Forging Away Workshop Openings ...

Hi guys, I wanted to tell you a little more about this workshop, which I think is like getting many workshops for the price of one!  You'll learn ...

• the Painting with Fire technique of enameling ... there's nothing cooler than that because it's so fast, affordable, easy and safe. We'll enamel most of the pieces we'll be using in our bracelet, but you can bring special beads of your own with holes that can accommodate 14-gauge wire.
  
• how to forge round copper beads into square or rectangular shapes during the enameling process.
• how to apply millefiori, lump enamel, and cat whiskers to a copper disc while the piece is on the mandrel.  Take a look at this post for how we'll do that.
• how to make this cool link, which you can use as your focal instead of the millefiori disc, if you'd like.
• to use some of these materials to make a bracelet, and
• how to make an S-clasp!

The dedication page of my book showing the bracelet with the link option!

The millefiori focal as an option.

Examples of forged beads

 I'll be offering this workshop at:

Bead Fest Philadelphia, Saturday, August 20 from 8:30 to 4 p.m., Workshop #2633

Art and Soul, Portland, Tuesday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

A Different Approach!

When I was in Florida I bought these hand-dyed rayon fibers, which I love.  These fiber strands look so wonderful with these "Gumball" Bracelets.  The ridged bead is my favorite bead to enamel and they have a large hole, which allows for corded and fabric necklaces.  I decided to share the love and make some bracelet kits with some of the variegated rayon fibers, five enameled beads, copper chain, a unique clasp and jump rings.  The only tools you need for the project are your fingers and a pair of pliers to open and close the jump ring.  The kit also comes with a tutorial that walks you through the process of making the bracelet ... but the jewelry kit certainly can be used to make projects other than the bracelet.  Please take a look at the etsy listing for this bracelet kit.

A finished Gumball Bracelet

The Persimmon Delight Bracelet Kit 

(the finished bracelet in the back is not included)

A Close-Up of the Fibers

The Beads ... Up Close and Personal

The Persimmon Delight Enamel Collection

There is also an etsy listing for the five enamels used for the beads.  The Enamel Collection is called Persimmon Delight and consists of five 1 oz packets in the colors:  Moca, Peacock Blue, Cobalt, Nut, and Pumpkin.  If you to enamel your own beads but would like the fiber and other jewelry components from the kit, just get in touch with me.  

I swear to God, sometimes I feel like Elaine Bennis working on a J. Peterman Catalog!