Thursday, November 12, 2009

Etsy Weekend Deals

You don't want to miss out on this weekend's Weekend Deals because Etsy Metal is participating!
This weekend only from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15 you can receive 10% off in any of the fantastic shops listed below!

So, how do you get 10% off?

1. Pick a shop (or several) from the lists below, that you want to buy from.
2. Add your items to your cart.
3. When the "Message to Seller" window comes up at time of purchase, write in it: "Weekend Deals."
4. Follow through with your payment.
5. Wait for your 10% refund from PayPal!

That's it! Easy peasy.


(Above from top left)


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(Above from top left)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Etsy Metal Finds

When it begins to get dark earlier and earlier, it always takes me a week or two (or three) to get the hang of it. But one of the benefits of a longer night are the gorgeous stars. It's one of my favorite things to do - to star gaze. Just amazing, really all of those twinkly balls of gas that light up our nights and provide a natural calendar to mark our days. So enjoy these finds, all about
Stars.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 12: "The Getty"

But first, Here are our fabulous "nine" EtsyMetal Team entries
from last weeks'
"Complimentary Look" theme!
Last weeks TV challenge was to …. to create a companion look that compliments and enhances one of their best designs from a previous challenge......So, for our jewelry challenge, you should do exactly the same! Make a "companion piece that compliments and enhances" one of your best designs from a previous season 6 challenge.

For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as shown below)
#1~ Kathryn Riechert “Seascape cuffs”
Companion Look: Seascapes ring/Surfwear Challenge
Kathryn says, “The challenge for last week was to pick one of your favorite previous pieces and create a companion piece to match it.I chose my seascape ring shown here:” I made 3 cuffs, each a little different. The inside of each cuff says, 'imagine...the sand between your toes...the salty, sweet breeze...'The outside of the cuffs has a sandy texture.Cuff one has one seashell on the top.Cuff two has a chrysoprase stone set on the top.Cuff three has two seashells and chalcedony and blue topaz gemstones. See Kathryn’s Flickr here!

#2~ Shannon Conrad “Victorian earrings”
Companion Look: Palm Lined Street necklace/Create a Character Challenge
Shannon says, “These earrings were inspired by the necklace I made for the "Create a Character" challenge. I wanted to make a piece that was an updated version of my Victorian-style necklace. These earrings were hand-cut and fabricated from sterling sheet. They feature fine silver balls, bezel-set garnets, faceted glass dangles and hand-forged earwires.”
Please see Shannon’s Flickr here!


#3~ Nina Gibson “Tall Palm Earrings”
Companion Look: Palm Lined Street necklace/Pick-a-Place Challenge
Nina says, “These Tall Palm Earrings are the companion to last week's Palm Lined Street necklace. These palms are much taller than those in the necklace - they do get super tall, while keeping their skinny trunks - Amazing trees, I think. They don't provide much (if any) shade from the hot sun, but the bushy tips of the trees dot the sky wherever I look.”
Please see Nina’s blog here!


#4~ Victoria Takahashi “Pieces of Earth 2”
Companion Look: Pieces of Earth 1/Pick-a-Place Challenge
When I saw this weeks challenge I was still very excited about last weeks challenge. So I made a feminine version of last weeks more masculine feeling beachstone ring. Since the beginning I have always worked with beachstones and river rocks and the last 2 weeks have given me a refreshing new outlook for my beachstone future. The weekly challenges somehow give me a more spontaneous freedom to make things as well as pushing myself in a new way. I have enjoyed every single one and am grateful for all these exercises.
Please see more of my EMJC-PR challenges here on my Flickr!


#5~ Catherine Chandler “Moonstone Charm Necklace”
Companion Look: necklace/none

#6~ Sara Westermark “Pomegranate on a Long Chain”
Companion Look: Bling earrings/Sparkle Shimmer & Shine Challenge
Sara says, "Sterling Silver and Garnets."
Please see Sara’s Blog!


#7~ Thomasin Durgin “bridal set”
Companion Look: Not your Mothers Pearls/Wedding Theme Challenge
Tomi says, “I chose to work with the bridal wear from episode eight and added two more pearls to the bride's choker, which can be worn with the pendants in any configuration. I also made two simple bridesmaids necklaces, and a pair of matching earrings.”
Please see Tomi’s Flickr here!

#8~ Rachelle Stromberg “ring”
Companion Look: Embrace/Pick-a-Place Challenge
Rachelle says, “sterling silver, white zircon”
Please see Rachelle’s Flickr here!


#9~ Beth Cyr “earrings”
Companion Look: Eclectic Bride/Wedding Challenge
Beth says, “They are fused argentium sterling silver and 14k gold. I like adding a patina to the silver to high light the gold even more.”
To read more please see Beth’s blog here!

We have “one” talented guest designer submission this week!
Jo Hollingsworth "Two Hearts necklace"
Companion Look: Mod Daisy necklace/Create a Character Challenge
Jo says, “I tinkered with a series of Modernist designs, and finally settled for this one - two stylized hearts in sterling silver with a garnet cabochon."
Video Snippet for next weeks 6.12
"Inspiration: The Getty!"

Designers! This weeks TV challenge was to pull inspiration from “The Getty.”
To find something whether it be the beautiful architecture, the rich gardens, the surreal skyline, and don’t forget all the wondrous treasures that are inside as well! So take a good look around the infamous Getty and find something that sings to your soul and make us something fabulous!
“Now Carry On!"
NOTE that this next 6.12 Getty challenge is technically the last challenge.
BUT we will be conducting "Retrospective Interviews" with our team members AND ALSO having a "Final Runway Challenge!"
So please stay tuned!
**guidelines for guest participants:**
Please read this every week as there may be small updates and changes. The pieces you submit must be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Then post your links in this comment area, and cross-post this blog post to your Blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And tag them with "EMJC-PR.” Currently we will post your name with a link and a picture of your piece on our blog. Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon,
Pacific Standard Time.
Thank YOU! We can't wait to see what you will come up with!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Etsy Metal Finds

I always look forward to this time of year. Especially because November is the month of the pomegranate. Every year, when they start appearing in my grocery store, I get them and share them with my family - by either just enjoying their red juicy seeds all by themselves, or putting them in salads and dishes. They're so festive - and so good for you too! I love

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Next Etsy Metal Jewelry Challenge: Project Runway Season 6-Episode 11: "Create a Companion Look"

But first, Here are our fabulous "eight" EtsyMetal Team entries from last weeks'
"Pick-a-Place" theme!
Last weeks TV challenge was to make a piece of jewelry that was inspired by one of Michael Kors favorite places....
For our challenge we asked that you use one of your own personal favorite places for your inspiration. I think this will open our creative doors and the love of making even wider!
For those of you who are just stopping in for a peek, EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we will post the video snippet (see bottom of this post) of the latest PR challenge, then we post all the submissions from the previous weeks challenge. (as shown below)

#1~ Shannon Conrad “The Wine Dark Sea”
Inspiration location: Oregon Coast, USA.
Shannon says, “I chose the Oregon Coast (where I grew up). Flashy Labradorite always reminds me of the stormy sea. I topped the Labradorite with a piece of carnelian because there is nothing like watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Lastly, I added a couple of decorative balls to represent the beautiful rocky coastline. ”
Please see Shannon’s Flickr here!

#2~ Catherine Chandler “necklace”
Inspiration location: “Australia”
Catherine says, "I designed this necklace based on the design aesthetic I was witness to much of the time while I was living in Australia. It was inspiring and greatly affected my own design aesthetic and the way I work. I created this necklace using pieces of scrap silver and wire for the links. I have been wanting to use these pieces of scrap silver for a necklace for a couple years, but could never figure out exactly what to do with them. The necklace has been given a matte finish and hangs beautifully and comfortably on the wearer."
See Catherine’s Flickr here!



#3~ Victoria Takahashi “Pieces of Earth”
Inspiration location: Washington Coast, USA.
I am directly inspired by the Washington Coast. It is a place where I can sit and truly have my mind and all the chatter quiet down. It is my meditation. Whether I am sitting and looking at rocks for days on end or just to randomly curl up and take a nap with the sound of the waves in the background... The fresh air and the salty smells of the ocean...blissss....
Sterling Silver, Beachstones, Oxidized, Fabricated.
Please see more of my EMJC-PR challenges here on my Flickr!




#4~ Delias Thompson “necklace”
Inspiration location: Greece
Delias says, "I chose Greece which happens to be my favorite place in the world. I love how old and new collide and live in harmony. In my piece I mimicked the granulation that you will often find in old world style Greek jewelry a long with a hammered surface to symbolize the more modern influences."
Please see more about Delias here!



Inspiration location:
Inspiration location: Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, USA.
Sara says, "I used concrete to incorporate the small industrial grade garnets that I found.”
Please see Sara’s Blog!

#6~ Rachelle Stromberg "Embrace"
Inspiration location: Ocean City Beach
Please see Rachelle’s Flickr here!

#7~ Nina Gibson “necklace”
Inspiration location: Los Angeles, CA. USA.
Nina says, “The Palm Trees of Southern California serve as my inspiration for my Project Runway Jewelry Challenge. The necklace features a row of palms decorating a slightly curved strip of sterling silver. A 'road' of copper is riveted to the silver along the bottom edge.
Please see Nina’s blog here!
#8~ Thomasin Durgin “bracelet”
Inspiration location: City Park
Tomi says, “I made a bracelet inspired by the old, giant magnolias in the city park where I walk my dogs. This Silver and Copper cuff was pierced, sawn, soldered, riveted, and forged.
Please see Tomi’s Flickr here!
We have “one” inspired guest designer submission this week!
Cory Howard "Glacier Ice"
Cory says, "I was watching a program on TV where these spelunkers climbed down into a crevice in a glacier. It was the most awesome place I had ever seen! Everything was sparkling and translucent and luminous. I have wanted to go to a place like this ever since! It made me think of all the amazing places we have on this planet. Some of which you'd never think about existing but they are there and you can see them and experience them and I think that's amazing!
**guidelines for guest participants:**
Please read this every week as there may be small updates and changes. The pieces you submit must be pieces that are made specifically for the weeks show. Then post your links in this comment area, and cross-post this blog post to your Blog, Flickr, Etsy, etc. And tag them with "EMJC-PR.” Currently we will post your name with a link and a picture of your piece on our blog. Remember, the deadline for submitting your link is always on Fridays, 12 noon, Pacific Standard Time.
Thank YOU! We can't wait to see what you will come up with!
Video Snippet for next weeks 6.11
"Create a Companion Look" challenge!

Designers!
This weeks TV challenge was to create a companion look
that compliments and enhances
one of their best designs from a previous challenge......
So, for our jewelry challenge, you should do exactly the same!
Make a "companion piece that compliments and enhances" one of your best designs from a previous season 6 challenge.
“Now Carry On!"



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Etsy Metal Finds

Who says white is not a good color for winter? I always hope for snow - and white is the color that reminds me of it. I love bright whites, warm whites, creamy whites and every shade in between.
Winter White

Monday, October 26, 2009

Product Review - Firescoff

I recently had a rose gold project that I was really excited about doing, but I was also concerned because I know rose gold can be quite finicky and it tends to change into an ugly color when oxidized. So I branched out and bought a small bottle of Firescoff, since it claimed to protect the color of metals.
After I tried it, I realized it did! My rose gold didn't even need pickling!
What it is: a ceramic flux spray, that replaces flux, firecoat and pickle. It cleans up with just warm water.
To use Firescoff, you just need to heat your piece up slightly (the directions say to around 250 degrees F.) A tip I learned was that you can put a drop of water on your piece and heat it until the water boils off. This means you have the right temperature.
Next, spray a even mist over the entire piece. When you put the fire back on it you will see it bubble up into a white powdery coating. If you can still see the sheen on parts of your metal, you may want to spray again.

As soon as your soldering is finished, you can just clean the rest of the white coating off with water. Voila! No need to pickle, and the rose gold color is still the same as when I started.
Firescoff isn't super cheap for the size that you get, though. So, stick to your regular method for silver and other metals that do fine in a pickle. But for certain projects, it's good to have on hand!
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