Showing posts with label bayside wire designs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bayside wire designs. Show all posts

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Geometric, Copper Guitar Pick Bracelet (in progress)



I'm working on a unisex bracelet with a copper pick as the focal.  I cut out the pick from a larger piece of copper (you can find various sizes copper sheet on Amazon).
In order to not obstruct the look of the pick, I decided that its direction should be slightly on a diagonal  (notice the holes drilled for attaching the bracelet).
After many sketches, I finally decided on a pattern where I would fire multiple overlapping layers of enamel with my torch.  One thing I love about torch firing on copper is how the copper turns different colors depending on the heat (You can actually "Flame Paint" the sheet with a torch- the results are amazing)!
I have yet to polish the piece; I want the exposed copper parts to have a mirror-like finish... at least that's what I want.  If I can attain it is another thing.  We shall see!


Getting Picky



The beginning steps to a guitar pick bracelet-  

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Tutorials for a Turquoise Bracelet, Necklace and Earrings


Did you know that Turquoise is a major trend in jewelry for this summer!  The greatest thing about making jewelry is that you can make your very own unique accessories to fit your personal style.  Or you may want to make something as a gift.  Handmade gifts are always treasured because they're a labor of love!

So here is a great free tutorial-  Let yourself be inspired:
Bracelet with Chalk Turquoise Gemstone Beads, Glass Beads and Metal Beads
Also, I want to let you know that often I promote my own jewelry and other crafts I might design, but my blog also contains affiliate links.  That means, if you happen to click through them and make a purchase, I would be compensated for advertising them.  Thanks for looking!
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Here is another free tutorial you might enjoy-  

Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set with Cultured Freshwater Pearls, Turquoise Gemstone Beads and Swarovski Crystal.  Click here for the tutorial.


Happy Jewelry Making!  
Thanks for stopping by!  

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Sixty Six Bracelets Later





I finished the bracelets I talked about in the previous post! I'll admit it was not easy! My finger tips have yet to recover from handling the metal and sliding the waxed cord knots. I've been applying vitamin E oil repeatedly, which is quite soothing. I hope I don't develop huge calluses on my fingers... well, at least they'll match my unsightly nails!! The sanding did a terrible number on my nails.

So, after all that whining, I'll share with you some pictures of what started as basic pieces of metal and cotton string...



...is now this:



I really like the blue, waxed cotton (reminds me of jeans); I just love it!




All of the little bracelets have been neatly tucked away in cute, shiny, gift bags and ready to be shipped.

Although the project (66 handmade bracelets) was a bit daunting at times, especially when I would need to restart a piece because of an engraving error (this happened quite a few times because of a little mishap with my engraving machine. Although it set me back a bit, I powered through and was successful in completing the project without being overwhelmed. And I have to say, at the end of a project like this, I always feel happy to have given my all.






Saturday, April 22, 2017

66 Personalized Bracelets to Make

I've got a large order of 66 personalized bracelets. How can I make all those bracelets without being overwhelmed and losing my mind?? One bracelet at a time. Being constant is the trick for me.

The first step was to take my template and mark the sizes on my metal and then "cut each one by hand with metal sheers." I know!! Who does that?

The strips in the pile you see in the 1st photograph, have all been cut and roughly sanded into shape (I use an electric power tool for that job). Because I'm using a power tool, the strips get hot! hot! hot! I cannot hold them without a thick cloth to protect my fingers.

Also, you'll notice I drilled the holes in the metal strips. I love drilling the holes! Because I dip the tip of my bit into beeswax, there is a lovely honey scent in my studio! Oh! And check out the wood piece in the top photograph (the bottom left corner). See the holes? Those are the holes I leave behind after my drill bit goes through the metal and into the wood. Better to do that than ruin my table surface!

My next step is brushing my metal for a nice finish!

I'll keep you posted of my progress!

Thanks for dropping by. If you enjoyed my post, please share.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

What Can You Make with Washers?

I purchased a bunch of small washers and was wondering how to use them in my jewelry designs. So, after playing with them a bit, I decided to drill them and dome them with an abstract brushed surface.

Wow!!  I am so pleased with how they turned out!  You can't even tell these were "washers."

They actually inspired me to make these "Summer Earrings" with "Purple Coral.





Thursday, October 6, 2016

Awesome Shell Fragment



While spending a fun filled day at the beach with family, I found this beautiful seashell fragment!
What I love about it is that it's only a sliver of the clam shell which inspires me to make a necklace; I haven't started the work yet, but I think I will keep the design simple in keeping with the clean lines of the shell itself.  

Not sure if I will make it out of copper and silver combo or perhaps I'll go with brass and gold filled ...  Still mulling that over...  I will add the progress to my blog.

**We welcome customs orders.  If you have a vision and would like your stone, wood, shell or other turned into a piece of jewelry for you or for a gift, please contact us.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Turquoise and Pearl Bracelet


Multi Wrap Bracelet in Sterling Silver with Turquoise and
natural pearls.  The bracelet has lots of sterling silver in its design.  The Oval is handcrafted by wrapping thin wire around a thicker oval wire and then soldered closed.  I wanted to add hearts and decided to compliment the design by adding a heart clasp hook as well.  

I love the pearls in contrast with the Turquoise!  These pearls are naturally colored in these gorgeous
shades of peach, lavender and off white.  I am in love with these pearls!!  

Each link of the bracelet is hand twisted.  I am a big believer is handcrafting all of my components whenever I can.  

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Personalized Wire Wrapped Heart Wreath


I was asked to make a wire heart wreath, and yes wire.  Lots and lots of wire and a combination of carefully selected glass and acrylic beads.  

This was for an anniversary gift.  

These wreaths can me made in any shape and they make wonderful welcome wreaths as well.  I sold many smaller versions of these as sun catchers or even as door hangers.  

**Just wanted to let all you jewelry makers out there that Fire Mountain Gems is offering 80% off almost 5,000 gems, jewelry and beading supplies!!  Great time to stock up!!!  Click here to go to their site.


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Rustic Copper Spotted Bracelets


Finished an order of 4, Rustic Copper Spotted Bracelets with Sterling Silver and
multi leather.  

Although these bracelets have a sturdy clasp on them, I added two slip knots on the leather part.  I find it make sit easier for the customer to size the bracelet perfectly to their wrist size. 

**Just wanted to let all you jewelry makers out there that Fire Mountain Gems is offering 80% off almost 5,000 gems, jewelry and beading supplies!!  Great time to stock up!!!  Click here to go to their site.


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Inspired By A Swallowtail Butterfly


I'm doing a bit of work around the yard these days and I'm noticing many Swallowtail Butterflies around my flowers.  These Butterflies are so pretty!  I especially love the blue with a dab of orange along the back of the wings!

I would love to design a jewelry set in that blue!

I found these beads and shells at Fire Mountain Gems and I think the blue is quite similar (a little side note- there are 527 pages of blue beads and jewelry components.  I sipped on a coffee and relaxed while browsing):

*Beautiful Paua Shell is one of my favorites!!  The blue Swarovski Crystals are very pretty as well!






Saturday, June 18, 2016

Free Hand Engraving on Rustic Copper Rings




I am often asked to engrave my copper rings.  I do not have the equipment to do a professional engraving job, but I do have the tools to engrave free-hand.  I quickly wrote a date on the outside of this ring to show a potential customer what a free hand engraving would look like.  It was sooo difficult to take a decent picture.  Too much glare from the metal.   I had to darken the photograph a bit.  I usually don't engrave on the outside, it's mostly on the inside of the rings that I am asked to do this.

I think the free-hand engraving adds and compliments the rustic feel of my rings!




Thursday, June 9, 2016

Latest Project: Abstract Tree Pendant With Filigree Leaves


Latest project that I'm working on:

Copper and Sterling Silver Pendant with tree and leaves.  I'm making a few cutout leaves
and I'll be adding some filigree to fill in the leaves.

I sweat soldered the leaf and the tree to the copper plate.

If you're looking for a custom made piece, contact me.

See more Jewelry Here.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Keepsake Necklace with White Oak Cab



The last of the three White Oak Leaf, Keepsake Necklaces:
Sterling Silver Leaf which is sweat soldered to a copper base.  I made a cab out of a piece of salvaged white oak from an old tree and added it to the pendant.  
Because the pendant is so rustic, I decided to compliment the pendant with a mutli-leather, brown necklace with rustic copper hook and eye.  
*Order A Keepsake Necklace for yourself or someone you love; They make the best gift!

Monday, June 6, 2016

Finished White Oak Leaf Pendant with Acorn



Sometimes, you come up with an idea in your head, transfer it to paper and the actual piece doesn’t always come out exactly as you first imagined it.  But this piece is pretty much what I designed it to be.  
I purposely added the dark, vein-like lines in the leaf by dragging a piece of metal through the molten enamel. Because the copper was slightly exposed, it created oxidization which led to the lines turning black.  It really gives the piece a more rustic look!  I just love playing with oxidization!!  
The Oak Acorn I made from a piece of white oak piece which I carved into a ball which I drilled like a bead.  I made the cap part out of sheet copper, formed, textured and soldered.  I covered the wood with epoxy.
The Acorn lays flat so that it can sit properly when worn.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Finished, White Oak Leaf Pendant with Cab


Here is the final result of the White Oak Leaf Pendant I was working on.  I made a cab from a piece of White Oak which I formed and covered in epoxy to protect it from water.  
I made the leaf out of copper sheet and sweat soldered it to a plate of sterling silver.  
The pendant measures 1-1/2″ x 1/2″.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Acorn Pendant With Oak Tree Remnant



I designed this little acorn to dangle along with an Oak Leaf Pendant I made.  
I made it so that it sits flat.  The whole thing is made of copper sheet which
was cut, formed, textured and soldered together.  
The best way to form a ball shape is with a dapping punch, a block and a hammer.

The wooden bead I made from a piece of an Old Oak Tree.  
I drilled a whole through the wood and through the copper cap (this step is not in the photographs).

Progress Oak Leaf Pendant


Custom Pendant With Piece of an Old Oak Tree-
I made the bezel with a strip of pure silver bezel wire, shaped it and sized it to my wood cab, soldered the ends together and then soldered it to the pendant plate.  I was so happy that I didn’t run into any problems!  I prepared the wood cab by forming, sanding and sealing it with epoxy (because the cab is made of old dead tree pieces, I thought it would be best to seal it in order to protect it from water.  

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Oak Leaf Pendant Almost Finished


I am almost done this pendant.  I'm working on the wood cab you see
on the pendant.  it will be a bit smaller than you see.  

Here is what I'll be doing next:
- Covering the cab with epoxy (the reason for this is because this piece of 
oak comes from old wood pieces salvaged from a dead oak tree and they're
quite fragile.  By completely covering them with epoxy, I figured they 
would be protected from wear and tear).  

2.  Adding a bezel (a strip of silver soldered to the plate to hold the wood cab 
into place).

3.  Finish the bail (to hang to the chain).

4.  Polish it up and add a bit of darkening solution to make the leaf pop out.

5.  Package it and send it on its way to my customer!