Experimental Subjects

As I mentioned yesterday, I did some experimenting with some different techniques over the weekend. It was fun not having a specific goal in mind, but just kind of messing around.

The first thing I did was work with the circular link component from this month's Rings 'N Things package:

For some reason, as soon as I saw that component, I just had a flash picture in my head of a moon suspended within the circle and then surrounded by stars. Sometimes that's how my designs come to me - just a quick flash in my head. Often they are gone before I can get them made which is SOOOO frustrating.

But this one stuck around:

I think it's kinda funny that I was putting this piece together while watching the "Harry Potter" movie marathon on the Disney channel this weekend. Oh, and the big star - not really blue. It's clear like the moon - just caught a bit of the flash from the camera. I kinda like the effect, though.

I got all the moon and star crystals and components at Michael's with my 40% off coupon.

The back is a vermeil hook clasp and I used crystals to finish it because I didn't have enough of the hammered chain. I think it works, though.

This is a better shot - without the flash. Only after this design was almost complete did I realize that another cool thing to do would have been to bezel a rivoli crystal with seed beads and crystals and hang it in the center of the link and let it spin and flash. But I don't have time to do much seed beading right now so I'm glad I came up with this design instead.

Then I did more experimentation with my alcohol inks:

This is a mix of three colors plus gold and then I used a rubber stamp to ink some "script" across the surface.

It was a little difficult to get the stamping not to smudge, but considering the effect I was going for, I don't think it's a big deal.

I'm thinking of adding a few flat-back crytals here and there, but then again maybe not. Don't want it to be "too much." The thing I really like is that these wooden bangles are VERY lightweight to wear. I got them at Tall Mouse and they come in different sizes and shapes.

I had so much fun doing this that I had to make another one. But this one I added an interesting new detail to:

I used my Fiskars craft drill and drilled holes all the way around and strung gold chain through them! This was another "flash picture" inspiration. I just got this pic in my head at the store of these bracelets with chain woven around them.

I think I'm going to add a few crystal dangles and/or charms to the chain sections. If I do this again, I think I would do larger holes and a chunkier chain.

The stamping went better on this one as I got a little more practiced at it. The only issue I had with this technique is that I don't have a vise to hold the item still while I'm drilling it. The bracelet kept moving so some of my holes are not exactly even. Obviously, I need a vise!

Then I decided to join the resin-bezeling craze:

Because I have had experience from years ago (not a happy one) using a 2-part resin, I was a little hesitant to try it again so I did these pieces with Diamond Glaze. The cloudiness on the larger bezel piece is more a function of my unskilled photography, I think, because it's perfectly clear in real life.

Results were mixed. I liked that I didn't have to mix anything up like you do with the actual resin and therefore no worries about getting the ratio right and making bubbles, etc. I don't think the DG is quite as clear as the resin - however, my past experiments with resin turned yellow over the years.

Lastly, I did a good job of not allowing bubbles to form when initially pouring out the DG and I got rid of any that did using a toothpick, but when I came to check on the drying process a whole mass of bubbles had appeared out of nowhere. Fortunately, the DG was still wet enough that I was able to get rid of the bubbles, but if I'd waited longer to check, the piece would have been ruined.

Also, I didn't have any cool charms or doo-dads to add to the picture which makes these kinda boring, but last night I experimented with adding color (tried dye re-inkers and food coloring), pearlization (used Powdered Pearls pigments) and sparkle (used glitter). The little mixing samples all came out really well - although the dye re-inker version was really dark, but that could have just been the color I used (super dark purple). I can't wait to try actually filling bezels with some of these. I may even un-bend and get the ICE resin - it's on sale at Fusion Beads this week!

Last, but not least, the postman brought me my order from Interweave Press's "hurt book" sale:

I got two books for about $4 each! I can't tell why they were in the "hurt" pile, either. Can't find a thing wrong with either of them.

Whew! Okay, my fingers are tired. That was a massive update. I think I need food now.

KJ