I have been slacking in the TT department. Life has seriously gotten in the way of my personal plans here lately! Hopefully we're back on a schedule now and the tutes will be posted each Tuesday. :)

Today I have several tutorials to help us get organized in the studio!

First up, a file organizer:

File for Files
This system keeps your files organized, handy, and in good working order!

Storage for Flex Shaft Tools

This is named a "zaggat" which really means pyramid!
I have a few others you will have to check back for as I can't pull up the urls right now. In the meantime, browse the 'bench exchange' on Ganoksin to see studios of jewelers around the world!

Speaking of benches - Ganoksin also offers an articke with instructions on building your own basic bench.

And another find is a template for layout of a studio to get you thinking. STUDIO TEMPLATE

Next week, the tutorial will be for telescoping rivets - such as this:






~Janice

Tension translated

Things at home continue to be very very stressful and I haven't been getting much sleep and thus haven't had any real energy to be creative. I still have a commissioned ring, sitting unfinished which I really need to complete. However, I can't begin to think of working on something for a customer when I may end up smashing it to pieces in frustration just because I'm so tense.

I tend to work harshly when I'm stressed.

But I felt I needed to make something, so I pulled out some huge round wire, grabbed a stone, and had an idea for a ring. The result - nothing like I had envisioned (again, good reason not to work on customer piece) - but not to shabby all the same.

This is a faceted garnet with a flared tube setting and a heavily hammered (tortured) ring shank.

~Janice

Post smash-up earrings

These are the new earrings - not the smashed ones! :)

I was working on a pair of earrings last week that just weren't going well - I ended up stressing them and one broke and then I got frustrated and cut up the other one, pretty well smashed them up. Kind of felt good - a release of tension that I think I really needed.


(click to enlarge)



So the next night I started a new pair of earrings, new concept - and the result is a very pleasing, albeit very LONG pair of earrings. These are sterling and sapphire (yellow and blue) with handcrafted posts. They are 3" long.


I REALLY like the way these turned out and I hope to make some variations of these - I just need to purchase a few more (ok, a LOT more) tiny stones!

~Janice

Synchroblog test & sign up!

The Jewelry Artists Network Synchroblog is about to begin!

What is a Synchroblog?

A synchroblog is a way to connect bloggers who choose to blog on the same topic at about the same time each month. It is a great way to see different perspectives and opinions and also see how different topics can be approached. Some possible topics related to jewelry that have been suggested are:

• Creativity (creative block, fostering creativity)


• Learning Processes/Paths


• Marketing


• Customer Service


• Art Jewelry, where is the line? (is there a line?)


• Mentors, Heroes


• Networking (pros, cons, internet, in person..)


• Color theory & balance


• Finishing a piece - how do you know when its done?

(feel free to suggest topics in the comments here!)

With that in mind, I am testing various tools to show links with ease. First up is an automatic link creater. Lets see if this test works. The link generator looks like its working fine, so we'll plan on using that for now!

If you would like to participate in the JAN Synchroblog, let me know by using the form below.

Sorry I missed last week. Its been really hectic around my house.


Today I wanted to share a tutorial from my friend Chad Parker. Chad teaches classes in Colorado, if you're in that area - check him out!

Basket Setting by Chad

A basket setting can be added to a ring

or a pendant or earrings

Its very versatile, use your imagination and see how you can incorporate this into your work.

Have fun and show us what you made by posting on the forum!

~Janice