Welcome, first of June! And Jack Rabbit (a tradition we say on the 1st of the month for good luck).
It’s Bead Table Wednesday and I’m sliding in just in the nick of time. To see what’s on the tables of your fellow jewelry designing friends, please visit Heather Powers’ BTW flickr pool here.
I recently pulled out my (dusty) metal stamps to complete a custom bracelet, so I decided to make an extra metal link. “Make a Wish”….. I find that I’ve been doing just that lately when out and about with my 2-year-old son. He’s caught on that we blow on dandelions and watch the seeds fly – the wishing part will come next.
It’s also been a while since I made a wire bangle, so I pulled out some pretty lampwork beads by Dawn White, a flower disc by Blue Seraphim, and some large-hole sterling silver beads. By using nickel silver with copper to create the stamped metal link, and by using copper wire, I was able to cut down on the awfully high cost of sterling silver components. I miss using sterling silver with abandon.
I’ll add this one to my shop soon. (Sold, thank you).
Thanks for stopping by!
-Cindy
Oh, me, too! I’m so careful with my sterling, now. I have some nickle, though, and I’m going to try using it like this. Thus far, I’ve only used it for etching.
What a beautiful bracelet!! Your link came out so nicely, and the various metals work well in the piece, adding a warmth that silver lacks. I’m now hoarding my sterling, using it only for a very few pieces and for custom orders; it was $6.50/oz when I started making jewelry five years ago, and I shudder to think of how much I used thinking it could *never* go much above $10….
Absolutely gorgeous Cindy. I’ve just started using metal stamps and have completely fallen in love with using this technique…
Beautiful Cindy! I love how you’ve knotted on a piece of silk! And your tag is wonderful! I hear you about the silver, but I still can’t tear myself away…my wish would be that the $$ will go back down.
Lovely Cindy. I have been using the fine silverplated wire instead of sterling in the most recent pieces to lower the cost to customers and keep them in the impulse buying range. I keep watching the silver prices in the hopes that they may get below $20. again anyway, then i’m stocking up again!
I love this sweet bracelet, and the cool little saying to… Nice inspiration!!!! Lynn
Ack I hear you I haven’t used sterling in ages and am hoarding what few bits I have left. Lovely bracelet – I am dying for a set of stamps too!
Your work is always so polished! I love the stamped focal! You’re so great at mixing materials with the wire! It’s effortless for you!
Gorgeous! You’ve mixed your metals beautifully. I like that the nickle is mounted on copper and avoids those nasty nickle reactions some people have. Your metal work is always so so good and the mix of beads is lovely.
Your bracelet is absolutely gorgeous! You are such an inspiration to mix up the metals! Any your wire work…simply stunning!
Cindy, very pretty bracelet. Ditto on using silver sparingly. What I have on hand was a steal when I purchased it. I am glad now that I bulked up my previous purchases.
Hi Cindy, i just love your style i just got some rivets can’t wait to try them out i wished you lived closer so u could give me a real live tutorial ot two take care ttfn L:)
It is beautiful! I think we’ll all have to get used to using something other than sterling, which stinks…
Cindy, I love how this bracelet came out!
What a fun bangle. I am a hoarder too of what little silver wire I have. I have been reading that people are using the gold filled as a way to keep costs down. Get that camera out and pics of fat jolly cheeks blowing seeds!
I have missed seeing your creations and this bracelet is a feast for the eyes! I love the coil bangle and your focal is just perfect as usual!!
This piece is gorgeous Cindy, I love your metalwork, and the combo of beads are great, bright and summery!
Hugs!
Oh yes! I love this so very much. Coincidentally, that is the exact sentiment that I am playing around with right this very moment. Are we on the same wavelength, or what?
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Just GORGEOUS!
(sorry to have been away for SO long). 🙂 I have missed you.
So lovely – the bracelet is sweet and I love the tag! So good to see some of your work again.
That is a gorgeous little bracelet, of course I love the stamped focal the most, but the beads are not far behind! I think just about everyone are adapting their metals these days – makes for a wonderful and creative new approach is what I say!
Jenni
Cindy that is AWESOME!!!
What a gorgeous bangle! My favorite part is the Make A Wish link. I’ve been hording my silver too, and thinking about trying the silver filled stuff that is just coming out. I hear it works much the same as sterling…..but first I have to sell a lot of stuff before I spend any more cash.
Beautiful bangle…love it!
Oh! That bracelet is FAB! Beautiful work.
I’ve never heard the “Jack Rabbit” thing, but if that means good luck I guess there’s no harm in saying a little phrase. 😉
My wish would be to be able to go to ARTBLISS one year..how fun would that be!!Thanks Cindy for your sweet comment, I am excited & it was made even better by seeing the ARTBLISS ad in the back…thank you for all the wonderful opportunities you have given me, they have helped me FLY!!!
Big Hugs,
Susie
Beautiful bracelet Cindy!
I was at Gem Show over the weekend – silver anything was at crazy prices, although the vendor I worked for still has the lowest prices on sterling chains.
I did notice more pewter beads, nickel silver and silver filled.
I think the the big caveat is to really know what you’re buying and disclose what you’re selling. Just because it looks like “silver” doesn’t make it sterling. One vendor with custom pieces switched from using sterling to nickel silver and thought the nickel silver really contained some silver!!
Beautiful!! I still have yet to use my metal stamps….Actually I first have to figure out HOW to use my metal stamps. Lol
I guess I’m not ready for that phase yet >.<
So Cool! Love the colors!
I told you in the email that I loved this — and I really need to learn how to make a bangle. And learn to stamp. And a million other things! You’re just marvelous at jewelry.
Oh Condy I really like your creation. and It pleases me so that you are using copper. I love copper and I have an Etsy Shop dedicated to copper jewelry. It could be our new gold :>) Be Blessed
Oh Cindy, I really like your new creation. and It pleases me so that you are using copper. I have as Etsy Shop decicated to copper jewelry. It could be our new gold. :>)
Be Blessed
Cindy, your bangle bracelet is GORGEOUS!
I miss working in silver too! I just run out of 20g and debating whether to reorder or wait. Though I have been taking a serious liking to 16g copper lately, especially when it’s patinaed.
great bracelet, cindy! that link you made is adorable. you make me want to get out my tools and do some riveting!
The bracelet is beautiful! Love it and I love the tag. I love copper and I love the tags. I am exploring new techniques….this one I love. You have inspired me to try metal stamping. Thank you.
Just reread my comment…..how many times did I use the word love????
Amazing! I am a huge fan of everything homemade, really. It is fantastic to actually wisely reuse stuff and create something like this. Thumbs up!
beautiful bracelet!! love when you stamp metal!!
I really miss using silver with abandon too…great shots!!!
I’d love to win!!! so jealous of your trip. if i could stop spending so much money on beads i could save up to go to B&B and buy beads! LOL