Build A Line Challenge

I am getting ready to participate in the BUILD A LINE Challenge from B'sue Boutiques. Click on the badge on the right to read more about it and follow our progress.

"This is how many of us work.....madly, quickly, ideas flowing faster than our fingers can move.  
And I'll be the first to admit:   this is MY workspace down in the Messy Workshop, where our first videos were made, and a space we'll be using again before too long.
We may work in chaos, but chaos will not work for us where our finished jewelry is concerned.  It is time to concentrate, think deep, and discover simple truths about what is IS people want, and how we as handmade jewelry artists can give it to them at prices they will pay. 
That's a real challenge.....and WHY the BUILD A LINE CHALLENGE was born!
Here is my first post on it, you may want to review it:
The Ultimate Challenge
This amazing opportunity will be a challenge that will last three months.  Those who participate will need to be fully committed."

This amazing 3 month course is FREE!!! 1st come, 1st served. I believe the maximum participation is 60, so join up quick!

I'll be revealing my design theme in early January. Make sure to sign up to Follow by Email to get the latest posts.

~ Elizabeth

A Challenge for the New Year!

She Sells Sea Shells by the Seashore...

This year I've decided to really push the limits of my creativity and do monthly challenges all year!

Challenge #1: 30 days of wire wrapping

My daughter and I have been having fun finding sea shells at the beach. The only thing is, we aren't looking for the biggest, prettiest, most perfect shells we can find... No, we are looking for the most interesting shells that have a story. 

 The 1st shells I'm working on....

These shells include pieces of shell that have been tumbled smooth by the ocean, broken conch shells, pieces of shells in interesting swirled shapes, and fossil looking shells filled with holes...

I'll be experimenting with sealants for the shells to bring out their natural beauty. The 1st sealant I am trying is Glossy Accents. 

 Shells coated with Glossy Accents

I am using a small paint brush to coat the shells 

and I like the way they shine!

Finally, on to the challenge!! 

Here are the 1st 2 shells I've wire wrapped:

  First attempts at wire wrapping shells

At the end of the month, I'll be giving away 2 of my 

wire wrapping challenge projects so stay tuned!

What do you think? Can I make it?

xo ~ Mad 

It's Alive!!!

It's ALIVE!!!!! It's ALIVE!!!

I feel like Dr. Frankenstein today after bringing 5 tins of Gilders Paste back to life. Late last year my friend Claudia from CalliopesAttic, a great vintage findings shop on Etsy, sent me her old tins of Gilders Paste because after trying them she decided that she likes other patina techniques better. She said she was embarrassed to send them to me after opening them and seeing that they'd dried out, but I convinced her that for playing and learning, they'd be just fine.

Before

I have to say that they smell a lot like shoe polish. As you can see, they were in various stages of dryness, from totally dried out to just a little dried out. After searching the web for instructions on reviving Gilders Paste, I ran across directions to add odorless turpenoid and mix to the consistency you want. And guess what? It worked!

From this...

 

To this!

After

See the broken plastic knife? I had to really work that tin to get it back into condition, and the knife paid the price. Poor knife. All for a good cause though. Note: turpenoid is flammable and is toxic if swallowed, so take care when using it and always use it in a well-ventilated area and wash hands thoroughly after using it.

To add the turpenoid, I used a straw by dipping the straw into the liquid and putting my finger over the hole so that I only got small amounts of liquid at a time. I then worked the liquid into the paste and added more until I got the consistency I was trying for.

Next comes the fun part! Using it!!! So I got out some raw brass findings and scrubbed them with a toothbrush using soap and water to make sure that they were clean. Raw brass finding often have oils from the stamping process and your patinas will not adhere to the metal if it isn't clean. Here are the results:

Gilders Paste in Rust

Gilders Paste in Foundry Bronze with Rust accents

What are you working on today?

Happy creating!

~Mad

Play time!

Well, I've been sort of on hiatus because I managed to misplace my camera battery..... finally gave in and ordered a new one and it JUST CAME!!!! Woo Hoo! Back in business!

So...... while I waited for a decent picture, I decided to take another look at my favorite tutorial site: Jewelry Lessons and some of my jewelry magazines. So many techniques, so little time..... sigh. Needless to say, inspiration overload occurred and I started trying new techniques! Here are a few of the new techniques I learned (or worked on):

Herringbone Weave:

Netted Bezel:

Wire Wrapping:

Knotted Headpins:

I love learning new techniques! If you ever see anything that you want me to try, just let me know.  :-)