Easier with practice
Here is the final piece from my studio last weekend – a large, stunning labradorite cabochon. I learned the prong setting from an online course by Lucy Walker Jewelry. This setting technique has gotten quicker ...
Blog
Sparkling clouds
It seems that I prefer to work very large or very small. This weekend I did a little bit of both. I just love the depth and sparkle of this small cloud-shaped moss kyanite. I ...
Winter white
I usually think of turquoise of a summery stone … but this one sings of winter to me. I’m absolutely smitten with this White Lavender turquoise. I’m really enjoying the new Liver of Sulphur I ...
Fall plantings
I went out to run some errands today and could help but snap a picture of these beautiful cabbages in planters.
Collections
In the past few weeks, I’ve been grouping my (zillion!) cabs into a series of small seasonal collections.
Alcohol inks
I’m starting to think about holiday cards again, which seems as good an excuse as any to try new craft supplies. There has been a flurry of activity in the craft community about alcohol ink, ...
12 gauge
I am getting ready to try flush settings again, this time with a 4 mm stone. In order to avoid having to layer sheet metal, I bought one thicker sheet. 12 gauge is heavy – ...
Birthday vibes
We enjoyed a peaceful day at home yesterday. I spent some time in the shop, organizing cabochons into collections that I hope to release over the course of next year. More on that in another ...
More packaging experiments
I love the brown paper and leafy ribbon, but I’m going replace the butterfly ribbon next time. And I finally settled on a dark green for the gift bags inside.
Fall splendor
Due to Covid-19, I spend most of my life in the house. I get a feeling for the change of seasons mostly from the shop – short sleeves and doors open in Summer, bundled up ...
Clean & prep day
I didn’t metalsmith last weekend, and my shop was a bit of an explosion when I went out there today. I put some music on and cleaned up my workbench, and then I decided to ...
New hammer & shotplates
I think I may have a tool addiction. Send help?! Check out this yumminess from @buffalo_rutland_co , which arrived in the mail today. This a new hammer along with some shot plates, which I want ...
Fall treasures
I started the weekend with no clear projects in mind, so I did a little sawing of copper shapes again. I can’t believe how quickly the year has gone – the passing of the seasons ...
Donations
This weekend I made a few pendants to support a charity auction at work.
Prong setting – done!
Gotta love the amazing blue flash in the labradorite. This attempt went more quickly – and was definitely much easier – when I followed the instructions! I learned a ton of new techniques for both ...
Prong setting, take 1
I started Lucy Walker’s prong setting class, and I’ve learned so much already. I’m attempting to set the beautiful labradorite pictured above.
Flush setting, again
I had much better luck with flush setting today!
Octopus setting ring
The ‘octopus setting’ is basically a series of textured jump rings (little circles of wire) sitting on top of the ring band. Every jump ring has to be made the correct size for the gems, ...