More Things for HBS Express

Here are a few of the items I've shipped out to a friend's shop in Oregon. . . Due to the fact that I no longer live in Oregon and can't routinely polish up the silver after it has tarnished, I've switched to copper. Copper, once it oxidizes looks very cool, so I'm hoping these items and others that I've already sent, do well for her.

This is my first set of copper briolette flowers (normally, I use sterling). But, I just switched to copper & made my own chokers out of 16 ga. copper wire. The best part of making the chokers is what I used for a form. . . one of my husband's kettlebells! We use use them for working out, but they make an awesome tool to form large circles and hoops. I use a lot of our exercise equipment in my jewelry making. . .

Yep, you guessed it! To make these hoops, I use an Olympic weightlifting bar. It is the perfect size for my favorite hoops! These are made with 14 ga. copper wire, with sterling silver posts soldered on to the ends. Of course, I don't want to ruin my husband's expensive collection of exercise equipment, so I only use a rubber hammer when forming my hoops & circles to make sure I don't ruin the finish. I'd hate to have to replace that stuff!

Fun with Copper Washers

OK, I will amit to taking the easy route with this bunch! However, the little box of assorted copper washers that are available at Harbor Freight are awesome! They come is various sizes, and make a great addition to jewelry. I drill, hammer, wrap, solder, etc. . . the possibilities are endless, especially since I don' t have to make them myself with a disc cutter. This first set is hammered copper washers with turquoise magnasite and a copper toggle.

This next photo is of a bracelet made with one large and several smaller copper washers that I drilled and linked together with jumprings. It is finished with copper chain and trigger clasp.

Here is a photo of the whole group. Most of this is on its way to Oregon!

Have a nice day!

Riveted Lake Michigan Beach Stones

I took a Riveting class at the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago, and this is my first try at my new skill. . . I used found stones from the shores of Lake Michigan, drilled holes in them with my Dremel tool & a diamond drill bit, and finally made a bail out of copper sheet & a rivet out of fine silver. I am planning on adding these to my Etsy shop whenever I can take more photos.

Thanks for looking!

Kris Webster Fundraiser Update!

To date, I've been able to send Kris $491! Thank you to all the Wilson Elementary & Mequon, WI families who've purchased the necklaces. I will continue to make and sell as long as there is a need. Kris is still struggling and I'm hoping her health improves soon. Please keep her in your prayers.

Bead and Button Show

Well, last week the Bead & Button show finally arrived in Milwaukee. I had been waiting since January, when I first signed up to attend & take a class. My good friend & I took a class on how to make rivets. It was a good class & I learned the basics. I'm ready to start experimenting with new things! After the class, we went out for sushi with a couple of friends, then we headed back to the convention center for the bead show. Here is a pic of my stash... It was a great day!

Fundraiser for Kris Webster

Kris Webster is a friend of mine and was diagnosed last fall with a brain tumor. She is a single mom of two adorable kids and has not worked since she had her surgery in November. Although her surgery was successful and her outlook is good, she has continued to have issues that have kept her from working and driving. Because of all this, along with her medical bills, she is struggling financially. So, I figured since my last fundraiser was such a huge success, why not do another?

The necklace is handcrafted by me out of 16 gauge sterling silver wire. First I form the rings on mandrels (I use a Magic Marker for the large one, and a Sharpie for the small one!). Next I cut the rings with my jeweler's saw, solder, hammer and tumble. The finished necklace is on a simple sterling silver cable chain. I am donating 1/2 of the total sales of these necklaces to Kris. I've made one necklace for big girls & one for little girls. The large one is just over an inch in diameter, is on a 16 inch sterling silver chain and costs $20. The mini is about 1/2 inch and comes on a 14 inch sterling silver chain. Have a great day!

Sizes

Large $20.00Mini $18.00

Secret Sale for our Starving Jewelry Artist Team on Etsy

Etsy’s Starving Jewelry Artist Team is having a (shhhhh) secret sale. If you are interested in some FABULOUS handmade jewelry, mosey over to our blog for the (shhhhhhh) super secret code needed to obtain the special deals, discounts and freebies all weekend long, Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31. The super secret code needed to garner these great deals will be posted to our team blog on Friday morning.

The Starving Jewelry Artists Team Blog If you would like to be notified of future team deals, discounts, sales and events, I’d encourage you to subscribe to our blog.

For my part, I will be offering 15% off my entire sea glass collection, including custom made pieces in my Etsy Shop. Although I don't have a huge inventory of pre-made sea glass jewelry, I do have quite a large collection of beach glass, so I am happy to make a one of a kind piece of jewelry just for you.