Holiday Specials in our Art Fire Studio

We have a few items for sale in our Art Fire Studio this weekend.  Our stocking stuffer special is still on  -- mix and match -- buy any 3 items in our $10 gift section for $25.  We have 2 more Christmas fairs to attend yet for this year -- this weekend and next weekend and some of the items in our shop are selling fast so no guarantee what will be in stock after then.

All our Chandelier Candle Collar sets are on special for $25 U.S. (regular $35 U.S.)  That is $10 off.  These are our own design and are all one of a kind -- no one makes anything like these.

 

We have some Holiday Style Jewelry in our studio for sale as well.  Everything in the Holiday Special section is 15% off.   Prices will be reduced at the check-out when you enter the coupon code:  Merry Christmas.

 

Here are a few of the buttons listed in our Etsy Shop.  I've been experimenting with a variety of designs, shapes and sizes....

  

Black & White                            Square Zebra Print

  

Tartan Plaid                            Gilded Copper Spiral

  

Purple Pansies                                      Autumn Leaves

  

Christmas Stars                         Swirly Red & Green

Some new Tartan Plaid

I've been working on perfecting my technique in creating my tartan plaid canes and experimenting with some new colors.  This new one is in blue and green with a red stripe.

And some pieces I've created with it so far:

  

Tartan "Fabric" pendant     &      Earrings

  

Modern Tartan Pendant      &      Earrings

  

Tile Bracelet Links             &             Beads

I love the warm feel that the tartan pattern gives to my clay pieces and I think I'm hooked.  Since my  grandmother is from Scotland I decided to look up the tartan for her family clan and this is what I found:

I'm thinking of creating something in this pattern for my mother this Christmas that can represent her family history.  Since my mom doesn't have internet or a computer I think I'm safe in sharing this here!

Tutorial - Stringing a Reversible Stretch Tile Bracelet

Today I thought I would do something a little different.  It's been a while since I did a tutorial and instead of a clay tutorial I thought I would share some tips on using a variety of beads available in our Etsy shop.  One type I love to make are the 2 holed tile bracelet beads.

I also use them for my watch bands.

Most of my beads have a different pattern on both sides so they can be reversible.  I thought I would share how to string a stretch bracelet which is the easiest method that even a beginner could do.


First of all, you need to determine the finished length of your bracelet.  Using a cloth or flexible measuring tape, wrap it loosely around your wrist.  If you do not have this type of measuring tape you can always print one out.  This is your wrist measurement but you do not want the bracelet to fit too tight so add a little extra to a fit you prefer.

Pick out your beads that will go between the tiles and lay them out to see how many you will need.  Most of the tile beads I create have a continuous pattern so I like to keep them in order.  If I need to leave any extras out, I will omit them from either end.  Make sure the elastic will fit through the holes of the  beads you select.  I like to use a heavier (1mm) elastic for strength, whenever possible.  Cut 2 pieces of elastic measuring the finished length of the bracelet plus 4"- 5" extra to allow for tying.

Thread the elastic through one side going through all of the beads.  Tie a square knot.

Check the fit to see if you need to add or take out any beads.  If the fit feels good, then tighten the knot.  You can add some glue onto the knot for added security if you wish.

To finish off and hide the knot, take one of the end strands and thread it back through the tile bead next to it as shown in the picture below.  Pull on the elastic until the knot disappears inside the tile bead.  Trim off the ends by lightly tugging on the strand so that when you let go it springs back into the tile.

Repeat the above process for the other side.

Taadaa!  Your bracelet is now finished!

To switch to the reverse side, just twist inside out.

And you now have 2 bracelets in one!

Some new pieces with a twist

I've been having fun experimenting with what I learned from Julie Picarello last week and adding my own spin on things.  These are a few new style pieces I've come up with so far.  I'm still working on some more and my camera batteries died so need to recharge.

  

Hair Barrette                                 Bangle 

  

Black & White Pendant               Olive & Gold Pendant

Stocking Stuffer Sale on Art Fire

 

We are having a Stocking Stuffer sale in our Art Fire Studio until Dec. 15th.

You can mix and match any 3 items listed in our $10 Gift Section for $25.  We have an assortment of items that are all one of a kind pieces.  Pens, Key Chains, Hair Barrettes, Candle Collars, Fan/Light Pulls, Gift(card) Boxes, mirror compacts and more....

Some new pieces from Julie Picarello's workshop

Here are a few pieces that I made at Julie Picarello's workshop last weekend.  Mokume gane is one of my favorite techniques and Julie teaches a method where you have more control over the design.  I love that part of it as I don't like surprises and when I make something I want it to turn out like I imagined.  The center piece is a pendant and the other two are brooches.

Another technique Julie showed us was creating a design that looks like a lizard's tail.  Of course I was most intrigued with this part with creating some new style geckos.  I had to play around with it and make at least one.  Dave says he almost looks too real (and maybe a little creepy) -- but I think he is rather cute --.

   

Workshop with Julie Picarello

I'm back from a really great weekend.  Learned a new mokume gane technique from Julie Picarello and spent some time with some friends while there.

Julie is so sweet and an excellent instructor.  Her work is amazingly beautiful seeing it in real compared to photos on the internet.

I am working on sanding and finishing off some of my pieces I made on the weekend and will post some photos of them later.

All packed and ready to go

I'm taking off to the coast early tomorrow and I'm quite excited.  I will be attending a workshop by Julie Picarello this weekend.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of my clay friends I hadn't seen in a while and making some new ones.  Will also be fun learning some new techniques from Julie.

I have some other new designs I've been working on lately.  Some new buttons and new pendants and earrings.  Here is a little sample of what is to come:

In the meantime, have a great weekend!

Eagles

One reason we love the area we live in is all the wildlife we see.  This is the time of year when large amounts of salmon swim up our river towards their spawning grounds.  The fish attract many animals of prey one of which are bears.  We happened to see one last week fishing in the river.

The salmon also attract bald eagles and we saw several of them yesterday sitting in the trees.  These birds are so huge and we were awestruck to see them up so close.  We've seen many ospreys with their huge nests during the summer but they don't compare in size and stature to the eagles.

This reminds me of the eagle pendant I was asked to make.  I really enjoy doing unusual custom orders like this.