Friday, November 30, 2007

Good-Bye Jewelry Weblog Readers

resized-making.jpg
Today I say a very reluctant good-bye to my jewelry weblog here as well as the other work I've done with Creative Weblogging over the past couple of years. I can't tell you how much I have learned as a writer slash blogger and how much I will miss everyone who makes up this wonderful and supportive network.

This has not at all been an easy decision for me, but due to a general increase in my workload that includes a new full-time teaching position starting next year and two jewelry book deals that will carry me into the early summer, something had to go, and unfortunately that means my home here at the Jewelry Weblog. I have no doubt they will soon find a fabulous jewelry-loving replacement for me, so the blog will continue on and I hope readers will continue to return to see what's new here. I know that I'll be keeping an eye on it for sure.

I'll still be on the web. You can find me at Jewelry Making at About.com, TammyPowley.com, and of course, my personal wacky blog, Fatand40.

I wish everyone at Creative Weblogging continued success.
See article.





Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Go Jewelry Shopping at Ruby Lane

rubylane1.jpg
Time to go holiday shopping and you can shop down Ruby Lane and find all kinds of great hand-crafted jewelry for sale. Pictured above is a fine silver and genuine ruby box pendant crafted by jewelry artist Laura Hastings of Eclectica.

This is just one of a number of artisan created jewelry pieces I saw over there, so get yourself a cup of java and be ready to do some relaxing shopping at home while everyone else is elbowing their way through the mall and icky discount stores!
See article.





Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Jewelry Stocking Stuffer Bargains

relios1.jpg
Who doesn't love to have a tiny gift or two in your stocking, especially something that glitters? Or maybe you are looking for some affordable baubles to give to a few special co-workers or your child's teacher or the baby sitter. So, you want something pretty and not pretty pricey. I found a number of little bargains over at the Relios Jewelry web site in their gifts under $24 section.

These earrings are only $9.99.
relios2.jpg


Turquoise Chip and Sterling Flower Earrings

These sterling silver earrings display the beauty of mosaic inlay. The sterling silver design is a slim rectangle with a sterling silver floral design in the center. Natural turquoise chip inlay surrounds the flower.


Here's a bracelet for $11.99.
relios3.jpg


Fresh Water Pearl and Pastel Gemstone Stretch Bracelet

Simply elegant, one size fits most stretch bracelet has a unique combination of fresh water pearls interspersed with genuine gemstones. Stones include purple amethyst, green garnet, yellow citrine, rose quartz, turquoise and a sterling corrugated bead.

See article.





Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

After Thanksgiving



I have the post-Thanksgiving case of nerves I always get at this time every year. With Thanksgiving over, Christmas is breathing hard at my heels, and from now until Christmas Day actually comes, I feel as though I'll be playing catch-up. At least this year, I'm being a bit more disciplined about the situation. Of course, to make things even harder, we're usually out of the country every Christmas although it looks as though this year we may be in Washington - away from home, but not that long aching plane ride away from home.
I've been working mostly on custom orders lately and am finishing a wedding that will go out tomorrow. Lots of amethyst! Then, I have several other custom orders to get made (most for Christmas, so I'm doing okay there), but I've either sketched them out or know what I'm doing and where I'm going with them.
I've been working with different elements. The lampwork earrings above with lapis and carnelian (found in our Holiday Gift Ideas section match a fantastic bracelet on my Handcrafted Bracelets page.
The bracelet is made with freshwater pearls and Swarovski's newest crystals in a wonderful grey opal colour that I love. The silver freshwater pearls are perfect! The bracelet will be on our Swarovski Bracelets page.




Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Blog]

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Metal Clay Artists: Where Do You Work?

30743542.jpg

While working on my next book project, a how-to on making jewelry with low-fire metal clay, I thought it would be interesting to include a chapter on how to set up a work area as well as show where other metal clay jewelry artists work. So, I'm looking for anyone who might want to send me pictures of their metal clay setup.

Now, it does not have to be a super fancy set up at all. In fact, I hope to show that you don't have to have a big time studio to do this type of jewelry making. Heck, I use my guest bathroom to form my metal clay pieces because it's one of the few places I can keep my cats out of! Cat hair and clay do not mix!

Below is my updated Call for Entries, which includes a call for artists to share pictures of where they form and fire their metal clay. I'm starting on this chapter really soon, so please feel free to send me your pictures asap, and forward this to anyone you think might be interested. I think it will really add a lot to the book, and it's an excellent way to promote yourself too boot.

Call for Entries

Book Title: Picture Yourself Making Metal Clay Jewelry: Step-by-Step Instruction for Forming, Firing, and Constructing Finished Jewelry
Publisher: Thomson Course Technology
Series: This text will be part of the publisher's "Picture Yourself" series.
Author: Tammy Powley
Contact Information: tammypowley [@] yahoo.com

Estimated Publication Date: May/June 2008

Call for Entries Deadline: There are two deadlines: studio/work area pictures December 10; projects/gallery pictures January 7, 2008.

Book's Focus: The focus of this book is super simple to make metal clay component projects (charms, pendants, beads) teamed up with basic jewelry techniques resulting in projects which allow readers to make finished jewelry pieces showcasing their metal clay creations.

Audience: The audience is the interested hobbyist who has very little if any metal clay or jewelry making experience.

Project Descriptions: All metal clay projects will be designed to use low-fire metal clay (either PMC3 or Art Clay 650) and will be small enough to allow firing by either a hand-held butane torch or hot pot. The projects will include instructions for both making the metal clay component (such as beads or a pendant) as well as incorporating this item into a finished piece of jewelry (such as earrings or a necklace). Therefore, other jewelry techniques including basic bead stringing and wire work will be covered as well.

Studio/Work Areas Submission Instructions: One chapter of the book will describe how to set up a place to form metal clay items and one to fire metal clay items. Therefore, I am looking for artists to share pictures of where they work, from the super simple to the ultra fancy from neat as a pin to messy as all get out. Images must be sent in digital .jpg format, min. 300 dpi, emailed to tammypowley [@] yahoo.com by December 10, 2007. Please include "metal clay book" in the email subject line.

Gallery Format Submission/Instructions: All items submitted for the gallery must be sent in digital .jpg format, min. 300 dpi, emailed to tammypowley [@] yahoo.com by Jan. 7, 2008. Please include "metal clay gallery" in the email subject line. Along with the image of the finished jewelry piece, include type of clay used, form of firing used, and any other materials information. Though low-fire clay items are encouraged, since that is the focus of this book, other types of clay items will be considered for gallery inclusion. Those artists selected for the gallery (included in the final published copy of the book) will be required to sign a release for publication form and will have their names and contact information (if desired) included in the gallery section.

Project Format Submission/Instructions: Though the author will create the majority of projects for the book, some projects by guest artists may be included if they are deemed appropriate for the scope of the book. Entries should include projects using low-fire metal clay (either PMC3 or Art Clay 650) and should be fired using either a butane torch or hot pot. A list of supplies and basic techniques should be included along with step by step digital color images of the process. (The author will write up complete instructions for any accepted projects.) Images should be clear, high quality, .jpg format, min. of 300 dpi, and emailed to tammypowley [@] yahoo.com by January 7, 2008. Please include "metal clay book project" in the email subject line. Those artists selected for the projects section (included in the final published copy of the book) will be required to sign a release for publication form and will have their names and contact information (if desired) included in the text. The author will also send them a free copy of the book when it is released for publication.

Disclaimer: The author will accept submissions in good faith and as she deems appropriate for the book; however, this does not in any way guarantee publication since other issues such as space, page numbering, page breaking, etc. can require the publisher to make alterations to the finished text without the author's knowledge.
See article.





Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

After Thanksgiving


I have the post-Thanksgiving case of nerves I always get at this time every year. With Thanksgiving over, Christmas is breathing hard at my heels, and from now until Christmas Day actually comes, I feel as though I'll be playing catch-up. At least this year, I'm being a bit more disciplined about the situation. Of course, to make things even harder, we're usually out of the country every Christmas although it looks as though this year we may be in Washington - away from home, but not that long aching plane ride away from home.
I've been working mostly on custom orders lately and am finishing a wedding that will go out tomorrow. Lots of amethyst! Then, I have several other custom orders to get made (most for Christmas, so I'm doing okay there), but I've either sketched them out or know what I'm doing and where I'm going with them.
I've been working with different elements. The lampwork earrings above with lapis and carnelian (found in our Holiday Gift Ideas section match a fantastic bracelet on my Handcrafted Bracelets page.
The bracelet is made with freshwater pearls and Swarovski's newest crystals in a wonderful grey opal colour that I love. The silver freshwater pearls are perfect! The bracelet will be on our Swarovski Bracelets page.




Read More...

[Source: The Jewelry Blog]