No pretty pictures this time...

I've been busy but have no pretty pictures to show this time…

I've been getting some of the financial pieces of my baby business set up...

I've set up a Facebook page for the studio… but there's not much out there yet...
    https://www.facebook.com/ArtfulRompStudio

I've been doing some torch-fired enamel, but fighting it this time - I'm still a bit new at this & sometimes things just don't go how I'd like...

I've been prepping some pages on this blog on which to show & provide pricing info for some of the pieces that are ready to sell…

So, no pretty pictures… bummer… perhaps in a couple days…

Current State of the Studio...

I'm still waiting for a couple small bits of this & that, but my Studio is pretty set at this time…

This is my main work area… my bench is getting very full!!

The following are pictures going counter-clockwise around my studio…

Bench - right side: rotary tool & parts, files & pliers & such, various projects underway...

Bench - left side: press, soldering station w/air filtration system… another couple projects underway...

Pegboard & Bookshelf #1: various tools, clamps, etc… drawers with small items (stones & such)...

More storage, I'm recycling old stuff that was sitting around in the basement… Idea board...

More storage, cutter...

Even more storage…

I'm planning on using this area as a studio for more than just jewelry, so the storage is key…

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!!