Since yesterday's post was received with such enthusiasm, I braved my studio despite my sickly state to get some photos for all you patient, supportive ladies who stick by me even though I provide so little content on this here blog.... Ahem!
Here's some over-the-top girly bling for ya ^^^.
I realized I could use more than plain ol' text on these cuffs. This one sports an antique match box label.
A weird pendant by potterygirl, who by the way has a new blog. And this post features my earrings which feature her beads.....
This is a piece of a telescope. Here you can see the layering effect of the 24k gold over the faux gold. You can see that on the cuff above, too.
Here, a piece of Uruguayan amethyst druzy gets a gold edge. These tend to go up in value when they are framed by gold or silver. The process is done by dipping (I think), but I'm the queen of cheats! Or 'workarounds' as readbetween would so elegantly say.
Two rustic ceramic bezels by Jewel Identity that I spiced up w/more foil layers... Tho you really can't tell it's layers here.
I believe these are done. I'm pleased with the bar going across there. How did I make that bar you ask? I'll tell you...
1. I cut short bits of thick brass wire and hammered one side. 2. I threaded them through the hole I'd spent an hour drilling on these teeny things. 3. Then, I used a metal design punch- like the letter ones you hammer into sheet metal? But I turned it around so I was hammering straight into the design. The other end, I placed on the unhammered copper wire. This way, it's just like hammering without the threat of smashing the lightbulb.Actually, unlike what this lovely illustration shows, I put the bit of wire I was hammering on my bench block/anvil/hammeringplace and let the bulb itself hang off the edge, so the wire would be flat against the bench block surface. It slipped off a couple times.
Anyways, you can use this trick to hammer anything near a delicate bit or to get into a small space the hammer can't reach.
Also, you only need one metal punch, so you can buy whatever you find for cheap, and not a whole alphabet.
Bits....
What else? Oh, this piece wasn't selling so I decided the focal needed text.
I dunno about this one above. Suggestions? Ideas?
And these might need foiling and text:
I realized I could use more than plain ol' text on these cuffs. This one sports an antique match box label.
A weird pendant by potterygirl, who by the way has a new blog. And this post features my earrings which feature her beads.....
This is a piece of a telescope. Here you can see the layering effect of the 24k gold over the faux gold. You can see that on the cuff above, too.
Here, a piece of Uruguayan amethyst druzy gets a gold edge. These tend to go up in value when they are framed by gold or silver. The process is done by dipping (I think), but I'm the queen of cheats! Or 'workarounds' as readbetween would so elegantly say.
Two rustic ceramic bezels by Jewel Identity that I spiced up w/more foil layers... Tho you really can't tell it's layers here.
You can sorta see the layers here, on the left. Turns out the real gold is paler and yellower.
This one may be done. It actually has foil but over that is a dry brush finish of white paint. And no, that strawberry isn't being warped by the photo. I warped it by rolling it in my hands. It makes sense but not in this picture. Those are potterygirl1 beads. (I've been writing it potterygirl this whole time but it's potterygirl1.) Strawberry from here. And the metal piece was a blank from my SacredCake loot.
Another druzy amethyst and some dark beads from Amth13. And 2 eggs from Jewelidentity. Too much fun.
1. I cut short bits of thick brass wire and hammered one side. 2. I threaded them through the hole I'd spent an hour drilling on these teeny things. 3. Then, I used a metal design punch- like the letter ones you hammer into sheet metal? But I turned it around so I was hammering straight into the design. The other end, I placed on the unhammered copper wire. This way, it's just like hammering without the threat of smashing the lightbulb.Anyways, you can use this trick to hammer anything near a delicate bit or to get into a small space the hammer can't reach.
Also, you only need one metal punch, so you can buy whatever you find for cheap, and not a whole alphabet.
Bits....What else? Oh, this piece wasn't selling so I decided the focal needed text.
Before:
After:
Coming soon to a shop near you...
Also not foil-related:
Some more gorgeous happyfallouts.
A spoony bracelet that might need a dangle added.
What's neat about this one is that the spoon isn't hammered to fit against the top or bottom of the wrist but rather to start at the top/bottom, curve around the edge and end on the other side. If that makes sense.
I dunno about this one above. Suggestions? Ideas?
Finally, I've decided my personal fashion trend for 2012 is going to be layered hoodies. Here I layered one with a plaid shirt. Look at that tomboy.
Anyways, I believe you can layer hoodies with almost anything... except other hoodies. That would cause a rift in the space-time continuum.
(I included this last tidbit cuz I know you all love it so much when I veer off the jewelry-making topic...)
Available at any Michael's or a zillion places on the web... But then I did want some more legit gold options... or maybe I knewI'd become addicted cuz I got this in the mail:
OK, here's Russia '89 in classic Barbie smiley face and 80s power shoulder pads.
Here's Scotland '81 pretty similar to '91. I would even say they mixed up '81 and '91, this one looks way more dignified. I'm willing to bet they did... But where's Italy?
OMG she's brown!!! Wow. Thank you, 1980.
'08- OK, they chose a slutty can-can dancer.
'97. Still slutty/lacy with poof on head.
'91. Still slutty/lacy with poof on head.
'80 Still slutty/lacy with poof on head.
