Charm Swap 8 - week 20

I can't believe there are only about 6 weeks left until all the charms are due in! This week we have progress reports from Marcus Marguillier from The Pearl Forest. He says all of his copper "wing parts" are cut.

He also says...."Further more: I fitted together the wing parts. The pearls are not yet attached, but each wing is filed to fit its pearl (each pearl is a bit different in size) perfectly. So every wing-part has its own pearl now."

"Next I need to solder the wings together, file them to shape, clean them. Than solder on the pins to hold the pearls. I also need to cut the Sterling caps and assemble the whole thing. The patine comes last. If all goes well, I will be done by the end of next week."....way to go Marcus! He looks like he will be way ahead of schedule if all goes as planned! Which is awesome seeing since his charms will be shipping from Spain.

We also have a progress report from Norsola Johnson of Norsola. She had sketched out her design...

made her first prototype....

started cutting her plexi for her charms....

and now has a bunch of pieces that need to be put together!

They remind me of snow flakes especially with the frosted plexi on top. Very "cool " idea! :)

Until next time!~Michele Grady from MicheleGradyDesigns

How Do You Hold Your Flex Shaft?

A little while ago, some of the team members started discussing how and why we hold the flex shaft (or micromotor) the way we do.  It was interesting to see the various ways.

Inbar Bareket:  Two ways I am holding my micromotor when drilling. I show the way I support for being stable.
I prefer holding the micromotor this way. my little finger against the bench pin for support and my middle finger on the base of the drill feeling the movement....

This is the other way Inbar holds her micromotor.

Nina Gibson:  This is how I typically hold the flex when drilling. I don't remember being told to do it any particular way in school. I punch a point in the spot where the hole goes into the metal so the bit doesn't skitter around and anchor my wrist and go. It looks a little crooked in the photo, but the hole had already been drilled, just taking the picture with my elbow. I normally hold the drill bit perpendicular to the metal.

And here's how Elizabeth at esjewelry holds it.

Deborah at e5jewelry:  I haven't been taught how to use a flexshaft, or drill-I just do what make sense to me... I drill right into the table-it's wood, so it works. :) I use a punch first, then use bur life on the drill (keeps the heat down and moves through the metal better I feel) and go for it..and this is how I hold it.

Karla Wheeler:  This is how I hold the flex shaft for drilling, (its different grip for sanding and grinding) I get stability with the heel of my hand, and I get good grip on the piece with my left hand. I switch hands if I am doing a lot of drilling and my hand gets tired or I need to see things from a different angle.

Su @ Quercus Silver:  I use a kind of reverse pencil grip and try and stay relaxed when I drill. It gives me good visibility and control.

Betsy Bensen holds it like this.

Theresa @ TK Metal Arts:  I first make a divot on the target spot with a center punch.  Then, making sure my wrist is supported on something solid, I come down as straight as I can.

Do you hold your flex shaft or micromotor like any of us?  Or you have other favorite ways?  Tell us about them in the comments below.

"On Creativity" with Rebecca of Adobe Sol Designs

In our blog series "On Creativity" each week we will feature one of our members and their perspectives on keeping their creativity alive. 

This week we are talking to Rebecca Bogan of Adobe Sol Designs

What inspires you?
Nothing romantic here... I am inspired by everything that I come into contact with. Often times the materials that I am working with inspire certain designs. Each stone, metal or bead tells a different story!

How does your design process work/How do you come up with new ideas?
Once an idea starts to percolate in my mind I either sketch it, jot it down on the nearest napkin or just go ahead and start working on it. Sometimes I just put an idea in the back of my mind and it will surface at a later time.

How do you stay motivated?
Generally I stay motivated by keeping my body, mind and spirit healthy. My best creativity happens when I am feeling really good. A good diet and plenty of gruelling exercise help!

Do you ever find yourself in a creative rut? If so how do you get out of it?
Oh yes. When I get into a creative rut I know it is time to take a small break and evaluate what is not quite right in my world. Usually a good mountain bike ride, spending time with family and good friends will get me back into my groove.

Do you make other things besides jewelry?
For a while I got into making quilts. I love the feel of the fabric and the colors available to play with. I made a few really nice quilts but found that it is not really my "Thing". 

"What's New" - this week in our shops

1. Ice Queen Necklace with Blue Lace Agate Druzy  by Nina Gibson Designs
2. Saucers Groovy Medium Sterling Pendant  by panicmama
3. Heavy Faceted Quartz Ring Sterling silver  by Adobe Sol
4. Three Tier Lace Circle Earrings - Sterling Silver  by Elizabeth Scott Designs
5. Black Nicotiana Earrings  by Cynthia Del Giudice
6. Mr. smiley skull head with daisies- one of a kind by Twigs and Heather
7. meadow pendant - prehnite, green amber, sterling silver, hallmark by NR jewellery design
8. Silver and Resin Drop Earrings in Coral Orange, Fragment by Quercus Silver
9. Green Sapphire Necklace with White Topazes, and Fine Silver- Snow Globe  by L. Sue Szabo
10. Sterling Silver Knots Ring. Rustic Knotty. Kinetic  by aroluna
11. Ying Yang paisley brass hoop earrings  by Cosmos Moon
12. Black Widow Pendant - Hand Cast in Sterling Silver  by rubygirl
13. Victorian Ribbon Copper Hoop Earrings  by 2Roses
14. Sterling silver stacking rings - set of four  by Hartley Studio
15. Rose Cut Labradorite and Peridot Sea Anemone Necklace in Sterling Silver by Shirlee Grund
16. Rough Cut Geometry Square Necklace in Sterling Silver by Lichen And Lychee
17. rather be SAILING silver pendant by Simply Mega
18. Green Blue Labradorite Sterling Silver Ergo Ring size 7.5 by nodeform

Be here again next Saturday :-)

Project Runway: Season 9: Episode 2 -"My Pet Project"

This weeks challenge:
Episode 2: "My Pet Project"
Air: 8.11.11
My Lifetime, Thursdays, 9pm PST.

The Project Runway Challenge:
In this episode, the challenge was to create an outfit using pet store supplies. They were allowed to use muslin as well, but were encouraged not to.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:

Yup, you guessed it. The EM challenge is to make a piece of jewelry using pet store supplies! Try to limit your time in the pet store to 30 minutes. You may use some metal in the piece but try to use as little as possible. Make it work!

Sarah Brevis

I used my cat's purple hairbrush!

Sterling silver scrap for the top of the settings, bezel and chain.

Sara Westermark

Betsy Benson

"scented" dog poop bags (believe me, you don't want these things anywhere near your nose...) and cat toys create the perfect accessory to that fancy tutu you've got stashed away in the back of your closet.

Laney

Simple. Simple. SIMPLE this week

Rebecca Bogan

My little model sports a blue and red dress made of bird toy blocks. Her hairstyle is made with a donation from my dog's horse-toy. The lovely black belt is donated by our horse (his tail). Her modest necklace is made from a piece of leather. And, of course, the steel shine of her limbs is made with horseshoe nails.

Nina Dinoff

once again i had a great idea that was a disaster! i am totally that person who changes the design at the last minute. ha! luckily i bought extra things...

This necklace is made from plastic aquatic plants and aquarium tubing. It has a functional clasp.

Inbar Bareket

Hoops earrings - Sterling Silver and Dog bones for teeth cleanning.

Twigs and Heather: Kerry Alice

Made with doggie and birdy toys. Total cost $7.

Twigs and Heather: Heather

A belt buckle Made from birdy toys and paper made for aquariums.

Renee/Panic Mama

Missed last week, so glad I was able to participate in this weeks challenge. What fun! I was a little disappointed that the rubber tore over night where I had pushed the bezels through the spikes... I have posted more photos on flickr if you prefer a different picture. Thanks!!

Michele Grady

earrings made from cat toy replacement feathers...

Irene @ AroLuna

2 pieces made with aquarium plants:

Mark Kaplan

i too was intrigued by these little bunches of willow branches...

hers were sold for cats; at petco they had pics of rabbits and hamsters on the label...

the guy in line behind me couldn't believe that i was paying $5.50 for what he called "a handful of sticks"...

Clare Stoker

I wanted to create a toggle with the dancer and thread the plastic tube over the wire. I now understand "spring hard". That stuff was a bitch to work with. The only non- pet supply part is binding wire which I used to attach the feather and plastic tube to the cat dancer wire.

Su Trindle

Here's mine- not for the squeamish, maybe. It's a Cat's Trophy Brooch. modelled by my eldest.

The mice were from my local pet shop, it's tiny and run by a very old couple who always bribe my dog to return.

Erin Austin

small animal chew treats, sterling silver, silk

Ashley Akers

Evelyn Markasky

Neckpiece with matching earrings!

Elizabeth Scott

I wanted to make feather earrings and couldn't. How hard is it to make feather earrings? (Roll-printed sterling silver)

Alisa Miller

Bird Toy Necklace

E. Andrea Shiman

I have an 11 year old Senegal Parrot. This means that I have an enormous box filled with 11 years' worth of rejected and half-eaten toys. So many to choose from. I picked some acrylic toys and made a ring. I think this is the first ring I've made without any metal in it!

Victoria Takahashi

"This week I really wanted to use a comfortable material I would normally use like a "dog chew bone" but I wanted to use this as an opportunity to challenge myself and make something with new materials and also out of my normal genre. So I used one of Winters' stuffies and made some nippley pasties OR they can be used as mini Shriner hats!? They are constructed of Coconut Milk can tops, and the deebldorfs off of his giraffe toy."

Mike and Mary: Rachelle

Mike and Mary: Mike

Kristen Denbow

I was going to use wee wee pads (like all the contestants on the show!)but I had to go with the aquarium background and purple plastic plants.

And a guest submission:

MuSaLuNeRa
After a dozen of broken saw blades, a bleeding nail cut and soldering and finishing issues…here is the finished piece!

Next weeks challenge:

The Project Runway Challenge:
The designers were asked to design a piece for a model on stilts for the first ever outdoor runway show.

For our EtsyMetal Translation:
Since this challenge was all about going over the top, this week make it BIG, over the top, larger and crazier than you would normally do, but still trying to keep it wearable and fashionable. Should be a fun one!

"On Creativity" with Konstanze of Nodeform

In our blog series "On Creativity" each week we will feature one of our members and their perspectives on keeping their creativity alive. 

This week we are talking to Konstanze of Nodeform


What inspires you?
Everything from twigs and seeds, I pick up on my walks with my dogs, to visual stimulation by images, artwork, movies, music and architecture.

How does your design process work/How do you come up with new ideas?
I never sketch anything. I develop a vague idea in my head. Then I just start with a block of wax and carve away. Sometimes the original idea evolves in something different during the carving process, which is always fascinating. I buy a lot of unique gemstones and use those as a starting point for a new design. Each of them demands their own form and shape around them.

How do you stay motivated?
Positive feedback from peers, friends and customers keeps me energized to always try new things. Seeing my business grow steadily helps a lot.

Do you ever find yourself in a creative rut? If so how do you get out of it?
Not often, I always have so many ideas in my head and never enough time to try them out. The hardest part for me is staying focused on finishing orders of older designs. I have to force myself to wrap them up first before I can get back to whatever new thing sits on my bench.

Do you make other things besides jewelry?
I still work as an architect being involved in large-scale commercial projects. If time permits I try to do home improvement projects around the house. I also love gardening and cooking. 

New Member Profile - Panicmama and NRJewellerydesign

Howdy! I'm back again this week to introduce two new Etsymetal members to you. Panicmama and NRJewellerydesign both joined us at this last jury in June and we are so happy to have them both!

First up is Renee from Panicmama. Here is some of Renee's beautiful work:








Ever since my first metalsmithing class in college, I have been making jewelry. I feel very fortunate to be still making jewelry after 20 years. I continually explore new techniques, styles & methods of creating. I enjoy the process of creating the jewelry as much as the end result. Many of my designs focus on semi translucent & opaque gemstones like agates & jaspers. Their rich visual textures capture my attention.

Every piece i make begins on a 150 pound anvil that has been in my family for over a century. My love of tools, specifically hammers, is almost always evident in each piece I fabricate. The evidence a hammer blow makes against my anvil leaves a trail that indicates how I have manipulated the metal at my will into becoming a new shape. I choose to leave this trail as to bring the viewer into the process of creation.

Focusing on process leads to new ideas & a way to keep my work fresh. Keeping my eyes open & my sketch book near, I hope to capture that idea & translate it into a treasure for generations to cherish.

Next is Nikki of NRJewellerydesign. Here are three pieces very representative of Nikki's style:



And here is a little about Nikki:

I love making things... Whilst neither of my parents are artistic they have always encouraged me whole heartedly. When I was little, I tried everything; at one point I had a potters wheel, a loom and a sewing machine. At school I sold handmade friendship bracelets made from coloured cotton and wooden beads for 50p!

I have always loved jewellery and been particularly drawn to metal and gemstone pieces but never considered working with metal. I didn’t realise it was something that “normal” people could do so I never thought about it. Then one day, just over a couple of years ago, a friend said she was doing a silver jewellery course at the local college (it was a rubbish course apparently but I didn’t listen to that part!). I was so surprised that I could learn to do something so amazing! From that point on I desperately wanted to learn. I did some research and found a little studio in the next county that did two day courses. I signed myself up straight away; I made a ring and a pendant and was hooked from the moment I picked up my first saw. As soon as I got home I started ordering tools.

I am self taught. My jewellery is chunky and industrial but also feminine. I mostly use sterling silver but have recently started working with copper which has a lovely warmth to it. I love the colour and individuality that gemstones add, and often pieces are designed around a particular stone. When I am feeling inspired I sit down with my box of gemstones, a pencil and my sketch pad. I have so many designs it takes me a while to decide which ones to make! I normally add a brushed patina to my pieces; it really makes the stones stand out and gives beautiful dimension. I love making jewellery; each and every item has made me happy and I hope this is passed on to whoever wears it.

Thanks to both Renee and Nikki for being such great new members on our team! I'll be back next week with more introductions.