Soddering 101

Several weeks back, I took a soddering jewelry class.  I made three pendants, charms, or whatever you want to title them.  I had so much fun doing this!  I want to do it more. 

For my first pendant, I used a picture of myself and Lou from our wedding pictures.  I cut out our faces and glued them together, back to back.  Using two pieces of pre-cut glass, I cut the pictures to size.  Using cooper tape and soddering, I framed the pictures, one side is my picture and the other side is Lou's picture. 

For the second piece I used some little pictures that Tammy had in the store. Both pictures represent friendship and friends for life.  I have made it for a special friend of mine, only she doesn't know it yet.

Beachcomber Bracelet

Several weeks ago I took a class for this bracelet.  As you look at it, you will see how the name Beachcomber originated.  I used shells, shell pieces, gold mermaid and dolphin, fishes of different colors and other various beads, to include seed beeds.  It requires the use of both wire and thread and needle.   There was a wide selection of beachy things that I was able to choose from for the beachy embellishments.  It only took me about two hours to make the bracelet.  Of course, this was the second time I made it because originally it was too big for my arm.  I have a hard time getting bracelet sizes just right!  I plan on making another one this weekend using diifferent colors and beads. No two would ever be alike.    

Fun with Freeform Peyote!

Peyote is a wonderful old Indian stitch that you can do lots of things (variations) with.  I took a class this weekend on freeform peyote.  Unlike even count or diaganol peyote, you can do anything with freeform and there is no rights and no wrongs.

I made this bracelet in class.  I used a focal bead with colors of aquamarine, green, goldish, brownish colors.  That opened the door to choosing the colors I wanted the rest of the bracelet to be. One really good thing about freeform peyote is that it gives you an opportunity to use up beads left over from other projects. This one is for my daughter, Wendy.  I hope all of you like it!  I know that I plan to start another one when I get home tonight for myself using different colors!

Fun with metal

I recently took a class in introduction to metal work.  I got to play with FIRE!  It was an awesome experience and I had such great fun.  I made this pendant from a piece of metal.  Using a propane tank (since map gas is being recalled), I heated the piece until it was super red and then was able to manipulate moving it.  I more or less crimped it in the middle.  I then punched various holes into it for deco and other purposes. After that I added a liquid base to the piece and used special dry paint to give it so some colors. After each color was added, the piece was heated again. I used three different colors.  The ending piece has the same texture and quality of glass. I love the piece.  It is just so fun to wear and was fun, fun, fun to make!

Tila Beads Bracelet

Japanese Tila beads are very new to the market.  I took a class last weekend on how to make a bracelet with these two hole beads.  The bracelet was rather easy to put together although I will have to admit that I took it apart and remade it!  The colors I used are black and gold.  Very pretty!

Amber Remake

I made a necklace using these amber stones (fakes) with a pendant.  I never wore it after I made it because I really did not like the stones with the pendant so I took it all apart and remade the necklace using the stones and gold spacers of different shapes and sizes.  The stones are various shades of yellow, gold, white and bronze.  I like it much better now.  I tend to have a liking for things that are bigger and simple these days. And yes, that is a picture of my wonderful husband sitting on the desk behind the necklace! 

Busy Weekend

This was a busy weekend for me with my jewelry making.  I made three very beautiful necklaces using simple stringing with matching earrings.  I also learned a new stitch, the diaganol right angle weave, and am almost through with a bracelet.  I also learned how to make a bracelet using the new Tala beads.  I am not quite finished with the two bracelets and am not posting any pictures at this time.

The first necklace is baby blue.  I used three different beads to make the necklace. The second necklace is a creamy off white with topaz/brownish marking through the beads. I used two types of beads and topaz size 6 seed beads.  This necklace is longer than the ones I normally make and I just love the way it hangs.  The third necklace is made out of white twisted square beads with silver/blackish marking throughout.  I used silver round beads in between the big beads.