- Link Mother's Day Sale - 15% off all jewelry
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Fold Forming with John Fetvedt
I took a fold forming class with John Fetvedt at the NC State Arts Center a few weekends ago. It was an all day class of independent work after short demonstrations by John.
Fold forming is a technique where you fold metal. Duh, right? Well, the interesting thing is that you can manipulate the metal by hammering on the crease to create different shapes and effects. Think origami with metal and big hammers.
We used 26 or 28 gauge sheets of copper to create ornaments and jewelry pieces. It was a time consuming process because the metal had to be annealed (heated with a torch) after it became work-hardened by hammering. Basically, hammering caused the copper to become inflexible so you could only hammer for a little while before returning to the torch to heat, hammer, heat, hammer, heat, etc. Also, we weren’t using no dinky hammers! These were the lightest forging (aka, blacksmithing) hammers. The smallest was 10 pounds. John commented that our bodies would give out before the end of the day and he was right. Many of the ladies left after lunch but I stayed until the bitter end!
The colors are a result of heating the copper; oxygen couldn’t reach the inside of the fold so that’s why the color is lighter near the crease. Some of the ladies were able to heat the copper to create colorful designs but I don’t have those skills. I’ll either oxidize or paint them to add color since they will not stay looking like they are now.
This was a fun and creatively challenging class. However, I felt limited to designing organic shapes (ie. leaves) and free-form pieces (which I’m not good at). Also, the edges need to be filed and the pieces must be finished into wearable jewelry. I’ve enjoyed all the metal classes I’ve taken but I like coming home with a final product. These classes have also reinforced my love of beading. I’ll continue to expand my skills, but look for techniques that use beads instead of metal.
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The Power of Jewelry
While taking a study break, I came across this great blog I want to share with you. The author takes you on a visual journey through her mother’s jewelry box, showcasing pieces her mom acquired from all over the world through several decades. The pictures are exquisite, and its a touchingly beautiful blog which memorializes the lost relationship of mother and child. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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The one to rule them all
I am one happy girl! Chris proposed on November 25th on the Blue Ridge Parkway at sunset. It was a beautiful proposal and we spent a wonderful weekend at our favorite getaway destination, Asheville. He gave me a “placeholder” ring that was temporary costume jewelry from Macy’s. Sparkly but not meant to last!
The one souvenir I got (other than beads) while in Asheville was a coffee table book on the House of Tiffany from a used bookstore. It is a fantastic book on the history of Tiffany’s, the marketing genius of Charles Lewis Tiffany, and how the brand has changed in the last 150 years. Fun facts: Tiffany started out selling stationary and fancy goods but gradually moved to selling fine wares from all over the world in a time when the appetite of the wealthy in the United States was expanding. Charles Lewis Tiffany was also an innovative marketer, using news outlets and campaigns to attract customers to his store. After the 1859 “Diamond Wedding” when the extravagant pearl and diamond bridal adornments made by Tiffany were featured in the New York Tribune, the passion for diamonds was forever a part of our society. In the 1860’s, new technology allowed jewelers to cut a perfectly round diamond that created optimal brilliance. Tiffany made diamond history by mounting these stones in a new setting which raised the diamond above the shoulder and allowed light to pass through all sides of the stone, maximizing the sparkle of the gem. Prior to 1886, most diamonds were set in a bezel which encircles the stone and restricts light to pass only through the top. This new setting using the round-cut diamonds became well know as the Tiffany Solitaire.
When choosing my engagement ring, I wanted something that was classic and timeless. Originally, I pressured myself to find something unique and artistic that represented my jewelry style. But I realized that’s not what an engagement ring is to me; I wanted my ring to represent my engagement and marriage to Chris.
I chose gold because I like the warm tones, but it also provides a beautiful contrast to the diamond and makes the stone look even bigger. I’ve never had something so personal and so beautiful. It was a strange coincidence to find the Tiffany book after getting engaged. I knew I wanted to get a solitaire but now the history of the jewelry adds to our story and directly links my prior decision to our engagement weekend.
PS: This ring is so sparkly and eye-catching! Literally, it sparkles in the dark. The setting really does make a difference in allowing the diamond to capture and refract light.
PPS: I want to give a shout-out to the wonderful folks at Holland’s Jewelers who helped us select this ring. They are a great family owned business and it was fun and easy shopping with them.
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Gaudy
Finally, I made something truly hideous!
I didn’t even finish it because there’s really no way to rescue this piece. The red pearls are way too overpowering and the gold adds a tacky element not seen since Cirque de Soleil was in town. But that didn’t stop me from trying again.
I discovered new challenges with this technique. Not only do you have to match the colors, but you also have to consider the three-dimensional shape of the beads and the effect of beading in a concentric shape. This one was better but the green beaded edge was too dark compared to the softer greens used in the center of the piece.
I was able to find some lighter green beads in Asheville that matched perfectly. With Carol’s help, I sewed the beading onto green felt and then sewed that onto a pin component.
It made a nice, sturdy, puffed pin that I can imagine anyone from my great-great aunt to my sister wearing. I love the timeless appeal of pins and broaches and enjoy finding new ways to create them using modern techniques.
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Weaving Away
I was fortunate enough to have some time in the last couple of months to do some beading, and everything I created was a beadweaving technique of some sort.
Since it had been so long since I had made anything, I took my own advice and followed some patterns I’ve been wanting to try. Typically I’ll have success with 2 out of every 3 patterns, mostly because I’ll substitute bead sizes and colors so much that the final result won’t look anything like the pattern example (meaning, it’ll look like crap!). But I got on a roll.
I think of all the jewelry making techniques I know, beadweaving is my favorite. Basically, it’s sewing with beads. It’s rhythmic and takes longer than other techniques but the results have a nice feel and really show off the beads.
Pattern after pattern was successful. Either I finally have enough beads that I don’t have to substitute as much (very possible with all the bead shows I go to!) or I got lucky!
Whatever you enjoy doing, regardless of how hectic your life gets, always remember to make time to do what you love.
(Source: shop.andreaturini.net)
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The winner is…
Alyssa! Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Contact jewelry@andreaturini.net to claim your prize.
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Vintage Giveaway!
After the fantastic blog hop event, Vente of vintagebeads.eu contacted me for a collaboration. Vente recently turned her jewelry making and bead collecting hobby into a wonderful online store operated out of Istanbul, Turkey. She has over 500 different beads from countries all over Europe including West Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. The beads are all vintage but unused and take you back to another era.
She sent me a wonderful collection of plastic, crystal, metal and glass beads to play with. Vintage beads are really fun to use in jewelry designs. Jewelry and the beads they’re made with go in and out of style, just like clothes. Using beads that are over 25 years old allows you to put a new spin on a classic piece of jewelry.
I was inspired by the medallion to make a victorian-esque necklace. I removed the dangles and wove freshwater pearls and blue glass beads to create a stunning focal. The necklace hangs ~60cm which was a common length for that time period.
I loved the texture and detail of these beads. I turned the green resin focal beads into chandelier earrings that accentuate the deep color and unusual shape.
You can’t go to most local bead shops and find these types of beads. Vintage beads are a specialty among the jewelry world and take extra skill and time to find. Many of the beads have exquisite detail that add uniqueness to your designs.
And now for the GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment below by 9pm EST December 1st to be entered to win the radiant green earrings!
One entry per person, the drawing will be done randomly. Everyone is eligible, regardless of shipping destination.
Full disclosure: this blog post and giveaway is sponsored by vintagebeads.eu
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Blog Hop!
In August, I signed up to do a bead exchange hosted by Pretty Things. The interest was unbelievable and a whopping 362 people are participating! We were paired up and exchanged a “bead soup” which contained a focal bead, some coordinating beads and a special clasp. We had one month to stretch our creativity and design a piece before sharing it on our blog.
My partner is the super talented Charlie Jacka. She created the most gorgeous pendant from bronze metal clay that she then oxidized and polished to a beautiful shine. Charlie included natural turquoise, smoky topaz and coral beads along with a sweet clasp to get me on my way.
My first instinct was to match the rose colors in the pendant and make a necklace that was predominantly pink and gold. But the point of the swap was to challenge ourselves and Charlie’s selection of beads reminded me of a deep sea treasure that was rediscovered. I wanted the necklace to look almost like a net that caught the pendant.
I have never done bead crochet before so this was both a technical and a design challenge. Unfortunately, however, I did not anticipate the crochet stitches stretching so I made it too long to use Charlie’s clasp (super bummed because it’s a really cool clasp that added to the antique image).
I liked the coral accent beads but thought the red was a bit too bright and detracted the focus from Charlie’s handmade pendant. But it need some contrast and so I choose a deeper red bead which brought out the darker hues in the bronze. I also incorporated copper-colored freshwater pearls, which after it was finished, are probably my least favorite part but I’m still pleased with the finished piece.
Thank you so much, Charlie, for giving me such a wonderful combination of beads and taking the time to make a beautiful pendant! And a huge thanks to Lori for organizing the swap. It was a massive undertaking to manage a global event but it was a great way to connect with other bloggers and challenge our creativity.
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CABO Website is LIVE!
After 18 months, I’ve finally completed the website rebuild for my bead club, Capital Area Beading Organization (or CABO). I’m thrilled with the result and I had a great time learning how to build a website. A big thanks to Chris for helping me select all the right components and get me out of jams, as well as making it look beautiful. Ultimately, I hope this new site will increase membership to our club so it will continue to thrive and grow. I love the meetings, the ladies and the projects and it was a pleasure to give back in this way.
