Monday, April 12, 2010

Riveting with Tracy Stanley at WireFest/BeadFest

Finally, I got to go to WireFest/BeadFest!  For the past five years, I've always had to either prepare for or exhibit at a craft show, but this year, of course, I took the time out to go to classes.


I first want to say that going to this event wasn't just about taking classes, but about meeting up with friends (Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio, Jeanette Blix of Fundametals, and Kerry Bogert of Kabs Creative Concepts), meeting a bunch of people I met through the Bead Soup Blog Party, and finally getting to meet the editors of the magazines I've contributed to over the years.  Oh, and bead shopping.  OH yes.  The shopping.  :-)


(Photo by Cindy Wimmer)


 But on to my classes!


I opted to take two classes with Tracy Stanley so I could immerse myself in riveting, metal texturing, dapping, and basically all things metal.  I was nervous, a complete wreck going into that classroom, let me tell you!  Here I am, a jewelry designer that works in color and glass, and I'm getting ready to work with anything but!


The first class dealt with metal stamping and riveting with metal wire.  Unfortunately, I'm not finished with that project yet, so you can expect to see it in a future post.  But the second class was an intensive all-day extravaganza of hammers and dapping blocks and learning to both rivet with tubing and eyelets.


Instead of a bracelet, I decided to make some pendants.  So far, I finished this one:



Each dapped circle is textured, patinaed, and riveted.  The bottom one has a lampwork bead riveted to it, and I used a combination of brass, sterling, and copper.  (You can click on it to see a larger photo).


The next pendant started out as a ring.  I cut my band, looked at it, and decided I didn't really WANT a ring.  So again, another pendant came about.




This one has a dapped disk, a tiny river rock, and a Bali spacer, all on copper.  The width of the pendant is only half and inch.  This one will end up on my web site for sale.


I'll have more to show soon -- three more await embellishment!


I'd be interested to know what you think!






Lori Anderson designs jewelry for www.lorianderson.net and also writes for the blog www.PrettyThingsBlog.com.

33 comments:

  1. Welcome to the world of metals! It is addictive! I was a beader and when I found metals a couple of years ago, there is no going back. Enjoy!

    Stacy
    Sissy & Jack's

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  2. Lori, your pendants looks fabulous! Looks like your a natural, can't wait to see other irveting projects. I'm SO happy to have meet you and the others, I had a great time!

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  3. That first one is amazing - how did you do the texturing?????
    Wonderful work - but you didn't mention whether you enjoyed working with metal. Did you?
    I love working with metal, mostly copper.

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  4. Awesome work! I love the pendant with the flamework bead. You will become addicted to stamping and riveting! I can't wait to see the other pendants.

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  5. LOVE your new stuff!!!
    I have been playing with metal stuff for a few months now and love it.

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  6. What do I think??! I think it was SO good to spend more time with you, more than the usual 5 minute rush at the bead show here! You're so much fun to go bead shopping with...thank you for all of the expert advice. And oh my goodness, look what all you learned! Your metal pieces are beautiful...and how could you part with that cool pendant you made? I love them both!

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  7. the rivets look great! while everyone else in my metalsmithing/jewelry class has made rings etc. I am making bead caps, head/ball pins & riveting/stamping copper blanks for the chicago avon walk.I like hoe you styled the pendants

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  8. Lori, I think they came out fantastic!! They look great!! I hope you enjoyed the class!

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  9. Wow! So cool...I am totally jealous! :)

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  10. I so envy you. I have done some in the past with metals and am getting back into wire. I really want to learn how to rivet and stamp and all those things. Love how both your pendants came out. Keep it up - it is great

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  11. sounds like a great time, and I love what you made! Thanks for sharing :)
    Kath

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  12. I would have loved to take that class! Your pendants are just wonderful! It sounds like everyone had a great time!

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  13. i think, no i know, that they are awesome! you did a beautiful job... who was your instructor? isn't it empowering to learn new things?

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  14. I'm not sure what you were nervous about these have turned out fabulously. I wish I could get to take a class like that, working with metal looks like so much fun.

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  15. If I didn't know any better I would say that couldn't be a first class, although I would say at the same time that your work is first class without a doubt.

    As a Tom Mann alumni I have to say that you must take a class with him as well, when you can.You are way advanced for someone doing this for the first time and you would love where he would take you with your talent. Well done! Love the pendants and the concepts.

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  16. Didn't you love Tracy?! Took 4 of her classes in Chicago last year. Ha - I didn't finish all my pieces either. I like what you did turning the elements into pendants. Can't wait to see your other pieces.

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  17. Ohh those are really super Nice wow!
    I know your juices are well kindled now!

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  18. Well done! I love your pendants, fun, interesting and loads of texture make it happen for me. Love it. Hugs - Julie

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  19. I love that first one!! You make it look so effortless. My bracelet isn't nearly that put together (or complete). I'm in awe. So glad to hear you had such a great time. I'm going to go one day. :)

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  20. Beautiful! I love this new work.

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  21. wow do these ever look totally great! I am uber impressed, especially since this was your first time! Looks like a great class.

    Did they provide the textured metal, or did you texture it yourself? It looks really great.

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  22. I love the texturing! What tools did you use for that or did it come that way? It is nice to branch out into a new medium and these look wonderful!

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  23. Way to go! What a great job. I would love to spend more time than I do creating fun pieces like this.
    Bead Happy!
    Michelle

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  24. I did all the texturing with texture plates or texturing hammers -- was a lot of fun!

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  25. What do I think? I think they are gorgeous!! Keep going!

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  26. WOW! I luv these! I too am getting started in the stamping end-just bought some stuff actually! You're always one step ahead Lori!!! Always a pleasure to view your designs!!!

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  27. I love it Lori, where do I sign up for the class?

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  28. Your work is just "riveting"!! Beautiful texturing! I can't wait to see more!

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  29. ~*It is cool! LOVELY! and WONDERFUL!*~ You did a fantastic looking job Lori!!!

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  30. Ooooh...I LOVE your riveting! You must do much more of these. These are really cool. You should add a line of components for the other jewelry designers to add your cool riveted pieces to their own jewelry.

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Thanks so much for commenting!