soldering tips for jewelry

I keep thinking that I will get back to my sculpting, but I have been trying to keep up with custom orders for my pendants.

I have some safety tips for those of you who want to try your hand at soldering.

Plan to burn yourself a few times. Soldering is not for those who are unadventuresome.

Use only lead free solder.

No one can really tell you how to make solder beads,at least, in my opinon. You just have to keep practicing until you attain the skill.

Soldering on a jump ring is also something that takes a lot of practice, especially if you have an unsteady hand. Practice on a "junk piece" of china.

Always wear a mask or, at the very least, have good ventilation while you are soldering. Flux fumes are not good for you. Dust masks will not filter out fumes.

I will add more tips as I think of them. In the meantime, you can find the basic instructions for soldering on some of the solder supply sites and the stained glass sites.

To see all of my work, here is a link to my site:

www.toodlesock.com

Wedgwood broken china pendant with back stamp

This white broken china pendant with the Wedgwood "Patrician" back stamp didn't make it to my website! I was delighted that my sister, Gina, liked it so much that she claimed it as her own! I wanted to share the photo with you because I will be making a similar one for my website soon! I bought several of the Wedgwood plates here in Ohio. As I said in my earlier post, white embossed china has become my favorite and a Wedgwood one is particularly impressive because of its world wide renowned reputation.

One wonderful side benefit of having a passion for art, is that I am very content at home with my work. I don't feel compelled to shop malls to fill a hole in my soul, which is a very good thing in this economy. If you can find your passion, you will find that there is no time to dwell on the negative, or to feel that you have to shop til you drop to make sense of your life.

new china findings!

I have been scouring the antique stores in Ohio. I have found some exciting new china to transform into pendants for summer wear! I am particularly looking forward to using some white embossed china that has a very vintage look, especially when worn on a black velvet cord. I sold a similar one last week and was so hoping to find similar plates so that I could make more. I think they just might be my favorite look. I really never thought that white china would look so eye catching, but it is!

My broken china pendants tend to be more substantial and are bolder than most other artists' pieces. They make a very stylish statement.

When I go home to California next week, I will be grinding my new found treasures, shaping them into stunning art for you to wear!

I also hope to finish those baby dolls that are just waiting for some blush and wisps of hair. I have no trips planned for a while, so I look forward to spending my days soldering and sculpting.

Please watch for my new work soon @ www.toodlesocks.com

long overdue update

I have been side tracked from my sculpting. I have found another art form that has been occupying my free time, but I can assure you that I am will be finishing some dolls really soon!
Let me tell you about my new "addiction." I taught myself to do decorative soldering and have been creating the most lovely pendants, which I have listed for sale on my website. I am have trademarked my Vanity Pendants™, my own concept for "useable jewelry." With an image on one side and a mirror on the other, they can be used discreetly for checking your face, makeup, and lipstick after dinner, or just whenever! I am proud to say that I am producing these with a company logo for the sales representatives of a new corportation, and hope to produce them for other businesses that need a clever way to advertise.
I am also creating broken china pendants. Mine are bigger and bolder than most of the other broken china jewelry that you see. Also, you will find gorgeous antique or vintage "lace under glass" pendants on my site.
Soldering is definitely an art and a challenge. I have the burn marks on my fingers to prove it! I have mastered decorative solder beads and giving some of my pieces a believeable antique patina.

PLease don't give up me when it comes to my sculpting. I have two babies nearly finished and one fairy child in the works. I will be listing them soon! I will also share more sculpting tips and one of these days, I will try to post a tutorial for sculpting a baby's face.

In the pictures above, I am showing the pendants and bracelet that I made for a client. The broken china belonged to her grandmother. You will also see a picture of a lace under glass pendant. I found the lace in Kapaa, Hawaii last month. Then, of course, there is a photo of one of my Vanity Pendants™ !

My website:
www.toodlesocks.com

changes in store

I want to announce that I will not longer be selling my work on Ebay. Instead, I have been working on my website and will be offering my work there, at a set price.
Also, I will be offering my broken china pendants as well as other unique, one of a kind creations of art for you to wear!

More to come!

Twas the day after Thanksgiving....

My little model, Paul Alan


Thanksgiving dinner was way too good this year. I think my southern cornbread stuffing was the best I ever made. We were so happy to have our son, Eric,daughter-in-law, Lora, and baby grandson, Paul here with us this year. He couldn't be cuter and is a perfect model for my sculpted babies!

Speaking of sculpting, I am currently working on a commissioned 1:12 miniature piece which consists of four 1/2 inch baby angels hanging from a miniature chandelier. I am actually making miniature copies of miniatures, with the originals being 5 1/2 inches. I will post pictures when it is complete.

I won't be taking anymore commissions until after the holidays. With all that has been going on in our lives, my sculpting time is limited, but I do manage to list on Ebay occasionally.

Thank you for your continued support.

A sad day for me

This morning, I lost my dearest childhood friend, Bonnie. I have many wonderful memories of our youth. The years have gone by way too quickly. It seems only yesterday we were giggling teens. Sixty one is way too young to die. Once again, I have lost a loved one to cancer.