What's on my Work Table?

While Jet is still taking huge chunks of my time, I'm forced to figure out how to get some actual work done in preparation for the Alaska State Fair and my fall show season ... and keep up with consignment orders and hopefully some additional wholesale orders. Just typing all that has exhausted me. I'm getting old.

Since earrings are the "bread & butter" of my business, I've spent what time I could keeping those earring boxes full. The boxes are finally bursting at the seams so I recently switched to making some sterling silver necklaces.

What you see here, in the two bottom rows, are a bunch of pendants -- trios and duos -- ready to be put on chains. The pendants are fun to put together. I enjoy finding interesting groupings of gems. The cutting of the chain (I buy the chain in bulk and cut it to length, then add a clasp) and assembling the necklaces is quite boring.

In the two rows above the duos and trios are paired gemstones for earrings.  As I said, I'm taking a reprieve from the earring making, so these will have to wait!

*Hint -- click on the photo to get a much better look at some of my gemstone combos!

Making Earring Cards

One of the less glamorous aspects of making jewelry (seriously though, are there any truly glamorous aspects?) is the need for earring display cards.  I've always made my own, using Corel Draw. 

Three times in the past 14 years, I have had to upgrade my version of Corel and I live in fear that my existing files will not be compatible with the newest version.  I did my last upgrade this past December and all went well, so I'm probably safe for another 5 years or so.

Since I have not been able to give up this task to a commercial printer, I continue to buy 80 lb cover cardstock and print my own.  Cutting them has become a science for me.  I'll take you through the process and if you fall asleep, I'll wake you when I'm done.

Each sheet (printed front and back) is printed with 12 cards on it.  The cards will measure 2" x 3 1/4" when cut.

First I cut them vertically.

Then I cut them horizontally.

My not-so-heavy-duty paper cutter will only cut 3 sheets of this cardstock at a time, so I print in multiples of 3.  This batch was 9 sheets.  Why don't I get a heavier paper cutter, you ask?  I don't have a good answer for you.

The completed stack.

And the back, printed with "Sterling Silver".  I leave space under that to write the names of the stones in each particular pair of earrings.

ARE YOU STILL AWAKE?!?  PAY ATTENTION -- THIS IS EXCITING STUFF!

Now I bet you're wondering how I put those little holes in the cards that hold the earrings.  I'll tell you anyway.

Years ago, when I first started this silliness, Rick saw me using a safety pin to poke holes in the cards.  Granted, I didn't need very many cards back then, but still, this was the height of ridiculousness.  He built me this little low-tech gizmo that works like a charm.

It is simply 2 pieces of plywood connected with a hinge.  On the right, there are 2 small nails.  I put a batch of cards upside down over the nails and close the little "book".

Why upside down? Because the nails make a bit of pokey-outie when they go through the paper and that looks terrible on the front of the cards.

Now they're ready for earrings!

A funny story:

I customize the back of the cards with either Sterling Silver, Gold Filled or Niobium.  One time, I printed a small batch (3 sheets) of Gold Filled cards with a serious typo.  I left out the "l" in Gold.  Yes, there were some God Filled earrings out there.  I have no idea how many people even noticed.  I didn't until I used the last card.

An Ambitious Cooking Project :: Egg Rolls!

I've made these egg rolls at least one time in the past, if I can believe the notes I made in the cookbook.  It was at best a dim memory.  So this recent attempt felt like the first time ... all over again.

The internet abounds with recipes and I will provide mine if you request it, but for now, I'll simply entertain you with photos of my egg roll experience.

Preparing the filling of cabbage, onions, carrots and water chestnuts, with a tablespoon (or so) of soy sauce and about a teaspoon of sugar:

Whisking the extremely thin batter -- in one direction only! -- while the pan in heating:

The pan is lightly oiled before I pour in the batter.  Pam worked better than liquid oil, as it gave a more even coating.  The pancakes are thin and cook relatively quickly.  The trickiest part is turning them to cook the other side.

They are stacked under a moistened towel to keep them soft.  I think the recipe made 8 or 9.

I wasn't able to get a photo of the actual filling and rolling and forgot to get a photo while they were frying.  So here is a picture of the finished product:

I served them with a selection of 4 dipping sauces.  We ate every single one. And then we had dinner. :)

New Metal Projects

Remember this post?  It features a pendant I made while in class at Volcano Arts back in April.  Now that I have my new miniature jeweler's bench and a small drill press, I decided there were no more excuses -- I had to start actually making some things.

Starting with the same design featured in that blog post, I made 2 more pendants.  For this first one, I etched a piece of brass and free-cut a circle-ish shape.  Because most of the brass is hidden, you can't see the gorgeous leaf pattern that I etched.  The black layer is a ready-made circle of anodized aluminum I found in my stash.  The center piece is sterling silver that I stamped with the letter "S" around the edges.  The 3 layers are held together with a rivet I made from 14 ga copper wire.  The bail is also copper, with a sterling rivet to attach it to the pendant.

The bottom layer of the next pendant  is a piece of copper from a sheet that I patinated (about 4 years ago -- I still have plenty of it left!) with an ammonia and salt concoction that I learned from Linda & Opie O'Brien's book Metal Discovery Workshop.  The middle layer is another piece of anodized aluminum that matches the aqua patina below it very nicely.  The center is a copper circle that I stamped.  The rivets and the bail are also copper.

This last piece is one I started while still in class 2 months ago.  All of the complex sawing was done in class, without a plan for how I would finish it.  This is sort of a no-no, as I've been taught to have a plan (thanks Christine!).  Having a plan ensures that all of the steps are completed in the proper order.  I can't tell you how important this is in a metalsmithing project.  Because of my lack of planning, I ended up with plenty of scratches that could have been avoided, and stupid time-wasting work-arounds.

Taking that into consideration, I think the piece turned out great!  I'm especially proud of the back, where I can show off my improved riveting skills:

I am so pleased with all of my pieces ~~ *pats self on back*

Sale in My Etsy Shop!

I'm having a sale in my etsy shop!  Use coupon code SUMMER20 to get 20% off your entire order.  This will be effective through Saturday, June 25.

Happy Shopping!

Aging Eyes ... Sigh

People of a certain age ... ahem ... will know what I mean when I say that I simply can't see the small stuff any more.  In all honesty, it's been going on for years, but I've been using some work-around techniques.  I'm extremely near-sighted and my glasses correct for distance vision.  When I take my glasses off (they are progressives) and hold my beads really close, I can see them perfectly!  I was finally getting tired of this silly work-around and invested in an optivisor.  The one I purchased has 3 interchangeable lenses of different magnifications.  So, when my eyes get even worse (is that possible?) I can change out the lens.


Why did I wait so long?!?!?!  This might possibly be the most important tool in my arsenal right now.  Plus, it's so flattering:

All I can say is that it's a good thing I work at home.  Alone.