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Learning to Machine

The last time Brian had some time off he took me to learn a few basics about Machining. We both wished that we had more time, I just watched him work instead of getting to try everything out myself. We worked on perfecting a ring design for my color chart rings. Three of the masters we made are on their way to my casters right now. I am crossing my fingers that I get rings back in time for Felt Club! I do love how perfect machining parts can be - but I'm not sure I would ever make the best machinist. I just know I would screw up the math somehow!

Besides making the rings, Brian also made this little tool for use while drilling the holes in each ring.

Fun Summer Class

I just can't seem to stay away from the Barnsdal Art Park. I love taking classes there - except for the drive. It's about an hour away with traffic, so one way there is long and tedious and coming home is a breeze. I haven't been taking classes there for a while because of that fact. They offered a summer class for alternative jewelry making though and I was pulled back in. We are learning felt, polymer clay and resin techniques. I have had so much fun just playing. I usually put so much pressure on every other creative aspect of my life and this class has been a really good break from that. I did manage to cut my finger last week though. I thought I was going to need a stitch or two, but kept my cool and calmly asked for a band-aid even though blood kept pouring out of the cut. I am lucky it was at an angle - I think that is what saved the day. I hear there will be two casting classes in the fall and possibly a longer resin class. I will have a tough time holding back.

Jewelry is Live!

Ahhh. I uploaded Rottobee's web shop update last night. Brian recognized how momentous the moment was and had to remind me that I have been working for this for about a year and a half. I don't really think that it's sunk in. Or maybe this time is just different. I usually float along with my head in the clouds, thinking that every work adventure will automatically be successful. I think the clouds have cleared a little and while I'm hopeful for the future of my jewelry line ( there are so many more pieces I would love to make) I'm also becoming a little more realistic. I know I need to work hard on getting the necklaces in stores and get traffic to my website. I know the economy is slowing down too. I remain positive don't get me wrong, I love these pieces and have only had good feedback. I am now embracing the fact that no one step in the process of running my own business will ever be "it". There will always be more to do, and instead of racing and racing for that one moment when everything is done, I see the steady flow of moments just like this one ahead.

That being said, I did still race like crazy to get my dreamweaver stuff done. Once I get into updating or building for my website, I can not pull myself away. It's like leaving a puzzle. I just can't do it. Brian admits that he is the same way.

I do have to note here that I was really torn pricing my necklaces. I hope that the pricing part of this job gets easier. I was hoping for a smaller price point because I want everyone to be able to afford one. The price of silver has risen and keeps rising, my new caster is more expensive - but worth it, and I have to keep in mind pricing so that I still make a profit with wholesale. I don't want to go on and on, but for some reason I just want to explain where I'm coming from on this subject. I myself don't usually splurge on anything - except dog biscuits, so pricing has be particularly hard for me.

Almost There

Really, I swear! There has just been so much to learn about jewelry making, pricing, wholesale vs retail and more much more. Brian took photos for me last weekend and now I am just slogging through the last details. I can't wait to get these up for sale. I have so much more to explore next - still working out color, and new ideas too. Here is a little sneak peak of the photos. I will post here when they are up on my website and etsy, it should be some time next week! By the way, my mom handmade little bags to package these guys up in and they are really cute.

Samples revisited

I got samples back from my new caster Tuesday. They look so great, so perfect in every way that the other castings weren't. The only thing that needs work is the color. Only one of my samples was antiqued, and it wasn't very dark, mostly rubbed off during the finishing. This is very exciting though, this means I am close to finally placing a big order.

Charms in Process

Ahhh, the charms. I got them back over a week ago, I can't believe I haven't posted yet. I'm still having problems with the caster. Maybe that's why. It's a bit of a sore subject. I picked up the first three silver charms from them and two were good, but the bird wasn't great. The mold was having an air bubble problem. I placed a big order for this weekend. I went to pick them up last week and only half were good.  The caster isn't paying attention, now the owls were having air bubble problems. So this week I went back to check the waxes BEFORE they were cast. All the owls were still not right, this time with little toe problems. The caster now thinks my mold is broken! These molds last for a really really long time. I am so frustrated with them. I am going to be using someone else for my next batch. It really sucks that I provided the metal, so I have to go back in and ask for it back,  only, it's in the form of messed up owls. It isn't going to be fun. Not at all. So, I don't have as many pieces as I wanted for the show. I may get more on Friday, but it may not be enough time to get them ready. That's another sore spot. I had a lot of clean up on the castings I accepted. Much more than I though.

All right, enough complaining. They really look cute, wish my experience with the caster was better, so I could focus on that alone. Soon it will be. I will either go back to the San Fran caster that did a great job, just took weeks longer or try someone downtown. I am trying to accept that they wont be ready for Christmas.

Rings in Process

Thought I would post some process photos this week. It's been pretty busy around here with the Holiday Bazaar coming up this Saturday. It's a regular Santa's workshop around here... projects on every surface... 10 things going at once and one husband trying to relax. (Said Husband is also working hard to help out around here, cooking and grocery shopping and offering to help run errands, don't want to give the wrong impression!)

Here are the Color Chart rings in action. I am filling them with Resin this time around. The enameling did fairly well, but is starting to crack with daily use. The Resin will me much more resilient. So far for the show, I will have 9 rings, three of each size: 6, 7,and 8.

Here is the Ribbon Ring all cleaned up. I only have one of these so far, but I'm thinking of taking it too the Bazaar to see how it does.

Color Chart Rings

I made up three sizes of color chart rings in wax for the Holiday Bazaar. I had them cast in bronze last week. Last week I also attempted to make rubber molds of these bronze rings. First time doing it all by myself. I wanted to save money and get the hands on experience. The molds came out great... but the cutting them open, and getting good waxes out of the molds... did not turn out so great. I am glad I made the molds this time, but I know I will never be putting in the time to get really good at this. I will save myself 5 hours and pay someone else to make them next time. After making the molds I ended up carving out 9 more rings so that I can get them cast for the show. Since I didn't get waxes out of my molds, they had to come from somewhere. The bronze rings ended up being much bigger than my original. I got to fix that when I carved the new set of rings. Brian is going to teach me to machine these rings next week. Should be interesting. He thinks I am going to love it, and while I might love the perfect final project. I am not the best at calculating!

ps. I did pick up an owl and turtle silver finished charm on Thursday last week. The bird had some issues. They were good enough to order 40 pieces for the bazaar. I will take pictures soon I promise!

Raw Cast Ribbon Ring

Here is a raw casting, still sprued. I didn't take a photo of my raw cast color chart ring, and I really wish I had. It was my first investment cast piece and it was totally like magic when it came out. This is a ring I am making. I made it out of a ribbon, then made a mold with silicon. Then made a wax, then investment cast it. At some point I will have time to cut the sprue off and clean it up, adding black for detailing. I can't wait. I am especially excited about this one because at every step of the way, my teacher said it wasn't going to work. The detail came out really great. Can't wait to put it on my finger!

Metal Masters!

Here they are! Ok, I did get them a while back and I have been cleaning them up. It is taking a bit longer than expected. (At some point in my live I will really absorb the fact that everything does not take just an hour to complete. I mean, I learn this lesson over and over again, week after week, but still I hope to get everything done "right now". I will accept it at some point. I will have too!) I have a couple more hours today to get them in tip top shape and then I will be back to the casters.

I had a small heart attack when I went to pick them up, the caster had done pretty much every other owl I took for practice and brought them out first. They are practice pieces for a reason, they are broken, and not completely grown right. He had cast the final owl, but the sprue hadn't worked out. We were down to the LAST OWL that Brian had grown. I had to leave and come back for it. But finally here they all are....