Playing with Fire

Have so enjoyed soldering and  making earrings, rings and my own pendants.  I have had bezel wire well over a year before attempting metalsmithing beyond closing circles, as shown in my previous post,  and like a pyromaniac, I can't stop, it is so much fun...for more pics of my work check us out on our facebook page and "like" us if you like at http://www.facebook.com/innerearthjewelry . 

Tiger's Eye ring will be for myself as I do need to have my own jewelry to wear, right.
Both the turquoise and moonstone cabochons were going to be pendants, but decided
to make a moonstone ring instead, decisions, decisions.

This round turquoise was made into a pendant and almost finished as we type, will be
posting necklace on FB page soon, and not the same cab as in last picture.

The Next Step...


First getting back to blogging on a regular basis....and next step... what seems to be a natural progression for alot of handmade jewelers, from beading, to wire wrapping, making ear wires, headpins, bead caps, jump rings, pmc, sawing to soldering...my first two rings, made convientantly, in my size...I've bought books and read how to's and had bezel wire for ever...so, what I've learned...any suggestions, tips, critiques from seasoned or first time metalsmiths...would love to hear....

Ring #1on left:  thought round stone would be easier, 20mm.  Thought I'd go all out and
stamp on the bezel, says: enjoy life.  My thoughts and mis-steps, bezel too tall, is hard to burnish, now I
read fine silver is softer and easier to push.  Also,  this is what a beautiful blue Sodalite
stone looks like after it gets over heated.  I kept working on the bezel and knocked one
side of the band undone, so I re-soldered the bottom and ruined the stone.  Ring #2: Milk
Quartz, this time I cut the bezel down, I think that was better but the band is not straight.
Lots to learn, filing seams, bezel sizing, sizing the ring bands and placement,...but, oh
what fun!!!!...anyway, I got myself a couple of rings!

Cuff Bracelet Fever

Cuff Bracelet Fever:  constant thoughts of cuffs with quotes, names, birthstones and names, wire wrapped with stones, silver beads, dangling stones,...for days....

Cuff Bracelet

My first cuff bracelet inspired by San Felipe, where they like to say, "No Bad Days".  I'm going to start a Baja Jewelry Collection, so much inspiration there.  And not just the surroundings but, how you feel when you are there...relaxed...a slower pace...one with the desert and ocean...nothing fancy...just natural and earthy...





Copper Cuff Bracelet



"No Bad Days" Copper Cuff Bracelet

"



Dog day afternoon on beach at Pete's Camp, San Felipe, Baja



Business Card Etiquette

 Etiquette, we all want to know the proper etiquette and manners, and apparently, even when handing out business cards.  Here is an bit of information I came across, go to link, Jewelry Business Card, and just scroll down the page for the video info.  I know that I will never hand out or accept a business card without this bit of information crossing my mind as I do so...enjoy!..your thoughts...   Jewelry Business Cards

A thing or two...

I'm back!...first here are the earrings that Worn Once had chosen from My Etsy shop...

Rose Water Earrings


Two....I found the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Newsletter, dated July 19, 2011, to have a very interesting and informative article that I enjoyed reading and thought any of you who go to craft shows might enjoy too....
Boost Your Sales With
Effective Signs by Bruce Baker

Learn to effectively communicate your brand, your products and your prices through signage.

Courtesy of the Crafts Report

 sorry, can't find a link but I know you're computer savvy enough to find it, good read...

Winner

The winner is....Worn Once...alot of fun... and the winner is in the United Kingdom...thank you to all who participated!!