Bronzclay workshop

Hi all

I wanted to share one of my Bronzclay workshops with you to show all the gorgeous jewellery my students made this Sunday.

I taught five which is a nice number I think its a shame to over crowd your classes, my student seem to like the small groups. Anyway back to their jewellery the first picture's are before I fired them,and there is a lot.

Then the fired jewellery which is stunning the patinas are fab.

In the centre picture I have put one of my test pieces in I wanted to see if you could fire the Bronzclay with man made gem stones in, as you can see you can.

Bronzclay Shine

Here is a couple of bronzclay pendants that I made because I'm teaching a bronzclay workshop this Sunday and decided that I needed a few more samples, of different finishes this is the high polished finish.

Next is the polished flower pendant. I've have reproduced a pendant that I left un-sanded this is the polished version. I absolutely love it.

My first lampwork beads

I,m going to be very brave today and post some of my first lampwork beads. I have been practicing dots as you can see from three lower sets I've found the control quite hard so some have bled a little bit , I have had more success with the last set I made I love the colour pink and blue.

I hope you like them?

I need lots more practice as you can see. I will keep working on them,as they say practice makes perfect. I do hope so:)

Sterling silver Heart

I wanted to share one of my pendants that I made last week.

I,ve used sterling silver sheet and some 0.8 mm sterling silver wire.

I have worn this quite a bit since making it and got loads of comments about it.

So I hope you like it,I,ve called this piece TheTangled Heart.

Hi

I just had to share this picture of one of my cats, Daisy May she is a princess and boy does she know it. This her at the water barrel in the garden just taking a drink.

This her just taking nap oh what a life.

Jump Rngs Made Easy

Today I thought I would give a little tip on how to make large quantities of jump rings, fast.

I'm always getting asked how to make jump rings its so easy.

All you need are various sizes of knitting needles a drill and double flush cutters or if you are using sterling silver a piercing saw or if you are as lucky as I am a Jump ringer (this is a machine that cuts jump rings in seconds.)

1, Now place the knitting needle in the chuck of the drill and tighten, see picture;














2, Then get your wire and place the end in between the jaws of the chuck, see picture;












3, Hold the wire tight in your left hand and start the drill slowly in you right you will see the wire start to coil, see picture;















4, When you have the desired length take the needle out of the chuck, slide the coil off the needle and cut with double flush cutters or the more traditional will use the piercing saw. Me,I will use my jump ringer :)

Bronzclay Bracelet

Hi


Well Its back to work so not to much time to play now and stock taking is looming, you can't imagine counting all the beads I have in the bead celler HELP lol :) that doesn't include the rest of the shop. We have three floors of retail area and stock floor to ceiling I'm not counting that lot!!!!


It is nice to get back to work but I have been able to have a little play with my bronzclay and made a washer bracelet which I love. I also made this in art clay.


I love both of them I hope you like them as much as I do?














Lesley

What a busy year

Hi Everyone


Well what am I up too this year? loads, where do I start.

The first thing for me this year is a course at West Dean I'm taking a beginners enameling course. I've tried enameling before but the class was to crowded so I didn't enjoy it so I thought I'd give it another go.

I have also enrolled back at college on a course designed for silver jewellery makers (silver smithing) just to be with like minded people. This is going to be a great way of sharing new ideas.

Next is my op on 12 Feb I'm having a knee replacement. (yes I'm to young lol )

How much more can I cram in :) well I have gone and booked for the metal clay conference in Chicago in July. I can't wait. I'm so excited :)

I'm also going to attend the Art clay UK conference in Jersey. I can't wait for that one Its going to be great.

I think thats it at the moment. I bet thats not all lol :)

I will of course let you know.

Lesley

Theatrical flower pendant

Well happy new year to you all. I hope that their are no sore heads.
I've had a couple of days off which has been great, its meant I could play.
I hope you like the results?
It reminds me of a theatre mask so I've called this piece theatrical flowers.
I really like the idea of 3d wearable jewellery.

At the moment I,ve hung it on a pre-made chain but I think deserves a hand crafted one so I will have to start designing.

lesley