Riveting Show & Tell

A couple of weeks ago I splurged and ordered this set from Interweave.  I was lucky enough to see a FB post reminding me that the Interweave Store was offering a limited 40% off sale.  Wow, I thought that was too good to pass up.

My physical haul from the kit...plus my earrings!

 The kit arrived and included everything you see here...the first obvious perk is a wonderful little Fretz riveting hammer.  I have to admit, this is my 1st Fretz and it is so sweet!  It also included the DVD by Tracy Stanley, Making Jewelry with Metal Tubing, a Bead Smith punch and riveting tool, 2 packages of hollow rivets to use with the tool and a variety of Vintaj blanks to play with.

Earrings made from Vintaj blanks and brass stampings...riveted with sterling.

The kit also included 3 digital products, Making 3 Perfect Rivets and Riveted Earring Project, both by Tracy Stanley, and Bodacious Copper Bangle Project by Kim St. Jean.

Now, I have done rivets before, but am by no means a pro at it.  Tracy made it look so easy and was really engaging in the videos.  I had to put it all on hold until I got back from my beach vacation, but this week I played a bit.  The above earrings are Vintaj blanks from the kit, raw brass stampings I had on hand that I riveted with sterling wire following Tracy's instructions.  The Fretz hammer worked like a dream and I think made all the difference.  These are still a bit rough!

Next, after watching the Tubing DVD, I decided to try a bracelet, but didn't want the dangles, so I opted to streamline and make a bracelet bar with chain.  I had 1/4 inch copper tubing on hand, so that is what I used.

My 1st riveted bracelet!

 I flattened the tubing and textured it as in the instructions.  I opted to shape the ends, rather than folding over, as Tracy did in the DVD.  I was going to create the chain with my own links, but when I found this big copper rolo chain, I opted to use it instead, just adding my own sterling connector links and clasp.

Wow, the Fretz hammer even makes a great prop!!!

 I didn't want this novice piece to be blingy...I knew it would be staying with me, and I don't really do bling!  Mixed metals?  Yes, please :)  I decided to add 3 of my white copper metal clay components,,,2 flowers and a heart.  As you can see, they are askew, but Tracy says in the DVD, "you meant to do that"!

How it hangs on my wrist...don't like the big jump rings at the sides....must. fix. 

I have to admit, these wire rivets were harder to do than I remembered from ages ago.  A couple of things I would take away from the DVD and Tracy's other video...make sure your hole punch and wire match!  The wire should barely fit in the hole!  I made a few mistakes and am not showing the back side because of that!

I didn't use the punch/rivet setter yet...I wanted to on the brass earrings I showed earlier, but rivets in the kit were not long enough.  Tracy also suggests using brass escutcheon pins/nails for taller stacks, but I didn't have any in  my stash.

I lucked out and got a great discount on this set.  I think right now it is marked down to half price, but the DVD alone is a great resource.  Now, I am off to practice!

***Disclaimer...this is just my 2 cents on this kit!***

A New Toy and Adventure!

Remember a couple of weeks ago, I experimented with some PMC3?  I shared with you that working with metal clay had been a big "want to do" on my art bucket list!  I had fun playing and really liked the outcome, but I will be honest with you,  the price of the silver clay and the limitations were a huge drawback.  I didn't want to admit it at the time, but after looking at the 2 little pairs of charms, plus the very small amount of raw clay I had left out of a 16g package, I realized that if I was going to go further with this dream, I had to rethink some things.

After a lot of research, discussions with my sweet hubby, advice from my awesome, talented, knowledgeable, patient and giving teammates here at AJE, I decided to purchase a kiln!  Yes! Jumping up and down, clapping hands!

Here she is!  A Paragon Caldera...perfect for metal clay, ceramics, glass fusing, and more!

The consensus in the group was that this kiln would be the versatile tool for someone like me who is still testing the waters.  While I think it will predominantly be for metal clay, I would be able to dabble in ceramics or glass.  I will probably eventually purchase the enameling collar which will enable me to play with cloisonne, and other kiln-fired enameling!

I jumped right in and bought some 3 types of metal clay...Copper, White Copper and Bronze.  I found out later that I should have probably opted for FastFire Bronze, but that will have to be another day!  After reading all the firing instructions, I decided that the copper was the most straightforward so chose to work with that first.  I'm glad I played with the PMC3 before...this was similar, but not quite as finicky, and since I was able to afford much more of it, I wasn't so scared to mess up.

I was happy to see that a lot of the tools and texturing materials I had been collecting for my polymer clay worked perfectly with the metal clay as well! I have a running list of things that I know I will be going back and getting.

My 1st batch...they haven't dried yet.

So, I get some pieces made, drying, getting ready for cleanup and think I am ready for my 1st firing! Excitedly, I post to my team and they are all.."whoa, hold your horses, have you done a test run?"  I found out that I needed to run the kiln empty to make sure it worked.  Okay, I can still get these done, just a lot later!

After a successful test, and cleanup of my dried pieces, I loaded my new kiln for the first time.  By this time it was late, so I set my alarm to get up and check on it several times!  This morning, I opened it and found my treasure!  It was a bit sad to see my shiny new firing pan was now black and ugly, but I knew that was going to happen.  I found a slotted spoon and started sifting for the buried treasure!

Another thing I knew would happen, but maybe not quite so much was how much shrinkage happened.  The little squares and circles came out really tiny!  I need to remember to compensate for that more in the future!

My pieces right out of the charcoal, before cleanup!

Here they are, cleaned up with a brass brush.

Aren't they pretty?!  Next step is to patina and make them into something!  All in all, for a first try, I think this was a success!  I think one of the hard things will be to work at finding my own style with this..I mean, there are such talented metal clay artists out there...some of the best right here at AJE...Kristi, Karen, and Lesley! Thanks to them for the inspiration and sharing of knowledge!

Stay tuned!

Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love.

The Glass Addictions Science Lab

One part mystical (I literally dreamed about trying this technique one night and had to run to the studio the next day to see if it would work).

One part science (have to use the correct glass type or the beads will fall apart. It is NOT the type I usually use. )

One part math (some problem solving had to happen).

One part freaking out (Bead Fest is in a MONTH!!! Why am I experimenting when I have a table to fill?!?!)

Want to see what I've been working on? Warning...all photos have been quick iPhone pics...which vary  in quality and clarity. All beads are still attached to the mandrels in the photos, which are not the most flattering.

This is the very first bead I tried. I liked the idea, but I'm not real fond of this bead.

Here is an "in progress" photo using the same technique that I shared on my Glass Addictions Facebook page

In this group shot, the one I show above that looks kind of orange-y is actually the green one in the center:

Again, here is an "in progress" shot that I take while sitting at the torch before putting it in the kiln. Front side:

 

 Back side:

 

Here I am goofing around trying to take a self portrait while I work in the official Glass Addictions science lab. Yes, I always look grumpy when I torch even though I love what I do...

What do you think of my experiments? I would love some feedback!

-Jen Cameron

Glass Addictions

Freeform Friday: Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego. Ofrenda altar, paper mache calavera, ceramic Muertos figurine, papel picado. (Images - Jenny Davies-Reazor)

I have always been drawn to the Dia de Los Muertos. I have lived in a city where it is celebrated exuberantly; I have taught it as an art/culture project. At this time of year, I set up altars in my home to remember the loved ones that are no longer with me... I think acknowledging death is healthy - as this holiday strives to recognize death as a part of life - to be respected, honored, but not avoided or made taboo. In Mexico and many other locations near and far, families gather. Graves are weeded and decorated. Altars arranged with photos and favorite foods of the departed. And through stories, jokes, symbols and memories - the departed are with the living once again. 

Sugar skulls are an iconic item created, decorated, gifted, and offered at this time of year. Traditionally covered in colorful patterns of icing, colored foils, and even rhinestones - they can get extremely elaborate! Skulls, or calaveras such as these pictured here were my inspiration this week. 

Sugar skulls. 

The original sculpting...

The first batch I created was in porcelain... and I have impressed designs and patterns into the clay. Loops are also embedded for stringing, etc. I have not applied the clear glaze and fired them for the second glaze firing yet...

The second batch (shown below) is polymer. I wanted to build patterns up - which I can do with porcelain of course... but I wanted to stick things in! That inherent difference between the clays has piqued my renewed interest in polymer of late.

Floral and impressed designs

A plethora of pretties. Glass beads and gems embedded in polymer. 

I regret to say there is no completed reveal as of yet. Dia de los Muertos isn't until November 1st! I have a little time. But if you feel the need to shop for sugar skull inspired pretties - let me tempt your palette with these sweet offerings from fellow artist/jewelers/component makers: 

Shopping for sugar skulls: Gaea beads, Joan Miller porcelain, Green Girl Studios, Earthenwood Studio. 

I hope you have enjoyed this festive, colorful post. Were you familiar with the Day of the Dead? Enjoy the season as leaves turn and the air feels crisp... and I leave you with one more stunning beauty...

Ceramic "Catrina" Calavera. Image: Linda Landig

These dazzling detailed sculptures depict a female skeleton known as "Catrina" named after the famous zinc etching by Jose Posada in 1910.

"La Calavera Catrina" print by Jose Posada.