Intentional Stones

Strands and strands

I have to reassure you.  If there's nothing posted here, it's due to the fact that I'm very very very very busy. 

Project Runway is on the TV on thursdays and it's vitalizing to see the design in process.

One last Sunday show is coming up at the Waterfront.  Look for us from 11-3 in the Pump House! I'll be there for their holiday market in late November, but I'm skipping the Biketoberfest on the first.  Maybe I'll stop in with my bike!  What a concept!

But, most of all, I'm getting ready for holiday shows.  I have many great pieces that I've started but need those last finishing touches or a necklace to hang from.  I have planned improvements to my displays to complete.  Photographs to get into the portfolio.  My tent needs repair or replacement.  (One gust of wind from Irene took it out [the storm never touched Pittsburgh, except that pesky wind]) And I need weights to keep that from happening again. 

Bedford's Fall Foliage Festival will be here in no time!  October 8th is coming up very very fast.  This one's a big time show and everything must be hand made!!! 

Then there's the listings.  I uploaded some photos to facebook, but they're not written up or listed yet!!!

School is in full swing around here.  Which is the primary reason for being too busy to blog.  It's like I have two full time jobs.  And while it's filling a lot of my time, I feel like my life is finally back where I want it to be.  We're having the most rich time working together and learning together.  And we completely back in control of our lives. 

Today in the studio I have strands of tiny stone beads getting ready to support beautiful stone pendants.  Woven chain with me all day long.  I'm finishing commissions and making a few larger gemstone rings.  OK, I'm overwhelmed by my aspirations.  

Still.  You get the idea. 

Artist's weekend

My family will be out of town having the time of their lives.

And I'm staying home to have a party! (yes, I do feel like a teenager whose parents have left town for the weekend)

It's an artist's retreat at Simbelmynë's house!  I'll hit Costco and fill the house with food. I'm used to all sorts of eaters-picky eaters, carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, food sensitivities, OmNomNomNivores... Also I have hot and cold running WiFi, which is, of course, optional.  And, never fear, coffee.

Everything's ship shape with lots of room for big projects.  I'm not far from Construction Junction, really you could get pretty crazy. I'm planning to set aside areas for specific things, and we can adjust as people arrive with their projects and goals for the weekend.  I have lots of places to sleep, if you're from out of town or just don't want to leave.

The jewelry studio will be in full swing.  I have almost every type of equipment anybody could need-from torches to finishing equipment. I have tables and corners and quiet areas for writing, being quiet, meditating.  A park next door for walks and listening to the world around us.  A full crafting room with all sorts of supplies, if you forget anything.  I even have a macro photography studio, if you want to get some small photos.

We can swap, dump, laugh, play, work, meditate, trade secrets, teach, learn, whatever we want to do.

If you RSVP I can make sure I have what you need.  Or just show up, the more the merrier!

Stay all weekend or come and go as you please. 

Official Start is 7pm Friday, March 18 and end at 7pm Sunday March 20.

-Simbelmynë

(412)608-8986

235 Oakview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

(Please ignore the photo it's from the highway, for some reason)

We're the last house on the left.

Loop-in-Loop Chain

I finally have a chain I'm comfortable with.  The loop in loop is pretty easy to create.  The ends of carefully cut fine silver wire fuses when a torch is applied to it.  So I don't need to mess with tiny pieces of solder for this chain. 

Once they're closed, the links are elongated and then folded in half, pinching the ends together, and then hooked into the last link of the chain.  It's so easy!

I'm still working on my jumpring sawing technique.  I'm finding that an unreasonably small saw-(easy to break) makes it easier to keep the shape of the link and saw evenly. 

I'm also gaining more appreciation for masking tape as I use the very soft fine silver wire.  Next time I'll harden it more before I start shaping the rings, still it seems to remain softer than the sterling. 

This is a very thick chain.  Most suitable for wearing alone or with a substantial pendant.  I like this particular one, made from 22 gauge wire, because it's very light weight.  Large stone pendants can be very heavy.  It's nice to have a lighter necklace sturdy enough to carry one proudly.

I'm confident enough with it that I think I'll start experimenting with shaping the links for a more elegant look in future chains. I also think it's time to try a more standard shaped chain again.  The Little Torch is helping me with control in the tiny spaces involved in chain making.

School's Back

I forgot how much time I really have while the kids are in school.  I'm taking the two classes AND I've had time to make my own projects on top of the homework. 

Everybody is pretty much loving being back at school. So far the kids' teachers are managing pretty well.  I have yet to meet them, but the grades, comments and notes coming back to me are all right.  Havoc's even doing well in spelling!  The summer's schedule of ballet/theater and kung fu would have left us treking insanely every school day except Friday.  Choices had to be made.  The littles loved Kung Fu, so I think I'll have them trade second semester.  Gradual progress is OK and possibly they'll develop a strong favorite after two good semesters of activities. 

I've had the random appeal to homeschool again.  Don't tell the kids, but I retain my sanity at 7:30 AM by imagining us switching to PACyber and getting the kids little netbooks to do school on.  All of us sitting peacefully around the dining table or on the patio doing our various work...What a nice dream.  But you know it would turn back into all of us fighting and not meeting one another on a workable educational level. 

My classes are giving me more confidence with design and metal.  These earrings sprang quite easily from my bench.

I've started a tumblr mini-blog just for bench photos while I'm working like mad.  http://intentional-stones.tumblr.com/ If I get too busy to write a full blog entry, try and find out what I'm working on over there!

-Simbelmynë

Brain Reset

Stream of consciousness post for today.

I've been blogging less lately, I really don't want to lose you as readers, but my inspiration's been sucked up by delays, setbacks and obstacles.  I worry that it's all me.  Not able to overcome, push things out of the way and get to work. 

So I'm going to unfog.  Write mostly about what it takes to make myself work, and hopefully share some good work along with stuff that's just OK and things I hate.  It's a little scary.

I've got commissions and requests for information.  And this is making me feel very good and yet have doubts at the same time.  I need to work on the process of communication. Creating a request form with specific information that I need before I take on an order.  Set up a reasonable system of creating an estimate and time frame for response and expectation.

I also need to make time to fix up my space and organize my materials.  I need find music and sound to keep myself stimulated while I do repetitive work.  Still I need a better creative environment, one that's not messy and distracting.

My household is distracting me endlessly and things will not settle down unless I stop letting things bother me.

I need to: Clean up, organize, focus on skills, get old projects finished.

I'll share photos and write whenever I can.  And hope order comes out of this chaos eventually.

-Simbelmynë

Themes

I often wonder what our direction should be.  I see people in their shops really settling into a theme.  Defining their product according to a trend.  Working beautifully within a style or a genre.  And I've wondered if we would enjoy doing that.

Ink-Wear tattoo inspired printed clothing, especially shoes.

Tattoos are emblematic.  We choose pictures that work within a simple style and symbols that will endure meaningfully throughout our lives. But tattoos are difficult to design because the two dimensional images must exist on a curved and moving surface.  They also carry social significance, whether it comes from their direct meaning or the preconceptions others bring to viewing our tattoos. 

dottral Handmade pincushions.

Turning our passions into tools for our craft.  I've seen beaded knit counters, I have books about creating tools for my jewelry making using the skills I've learned, and now these beautiful examples of fabric crafting and embroidery.

verybigjen Schmaltzy Craftsy Handcrafted Pincushions by Jen Segrest. 

These items are delightful to make, and they complete the crafting experience.  I've worked on items for my work space, used my sewing and yarn working impulses to fill needs I have for storage in my studio.  

When I have a need that I don't have time to fill, it's gratifying to find another crafter who's selling handmade items that'll do it.  More and more I'm learning to look for these items first, and when I find them, I'll buy handmade.  

In this case, embracing the theme makes it easier for people like myself to find exactly what I'm looking for. 

Red Panda Chainmail

The specific technique theme has advantages for both the crafter and the customer.  Techniques can fill the needs of a specific interest category, like costuming or historic reenactment.   

One particular style or technique gives the crafter the endless opportunity to improve. I admire the ability to work this way.  Whenever I design a piece, I'm endlessly wishing for more skill.  Something I can only achieve if I stick to a lesson more than one item at a time. 

Technique comes from discipline and practice.  I love the intricacy of these chainmail pieces and admire the time and patience they take. The better we get at technique while we build interest in ourselves as sellers, the more involved, intricate and interesting projects we can take on for our customers. 

Catherinette Rings handmade Steampunk jewelry.

Trends in art, costuming and literature wander in and out of the attention of the world. The Steampunk theme combines specific techniques or materials with style and inspiration.  It's currently popular in movies, books and role playing games.  This particular style includes upcycling and intricate technique in the examples I've seen.  It draws from technology, geometry and Victorian flare.  It attracts fans of art, technology and science fiction and it's a beautiful art and costuming style.

Though it's another limiting theme, it feeds on hot interest in fashion, and so it's going to draw people in and get them interested in your work.  

Jens Pens handmade wooden pens 

This seller is creating within a much more specific product category.  Pens are something everyone needs, and yet rarely do we associate it with handmade.  The theme choice stands out as a specific niche.  Like the pincushions, this seller is handmaking tools, but for a much wider audience.  Re-envisioning a tool that we take for granted, she's making them special and beautiful through her craft. 

Pens have an appeal of their own.  I know I'm very picky about mine.  I look at the way it feels in my hand, the smooth flow of the ink, the width of the line.  Pens can be like clothing.  Loving your pen can mean loving what you write with it. 

This choice allows for technique, expertise in the product, and style for a specific audience.  It will make a beautiful opportunity for seller and buyer, combining the advantages of all the other themes I've looked at.

Do I know what theme Mina and I would embrace?  No, I'm not any closer to finding one.  But I see distinct advantage in a themed store.

-Simbelmynë

All sellers I've discussed are part of the The We Love Artfire Guild.  Please join me in choosing handmade!

Pushing Creativity

It isn't always the best idea.  And yesterday, while I was still fighting off this cold, tooth and nail, I tried.  I found about a dozen pairs of beads for earrings.  And managed one pair.  I think I have an idea of two for the rest.  But my sick, sleepy brain would not produce. 

Amethyst, Carnelian, Iolite, Garnet, Blue Chalcedony, Rose Quartz, Quartz, Moss Agate, Moonstone, Aventurine, Apatite, Smokey Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz and Labradorite.

So today, I'm focusing on sleeping and getting rid of this darn cold.  Physical limitations...

I'd love requests for any pair.

On the bead board today

No, I don't have much experience with stitching beads, and yet, here I am...

And here are the focal beads.

Andalusite Cage Wrap

The early days of National Craft Making Month were filled with the long built up energy of getting ready and of months without crafting.  And so I burst into the month with millions of ideas and new sources of inspiration ready to create!

This was one of the first pieces I made last month and I wanted to talk about making it.

This isn't a formal tutorial, but I took a fair amount of photos as I was making the piece, just so I could remember.  I'd love to share the process.

Step by step 

Materials, one large bead, 22 gauge sterling silver round, square and half round wire

This bead comes from a lovely strand of Andalusite coin beads that I've been treasuring and using slowly. I chose this one because it resembles a road disappearing on the horizon.  And the crossing is a thicker black point with an inclusion of the brown crystal off center.  It looks a bit like a sunset.  Many of the stones have the crossroad directly in the center of the stone, but this one really seemed to fit my mood better.  It's more like I'm on the journey and I cannot see my destination, but I know the crossroads is ahead. 


I measured the bead carefully with my calipers and also used a strip of scrap paper to measure the edge circumference.  Then I used my ring mandrel and mallet to form the two frames.  I bent the end wires perpendicular to the fame where they met and then back on the front wire, forward on the back wire.  I also measured the width of the bead at it's center, then I used the caliper to mark half the target distance on the neck wires (the thickness of the bead divided by two) and bent the wires up exactly that distance from the frame wire.  When I put the two bundles of end wires together, the two circles stood out parallel

I also created a small hammered 'S' element for the back of the cage using the frames width as a guide.  I wanted it to sit slightly higher up in the back so the stone could still be seen underneath.


 I hardened the round wire by pulling and made a freeform design to use as the edge of the cage.  I had hoped to do something a little more geometric, but the first attempt is still nice looking.

I formed the frame wire around the mandrel as well and trimmed the end short creating a spiral at the end of the design to overlap a wave at the beginning and create a secure resting place for the end of the headpin supporting the bead. 


Then I chose the front frame and wrapped at points where the design was touching.  I was gently reshaping the squiggling pattern as I went to insure a more even spacing of the wraps, to make sure it was secured all the way around the frame and just for aesthetics. 

I repeated this process with the front frame wire.  I taped the wire ends together to hold it in place as I wrapped.  I attached it at the top and bottom of the piece, leaving some space at the sides to attach the 'S' element and leave a little room to adjust the side wires before the last wrap made their positioning permanant.  


Once I was satisfied with the attachment points on both sides all the way around the frame, it was time to add in the bead.  I slid the pin through my bottom design, the bead and then into the taped bundle of wires at the top. 

I checked the fit in the frame, the stone was sitting just a little bit higher on one side than the other, but it was quite easy to adjust the wrapping so it did not interfere.  This is what you get from designing as you go.

Then I removed bottom of the tape holding the wires together, made sure they remained formed a tight bundle with the round headpin in the center and wrapped them twice with half round wire.  I separated the wires, chose the two in the center, bent them backwards over my tiny needle nose pliers, secured them with two more wraps of the halfround wire and trimmed the wrap wire.

One nice thing about a freeform design when I'd planned something more regular, is it's easier to decide what to do with the extra length of the frame wires.  I just spiraled the ends and bent them down to accentuate the design. 


I think this design will work well with a wide variety of beads, as long as they are fairly large.  It's delightful that it's open on the front to display a gorgeous bead and the back also make a nice ornate pendant with a background of the stone's color.

I'm imagining something more like knotwork for the side design for the formal version.  It is more of a filigree setting than a free standing cage.

Please, tell me what you think of this writeup.  I'd love to write a tutorial or two on more popular pieces, and I need feedback!

-Simbelmynë

Why my home soldering setup is crazy

I figure that any home with children should avoid too many things that have this label:

It's a nice acid bath for the metal- pre soldering.  All warm and cozy, getting so clean that nothing will impede the flow of the solder.

Next, I painted flux all over everything, to protect the metal through the heating.  Ooooh!  It has a warning on it that says "can be fatal if swallowed" among other things.

Now, finally, we get to the fun part.  Fire!  Maybe, when I grow up, I'll have a hood in my basement and work area, but for now, I'm using the next best thing- the one over my stove. 

The hard flow solder took Forever to melt.  And since I was working on a bunch of torch stuff at once...  Well my arm got tired.

The solder joins look OK,  I probably used a little more than is strictly necessary.

I've bent the ring into shape (not hammered yet, the little wings will be bent down).  I'll repeat the delightful soldering process with medium solder to complete the join.

I'm keeping the decoration flat so that I can attach a bezel for a stone with easy solder.

The more I learn about this process, the more complex it gets.  Three or four different types of solder.  Each with a different melting point, so that you don't melt your old join. 

How on earth do you do any really secure wire wrapping?  You cannot solder a piece if there is a stone on it anywhere, the heat conducted through the silver would crack the stone.

I still have a lot to learn.

For the moment, the chasing project is stalled, it involves even More equipment and a lot more training, but here's a bonus photo of me annealing copper.

-Simbelmyne