Copper and bronze botanical link bracelets

This first project in my “Start-of-the-Finish" blog series is complete. I love the asymmetrical sizes and shapes of each individual link in these bracelets. I'm anxious to start some complementary earrings, but need to forge ahead and finish what I've started. This particular project has been a nice change from my pressed cuff bracelets. I have many cuff bracelets that need to be finished as well.

Click on the images above to see more images of these bracelets in my Etsy Shop

I use various metals in my work and love copper because of its natural color and the affects that can be obtained through patinas and heat. Fading, darkening or other signs of age are natural and unavoidable because of copper's characteristics. These cuffs can be coated with lacquer or wax which will slow the oxidation process. I generally do not coat these cuffs with lacquer or wax making the finish easy to clean and polish.

The START of the FINISH - copper & bronze botanical link bracelets

This is the first entry in a series of blog posts that you may find educational and that I know I will find very gratifying. Many artists, including jewelry artist, have a bounty of unfinished works. Like many, I often move on to a new design and start something more challenging, more exciting or simply something new.  This spring I have a desire to finish what I’ve started – including this series of blog posts. Please join me on this journey by following this blog. I’ll show you how many of these pieces were designed, developed and finished.

Bronze & copper pieces and parts

This first project was started during the cold, dreary month of February. These bracelets were inspired by my passion for gardening and recent fondness for flowers. I’m not sure why or how I got sidetracked, but I assume that work and life consumed my days and these pieces and parts ended up in the “I’ll get back to you later" pile.

Bronze and copper metal clay was rolled flat and stamped with floral rubber stamps. Each piece was dried on a small cup warmer, sanded, drilled for the jump rings and fired in the kiln in a stainless steel container buried in coconut carbon. The links were tumbled and colored with a liver of sulfur solution to darken the recessed areas. The patina creates nice contrast with the highly polished areas of each design. I particularly like the irregularity in the shapes and sizes, making each bracelet unique and organic. I plan to finished these two bracelets over the weekend as we're expecting rain and the garden will be muddy. I'm looking forward to spending time in my workshop. Check back later to see the finished products.

Inspired by simple summer sage

Metal clay lends itself well to the texture of the sage leaf, capturing every nook and cranny that is visible to the naked eye. I made these pure silver sage leaf earring several weeks ago and they’ve quickly become my new favorites. Molds were made from very small leaves to create the cluster of leaves for these earrings.

The pure bronze sage leaf was made by creating a mold of a huge sage leaf, metal clay was pressed into the mold, and it was then shaped and fired in the kiln. Nothing else was done to this leaf and we were very pleased with the natural color we got during the firing process. This piece was then placed on top of a beautiful wood cremation urn that my husband made.

My sage plants are just now starting to show new growth. I’m anxious to start a new series of botanical jewelry and sage leaves happen to be one of my favorite plants to work because of their incredible texture and wonderful shape. If you are interested in the garden that inspires me see: Heidi’s Garden Blog

Aumakua Spirit Vessel - growing dreams into reality

Hawiian Legend states that in times of trouble or great joy, a dolphin, turtle, or shark might come to a Hawaiian family and would forever be their gaurdian spirit (Aumakua). The creative energy of the universe is woven into the fabric of your being and all living things. Manifestation happens when you align your intention with these powerful energies. Place your deepest intention in your Aumakua vessel. Let the spiritual power of Hawaii work with your own to grow your dreams into reality. 

The sea turtle often represented wisdom, happiness and a long and healthy life. If the beast entered your home, it would bring the wares and wisdom of the sea with it, including the gifts of relaxation and longevity.

Today I'm working on getting my blog post to automatically feed my facebook page without errors. This has been a big challenge. Therefore this is really a test blog since I've not been in my workshop for many days. My work, garden and studies are keeping me busy. In the meantime I'm inspired by this wonderful Amakua spirit vessel that was given to me by my dear friend. It sits on my desk and I look at it every day. I love it.

Why do artists blog?

Why do artists blog? It is a very curious question that I’ve been asking myself. I’ve actually started poking around the web and I realize there are many reasons. I’ve found some good and some bad blogs and some good and some bad reasons artists write blogs.  

I think we know that many websites and even blogs are all about driving traffic, creating awareness, marketing and selling stuff. To be very upfront and clear, that is not the primary reason for my blog.  Although I treasure the opportunity to share my creations and the things that I’m passionate about – this blog is about what inspires me and the work I love. You will likely see how other people and things inspire me and influence what I do as an artist. I love designing and making jewelry, but I’m quite new to this craft and I can’t quite get enough of it these days. I also have a passion for photography and this blog gives me someplace to post some of my photographs. You will also see how my love of gardening influences much of my work. I am truly a student of life and these are some of my favorite studies. If you find something I've created that inpsires you, I'll always help you with a purchase or more information.

I can’t tell you where this blog will take me. I do hope that it becomes something worth writing and worth reading. I’m trying to slow down and enjoy the scenery and I’m sure I’ll figure out where I’m going and why – sometime soon.

Quote of the Week

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.   

~Eddie Cantor

'Kalanchoe Fantastic' succulent - It looks great in my newly painted RED kitchen