Week 10-Floral Fauna Brooch

This brooch is from a tutorial by Deborah Gray-Wurz that she sent me to try out. As you can see, I had really good results from it. The beads I used are pyrite and pink tourmaline. I oxidized mine because I think it's a very vintage looking design to begin with. Deb's tutorial is available in her Etsy shop.

Week 9-Class Project-Woven Copper Bangle

I was asked by the Flint Schools to teach some wire jewelry classes that specifically used weaving as a technique. We first made earrings, then a pendant, all with different weaves. The third and final project was a woven bangle bracelet and this is the bracelet I made in the class. 16 and 26 gauge copper wire with a lampwork lentil bead.

Week 8-Copper Viking Knit Bangle

Okay, time to get caught up again with posting. This piece of copper viking knit was in my spare parts box. The clasp, the flower focal and the core wire are all one piece of 16 gauge copper wire. I embellished the flower clasp with little bead caps, yellow CZs and green peridots.

In Memory of Mickey

June 14, 2005 to February 21, 2010
You brought me so much joy and I will miss you always.

Week 7-Vine Necklaces

I'm a huge fan of Gosia Domanshiej and her work was the inspiration for my attempt at making this vining pendant out of copper. I liked it enough to add some silver beads and chain, and a green CZ drop. So the next one I did in fine silver and I took it a bit farther-maybe too far. The briolette on the bottom is pink anethyst. I then added some spinel rondelles in various shades of pink and lilac. Next I might attempt a pair of earrings. Getting them to match will be a challenge.

Week 6-Copper Leaf Earrings

I've been raiding my spare parts box again. I'm fortunate that there is a very talented metalmsith and jewelry artist, Debbie Fehrenbach, who teaches occasional workshops in my area. Last year I took a fold forming class from Debbie and the first thing I tried was a couple of fold formed and corrugated copper leaf shapes. In keeping with my resolution (that I only occasionally follow) to use the supplies that I have and quit buying new ones, I got these out the other day, trimmed them up to match, oxidized them and wired pearls to them. I really like them but as soon as I finished them, I was kicking myself for not using oxidized silver wire instead. On the other hand, I like them enough that I hesitate to take them apart and redo them for fear that they won't come out as well. Sometimes I just need to learn to leave well enough alone. Be sure and check out Debbie's work at www.fehrenbachjewelry.com

Week 5-New Old Earrings

I made these earrings a couple of years ago with white pearls for the girls in my neice's wedding. The girls really liked them so I made some more to add to my low inventory of earrings, this time with different colored pearls. I call them my Bic earrings because I use a Bic lighter as a mandrel. Then I solder them, hammer them, and twist them. They're fun to wear because they spin a bit and catch the light from all angles.