Chain Reaction
I’ve been packaging up the etched and patina metal sets from the most recent batch, and they turned out so well that I had to keep a few things for myself. Electrically etched versions of vintage foreign postage stamps in green, and a lovely brass set in a Renaissance design caught me, and I set them aside for a bit of beading fun. I already had a lunch tray with beads in that soft green, and one in ivories and pearls. When you work in colors you like, things go together, and there are often leftovers from projects. Two or three beads are enough to become part of a brand new design, and a color coordinated display.
I like taking an eclectic group of beads and seeing how they can dance together—that’s more fun for me than one kind of bead repeatedly strung in a row. I’m using metal, polymer clay, shell, glass and crystal, rocks and pearls. Chain lengths made with wire segments are a great way to use up a lot of beads in small groupings. I am using 22ga bronze wire to make this necklace, which will feature an etched central pendant piece with fringe—eventually! I think the stamps will be another necklace, or maybe a charm bracelet…
Of course, there needs to be a pair of earrings; since I started with one of my 3 piece metal earring pendant sets, that makes it easy to get that going too! This project is coming together a little at a time, as I take breaks from the work of the week. Gotta have those creativity breaks, especially when it is hot outside and the computer needs a rest.
Electrical Etching
We’ve been very busy indeed, getting a big new batch of electro-etched metals finished, putting inks or patinas on aluminum, brass, bronze, copper and nickel silver. Now that warm weather is here, we are gearing up to do more textiles, more polymer clay…and work in the digital world continues too. I’m putting my online shop together here at Creative Connections, and filling it up with jewelry, components, kits and more. I also have a page for my POD (print on demand) artwork on wearable items and accessories as well as home decor. I put up more items in the shop here every day, and will continue in and around the other projects—gotta make ’em before you can show ’em off!
I’ve started making bracelets out of a thicker gauge of metal, and the results are lovely. 22ga for bracelets and 24-26 gauge for earrings and pendants works out very nicely with a better heft to the bracelets and less weight for ears. I’ll be adding bracelets and more to the shop next week–do please stop back and see.
Components Coming Right Up!
We’ve been busy at my house all winter long, learning new things, writing, making music, making art…and while I’m ready for the Spring thaws and starting a garden, there is still a bit of winter left here in Wyoming. So we distract ourselves from the cold with old movies, fresh hot homemade donuts and lots of creative pursuits. I’ll be making the results available in upcoming 24 hour events in the One Sweet Bead Market Facebook group February 25 and March 25. While it is still cold outside, Come Get ‘Em While They’re Hot!
Pretty Patinas
Every time I open the boxes where metal patinas are forming on the pieces of brass and copper, it is like Christmas. You never know exactly how they will turn out, and its a lot of fun to be surprised by beauty. I cut the metal up and ground down the edges and gave everything a coat of Renaissance Wax to seal the finish. I cut up pieces to make bracelets, pendants and earrings.
As soon as we finish the details like putting in holes I’ll be selling some as jewelry making components and making some up to sell in galleries, online, and at shows like the upcoming Laramie Holiday Market on Saturday 9-4 November 30th at the University of WY Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts.
I’ll be there with Camille Rendal and Shelley Leonard, local Laramie artists themselves. We’ll have earrings pendants and bracelets, belt buckles, handwoven scarves, and more!
Camille and I are also starting an online store using the shopify platform. We are presenting art we make and also our art printed onto a variety of clothing, accessories and household decor. We’ve just started things going and will have a Grand Opening later this month. I’m creating new POD designs and uploading new products to the store every day. Check back often to see what’s new!
Playing Dress-Up With PODs
Well this certainly is fun! I took a 3 Inch by 6 inch piece of metal (seen at right) and painted it with alcohol ink and gave it several coats of Rustoleum Varathane, Then did the back of the metal with a design in a simpler but co-orrdinating color design. After that I took pictures, and now I can use the pictures to create POD (Print On Demand) products. Right now you can buy through their website, but I am in the process of putting my own store together with Shopify.
The original art is seen at right. Below in the gallery are the pieces and the POD items
These particular items, a scarf, yoga leggings, a draped kimono, tote bag and zipper carry call are all from Art For Where in Montreal Canada.
They mill their own fabric, print it, cut and sew and drop ship the orders. Then I cut up the metal, ground down the edges, and got the pieces ready to make into jewelry!
