Susan Tuttle's Visual Poetry

Susan Tuttle is teaching a third round of her wonderful on-line class, Visual Poetry.  I've long admired her work in various publications (her book Exhibition 36: Mixed Media Demonstrations + Explorations and many Somerset magazines).  I like the clear instructions and the fact that there is a printable PDF file with the instructions and also on-line video instructions. 

A big part of learning to use the techniques is experimenting with different photos to see which techniqes work with the individual photos. Some experiments work out better than others.  I'm having fun with it.

Here's one of my own photos before:




And after applying one of the vintage/retro techniques:



Susan has a new book coming out that I'm really looking forward to:

Adorn Me! Jewelry Workshop

Woohooo! I'm so excited.  I signed up for some jewelry workshops at Adorn Me! 2010 in Houston and got all of my first choices.  Actually, the hard part about signing up was choosing which classes to take.  I really wanted to be two places at once, and sometimes three places at once.

Artist Instructors include (in no particular order) Cynthia Anderson, Beverly Ash Gilbert, Janice Berkebile, Paula Best, Diane Cook, Diana Frey, Sherri Haab, Amy Hanna, Keith Lo Bue, Mellisa Manley, Thomas Mann, Deryn Mentock, Lisa Pavelka , Jennifer Perkins, Ruth Rae, Lyle Rayfield, Stephanie Rubiano, Jane Salley, Richard Salley, Melanie Schow, Riki Schumacher, Lynne Ann Scwarzenberg, Sabra Sowell-Lovejoy, Jan Stephens, Laurel Steven, and Kim St. Jean.

I'll be taking classes Tuesday through Sunday, except for Friday.  I decided I would need a break and Friday is the Expo day.  I also hope to do some shopping. 

This will be a great opportunity to learn new skills with some fantastic instructors. 

Learning New Techniques-- Hammered Copper Bangles

I purchased several gauges of copper electrical wire at hardware stores and I just made my first cuffs and bangles using the wire. I used an article by Kim St. Jean in summer preview 2009 issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry for instructions (Bodacious Copper Bangles).

I used 8, 6, and 4 gauge wires.

I cut the wires into various lengths for cuffs and bangles. The bangles are all extra large size. This is so I'll be able to wear them. I very rarely find a commercial bangle big enough to go over my hand.

The next step was annealing the copper. I had never done this before. I was worried about dropping the hot wire on my foot when I quenched it so I dug my Doc Martens out of the closet. Probably I should have worn pants too, but it was about a 100 degrees outside. I did have eye protection and gloves.



I enlisted my teen-aged son, Stefan, to take pictures. The sun was so bright that Ralph had to hold a piece of cardboard up to shade the work so I could see the orange glow. I used a fire brick that Ralph made a while back, after he figured out how much the shipping was on the bricks. Ralph kept saying things like, "I hope my brick doesn't explode." The brick was dry as a bone so I can't see why he thought it might explode.



I torched the first wire until it had a nice orange glow, let it cool until the orange faded, then used pliers to pick it up and drop it into a pot of water. Ralph scared me by immediately reaching in to the water with a bare hand and pulling out the wire. I didn't realize that the copper cooled so quickly.



The wire went into the water completely black, but as it cooled bits of the oxidation flaked off revealing pinkish red areas. The top wires have been quenched. The bottom ones are before annealing.



Stefan and I both picked up one of the annealed wires and accidentally bent it. That's how soft it got. I had no idea the change was that great.

After annealing I hammered the wires flat on top and bottom with a planishing hammer and then used various texturing hammers to add interest to the bracelets. The ends of the wires were pounded flat into paddle shapes. The 8 gauge wire was formed into a serpentine shape before hammering. The serpentine shape was something I wanted to try. It isn't in the article. I had to anneal one of the thicker wires a second time to finish texturing it.





The bracelets were then annealed again. After this I shaped them using an oval mandrel for the cuffs and a round mandrel for the bangles. I also used a file to clean up the ends a little and round off the paddle shapes. I was going for rustic rather than "fine".

After shaping I put them in a pickle made of vinegar and salt, rinsed, and brushed them with a brass brush.


I used some silver wire for a rivet on the bangles. This was the first time I had done rivets. I did not ball the end of the wire as the article instructed, mostly because I was tired of cleaning the scale off. I don't have a draw plate either, so I used pliers and a regular anvil. I just hammered around the end until I mushroomed it. I lashed one of the cuffs with silver wire. This was a real pain. I had trouble tucking the ends under. I then antiqued three of the bracelets using liver of sulfur. I really liked the way they looked after that. I put several coats of Renaissance Wax on the antiqued ones.



I still have one more rivet to set. I'm going to put Art Clay on two of the remaining bracelets.

Tutorial Monday-Pod Ring

Tutorial Monday is back from a long hiatus!


Recently I purchased the Pod Ring DVD from Interweave Press Bead Fest video workshop series. I'm very pleased with the DVD. The camera work is up close and it's easy to see detail. The DVD is 39 minutes long and is probably best for suited for the intermediate wire worker. The actual DVD is much better quality than the YouTube introduction above. The price is an affordable $24.99. After purchase you can download a two page PDF file with the text instructions.

The instructor is Janice Berkebile. She's a frequent contributor to Beadwork and an instructor at Bead Fest.

Tutorial Monday-Resin Tutorials

John Golden has a series of three resin casting tutorials that are very detailed and complete. He's posted them on You Tube. If you've ever wanted to make your own resin jewelry this is a good start.




Here is the link to part 2 and part 3.

Mr. Golden also has this video at Mind Bites in one part. The video quality is better. It's not free, but it is only one credit and part of the money goes to a selected charity. A single credit is only $1.99, less if you buy in bulk.

So many viewers of his videos had trouble finding the jewelry blanks that he is now selling them at his website, and in one of his Etsy stores, Golden Supply. While you're over on Etsy, check out his digital art here, and at this store, Mot and Dot, that he runs with his wife.

Sherri Haab has written a great book on creating resin jewelry.




I have this book and have been very pleased with it. Ms. Haab also has kits available for projects in her book.

Tutorial Monday-Earrings by Erin

photo by Erin


I just purchased two tutorials: Moana Hoop Earrings and Framed Cabochon Pendant from Earrings by Erin. These are great tutorials by Australian wire artist Erin.


The Moana Hoop Earrings features 32 color photos and 12 pages. You also get a video link with the tutorial showing how to do the Koru spiral motifs. I found the tutorial to be well illustrated and well written. The experience level on the Moana Hoop Earrings is listed as novice to intermediate.


The Framed Cabochon Pendant tutorial is listed as an advanced tutorial. This tutorial has 28 pages and 68 color photos. Like the earring tutorial, it has good photos and is well-written.

One of my favorite things about these tutorials is that they are designed for use with round wire. I know a lot of wire workers like square wire, but I prefer the more ethnic look of round wire.

Read an artist interview of Erin at For You Designs.

Tutorial Monday-How to Make Fabric Beads

photo: Monica Magness


This week's tutorial review is something a little different. Instead of a wire project here is a tutorial on a fresh style of fabric bead. Most of the fabric beads I've seen involve rolling the fabric into a cylinder. Not this design! Instead, scrap fabric is turned into a round bead, embellished with seed beads. It's perfect for all those little fabric scraps left over after a project. I always think they are too pretty to throw away but I never know what to do with them. Aaack! Now I really do have to save them!

This bead design is easy to customize since you can add your choice of beads. I think you could also wrap some ribbon or yarn around the bead and stitch it on. And if you just have to have wire, a little colored art wire wrap would be pretty. You could wire the seed beads on instead of sewing them.

This beautiful design and tutorial comes from Monica Magness of Girl-Gone-Thread-Wild. Monica is active in the Pink Artist project. You can help out and enter the drawing by making a donation to benefit the Susan B. Komen for the cure Foundation.

Tutorial Monday-JewelryLessons.com

Eni Oken has started a new jewelry site: Jewelry Lessons by Eni Oken and friends. The site is loaded with good info, mostly on wire wrapping, but undoubtedly with much more to come. In addition to articles, profiles, pictures and more, there are quite a few tutorials for sale, and also some free ones. The tutorials have been authored by Eni Oken and other artists. I can't speak for all the tutorials, but I have purchased Eni's tutorials from her site Eni Oken's Jewelry Journal before and found them to be immensely detailed and well written, with excellent close-up photos of every step.

Eni writes in her journal that "The site will be a community, sales venue and bank of knowledge all wrapped in one. It will have articles, tips, tutorials, Q&A section, member profile pages, student galleries and a lot more. The idea is to SHARE information on jewelry making -- not only wirework, but all artisan techniques -- and store it in more efficient ways than the traditional forums and newsgroups."

Tutorial Monday-Wire Frame Bracelet

I stumbled across this Wire Frame Bracelet tutorial from Belinda Spiwak the other day. The bracelet is somewhat freeform and allows for lots of individualization. While there are good close up pictures of the finished bracelet this tutorial doesn't have step by step pictures. It does have good text instructions. If you have a little experience with wire I think you could have a lot of fun creating your own version of the frame bracelet. The design lends itself well to mixed media type art, found objects, and eclectic mixtures of metals, beads and charms.

For more inspiring wire bracelets, check out the pictures of Susan Lenart Kazmer's beautiful and arresting bracelets.

Belinda includes a tutorial on booklace pendants at this same URL. Check it out!

Tutorial Monday-Multistrand Hook & Eye

I ran across this very interesting tutorial Finishing Triplicate Chain Weaves by Theresa Olin from a concept by Desert Rhino. The tutorial is intended as a finishing technique for chain mail, but I believe this hook an eye could be easily adapted to multi strand necklaces or bracelets, chandelier earrings, and other uses. This style hook is also very sturdy.

The tutorial has good close up pictures and is easy to follow. She also has some other good tutorials at Theresa's Beadwork and Chainmail Tutorials. See her beautiful chainmail at The Maille Market.

Photo by Theresa Olin.

Tutorial Monday-Beaducation Classes

Beaducation is an on-line commercial shoppe with on-line video classes. I've both shopped with them and done free and purchased classes. I've been very pleased with both my purchases and the classes.

Beaducation currently has 10 free classes, 29 classes available for purchase, and 9 classes marked "coming soon."

The ten free classes include stamping on metal, intro to chain mail, byzantine chain, making your own ear wires, and torch safety. I've done the stamping on metal class and found it very clear and helpful. I also plan on doing the torch safety. I've been using a torch for a while to fire art clay and a review of safety never hurts.

The "for purchase" classes range in price from $12.00 to $38.00 with most being in the $38.00 range. I purchased the Mermaid Braid Bracelet class and have found it very complete and easy to follow.

The classes show a close over-the-shoulder view from the angle you would be working from. Classes never expire, so this means you can go back again and again and watch it as many times as you want to . Each class is divided into fairly short segments, so you can review just the ones you need. The Mermaid Braid Bracelet class is divided into ten segments:

1. introduction
2. tools and materials
3. step one: braiding with copper wire
4. step two: braiding in lap
5. step three: adding the cap
6. step four: braiding with sterling wire
7. step five: making the loops
8. step six: shaping the bracelet and adding the clasp
9. design ideas
10. get to know your instructor

Purchased classes also include good "print yourself" instructions with pictures. There are no printed instructions on the free classes.

Techniques taught include chain mail, metalwork, mixed media, seed bead work, and wire work. At the time of this posting the mixed media classes are marked "coming soon." These include classes utilizing felt. All of the classes are graded according to skill level required.

Instructors include Lisa Niven Kelly, Barb Switzer, Laura McCabe, Dallas Lovett, Kate Richbourg, Lisa Claxton, Kriss Silva, Emily B. Miller, Mel McCabe, Colin Mahler, Gail Crossman Moore, and Iris Sandkülher. Quite an impressive list!

The shoppe also carries kits for many of the classes. Other supplies and tools are also available. They have a good selection of metal working tools, including some that I've not seen other places. You can buy stainless steel shot in convenient two pound bags, as well as metal punching pliers in two sizes, bracelet bending pliers, and their "fat daddy" cutting pliers for heavy gauge metal. They have a good selection of pattern stamps for metal, including some exclusive designs. Metal blanks in sterling, copper, and gold filled are available. One thing about their supplies, especially their metal stamps and cutters: they frequently sell out. If you don't want to be caught waiting until their next order arrives, buy quickly.

Tutorial Monday-Whoops!

Tutorial Monday will be postponed until next Monday. It took longer than I expected to get my business done and I had to extend my out of town trip. I don't want to post without my pics. Sorry about that. I'll be back with it next week, I promise.

Meanwhile, if you haven't already checked out the current issues of Jewelry Artist and Art Jewelry magazines you should. I'm going to be perusing them for a good while.

There are good projects on both websites; some are free and some aren't.

Tutorial Monday-Home Jewelry Business Success Tips

Today's Tutorial Monday features a resource rather than a tutorial, although the articles are tutorials of a different kind. If you have a jewelry business you might want to check out Rena Klingenberg's site and sign up for the newsletter Jewelry Business Success News.

Rena has a wonderful site filled with a tremendous amount of information. Many of her articles are also applicable to other types of art work.

She also has published some e-books, the latest of which is Social Networking: Sell Your Jewelry Online. I purchased Your Profitable Jewelry Booth and was very pleased with it.

Be sure to check out her sections on Your Jewelry Website, Jewelry Displays, Jewelry Party Tips, and Jewelry Show Tips. These articles (and there are many) are most helpful to beginners, but even seasoned jewelry artists can get some good info here. I wish I'd known about this site before I started selling jewelry.

Her blog, Jewelry Business Blog has some interesting info as well. One recent article detailed how a jewelry thief was able to steal jewelry from upscale stores, often right under the clerks noses.

Tutorial Monday-A Mini Tutorial on Broom Straw Casting

(Note: feel free to use this tutorial, but please don't repriint without permission. Use safety equipment and follow safety procedures when using the torch! Do this outside or in an area with good ventilation.)

I've posted before on broom straw casting, but this time I'm going to go into a little more detail.


You will need:

• an inexpensive straw broom


• a water bucket big enough to stand the broom in


• some concrete blocks, lumber or something to brace the broom upright in the bucket


• sterling silver or fine silver scraps to melt


• a torch (we use a propane torch; probably a mini torch would be too small)


• a crucible to melt the silver in


• long handled pliers or other tool to manipulate the hot crucible, or a crucible with a handle attached


• safety glasses for use with the torch


• a small can or container of water


• small wood saw, or similar cutting device


• scissors


• string for binding the broom head

The first step is to prepare the broom. Cut off the broom handle about one foot or less above the top of the broom head. Then cut the stitching holding the broom head in shape. It's best to cut it in a lot of places and pull all the strings out. After the stitching is removed bind the broom with some string into a round cylindrical shape. Put the broom head in your bucket of water and soak until the straw is damp. This only takes a few minutes.

After the straw has gotten damp you need to brace the broom head upright in the bucket of water. We used some bricks we had around to do this.

Now use the torch to melt the silver in the crucible.

When the silver is fully melted pour it into the end of the straw head. Don't pour all of it in one spot. Move the pour around a little. Smoking and burning will occur.

Put the crucible down and turn your torch off. Use your smaller container of water and pour it into the broom head to cool the silver.

If you are outside, like we were, cover the crucible with something to protect yourself and any kids or animals from the heat. An old metal pot, a flower pot or something like that works fine.

Let things cool down for a minute and remove the broom head. Upend it over the large bucket of water, stick it in the water, cut the binding, and shake the broom out in the bucket. The silver will fall out into the water where you can fish it out when it cools. It cools quickly. Examine your castings. If you don't like them you can melt the silver and try again. There may also be pieces that are too small to use, but you can reserve them for the next time.

If you've used sterling silver you'll need to brush, then pickle the casting to clean it. If you used fine silver you'll just need to brush it.

Broom straw casting makes interesting organic shapes that can be made into pendants, rings, or pins.

Here's a link to a post I did on broom straw casting at Metal Chik with different pictures.

Here's a nice PDF article by Dennis Chapman. He goes into some detail on finishing.

Here's another article on finewire group at MSN with lots of pictures.

Tutorial Monday-Etsy and Blog Banners

Today Tutorial Monday is a little different. Instead of a jewelry tutorial I'm sharing the the best of the banner tutorials I've found on the web. I've been kicking around ideas for my blog banner/header and my Etsy shop banner but haven't been sure how to go about creating one. I want a picture or two of my jewelry with the name of my blog. I also want something similar for my Etsy shop.

So far my favorite comes from Etsy Labs: Skill Share: Making A Banner. One of the reasons I like this tutorial is that it uses Photoshop and the directions are applicable to Photoshop Elements. I have Elements. I've taken a couple of courses in Photoshop Elements, but I don't always remember the facets of the program that I don't use often. Danielle goes over the steps and illustrates the process with some screen shots.

Brenda Smith of Serendipity Patchwork and Quilting has a good tutorial How to Create a Blog Banner, and well as one on Blog Buttons. Oh, and be sure to check out her blog.

Carole Casper has a tutorial for Blogger banners as well. Creating a Personal Header in New Blogger is a PDF file that you can download and print out for handy reference. She has other tutorials on creating a favicon, making links, and fabric art related tutorials on her blog A Stitch in Time.

Gabrielle Blair has a tutorial by Guest Mom Amy on Making a Blog Banner.

Paul Stamatiou has tutorial on HOW TO: Make a Blog Header Graphic.

You can get free graphics for your Wordpress header at Ten Free Cutline Header Images on Skitzo. For more on the Cutline Theme for Word Press see Chris Pearson. Captain Hops also has free graphics for Cutline.

More free graphics can be found at Blog Headers For Free Download. There are some very creative graphics here. All of the header graphics in this post came from here. Check it out.






Maybe you don't want to do it yourself. There are a number of people who will do blog and etsy banners, as well as website banners, for very reasonable fees. Here are some I've found:

Etsy Banners and Graphics by Jelene

Many of her banners have a colorful pop art style, but she also does some very close to what I had in mine for my banner. She has lots of examples to view. You can also buy through her Etsy shop Jelene's Pop Shop.

Callista's Graphic Design Studio

I really like the look of her work and she also does website and blog headers.

The Impatient Crafter Oo La La Collaged Pendants

I'm out of town for the rest of this week so I'm leaving you this fantastic video from Margot Potter, the Impatient Crafter™. I think this is my favorite one so far, probably because I have been working on some collage pendants myself. So far I'm doing digital collage but Margot makes the ink look like fun.

Tutorial Monday-Mei of Wirebliss

This week for Tutorial Monday I'm reviewing the Sparkly Crystal Ring Tutorial from Mei of WireBliss.


Lately I've been really interested in doing rings. This is a very lovely ring, and I purchased the tutorial on Etsy. The tutorial is delivered as a PDF. It's well written with lots of good detailed photos. I found it very easy to follow. The directions were clear and complete.

Here's a sample page from the tutorial. Remember that the resolution of my blog will not be nearly what the actual tutorial is.

Here are the first practice rings I did using the tutorial.

Mei calls for 22 gauge wire, but I wanted to start out learning with my less expensive craft wire, so I used a 20 gauge tarnish resistant wire in gold and copper, and some leftover beads that I had handy. This worked well, although the 20 gauge doesn't have the beautiful dainty look of Mei's rings. I also experimented with Czech glass firepolish in the center rather than using all Swarovski. Swarovski will definitely be more sparkly so I'll use that next. If you like to use heavier wire with rings I think 20 gauge is probably the heaviest wire that can be used with the small crystals, but 19 gauge might work. Now that I've had some practice I'm going to do some with 22 gauge sterling and gold filled wire. Pearls can also be used in this ring design, and Mei has a picture of a ring made with pearls that is very attractive.

This is a good tutorial for beginners as well as more experienced wire wrappers. I've never done any complex wire work so I consider myself a beginner. I found the directions easy to follow. The tutorial is also very reasonably priced at $6.00 USD.

You can view Mei's wire jewelry on her blogs, WireBliss Jewelry , WireBliss: Handcrafted Wire Wrap Jewelry, and her etsy store, Wirebliss. Be sure to check out her Wire Wrap Donut pendant tutorial that is available at Etsy.

Tutorial Monday-Sharilyn Miller

In my seemingly never-ending quest to impose structure on my blog here is the inaugural post of Tutorial Monday. Eventually I might write some tutorials of my own, but right now I'll be reviewing other's tutorials. These will range from intensive DVD workshops, to down loadable PDF tutorials, on-line tutorials, video tutorials and everything in between. Many will be jewelry tutorials but some will cover other interesting subjects.

First up will be Sharilyn Miller. Sharilyn Miller is the author of several books, including Bead on A Wire, arguably the best wire jewelry book around. Sharilyn has published four DVDs:

1. Tribal Treasures Bracelet Workshop



2. Rings of Beauty Workshop



3. Bohemian Bangles Workshop



4. Ethnic Style Jewelry Workshop

These are all reasonably priced through Film Baby at the links above. Current prices range from $29.95 to $39.95. You would pay much more for a workshop, and this is in essence a workshop on DVD. The DVDs range in length from 2.5 hours to 4 hours. If you search Sharilyn Miller's name at the Film Baby website some bundled offers will come up allowing you to buy more than one DVD at reduced rates.

Here are two silver rings I did from Rings of Beauty Workshop. (The top ring is an heirloom turquoise ring that was a gift from my mother-in-law.) The middle spiral ring has been antiqued with silver black. The bottom ring has a Swarovski crystal in it. I had a lot of fun making these. These are only two of the many designs featured on Rings of Beauty Workshop.

I also have some pics up of some copper rings I did. See them here.

I have the Rings of Beauty Workshop, and the Bohemian Bangles Workshop DVDs and have just ordered the new release: Ethnic Style Jewelry Workshop. The DVDs are filmed over Sharilyn's shoulder, so you have a clear close-up view of what she's doing. It very easy to follow the directions. Each DVD contains extra material on various subjects such as antiquing the finish of your jewelry, using the tumbler, polishing, etc. I'm very impressed with the level of detail in the DVDs. Sharilyn goes into enough detail that even beginners will be able to use the DVDs. Each DVD is broken down into sections, so you can easily review just the parts you need. I liked these so well that I actually bought a portable DVD player so I could watch them in my workroom, or any place else I want to work.

Sharilyn also has a great website. Her teaching schedule is posted there. She has a new blog. Her Yahoo group, Bead on a Wire, is my favorite email list.

Plexi Class - Instruction and Inspiration

Author Tonia Davenport was at MakerFaire in Austin in October 2007 where I saw her demonstrating her techniques. I've been waiting for this book to come out and I'm really pleased with it.

Plexiglas and Lucite are great materials to work with and this book offers solid instruction in basics. This is a great book for those who want to learn to work with these plastics.

The book is visually pleasing, with a good layout and clear pictures. "Plexi Pointers" provide interesting additional information on alternate techniques or ideas.

Most of the projects involve jewelry or wearable items like hair clips and pins. Those who are beginners at jewelry making won't find instructions here on making loops or attaching findings, but you will learn how to work the plastics. I was glad to see that the author stuck to shaping and manipulating the Plexiglas, leaving more room for projects.
This book will interest both jewelry designers and mixed media artists looking for a different medium.

One of the great things about working with this medium is that it requires only a few inexpensive tools to get started. Many artists will already have the tools; the only one I'm going to have to purchase is a cutter to score the Plexiglas.

My favorite projects are the solo exhibition earrings, the purse, and the notebook cover.

My only disappointment in the book was that the gallery didn't show items in more detail. They are shown life-sized. I'd like a couple of close-ups.

You can see I did take my own close up of the heart box pendant. This necklace is in the gallery section of the book. I can really get into making little "treasure boxes" like this.

Check out the book at Amazon.

The Impatient Crafter Glitterati Skull Earrings

I'm out of town on some family business and not sure when I'll be back. I won't have my computer; already I'm going through withdrawal pains just thinking about it. I'm trying out Blogger's scheduled post feature; hopefully this works.

Here, for your viewing enjoyment, is author, Bead Queen of the Universe, and blogger Margot Potter with a new fun video. The Stickles Pirate is really cute, too. Margot's blog is one of my favorites. I just wish I could write like her!