Jewelry - Sterling Spiral Earrings

These spiral earrings require several jewelry-making techniques: forging-annealing, hammering, shaping; soldering; wiring beads into place; and finishing-pickling, filing and polishing. I learned the forging techniques at the John C. Campbell Folk School (http://www.folkschool.org/) in Murphy, NC and the jewelry-soldering techniques at a local beading and jewelry-making supplier.

These are simple pieces of jewelry compared to those a serious jewelry crafter or artisan might make. I feel I have just barely touched the surface of what can be done. What I can say is, if you take up this hobby, plan to spend a fair amount of money on tools and equipment. The silver is cheap by comparison! Also, be prepared to be frustrated. What you can do initially with the basic tools and instruction is fairly limited. Find some good workshops!

My first attempt at blogging!

I never considered blogging until I saw another artist's blog and how she uses it to connect with people interested in her work and to share tips with other artists on painting. I'm hoping this first attempt at blogging will be a positive experience.

About me... I paint both watercolors and oils and I make simple silver jewelry. I retired from working as a software developer this January and now focus my efforts on creating a new career/avocation as an artist. With mentoring from another artist, Nancy Tilles, I have improved considerably, but still have a long way to go. I feel that creating art, whatever the medium, is a lifelong, evolutionary process and a huge opportunity for personal growth whether you make a "real" living at it or not.

I hope to have a website soon and to begin internet sales of my creations. In the meantime, I'll post pix of my recently completed work and works-in-progress.