Argentium silver...

I've been making this type of earring for some time...I don't do the shiny finish a great deal (in all honesty they aren't as popular as the textured/hammered/brushed finish) but they certainly are pretty to look at...all smooth and shiny!!!

Being so shiny it makes for taking photos rather difficult...


I've been doing soldering and fusing for awhile...I don't have any photos of my latest pieces yet, they are coming, but here is a sample of earrings I did about a month ago... I prefer abstract and like the fact people know they are handcrafted...so I tried soldering scrap silver, and pieces I've made into scrap, onto in this case, argentium silver circles, no two will ever be exactly the same but it works...

I like the results and have made many earrings and pendants, in all kinds of shapes/sizes/designs...
Enjoy the rest of your weekend...
Cheers

Love that Argentium Silver!

Here are three more pair of earrings all made with Argentium sheet silver and wire...I'm a huge fan of this silver as it is shinier and more resistant to tarnishing than Sterling Silver!

Each pair of earrings has been hand cut, sanded, polished, detailed, and tumbled, by me of course!!
I've recently purchased some Fine Silver, which is 99.9% pure silver, I've read this is the silver used to make bullion bars for international trading...interesting! I'm not sure if I will enjoy working with this silver as it is very soft ...but I wanted to try fusing which is similiar to soldering without the necessity of solder and chemicals... I'll let you know once I begin working with it. Probably won't be until after the new year now!
I'm looking forward to a productive winter...taking courses in metalsmith and improving my photography skills...both will keep me very busy until the market/show season begins in March!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Cheers

Its Friday!!!

Good morning... someone said something to me yesterday that made me stop and think about how I post on my blog...

Erin, from "jewellery by erin", told me she stops by every morning to see if I've added anything new!!! That statement was an eye opener for me...my goal for this blog has always been to increase traffic to the point where I have regular visitors leaving me comments on a regular basis, a tremendous goal but I like to reach.

I enjoy writing, unfortunately, it takes me such a long time as I'm one of those people who will rewrite something five times before I like how it sounds...having said that my plan was to try to write interesting and informative posts which will keep people returning ...

Now I realize I have a long way to go but having regular readers is what I'm working towards...don't get me wrong, it is great to have people "stop & drop" I do the same thing(I also have blogs that I visit on a daily basis to see if there is something new posted) but Erin visiting me daily to see if I've posted something new, this is a huge deal for me, if I have one regular maybe there are more out there who don't stop to comment!!

Which brings me to my point...I know, I know, I'm so very long winded when I have something to say...which is... I realize I'm going to have to be much better at posting more often if I want to keep/attract more regular viewers. I will work on it!! :0)

FYI...I'm now working on my "Birthstone of the Month" (pearls) feature, it should be ready in a few days, there is so much information to go through, as I try to give interesting and informative information without getting too technical.

I've begun working with sterling silver and gold filled wire as well as sheet silver...making ear wires, earrings, and pendants so far. I've made myself two rings a silver and a gold but I haven't made any for customers yet...I'm enjoying the process as it is very satisfying and will eventually get into the soldering as I have all the tools waiting for me!

As soon as I take photos of I'll put them on the site. I'm not a great photographer so I put off taking the pictures as I'm never satisfied with the results. I have a huge inventory of completed pieces to photograph and get on my Etsy store as it is looking very barren at the moment!

Enjoy your weekend!
Cheers

Another day!!!

Here is my badge from EJA





I have another wonderful treaury by nanasbowterrific here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=23590

I took a course in fabrication this summer, which I very much enjoyed...this winter I plan on experimenting to see what I can come up with..I'm still waiting for some of my tools to arrive so that I can begin...I had to order items from both the US and Canada to get what I wanted...once everything arrives I'm sure I will sit and look at everthing for a few days to work up the nerve to start...Hopefully once I start soldering everything will fall into place! I do have a detailed book, I've bookmarked tutorials on Youtube and I have a print out sent to me that should help...but...if all else fails I'll have to call my instructor for help!! I can do this! :0)I will keep you post!

Cheers Heather