Showing posts with label hand crafted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hand crafted. Show all posts

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.


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!




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.

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).

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Comparing Pebeo Vitrail Greens


I’m running another test (you will notice I do this a lot):
I wanted to compare the differences between these green  Pebeo Vitrail paints and how they would look on metal.  I was looking for a beautiful leaf color.  The local art store only had these greens available in the opaque series and although the finishes are beautiful, it’s not going in the direction I want so I won’t be using these paints in my particular project.  
More money invested, but never wasted!!  I love these paints and although I will not be using them in my present project, I will be storing them for a future use; I have something in mind for using these little gem-like paints!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Sale Sale Sale on Handmade Gifts

I'm having a #Sale on all items in my Etsy Shop.  Plus if you purchase for $50 or more, shipping is on us with coupon code: FREESHIP050 (applicable only within Canada and to the USA).

Friday, July 26, 2013

Recycled Beach Glass Sun Catcher Wind Chime

This is one of my latest sun catchers / wind chime made with beautiful, genuine beach glass pieces that we picked from the shores of the Chaleur Bay, New Brunswick, Canada. 

Each piece of sea glass has been worked as a piece of stained glass (Tiffany method).  I used pieces of recycled copper to add fun whimsical designs between the glass.  The gem-like, multi-colored strands dangle from a very unique, green glass triangle that I made from a recycled wine bottle. 

This piece is very unique and is a one of a kind creation.  What a wonderful gift for anyone who loves sea glass and the beach.  See more of my creations here

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Antiqued African Snake Necklace Tribal

I was working on this tribal necklace design and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Every part of the metal work is completely hand crafted and hand forged.  The .925 sterling silver snake is soldered to the the main necklace piece which is in copper.   I added a beautiful, white Agate stone!   Click here for more info.

See my Shoppe for more of my unique creations.