Circle Divider Template A student of mine ask how to divide a circle. After a brief demo I realized that having the right tools although important doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot money. So I created this circle template based standard circle templates but I added a design twist. Instead of the usual […]
Circle Divider template Read More »
I’ve been busy designing a NEW project to add to my upcoming workshop on sand casting jewelry. Sand casting is perfect for making one-of-kind designs. However not only can you recycle scrap silver, PMC etc but you can use one master pattern to create many different iterations of the original design. The technique is
Sand Casting Silver Jewelry Read More »
Don’t miss tonight’s FREE LIVE online webinar, I LOVE Tools #5 Join us at 7:30pm ET Click HERE to register. Even if you can’t make it, make sure and register so you get a link to the recording. You will get to see some amazing tools plus get lots of coupon codes to use for
Join me, Alison and a host of others tonight on CraftCast for… Read More »
I found this great little video on YouTube by Aniko of My Mandarin Ducky. www.mandarin-duck.com She has wonderful videos on polymer clay and a great Etsy shop with polymer clay tutorials. Check it out this video on how to make textures using a ball stylus. There are 50 designs!
50 Texture made with a ball stylus, polymer or metal clay Read More »
Last night I heard a wonderful lecture by Paul Koudounaris PhD. author of Empire of Death and his new book Heavenly Bodies, Spectacular Jeweled Skeletons. Who knew these wonderful masterpieces existed? I was first introduced to Paul’s work when I stumbled upon his first book Empire of Death last year in the book shop at
Death has never looked so beautiful Read More »
This week’s featured artist is Ana Maria Andricain. Ana shows us how strong design and contrasting color creates a bold yet elegant statement. In addition to the layering the Woodland Chic Textures, Ana uses a rolled snake to a nice detail. To see how to roll a snake check out this video.
Woodland Chic Design Exploration 7 Read More »
One of the reasons I love teaching is creating an environment of sharing. This works both ways. I learn so much from my students. I learned this tip from a couple of my students in my Rio Rewards Certification Workshop at Spring Beads. I fell in love with this idea, it was simply brilliant! One
This month’s tip – Use a popsicle maker tray to hold tools! Read More »
Oh where does the time go?… I’ve been busy travel teaching leaving little time to update the blog. My apologies. However, this week is a good one. Melissa Cable gives us a treat by making 3 cuff bracelets. These are a superb way to show the diversity of using texture sheets beyond the usual press
Woodland Chic Design Exploration 6 Read More »
In case you’ve always wondered how to measure a gemstone this handy chart shows where to take the measurements from. Found this on the Rio Grande website. I know I’m a little bias here, but gotta love Rio Grande! Source: riogrande.com via Rio on Pinterest
How to measure gemstones Read More »
[wpvideo bsMKRGLW] Veteran’s Day Sale save 20% on Woodland Chic: Metal Clay Jewelry as Nature Intended by Patrik Kusek. Offer good til November 13, 2012. This offer only good on at the following link. Use code: VETS2012 Offer not good on Amazon, or other outlets. Only available on Lulu.com.
Veteran’s Day Sale Save 20% on Woodland Chic Book Read More »
A few weeks ago I was cleaning up the studio and found a box of old projects that didn’t turn out the way I expected. Projects that no longer represented me as an artist, and projects that I would get around to “some day”. I decided to collect everything together and send them to Rio
Sending in scrap to be refined – OR how to make money on your mistakes! Read More »
The day started off with an overview of the actual casting process. Kim did a great job showing us step-by-step how to clean the silver, melt it in the crucible and how to pour it into the mold. Everyone was VERY exited to see the results of our labors. Although I’m very comfortable using a
Lost wax casting day 2 Read More »
Hi everyone I came across this video that Rio did a few months ago. It show the basics of making glass beads. This informative video is a high level overview of how make a glass bead and it stars Nate! If you have taken a Rio Grande Certification in the last year or so then
Making Glass beads with Nate from Rio! Read More »
I’ve been noticing some great info on PMC has been systematically being added to the Rio Grande website. Check out the “Videos, Projects and More” tab When you click on it your find that there are back copies of Studio PMC and Fusion, White Papers, MSDS sheets, Instructions of how to use products, some how
Videos, Projects and More tab at Rio Grande Read More »
I just adore this fab tea pot! Simply stunning! Now lets use the same technique in a metal clay piece! Source: kozzza2004.livejournal.com via Vickie on Pinterest
Woodland Chic Tea Pot Read More »
Here are a few pics of some of the things I made in Celie’s pre-conference class on PMC Sterling. For the most part I used dry to dry construction techniques, in addition I used molds and hand carving for the branches. Keum Boo for the gold. I also used Celies ring making technique, and her
My results of the PMC Pre-Conference Class with Celie Fago Read More »
Show and Sell: My Favorite Product – ArtGlass Clay I was lucky enough to run into Paula Radke during registration. She recommended that I stop by to see her new colors and reformulated ArtGlass Clay. I took a ArtGlass Clay class a few months ago, it was so much fun and we learned a lot!
PMC Conference recap: The loot! Read More »
Argh I feel like a pirate! Will all of the great stuff I got at the PMC Conference! I was able to sneak out between sessions to peruse the vendor hall. Although their were not as many vendors as in years past, the pickings were still great. The show and sell was a feed frenzy
PMC Conference 2012 Re-cap; My booty! Read More »
My facebook friend and fellow CraftCast Intructor ( check out her fab tutorial ) Melanie Muir entered some pieces in the Bead Dreams Competition at the Bead and Button Show. Turns out she was in the same display case that I was in! Of course she WON! What place did she win?… drum roll please……….wait
Melanie Muir’s work at the Bead and Button Show Read More »
Well after months of my friends asking me to participate I have finally joined the Pinterest madness! Instead of packing for Bead and Button I’m exploring the joys of Pinterest. This is so VERY addicting. So follow me on Pinterest, check out one of my boards call “my Jewelry” where you’ll find some of my
Pinterest: Here I come Read More »