Silver Bee

Silver Bee has a little to say about everything.

A quick note first.

My blog and gmail have been compromised. I'm not too sure how the spam got past the safeguards for Typepad but there have been a few comments that were inappropriate and a blog post that apparently I wrote about a great site I found. If you have received any emails from me regarding that please don't click on the link. I don't know what happens but my suggestion is to change your password on your email account.

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog post!

It's been quite a time since early August and I haven't been able to keep up to my promise of launching my new website. The truth is I hurt my left shoulder about a month prior to that but I kept thinking whatever it was would go away. I had so much to do and so little time to do it in. Or so I thought.

So the long and winding road of learning to launch a website turned out to have a Yield sign along the way. Ignoring it I was still trying to get everything finished. My shoulder kept getting sorer and more difficult to use. After an ultrasound I found out that I had some major issues going on and could no longer pretend I was super human. We all go through it, admit it, I'm not the only one. So you can guess what I saw next on the road, a big red STOP sign. 

  
So I've been grounded since then, well almost since then. I had to try to keep working on things. I asked the physio what else I should do after she gave me instructions on how to do one exercise. Her answer, "nothing". Busy Silver Bees don't like to slow down but I did. I would occasionally try to get back up to speed but I have family and friends who would gently remind me about  the big red STOP sign.

So fast forward to now and I'm still grounded although my arm has improved. I have to get used to the idea that it will take some time to heal. I keep thinking if I'm good that I'll get paroled sooner. Funny how our minds work.

Despite all that there is the Fraser Valley Bead Show coming up and I haven't done my usual shout out about what I'm teaching or about the show in general. The bead show is this coming weekend, October 22nd - 24th and I have three classes on the roster. I've always had wonderful friends that have stepped forward to help out and this year is no exception. Nadine Mageau is helping me for the entire weekend! I am so fortunate to have friends such as her.

So here's the schedule for this show, a little late as I said but I couldn't not tell you about it. For more information on the Fraser Valley Bead Show, check out the site.

*MASTER CLASS*

DELUXE SILVERSMITHING
EPIPHANY BRACELET AND CHARM

Friday, October 22
11:30am - 6:30pm
(includes 1 hour lunch break)

It’s the ‘aha!’ moment when you realize the possibilities open to you when you get that solder to flow for the first time! So imagine the possibilities after this one-day class where you will learn the basics of silver smithing, and how to set a faceted stone into a bezel. You will learn what it takes to successfully solder by creating a chain and beautiful toggle to hold it all together. You’ll take it one step further by learning to set a faceted stone using fine silver bezel wire. Throw in learning many different techniques of hand texturing for the sterling silver base and the skill of antiquing to give your piece that old world charm and this could be your Epiphany class!

SPINNING RING   

Saturday, October 23
1:30pm - 4:30pm 

SOLD OUT

This is the second year in a row this class has sold out! Thank you everyone who signed up for it!

 

PRONG SET PENDANT

Sunday, October 24
1:30pm - 4:30pm

Prong settings are one of those skills that seem elusive when you are just starting out but it doesn’t have to be. In this class you will learn a basic prong setting using a round cabochon. Learn how easy it is to use that geometry you learned in school to make the perfect size every time - and if you weren't a math whiz, don't worry!! Brendalee will show you how fun and easy it is to figure out! 

So there you have it, my first blog post in two months and it's a long one. I'm still going slow but I'm going to try to get back to what I love doing best. Letting others know all about the wonderful world of silver smithing. Oh yes and tools!

 

Silver Bee practices what she preaches!

Last Friday evening I took a class on the basics of tension settings. It is one of those techniques whose mystery I had yet to solve. As you can imagine I was very excited about taking another class. It turns out it was just what I needed to sit back down at my bench and create for the sheer joy of creating. Well almost. What I should have said was it was an opportunity to sit at my bench and practice what I learned. As with most new things I often end up with a few "fails". I prefer to think of them as opportunities to swear learn.

After the silver is shaped and work hardened you need a bur to create a seat for the stone. Sounds easy and it may be for some. However, I found this the biggest challenge. I had difficulty aiming the drill to the exact spot I had marked, and preventing the bur from running away on me. To be fair to myself I had forgotten my Optivisor and so my eyesight was challenged by such precise work. After many attempts and filing away the mistakes Kelly Allanson, our instructor, came to my rescue and helped me finish the ring. I managed to create the seat on one side of the ring and then Kelly matched it on the other side. I was tickled with the result and couldn't wait to try it in the comfort of my home at my bench with my tools and of course my Optivisor.

As already mentioned there were some fails during the first few attempts. Not one to be discouraged by that I kept on trying. I eventually made a small ring of which I was proud but I knew I wanted to make more. I needed to practice maintaining control of the bur on the silver. So using a piece of 14 gauge copper (what I had available) I practiced with the hart bur again and again until I felt like I understood what I was doing wrong. But that bit of insight didn't happen while practicing with the bur. 

I was supposed to be teaching the gypsy setting to someone yesterday but due to a mix up in communication it didn't happen. Instead of being upset thinking my time was wasted setting everything up I admitted to myself that I was actually pleased it didn't take place. I'm always anxious when I agree to teach this technique because I'm not entirely confident that I could translate the knowledge in my head into good instructions for the student. So there I was sitting with all the tools I needed to just sit and figure that out. So I practiced and 16 settings later I finally figured out what I had been doing wrong with the bur for the tension setting. I love how that works. I also figured out how I would teach the gypsy setting as well. I felt more confident in passing on the information. It's not even something that I've perfected but I feel that I know enough to teach the skills I do have so that someone can practice until they find their grove with the technique. Of course I always disclose that I'm not the expert.

The whole point of this post, the moral of the story, is that practice doesn't always make perfect but it does teach you many ways of how not to do something. Which eventually leads the path to perfect...or so I've heard. 

P.S. I'm taking another class this weekend to learn more about "Surface Techniques". Same wonderful instructor!

Silver Bee is on a long and winding road!

I’m not the most prolific blogger but lately I’ve been unusually quiet. I creating a website for Silver Bee and I kept thinking completion was just around the corner. I didn’t anticipate just how many curves there are in this learning process. I was getting discouraged. Then I remembered something I may have said a time or two when teaching, “This is the first time you’ve made this and it’s wonderful!” It was time to listen to my own advice.  I wanted to build my own so I could understand and appreciate what goes into the process.  It’s the same sort of curiousity I had when I was learning how to solder. I wanted to understand how it happened not just that it happened.

The colours and logo are primarily the same but there are going to be pages...lots of pages...all with tabs to tell you exactly what they are all about. You’ll be able to find information on classes, tips, tools, books and whatever else I can think of. There will be a tab dedicated to students, “It’s all about you”.  This is where you will find galleries with your work in it! 

If you’ve seen my workspace you know I love this sort of organization. Don’t get me wrong, a mess definitely happens when I’m in a creative mode but I have to stop eventually and tidy things up. Then I can make a mess again. But I'm getting sidetracked.

Back to being excited about the new site but add a dash of impatience! Here’s my promise to you and to myself: it’s going to be up and running by the end of August regardless of how many lumps and bumps there are to fix. Similar to when I’m teaching, I tell students there is a point that can be reached when it is “good enough”. Perfection comes with lots of practice. So I’m going to take my own advice. 

The moral of this story is to listen to your teacher!

P.S. This photo was taken some time ago but nothing has really changed except there's more of it.

Silver Bee features YOU!

I'm creating a new feature for my blog: it's all about you! You, that is, who have taken a class from me. Why? Because I’m excited when I see a piece that was created with the skills you learned in one of my classes. 

Most of you who I’ve taught went looking for classes because you were bursting with inspiration and needed to find another way to express it. You wanted to take your work to the next level. As a designer I know it’s a liberating feeling to have more knowledge -- tools if you will -- to realize the ideas in your head.

 Can you imagine the energy and excitement I feel when you start to learn? I get caught up in the enthusiasm you express when you solder for the first time or attach a bezel to a ring shank. It’s like I’m learning it all over again and get excited thinking about the possibilities.  I want to stay in touch to see what you have created, which brings me to the inspired pieces I want to feature as part of my blog.

So here’s the deal: if you have been a student in one of my classes I would love photos of your creations to show on my blog. And if you have them for sale somewhere, whether on a website ,a blog, or Etsy, for example, let me know and I’ll include a link so visitors can find it, and other pieces, you’ve made.  If someone expresses interest in your work and you aren’t set up to sell then I’ll make arrangements, with your permission of course, to connect them to you. As well, if you are showing or selling your work at an exhibit or other event and you want to put the word out include the link or information and I’ll post it as well.

At first I’m just going to post the photos and information.  In time I will have an actual page where all of you will be showcased. I didn’t want to wait until everything was perfect. I have a dream of creating a community and this is the beginning! :-) 

The minimum I need to post your work:

-photo, around 600x400 pixels (I may resize and/or crop)

-your first name; your surname if you wish

-your website or blog URL

Don't be shy! If you are unsure of how to size, crop or send your photo, let me know and I can help. Don't forget this is all about you.

P.S. The very first contributor Trish Chinnery-Guidi wore this bracelet the day she took a silver smithing class. Trish took a Viking knit class a couple of weeks prior and this was her first piece. I love it!

Silver Bee is curious!

Today’s word is curiousity. Well actually it was yesterday’s word too. Come to think of it, I’m sure it will be tomorrow’s word. What the heck, let’s just be honest and declare that every day is about curiousity. It’s a versatile word that takes you places, teaches you things, and inspires questions. My favourite question is, “What if?” Some pretty crazy things happen when you ask that question but this is a blog about silver smithing so I’m going to stick to the program.

I believe I’ve always been creative, but it wasn’t until I cultivated curiousity that creativity became interesting.  Do you remember your first colouring books, and how you were supposed to colour inside the lines? Sometimes I think we learn too well and it becomes difficult to venture outside the lines into the unknown. For myself, I’ve always dabbled in creativity -- mostly colouring inside the lines. It wasn’t until I found something I became passionate about that I wanted to take risks. Of course you know where this is going.

My passion is silver. I love working with it. I describe it as having ‘attitude’.  You have to learn to work with it and not force it.  Silver has very few requirements but if you don’t meet them...well, things just won’t go your way. Silver should be clean, fluxed and the two ends or pieces must have the best possible connection in order for a good solder to happen.  When you ‘get’ this all sorts of things can happen! You can start to ask the question, “What if?” So what were some of my questions? I wondered what would happen if I poured molten silver into or over different things like wet straw, water, snow, and various kinds of beans. The resulting organic pieces prompted a whole new set of “What if?” questions. By the way, all the silver I use for these experiments is recycled from ideas that didn’t work out. I admit that I did have moments of disappointment but once that was gone the silver went into my “dish of new possibilities”.  

That’s just one way that curiousity worked for me.  What happens when you get curious about something creative? I would love to hear about some of your experiences. You may just spark some curiousity in others!

The moral of this story: Lines only exist if you choose to see them, otherwise your curiousity and creativity can take you many places.

Silver Bee says thank you!

What I know for sure is the gratitude I feel at the opportunity to teach something I feel so passionate about. I’m talking about silver smithing of course.  The opportunity was the Fraser Valley Bead Show, March 12-14^th. I have some wonderful friends who assisted me with the classes. Heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth, Nicole and Suzanne! They helped the classes flow on schedule, got the room ready for the next day, for Sunday’s class helped pack up everything.  That work was made so much easier with extra pairs of hands.

Getting ready for the show was, as always, a panic. No matter how much time I have I a lways work to the last minute to get ready.  This year I had everything packed into one large box thinking it would be efficient, and then I tried to pick it up. I had purchased a hand-truck for moving the box to and from my car but it couldn’t manage it either. The box was too large and way too heavy.  So I went back to the hardware store and exchanged it for a cart. I picked up smaller plastic bins so I could at least lift them one at a time.

The Deluxe Silversmithing class was the first time I had taught a full day and it worked out better than I imagined. The Spinner Ring was a challenging project for first time students but everyone rose to the challenge and walked out with a ring on their finger!  Bezel setting a Cabochon was a big success with all the women walking out sporting a necklace with a beautiful pendant.

I’m looking forward to the Fall show and I’m also working on some new classes. Thank you Barrie for a wonderful Spring Fraser Valley Bead Show. I’ll see you in October.  

Silver Bee loves Just Screwing Around (It's about a hammer)

It's about a hammer...really! In particular this hammer from Just Screwing Around. I've mentioned it before when I made up a list of top ten tools. But the value of this hammer has grown. New texture heads were added that were available to order at the 2009 Fraser Valley Bead Show. I was lucky,  Matt gave me one of the few sets that existed at the time. I now had 6 interchangeable heads for the hammer. I love having this hammer available in my toolbox when the design I'm working on requires just a little (or a lot) of  something to make it work.

Like a moth to a flame I couldn't leave the show without going to their booth to see what other goodies they were offering. Of course I found something! I bought another texture head. It was considered a second because it wasn't up to their standards of excellence. After I had that in my hand I spied something else that looked all shiny and new. It was a anvil block that measured 5.5 inches square. I had to have it although I already owned about six smaller ones. I was actually standing there petting it! I'm aware how that must have looked but I didn't care. The guys packaged it up for me along with the leather cushion for underneath and I parted with my money very happily. I have a confession to make: I haven't used the anvil block at all. I just can't bring myself to do anything that would mar the surface. A photo of it wouldn't do it justice because you wouldn't be able to get a sense of its size. So it's a centre piece for me and I don't care. One day I might need something that large to do some work on and I'll be happy I have it. Just like the hammers.

If you have a chance to go to the bead show, stop by their booth, say hi to Matt and Tyler. Their sense of humour and friendliness is worth it alone but when you add in the tools they have...it's a winner! You'll also see samples of all the textures. I heard a rumour that they will have three more textures available plus some new colours for the hammer handles and sand bags.

Guess who will be at their table looking at the new goodies! 

P.S. A disclosure...Matt and Tyler gave me the second set of texture heads but I would still say everything I already have without that. Their work is just that good!

Just a quick update for the Fraser Valley Bead Show. The Deluxe Silversmithing class is sold out. Thank you to everyone who signed up. I'm so excited about teaching all the classes!

Silver Bee is teaching at the Spring Fraser Valley Bead Show

It's difficult to believe that the Spring session of the Fraser Valley Bead Show is only two weeks away. I haven't even mentioned that I will be teaching 3 classes and one of them is already sold out! Barrie Edwards, the show's founder, has done it again with a great line-up of classes and merchants. There will be so much to feast your eyes on and you'll find that all sorts of treasures are just begging to go home with you. 

I'm teaching the following but make sure to also check out the other wonderful classes available.

Deluxe Silversmithing
Friday, March 12
11:30 am - 6:30 pm which includes a 1 hour lunch

During this one day class you will not only learn the basics of silver smithing but you will also learn how to set a gemstone for the centerpiece of this beautiful bracelet. The morning will be focused on learning about what it takes to successfully solder. You will create the links of your bracelet using round and patterned sterling silver wire. In the afternoon you will learn to create the setting for your gemstone centerpiece as well as several different methods to personalize your centerpiece using hand-texturing techniques. There will also be an opportunity to learn some different techniques for antiquing your work. The techniques you learn in this class will be easily applied to your future designs. 

Spinning Ring
Saturday, March 13
9:30-12:30

Unfortunately this one is already sold out but both the Deluxe Silversmithing and the Bezel Set Pendant have some room left. 

Bezel Set Pendant
Sunday, March 14
9:30-12:30

Learn how to set a stone into a bezel and make a beautiful pendant you will be proud to wear. In this class you will create a setting for a gemstone using fine silver bezel wire and a textured sterling silver base. You will learn how to use different hammers, wire and metal stamps to create a wonderful textured background for your stone. We will also be using a couple of techniques for antiquing your pendant. You can take this new skill of bezel making and apply it to many other projects for the future.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the show!

Silver Bee joins the JETT SETT!

JETT SETT, another tool that I've always wondered about. I'm amazed that I've waited this long to work with it and discover the extent of its uses. It's one of those products that I am so excited about I can hardly get the words out.

I should back up a bit though to fill you in on what this new to me miracle product is. First it's not new and has been around for awhile although I don't know for how long exactly. It is a unique combination of  plastic and ceramic compounds that when heated in hot water becomes moldable. It wasn't until I started to see what I could mold it around that I became really excited about its possibilities. JETT SETT can be used to secure stone settings in place so you can finish the job more easily. Use it to create ergonomic handles for gravers and files. The same can be done with pliers so the handles sit more comfortably and secure in your hands. If you want to bend wire without marring  mold some JETT SETT around the jaws of the pliers. It's easily applied and just as easily removed. It's a completely reusable  product which makes the initial investment more economical considering its uses and longevity. 

I was like a mad scientist trying all the possibilities I'd read about or thought of using this product. Unfortunately I didn't think of taking photos until I was just about finished setting a stone into a toggle clasp.  

The photo to the right is JETT SETT pellets straight out of the bag. After putting it in water that has been heated to between 65 - 75 degrees C (145 - 170 degrees F) let it sit for a moment to absorb the heat. The photo on the left (below) is what it looks like when it's had just a few seconds in hot water. Remove it from the hot water (I used a chopstick to pull the mass out) and carefully squeeze the hot water from it. You'll see that it starts to become a solid moldable mass. While it is warm you need to start to molding it. As it cools down it becomes less pliable so you want to work fairly quickly but not with a sense of panic! (I did the first time I used it.) When you've
used it a couple of times you get to know how long it takes to harden. Once it is hard you can hit it with a hammer and you won't damage it. The possibilities seem endless to me 

 
You can make pieces that you will use over and over such as the perfect size dapping punch for your dapping block. Another option for shaping metal would be creating a 2-part mold. Put a flat annealed metal sheet between them and using a leather or plastic mallet hammer the two shapes so they fit together again. The sheet in between takes on that shape. I really could go on and on but I think you get the idea. 

When you are finished using it simply heat it up again and flatten it into a thin sheet. This makes it easier to reheat when the time comes to reuse it. 

Obviously I'm enamoured of this product and I'm sure you will be too when you have the opportunity to join the JETT SETT!