A last gasp before I fall asleep at my desk

It's late and I'm still up at a time when I'm usually sleeping and dreaming about new projects that I'm going to make. But I had to get some details organized for the classes that I'm teaching at the Fraser Valley Bead Show. It's almost done...I have the photos to retake again...for some reasons I'm not 'one' with my camera. Come to think of it...I never have been. The photos will have to wait until tomorrow evening when there's still light. It's difficult to pick up on the ambient lighting when it's pitch dark outside. In any event it will also give me the opportunity to take photos of the water casting I did...I finally figured out the formula to getting what I want out of a pour. Sometimes persistence pays off...or is it really just stubbornness...regardless I'm pleased with the work that I did. The tumbler has been going all day with my new projects.

I promised myself...again...this week that I would take all the finished pieces some stores to see if they would consider them. I keep telling myself I need just a few more samples. Anyone else told themselves that story? :-)

I spent Saturday in Gibsons at the home of a good friend of mine...Nicole. It was a play date! I brought all the tools I thought I would need and then some I didn't know if I needed but took just in case plus all the projects that I just might get the urge to work on. I had enough to last me two weeks never mind one day. That's how I pack when I go away too. :-) I did work on a ring that is for a friend of mine but I didn't finish because I didn't bring all the stuff I needed...really! Nicole had a little treasure of beach glass and wonderful little black round stones. She let me take whatever I wanted...even though I told her they were the best. She promised me that she could get more whenever she wanted. She has a secret source that she promised to let me in on next visit.

Okay I've pushed the awake button for the last time...it's the opposite of the snooze button...and I'm literally seeing double. So without proof reading - gasp! - I'm going to post this.

Photos tomorrow!

We are experiencing technical difficulties...

...please stand by while I get my groove back! I had a day of my own to work on making jewellery...dream day turns into bad dream day! I kept wishing I would wake up and find out that it was really all a dream. I suspect that I just didn't know what to do with the time on my hands. My thoughts were all over the place and difficult to focus...which is not usually a problem. I decide to try making a Trinity ring (formerly known as the Russian wedding ring)and flush setting stones in all of the bands. I set everything up...I'm organized and ready to just roll out the project. It went great in the beginning...even the middle was not so bad but after polishing the bands I tried fitting the stones into the ring and well.....it didn't go so well. Do I stop and take a break...nope I keep trying. I'm getting stressed that I can't do something that seemed fairly simple to me in the past. My shoulders are up around my ears and my back is screaming...because I refuse to leave my bench until I get it. Sanity finally returned...well some of it and I put everything into a container and put it away but that was after struggling for almost two days!

Please tell me that I'm not alone. It's just one of those times when I wonder...what the heck do I think I'm doing?!? No answer but I did very wisely...in my opinion...decide that perhaps it's time for another project. I keep looking at all my lovely treasures from our beaches holiday hoping that I'll think of something fantastic to do with them. But other than airing them out on the porch to get rid of the ocean smell that was so great when we were at the beach...go figure. I've discovered that I'm not the only one that hoards thinking that whatever I make with "it" must be very special...I need just the right project. I'm going to work very hard on changing that thought process. It is too limiting otherwise and soon the special items take over the ones we are willing to work with which means that creativity comes to a halt because nothing is special enough.

I treat this blog the same way...it has to be something really great to write about or I won't write which is silly. So I'm going to try to take the time at least once a week...maybe more to sit and write about some great tool that I've discovered or maybe just some little thing that I found. In any event it won't be perfect...I know...just when you'd come to expect nothing but the best from this blog. :-)

Beaches

I'm slightly behind on this blog but honest I've been busy and now I'm being a total sloth and enjoying a much needed vacation on Vancouver Island...Fred and I are doing a tour of beaches. Not the kind where you kick off your sandals and flop onto a towel ready to settle in for the long haul with good book. These beaches are mostly sandstone and slate...well the first four were. We're going to Port Hardy where we'll overnight and then drive to the trail head todo a day hike to San Josef Bay. After that it's down to Campbell River where we'll catch the ferry to Quadra Island, race across the island to catch the ferry to Cortez.

So what do beaches have to do with the adventures of making jewellery? Inspiration, silly! I love walking along a beach that has for the most part escaped the popular vote. Although I have to admit that I prefer the ones that don’t involve an uphill climb in either direction. But in the endless search for inspiration what’s a little sweat…and a lot of whining? J Okay I’ve been accused of being a bit of a princess but then isn’t there a little bit of that in all of us…go on admit it…please!
My favourite part is the beachcombing...some very ordinary finds...and some very extraordinary finds. Anywhere from simple pebbles that will serve as a backdrop to jewellery photos to pieces that might find their way into a piece of jewellery.

I'm keeping notes and taking photos of places and things that inspire me. Next holiday is going to be for just making jewellery. Someone mentioned to me that they knew someone who took a two week creative vacation just to make jewellery. I love that idea!!

Stay tuned for updates! This time I won't wait so long...honest.
By the way...a crow was looking at me the wrong way at one of the beaches and the first thing I did was remove my earrings...felt much safer after that. :-)

To Crow or Not to Crow?

Monday morning, a potentially difficult time for many people, turned out to be a strange one for me. My car, George (yes that's his name), is in the shop waiting for a new transmission so I'm using the transit system to make my way to work. I got off the bus, walked a few steps when a crow comes from behind and flies so close that I can almost feel the hair, short as it is, on my head move. Thinking that it was a one-off experience I didn't spend too much time thinking about it. I had to run to the bank before I went to work and then couldn't resist the lure of treats at Starbucks as I walked by. As I was tucking the treat into my purse planning on eating it later I was buzzed again by a crow...just as close as the first time. Thinking that it must have seen my treat I thought that now it was out of sight I would be okay...not so! It happened again!! Then a fourth time, only this time my hair didn't just move because of the breeze...the crow made contact. Never having been attacked by a crow I wasn't too sure what was happening. I started walking to work looking behind me with my hands close to my head. I was actually scared. I didn't know what to do...the thought occured to me to run or to duck into the nearest business that was open but I needed to get to work. So I kept walking to work constantly checking behind me to see if any crows were following me. I didn't get buzzed again by a crow but I was crossing the street and a driver checking for traffic neglected to check for pedestrians. She came within spitting distance of hitting me and then kept driving after I moved away. I began to think that I should get back on the bus and go home but before I left the house I was testing a torch that was acting up during a class and it became a flame thrower which I couldn't turn off! So going home didn't seem like a much better solution. One of the first customers in the store that morning mentioned that she thought the crows were after my earrings to decorate their nest with. Someone else told me that they like blonds and redheads! I decided it was time to stop mentioning the story...I was getting worried about going home. Thankfully it was an uneventful trip. Today I was meeting some friends at Starbucks and before I got off the bus I put my earrings in my pocket...no sense in taking any unnecessary chances! :-)

Bee takes to her broom!

I tried broom casting while at my lesson with Barrie on Friday...it was so much fun! I couldn't wait to get home and try it on my own. After a quick stop at home I went to Capilano Rock and Gem to buy the materials I needed which was a crucible with a detachable handle. But instead of rushing right home to see what sort of trouble I could get into I went for dinner with a few of my work mates to say good-bye to Lynne who is moving to the Okanagan.

After a great dinner I was on the hunt for my broom...it had to be a corn broom. Do you know how hard they are to find? All I could find were the plastic ones with magnetic properties for dust and stuff. I wasn't trying to attract anything...I just wanted to pour some molten metal over it...plastic would have been very messy. I was determined and kept up the search until I made my way to Revy Hardware and much to my amazement I had a choice of at least 6 brooms! I'm really glad that it was almost closing time and there weren't many customers around because I certainly would have been questioned. I had all the brooms down from the second shelf...did they think they were going to dance away...to test them. What I was testing them for is a mystery even to me. But I felt that I shouldn't just settle for the first broom that came along...been there before...but instead carefully pick my way through the broom to see which one had the most interesting shaped straw, the most straw...it's that size thing again...and was the best value for my money. I found my perfect broom and took him...I mean it...home.

In order to do the broom casting you need to separate the straw from the rest of the broom so that you end up with a bundle held together with an elastic. So it went into a pail to soak while I ran back to Capilano to pick up a few things I forgot. Finally I was ready to go to work. Using my 'Shark' torch I heated up the scrap silver in the crucible. I was doing this outside which trust me is the only place to do it unless you really like the smell of burnt straw. The silver was finally a little molten ball of silver in the crucible...it's tough not to just stay mesmerized by it...but finally breaking the spell it had on me I poured it into the bundle of straw which was standing in a metal container and supported to stay upright. What a rush!! The straw began to smoke so I quickly rushed to pour the container of water I had close-by to douse it, forgetting that the container with the straw was already full. What's a little water everywhere when you still have the exciting prospect of finding out what transpired in that smoking bundle of straw. The treasures I found in the straw were so much fun. This is a photo of a lot of the ones I kept. This was definitely going to be addictive...I just knew it. I melted the rejected bits along with more scrap 5 or 6 more times...I lost count. I can't wait to see what I can create with it. The shapes are so organic and other worldly looking.

Today I'm going to try casting in water. I'm just waiting for the ice cubes in the freezer. I'll post a photo if it's successful.

The Latest Buzz

I really have to take a break from the puns...but then again why? I'll just put it down to part of my charm. :-)

So today I had this grand idea of changing the template for my blog...well actually just changing the colours. I decided that pink and burgundy would be my new 'brand' colours and I proceeded to change all the colours that Blogger would allow me to change...wow it was really pink!! So I reverted to the template palette of greens. So then I'm thinking that perhaps I can just build my own blog template...how hard can it be? Well I now know why I design and teach about jewellery! I think I'll leave the template design to those who actually know what they are doing. I did have a little fun with one of the photos that I posted earlier hoping to turn it into a new header for the blog. I think I'll save it for Etsy or something. I'm not a graphic designer just in case no one noticed but photoshop offers so many possibilities it's hard not to add a tweak here...a tweak there. You get the picture...don't you? Just so I'm clear I'm including the image I was having fun tweaking. I can see what I need to change...but not now.


Now, I'm off to do what this inspired Bee likes to do best...design some jewellery. I unexpectedly have the day off and plan to have some fun with it. If it turns out then I'll post photos...if not then it's my little secret. :-)

A Walk in the Park

Really...it was a walk in the park! UBC Botanical Gardens played host for a couple of hours while Fred and I meandered it's many paths and took delight in the spring flowers. Fred had his camera with him and took a few photos. I've reduced a few to show off in the blog but seeing them so small just isn't the same as seeing them at full 7mb resolution. It was supposed to be a cloudy day but the sky was a lovely clear blue instead. So why am I telling you about the park in this jewellery blog...simple really...it renewed my inspiration!! How could I go wrong...Bee...flowers...park? I was very stressed before Fred talked me into going thinking that I had to get all these projects finished before I went out to enjoy anything. I realized that I had completely missed the point of doing the silver work and making jewellery...it's supposed to be enjoyable! A walk in the park was really just what I needed to do to bring me out of my funk. I mean who can resist some beautiful plants and flowers? On the ride home my imagination was in full bloom...okay that was a gratuitous pun...and new ideas for designs kept popping into my thoughts. I finished up a couple of have to have done projects which was more enjoyable than I had expected them to be, if my mood earlier was anything to go by. While I didn't actually get to what I was designing in my head it isn't lost and the inspiration continues. I felt good about the projects and a sense that they would come together better than I planned. I actually need to pick up some materials to implement the design.

These are a couple of photos that captured my imagination...it's a bee thing. :-) See how blue the sky is in the background. As I said before these smaller images just don't do justice to the real thing but they still make me smile and that's a good thing.

When the Bee isn't Inspired!

What an frustrating experience. I know that I have creative ideas just waiting to see the light of day but they're stuck in limbo land in my brain. Personally I'm going to say it's weather induced. We live on the west coast and should be experiencing sunshine, t-shirts and sandals now! I discovered that this creative slump is not just confined to me. A friend of mine...and my silver smithing teacher...is saying the same thing. Well the forecast is for sunshine on Thursday and I'm going to soak up every bit of light and I just know that it will kick start a creative streak. Failing that I'm going to invest in some ruby slippers and click my heels together chanting..."I can create, I can create". Wonder where I'll end up? :-)

Who says bigger isn't better?

Today I invested in a new rawhide hammer. Actually I exchanged the very small one, 4 ounces, I had purchased a little while ago and never used for a much larger one, 11 ounces. I had the opportunity to try out a larger hammer the other evening and was genuinely surprised how much more of a punch it packed. I just never really thought about it before. With this larger rawhide hammer I can shape silver on ring or bracelet mandrels much easier and faster. I expend less energy and use less time. Not that big a deal but when you are trying to shape a thicker piece of silver to the mandrel it is nice to have one blow do the work of 4 or 5 before. So I ask again...who says bigger isn't better?

So my recommendation for rawhide hammers is purchase a larger one if you are working a large number of ring shanks of 20 gauge or heavier. If you are just using it for flattening pieces of wire or links then the mid-size, 6 ounces, is just fine. Actually the mid-size will work for shaping ring shanks or bracelets but it will take longer, a lot more energy, oh and a lot more hammering noise. Which may or may not be a big deal but if you have neighbours above or below...I suspect that they'll appreciate it. :-)

Gypsies have Hart...or is it need Hart (burs)?

I know...really bad play on words...couldn't resist it though.

I picked up some new burs on Friday from Capilano Rock and Gem. A few Hart burs, inside ring file burs and some drill bits. I've seen the inside ring burs used before and briefly tried one but now I have my own to play with. I love them! I have the fine and extra fine burs which are great for the inside of the ring shanks when you have extra metal you want to file down quickly and evenly. You won't use them all the time but it's one of those things that you'll be glad that you have when you need it. Like the little square that I use to make sure that I've filed in a straight line.

I've been putting in as much time as I could this weekend on silver smithing. I thought that I should have more to show for it but I did spend a lot of time following the winding path of curiosity. It's one of favourite things to do with the silver smithing but in terms of productivity it really slows things down. Still it is how we learn new things.

The big new technique I learned this weekend is a gypsy setting. The stone is set flush with the surface of the silver. I did a trial run using half round wire which was close but not quite right. I decided I should try making a plain ring band with one gypsy setting. I carefully did all drilling using a drill bit and then one of my new Hart burs and when I put the stone, a cubic zirconia, in I heard this satisfying little click! That means I'm on the right track...feeling rather proud of myself I started to bend the silver into a ring shank. It promptly broke in half...apparently you are supposed to set the stone after you make the ring or use much thicker silver. Not one to be discouraged I took an old ring shank that was destined for the scrap heap, soldered another piece of silver onto the shank for thickness then tried the setting again. It worked this time! And I began to totally get what the instructions were telling me...amazing how that works. I don't have a photo of this masterpiece...obviously my humble opinion...but when I do I'll post it. :-) I also set several other cabochons...little itty bitty ones. Part of the stacking ring series. I know that everyone does it but they are hard to resist...it's the cute factor.

Life as a "Tool Girl"

That's what they call me at work...I think it's meant to be flattering. :-) I work at Capilano Rock and Gem and I spend most of my time in the tool department. It's not as glamorous as the fresh water pearl or the semi-precious stone bead section. It's dusty and sometimes very disorganized but once you see past all that you begin to see the gems hidden there...the tools. Not just the shiny and new but sometimes the ones that are hidden behind years of accumulated inventory that appear during the constant attempts at organizing the area and it can be like finding hidden treasure. Some places just defy being organized and I am beginning to believe that the tool area at the store is one of them. I think that's part of it's charm although not everyone would see it that way. I get to meet people that are just as passionate about tools and silver as I am. Some customers educate me and I educate some customers. It is all about give and take...with so much creative energy in one place it would be difficult for that not to happen. Obviously I enjoy working there! Any why not...the people that I work with are wonderful. I've met great people, made wonderful friends, received referrals for many of my students and in general learn something new every day. This was not meant as a commercial for the store...honest...I'm not being paid to say these things. But check out their website or better yet visit the store...you'll be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of some of the stock and you'll end up staying for much longer than you had planned. Look at me...customer for many years and one day they started handing me a paycheque because I was around so much!

Too much fun!

I couldn't resist editing a few more images. This is a cascade of all the rings that I took photos of today. You can't really make out any details but that was the point...just a waterfall of silver. I did take other photos and the next one will show more detail of the stacking rings. I've made two sizes to start with. I'm going to have to move on from the simple bands though and set some with gems. They were just fun to experiment with. I never really thought about making rings that much until I took a class with Barrie. She taught me how to bezel set stones and I've been experimenting since. She is truly the queen of bezel settings and she's been generous with her knowledge. I take private lessons from her now and although some days we spend more time chatting than doing I still come away from there having learned a lot.

This is the second photo I was referring to...you can see the patterns a little better on this. I was having trouble setting them up and taking them one at a time just seemed boring. I love to beach comb for rocks, shells and driftwood when I'm on the beach. The rings are on a mussel shell, found when Fred and I went to Long Beach on the west side of Vancouver Island. We found this wonderful little beach, if you would call it that, and it was almost entirely made up of mussel shells that had been tumbled by countless tides. I was like a kid in a candy store! So the stones and such that are collected become a backdrop for the jewellery that I love making. I think it's rather appropriate since they are from places that I take such inspiration from.

Today's Photo Session

As promised I took some photos and I have one ready. These are the Trinity rings, also known as Russian Wedding bands, that I have been having such fun with. They are made of many combinations of sterling silver and gold filled wire. I have some that are patterned but the
photos will have to wait for another session. I will have some photos of the stacking rings I've also made. My plan is to make more soon. I've spent a bit of time exploring Etsy because I want to set up shop. It felt great today to set up and take photos of a few things, it's been too long.

Sunday Evening

I am often asked if I have a website and I do...it's under construction for a whole new look. I'll be sure to post the unveiling. So this is a solution to the in-between-stage of my website.

At this moment I don't have any photos to post. My plan was to take them today but I got busy making jewellery, so it may have to wait until next weekend. The week is busy with working three days a week at my day job, teaching two evening classes and teaching privately at home. I am enjoying every (well almost) moment of it.

I also have to get busy this week to prepare the workshops that I'm teaching at the Fraser Valley Bead Show. Lise, one of the key organizers of the show sent an email with a gentle but firm request for the information. Barrie Edwards, founder of the FVBS encouraged me to teach a workshop last year. It was the enthusiastic support and responses to the classes that really launched my teaching 'career'. It was also the encouragement of family and friends that helped push me out of my comfort zone.

Anyways more another time, I'm just happy to have made my first post to the blog. It felt like such a responsibility to write something meaningful but then I realized it's supposed to be fun! Meaningful can come at another time. :-)