Day 356

Today at lunch, I ventured out to my favorite bead shop to get some texturing plates. While I was there, I discovered that they now carry brass sheet. But even better is that they have it in 26 gauge, which is starting to become one of my preferred gauges - especially when shaping and not just pounding. It's much easier to cut than 24 gauge. I'll probably get some brass in 24 gauge as well, but for now, the 26 gauge is going to suit my purposes perfectly.

Day 339

Today was a good mail day for me. I received a Beadin Path tote in the mail for free through following the store on Twitter. The owner is a sweet gal, and I'd love to meet her one day. Encouraging whatever business I can her way is my pleasure!

The other fun package was from Artbeads.com. My very good friend gave me a gift certificate for my birthday and I'd been trying to figure out what to get for a while. Well, they had 20% off after a certain dollar amount, so I had all sorts of fun. I picked out five metal stamps, some copper charms, and some copper stringing wire. I'm thrilled with everything I got.

Day 326

This afternoon I had the opportunity to take a discounted metal working class with my beading partner. I'm not sure if this would have been my very first choice for a class, but it was what worked out with the timing. I liked the technique and there are a lot of possibilities. Unfortunately, there is yet another tool to purchase if I want to do more with this one.

I do love the wire we picked out.

Day 311

I'm still working on fleshing out some other flowers for my project that started with the large daisy last week. I came up with this little guy, and I think it's a keeper. We'll see if I can make him some friends.

Day 303

Tonight I'm at a special Metal Night at my favorite bead shop. By knowing the right people, I managed to talk myself into a spot at the sold-out event while doing the anniversary bracelet on Sunday.

I have a vision for a special piece. I made a pattern (or at least the framework for a pattern) last night. I've been working on what size to make the actual piece, and have settled on a fairly significant 3-inch diameter.

At this point in the evening, I have drawn, cut and started to shape the two layers of the flower. It's really nice to be able to make use of the vast selection of tools and bounce ideas off someone who has way more experience with this sort of thing than I do.

I can tell that I still have lots to do, but I am so happy with and proud of my progress to this point. It's so nice to be able to say that I both designed and made this and to see it coming to life.

Day 299

As a rare treat, I was able to do two beading projects in two days. This evening I took a class at my favorite local shop creating a metal worked pendant. This creation was inspired by the designer's neighbor's Wisteria vine. It was a really fun piece made by crushing light-weight, 34 gauge copper into the blossoms.

I really, really enjoyed this metal working technique. It was very organic and worked up nicely. I'm thrilled that I was able to complete the pendant during the class. I can't think of another metal worked class where I've walked away with the finished piece. I have so many nearly completed projects. I'm not counting the fact that I still have to make it into a necklace.

I was also very happy to discover that I already own nearly all of the tools to make this piece again in the future. I am certain I will be incorporating this technique into other pieces.

Day 241

For six hours today I took a riveting class taught by Tracy Stanley (just in case you missed my last post). We started off with 3" x 3" sheets of brass and bronze. We marked off squares, textured them, antiqued them, cut them out, rounded the corners, pounded the edges, picked out charms and created decorative components. Then we started riveting the pieces together.

It wasn't until I looked at my first completed square of metal that I actually started getting into this class. The thing about metal working is you have to do 10-15 different steps before you finally start to see some results and anywhere along the line something can go wrong. I didn't like making all of these decisions - this metal or that metal? this texture? more texture? how do I lay it out?

What I loved about this class is that pretty much all of those decisions didn't have a wrong answer. It was a lot of playing around and experimenting, but for the most part everything turned out great. I was really pleased with what I accomplished. I think I was able to complete more of this project than I have with any other metal work class I've taken in the past.

I can't wait to complete this into a bracelet, and I'm already thinking of other things I want to try out. Unfortunately, there are quite a few tools that I would like to add to my beading supplies.


Had to share this picture from today also just because the colors were so fantastic!

Day 240

I am taking a metal working class taught by Tracy Stanley for most of the day tomorrow. I decided to lay out the tools I'll need for class. My sister-in-law and I are sharing some tools, so I don't have everything I'll need, but it's a good start. I used my gift certificate from my anniversary to purchase the hammers this afternoon.

It should be an awesome class, but I have to admit that I'm still a little bummed that it's not the resin class I really wanted to take. But there are only so many resources. Next time.