Published in Belle Armoire Magazine Spring 2019

Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce that my jewelry, and article entitled "Follow Your Heart" was published in the Belle Armoire Jewelry Spring 2019 magazine.

                                                                         

I created heart necklaces with a small working compass embedded into the ice resin.  I cut the copper, stamped the backs of the the hearts with phrases such as "Dream it, Do it," "Follow your Dream" "Follow your Heart" and "Hope On".  Then I soldered the heart shape, rhinestones and bail, and poured in some ice resin.  After this cured for 3 days, I made a second resin pour with patina and added the compass.  In some cases I needed to touch up the resin a third time.

        

I enjoy learning new techniques in jewelry making from upcycling, to etching, soldering, using ice resin, sawing, making photo jewelry with glass and silver solder, working with sterling silver sheet and wire, and PMC.  There's no end to all the wonderful types of jewelry makings.  I've enjoyed taking a Community Education Class at the local college.  The other students work on a variety of jewelry pieces and we learn from each other.

              

For those of you who make jewelry, please consider sending your creations to one of the jewelry magazines for publication.  Review a magazine you are considering sending your jewelry to, and study what types of jewelry and articles are currently being published.  Write up your article and mail a copy with your jewelry.  You will want to have a pdf version that you can send to the magazine via email if you are selected. 

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Sincerely,

Julie

**ART UNRAVELED**

I was fortunate to attend the Art Unraveled retreat in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this month.  I took classes from Susan Lenart Kasmer and learned about making sterling silver boxes, caging an irregular druzy, and enameling.  Susan is an absolutely wonderful teacher.  She is so personable, extremely talented, knowledgeable and very helpful.  She sends out positive vibes so that even a novice can gain confidence in producing something exceptional!  I was ecstatic to be able to attend and learn new skills to practice at home. Consider attending in the future and taking a class from Susan.  You will LOVE it!

Check out Susan's website at http://www.susanlenartkazmer.com/

Here are some of the class creations below.  Mine is the heart shape.  The next picture shows the bail and a little doodad added.

                                       
This side of the heart shows the first experience I had making reticulated silver (which means I torched the flat silver sheet until it shimmered and started to melt into a wavy shape before backing off with the heat).
                                       

I've wanted to learn how to cage an irregular shaped item.  I want to practice this technique with some antique buttons.

                                       
The next pictures show some enameling I worked on.  Enameling is a whole new world of wonderful with infinite variety.  Lots of times, you get a surprise when you finish torching the pieces!

                                     

                                  
School is starting up again and I'm back tickling the ivories for the choir classes at the high school. I hope you have a wonderful day!

P.S.  Check out Susan Lenart Kasmer's fantastic and inspiring website http://www.susanlenartkazmer.com/

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

Published in Jewelry Affaire Magazine!

Dear Friends,
Exciting news to share at the beginning of 2018--my inspiration article was published in the Winter Jan/Feb/Mar 2018 Jewelry Affaire magazine.  I submitted the necklaces I made in Luthien Thye's class "Fly Away With Me."  I took this six week course in the summer through Artful Gathering online classes.  I can't say enough wonderful things about my experiences with the teacher and class.  The classes are given for 6 weeks and during that time you have access to the videos of the subject matter AND especially important, access to the teacher for guidance.  The best part is that the class members can share pictures of their artwork and we can comment and help each other and enjoy learning together.  Luthien is a delightful teacher and since she's half-way around the world from me, this was an amazing way to connect and be inspired by her talents.

    

I highly recommend Artful Gathering classes.  There are so many wonderful classes, it'll be hard to decide!!  Here's some helpful information to checkout.
For Luthien Thye: at www.alteredalchemy.com and www.alteredalchemy.etsy.com
For Christina Galliher: www.artfulgathering.com and www.atozinnia.com

 Here's a little look at the article...

I hope you have a wonderful day today!

Happy New Year~

Dear Friends,
Another new year!  Like the first page of a new journal, all clean and ready for writing life experiences.  What will be written in the days ahead?  2017 has had it's ups and downs, but a new year promises new friendships, new horizons of learning, new understandings, new growth, new memories to make.  Shed past mistakes, shed the drama, shed the stresses.

Embrace new paths with beautiful views and possibilities.  Embrace the sunrise on the beach with the sparkles of gold dancing on the water.  Discover the loveliness of purples, reds, browns and greens and golds of the desert.  Listen to the happy rushing of water over rocks in the creeks and rivers.  Notice the swaying leaves and trees in the breeze.  Feel the warmth of the sun on your face.  Enjoy the rain drizzling down the windows or better yet, walk in the rain and smell the good earth. 

See? You can place yourself somewhere happy and peaceful and lovely in the midst of difficulties and receive strength.  Breathe in slowly.  Pray sincerely, meditate with purpose, repeat helpful and positive affirmations.  Talk to yourself in kindness and bolster your courage to do and be.  When things don't work out, it just means there's another adventure out there for you.  Keep going.
                           

                                          

Practice gratitude.  Show mercy.  Make eye contact.  Smile often.  Bless others.

  
You are unique and have purpose in life.  You are divine.  Our Heavenly Father loves you.

Someone is watching over you.  You will succeed.  Pat yourself on the back while repeating after me, "I'm so clever, I AMAZE myself!"

Onward and upward in the new year!

Sincerely,
Julie Pike

Terri Brush Inspiration

Dear Friends,

Wowsers! Time is movin' on faster and faster!  However, "the hurrier I go, the behinder I get" as my Mother used to say. We're already headed for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

One of the aspects of making jewelry that I enjoy, is that there are so many different styles and mediums to work with, such as metal, textile, plastic, PMC, glass, ceramic, and upcycled pieces.  Too many to list, and I love to look at the inspiring work of others and see their wonderful creations.

Last summer I took an on-line class from the Terri Brush Academy. (http://terribrushacademy.com/) I worked on some soldered pendants using Plaster of Paris in the bezel.  I enjoyed using paint and picture copies to make a little artful pendant. I especially liked the brightness of the gold paint accents on the plaster and the picture.  I used copies of some family photos of ancestors for the bezels. 

Check out Terri's blog and enjoy the inspiring work of her students.

Here are some of mine...

 What do you think? 

Have a wonderful and inspiring day!!!

NEED WINGS?  You can make some!

Some days, it's nice to wear affirmation jewelry to help you keep your focus and spirits upbeat.
The following are some pictures and information to help you.
You'll need:
A pattern for your wings
A sharpie marker to trace the pattern onto the metal
22, or 24 gauge copper, nickel silver or brass etched metal
Tin Snips to cut the metal
files, sand paper, sand blocks to smooth the cut edges
1/16th inch hole punch
rivets optional
jump rings
chain, clasp
chain nose pliers
round nose pliers
wire cutter
alphabet stamp set
hammer

 Make a template/pattern from paper or cardstock.  Fold a piece of paper in half and cut it so that both sides are the same.  Trace the pattern onto the metal with a sharpie marker and cut out carefully.  The metal is VERY sharp. You will want to file and smooth the edges.

You can stamp words on the back of the wings.  Careful not to stamp too heavy with the hammer or the word(s) may show on the etched side.  I've done this a number of times.  Sheesh! This picture shows copper, brass and nickel silver metal colors.  I used a fine point sharpie marker in the actual stamped letters and then lightly sanded any stray black marks off the back of the metal.

 

This is an example of copper wings soldered onto brass for a bracelet.

You can rivet the holes for the jump rings but sometimes, I just like it plain.  Add jump rings, a wire wrapped component on one side, chain and a clasp and voila!  

You can fly now!!  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I wanted to share a couple of ideas for using photos in your jewelry.  The first below is a brooch made with etched brass and soldered into a frame.  The rhinestones and pictures are secured with resin. The cute girls in the picture are me and my sisters getting ready to trick or treat! My mother would not let us go door to door and yell "Trick or Treat!" like the hundreds of normal kids did back then.  No, we had to recite all together the following little ditty...

"We're so hungry,

We could die!

Candy, cake or

a piece of pie!"

When we would recite this, many people would ask us to say it again and call other family members to the door to listen to us repeat it.  I must admit that we were often given extra candy, so that made it worth it.  I gave this to my sister who is wearing the clown outfit! I'm the tallest in the background...the oldest sister...

I hope you have a wonderful and art inspired day!
Yours truly,
Julie

Family Photo Jewelry Ideas

Dear Friends,

Where is the year going? "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!"  Today I'm sharing some of the designs I've made from some family pictures.  The group picture below is a one of my sister, Wendy, and I with friends on our 4th and 5th birthdays.  You see, we are "Irish twins" for about 3 weeks a year. My birthday is in August, and Wendy's is in July, so we aren't quite 12 months apart.  My mother would have one birthday party for both of us somewhere between our birthdays.  My sister is 3rd from the left and I'm 5th from the left.  We were all in our "mommy" dress-ups and brought our baby dolls and baby strollers.

I etched the metal and soldered a frame and poured resin over the picture and added the little flower and butterfly beads.  One of the nice things about resin is that you can add little doodads to the picture.

Here's are examples of two different pictures of my mother, Shirlee.  The top is one when she is about 18 months old sitting on top of a round table, looking into a large fish bowl.  Because I used a beveled glass tile, the reflection actually casts a little light onto the bowl.  It's hard to see in the photo but it's a nice affect.

The next picture is my Mother about 2 years old.  I etched the back of the metal frame.  On the front, I soldered the small frame, poured resin and added the rhinestones.  I stamped the word "sweet" at the top. The five little pearls represent us 5 daughters.  I finished it with a sterling silver chain. The pendant is about 2 1/2 inches with the pearls.

Always use a LASER copy of a photo, not the real photo.  I use heavy gauge packaging tape to cover both sides of my photo leaving a small edge around the photo to seal it for the resin.  I make sure the edge around the photo is sealed by running a credit card or my fingernail along the photo to press out any bubbles and the edge to keep the resin from seeping inside. I enjoy making jewelry with family pictures to give as gifts.

I receive commissions to make jewelry for people with their family photos of loved ones who are dear to them.  This is my favorite type of commission work.

Consider making jewelry with copies of your family photos in them.  They make great keepsakes. 

Have a happy day and thanks for stopping by!

Yours truly,

Julie

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Dear Friends,
It's Christmas time again and the years roll on faster and faster.  I just shake my head and wonder where the time goes.  Christmas time is a time for getting together as families and friends and sharing company.  It's a time for hugging those we haven't seen for quite awhile.  It's a time for making recipes we only make once a year.  It's a time to remember "it's not what we get, but what we have," that matters.

It's a time to remember loved ones who aren't with us, and how they added so much love to our lives...we miss them.  Christmas is a time to remember our Savior and because of Him, we will be with our loved ones again.

Please enjoy this short video about the loving example of our Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Love, Julie

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world

Fun With Solder  

The first time I saw soldered glass shadow box type pendants was years ago in the Jewelry Affaire Magazine with Fussbucket's world showing darling little boxes with teeny cut paper flowers and pictures inside.  I thought I'd like to learn how to do that someday.  I took an in-person soldering class with a few years ago with Sally Jean Alexander and enjoyed it, but didn't practice.  I found  a terrific teacher in Terri Brush who teaches in her beautiful studio, but also offers on-line classes that don't expire! Such a great way to learn and review techniques. So I've been practicing!

                                     

This cute little girl is my mother, Shirlee, and she's sitting on a small round table staring into a large goldfish bowl.  I soldered beveled glass which adds movement and gives the impression of light bouncing off the glass bowl.  I made this for one of my sisters.

                                      

I've enjoyed learning soldering at my own speed with Terri Brush classes at  http://terribrushacademy.com/ You can purchase classes and then enjoy them on-line.  This way you can view them anytime without having to sit at your computer with a CD.  Terri teaches classes in her own studio and abroad. She's very helpful and personable.  While I have enjoyed purchased CDs of classes, the on-line classes are the most convenient.

These examples I made show some antique lace and a mother of pearl button with decorative solder surrounding the glass tiles and finished with sterling silver chain.

Here are a some more pieces of the jewelry I've been working on in my not so spare time.  I love to work with metal by etching it, making frames for pictures and resin.  I enjoy working with glass and solder as well and of course, love vintage mother of pearl buttons...any antique buttons actually.

Taking a class in-person or on-line is a wonderful way to learn new skills. Another idea is to check your local college or university.  I'm taking a community education class at a junior college near me and the cost is very low: parking for the semester actually costs more than the class! The class is fun because the teacher, Tony Guzman, is very helpful and so are the other class members.  At class, I get to use various tools that I don't have in my home. When you take a class you set aside at least a little bit of time to work on projects you might not be able to work on at home.  I highly recommend taking a class every so often to learn new skills and make new friends!

Have a wonderful and inspiring day!
Yours truly,
Julie

Who's a, What's a DINGLE DANGLE??

I was asked by a dear friend to make her a little sparkly something to use as a zipper pull for an outfit she wears to work.  When her co-workers saw it, she was asked to ask me if I would make them some with different themes.  So I made these chain tassels, or, I call them "Dingle Dangles."  I made some religious, some for tea lovers, dog lovers, cat lovers, cowboy, beach/ocean and even Flamenco Dancer themed ones.

                                         

These are fun to make and you can use just small amounts of chain and the little doodads you pick up from various places.  I bought a number of base metal charms from www.bohemianfindings.etsy.com who have a large selection.  I also buy interesting and wonderful finds from Crystal Basica at www.vintagefairyfinds.etsy.com and Robin Dudley-Howes at www.shadesofakasha.etsy.com.  Can you tell I like to shop and peruse www.Etsy.com?

I like to pick out a number of chains in different sizes and lay them out with the little charms. I place the charms with some higher and some lower along the various chains and then cut the chains into different lengths so that the charms don't all land at the bottom of the tassel.

 After I put the charms onto each of the pieces of chain with jump rings, I run about a 10 inch piece of 20 gauge wire through the tops of all the chains.  From one end of the wire, I cinch together and wrap the wire around the top a couple times to hold the tassel together and leave the longer piece of wire to put up through the bugle bead.  This hides the wrapped wire part of the tassel with the tops of the chains.  I usually add spacer beads and another pretty bead to the top of the bugle bead.  I wire wrap the top of the large bead with a loop that I can then finish with a clasp.  

 Here are a couple of different Cowgirl/Cowboy themed tassels.  If you use rhinestone cup chain you'll want to use a wire wrap or you can find cup chain holders in different sizes from Crystal Basica at Vintage Fairy Finds.  You'll need to contact her for a custom order, but she's fun to work with and can get them in different sizes.  She also has little crowns, vintage chandelier crystals, cameos, metal stampings and lots of different sizes of rhinestone cup chain.

Robyn Dudley-Howes has miniature crosses, mini Eiffel towers in silver and gold base metal and Mardi Gras type masks.  Great stuff.

I've shown a few of the types of tassels I've made.  A happy coincidence is that you can use these to add sparkle to your zipper pull, your purse or use with your own chain, ribbon or leather strand to use as a pendant.  I hope these inspire you to try and make these yourself or to give as a gift, but if not, I sell them at www.ribbontapestry.etsy.com and can make custom Dingle Dangles for you.  

Have a wonderful day! 

Julie