The Dremel Drill, Tamara, and Jewelry Making

Thank you to Tamara, our resident "rock hound", formerly from California, Calavaras County.  Tamara has collected rocks for years, and when she gets enamored with a piece, she unpacks the Dremel drill, with the very smallest drill, and finds a place to drill.

The process produces beautiful unique pieces of focal stone to use in necklaces and other jewelry.

Last week we were treated with a chance to drill ourselves, steady, strong and carefully letting the drill move its way through the rock.  Tamara explained how to find a place to drill that would yield a great stone to use when polished for jewelry.  She spent lots of time on the beach looking for great pieces to add to her collection.  This drilling is painstaking work.  A wrong move can crack a large stone, and make it no longer useful.  She brought leopard jasper, and other pieces to try, and a quartz crystal had a small accumulation of gold if we are correct.

Drusy is quartz crystals that attach to other stones.

There are techniques to get drusy pieces which are smooth enough to use for jewelry.  Recently these have been among the most popular for jewelry of all kinds.  The crystals alone are fascinating.  The rocks come in every size, shape, color and style to use in pieces which will be outstanding in necklaces and earrings.

The next week we will braid wire, make rings, and use hemp rope to make necklaces and earrings, and even belts.   It is a work in progress since stones can be combined on one of the braided strains to make a design to match your new mother's day gifts.

We have been exploring art principles of using odd numbers of stones 3,5,7,9 to make more harmonious pieces.  We try to introduce as many important aspects as possible.  Last week our photographer took a week off.  We will try to introduce those pieces in pictures this week.

This class on Wednesday will be next to last in this series.  We have accomplished a great amount of work with many styles and possibilities.  This week we look forward to exploring even more accomplishments to add to our pieces which can be made to match all of our new summer outfits.

Our next classes will be Wednesday and next Wednesday.  The new unit will begin in June.  We are working on many techniques to use our ingenuity and artistic abilities to combine colors and designs.


I am really looking forward to classes and continue to look for more ways to express ourselves to make our own jewelry, and presents for others.  It is a pleasure to work with you in this adventure.

Sincerely, Chris

Jasper

t

Pinterest / Home - Jewelry Box

Pinterest / Home: "Jewelry"

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Jewelry Making - Free projects and DIY gift ideas from Craftbits.com

Jewelry Making - Free projects and DIY gift ideas from Craftbits.com:

• A collection of jewelry making projects, patterns and techniques from beaded earrings to step by step wire work and beaded projects.

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May 9th Class at NWACC

Orange bangle

Turquoise flowers

Cherry blossom

The Tree of Life at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Jewelry Making Is Fun

Hi everyone!

Our next class will be Wednesday, and we will make necklaces and bracelets.  This is always a very important basic class that also includes ways of putting wires among the gems that is really intriguing to all of us.  We will include as many variations as possible.  Whoever has a good idea should bring us new takes on it.  When fireworks are done, we still have our jewelry, thank heavens.  Colors, lights, and cameras, here we go.


The Art fair was a lot of fun.  Many of the jewelers came from all over.  I bought gems from people who had just come from Arizona--Tuscon fair most recently.  They had a wonderful and varied display.  Others brought jewelry from everywhere.  It was very worth looking at.  We can get new ideas everywhere.

We will begin mainly wire jewelry week 4.  There are many new things to try.  Please bring examples to class.

I will be looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday.  I would love suggestions from anyone who would like to send them to me.

See you soon!

NWACC Class Was Fun And Y'All Did Great Work

Good morning friends.  Yesterday was class one for our May Jewelry made simple, and we began with earrings.

Amazing class.  Lots of talent, and many new things to learn to make wire wrapping more interesting and easy to do.  As you  see in pictures,  many produced 4 and more pairs of earrings, all different in color and style.
My husband, Greg does all the photography so everyone can show off their original work.  There is exilaration as we see new items, and ideas work out.

Next week we will work with necklaces, bracelets, rings and pendants.  More fun!

The final week will include repairing jewelry in our boxes that is not worn, and work with wire.

We really enjoyed class yesterday, and really that is the most important attribute of having a hobby.  We are all learning to make the most of pieces we have.  Adding to the collection is always fun.

I'm on my way to "All strung Out" to get new beads to feature in our work next week. Alberto and Jeff go to great lengths to provide us with special focal beads and needs for our work.

See you all next week!

May 2nd Class Makes Beautiful Jewelry