What is my Style?

DEFINING YOUR STYLE

The Definition of STYLE is a manner of expression, manner of behavior or a technique in which something is done or created. 

We all have a style; according to a recent survey I found online some of the most noted styles are: Boho Chic, Feminine, Chic, Rustic, Bold, Elegant, Sporty, Glam, Sophisticated, Renaissance (aka Goth), Natural, Polished, Urban, Classic, Vintage. 

I guess I wonder does a persons style change over time? or does it just change for the occasion? And once you have a style, do you agree with how that defines you? 

Since becoming involved in creating jewelry - I have tried not to define my style in what I am creating. I want to be able to make items that will match any of the style definitions shown above. My style is not your style and I know I can't find myself in a tunnel of style.

If you have read this far - I may have caught your attention.
Below is my Etsy site that shows some of the styles I have created.
I hope you enjoy! 

All Hearts have Pearls

This copper heart was created using a technique called Fold Forming. I created this heart to have it entered in a challenge and my title would be "All Hearts have Pearls".

The challenge came and went and I have changed the heart design some but haven't completed it either.
I haven't worn the heart it just sits on my workbench - almost done.

Is that how things are going to be for me? Almost done? - I hope not and am striving to complete the pieces of jewelry that I am creating.

So at the end of my last blog I finished one set of projects for the beginners. Still wasn't soldering much, this piece only needed to be annealed and that is heating the metal so it can be handled and bent to make the folds. Yes this is a very rustic looking piece, but working with the annealing was very helpful.

The next project I took on was making a chain of wire formed into circles, each circle was to be soldered and then linked together. I made 16 circles and began my soldering only to find out that I was so caught up in this process that I soldered each piece - none were linked! If I was going to link them, I had to make more circles and that meant more soldering. See where I am going with this? I was making a piece that made me get more comfortable with working in the soldering bay. the picture below is of the completed piece and yes I have worn that and received many compliments!!! It was so nice to say - "I made this!"

Two years later, I still have the feeling that this is where I need to be - making and crafting jewelry pieces.



See below this is the final of the heart that brought this blog to life. Still deciding if I will wear it or sell it.
I welcome your comments!

What I have been doing~!~

For almost two years now I have been taking classes for jewelry making/ metal-smithing. The classes are held at the local Cultural Arts Center, and i am loving it. What a creative outlet! I know how to sew, knit have done ceramics and painting and many other attempts at hobbies, but for me this is different!

I have always thought about making jewelry but most I ever did was string beads on a string, which is a great process. However, when I went to an open house weekend at the center and saw the demonstrations being done, I knew I found a place I had to be to try my hand at this craft.My heart raced and my curiosity level was at its top level!  I signed up for the next session and could not wait for the first class to begin. 

The first session was a project that taught us how to cut, saw, drill and bend the metal to make a bracelet linked by the metal tabs on each piece. The second class taught us how to rivet the metal together for a secure hold, also known as a "cold connection". The third project was a simple band ring, the new lesson with this was soldering. I wasn't totally comfortable with this process. I knew how to solder with an electric solder gun, but this was with gas and I was intimidated! I don't even have a gas grill because of the open flame! I was not sure of this and wondered if I could avoid using the torches and soldering, but this is a vital process and I had to take my time and do this and just take my time. 

The next two projects were more rings a rolling ring that has three smaller rings inter-twined and another "puffy" ring that has two rings one over the other. The simple ring looks great, so does the rolling ring. The "puffy" ring, I keep it in my tool box so I know how much I have progressed. 

The next project was setting bezels, I finished mine and have simply misplaced it. But would wear it if I found it. Then the worst project sweat soldering......oh no there is that word again.....soldering, sends chills up my spine. 

This is where the first year of learning ends, I hope to have the next year of projects and my progression posted soon. 

Come back and I will be posting pictures of the first year projects for you to see how I have progressed. 

Thank You!