Connection Technique: Joining Any Combination of Materials Together.

By: Maria Whetman

Although I can silver solder, there are times when other methods of joining are required, or I just fancy a change, or a design warrants the look of little rivets. All my work is either soldered or riveted. "Rivets" sounds technical, sounds 'hardware store', but it needn't be. The great thing about rivets is that you can make them yourself, very very easily, you can connect together any materials you like, they have a beautiful decorative look to them, they're easy to make and use and they can even become the essence of your jewellery or mixed-media artwork. Best of all, it's smarter, more sophisticated, more permanent and more satisfying than using glue. Glue has it's place, but consider rivets.

Here is a sample I made to show you how to rivet, I'm going to show you how to Tube Rivet and how to Wire Rivet. You see a piece of wood, rusty steel, embossed copper shape, snippet of tin can, scrap of fabric and a shard of plastic.

TUBE RIVETING.

1. You can buy lengths of very small diameter, round tube in copper, brass and aluminum from model shops. You can buy silver and gold tube from your jewellery suppliers. You can make your own tube too, but I wont go into that here.

2. Here are all the materials waiting to be connected together.

3. Choose the tube you want to make your rivets out of. Find a drill bit that's the same diameter, like above.

4. Drill a hole through all the pieces to be joined. The tube should be a snug fit in the holes. The little copper rectangle shape you see in the 2nd picture, is a 'washer' I made to stop the tube rivet from sinking into the soft squashy wood. Your 'sandwich' of materials need to have the outer layers consisting of hard materials, or else make a washer. Your washer could be a tiny little disc with a hole in it, mine is a shape you can see for the purpose of this exercise.

5. Next, you need to saw a piece of your tube down to the right length for a rivet. You want the tube to protrude from each side of your sandwich by no less than 1mm and no more than 2mm. If your tube is too long, it will bend over when riveting and look ugly. Too short and the tube will disappear in the hole. Here is the back of my sample, the rectangular shape is the washer that stops the tube being pulled into the soft wood.

6. Here I am using a basic tube vice (chenier vice) to hold my tube while I saw through it with my saw blade to the right length. You don't need one of these, but it is important that each end of the tube is sawn flat and perpendicular to the tube.

7. Now, with tube section threaded through your sandwich, place you sandwich of materials onto a flat steel block. Use a pointed punch (you can make one by filing a cheap hardware store nail to a point) to flare out the protruding tube, by tapping gently with a hammer or mallet.

8. Gently flare out the other end of the tube by turning over your sandwich and tapping your punch point into the tube again, as before.

9. When the tube ends are flared and the connection is well and truly made, use the round head of a hammer to finish the flare / spreading of the tube end...

10. ...and then use the flat head of a hammer to make the rivet flat. Your tube rivet connection is complete. There are variations on this simple way of doing a tube rivet, you could solder the tube onto the back of the metal so that only one side shows the distinctive little 'donut' of the rivet (blind rivet). You could re-drill your hole very slightly, not all the way through, with a larger drill bit to create a dimple which would allow the donut to lie flush with the rest of the surface.

WIRE RIVETING.

1. Once again, your materials need holes drilled through them that are the same diameter as the WIRE you want to make into a rivet. Again, the wire needs to protrude at the top of the sandwich by about 1.5mm and by about 1.5mm at the back of the sandwich, as you can see here above.

2. As with step 6 of the tube rivet, place your materials with the wire in place onto a steel block. Now instead of using a punch, just use the round head of your hammer to tap the head of the wire...as in the above illustration. The black circle represents the flat protruding end of the wire. Your hammer blows should start in the center of the circle and spiral outwards to gradually spread the head of the wire. You can also hit around the edge of the circle by 'stroking' your hammer blows outwards, as described by the orange arrows. Do a little on one side of the sandwich then turn over and do a bit on the other side, same as for the tube rivet.

3. Here you can see how the end of the wire has spread into a sparkly little rivet head.

4. Here on the back of the sample, you can see how much the rivet head has spread, compared to an offcut of the wire in its original condition.

Here are 3 books I own that concentrate on "cold connections" of many kinds. I recommend them all! (I do not represent the authors or publishers). I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it helpful and inspiring.

I can't thank Maria enough for this tutorial. I'm am now working with rivets and will show my attempts in next weeks blog.

Please visit and anf follow Maria at:
www.fluxplay.etsy.com
www.fluxplay.co.uk
www.fluxplay.blogspot.com

Maria has been working in small-metals for 22 years+ and is based in West Devon, in the UK where she has a small workshop. She has been working as a jeweller, designer, maker and fully qualified teacher in schools and colleges since graduating with a BA.hons in Jewellery design from Central Saint Martins School of Art & Design, London, in the early 90's. Currently Maria is a part time lecturer at the Plymouth College of Art & Design in Devon and is also one of the tutors at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery. Maria's small workshop overlooking her vegetable patch is where her hands, eyes and thoughts turn materials into wearable artworks. She enjoys designing, making, experimenting with materials, playing with ideas, teaching others and learning from others.

International Call for Jewellery Entries - Metal Inclinations2

METAL Inclinations2 International Juried Online Exhibition
Call for Entries: Sign up now for METAL Inclinations2.

METAL Inclinations2 International Juried Exhibition 2010-11 will include selections of the most exemplary fine metal art jewelry created by metalsmiths, silversmiths, goldsmiths and jewelers all over the world.

METAL Inclinations2 is sponsored by the Hauser & Miller Co. Refiners and fabricators and produced and presented by the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths.

DEADLINE: June 30, 2010 METAL Inclinations2 will debut on the Internet October 31, 2010 and continue for one year until October 31, 2011

JURORS:
Jamie Bennett, Klaus Bürgel, John Cogswell, Sydney Lynch

AWARDS:
$2,000 First place award sponsored by the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths.
$1,000 Second place award, sponsored by Hauser and Miller.
$500 Third place award gift certificate, by Rio Grande.
$200 Award of merit gift certificate, by Pasternak Findings.
$100 Three awards of merit gift certificates by Pasternak Findings.

Enter METAL Inclinations2 directly by using the Juried Art Services website

METAL Inclinations2 is sponsored by Hauser & Miller and produced and presented by The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths. SMM is a not-for-profit organization of volunteer metalsmiths. The Society's goal is to promote, develop, educate, and encourage individuals who are interested in metalsmithing.

VIA: http://www.metalcyberspace.com/design.htm

Hephaestus - God of Fire and Metalworking

I've been making jewelry for over 20 years now. My tastes and interests have changed many times over those 20 years. I've went back to basics recently. I'm currently on a copper, wire and the use of limited tools, kick. Well, at least that is this week.
I'd told my friends Ann and Jeanette of Infinite Designs (see link below) that I would do line of copper jewelry for them. Well here it is, earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces completely made with copper wire of varied gauges. The only things I'm using in these new collection is copper, copper wire and various bead or bead like items. I'm really liking the way the copper acts and how fun these pieces are to make. I just purchased some vintage crystals and such to work with too. I'll keep you posted. I'm calling this collection Hephaestus after the Greek God of fire and metalworking.

Here is a sneak-peek.Infinite Designs: http://id-laser.com/
My Etsy site: www.ceruleangypsy@etsy.com

Guest Blogger - Viki Twyman from Lorie Lynn Designs

Approximately 5 years ago I was working for the Redding Police Department as a Police Services Supervisor and I was making jewelry as a hobby. At the time one of my co-workers (and dear friend) was engaged in a battle against breast cancer. Unfortunately she lost her battle in 2006. By that time, I was selling some of my jewelry and thinking about taking it from a hobby to a business. I was trying to come up with a name when another friend suggested I name the jewelry after Lorie. I loved the idea, and with the blessing of her family, Lorie Lynn Jewelry was born. In Lorie's memory, we donate 10% of our sales to local breast cancer programs.

I asked another friend, Bobbi Berg, if she would like to join me in this venture, she said yes, and we have been having a blast creating fun wearable art ever since. We think of our jewelry as pieces of art because every piece is an original, one-of-a-kind creation.

We started out making your basic beaded jewelry and after a short time decided that just wasn't the direction we wanted to go. We started adding vintage and antique jewelry pieces to our creations. We LOVED the look of the new pieces and decided this is where we wanted to go with our jewelry. It has continued to evolve and the majority of our jewelry is now made from anything old that we can find. We use old keys, drawer plates and pulls, jewelry pieces, chain, typewriter keys, can openers, rulers, etc. etc..................The hunt for all of the great stuff we use is almost as much fun as creating the jewelry.

We recently changed the name of our business to Lorie Lynn Designs to incorporate other accessories that we now offer. I have started creating fabric wrist cuffs, neck-warmers and scarves and am hoping to add handbags in the near future.

Our jewelry is sold in the Kimberly Nicole Boutique, California Decor, and Oregon Street Antique Mall in Redding, CA, and Adorna Bella in San Francisco.

Our etsy store: www.lorielynn.etsy.com

Our blog: www.lorielynndesigns.blogspot.com

Handmade Lace and Courtney Love?

Wow, sometimes you find something that is just too beautiful. I have done just that. A line of jewelry so delicate and gorgeous I swooned. Ivy Long literally weaves gold into romance. Her Edera Jewelry line would have surely been the cause of Marie Antoinette losing her head instead of that nasty ol' guillotine. Please enjoy my interview with Ivy Long.

Ivy, your work is so intricate and elaborate. How did you come up with the idea for your Edera Jewelry line? It's been a gradual evolution. My mother is a milliner and textile artist, so from a young age I learned to sew, knit, embroider and was always working on some creative project. I became interested in jewelry making as a teenager, and went on to work with several jewelry designers before launching Edera Jewelry. About ten years ago I taught myself how to crochet, and I became fascinated with the versatility of the craft and started crocheting hats, bags, and headbands using my own designs and patterns.

I've also always been interested in historical costumes and I remember looking at a book full of Renaissance lace patterns at around the same time and feeling a strong urge to recreate those patterns with the crochet technique. I began experimenting with very fine threads and very tiny crochet hooks, converting the old drawings of bobbin and needle lace designs into patterns for crochet. I began compiling these crochet lace patterns mainly as a hobby, not really sure how to apply them. I didn't make the leap to creating lace jewelry until a year or so later when a woman I knew showed me a necklace that she had crocheted with beads. Then it clicked: I could combine my lacemaking skills with my jewelry making techniques. I've been doing so ever since, constantly refining and expanding on these techniques.

How long does it take to make a piece? Lets take your Dauphine Necklace. (one of my favorites) Walk us through your process. Needless to say, all of my designs are pretty labor-intensive--the time it takes varies depending on the complexity of the lace motifs. The Dauphine Necklace took 10+ hours to create. Like all of my designs, it started as sketch in my notebook before coming to life. I sketch loosely, and in black-and-white, because I like to select the color palette and stones right before I begin working on a piece. The colors of the Dauphine Necklace were inspired by a famous portrait of Marie Antoinette as a girl--I loved the powder blues and silver greys of the dress she was wearing in the painting.

Once I've settled on the shape and color scheme for a design, I chart the lace pattern and bead placement so that the beads are neatly interwoven into the lace as it's being created. The Dauphine Necklace has a rather layered design, so my next step was to create the little flowers and lace appliques in the center of the pendant. This is a more free form process--I rearrange the beads and motifs until I'm satisfied with their placement, and then sew them down.

The final step is to attach the jewelry findings to the lace. In the case of the Dauphine Necklace, I created a chain from scratch--wrapping by hand the dozens of wire links. The stones on the links were embellished with lace bead caps to tie in with the lace of the pendant. I then attached the clasp and vintage rhinestone drop and the design was complete!

Photo of the necklace as a work in progress:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ederajewelry/3489730802/in/set-72157607028343729/

Your work is 1 part historical reference, 1 part romantic whimsy and 1 part technical perfection. But jewelry isn't all you do is it? Please tell us about the Courtney Love piece. That was a really fun project! I knew that Courtney shopped on Etsy, but I was still completely surprised when one day I received an email from her asking if I could create a bodysuit covered with handmade lace and embroidery appliques. I'd never made anything on such a large scale before, but I was excited about the challenge. Courtney actually used to work in wardrobe for movie productions before she made it big as a musician, so she had lots of great ideas about the project. We emailed back and forth, she sent me a box full of antique textiles to incorporate for the design, and I made a lot of sketches for her, to which she would add her own notes and revisions. Then I began the very labor-intensive process of creating literally hundreds of handmade lace motifs, embellishing some with chenille embroidery, and stitching them onto a sheer body stocking. The body stocking had to remain on a mannequin while I stitched the lace motifs to it so that the suit would be form-fitting when worn--quite a challenge! I also cut up embroidered, antique piano shawls, reassembled their flower motifs, and stitched them onto the suit. It was a three-month project, but she was very happy with the results and we've been talking about me possibly making another one in the near future.

Photos of the bodysuit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ederajewelry/sets/72157623766314533/

I noticed that you have both an Etsy site as well as a 1000 Markets site. Which do you prefer and why? Etsy is my main venue for selling online right now--it has much more built in traffic, so I've chosen to focus my efforts on it. That being said, I really do admire 1000Markets--it has many wonderful features and I like the concept of the juried groups. So for the time being, I plan to keep both shops open.

Please share with us your favorite quote. Hard to choose--but this is one of my current favorites: There are two ways of spreading light: To be the candle or the mirror that reflects it– Edith Wharton

What's next for you? Any fun projects on the way? This time of year is a very busy time for me, as summer brides are preparing for their weddings, so I'm working on lots of custom designs right now.

Ivy, thank you for your time. I had a great time with this interview and LOVE your work.

Please follow Ivy and Edera Jewelry at the links below:

Blog: http://edera-faerie.blogspot.com

Etsy: http://EderaJewelry.etsy.com

1000Markets: http://www.1000markets.com/users/ederajewelry

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ederajewelry/

Mmmm Frobscottle with artist Kylie Parry

I am always on the lookout for cool, interesting and unique things to share. When I came across Kylie Parry’s jewelry I know I had stumbled on something unique.

Miniature works of art and you get to wear them. Bingo we have a winner!

Kylie parry is a potter, illustrator, and art teacher, living in a cozy Wisconsin town. She creates ceramic jewelry, functional pottery and colorful illustrations that celebrate the natural world. Bits from nature, castaway hardware, vintage scraps and other found treasures are used to create her designs. She is inspired by the weathered and rustic look of pieces from our past, and her travels to different landscapes around the globe.

Kylie, what was your first love illustration or ceramics? Tell us about that progression from one to another.

I grew up loving to create, regardless of media. For Christmas, my parents would give me a big cardboard box filled with art supplies- pipe cleaners, pastels, felt... My hands were always busy. My school papers were always doodled on. My third grade teacher said I would make a great illustrator. My 6th grade teacher said the same. Sometime between then and now, I started to believe them. I took my first ceramics class in college. I fell in love with the “magic” of the process. I found ways to incorporate my drawings into ceramic forms. The idea that my drawings can exist on something that is functional, something that is used or worn in everyday life, by common folks, appeals to me. I am constantly experimenting with new ways to marry illustration and ceramics.

I like that your ceramics are sweet without being silly. What is your process when working with ceramics?

Designs usually start with a sketch. I tote a sketchbook around everywhere. Ideas come from nature, the places I’ve been, and the things I found while there. When I have a head full of ideas that I want to try, I get out a block of clay and start. My ceramic process is a cycle. Sketch, create, fire, glaze, fire, celebrate and sketch. I enjoy every step of the process.

Had you always want to be an artist?

Being an artist has always been a big part of who I am; however, I didn't always want to be one. In middle school, I wanted to be a zookeeper. In high school, I had big dreams of becoming an ecologist. Instead of becoming an ecologist, I agreed to marry one. I graduated college with a degree in art education and a tree hugging man that I love. I now consider myself an artist and a teacher. And I still kind of want to be a zookeeper.

I love your ETSY shop. What is your secret to success on ETSY?

I love what I do and I think that comes through in my customers “etsy experience”. My artwork and almost every aspect about my etsy shop has evolved and improved since I first opened my virtual doors. I always strive to be better, whether it be new designs, better packaging, improved photos or a new look for my shop. Becoming a buyer myself has helped me understand exactly what I feel is important in the etsy experience.

What was your favorite childhood book?

The BFG by Roald Dahl. Still is a favorite too. Mmmm frobscottle.

What are you working on now?

This summer I am doing a few art festivals and I have been frantically preparing for these. As far as new designs, I have been working on a hand built ceramic plate series that showcases some of my drawings. I also am in the initial stages of a new children's book about a boy with a wild imagination and a pair of red goggles.

Kylie, I love kids books. I see red goggles being the next “need to have” items for kids. By the way please keep me posted on those plate. I think I may need a few of those.

Please checkout Kylies sites at:

www.kylieparry.etsy.com

http://doodlekp.blogspot.com

Trials and Tribulations, Heartaches and Pains

Trials and tribulations, heartaches and pains is a line sang by Mavis Staples in the movie Graffiti Bridge starring Prince. They may have visited me this week but have been shooed away by perseverance and long hours.

Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine. Thomas A. Edison

I've been working on a new idea. I have tons of filigree like sketches that I've been trying to turn into jewelry. Well, I think I've finally figured it out.

I began with copper wire shaped it using a template. I then flattened each piece with a hammer and anvil. I soldiered each piece together and then soldiered the entire piece for a uneven and more organic feel added the "globes". The globes are made with flat back glass beads, vintage illustrations from various books and sheets of copper tape. I added a patina and finished them by embellishing them with beads and creating a neck piece. I re-patina the entire piece for an overall look that is cohesive.

They'll be on Etsy soon enough but I wanted to share.
ceruleangypsy.etsy.com

Thanks Troy - Cerulean Gypsy

A Winner -Dejon Weldon

Congratulations to Dejon Weldon for winning the People's Choice Award for the February HawkMan Studios Conditions of the Heart Show.

Dejon used plexi-glass and paints in reverse to create her pieces. Guests during the show at Vintage in Redding, CA were in love with her piece. I found it to be fresh, expressive and tons of fun. Here is an interview I had with Dejon and a pictorial of her process.

Tell us a little about your process?
I have to plan out the image almost entirely before I start painting, including when to lay down lines and blocks of color. My process for painting on plexi is pretty much all backwards! To make the process less complicated I stick to using one color at a time. For example I would lay down all the black first, then all the white, then all the blue etc. allowing for drying time in between. Whatever I paint first can’t be covered up and is generally the focus of the painting. By the time I’m done with the painting it shows thru from the back side of the plexi glass.

Where did the idea come from to paint on plexi glass?
I started a cityscape painting of Paris on canvas and it just wasn’t coming out how I wanted. On a whim I got the idea to paint on the glass portion of a picture frame I had around the house. The final product didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted because the paints I used weren’t made for painting on glass. I tried one last time painting the image, choosing to work on plexi knowing it was plastic and should adhere to the paint and voila!

If you were to replace a famous figure in a famous painting what would it be and why?
I wouldn’t replace a figure in a famous painting, its not my style.

What was your first AHA moment about art?
When it comes to art I’ve had quite a few “AHA moments” and hope to have many more! I think my first true “AHA moment” was when I received my first set of acrylic paints. My most recent “AHA moment” has been the versatility of working with plexi glass.

What is your guilty art pleasure?
After thinking about this question for awhile I’ve realized my guilty art pleasure is seeing my pieces displayed. It doesn’t matter to me if they are in a private residence or public institution I just like the opportunity to see them up, I know it’s a little narcissistic.

What is on your coffee table right now?
There is nothing on my coffee table, but there are things IN my coffee table. It’s a shadow box. I like the option to change out the items inside, kind of like a mini show. Right now I have objects I collected from Venice like: glass candy, lace, cameo’s a national geographic in Italian and a carnival mask.

Thank you Dejon. Please visits Dejon's Facebook and sites.

http://www.facebook.com/dejonsvision