Must be a man

   Now I don't want anyone to think I'm sexist, because I don't believe I am.   Although I know there are some people who would beg to differ with that.  But, I finally got to try out my new jump ringer and flex-shaft.  They do work great.  I love them both.  But, there is one little quirk that is so illogical in the design.  After the wire is wrapped into a coil, the flex-shaft is used to cut them apart.  There is a nifty sleeve that fits over the flex-shaft cylinder (sorry if I'm not using the proper terminology; it is still new to me.)  The directions say to attach the blade to the flex-shaft and then slide the sleeve over the cylinder.  Now that isn't going to happen, because the blade is wider than the sleeve.  No biggy though as it is easy enough to put on after the sleeve is in place.

   The thing that was driving me nuts was the two screws on the sleeve that hold it in place on the cylinder.  One side of the sleeve has an opening that exposes the cutting blade.  This opening fits over a guide, that fits over the coil and has a narrow slit in it.  (Have I lost you yet?)  The narrow slit is used to line up the saw blade in the sleeve.  There is also a mark on the edge of the opening to help with that.  The trouble starts after the blade is lined up.  The screws are to be lightly tightened to hold the sleeve in place, with the blade in the proper position.   But, the darn screws are on the back of the sleeve and I don't know about you, but I can't screw something I can't see.  So I tried to hold the sleeve in the proper position, turn it over to screw it in place and of course the whole thing moves on me.  I'm not sure how many times I kept trying.   (Way too many.)  Finally I tried to line the blade up a little higher than the mark (since it always kept slipping down) and I was finally able to line it up right; so the blade was centered in the narrow slot.  Common sense tells me that if the screws were on the top where the hole was, the whole darn thing would have been a lot easier.  But, then again maybe I'm wrong.

   I could tell you many stories where some men in my life did not do the logical thing, but that is not what this blog is about.  But, I still think a man must have designed this thing.  A woman would have put the screws on the top.

That's cheesy!

      My New Year resolutions of drawing everyday, designing something note worthy and entering competitions were based on good intentions.  And, like lots of good intentions, they haven't gone anywhere.  (At least not yet.  The year is not over!)  

    Although I did enter a pair of earrings for a book about creating earrings in 30 minutes or less.  My design didn't get chosen, but that is okay.  I'll try again another time.  It could have been the design itself or it could have been the picture.  I didn't realize it at the time, but my photo showed some less than craftsmanlike rough edges.  I need to learn to really look closely at what I do.  (The photo below is improved due to the wonders of PhotoShop,)

   Anyway, I thought it was a clever idea.  The earrings look like a piece of swiss cheese and were made totally in 30 minutes, which included firing time.  

   Plus, they opened themselves up to many variations.  Resin could be poured into the holes to give them a stained glass effect.  A back could be added behind the "cheesy" form and the holes could then be enameled.

   These were given a brushed texture as a quick finish, but a more pronounced texture could be used instead.

   Another variation is to go with a completely different shape for the cheese slices and 

do something different with the holes.  These are derived from the idea, but go in a different direction.   I thought the possibilities were endless.  

O.D. or I.D?

    Well, I haven't used my new flex-shaft yet, (forgot to order the stand with it.  Sent the hubby out to find one, but he came back with the shaft for the flex-shaft. )  

    But, I did try out the new jump ringer.  It is a really cool tool but it had me puzzled for a while.  I was looking at some jump rings I had purchased and I noticed that let's say, a 6 mm jump ring was equal to an 8 mm jump ring on the mandrel.  I guess I always thought that the dimensions referred to the outside diameter.  It was really confusing me, so I emailed a friend from South Carolina.  I figured that she would know the answer and sure enough she did.

   This is what I found out.  Regular jump rings are labeled according to their outside diameter.  Jump rings that are going to be used for chain maille are labeled according to their inside diameter.  So, now  I know that I have to use a mandrel 2 sizes smaller than what I think I need.  (It's just my mind being stubborn and blocked about the whole thing.  Kind of like it is when it comes to the metric system...... I have lots of beads that are not the size I thought they were.)  

   So, when I make jump rings, I need to go two sizes smaller.  When I make metal clay rings, I need to make them two sizes bigger to allow for the shrinkage.  (I almost forgot that today when I started on a ring for my daughter-in-law's birthday.  Luckily I caught it in time.)

   Darn those long vacations, they make me stupid!

Who knew?

   Who knew there was so much to the flex-shaft.  I just started perusing (like that big word?) my new book - "Making the most of your Flex-shaft" by Karen Christians.  

   I've owned a couple of handheld rotary tools over the years that came with all sorts of bits, wheels and mandrels; none of which I knew how to use.  So, they got limited use and weren't very effective (since I didn't know what I was doing!)  

  As I've said in my very first post, I'm not a jeweler.  I'm a metal clay artist who makes jewelry.  I had one jewelry class in college, many moons ago which was all fabrication.  So, I am learning as I go (and there is sooooo much to learn.)  Right now my focus is on the flex-shaft tool (and making metal clay toggles.)

   Anyway, the gist of this post is a book review.  I haven't read it all yet, but I can see that my new flex-shaft book will be an invaluable resource that I will be referring to often.  (Because like most directions that come with tools.... they don't tell you squat!) 

   The book covers every little detail you might want to know from the invention of the flex shaft to maintaining it.  There are chapters on choosing the right motor, the proper hand piece, the proper bur or bit and mandrel.  Then she covers abrasives, grinding wheels, buffs, etc.  There are attachments available to extend the capabilities of the tool and a chapter that goes beyond the basics.  And, finally in the back are resources for jewelers.

  As I've looked through this book, I've had some Aha! moments.  Now I know what that little drum shape was for or that stack of what looked like gritty toothless saws and the pointy screw mandrel.  All those years wasted, while I was waiting for such a book full of information.  I sure could have used the knowledge I've gained from this book when I was teaching.  I would let my students use the rotary tools when we were doing sculptures, but we weren't getting the most out of it.  At least I was aware of the safety issues.  That came from my college sculpture teacher scaring the crap out of us when it came to power equipment and I thank him for that.  (He cut his hand in half using the table saw!)

  Point in case.  This is a must book to have if you have a flex-shaft.  

    

 

It's Christmas!

   It's Christmas in March!!!!  

     The new Barbara Becker Simon book, "Metal Clay Beads" came today, (a whole month early.)  I only had time to skim through it but it looks like a good one. Unfortunately I am addicted to books.  I keep swearing that I am not going to buy anymore, but I bought two in the past week; a polymer clay book on millefiori techniques by Donna Kato and now this one.  (When will I stop?)

     My new flex-shaft and jump ring maker came today too!!  Wahoo!!!! What a way to help with the after vacation doldrums.  

      I got such a deal on the flex-shaft and jump ring maker.  (saved about $30 by buying both).  Contenti has a special going on right now that saves money if you buy them together.  For once I got lucky and didn't buy them earlier.  The flex shaft is a cheaper model, but Contenti swears it's a good one for the money.  Now I have to learn how to use both of these new tools.  (Darn, I have so many other things to do this month...... guess I'm going to be busy.)

   Oh, I just remembered.... I bought three books this past week.  My third book is "Making the most of your Flex-shaft" by Karen Christians.  Is there an AA for book addicts?

Back to business

    Well, vacation is over and it's back to business.  Even though I wasn't able to make jewelry while I was on vacation; I did have good intentions.  I planned on sketching everyday, working on my Etsy site and working on marketing plans.  Just like New Year's resolutions, my plans went by the wayside.  (As did my diet!!!)

   Spending a month in Florida was great!  We golfed, we swam, we walked, we biked, we shopped and we shopped ( I know I repeated that twice but we did LOTS of shopping. Well I did lots of shopping, not the hubby.)  We visited with friends and family and I actually read three books for enjoyment and not for knowledge.  (Speaking of books, Barbara Becker Simon's new book is coming out early...... mine should be here by March 9th.  I'll be sure to share my opinion.)

   If you are ever on Pine Island, FL be sure to visit Matlacha.  It is a colorful little community that you have to drive through to get to the Island and it is very arty.  The little shops there have a creative weekend the second weekend of each month from November to April.  They have food, music and artist demonstrations.  There is some really nice work there.  (If I only had money!) 

   I did sketch a little (only one day and it wasn't jewelry.)  Although I did get a lap quilt made for my mother's birthday, so some creativity was going on.  

I knew the business would take a hit with me being away for a whole month.  I didn't have internet connection at the house and had to travel down the road to the library every time I wanted to use it.  What a pain that was!

   Anyway, we got home last night.  We left Florida on Thursday and got to NC to visit my daughter and her family on Friday.  We should have been home yesterday but what a surprise it was when NC got 5 inches of snow.  So.... we stayed an extra day.  Boy that was so hard; an extra day with the granddaughter.  But we managed.  (She is such a little doll!)

   Today I am facing one month's worth of mail, newspapers, dust and an empty refrigerator.  Plus, the family room is full of suitcases, bags and dirty clothes.  That must be why I'm in such a funk right now.  Don't really want to do anything.  Hopefully tomorrow is another day (Yes Scarlett, I know!)   And, next Monday I have jury duty.  (That is another story in itself, which started in January)

   So, it is back to business and making up for lost time.  I've got two classes coming up (one is full), an event at the studio, a class to make up for some school students and a class for a private inquiry, a radio interview, and business taxes to get done (I'm  sliding into a deeper funk now.)   And my display studio needs to be decorated for St. Patrick's day.  I need to make samples for my bell cap and toggle class and get things ready for Arrowmont which will be here before I know it.  

   Sorry, I can't take any more.  The thought of all that has wiped me out and I need to go to bed.  Good night!