Jorgensen Studio Silversmith

Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-06-09T11:17:00.012-04:00

It has been awhile since I've posted, I am sorry. Life just takes over and my blog gets forgotten. I keep telling myself I need to get better at this, but like exercise its all too easy to procrastinate this task until tomorrow.

I have been busy, June is a big month here. Two birthdays, a graduation, everyone home for the summer. Trips to state parks, garage sales, picnics and new jewelry to make for wedding season.

I just thought I would post a few pictures of the new pieces, some have been posted to the Etsy shop, some not yet.

This is the new big white topaz "Let them Eat Cake" ring & the new swirl wedding band, both in sterling silver bright finish. Listed Here

The new white topaz three stone ring, bright finish, round faceted stones. Sterling silver patterned band. Listed Here

I have had these beautiful heart shaped blue topaz stones forever, but they were just waiting for the right inspiration.

A three stone ring with a center of white topaz 6mm, and two 5mm heart shaped swiss blue topaz on the swirl patterned band with the matching wedding band, both in bright sterling silver. Usually, I am not a big fan of the color blue, but I must say I am totally smitten with this ring.

New Gemstones

2011-03-22T11:40:00.004-04:00

Gem Shows

When I lived in Florida I was lucky enough to live where the local Gem & Mineral Society had a huge gem show each year. I could go there and find amazing stones, and buy enough to tide me over (well almost) until the next year. Moving to a new state, I've had to relearn a lot of things I already had figured out. One of those is whether or not there is a local gem show where I can interact with vendors to get great prices on quality stones. I try really hard to keep my jewelry affordable to regular folks & getting the gemstones sourced from reliable dealers is a big part of that. Besides it is great fun & a bit of an addiction.

This past weekend there was a small show across the bridge & while there was only one vendor with loose gemstones that were not just beads, I did score some lovelies.

Sometimes it pays off to be the only one buying loose stones at a show too.

One of the best scores of the day is a beautiful 4.5 ct Ruby Cabochon. I'll have to save that one for something really special. Also a matched pair of very flashy labradorite cabs & a couple sets of dark dark gemmy amethyst oval matched pairs.

I also bought a selection of Portuguese cut rounds & ovals in light pink & green amethyst & citrine. Portuguese cut stones have more facetes than a regular round cut & sparkle much more.
It's my favorite cut. The last picture shows some flashy moonstone cabs & some rose quartz checkerboard cut stones that I can set either way as they are cut on both the top & bottom. Lovely & soft.

If you fall in love with any of these & would like me to create something special with them for you, just drop me a note. In the mean time I'm getting out the sketch pad.

Unruly things

2011-03-01T10:23:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to Alyson from unruly-things.com
for featuring my simple little spinner rings :
Here
She has a lovely & stylish blog that you should check out.

Anniversary Band in Sterling and White Topaz

2011-02-17T13:55:00.003-05:00

The new anniversay band.

I have been wanting to make this ring for such a long time. It took me awhile to figure out the engineering of it, but all that time scratching my head paid off, I think.

I am so smitten with it & how it looks with the stacking rings.

It has just been added to the Etsy shop : Here

It is available right now in a limited number for 64.00

I am looking forward to making these with colored gems too! I want more.

Custom Personal Icon Rings

2011-02-15T13:25:00.003-05:00

My person Icon Rings started a couple of years ago & once in a while I add something new, like recently I added a horseshoe

and a ladybug to the the ones I offer in my Etsy shop. Sometimes customers ask for special custom icons and I am happy to create them when I can. Above are a few of the recent custom requests. A bird, a dog bone, a heart and of course the ever popular hipster mustashe.

If you would like your own little personal icon ring or set contact me through my Etsy shop for info.

New Pieces Sneak Peek

2011-01-25T17:15:00.004-05:00

I've begun to expand on the thicker hammered sets of rings. This is the first set. It holds a shimmering snow white moonstone that is very ethereal.

Its listed in the Etsy shop here: Moonstone Stack Set

The snow this winter in my new home state has been record setting I am told. I must say it is charming at first, and watching my daughters run to play like little girls in the first snow was a wonderful memory. But lets face it, snow is only charming for so long, and after awhile its just cold and damp and a bit hard to get used to for this Florida transplant.

So if the moonstone is my unconscious ode to snow, the cherry blossom promise ring is my ode to the promise of spring.

These are amazing oval pink topaz gemstones that I bought last year at my favorite gem show. Large 5x7 stones that are wonderfully cut so there is so much sparkle to the soft pink. The exact color of cherry blossoms. The band is a new floral design with cherry blossoms an leaves circling the band. I only have three so there are only two more of these that will be made. I am thinking I must keep this one for myself because I love it so, but then again I always love the new ones best.

This will be listed in the Etsy shop this week, if you want one of the two, speak up early.

Wedding sets keep my fingers busy

2011-01-20T13:20:00.002-05:00

Sometimes customers have their own special gemstones that carry history with them. A grandmothers diamond, a special gift, a purchase from a special trip. These memories attach themselves to our mementos that we carry through life. It's not very Buddhist, but for most of us it is true. Objects have a special meaning beyond their physical worth.

Sometimes I am intrusted to work with these special bits of cherished memory. This was the case with this lovely purple blue Ceylon sapphire. It really shows off its color in the bright silver princess set.

I would say that at least 1/4-1/3 of the work I do is custom. I think it is really tremendously rewarding to be able to create something that will be a cherished bit of personal history and a bit humbling.

Custom Wedding Sets and New Ideas

2011-01-07T10:01:00.006-05:00

A very special wedding set, made with a wide band and a large rose cut garnet.

A beautiful looking ring that reminds me of Mary Queen of Scots.

Opulent and Rich with warm tones and lots of detail. On its way to its new home.

I do quite a bit of custom work for my customers and I must say I really love it. It not only expands my imagination to try new things but it expands my skills as a metalsmith because I have to work out the crafting of the piece and how it needs to come together.

Sometimes in this process, I see new possibilities about how a new piece can be made or an idea develops in a totally new direction. Sometimes a new piece develops from that trial & error of engineering a custom piece.

That is how the lotus ring & earrings came into being. I posted the custom ring that I was working on already on the blog. But while I was testing the pieces, what size they needed to be & how they fit together, I fell in love with the simple petal shape & the lotus rings sprung from that simple form:

Shown in Peridot, Garnet, Amethyst, and Natural Blue Sapphire

Available here in the Etsy Shop : Lotus Ring

Custom Wedding Set

2010-10-05T15:29:00.007-04:00

A custom wedding set with the prong set ring.

This one is set with a white topaz; brilliant and sparkly but at a much nicer price than a diamond.

I've just listed the white topaz ring in the Esty shop & the matching band is available upon request.

Click the title to take you there.

Custom Eternity Band

2010-10-05T14:54:00.006-04:00

Here is a look at another custom piece. An eternity band I made using the lost wax cating method as a custom piece for a great customer of mine.

This process takes a long time, and she was very patient. :)

The lost wax method of jewelry creating begins with forming a piece of jewelry out of wax. It can either be carved out of hard wax or built up out of softer waxes. There are many methods as personal as there are people using this process.

Once the wax is made it is sprued on a casting tree and inserted into a flask that is filled with "investment". The investment is like a plaster and fills the space completely around the wax.

The flask is heated and the wax burns out leaving a hard investment mold with a void where the wax once was.

The metal alloy (silver, gold, etc) is then melted and poured into the flask to fill the void where the wax was.

Once the alloy is cool the investment is cleared away, the sprues are cut off and the piece can be sanded, polished & finished. The stone seats are cut & the gemstones are set.

That is the simplified version. Each step takes time.

With this ring after the piece was cast I had to do quite a bit of hand work to make the bamboo texture more pronounced.

I really wanted to keep it for myself, but I have this great customer I couldn't dissapoint.

This ring was set with white sapphires. I love white sapphires.

Custom Flower Ring in Sterling Silver

2010-09-01T17:32:00.006-04:00

Its been crazy in my life lately. We have moved twice this summer. Packed, unpacked, oops new job, pack, drive cross country, unpack. Whew! We are finally getting settled in our new home though and all the children are back at their respective schools.

I have been busy with custom orders so I thought I would give you a look. One is a totally new direction. A customer contacted me with a picture of an old Mexican Silver ring & wanted one made. Here is my new take on an old design:

All the little marquise shapes were soldered together and hand shaped. All the little buds/stem pieces were made & then everything placed down on silver sheet. I imagine there were over 100 pieces of solder individually placed the first round of soldering. Then I pierced through the sheet and cut out shapes to give the piece a bit of lightness.

It was then oxidized & polished back to show the pattern. I love the way it turned out.

As with most of my custom work, I do test pieces first. I have a smaller version of this ring and some earrings that hopefully will be listed in the Etsy shop this week.

Man's Wedding Band with Gemstone

2010-07-07T14:37:00.005-04:00

I was asked by a lovely customer to make a ring for her husband-to-be that matched the band on the ring he bought for her engagement from my shop.

For mens rings I like to beef up the width to make them a bit more masculine, so I added smooth sides to the pattern. She requested a citrine to be added which I set in a bezel setting that is set down into the ring. I don't like the look of a bezel that sort of teeters on the top of a band. Setting it down into the band makes for a much more finished look (imho).

I think it turned out smashing & I think I will add it to the wedding line. :)

Palm Beach Post Feature

2010-06-29T09:21:00.006-04:00

I am so thrilled to be featured in yesterday's Palm Beach Post. Not only was I quoted in the article and they showed a picture of the Big Blue Bling Ring - but they used that same picture on the front page header! Jorgensen Studio on the front page of the Palm Beach Post!

Read the Article

The Laurel Handmade Wedding Band Set

2010-04-22T09:14:00.003-04:00

I've been working on options for new handmade wedding sets.

This is the second in the series and a completely new design. These bands are hand built using traditional goldsmithing techniques out of sterling silver.

I am really excited about the way they turned out. Something earthy and natural but formal enough for wedding bands. I wanted to make something equally appropriate for men and women and I think that this design would be fabulous for commitment rings for GLBT ceremonies. I am really trying to get make something for those who appreciate handcrafted work and want something unique that sets them apart from the traditional and standard fare.

You know from my previous blog musings how much I love making wedding bands. I am really looking forward to exploring this new direction.

I am going to start listing the options for the wedding sets in my Etsy shop.

www.jorgensenstudio.com

but until then if you would like more information on these rings or commissioning a unique custom set feel free to contact me.

Featured in Etsy Finds For Mother's Day Gifts

2010-04-14T13:20:00.005-04:00

Today my Birthstone Key Pendants were Featured in the "We Love Mom" Etsy Finds.
It is so fabulous to be featured in the Etsy finds as they are not only posted on the Etsy website blog (The Storque) but they are emailed to literally thousands of Etsy fans.
I couldn't be more excited!
Here is the Link if you want to check out all the fabulous items for Mom from Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-we-love-mom-7799/

A new kind of Locket- The Memory Keeper

2010-04-12T12:11:00.005-04:00

Inspired by Victorian Mourning Jewelry

An new idea for a locket I had finally made it off the bench and into the Etsy shop.

I wanted to make a locket inspired by antique Victorian morning jewelry. Victorian mourning jewelry - usually pendants and brooches- were made of metal, agate, and most of the time a lock of hair that was braided or woven under glass. A memento of the beloved to be carried with the mourner. These pieces are so striking and personal that I was instantly enthralled with the idea.

How to make a modern representation of the Victorian mourning jewelry?

What I began to search for was a vintage carbuncle. What is a carbuncle? They are usually pieces of gemstone (like quartz ) or glass that has a hollow concave back. Perfect for setting something under.

Months went by and I stumbled upon some fabulous vintage carbuncles from another Etsy seller. They couldn't be more perfect so I bought all she had.

These vintage glass carbuncles have raised ridges on the top so you can see the colors of what is set beneath but only the wearer knows what the locket contains.

I set the carbuncle in sterling silver bezel I custom made to fit. I then had to ponder what to set behind the glass. I could add three dimensional items, so it was hard to choose what little mementos I would add to my locket. I chose a lock of hair from each of my daughters (one was from her very first haircut), a piece of my husbands Scottish tartan (he has a clan & a tartan, and a Clan castle in Scotland, how cool is that), a piece of my son's football jersey from the team when my husband coached him, and pictures of my grandparents.

I could have added a quote, or a fortune cookie fortune but I of course have lost the one I had been carrying around. The possibilities are almost endless.

I did not want to make it to literal of a piece of mourning jewelry, but a collection of the people who are special to me, some here and some passed. I could have just added mementos from the children to make a Mother's piece. That is the great thing about this locket you can customize it to include almost what ever you want (size of course being a wee bit of a factor).

Once the locket is finished the items are permanently encased behind the glass. Completely personal. Would be great for a totally unique Mother's Day gift.

Custom Promise Rings

2010-04-09T21:56:00.002-04:00

Thought I would show off a custom promise ring I did. Sterling band with a 14kt white gold basket for the setting and a beautiful blue heart shaped topaz.

I think it turned out quite well.

I love the stories behind the rings. I love the promise rings most because of those stories. So full of romance and love. Ahh makes my heart go pitter patter. So so sweet.

It wisks you off to stories of love in old novels and black & white movies.

A promise, a vow, so pure and young all summed up in the shape of a ring.

Its nice. Its just really nice to hear about instead of all the other stuff we are bombarded with.

I like to make the promise rings the best.

Featured Interview

2010-04-07T10:27:00.003-04:00

I am a member of a wonderful group of Crafty Etsians from Florida who have created a team on Etsy. I am lucky enough to have an interview featured on the Fest blog. if you would like to know just a bit more about me come take a look and read the interview:

FEST: Interview with Jorgensen Studio

There is also a giveaway on the FEST blog this month from Aquarian Bath for handmade soap.
I absolutely adore handmade soap. I have been using it exclusively for over a year now as a body soap and also as a shampoo. I cannot tell you how much better my hair and scalp are - the difference is amazing.
Handmade soap smells fabulous too. Not the traditional soapy smell but anything you like.
I love to buy soap from a new maker and have in my bathroom right now some made of beer (yes beer) and some divine smelling pineapple brulee'. Whatever you scent preference you can find your scent in handmade soap.

Go enter the Fest giveaway and try handmade soap. Once you do you'll never go back to commercial soap again.

click here : FEST Blog Giveaway

Custom Wedding Set

2010-04-06T12:24:00.006-04:00

I often receive requests for custom items. The most favorite of these requests is always engagement and wedding rings. It never stops being an incredible honor to make something so special and important in another person's life.
The sentiment behind it is so wonderful and to have your work have that legacy is just humbling.

Here are some pictures of a new wedding set for a soon to be wed couple.

Anatomy of a Tapered Bezel

2010-04-01T14:40:00.009-04:00

I use mostly bezel settings in my work. I make my rings so that the bezel is flush with the band and does not sit atop of it for a more integrated look. Having the bezel setting taper allows for a bigger stone to be set while still allowing the bands to sit closer together for stacking rings.
Being mostly self taught, I looked to the google first to see if I could find a tutorial on how to make these types of bezels. There were none to be found. I did find a rather heavy bezel block that is used to make these tapered bezels and bought it, but alas, it did not come with instructions.
After many failed attempts to make a cylinder turn into a cone, I figured I must be doing something horribly wrong. Wouldn't you know it, there was math involved, much to my dismay.
I am going to show you the process I have come to for making this little tapered bezel step by step. Except for the math part ( you will need that to make your template), it is simple. I did come across this nifty cone calculator http://www.kolumbus.fi/antti.lusila/models/laskekartio.html God bless the person who posted it, So handy for the math challenged.

As I stated the template for the cone is needed to make sure your bezel will actually hold the size stone you are wishing to set. I made one template and just used shorter sections for smaller stones.
I use 26 gauge sterling sheet for this. It has a nice thickness so you won't be cutting away too much material to create the seat for the stone.
Layout your template on your sheet, trace, and use a jewelers saw to cut out. Remember, the line you have on the metal is on the outside of the template. you want to cut on the line so it isn't visible when you are done. If you are not steady with a saw you may want to cut it a bit larger and then use your files to finish the shape. Once cut out take a flat file and make sure the outside edges are completely flat. the other edges don't have to be perfect but the outside flat edge needs to be flat.

Take the cut piece of silver and wrap it around your round nose pliers so that the ends are next to each other as shown in the picture below. Then bend the edges to face each other. Don't worry too much if it is a bit uneven. Take your chain nose pliers and flatten the joint and make the edges good and tight.

If the edges aren't tight you won't have a good strong solder seam which is very important when we pound it into the bezel block.

I tried to show how tight the seam needs to be in this close up.
Solder the seam with hard solder and pickle.
Are you with me so far?

Now comes the big tools. I purchased a bezel block especially for this task but if you don't want to spend that kind of money you can try placing this on a round bezel mandrel and pounding it into shape with a rawhide mallet.

Place the soldered bezel into the hole it fits into fully in the block. This will be larger than the stone you are going to set most likely because of the thickness of the silver. If not fit it into the smaller hole and work up to stretch the silver in the bigger holes.
Place the mandrel that came with the set into the hole where the bezel is and give it some go whacks with your hammer or mallet. Test the fit of the stone as you go. You want the stone to sit so the that the edges fall half way on the silver edge on the top of the bezel. Less is better than more, but you need the stone to fit down into the seat once it is cut.

Last but not least time to clean up the edges top and bottom. Use fine grit sandpaper and hold the bezel at 90 degrees to the sandpaper and move in a circle motion.

Voila', tapered bezel. All that is left to do is cut the seat. I use a setting bur for this.

But we'll have to save that for next time. Have fun!

This Weekend! Come see me at Odd Duck!

2010-03-23T14:22:00.001-04:00

Come see me at ODD DUCK!

2010-02-28T10:41:00.003-05:00

Odd Duck Indie Craft Fair in Davie Fl 3/27/2010!
I am so excited to be included in Odd Duck this year. It seems to be the Broward County version of Stitch Rock and we all know what a great time that was!
It will be held at the Historic Old Davie School.
From the Odd Duck Site:
Odd Duck wanted a fitting atmosphere for our handmade bazaar. The beautiful and historic Old Davie Schoolhouse is perfect with it's hardwood floors, plaster walls, payned windows and Art Deco architecture. Originally built in 1918, the Old Davie School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Partnered with the Town of Davie, the museum boasts a five acre site which includes one of the largest collections of early 20th Century buildings in Broward County, exhibit rooms that highlight the history of Davie and the role the school played as a community center. The Museum also provides hands-on experiences with farm animals, food production, use of an old-fashioned water pump and a changing exhibit which features local artists.

Front Page Sunday Morning

2010-02-28T10:33:00.003-05:00

Wow it's been so long I had forgotten just how very cool it is to make the front page!
Thanks so much to sweptfromthe sea for including me in her beautiful treasury!

House of Sweets!

2009-12-15T13:53:00.002-05:00

Come see me and say hello!

SUGARHOUSE HOLIDAY BAZAAR II
Saturday, December 19th 2009
Bazaar 12pm-6pm

::WHAT::
Think of it as a mini Stitch Rock at House of Vintage with lots of holiday cheer, hot coco, sugar cookies and vintage holiday party charm!
We will have 25 of our favorite crafters and great vintage finds inside House of Vintage to help you fill those stocking and get your last minute shopping DONE! Skip the mall shop Indie and Vintage this holiday!

- Free Cookies and Hot Coco
- Vintage Clothing and Accessories 25% off
- Handmade Indie Crafts
- Holiday Themed Cupcakes

::WHERE::
House of Vintage/House Of Sweets
123 South Swinton Ave
Delray Beach, Fl. 33444

::WHO::
Stitch Rock is an annual indie craft fair and bazaar bringing back old school crafting techniques with new school flare! Full of Handmade crafts and unique products like D.I.Y fashion, funky home deco items, natural bath and body goodies, vintage finds, hot rod paintings, pin up photography, and much more!

House of Vintage is boutique style vintage shop located in a fully restored 1920's cottage in historical downtown Delray Beach. For over six years they have been the place to buy all of your vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories.

Featured In BUST Magazine !!!

2009-12-02T22:04:00.003-05:00

Look ->
Can you believe it!
I was so excited to see my ring appear in a national magazine.
Thanks so much to Emily for picking my Bling ring as one of her picks for the Holiday gift guide.
BUST is such a fun magazine and so supportive of indie crafts! Go get the Dec issue!

The Anatomy of a Wedding Set

2009-07-19T14:55:00.007-04:00

Commissions are fun to do. Stressful, but fun. The sweetest girl named Jill asked me to custom make her & her beloved a wedding set similar to one of the designs in my shop.
I was so honored to be chosen to make something so special, I thought I would share the process......

First I had to build the stock for the bands in flat pieces. Getting the pieces of stock to cooperate and lie flat is tricky sometimes but that is where a good rawhide mallet comes into play.

This picture shows the two pieces made for the rings. The one on the left is after the silver has been picked & the one on the right is before pickle, just after soldering with all the flux still on the silver. It looks bad at first but as you can see the pickle cleans it up nicely.

Then the next step is to cut the new stock to length & shape around the mandrel to make rings. The ends have to be filed & fitted several times to make sure they fit just right so the solder join is strong. A rawhide mallet works best to shape the rings as it does not mar the outer surface design of the metal.

This is a picture of the rings finished but before the patina has been added. I soldered in a 14kt white gold bezel for the diamond. The gold is stronger & more durable than the silver so it is best to set valuable stones in a harder metal.

It also makes the stone harder to set as the bezel takes much more pressure to turn over the stone.

The rings look nice in this matte finish. Just a brass brush & some steel wool to make them nice and clean & smooth for the patina.

You know me... I can't seem to call something finished unless I dip it in patina.

The patina took several layers of process. One was an overall patina where I then polished off the middle high spots. Then the outer ring edges had to be sanded smooth & re- patinaed twice to get a nice even color. I painted the patina on with a paint brush on the final step.

Into the tumble for a nice polish & then I set the stone. I think they turned out very nice. I hope Jill and Barrie like them & wear them in good health for many happy years!

Summer

2009-06-24T21:32:00.004-04:00

Summer has always held a magic quality. It is so fleeting and goes by so quickly. Ever since we were children and counted the days until our freedom arrived and we could bask in the warmth of the sun, it held a certain quality of expectation.

I have to say, for me, I'm not feeling it this summer.

I know, I know, ... you say "but you live in the land of perpetual summer of course you don't feel the change". This is true somewhat. It is mostly always sunny and 80 where I live, but summer was always so much more than the weather.

This year my second graduated from high school and is getting ready in a few short weeks to go off to school. My oldest while still maintaining a room here hardly ever inhabits it. My youngest is going into 7th grade (G*d, I am old! When did that happen?) and she is the only one left to count the days until summer with me. The house has become so much quieter. It happens when five become three. I have had to relearn how to cook. No more meals for an army of children. No more loud and raucous dinners. The grocery bill is much smaller, which I have to admit is nice.

I knew this change was coming. I didn't really think it would be a big deal. It is, though.

I didn't realize it would make me think differently about things that I have always taken for granted, like summer. I thought summer would always mean the same thing. It is a bit tough here in South Florida, no winter, no fall to speak of, that leaves us spring and summer. Summer is still supposed to be lazy days of no school and playing outside till late because it doesn't get dark until 9pm. Summer is still supposed to be that sense of freedom and the sun on your face.

Summer is supposed to be carefree and joyous.

I don't feel joyous this summer. I feel old and cranky and I here myself say things like " I don't want to go...it's too hot out.." I don't like this summer. I want the summer from last year. Can I have that one back please.

Ah, I am waxing a bit too melancholy aren't I. It must be the heat. It's gone to my head. It is hot as Africa outside these days.......

Keep it?List it?

2009-06-03T13:12:00.001-04:00

I found this fabulous agate cabochon. It is mossy and green and just my favorite shade of sage green. I do love green. I made a more traditional cabochon ring with it. Something that sort of reminded me of traditional American Inidan silversmithing, which is what led me to metalsmithing in the first place. I didn't mean to keep it before I made it. I rarely make jewelry just to keep myself. This one though, has me torn. I don't know if it because it is just the newest piece, and I am always partial to the newest ones. I can't make up my mind, whether to keep it for myself or list it in the etsy shop. I did have it out on the table at my last show and it was almost sold. It got many oohs and ahhs but still came home with me at the end of the evening, as did many others, so I can't really call that destiny.
Maybe I'll keep it for awhile and decide later.....

Things are busy. It is the end of the school year. My middle child has graduated high school and is getting ready for college. We have two birthdays that are only a week apart. Family in town for graduation. Lots to do.
I also have decided to help my DH out in his office for awhile. So I will be working out in the real world again, Although it will still allow me to work on Etsy from the office. (After I get things caught up and organized)

Rain, Rain go away....

2009-05-29T14:33:00.004-04:00

It has been raining for two weeks. I thought this was called the sunshine state.
Everything is soggy and completely saturated with water.
Including the ground.
The chicken coop has turned into a giant mud pit better suited for pigs than chickens.
The coop itself is waterlogged the wood is all buckling and I can't latch the door without
a great deal of effort. The chickens don't seem to mind, although they do not look their best.
Yesterday we had a raccoon climb into the coop in broad daylight. A very unusual event
and it usually means certain death for one of the feathered babies.
It did not bother the chickens though, just happily ate the chicken feed of the ground
until I ran screaming and waving a big stick at it.
It ran off under the shed, which being made of metal made a huge noise when I banged on it with the big stick I was brandishing.
You see, this is why I make a very bad Buddhist and I am doomed to never reach inner peace. I wanted to get that raccoon just for mearly scaring my chickens or the possibility of calling one of them his dinner. I know it is the natural order of things and the raccoon is another living being that does not deserve my beating it with a big stick (although he was much too fast for me).
I just can't get that mama bear impulse out of my system to protect the vulnerable. I guess it is that hippy liberal in me that overrides all else. I did just buy a great maxi tie dye skirt from India from one of the other vendors at the last show I did. My kids think I am crazy for wearing it. The roosters think it's fabulous!

Did you miss me?

2009-05-06T19:04:00.001-04:00

I keep saying that I am going to blog. I keep promising myself I will get it done tomorrow, but alas, it always gets put off. Tossed to the bottom of the to do list. I will do better. I promise to update you on the chickens this week. It's been along time since I posted pictures and they have gotten so much bigger and cuter!

I am getting ready for a big night a week from Friday. Working my little fingers to the bone making jewelry. Why? I am going to be showing at the "Pretty in the City" event for the Susan G. Komen fundraiser. Lots of women, lots of wine, and lots of girlie stuff like jewelry and spa products. It should be a great time, but it lasts way past my bed time! I am sure I will need a few days to recoop and so will my DH. I am taking him along to help me, 'cause you know he is the talker in the family.
If you are near West Palm on May 15th come say "hi" and support a great cause. : http://sunny1043.com/Pretty-In-The-City/2043940

The above picture is of two of the new rings in the shop. I have been on a bit of a "promise ring" tangent lately and these two are the duchess rings. They have either a green peridot or a pink lab-sapphire. Next week I will make them with a faceted blue topaz and citrine. They really look fabulous stacked together with the other promise rings. I think I am going to list them in sets soon. You are the first to see them! A sneak peek! They will be in the Etsy shop tomorrow.

New Promise Rings

2009-04-13T13:01:00.001-04:00

A new design for the Etsy shop! The Princess promise ring. I made this one with a promise ring or an engagement ring in mind. It is simple and elegant, and can be matched with a band of the same style.
In sterling silver with ether a ruby or a blue sapphire it is just so rich and yummy!
I will be making another version soon, a bit bigger with a faceted stone for a more traditional look.
I just love these!!

It has been a busy past few weeks. Wholesale orders, custom work, and the openning of the new vintage supply shop.
You have to come take a look at all the goodies I have listed. More to come, too. I have to take pictures and catalog everything. It is a fun story of where I found this stuff. It is some of the exact pieces I have been purchasing off etsy. To think I had a giant stash right under my nose. Read the story in the shop bio page.... http://www.milbits.etsy.com

Check on the etsy fest blog for the giveaway, it will be chosen soon and you don't want to miss your chance to enter for the giveaway. http://www.etsyfest.com

New items in Etsy Shop

2009-03-25T13:41:00.002-04:00

I have been busy the past week or so and I have added a bunch of new designs to the etsy shop.
http://www.jorgensenstudio.etsy.com
Two new designs in the Tutu line and two new pairs of tribal hoops like the ones pictured above.
A new pendant and earrings that are a new feather design and there are more to come!
I have pictures to take of a new pair of mod earrings in sterling and blue patina copper.
I have had a burst of creativity lately, and have a couple of big orders to get out. It seems I am always more creative when I am busy.

Busy makes me a bit nervous too. I always stress that I won't meet my deadlines. This week I am making a new necklace for my daughter to wear to prom. We designed it together and it's something new so I always sweat about if it will turn out, and if I can get it the way I see it in my head. She has a fabulous dress and she will look like a movie star.

My youngest and I both are a bit under the weather so it makes getting things done more difficult. I would rather be nursing my flu in bed, but I have things to do! I really am working in my pajamas though this week and maybe taking a nap or two along the way.
My head feels like it weighs about 50 lbs, and I didn't know so much snot could come out of a person. Eww. Prom's on Friday so I have to stop writing and get back to work. Maybe I'll go get some juice first and maybe a little nap.......

Etsy Fest Team March Giveaway

2009-03-14T07:38:00.004-04:00

Come celebrate March with me and the other Florida Etsy sellers! Here is an easy way to get a pair of Jorgensen Studio earrings for free or some other really fabulous piece. Personally, I've got my eye on the terrarium by Greenbriar. Come take a look and join the fun.
http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/

A new place to find me....

2009-03-13T18:54:00.002-04:00

Isn't it odd how most things come full circle. When I was young, in my early twenties, I lived for a brief spell in Louisville, Kentucky. It was after I left Indiana and before I found my way to Florida. I have been a bit of a drifter.
I lived in the "arty" area of Bardstown Road. I picked the area because it was boho and cool and the rent was cheap. We had a really big one bedroom apartment over a bakery with one wall made of red brick. It smelled so good every morning. Life was hard then & I didn't stay long, which turned out to be a really good decision.
So why am I reminiscing? There s a new location where you can find my jewelry & it so happens to be on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Ky just down the street from where I lived.
The little gallery is called Luna Boutique right next to the Avalon Restaurant.
http://www.lunaboutique.net/home.html
If your in the area stop in and tell Mary Beth that Joanna sent you.
Full circle. Karma.

The new gems have arrived

2009-03-07T14:17:00.007-05:00

The new gemstones arrived today. What a spectacle. They traveled far and looked the part. The mail lady even had a comment on how cool the package looked.
The box was wrapped in cloth and sealed with wax and stamped to hold the thread in place that it was sewn up with.

A lovely muslin with dark cinnabar sealing wax. So beautiful in itself. My daughter was so enamoured with this wrapping that she had to come tell me while I was in the shower.

I opened it to find my gems wrapped old school style in gem papers with pencil labels. I was so excited to open each little parcel. I had ordered 1 each of 7 different stones specially cut to replace the quartz on the dark moon pendant which is no longer available.

I must say right off the bat that the ones that I thought would be nothing like what I wanted turned out to be the most lovely. There is a grey agate that looks grey at first blush but shimmers a golden earthy brown that really gives the stone a lot of life and character. My second favorite is the smokey quartz another dark and mysterious brown. The third that holds lots of possibility is the clear frosted, which when I put the oxidized metal behind it will be lovely, but I can also see adding color behind the stone for endless possibilities.

How to add the color is the question.

I've been featured!

2009-02-17T10:43:00.001-05:00

I've been featured on an indie shopping blog!
I really like the set up of this one. Simple but lots of pictures to look at.
Come see .... http://indieicing.com/2009/oxidized-dreams/

2009-02-12T14:31:00.001-05:00

The first in the tufted series has been listed in the Etsy Shop.
I am so excited about these new pieces and can't wait to make more! Such fun to make and so smooth. I was fondling it like a worry stone. Sterling silver hammered into a tufted shape with an amethyst cabochon for a button.
Fabulous!
Look for rings and earrings to match coming soon. If you don't want to wait, contact me for custom pieces and be the first!
http://www.jorgensenstudio.etsy.com

Jailbirds...

2009-02-12T13:42:00.004-05:00

The babies are getting bigger. I have moved them form the chicken jail (read dog crate) to a bigger space on the covered patio that is surrounded by chicken wire. I gues it is just a bigger chicken jail. the two little ones moved into the bigger digs in the crate, although their growth really seems to be stunted.
I am hopping the little one makes it. She is so tiny and is not growing well at all.
I really worry about bing able to reintergrate her into the flock.

Above is a picture of one of the frizzles. Frizzles feathers grow so that they stick out and curl. Kind of like perpetual bed head. lol Funny looking but really cute.
I do have two silkies in this mix and really hope that they are a hen and a rooster so I can breed them. They are so cool. They have black skin and grey meat. Mine are bright white and totally fuzzy balls.
I am still worried that these are all roosters instead of straight run as I had thought. I did talk my friend Gina into the idea that she needed chickens too. Her husband is building her a coop, and I told her she was welcome to a few of the roosters.

Featured!!!

2009-02-08T15:05:00.003-05:00

Ah! free advertising that totally rocks!
On Friday I was featured in the etsy finds for the weekend specials. The email goes out through the etsy system to literally tens of thousands of people. Those tens of thousands are people already interested in buying handmade and buying it on etsy. Talk about a great targeted ad!
Woot!
The etsy finds also goes up on the the etsy blog called the Storque. People who are on etsy and don't get the email can see it too.
According to my google analytics for the shop, on Friday when it came out my views were up by 4 times the normal amount and my bounce rate was in the low 30s. View were still double normal on Saturday and bounce rate was in the low 40s, which is about the same as a front page appearance in the middle of the day. I had great sales numbers as well considering the recent drop off in sales over the past two weeks. Which is much better than the front page!

What does all this mean? It means that when selling your product finding specifically targeted advertising can do more for your sales than hundreds of dollars spent casting a wide net.
This advertising is not something I can easily repeat as I am not in control of what is picked. I am sure going to keep trying to get featured, though.
It's been a great boost, and created a lot of interest. I couldn't be happier!!

Special Sale

2009-02-02T15:59:00.001-05:00

A Valentine's Day special for the Etsy shop!
Now through Feb. 14th free First Class shipping with Insurance for all jewelry pieces.
Additional special offer for mailing list subscribers, twitter followers, and facebook friends.

To follow me on twitter look for jorgensenstudio, on facebook Joanna Jorgensen.
To join the mailing list click on the link on the upper right side of the blog page.

Go to the etsy shop and get some beauties for your beauty.
http://www.jorgensenstudio.etsy.com

From the bench....

2009-01-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

You all know how I love my patinas. I have been experimenting
with a new blue. The blues is a soft robins egg turquoise which is quite lovely.
I have only tried it on brass and copper so far. It yielded fabulous results on the raw brass but turned white on the copper.
More tests are needed for the copper because it might just have been the shape rather that the metal of what I was trying to patina. I think the piece may have been grabbing too much of the patina solution.

Here is one on the new pieces in the blue. It is a vintage brass stamping in a paisley shape. I have added bezel set prehenite in this piece and placed it on an oxidized sterling silver chain. I really like how the blue turned out.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20331927

It has been a slow week so far and I am all caught up with orders. I have listed new pieces in the Etsy shop and made cookies too. My favorite oatmeal choc chip. I am a bit on the antsy side with nothing scheduled to do in the studio.
So I am looking for things to do but end up wasting far too much time on the computer.

Looking forward to Valentine's Day orders to get me going again.....

New pieces!!

2009-01-28T14:40:00.001-05:00

The new beacon necklace!
The Dark Moon and Beacon pendants were more popular than I could have guessed. I wanted to keep this series going and find new ways to incorporate the frosted quartz. Unfortunately, this size of quartz is limited as well so I can only make so many. Like the original beacons once they are gone...they're gone. I can make these in pink too!
Go to Etsy to get one... Http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19985913

The new babies...

2009-01-13T13:44:00.002-05:00

We received some baby chickens on the 9th of January and I haven't been getting much sleep. They were given as a gag gift and the well meaning recipients did their best, but they seem to be very small for their age. They have reached the gangly look of the older chicks and have started to get in their feathers, but they are still the size of week old chicks.
There are a few bantams mixed in and they are really tiny. I have put them on a diet of mash to see if I can get them growing. I'll chart the progress here.
They have gotten used to being handled for the most part. My daughter gave them a crash course and would not leave them be for several days.

In retrospect

2008-12-29T18:06:00.000-05:00

The Holidays are my busiest time of year, so it has been a bit hectic with orders lined up on the bench.
I was laid off from my bookkeeping position in November so it was a bit scary not knowing if we would be able to have presents under the tree.
The job market being what it is right now and after a few interviews for jobs making half of what I had been, I decided to make jewelry a full time job.

Thank goodness I have an established presence and customer base on Etsy or I would not have been able to. I had already put money towards advertising for the Holidays before I was laid off, so I thought there will be no busier time to give it a whirl. I could not have done it in August.

My customers really showed up in force and I was so blessed to be able to pay all my bills and put presents under the tree. I took a few days off after the rush to catch my breath. But I can't tell you the satisfaction and the joy that comes from waking up in the morning and being able to earn money doing something you absolutely love. I am playing it by ear, who knows what this economy will bring for any of us. But right now, I am so happy to be doing this that I might just give up my shoe addiction to keep it going.
It's been a great ride for the last month and a half. Here's to the new year.

From the Bench....

2008-12-29T17:49:00.001-05:00

I always have a hard time with my Mom's Christmas presents. We have different taste so it is usually hard for me to pick out something for her. I think I do well picking out art for her. She says she likes it, anyway. So it has become sort of a tradition that I get her a print of some sort each year. But I make jewelry, and most everyone else's presents from me are jewelry so...
I tried a new technique with my gift for her this year. Wirewrapping.
Now I must say I don't have the patience to do this on a regular basis, but I do like how they turned out. I think I should have made them a bit smaller, but Mom lies big earrings. These are big. I added some briolette drops and freshwater pearls to luxe it up a bit.
All in all they turned out well.

From the bench...

2008-12-05T13:09:00.000-05:00

I have been busy taking pictures today so i can hopefully get the new pieces into the Etsy Shop today. I am really happy about how the new designs turned out. Really excited! You know it is hard sometimes coming up with a new design or at least a new twist on a classic. There is so much jewelry out there that I really strive to do things I haven't seen before. So the new ruffle pieces are set with peridot and I am in the process of cropping the pictures. The ruffle pieces are in the picture above on the right. I don't think ruffle is a creative enough name for them. I will have to think about it a little longer.
The big Taos earrings are great. You know my love of silver and jewelry stems from my first passion of Native American silversmiths. They are so inspiring and amazing. Back in college I used to scour this little shop that sold Native American jewelry and pottery. I was so smitten, If I had saved any pennies to shop it would always be there.
I wonder if it is still there in West Lafayette....

2008-11-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

You know I just love color! It is reflected in my metal work and my majolica pottery. Color is just so much fun.
So I have fallen for this new technique that I blogged about last week. It is sort of a cross between a patina and a coloring book!
I am just reeling with new ideas for it. These are the latest... balloons.

Remember that song from the 80's.. Nena's 99 luftballons? That's what I have been signing because of these sweet things! My kids think I am nuts, walking around the house signing in German...well more nuts than usual. You know you can see it on youtube! Youtube is a marvelous thing for seeing obscure and random things from the past...but I digress.

I listed the red balloon necklace and the red ring in the Etsy shop....just scroll down and click..

What can I color next.....

My 15 minutes of almost fame....

2008-11-24T13:38:00.002-05:00

So it seems my big debut that I have been waiting month and months to be published.... you know the bit with the photos of my jewelry in ME Home Companion.... well it seems that ME's is looking for a new publisher because theirs is dropping them! 'Scuse me ... I read it.. isn't that enough.
So it seems that my jewelry will not yet be seen by a national audience in print. Ah well... maybe they will find a new publisher print the march edition and make me famous! if at least not famous how about busy with sales!
The economy is in the tank and that makes it hard for artists to make a living 'ya know. This Christmas season is so much slower than last year. Even with the new ads out it is just so very slow... I know, I know ...everyone is saving their pennies just to be sure they can pay the mortgage, but for gosh sakes did everyone forget it is the Holidays? Go shopping... boost the economy from the bottom up...I know I'll do my part!
Starting with the artists on etsy.. http://www.etsy.com

Color!!

2008-11-21T10:45:00.001-05:00

I've been experimenting with a new and interesting process of color on metal. I love patinas as most of you know so this was a really natural direction for me to pursue. The process is on copper and begins as a regular green verdigris patina which you then layer hand applied colors on top of. Then you can blend and blend the colors into each other and it is really fabulous. I am so enthralled with this I really just want to color all day.
The first two pieces I have set in a silver pendant and listed in the shop but I can't wait to experiment with more complex designs and shapes. The designs are pouring out of me head. I just wish I like to saw more. I keep putting off getting out the copper and sawing. procrastination for a job i dislike doing....wish I could skip that part.

href="<$BlogItemURL$>">Link

2008-10-18T18:04:00.000-04:00

The first of the new quartz pendants has been added to the shop today.
As well as the two new circle pendants that I showed you in progress awhile back.
It's been busy here as usual, but my daughter was ill yesterday at school and I had to go get her. Nothing serious just the usual stomach ickiness, but it did allow me to get a great deal of work done yesterday, because I got to go home early from work. I had a banner day in the Etsy shop. I think it was my best ever.

I went back to read my last few posts and it seems all I write about is being tired all the time. I guess that just comes with the fullness of my life and my love for staying up late to watch John Stewart and Steven Colbert. The sun has come back to Florida though, and that always sends the drearies away. I don't think I could live somewhere where it rained and was grey all the time. It so effects my mood.
Living here in Florida spoils a person. Not that we all run to the beach and get tan when we have a few minutes free. You will seldom see a person who lives in Florida over the age of 30 who has a tan. They are busy with life. I do regularly get a farmers sunburn in a big V on my chest from standing at the park for a flag-football game, but that is about as much color as I get. Cause, ya know, it gets hot out there in the sun.

One of the chickens has taken to hopping the fence in a jail break daily to the neighbor's horse corral. She spends all day there scratching in the dirt and then hops back over the fence to go back in the coop at night. I wouldn't mind so much, but I think she is laying her eggs somewhere over there. I imagine there might be a pile in some corner of their property, but I hope not. I am going to try to clip her wings a bit, but she is just hopping the fence and not really using her wings at all . Maybe I can make the fence a bit taller. We'll see.

2008-10-16T20:56:00.001-04:00

New stack rings are being listed in the etsy shop!
Grey moonstone, carnelian and peridot are the first ones I made but a set with the grey
moonstone and alternating oxidized and bright silver bands was listed first. I am
having such a hard time getting the gemstones to photograph well. they all end up looking like ovals instead of circles.
I am having a very hard time lately with my pictures. I have a new rose gold dots series that I can't get to photograph well either so I am scrapping all the pictures and starting over. I have to get busy though, did you know Christmas is just around the corner....(grinning)!

I am tired, so I am slow to getting things going this week. It has been busy with kids events and such. Homecoming is next week, so are exams. Lots to do and not enough time in the day. I know that everyone says that the world is falling down around our ears, but in the last week my sales took an up swing. Maybe some of that elusive consumer confidence is coming back. Maybe people just want to buy a reasonably priced bit of shiny happiness to make them feel a bit better about the world falling down. I dunno.
I am pretty stoked about it for what ever reason.

I did get featured on a blog. A really cool and well read blog. It was the 8th of October and it brought quite a bit of new traffic to the Etsy shop. The blog is Creature Comforts if you want to take a look.
http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/

Oh to be a parent....

2008-10-07T19:27:00.000-04:00

When a new mom or soon to be mom asks for my advice as to what to expect, I seldom tell them the truth as to not completely freak them out and send them home crying. Being a parent means that not only are you lovingly responsible for your child's well being, but for all the children of every club or team they ever join. As a team mom you feed, clothe, and nurse those children. As a club parent you will organize fund raisers, staff events, travel half way around the country and back again. If you have any particular talent you will be called on to use that talent be it in finance as the clubs treasurer or organizational skills, or tapping into your contact list for donations.

Why this bit of parenting truth today? I am making spirit ribbons. I have in the past made spirit bracelets for 140 cheerleaders, and spirit charms for football players. Right now it is spirit ribbons. I am woefully behind on this particular fundraiser and have just a few weeks to crank out the rest of these. That big pile on the table that blocks my path int he studio is not even half of what my goal is to get finished.
I did however finish applying the handmade stickers to 120 flashlights after designing, printing and cutting.

So what's the alternative? There isn't one. As a parent you will support your child in their adventures. You will organize, and travel, and whatever else you are called upon to do, even spirit ribbons, because that my dear friends is how you are involved in your child's life. This is when they will tell you things; when you sit all day together at an event bored to tears, or spend a long weekend in a hotel far from home. That is how you foster and nurture well adjusted people to send forth into the world.

So the next time your kid has a parent meeting for a sport or a club. For Pete's sake, raise your hand. Volunteer. Join in. Otherwise, the parents who do will sit at that event and talk about you and how mal-adjusted your child is. Really, we will. :)

2008-09-29T19:33:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note about whats new. The hammered hearts with gemstones are being
added to the etsy shop one by one. The newest is a fat 1.5 ct London blue topaz.
So pretty! I just love this shade. Also the hammered stacking bands with gemstones will be added soon, but it has been rainy all day which makes for bad pictures.

I have been "piddling" at my computer lately as my husband likes to call it. I have been reading blogs and roaming around randomly on the Internet more than I would normally do. I have been reading up on Buddhism for fun and found out that you tube really is awesome. There seems to be alot more down time lately in the studio for me to just ramble around. I guess its the equivalent of shuffling around the house in your jammies and fuzzy slippers.

Life seems to have gone into slow motion. There are still all the activities with the kids. SAC meetings, flag football, and debate mom stuff, but there isn't the mad rush. It's easier lately. I know that is because I don't have deadlines anymore. I don't have a backlog of orders. One of my children is pretty much self sufficient and I barely see him between college and work-so there is also one less team sport.
It is slower. I wonder what it will be like next year when another spreads her wings and flies the coop. Then the little one really won't be very little anymore. I'll have to relearn how to cook for less than an army (or at least two teenagers).

I could get used to this pace. I guess I didn't know I didn't have any "free time" until I found some. huh.
I imagine I should use this time wisely, stock up for the upcoming holiday season when I know I will get crazy again, but I kind of like rambling around in jammies and fuzzy slippers.

From the Bench.....

2008-09-29T11:12:00.004-04:00

On the bench lately has been a whole lot of
unfinished stuff, lol....
But I have been experimenting. Circles seem to be taking up the focus of my brain lately, and I have been running with it. I am trying to find a way to make an eternity band from circles without making myself crazy in the process.
Creating a ring with handmade individual circles is a lot of work.
First, I hand form a coil and use a jewelers saw to cut the coil into
individual rings which are all soldered closed.
the soldered rings are hammered and soldered together
to form the ring. It is a bit time consuming and not very practical
for a seemingly simple piece of jewelry.

I really like the look of the piece so I am going to continue to experiment to make it a viable piece for the shop... any metal smiths out there have a short cut?

I also have been experimenting with patinas and really
would love to expand the color palette on the patinas
I use. I love the green, and it is a natural true patina, but I want more color.

We'll have to see where it leads.

Dwanda is up.....

2008-09-23T00:08:00.003-04:00

I finally set up the Dwanda site. What is Dwanda? It is a commerce site for handmade items similar to Etsy but caters to Europe and uses the Euro as the currency.
Hopefully it will bring more internationally buyers my way, although I wish the translation feature was easier to use. Anyone out there that can help me with German?
http://en.dawanda.com/shop/JorgensenStudio

I set up a new logo there too. What do you think?

Funny, I spent hours today trying to make up a new logo for Etsy and I didn't end up liking any of them. I went back to the old white logo with a new picture. This one took all of 5 seconds and I so love it. Stock template and all. Now I just have to make it fit Etsy.......

What are you looking at???....

2008-09-20T14:30:00.009-04:00

I have been in a shopping mood lately. I think it is because I like every other American is terrified to spend any money that I don't abosolutely have to, and I always want what what I can't have...lol
So I thought I would show off what I am looking at on etsy, with a mini and showcase so of the really awesome talent that is there. If you have never shopped on etsy, let me tell you I highly recommed it, but watch out it is addictive. Etsy is filled with artists and crafters and small business people, selling handmade items, vintage pieces and crafting supplies.
go look..it is really cool....or click on my shop and go to my favorites below especially if you are looking for my birthday present....lol
http://www.etsy.com/

The Harlow Earrings....

2008-09-15T17:10:00.002-04:00

Here they are! Aren't they just the sweetest thing. These are the new Harlow Earrings. Handmade from sterling silver and fabric flower petals. I cut and dome each of the the little blossom bases from sterling sheet and hand form the ear wires which are then soldered in place. A little sterling stamen hods the flower petals in place. They are also available in the shop in read and new colors will be coming!
These are a new addition to my etsy shop http://jorgensenstudio.etsy.com.
There you can find my artisan handmade sterling silver jewelry.

The new green bling ring that I blogged about last is also now listed in the shop ! Come by and see the new stuff......

From theBench...

2008-09-13T20:38:00.002-04:00

It has been awhile, sorry! My youngest daughter has been sick. I thought she had just caught my cough that I have had for the past couple of weeks and still cannot seem to shake, but she has strep throat. So she is needing more of my time lately and I have little time left to blog.
I have been trying to finish the last of the series of bling rings. I must say I like this one best. It is the same vintage Swarovski crystal from the other bling rings, but in green. It has a patterned band like the first, but thinner like the second. It is just right.
It will soon be added to the shop to take it's place with the clear bling and the blue bling.

I also have some new mixed media earrings to add to the shop. Hopefully I can get some pictures taken and get them listed. They are a really fresh idea, and I am really excited about them....so keep a look out.

I told you all about the rain and the general sogginess of everything here. Well it seems to be perfect conditions for tree frog love. The wee tiny tree frog babies are everywhere out side, and boy do they make a lot of noise.
They are just so adorable I had to take a few pictures...these are on our banana tree just outside the back screen.

I have the blahs......

2008-09-09T12:38:00.003-04:00

It has been raining here for what seems like weeks thanks to all the passing hurricanes. It feels like winter up north. The doldrums. Is that how you spell doldrums? Do people still use that word?

So I have been lazy. I spend more time on the computer and less time at the bench. I keep blaming my head cold and I guess the weather is just another excuse. I definitely have a case of the blahs. Everything seems to be on auto-pilot. Neat and tidy and on schedule, but that routine is not conducive to creativeness.

I had to run into "town" to get some quick supplies yesterday. I wandered around aimlessly in the store. Tried to go clothes shopping and hated everything I put on. Although, that really isn't out of the ordinary. But here's the thing, It seems to be spreading. It might be because the state is in such economically bad times, and everyone is just trying to muddle through until we see some light at the end of the tunnel. But everyone seems to be sleepwalking, just going day to day in their routine.

I was watching the television with my darling husband and a commercial came on about a kid dragging his dad through the supermarket because "Wednesday is meatloaf". I know it seems like a benign commercial, even cute when dad says we can't have meatloaf because mom's gone out of town and the nice butcher saves the day by showing dad how. But I hate that commercial. I told my husband, if we ever get to the point where Wednesday is meatloaf, just put me out of my misery. One, because I deplore meatloaf, meat should never come in loaf form, ever, and two because I don't ever want to be that stagnant.

So what's the answer? I dunno. But today I am making kielbasa and cabbage stew. I never had it before, I don't know if I'll like it, and even less if the kids will dare to eat it, but it's something new. Maybe it smell so bad I will have to go out to the bench.....

Almost finished

2008-09-06T21:25:00.000-04:00

I showed the sketch to bench progress photos of this piece a little bit ago. I thought I would add another sneak peek. It's not quite finished. I want to shorten the middle chain, clean up the edges and finish setting the bezel. I really like incorporating the majolica in the jewelry. They are some of my favorite pieces I have made. The majolica was my first love so to speak, so I guess I am still really attached to the process.

You can scroll back on the blog to get a quick lesson in majolica, and see the original sketch of this piece.

I am debating the opening of a second Etsy shop to sell findings. The price of silver seems to be going down daily and that makes it easier for someone like me hand making findings to compete with the pricing of commercially factory made findings. I think that the competition on Etsy is all jumbled together and it is getting harder and harder to find the handmade findings in the sea of commercial supplies.
But I really think that there is a strong market for handmade, and it is getting stronger daily, so that makes me think that it may be a good idea. I am thinking I need to make up larger quantities before I start listing findings, we'll see how that goes. I seem to get lost on the computer and before I know it I have wasted a bunch of time.

Thank you Sir may I have another........

2008-09-06T08:03:00.002-04:00

Can you believe all the hurricanes one after another? We went for a few years without much activity so they must have been saving it all up. Fay has drenched our sandy soil, Hanna skirted by us creating more rain, and Ike has most of South Florida stocking up on supplies.
There is standing water in everyone's yards, everything is wet and mushy. Even the hot South Florida Sun has not dried up all the water. My fear with Ike is that the track has him turning to the south yesterday (yippee!) but he will skate by close enough to create a lot of rain and cause severe flooding because out soil just can't hold any more water.

As of this morning they have Ike going almost due west over Cuba and missing us completely.
Here's the tracking:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200809.html
Let's all cross our fingers.... The problem with hurricanes though is that if they miss you they soon become some other persons nightmare, and I really wouldn't want to wish it on anyone else.

So I haven't posted in awhile because being the first weeks of school my daughter brought home all the kid germs floating around and of course, I caught them all. I have been sick for about a week. Sore throat, head cold type of thing. I am just not getting much accomplished in the studio because by the time I get home from work I am just too tired. I have lots of half finished pieces to work on and some pictures to take.

I will be at it again these next few days, so I will be posting again soon, unless Ike makes a u-turn.

The Post has posted...

2008-08-27T20:30:00.006-04:00

The neighborhood section of the Palm beach Post came out today with the article about me and the jewelry.
Is there away not to be self conscience when you see yourself posted on the web? I don't know if it's possible. The reporter asked some random questions like who would you most like to have dinner with, etc. It is really hard for me to be as out going as I'd like in that sort of setting.
That whole public speaking thing, just freaks me out. You put yourself and your work out there. It's like taking a leap off a cliff.
Ugh!
I guess if we all have personal battles to fight, I am ok with that being mine. I'll keep working on being fabulous in an interview for when I become famous.

I wish the article had shown the jewelry more. The article in the print paper has the etsy website address so that is totally awesome, and is much better than the 1 minute video clip that they posted online. Hopefully, it is interesting enough to warrant some people to go look at etsy.

The video feed was fun but it has since been burried somewhere on the post website so I have editied this post to remove the old links.

2008-08-26T09:14:00.002-04:00

Blogging is new for me, very new. So as time goes on and I figure things out I am sure you will see some changes to this page. Thankfully, I have teenagers that can help me.

So in my wanderings around the blog word occasionally I find other blogs that I find fun to read or informative and I will post them here so you can see what makes me giggle or captures my short attention span.

I came across one today while trying navigate the project wonderful site. "Mom's crazy life" is written by Dani, a mother of 6, who works full time and goes to school. I don't know how she manages this amazing feat, but she does and writes about it on her blog:
http://www.momscrazylife.com/

Have fun reading it.
OK, I really have to get off the computer now and get some work done.

From the Bench

2008-08-20T22:33:00.001-04:00

Bling rings on the bench.
Vintage Swarovski crystal cabochons and sterling silver settings.

I have been a busy beaver, We had an extra day off this week! thank you Fay! all the schools were closed on Tuesday and I got to stay home and play in the studio. Those are good days. No damage here on our home front, although there was a tornado that touched down a couple of miles away and that made the national news. Also heard about my neighborhood on NPR today on the radio. Seems as a lion and a tiger got out again. Oops! It did end better this time as they did not make it off their own property this time, and were safely returned to their cages. I so enjoy the possibility of waking up to a tiger in the yard. Keeps you on your toes. Honestly, the gentleman that keeps them was Tarzan many years ago and has a nice bit of property where he has a sanctuary for large cats.
Down the road a bit is Lion Country Safari. We have lots of fabulous lions, elephants, and other such wonderful creatures. None of them has ever made a break for it, so far as I know. But you can get pretty up close and personal.
And then there's the alligators....but that's for another day.
I live in a awesome neighborhood.

More about the weather....

2008-08-18T14:14:00.003-04:00

I have so much more on my plate to worry about than weather, really, but it seems to be a common subject so far on this blog. So today finds most of Florida hunkering down for Fay.
She is still tropical storm Fay and not hurricane Fay, so that is a plus. The storm trackers have her hitting the west coast and just giving us on the east coast some blustery weather for a few days.
The keys have been evacuated of tourists, and are getting the brunt of it today.
45 mile an hour winds are predicted for my area. That means all the stuff out side that can blow around has to come inside.... Doesn't Mother Nature realize I have orders to fill?
Ugh!

If you want to follow Fay's progress there are a bunch of neat things to look at here:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200806.html

So if I am quiet for a few days...maybe I lost electricity.

From the Bench

2008-08-16T12:25:00.000-04:00

New Dots Circle Earrings have come out of the tumbler and have been added to the shop.
These are simple and classic earrings that are available in two sizes and two colors.
I will be adding a few new things to the shop over the weekend to get the shop ready for the big newspaper feature.

Th Palm Beach Post is featuring me in next weeks neighborhood section! I am very excited about the article, although not really excited about having my picture taken. I hope it will be a good article that highlights etsy and the jewelry well. I always get so nervous about these things.

While they were here, they also shot a bit of video. Both of me answering questions and of me at the bench. I'll set up a link as soon as it is posted.

We are heading into art fair season here in Florida. I will be getting a schedule of events together and posting that as well. So much to do and never enough time!

From the Bench...

2008-08-13T22:06:00.003-04:00

I am doing a custom order of a variation of a stack ring set from my Esty shop. Did that make any sense? lol

I have a stacking set called "vines" in the Etsy shop that are three sterling bands with little silver dots on them. The "vine" set is wavy and undulating (as vines tend to be), but a customer wanted them straight and also ordered a couple bangles to match.

Here they are before they go into the tumbler.

The band part has been oxidized, because if you
my jewelry some part of it has to be oxidized.
The little dots or balls that are attached have been polished on the high points for a really
nice contrast.

I have some hearts on the way into the shop.
They are in the tumbler as well. The hearts will
be able to be personalized, so they should be fun. Ohhh, I almost forgot. Some great circle earrings are in the tumbler too and should be posted sometime this weekend or Monday latest.

I went shopping for a new torch yesterday. I came home empty handed. Don't you just hate it when you want to spend money and can't find what you are looking for. Too bad I couldn't have a custom made etsty torch.....hello alchemy.....

Lightning Strike!

2008-08-10T00:00:00.006-04:00

Florida is the lightning capital of the world. It strikes all sorts of things all the time here, but it still freaks you completely when it happens close to you.

We have many tall pine trees in the backyard of our new home, thankfully they are taller than the house. This past week lightning hit the tree closest to the house, maybe 50 feet away. The picture to the left shows the pale zig zag line down the entire tree where the lightning blew the bark off.

To the right you can see the scaring better that was left behind. I hope the tree doesn't die and fall over.

My daughter was sitting in the family room in front of the sliders that face the yard where this tree is and said she saw hit and it was bright red not white as one would expect.

My husband is a bit of a tech geek, and a bit anal retentive (I do love him dearly) so all the computers, printer, big screen, etc all have battery back-ups and surge protection. It did blow out our modem and the phone system because it came through the copper wire in the telephone line. It did smell a bit burnt in the house for a few hours. We had to call out the dsl people to bring a new modem (can't live without access!), but I still do not have a working telephone in my house. We do have four cell phones between the five of us, so it is only distressing the youngest child who cannot speak to her girl friends for 4 hours a day.

I was mostly upset that I missed seeing this strange occurrence right in our own backyard and worried that my dear chicken was either scared to death or because she is surrounded by metal fence- electrocuted. She was just fine and squawking at me like nothing unusual had happened.

Isn't she pretty.... she needs friends.

From the Bench

2008-08-07T10:57:00.005-04:00

Every so often I will let you view what is sitting on my bench. Most of the time what sits there are projects that require many steps and more time than I have in a single day. These works are in process and you will be able to follow them along.

Right now I am working on several pieces that are similar to the majolica clay and sterling pieces that have sold out of the etsy shop. These are bigger scale pieces and incorporate the blue blossom tiles. I have also started a piece with a lemon tile I made as an option for a custom order.

Here is the "plan":And here it is translated to sterling.

What else is on the bench today? I am working on rings so I am making bezels for the vintage crystal and glass cabs I have. Bezels are a staple for silversmiths and should be one of the first things to master. Making bezels uses all your skills and is a stepping stone to more advanced work.

Back to work.....

Integrating Pottery and Silversmithing

2008-08-05T16:31:00.003-04:00

Having started in clay I can't ever wander too far from it. It calls to me when I have been neglectful. I have been looking for a way to integrate my love of pottery and jewelry that expresses my style. I think I have captured that with these pendants. These little colorful gems are a labor of love.

I start with raw terracotta clay and form a tile. That tile once dried has to sanded to make sure it will fit into a bezel. Then it goes into the kiln for the first firing. Once fired each little tile is glazed with three coats of white base glaze and sanded with fine steel wool. Then the fun part begins. The tile is then hand painted with majolica glazes in the traditional method of over glazing, before going into the kiln for the second firing. After the terracotta tile is cooled from the kiln, I hand fit and solder a fine silver bezel to a sterling silver backing individually for each tile because as they are hand formed they all are varying in shape. This is a labor intensive process and requires many steps in fitting, soldering, pickling, filing, sawing and polishing the silver setting. Once the setting has been finished and polished the tile is set and the bezel is rolled over the tile and set as a gemstone is set. There is no glue used to hold it into place only jewelry fabrication techniques.