BEHIND THE SCENES: CREATIVE PROCESS

Here’s a behind the scenes look at some experimental sterling silver rings I’ve worked on recently. Pushing the limits of metal is one of my favorite things to do.

I make my own twisted sterling silver wire, it has beautiful definition. I decided to push its limits by running my twist wire through a piece of equipment called a rolling mill. The mill flattens the twisted metal. The band on the right is an example of flattened twisted wire run through the mill. It’s a less dimensional profile of twist wire with a more reflective surface (see image below for a before image of twisted wire) .

The second ring band on the left is an experiment in working with bead wire. Bead wire is a long string of tiny balls all linked together on a long strand. I love the look of the tiny dots. More to come with bead wire!

Left: bead wire ring band Right: flattened twist wire ring band

Sterling silver twisted ring band not yet flattened

RECENT ARTWORK

This past summer I participated in two art programs at the North Shore Public Library. Both programs were given by talented artist Karen Kemper. Karen was well prepared to guide attendees through some exciting book making and collage techniques.

In the first class project, participants created a summer travel book. We learned how to assemble a handmade paper book for documenting our travels. Karen inspired us with many ideas on to how to document our experiences and fill the empty books with our experiences. Some suggestions included quick sketches of things that touched us, architecture of interest, interactions with people that touched us , fashion on the street and people watching in general.

The second program featured approaches to collage. The Kookaburra image shown here is an example of my efforts using an exciting transfer collage technique.

Both programs took me back to my roots as a visual artist which I found very freeing. I look forward to participating in Karen’s classes again. She was an inspiration!

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree. Merry merry king of the bush is he. Laught Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra, gay your life must be!

HOW TO STYLE JEWELRY

With the eye of an artist, gemologist Marie is styling the aquamarine and peridot stacking rings I custom made for her. Different types of twisted silver wire, some thick, some thin, repeat throughout her jewelry choices, along with pops of color both bold and subtle.

Marie’s look includes awesome blue nails and an impeccable manicure, layered with a chunky red watch band for a fabulous, fun and fresh feeling with lots of color. On her left wrist a thick, bold twisted wire silver bangle, from my twist wire collection, sits close to an intricately detailed sterling silver bracelet. Small and large twists in these bracelets contrast and echo each other. The echo continues on her fingers in the ring shanks of the stacking rings.

Also of note is how the subtle pastel color of the bezel set peridot and aquamarine gems are echoed in the face of her watch.

The repetition and echo of twisted sterling silver wire throughout, and accents color pull her look together. It is both very modern and classical. Thanks for showing us how you rock a look with such style!

PHOTO: Marie Patten, gemologist

3 bezel set stacking ring with one twist spacer ring

WHEN SUMMER ENDS

The New Yorker cover says it all for the closing of summer. This iconic image, painted in 1952 by Perry Barlow timelessly captures the last days of summer on the beach.

It’s time to shift focus from the beach to warmer clothes, new outfits and autumn activities. What will you be wearing for the fall?

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STACKING RINGS; A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK

The top image shows three of my handmade stacking rings and the semi precious gems include red jasper, pink quartz and black onyx. The ring in the foreground is an example of a hand twisted sterling ring band I fabricate, in progress. This shank may get a fine silver bezel or it may be an accent, worn plain against the 3 bezel set rings.

The bottom image is an example of some stackers with different gems. These bezels are about ready for me to set 2 green peridot and one black onyx cabochon. A stunning combination of colors! THe opaque black onyx against crystal clear green adds and interest too.

Stacking rings are such fun to wear. You can choose different gems that have significance to you such as birthdays of loved ones or other special meanings.

Please reach out to me via email on the link below. It will take you to my contact page. I’d love to hear from you!

https://www.soundbeachstudioblog.com/cohttps/wwwsoundbeachstudioblogcom/contact-mentact-me

Stacking rings with red jasper, pink quartz and black onyx

BEHIND THE SCENES: Peridot and black onyx gems are almost ready to be set in these stacking rings.

PEARL IN A CUP EARRINGS

I’ve put a spin on the classical look of pearl stud earrings by mounting creamy white AAA cultured pearls in a domed sterling silver cup. The cup gives the post earring a slightly larger profile when compared to a single pearl stud earring.

IF you’d like to see these earrings please click on the link below or reach out to me personally from my contact page here on my blog. I’d love hear from you!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/732039394/pearl-stud-earring-pearl-and-silver-post?click_key=5830be130d8310ef9bf41b3a3e8860112da7e140%3A732039394&click_sum=f73ac6b8&ref=shop_home_feat_3&frs=1

PS. There’s also a matching PEARL IN A CUP RING in the below blog post.

Pearl in a cup stud earrings

PEARL IN A CUP RING

I feel connected to to the sea when I wear pearls and I love that feeling. I created this pearl ring from a creamy AAA pearl. It sits in an organic shaped cup reminiscent of a sea shell . The ring shank is flat on the inside for comfort and has a double round band on the outside.

If you’d like to see this size 7 ring, click on the link below to go to my Etsy store.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/740541795/pearl-ring-white-pearl-ring-fresh-water?click_key=bf9de8622b8d876db89e4cba90b4c727ffefbe83%3A740541795&click_sum=484d37ea&ref=shop_home_feat_2&frs=1

Sterling silver Pearl in a cup handmade ring.

Source: https://www.etsy.com/listing/740541795/pea...

MESSY IS CREATIVE, IT'S ALL GOOD!

It’s been such a busy summer. Almost a month has passed since my last blog post. One has to take advantage of the warm , long days because before you know it, it’s autumn. My jewelers bench is one creative mess which is ok for now.

Creative reset time is very rewarding and really important. When it’s too hot to be using the torch and heating metal to solder I’ll often spend time drawing out ideas in my sketchbook. Being in the garden or at the beach inspires and is refreshing. You never know what ideas inspire at a later time. It is all part of creativity.

Enjoy this fleeting season!

Joanne

Design ideas from my sketch book.

My bench; a creative mess.

WELCOME SUMMER

It’s hard to believe July 4th has come and gone. The illustration below from The New Yorker says it all; carefree fun in the sun, swimming, and easy living. Nat King Cole’s song lyrics describe the feelings so well, “Roll out those lazy, hazy crazy days of summer, those days of soda and pretzels and beer. You’d wish that summer could always be here.” Times have certainly changed and I’m guessing many would replace water for soda, baby carrots instead of pretzels and choose a lite beer!

Here’s a link to one of my favorites, “Suddenly Last Summer” by the Motels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9Ox-lGm-wA It’s complete with the sound of the ice cream truck circling the neighborhood.

Relax and enjoy this carefree season. The best to you all!

Earrings on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/775164504/dangle-earring-silver-earring-oval?click_key=f6984494d4befd7a2128c6730c46a5662eeafb24%3A775164504&click_sum=5fb4273c&ref=shop_home_active_18&frs=1

Sterling silver beach inspired earrings are in the shape of the Atlantic slipper shell,

Click here to view these earrings on my Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/775164504/dangle-earring-silver-earring-oval?click_key=6cbc69aabf0d3295dd0ca4603b19335daa883b8b%3A775164504&click_sum=e78e8cbc&ref=shop_home_active_22&frs=1

Atlantic Slipper Shell that inspired the sterling silver earrings.

LEAF DESIGN EARRING

I have been so busy in the garden for the past months. These patterned and textured sterling silver earrings are inspired by working with all the vegetation and nature in general. A final polish, some ear wires and they are good to go!

KEEP STERLING SILVER SPARKLING

I’m sharing how I remove tarnish from my sterling silver jewelry. It’s a quick, easy and time tested method that uses household ingredients found in most kitchens. This simple recipe removes tarnish (oxides) only and no silver. Please note, if you have an intentional patina on silver, it will be removed using this method.

A few important things to remember, never use this on plated metal. It could remover damage the thin silver plated surface. Check with the manufacturer if uncertain. I never expose gems to this cleaning process. Heat may cause some gems to change color permanently. Use this method on sterling silver only.

Materials needed: a shallow glass non food dish such as a pyrex pie dish, aluminum foil, one tablespoon baking soda (Arm and Hammer ) , one teaspoon table salt, boiling water, clear water for rinsing, and a soft cloth to dry your pieces.

Procedure

1) Select the sterling silver jewelry to clean. This works great on sterling chains. As mentioned above don’t select plated metals or items with gems.

2) Boil enough tap water to cover the bottom of the glass dish, about 1-2 cups.

3) Cover the bottom of the heat proof dish with tin foil, shiny side up.

4) Place one table spoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of table salt in the bottom of that dish.

5) Pour the boiling water over the tin foil and salt/baking soda mixture.

6) Place your sterling silver jewelry into the hot water mixture. Let it sit for several minutes.

7) Remove jewelry from glass plate and rinse in fresh tap water. and dry throughly with a soft cloth.

8) Store pieces in anti tarnish bags or away from air exposure to minimize tarnish.

If you should decide to use this method and have any question feel free to contact me. Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if used improperly with gems, plated metal etc, as described..

A sterling earring ready to be cleaned with baking soda, table salt and boiling water.

SHOPPING AT THE BRICK CRAFT FAIR

I’m a vendor and a shopper at the Brick Clay Studio craft fair. The variety of unique handmade pottery to choose from is unique and broad.

Below are some highlights of the vendors and their beautiful one of a kind handmade wares to be found at the Brick Fair last weekend.

Hope to see you at the next Brick Craft Fair this autumn!

One of a kind ceramic snack tray by ceramic artist Karen Barley.

Ceramic artist Julia Vogelle

Barnabee’s yellow Honey Truck and Johnny Wimpel singing for shoppers

Russell Pulik Pottery

Long Island Creations driftwood creations

My table of one of a kind handmade jewelry.

EARRINGS, BANGLES AND RINGS

Mothers Day shopping at the Brick Clay Studio and Gallery is right around the corner. Below are a few selection I’ll have at my table there. I hope you’ll stop by and shop on May 13th between 10am to 4pm. There are many talented vendors offering their unique handmade wares. Shop local and support handmade artisans!

JEWELRY PACKING HACKS

I came across an article in the March issue of “Real Simple” magazine. It offers some interesting ideas on how to keep and store your jewelry when you are traveling. I especially like the hack for keeping a chain necklace untangled.

Another hack not mentioned in “Real Simple” is storing your jewelry at home. Out in the opened, on your dresser for example, may to not be optimal. Household dust and air can be problematic. When exposed to opened air sterling silver will tarnish much more quickly . Dust can create a substantial grit on the surface of metal and gemstones. On the 1 to 10 Mohs scale, dust has a 7 rating so it can scratch softer metals and gems.

FYI , Gemstones are rated by hardness and durability on the Mohs scale. It uses a range from 1 to 10 to rate the hardness and durability of gems. Diamonds being very hard are at the top of the rating and are a 10 on the Mohs scale. At the other extreme is amber, which is very soft. Amber has a 2-1/2 rating. Household dust has a 7 on the Mohs scale so it can scratch your jewelry !