New space(s)

I have a writing blog titled, Wordful Googie, and I am constantly berating myself for not blogging more. I feel the same way about this blog too. To be fair, I have not had space for my crafting in recent years but we did move to a place with a garage and I have a very nice work area there as you can see.


So there are no excuses. I am currently working on a stamped metal pendant for a friend and I am really out of practice so I have been having to relearn good metalsmithing technique. Apparently jewelry making skills will atrophy if not used.

In the near future I will be transitioning this blog to a new website that will allow readers to buy my jewelry. Exciting times ahead!

I have been very busy lately. I recently took some metalsmithing classes at the museum and I made this really great bracelet.









I also started this cuff  to the left, but I have a ways to go before it is finished.

I started out by making a bead out of copper sheet metal. We first made two disks. Then we shaped them on a dapping block. Then we drilled holes in both pieces with a drill press. Then we filed the edges with fine grit sandpaper. And then we soldered them together.






I was also experimenting with chainmail. This is a Byzantine style chainmail bracelet. I don't know the diameter of the jump rings. I thought they were 6mm but they are more like 9 mm.

I took a class at Meant2Bead on hammered jewelry. These are hammered pieces in copper. I also made a set in silver. I have been wanting to wear these but I wanted to take a photo first. there is a necklace and earrings as well as clasps for future projects. Hammering was really fun.

And finally, my current obsession: stamped metal. Here are two charms I made and riveted together. I have always wanted to work in metal and here I am! Working in metal! I envision all kinds of really cool metal projects in the future.