jewellery by kristine

Ringu

2011-03-16T21:21:00.000+10:00

It's taken a long time to get to this,

I have finally bitten the bullet,

taken the plunge,

stepped from the frying pan and into the fire.

Yes.

I've made a ring!

I knew it would be a challenge, and of course I wasn't going to start off simple.

No.

Simple would be too.....

Um... simple.

Where's the challenge in simple?

So I bit off more than I could chew and chewed, and chewed, and chewed.

It isn't perfect, but I'm very happy with what I have achieved.

This one is called "Courage".

Courage to bite off more than I can chew, personally, professionaly and creatively.

xo K

JBK now on facebook

2010-11-28T22:46:00.000+10:00

Last week I finally set up a facebook business page for Jewellery by Kristine. It is up and running and I have 31 "likers" already! I love my friends :) If you have a facebook page and would like to get up to the minute updates from yours truly click on this link and like my page. There is also a tab linking to my etsy store so there is no need to navigate away from facebook to view my store. Noice :)

I've also been in the workshop finishing of new bits and pieces and they have now been listed in my etsy and made it stores .

There is always so much to do and so many places to be in the lead up to Christmas. So I really must get cracking and make more stuff.

Sometimes it's hard to get into the right headspace. Most days it comes easy, but this weekend nothing worked for me on Saturday, I kept forgetting to prep surfaces and/or my hands, clay stuck to everything and my mind wasn't co-operating and ideas were not coming easily. Thankfully today I had some success and managed to start on a bunch of new pieces - 11 pairs of earrings, a pendant and two custom pieces - so I will be a busy bee finishing them in the next few days.

I'll keep you posted with pictures in the coming days.

Shaweet!

xoK

Coming Soon * This is the new stuff *

2010-11-15T21:55:00.000+10:00

I got busy on the weekend and finished some new stuff. A few pairs of earrings and pendants.

I tried my new Koi fish stamp and have made a rectangular shaped pendant and earring set.

All these pieces are fresh out of the kiln, so still require a bit on finishing... burnishing with a soft brass brush, a bit of elbow grease to smooth and polish, hanging on ear hooks and threading through chains.

With a bit of good time management on my part I should have time this weekend to do a photo shoot and get them up on etsy and made it, ready for those looking for something special for Christmas.

xoK

Shrinkage

2010-11-15T21:47:00.000+10:00

When creating a piece from Precious Metal Clay you need to keep in mind the shrinkage which will occur when firing your creation.

Shrinkage occurs because the organic material in the clay burns off during the firing process to leave the pure silver. I use PMC 3 which shrinks around 10-12% during the firing process.

Don't get me wrong shrinkage is not a bad thing ;)

When a piece with an etched design shrinks the detail becomes finer. So depending on the effect you are looking forward the shrinking can be used to your advantage to create the kind of super fine detail you would otherwise not be able create with a non-shrinking clay. By the way all versions of PMC shrink when fired. The original version in excess of 20%!

This picture shows the cutter I used to cut each shape. As you can see the orignal size is clearly larger than the fired piece. These bits are fresh out of the oven today.

xoK

The Good Mark * Custom Piece

2010-11-15T20:59:00.000+10:00

Recently a friend of mine asked me to make a special piece for his wife. When he described what he was looking for, I had to ask... "Are you sure?". Being of the feminine persuasion I wasn't too sure if said wife would be happy with a pendant created from the mark of a fictional comic character.

It just so happens that husbands wedding ring is a replica of The Phantom's Good Mark ring. Now how could I question that. The woman obviously married him with full knowledge of his obsession with the purple one. So hey, how could she not love it!

A fair chunk of preparation went into creating this piece. I created a mould from creative paper clay.Actually I created two. It could have been more. Once I'd rolled out the PMC in preparation to make the pendant, then I decided which mould I would use. I chose the one which took the least amount of time to make.

Wham! Bam! Fabulous pendant!

This is the pendant drying on a dome.

This is it finished and ready to go to a good home.

I love it when a plan comes together.

xoK

Lucky Cat

2010-10-26T21:25:00.000+10:00

Yay to the Lucky Cat!

My good friend Gay bought him back from Sydney after a recent trip for work.

She knew I've been wanting one of these for ages. I love the waving arm.

He now has pride of place on my workbench, waving and watching...

Little bit freaky really, but I heart him.

xoK

Coming Soon * Don't be Koi *

2010-10-26T21:16:00.001+10:00

I recently acquired a new stamp. This beautiful Koi.

Today I took it for a test run.

This is one of 4 new Koi pieces which will be finished and up in the stores soon.

Christmas is coming so I'd better get cracking!

xoK

Coming Soon * This is the new stuff *

2010-10-26T21:11:00.000+10:00

I was feeling a bit cranky on the way home from work today...

I knowwwww...

Finished work for the day!

How is it possible to be cranky?!

Sometimes the best thing is to think about something else.

So when I got home I headed straight for the workbench, unpacked the goodies and started making...

Coming soon to a online store near you... more Krisi's Kreations!

Birdies, Koi fishies and some shapey shapes.

xoK

Windows, Buckles and Books Featured

2010-09-30T20:01:00.000+10:00

I'm very excited to have one of my pieces featured in a treasury by a wonderful etsian Rita.

Thanks Rita!

How good is that!

Is it ok to be this excited about it?

I'm saying it is... work has been sending me bonkers lately and a bit of good news really helped me get through the day.

xoK

Windows, Buckles and Books

2010-09-29T19:18:00.001+10:00

Isn't it funny how people look at things and see something completely different to others. My brother asked on the weekend "why are you wearing a buckle on your neck?". My three year old nephew saw a book (he's a smart little cookie), same as a friend of mine.

So while I'm inspired by one thing the end result can be interpreted in so many ways.

I love my craft!

xoK

New Creation * Cubist *

2010-09-19T18:04:00.001+10:00

Say hello to the latest piece direct from the workshop.

Fine silver pendant with part brushed and part mirror finishes.

I think this piece will work nicely with these earrings...

Different but still a bit of same.... no-one wants be too matchy matchy ;-)

These are my first experiment with embedding stud posts into metal clay.

I plan on wearing these for a few days to test the strength and the durability of the connection before making new ones for sale. It's always good to test something new and I do like to wear pretty things and see if I get any comments :-D

Cheerio :-)

xoK

New Creations * Graphic Pieces *

2010-08-23T21:42:00.001+10:00

Look what just came out of my workshop.

I feel so productive and creative right now. Maybe it's because the weather is warming up and the workshop in the garage seems slightly more inviting than it has these past few months.

xoK

Making things work...

2010-08-22T21:01:00.003+10:00

While planning and making "the piece with no name" there was the challenge of how to fire it without the circle on the bottom of the pendant sagging while it was being fired.

I decided to use a product called creative paper clay to make little supports to put under the piece (that's the white stuff).

Having not used creative paper clay before I wasn't sure if it would work or not. When I took the piece out of the kiln I was very pleased to see that the paper clay didn't burn off (as I thought it would at 650degrees celcius), and the paper clay left behind was a lovely ashey grey. So that was a very successfuly experiment and I'll be using it again.

xoK

New Creations * The piece with no name *

2010-08-22T20:47:00.002+10:00

The graphic cut outs in Pierre Cardin's fashions from the 80's have inspired me to
continue with the more graphic designs I was doing 12 months ago.

So coming soon... more graphic creations along the lines of .... this......

I am looking for a somewhat whitty and inspired name for this first piece in my new "collection"...

Hopefully it will come to me in my sleep. Suggestions are welcome...

This piece has two different finishes... the upper part is a brushed finish and the lower has a high polish shine... so not visible in the photo.. note to self: do photo shoot next weekend.

xoK

Things to be Inspired by.... Pierre Cardin

2010-08-22T20:37:00.001+10:00

Back in the 80's Pierre Cardin was King and I was in ell oh vee eee LOVE!

I was flicking through a recent issue of marie claire magazine and low and behold they were paying homage to the man himself.

The graphic cut out in these frocks caught my eye and are inspiration for my latest "collection"... coming soon.

xoK

New Creations * Custom Piece *

2010-07-07T20:30:00.000+10:00

I whipped this piece up on the weekend by special request from my Mum (my biggest supporter).

De bon amis = good friends

I love the way this one dangles around my neck... of course I had to try it out :-)

Got it in the post today. I sure hope it's a hit. :-)

Pretty Gifts for Giving

2010-06-15T21:40:00.000+10:00

I love wrapping gifts and this one was a special request from a customer based in NZ.

The earrings were placed on a bed of tissue paper in a wee white box and tied with pure white organza ribbon with a piece of fresh rosemary from my garden as a 'garnish'. The pink slip of paper under the ribbon holds a personal message.

I hope when the lucky recipient recieves then they get a lovely blast of rosemary scent as they open the envelope :-)

xoK

New listings in my madeit store :-)

2010-06-14T21:20:00.004+10:00

Heart on Hearts pendant on 45cm sterling silver chain

Question?? earrings on sterling silver hooks

You like??

;-)

xoK

New Creations * ? *

2010-06-14T12:22:00.002+10:00

Thank goodness for long weekends. It has been way too long since I've been motivated enough to list some new stuff. Here goes... about to the listed...

Question Mark Earrings... so cute!

I love these because the inspiration to create them came to me in a flash :-) as it usually happens, I'm creating something else and *bam* how about doing something like this, then it's a mad rush to get it on paper, or finish what I'm doing so I can move on to the next thing.

I'm also experimenting with new "props" and backgrounds for my photo shoots.

Scrapbooking papers and my favourite pink scarf are working wonders for me now.

xoK

Things to be Inspired by....

2010-04-25T11:54:00.002+10:00

I've been feeling like the laziest person in the world lately.... I'm back from the Thailand holiday and have been back at the grindstone like a good little workef bee, and now recovering from a virus of some sort... co-incidentally I fell ill less than a week after receiving a flu shot... sigh... after a few days in bed, contemplating the work that wasn't getting done and pretty much watching every tv show and movie I had in my collection, it was back to work on Friday and now happily it's a long weekend.

It is a weekend of reflection as it is at this time every year. ANZAC Day. A day of celebration and reflection. Of giving thanks to all the brave soldiers who throughout the years and to this day fight to keep our way of life in our "Lucky Country".

I am inspired by the people who put their lives on the line every day for us and am extremely grateful for all they do.

Time for holiday snaps!
Here is a selection of pics taken in Thailand of interesting shapes which will be used in future jewellerybyKristine creations :-)

Perhaps not this one... but isn't he beautiful :-)

I wish I was back in Thailand.... eating....

xoK

The caiotic inspiration wall

2010-02-22T18:31:00.003+10:00

This is only part of it. Lots of pretty pics to ponder when I need an idea or twenty. Also covers the ugly chunk o' gyprock that is hiding the uglier brick wall.

xoK :-)

Rearranged workspace

2010-02-22T18:28:00.003+10:00

I spent a bit of time last week rearranging my workspace. I was hoping I had a long enough chunk of wood (ie. left over from the kitchen reno) to extend the shelf the entire length of the bench but the bits are either too long or too short. Sigh. So it looks like I'll actually have to use one of the extensive range of tools in my 'man kit' to saw something. Later.

So even with a small amount of shuffling of the stuff I've managed to create a bit more space to work on.

I even got my inspiration wall sorted. Well what I call organised ciaos. There's a pic of that in my next post.

xoK :)

Music for my ears

2010-02-22T14:22:00.002+10:00

I found these fabo wee speakers for my iPhone the other day. They can

be folded flat so I could take them anywhere. Best thing about them is

they have pictures of my favourite things on them. Shoes!!!

They are now on the shelf in my freshly rearranged workspace, ready to
blast out some tunes.

xoK :-)

New Creations and Stuff

2010-02-01T21:20:00.001+10:00

The other day I started writing this post, then saved it as a draft and have just now come back to finish it off with pics etc and some how I've managed to delete the entire thing!!!! NOOooooooooo.......

I'll try to remember what I wrote, and I'm sure it was scintillating and extremely articulate as I am prone to doing... it went something like this..... perhaps a little more descriptive :-)

Been a long time since I've made time to update the blog, bought some stuff, made some stuff... sold some stuff :-)

I bought a new car!!! Yay!! Got a new flash black one.. the yellow one had to go after nearly 8 long and eventful years of faithful service....

I'm currently a little too in love with the new beasty. But I'm told it will pass.

I made a few commissioned pieces which turned out quite nicely and have had really positive feedback, which satisfies the tortured and oft way too critical artist in me. They were something new and have started me thinking, thinking....

Here, I've made the picture nice and big so you can read the text.

Ubuntu is an African word, which has been described as "too beautiful to translate into English". The essence of Ubuntu is that "a person is a person through other people". It describes humanity as "being-with-others" and prescribes what "being-with-others" should be all about.

Virtus et Honor - Latin - strength and honour : and on the back (not pictured) Mon Ami - French - my friend

Nossa Tia - Portuguese - Our auntie : on the back has a special inscription from the givers to their special Auntie.

Je t'aime - French - I love you

Ti amo - Italian - Love you

The last two pieces (Je t'aime and ti amo) are bits I made for fun and also to practice using my own handwriting in the clay prior to drying and firing. It is easier than I thought.. thankfully... Fortunately I wasn't looking for perfection in my script.

I'm going to make some more rings with words on them over the weekend. I like that a bunch of them can be strung on a chain, to jangle around ones neck.

Ciao for now!
8-)
K

New Creations * I Heart Hearts *

2010-02-01T20:58:00.001+10:00

I finished the hearts! Yay! Well actually I finished them last week but decided to wait till the weekend for a daylight shoot, then ran out of time to actually blog about them and list them. Still haven't listed them, at least the blog bits out of the way. Phew!

These ones will be listed exclusively in my made it store, just in time for Valentines day...hmmm.... is it not Valentines day every day?

xxK

New Creations * More Hearts and Love

2010-01-13T22:03:00.004+10:00

More hearts and lovey inspired dangley bits for hanging around your neck.

Waiting patiently for baking on the morrow. Can't wait to get home

from work so I can cook these babies up :) xx K

New Creations * Hearts with Love

2010-01-13T22:00:00.002+10:00

These are some of the new things I've been working on. They are quietly

drying away in a cozy spot on the workbench away from kitty paws.

I can't wait to get them fired and polished.

This pic was sent from my phone direct so the orientation isn't right...sorry 'bout that...

Will post more pics when they are baked :) xx K

Babushka ya, babushka ya, babushka eye eye

2010-01-13T18:45:00.003+10:00

My very talented friend, Kirsten over at Vintage Cherubs has created the most amazing Babushka dolly/pillows. I want them all!

I'm sure I'd find a way to fit them into the decor of my bedroom.

Love your work Kirsten.

And here's a pretty picture for you :)

I've not quite worked out this linking thing but the click on the link below and it will take you straight to Kirsten's blog.

http://vintagecherubsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/babushkas-are-finally-being-born.html

Cheerio from the cat house!
xxK

* New Creations * Latest stuff

2010-01-08T15:30:00.002+10:00

Hello, hello... well look who's been a busy girl then... finished these ones off today, then did the ishoot of all the new bits to be listed. Today the shoot was using natural light as opposed to the usual night time shoot with the desk lamp and overhead fluro... I must do daytime more often, much easier to get a decent natural looking shot.

Anyhoos best be getting to and listing in the stores... xxK

Update: Sat. 16th Jan 2010 - The Branching Out necklace has been ~sold~ Yay!

New Creations * Earrings *

2010-01-07T20:37:00.002+10:00

These are some earrings I just finished. They being listed on etsy and made it tomorrow along with a couple of new necklaces which are being fired and finished off in the morning.

xx K

Gift Wrapping for the Nephews....

2010-01-07T15:03:00.000+10:00

Today I wrapped the birthday gifts for the nephews (Harrison 5, Oscar 3 and Hamish 1). I'm very pleased with the way the tags I made turned out...very nice and very boyish :)

Their mum and dad are having a combined Christening for Hamish and birthday party for all the boys this Sunday. It will be nice to see them all and celebrate their coming of age(s). They will also be receiving their Christmas gifts as I didn't get to see them over Christmas. It will be a big day for the wee boys! :)

xxK

New Year Celebrations at Southbank

2010-01-07T14:57:00.000+10:00

Here are few pictures of the fireworks at Southbank for New Year twenty ten celebrations....

Two of the shots show the moon in the top left.... very noice :)

* New Creation * Star Flower

2009-12-29T19:53:00.000+10:00

This is another of my super duper new creations made on a fabulously creative Friday night..... I know it would probably be better for my social life if I was out with friends meeting people or something, but I was feeling in the zone that night and didn't have a headache (after four solid days of pain I was ready for a nice clear head).

I gave this one to my brothers girlfriend, Manuela, for Christmas (well she chose it from my collection) and the picture is of it hanging around her lovely neck :-)

xx K

Heart of Hearts Pendant * Commissioned Piece *

2009-12-29T19:37:00.001+10:00

This piece was created especially for a chap I know through work. I sure hope his beautiful girlfriend likes her Christmas gift!
It turned out fantastically! I used a different method to get the brushed effect and am very happy with the result. The other brushed pieces I've done have a softer finish, but I like the way more light refracts of the deeper etching on this pendant.

:-)

xx K

* New Creation * Spike Flower

2009-12-29T19:31:00.002+10:00

I know. Spike Flower is another not very interesting name for a piece.... brain tired as explained previously...

This piece is now listing in etsy and made it stores.

:-)

xxK

Update: Sat. 16th Jan 2010 - This piece is now ~sold~
P.S. It's actually a dandilion.... how brain dead am I!?

* New Creation * Swirl Flower

2009-12-29T19:28:00.002+10:00

Swirl Flower isn't exactly a very inspired name for this one, but I've been driving all day (well it feels like it anyway) and my brain is not feeling very creative. And yes it is now listed on etsy and made it...

I found some pretty scrapbooking papers while in Gympie for the holidays... do you like it? I thought I'd try out some different backgrounds to iPhotog my stuff on.

:-) xx K

* New Creation * SOLD!

2009-12-29T19:24:00.001+10:00

This is the other new one that was sold before getting listed.

Sweet!

Thanks to the lovely Tanya my neighbour for loving owls and buying it for herself (from hubby of course) for Christmas. xx K

* New Creation * SOLD!

2009-12-29T19:21:00.001+10:00

This one of my recent creations which was sold before landing in my etsy and made it stores!!!
I like it, I like it a lot! :-)

New Stuff Now on Etsy!

2009-12-15T20:15:00.002+10:00

* New Creation * Quadrant

2009-12-14T21:45:00.000+10:00

I practiced staging my creations in the iShoot tonight... I still needs lots of practice...

This pair is listed in my made it store also....

Don't ask how I come up with names, they just appear

Time for this little chicken to hit the sack.

xxK

* New Creation * Sweet Daisy

2009-12-14T21:40:00.000+10:00

Pretty, yummy, daisy dangles now in store....

www.madeit.com.au/jewellerybykristine

will be up in the etsy store tomorrow night...

:-D

xxK

* New Creation * Triangulation

2009-12-14T21:36:00.000+10:00

Okay. Another new one for the made it store... well not new really... I posted this one on here a while ago, I have just now refined and put the finishing touches to it... also waiting on new stock of sterling silver chains to hang the stuff from.

I hoping to get the stuff I've posted on made it tonight up on etsy tomorrow night...

xxxK

* New Creation * Double Trouble

2009-12-14T21:31:00.003+10:00

This is one of my newest creations... final touches added today. It is now listed in my madeit store...

www.madeit.com.au/jewellerybykristine

There is a link to the right of my blog that will take you straight to my store. I haven't listed it on etsy yet. Big weekend.... must get some sleep :-)

Thanks for looking!

xxK

Bella loves the bookshelf

2009-12-07T06:59:00.002+10:00

Yesterday while I was busy adding stuff to my made it store

Bella decided to explore the reading materials on the bookshelf

in the study. I have no idea how she got up there. I saw movement

out of the corner of my eye, looked up and there she was.

Such a little monkey cat.

:-)

New Creations * Dangley Earrings *

2009-12-02T22:01:00.001+10:00

It is so past bed time for me tonight, I feel constantly exhausted at the moment. I don't know if it's the heat keeping from sleeping soundly or the frantic buzzing of new ideas around my brain. Probably a combination of both, but more so the buzzing.... so many ideas.... so few recreational hours in the day....

I think my Bella is wondering why I'm spending so much time in the study tonight, she has been popping in occasionally to check out what I'm doing, and rub against my leg a little. Sometimes she stays for a chat, most times she leaves in disgust!

On Monday night I got busy and created a few bits to go on dangley earrings. Tonight I finished, photographed and listed them in the Etsy store. Epic! So glad that's over.

I managed to make a mess of liver of sulfur in my workshop while finishing the earrings off and have tarnished my rings, stained a few towels and a countless number of tools. Oops.... I still have the stench up my nose and on my hands..... Yucko! Yuck! Yuck!

The tarnish will come off the rings and tools with a bit of elbow grease (that reminds me, I must go find said rings), the towels will wash clean and the smell will be gone by the morning.

Yawn! G'nite all.

xx K

Busy Busy.....

2009-11-29T17:13:00.000+10:00

Now that I've finished adding my latest creations to my Etsy store it's time for a break. I need to go food shopping, then perhaps I'll vege in front of the telly for a while, and think about what to snack on for dinner, since I've only just had lunch.

Ciao for now!
Kris

New Creation Autumn Leaves

2009-11-29T15:23:00.003+10:00

After firing and finishing this piece I decided a patina to highlight the leaves was in order, then a bit of a polish of the leaves to bring them to a high shine. I think it's a nice contrast the matte silver surrounds.

I've decided I really like this one and don't want to sell it. But alas it is not mine and I'm sure there is a person out there who it would be perfect for.

:-)
Kris

New Creations in my * Etsy Store *

2009-11-29T13:35:00.017+10:00

Check out the first ever listings in my etsy store! Yay!

COMING SOON * Etsy Store

2009-11-26T18:40:00.001+10:00

Hi peeps,

Over the next week I will be listing items for sale in my etsy store.

This weekend it is my mission to do a "photoshoot" - perhaps this should be referred to as an "iShoot" as my iphone camera copes better with close up shots than my real camera. I'll then commence "stocking" the store with goodies for purchase :-)

I'll let you know once there is something to look at!

Ciao for now :-P
xx K

New Creation * Pik me! Pik me! *

2009-11-17T21:26:00.004+10:00

Check out the li'l fellas all in a row :-)

This one could be worn as a choker on a piece of ribbon

or worn lower on a long chain.

New Creation Triangulation

2009-11-17T21:23:00.010+10:00

I'm thinking about brushing some liver of sulfur in the indentations
to bring out the detail a little more and then giving it a good buff to shine it up.

New Creation Squarey Square

2009-11-17T21:23:00.009+10:00

I like the brushed finish on this one.

I used course sandpaper before and after firing to give it the soft lines.

I will give it another going over with sandpaper to smooth

out the rough spots.

New Creation Flutterby

2009-11-17T21:22:00.002+10:00

Purdy butterfly. This one has a flower stamped onto it then the

butterfly shape was cut out, and to finish off a wee ball of

fine silver placed at the center of the flower.

I'd like to hang this one on a chain by the wings.

New Creation Swirly Star

2009-11-17T21:21:00.003+10:00

I like the roughness to this piece it contrasts nicely with the swirly perfection.

Wear it high on a piece of leather cord.

Messy Workshop and Prometheus in Bake Mode

2009-11-17T21:15:00.005+10:00

I made some pendants over the weekend, finished them yesterday so tonight was firing night.

Here's a pic of Promey cooking up a storm and the organised ciaos on my bench.

My first ever commissioned piece * * SOLD * *

2009-11-12T22:20:00.001+10:00

This is a piece I finished today in the lovely new kiln.

Custom made for my lovely friend Lou from London for her lovely friend Dani in NSW. And I got paid for it!! Yay yay yay!!!!!

Wa da ya think?

xxK

P.S The kiln works a treat. Can't wait to make and bake some more stuff :-P

Garage work area/bench - finally!!!

2009-11-08T17:21:00.003+10:00

Today made it my mission to clean up an area in my garage to set up 'the work area'. It just so happens there has always been the perfect position under a window and between the two build in cupboards, with a power point nice and handy. I've been picturing that spot as my work area for ages now. Now I have it. Yaya!

The shelf that the lamp is attached to is a reject door from my kitchen reno (too big, had to order a new one), I knew I kept it lying around for a reason. I used liquid nails to attach it to the shelf brackets that were already there. Call me little miss dodgy if you must.

Getting the table was the most teadious part. After a trip to bunnings, a scratch around big w, target and finally the warehouse I found one! I didn't think it would be so hard to find cheap sturdy melamine topped table, believe me it's an epic pain.

Can't wait to get the kiln and put it in it's place on the left side of the bench. I'll be sure to post more pics when my new friend Prometheus is in the house. It will be fabulous!

It looks nice and tidy and a little sparse now, but I don't think it will be too long before I get everything down stairs and stuff all over the place :-)

Time for a cuppa and a bicky :-)
xxK

One Small Step for Man.... A Giant Leap for JBK

2009-11-08T08:50:00.003+10:00

On Thursday I ordered my jewellery kiln. Early Christmas pressie for meeeeee!!!!!! I'm so excited!

Don't get me wrong, I do love my trusty butane torch but it does have its limitations. Like not being able to fire a flat piece larger than a ten cent piece or hollow forms and other fun stuff. Good for the basics but not for the kind of jewellery I really want to make.

Can't wait to get it and fire the pieces I have been working on. This past week I've created a few simple pendants (including my first commissioned piece! Yay!) and a ring. Once they're fired I'll post some pics.

I've been madly sketching away coming up with ideas for all kinds of stuff. Although that doesn't mean I will make every design I come up with... give it time... and with inspiration coming at a rapid rate it could be dangerous to my hip pocket if I don't start selling very soon. Now the kiln is on it's way I can go a little nuts and get a bunch of pieces made to sell at a market stall.

Salada!
xxK

Back of the Pendants...

2009-10-28T18:32:00.004+10:00

See I put my JBK and fine silver mark (.999) on the back.

They look rough but that's what I like so much about metal clay :-)

The Finished Pendants/Charms

2009-10-28T18:29:00.001+10:00

I'm very happy how these turned out. They are a great size to use as an ID charm on the kitties collars... If they wore them. They are
indoor only rascals so no need for neckwear... Although I'm sure
disserning wee kitty fashionistas out there would happily wear them.

I've managed to send this post from my iphone! Woot woot to me! I love technology!!!!

A picture of the backs is coming up next.

Cheerios!

Paw Print Pendant/Charm - The Beginning

2009-10-27T20:53:00.001+10:00

The picture to the left is of the two pendants slash charms I made this evening. One "finger" print from Bella and one from Alvin.

Bella (the tortie) and Alvin (the ginga) are my kitties (see below right pic). Well Alvin is my part time kitty and Bella's playmate for a few days at a time. If they spend too much time together one gets crazy and one gets cranky. Alvin is crazy and Bella is the cranky one. Bless my precious Bella she loves her alone time with Mummy, and having her house all to herself. Dear Alvin just makes himself at home and kicks Bella out of bed.

Getting back to the pendants/charms. These are still wet, and look a bit messy (perhaps it's the not so hot photography). Tomorrow night when they are dry I will file and finish the edges and then fire them with the little torch. Gotta love the butane!

Ciao for now!

What is this Metal Clay stuff anyway?

2009-10-18T20:46:00.006+10:00

Metal Clay is a pure silver metal powder combined with non toxic organic binder and water. It feels like clay, looks like clay but when fired, the binder burns away, leaving pure, 99.9% fine silver.

Metal Clay comes in lump form, as a paste (in a syringe), a slip (in a pot) and as "paper". Each type lends itself to different uses and effects, and all can be combined in the one project.

Raw Metal Clay can be rolled, sculpted and shaped easily with fingers and other simple tools.

When it is dry it can be sanded, filed, engraved, drilled and pre-polished.

Once it has been fired it can be treated like any other pure silver. File it, shape it, burnish it and give it a patina. Perhaps you wish to set a stone in it or maybe enamel or glass, go ahead, do it, the possibilities are endless. And this is why I love the stuff.

Metal Clay also comes in gold, bronze and copper variants, each with their own unique finishes and methods of firing.

Thanks for reading.

Metal Clay Pendant

2009-10-18T20:34:00.004+10:00

This is a pendant I made a couple of weeks ago.

22mm x 25mm

Liver of sulpher patina

I wore it today on the ribbon necklace. I think it looks nice.

I'll be making more of these with different patterns.

Simple but effective.

Thanks for reading.

Silversmithing 101

2009-10-18T19:53:00.020+10:00

Ok. These two pieces were made in my silversmithing workshop (an entire exhausting weekend!).

First came the ring. Technically not first, first. First we spent a good 3 hours learning to cut straight lines, zigzag lines and wavy lines in a piece of brass with a jewellers saw. I lost count of the number of blades I broke...

Then came the ring, we spent the evening measuring, shaping and filing. So first real project but not first thing to learn in the class :-)

On day two came the pendant, after more broken saw blades and a few cut fingers...oops! Once the bleeding stopped it was pretty smooth sailing!

Our teachers were fantastic with a combined 90 years experience as jewellers. WOW! Thanks Elmer and Sue! Especially Sue for all the lovely cups of tea and crunchy yummy biscuits.

Thanks for reading.

My First Experience with Metal Clay

2009-10-18T19:33:00.006+10:00

This is a bunch of shinny things I made in my first metal clay workshop. The little bits will be used in a charm bracelet, the larger pendant will be mounted with a sterling silver bail, and the rest well... who knows....

The large pendant in the middle has had a liver of sulpher patina applied to give it a tarnished look, the raised part of the design was burnished then polished with a silver cloth to bring out the shinny detail.

All the other bits were scrubbed and burnished to a high shine.

As you can see I haven't worked how to change the orientation of photo's once uploaded yet, sigh...

Thanks for reading!

First

2009-10-18T10:54:00.004+10:00

From the beginning I've been creative in one way or another. My earliest memories are of endless drawing of princess gowns (they couldn’t be called dresses, they were way too fabulous for that) and hand sewing clothes for my treasured Barbie doll (and sometimes myself) out of scraps of fabric I scavenged from my Mum’s sewing room.

In my early years at primary school I loved to paint (I wasn't good at it but loved it none the less). High school gave me art classes and Miss Radunz my favourite teacher. Her tuition nurtured my passion for all things "arty". At first I thought I wanted to get into fashion (you know all those pretty dresses drawn in childhood), I thought I could do it, then I realized perhaps I should get a real job. I wasn’t that good at sewing anyways and found it just took to long to get the end product. So that’s where I left it, at the gates of the school when I graduated in ’89.

Many years later, on a not particularly noteworthy miserably rainy day in a small country town my boredom lead to the discovery of beading and jewellery making. My good friend Tennille and I wanted to go to the beach, but because of the aforementioned rain and misery we headed instead to a dollar shop in the main street of the small town I lived in, to find something to amuse ourselves.

After wandering the isles of cheap stuff, I happened upon a revolving stand of pretty, shinny things. After a small discussion with my friend and the purchase of a selection of pretty, shinny things we headed back to my Mum’s house and commenced creating. My friend discovered she wasn’t that interested in making jewellery or beading, but for me it was a revelation, an epiphany, something I’d never done before but felt I’d being doing for ever.

That was about 7 years ago and since then I’ve settled back in Brisbane, made many, many pretty things, sold and given away many, many of those pretty things. I have accumulated a rather large collection of beads and stuff and am always looking for more to add to the collection, even though I’ve not been creating as much as I would like to the past few years.

In July this year I went to a local bead and gem show with hopes of reviving my flagging creativity and pick up a few pretty beads in the process, naturally!. This is when I first heard of Precious Metal Clay (PMC). I signed up for a 3 hour workshop on that day and fell in love. What an amazing product, so many possibilities, so shinny when all polished up!

A few weeks after discovering PMC I attended a beginners Silversmithing workshop that I’d signed up for months before. This was fabulous too and got me thinking. Thinking about what I want to do with my life and where I would like to be. I think I want to be sitting in my garage workshop creating stuff, making jewellery, getting my hands dirty. I think this is the beginning of something good. Something that’s been in the back of my mind for a very long time.

Thanks for reading.

jewellery by kristine

** Ringu **

JBK now on facebook

Coming Soon * This is the new stuff *

Shrinkage

The Good Mark * Custom Piece

Lucky Cat

Coming Soon * Don't be Koi *

Coming Soon * This is the new stuff *

Windows, Buckles and Books ** Featured **

I'm very excited to have one of my pieces featured in a treasury by a wonderful etsian Rita.

Thanks Rita!

How good is that!

Is it ok to be this excited about it?

I'm saying it is... work has been sending me bonkers lately and a bit of good news really helped me get through the day.

xoK

Windows, Buckles and Books

New Creation * Cubist *

New Creations * Graphic Pieces *

Making things work...

New Creations * The piece with no name *

Things to be Inspired by.... Pierre Cardin

New Creations * Custom Piece *

Pretty Gifts for Giving

New listings in my madeit store :-)

New Creations * ? *

Things to be Inspired by....

The caiotic inspiration wall

Rearranged workspace

Music for my ears

New Creations and Stuff

New Creations * I Heart Hearts *

New Creations * More Hearts and Love

New Creations * Hearts with Love

Babushka ya, babushka ya, babushka eye eye

* New Creations * Latest stuff

New Creations * Earrings *

Gift Wrapping for the Nephews....

New Year Celebrations at Southbank

* New Creation * Star Flower

Heart of Hearts Pendant * Commissioned Piece *

* New Creation * Spike Flower

* New Creation * Swirl Flower

* New Creation * SOLD!

* New Creation * SOLD!

New Stuff Now on Etsy!

* New Creation * Quadrant

* New Creation * Sweet Daisy

* New Creation * Triangulation

* New Creation * Double Trouble

Bella loves the bookshelf

New Creations * Dangley Earrings *

Busy Busy.....

New Creation *Autumn Leaves*

New Creations in my * Etsy Store *

COMING SOON * Etsy Store

New Creation * Pik me! Pik me! *

New Creation ** Triangulation **

New Creation ** Squarey Square **

New Creation ** Flutterby **

New Creation ** Swirly Star **

Messy Workshop and Prometheus in Bake Mode

My first ever commissioned piece * * SOLD * *

Garage work area/bench - finally!!!

One Small Step for Man.... A Giant Leap for JBK

Back of the Pendants...

The Finished Pendants/Charms

Paw Print Pendant/Charm - The Beginning

What is this Metal Clay stuff anyway?

Metal Clay Pendant

Silversmithing 101

My First Experience with Metal Clay

First

Ringu

Windows, Buckles and Books Featured

New Creation Autumn Leaves

New Creation Triangulation

New Creation Squarey Square

New Creation Flutterby

New Creation Swirly Star