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.

I had a crafty summer for the most part. I started getting into stamping metal and leatherwork, both of which are a lot of fun. I have also been working with wire and took a class this past week at Meant To Bead on hammering metal, which was very cool. I am going to be starting metalsmithing class at the Toledo Museum of Art on 10/18 for six weeks. I am very excited about this. Hopefully I will have photos of some of my artwork.

Speaking of photos, I will post some of the projects I have been working on in the next couple of days.

I haven't done any crafting lately because I haven't had the time. In fact, before the other day, I hadn't been down in my craft room in months. I went down to look for a book and was tripping over material and yarn; I really need to get back to it.

I did receive two books in the mail. Damn you Crafters Choice! They look pretty good: Take-Along Knitting and Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch by the venerable Nicky Epstein. She is really awesome.

It looks like Google updated Blogger and all my crafty links disappeared. I will have to restore them a little at a time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I haven't had a lot of time for crafty pursuits. I know this is a constant refrain for me, but I did go shopping yesterday and Joann's and Hancock's and picked up some cotton yarn. I have been on a cotton yarn kick the past year.


I have made a market bag for my sister, one for me, and I am working on a summer everyday bad that is almost done. For my market bag, all I had to do was put on the strap, so today I did and finished it.


I bought some Lion Brand cotton to make a cotton "straw" hat. I previously tried to do it, but I wasn't skilled enough in crochet, so I am giving it another go. The pattern is here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ckc-hat.html?noImages= . You may have to register at Lion, but you do get access to a bunch of free patterns.

I also bought a kitchen pattern book to make potholders and dishcloths. I have one from Lilly, but it was just dishcloths. I will post photos when they are finished.

I haven't had a lot of time to do any crafty stuff, but I received an e-mail from Lion Brand yarn in my inbox the other day regarding some new patterns they have for what they call, "stainless steel" wool. The wool, which consists of 75% wool and 25% stainless steel, is available in fingerweight and keeps it shape. It is only available online or at the Lion store in NYC. I really want to make something using this new yarn, so I think I will be ordering some in the near future.

I have been making some pillow covers because they whip up quick. I am also slowly working on some curtains with fabric from my extensive fabric stash. Of course I will post photos when they are finished.