Oak Leaves on Metal

I was up in the mountains over the weekend and collected various organics from the forest floor to use in my metals class.  After annealing, I sandwiched some very dry oak leaves and pine needles between silver and some copper.  I cranked this through a rolling mill and you can see the beautiful detail of nature forever impressed upon my metal.  I lightly sanded the metal with a fine, higher grit sandpaper before milling.  The leaves over the sanded metal in a way, protected that finish and the other areas that received more pressure, seemed to shine up.  You can adjust the mill however you want, but I like how these pieces came out.  I will be working on some pendants and will patina them again when I'm finished.

Feather Moves Metal...

I've had a desire to make what I call "real" jewelry and I've been taking a silver fabrication class.  It's been years since I've held a torch and it was time to do it again!

We were talking about texture on metal a few weeks ago and the instructor had some of her samples on the table. We discussed the use of the rolling mill and all the different things you could place in between a couple of pieces of metal and after milling, the image would be there.

We saw the tin foil imprint which was pretty cool and it looks like leather after oxidizing the copper or adding patina.  You can use leaves or any other dried out organic material and even brass jewelry components.  The one that really caught my eye, was the imprint of a feather on the metal.

First you have to anneal the metal which is heating it with a blow torch to change and make it more malleable or easier to work with.  You then take your cool metal, a feather and another piece of brass or copper on the top, adjust the mill and start cranking.  Out comes the metal with the impression.

I was rather blown away with the thought of a feather moving metal...  It's kind of a lesson in holding space or pushing back when it feels like things are closing in on you or how something so fragile can seem untouched.  With all the pressure, you would think the feather would be smashed and not leave a mark.  Every little wisp and detail of the feather came through on the metal.

So, that was my big thought that day...  Feather moves metal.  A good lesson~

What's Julie Working on this Week?

Well, this is what I'm working on this week!  You guessed it, more beads.  I've been working on some southwestern designs and I decided to experiment with some new colors.  There is a blue metallic color and I almost think it's a bit too dark.  I also used more of a true turquoise color on some of the beads.  You will see that some of the bead bases are smooth and some are the chunky, natural turquoise look.  There has been a lot more consideration with sanding on these because I have the bumpy turquoise and the sculpted areas.  I used a more toothy grit to take down the chunky turquoise, but had to be careful with all the sculpted detail.  I also mixed a couple of colors of paints for staining and layered those which makes it more work to knock down with sand paper.  I used two brands and will buy some more of the higher quality to mix together.  The turquoise looks better with black and more of a burnt umber rubbed into it vs. just a brownish color.  This makes the matrix look more real.  Aside from the initial color mixing, making simple stripe canes, sculpting, baking, I also added 1.5 hours of sanding to this pile last night.  They will need to be sanded through another few grits later and then buffed.  Along with the beads, I've made some smaller sculpted pieces for earrings.  These still need a lot more work!
I always have my favorites and they would be at 1 and 2 o'clock in the top photo.  I sometimes get caught up in making thing too layered and complicated.  The one has sculpted strips of color and I did not press tuxture into this one.  I also have gold clay on the outside layer and this can be seen from the side.  The thinner bead next to that has drawn on wisps that look like blanket fringe.  I wanted the colors to look like Native American textiles or stone inlay.

550 Paracord Water Bottle Holders

I had thought about making some 550 paracord water bottle holders.  I made two different sizes and they both have the end at the top and the cord will rapidly deploy when pulled.  These are both made with one continuous piece of cord.  I made a drawstring top that is adjustable and knotted over the loop where the hook goes.  You can put these in your backpack or clip them to a belt or pack.

The green bottle has over 100' of cord and the black bottle has over 70' of cord!  Great way to be prepared in any survival situation!  Extra water and extra cordage!

Word Beads

These word beads are so much fun!  I had some stamps made with a variety of words and karma is one of my favorites!  The organic beads are super fun as well.  Here's to good living!  Thanks for looking!

Ocean Blue Sculpted Bead and Paracord Bracelet

I've been making sculpted beads to use in the paracord bracelets I've been making.  I'm a pretty solid fan of using dark brown for a lot of the earthy colored beads.  Sometimes I forget that people like to wear jeans and that many times, the colors in the beads look great with a blue cord.  This bead has some pretty ocean blue colors in it and also some hand drawn or etched in designs.  It was sanded and buffed to this shine.

I'm always trying to find fun paracord colors to use with my beads.  I will order or pick up many shades of colors and this blue is just different.  I call it my ocean blue!  Thanks for looking!

Faux Turquoise Pendants

I made some faux turquoise pendants with the bear bead batch.  I gave a couple of these away as gifts.  I hardly every have to run out for a gift!  Another good reason to make things!  You will always have gifts and can trade items as well.  Really, these can be trade beads!