Experiments !

Hi from thepapersac
The weather today looks like it's about to get 'angry'. We have lots of heavy clouds moving quite quickly. There are small gaps of sunshine behind the clouds but the atmosphere seems 'charged' ! Not sure how this will affect me - I tend to reflect the weather !!!

I'm still getting to grips with my charity sale offer today. I'm out of silver wire and it's seriously holding me up. I have a supplier but am waiting delivery - when I get a better idea of how much I can sell on a regular basis, I will manage this better. Ive managed to underestimate the amount of wire I needed. My usual approach is to re order when Ive sold some stuff. Ive generally been a low output jewellery maker in the past. I'm also adjusting to making my own findings 'from scratch' which has added to the issue. I'm hoping for a delivery today.

Pinterest is a great resource for finding inspiration for new designs. Most days generate a new idea. My latest idea is to design and make a collection of pieces based on a single, very simple bead idea. This is the idea - a silver metal 'almost frame' with a series of very thin polymer 'fillings' - maybe a distressed edge ? I like the challenge of trying to enclose the thin polymer and also the design options of linking these beads.






I have lots of finishing off to do before I can get going with this idea. It's an experiment, so I want to give the project a given time each day. Very exciting for me, love this sort of process. I'm feeling my way into working with metal alongside polymer clay. I would like (one day) to work with more metal skills.

My favourite piece (this minute) from my current collection are these earrings :






I really like the shades of blue and the lines. There is a hint of a metal look with the almost rivet like shape in the circle.





I have competed the wires and am undecided about the shape I need. I think I will go with a very simple long bend. My second favourite are these beads :






I have only four beads and I'm not sure what to do with them. I like the paint effect on the blue beads, the paint has been baked on. I think the white beads need some texture. Ive been considering a necklace on a simple chain. I have some ideas of adding more clay and doing a second bake and making the shapes into one linked piece ? - not sure.





Talking of metal, I saw a great jewellery display item and annoyingly can't find it again ! I will keep looking. However, the specific interest of the item was that it was using something which looked exactly like kids toy meccano pieces (little metal bits with holes in them) - this has given me even more ideas. Ive got this idea written down so I will try something after my last great idea has been tried. One thing I do need to address is 'storage'. As usual, storage combined with work systems is a constant issue for me. At the moment aim using cork boards but am rapidly running out of space. The 'elusive display item' is perhaps an answer ? It's quite an unusual looking item but stylish. If I find it today - I will post it here.

Bingo - have found it :



Go and look at the page on Etsy - some brilliant stuff.

Must get going.

Bye for today.

Ring Talk

Hi from thepapersac
Another icy day today. The sky is clear and a pale blue - the whole scene is 'looking' cold - not sure it's possible to see 'cold' ? However, it's just what I'm thinking ! As I'm writing, the sun is coming up very low and the scene is warming up (just a little).

Yesterday, was a day for concentrating on my 'finishing' jobs. I did get on well and have moved my packaging on. I have my display board sorted and painted. I need to add some hooks and a few pretty bits. More jewellery tags to do today and I should be there for my charity sale. The sale will take place near Warkworth, Northumberland on 1/12/12. If anyone would like to go (in person) contact me and I can arrange a ticket. Any of my stuff that doesn't sell will go into my Folksy Shop at the same price. I will update the stock situation after the day. The event will take place at a friends house (between 2 - 5 pm) with a raffle, refreshments and lots of crafts for sale. All money raised will go to support a scouts trip to Kanderstag (Switzerland) next year.

Meanwhile, I'm still buzzing with ideas for new jewellery. Most of my efforts over the last few months with polymer clay have been just 'playing' without any real sense of a plan. However, I'm struggling with the lack of order. I like to have a whole planned project approach to work and do much better work if I have some constraints. Even if the constraints are self imposed (and subject to change). I prefer to have a central idea or single inspiration for a project. My newest idea is to have some fine silver 20gauge wire as a frame for holding some polymer clay with specific textures and colours involved. I want to develop a 'bead' (this could be a non traditional idea of a bead - not sure yet ?) and use the 'beads' for developing earrings,bracelet, necklace and broach, maybe a ring too, as a 'collection'.I've got as far as developing some very basic drawings and I'm still thinking of using the colour 'blue'.

Ive also spent some time, last night, trying to sort out a couple of rings - these two items are/were very close to the bin. I wanted to see if I could resurrect them. I made the rings some time ago.



The two rings are the two on the right - I'm not including the big 'pearl' like, round ring. This was the look on 22/9/13. Ive managed to carve quite a bit from the band parts. The rings look a bit different after my carving. The first ring is the smaller of the two and I need to do more but Ive learnt lots about carving and how to change to shapes. I will continue to make the band thinner and do some more sanding.



The second ring has change more. Ive added some texture to the shape and added a little paint. I need to be more bold with the paint.


I was particularly surprised how much strength the ring band seems to have after the trimming down. The ring feels more of a solid item. My aim with this little project (at the beginning) was to imitate traditional jewellery ie with a metal band and a set stone of some sort. I didn't want the ring to look exactly like the traditional ring but take an element of the item and make the similarity obvious. I think it does that but I want the 'finish' to be better and I want the 'balance' of the ring to be there. I'm getting there and am learning. Maybe these items will not get there but the next ones will. The disappointment at the moment is that the ring is too big for me. I am working on an idea to make it smaller. I used a craft knife to make the little lines on the ring and want to give an impression of metal by using paint. I know this is a long term thing ! I will keep going until I'm happy with it and it fits !

Must get on.
Bye for today.

Bending polymer ?

Hi from thepapersac
What a lovely bright, sunny day but so very cold. The sky is very blue and the sun is very low - looks lovely.

Ive just reviewed my post from yesterday and am struck with how 'frantic' it reads back to me ! It's my practice to read the previous post before writing just incase I forget to mention something promised from the day before. I think this 'frantic' style came out of my tooth issue. Thankfully, the tooth is sorted - my mouth is a bit tender but generally I feel 'all is well'. I hope today's blog will be a little more relaxed.

My head is still packed with new ideas for jewellery design. I have a vast range of Pinterest Boards developing, filled with things I like (for a design reference starting point). I'm still going with the 'faux metal' thing. I didn't get much done yesterday because of 'the tooth' but last night I tried out some shapes and am thinking about getting some paint layers onto these pieces, later today. I had no particular plan other than trying out a new star cutter (it's sold as a cake icing cutter). I'm not sure about the star shapes they are a bit too 'formed' I favour a more organic shape. However, I like the tiny size and they have baked beautifully.




Here is the batch of stuff with a few photos of re baked items.



The next few photos show the tiny kidney shaped post earrings. Ive buried the posts and now need to add some paint. They have worked well so far.








The next photo is a new layered piece which I want to make into a necklace. I will add several more layers to this piece as well as some paint techniques. Ive developed some earrings too and need to consider findings ? I have ideas but still not sure how they will evolve.



I do want to experiment, so nothings 'in or out' as far as design is concerned. I've made some paper shapes to act as a cutting template and will try them out later. I like to do this for sizing and it stops me getting carried away with very large earrings. I like large earrings but they don't suit me at all, so I like to stick with a smaller, thinner shape. The photo below shows 4 designs.


The templates on the right are based on a lovely idea by Amy Tavern here - check her out. Amy has an Etsy shop with fantastic jewellery. Ive been drawn to her bow style jewellery for some time and am trying to see if I can make polymer do something similar. If I can get the 'bend' to work I will experiment to develop my own shapes. Amy works in metal which is obviously a very different material - it's about wether I can get the polymer to bake and hold the shapes and then get the earring post to hold the structure. Great project - I love this sort of thing. Here is a photo of Amy's masterpiece.




I need to be focused today. I will spend some time experimenting later but for now it's down to work and mostly packaging (not my favourite thing). I need another coffee to get me going.

Bye for today.

Could 'the solution' be a magnet ?

Hi from thepapersac
It's a rather damp morning today. Looks like it will stay this way all day ! I hope I'm wrong.

I'm also suffering with a partly broken tooth ! It's not unbearable but I'm off to the dentist and feeling relieved that it will be repaired (I hope). I'm at the point where the tooth is affecting my eating. I'm not sure how my day will develop ?

I have a few jobs to complete in my work list and I need to move them on (first) ....... but I am distracted with new ideas about jewellery collections 'to be'. My head is buzzing with things I want to try.
Yesterday, we had a lovely walk with friends which took in a section along the beach. We stopped for a pack lunch on the beach, sitting on large rocks and watching a beautiful low sun in the distance. Some magical views and some fantastic pebbles to prompt new patterned beads in my head. The merging colours were just perfect. I should have taken lots of photos but sadly did not have my camera or phone !!! I need to go back - soon.
I'm thinking about my 'metal' look work (mentioned a few times last week) and feel I have lots of options re designs.




This is the start of my 'blue metal' stuff. I want to develop some more of these shapes and try and get a more 'solid' feel to the pieces along with a gloss paint element and maybe incorporate some silver. I like the pieces the way they are and will keep a few just like these. The 'rough' look with finger marks (I think), add to the jewellery. However, Ive been wondering about the broach piece. It's a good piece to work on. I like broaches and love the design options they present but ... for me, many of my clothes do not lend themselves to pinning a broach. I do have a few denim jackets which are perfect for this particular item - perhaps, in a different colour ? Ive tried a few times to wear broaches and often find myself taking them off my clothing because they could cause damage or are too heavy for the fabric and/or style. With this in mind, I think I will try and create a necklace approach instead. Perhaps, my way forward is to focus on making the broach style piece and using a fine or subtle chain or other stringing material to wear around the neck. It's a great problem to solve (constantly in my head) for me at the moment.
Getting back to the metal thing. I have some experimental plans to try and imitate (with polymer clay) the structure that metal can give to jewellery. I will share how I get on with this in good time. I must limit myself or I can feel this idea taking up all my time.
Last week, I was aiming to create stuff for my fast approaching charity sale (1/12/13)........

Ive just come back from the dentist - so have had a break of a few hours. My mouth is very numb but all will be well (soon). While at the dentist, I noticed the reception girls all had name broaches which were all lying flat against very thin fabric. After much discussion and demonstration, it turns out the broaches were held in place with a magnet. I think, I will give this a go ! The magnet idea could be my solution.

Back to my sale - I have a few sample packaging styles and some little gift packets designed. I have also changed my display for earrings - more work needed on the display but I like the style. Everything is under construction which is OK for today. Here is a quick look.
I have a different style depending on the size and style of the earring. Very simple but does the job. I like the collections to show their link to the names I give them.


I'd like the display to stand or hang - a little extra work to be done re hanging options etc.


I think I need to get on and work.

PS
The weather is considerably brighter now, so I was happily 'wrong' this morning.

Bye for today.

Broach news and other things.

Hi from thepapersac
Can't believe its Friday again !!! The weather is quite bright but cold. The sky is beautiful and 'moody', Ive just heard talk of 'snow' on the radio !!

After yesterday's 'finishing' jobs - mainly earrings, I'm out of silver for my 'hook' development. Each hook is unique but I now have an idea about how much silver wire I need for each style of hook. Ive done 13 sets. Ive got a few more to do with the current batch of earrings. I'm really pleased with progress.



Most of the earrings I consider to be 'everyday' styles and not statement pieces. I have lots of statement pieces in my own earring collection and they rarely come out of their cupboard. So, my aim here is to make stuff which can be worn for most occasions and look good with a 'dressing down' outfit like scruffy jeans. I want the earrings to add a tiny bit of glamour to the face and make 'the wearer' feel good about their 'look'.


Ideas are flowing and my next batch (of jewellery) is almost there (in my head) - deep breathing required here. I also keep talking about getting my packaging into production and will process some print runs today. I simply ran out of time yesterday. The next photo is a sample design of the packaging. I will be using different artwork but the the design is the same.



Here are a few photos of the earrings in more detail. I'm going to add some more paint to some designs and all beads need a little more finishing. I like the distressed and slightly 'rough' finish but it's the balance and degree of finish which makes the item 'special'. I want to keep the 'definite' handcrafted look.



The next photo shows me that the carved bits need more depth and I will give the very dark navy another shade of paint linked to the button section on the front. This will make 2 earring styles from 1. Both bits can be separated and worn together or simply the button style on its own. This is a fantastic idea I picked up from Genervieve Williamson recently. I do, in fact, have such a design in my own earring collection. A very old and very cheap nasty design but a clever idea - bought when I was a student (decades ago).












Ive added some little post to the back of the tiny beads. I want to 'bury' the post with clay and add a second colour to the back. Here they are so far :






The current 'major' issue for me is the design of a broach back for my new broaches. I like the way they have all turned out and if possible, I want to make a special pin for each of them. Here is a quick look at the way they are at the moment.


The next photo shows some silver embedded into the clay. I like this idea and will experiment more.





I'm not sure what I will do next. I am keen to experiment with making the front of the broach (last photo) look like a piece of metal which has been sprayed with paint and distressed. Not sure if we are there yet. I have an idea about the shiney bit but the pin is another matter ! I like the thinness of the item but feel I need another layer to firm up the 'faux metal' appearance. The extra layer will help attach the pin but it's going to be a challenge. I have a Pinterest board about broach pins which have given me lots of ideas. I think I will try a combination of these first :






My broach is more like the photo above but I think the finer wire of the previous photo would work for me. The polymer clay is very lightweight so the pin does not need to be heavy duty.
My third broach design is this one :


I like the texture and will not over finish this one.
Will share my results when I have the finished items.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend.
Bye for today.