Riveting!

I just discovered riveting and stamping and am totally hooked!

I am going to be add a new design collection soon to my already vast arsenal of designs.
I spent so much on tools and little silver and copper discs, riveting hammer, a new steel bench block, design and letter stamps this past week, I am disgusted with myself...well maybe a little shameful but heck, I love trying new things and this has not disappointed :):)
So...here is my first riveting project and I have another I am just finishing up.
This is for sale in my Etsy shop at the moment and I love it so much, I am going to make one for myself..no joking. It is the perfect length choker and the combination of copper and sterling I have fallen in love with :):)

Viruses and Entrecard?

Has anyone run across and issue with "sudden virus" since using/ dropping cards?
I use my computer for nothing but Etsy, blogging, my own personal website, and dropping cards via Entrecard.
I have never, ever had a virus before until tonight. It's the logical explaination.
I don't know whether it's from using the Entrecard Generator or just bogus sites preying on "clickers"

Any thoughts would be fantastic!

Getting the feel for Soldering

I was so excited to receive some spectacular Ocean Jasper beads that I had been eyeing for weeks. These beads were so pretty and I decided to go all out and make a necklace.... and didn't want to use ordinary chain.
So, I let my imagination take over and I am delighted of how, not only the necklace itself turned out, but the actual chain I created.
I made little tiny spirals from heavy gauge sterling silver and soldered them together to create this wonderful pattern effect.
I also added a dab of patina to bring out the swirl design.

The colors of these beads are just wonderful and I suspect these pictures aren't doing them justice. Might have to reshoot them in the next day or too :)

Newest Creation, Golden Sunset Bangle

My total inspiration for the colors within this bangle were straight from a beautiful sunset I witnessed on the way home from work one evening.

I started by twisting many feet of gold filled and sterling silver wire; then wrapped onto a heavy gauge sterling wire base.
The lampwork beads are from various artists with hues of peach, sand, lavendar and a touch of purple, to named a few.
Bali bead caps and accent beads are spaced throughout.
Includes signature tag.

The bracelet would be perfect for and small to average size wrist. Currently listed in my Etsy Shop

Bad Photo Day

The good news. I spent the majority of the weekend creating a few new pieces, concentrating on my leather collection. :):):)
Bad news, all was going fantastice until I tried to photograph them. Today just wasn't my day.
There's something wrong when you spend 4 hours trying to adjust and correct in photoshop...grrrr!!
In any event, I managed to get a few good shots of at least two new items...so here they are

Southwestern choker motif, featuring blue green turquoise nuggets with red coral rondelles. Interwoven within..delicate hill tribe silver spacer tubes and a centered Karen Hill Tribe Flower charm.
Dangling in the back...another red coral rondelle and signature tag.
All other components comprised of sterling silver.
Necklace measures approximately 16-16 1/2"

Southwestern choker motif, featuring red coral rondelles. Interwoven within.. 2mm sterling silver round beads and centered sterling silver flower charm.
Dangling in the back...another red coral rondelle and signature tag.
All other components comprised of sterling silver.
Necklace measures approximately 16-16 1/2"

Now..off to reshoot, wish me luck!

Applying Gold Accents to PMC Clay

I promised to give some tips, from my experimentation of applying a gold appliqué to your precious metal clay pieces.
I use Aura 22 and have had great success with it.

The most important thing I can tell you is, once you pieces has been fired, do not, I repeat.. do not burnish or tumble!
I allow the pieces to cool down and am careful not to touch the areas that are to be painted with gold, as oils and dirt from your fingers can intefere with the adhesion.

If you find that the gold has hardened in the jar, place a couple of drops of media included and stir with a toothpick until the consistancy is simular to the thickness of nail polish. Lightly place a thin, even layer of paint, using a small paintbrush and allow to dry. I repeat this process 3 times. You can apply two layers, instead of three, but I happened to like the bright color using 3 coats.

I have read tips that prior to applying gold accent paint, to place a thin layer of silver overlay on your fired piece.I suppose to help with adhesion. I haven't tried this yet, as I have not had an issue with the gold not staying in place.


After you have allowed the coats to dry, place your piece back in your kiln, and refire for approximately 6-7 minutes at 1600 degrees.
Once your pieces has cooled down, burnish and tumble. You will be amazed at the beautiful results!

To see the results, view my post about my Silver and Gold Teardrop Earrings