Playing with clay

Clay is so much fun. I don't have a lot of experience with polymer, well, ok, none...lol
But I picked some up and integrated with some chain maille. This is what I came up with, it's still a work in progress but I think it might look like an interesting piece when it's done. I did a Full Persian legnth, joined in the middle, added the clay 'cab' and baked the whole thing...

I had an interesting suggestion from Debbie L over at The Hive . Stamp a design on and seal it..interesting...stay tuned

Valentines Day

Well, I've been a little busy with work, doing a couple custom orders. They are actually for kids, the Mom has one of my bracelets and wanted some for her little girls. Doing a Byzantine with hot pink. Debating on the clasps. I want cute because they are little girls but they have to be durable enough to withstand play. So i'm thinking a lobster...

I also did this one for Valentines Day, real easy Euro 4-1 with smaller rings on the outer edges and an oversized clasp.

You can see more pics of this one here
Bridget Nolte of wyndsweptacres received her bracelet and ring in the mail, finally. I was pretty happy that she liked them.

The ring was actually one of the first ones I made. Copper and blue glass pearls. I wanted it to look like robins eggs in a nest.
The bracelet is made from square coppr jump rings, which were quite difficult to make. Staggered Byzantine between.
So thats what i've been up to. I'll try not to wait so long to post next time.

Chain Mailler from Alaska

It's nice to have other chain maille weavers to talk to. I've gotten to know Dawn on The Hive, she is a fellow chain mailler, she is a pro at Viking Knit and her stuff is just gorgeous. So she has her FB Fan page up and running now so stop by and say hi.
She is having her very first giveaway, a lovely beaded pendant.
Here is a link to her FB Fan page and here's another to her website

This is one of Dawns viking knit bracelets.

Tool Giveaway?!?!!?!?!

How cool is this. Lori Anderson is giving away a test set from PJ Tool, a very cool set of metal stamps. She tried them out, liked them and decided to have a very cool giveaway.
Just click on her name to be taken to her blog and follow the instructions...easy peasy!!

Byzantine Varaition

This one I just started putting together. I wanted to use some the copper flat wire rings I made for something. So this is what I came up with.
                       Each section of Byzantine is connected using two flat wire copper rings (6mm)               

Another chain is made and attached next to the previous chain.
This is as far as i've gotten. This is a possible design for my bud Bridget. I wouldn't mind some feedback. She's a cowgirl from MN. So I really wanted to use something earthy like copper but i'm not sure if it's too dark.

I am going to use a hand forged clasp, also copper.









Hope everyone is staying safe out there today!!

Facebook Fan Page

Setting up a FB fan page turned out to be more difficult than I thought. I can do most things on a computer but Facebook is crazy. I don't know if having a fan page will let everyone see my personal page that I share with family and friends. I need to take some fresh photos. The ones I have just won't do. I am thinking of asking someone else to take the pictures.
I guess the thing for me is linking all this stuff together. I think I got it but i'm just not sure. So my final thought here is, for now, ArtFire stays, till I have all my stuff set up the right way. So here's the link, check it out, tell me what you think.
FB Fan Page

Wire Working

I thought I would play with some wire, get back into creating something after the holiday. I went to the library and picked up a couple books. One is an older one, published back in the 90's. It's called "Making Wire Jewelry" by Helen Clegg and Mary Larom. It's pretty good, it has in depth instructions and a gallery of photos in the center. There aren't a lot of photos throughout the book in the instructions but they are good enough that the drawings they use are sufficient. The ISBN, if you want to do a search for it, is 1-57990-002-X

So they first technique I tried in this one was the Egyptian coils. The authors explain that it is believed that the first time this was used was over four thousand years ago by an Egyptian goldsmith. It was the first time a necklace was produced using only wire.

I've seen these made before but never tried for myself. Here are a couple pics.
The one on the right is a bracelet made with purple enamel coated copper.

This is one of a pair of earrings made with black enamel coated copper.








There are a few other techniques in this book i'm going to try, I thought this one was the coolest though. The other book is on Viking weave and twisted viking weave and wire knitting. I'm gonna be busy....

New Year Comin!!!

What a year it's been. Some rough, some good but we made it through. I have high hopes for the coming year. This one has been such a roller coaster. I finished my tax season in April and though I would really concentrate on building my business. I think it's more of a hobby at this point, but again, high hopes!! I think I have too many ideas and not enough time. I have to pick one and stick with it, but when I try to do that I get sidetracked. I will be working on only jewelry and someone will want glass or windchimes. Then I get carried away with that. I want to do it all...

Well, we got the call in late June that my Mom was not well and I really needed to go home. So off I went. We lost her July 10th at 9pm. I was so sad for so long, I kinda still am. I used to call her for recipes that I knew she had in her head that I could never remember. I didn't have to cuz she was always there.

It took me a while to get back on track. Job hunting, jewelry making, bamboo harvesting....
Searching the web one day I came across the Hive. What a wonderful place, I have 'met' wonderful people with so much talent and humor and warmth. You have to love the artist. We have fun and get educated and just keep in touch every day.

So we come to the end of the year, with all it's trials and tribulations. I am working on my list. I have to have a list. I have to make myself sit down and decide what direction I want my 'business' to go. I have a great prospect on a job. Two interviews and I should get the call tomorrow.

So I am wishing everyone a happy and safe and prosperous new year.

New Find-Jump Ring Supplier

I can't believe I haven't run across this one before. Located in Astoria, OR. I hope he's done ok with the storms up there.
The Bead Man has pretty good prices on jump rings, some useful tutorials and a gallery of his work that is really impressive.
You have to create an account to view all of the content but it takes like 30 seconds and well worth the time.

SALE!! SALE!! SALE!!

SRobinsonDesigns

Everything is 30% OFF. It all has to go. The new year is coming and it's time for new designs.

Things To Do...

I have much to do this week. This is the week I send out Christmas gifts. That is including my prize winner. I am really hoping she likes it, but I can't say what it is....it's a surprise. I hope I timed it right so it won't get opened till very close to Christmas....so sneaky.

My dog is doing well after having her eight puppies. I am catching up on Hive activities. Lots going on. We did some work around the house yesterday. Made some chocolate chip cookies. I miss having my dog in the house. She is set up in my shop where it's heated, our house is too small for eight puppies....

I did finish one project in the last week. I made a Helm chain bracelet with the square copper rings I made.

So, i'm gonna get back on the ball now...

I also embedded a partial book at the bottom of this blog on crochet with beads. I plan on trying some of that today. It's cold out and it's a good day to dit in front of the fire playing with beads.

Sale

Everything in my ArtFire shop is 10 percent off!! Enjoy sale prices through Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

SRobinsonDesigns

Happy Shopping!!

It's 3AM!!!

Yup, every now and then I get a little insomnia. We're night owls anyway but I just can't get to sleep. The watch I posted earlier today sold already...
So I went to beadaholique and ordered square copper wire. I cannot wait till it gets here. Also some jewelers brass, but thats not as exciting.
I made another watch band tonight. This one is Byzantine stars. Will post a pic in the light of day. Thats the only time I can get really good pics.

So lets talk about other things. I love chain maille. It's fun, and I found someone who is at the same level as I am. We are both learning new weaves, we have some of them down and just scoopin up all the info we can.   Dawn  has a wonderful shop on ETSY. I really want to show you her Viking weave though. You should check out her chain maille but this is totally awesome. Here's a couple pics

The weave definitely sets off the stone, and copper is my absolute favorite wire. Not because it's less expensive but the color just stands out I think.
 One more..

How cool and shiny, shiny is this. Such a great centerpiece.

So, anyway, check out her shop, you'll see, her love of the craft shows in the pieces she makes.

See you on the flip side...

New Watch Design

I am making some watches, it seems to me that men get their wives watches for Christmas. Mine did a couple years ago. So I wanted to make some that are dainty and wearable with anything.

The idea was actually not mine, it was Carlin Davis'.

So I would like to share some of her stuff with you because she gave me such a good idea.

Now how darn cute are these? So here is the link for Carlins Etsy Shop Pay her a visit and find yourself some Christmas magic..

Copper

I love copper. I like to make windchimes with it, I like to make jewelry with it. It does take a little extra care but I think its worth it. Over the summer we had to do some electrical work so my husband and I saved all the old wire, stripped it and I used it in windchimes. The cool thing about that was when the wire turned, the glass looked like it was hanging from nothing because the copper blended in to the background. Cool.

Well, there is someone that uses copper for her jewelry and I wanted to point you in her direction, The name of her studio is CreativeTreasures and she's not kidding. I love these pins. They would make lovely gifts or you could just spoil yourself.
here are my two favorites: She has the heart pin in turquoise also....

So here's the link so you can have a look at all of her jewelry, it's not just the pins that are pretty..  http://www.artfire.com/users/Ctbydonna

VOTE

It's time to vote for YCSI Contest participants..

The October/November contest participants had to create an original work with a Fall based theme.

I voted today and let me tell you, it was a hard decision. I am posting a link to the blog so go vote for your favorite....

http://youcansellit-artfire.blogspot.com/

Happy Cyber Monday

Well, I took the Thanksgiving weekend off. I have posted a few new things on http://www.artfire.com/users/SRobinsonDesigns and today is the last day for the 10% off coupon.

I love to do things with seed beads. I think they look awesome. And it takes a lot of time and talent and patience. This shop owner makes some really nice stuff..

Tell me thats not gorgeous....

And look at this, I absolutely love the color in this bracelet...

So check out her studio, it only takes a minute... http://www.artfire.com/users/RoxysRox

bebstreasures

We're all getting ready for Thanksgiving and Black Friday and cyber Monday.....I will not be leaving my house on Friday, that is for sure. There are so many things available on the web, and I am one of those last minute shoppers anyway..

People just think commercial when the Christmas season rolls around. I know, i've said it before. But I am saying it again. Our country is filled with talented people. People that use their hearts and their hands to make beautiful things that can be kept forever.

I'm sure everyone has heard of planned obsolescence. This is when things are made in a manufacturing environment and after a certain amount of time it needs parts replaced or has to be replaced completely. So all those gadgets and video games are going to be gone long before the piece of jewelry or wood carving or afghan you buy handmade.

The shop i'm about to show you has beautifully handcrafted jewelry pieces in it. They are heirloom quality. 20 years from now when someone asks your child or grandchild where they got the beautiful bracelet they can say it was handmade years ago and given to me by my mother whose mother gave it to her....

http://www.artfire.com/users/bebstreasures

Jade bracelet

Periwinkle bracelet

i rambled a little today, sorry about that...

SALE

There is a sale going on in my studio!!! 10% off select categories until December 2.

http://www.artfire.com/users/srobinsondesigns

Visit my shop and use coupon code Holiday2009 to get your 10% off. Always free shipping in U.S. on jewelry.

One more for Monday

So I blogged once today, but hey, look what you would be missing if I didn't do it again....

Aren't they adorable? I love lampwork beads and she makes wonderful use of them with these earrings.

She has free shipping to all countries!!!! How excellent is that!!

How bout these..

You wanna go look now don't you?

Here, I will make it easy..

http://www.artfire.com/users/BlueSerendipity

See you tomorrow,,,