Metal Monday: A New Page and Flowers

I've put up a new page on my website with metal goodies that I've shown you here and some that I haven't like the beauty below.

I like a shallow dome on them, it gives them an added textural quality without over-powering the fundamental design.

What have you created today?

Metal Monday: Making Your Metal Money Stretch

Yikes! Have you seen the price of gold and silver?!?  Especially silver which was my go to precious metal. I can't even afford that right now!

I'm sure many of you are in the same boat. One of the ways I make my money stretch is to use base metal and then cover it with silver fill wire. I wrote a tutorial last year on how to coil the double dips that's available to you for free.

If you're using base metals such as copper and brass, you can patina them to a dark finish which will unify the color of your base metals. I did this with the "Meandering Earrings" project that appeared in the summer 2010 issue of Easy Wire. The earrings were made with copper wire and finished in a dark, bark-like color.

When you've used a dark patina on base metals, it's important to seal in the patina so it doesn't rub off. There are several ways to do this. One is to seal it with Renaissance wax and another is to use a sealant like Midas available from Rio Grande.

Supplies:
Monsterslayer is the lowest priced silver fill wire I've found. If you've got a different source with lower prices, please share by leaving a comment.

Make sure you take some time today to create something!

Announcing Monday Metal and Linky Love

If  you're a regular reader, you know I've been working with a rolling mill lately.  I've always had in the back of my mind, to make beads of all kinds and metal is a part of that. So, I've decided to add a regular post called Metal Monday when I'll talk about all things metal.  I've made a little logo to go along with it using my latest rolling mill/metal creation....

Did you know that you can put all kinds of media through a rolling mill to impress a design?  That notion sent me to the craft store looking for all kinds of crafty things to use.  I came up with ribbon and paper borders for scrapbooking.  Here's a sampling......

I picked up all of these ribbons and paper borders at my local Michael's store. Of these patterns, I liked the off-center flowers created by the brown floral ribbon.  Which is your favorite?

Speaking of favorites, here are my favorite bead bloggers with some beady love.....

A Bead A Day
Artists who create using found objects or materials from nature are awe inspiring! Lisa is showcasing one artist who uses birch bark to create beads!

About.com Jewelrymaking
Get twisting with your beads and learn to make a very cool twisted strand necklace with this bead weaving technique. 

Art Bead Scene
Come check out the August challenge! 

Beading Arts
Cyndi is celebrating bead embroidery month on Beading Arts! Come find out how you can get started.

Beads and Books
Share the name of your favorite glass beadmaker for a chance to win a copy of the book Creating Glass Beads. 

Carmi's Art Life/World
Carmi is experimenting with Apoxie Sculpt and rubber stamps to make pendants! 

Cindy Gimbrone Beads
Cindy's got a new tool on her workbench, a rolling mill. Check out the jewelry pieces that have rolled out onto her bench! 

Resin Crafts!
Carmi shows off a sweet resin heart pendant made in a candy mold.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is getting verrrry excited, anticipating Michelle Mach's Mostly Metal Challenge! Come read about it! 

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
In an effort to help launch Allegory Gallery, Andrew announces the Allegory Gallery Fundraiser! Make a donation and receive a prize for your support!