Back when I first started making jewellery, there were no tutorials online – no pinterest, no craftsy, no jewelrylessons.com. So when I wanted to make a ring, I had to sort of figure it out myself. And what I came up with was pretty neat – a base with beads “sewn” on top: I’ve sold …
I purchased a small fistful of these tiny watch parts one time because I couldn’t help but think they’d make perfect bird heads. Today the muse hit to give it a go! I had a pretty good idea of where I wanted it to go, but first, I traced the watch part – doesn’t it …
Craftsy.com has blogged my Wire-Wrap Beach Glass tutorial as one of their favourite free patterns! Read all about it here.
Earlier in the week I was planning my studio time. All previous projects have been complete and are off the bench, and I was musing aloud about what I could work on next. My very clever husband suggested I “get back to my roots” and pull out some gemstones and silver wire. And oh boy …
About a million years ago, when I was working out the gemstone combinations for my Focus line, I drew this Chakra necklace idea: Today I turned it into this! Top to bottom… Amethyst, Iolite, Aquamarine, Seraphinite, Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, and Onyx Fun so far!
Today I’ve been having fun with copper and oxidation. First, I created some earrings out of non-non-tarnish wire (bare copper!). Next, I prepared a solution of Liver of Sulfur and dumped all my shiny pretty earrings into it. They instantly turned black! But that’s OK, that’s the point: Next, I gathered some supplies – my …
I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the first day of the first annual Growing a Creative Economy conference, hosted by the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, earlier this week. The first day had several excellent speakers, and I came away with an actionable list of things I can do to …
I just realized I never did show you all my studio! It was built wayyy back in 2009 and it has been the pride and joy of my home and my business ever since. Here’s a fun little slideshow going through the build from bare basement to finished workspace!
New video tutorial!
One night while browsing Etsy I discovered that you can get filigree blanks that are much larger than what I normally work with. I simply HAD to have them. I got a nice shipment of various shapes and then went to town with my Gilder’s Paste. This is a waxy kind of goo that you …
Every time I pull out the antiqued wire or dig through my box of random metal bits or make another trip to the thrift store jewellery section, I end up moving in a totally new direction than I thought I was going to be going in. I’m certainly not complaining! It’s wild and exciting to …
Guess what? There’s a craft market this weekend! It’s always worth a look so I thought I’d give you the heads up. This year I got ALL of my shopping done at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design on Charlotte St. … no, really! It was so easy, and affordable too, and I know …
My whole weekend has been consumed by bare copper (weird for me not to use non-tarnish wire!), chasing hammers, sea sediment jasper, liver of sulfur, dremel collets, and the new ceramic tile which I’m really enjoying as a photo background. I’ve never done this before but I LOVE it. Liver of Sulfur is this goop you …
I had a moment of clarity yesterday that has helped me narrow down and organize the types of jewellery I’m making. I was able to group my work into collections and break the collections down into types, which allowed me to see where I’m wasting energy and where I’m missing out. The exercise helped me …
I’ve been sculpting in polymer clay for a long, long time – before there was much online to help folks out. Recently I’ve been digging into it again and loving it! I even signed up for the Metal Clay class at Craftsy.com just today… can’t wait to find some time for it. But meanwhile, here’s …
You ever get new materials and then have to wait until you have time to play? And then MORE new materials come in, and you still can’t get to them… and it builds up until you end up combining them all at once into some crazy conglomerate project? Well, that’s how these pendants came into …
I’m getting married! In twelve days! Here’s what I’m working on to wear that day :) It’s not exactly finished yet, I don’t think… but maybe it is? I’m not sure! I feel like it needs more metal. That large centrepiece is a pair of bracelets pulled onto the hand-made neckwire using flat aluminum wire, …
I haven’t figured out a name for these yet… I just imagined them yesterday. They’re sort of inspired by these windchimes made by the Inverness Beach Gal. These are made of driftwood, coal, beach glass and limestone, all from Cape Breton beaches!
My mom was cleaning out their basement – which used to be my grandparents’ basement – and found a trunk (possibly more than one?) of things from when we were babies. There are a few entirely adorable bits of clothing that almost (but not quite) make me want to have kids just so I can …
I’ve added an index of tutorials to this site; you can catch them all at the link at the top or click here to view all the tutorials (so far!).