Rounding the Bend

These are four new designs from the button replicas I've been casting. They are various sizes and designs, but all extremely beautiful, like tiny sculptures.

This one reminds me of a pair of thistles, like the stylized designs I saw in Scotland.

This one has buds, flowers and leaves, swirling around inside the lovely round frame, they resemble tulips in the spring to me.

There are large, medium and small sizes, just like the actual buttons. some are very detailed, I'm so happy with the molds and the results I'm getting.

Sometime this year these will be part of another collaboration magazine article with Deryn Mentock. These are her buttons, and they have quite a story to tell.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying just looking at them. And I have some ideas about how to combine them with some fiber patterns I'm working on. When I get everything together, I'll show them, too.

The Article in BAJ

I realized that I haven't shown the cover of the Summer Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine, it's lovely.

And there are a lot of great articles inside, I'm still re-reading my copy.



This brooch is in the article, it's about how to get a faux amber look with resin.

This pin is in the Etsy shop - I haven't had time to photograph and list the others.

If you don't have your copy yet, go grab it! There are fantastic things inside!

Happy Happy Today

Today is my birthday! I had a nice breakfast, and I've spent the rest of the day in the studio, messing up my fingernails! They look like I've been working on heavy machinery.

But really I've been working on some different closures.

Like this medal with a large loop at the top, it says "VALEUR ET DISTINCTION" in french. It was cast from an original french antique.

I combined it with an old skeleton key, with the number "6" at the top, putting a loop on the back to make it into a toggle.

My hubby went to the bookstore and picked up a copy of the Summer 2010 Issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. I'm excited to spend part of this evening reading through it.

The article on the Faux Amber turned out well, I think. And Deryn Mentock and Nancy Schindler have articles in there, too.

I'll spend some quiet indoor time this evening looking at the whole thing, can't wait.

We're having a Boef Bourguignon tonight, yum. That won't require any VALEUR but it will be a dinner with DISTINCTION, for sure.

With some fresh french bread and Missouri vineyard red wine.

Happy Birthday to Me! A nice day, enjoyable and memorable.

Long Time Gone, Just Now Back

Last year, around Labor Day 2009, I took extra days of vacation from the day job, and spent a week creating pieces for a proposed article in Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine.

The current Summer 2010 issue has the article published! Thanks to all of you who have noticed and seen the article and let me know - I didn't get my complimentary copy so I must go find a copy so I can see it myself.

The pieces of jewelry have just come back from the photographer, it's been almost a year since I last saw them.



The fun thing is that I still like them, just as much as I did when I first created them.

I was experimenting with making a kind of faux amber.

I love real amber, the warmth, translucency and color of it. It's hard to reproduce that look well, but I thought that using resin for its transparent quality might get close. I wanted it to look more interesting than just a solid color, so I embedded antique photographs and some words inside.

First I created all the focal pieces. There were more than just the ones pictured in the article. Then I pulled out all my charms and extra goodies, to see if I could tell a story with the pewter and faux amber pieces.


This one has the words "TRUE STORY" inside, it's a brooch pin, but it also has loops so a necklace chain could be attached - multi-purpose. I had the deck of cards charm from a flea market find, and the image of the cowboy with those words seemed to tell a tall tale, of a lucky win at the card table.

I'm going to start listing these faux amber pieces in the Etsy shop, in case some of you have a particular favorite you'd like to have for yourself.

They are DEFINITELY one of a kind, and they are the actual pieces from the Belle Armoire Jewelry issue, if you've seen one that you fell in love with.

Later on, I'll post about the chains that I created for them - made by hand - and the step-by-step photos that I don't think were used in the publication. I need to get a copy of the magazine and see if they're included or not.

It's interesting to see these pieces again. In some ways I see changes and improvements in how I'm using the cast pewter. And yet, I still like them just as much as I did when I first made them.

Making A Difference - For You?

Here's some news about what's going on with me, I'm excited about some new adventures.

My article in Belle Armoire Jewelry for the Summer issue is coming out soon, the article is about faux amber resin.

I just sent out a packet to apply to teach at a fun place, I'll share more details once I find out if my proposal has been accepted. Hard to wait!
I made this focal component to look like one of the old-timey shoe buckles, or a lady's delicate belt buckle. Do you remember those? I used to have one that looked like carved ivory or bone, but sometime in the past I lost track of it. Maybe I'll make a reproduction of that one.  This one is in pewter with a coppery-bronze finish.

It looks very old, worn and has a great patina.
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Do you ever get frustrated with custom order requests? I have recently had a situation come up where I was trying to do something nice for someone, and now that person is unhappy with the outcome. I try my best to treat folks the way I want to be treated, that's my standard for how I should act.

I've gotten to the place where I am reluctant to take custom orders. It's so hurtful when they don't work out. Don't get me wrong, when it works out well people are so happy and have such nice communications. You'd think that would make more of a difference, wouldn't you?

Why is it that the bad communications stick out so much more, why wouldn't the nice communciations, the happy words, be the ones that get the most notice? The unhappy person with their CAPS LOCK on when they email does seem to be the one that gets the most focus, somehow.

If you have any words of wisdom I wish you'd share them. It's a real downer to try so very hard to put a smile on someone's face, just to have it turn out to be impossible to do.

If I've ever put a smile on your face, I would sure enjoy thinking that I made a difference for you ...

Thank you in advance for your support as I weather this thunderstorm of personal attack.

Preview of Publication

For some time now I've been talking about an article I submitted to Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine on working with resin. When folks email me with resin questions, I've been mentioning this upcoming article.

It was originally to publish this spring, but instead will be in the upcoming summer issue.

I just got an email with a preview of the article, and it looks great!


I created these faux amber resin jewelry pieces last fall, over a long Labor Day week. I created the cabochons, made the pewter settings and chain, and assembled the jewelry. It was a fun project. Then I sent them off to the publisher for their formal photographs.

Almost all the pieces were photographed for the article, and the photography is really lovely. I wish I could get my photos to look nearly so good! Believe me, these are my photos, not theirs! I took these before I sent the jewelry off to the photographer.


In one of the pieces you can see one of Heather Powers' beads, and it shows in the photo in the magazine too, so I have to give her credit for all her creativity and inspiration. See it there, on the right side of the chain in the picture.

Some were made as pins, to be worn as a broach.

I can't wait to see the magazine, it should publish soon.

If the article doesn't use the step-out photos I took, I may post them here so you can see them.

Exciting!

I got the originals back last week and I'm thinking of going ahead and listing some of them in the Etsy shop, do you think it's too early?

Alice

I've been seeing and hearing a lot of things lately about the Alice movie, so I thought I'd do a little research. Not so much on the movie or the book, I was curious about the illustrator.


His name is Sir John Tenniel (1820-1914), and he was the illustrator of the books "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," an English illustrator, creator of political cartoons in the late 19th century, with a long career in which he is probably best remembered for his illustrations in the books of Lewis Carroll. This is a self portrait from 1889.

He looks a little fierce, doesn't he? And he can definitely draw, don't you think?

Born in London, he was a student at the Royal Academy, even though he was accidentally blinded in one eye in 1840 while fencing with his father.

That would be any artist's worst nightmare, I would think, to be blinded, even partially. Makes me grab my safety glasses even quicker, and avoid fencing classes.

He was a caricature artist known for his humor in his art, but also a fine artist who exhibited paintings for the Society of British Artists.

He illustrated the first edition of "Alice in Wonderland" and the following edition, released in December of the same year became an immediate best-seller. The illustrations for the book are some of the best known literary illustrations ever made, created as woodblock prints carved into blocks of wood. The original wood blocks are preserved in the Bodleian Library in Oxford and were on public display in 2003.


Boy, I'd love to see those, I've done some woodblock printing and it's quite a challenge!

It's not all that well-known, but it is believed that much of Lewis Carroll's writings were political references, so the choice of Tenniel as the illustrator is interesting since he was a well-known political cartoonist of the time. Lewis Carroll's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, writing "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" in 1865 under the Lewis Carroll pseudonymn, and the book is apparently full of allusions to his friends and colleagues.

The book was read by many on first release, such as Queen Victoria and the young Oscar Wilde, and has never been out of print. I haven't read it in many years, maybe it's time to crack it open again.


I think an annotated version would be fun, to find out what Dodgson was thinking while he was writing. But most of all I admire John Tenniel for coming up with the iconic illustrations that we all instantly recognize.

If you see the movie, I'd love to hear what you thought of it...

New Work Looks Old

I had a productive weekend, I got some things shipped and some new things made.


When I get the chance to pour some resin, when the weather cooperates, it's almost like I get charged up with new ideas.


I created another of the pendant focals with the word "FAIRYTALE" inside, and with a small feminine bow tied on the bottom, like a little girl's fairy story dream.

And some fused glass in a pewter setting that reminds me of a lady's antique watch casing.


The glass changes color from a dark green to a dark violet, depending on how you hold it. I do love how the fused glass faux gemstones shine things up.


I made some more pewter pieces and added it all to the Etsy shop. It reminds me of a treasure trove you might find in an estate sale, or in a flea market, a little pile of goodies.


I made a faux cameo on a pewter setting. I need to fuse some more glass, and cast some pewter. And I'm working on a special project that may be for an article, got to set aside some time to work on that. Maybe I'll give a sneak peek before I send it off, the deadline is April 15.

My back is doing better, thanks for all the good suggestions.

Times and Places, Two Kinds of Faces

Did you know that I create the round glass for enclosing the images for these glass soldered charms?

It's a messy deal, I take the thin glass and with a circle template I draw the circular shapes on it with a permanent marker, then coat it with a thin film of Vasoline.

That's to keep the permanent marker from washing off while I'm shaping the circle on the grinder. The grinder bit has to have a flow of water on it, so there's lot of splashing and glass particles flying around when I do it.

And inevitably I grind my forefinger nails - they're a mess.

I get completely covered with glass dust, so I make sure I'm wearing my leather apron, eye protection and a dust mask over my face.


These I made last night, but I didn't make a late night of it. I do feel better now that I'm on my prescriptions, but I didn't want to push it. That's the thing about walking pneumonia - you start to feel better so you get up and start running around and then you relapse. So I'm being more careful.

These are vintage french bistro clock faces. On the backs of some I put an image of fancy brocade cloth in a matching color, and on others I put a portrait, very old-fashioned looking. Clock faces, people faces.


I made some of them very simple, and some with a few little fancy flourishes.


One of the circle pendants is a portrait of two hugging children in a very old photograph. Very sweet.

If it warms up a bit today, which seems unlikely, I want to pour some resin. I haven't been able to do that for weeks.

I got the news yesterday by email that my resin article for Belle Armoire Jewelry will be in the Summer Issue instead of the next one, for Spring. That's okay, I'm happy to have confirmation that it's being published - I'll just have to wait a few months more, that's all.

Amazing Treasures

Remember a while back, I sent a special package off, with goodies that I hoped would inspire?

If you check out Amy Hanna's blog, she posted about using some of my pieces in her design for a necklace.

I just love her style. Have you seen her book, "Rejuvenated Jewels" - it's lovely. It inspires me when I'm trying to come up with a replica of an antique piece.


I'm thrilled that Amy liked my pieces. I'm making some more of the vintage looking hand connector charms, she has a class coming up in March.

Anyway, I was excited about Amy using my pieces and wanted to share about it.
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It's still very cold here, but I expect a warmer trend and I'll be able to work in the studio without frostbite mid-week, hopefully.

To those who may have found the blog through Amy's post, thanks for all your interest and questions, it's exciting to have so many new visitors.

If you've ordered from me, I may not have things shipped the next day as usual, but I'm preparing shipping as quickly as I can - so if you've ordered from the Etsy shop and you're on a deadline please let me know, I may be a few days longer in shipping than my usual next day to the post office routine but if I know you need things sooner, I'll do my best.

Belle Armoire Winter Issue - Amazing Stuff

Did you hear a loud "WOO HOO" last night around 6:00 pm when I went to the Post Office?

It finally arrived, my copy of Belle Armoire Jewelry for Winter, so I could see the article about the collaboration between Deryn Mentock's designs and my humble cast pewter and fused glass!

I intend to sit down and read it cover to cover, for now I'm stuck on the part of it with my name on it.


It's a beautiful article, I'm so happy. It starts on Page 116 - and it is so nice the things Deryn says about me, I'll have to buy all new hats in a larger hat size! Widen all the doors so my head will fit through!


I don't know if you usually get the Belle Armoire Jewelry issues, but this one especially is full of gorgeous things, made by talented creative people, so please do check it out.

I would have gotten it, even if I wasn't in it. I promise, you'll love it!


There's a fantastic article by Robin Sokel, she's been in the magazine several times, and the Designer Collection is none other than RICHARD SALLEY - one of my all-time favorites - WOO HOO.

Go grab a copy, get a cup of tea and settle into your favorite chair for a nice, long read.

Buckets of Resin and Soap

On Sunday I did the step-by-step photos for the article coming out in the spring issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine, so I can meet the deadline.

First I had to do a MAJOR cleaning of the studio, so I could set up the camera and do the pictures.


I even vacuumed the floor, although I'm sure the floor won't show up in the pictures. Once I got started, it didn't seem right to finish without doing it all.

This was the "messy" end of the studio, where the wet, acidic and sticky stuff happens. And where the kiln, glass cutting and other tricky things go on, to keep it from spreading all over the whole studio.

So I popped out some resin charms that I put together on Saturday, and spent the morning refining and polishing them. Then I had to vacuum again, to get rid of the resin dust. It goes EVERYwhere!


On some I drilled holes straight through, for jump rings or wire wrapping.

I also experimented with drilling side-to-side through the larger resin beads, to make it possible to string them. That seems to work pretty well, I'll have to keep doing that. I want to play with them, but I'm going to list them in the Etsy shop in case someone needs them for a holiday gift project. I can make some for myself later ...



And to make it easier, maybe someday I'll get a drill press that works with my rotary tool. But not right now. I'll just steady my arms and hand and do it without a drill press.


Some are very vintage looking, with family photos or lotion labels.


Others were simple word charms, with a light background.

Some I'll use with the pewter to create focal beads and ornaments, and others will be listed in the ExpeditionD shop, to use as they are.

I like using the resin. After I've been casting pewter for a while, I long for some eye popping color as a break from the metal. I love the two of them together, it's a great addition of color and texture to a finished brooch or pendant.

So I wonder how long it will take the studio to get all messy again? Maybe my resolution can be to keep the studio neat - or at least to thoroughly clean it once a week. Once a month?

Black Friday Giveaway Celebrate Around and Round

I decided I'd do a celebration of the publishing event, the anniversary of the blog and just a general fun time for all of you to celebrate with me.

I made these components in pewter last weekend. They're very different styles, almost like different periods in time.

They look to me like they might have been relics from long-gone furniture hardware, or something from the stable off an old horse-drawn carriage. Fanciful thinking, I know!


One is a dark four-way connector, the other two are unbroken circle shapes.


One is a braided rope, in a copper-bronze tone.



The other is a simple round textured shape, thin and delicate but sturdy and light. All three were hand-cast by me in pewter and finished, I have the ruined manicure to prove it...

If you'd like a chance to win one of these three styles, leave a comment on this post and tell me - how would you use them?

Do you like one better than another - which one(s) are your favorites.

Do you like the bright pewter, the darkened patina or the copper-brazen look best? Or all three, for different reasons?

Would you make a necklace, a bracelet - or maybe earrings - what kind of design ideas do you get from them?

Would you combine them with other beads, how do you picture them? The sky is the limit!

Three replies will be chosen, each chosen reply will win one of these connectors! I'll announce the winning comments on the Friday after the Thanksgiving holiday - Black Friday Giveaway.

Color Wheels Turning

It's been a little while since I made some of these oval asian script tiles.

At one point I asked what colors might be fun. I'll bet you think I forgot.

I didn't forget. It just takes me a long time, sometimes, to get back to things.

But I made a whole bunch of them. And challenged myself to make each one a different color.


I had a lot of fun with them.

A little birdie told me that a design using one of them had been accepted for publication.

So I thought I'd better get busy.


Not sure which one is my favorite color. But they are pretty in a group. Like a pack of lifesaver candies.
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Guess what? For the Month of October in both the ExpeditionD and the LynnDavis Etsy shops, I've made it Free Domestic Shipping Month!

(I could make a really bad pun about Free Domestic Shipping but I clapped my hand over my mouth instead)

That means if you're in the USA or Canada, you can purchase from either shop with no charge for shipping this month during October.

I've tried to load them up with goodies for you so check it out, and as always, thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement. It means the WORLD to me! or the Domestic World at least. Sorry, couldn't resist that one.