A quick post today -- a new fold form bangle.  It's the heaviest copper I've used so far and was much more difficult to hammer and shape, but I like the result.  Unfortunately it's too big for me or I'd keep it!

Columbus Winterfair 2011
Come see me in booth #1005!
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 17th Ave.

Look who will have the booth next to mine at Winterfair.  Tom O. Reed makes hand carved serving utensils out of exotic wood.  His home page lists appreciative reviews from Julia Child, Andy Rooney, and Charles Kuralt.  This is a quote from his "about" page:  "His work has been on display in the Smithsonian, the American Craft Museum in New York City and countless galleries around the globe... his work has been enjoyed by the likes of Buckingham Palace, Presidents of the United States and collectors the world over."

I can't wait to meet Tom and see his pieces in person.  Go see his web site at http://tomoreed.com.  Honestly you've got to come out to this show.  You'll see some amazing stuff.

So a bit anticlimactic but here is my piece for today; simple, elegant, light.  An open sterling silver bangle with a twist.

Please stop by my booth #1005 at Winterfair this weekend (and check out Tom while you're there)!


Columbus Winterfair 2011
Come see me in booth #1005!
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 17th Ave.

Holiday Giveaway:  Don't forget to enter my holiday giveaway by Dec 11th.  The winner will choose from three pairs of earrings.   It's easy as pie -- click here for instructions.

Coming to the home stretch with just 4 days until Winterfair. There isn't a lot of working time left.  I spent half the day shopping for last minute booth necessities (?) like a rug and a couple of floor lamps.  $12.99 for a floor lamp seemed too good to pass up, and I need them for the studio anyway.  I'll be putting the lamps together onsite during setup and I hope they don't scream $12.99 but we'll see.

I'm calling this a "split penny" set because the solid oval is cut from the bigger donut shape.  Each pair is one penny.  If they don't look like they fit together, it's because they were cut while the penny was smaller / thicker / rounder. 

The photo is purposely cut off on the right.  As-is, it's a bracelet.  If I find any more time to work on it, the bracelet will become a necklace.  But as I pointed out, I'm running out of time.

Holiday Giveaway:  Don't forget to enter my holiday giveaway by Dec 11th.  The winner will choose from three pairs of earrings.   It's easy as pie -- click here for instructions.

Columbus Winterfair 2011
Come see me in booth #1005!
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 17th Ave.

Please take a minute to enter my holiday drawing.  I will really appreciate your entry!!  The winner will choose from three pairs of earrings.   It's easy as pie -- click here for instructions.

Just 5 days left until Columbus Winterfair 2011.  The first piece I have today is a fold form leaf pendant made from a penny, paired with sterling silver charms and a teardrop gemstone.

This one is a fold form pendant made from a nickel, paired with red coral and sterling silver.

Less than a week until the show.  Still a bunch to do.  Today's necklace actually began its life over a year ago, when I set this opal doublet into the piece of sterling silver hanging at the bottom.  It never quite made it into a project until today.   I thought it needed a little bit of personality, and I like the way it turned out!

There are other bits and pieces I've made but never incorporated into finished jewelry.  I often try out a new technique or have half an idea, create it, and set the work aside.  They were scattered in various drawers but now they are all organized together -- a major improvement-- and they are calling my name.  I may have another project like this to show later this week. 

Holiday Giveaway:  Don't forget to enter my holiday giveaway by Dec 11th.  The winner will choose from three pairs of earrings.   It's easy as pie -- click here for instructions.

Yesterday was a great Thanksgiving with family.  So much fun.  My husband did most of the cooking and that means really good food.  In fact I had turkey for breakfast this morning.  How many people did that, I wonder?

Today I finished up a pendant and earrings to match the bracelets from a couple days ago. 

I'll post again tomorrow, so hope to see you here!

Columbus Winterfair 2011
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 17th Ave.

This is the first Thanksgiving in quite a few years that my mom and all the kids are in town at the same time.  Everyone will be at our house for a traditional holiday meal, so it's a very special Thanksgiving for us. 

Today's piece is a copper fold form cuff that has a raised peak along the diagonal.  I like the photo because the two-tone effect really comes across.  The color was made with a torch flame pointed across the cuff from the back side.  The flame washed over the back half and made it red hot, but the ridge redirected the flame and protected the front half.  At that point, it was a matter of dunking the cuff very quickly in water to preserve the red color.

9 days left until Winterfair!  These are some copper wire-wrapped bracelets I've been working on.  They are made from heavy copper wire that was milled, hammered, then wire-wrapped with Chinese turquoise.  The bangles were soldered closed before shaping.
The original plan was to make these with a variety of gemstone choices, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.  The Chinese turquoise just plain belongs on these bracelets.

Confession time... tomorrow's post will be something I've already made.  My family would skewer me if I worked on Thanksgiving.  Everyone have a wonderful holiday!

Columbus Winterfair 2011
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 17th Ave.

I'll be posting a new piece of jewelry every day until Winterfair.  Ten days left!  Another fold form cuff for today.  Tomorrow I'm planning something different.

And another thing...
Here's something I didn't mention.  I've got another countdown going on -- waiting for my first grandchild to arrive!!!  GrandSON actually.  I'm not sure how many days are left but the baby is now expected before the show.  Exciting times ahead <grin> !

Welcome to a mini One-a-day challenge.  I will post a new piece every day until Winterfair...

Here we are in the home stretch.  Columbus Winterfair 2011 is just ELEVEN days away.    It's Columbus's largest annual fine art and craft show, and by far the biggest event I've ever done.  The folks who organize this show have given me the chance of a lifetime -- their Columbus Winterfair Emerging Artist Scholarship.  I look at the other artists represented at the show and can hardly catch my breath. "Fine art and craft made in American studios" -- by artists all over America -- and the work is beautiful.  There will be over 400 exhibitors and about 18,000 shoppers.  To put it mildly, I'm more than a little bit nervous.

I decided to start a mini One-a-day challenge to count down the days to Winterfair.  Some of you might remember my March One-a-day challenge (3-min video here), and that really helped me stay focused.  And focus is what I need right now.  So every day until the show, please stop by to see a piece of jewelry I made that day for the show.  Feedback and suggestions welcome, of course!

Today's piece is a copper fold form cuff.  The top is made with a technique called "chasing on air." Fold forming is my favorite metalsmithing technique because of its organic looking results.  I hope you'll stop by each day until the show!

Columbus Winterfair 2011
Dec 2-4, 2011  [Fri/Sat 10-8, Sun 12-5]
Ohio Expo Center, Ohio State Fairgrounds
717 E. 7th Ave.