Showing posts with label techniques. Show all posts
Showing posts with label techniques. Show all posts

Monday, April 1, 2013

texture boot camp -

mary jane dodd

piece of railroad track purchased at a flea market

this edition of texture boot camp is brought to you by a lipstick chicken, you know, a person who doesn't like to wear lipstick that looks like you are wearing lipstick (and so why struggle to find that perfect color at all, right?)... this aesthetic carries over into my work... as an admirer of the subtle i would like to show you how i add texture to my metal...

i find texture on things - like this old railroad tie... i was told how i could clean up the face - but why would i do that?

small bench top anvil

this anvil's finish did not hold up over time - but if you put metal on it and hammer, when you turn it over, you will find a lovely texture that is picked up by liver of sulphur or other patina...

with a pitted surface

did you ever mar the surface of a hammer? unknowingly, like before you learned that a brass head is better suited for striking metal design stamps? i did - and now i have a head that creates texture similar to the raw silk texture hammer...

'marred' hammer face

and finally i wanted to show you how i used patterned brass sheet - no rolling mill required!


tape the metal you are working with to the patterned sheet , hammer all over the surface evenly and...


viola!

my apologies on not having pieces finished with the patina to show the contrast - this was my first time down to the bench in almost 3 months and i don't have everything set up... 


Saturday, September 24, 2011

forever learning

mary jane dodd


this necklace (which is my submission for the art spark this month) is a result of years of practice and 3 techniques... 

i love learning... i love books and tutorials... the leaf above was born because i bought charles lewton brains's fold forming book, barbara lewis' enameling tutorial (though now she has a fabulous book) and took a class with ruth rae... not all at once of course, they built upon each other during 'what if' moments... 

but the first things i tried to do on my own were those that could save me money - like making my own hook clasps, ear wires and ball end headpins... once i figured those out - i got inspired to try more things on my own... it's addicting... 

there are so many wonderful retreats and large teaching venues - like some of you, i sigh and wish i could go... because of distance or money, some of us simply cannot... 

but what i have found is that there is a wealth of teaching out there... and most of it is very affordable... 

www.beaducation.com - has some really great online video classes... like bodacious bangle with kim st. jean... 

www.fundametals.net - has tutorials that start at $4

you can learn how to patina metal with missficklemedia for $20... this is an incredibly comprehensive tutorial that has taught me about more than patina... it was a great investment...  shannon has other tutorials on her site as well for $10 a piece... 

because i love books (and had some sales on etsy) i am going to treat myself to stephanie lee's 'handbook of elements' online class... 

our own patty lakinsmith has lampworking technique tutorials... 

one of my new personal discoveries is  nancy l hamilton - her videos are terrific... 

search etsy for all items - tutorial and there are 17,809 results... 


how about 'creating beautiful bead caps'? you can find it here...

purchase a jewelry magazine like step by step wire, belle armoire jewelry, or others and you will get stepped out directions and often photographs for each project... 

and what about youtube? free!

afraid to use a jeweler's saw? get some tips from susan lenart kazmer 

www.riogrande.com has over 100 videos there... 

the point is, there is so very much to learn and know - and you can do it at your own speed... at your financial comfort level... 

another nice thing about the videos is that before spending money on tools and supplies, you can get a feel for whether something clicks with you or not... 

personally, it isn't usually about the projects that i get excited (though they are beautiful and inspiring) - it is about the technique or some wonderful tip that takes me to the next level... 

and that is what i love so very much about this community - sharing and supporting so that we all can reach our potential...