by Cindy on February 19, 2008
Hi friends
It feels like Monday getting back to my routine but it’s already Tuesday. It was a nice long weekend, full of the unusual. The weekend started off on a great note by attending the International Gem and Jewelry Show – again. It comes around 4 times a year and this time it seems like it was on the calendar again fast! But I’m not complaining. I was able to meet a fellow jewelry designer there…one whose blog I like to check in on from time to time. We are both Moms of boys and love beads, but that’s where the comparison stops. She does the professional art/craft show circuit, has a fantastic display, and is a real inspiration. It was great to meet Lori Anderson in person! Her jewelry is beautiful and I was able to admire all of her varied creations up close rather than just visiting her website. I think of her whenever we drive through her town on the Eastern Shore on the way to Ocean City….
Speaking of the beach, we kicked-off the 2008 beach season (a little early, I know) by taking a trip to Ocean City. I went with my Dad, the kids, and the dogs. 6 “boys” to 1 girl. On the drive down we stopped at one of my parent’s new favorite restaurants, a local place on Kent Island. Rather than a crabcake, I had to try one of their famed shrimp salad sandwiches.
It was a real mix as far as the weather all weekend. One day we hung out at the “kiddie” beach on the bayside and it was warm enough for the kids to take off their shoes and go barefoot. The next day it was rainy and chilly, but we still had to stop by the Ocean for the dogs to take a stroll in the sand (since it’s off-season). In the few days that we were there, we were able to fit in the favorites: beach, boardwalk and even putt putt golf. Well I had a break that time and my Dad took all 3 boys while I stayed home. It was a nice get-away to break up the dreary month of February. Now I really can’t wait until Spring!
by Cindy on February 14, 2008
Have a super sweet Valentine’s Day!
by Cindy on February 12, 2008
I finally understand why so many people want to learn about this mysterious thing, Precious Metal Clay. The year before last when I was first starting out with jewelry design, I traveled up to the Rockville area to take a class with wire. There was a group hustling in to start their PMC class. I thought, hmph….I’m not really interested in that. I’ve seen PMC pieces everywhere but never thought it was something for me. I’m not quite sure why. Maybe because it required a kiln, or maybe because it involved, so I thought, some sort of sculpting. The longer I’ve been making jewelry though, the more interested I have become in expanding my horizons and learning new techniques. At some point early on this year, I finally became interested in learning more about PMC. I contacted an instructor in Maryland who was able to get another Intro. class on the calendar in my area (see bead shop above). I took that Intro. class this past weekend and had FUN.
Dawn Fernald-Spruill was one of those instructors you knew you would like immediately. She just had that easy-going way about her that made you feel like you couldn’t possibly mess up what you were about to embark on. We were all relaxed in no time, playing with the silver clay like it was play-doh. Okay, I’ll admit we were all a bit nervous when it came to using the clay in the syringe form to create the bezel for the stone in the pendant. We learned about texturizing, kiln and torch firing, and creating a patina for the finished piece. One gal bought a finished cord in the bead shop just so she could walk out wearing her finished pendant. I loved the immediate satisfaction! Here are a few of the pendants that I made.
I love that I can personalize the silver and create just whatever I want with it. The sky’s the limit. I would like to make a mother’s bracelet with the names of my 3 children on the links, pendants with inspirational words, toggle clasps, bead caps…………. I know, I know, ONE step at a time!
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