Saturday, November 29, 2008

Learning to Use The Wood Stove


My house came with a cute little wood burning stove.
Being the middle of summer I didn’t give it much thought. Coming from Florida, all I know about is air conditioning. But burning wood for heat? That means buying firewood, getting it home, cutting it up, and then stacking it. It means sweeping and cleaning ashes, and the figuring out what to do with the ashes. I needed to collect newspaper and kindling, and learn how to light a fire. Oh yes, and then there is the essential sweeping of the chimney.
My pioneer skills are poor at best. But, I am determined to make friends with my stove.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Midnight Fire Coral Resin Ring

Elegant and Dramatic in Design.
Simple, Harmonious Forms
Mesmerizing Black and Fire Opal,
Pure Fun and Fantasy
Another new ring, and this one was really fun to make. 
The wide, cast resin, textured band simulates tiny Star Coral.  An elegantly simple, cast resin Table Coral sits anchored to the top of the ring. Embedded in the "coral polyps" are tiny, 1.7mm, Hyacinth Red Swarovski rhinestones. Nestled inside the coral sits a single Fire Opal Swarovski bicone "sponge". The ring is very light weight for it’s size, weighing 6.6 grams, and does not rotate on my finger.

This cast resin ring is simple, elegant black. The Swarovski rhinestones and bicone are fiery combination of red, orange and yellow. Stunning! Available here In Art Studio on Etsy

Monday, November 10, 2008

Observatory Progress

This week I have been lending a hand to get the new observatory build before winter sets in.  It will house the big telescope and astro imaging equipment. Building this observatory has been Tom's dream for many years. The dome will go up next. Tom will be able to control the dome, telescope and cameras, remotely, from within his "warm room". All very high tech and interesting.

Building this observatory is much like creating jewelry. You start with an idea, and then refine that idea into a do-able design. You gather the materials, and working with your hands, you turn that idea into reality. Different tools, different materials, but the process is the same.
I love taking something from my imagination to finished product. I enjoy solving the problems that crop up along the way, making adjustments to the design or materials. I find the whole creative process exciting and rewarding. With each new jewelry design, comes a chance to learn something new.
Snow is predicted for today, so I am back to work in my studio. I have enjoyed working outside in the beautiful fall weather and getting to use the power tools. Building with wood has been fun and a nice break from the studio.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Another New Resin Ring Design

I just finished this ring today, and an delighted with the way it turned out.

Neptune's Moon Coral Ring

Elegant and Dramatic in Design.
Simple, Harmonious Forms
Mesmerizing Ocean colors,changing from Blues to Greens to Gold.
Pure Fun and Fantasy

The wide, cast resin, textured band simulates tiny Star Coral.  A elegantly simple, cast resin Table Coral sits anchored to the top of the ring. Nestled inside the coral sits a single Swarovski bicone "sponge". The ring is very light weight for it’s size, weighing 6.6 grams, and does not rotate on my finger. Stunning! 
This cast resin ring incorporates colors that change from blue to green to gold on a black base. The colors change depending on the viewing angle, lighting, and background.

Friday, October 24, 2008

New Resin Jewelry Rings

Rings. Can a girl have too many rings? Well, in my case -No. I am crazy for rings. They sit on my finger in front of my eyes all day, and just make me feel fabulous.

I have had some design ideas in mind for a while now, and finally made the time, to start creating the masters and molds. The only problem with rings are, there are so many sizes, and each size requires it's own master and mold. So, it takes more time to produce a line of rings.
My first ring design is done, in sizes 7, 8 and 9. I call it the "Coral Reef Starfish Pearl Ring", and it is gorgeous.

The cast resin band simulates Star Coral, with tiny 1.2mm Swarovski rhinestones embedded in the coral polyps. A cast resin starfish embraces a large 12mm Swarovski pearl. Around the base is scattered iridescent Swarovski rhinestones, bicone beads, glass bubbles, and a cast resin seashell. The rings is very light weight for it's size, and does not rotate on my finger. I love this ring, and am working on two more new ring designs.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Tale of Two Gimmers


First we have the Full Gimmer, this is what it is called when you wear you pants legs fully tucked into your boots. Then there is the Half Gimmer, this is where you only tuck the inside part of your pants leg into your boots. I still have not figured out which Gimmer is the correct Gimmer for the fashion conscious woman of the West. I don’t want to make a fashion faux-pas, so I try not to tuck my pant legs into my boots at all. I am now on the look out for Gimmers. I hope no one is just pulling my (pants) leg.

Foot Note: Yesterday, I was wearing my jeans rolled up above my boot tops, and was told I had a Modified Gimmer. What do you mean a Modified Gimmer? I thought there were only 2 Gimmers? Now, I am even more suspicious that this whole Gimmer thing is being made up for my benefit. Still, I don’t want to take any chances.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Snow Chains?

The only kind of chains I know about are the ones that are gold and sparkley. Chains for my tires? Who thought of that one? Probably a man, and one with no girlfriend.

OK, tire chains are jewelry for your car. I can get into that. Hum… Let’s see, I would like something striking, yet sophisticated. Maybe something in silver… yes, silver would be nice. Chains that would be wearable for any occasion. Now, where does one buy these lovely chains for their car?

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Clear Resin Jewelry Seahorse Bangle Bracelet

Clear Resin Turquoise Seahorse and Starfish Bangle Bracelet
New!
Clear Resin Turquoise Seahorse and Starfish Bangle Bracelet
Description: A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast seahorse and seashell are encased in water-clear resin. Fun summer colors of turquoise, blue and orange highlighted with tiny orange starfish. The seahorse has a Swarovski Aurora Borealis Crystal eye. Stunning!So Modern, so Chic, so Artsy. Wear this fabulous bangle dressed up or with jeans.
Warning! This product may cause gasps of delight, impulsive arm grabbing, conversations with strangers and glares of envy.

Monday, October 06, 2008

I Miss the Shopping

We city girls are spoiled. Shopping is just so easy. Get in the car, drive to Miami, and shop till you drop.

But living in the wilds of Colorado is a different story. I live 20 miles from the nearest town. And they don’t even have a Wal-Mart. The largest city is an hours drive away. How did I think I could survive in the mountains without shopping malls?

Thank goodness I have the internet. I can still shoe shop, till I’m blue in the face. But, I miss trying them on and scrutinizing them in the shoe store mirrors. I miss fighting for the perfect parking spot. I miss the rush of adrenaline at finding that unbelievable bargain. But, that is the sacrifice I make to live with of all this peace and beauty.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Clear Resin 4 Natural Color Butterfly Bangle Bracelet

Side view of Clear Resin 4 Natural Color Butterfly Bangle Bracelet #149 Front view of Clear Resin 4 Natural Color Butterfly Bangle Bracelet #149
New Clear Resin Bangle from nightskyjewelry.com
Description: Four different Natural Colored Butterflies encased in water-clear resin. In the rich Fall colors of Autumn, yellows, oranges, browns and black. This bangle bracelet has the beautiful, subtle, natural Autumn colored butterflies, perfect for Fall and Winter. Each butterfly is backed with an iridescent liner for even more shimmer. Tiny black, hex-shaped glitter is tastefully scattered throughout the bracelet. Stunning!

This bangle bracelet is polished inside and out. On the bottom you will find my logo tag, for Night Sky Jewelry.
So Modern, so Chic, so Artsy. Wear this fabulous bangle with your suit to the office or with your new Fall sweater and jeans.

Warning! This product may cause gasps of delight, impulsive arm grabbing, conversations with strangers and glares of envy.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

How to Make a Resin Jewelry Bracelet Master

Resin Jewelry Bangle Bracelet Master
Thought I'd take some photos to show how I'm progressing on the new 3" inside diameter, resin jewelry bangle bracelet design. I have had requests for my bracelets in a larger 3 inch size. Making the masters for molding is the most tedious and time consuming part of the whole design process. With my 2-1/2 " bangle bracelet design, I used polymer clay to make the master. Much prettier to look at, but, took forever to get the shape and size right.

This time I decided try something simpler. I discovered that 3" PVC pipe, used in plumbing has a perfect 3" inside diameter. But the wall thickness was too thin for my design, only about 1/4 inch thick. So, Tom suggested using a 3 inch, schedule 80, PVC pipe coupling. These are not available at the hardware stores, but must be purchased from a plumbing supply house. They are made to fit over the outside of the 3 inch PVC pipe, so the fit was perfect. The schedule 80 pipe coupling looked huge, and was about 4 inches long. Too long for a bracelet, but it was easy enough to cut off the excess on the chop saw.

I now had a good starting point for my new bracelet master. The total wall thickness of the combined pipe and coupling is .560 inches, or 9/16". The photo above shows the left over piece that was cut off from the combined pipe and coupling. The 3" PVC pipe is white, and the schedule 80 pipe coupling is dark gray. But you can see how well the two pieces fit together, and the combined wall thickness.

Next comes the shaping and sanding. I will post about that next.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Clear Resin Jewelry Tropical Fish Bangle Bracelet

Clear Resin Jewelry Tropical Fish Bangle BraceletNew Clear Resin Bangle from nightskyjewelry.com
Description: Three little Clown Triggerfish are 3-dimensional and totally encased in water-clear resin. Each little tropical fish is cast with in detail down to their tiny scales. Each has hand painted spots and a Swarovski Crystal eye. Stunning!
This bangle bracelet is polished inside and out. On the bottom you will find my logo tag, for Night Sky Jewelry.
Clear Resin Jewelry with Night Sky Jewelry LogoSo Modern, so Chic, so Artsy. Wear this fabulous bangle dressed up or with jeans.
Warning!
This product may cause gasps of delight, impulsive arm grabbing, conversations with strangers and glares of envy.

This is a HUGE-WIDE bangle bracelet.
Height is just over 2" at 2 5/32 inches,
Inside Diameter is 2 1/2 inches,
Inside Circumference is 8 inches,
Outside Circumference is 11 9/16 inches,
wall thickness is 9/16 inch,
Weight is 189.7 grams or 6.7 ounces.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Kelp Mermaid and Sea Lion Clear Resin Jewelry Bracelet

Kelp Mermaid and Sea Lion Clear Resin Jewelry Bracelet
Buy it here Clear Resin Jewelry from Night Sky Jewelry
A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her little seal friend are 3-dimensional and totally encased in water-clear resin. The young Mermaid's long black hair is highlighted with shimmering blue and studded with tiny pearls. She is adorned in lovely green seaweed. Her tail shimmers with iridescent color change pigment that changes from turquoise to blue to violet with Aurora Borealis hi-lights. Her little sea lion friend shimmers in black with iridescent blue. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed", and tiny red starfish. The Mermaid and her little Sea ion friend both have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid and Dolphin Bracelet

Clear Resin Mermaid and Dolphin Bracelet
Buy one like this here Huge Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bangle Bracelet
Description:

A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her Dolphin friend are totally encased in water-clear resin. Her long black hair is highlighted with shimmering purple and studded with tiny pearls. She wears a crown of red coral studded with pearls. Her tail shimmers with iridescent violet and aurora borealis blue. Her Dolphin friend shimmers in iridescent color-change pigment that changes from turquoise to blue to violet. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed", and tiny red starfish. The Mermaid and her Dolphin friend both have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Clear Resin Jewelry Butterflies Bangle Bracelet









Huge Clear Resin Jewelry Butterfly Bangle Bracelet

Here is my latest resin bracelet I have just listed. It turned out even better than the first one. I love making these colorful butterfly bracelets. They are so pretty. And I am learning how to do the videos on YouTube. Here is my YouTube link: inartstudio on YouTube

Description: Four different Monarch Butterflies encased in water-clear resin. Each a different color, each with Hologram jeweled antennae. Each butterfly is backed with an iridescent liner for even more shimmer. Stunning!

So Modern, so Chic, so Artsy. Wear this fabulous bangle dressed up or with jeans.

Warning! This product may cause gasps of delight, impulsive arm grabbing, conversations with strangers and glares of envy.

Note: No real butterflies were harmed during the making of this bracelet.


Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Clear Resin Jewelry Dolphins Bangle Bracelet

Clear Resin Jewelry Dolphins Bangle Bracelet


Clear Resin Jewelry Dolphins Bangle Bracelet

A pod of female dolphins swims through an idyllic glassy sea.

The Grandmother dolphin leads the way, ever conscious, that she needs to keep a slower pace.

The Mother dolphin looks back nervously watching her infant.

The baby dolphin, trying to keep up, looks to his Mother for guidance and reassurance.

The Auntie dolphin swims behind him, giving him encouraging clicks and squeals.

Part Sculpture, part Art, part Jewelry. This is art, you wear on your wrist.


I love the way this one turned out. And my video looks a lot better than the last one.
Description: Four iridescent dolphins are encased in water-clear resin. Special color-change pigments are used to capture the light. The color of the dolphins changes from deep turquoise to light blue-green to lavender. You can see this color change in the pictures above. Each dolphin is hand painted and then given Swarovski crystal eyes. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed". The "water" is studded with blue, purple and green iridescent bubbles. Stunning!

Friday, August 01, 2008

Creating Arctic Mermaids and Orcas in the Summer Heat

Artic Mermaid with baby Orca Whale
It's been so hot here, that I work outside early in the morning and late in the evening, and work in my studio during the heat of the day. Tom is building me a new studio addition. I'm so excited! I try to help as much as I can, if you call my feeble attempts at building, help. I will try to remember to take some pictures today of the new room.

In the meantime, here is a a new Mermaid Bangle Bracelet I have in the works. She is an Arctic Mermaid, all pale and shimmering with ice crystals. Still trying to decide if I she needs something special in her hair, maybe an ice crystal crown. Her little Orca buddy is almost finished. A bit more painting and then his eye. I need to dig and see if I have any tiny, jet black Swarovski rhinestones. Something about creating Arctic Mermaids and Orcas in the summer heat makes my studio feel cooler.

Monday, July 28, 2008

New Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bracelet

Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bracelet

Huge Clear Resin Jewelry Mermaid Bangle Bracelet


This is a new clear resin cast mermaid bracelet. I think she turned out great, for my first one. I have more of these in the works. This bracelet took 5 separate castings to make. I kept my fingers crossed, that I would not mess up the last cast.
Description: A colorful 8 inch long, hand cast Mermaid and her Surgeonfish entourage are encased in water-clear resin. Her blue-black hair is studded with tiny pearls. Her tail shimmers with iridescent color that changes from turquoise to blue to violet. She is about to pluck a large pearl from a shell she just found. The background is highlighted with iridescent violet-blue and green-gold "seaweed". The Mermaid and her 5 Surgeonfish friends all have Swarovski Crystal eyes. Stunning!

This is a HUGE-WIDE bangle bracelet.

Height is just over 2" at 2 5/32",
Inside Diameter is 2.55 inches,
Inside Circumference is 8 inches,
Outside Circumference is 11 9/16 inches,
wall thickness is 9/16 inch.
Weight is 189.7 grams or 6.7 ounces.

This is my first time making and uploading a video. I tried to keep it simple. Just in case it does not work, I included a picture.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

New Modern Resin Jewelry

Huge Clear Resin Seahorse and Starfish Bangle Bracelet
Huge Crystal Clear Seahorse & Starfish Resin Bangle Bracelet SOLD

Resin jewelry is in, again. The old vintage pieces are still hot items. The old Bakelite and phenolic and celluloid pieces are fetching high prices. We are a plastics society.

I love plastics. I spent my career designing industrial pumps and motors with plastics. With all of our new plastics technology, and all the new resins on the market, the possibilities are unlimited. Take a look at all the plastics around you. Most of these plastics started out in a liquid resin state. Endless varieties of shapes and colors. Does this get your creative juices flowing? It does mine.

Here is an example of what you can do with plastic resins. This bracelet is composed of 3 different resins. Each resin is cast in 4 different molds, in 4 different pours. This bangle bracelet is just one of my designs.

Challenging? Yes. Fun? Of course. Easy to make? No.
I am currently working with 4 different resins, each with it's own chemical properties, and quirky characteristics. Each must be measured and weighted differently. Each must be handled and cured differently. Then there are the molds. No, not the kind that grow on my shower floor, the kind you cast into. First I sculpt the master. Then the master is used to create a mold. Each type of resin requires a different kind of mold material. I use 4 different kinds of mold silicones. These guys can get expensive. So I baby them, give them frequent bubble baths and mineral oil rub-downs. Ooh! That sounds heavenly.

I have many more designs awaiting birth. There are mermaids, seahorses, dolphins, and some really fun, high-tech designs coming out very, very soon. So, keep your TV tuned to this channel.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

I'm Back......


This has been a trying and busy year, and it's only half over. Lost my little 7 year old Grandson, Nicholas, to cancer. Already had the cancer beat, but it came back, and his little body just could not handle the chemotherapy a second time. We miss him so much. He was such a sweet and tough little guy. He will always be close in my heart.

My daughter and her husband, felt that it was a good time for a change in their lives. So Tom and I drove the truck and trailer back to Florida, loaded them up, and moved them to Pueblo. I love having them so close by. I don't have to worry about hurricane season, no more.

I am getting a 10 x 10 foot addition to my studio. I am soooo happy. It will be nice to have room for all my art and jewelry making stuff. Tom just finished pouring the concrete foundation today. Yipee! Now we get to do the fun part.

We are building an observatory, with a real dome. An automated, computer controlled place to keep that gigantic telescope, besides the living room. I will not be sad to see it go. Tom keeps a sheet over it, and I swear, it looks like a ghost. He is blogging the whole thing here. http://nightskyobservatory.blogspot.com/
So if you are into astrophotograpy or thinking about building an observatory someday, check it out.

I have been busy developing a new line of jewelry, resin jewelry to be exact. Love making the silver, but the price of sterling is through the roof. Time to try some new ideas anyway. Will post pictures soon.