Paper Beads - Who Knew?

You know once in a while you should go through your storage, you never know what you'll find. I came across some old origami paper I had tucked in a book. The page was on jade, and I have no idea why I bookmarked this page, but obviously I gave up on origami.

I rolled the paper into tube beads, finished them off with sealing wax and wala - very interesting beads for a new necklace. Since I found it on a "jade" page,I decided to use jade and aventurine beads to pull it together.

Now that I have pulled everything out into the middle of my studio, I think I'll spend a little more time hunting.

Back from Tucson and Cookin'

Back from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, and it was cookin'. All the new materials, tools, and gems you could ever hope for.

I bought wonderful gemstones that you will see in my sterling silver jewelry online at www.rubysransom.com. Stones such as sunstones, Australian mokaite, rose de frances, Imperial jasper, bi-color citrine, Rutilated Quartz, Watermellon tourmaline, Apple green jade (jadeite), Lemon Citrine, Mexican opals, Deadrite,and Ruby Zorisite.

All of them yummy and in beautiful and unusual colors and sizes. I bought a new material called Wirelace that is delicate and in many colors and sizes. Beautiful tiger beads to match up with my African bead selection.

I am also going to start working with a mixture of textiles and stones. The fabrics are gorgeous, and will give my customers such a new and different look. Not anything they will find at their local department store or jewelers. This is for those who appreciate handmade and quality jewelry crafts.

So, what are you waiting for - go take a look.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

I am on my way to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show this Thursday. I have scoured the trade booklet to make sure I see all of the vendors on my list. This will be my first show, and I don't want to miss anything.

I am looking for new stones and findings primarily that will give an extra lift to my jewelry pieces. It's what makes handmade jewelry special. The show is in every conceivable building in Tucson, and I will not be able to see the whole show. I would have to stay 2 weeks to see everything, but at least I have a plan.

I like the excitment of trade shows - meet other buyers and designers. It's creatively stimulating.

Buying a Kiln

What a whole production to buy a kiln! I had no idea the things I would have to consider - voltage, maximum temperature, window or no window, shelves, would I have to have my home's electricity overhauled or the placement debate of inside or outside my house.

I have researched over a month to make sure I was buying the correct kiln for firing PMC. I have wanted for a long time to expand into this area. Once you have worked with polymer clay, PMC seems like a natural progression. I enjoy working with clay, and I want to continue to explore this medium. I like the feel of clay in my hands and the ability to fashion it into so many shapes and figures.

I am running to the store every other day to buy a new color or try out a new polymer clay. I have left over clay that I know I will use. PMC is a whole different story. It's much more expensive, and I have to work with much smaller amounts to create a piece. But that's the rub.
I have to give often a lot more thought to the piece in order to get the most for the amount of clay I have to work with. It is more refined to me than polymer clay. There is such joy in pulling it out of a kiln, burnishing it, dippping it and polishing.

My kiln should be here in a week, and I haven't stopped thinking of all the pieces I would like to create. Oh where to begin is such a problem! I am glad to know www.rubysransom.com will be able to add more sterling silver to its inventory.

Handmade Jewelry

There is a great deal of competitive jewelry designers online, and it's hard to get yourself noticed. Since my website, www.rubysransom.com is new I am working everyday to reach out. I know my designs are not like everyone else's, and yet everyone is trying to capture the same audience.

It is a constant process of reinventing and remaining original. What is original for that matter? We all accumulate motifs, materials, subject matter and style that we use as jumping off points when sitting down at the work table. It's unconscious that we integrate what we have seen and experienced before. The key is to experience that creative force anew day in and day out.