The State of the Studio Undressed

Hello Middle of the Week,

Wednesday is here and the topic is usually what is new and going on in the Studio / Shop.

As many of you know my computer was misbehaving for the last couple of weeks.  After much time staring and loading screens and clicking the Restart button at the appropriate time, the new OS X is successfully installed and the computer up to date and everything else is ready to roll!  Pleased about that.

Last weekend was Mid-Summer Treasure Valley Flea Market, although not the venue for me, a good time was had by all.  Due to the event the studio is in disarray and in need of a good sorting out and through things.

However, we are also preparing a couple of fun tutorials.  A video, more than likely presented in segments on how to make a simple pair of earrings.  Once you have the basics down, you’ll be making your own pretties in no time.  We will begin with materials, followed by simple and easy to master techniques that are used in all facets of jewelry making, like making a loop at one end of a headpin and how to use jump rings or other attachment methods to complete the earrings.

I thought it might be fun as well to show the new skills I am learning in class, like Cuttle Bone casting.  This is done with inexpensive materials that you can purchase from your local pet and hardware stores.  Neat, huh?

Since I am feeling like the blog is rather stale and we can’t be all business all the time, let us take another departure from work and wander into my backyard once more.

A couple of weeks ago I was pleasantly surprised to find a Tiding of Magpies in my back yard including a fledgling.  The black and white of their feathers has inspired a necklace that I am working on, but I thought it might be fun to share one or more of the photos.  

As not to disturb their refreshments I stood at the back door with the camera lens almost pressed against the glass and set once again at the 13x Zoom.

There were a total of six of them, and although I was unable to catch them all at the same time, each one was individual an unique in their markings.  Here is a most handsome fellow, although they were aware of me, they seemed not to care I was there.

Oops, busted!  This adult caught me taking pictures and chastised me before flying off into the tree further down the backyard.  

The fledgling was the last to take off, and the last one to use the birdbath as well.  It is not uncommon for birds to appear in the yard with the feeder set up, but it is a rarity when these magnificent and beautiful creatures arrive and visit for a while.

This little guy still has some of his “baby” feathers.

Thank you for stopping and having a look, and possibly finding a smile cross your face.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant Wednesday!

In My Studio – Sterling Silver Ring

Happy Thursday,

It’s Studio time again, but when isn’t it around here.

Today I thought I would show a project that I completed as part of the classes I am taking to upgrade and refresh my skills.  It has been a long time since I soldered anything.  For the past couple if days I have been annealing metal and playing with fire.

I had not intended on sharing this particular project, as it was meant as a practice piece, so I did not take progress pictures.  I should probably do that.  Any way, I thought to it would be good to show what is good, and what is not so good about the ring.  It will not be put up for sale, as I do not feel good about listing this anywhere, but it will work as example for now.

Twisted Celtic Knot Style Sterling Silver Ring

Original Design by The Alchemists Vessel

This ring is made of Sterling Silver sizing stock, I think it was meant as a bezel strip, but I liked it and it felt like it would be easy to work with, I believe it was 18 gauge stock.

Rings are made using sheets or strips of metal.  The metal is cut, shaped, hammered, heated, and repeat around the mandrel until you have a circle.  The joint or seam where the ends meet is then soldered.  The metal is cleaned and polished.  Viola!  You have a ring.

Due to heating, and pickling during the process of forming the ring, sometimes not all the fire scale or other agents that are hard to get off the ring will be removed entirely.  In the case of the twisted-braid like design, some areas are difficult to reach, as seen here.  More polishing and / or a Q-Tip is required.

Soldering a ring is not easy, I do not know what I was thinking when I soldered the inside of the ring, over flow spills into the twist pattern of the stock, in an effort to make it smooth, I over polished and wore some the unaffected stock flat.  Oops!  This needs another cleaning as well.  I see spots!

The last photo shows the back of the ring where it has been joined, this is the toughest part about soldering, guessing the correct amount of solder needed to seal the seam.  I used a paste type solder instead of wire type solder.  That was a mistake, as working with the unfamiliar paste type lead to “bad” jewelry finishing.  The problems I encountered with the stock were due to my choice of design.  The rounded edge does not meet flush, and therefore does not create a good joint for the solder to fill.  The stock itself is twisted around itself, making two pieces into one, this also does not work well, as some of the solder has pitted and / or pooled in the spaces of the stock.  Pitting, the holes that you see, can come from over heating the metal, not using enough flux, or simply too much solder, as was the case here I think.  It is possible in my attempt to smooth out the join while polishing that I over polished the spot causing a hole to form in the solder itself.

The only way to correct this is to saw the ring apart, removing the soldered area and sizing the ring smaller, re-soldering the joint (seam) and trying not to make another mess in the process.  This is why they call it practice, and it most definitely makes perfect, in this situation anyway.

Thank you for stopping by and having a read.  In hope this was informative or at least interesting.

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant Thursday.

Studio Time – Class Projects from Jo-Ann Fabrics

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

As many of you know I occasionally have the pleasure of teaching / instructing a class at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics, and also involved in the process of getting my own classes started up as well.

Today I thought we would take a brief look at a Jo-Ann’s Class Project.  All the materials for these were purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics, 1085 Milwaukee, Boise, ID.

Dare To Dangle Earrings

Class Session: 1

2 Hours 

Skill Level: 2

Jo-Ann’s List of Materials:

Stone Chips bead tube – Quartz Mix

24 Gauge Wire

Ear Wires (Hooks)

Jump Rings

I used 

Stone Chips bead tube – Quartz Mix

22 Gauge Wire (Sterling Silver Plated Copper)

Ear Wires (Hooks)

Jump Rings

 FRONT

Stone Chips are threaded on to a length of wire (Sterling Silver Plated Copper in 22 Gauge).  The wire is twisted back on itself to form a loop, adding one Stone Chip at a time, the bead and wire wrap around the base stones to form a cluster.  Simple, pretty and may be done in any color or selection of Stone Chip Beads.  These are genuine Semi-Precious stones and include, Fluorite, Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, and other varieties of quartz.

BACK

This is a super simple and easy project that makes a cute pair of earrings.  I like this project because it is totally “organic” and very primitive in nature.  The Craft-person decides on stones and designs the earrings as they go along, the wire wraps naturally (where it wants to) around the beads dictated by the bead shape, creating and additional element to the design. Class Space for this project and others are still available.   This Saturday, June 9th,  1:00pm – 3:00pm, Jo-Ann Fabrics will be having an “Open House” classes are 50% Off for in-store registration, and completed projects will be on display!

There will also be other projects on display as well as other instructors and Jo-Ann team members are always there to help!

Other Projects Available – August

“Crystal Life Bracelet” – using Swarovski elements

“Pearls of Time Watch” – using Glass Pearls and a Watch Face

“Pearl” Earrings -using wire and a Glass Pearls to match the Watch.

There is one more pair of earrings that classes will be given for as well.  Come on down and check it out.

Thank you for stopping by.  

The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful Wednesday.

5 Great Gift To Give Summer Idea I

Although Summer is not quite here, I thought it would be fun to look at gifts and things to do this summer.

Summer Classes and Camps.  These can be anything from a couple of hours learning how to create jewelry, knit or crochet, paint, draw, to an active Day Camp for kids that may include hiking, swimming, biking, a day at the playground, or the zoo.  Many of these camps not only welcome but encourage patents to join in the activity as well.

Jo-Ann Fabrics has several Summer Camps for kids from Sewing to other fun activities both educational and fun, that are geared especially for little one.  There are also adult classes available.  This Saturday, June 9th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Jo-Ann Fabrics is having an open house. Class sign up is 50% off, come on down and see what they have in-store for you or for your little one this Summer.  My class projects will be on display as well.

Jo-Ann Fabrics (Boise, Idaho)

1085 North Milwaukee Street

Boise, ID 83704

Get directions

Milwaukee Marketplace‎

(208) 323-5373

joann.com‎

I try to inject a little humor into things here is a fun and unique gift for the Accident Prone individual in your life, and someone is bound to wind up with a scraped knee. Fortune Bandages

From Toy Splash

This neat Lizard Pool Lounger.

This is neat for a day at the beach.  

From: Designed by Felisa

 

Sea-Water Octopus Compact Mirror

Description:  This compact mirror is beautiful!!! Fantasy blue sparkles fill the foundation of the front side of the compact. I adorned a lovely Octopus to the top center of the compact mirror. Compact has a combination of a smooth feeling along with perfect texture of the adorned metal Octopus. Perfect match for your accesories!!!!

I used a super sealant with to ensure stability of my design on this compact mirror.   100% designed by Felisa

From: The Alchemists Vessel

Elegant Chainmaille Collar in Silver Plate and Black Czech Glass Beads

Description:15-1/2″ long. Truly elegant, slender, slinky, silky silver and black go with everything! Very feminine. Makes a pretty accent to any outfit. May be worn to the office, on an evening out, and with that little black dress. Would make a great birthday present in any of our birthstone glass bead colors.Silver plated wire is hand coiled, cut, beaded and linked in the European 4-in 1 Chainmaille weave to create this simple and elegant chain.

 

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a pleasant day.

Post 100 Links and Promotions

Good morning,

Friday is here!  I hope all had a good work week and are ready for some fun in the sun for the next couple of days.

Here we are at the 100th Post of the blog.  Amazing.

Thank you all for coming along, reading, commenting and in general helping to make the blog interesting and different.

With the schedule being very full, I had intended to have another jewelry tutorial this month, but my camera is not cooperating, so we’ll have to wait until I return from California to get that going.

We will be making a pair of earrings!  Pliers, beads, a couple of head pins and some ear wires are all you will need to follow along!  You may also wish to have some jump rings on hand for this as well.

Today, I share a link for The Muddfip Photographer, my friend Shelly Moody will be a featured artist in the near future.  Shelly takes some incredible photos, the link will take you to the facebook page.  I’m not saying too much right now as I want to save the good stuff for her feature!

The Alchemists Vessel has a new look on Facebook and Etsy.

Thanks to Harrison Richards of HRthinkstorm on Etsy, for the new Cover Photo and Banner for the shop.  Harrison has some great products at affordable prices to help you get your on-line or brick and mortar store up, running and noticed.

On an interesting and news worthy note.  Facebook’s Stock goes public today, about 11:00 a.m. EST.  $38.00 a share, those that hold shares now stand to make a nice little profit for themselves.

Don’t forget Jo-Ann Fabrics is still taking students and my classes are wide open, June will be copper chain and stone chip earrings and a very pretty Swarovski Crystal “Life Bracelet” from the in-store Brochure, pick one up and register for class today.  Bring a friend, learn a new skill, meet some new folks, and harass the teacher!  What a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  The Alchemists Vessel would like to wish you a wonderful day and a most pleasant and relaxing weekend.

NOTE:  There will be no blog posts next week, I will be out of town and my friend, Terry, (she did the blog last time I was out) is unavailable this time.

In My Studio – Beginning Jewelry Classes

Hello,

As many of you may be aware, I was offered a Contracted Instructor position at a local Craft Supply store here in lovely Boise, Idaho.  After much thought, weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and the offer, I have decided that it would be in my best interest to not participate in the program.

However, a little enamored with the idea of teaching in a social atmosphere, I have decided to start up my own class.  The complete and solid details have yet to be worked out and right now I am putting feelers out to see if there is any interest in a Beginning Jewelry class.  If response and class / lesson plans go well, or some people would like to continue past the basics, Intermediate and Advanced classes will be offered.  If you’re interested in private lessons those may be taught as well.  I hope to schedule the first class for sometime in June.

Open to the public and all who wish to attend.  Before everybody get’s excited, these classes will not be free.  You will be expected to provide your own tools, materials and a fee will be charged to include class time, forgotten materials (provided from stock on hand), and of course classroom space.  A list of all the materials, where to buy them and their cost will be provided along with printed instructions and a completed projects to take home when class is over.

Beginning Jewelry or Jewelry Basics will cover the very basics, a sample of class instruction may include and will not be limited to:

What is a finding?

– head pin

– eye pin (difference in pins and their uses)

– jump rings (aka O-rings)

– Clasps (spring, Lobster Claw, “S”)

Ear wires (styles and variations) 

Gemstones, Crystals and Glass beads (Birthstones and alternatives)

Opening and Closing Jump rings properly

Using a head / eye pin

Wire vs. Beading Wire or “Tiger Tail”

Wire Wrapping (We may have a special guest to demonstrate another process / form of wire-wrapping)

Threading or Stringing beads

Metals and their composition (Copper, Bronze, Nickel, Sterling)

Design Elements (Fibonacci Numbers, Focal Points, Accent Beads and Caps)

A completed pair of earrings or project made by you to take home and wear!

There are also other projects that may be offered, such as a Seed bead Flower-chains, a simple charm or crystal bracelet or an easy to string beaded necklace (lanyard for your glasses).

Techniques taught will cover a wide range of how to’s and don’t do’s along with basic finishing touches.  No special equipment is necessary, I bet most of you have at least several pairs of pliers at home, those will work great!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  If you are interested in the class you may leave a comment, e-mail, or phone, details will be given at a later date.