When does a hardware store transcend function and become art?

I just had to share this old-time hardware store with you.  I would have taken a photo of the storefront window filled with an "exhibit" of antique tools, but the window doesn't get much cleaning ... I can't imagine anyone would relish removing all of those old tools to clean the windows and then reinstall the "exhibit" again.  Hundreds of things.

The "Tilt-a-Whirl" of nuts and bolts

Palmer's is right next to Valentin, the place where I get my hair cut.  They have a lot of things, but specialize in plumbing tools and supplies.  They'll lend you the tools to do your plumbing job, explain to you how to do it, and if all else fails, they can give you the names of some plumbers. 

I love going into this place ... it's like a wonderland for tool addicts!  It's the type of hardware store that a lot of us grew up with ... the kind you can usually only find in smaller towns.  These independent Ma & Pa stores have been replaced by Lowe's and Home Depot.  It's a shame really, but I think a lot of us are trying to patronize shops owned by individuals or families.  If we're not careful, we'll blink and they will have been overtaken by conglomerates and none will be left.  Anyway, getting back to to Palmer's.  It has been around since 1958, but under "new ownership" since 1979.  

The "Planning Center" ... see the desktop planner!

When I walk into Palmer's I think what I smell is old cardboard and metal.  I mean, look at those old boxes with a neat hand-lettered description of their contents. There is a bustle of activity ... the grinding of keys, kids playing, old men talking ...  The owners are super friendly.  I buy the hose clamps and angle brackets for the torch-firing kits here ... it's the least I can do to help support an independent store owner. I wish there were more things I needed!

Palmer's Hardware, bins of hardware

The place is really wonderful ... it is more than a hardware store really ... it is installation art!

Torch-Fired Enamel ... it can be more than you think!

I'm preparing for bead shows in Tucson (To Bead True Blue and Tucson Bead Show) in February by torch firing some copper beads with some simple white enamel ... but, oh, it's not what you think. Adjustments to the torch during the firing bring copper oxides in the form of green speckles to the surface.  Cutting back on the oxygen creates darkened areas and flashes of pink.  Murrini slices and dots made by a glass stringer help to create beads that look a heck of a lot like lampwork beads but are lightweight because they are hollow.

If you're going to be in the Tucson area and want to learn how to make these, I'd love to have you in a workshop.  There are a few spots left.  You can sign up at my website.  But if you don't have time for a workshop, please stop by and say hello.

Here are some of the gifts from the torch ...

These wonderful murrini are from Hayley Tsang of EnVision (http://envisionsf.com). 

Finally, Mary Jane Dodd!

Mary Jane Dodd, Designer of the Month

Yesterday, Christmas morning, we were opening presents.  My 25 y/o son, David, says, "Mom, look under the sofa."  I looked at him quizzically ... because it required me to get on my hands and knees ... I reached under the sofa and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but the December Bead Trends magazine with Mary Jane Dodd!  I was so excited because I've been having trouble finding this issue.  I said, "David, did you buy this?"  He said, "Yes, it's got Mary Jane Dodd in it!"  He was so cute.  I wish Mary Jane had heard him.

I am blown away by Mary Jane's work ... so rich with textures, asymmetrical design, gorgeous stones ... I'm going to look at Bead Trends again, as soon as I can wrangle it from my husband's hands!  Congratulations, Mary Jane!

Merry Christmas!

Work by Dale Chihuly

Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday filled with all things good!  I hope Santa brings you all the things on your wish list because I know you've been good and deserve them! Hugs, Barbara

Gift Vouchers at PWF!

I just received this nice email:

"I was referred to your website by my mother when I asked her what she would like for Christmas.  Do you sell gift certificates?  How can I purchase one for her?"

My daughter was sitting with me when I received the email. She said with excitement, "Boy, I would definitely go to a place to buy a gift certificate for you!  You're the hardest one to buy for!"

I got in touch with the web designer and 10 minutes later, Gift Vouchers became available at Painting with Fire Artwear in denominations of $25, $50, $100, and $150.  Just look for them on the sidebar.  

  

Bead Fest, Philadelphia, August, 2011

Oh my goodness ... I'm going to get to meet a lot of you in person ... because I know a lot of you go to Bead Fest in August ... I've seen the photos as proof!  Even if you're not in my awesome workshop,  "Forging the Way ... to a new direction in torch-fired enamel jewelry," I hope to see you on the bead floor!  If you decide to take the workshop, not only will you learn the Painting with Fire Technique, but we'll forge beads into flattened and square shapes during the enameling process.  We'll use those beads, plus some others we'll enamel earlier in the day, to make a bangle bracelet.  Learn to make an S-clasp and also some really neat links, courtesy of some heat.

Forging the Way ... to a new direction in torch-fired enamel

Forging the Way (detail)

I hope some of you can break away from your busy schedule for some fun and learning at Bead Fest Philadelphia on August 20, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a flame-inspired creative jewelry project~ 

I was hoping to teach at Bead and Button this year and, in fact, made the first cut ... but not the second.  So, we'll have to try again next year for you Mid-Westerners!

First Author Review!

I feel as though I've been led into the inner sanctum of some secret society ... I mean, do you know what goes into publishing a book?  Neither do I ... but I'm becoming exposed to a little bit of it ... to my own personal corner.

This is what I received yesterday from the FedEx lady, who was afraid to get out of her van because our ferocious Manchester Terrier, all 18 lbs. of him, was ready to eat her for a snack ...  You see all of those little pink sticky notes?  Those are pages that have questions for me to answer.  Rachel, my editor, did a great job laying out the text, the step-out photos are in b&w, but the beauty shots of the jewelry aren't in yet.  Next time, though, the beauty shots will be in place and I'll have another surreal experience!

Belle Armoire Jewelry, Winter 2011

Even though my article and jewelry in the Winter 2011 Issue of BAJ isn't about torch-fired enamel, it's still about heat.  In fact, the technique used in "A Day at the Circus" ceramic pieces in BAJ is also used in my torch-fired enamel.  It involves the use of overglaze enamels, also known as china paints.  You may be more familiar with them on your grandmother's hand-painted china, from which she served tea and finger sandwiches ... one and the same!  But, boy does it look different.

I  also teach you how to use overglaze enamels in one of the projects in my book, Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: a Workshop in Painting with Fire, due for release in early August 2011.  With overglaze enamels you can paint a replica of the Mona Lisa or dots and dashes ... depends on your skill level ... I'm definitely with the dots-and-dashes!  The BAJ article is all about buying inexpensive, bland beads and jazzing them up to make them your own.

This is a great issue of BAJ, one that I share with some great artists ... I'm in very good company. :-)

Specially priced kit for torch firing enamel!

At the urging of friends, I gathered the tools together to offer a torch-firing kit at a reduced price on my website.  This is by far the best deal ... a wonderful Christmas gift for the jewelry artist or enamelist. Priced at $104.00, the Torch-Firing Kit is valued at $118.00.  You'll have everything you need to enamel beads and other jewelry pieces, including pendants and charms, using the immersion method ... which is the fastest and safest technique for torch-fired enameling. You'll be learning the very same method I teach in workshops where students enamel over 50 beads and several pendants in an afternoon! 

The kit includes the following items and priority mail shipping: 

• a handy self-igniting torch, which you'll use with map gas
• a hose clamp ... that slotted metal band in the photo
• an angle bracket
• the indispensable bead pulling station
• vermiculite
• bread pan
• four mandrels
• several metal beads to get you started
• 3 oz. each of Robin's Egg Blue, Nile Green (transparent), and White (or Nut). I'll send White unless you specify Nut in the comments section when you check out.
• the Painting with Fire tutorial, which will be emailed to you so you can start studying and be ready when your kit arrives by priority mail!

The only additional things you'll need to purchase are two C-clamps and the 1 lb. canister of map gas.

So you're wondering ... "What made her select those enamel colors?"  Well, I'll tell you.  Robin's Egg on its own is beautiful, when you add Nile Green (transparent) on top, you get a gorgeous turquoise, Nile Green (transparent) over White gives you a color I call Aqua Ice ... on top of Nut, you'll get Dusty Aqua. For an investment in a few colors, you'll get a beautiful color range.  Three ounces is what you'll need to totally immerse your bead in enamel ... and will last you quite a long while.

  

The tutorial explains the rest, but I'm always available at www.paintingwithfire.ning.com for any questions.  The Ning is a great support group ... it's your place to go for moral and technical support as you get started.