Friday, December 28, 2012

Twists & Turns...

Typically I blog about a single piece, or a single topic, but I'm breaking form today because a lot has been happening lately…

First, a very nice lady I know asked me to try to do a piece for her (actually two matching pieces), she knows I'm still a student/novice but decided to give me a chance - I appreciate the opportunity!!


The piece she asked for is a saw-pierced piece, leaf shaped with a double crossed cross, with some words & a date stamped on the back… so I started by drawing the shape & epoxying it to some silver, drilled a hole in the middle (in class - I don't have my rotary tool yet).  The above is a picture when I first brought it home.


I used a saw to form the leaf shape...


That's my saw on my bench, with my magnifying light that I find works well for saw work.


Here's the first one after I finished the inner cuts with my saw...


This is the state of both of them now, they still need filing (I can do that at home at this point), they also need stamping (words & dates), sanding, polishing… if the rest of my equipment (on order) gets here before classes start back up these will be finished at home, otherwise they'll get finished in class.  They may not look like much now, they'll look much better when finished…


I made this set a couple days ago in my studio… just Sterling wire & Red Creek Jasper beads & pliers - I don't have my soldering equipment yet (on order)… two earrings & a pendant (have you figured out how to get those earrings on yet?)


Yep, I put one on to take a photo… have you figured it out yet?  That's right, you have to corkscrew them on your ears… but they look pretty cool on!!  In other news...


I've been busy making some small purchases locally, and finding odds & ends around the house that will work in the studio...


Those books on my bench, those were Christmas Presents!!  Thank You Tim & Marta, and Thank You Jeff… I know the references will be handy!!  I hung a little decorative triple basket that had been unused elsewhere in the house, and I put up some pegboard...


I've got an old bookcase I'm also using for getting organized...


A huge piece of styrofoam left over from one of Jeff's projects is making a great idea-wall...


Yep, that's my studio for now… lots of stuff on order should be here in the next few weeks… loving getting things set up here at home!!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Setting Up Shop!!

I've been working on my Studio…


Workbench assembled….


Gotta love a solid wood topped bench!!


I love the adjustable height… I can work standing up if I like!


Isn't she lovely??  No nicks or scratches yet… but she'll earn them in time :)


I've been gathering tools & such… just getting started setting up, but loving the process!

Monday, December 17, 2012

New Friends...

I recently made a couple cute little Christmasy sets that I sent off as Thank You gifts to two very special ladies…


Both sets are made from Sterling Silver wire, with a decorative-bell ornament...


They make me smile!!  Talking about smile… my Workbench is here!!...


Now I just need to borrow some tools from my hubby so I can put it together… :)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Trying something new...

I decided to try using a chunky 1/2 round wire for this piece, which has a nice Dyed Magnesite stone bead.  I was also trying a new s-curve hanging dangle…


 Oh, and of course I made some earrings to go with…


On to the next thing!!


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Go Ahead and Drool...

I'm so excited, I made a large purchase and a big step toward getting my Studio set up…

Jeff has given me the go-ahead to set up a Studio here at home, so here's what I've gotten so far.

Some basic Tools & Supplies:

Larry (Wire Cutters), Moe (Flat-Nosed Pliers),
& Curly (Round-Nosed Pliers for making little curly bits)
Flat-nose Parallel action pliers (regular & chain tip),  Shears
Medium File, set of Small Files, Saw Blades & Hand Saw
Caliper, Bezel Roller, two custom Pancake Dies (custom)
Bench Pin with Anvil
Copper wire for practicing my wire work…
Do you see that huge coil of Copper Antenna Wire?  Jeff used to do Ham Radio, he doesn't anymore, but he found this lying around the Garage last week & out of curiosity asked "this wouldn't be of any use to you would it?"… I squealed like a schoolgirl!!  It is multi-stranded, and I have to separate the strands, but it's a gold mine of fine wire (gauge is finer than 22, probably 26-30) to play with… guess who gets to experiment to her heart's content!!  Go glad Jeff decided to clean up the Garage :)

On Order, Coming Soon… the BIG Purchase… should be here in a week or so...

An Adjustable Height Maple Topped Workbench
Can't wait for the bench to get here so I can get things set up & organized… SO Excited!!