Monday 15 February 2010

Playing with fire - again - Reef Knot Bangle WIP

After my first attempt at soldering a couple of weeks ago, I was itching to try again. Last week when littlest was at pre-school I grabbed my chance, the plan was to attempt a reef knot bangle I'd seen in my library book.

You have to use hard solder in this design at first, and I just could NOT get the solder to flow. I tried everything! Gave up and watched the brilliant lesson in soldering on YouTube by Andrew Berry (part 1,2,3 and 4) which is really worth a look if you're interested. Cleaned my joins scrupulously  as suggested, tried again.... nothing. 

At the weekend, got a chance to try again.

This time I tried using easy solder..... nothing. Grrrr.

Noticed in the process that the flame was possibly a little smaller than it had been the first time around - so refilled the torch and..... it worked. Damnit I had been low on fuel all along but a bit too stupid to notice. I think I need a lot more practice at this soldering lark. 

Anyway, I had a practice using copper wire:

 
First step is to solder together two loops of heavy gauge wire.

 
Knot them together and solder the knot in place so it doesn't come loose.


Then it's just a case of cleaning it all up. (ha "just" - look at that all that mess) and shaping, forming, and polishing - which I'll get on to soon.

I know it's not perfect, but it's a work in progress.....and you get the general idea.

Anyway, here's the sterling silver one I've started on.

One tip I got from the youtube lessons is to buy an old silver chain, and spend an afternoon or two going through and linking it all bit by bit. Yes, it would take an age, but at least by the time I get to the end of it I'd probably notice when my torch was running on empty.

Sunday 14 February 2010

Featured Etsy Seller - TiLT creations

February's featured Etsy seller is TiLT creations.

TiLT makes handbags and accessories in various sizes and styles, and they are lovely! My faves are:


 

 Clutch bag in Mauve Butterfly Garden.This looks so summery, I can just imagine me at a wedding in the summer, sipping champagne, look v glam with my lovely clutch bag...

And of course I had to choose something red....

 

 "Handbag in red with black dots"

As well as the main Etsy store, Tilt has a second supply store (TiltToo) and a fab blog http://tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com/

Hope you get chance to check her store out.

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Heart swap

I've been taking part in the handmade heart swap - brilliantly organised by Noodlebubble (thanks!!).

Well I tried a few bits and bobs, but just couldn't get anything to work properly, so in the end I went with a sterling silver heart. My first go with my saw and a sheet of silver.

I cut out a little heart, and after days of filing and polishing (crikey that takes longer than I thought - must be doing something wrong?!?) I attached a little freshwater pearl, and hung it from a silver chain. And lo...

I had to rush to post it, so sorry for the poor quality picture. Luckily, Sam aka Incy Wincy Stitches takes better pics than me....(click on the pic to see her blog post about the swap).

 

 And what did I get? 

Well, Jackie from Jacksknits sent me a lovely package in the post, which arrived today....




 Look at this little fella - how cute is he?


 
 
I tried knitting when my girls were born, I really wanted to knit them a little outfit, a jacket, or at least some bootees, but I'm rubbish at knitting. I could never get the tension right.

So Jackie, thanks so much - he's a beauty and will brighten up my work space!

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Almost wordless Wednesday



Sorry not jewellery related, but love this video - found it quite hypnotic and a rather lovely song too. What do you think?

Monday 1 February 2010

Sunshine Award

Yay, I got an award....the Sunshine Award was passed on to me by Kristen of KS Jewellery Designs

You might have heard of this already, but basically the Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world. So a huge Thank You! to Kristen for nominating me.

There are some rules that come with the award which are as follows:
- Put the logo on your blog or within your post
- Pass the award onto 12 bloggers
- Link the nominees within your post
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So here goes... drum roll please...

Silver Moss Jewellery


Go check them out - I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I do!
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