Discovering Gilder's Paste

Since I've decided to start the New Year off with the goal to incorporate new techniques and try different medias, I decided to try Gilder's paste.  Normally, I work with brands like Swellegant, Vintaj metal patinas, and other paint forms.

I am finding that I love the effects of combining Vintaj metal patina and Gilder's paste.  The combination gives a blend of warm earthy antiqued tones with dark accents and soft golden highlights.

With the earrings I have been working on I used Vintaj Earth and Gold Baroque Art Gilder's Paste.  I applied Vintaj Earth first and let it dry.  I then applied the Gilder's paste, let it dry, and then gently polished them.

I also discovered a great way to apply the Gilder's paste - I use an eye shadow applicator.  You can buy a pack of disposable ones pretty cheap and they work great.  I tried my finger (too messy), paper towels, cloths, paint brushes, and found the spongy eyeshaddow applicators work the best.

Spring is in the Air....

Okay.....not really.  But for those of us in the frozen tundra Midwest where we have survived -30 (-60 with wind chill), frozen pipes, and cars that do not appreciate unusually cold weather.....30 degrees above zero seems to be a heatwave.

With the warmer weather I have been dreaming of spring - butterflies and daisies...it is also showing up in my work.....

I have been working on a few new pieces adding some of the wire wrapping technique.  I hope they make you think of spring and warmer weather.

Have a great afternoon,

Jen

Working New Techniques into Your Designs

When I am deciding how the design of my piece should be laid out, I look at a variety of medias, looking for patterns and textures that would make the piece interesting.  Over the years I have collected a lot of jewelry design books and technique books.  One of the books I have shows several different wire wrapping techniques and projects.  On several occasions I have bought all different kinds of wire and tried to teach myself how to master these techniques.   When I started out, I thought it would be easy, boy was I wrong, wire is tricky.  It does not always cooperate, twists and breaks at the most in-opportune times, and then operator error steps in and the wire I've cut is too short.  Lately I have had some success with it and am now designing my own chain for some of my pieces.  The chain is in short lengths, but nonetheless it's still handmade.

I have been working on several necklaces.  I have made the connectors using beautiful beads and then made the links, jump rings and clasps also from wire.

Are there any techniques you have been working on?  Any new ones you want to learn?

Have a great afternoon and keep warm.

Sincerely,

Jen

Finding Inspiration

For me, designing jewelry is my passion, but finding modes of inspiration can sometimes be challenging.  I look in nooks and crannies of antique shops as well as the vintage jewelry cases.  I also like to go to estate sales and look for unusual things that catch my eye.  I do a lot of research online and by looking through and reading books and magazines.  Some might be surprised in that, I let the bead, rhinestone, or focal piece speak to me about the design.  I never sketch out an idea first and then hunt for the pieces.  It is almost like an adventure and I really have to love the piece or I don't buy it.

Once I find a great piece, I let it sit on my studio work bench for a few days to weeks, sometimes months, and on the rare occasion, a year; the average is about three days. During the time it sits, I pick it up a lot, draw some sketches and do some research.  When I finally get a piece together, it sits a few more days until I'm 100% certain I love it and if it doesn't feel right, I work on it until it does.

One of my design rules is, it's okay to find inspiration in other designers work, but it should never be copied or close enough to look similar.  I really want my pieces to be unusual and intriguing. Another criteria is that it needs to tell a story or capture a feeling (hopefully one with a little nostalgia...LOL).

Below are some pieces I have been working with, beginning stages.  The stones are all vintage with the exception of one, and the metal work is a mix of vintage and new.  Most will be bracelet focals....maybe :-)

 I would love to hear about you process and what inspires you - add a comment and let me know.

Talk to you later - Jen

New Designs

Genuine geen turquoise and mother of pearl flower drop earrings

Vintage filigree hoops with nested wire wrapped rhinestones

Wire wrapped glass pearl floral drop earrings

Here are a few new designs as promised.  I also have several new rhinestone rings, but have to figure out the picture aspect of this tablet.  If you would like to see them,  they are listed at ursyllabs.etsy.com

Talk to you tomorrow!

Jen

Big Saturday Sale at ursyllabs.etsy.com

Today - Saturday 1-4-14, all day, ending at midnight, ursyllabs.etsy.com is offering 20% off all jewelry.  Use coupon code TWENTYPERCENT at check out.  If for some reason you encounter a problem send me an e-mail at purplefishstudio@hotmail.com and I can help you out.

There are some great deals!

Happy shopping!
Sincerely,

Jen

Happy New Year

I cannot believe how fast the holidays went by.  I have not blogged since last September.

I have decided not to do a New Year's resolution, instead, get organized a little more and try at least two new techniques in my designing.  After the mad sales rush and special orders of the holidays I am in need of a vacation..LOL - but I think it will be more of a staycation where I can take a slow careful look at my inventory, decide what to keep and what to pass on to someone else.

I received an Android tablet for Christmas, from my daughters - the tablet is great and I am learning to love it, but as a borderline troglodyte, the experience has been a "trip" thus far, and on occasion, tested my limits of sanity...LOL.  I am one of the few and brave who does not even have a cell phone - and how peaceful that is, especially when I am in my design mode.

I am posting a few of my new designs taken with the camera on my tablet.  The quality does not compare to that of a good camera, but works if you need a quick shot. And there is always the hope that once I master the tablet so goes the pictures....

I hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to blogging again.

If you want to see more of my work you can see it at ursyllabs.etsy.com

Sincerely,

Jen