Bead Fest Withdrawl

Bead Fest is over and I'm already wishing it was next year. My fiance and I had a wonderful time. We each took a class on Friday and then we took a glass fusing class together on Saturday afternoon.

I had taken a photo of the results of my metalsmithing class but they will have to be redone...too blurry. Speaking of the metalsmithing class, Cheryl Strait was an excellent instructor and helped make me feel comfortable using the jewelers saw for the first time. I can proudly say I was the only student to make my own rivet. After class was over I was really frustrated with my results, but after a good night's sleep I thought I did pretty well and I cant wait to order more metal and try some more.

After our fusing class on Saturday afternoon I shopped hard. I bought mostly tools but here is a photo of the beads I purchased. This is my third year attending Philly Bead Fest and each year my bead purchase shrinks while my tool purchase grows. Just a few of the tools I added this year were a ring mandrel, metal letter and number stamp set, new files, replacement nylon jaw pliers, molds for polymer clay/resin.

When our finished fused glass cabochons arrive in the mail I'll be certain to post them with re-done photos of my metal piece.

On my way!

I'm off to Beadfest! I shall return this weekend and when I do I'll make certain to post photos of the show and of my creatons from Creative Metals 101. I'm so excited! I couldnt get through work fast enough today. As soon as Colin gets home from work we are packing everything into the car and heading off! Until I return...

Getting closer!

This week needs to go faster! I'm leaving for Beadfest on Thursday night and I'm super excited! Each year I make a piece of jewelry to wear to Beadfest to show off. The first photo is my work in progress when it was half-way done. Of course that is one of my collage pendants and the stones are prehnite and kyanite. I currently have half of the other side finished. I believe it will be finished tomorrow night and then I'll photograph the finished piece.

I'm finally moving away from using pre-made clasps and findings. The pendant hanger and the clasp I created from sterling silver wire. I used Sharilyn Millers, "Bead on a Wire" book as a guide for the clasp. It's definitely the best wire book on the market. Her instructions are so clear and easy to follow that it only took me one practice run with copper to get the clasp right.

In other news, I still need a banner. I havent decided yet how I want it to look. There are some ideas floating around in my head but I have yet to attempt them. The next two weekends are so packed that I cant really work on it but when I return I'll put the pedal to the metal! Also, if anyone has any suggestions for a tag line for my site I'd love to hear it. Until we meet again...

Ramblings

Yes! I love using my glass hand collection in my photos. I have two more antique hands on the way and I cant wait till they arrive. Now I just need to perfect my photography. So this has been one of those weeks at work which has sucked the creativity right out of me. I've stayed late the last few days to help the team finish up a project that is due sooner than we'd all like. Unfortunately, when I come home all I want to do is eat dinner and surf the Internet. At least I made some collage pendants and started a pair of earrings this past weekend. Those photos are coming soon! Now for the good stuff...

The pendant above is double-sided but I like this side the best. It's actually a coin holder that I put a collage on one side and a metal watch dial on the other. The side above is also accented with a Swarovski crystal (love those!) and sealed with Ranger Glossy Accents. Ranger makes the best stuff!

In other news, Philly Bead Fest is fast approaching and I'm super excited. I'll be taking Found Object Jewelry/Creative Metals 101 by Cheryl Strait (http://www.cherylsstudio.theshoppe.com/). This will be the first time I've used a jewelers saw and I'm hoping I don't cut myself! In addition to the class I'm taking, my fiance will be taking a borosilicate lampworking class. He normally works in soft glass but he's been drooling over boro lately. I'll be certain to post photos when it's all over.

Well that's all for now, I think I need a nap.

BFF

So it's not the best quality photo but that's ok. These earrings are currently on their way to North Carolina for my best friend. She likes simple earrings so I thought she'd enjoy these. They are sterling silver, kyanite and lapis lazuli. Alright, the truth is I was supposed to mail something to her months ago and I kept forgetting. As an "I'm sorry I'm a goof", I asked her what I could make for her and she said simple blue earrings. A simple story for some simple (but really cute) earrings.

Setting Goals

I havent written in a few days and I'm feeling guilty about it. It's my goal to try and post at least every other day but I suppose that isnt always going to happen. I just started a new job, renfaire season has begun and Philly Bead Fest is almost here. It's an exciting and busy time of year! I'll keep at it and do my best to meet my goals.

The necklace above was a bit of an experiment. I wanted to make a charm necklace incorporating several techniques. The large washer and circle are both from sale jewelry I bought at the mall. They had marked it down so much they were practically giving the pieces away! I stamped the washer with StazOn ink and let it air dry. The tube bead is made from plastic tubing with some stamped vellum inside of it. I used pewter (or are they sterling? I don't remember.) end caps and seed beads to pull it all together. The blue glass beads are from a vintage necklace I pulled apart. The spiral charms were made with non-tarnish wire. There is also a pewter coin charm on there but it's kind of hidden.

Now I need to go back to debating what I'm going to make to wear for Bead Fest. Every year I spend a few weeks trying to figure this out and this year is no different...