Monday, January 30, 2012

That's sort of a weird feeling...

I told you guys that I was going to be writing for Etsy Fort Worth's blog right?  Well, I'm doing member features, and just had to feature myself!  That's sort of weird....anyway, if you want to read it, you can find it here: http://etsyfortworth.blogspot.com/2012/01/member-monday-meet-amy-nicole.html

Friday, January 27, 2012

In case you were wondering..

what these pieces look like on...






































































I dislike the task of photographing myself wearing my pieces.  For one, it's kinda hard to take pictures of yourself.  Ones that look semi decent anyway.
I can't wait for my daughters to get old enough to model for me!

But, I do it because I think it's hard sometimes to get a feel for what something will look like being worn.
So, these have all been added to their respective listings!
I'm happy to have this task out of my way for now.
Happy Weekending all!

Happy Friday!



I can never get enough of this band!  

Thursday, January 26, 2012

New

Etsy Fort Worth

Did I tell you?




I just slapped on my boots and my badge and joined a local Etsy team!

Well, not really my boots.  And not really a badge either, but come on.  It's Ft. Worth.  What do you guys think of when you hear Ft. Worth?  Cowtown.

And yes, it is Cowtown.  But those cowboys and girls must love them some art because Ft. Worth also has a thriving arts district.

Yee Haw!!

:-)

Anywho,  I joined this team mainly looking for local exposure, and to get the skinny on events around town since I mostly live under a rock.  
(luckily under my rock there is a super cool studio filled with fun stuff to play with!)

It is a small team, but are quite active.  I'll be writing for the team blog which you can find 



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Just for me..




Over the Holidays, my cousin commissioned me to make a cuff bracelet for her Mother in law.  I had about a 4.5" strip of 18 gauge sterling sheet 1/2" wide left over, and decided to run it through the rolling mill until I could get enough length on it that I could make myself a cuff.  I think it ended up being maybe 21 gauge.  I don't know for sure since I don't have any calipers.  Which, btw are on my to get wish list.  I think they will come in handy especially since I'm processing my own scrap.

Anyway...The last cuff I made myself also had a similar silhouette, which I didn't realize until I thought to try wearing them together.   I guess I just love the scalloped edge!

This one I stamped in a concentric circle using 3 different sized dot stamps, with flowers in the center.  I set three 4mm iolite cabs on there because I love iolite.  It is a gorgeous shade of violet blue. 

The thinner gauge is ok, for me, but I wouldn't sell one that thin.  I've decided to offer it as a made to order item with choice of stone, in 18 gauge sterling.   I have it listed in my online store, but not yet on Etsy.  


I recently made myself a nice pair of sterling earrings too.  I don't often set about making something I know will be mine.  I have pieces in my personal collection that I have made,  but usually because they never sold!  lol  It's kinda nice to treat myself once in awhile.  How about you?  Do you make things just for you? 

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Engraving



Do you guys remember when I took that hammer engraving class last September?  Well, I'm really sort of bummed to say that I haven't done anything with it at all.  I mean, I ordered all the supplies I need to get started.  But there has always been one huge thing holding me back.  And that is how to sharpen the gravers. 

In class, the teachers had a Power Hone.  And they also discussed alternatives, but it always went back to the best thing to get was the Power Hone.  By the time you buy the unit, and the sharpening wheels, and the holder for the graver, you're looking at $ 1,000.  Which is a huge investment in something you aren't sure you'll ever be good enough at to justify spending $ 1,000.

So, I've been scared.  I did order a graver holder thing for sharpening and a sharpening stone.  And it's been sitting in a drawer since October.  Sigh....

The very first skill they taught us was how to hand engrave using a technique called Rick Rack.  It's super easy to do, and fun!  And the teacher had several antique examples of items that had been engraved using Rick Rack.  I kinda like it.   A lot. 

The above pics have hand stamped flowers with rick rack pleats on each petal.  I love this little added detail!  But after these pieces, my rick rack tool that the teacher sharpened for me was quite dull.  I busted out my stone and oil and attempted to sharpen it.  And promptly made it a useless lumpy mess.

I am always in short supply of patience.  I know this is what I need to coax myself through learning to properly sharpen my gravers.  That and I ordered a book published in the 70's (pre power hone!) that covers hand engraving, but has a nice section on sharpening the gravers by hand. 

I REALLY want to get back to practicing engraving.  It could add so much detail to my work!  I was so close to signing up for a class on wax carving and casting, and then I remembered that I haven't really done anything with the last class I took.  And what's the sense in just taking classes and not doing anything with the knowledge?  I mean, I'm sure every skill out there isn't going to be my cup of tea,  but I hate wasting time and money on things I'll never find useful.  And engraving can be so useful.  I refuse to let it be a waste. 

With all that being said.....if anyone out there has or knows of a used Power Hone that they want to unload for like really cheap, let me know!!  ;-)

Or tips!  I'll take all the help I can get! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

I did it?

Well, I learned a couple of things today while trying to recycle my silver scrap into sheet.

1. My mapp gas torch doesn't get hot enough to melt 2 ozt of silver and keep it hot enough to pour into an ingot.

2. I have some other options to use the ingot, but I'm not in the mood right now to figure it out. I'm thinking I could use the kiln, or bust out my oxy/propane set up to get the extra heating power.

3. I could have saved myself some $ since I ended up carving a rectangle into an old charcoal block to get the job done.





Before






After :-)

Except for the weird hole in one piece, I'm calling it a success!

Last but not least, I learned this is a very time consuming practice. Now that I know I can do it I will probably do it again when the scrap box gets full again!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My sinuses are killing me.  The weather here in NE Texas has been fairly warm for the middle of January.  My kids were outside all day long, all weekend long.  And today it is much colder.  And what with the fluctuating temperatures, my sinuses are screaming.  Screaming I tell you.  Accompanied by a wailing headache.  Okay, I may be exagerating a bit.  But just a bit.

I get these sinus issues several times a year, and I've managed to work out a pretty good combo of meds that will eventually control the pain.  But I still feel depressed and like my brain is only half working.  And tired. 

And all I want to do is play with metal.  I am literally never without an idea of something I want to make.  It is just finding the time to do it.  And today actually feeling well enough to do it!  I am trying to concentrate on working in sort of collections.  Like my last batch was all hand stamped.  I love to stamp, and I think I will go back to it again and again.  But I am ready to move on to something else.  The next collection...

Right now I am dreaming of enameled earings, and simple rings with beautiful stones.  But first!  First I am going to attempt to recycle my own silver scrap into sheet.  I got the last of the supplies I needed last week, and have been waiting for the girls to go back to school (four day weekend!!!) to see if I can do it. 

I'll keep you updated!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Sunday, January 15, 2012





It looks like I'll have this necklace finished today! I'll be listing all of my new work tomorrow. I'll let you know when I do! ;-)

Friday, January 13, 2012

I am slowly transitioning into the New Year.  I've found myself a little depressed ever since my parents left on the 1st.  It seems to me that I remember feeling this way last year after the Holidays also.  I've come to the conclusion that it is just a bit of a let down after all that go go go go for almost 2 months straight.  On one hand I love the leisurely pace I am able to enjoy, but yet I have this nagging feeling that things should be rolling along faster.

It doesn't help that on December 31st at midnight, along with ringing in the New Year, my husband starts harping about the taxes.  I hate doing paper work.  I know it would be easier if I kept up with it month to month but I don't.  I prefer to torture myself and my husband by procrastinating to the point that I must spend a solid week sitting at the computer jogging numbers around.  Bluck!  :-p

So in between trying to make a dent in the taxes, working on orders, and being a smidge leisurely I have been making some new pieces.

I have a couple more things on the burner.  A necklace for sure.  A couple of earring ideas that are haunting me.  And I'm already planning the next collection.  This collection is tied together in that all the pieces have been hand stamped or hand engraved in some way.

I set out down the road to discover more Turkish Delights.  And along the way I seemed to run into the American Southwest a little as well.  It is interesting to me that in my mind they really aren't that far apart.  The repeating patterns.  Sometimes with a western vibe, sometimes an eastern vibe.  The line is fine.



Here is a little sneaky peaky.  The light was just gorgeous this morning and I was able to get pictures taken.  I plan on finishing the stragglers, and will be updating my online store next week!  I'll let you guys know for sure when I decide that will be.

Until then my friends, enjoy your weekend!  I know I will!  :-)

Monday, January 9, 2012

WIP




I'm dreaming of Spring!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy Friday!







Weeeee! Can you see the pattern on the silver? Hand stamped flowers with hand engraved accents on each petal!

I came up with this today on a whim and I am in love! Yes it's engraving so basic my kid could do it, but it feels soooo good! ;-)

Earrings to be paired with these gorgeous faceted blue/green chalcedony cabs that I've been hoarding for ages.

Does anyone else do that? Hoard product? It's like I can't let some stones go for a long time. Until I feel ready to send them out into the world.

Happy Friday all! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Workspace






Wednesday, January 4, 2012

WIP Wednesday





Handstamped sterling cuff!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Prototype 1

Hubby says I need to get in the wedding business. So, I must say that I made this under duress, but have ended up loving it.

It is still a prototype because I haven't been able to work out sizing issues. I need to be able to offer it in any size, and I just don't see how it can be done without having to cut into the first pebble on either side of the tube bezel.

It's a smidge larger than a size US size 7.5. I'll list it in the Etsy shop in a minute! :-)

WIP




Work in progress...Ayla earrings in copper.