New Tutorial!

I have just finished a new metalsmithing tutorial - this one for creating a scenic pendant by stamping using tools that we modify from household items. (mostly household stuff anyway - nails, brads, srews, a phillips head screwdriver) For those who want to branch out from wire or beading, this is a great way to start. Its inexpensive, no special tools needed, quick, and endlessly new because you modify your own tools as you go! Designs are fresh and you are only limited by your own imagination.

Here is the pendant used in the tutorial project:

This is on copper with sterling jumprings.

Here are two other pendants done with the same sort of technique - one a scenice pendant and the other uses one 'stamp' which was repeated over and over for a great eye catching texture!

If you are interested in purchasing this tutorial, please see the info below.

This tutorial shows how to use inexpensive ‘tools’, by modifying items found mostly in your own home, to stamp patterns onto metal to create a scenic pendant similar to the one above. Your imagination will ultimately determine what your pendant looks like!

There are 34 steps, 48 photos, and various tips inserted throughout 15 pages.

Materials:24 gauge (or thicker) sheet metal, jump rings (optional)

The tutorial will be delivered via email, to the address used in your payment, as a pdf file. You must be able to open and view a pdf file. If needed, you can download adobe acrobat reader free at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

As this is an electronic transfer of goods, all sales are final once the file has been transmitted. As with all of my tutorials, I am available for questions at any time after purchase. I want you to be successful! Click photo below to purchase. :)

The 2007 East Coast Jewelry Artists Retreat!

The 2007 East Coast Jewelry Artists Retreat went off with flying colors! Everyone had a great time and we all learned a LOT of new things!

I did my first hinged piece (and my first real pierce/sawing work)! Fabricated from sterling sheet, sterling tubing, bezel wire, MOP, and a rhodocrosite....hit some bumps on the way but end result is workable!






I also did some more fold forming! This is a score and fold copper piece with sterling and rutilated quartz.








here is a pic Wendy took in her cube.....the sterling piece isn't set yet and the chain (Jen's Pind) isn't finished...but there is my FIRST try at repousse'! Its done without a sketch or pattern, I was just trying to get the feel for the pitch and the chasing tools. Kind of looks like two catepillars though, doesn't it?





I can't wait to do this again next year!! 2008 East Coast Jewelry Artists Retreat - here I come!

More fold forming - copper pendant

I love this technique - its just a lot of fun for some reason....


This is copper and pearls:



And the bail:

Fold forming finish -

I finished two pieces last night...they have such a great organic feel to them, I LOVE them! (though I know they're not for everyone!)

The first is the one I showed the other day - it turned into a pendant with a peridot and a tube bail added:

the second is a pin: copper, sterling, CZ

I look forward to playing with this more!