design challenge #5
wrapped bead "pod"
this was an interesting concept, but the bead part was hard for me to work through. I didn't much like the beads...but didn't come up with a better idea.
I had a great time with the "wrapper"...forged the copped pod, and got a little shaping going on the edges, which I was thrilled with...I have never bought dyed beads...(that I know of)...but I found these and no one knew what they were before being dyed...but the color was so different I had to have them and I believe they will be one of my favorites, until I use all 13 of them.
Another assembled chain, more Bali silver and another beaded bail....I do like that detail!

challenge #4-riveted
This was a hit with me...had alot of fun with this one. I have a new tiny riveting hammer and it certainly makes a difference. I was using a big "sucker" from home depot.
Assembled the copper chain, cut and domed the circle, forged the silver, cut and textured the copper square and riveted it to the back copper shape and through the silver. The pendant is non moving. Added the wire bail with a "flourish" to break up the formal design. Simple but slightly complex.
One of my goals this year was to create more complex pieces...this doesn't seem complex, but there were several design elements and lots of different finishing aspects, so I consider this piece to be moving toward my personal goal.

challenge #3
This was the shelf pendant
I wasn't thrilled with this one, but forged on....literally and figuratively!
Again this was the heavier sheet copper, turquoise and a lamp bead...cut and domed a circle, added one of those wonderful Bali flower head pins and a copper bead cap and again used Mary's beaded bail...can you tell I like that detail?
Assembled some premade copper chain with a barrel clasp, which overall the copper chain makes the difference with a copper pendant, even if the pendant has silver on it. This is ok, but not one of my favorites...
Did enjoy using one of my new stakes for shaping....I am practising every day with the forging techniques and I am learning, but is a slow go.

Deryn Mentoc's challenge

#2 folded
Mary's book used the folded technique in earrings and I started there, but wasn't happy with the results I was getting, so they are lying on my bench unfinished until I get the inspirations to finish them. This was what I ended up with for this challenge. I forged some copper sheet, which I think is about 24 gauge...a bit heavier, which I like, but still comfortable to wear. I used a metal clay leaf and used a faux rivet, which is actually a Bali decorative head pin, which I really like....the leaf turns loosely....then I used Mary's technique of adding a bead on her bail component...which I like...all in all I was pleased with my results....simple but effective.

I found three inspirational books...check them out

The youth director at my chuch loaned me a book about three weeks ago...you know how it is when you read a book and some times they just blow you away....well...
the first one I read was Dinner With a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
it is a two hour read and I pondered it for about two weeks...simple, but very thought provoking
A young professional has dinner with Jesus
second one
A Day With a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
the young professional's wife spends the day traveling to a business meeting with Jesus
book 3
The Next Level (A Parable of Finding Your Place in Life) by David Gregory
A fun look at what happens to us when we enter corporate America
Each one of these books are quick reads, but they are definately worth going back and really
studying.

July 16 2008

I feel like a kindergarten student.

I joined a summer challenge on Deryn Mentoc's blog (somethingsubline.typepad.com) using
Mary Hettmansperger's book "Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet
I got Mary's book and was hooked and when I found Deryn's blogsite, I knew that was just the inspriration
I needed.
So here are the first few entries
#1 the spinner necklace/pendant
Mary stacks various elements together loosely so they will move and I love
for elements to have movement and make noises...so this was an interesting
project.
I used an embossing template for the background with 28 gauge copper sheet, some aluminiun from the hardware store cut into two propeller shaped pieces, one long and one shorter and then I had a "mess" laying on my bench which I had messed with one day and wasn't happy with the results...(I had originally textured, cut, folded, forged/hammered)
I added a lampwork bead dangle, and I liked it added to the mix...all in all a fun project and I wore it the day after I made it and a lady stopped me and asked about it...never had anyone do that before.