I've opened a new shop on Etsy

This new shop is called "A Soul Crayon", the name courtesy Emotional Oasis, an awesome friend from my Jewelry on Etsy Team
So, this new shop features little pretties, a.k.a dangle charms, all using glass beads, gemstones, with all components in sterling silver.





I've accumulated so many beads and stones in these past few years and thought, what a great way to pretty them up. Plus, I am sure a lot of designers don't want to be bothered, no like wire wrapping so purchasing these, already finished would be a great service :)




and a couple more.....

Resin Resin..oh how I love Resin!

It's been too long since posting but have been working on some new items for my shop.
Can you guess what it involves???

So, the learning curve has been interesting but well worth it. I have all found that my metal-smithing and soldering skills are vastly improving along the way!

So without further adieu, I present my new Resin and Sterling Collection :)

Resin and Sterling Teardrop Pendant Neckace

Resin and Sterling Organic Shapes Pastel Hinged Bracelet

Blue Concho Style Resin and Sterling Bracelet

(backview)

New Custom Handstamped Necklace

Continuing on with the hand stamping craze, another pendant, this one including a sterling silver 1.5mm ball chain, available in my Etsy shop.
Thanks for looking!

Thank you to all my Etsy customers!

This has been a wonderful holiday season for me on Etsy. I didn't expect it and it was a pleasant surprise!
Many of my sales came from brand new Etsians and that was nice too!!

Since the holiday shopping has slowed down, I have been able to add a couple new hand stamped designs to my collection, will more yet to come :)

Here are a couple available now in my Etsy Shop and on Artfire as well.


Wishing all a safe, healthy and Happy Holiday season!

Completed my first custom Mens Bracelet

I received a convo from a gentlemen who liked my sterling and leather bracelet, and inquired if I could create something "masculine" for him. He had no rating on Etsy and I was a bit leary, only because he told me to contact him via his email.
Well, well over a weeks worth of communication, I finally came up with something that we both loved!
The bracelet portion, a classic byzantine weave for which I used a heavier "man-ly" size ring -16 gauge

Sterling Silver Stamped Circle Dangle Earrings

some new things listed in my Etsy Shop...here's one of them :)

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

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

Silver and Gold Teardrop Earrings

For my newest endeavor, I had the opportunity to try a new patina to add to my precious metal clay designs - Gold Overlay!
This was alot of fun to work with and I have future designs just swimming in my head, waiting to be created!

This design features a teardrop within teardrop cutout design, crafted from fine silver (.999), precious metal clay.
The earrings were patina'ed in two parts, half with an antiqued,aged look; the other half with sparkling particles of pure gold (91.6%) overlay.
Handforged sterling silver ear wires feature a twisted design.
Earring length: a tad over 1 1/2"

There are a few important techniques that one must follow to obtain this effect and I will be sure to post those in a couple of days, for those interested in trying this yourselves :)

A Busy, Busy Week

TGIF my friends!
Just posted another listing on Etsy. I should have more juicy items up on both Silvercanyons and Etsy this weekend!

Trying something new!

Before I got really into sterling silver jewelry designing, my first venture was to make basic greek leather necklaces and bracelets. That kind of fell my the wayside when I "discovered" sterling silver. But I have decided to reach for it again and tried something a little bit different, using greek leather and lampwork beads. Whatcha think?

Silver Wishbone Earrings

Here is a beautiful pair of earrings added to to my website. They feature heavy gauge sterling wire shaped and hammered into a pretty wishbone design. I have added sparkly retiuculated quartz briolettes, dangling at a pretty length :)

Not a bad picture from my new camera!