Next in the series

Next post is up in the Raising series. :) This series isn't really a jewelry making tutorial, its more some background and terminology and photos of my tools and process, although there will be images of a piece being made, close ups and all that jazz. Its not really a step by step jewelry tutorial.

Go to the post now.

I've already begun the next post which covers the actual hammering, but I need to take photos so people can see how it goes. I know I am a visual learner so I want to offer that for others who are also visual!

TT - Fusing!

Today its all about fusing.



Fused Foxtail Chain

Fusing Jumprings

Fused Heart

Fine Silver Granulation Pt 1
(and Part 2 )

Granulated Earrings

Basic glass fusing

Plastic bag fusing

ENJOY! :)

Try something new and create something NEW!

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Update on my health - I've had some routine bloodwork this morning and will have an MRI of my brain tomorrow morning at 0830. :) I think its all going to be just fine. . . no matter what we find or don't find. Thanks for all the notes, comments, prayers, etc.

I'm a texture girl

From way back. It affects a lot of things - from the food I eat to the clothes I wear, and yes, to the jewelry I make. :) Texture can make or break things for me. I don't like corn tortillas, instead I favor flour ones, because I don't like the texture of corn tortillas.

While I make do make jewelry that is 'smooth' and more sleek - I LOVE texture! Texture can add so much to a piece - character, depth, visual interest. And there are so many ways to GET texture. From expensive rolling mills, to inexpensive options like a nail and hammer.

I surfed back through my blog and pulled some photos of pieces with textures:

This piece was textured by hammering the sterling onto concrete - in the driveway. LOVE the effect. :)

The rolling mill was used to texture the sterling in these earrings. The metal was run through the mill with window screening.

More window screening

This pendant was given texture with a quasi-fold forming technique. The granules also add a layer of texture.

Corrugation was used here to provide texture to the sterling - a nice offset to the smooth copper.

This pendant shows some chasing all around the bezel, on the wire.

More chasing...........this one using a 'professional' chasing tool.

This was done using nails and screws, etc. I did a tutorial showing how to modify nails etc to complete this pendant.

Etching can provide texture either in terms of a 'scene' or just a random pattern.

The two pieces to the left are samples of reticulation. (using heat - torch - to create texture) The earrings have an added layer of texture as holes were drilled and then the metal was run through the mill to elongate the holes.

These final earrings combine reticulation, chasing, and roller mill printing.

These are just some of the things I do with texture. I'm interested in hearing other people's favorite texturing techniques - what do you like to do?

Disappearing Act

It seems my 'home page' or 'index' page has done a disappearing act. And in trying to entice it to come back I have messed up several of my other pages on my website.

ARGGGGGGGGGGH! I have no business trying to create my own website. By myself. Maintaining it I can probably do...but I am no longer really confident that I should be creating it.

I love my webshost - bluehost - they are FABULOUS. But the tools for creating webpages etc aren't as user friendly to me as bravehost was. Maybe its just me. So I am trying to figure out how to get my index page back......it says its there but when I publish I get a blank page. grrr.

Like I need this headache right now.

And just when I have put up my second tutorial which is for a pendant using a telescoping rivet - at least THAT page is working...but thats only if people can find it!

So I REALLY need to get the website fixed.

On to rivets -- The really cool thing with telescoping rivets is how much you can do with them if you have a good imagination.

This is my little 'pagoda' pendant which is in itself very versatile. It can be worn with something straight through or just at one corner so it hangs at an angle.

A cheat sheet on how to create this pagoda will be sent out (at a later date) free to anyone who purchases the above tutorial. Once you know the basics its not that different to build and add more - but there are a few tips on riveting order and whatnot to have successful reproducible and even results, so I am in the process of mocking up a quick sheet on how to do this one.

And then there is this ring - which is ALL cold connected.

Fun huh?

It needs a little work to be a stable piece and if I want to offer it as a tutorial I need to iron out any small glitches. Maybe after the first of the year on this one.

I have also been re-taking photos of some of my pieces as well as taking measurements of them which I need when I go to list them either on my website or in my etsy shop. There is so much more to the selling side than one might think! Or at least than what I thought....ya know, take a few photos, calculate the price - good to go, right? Wrong.

I need to write the desciprtions, complete with measurements and materials etc. I am really hoping to get them done by the end of the week and have a handful of things ready for sale (Finally. It sure has been a long time coming).

Finding the time for all of this is the hard part. With Christmas just around the corner we're starting baking and shopping and wrapping and ohhhh, decorating! We put up decorations this weekend, got the tree up with lights and orbs (as my son calls the balls!!). YAY! So pretty. :)

I guess I should run - need to keep cracking if I want to stay even remotely on schedule. ;-)

~Janice

Second time is NOT a charm

I tried the claw setting from a square wire again - this time sawing diagonally across the square wire. I don't know if it was just me fiddling more with filing and shaping, or if sawing diagonally really changed the structure in a way that made it more difficult to work with somehow (which doesn't seem right) but in any event, the result was less than pleasing and in fact was SO bad that I didn't even take a photo!! (kind of blows my whole "if I'm not happy with it it's just not done" theory right out of the water!)

So maybe the third time will be the charm? I would like to try another but going back to sawing straight across the way John Cogswell presents it in his book - Creative Stone Setting. (FABULOUS book by the way - I can't recommend it highly enough).

On another note, I have another tutorial almost completed. This is a cold connected pendant using a telescoped wire rivet. The neat thing about the pendant is that the bail is integrated into the design and will easily accomodate just about any chain including omegas. :) Stay tuned!

NEW tutorial!

Tube Rivet Tutorial available now !

$5.00

ELECTRONIC VERSION:

This tutorial consists of 6 pages, step by step instructions, photos, areas for your notes, TIP boxes and more !

Upon receipt of payment the tutorial will be emailed to you. The tutorial is formatted in Microsoft Word. If you have ANY trouble opening the tutorial contact me within 24 hours of receipt. I will work with you to provide an alternate method of receipt.

As this is an electronic transfer, no refunds are available - all sales are final. There is no reason you should need a refund as I will work with you aggressively to ensure you receive the tutorial via an alternate method.

If you would like the tutorial snail mailed to you, please use the following button and be sure to include your mailing address. Allow 7-10 business days for delivery. (this option only available in North America.)

SNAIL MAIL VERSION:

$7.50

~Janice

Tuesday Tutorial!

This week the tutorial is more like a snapshot of how to create this ring:



There are pictures in a quasi-step by step manner. Some metalsmithing experience is assumed.

The tutorial may be found here.


As always, if you make something with one of the tutorials, take a picture and send it to me. I'll periodically post pics from everyone!



~Janice
http://www.doxallo.com/

EDIT - tutorial removed, pending edits!

Tutorial Tuesday

I saw this idea somewhere else and thought it was neat AND thought it would benefit others, so I am swiping it!



So for the first Tuesday Tutorial, I'll point to my own tute - its for Tube Rivets:





Tube Rivet Tutorial

The tutorial won't show you how to make these earrings, just how to create rivets with tubing such as the tube rivet holes at the top of these earrings, where the earwires are.

Cehck back next Tuesday for another tutorial!