New Letter & Number Stamps

I purchased a new set of letter and number stamps for metal stamping from Evies Tool Emporium. I already had a 4mm set, and those were fine for my metal book covers. But I found them to be too large for my jewelry designs. The set I purchased from Michelle at Evie's is 2.5mm -- just right!


These pendants are copper. I cut the pieces of metal using my new brake and sheer combo tool that I scored at a yard sale a few weeks ago. The cuts made by the sheer are so much cleaner than I was getting from my handheld scissor-like shears. This made the finishing of the edges much less labor intensive. It's all about the right tools.

I also used my texture hammers that Rick made for some of these pendants. I used a metal oxidized liquid to tone down the super shiny bright copper finish on the raw metal. After sanding with 400 grit paper, the results are a mellow, slightly rosy copper color. Again, just right!

Completion of My Metal Book

I wasn't sure it would be possible for me to finish this project, but alas, I have completed the book. While I'm happy with the results, this book does not have the finished, polished look of the book I made in class.

The coptic binding was easier that I was expecting, thanks to the detailed notes I had. After my class at Volcano Arts, my classmate Shari and I decided to write down detailed instructions on how to do that binding. Without those instructions, it would have been far more difficult.

Wild Thing

The etsyBEAD Street Team has a new theme (we change it every 2 weeks) and this latest one is "Wild Thing". I have put these 2 necklaces on sale in my etsy shop for this fun theme. They are normally $45, but will be only $39 through June 28.

Dragonfly and Reed Necklace

I love this round brass pendant. It features a dragonfly in flight around reed stalks and evokes a feeling of serenity. It provides the backdrop for an assemblage of vintage glass beads and a square pillow shaped turquoise bead wrapped in filigree. The seafoam and lavender perfectly complements the peaceful scene on the pendant.

The whole assemblage is suspended from brass chain, which is finished with a simple hook clasp. The chain measures 19 1/2" (49.4 cm). The pendant part is 2 3/4" (7 cm).

Flapper Necklace

This top-drilled serpentine pendant has been difficult for me to use -- I bought a whole strand in Tucson. Then, I discovered this fan shaped filigree component. It works perfectly when wrapped around the pendant. I added some coordinating crystals and voila, a flapper-worthy necklace was created! Glass and brass beads top the pendant and the whole assemblage hangs from brass link chain.

Metalsmithing & Bookbinding

I recently attended a fabulous class at Volcano Arts in Volcano, California. The focus of the class was bookbinding and I decided to pursue the option of making a metal cover for my book. With the exception of the eyelets, I fabricated every piece of metal in this book!

The main part of the cover is patinated copper. The wavy brass strip is repeated on the back cover. The closure panel is also brass to which I have riveted an etched piece of nickel silver. The book closes with a length of black elastic which lies under the curve of the nickel silver.

I learned the coptic binding technique to complete this book. This was an amazing class taught by Christine Cox, owner of Volcano Arts. She is a wealth of knowledge and a generous teacher.