Aug 5, 2019
In my previous post, I showed the components and green, pearl and ivory beads I picked out for putting together a necklace and earring set or two. I got them made up, and its time to show them off! The first necklace is a chain of beads that are in a harmonious color grouping–a great way to use up beads that are not enough for an entire necklace by themselves. I like the collector’s mode best anyway–a few of these, one or two of those…
The second image shows the etched brass pendant and earring set made up into a set with some hand dyed sari sil ribbon and a hand-formed bronze wire hook and eye clasp. I also wire wrapped a ceramic face with some bronze wire and a bit of the silk fiber fluff–now it is a pendant just waiting for a ribbon or chain.
The third image shows another necklace, made with etched brass using images of vintage foreign stamps. this one also has a hook and eye clasp–very sturdy and easy to make. All these lovely cool greens were fun to bring together. Now I think I will move on to some blues!
Oct 16, 2017
We’ve been spending the past few months digging in with creative endeavors here in our new place. We’re producing new art, music, writing, and also preparing for winter. (We’ve already had snow three times!) I’ve been putting major efforts into metal work that has been languishing unfinished or unsorted for a while. I had a pile of etched metal and metal with beautiful patinas as well as decorative ways with inks. Now I have quite a few trays filled with earring parts, pendants, cuff bracelets, and sets. I’m selling components to other jewelry designers and having fun seeing what they do with them.
I’m reaping a bonanza harvest of brass, bronze, nickle silver, copper, tin and aluminum components for making earrings, pendants and charms. I’m selling on Facebook groups and also wholesale to stores. Plus, when the winter days keep me indoors, I’ll have plenty to choose from when making jewelry.
May 20, 2017
The process of transformation can be fascinating–I love starting with a flat, shiny sheet of copper, brass, bronze or nickle silver and then using electricity, fire, hammers, rollers, and chemicals to change it completely. Each step along the way–patterns, textures, shapes and colors is part of a trail of discoveries. After etching, hammering, cutting, creating a patina, waxing or spraying, grinding, filing and sanding–I have developed a relationship with the metal!
Some pieces I make into earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Cuffs are great because they offer a larger “canvas” to show off the gorgeous colors that are possible with patinas. The processes involved are a mixture of precision and serendipity, and seeing what occurs is a gift that I get to unwrap each time. Sometimes surprising, always fun to explore; each piece is individual.
In addition to metal, wood, ceramics, polymer clay and textiles, I’m changing things around here at Creative Connections as well. I’ve been building up inventory all winter long, and now that the snows have melted and Spring is here, its time to get things out to market.
I am now selling finished jewelry and components for designers who want to use them in their own art. The Store section here at Creative Connections is just getting started, and will continue to grow, so do please check back again soon to see what is new!
Jan 12, 2014
I graduated from Front Range Community College with my Media Graphic Design degree, and I’m going to continue taking ceramics, jewelry, and other art class as I can afford them. We have some GREAT classes and instructors there, and I will stay on as a student or community member of the FRCC Art Club. We are seeking new officers there, as Josh and I are no longer full time students on this campus.
One of the things I’m doing in this new year is new art and instruction in a new studio space. Located at 364 Main Street in Longmont, the Kay Carol & Priscila | Gallery and Working Art Studios is home to 4 artists in residence, instructors, art groups and community organizations who meet there, and a gallery plus meeting/classroom/workshop space. I’m very fortunate to be there, and I have started a website there with a calendar and a page that lists upcoming classes and events.
I’ve already had fun with several Spirit Doll sessions, and here you see the new faces and molds I made during the polymer clay face sculpting class. I’m looking forward to using them with polymer, ceramic, bronze and silver in the upcoming months. They’ll be useful in the upcoming Miniature Mask Swap, and in the month long exhibit of masks and art from my PolyMarket Press books in June. That may sound like a long way off, but as I have so many things to make and write about for upcoming books as well as hundreds of masks to mount into large frames, fabric to paint, jewelry to finish and more, it seems like only a few weeks away. However–now I have a workspace in which to do it!
Please do come see me there during open gallery hours 10:40am-4pm Fridays and Saturdays. Or, book a class with a friend or a group. Individual instruction is available as well–we are dedicated to spreading the creativity around.
Feb 24, 2013
I’ve been having a lot of fun going through my beads and ribbons and fibers to make lots of kumihimo braids and turn them into necklaces.
I’m using bronze and copper metal that I’ve etched to make the end caps, and I’ve etched lots of pendants in bronze, brass, copper and even a bit of silver here and there, including mehndi style hands.
There’s been lots of cutting and soldering, filing and sanding going on in the daytime and braiding on the kumihimo wheel at night.You can see some of the endcaps and hand pendants here.
I am making the jump rings from bronze wire, and they will connect pendant pieces to the necklaces once I solder them closed. And file them, and sand them, and patina them and buff them up on the raised spots to a nice shine!
I have another dozen or so of the starfish and shells to cut out, but at least the metal has all been etched, so that necklace is well on the way–a mermaid’s delight with lots of coral and pearls, alabaster and knotted rope.
My goal is 20 necklaces by the 1st week of May, as well as finishing up a collection of anodized titanium earrings and pendants, some of which will be on the kumihimo necklaces.
So much to do–but it comes along if I work on it every day.
Today, I took a few pics of what I did earlier this week and I’m going to do my math homework and then string up another set of bobbins for the next necklace, which will be purples and silver.
I’ve already shopped in my bead drawers and picked out what I need, just need to string up all 8 bobbins and I’ll be ready to go!
