in the picture!  I'm so happy with it that I had to share it!  Here's another picture from a different angle.

I learned a lot about working with metal and I also learned that I need a lot more practise with a saw!  I also know that I want to use this lacing technique on other metal jewelry. It's fun and has a lot of possiblities for adding beads and color to metal. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are all having a beautiful summer day like we are here in Maryland.