It's already October!

Wow - time does fly when you're having fun!  I was working like crazy to come up with some new designs for a juried show application.  I've been in the show at the Fallbrook Art Center for the last two years and wanted some new stuff to make sure I'm accepted again this year.  I decided to make some more torch enameled earrings designs.  This time I cut out some copper circles, domed them, enameled them in one color and then added some glass stringer bits in another color.  I think they came out pretty nice!



I also made this wonderful set for fall.

All of these are available for sale in either my ArtFire or Etsy studios - for now.  They'll all be heading off to consignment or shows shortly.  So if you like them - get them now!  Of course I'm making more variations - but the patterns of glass on the enameled designs is one of a kind.  The glass starts acting on its own once it starts melting!



Fun with torch enameling!

I shared some of my initial enameling results in an earlier blog post (http://cserpentdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-new-endeavor-revealed.html).  I've been working at it some more and had a productive weekend enameling beads and caps.  Here is what I started with

And here are the results!

I just love the flower drops! I'll be selling these (and more) at the Senior Classic Women's soccer tournament this weekend in Mira Mesa.  I'll be playing and selling again this year.  Fortunately my wonderful hubby will be helping out since normal helper (mom) is recovering from surgery right now.

We'll be at Hourglass Field in Mira Mesa (just south of Miramar College). Park in the Miramar College parking lot. We'll be there from 9-3 on Saturday and Sunday. Here's a mapquest link if you need it: Hourglass Field. Hope to see some of you there!

A Beachy Set!

One of my customers wanted a set in peridot and teal. I started off the preliminary design with an eclectic combination of lampwork beads from several different artists. All had some peridot green, some teal and a white base, but each had different patterns and different shapes.  When I showed her the mockup she wanted me to add something to give it a beachy feel. I had fun making this set and it turned out great!

Bracelet

Eclectic and fun earrings!

Necklace

Beautiful pearls!

Wow - I've been neglecting my blog!  I'm cross promoting on the web with Lynn of Urban Pearl Studio.  She has absolutely gorgeous pearl jewelry in her Etsy studio.  If you're looking for wedding jewelry or some sweet pearls to go with that little black dress check out her studio! I'll share some of her beautiful pearl designs and some of my own as well.

A gorgeous triple strand pearl bracelet by Lynn of Urban Pearl Studio



AA white freshwater pearl and twisted sterling silver post earrings by Susan of cserpentDesigns



Natural light blue chalcedony and white pearls necklace by Susan of cserpentDesigns



White coin pearl necklace by Lynn of Urban Pearl Studio

My new endeavor - revealed!

All my supplies arrived and I was in the garage practicing enameling!  That's my new endeavor.  I'm starting off with enamel over copper since my practice pieces definitely show that I'll need some time to do it well.  Here is a picture of some domed copper pieces I enameled. 

My attempts to enamel copper washers was quite a flop.  In all cases the enamel would flake off.  I may need to do washers in the standard way - bring the torch to the piece.  I did these domed pieces using the method Joseph Spencer started - bring the piece to the torch.  I learned more about this technique by reading Barbara Lewis' book - torch-fired enamel jewelry. So I'm starting off simple though I am going to try headpins tomorrow ...  With these disks and some equally bright headpins I could make some cute little flowers.  Hopefully by the end of the weekend I can actually enamel some pieces to use in designs.  I'm looking forward to using the glass threads and millifiori disks I got in the designs.