How It's Made! Photos of my production process.

Gosh, I haven't blogged in so long, it's shameful. To make up for it a little I'm posting some images of some work I have in progress.

I always think it's fun to see behind the scenes, to see how people make what they make. That's why I thought it'd be fun to post some pictures of what I'm working on currently.

I'm in the process of making some new designs and trying to stock up for several big shows I have soon. These pics are of the "Ethnic Vibe" style earrings in many different variations.

Here are my sketches, the cutout paper patterns and some partially cutout metal pieces.

These are some of the pieces roughly cutout.

A close up of the rough cut pieces. See how uneven and sharp the edges are?

And here is the jeweler's saw and "bench pin" that I use for most of the cutting (and drilling holes, as you can see LoL)
I also use metal snips to cut out some of the initial, larger cuts and straight lines.

Believe me when I say my hands are quite achy after I've finished cutting out a few pieces. Normally I don't cut out this many at a time (I usually make one item at a time) but I'm trying to build up stock for the shows, so production line procedures are required! ;)

I'll post the next stages of production in a day or so. Probably the next time my hands need a break from polishing! :)

Fenton Street Market in Silver Spring

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Hey everyone, I'm kind of excited to show my work in this market, it just sounds really fun.

I haven't been before, but it seems like it really focuses on the community with local crafters and businesses. Kinda like a farmer's market for crafts. It's right downtown Silver Spring so it's easy to come by early and then head over to have lunch afterward.

I'll be there on April 24th at least, and maybe more dates depending on my schedule. The market is every Saturday until October 31. I'll be sure and let you know if I'm going to be there more dates. Get more details on the show here.

DC Metropolitan Art Expo -- Please come!

This show is going to be fantastic! I'm very proud to be one of the few artists selected to show this year.

A huge Art Expo alongside an even huger Food, Libations & Luxury Home Show. There are going to be some awesome artists showing (including Moi ;) and unbelievable home show displays. So even if you're not looking to buy any home related items, it's worth coming just to look at all the amazing art and taste the great food. -- oh, and bring the kids, the show is kid friendly! :D

The ticket shown above is a buy one get one FREE All Access pass, good for the show and alcohol & food tastings! (some amazing artisan beer, spirits, and wine :) Download the All Access 2 for 1 pass by clicking on the image or here!

I also have postcards for FREE general admission, so if you don't care about the beer and wine tastings you won't have to spend a dime and you DO still get free food tastings.

If you'd like a postcard for the FREE general admission just email me --deb [at] aweshop.com-- with your name and address and I'll mail one right out to you. --I only have hard copies of these tickets, sorry :)

Stop by my booth and say Hi. Hope to see you there!

Fire Painted beads...

Here's some of the beads and things that I made in class.

We did 50 beads, the first 20 were just butt ugly, the next 30 got progressively better. We also did some cutout blanks and some bead caps. These are my favorites.

Colors I did that I actually liked :D

Some cones in a bluish color and dipped in orient red :D

Some misc. things. I like how the blue flower turned out :D

I like doing the flat surfaces, can't wait to try some rings :D

Painting with Fire!

I've been wanting to add a little color to my jewelry for some time, but just wasn't sure how I wanted to do it. I'm not really into super-shiny, colorful gemstones or beads, I do like some handblown glasswork, but it doesn't "fit" into my jewelry style that well.

I did occasionally see some wonderful, earthy colors incorporated into some jewelry. I loved it. It was perfect. It was enameling... Enameling is gorgeous, but a big production, kilns, and equipment, and lots of things I'd have to buy, hmmm... not something that I was ready for. Then, by chance, I came across a class called Painting with Fire! Isn't that an awesome name?!

Painting with fire is applying enamels to metal, but in a much simpler process for those of us who want to use enamel as accents and smaller applications and don't want to buy a ton of new equipment. Basically you need a very hot soldering torch (which I have) and some enamel powders. Easy. --Woo-Hooo, looks like I'm gettin' me some color! :D

I took an all day class this last weekend and it was awesome. It was taught by a lady named Barbara Lewis, who has beautiful enameled jewelry of her own, and I learned a lot! The room had about 15 people in it all working with torches at the same time, so it got Wicked hot, but nobody really cared (just an occasional complaint to your neighbor about being really hot :) because we were really cranking out some enameled beads. 50 of them, along with a few flat copper tabs for charms or pendants. Yay! They were beautiful! Well, the last half of the beads I made were beautiful... the first half was a bit of a mess, luckily my learning curve was pretty sharp.

Anyway, I'll post a pic of the beads and things I made at the class and then later some of the jewelry that I make including enameling. I really want to try some enameled rings and bangles.

I can't wait :D

If you live in the Washington DC area, I have FREE tickets for you.

Hi all, the show I'm doing on Feb 20,21 is going to be awesome! and I have access to free tickets for those of my fans who want them (as long as you promise to stop by and say hi to me ;)

It's a Luxury Home Show and Art Expo and I'm very excited, and proud, to be one of the few artists to be showing there.

These tickets get you in the show and free food tastings. You can also get Libations tastings if you are so inclined for a little $, I think they have wines, artisan beer and spirits.

Here's the banner with the link, just click to download your complimentary tickets!

See you there!

FREE Upgrade to Priority Shipping -- You Still Have Time for V-Day

I'm offering a FREE upgrade to Priority shipping on any item $35 and up in my shop.

I have some really cute and unique heart designs up also, plus all my other sterling and copper jewelry!

--No code needed, just order between now and February 11 and I'll automatically send it Priority for 1st class price!

http://aweshop.etsy.com

Shot Through the Heart Lariat Necklace
(for Bon Jovi lovers and just lovers in general ;)