Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox Design Journal

May Synchroblog - Words Have Meaning

Melissa Muir — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:32:16 GMT

The Artists Synchroblog (May) – The Artists Synchroblog is a group of bloggers who post every other month on the same topic, sharing our experience or perspective. On alternate months we undertake a Pinterest Project where we each take inspiration from a pinterest picture, create something (art, a meal, a DIY project, etc) and then post about it.

I'm excited to have been accepted into The Artists Synchroblog group! May's Synchroblog topic is "WORDS HAVE MEANING." So we are all posting about words that have meaning to us. Maybe a favorite quote, some words of wisdom, a poem, something that speaks to you.

I honestly didn't know what to do on this... and I am a bit late to boot. But I did finally come up with a quote that fit perfectly.

"Mistakes are what makes success."

I have three young girls. And there is nothing like learning how to have successes after mistakes than by watching my children. Riley (my oldest) is learning to play percussion this year. She gets really frustrated after just a few minutes of playing and messing up. Kate is learning to read better, and nothing is more frustrating than navigating all the "rules" and "exceptions" of the English language. Kiari is learning everything. Perhaps her frustrations are the funniest to us as she throws the BEST two-year-old tantrums complete with screaming and stomping feet.

I have had many careers in my short 36 years of life, jewelry being my most passionate one and is fraught with successes and perceived failures. I say perceived because those failures really are what have lead me to the successes that I have had. I have learned from each of them, even if the lesson learned was nothing more than, "Go to bed when you are tired, because if you don't, a meltdown is almost certain."

What about you? What are some of your favorite phrases? Why do you like them? I would love to hear about it.

Please visit the blogs of some of the other participants to see what their favorites are.

Here's a list of other people participating in this months challenge!

http://amyestellemetalworks.blogspot.com

http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/

http://www.wrapturewirejewellery.on.ca/blog

www.elenorbuffington.blogspot.com

http://doxallodesigns.blogspot.com

http://lesliervillarreal.blogspot.com

http://www.journeyinjewelry.com/blog/My-Journey-in-Jewelry

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

http://marikach.blogspot.com/

www.createrecklessly.com

http://design.kcjewelbox.com

www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

http://silversmithblog.com/

http://stonezjewelry.com/blog/

All content and images on this blog are the property of Melissa Muir and use of them in any context is strictly prohibited unless written permission is first obtained. Please feel free to repin any of the pictures of pieces done by Melissa Muir only.

Utah Studio is Coming Along

Melissa Muir — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:30:08 GMT

Wow, we have been here for a full month already. In some ways it seems like we have been here forever and in others it seems like just yesterday we were just learning we were even going to be moving to Utah. I haven't cared for the weather here so far. It seems, just as in other places in the US right now, that winter does not want to leave. We get various teasers, but for the most part, winter weather is what we have had. I am really missing my bike rides and am anxious to get them started again.

Next week I have the opportunity to participate in a medical study related to the issues that I had with my last baby that resulted in her having 9 blood transfusions (4 of which happened before she was even born.) I will be in Indianapolis for a couple of days, with one day being completely open. Does anyone live in the area and would like to get together? Let me know and I will give you the particulars. Otherwise, I will plan on just hanging out at the mall and nearby art museums.

In other news, the studio is coming together. I am starting to get really excited, no I am not, I have been excited for a long time. But I am getting more and more antsy to use the place. Some parts of the room actually look like it is getting close to being done. I love looking at the end of the room that has the fireplace. Just a couple more boxes to remove and that end of the room will look great.

Look, you can even see part of the table tops on the student work bench. YAY! I still need to paint the coset doors and attach the handles. I found these really cool forged iron handles that I am going to use as door pulls. But I need to get some new hinges as the originals are all brass.

We also figured out how to use the fireplace. It had to be wired for the switch and everything. But when we flipped the switch, only the pilot light would come on. But I found the remote for it and now I can have a beautifully inviting fire in the fireplace. (obviously, I still have a few things to clean up on the mantle.)

The forging area and equipment tables are finally finished as well.

It is still a big mess right now, but that is just because I am still trying to figure out where to put everything and all the associated accessories. I can't wait to have it done and do the proper studio tour.

I even have a little helper. Our new home has central vacuum. I haven't had one of those before. But my baby LOVES the fact that she can now help out. In fact, you should hear the screams when we make her stop. HAHAHA

Now if only I could get her to keep that love of cleaning. Why is it that they want to help and do the cleaning when they really aren't able to, and when they are old enough to do it and do a good job at it, they refuse to? Sigh.

One area that hasn't really had any attention paid to it yet is the sink area. In fact, there isn't a sink yet. I still need to do some shopping for that.

Sigh, what a mess.

But all in all, it is coming together.

What a move... (long)

Melissa Muir — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:45:03 GMT

Well, we have been here for 2 weeks now. I cannot believe that much time has already passed. It has been an interesting move to say the least. Our items came and some made it unharmed, and others, well, not so much. The house is big and that has taken a bit to get used to. There are a lot of projects to do in here as the house is 13 years old and somethings haven't been maintained as they should have been. So that has been keeping us VERY busy.

Today as a reward for getting one bathroom unpacked and finished, my closet almost finished and a few other boxes unpacked, I went on a bike ride. There are biking trails all over the place here. It is an extremely family friendly and bike friendly place. It isn't the Columbia River Gorge, mind you, but it is nice and accessible.

We are finally starting to work a little bit on the studio. The walls were already up with the electrical run. But that is pretty much the extent of it. There are can lights in the room (21 of them to be exact) and some of those need to be changed out as it isn't good lighting for working on detailed projects like I do in my classes.

I started to put things together in my studio, but then realized quite quickly how dumb that was since the walls aren't finished. So this is what it has looked like for the past few days.

I unloaded several boxes, but you could barely tell I had even made a dent. And you know what? It took a lot of time to empty these boxes....

I bought a 5 gallon bucket of primer and will be working on the walls and ceiling tonight. Kiari is enjoying the carpet with the tarps on the floor.

It looks like I have a great blue whale in my studio at the moment. HAHAHA

I have really been having a hard time with this move since we have run into several issues with the house that the inspector should have caught and didn't. So we have had to put out a lot of extra money that we weren't planning on to take care of some BIG issues. It has been difficult, mentally and emotionally. But yesterday as we were outside taking care of one of those issues, we saw this....

How can that not make you feel even a LITTLE bit better? It was actually a double rainbow, but the second one didn't really show up with my cell phone camera.

Also, Kate's school is only about 1/2 a mile from here, so we have been walking and yesterday morning as I was pondering all the issues we are having and my feelings, I saw this....

The sky was totally gray and cloud covered and then there was one little spot that opened up and the sun was so bright. It was just beautiful.

Okay, so this didn't get posted last week as I had planned. So let me show you what I have accomplished....

Tomorrow, I will tape the rest of the room off and paint the rest of the walls. I have chosen a light gray color to go with the dark gray on the walls you see above. My Father-in-law will be here starting tomorrow and we will build the rest of the tables and then I can get putting things back together. I am getting closer and closer each day. YAY!

I will be back one day....

Melissa Muir — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 09:24:05 GMT

My head just spins these days. I went from moving in June, to moving in April, to moving in mid March. In just 3 1/2 weeks I will leave Washington and begin life in our new place in Utah. I think I have been caught off guard a bit because of the rapid changes in the timeline. We didn't expect to find a house so quickly. Although, I have to say that I am so glad we did. I was actually quite concerned about being here on my own with my girls for 3 months while my husband was in Utah workings and house hunting. I am also very excited and rather antsy about getting there and settling down.

The studio is now probably more than 1/2 packed. I should have it all finished up by wednesday, I would think. That will give me time to get some of the deep cleaning started and will make it easier for me to clean the house once the movers get all of our belongings loaded onto a truck. Last time we moved, it took them two full days to pack everything up and one solid day to load it all on the truck. This time however, we have a lot of things that are already packed. So I think that it will all happen much faster.

I am really going to miss the Columbia Gorge area. I have been driving around just soaking it all up and trying to commit as much of the scenery to memory as possible. I need to start researching hiking and biking trails in Utah so that the girls and I can hit the trails as soon as the wether gets nice. They have some really pretty areas in Utah, but it will be hard to replace the beauty we have here in washington. One thing that makes this move pretty nice is the view from my front yard.

That will be pretty easy to look at every morning. And the best part.... the view will never be obstructed. That is the view forever. *sigh*

We called ahead to some of the leaders of our church there in Draper. It has been wonderful this past week as we have had several members of our new ward reach out to us to welcome us and offer any assistance when we get there. It is nice to know that we are moving into a place that has such caring people.

It may be a while before I am able to get the studio back up and running once we get there to the new place. There is a lot of work to do to finish the room. And unlike when we bought the house in Ohio and built my studio there, I have a SERIOUS lack of funds this time. So it might take a while. But I hope not too long.

I will try to get on and blog a bit when I have something good to share. But thanks for being patient in the meantime. Wish me luck!

Moving... Retreat... Workshops...

Melissa Muir — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:21:21 GMT

Let me just start by saying that there certainly is never a dull moment in my life. Those of you that are long time readers of my blog know that already. I often joke that my life is so crazy that you just can't make this stuff up.

Well, we have a timeline for our. However, stranger things have happened, so we will just have to see how it all plays out. Last week my husband went to Utah to hang out with my little brother. While he was there, he took the opportunity to meet with our realtor and look at houses. Our plan has been that he would start his new job on March 1st (or thereabouts) and the girls and I would stay here in Washington until June and they were finished with school. We also said, in the unlikely case that we found a house, we might move sooner. Well, wouldn't you know it? He found a house. It is a great one and the studio spaces (yes, plural) are fantastic. I will start out inside and then once we get the detached garage plumbed, heated and cooled, I can move out there. Here is what I am starting with... So excited! Eventually this room will become a family room, so I am going to finish it with that in mind.

I think my wall of hammers might look good on the wall next to the fireplace.

I would like to install a Kitchenette type of set up along this wall with a sink and counter top for working on projects such as etching, patina application, wire wrapping, etc. I will probably put my bit table there in the nook by the window on the left.

I honestly don't know how big this room is. I haven't seen the house yet. I will be flying out next week to attend the inspection and see it in person.

The house itself has great bones and quality construction. The other elements inside?.... Well, let's just say I am going to be VERY busy for a couple of years with various projects. So, when do we move? During spring break, the first week of April, also Easter weekend. OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! Do you know what that means? Only 7 1/2 weeks left. You know, I could swear I just wrote this message.... Oh wait, that's right, I DID. Almost exactly one year ago.

But this time, I am not renting a house. I am going straight to a purchase and I am not moving again for at least 6 years. If he hates his job, too bad. LOL. Of course we also feel more comfortable buying without renting as we are already pretty familiar with the area.

So at any rate, I guess, Let the studio packing begin... again.

Pacific Northwest Metal Retreat

A good friend of mine, Francesca Watson, and I are hosting a retreat of jewelry artists. It will be held in beautiful Trout Lake, Washington. We have rented a rather larger house from September 9 - September 15.

Registration opened yesterday and it is already just over 1/2 way sold out. The retreat is going to be so much fun. I was really excited about it being only about an hour away, but now it will about 14 hours away. Oh well. But I am excited that I know I will be returning to Washington. Hopefully I will get some really good hikes in at that time.

Would you like to join us? Please check out the information. But don't hesitate too long or there won't be any spaces left.

www.MetalRetreat.com

Workshops

Just a reminder that enrollment has begun in my Basic Soldering Online Workshop. Class begins February 15 and ends April 15.

Learn how to cut your own jumprings, one at a time or hundreds. Learn the basics of your soldering set up. I will introduce you to a butane torch, essential tools and chemicals. Once we have gone through the basics, there are 6 projects for you to hone your skills. Learn how to solder copper with silver solder and without having a silver seam show on the finished piece. I even share my secret of how to make perfect swirls. We play with alcohol inks to add interest to textured pieces. Learn the secretes of soldering silver onto copper and not having the silver solder flow all over your copper piece.

The entire workshop is only $130. Or you can take each individual project for only $30.

Work at your own pace and ask questions along the way. I have a flickr and Yahoo group set up so that we can easily communicate.

View more information about the projects: www.MelissaMuir.com/workshops

Tool Time Tuesday - Anticlastic Bracelet Tutorial

Melissa Muir — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:14:18 GMT

Hello everyone. It has been a while. It seems I say that more and more. I have all the intentions on sitting down and writing a post, posting or filming a video or even working on jewelry and it just doesn't seem to go as planned. So I am just trying to go with the flow of things. Thanks for your patience.

Basic Soldering Online Workshop

First off, I am running my Basic Soldering Online Workshop again. Many people indicated that the fall was a bad time and asked if I would run it again after the first of the year. So I am. In addition, you can choose to take the entire workshop, or just specific projects. I will have a yahoo group and Flickr group again so that you will have access to me through those means as well as email.

View more information about the projects: www.MelissaMuir.com/workshops

Tool Time Tuesday

I did finally get a video edited that I filmed a couple of weeks ago. though. So for today's Tool Time Tuesday, I am presenting a video tutorial to make an anticlastic bracelet with the hydraulic press. Kevin Potter of Potter USA, has come out with some great bracelet blanking dies. There are three different sizes. I am loving them because they make working on bracelets so much faster.

I will be listing the bracelet blanks (in copper) for sale in my shop next week if anyone is interested in buying the blank but don't have the resources to get the press set up.

In the video, I show how to use the blanking die with both the larger press and the new smaller bolt together press. There are also some considerations that need to be made with the smaller opening and smaller platen size.

Enjoy. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

The Press and press tools can be purchased at www.PotterUSA.com

Featured Artist Friday - Tara Hutchinson

Melissa Muir — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 06:32:29 GMT

Artist name: Tara Hutchinson
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Website: TaraHutchFineJewelry.etsy.com
Facebook.com/TaraHutchJewelry

Do you have a dedicated studio/artistic space?
Yup

Where is it located?
My garage

Is it a large or small space?
Always too small. I have a feeling if I had an aircraft hangar I would fill it up with tools and supplies.

What medium(s) do you work in? Do you have a separate area for each?

Mostly I work in silver and gemstones. (see OCD organized gemstone drawers). Naturally, using silver and gems I learned how to solder. Yes, I have a separate area for each of these techniques. Mostly because I like to face outside while working at my desk (where I spend most of my time), and I have the soldering stuff by the sink. Before I had plumbing out there? What a huge pain in the ass! I had to bring a jug of water with a spicket.. I am SO glad I invested in that.

What one word would you use to describe your studio?
"Neighborhood-hang-out-and-chat-spot"

What do you think is the best feature of your studio?
It's a blessing and a curse: the fact that it is open to the street. My neighbors think I am not really busy, so they stop by to chat. On the other hand, it has gotten me to become very close with them. When I am on a deadline, I let them know and they usually let me be.

What would you change if you could?
In a heartbeat, I would add heating and A/C. It gets over 100 degrees in San Antonio regularly in the summer time, and fans only do so much. It feels like I am sitting on the face of the sun. But, I am still out there working. In the winter? Brrrrr!

Can you share an organizational tip?
Put things away as soon as you are done using them. The same with cooking. If you clean up along the way, your kitchen won't look like a herd of angry buffaloes came through and stomped around. Another tip: if you have a huge mess you are trying to organize, spend 5 minutes a day on it. Use a kitchen timer (shout out to mom on that one!).

Describe the usual state of your work table?
At the beginning and end of each day it is clean. This is because before I quit work I spend a few minutes and put everything away - even if I am going to use it the next day. To me it's like going to bed with a clean kitchen.

Does your work table face out into the room or toward the wall?
Towards the street to watch people as they speed down my 30MPH residential neighborhood.

What's one drawback of your studio/artistic space?
That I have to share it with 'Garage Stuff", like the darn water softener, rakes and shovels and my humongous handcycle that's always getting in the way.

Do you have an idea wall or inspiration board?
Does anyone use one anymore? I use Pinterest for everything. What did we do before that amazing website? I do have a large sketchbook that has about an inch of dust on it.

Do you listen to music in your studio? What kind?
Yes, I like things that keep me awake in the morning (doing repetitive tasks like sanding or filing puts me almost instantly to sleep in the morning), and around noon I like things that relax me. Calming classical music or things I can sing along to like Disney tunes. I have a TV installed in the studio that I usually have on when I am not listening to music, and I like watching detective shows.

Do you display your own work in your studio? Other artists' work?
I have a painting of me by artist Ted Cheavens on my wall. I had a kiln posted on Craigslist I wanted to sell, and he was interested in trading a portrait of me working in my shop for it. I LOVE to trade, so I said absolutely.

How did you get started in the industry?
Funny you should ask - I was stationed in Iraq during Valentines Day 2006, while on patrol my vehicle was hit by an explosive device. During the attack, my leg was severed and I lost so much blood from my wounds that my heart stopped for a time. This caused me to be left with a permanent Parkinson's-like movement disorder, which made it difficult to do anything, write, type, eat or any other detail oriented task using my hands. One day during rehabilitation in late 2006, my occupational therapist told me it would be a good idea to take up a hobby that used my fine motor skills. She explained that my brain might re-wire itself, making it easier to live my life. So I started making jewelry. I started with beading necklaces, then I learned about soldering and took a class. Now my movements are smooth and it isn't obvious to anyone that I once had full blown Parkinson's Disease. All of my knowledge is self-taught, and I love what I do, which makes it easier to get up and go to work every day.

Thank you so much Tara! Your story is amazing. And THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving so much of yourself to serve and protect the rest of us.

*************************

If you would like to be a featured artist, just shoot me an email at: Melissa@kcjewelbox.com and I will send you the questions and information.

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All content and images on this blog are the property of Melissa Muir and use of them in any context is strictly prohibited unless written permission is first obtained. Please feel free to repin any of the pictures of pieces done by Melissa Muir only.

Catching up - 30 Days of Art

Melissa Muir — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:31:18 GMT

WOW! I am so far behind. I was doing really well too. Then of course, it is that time of year and the sickies hit our house. Luckily, it was a short lived one, but it got us all the same. It is amazing to me how just one or two days can throw everything off for weeks. So let's get caught up shall we?

Day 6:

Day 7: A pendant made for my daughter Kate.

Day 8: Sterling textured earrings

Day 9: Copper and Sterling pendant

Day 10: Textured Copper Cuff

Day 11: Ever have an idea in your head that looks really neat? Then you make it and it isn't so neat? Yeah? Well, that is this piece. And then the picture magnifies all of its super UN-GLORIOUSNESS and makes it even worse. LOL.

Day 12: Beautiful Happiness, at least those are what they said on the stamps.

Day 13: Sterling and Copper

Day 14: More copper... imagine that.

Day 15: Textured Copper and Forged Sterling Silver

Day 16: Rainy days. Sterling, copper, acrylic and glass (Front and back)

Day 17: Copper and Carnelian

Day 18: Copper and carnelian

Day 19: Shooting Stars

Day 20: Ring - Copper and Sterling

Okay, so I am still about 4 days behind, but at least I am finally much closer than I was.

See you soon!

Day 5 - 30 Day Art Challenge

Melissa Muir — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:48:28 GMT

I didn't really make much today. I actually made the pieces last night and then finished them up today.

I wanted to do some fold forming, so I made these fold formed earrings. They are pretty big though, about 2 1/2" long and 1 1/2" at the widest part. I used some red alcohol inks on them, but I am not caring for it at all. So I will probably remove the red and then do a heat patina or oxidize them with another method. They are 22 gauge, so they aren't too heavy, but there is some weight to them.

I also oxidized the cuff I made last night. I still think I would have liked it better if I had oxidized the bracelet before doing the interior lacing. But I must say that I like the warmth of this now much better than before.

Before:

After:

Year of Jewelry and 30 days of Art

Melissa Muir — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 06:15:33 GMT

I have felt like I have really been out of sorts for a long time when it comes to making jewelry. For 2 1/2 years it has been even worse. It started when I found out I was pregnant with Kiari. I thought for sure I would just change the medium I was working with to make it safe during the pregnancy. However, I was so sick and then on bedrest at 18 weeks and then she was born at 29 weeks, and then the 2 1/2 months in the NICU, and then having a preemie home (so we couldn't go anywhere and nobody could come over), and then the sleepless nights, and then the move, and then the studio that doesn't work. Whew, that literally sums up the past 2 1/2 years.

In 2007, I was VERY new to making jewelry. I had had a couple of simple workshops that taught me how to properly use a small butane torch and a wire wrapping workshop. All the rest was learned by trial and error and asking questions online. I learned about a challenge called the Year of Jewelry. Unfortunately, I learned about it after the signups were over. So I started this blog so that I could document my own progress as I continued to learn. It is so fun to go back to my first posts and see what I was working on. Then again.... some of them I cringe at seeing. LOL. I really have come a long way since that time.

This year I am doing the Year of Jewelry Challenge once again. I tried to do it last year and the year before, but it was just too much with the baby and the move and such. But this year I am hoping to be better and use it once again to springboard my creativity and skills. There is also another challenge that I was invited to participate in called the 30 Day Art Challenge. It started January 2nd and ends January 31st.

I am off to a great start and it has been so nice to be in the studio and working once again. Things I don't miss.... ragged fingernails, fingers that feel like sandpaper or velcro and dirty fingers. LOL.

This first bracelet I actually made a little while ago. It was made for another challenge on another forum, but I never got it photographed. So it isn't technically a part of either challenge, but thought I would post it anyway.

The flowers are made from one of the pancake dies I have from Potter USA. They are riveted together with a leather rivet, and then riveted onto the bracelet with scrapbooking eyelets.

This next piece is my first entry into the Year of Jewelry Challenge and Day One of the 30 days of art challenge.

This cuff is 20 gauge sheet and has been formed with the anti-clastic bracelet formers for my hydraulic press. The entire face has been slightly textured with a planishing hammer. Of course it has also been pierced. And what a chore that was. I think I went through no less than 8 blades on this one. Mostly because the bracelet was long and it was awkward working with that and the deep throat saw frame, that and I am pretty rusty with my saw.

For my Day Two of the 30 days of Art Challenge I did a little sketch with watercolor and regular pencil.

I didn't think about this piece being a zentangle, but I guess that is kind of what it turned out to be. But it was fun, especially where this isn't a medium I really ever use. I am really hoping to get some other art skills developed so that I can decorate the walls of our new home when we move.

For Day 3 of the 30 Days of Art I did another cuff.

Made with 20 gauge sheet and 18 gauge wire. The cuff is about 2" wide and has been formed with the anti-clastic bracelet formers with the hydraulic press. A slight hammering texture adorns the edges.

And for Day 4 (today) yet another cuff.

Once again, 20 gauge sheet, 22 gauge wire is used for the outer stitching and 24 gauge is used for the middle stitching. Once again, formed with the anti-clastic formers, but this one I altered further by taking it to a stake to bring out the edges just a little bit more.

It no longer looks like this though. One of the things I wish I had done was to oxidize the bracelet before doing the stitching. So I oxidized it afterward and polished up the inner stitching. It looks great, but not as great as it would have been if I had all the interior stitching completely bright. I will post a picture of it later.

Speaking of Hydraulic Presses:

Kevin Potter has come out with a new one. It is MUCH smaller than his previous models. It is only about 45 pounds and I am very excited about that. The best part of this press??? It fits into the large Flat Rate Shipping box for the USPS making shipping under $20. AMAZING! How does he do that? Well, the press comes apart completely. Instead of being one solid piece for the frame, it comes in parts that you just simply bolt together. It is really simple to do too. Check it out for yourself.

I made this video demonstrating how to assemble the press. The video takes you from me opening the box all the way though the finished and assembled press. Another great feature of this press? It is several hundred dollars cheaper than the other models.