Art: Donations of Joy

Dear Friends,
I know that many artists donate their artwork and expertise to various groups to raise money for a variety of community needs such as local schools, libraries, scholarship funds, youth religious groups, youth sports teams, youth trips, police and fire departments, and so many more.

I was able to make some donations of jewelry for the local high school where I work.  I play the piano for the choir classes.  The Madrigal group has a fundraiser each year to raise money for their annual trip to sing and perform and then attend a theme park.   This year I felt inspired to make jewelry with a theme from "Big Fish the Musical" which is the musical our students are doing this semester.  In the last song of the musical sung by the main character, Edward Bloom, the words are "It all ends well, this much I know."

We have had some very difficult situations lately and some disappointments in our family that I've struggled with and these lines from this song keeps running through my mind and helps me to be more calm and at peace.  Faith and prayer also help me very much, but I decided these words would be helpful whether or not you know about the musical.  So I wanted to stamp the words into the jewelry I made for the auction.

Here are some examples of the jewelry I made with stamped words from the vocal parts of the music.

I was so pleased to be able to solder the little wire fish onto the bar without melting the fish!  The next piece has etched brass with an etched brass "fish" soldered onto it and dangles that have a cowboy theme.  You can see the words stamped on the back of the necklace.

For this necklace, I made up a paper pattern and cut out etched nickel silver in a scalloped shape.  I sanded and drilled the metal and added wire-wrapped dyed red pearls and sterling silver chain and clasp.  I stamped the back as you can see in the next picture.

This simple necklace and bracelet were made by hammering 12 gauge sterling silver wire and then stamping the phrase "It all ends well." I added a small turquoise heart on the necklace and a pink heart on the bracelet.  I used sterling silver chain and clasp for both. 

 This necklace was made with etched brass and copper and stamped on the back like the one above, only I added a metal chain tassel with various little charms and doodads. 

 I took a class to learn how to make these earrings from decorative sterling silver wire. 

This piece has an etched copper back and soldered heart with little rhinestones in the resin and is stamped with an X O.  I had fun making these and watching the fun while people at the silent auction were bidding on them.  I always learn something new and improve my skills while working on jewelry.  I hope you are able to enjoy a few minutes here and there to work on your art as well.   

Have a wonderful Valentine's day!!!

Sincerely,

Julie Pike