Precious metal

This winter I was planning to spend as much time as possible working with silver, be it argentium, sterling or fine silver...love it all! Well that didn't happen nearly as often as I would have liked, not for lack of wanting to though...

Below is fine silver links fused together and linked with sterling silver rings, I've added two tiny stamped argentium silver circles,one with my signature starfish and the other with two butterflies. Finished with a hand crafted hook...

I've had a bit of a thing for circles lately...here we have three argentium silver circles randomly soldered to a larger lightly hammered argentium silver circle.

Argentium silver rectangles hammered in two directions...domed slightly... three balls each made from my scrap pile of silver, soldered to the rectangles, hanging of course from my own ear wires.

There is something new on the market... in January, Pearl from the Beading Gems Journal did an interesting post on "silver filled" wire...basically the same idea as gold filled. I've ordered some of the wire from Fire Mountain Gems...they are saying it handles like silver, can be hammered and soldered. Once I've had a chance to work with it I'll let you know what I think.

Thanks for stopping by...
Cheers

Finally

Hello...

As you might have noticed...I've been away since the beginning of February...I've spent the last little while since my return catching up on boring issues!

I've finally made it back to my blog...

Last fall my Mother happened to see a onyx and black swarovski dangle bracelet that I was wearing(love dangles) and she thought she would like one in brown...she loves brown over black. So when I went to see her this winter I brought her this brown pearl & swarovski, sterling silver bracelet...she rarely ever asks for anything so when she does I'm on it!

She loved it but, has arthritis in her hands and found the claw too difficult...I used this swivel claw as I thought it might work well for her but it didn't so I changed the claw to a magnetic clasp and safety chain...I checked out a local bead store and found a nice strong clasp...I've not had a great deal of luck finding strong magnetic clasps lately. I order them online and I'm often disappointed in the strength when they arrive. If anyone can recommend where I can purchase strong magnetic clasps I appreciate it!

I'm an earring and bracelet person...without either I don't feel properly dressed when I go out...and I'm also one of those who likes my earrings to coordinate with something I'm wearing. (I know, I know, but I do) I decided rather than bring my whole earring collection I would bring one of my favorite pair of sterling silver earrings, they go with almost anything...I then made a pair of long kidney wires, after which I wire wrapped Bali beads, white, dark pink & lime green pearls, onyx, dyed purple & magenta jade, denim something or other, I forget the stone and sodalite...these are colors I wear most often/packed.
Worked for me...simplified the earring packing...now all I have to do is simplify the close issue!!!!

Cheers

Left overs!

This fall I received copper and stoneware products from ArtBeads.com from which I made a necklace, scroll way down...this is the left over product...because there was so much left I felt I should make something else with the pieces...here you have it! I couldn't seem to get this style out of my mind...sometimes you just have to go with it!

The three gorgeous stoneware beads have been wire wrapped with copper plated metal wire to each diamond, oval and circle link and the copper plated metal chain. I've added a few of my turquoise oval beads to continue the southern feel. Love turquoise...I have a difficult time staying away from it when I use copper...turquoise and copper feel right to me!

I'm very impressed with the stoneware beads they are substantial without being heavy and the color is consistent and vibrant. Love the copper/plated products...well made! I wanted to mention this as I've purchased stoneware beads and copper else where and I've not been happy with the quality of the product...you will find these are definitly a quality product.

Thank you Artbeads.com...
Enjoy your day.
Cheers


*FTC compliance disclosure* the products attributed to Artbeads.com in this post where provided as a promotional gift by Artbeads.com in relation to the blogging program. My comments pertaining to these products are my personal opinion, no compensation has been received for the comments.

13.5% duty added!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we need to be informed...

Check out this excerpt from Artbeads.com's blog...regarding the addition of 13.5% duty to all Bali & Hill Tribe silver products as of January 1st, 2011!


"Chief Operating Officer, Michael Hervieux.

Since 1976 the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) has been in place to promote economic growth in under-developed nations by offering duty-free entry into the US for a large number of products including, among others, Bali and Hill Tribe Silver. The federal government is required to continually reassess and reauthorize this program in order to keep it in place and over the years has let it lapse several times only to pick it up once again. Unfortunately, this program was most recently only authorized until December 31, 2010 so effective January 1, 2011 all imports of products previously covered by the GSP have been levied at the standard duty rates that are as high as 13.5%. There is no estimated date for when the GSP will be renewed or if it will even happen. Sadly, Artbeads finds itself with little choice but to raise the prices on these items to help cover this new cost. (These prices will be rolled out in the next few days so now would be a good time to stock up!)

As always Artbeads strives to be as open as possible about outside influences on prices. Over the course of the last year the sterling silver market has been highly volatile and has forced us to move our prices up significantly. However, when the silver market declines our prices have likewise been adjusted accordingly. As soon as we learn if and when the GSP will be renewed we will be sure to keep you advised and will roll back our prices accordingly.

-Michael Hervieux, Chief Operating Officer, Artbeads.com"

I have my fingers crossed...hoping the "powers that be" take a fresh look at this and renew the GSP...could happen as they done it before!!!

By the way I just checked the silver prices and they've gone down to $26.80...thank goodness the price is going down!!! Good things come to those who wait...

Things could be worse... :0)

Have a great day...Cheers

Check this out...

Artbeads.com has outdone themselves this time...

They have just launched their "Road to Tucson" Sweepstakes! The grand prize is a trip for two to Tucson, Arizona to attend the 2012 Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase! This fantastic prize package includes round-trip airfare for two to Tucson, Arizona and 3 nights accommodation. The winner will also attend classes with well-known beading instructors and have access to the biggest shows. Spend 3 fun-filled days in Tucson surrounded by gems, minerals, fossils, beads and other bead lovers! What could be more fabulous!

This sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) age 18 and up. Entry deadline is March 16, 2011 at 11:59pm PT. For more information: http://www.artbeads.com/road-to-tucson-sweepstakes.htm

To attend a show of this magnitude has always been on my "to do" list...some day it will happen but ...wouldn't it be wonderful to win such a trip...all those stones, and classes...amazing!!!
Cheers

My version of recycling silver!

This has been a difficult year with the price of silver...it is now up to $29.37 an oz. I guess I shouldn't complain gold is $1,381.50 an oz....a considerable difference, but then it is relevant to each designers metal of choice and customer preference!

Yesterday a blogging friend, Pearl, from The Beading Gem's Journal, did a post on the price of silver and an interesting alternative...silver filled wire. I'm sure most of you are familiar with gold filled as I was but that was the first time I'd hear of silver filled wire...take a peak at her post it is very informative. I checked around for information to see if I could find any more information but haven't been successful so far...I'll keep looking and will post when I find info on this product.

The Blob!
recycled sterling silver and fine silver wire

I've been keeping an eye on the price of silver since the summer and have been somewhat frustrated with the rise in the cost of silver... so as you may have noticed in a previous posts I showed a pair of circle earrings to which I soldered scrap sterling silver pieces...I've been making earrings, pendants & rings since the fall and have found them to be well received.

Hand cut argentium silver, with soldered scrap silver!

Customers like the originality of each piece as well as the idea they are recycling silver. I've also been using larger pieces of scrap silver and soldering them together to make pendants...I don't have any photos but when I do I'll post them.

Triple Pair!
Argentium silver with soldered scrap silver.

Enjoy your weekend...
Cheers

My first attempt...

As you can see I've a new header...I found a great tutorial on making Blog headers with Picasa. I've been using Picasa for some time now to edit my photos so this was perfect for me!

This is my first one...I'll leave it up until I take some knew photos then will give it a try again! I found the tutorial on the following site...it is a well done tutorial, easy to follow with great photos...

http://blissfullydomestic.com/2010/how-to-make-a-blog-header-for-free

Enjoy your evening...
Cheers

All the best in the coming year...

Best Orkut Scraps

May health, happiness and prosperity be yours in 2011!

Cheers

Amethyst & Flourite!

In the last two years this is the third bracelet of this kind I've made...notice I said third... The first was to try something different with beading...while I love the results the actual process is somewhat like "work", and you know how I feel about work. I need my glasses plus a magnifying glass to make this. Seriously!!! When finished the bracelet is stunning...a bit heavy but colorful and vibrant...the first was done in greens the second was done similiar to this but with pearls included in the mix. Having said that, I've the stones, etc., (completely different combos) to make two more...won't promise when they will be done... lets say...sometime in the future! This one I made with multi colored flourite(purple, yellow, pale blue) oval stones, tiny seed beads, they are difficult to see, they are hiding in the center as they are the back bone of the bracelet and a multitude of gorgeous faceted amethyst rondelles which ranged in color from dark amethyst (my favorite) to pale amethyst verging on yellow(citrine)...if you look closely you can spot a few of the yellow... This bracelet was custom ordered as a Christmas gift...I'm hoping she loves it!!!
Enjoy your week.
Cheers

PS...these photos were taken at night with a florescent light above/behind my head...not bad! Still not great but much better than many of the others I've taken so far!!!