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Donna
Female
Florida
United States - Share
- Applications
- Blog Posts (1)
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- Groups (7)
- Photos (26)
- Photo Albums
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Donna's Groups
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Jewelry
901 members
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FLOC'D: Florida Crafters and Designers
47 members
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Craft Marketing Central
423 members
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Crafty Mama!
576 members
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Wire Jewelry Artists
131 members
Donna's Page
Profile Information
- About Me:
- I discovered my love for making jewelry a few years ago after going thru a major divorce. I especially love metal, and I research everything I can. I am self-taught, passionate, and ready to branch out a little. I don't expect to make a living, but I am inexperienced at this exposure thing. Almost everything I have put on Ebay sold, but at a small price. I can't figure out how to get more hits on Etsy. Any advice is welcome.
I am very laid-back and friendly, but somewhat shy. I love people, so I hope to make some fellow artists and learn, learn, learn.
- Gender:
- Gal
- I am a/an:
- Independent Artist/Designer, Blogger
- (Designers only) I create:
- Jewelry using found (recycled) objects, precious metals (sterling, goldfill), copper, crystals, Polymer Clay, Shells, Gemstones (Turquoise, Rose Quartz, etc), freshwater pearls, and anything else I can find.
- (Designers only) I am willing to do:
- Custom orders
- (Designers only) My work is sold at:
- Etsy
- Favorite Designers/Artists:
- All struggling artists creating through passion
- Favorite Music/Musicians:
- Eddie Vedder, Alanis Morissette, Sarah McLachlan, Led Zepplin, Rob Thomas, & on & on & on. I love original artists who sing with deep passion. I play piano and guitar, and sometimes, they are my best friends.
- Favorite TV Show & Movies:
- Primal Fear, Talented Mr. Ripley, Carol Burnett Show reruns, Jaws and Jurassic Park series junky, Forensic shows junky, Meet the Parents series, Bones, A Perfect Murder, Matrix, Lord of the Rings series
- Favorite Books / Authors:
- I love books! Most reference books, especially Jewelry & Metal, Thomas Cook, James Patterson, Sharon Haab, Jinks McGrath, Debbie Jackson
Donna's Photos
Donna's Blog
My First Blog! I began making jewelry and a new life at 40.
So, I decided that I should get with the program and start my own blog. I have tried to remember exactly what started my obsession with making jewelry. I know that I was forty when I thought my life had ended. But really, it had just begun. I had been in a relationship, (leading to marriage), that began when I was thirteen years old! Wow, hard to believe. But at thirteen, we think we know the ways of the world. I can write a book on the experiences I have learned since then. BUT, I digress. Back… Continue
Posted on September 10, 2008 at 8:16am —
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Buy Handmade
stoneandbone
That's really all there is to it, but if you want more details visit my blog.
On a grander note, I really believe you could benefit from the site and using it as means to promoting yourself to the masses.
Cheers.
Melanie
GLAD TO MEET YOU!!
YOUR WIREWORK IS STUNNING!
JOIN MY FREE CRAFT MARKETING TOOLS GROUP ON INDIEPUBLIC
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Buy Handmade
sapphireice
Did you ever consider selling on consignment? Check out our web site and let me know what you think.
Melanie
I have the McGrath Encyclopedia as well, and it's a good one to have, though some parts can be rather vague. I have 2 versions of McCreight's "Complete Metalsmith", (one from the early 80's that I found for about $5 on Ebay, as well as the newest version) and I would say that is by far my favorite. Don't get the student edition, though. I hear it is a more "diluted" version. So far, I have taken the same path as you: self-taught by way of books, magazines ("Art Jewelry" in particular", and experimenting. I just can't afford to take the courses I would like to. I started with a butane torch, but got impatient and frustrated because it either wouldn't get hot enough, hold enough gas, and then at last, it just stopped filling! So I got a Bernzomatic "Quickfire", which attaches to the blue propane canisters found in my local hardware store. Easy-peasy. It's all I have used in the 2 years I've been doing this, and I'm very happy with it. A bit intimidating at first...it can be loud. But it does the job quickly, has an adjustable flame (though no tips, and no "pin-point" flame--and I really don't mind a bit) and it's self-igniting, which is a major plus with me. I may move on to a "proper" jeweler's torch some day, but this torch works for my needs right now. Therefore I can't justify spending the big bucks yet. PLUS, my hubby wouldn't agree to it until we have a house of our own & a garage. :) As far as soldering goes, I would STAY AWAY from plumber's flux, as it contains lead. A big no-no with jewelry, and it is actually against the law to sell jewelery containing lead in California. Practicing on copper is good, and there is such a thing as copper solder wire (doesn't leave that silver tone on the join) and can be found cheap at Santa Fe Jeweler's Supply. Borax flux works well with this, too, and supposedly isn't as toxic as "Handy Flux".
http://www.sfjssantafe.com/baseitems.php?Gid=MB003&DepId=metals&ItemSet=Copper&r=type
I have used silver solder chips, and "Handy Flux", but to be honest, found it frustrating as well, because the solder seems easily dislodged when the flux bubbles up. Takes practice and patience. And sicne patience isn't exactly one of my virtues, I have stuck with silver solder paste, which contains flux. Makes life a lot easier, especially since it comes in a tube. This is great when you need just a teeny bit (such as when closing jump rings) but I use it on practically all of my work. When you feel comfortable soldering, don't be afraid to move on to sterling. And silver prices are the lowest they've been in quite some time! Have you started cutting metal as well?
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MnMTreasures
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