The Move

I'm finally getting around to posting this update. So sad...because that's all it is. This isn't even a picture post.

We are in the middle of moving...across the country. We weren't supposed to be moving for another week, so this past week was CRAZY! We should be to our final destination (Beautiful Pennsylvania) somewhat close to the beginning of next week. Right now, we are making a quick visit in Utah, and then we'll be off to PA! So hopefully I'll see you then!

Whew! That wasn't so bad. That post took me all of THREE minutes to write. Don't know what took so long to get it up here.

One pattern...so many possibilities.

I just love all the things I can do making these wire laced hoops! It took me a while to figure out how to do it and make all the hoops look the same.

The things I changed from my last post:
1. For starters, there are no beads on this one. I like putting beads on, but I thought I'd try it without.
2. I hammered the big hoop flat.
3. I added more "lace" to go further up around the hoop.
4. Instead of completely wrapping the hoop, the did a couple wraps here and there. I like being able to see the actual hoop.
5. Because this is copper wire, not a metal very suitable for ears, I put a loop at the top of the earring to hold an earwire, rather than have the copper hoop go through your ear! I'd have to say that was good thinking on my part.

Anyway...I haven't done a pair in Sterling Silver yet, but when I do, you'll be the first to know!

More to come soon!!

One hoop

This is my project today. I've done one so far and it took me about an hour. I am practicing on copper for now. I'm not sure I like the way this one turned out. I think a few changes to the next one will make me much happier!

I'll keep you posted later in the day, hopefully with a cute pair of wire-wrapped hoops! In the meantime, I'll be getting boxes to pack up our stuff. We're getting ready for the move!

Ooh...the colors!

This is probably my favorite one so far.

I think it needs no explanation. So here's some eye candy for you...

For Dad's Day-Giveway!

The Vintage Pearl has done it again. They are giving away an awesome gift for your significant other, dad, brother, etc. on their blog.

I'm blogging this to get an extra entry. But you don't have to go enter...seriously. I want to win this one!

FYI: It would be great to make this myself...but it's free!

My first try fusing metal

Eek! I was so excited to try this, and believe me, I've been waiting a while for the tools.

I finally got a Micro Torch and some Paste Flux. I already had some solder. It would have been nice to just use solder paste with flux in it, but in time. So as soon as I got home from the hardware store, I got working. I didn't have a soldering board (I have a vision it will be coming soon), so I used a piece of particle board, and was careful not to catch it on fire.

My husband actually did most of the work on this one, and he did a great job! I then put it on a sterling silver jump ring and put a wire-wrapped bead on the jump ring and strung it on an 18inch 1.5mm sterling silver plated ball chain.

A note about the wrapped bead: The wire I used it not sterling silver wire. I wish it was. In fact I do have sterling silver wire that I could have used. But it's expensive. And since I don't have any Fire Coat (a product to prevent Fire Scale, and needed in order to ball up the wire with a torch), or Fine Silver Wire (you don't need Fire Coat), I couldn't make a headpin. FYI-I have no problem accepting gifts. So, I made my own poor man's headpin (which is what I actually used in THIS necklace). I always need more tools! That's the way it goes with any hobby, craft, or project-right?

So without further adieu...

Let me know what you think!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

And this one is sure to shine with this hammered look.

I absolutely love this necklace. I haven't even tapped into the vast amount of things I can do with metal stamping yet. I've just barely started, and so I'm still practicing on copper. I love the look of copper, but thinking about Sterling Silver pendants like The Vintage Pearl has just makes me giddy. And when you layer copper AND sterling silver, my head just starts to spin!

So, the star is complete with a sterling silver jump ring and 18in. sterling silver 1.5mm(tiny) ball chain!

Things I like:

1. I put my initial on it. This may sound silly, but I don't think I have ever had a necklace with my initial on it in my entire life and I always wanted one. But names, dates, and other design stamps work too.

2. The hammered look.

3. I domed the star.

Things I don't like:

1. You see the R? Can you tell my stamp bounced? That is why it is important to have a good hard work surface. My steel block was on my card table that has kind of a padded top.

2. The hammered look. I know I said that I like this part, and I do. But when I started hammering it, I realized that the dimples were too small for what I wanted and liked. Next time I will use my bigger ball pein hammer.