Ok, Enough of That! Now onto This!

Do you want to hear me talk about some fun stuff for a change?

I had the honor of chatting it up for a podcast with Cara Rae of

  icreateflix.com .

Cara is incredibly easy to talk to and she had me spilling the beans about creating, combining children, home and business tasks, production work versus one of a kind pieces and sources of inspiration.

(I promise I do not mention man trouble once during the interview!)

You can listen to the show on Monday, the 3rd.

Here is a link to the chat;

icreateflix radio

I am working on a series of downloadable videos to turn over to Cara that will be available for purchase during the Spring.

They'll be super affordable and a great introduction to basic metalsmithing that I'm sure will spark a fire for creating your own metal components for your art jewelry.

My goal for the video instruction is that you just simply..... 

BEGIN.

Don't get bogged down with acquiring tools and setting up the perfect work bench, just pick up a hammer and start learning what happens when you lay into a piece of metal!

Before I go, here's a joke;

There was an old blacksmith who realized he needed to quit working so hard and start training an apprentice for the small town forge he ran.

He choose a strong young man to assist him.

The old blacksmith was very crabby and exacting;

"Just do exactly what I tell you to do", he instructed the young man.

The next day he took an annealed piece of metal from the forge and laid it on the anvil.

"Now when I nod my head", he barked "Hit it real good and hard with the hammer."

The town is now looking for a new blacksmith.

Hahahahahahahaha!

Bohemian Style Jewelry

Welcome to my

Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry Blog Celebration Weekend Post!

I am excited to share with you a new publication ....

Interest has swayed to a looser time, a wild feeling, a step-out-of-your-corset-into-your-patch-work-skirt kinda mood.

And the jewelry to go with it?

Oh yes, I felt that mood swing. 

Bohemian Inspired Jewelry

by

Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel

This book is F.U.N. 

Imaginative. Textural, with materials that you can't stop fingering.

Several projects in this book have inspired a new twist in design for me and I am eager for it to get to you also. 

Purchase a copy now and maybe by summer's end you could  have 50 days worth of accessories to compliment your  bohemian wardrobe!
I'm not even kidding, this book is packed with
50 different designs! 

Here is my start;

I practiced lark's head knots, overhand knots and half hitch knots to complete these earrings;

Copper Antiquity Earrings by Erin Siegel 
(design instructions in the book Bohemian Inspired Jewelry) 
This led to lark's head knots with various pieces of metal I had laying around and left over pieces of waxed linen;

Rain Garden Necklace
A forged sterling frame features a patinated piece of copper metal clay and Czech glass bead fringe. 

A Fools Urn Necklace
Just tell me you can estimate how much cording you would use for this piece,
that pre-measured, inside knowledge alone is worth the book.

Earrings inspired by Lorelei's design "Flying through Hoops" have been fun to mix up with the unique feature of using leather as hanging bales for special beads & links;

Cerise Squared Earrings
(design instructions in the book)

The next projects I'm going to tackle will be "Unfolding" by Maire Dodd (she uses linen to create "roots"!) and "Garden Graces" by Lorelei Eurto (Kimono Cord! How rock star is that!?!)
I hope you will join me in creating your own versions of the leather, ribbon and cord designs Erin and Lorelei have complied for us here.

   

Both the E-book (how much do you need instant gratification?) and the BEAUTIFUL (as in, every glorious printed page has a design element that I love) print publication are on sale right now;

So go here for your print edition;

Bohemian Inspired Jewelry Print Edition 2012

on sale for $13.77

and visit here for the immediate download;

Bohemian Inspired Jewelry E-Book

on sale for $10.77

Wait! Before you leave to buy and create with your hands, Erin and Lorelei have set up a way to win 2 necklaces featured in the book and a copy of the book by creating Polyvore style boards showing us how you would wear one of the necklaces!

(If you're unfamiliar with the Polyvore site, just think of it in the same way you made clipped magazine collages when you were younger, it's just online now.)

So please visit here to get involved in this fashionable challenge ;

POLYVORE CHALLENGE 

Check out the rest of the celebration weekend by visiting these links;
Kicking it off: Beadingdaily.com
Meet the authors: Lorelei Eurto and Erin Segel
Say howdy to the book contributors: Denise Yezbak Moore, Mary Jane Dodd, Michelle Mach, and Tracy Statler
Then join us for the blog party with:

Amanda Davie - Articulations of Amanda Davie

Amy Freeland - Copper Diem

Andrew Thornton - The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Barbara Bechtel - Second Surf   

Beth Hemmila - Hint Jewelry      

Erin Prais-Hintz  - Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere

Gaea Cannaday - Gaea Handmade          

Heather Powers - Art Bead Scene            

Heather Trudeau - The Peacock Fairy     

Kathleen Lange Klik - Modern Nature Studio

Keirsten Giles - Cerebral Dilettante         

Kristie Roeder - Artisan Clay       

Lori Anderson - Pretty Things    
Margot Potter - Margot Potter: live handmade 
Melanie Brooks - Earthenwood Studio  
Pearl Blay - The Beading Gem's Journal 
Rebecca Anderson  - Song Beads             
Rebekah Payne  - TreeWingsStudio          
Sally Russick - The Studio Sublime            
Shannon Chomanczuk- For My Sweet Daughter               
Shannon LeVart - Miss Fickle Media 
Staci Smith - Staci Smith Jewelry               
Stacie Florer - Soul to Substance         
Susan Kennedy - Sue Beads
 

Thank you for visiting and I hope you are inspired this weekend, I'll be here, wearing my new earrings!

Shannon  

   

 

Distant Shore Shells

Would you like to see what I was playing with before I left my dream in Florida?

(Oh, Shannon, always so melancholy. Can't anything be about something else?)

Sorry! 

This post is for me, but I hope you like what I put together.....

Before I left Missouri in April of 2011, it was a goal to utilize my skills on recycled or naturally obtained materials.

I dreamed of the long walks on the beach and all the treasures we would find.

Although I went there with expectations on what I would uncover and create with, life experience shifted a bit and I was more interested in collecting certain shells that meant something to me personally.

It was not important that the shells be well known, rare or even left perfectly unbroken by the sea.

Instead they needed to symbolize how varied and strong they were, to be one of so many of millions and yet each uniquely beautiful. To travel in such rough conditions as the sea and end up a durable, usable object in jewelry is a great feat that I admire in the shells.

To leave my mark on these Olividae shells without screwing up their perfect esthetic, I edged them in a copper metal paint, than applied verdigris patina to the edges and allowed that to develop. Once dry, I sealed the whole shell just as the patina metal is sealed; in lacquer and wax so their finish is protected. 

And there, with a center hole already in place.... I have natures perfect bead!

(I then shoved a really thick piece of braided leather through the opening of the shell, I won't lie; it wasn't easy and some of my leather frayed at the ends where I had to work through a little bit of the leather at a time and then when I had just the smallest piece coming out from the opposite hole, I gripped it with flat nosed pliers and pulled it all the way through.)

It was instantly cool.

 I embellished it with antiqued copper wire wrapping, a hand forged "S" clasp, open link verdigris chain and mother of pearl shell shards that totally look like the teeth of some wild beast that I slain with my bare hands and carried over my shoulders to my tropical tribe where we feasted for days and I was exalted above all other beast hunters and presented with the teeth from the kill in a fantastic celebration that included drums and half naked people stamping around in rhythmic gyrations.

When in reality, I was texting my friend while hiding in the finished lower level of my parents house making jewelry.

But we all gotta hold on to dreams, right?

Hey, beach bum!

I made you some!

If you would like your own Distant Shore Shell, shop here;
missficklemedia.com

They range in price from $7 to $9 for small, medium and large.

Much Love & Respect;

Shannon

 

Pissed off at silver but happy with brass.

I don't care how well off you are, we are all feeling it.

Who the hell do I write a scathing letter to, anyway?

Who decides what the price is? Is it the same people who decide the fuel?

Can we just agree to send a secret assassination team to do away with them and replace them with clones of Tim McCreight and who ever started Rio Grande? 

(I'm convinced these 2 people are looking out for my best interests)

Has anyone tried silver filled wires for soldering yet?

I miss working with the bright sparkle and the matte dark grey.

Now on to other more depressing news. 

Something has been wrong with the email account that the slevart.etsy.com jewelry store was connected to. I missed 2 sales and numerous convos because of this and still haven't figured it out. I do not receive notices and I am logged into missficklemedia all the time so I have no idea what is happening in the other store front unless I remember to check it but I can never remember to. 

 I think as soon as I can pay off my bill, I will just list a few jewelry pieces here on my blog. Just the most special that shouldn't be put away in bags or sold across a counter without an explanation. 

Pieces I need to talk about.  

When I saw copper in a stone for the first time, I was amazed at how natural it looked, almost like the stone itself. The layering effects of patinas on these simple hammered strips of brass give the same organic metal look as the copper embedded stone. The natural aging effect metal has in the ground changes the hues of the rock around it.

I love that.

The Color Drenched Metal Tutorial is now ready!

Yay!

It is finally finished!

The Hook;

  Whether you are a jewelry designer creating with pre-formed elements or a metal worker forging your own components, chances are that if this tutorial caught your attention, you are attracted to the unique, the ancient, and the rustic.

 Creating a design that looks as if it was machine produced; perfectly formed, shiny, and identical to everybody elses', is not for you. You need something that appeals to your spirit of authenticity, something that sets your designs apart, something that tells your customers of your connection to the past, your eye on modern design, and your skill in creating beautiful one of a kind accessories.

Want one?

They are here.

I am really excited to share what I have learned with patina application and the feedback I have gotten from friends who tested the tutorial has been phenomenal!

I am always available for questions (just give me 2 to 3 days to get back to you) so you are not left out in the cold if something is unclear to you.

Videos that focus on patina-ted chain are in the works as are hands on workshops, the project book and live chats.
(sleep overs, pillow fights and snacks would really round this out, wouldn't it?)
Thank you for letting me share what has held me in the grip of impassioned experimentation for the last year and a half.

Here is to furthering our personal jewelry journeys!

A Peek into the Printers Drawer

It's Monday!

And that means it is time to give you a peek into the second compartment of the antique printers drawer I am storing lovely things in.

This is an incomplete piece.

I am trying to teach myself Susan Lenart Kazmer's tab settings and I have a few pieces like this. But I didn't plan ahead very well and it doesn't have a bail in the back. Which is okay, I guess I can drill holes in the top corners and use it as a plaque pendant. I am on the fence about what to pair it up with; the diamond link chain in weathered patina or an ocean blue chain that seems to bring out the blue in the Azurite Chrysocolla cab.

I hate putting away incomplete things because I forget about them when they are out of sight. Whatever halts their progress, whether it be a lack in skill or a design decision, sometimes needs to just simmer on the back burner while the mind works it out.

Putting it in one of the open compartments so I remember it should help me move forward with its completion.

Right?

:) 

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on August 24th in India.

Photo by  Rajiv Lingayat

"Rakhi is the physical symbol of the emotions involved with the festival. The emotions of love, affection and care. It is the sentiments that matter on this day and what can be a better expression of the sisterly love than a self made rakhi." 

Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India

The name 'Raksha Bandhan' suggests 'a bond of protection'. During this special day, brothers make a promise to their sisters to protect them from harm and troubles and the sisters pray to God to protect their brother from all evil. 

And, like so many other meaningful gestures the people of India have, this one contains silk and beads!

I created a few rakhi and gave one to Makayla to present to her brother. Another I shall keep for my own brother who is not in contact with our family right now but with whom I hope to re-build a relationship with one day. The last is for my Mike, who would die to protect me. 

I took photos of the process as I could not find anything but text instructions on how to create our own rakhi and I know there are other people are like me; extreme visual learners. 

What you need;

3 - 20 to 24" lengths of thread, fibers or ribbon. The traditional colors are red and gold, I am using sari silk remnants for my rakhi.

Scissors

12" 24 gauge wire

Beads, buttons, embroidery patches, shisha mirrors, flat backed crystals or stones

Epoxy to adhere the flat back stones

Optional; large holed beads and a clasp

Step 1 -  Choose your thread, fiber or ribbon colors and cut them into 3 pieces at 20 to 24" lengths.
Double the strands and then double them up again; you should have 12 strands of approximately 5 to 6" of ribbon or thread.  Cut the bottom loops so one end remains doubled and the other has 12 loose strands.

Step 2 - Gather your threads and hold them together approximately 3/4" from the center. Tie them in a knot or wrap a 4" piece of wire around the top.

Step 3 - Tuck the ends of the wire down into the wrapping so there are no sharp ends.

Step 4 - Cut the loop with the scissors and push the separated pieces down. If you are using fine threads, it is recommended to brush them with a toothbrush to make them fluffy.

Step 5 - Slide large holed beads onto the sides of your rakhi if you choose. Knot or wrap them into place.

Step 6 - Plait or braid the rest of the strands and knot the ends. You will need a 4 to 6" length on each side to tie onto the wrist of the man or boy you are placing the rakhi onto. If you have a man child like my own, you know that if he wears his constantly, it will be wrecked within days so I chose to fold my ends over a hand forged clasp, enabling Mike to remove his without damaging the rakhi.

Step 7 - Once the bracelet is complete, you can embellish the center with flat back crystals, stones, buttons or shisha embroidery. Let your epoxy set overnight if you are using it to adhere embellishments to the center. I used a pmc Shiva button for Mike's rakhi, as it is a protective spirit to the people of India, and wrapped it into place with a 4" piece of sterling silver wire. 

Step 8 - Offer your rakhi to your loved one and explain its meaning and importance as you place it on their wrist. Bake them something sweet using one of these authentic Indian recipes to go along with their beaded bracelet symbol.

Do you have someone to offer this bond of protection to? They do not need to be a blood brother but anyone who cares for you and makes you feel safe.

Thank you to The Society for the Confluence of  Festivals in India  for educating us on the wonderful tradition of Raksha Bandhan!

Oxidizing Copper Wire

I am working with  a millinery artist who is crafting a new collection of hats from antiqued copper wire. Because her specialty is fabrics, I have had the opportunity to explain some metal working to her and offered to type some stepped out instructions for her to use in the future.

Would you like to have a copy? I have uploaded it to scribd where you can safely download it to your computer;  Oxidizing Copper Wire.   

Super easy and cheaper then buying it!