Spring Shows
Posted by Administrator on Feb 27, 2007
I am thrilled to announce two spring shows this year:
April 7 - Trunk show with the Pleasanton Craft Mafia - 11:00-6:00 at Pleasant Memories, 4247 Rosewood Drive, #14, in Pleasanton, California
May 12 - Maven Fair - 1021 Sanchez St. in San Francisco, California
If you’re in the area, please stop by my table at these shows. You won’t want to miss all the talented artists and crafters represented. I’d go to shop both of these even if I wasn’t selling my work, because I’ve seen what a lot of the artists make and it is very inspiring. You’ll see all kinds of hand made clothing and accessories (including jewelry, of course) in addition to housewares, art and craft supplies, original art to hang on your walls at home, and probably lots more!
Bring cash, as some vendors can’t accept credit cards. (I do take credit cards, so don’t worry if you run out of cash before you find my table!)
A Note About Argentium Silver
Posted by Administrator on Feb 21, 2007
Argentium silver is my current favorite metal to work with. It resists tarnishing, which means less maintenance for both me and my customers. It also fuses better than traditional sterling silver, which makes a lot of the metalwork I like to do easier.
I just heard that in a recent Lapidary Journal, an article stated that Argentium does not contain copper. This is incorrect - Argentium silver does contain copper (as does traditional sterling silver - copper adds some hardness and durability to silver, which is desirable in finished jewelry) but a little bit of the copper is replaced with germanium. Germanium reacts with the air to form germanium oxide at the surface of the metal, which is what helps slow or prevent tarnish.
Another blog to check out
Posted by Administrator on Feb 14, 2007
My friend Cyndi recently started a new Bead Arts blog, and she already has some fantastic articles and tutorials up.
Check out this profile on another jeweler friend of mine, Wendy of Indigo Skye.
Cyndi and Wendy are two of the jewelry makers who contributed charms to the Charmed Life necklace (I also have a charm featured in this collaborative necklace, pictured here) which will be auctioned off to benefit breast cancer research.
A new craft-related blog
Posted by Administrator on Feb 13, 2007
My friend Derek, who is a woodturner, just started a blog that showcases craft related videos every day. It’s a fun concept, and he’s already found a few interesting videos.
I watched the knitting video on his blog earlier today, and learned that I’m a continental knitter - I had no idea! I learned to knit a few years ago, hoping that it would translate easily to wire, so that I could knit silver jewelry. I had trouble getting the tension to work in metal, and ended up crocheting with silver instead - but since then I’ve knit quite a few scarves and other easy projects with yarn. All this time, apparently I’ve been knitting the opposite of the way most Americans knit, and I didn’t even know.
Vickie Howell’s Book Tour
Posted by Administrator on Feb 2, 2007
Vickie Howell, host of the DIY Network show Knitty Gritty, and a member of the Austin Craft Mafia, came to Berkeley yesterday on her book tour for a new knitting book she wrote. I thought it would be really fun to check it out, even though it’s not a jewelry event, because I’m a member of the Pleasanton Craft Mafia - a spin-off of the Austin group.
Vickie is talented, fun, and very sucessful at what she does - it was really fun to meet her and see some of her work in person. I like to knit - I find it relaxing, and something that keeps my hands busy when I’m watching TV - but I’ve never tried anything nearly as detailed as the things she makes. Her book, Knitty Gritty Knits, has a lot of cute projects in it. I think most 20-30-somethings who knit would like a lot of the projects in the book. There were things in it that I would wear, or that I’d like to have for my home, and honestly, that isn’t usually the case when I look at knitting books!
The event, which was held at Stash in Berkeley, also included a “yarn tasting” where people got samples of Vickie’s new line of yarn. So…I now have very small balls of three really nice yarns to play with, and I think I’m going to work up some knitted or crocheted jewelry with them. The yarns are all made from natural fibers, and they are sport weight, which is pretty thin, so I think they will be perfect for making jewelry.
Here’s a link to the Vickie’s book on Amazon; it’s also available at yarn stores, I’m sure.
Knitty Gritty Knits (DIY): 25 Fun & Fabulous Projects (DIY Network)
She has a couple other knitting books, one for kid stuff & one for teens:
New Knits on the Block: A Guide to Knitting What Kids Really Want
Not Another Teen Knitting Book
