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Chatter

jdbeast1 on “Garden Droplets”:
“Love it....You always inspire me, Ali !…” read »
N Taylor on “Totally Teal”:
“Wanda you are such a skilled artist. Love those bracelets....Teal is such a happy color.…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “a taste of honey”:
“Gorgeous Doktor! My kind of colors.…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Ooops! I meant, Thank you all!…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Thanks you!....…” read »
Laud on “Evergreen Copper”:
“The copper, the stones--love it all. Lovely, dramatic design.…” read »
Laud on “Prince Moai”:
“Great set. Jimmy's a lucky moai.…” read »
Granny Chick aka Nancy on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Love it! Exquisite beads.…” read »
D Bienen on “Prince Moai”:
“These pieces are just stunning!!!!! Love looking at the lovely projects beaders have done..it is…” read »
Chelsea H on “Lots of Copper”:
“You could always start learning etching! I find that 16g through 20g copper makes some of…” read »
SpiralGalaxyx7 on “Violet Tendril Earrings”:
“Wonderful use of the sari silk ribbons! Love the earrings! I'm so glad lucite is not…” read »
Lisa LaBarre-Kurz on “Lovely Impression”:
“KO thread is used without a needle because of the stiffness of it. At Lima beads…” read »
Mary S – Sweet Chick on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks Lynda and Kate! I'll take a closer look at Swellegant. Lynda, thank you for the…” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Prince Moai”:
“Great looking pieces Jimmy is wearing. The nuggets are gorgeous. …” read »
monicaocoatl on “Prince Moai”:
“I have a huge crush on Jimmy too and he loves wearing all the blink. LOL…” read »
Fresh Baked on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Hi, Mary. There are other ways to get the oxidized look without the smell of…” read »
Chris Foust on “Simply Crystal”:
“Wow! Simply gorgeous!…” read »
Kate on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Mary S-- You could try using Swellegant instead of LOS. These are slightly acidic and shouldn't…” read »
N Taylor on “A Green Cuff”:
“Wow! Blown away. Thanks for all the pics. Wow!…” read »
N Taylor on “Lots of Copper”:
“Great earrings. Can't wait to see what you do with the 16g.…” read »
N Taylor on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Wanda, I really like this. Love the Butterfly theme and admire all the hard work…” read »
N Taylor on “Prince Moai”:
“Please let Jimmy know that he is my first on-line crush. Love a guy who…” read »
N Taylor on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Thank you all. Let me share with you, brass is the hardest metal I have worked…” read »
Blooming Ideas on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Beautiful! Fabulous pendant...makes for a beautiful necklace.…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Tourmaline Dream”:
“Dream is the perfect word to use for this set. Oh my gosh!!!!!…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Prince Moai”:
“Much fabulocity here. I'm a huuuuuge Aqua nugget fan. They look great with Quartz.It has such…” read »
Nancy Mc on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Thanks for that tutorial,FB. I would never have guessed about the "loop first" method. I'll give…” read »
Mary S – Sweet Chick on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“I read your tute and found it very easy to follow! And must agree with Kate and…” read »
Little Round Chick on “Mystic Mystery”:
“Love that color! Great design, too. …” read »
Little Round Chick on “Raspberry and Cream!”:
“YUM! Can I have mine with shortbread? This is such a gorgeous technique, Julia,…” read »
monicaocoatl on “Prince Moai”:
“No earrings for Prince Jimmy! I 'm wearing the earrings! LOL Thank you very much! These…” read »
Little Round Chick on “Blue Bird of Happiness in Brass”:
“Blue with brass. What more could anyone want? Great design. …” read »
Little Round Chick on “Yellow Dragonfly”:
“My kind of color! Love the design, too! Isn't it great to have a stash when…” read »
Little Round Chick on “Evergreen Copper”:
“Mmmmmm, yummy color! Love it! …” read »
Little Round Chick on “Blue Velvet Wraps”:
“Kate is right, It definitely has that "industrial chic" look. Great color, excellent design! …” read »
Beadzilla aka Wanda on “Butterfly Dance”:
“Thanks so much everyone. When I designed this I was thinking that the butterflies were skipping…” read »
Little Round Chick on “In The Garden of Olives”:
“Great Pendant! Love it! If you aren't sure about the design, put it away for a…” read »
Little Round Chick on “Recycled Blues”:
“Instant summer! Love 'em! …” read »
Little Round Chick on “Butterfly Dance”:
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Little Round Chick on “Tourmaline Dream”:
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I Believe

by Mommykat Bubbly Chick on 11/02/10

Bigger Photo

About this design:

I had the pieces to this on my desk awhile, and finally threw this together. I love how it turned out~ it may be a keeper, however I am in the process of making two more. One is hematite, and one is blue-green.

Components:

Metal, dyed purple agate cabachons, sterling silver clasp

Additional Images:

Read the comments (or add your own)

On Nov 02, 2010 at 4:35 pm #
Purple Chick aka Violet says:

Oh, Lorrie, this is stunningly GORGEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the silver and the purple agate… I don’t blame you, I would keep this
one too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 4:58 pm #
NY Bella says:

Lorrie, this is my kind of bracelet! Silver, chunky and with beautiful stones! I would definitely keep it!!! Would love to see the other two..
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:01 pm #
Reet says:

GORGEOUS!!!!!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:02 pm #
MoonBell says:

Wow! Did you make the bezels and everything?!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:06 pm #
Anita QoG Funny Chick says:

GORGEOUS!!!!!! I love this, Bubbly!!! Your just bubbling with creativity!!!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:11 pm #
FaeryGoth Chick says:

LOVE it Lorrie!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:16 pm #
Jewelry by Shannon says:

Wow … amazing! I too was wondering if you did the bezels too. I would have to keep this one if I made it! So pretty … SLS
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:40 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:

amazing Lorrie did you make the silver? I know a few of us where asking this is lovely and how did you get the stones to fit exactly is it a set??? whatever it is it is beautiful!!!!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 5:59 pm #
Jade aka Caryn says:

awesome so pretty. a keeper for sure
On Nov 02, 2010 at 6:25 pm #
Wemai Coffee Chick says:

Great design! I love this!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 6:38 pm #
Gemme Designs says:

Very nice and well done!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 6:55 pm #
KPJEWELS says:

Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous.
On Nov 02, 2010 at 7:27 pm #
Mommykat Bubbly Chick says:

Hi! Thanks for the comments. Do any of you remember a year ago April, I took some silversmithing courses offered at a LBS by Don Norris. ( i posted some of the pieces I made here on Lima!!!!!

He is an awesome teacher, and I loved the class so much my husband bought me his entire set on computer disk. There are about 18 or so disks in the set.

I have learned some basics for metal working, and also setting a stone in bezel strip. the silver bezel is sold in a strip, and can be cut. I measure around the stone, and add about a 1/4 inch. Then cut very carefully. lastly silver solder- I use half hard! is snipped into tiny workable pieces. the silver (bezel) is place on the silver (background) and solder inserted w. tweezers ^*I DO NOT RECOMMEND USING FINGERS BECAUSE IF YOU GET IN THAT HABIT, YOU MAY TOUCH SOMETHING HOT!!!*^ The torch is propane, and the metal is sat on a charcoal block, on top of a heatproof tile, & soldering mat (i am safety concerned.) probably this has a redundancy but is the system I use. Spray flux on the entire piece. slowly I melt the solder working at the furthest metal points away from places to be soldered. slowly move torch around. The solder will spread one silver “flashes” orangey color. make sure some solder is on bezel to connect ring. the silver piece can be picked up up with copper tongs, then goes in a pickle solution followed by a water bath.

Also, I scraped this project once about 6 months ago, because I melted off the little flowers (boy was I mad at myself!) so I put it away, then recut the metal (pre scribed w/ the ornate flowers) after some time passed.
I had the pieces on my desk, and couldnt figure out how to use them. Then I saw something sort of similar to this, and bam….inspiration!

next step is setting the stone. Some people use glue ( i did for this project) but there is a more traditional way to stone set, using either cardboard or sawdust.

I have found Rio Grande to be a fair place for materials, but they are a sizeable investment, even at the beginners level

I practiced making rings, but so far absolutely nothing postable. The silver work is slower for me because materials are expensive, and I can only play when kids are in school, and I have free time.
On Nov 02, 2010 at 7:32 pm #
grama rose aka stormy says:

Lorrie maybe i should star saving my silver scraps for you…i am always trowing away little pieces of silver and gold filled…I will start putting it in an envelop you can use that to sawder yes? Let me know Deb
On Nov 02, 2010 at 7:40 pm #
Mommykat Bubbly Chick says:

LOL, Deb I save them all! Some I melt down with a pinch of Borax (used to burn out any impurities) and then pour over broomstraw & make waterfalls. I think I have posted those awhile back too. That would be awesome, Deb, Thank you for thinking of me!! Hugs
On Nov 02, 2010 at 9:05 pm #
Lynn g says:

This is wonderful, and you put it away!!!!! Now you have a cool bracelet.. I also save all my silver scrap, have lots of uses.
On Nov 02, 2010 at 9:20 pm #
sunny chick says:

Lorrie, this is exquisitely gorgeous! Absolutely breathtaking! A keeper for sure!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 9:58 pm #
Jewelrybyirina says:

Gorgeous bracelet!!!
On Nov 02, 2010 at 11:44 pm #
Boston Lady says:

WOW! This is gorgeous. Very, very nice.
On Nov 03, 2010 at 7:59 am #
Mommykat Bubbly Chick says:

Thank you ladies!
On Nov 03, 2010 at 8:38 am #
Linda Talbott says:

Gorgeous!
On Nov 03, 2010 at 10:15 am #
Canadian chicky karen says:

Lorrie, Wow this is amazing!! You should be very proud of yourself you did a beautiful job. I would be keeping this one for sure!!!
On Nov 03, 2010 at 11:17 am #
Deb D Grammy Chick says:

Lorrie, this is spectacular! I would certainly keep it!
On Nov 03, 2010 at 11:33 am #
JulzJewlz says:

Gorgeous, stunning, beautiful!! I totally love love love it…can you tell?
On Nov 03, 2010 at 6:05 pm #
Steph says:

LOVE IT!!!
On Nov 03, 2010 at 7:08 pm #
Daisy Chick - Dawn says:

Love this and the different shapes! Love the deep purple contrast with the silver!
On Nov 04, 2010 at 1:13 am #
Arja A says:

Wow Lorrie. Wonderful design and many thanks for sharing “how-tos”. I have practised soldering by myself but always something is going wrong. It is hard to find teacher over here. *sigh*. Don’t you want to visit me and give me some lessons? Bed and breakfast including
On Nov 04, 2010 at 7:42 am #
Green Eyed Lady Chick says:

Lorrie WOW!! I love this bracelet what a wonderful work of art, you are doing some amazing work, keep up the good work!
On Nov 04, 2010 at 5:56 pm #
Mommykat Bubbly Chick says:

Arja, come on over! I would love to meet you someday my wonderful friend! Maybe we can have a Seminar on techniques, all Chickies are so incredibly talented, would be very nice….

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! I have been so busy lately, it is great to pop on here & read such kind comments!
On Nov 04, 2010 at 6:42 pm #
Wemai Coffee Chick says:

I agree, we should have a seminar with PMC and soldering, lampwork, wireworking +++!! I’m coming!!
On Nov 04, 2010 at 6:55 pm #
Eeka Mouse says:

That would be so much fun!
On Nov 07, 2010 at 8:13 am #
Pam E aka funky tulip says:

Lorrie, this is amazing, and thanks for sharing your how-to’s… yet another thing to try someday. in the meantime, we get to watch you!
On Nov 07, 2010 at 10:14 am #
Starsparkle Spiral Chick says:

This is gorgeous, you are clever Mommykat
On Nov 07, 2010 at 10:15 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:

OK. I’m trying to catch up on all the “goings on” around here! Lorrie!!! This is absolutely phenomenal!! You go girl! LOVE IT!
And thank you for the tips! It’s too bad sterling prices have become so unbelievably high now. But I still hope to someday find someone to teach me these skills!
On Nov 07, 2010 at 10:44 am #
Beadlady3 aka Cindy says:

Ditto Mary S – I haven’t looked at all the lovely designs lately. I have had a busy schedule. This bracelet is really cool, and I envy your ability (and resources!) to try new techniques. Can’t wait to see more!

I got my first paycheck from Michaels’ and spent it on a chasing hammer, bench block, anvil, and center punch. Next check…maybe the alphabet punches!

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On May 24, 2013 at 3:41 am
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