glassymom to you!: 2010

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The making of a ring!

A pretty little silver ring with a pretty pink stone. It didn't start out that way, infact it started out as a glass rod, piece of silver wire and bezel cup. Looking like this........

The glass rod was cut into a small piece and with a whole bunch of others it went in to the kiln to slump. After a whole night in the kiln it came out looking quite different from the rod. Its a very dark almost maroon looking color. I then cleaned it and set aside. The wire was the most fun, hammering all the frustrations of the day into it. I love that part!! LOL After hammering, I sanded a bit of what would be the inside, its easier then doing it after its round. I shaped it, hammered on it more, shaped it more, filed the ends to get a good match. Then I soldered it together with silver solder. Once together I gave it a light sanding again...still need to do more as you can see in the picture but I was just so excited to show it! Its actually the second one I've made but the first one was with a twisted wire and I didn't get to do any hammering, also the cab was made different. The first cab was made in the torch and then put into the kiln while this one was made from a cutting off a rod and then slumped in the kiln, same ending result tho.

Heres a picture of the one with the twisted wire and the torch made cab just as comparison

I really like the start to finish made from scratch feeling! Its like making a cake or pie from scratch......a good feeling when your done. Even better when the person your making it for really loves it. Sure hope my daughter loves it, she hasn't seen it as of yet....but maybe she'll read this and see its finished! LOL As for the other one, well as soon as I get around to it I'm going to list it in my Etsy shop. If its something you'd like me to get right on then drop me an email and tell me to get right on it!! LOL
SO, what do you think? Please tell...........
Sue

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Saturday, December 25, 2010

What to do with all those Christmas cards!!

Before you throw all those beautiful Christmas cards away please consider recycling them. I myself am one that saves all my cards, I just can never bring myself to throw them away.....I guess it runs in the family because after my mom passed away 13 years ago my sister handed me a stack of birthday cards, some from as early as age 1 for me! LOL
So, declutter and help kids!! I'm going to dig mine all out!!
Sue

http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

"Recycled Card Program History

Over thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into "new" cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique "thank you," they requested the children sell them the special cards. And so, the St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program was born.

Since then, the program expanded to include all occasion greeting cards…just about anything that starts with a used greeting card. People from all over the world have sent us their used cards!

Operated by Kids, Corp., a program for the children at St. Jude’s Ranc to learn entrepreneurship skills, the children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive "green" holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of "going green".

The ongoing support for the Recycled Card Program has been overwhelming! The Program grew and soon we were receiving over one million cards. We have since redesigned the process to more efficiently manage the increased production from the increased volume and we welcome your submissions! "

NOTE: We currently have an increased need for both Birthday and Thank You card submissions.

Sooooo, if you're looking for a way to recycle those cards and help someone else in the process, this might be for you. Please send your card fronts to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City NV 80005-1681

Monday, December 20, 2010

I want to learn to knit!

So, for a long time I have wanted to learn to knit. I have asked friends, relatives but no one knew to teach me. I tried to learn on the internet and still no luck. Until one day I found a series of videos on youtube and it was like a light going off. Now I'm not quite a pro at it...LOL Not even close. I've learned to cast on, knit, pearl and one other thing that I can't remember LOL The last few nights I've sat in front of the computer with my yarn and needles, following the steps over and over. The yarn and needles were given to me via freecycle. (not famiular with freecycle, check it out at freecycle.org) So, here is one of my little swatches. The first one is misshapen and I think I dropped a few stitches but I haven't learned to pick those up yet....maybe tonight. LOL
So what do you think? Am I ready for a scarf? LOL Na, not quite yet but soon I hope. Maybe by next Christmas I will be giving all the females in my family scarfs!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Red for the Holidays, Artfire Collection

Ok, So I'm feeling a little festive and decided to go through artfire shops and make a collection with things that were Red! I love red for the holidays and I'm looking forward to them! My oldest son is a soldier and has been gone overseas for almost a year. He did get to come home on leave for 2 wonderful weeks and he MAY,and thats a big MAY be home for Christmas! SO, lets celebrate and get festive!!

Red for the Holidays

Curated By: glassymom

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Making Earrings........hmmmmm

Ok, so I love earrings but I'm not sure how I feel about making them. I have a bunch I've made for myself and I wear them all the time. Crazy color beads and ear wires I've made for what I feel comfortable with. I used to wear gold hoops, years ago before I started lampworking. Always the same, plain old boring hoops. Now I have COLOR! Lots of it too!! Making for myself, easy. I make a quick little ear wire from a tutorial I found several years back, for making the ear wires. It consists of a piece of wood, a dowel and I have a bunch of nails sticking out of it, depending on the size I want. Its hideous looking! I actually caught my husband trying to throw it away once cause he thought our 8 year old made it. How bad is that??? LOL
Any hoo, I have a couple listed in my shops that I've made and actually sold a few. Last night tho, I decided that I wanted to put more of an effort. Why? Well at some point I'd like to do a few shows......and since I don't think most people will buy just beads at a show I need to learn to make jewelry more. SO, I made these, and really I think they came out cool. I was very tempted to keep them myself, really. I love the color, and well since I stink at the whole loop/wire wrap thing these are perfect. The silver with the blue looks great too, and I'm not really a blue girl....more of a pink person but thats another story. LOL Ok, the earrings.

I've been trying to learn a bit of metalsmithing too. I bought the book "The complete Metalsmith" By Time McCreight. Carry it around with me and read read read.
SO, I've made a few things.....made a spinner ring, tried some viking knit (didnt' like that at all)made a simple sterling band and this. I made the cab with a red I really love to use, then purchased the bezel cup (I'm not that ready to try that yet)
and the wire came from a trade so long ago and I've finally found a sweet use for it! want to see?

So, what do you think? Any hints, ideas, tips?
I bet your still thinking of my earring thingy aren't you? Well, if you are, comment here and I'll try to find where I got it from and if I can't do that then I will post a pic. Its really horrible looking tho so hopefully I can find the site I got it from LOL
Later,
Sue aka glassymom