How do you organize your jewelry making supplies?

This is a question that comes up at least once a month in the jewelry making forums. Everyone has a bit of a different way it works for them. Somethings seem pretty universal after trial and error most people end up doing a few things the same.

This is my work bench. It is an old desk I didn't feel bad about hammering on. I made sure it was very sturdy since I didn't want any bounce back when I hammered. It is a heavy wooden desk with nice big drawers.

Lighting is important. I have two lights and then an over head on the ceiling. As I get older I think I might need a flood light too! The two lamps have daylight bulbs so I can see the colors I am working with as true as possible.

I didn't even clean up before I started this article. I thought about it but then changed my mind. This is how it looks all of the time. It may be creatively messy but it is organized. Well okay sometimes it looks even a bit more chaotic.

Beside my desk and my chair I have a book shelf. On the end I have hung nails and on each hook I hang all the gemstones of a certain color together. When I use some beads on a strand I just knot the strand again with the left over gemstones and hang it back on it's hook. I like this set up since then I can take the bead or pendant I am trying to match up and I can just run it past all the colors to see what works.

On the upper right corner you can see my two tins where I store my silver and copper scraps. I always plan to someday use them but the pile just seems to keep growing.

.

To my right is a box I keep the pendants I want to use next. On the top of the picture you can see some small white boxes. Those are the projects I am working on. They sit there ready for me so that when I sit down to work and I have no ideas there are a bunch ready. Looks like I seldom need to use them as they keep piling up as well.

.

The small round tin lid by my bench block holds a few of the things I always need; crimp beads, crimp bead covers, small round beads, my viking knit starter etc. . . Also any teeny metal beads get tossed in there.

.

Behind the wire jumble is a big wooden bowl where all my bead soup beads go. It was full. I just emptied 5 years worth of beads into a bag and gave them to my sister.

The same shelf to the right of my work bench holds the jewelry I recently made so I can look at it over a few days and see if I want to keep it as is or change anything. Eventually it goes into cases.

This is the same view of the recently finished pieces from my chair at the work bench.

On top and to the back of my work bench I put up this shelf that I can bang nails into to hang beads and my dremel. I also place finished jewelry there to inspire me and to look at them to see if I want to keep them as they are. I find I don't store much on the higher shelves since I can't reach it from my chair so it never gets back up there.

My drawers hide the real mess.

.

My top right drawers holds all the tiny findings like jump rings, crimp beads, clasps, beading wire, leather thong and small spacer beads.

The next drawer down holds all my base metal wire. Presenty all I have is copper, brass, steal, memory wire and a bit of colored artistic wire.

The drawer to my left holds everything that defys organization. Files, glue, markers, paste, wax, you get the idea.

The bottom drawer to my left houses all my sterling in big gallon baggies. Each is labeled by size and shape. I flop open the part I am working on and then when I am done with that bag I toss it into the opening. This system works better for me that using a file holder since I found I wouldn't get them back into the right spot. With this I do every time. I sort by shape (silver round) from smallest to largest. Then 1/2 round, then square. I also keep my shaped brass and copper in the back of the drawer organized the same way.

To the left of my bench is another shelving unit with even more nails to hang beads. When I get into making a piece I find I need to see as many beads as possible to really get the ideas rolling.

The shelf to my right holds my beads that have no strings or are pendants. My daughter helped me label them. I love her hand writing :)

.

As you can see there are even more hanks of colors here.

A close up of my "need to finish this" pile of boxes.

Close up of my wire graveyard.

On my desk and to the left I found this wire shelf (I stole it from my sister). It is iron and perfect for hanging my pliers, hammers etc from. The shelves store big and odd things like my tumbler, paint brushes, mandrels etc.

My pliers. I love my lindstroms. Before I bought them I worried I would have to stop working with wire because of the pain in my hands. I have not had that problem since I started working with them.

Out of that mess sometimes comes beauty. That is the most amazing thing I think.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

Photo borrowed from Sachi News

Predicting jewelry fashion trends is always an interesting endeavor. For years I was always ahead of the trends and thought I had some sixth sense knack for what would be hot. My ego took a tumble when I realized what was hot was what people were making and it all starts with supplies. What ever is discounted and in mass quantity at the gem and bead shows is what will end up being the fashion trend. Ended up that I was not some jewelry Nostradamus but that I was cheap!

That said there is also a trend I have noticed over the many years that I have been making jewelry. If jewelry is tiny and feminine one year the next the swing will be to the other extreme. Also different parts of the country will pick up fads faster or slower than other parts. The usual chain of events is it is fashionable in Europe a few years before the states. It's also is picked up quicker on the coasts and may take a few years to make it over to the center of the country. Good news for people in Texas since they just have to watch New York and LA. Not so easy for LA people.

Even this is rule in the fashion industry is not always set in stone anymore with the level of social networking and internet communication. Designs and styles will take off and spread much more quickly.

Even so what you make as a jewelry designers might get eaten up by clients' but if you are selling to a store or gallery you still have to appeal to their like and dislikes or your pieces won't get in the door.

• What I see as being hot this summer is long, think 20's flapper double over chain and wired in gemstones long. Layers and combining will be happening and long can be added to anything.


• Multi strand will be big, especially with chain.


• Feminine yet bold. Geometric designs and the less traditional.


• Alternative metals are still receiving open arms with the high cost of silver and gold. By that I don't mean the client doesn't want to pay but the designers don't so as long as they are all kicking out alternative metals it will remain a trend.

Most importantly make items that are uniquely yours. Do not try to copy what you see but make what is in your heart and you will find your niche.

To see the color trends for this spring and summer check here. These are the clothing colors designers are using this year.

Szarka

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/home.html

I am trying out a new program (to me) called ping which posts to multiple aps. Ignore me while I test http://ping.fm

Business Cards

Here is the first attempt at my business card from the company I bought from. There were slight revisions after this set. This is the front and the back of the card. The price for 5000 cards was incredibly low for the quality and you can purchase as few as 500 cards in one order. They are great quality and wonderful to work with. Shiny surface and crisp pictures. You can find them here http://www.gemgraphics.net/ Monica Kaufman is the contact. Tell them Magpie Gemstones sent you.

I believe having an image of a piece of jewelry on your card will make a big difference in follow through with sales. Jewelry is such an emotional purchase and a strong beautiful photo will get people more interested than graphics.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

Disc Turquoise in Jewelry

The new rondelles (discs) hand rolled by Bill are in the store and questions are coming in asking "how" would you use them. I like them on big necklaces with bead caps on each end strung with leather as in this necklace.

I did a bit of google searching and found a few designers doing some really interesting designs with discs. Here is one. Her name is Sante Me . Amazing designs.


Bead Arts has a beautiful necklace as well with an intriguing design.


Green Roundel Earrings from Heddyjack.

Sassyandabittwised made a bangle along the lines I like.Lots more to see on google. I could get lost for years!

In NO way am I endorsing copying an others style. Just offering up some visuals to get the muse hopping.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

Copper Tidbits and Facts

The use of copper in jewelry making is growing exponentially, resulting in the quest for more knowledge about copper in general. Below I have included snips and links to many interesting articles gathered near and far on the big wide web, touching on various aspects of copper. From mining and the making of wire to some of the many and varied health aspects.

As in all jewelry making, use proper safety procedures, read directions where appropriate and work smart. Most important - have an enjoyable experience and make pretty things!

Find my bits of opinion on the subject of tarnishing and green skin in a prior post by clicking here.

Toodles!
~Sherry~
http://sherrysjewels.blogspot.com/


Coppers

The major uses of pure, unalloyed copper are based on its high electrical and thermal conductivity as well its good corrosion resistance. Almost all alloying elements are detrimental to the electrical conductivity of copper, making the purity of the mental an important issue. Commercially pure copper is represented by UNS numbers C10100 to C13000. The various grades of unalloyed copper differ in the amount of impurities and therefore do behave differently. Oxygen free coppers are used in applications requiring high conductivity and exceptional ductility. *snip*

click to read more --->>
http://www.copper.org/resources/properties/microstructure/coppers.html



Copper Production from Ore to Finished Product

4b. Smelting
Several stages of melting and purifying the copper content result, successively, in matte, blister and, finally, 99% pure copper. Recycled copper begins its journey to finding another use by being resmelted.

5b. Electrolytic Refining
Anodes cast from the nearly pure copper are immersed in an acid bath. Pure copper ions migrate electrolytically from the anodes to "starter sheets" made from pure copper foil where they deposit and build up into a 300-pound cathode. Gold, silver and platinum may be recovered from the used bath.

6. Pure Copper Cathodes
Cathodes of 99.9% purity may be shipped as melting stock to mills or foundries. Cathodes may also be cast into wire rod, billets, cakes or ingots, generally, as pure copper or alloyed with other metals.

7. Cathode is converted into:
* Wire Rod - Coiled rod about 1/2" in diameter is drawn down by wire mills to make pure copper wire of all gages.

click to read more --->>
http://www.copper.org/education/production.html




Copper Circuits Help Brain Function; Could Tweaking the Circuits Make Us Smarter? September 26th, 2006 in Medicine & Health / Research

The flow of copper in the brain has a previously unrecognized role in cell death, learning and memory, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The researchers' findings suggest that copper and its transporter, a protein called Atp7a, are vital to human thinking. They speculate that variations in the genes coding for Atp7a, as well as other proteins of copper homeostasis, could partially account for differences in thinking among individuals.

click to read more --->>
http://www.physorg.com/news78476785.html





Published September 05, 2006 in General Science > Medicine & Health
Scientists Find Key to Copper Absorption, Essential to Life

Humans, animals and plants require copper to live, and scientists have now discovered how cells absorb this mineral that fuels the brain, heart and other vital organs.

Knowing how copper enters cells could prove essential to treating copper deficiencies in humans, said the scientists from Duke University Medical Center who made the discovery. People derive copper exclusively from their diet. The mineral is found abundantly in shellfish, legumes, red wine, nuts, seeds and chocolate, among other sources.

Although too much copper is toxic, copper deficiencies in adults can trigger brain deficits, heart enlargement, visual impairment, anemia (low iron), skin and hair breakdown and other organ damage. *snip*

click to read more --->>
http://www.physorg.com/news76691960.html





Copper Compounds

It is worth noting that copper is an indispensable constituent of all living tissues and is essential for the normal growth and well being of plants and animals. Where it is lacking it has to be supplied. The minute quantities of copper needed for human health are usually obtained through the normal intake of food and water.

Copper and its compounds are not toxic like some other metals, such as lead or mercury. There are no records of any occupational diseases attributable to copper among people who have worked for many years with the metal or its salts. Indeed it has sometimes been said that such people often appear healthier and generally suffer less from colds and other ailments. Copper bangles and other adornments are reputed to relieve and prevent rheumatic pains. Copper water storage vessels, copper kettles and copper cooking pans have been used for generations.

To trace the history of copper compounds it would be necessary to go back much further than the fourth millennium BC. Records found in the tombs of the early Egyptians suggest that, at least, this ancient civilization employed copper sulphate as a mordant in their dyeing process. Today, more than 5,000 years later, copper sulphate is still employed by the world's dyeing industry in the after treatment of certain dyes to improve their fastness to light and washing.

Another equally early recorded use for copper compounds was for the making of ointments and other medical preparations.

click to read more --->>
http://www.copper.org/applications/compounds/homepage.html





Published: 28 March 2008 Researchers at Southampton University - http://www.soton.ac.uk/

- have established that copper surfaces can inactivate the virulent hospital superbug Clostridium difficile.
*snip*

C. difficile forms spores which are resistant to a range of disinfectants, including alcohol gel, which is recommended for routine use in hospitals. These spores can live in the environment for a long time and are rapidly becoming a major cause of hospital acquired infections.
*snip*

Lead researcher Prof Keevil said that the new findings are particularly significant. 'We've already shown that copper surfaces can inactivate MRSA microbes. The fact that we've now established that copper also inactivates C. difficile spores, which are resistant to standard cleaning regimes, doubles our conviction that copper can play a significant role in helping hospitals to fight against infections,' he said.
*snip*

click to read more --->>
http://www.cupron.com/Cupron-News-Antimicrobial/





U.S. EPA Approves Registration of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys March 25, 2008 NEW YORK-

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the registration of antimicrobial copper alloys, with public health claims. These public health claims acknowledge that copper, brass and bronze are capable of killing harmful, potentially deadly bacteria. Copper is the first solid surface material to receive this type of EPA registration, which is supported by extensive antimicrobial efficacy testing.
*snip*

click to read more --->>
http://www.copper.org/about/pressreleases/2008/pr2008_March_25.html





Copper's antimicrobial properties have been known for more than five millennia. The ancient Egyptians used copper pipes to transport water to destroy parasites and other water-borne pathogens. Shipbuilders have used copper for thousands of years to keep algae from encrusting on the hulls of ships. French vintners have used a copper sulfate compound to fight fungus on grapevines for hundreds of years.

click to read more --->>
http://www.cupron.com/Cupron-Technology-Antimicrobial/




More articles not quoted

Copper In Human Health
http://www.copper.org/health/papers/cu_health_uk/cu_health_uk.html



1: Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(3):610-3. Epub 2007 Aug 6.
Could chronic wounds not heal due to too low local copper levels?
Borkow G, Gabbay J, Zatcoff RC.
http://www.cupron.com/Articles/Could_chronic_wounds_not_heal_due_to_too_low_local_copper_levels.txt


Copper door handles and taps kill 95% of superbugs in hospitals
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1081359/Copper-door-handles-taps-kill-95-superbugs-hospitals.html



COPPER ON SKIN -
CULTURAL BELIEFS, SCIENTIFIC DATA, ESOTERIC IDEAS - by Sergio Lub* 1995
http://www.sergiolubcanada.ab.ca/cos.html



Reference Materials
PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS
http://www.cupron.com/Cupron-Reference-Materials/



August 14, 2008 Cupron Delivers Copper-Based Technology Products from Israel and North Carolina
https://www.aiccse.org/Newsletter/NewsletterPreview.aspx?NewsletterID=68

--------------------------------
www.magpiegemstones.com

PR - How do I get my jewelry business noticed online?

Photo from the Young Entrepreneur

If you don't mind a couple of questions, I have read many of your newsletters and can't remember if this was addressed, but I just opened a "store" on artfire. I was wondering if there is a free way to advertise my site and to drive people to my site.

I did a search and there was a lot there, but I don't want to get pulled into a scam or a site that will use my e-mail to send me a lot of junk mail. I do this as a hobby in my retirement and don't have a large budget.

I do plan to use business cards and distribute flyers, perhaps see if I can have a drawing at a local specialty store....but that only gets me advertised locally. I have also asked all my friends to forward the artfire address to their friends, and have some friends on Facebook who have my link on their wall. I've been up for only a week, so I have been networking already.

____________________________________

Robyn Hawk is answering this question for Anita

____________________________________

Anita - thanks for bringing up this topic -

I have been meaning to write a post covering the Jewelry Marketing info I learned at the Tucson Gem Show...and you have given me the push I needed. So - some quick and easy things you can do:

1. Signature Line - You already have covered - this should be set to auto fill on EVERY email you send...you never know!

2. Web Presence - I happen to be partial to ArtFire - they have all the perks of an Etsy shop (they are a marketing machine) but right now you can still see the individual trees in this forest!

3. Tags or Keywords - this is one of the most important quick fixes - what do you think that someone looking for your jewelry would plug into a search engine to find you?

Be as specific as you can - it doesn't have to be a single word sometime a phrase is better "lavender crystal cube bracelet" or use the actual Swarovski color "Tanzanite crystal cube bracelet". The later would be especially good for someone how just discovered how expensive Tanzanite is and sees your piece as a great option!

This is a balancing act however as the search engines will penalize you for jamming lots of unnecessary key words into your site.

4. Blogging - I know, this can seem intimidating but a blog with your ArtFire shop Widget or a Slide presentation that directs people to your selling site can help in lots of ways. Look at this as your way to "stand in front" of your customer...tell the "story" of your piece - talk about the ancient beliefs about a certain color - tell about new techniques you are learning - show photos of things that inspire you (local weather, colors in a sunset, etc.) and the occasional baby and fur baby photo always makes the human connection stronger.

These posts need a photo and only have to be a paragraph or two - short and sweet! ...don't forget your Tags on your blog! The more often you update your blogs - the fresher the content - the higher your ranking in the search engines.

5. Social Media - there are lots of sites to post opinions, thoughts, etc. - don't limit yourself to jewelry sites - jewelers don't buy a lot of jewelry! FaceBook, MySpace, EONS, topics range from mommy sites to book sites...this is where a good intro and your signature line are important.

6. Press Releases - there are several local newspapers in every town - submit your own press release! It is Fashion Week - send out a release that talks about how your pieces work into the looks that are on the runway.

No paper is too small - and the smaller ones may need a Fashion/Image Editor! So - now that you are completely overwhelmed Anita - LOL!

Just tackle one thing at a time and you will see a difference in the number of hits in your shop!

Robyn Hawk

Freelance PR & Marketing

www.magpiegemstones.com

..... but but it's a RECESSION!

Image from Entrepreneur.com

When times are tough it is time to invest, not cut. This comes from years of research... All show that, if we cut marketing during such times, the impact is damaging and it can take you longer to get back to where you were.

Of course, this is easy to say, but harder to do. The Pavlovian reaction is to cut, but the media industry can learn from someone like Rupert Murdoch, who historically has never done that. You'll see him investing in editorial and products at a time when other people are throwing the baby out with the bath water. The talk to do ratio is high, the doing is low. (Marketoo)

~~~

This is what I was told when I started in the jewelry industry 20 years ago but in much simpler English. "We folk buy when things are goin' good and buy even more when we are goin' slow." I had to think about that statement for a few years before it made sense. On one level if I am doing great I need to replenish my stock. If I am not I need to get stock people will buy. When people are a bit more resistant to buying I need to trim costs as much as I can and offer better values. In essence, lower price points and more value.

My experience through a number of recessions is the lower priced items sell faster than the middle tier and the higher tier sell well since many people are more selective where they invest their money. I become more creative when things are slow. I look for avenues, venues, new opportunities. This is not the time to slow down.

The people who back off during slow economies leave room for those of us who are willing to work hard, be flexible, and creative. It is an opportunity to move to the front of the crowd while others are sitting still.

I look for the opportunities in any situation. Behind every apparent problem there is always at least one opportunity if not more. I always come out ahead and feel pretty darned good about doing so and if I can then anyone can.

Selling beads now is no different than selling jewelry etc.... I am buying up great deals when I can and passing the savings on. I have been careful and frugal with my business and my money and now I can offer specials to people during these economic times so we can all get through them and be ahead in the end. I have stayed true to high quality when so many others have started buying lower quality thinking people will lower their standards. They won't. They still want good quality and they want it for less!

Jewelry is an investment. It's an investment in metals, gemstones, and it is also an investment for people in themselves. During a downturn people stay closer to home, they focus on reevaluating their values and priorities. They focus on family and things that make life more beautiful in small ways. They take their family to town outings (festivals and art shows), they want to buy those things that are unique and special which is what hand crafted jewelry is.

Yes, the economy is down yet there are many ways to push ahead with a career in the jewelry industry during times like these. Keep focused on client's and what they desire. Hustle a bit more. Advertise more. Give loyal customers deals and secure your relationships. Keep quality high and they will remember you when things turn around. Lay a strong foundation. Get out there and do it! You will be ahead of the pack when the economy turns around this year.

.

No, I am not saying that you haven't done these things. I know you have. Now is just the time to do it more rather than sitting back waiting for the economy. We "are" the economy.

.

Where a friend of mine works the young people who own the business are so upset by the economy that they are sleeping in late and playing on their computers when they do come into work. The slow down of jobs coming in has them waiting for things to improve. Hopefully they will still be around when the economy does switch. How many jobs are they missing by not going out there asking for them?

.

Many people I know still can not find workers. There are opportunities but only for those that go after them.

Here are a few articles I found to back me up. They say the same thing just much more eloquently and with more credentials behind them . (They were just the first hits from a google search in marketing during a recession yet somehow said exactly what I was going to say.)

http://blogs.bnet.com/intercom/?p=1573

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5878.html

Wholesale Premium Gemstone Beads

William Murdoch ~ the process of making natural turquoise rondelles

William Murdoch is a rock hound and a professional bead and cabochon maker. He put together a pictorial documentary on his process and was kind enough to allow me to post it here for you. He walks through the process of making a natural Ithaca Peak rondelle necklace. Gorgeous.

I first got interested in turquoise when I was about 4 years old. I was born in Phoenix and then when I was two we moved to Michigan. My parents had turquoise jewelry and I was always fascinated by it. I was nine when we moved back to Phoenix, and on the way we stopped at a trading post in Tucumcari New Mexico. My sister got lightweight, linked concho belt and my dad wouldn't spring for the kind of concho belt I wanted to get, so I got a beaded belt with lots of turquoise color in it. My brother got one too but his had a lot of red.

In 1974, a friend of my fathers found turquoise south of Ajo, Az. Tom invited my dad and I and a couple other of my dad's friends to come down. We all went down there and Tom took us up the mountain and we all laid out individual claims ( but we all worked as one). We sent the rock in to a testing lab and it came back turquoise, however after many years experience I'm not sure what we were mining was turquoise, nor do I think it was variscite (way to hard), the only thing I can say to call it is Varicoise! But that was basically the start.

I've been working with turquoise on and off since 1974, whenever I could. I spent 16 years in the Marine Corps so I wasn't always able to work with turquoise. After we started mining it then we tried to sell it but in the 70's if it wasn't blue it wasn't turquoise and ours was green. Just after that I got into silversmithing and started putting my rock in jewelry (I'm doing that again too).

(More of my interview with Bill can be found at the bottom of this pictorial documentary.)

Here is the process for a hand rolled bead. This is natural Ithaca Peak. Start with turquoise flattened on both sides with a 2mm hole and dremel arbor.

Put the pin through the 2mm hole.

Screw the pin into dremel arbor.

Grinding will tear your skin off so you need a lot of finger protection.

First I apply cheap bandaids to my fingers.

Then I tape four layers thick on grinding hand.

I start by grinding off the edges on 60 or 80 grit wheel.

Then I continue to grind edges into a round form.

I work until I have a rough circle.

I keep working the rough circle into a finished circle.

I lightly grind until the thickness is the same around the pin.

The desired circle is completed when both sides of the bead are even.

The round bead is now in heishi form.

Here I am grinding the edges for a rondelle form.

Lightly grind both edges on the bead.

This is a side view after the rough grinding is over.

Finished rough grinding - top view. All of the steps then are repeated with sanding with 220, 400, 600, 1200, 3000 grits or more before polishing.

Here is the completed Ithaca Peak graduated rondelle necklace.

..... continued interview .......

There is a lot of loss in beadmaking. I figure a 30% to 40% loss just in cabbing. With bead making, depending on the material (stabilized vs. natural) the loss can be as much as 70%.

Depending on the material it can take anywhere from a week to 6 weeks from start to a finished necklace. Some people could do it faster but I just cant sit that long so I do it in spurts. Stabilized turquoise is a lot easier then natural (in most cases).

The creation and trade of high grade turquoise is a passion of mine. I hope that by showing the process a few more people can understand why it is important not to support unscrupulous turquoise sellers that sell turquoise without telling people exactly what it is. As long as the seller is honest about what is being sold then the fake stuff has it's place in the market just like stabilized turquoise does.

North American Turquoise is all beautiful but I think my top choices would be all top grade; Lone Mountain, Paiute, Bisbee, Morenci, Godber/Burnham and Gold Acres. Although I'm very stirred by multi-colored Carico and lime green Orvil Jack and anything that I find in the ground.

I've recently been doing some digging at my Taubert Hills claim and eventually will have some really nice turquoise from that mine.

William Murdoch

Keep an eye out in the store for some of Bill's hand rolled beads. They will be going in soon if I can part with them. http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

Anyway

At times when the world is changing people get jumpy, scared, nervous. It is natural and normal. A new President is coming in. The economy has everyone talking and some worrying.

I do not fear what will come because there is no point to fear. It will not stop what will come and it may just get in the way of me being able to respond, response-able, if you will. In thinking about that and the interesting things people do when they become fearful of their future I remembered a poem by Mother Teresa.

It brings me peace and brings me perspective on the human condition. It helps me to forgive those who lash out in fear with their words or actions. It gives me the energy to keep taking risks, keep trusting new humans, and to keep going.

Just thought I would share.
_______________________________________________

Anyway

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Mother Teresa

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

Interview with Mike "Revluc"

I asked Mike, a client and someone I have been watching, if he would allow me to do an article on him. He has a genuine love for rocks, lapidary, and shows a real knack for putting his work into settings that are unique and creative. I think he will be someone to watch as his career takes off. Enjoy the article and the pictures of the beauty he creates (and go pick up some of his beautiful cabs on his etsy site).

My life with rocks

I’ve been asked by Szarka to write a short bio of my life in lapidary and jewelry.

I’ve always been intrigued by rocks and grew up in Wyoming hunting fossils, arrowheads and Sweetwater agates. We literally had cardboard boxes full of the agates. I still have some of arrowheads, but everything else got lost over the years.

During my early teens, I lived in Salt Lake City, Utah and then moved to Seattle, Washington where the rock hunting got put on hold for college (University of Washington, Washington State and Seattle University) and a career in teaching mathematics (Kent School District, department chair at West Seattle H.S. and Seattle Pacific University). Teaching mathematics, more school, marriage, skiing, music (guitar & singing), and back-packing did a good job keeping me busy.

There were a couple of exceptions though. I cut and polished blue tiger eye buttons on my Brer' Brian’s equipment for a suede leather coat I gave my wife for Christmas one year. I also did a little soap stone carving and, though I am a big time animal lover and didn’t even think about what I was doing, carved some ivory an art teacher had given me. Some of it was mastodon, but some was elephant ivory. That all occurred in the seventies.

I now consider myself semi-retired from mathematics. I have moved to the coast of Washington and live on the outskirts of a small (3000 +) town called Montesano. When I first moved here, I taught at Grays Harbor College, but now only pick up the occasional evening class.

Rocks and jewelry making are now a kind of obsession. I spend my summers in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and, of course, Washington collecting rough material. I love it. I have my trusty rock “hound”, Maggie (half yellow lab and half golden retriever) who comes with me. My garage no longer stores my car, but is full of rock and metal smithing equipment... 3 Genies, 2 expanding drum machines, polishing wheels, 3 saws, tumblers and a work station for soldering and casting.

I have attended a couple of silver smithing “boot camps” to learn the basics of metal work and supplant that with what I’ve learned from books and the internet. I’m big on experimenting and trying unusual things... some good and some not so good. I’ve screwed up quite a few times, but learn from the "screw-ups".

One of the things that I’ve done people seem to like is the backing of cut out silver coins (silver dollars, bullion, etc.) with disk of stone and mounting as you would a cabochon. I think this is original although everything has been tried before. A numismatist would probably hate me because I only do nice coins.

It’s time consuming, that’s for sure. My yard is a rockhound’s dream. When it rains, I often find myself picking through what I have and setting pieces aside to cut. I love what I call the “Wow” moment when a stone comes to life under the grinding and polishing wheels. I grew up reading fantasy and science fiction so I’m always looking for that one magical elfstone.


I’m partial to stones that have visual impact... picture jasper, opal, chatoyant stones, plume (a favorite), star garnets and sapphires, moonstone, etc. I have grown to like the faceted color stones too. My favorite is the Oregon sunstone with the schiller effect since I can find it myself. I have to have the stones faceted overseas since I don’t facet as yet... someday.

That’s it.

The mathematical left-brain is being phased out with the jewelry/lapidary right-brain activities. Instead of appreciative and successful students, I now have tangible pieces of jewelry that are being worn by people all over the world. Both are very rewarding.

I have this vision which occurs 20000 years in the future where an archeologist is digging up something with the name “Culver” stamped on the back.

Interview with Leslie Johnston

Every year Leslie bids on my surprise Halloween auction and this year she got it for a song. (yeah Leslie) I wanted to know more about this die hard beadaholique and am I ever glad I did. I decided she needed to be interviewed. She has been in the press a great deal in her area and I wanted to support her in keeping that momentum going. Her work was featured in the client's blog last week.

I am Leslie Johnston, I live in Wisconsin. I started beading and making jewelry 4 years ago. I like to create and design. Some of my designs are one of a kind. I make jewelry out of semi precious, crystals, glass, and metals.

I am disabled, so I have help with making my jewelry. My mom, Ann, strings and sews the beads for me. I pick out the colors, shapes, and textures,then put together the design. I have taken along with my mom, many classes to learn different ways of beading jewelry. I also buy books to learn more.

I have only done couple of craft fairs so far. I don't like to try to sell my jewelry on line. I pretty much sell it by word of mouth, or someone will commission me to make them something. It also sells from when I make a piece, then put a picture of it in an e-mail and send it out to family and friends.

I go to bead shows and buy beads. I have been to the largest bead show in the United States, which is here in Wisconsin.

Beading is a hobby that I enjoy very much!

How did you get started in making jewelry?

It started out when I saw a sign in a store that said, Jewelry making class. I said to my mom, lets take that class, we figured out how I was going to try to make jewelry. You see my hands shake so I can't hold, or string, or sew. So my mom does this for me. After that first class I was addicted! I wanted to learn more and make more!

What advice do you have for other designers and jewelry makers?

My advice to other people who like to make jewelry is, Have fun! Make what you want. If it doesn't look good at first, change it. You can only get better with practice, and experience. I am still learning. It will always be a learning process.

Where would you like to see yourself doing in relation to jewelry in 5 or 10 years.

I don't think that far in advance! I live and do things day by day, only because I don't know what my health will be like.

Where can we find your work or more about you?

This one will only be on till the end of November, http://www.stampnstitchshop.com/

I don't have a web site.

The only other place I have had jewelry is on a website for a telethon. http://www.attelethon.com/

This was a telethon that raised money for research for disease I have. I donated two pieces of jewelry that I made.

Your jewelry is beautiful and your spirit is an inspiration to me and I am sure many others.

Jewelry Making Tutorials by Robyn Hawk

I was asked for some tutorials, by a couple ladies in my Jewelry Making Class and thought I would share the info....

First - if you want to learn it there is probably a tutorial online for it - Google is your friend!

Two places I look to for metalsmithing info are Ganoksin (http://ganoksin.com/) and YouTube (http://youtube.com/)! Simply put the technique or term you are looking for in the search window.

Here is a small sample of interesting tutorials:

Making Strong Secure Jumprings from How-To-Make-Jewelry http://snipurl.com/5q02c

Making HeadpinsFree Headpin Tutorial from Etsy http://snipurl.com/5q06l

Jewelry 101 - Making Headpins from Michon Jewelry Blog http://tinyurl.com/6qdgca

Making Headpins: Video demo from Beading Daily http://tinyurl.com/5w4hz7

Patinas - Using Liver of Sulphur from Holly Gage http://snipurl.com/5q079

Patination from Ganoksin http://snipurl.com/5q07z

Fold Forming from Ganoksin http://snipurl.com/5q08n

Lost Wax Casting from Expert Village http://snipurl.com/5q094

Cuttlefish Casting from Ganoksin http://snipurl.com/5q09r

Shakuto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi-_wtKb9Ms

Viking Knit Chain Making from YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsyTn9XCsE

Wax Working from Ganoksin http://snipurl.com/5q0ak

Beginners Corner from Ganoksin http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/directory/library/subject/1

From Beginning to Very Complex - Tutorials by Hans Meevis http://www.meevis.com/jewelry-making-class-list.htm

Bench Jewelers Television Network (some free but for full use join for a minimal monthly fee)http://www.benchtelevision.com/

MetalSmithing from Art Jewelry Magazine http://www.artjewelrymag.com/art/default.aspx?c=ss&id=122

MetalSmithing from Jewelry Artist Magazine http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/stepbystep

Robyn is a writer with numerous blogs. This blog post can also be found at her blog http://dailyjewel.blogspot.com/

Color Trends

I spent the day researching upcoming color trends and though I am not pantone lets see how close I get. Check them out on my web site.

http://www.magpiegemstones.com/

How do you Create a Piece?

This may be an odd question, and you may not want to answer it but I am curious how do you come up with the ideas for your jewelry? Your pieces are so unique and have a definite flare that I do not often see.
Nancy
____________

Unique is that code for weird? Just kidding.

Sometimes I just wake up with an idea and I make it. Not often but sometimes.

Sometimes I sit down with a strand of beads and try to make something out of it that looks good. That usually works out into something I don't much like.

The process that works for me is as follows.

I go through my focal boxes and pull out 4 to 10 focals that are screaming to be used. I love working with focals since that is how I started. You see I was a hard core wire wrapper when I started making jewelry, no stringing for me. I soon realized that if I framed my wire art with a necklace it sold better.

I then work on my focals. I wire wrap them or look at them to see if their is anything I can do to add that extra bit of wow factor to them. I work them all up.

I then grab gift box lids or wooden bowls and put a focal in each. I set one in front of me and I look at it. What colors, textures, patterns and sizes of beads would really make this pop? If I were going to wear this piece how would I want it to look? If I wanted to make this a piece people would look at in the post office and say "wow nice necklace" what would I need to do to it?

I get a few ideas rolling and I take my focal and hold it over my beads. I categorize my beads by color. I have a hook hanging on a wall with all my strands of purple, another for orange etc.... I hold the focal over each color I think may go and see what pops. I will pull four strands of one color and put it in the bowl with a focal. Then I go onto the next color I think will harmonize or contrast and do the same. Then I spread out all the strands I have pulled and look at it to see what sizes and shapes I need to make the piece come together.

I put back what I don't need and move onto the next focal and do it all over again.

I find that if I stay within levels of transparency things blend and pop better. I use opaque with opaque and translucent with translucent. I also use the color wheel and look at complementary and contrasting colors. I like to use colors in a common hue or go for a medley of the same color in different hues.

Now I get to sit down and look at the focal with all the beads I have chosen. I decide if wire, stringing, or a combination of both would set the focal up to really show itself off and then I go at it.

As I go I think constantly about how I can make it just a bit better. A hand wired art clasp? How about a hammered accent? Wired extender chain with the best gem beads dangling down the back of the neck? Maybe this focal needs many strands of beads to really make it feel rich?

I ask myself how can I make this different and unique? What can I add that will set it apart? What would I want on it to make it my favorite necklace to wear.

That's all folks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Szarka
http://www.magpiegemstones.com/