Artist PlayDate: Take a Tour, Learn a New Skill and Enter a Fabulous Giveaway from an Amazing Artist, The Silver Lake Studio!

Have you ever visited The Silver Lake Studio? Well, if you have then you just sat up a little straighter and moved a little closer to your computer to see what is coming and if you haven't, I know you will be stopping over for a visit as soon as you finish reading!

Sherry, creator of The Silver Lake Studio, is a talented metalsmith who creates many one-of-a-kind items. This woman, who always has a kind word to share and is filled with good humor, makes gorgeous pieces of jewelry. When you visit her shop, you will find yourself marveling at her talent for creating such eye-catching, unique pieces.

Today, this fabulous artist takes us on a tour of her studio, and teaches us how to make an unforgettable pendant in her "So, you want to be a metalsmith..." tutorial which is followed by an awesome Giveaway!

So, You Want To Be A Metalsmith…

This is a lofty goal and one that requires great commitment. Why, you ask? Well, there are a number of tools you will need, in addition to raw materials. This is not an inexpensive hobby; it is a commitment to a career.

I began making jewelry a very long time ago. I started with beads but I have laminate floors, and was always spilling the beads. When they’d hit the floor, they’d bounce everywhere. I was constantly sweeping up beads! So I switched gears and discovered my true passion. There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t do something jewelry related.

There are self-taught metalsmiths out there, so I know it can be done….especially now with all the online tutorials available. However, I chose to take hands-on classes, and it was definitely the right choice for me. First, I had to get over my fear of the torch. Fire just frightens me which is a good thing because I now have a very healthy respect for the torch and tank, and the potential dangers.

If you start out taking classes, most facilities will be well-equipped with a wide range of tools and equipment. This is nice for a new student because you can spread out your tool purchases over time. Yet, this means, you will be limited on what you can do at home.

Following is a list of some basic supplies you can get started with. All are available at http://www.riogrande.com/.

Jewelers Saw
4/0 Laser Gold saw blades
Assorted Sandpapers
Round nose pliers
Flat nose pliers
20 gauge sterling silver 1” x 6”
Silver Solder…hard, medium & easy
Yellow flux
Old crock pot & copper tongs
Pickle (acid to mix with water and heat in the crock pot)
A dremel tool with attachments
Polishing compounds
A small butane torch (also available from Williams Sonoma)

Now, I’ll show you around my studio. And, I want you to know, it’s never this organized in real life!

This is a standard jeweler’s bench. It’s about countertop height and you sit low so your work is at eye level. On the bench is a ceramic tile with a firebrick on it, topped by a charcoal block. This is where I do soldering. You’ll also notice my first torch, a portable unit that works with regular butane that you can find at Walgreens.

You’ll notice that the bench is right up next to a window. In the window is a box fan. When soldering, I open the window and turn on the fan. This helps to pull the fumes out; I also wear a mask.

Also on the bench is my jeweler’s saw, saw blades and a chunk of wax to lubricate the blade before you saw. (I get a manicure every 2 weeks and I get to dip my hands in hot wax. After the wax cools, I peel it off and bring it home!!)

On this worktable is, from the left, a ring mandrel, disc cutter, dapping set and rolling mill. Behind those is a pickle pot. There is also a Dremel tool, tumbler and a metal cutter.



And, Hubby made me this handy hammer rack! (here’s a side note…he has spent the last 3 days gutting my walk-in closet, painting it and customizing it for me. It is awesome, and so is he.)


For safety, there is a paper mask, a respirator and safety glasses. While working, you’ll stir up a lot of dust, sanding particles and sawdust from drilling holes in metal, so I wear a mask. And on more than one occasion, I have sent a piece of metal flying through the air. (And, I usually never find it.) So I also wear safety glasses!




I keep my buffing/polishing machine in the garage. While using various compounds to buff and polish your work, this machine causes a mess, and you certainly do not want to breathe in that stuff, or have it all over your room.

Now, I’ll make a small pendant for Natasha to give away here. This photo shows the components needed to make the pendant.




First, I cut a small square of sterling sheet, and filed and sanded the edges smooth. I also made a small heart and a handmade bail. I melted a few small pieces of hard solder on the back of the bail and positioned it on the back of the square, added flux and soldered it down. I then melted some medium solder on the back of the heart, added some flux and soldered it on the front of the pendant. I quenched the piece in water and lowered it into the pickle pot. The acid removes any excess flux and other gunk. I left it in the acid for about 20 minutes. Afterward, I just buffed and polished it. Be cause it is a small piece, I was able to make it using only the little butane torch! I have serious fun playing with fire!! Here are photos of the soldering process, the last one showing the piece after soldering.

And, here is the finished pendant. It’s about ¾”tall, and ½”wide. It would be nice for someone who enjoys classic, understated pieces or the perfect gift for a young lady’s graduation.




What I have shown you here is the reason whyhand crafted jewelry is a little more expensive than stuff you see in the mall. There’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into producing a one of a kind jewelry piece.

But in the end, I think it’s worth it. I attend advanced metal fabrication classes at the Craft Guild of Dallas. I hope you can find something like it in your area.

Thank you so much, and don’t forget to enter the contest. I could be sending this pendant and chain to you!

I am convo friendly so feel free to ask any questions.

Sherry
http://www.thesilverlakestudio.etsy.com/





Drumroll, please.....and NOW our Giveaway!!



Isn't this pendant GORGEOUS?? And it's incredibly special because it was made specifically for you, the Thursday Sweet Treat reader! So I suggest you run over and take a peek at her fabulous work. To enter:


1. Please visit TheSilverLakeStudio and then in the comments section of this post tell me what item you love most.


2. Be sure to leave your name and email address so that I can contact the winner! The winner will be drawn at random. This giveaway begins February 25th and ends at midnight on March 1st. The winner will be announced on March 2nd!

Thank you, Sherry for this incredible tour, tutorial and giveaway! You are an inspiration. Keep creating and sharing!!

Inspirational Tips and Tricks from the Trenches 3

Sometimes the inspiration we need is right in front of us. For the talented artist Maureen, inspiration comes from things that might otherwise be discarded.

"Here are a few of the places that are currently calling out to me: a well-used cookie sheet; some Clementine peels I couldn't bear to throw away; and shavings from my lip liner and colored pencils," says Maureen. "They are all things that "should" be thrown away . . . instead, I hear them hollering, "I'm not done yet--save me!!!" http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Thank goodness she does save them because there is beauty in each one!

The next time you have a moment, stop and listen. Is inspiration calling out to you?

Next Monday, please send a picture to Natasha@creativenachos.com of your inspiration so I can post it here on Tuesday. Let's see if we can make that statement - Inspiration is everywhere - come to life!

Our First Mini-Monthly

These incredible works were created for different themes but they are unable to be submitted at the time due to various circumstances. They were too amazing not to share!

Talented artist Maureen created a beaututiful piece for Theme #3--Sublime Sunset.

"I'm dedicating this 8x10 collage to my mother. Even though she died suddenly when I was 26, she managed to give me everything I needed in life. I'm the little girl on the right and my mom, in the striped dress, is behind me and to my side. I can feel her there still."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/






Exceptional artist and writer, Rowena created this unforgettable piece for Theme 3 - Sublime Sunset titled, "Flying Girl Writes Her Fire in the Sky, or Keep the Flame Burning."

http://warriorgirl.blogspot.com/2009/01/flying-girl-writes-her-fire-in-sky-or.html

Janet Davies, creator of Janet Davies, created this gorgeous "Argentium Silver Bracelet With Deep Blue Peruvian Opals Large White Cornflake Pearls Pink Coral and Bali Silver Beads" for Theme 4, The Poetic Sea.

"I have the fondest of memories of spending hours with my mask and snorkel on face down in the water on Maui and at Hanauma Bay on Oahu. Our family would pack a lunch and head for the beach, I would drift all day watching the schools of fish, the coral, the shifting sands, and the play of light in the warm Hawaiian waters. The fish were not afraid of people so I could be in their midst and even touch some of them. I hope that we will be able to preserve that beautiful, sacred place for generations to come.My piece is like your ripples, I hope that when I create something from that place of beauty that it will carry that message and inspire others."

http://janetdavies.etsy.com

Bird, creator of One Earth, One Tribe, created Bloom I through Bloom V for "Where the Wild Things Bloom".

http://oneearthonetribe.etsy.com/

Dawn, creator of Prairie Boutique created this lovely piece for Theme 5 "Where the Wild Things Bloom" titled, "Inspire, Dream, Believe."

"The following statement brought on the creativity behind my piece, "You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here." - Desiderata," said Dawn. "This 8" x10" canvas is based in deep purple, and brought to life with papers,ribbons, paint and powerful quotes! "Life" "Carpe Diem" "Inspire" "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new" "dream" Two people who belong together make a world"

http://www.prairieboutique.etsy.com/

http://www.prairiegirlboutique.com/

These were clearly too beautiful not to share! Tell them so! Leave a comment, visit their shops and share some love.

The next Mini-Monthly will take place in March.

Theme 7: Let Beauty Rain Down Upon.....

Please note - the call for Mini-Monthly submissions is in the post prior to this one. Please check it out. Thanks!

How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating. Please see the bottom of this post for how to submit a response.

The next time it begins to rain... lie down on your belly, nestle your chin into the grass, and get a frog's-eye view of how raindrops fall... The sight of hundreds of blades of grass bowing down and popping back up like piano keys strikes me as one of the merriest sights in the world." - Malcolm Margolin

"Sometimes I see myself as a child in a rain storm, running around trying to catch all the drops in his mouth. I long for your adventures to be like the raindrops the child saves and not those which crash to the ground." - Author Unknown

Important Guidelines

The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling.

Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, February 25th if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, February 26th. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post. With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name or shop name

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything

4. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)

Most importantly, let creativity flood your imagination! Have a great time :)

Mini-Monthly Call For Work

This is the official call to submit work for the Mini-Monthly which will be shown next week. Based on changes being made to the site, the date is still to be determined.

The work submitted must be something that was created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling for that specific theme.

No later than end of day, Saturday, February 21st, please submit -

-1 (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi) photo of a work that you created

-the name of the theme the work was created for

- your name and/or shop name

- the name of the piece.

I look forward to seeing your submissions!

Phenomenal Artists Create New Works That Move, Inspire and Set Your Imagination on Fire

Before we begin a few things to note: 1. If you did not have the opportunity to read yesterday's Artist PlayDate with a wonderfully talented artist named Anna, please check it out. She also responded to comments in the comment section. 2. To all the artists who wrote because they could not submit this week due to life, illness and vacations (so jealous you did not take me! Haha) we will miss you and see you next time. 3. I am so sorry that you have to scroll through the submissions again when you leave to visit shops. As Thursday Sweet Treat has grown, I find it's time to take this to another platform. So, stay tuned for changes as I create a more user-friendly site for artists and all the fabulous folks who are coming to view these works.

Now, I have to tell you this week's work rendered me speechless. As each piece arrived my excitement grew because I noticed something aside from the incredibly gorgeous use of color in these works. I noticed that artists who have been here for the last few weeks were growing right before my eyes. They took greater risks here. It was like watching the birth of butterflies. AND the new people who arrived were so clearly stretching their imagination and letting themselves have a blast. All of the work of these artists is exquisite, moving, beautiful, awe-inspiring and unforgettable. I guarantee you will not be able to forget these works. You will come back. You will visit their shops again and again. You will fall in love. This week these artists created gorgeous, professional pieces that will set your imagination ablaze with color.

I proudly present....Dreaming in Color.

Rue, creator of Peaches & Kream, created "Needle Felted Doll - Leila". http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5055314

"No longer content merely to dream in color" said Rue, "Leila has resolved to live in color as well."

http://ruetabega.etsy.com/

Sarah Ohme, creator of Oh Me Oh My Design, created this fantastic piece titled, "Teagan", which is an Irish girl's name meaning 'poet.' http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21147352

"The concept of color is forever entwined with texture, composition, shape, and light for me... none can fully show their splendor without the other elements coming into play. Teagan was a total indulgence to create, and I had so much fun getting lost in it. It was a pure daydream, blending rich, subtle colors and textures to create an ethereal-yet-rooted aesthetic," said Sarah. "It reminds me of evenings, late in the spring, sitting in the grass, watching the sun go down. The colors of the sky are almost palpable... I wanted to capture the moment when it seems like the most natural thing in to world to reach your hand up into the sky and expect those brilliant golds and blues to stick to your fingertips like paint."

http://ohmeohmydesign.etsy.com/

Talented artist Maureen created this vibrant, beautiful journal as she was inspired by Persistent Green's journal last week, and Natasha's in an earlier week.

"Journaling for me is where dreams are helped into reality, or sometimes kept alive until their time has come," said Maureen.

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth, creator of Moon of Glass, created this exceptional "Flower Garden Vase". http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21090481

"Well, this is a pot melt drop ring. That means it takes two firings, so it spends about 24 hours total in the kiln. The first firing is where I "make" the glass. I put a lot of colorful scrap glass in a flower pot, paying attention to color and placement, then suspend the pot above the floor of my kiln. The glass melts and forms a circle of one of a kind glass. Then, I suspend the glass once again on a ceramic ring, where the bottom drops out, forming the vase shape you see," said Elizabeth.

http://moonofglass.etsy.com/

Ceridwen, created of Wanderlust Bling, created this phenomenal piece titled, "Fit for a Queen."

"I've been working so much with bright colors for spring in the past few weeks, but for this I was drawn to jewel tones - emerald, sapphire, amethyst and garnet spoke to me the most, so I chose 9 different shades of embroidery floss and braided them together. Then I added a drape of garnets and purple glass beads and a fall of faceted crystals and round beads in peridot, amethyst, lavender and aquamarine. The whole effect is nothing I would have put together normally, but I'm quite taken with the results. It's regal and funky at the same time and is so colorful it makes me happy to look at it," said Ceridwen.

http://wanderlustbling.etsy.com/

Felicia, creator of Fish Princess Designs, created this lovely piece titled, "Twilight Time."

"When I read the theme this week I let my mind wander-The song “Twilight Time” came into my head.

Heavenly shades of night are falling, it's twilight time Out of the mist your voice is calling, 'tis twilight time when purple-colored curtains mark the end of day I'll hear you, my dear, at twilight time.

I went through my beads and found the most delicious shades of blues and purple fresh water pearls-deep, rich colors and mixed them with iolite and amethyst beads, iridescent fresh water pearl spears and these funky round coin beads I had found in my favorite bead store. I combined them into a triple strand necklace that explodes into the colors of “twilight time,”" said Felicia.

http://fishprincessdesigns.etsy.com/

Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes, creator of MKC Photography, created two incredibly stunning pieces.

Image One: "Bubbles"
This image is based on an actual dream I had - everyone is welcome to read the whole, rather funny, story at: http://mkcphotographybymichelleciarlo-hayes.blogspot.com/2009/02/story-behind-picture-bubbles.html

Image Two: "Flying in the Stars"
"This second piece is something I've been imagining for quite some time - I'm in love with Philip Pullman's trilogy of books that begins with "The Golden Compass." It is my dream to set sail in a balloon on an aeronautical adventure like the characters in the book!" said Michelle.

http://mkcphotography.etsy.com/
http://www.mkcphotographybymichelleciarlo-hayes.blogspot.com/

Joyce, creator of Happy Cloud Moments, created these gorgeous "Twinkle Twinkle Earrings." http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21142565

"Who said the night sky has to be black and white?" asks Joyce. "It's filled with the most beautiful colors!"

http://happycloudmoments.etsy.com/

Mia, creator of Mia's Graphic Designs, created this lovely piece titled, "Wings of a Dream."

"I really wanted to give it a very deep feel to it, like it was bottomless as the seas," said Mia. "I also wanted to give this airy, dreamy sense to it as well, so there came in the wings, and the eyes say it all, dreaming is a way of looking inward to our souls. So it's really about the bottomless that is our subconsciousness."

http://miasgraphicdesigns.etsy.com/

Salvaged Expression created this exquisite necklace that glows in the dark!

"This is definitely a project where everything came together," said Salvaged Expression. "I had only just gotten many of the bits and bobs to make this choker and was aching to use them though I wasn't sure how. Your inspiration photos were inspiring indeed so I decided to pay homage to the aurora's by making the necklace glow in the dark. The half moon shape of the pendant even reminds me of the curve of the earth while the big pony beads keep things playful."

http://salvagedexpression.etsy.com/

Gabrielle J-C, creator of Art Therapy, created four pieces titled, "Dreaming in Color series #1-4."

"I could not pass up the theme of this week's challenge! I was so inspired, I created four mini paintings (ACEOs) - all acrylic on matboard," said Gabrielle.

http://www.arttherapy.etsy.com/

Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this magnificent "Wild Cover journal."

"This tenacious little book took on a life of its own," said Amanda. "I was thrilled to find such perfect clippings to mirror this week's theme, but discovered that I'd run out of my usual amazing adhesive. I tried using something different, which was a complete failure--or so I thought. After a while, I began to love the bumps and buckles in this journal. The creative life often brings its trials and frustrations, but how will I choose to face them? Will I gripe and moan about not being perfect, or choose to grin and hang on for the wild ride?"

http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/

Tiffany, creator of Love Peace and Dye, created this incredible "Dreaming in Color with Obama Dramatic Party Dress From Totally Recycled Fiber."

Dreaming in Color with Obama :)

"color me stunned and dazzled

by all the red white and blue flashing lights

in the american intersection

where black crashed head on with white

comes a melody

comes a rhythm

a particular resonance

that is us and only us"

- ani difranco Grand Canyon

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21219457

http://lovepeaceanddye.etsy.com/

Ruth, creator of Allover Art, created this fabulous "Cosmic Blueberry Lemonade Hand-Painted Art Pendant Necklace". http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21222305

"I LOOOOOVE bright colors so it was hard to pick just one piece to submit. So many of my pieces have bright colors in them. I especially love the contrast of bright colors, so I decided to pick this piece, my Cosmic Blueberry Lemonade Hand-Painted Art Pendant Necklace. I think I'm going to make a piece for myself similar to this one because it's definitely an eye-catching piece," said Ruth.

website: http://www.alloverart.net/

blog: http://www.alloverart-nc.blogspot.com/

shop: http://www.alloverart.etsy.com/

Janie, creator of Lifeartdesigns, created this gorgeous beads.
http://lifeartdesigns.etsy.com/

Kelly, creator of kpdesigns07, created this unforgettable 5x7 original painting with black matte background and bright neon textured forefront titled, "Neon Moon".

"I started out with just a black canvas....where to go from there? How about a stripe of lime green....Fabulous. Next? Teal streak and spots. Even better! The deep purple and hot pink rounded out my color pallet nicely. Perfect, fun, and super-textured!

http://kpdesigns07.etsy.com/

kpdesigns07.1000markets.com

Kelly, creator of Backward Glances, created this truly fantastic photo and poem.

"I'm not real sure exactly where it came from, but it kept running through my head, so I'm submitting a poem and an accompanying photo," said Kelly.

http://backwardglances.etsy.com/

http://mackin-art.blogspot.com/

Dreaming in Color

they talk you know…

especially at night, tucked away in their bottles and bags and tubes.

and they spend a lot of time bickering and complaining…

“should have used us, what was she thinking”

“we’re the favorites”

(and they’re right, the greens ARE my favorites)

“she bought more of those!”

but eventually they quiet and drift into sleep…

and with sleep comes dreams

and did you know…

beads dream in color.

Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created this stellar piece titled, “Carousel Dreams”.

"This carousel horse is a favorite photograph I took a few years ago. It’s digitally altered with other photographs and backgrounds from my collection," said Felicia. "Thank you for the weekly inspiration – I actually had to choose between three different pieces that I created for this week’s theme! This is giving me the creative push I needed."

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/

Theresa, creator of WoodNGoods, created this stunning "Celtic Warrior mirror".

"I believe your dreams are a reflection of who you are, and only you can make them come true. I found some of the more colorful woods in my shop to make this mirror," said Theresa. "The satin wood, purple heart, oak, and red exotic wood are all natural colored - no stains or dyes were used in the sun. "

http://woodngoods.etsy.com/

Allison, creator of AllyBu's, created this lovely tote titled, "Everyday Tote in Summer Fun".

"As far as the theme, looking at this bag makes me dream of warm weather, easter egg hunts , daffodils and lilacs. Everything spring!" said Allison.

http://allybu.etsy.com/

Lada, creator of Works and Finds and Ladaworks, this incredible new pendant titled, "Chasing the Butterfly”.

"I actually dreamed about color because it’s snowing (AGAIN!!!) here in Illinois. When my eye landed on these pictures in craft store I knew instantly what I’m going to create with them. I couldn’t wait to be home, forget everything around (the reorganization mess) and get working. Here is first of my new pendants," said Lada.

http://worksandfinds.etsy.com/

http://ladaworks.etsy.com/

Anna, creator of When Life Hands U Lemons, created two extraordinary pieces. The first is a colored pencil drawing titled, "Dreaming in Color" and the second is a necklace titled, "If happy little bluebirds fly over the rainbow, why can't I?"

"I was excited to find your blog and its my first week participating. My usual art medium is making jewelry, but I took the challenge of dreaming in color to challenge myself in a different way," said Anna. "This is a colored pencil drawing of me "dreaming in color" - of beads, sunshine, babies, and more! It was so fun to do something just for the fun of it! Then I took the challenge to my "regular" medium, jewelry, and came up with another rainbow of color. I call this necklace, "If happy little bluebirds fly over the rainbow, why can't I?" Thanks for the challange!"

http://whenifehandsulemons.etsy.com/

Kim, creator of Twisted Thicket, created two phenomenal pieces.

"The first one is an abstract dancer; actually Michael Jackson in one of his steps for "Dangerous". The second one is an abstract, Musical Dreams," said Kim.

My New Art Fire Shop ~~ http://twistedthicket.artfire.com/

My Website & Blog ~~ http://twistedthicket.com/

My Shop on Etsy ~~ http://twistedthicket.etsy.com/

Follow Me on Twitter!~https://twitter.com/airbrshldy

Alwaysadorable created this gorgeous, colorful piece titled, “Imagination’s Slumber”.

"The mind is an amazing and intricate place, where imagination and dreams roam free; where color takes to life with great sweeping motions to reach the deepest secrets and the brightest memories and pour them out one dream at a time," said Alwaysadorable.

http://alwaysadorable.etsy.com/
http://alwaysadorable.artfire.com/
http://alwaysadorable.blogspot.com/
http://alwaysadorable.byhand.me/

Talented photographer and artist JenGer created these three amazing photos.

"While it may be the antithesis of this week theme, the color white popped into my mind.( often in my dreams Im wearing white) I digitally manipulated some recent snow pictures that I had taken, and while these three photos arent meant to go together, they are all somewhat dream like to me. I had a nice realxing time working on them :-)" said JenGer.

Now tell me, were you not moved??

Please share your thoughts, ask the artists questions, leave a comment and some love here. Then, go visit these artists at their shops and blogs, share some more and tell a friend!

Thanks so much for visiting!!