Pick A Bird, Any Bird

I don't have any idea why I didn't think of this before...

So what is this tumbling business?

So Yazmin has asked for more details on the tumbler story so here we go! This one goes out to all my crafters and curious people!

Things you need:

tumbler - for tumbling, duh.
mixed stainless steel shot - for hardening (and shining I think)
Dawn or burnishing compound - for the shiny
some kind of strainer of colander - to drain the water but catch your shot

My starter tumbler is one of those rock polishers you can get from Michaels craft store or AC Moore. This could set you back around $30 (or in my case, $15 because I used a coupon. There's never an excuse not to use a coupon at Michaels or AC Moore). I think professional tumblers start at about $90 or so.

Stainless steel shot should be available from a local jeweler. That's where I got mine. You can find it online as well. I purchased a pound because my tumbler canister is really small. You may need more if you go for a pro tumbler like from Lortone. You want stainless steel so that it doesn't get rusty. You want mixed shapes because I said so! I can't remember why at the moment but it's the best way to go. This runs around $25.

Burnishing compound or regular old Dawn (nothing fancy just the original). Just add a couple of squirts and you're good to go.

What you want to do is fill the tumbler canister with the shot and then add about an inch or two of water above that. Then add your pieces. Some beads are too fragile to tumble (like pearl I believe) so you'll have to add those to your design afterwards. Some are just fine. Do your homework. Add the two squirts, turn that puppy on for about two hours and you're good to go. I checked mine after 90 minutes and was satisfied with the bling and the hardness. I read somewhere that tumbling longer than two hours is unnecessary and can actually do harm to your metal by making it too brittle. So be aware if you are doing some kind of marathon tumbling. Take the pieces out. Ooh and aah at the shiny. Drain the shot in a strainer or colander with teeny holes and let it dry out. You are good to go!

I've also heard of walnut shells for brightening silver. I think you use that dry and in place of the stainless steel. So if for instance you have a patina you did that you don't like, stick the piece in (provided there are no softish beads again I would guess) the tumbler with the shells and tumble away until it is shiny and free of color.

Hope this helps. This was my first-how to and I'm no expert so I suggest you do some other research on your own.

Tumbling Fool

So guys, I got a tumbler. I like to call it my starter tumbler. You use tumblers to harden metal and polish it to a mirror shine. Well, my goodness - it is ridiculous how shiny it gets! I personally don't need all that bling but I'm sure some will appreciate it. Here are a couple of kind of before and after shots:

The piece on the left is just normal. The piece on the right has been tumbled.
Before:

After: I mean, wow right??!?!?!
In other news my little shop got somewhat busy the last week. Yay! I don't know how those high volume folks do it! More power to 'em. This means, I've not had much time to play in new designs. boo. :(

Front page! Woot!

Well I was minding my own business yesterday and decided to check the treasuries. I found out I was in one or two. Woohoo! Well then half hour later, this one hits the front page! Woot! And I actually saw it on there! Double Woot! So exciting! The All My Eggs Basket was featured and it sold during the time it was up. So did one of my other pieces - my sweet little Cafe au Lait bird and I got a custom inquiry as well! It is beyond cool to see yourself up there! I don't think you can buy that type of publicity! Thanks so much for putting me in your treasury soleilgirl. Her shop is so cute!

I'm a Warrior - Day 17

So I've been eyeing these gorgeous onyx beads at the bead store for some time now. They were a little pricey but I have yet to see this fantastic design anywhere else so finally I just had to have them. They look like shields to me so they are definitely made for a warrior. To find out more information on them please visit my Etsy shop. If you follow the title of each one below, you'll be taken directly to them in my shop. Readers of my blog who would like this set can receive 10% off the full set. Just contact me and I'll refund you the discount. Sorry-discount will not apply to purchases of one or the other.


Warrior Lariat Necklace


Warrior earrings

Day 16 - My first soldered ring!

So here is my first soldered ring! I am so excited. I fused the silver to make the band as well as two out of the three swirl connections in the front! woot! This is my Design A Day - Day 16 piece.

I'm a closet fashionista

OK. For those of you who know me, you know I like to do my own thing and that I like fashion. Well there is a site that combines these passions. It's called Polyvore and I've been secretly feeding my fashion addiction for the past couple of months, here and there.

This site has reminded me that even though I am a stay at home mama, there is no need to be a schlumpadink (if you don't know, you didn't watch Oprah this week). I like to go on there and create outfits using my jewelry. This is my latest:



To check out the rest of my sets, go here. I'm sure I'll be adding more.