Actually Lampworked on Sunday ! Yeah

Proof that I sat down and torched for a little while -  I keep saying I need to carry a little book with me to write down what I wan to do next time I sit at the torch - cuase iit seems I have all these great things I want to do - then I sit down and my mind goes blank ! I did a few things - they are soaking and waiting for me to come home - ran up to the studio at 6:15 this morning to turn off the kiln and grab the beads - really didnt get to see what they turned out like

Copper Etched Neck Bangle, Copper Corset Ring

After Easter breakfast and dropping off Easter goodies to the grandkids - I came back to the studio - I put the heaters on before I left  - it was till cool-  44 F  or  almost 7 C -
Worked on the  etched collar some more - still trying to think of how I want to finish - maybe some wire wrapping  - dangles - not sure - kept hammering at it to shape it - decisions decisions

Then I decided time to get on the torch - and worked for a couple of hours on some beads
I put a small heater near my legs to keep warm - not too bad - but  going to keep working in the studio if I can  this week  no matter what the weather - I needed to practice and figure out what I want to do in the way of beads for finished necklaces and bracelets

Then I decided I wanted to make a copper corset ring - so proto time again  - cut up a scrap piece of copper, hammered and put some holes into it - annealed - -  a bit messy but next one will be better - a little straighter on the weaving

More Etch Copper and Working on the Etched Copper Neck Bangle

Finished the 3 x 4 copper etched pieces  for an order and to put up on etsy

I put the necklace into the etching solution 

after its out and washed 

cleaned up with the dremel and sand paper 

started bending with just my fingers  - the 24g is very malleable 

tomorrow I"ll figure out what to do next with it - this is the proto for the neck bangle design 

could have dangles just dont know yet 

but at least I got into the studio between babysitting, easter shopping - I got more done in last two days than probably all winter 

Friday was a good day at the studio - etching copper sheet

What an absolutely lovely day - and made my way to the studio to start to do some more clean up
My daughter came and got the washer and dryer that were at the front area- freeing up some more room to move around

while doing that  I decided to etch the copper sheets I needed for an order and to put up on etsy
so I got my sheets that I had cut the other day, and flattened
sheets are cut  3" x 4"

I used hot hot water and soap and used a scrubby to clean the oils that were on from the manufacture of the roll and my fingers 

once cleaned - handle only by the edges  as you dont want any oils from your fingers (although they were clean during the cleaning processing )

Next I need to stamp using my zentangle full size rubber stamps - available on etsy 

the stamps are about 8-1/2 x 11"  

In this case its my sheet pattern #2

 I use the Staz-On white (only by preference the other Staz-on work as well )

I buy the kit that has extra ink as it does dry out quickly and you use a lot when stamping the large stamp 

Once on then carefully apply the 3 x 4 sheet of copper hold down tight - try not to shift it  - and I push all round the edges with one hand while the other holds in place -  the stamp pad  ink is sticky so as you push down it tends to hold in place 

then when ready to pull up - hold down one corner and pick up from opposite corner and lift carefully 

clean up is easy I use some thinner - to clean up - this is my original stamp from a few years ago 

dont worry  if you get any fingerprints on the back while stamping - that will clean off later 

set to dry 

Next is apply the packing tape  - I got the 3" wide from uline that I find does not leave as much glue as others - so easier clean up later 

I apply and then  put into etching solution- The glass tray is on a dollar store cookie sheet that sits on an electric grill - set to WARM - cant have it too high 

this solution is from last year and I cleaned out the old material and heated it back up - I put in some fresh - not much - once heated I put in the pieces for etching 

while waiting I stamped my big necklace I want to make up 

About 1-1/2 hours later I pulled out of etch  and rinsed and set into backing soda to stop the reaction

(be careful when rinsing - not down your pipes ) 

the first three done 

I sell them as unfinished - I clean up a bit and then put into plastic bags 

so I  finished about 12  on Friday - only a few more to go then I can do the necklace \

close up of #1 

the first 6 go to the UK for an order but the rest I hope to have up on etsy this weekend 

My New Wubber Large Wave Bracelet Press

I got out my new wubber large wave bangle press I got in the mail on Thursday (you have to be quick to get one when back in stock )  its wonderful - reasonably priced and they were quick on delivery to Canada - so well made as well

I wiped off the bit of packing grease 

 cleaned the inside as well

Grabbed an existing bangle I had hanging - it was a thicker wire with a pattern from the rolling mill - its a pretty large bangle almost right to the edge -MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ANNEALED (SOFTENED THE BANGLE BEFORE PUTTING PRESS )  Its ideal right after  soldering but make sure your anneal the whole bracelet as you solder

I positioned centered into the press -

the press has a key - or a positioning tongue so that it will go together properly - hit with a weighted rawhide mallet - I have a heavy rubber - so I dont ding the press with a metal hammer 

OOOOOO - I can see it bend - and be wavy - so cool 

This is the large wave - #10 

I think I'll get the medium next 

APRIL 2015- GIVE-A-WAY - closed

WINNER OF APRIL GIVE-A-WAY IS :    judyklarson

Same rules as always - just leave a comment on this thread -  ensure you have an email address I can get back to you with and I will draw the winner from the list on May 1 (can you imagine that May 1 - sounds like full spring) will ship to anywhere in the world - no cost to you

What we have this months is  a dicroic pendant -  I typically make a colorful quilt of mixed dicro - black back and clear back dicro and clear capped and fire.   They are about 6" x 6"  and then I cut them up on my slab saw - and then refire - so no two are the same

Back in the Studio

I made my way up into the studio last night  - and was making my way towards my  goodies -
cleaned up one table area to work - cut over a dozen 3 x 4 copper sheets  for etching which I hope to have stamped and possibly in the etching solution tonight

I found my way to the  finished goods last night  and I'll pull something for the give a way to post tonight

very excited that I am sort of back into the studio -  they say the weather should not be too bad and if sunny the studio is pretty warm  (metal warms up )

so stay posted - will have the give-a-way up tonight
no april fools !