It's Been Too Long!

Hi all!  Wow, it's been ages since my last update!  I haven't forgotten everyone; I've had many things in the works lately.

I'm working a ton with my 'day job' and things are picking up work-wise so my free time has been next to nil; I have a new schedule though and things are definitely looking up!

My dog, Bertha, had puppies in March.  She began with 9 and ended with 4.  Sadly, 4 died from a mystery illness and 1 was stillborn.  The remaining pups are doing great and one has found a home.  We are hoping to find homes for at least 2 of the remaining puppies.

I've been experimenting with chainmaille again and I have a nice cuff in the works that will combine fold forming and chainmaille.  I'm excited to finish it!  I have the weave chosen for the band and the fold formed part is done.  :)

I bought a Nook color and I'm very happily reading like a madwoman!  I've always been a crazy bookworm and with new books available at the push of a fingertip I'm hopelessly addicted.  I could be in the studio but instead I'm reading.  :)

I made a new tutorial and it's doing well.  I'm actually selling quite a few tutorials and I plan to make a new one very soon.  I've already picked which piece I'll instruct on when time permits.  Here's a photo and a link to the new tutorial, Summer Garden Pendant Tutorial in my Etsy Shop:

Last, but certainly not least:  I bought my own domain and created my own website!  I'm proudest of the fact that I created it myself using a template from the host, with no help from anyone else!  For now it's mainly a gallery of sorts and has a little bio, etc. but eventually I will move to e-commerce with it.  I'm testing the waters on their interface by just selling my tutorials there for a while but eventually I'd like to sell jewelry through there also.  Here's the link to my new website:  http://www.vcartisanoriginals.com

Never fear; my Etsy shop is alive and kicking!  Today I had my 79th and 80th sales, yay!

I think that's about it for updates.  I'll try to be more consistent with my blogging.  On that note, I thought to blog a mini post every time I list a new listing.  Do you think that's spammy?  It's been recommended to me but it seems a little much.  Then again, I don't list frequently (I get caught up in custom order requests this time of year).  What do you think?

Now for Something Different!

This is my blog post for my Aspiring Metalsmiths Team on Etsy's blogroll this week.  My team members' blog links are at the bottom of this post.  Check them out for awesome tutorials!

I decided to try my hand at video tutorials.  It was, to me, a disaster, lol!  Most of my video scenes are out of focus and overexposed but you can see the general idea of what I'm making.  So, without further ado, here is my tutorial broken into two videos:

And part 2:

I hope you enjoy these videos.  :)

Here is a list of some of the tools (and links) I used in this video:

Fretz F6 Shell Stake
Fretz number 3 mini narrow raising hammer
Nylon wedge mallet
The hammer used for the ruffles in video 2 is just a standard riveting hammer or chisel hammer.  :)  I also used a standard big rubber mallet for flattening.

Also files and sandpaper, sanding disc on my flexshaft, and a nail file toward the end and steel wool.  Oh and a standard rubber bench block and a wooden/steel bench block.

Check out my beloved teammates' blog links!  There will be tons of great tutorials!

Sylvia Anderson  
Metals Addict 
Lilian Ginebra 
Esmeralda 
Amy Estelle 
Stacy 
Mary Anne Karren 
Shannon of Gifted Designs 
Pennee- All Wired Up Jewelry Designs 
Jessica @ Abella Blue 
Elizabeth Brown - resurrectionsilver.blogspot.com

Basket Setting Video by Andrew Berry

Hi all!  I just wanted to post really quickly to share a new video by Andrew Berry Jewelry.  I subscribe to his videos on You Tube and he has some nice ones on metalsmithing and jewelry.  He also teaches more in depth through his website.

This video is part 3 of a series.  The other 2 are 'paid only' videos but you can basically figure most of it out by watching this one.  EZPZ!

Enjoy!  :)

Too Late for Acorns? Nah!

Hand Crafted Acorn Earrings in my Etsy Shop

"I made these hand forged, stylized acorn earrings featuring deep red, Swarovski crystal beads and hand hammered, pure copper bead caps. The beads are faceted round shaped and are assembled on my own hand-balled, copper headpins. I have also made the hoop-shaped, copper ear wires. They have been oxidized, hand polished and tumbled for strength and shine. I actually created my own, specialized tools to make these tiny bead caps!"

* Hand cut, filed, shaped and hammered bead caps.
* Deep Siam red, 8mm faceted round crystals
* Hand formed and hammered ear hoops
* Earrings measure 1.5 inches long from the top of the hoop to the bottom of the beads.
* Smooth and polished ear wires for comfort


So what do you think?  Is it too late in the season for acorns?  It sure isn't down here in Florida.  :)