Whoops! I Went Antiquing Again!

I can't help it.  I visited one of my favorite antique/flea market malls and came away with this lot of items:



The red "Natures Remedy" tin is still in the plastic bag because when I opened it in the store it still had ancient fiber powder in it.  Or whatever it is. I'll be dumping it shortly. The necklace on the bottom is amber.  I'm going to have to get a magnifying glass out and look at one of the beads because I think I saw an insect.  Probably its just a piece of bark though.

I love the rhinestones. I have a thing about bow ties so I just had to get the bow tie necklace.  It's a fun piece.

I also found this vintage flaring tool.  I'm not sure how well it will work for jewelry since the holes have threads, but it was next to nothing so I'll play with it. 



Not too long ago I got a bunch of stuff from this same store.  I'll have to stay away for a while--oh wait...Isn't their flea market this Saturday? (4 Generations outside Greenville TX.)

Great Deals and Tips #1 - Fabulous Friday Find

This is the first in a new series of posts on great deals and tips relating to jewelry making.  I'll post when I find something or have a tip to share and they'll be searchable under "great deals and tips".




I spotted these at Big Lots today.  The cute little hammer was $5.00 and the 6 foot key chain tape measure was $2.50.  And did I mention the hammer is cute?

The hammer is just right for when I need a hammer and don't want to use one of my good jewelry hammers, like when I'm beating the heck out of some found object.  It will fit in a box when I travel. There were matching C clamps, spring clips, and a hobby sized hack saw, but I already have these, although they aren't as cute.

The hobby saw is also a great deal.  It was $3.50 and had several blades. The handle folds up into the frame for storage so it takes up about the same space as the hammer. I have a similar one that I use when I want to cut something and need more than the jewelry saw, but less than a big hacksaw, and don't want to break out the dremel.

My next great deals and tips post will be about the small, inexpensive, and very portable bench I use for a work surface  when I texture and pound on stuff.

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.