Indeed it is. Always wonderful with Craig Ferguson. 
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAvpSdfYAlI
Etsy’s Starving Jewelry Artist Team is having a (shhhhh) secret sale. If you are interested in some FABULOUS handmade jewelry, mosey over to our blog for the (shhhhhhh) super secret code needed to obtain the special deals, discounts and freebies all weekend long, Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31. The super secret code needed to garner these great deals will be posted to our team blog on Friday morning.
The Starving Jewelry Artists Team Blog
If you would like to be notified of future team deals, discounts, sales and events, I’d encourage you to subscribe to our blog.
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I’m “destashing” quite a few of my jewelry making magazines in my Artfire shop . I’ve listed them in the SUPPLIES category for easy searching. You will find my shop categories listed in the right hand navigation in my studio. There is an assortment of wire work and bead work magazines as well as a few how to handmade jewelry making books.
If you would like to stock up on some back issues pretty inexpensively, this may be your chance.
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Etsy’s API is open and available to anyone that would like to utilize it to develop tools.
What’s an API?
According to HowStuffWorks.com, “an application-programming interface (API) is a set of programming instructions and standards for accessing a Web-based software application or Web tool. A software company releases its API to the public so that other software developers can design products that are powered by its service. “
After testing with 80+ developers that built a slew of new applications for buyers AND sellers, the Etsy Developer community was formally opened. Etsy has also launched a Developer Community for those interested.
So, what does this mean to you? I’m not a developer, why should I care? Because the tools built by these developers can be uber helpful, and will most likely be free. And because the API is easily accessible, I’d imagine that the number of tools will increase pretty rapidly over the short term.
EtsyHacks is a great example of a set of tools to make your Etsy life easier. I’ve downloaded most of Ian’s available hacks, and I’d recommend you check them out. While it is hard to choose favorites, I have to admit I am partial to the hacks to help manage the Etsy forums. My hands down other favorite is FastTagger.
The hacks only work if you use FireFox as your browser, and you will need to download Greasemonkey first. You can click here to find instructions. Once you’ve installed Greasemonkey into FireFox, simply return to the EtsyHacks site and download the ones you think might best benefit you and your shop. It’s a very very simple process, even for non-techies.
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Ainse, from Kaskaad, is a member of the Etsy Artisan Beaders street team, to which I also belong. She creates the most fabulous button rings.
Website/Blog: www.ainse.ca
Etsy Shop: kaskaad.etsy.com
Flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/kaskaad
Twitter: twitter.com/Ainse
Sometimes I sit and stare at my beads for hours, enjoying their look and feel, but with no clue as to what to make of them. Other times, an idea is immediate. Mostly what happens is I start with one idea and it turns out to be completely different than to what I had first imagined.
When I was younger, I’d take apart my jewellery and make it into something else. As an adult, I decided to create my own jewellery; that way I’d be sure to have just the right pieces for any outfit. (I often pick out a necklace to wear, then decide what clothes would best match it!)
With Beajoux, I have designed and created pieces using glass beads, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and sterling silver, suitable for many different occasions. Some items are one-of-a-kind; others I can re-make in your choice of colour or material. ”
You can find many more in her Icraft and etsy shops.
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Remember my post about Pantone’s Spring 2009 colors? Two shades of pink are included in the spring palette, Salmon Rose and Rose Dust.
A recent addition to my handmade necklaces incorporates a similar lovely pink hue : Petite Rose
You can find it at my artfire studio and my etsy shop.
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Man I miss this show. Thank goodness for reruns.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RWQPxTtEII
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I am VERY excited to be able to attend a Summer Silversmithing course at a local art facility. The program instructor graciously sent me the materials list ahead of time, so that I could order supplies online vs purchasing them locally for substantially more dinero.
I’m compiling a list, based on the class requirements as well as a primer of sorts for setting up shop.
What have I missed that is an essential item all beginners need in their shop or at their bench?
Beginning Silversmithing Class Materials List
1. Sheet silver, sterling 18-24 gauge 1”x3” minimum
2. Sterling silver wire for ring shanks, bales etc. 12” length ½ round, triangular, square or round, 8-16 gauge, depending on desired weight or mass.
3. Bezel wire, fine silver straight 1/8’” or 3/16”, serrated or scalloped if desired. Get 12”
4. Cabochon stone or stone bead to cut in ½.
5. Jewelers saw blades, 1 bundle of a dozen 3/0 or 2/0
6. Tweezers (fine point).
7. Solder: Hard, Medium & Easy silver solder , Paste solder
8. 3 smooth-jawed pliers: needle nose, flat & round.
9. Jewelers saw frame (4-6” throat depth)
10. #2 cut ½-round file
11. Fine cut needle files, set of various shapes
12. Sandpaper, carborundum wet-or-dry, 320, 400, 600.
13. Solder pick
Other tools:
Torch
Little Smith Attachments
Tumbler
Pickle pot
Pickle
Flux
Third hand
Fire block/Charcoal block
Steel Ring Mandrel
Fire extinguisher
Tim McCreight’s Complete MetalSmith
Deb, from Rosevine Design, is a member of the Etsy Artisan Beaders street team, to which I also belong. She creates the most amazing beaded works of art.
Deb says” The creative process is something that seems to be ingrained in my personality and because of this there are a lot of by-products (or stuff, as some people call it)that seem to pile up everywhere! Over the past 40 or so years I have dabbled in many media but I finally realized that everything I find interesting involves some kind of embellishment. Many techniques used with one media are very successfully used with another and I enjoy mixing them. ”
You can find many more in her shop.
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Liver of sulfer is a mixture of potassium sulfides used to darken the surface of silver and bronzes. I use liver of sulfer (LOS) a LOT. I like the gunmetal finish it gives to sterling silver, and I like the dark contrast against lighter stones. Ok, so it is a little stinky. Over time, I’ve become somewhat immune to the smell. Maybe I use it too much?
I thought I’d share a few links to online tutorials that might be helpful in your LOS endeavors.
Happy reading.
http://cghandmade.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-oxidize-silver-and-copper.html
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/jewel/node/1020
http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/basics/reference/oxidizingliverofsulfur.htm
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/liver_of_sulfur.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t30ukEhP1ys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDqRzXf1yjM
http://www.hollygage.com/pages/techniques_liverofsulfur.html
Any links I should add to my list that I’ve missed?
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