My Humble Metalsmithing Journey....

This months Aspiring Metalsmiths group blogroll theme is to show the first piece of jewelry that we made and talk about where we started. Well, I don't think I have a picture of the actual first piece of jewelry that I made, due to my computer crashing last year, but I was able to dig up a photo of some pieces made shortly after, and that were pretty much along the same lines. I have always loved jewelry, and bought a few books with projects that seemed right up my alley, and then started playing....

These collage charm pendants were made a few years ago, using glass, copper foil tape, decorative papers and vintage images. I soldered them closed using silver based soft-solder, flux and a soldering iron....much like working with stained glass.

From there I bought a few more books, and taught myself to do some basic wire wrapping, and started working with gemstone beads, and sterling silver...here is one of the first necklaces that I made utilizing those techniques.

After making many charm necklaces, and wire wrapped necklaces and earrings, I felt I was ready to push my skills to the next level, and signed up for a four day intensive beginning silversmithing class at my local lapidary shop. I was hooked! Here is the first completed metalsmithed piece that came out of that class...I hand sawed out the pieces, forged the metal, soldered the bail, oxidized and polished it. I used several different tools and equipment...and learned a lot along the way.

I started putting my new found skills to work by adding simple soldered pieces like this sterling floral bangle to my jewelry portfolio. I have made many of these over the last year, and they helped improve my techniques and finishing skills.
So all of these little steps...working with new materials, trying new techniques, reading and learning...pushing myself to that next step, brings me to where I am today, and where I hope to go. These are two pieces that I have completed in the last two weeks...I think they are good examples of where I am headed on this journey. I hope you'll stay along for the ride. :)

Please take some time to stop by my fellow Aspiring Metalsmither's and read about their humble beginnings by clicking the links below.

Jessica - www.abellablue.com/blog
Clarity - www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com
Claire - http://brightstar109.blogspot.com
Stacy - http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/
Pennee - http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Brandy - http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com
Gloria - http://gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/
Joy - http://www.joypeckjoy.blogspot.com/
Autumn - http://www.autumnbradley.blogspot.com
Gayle - http://www.thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com
Esmeralda - http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/

New Antique Optical Mini Collage Charm Pendants

I finished up a few last minute Americana pendants and I just had to throw in a fun little piggy and a frog prince! These are all one of a kind new original designs for 2008. If you are interested in any of these you can find them in my Etsy Shop. I can ship them out to you so that you will have them in time for your 4th of July festivities! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. :)

New Charms!

I just finished these new mini collage charm pendants. They are all one of a kind miniature collages (not photo copies!) that I make by hand cutting the various paper elements, inking the edges, and layering them onto decorative papers. The backs are finished off with a coordinating paper and have been signed and dated. I use 100% lead free solder, and they come with your choice of a 24" ball chain or a ribbon with a toggle enclosure. They are pictured in the silver finish, but I can change it to a black patina as well. The square pendants measure 1.5" by 1.5" and the rectangle pendants are 1" by 3". They are $26 each which includes shipping anywhere in the USA....please email me for international shipping charges. Please feel free to email me with any questions! sylvia@sylviaanderson.com

Here are some of the goodies I found recently while attending my local flea market and the Postcard & Paper show. You'll see these used in my upcoming art & collage work later this year.

This is one of the photo's I picked up.....a beautiful woman named Emily, born on January 14th 1918. It would have been her 90th birthday on the day I purchased this lovely photo of her. Her daughter sold me the photo, as she had a larger copy that she kept at home. Emily was the queen of a Catholic celebration....how regal she looks with her incredible gown, crown and scepter! I am looking forward to honoring Emily in a special collage piece or two.

There's still time to throw your name in the hat for my Valentine's giveaway! Just post a comment on the "giveaway" post below......also, for those of you that mention my upcoming giveaway on your blog, I am holding a separate drawing for a thank you gift. Just drop me a line to let me know that you posted about it and I will throw your name in that hat too. :)

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the giveaway prize later this week!

Oh No, I'm Late!

I was supposed to have some new charm pendant's available here today for purchase, but it seems life has thrown me a curve ball, and given my son and I, another cold virus. My new mini collage pendants are almost finished up, and I am so sorry that I am late in posting them. For those of you that emailed to inquire about them...my hope is to have them up by tomorrow afternoon for you to see, so please check back then.

Thank you for the tremendous response to all that have entered my Valentine's Day giveaway! There's still plenty of time, so please spread the word, and let people know that they can enter by leaving a comment on my previous post, or by signing up to receive my blog updates via email. I will be accepting names for the giveaway up until January 31st at Midnight.

I am also following Lana's lead, and for those of you that post about my giveaway on your blogs, I will hold a separate drawing for a thank you gift! Please let me know that you posted about it on your blog by leaving another comment or by emailing me at Sylvia@SylviaAnderson.com

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and stay tuned for a sneak peek in the upcoming week! :)

Happy Fall Update!

It'd been too long since my last post....I have been super busy.....catching up from our vacation to Disneyland, finishing up fall goodies, and starting on winter ones...participating in my son's preschool....and working on some home improvement projects that were overdue! I have some new charm pendants available.....the crow has been sold, but the others are still available. I can leave them in the silver finish (as pictured), or give them a black patina finish. They are $26 each which includes US shipping, and come with your choice of a ball chain or a ribbon. Please email me with any questions or if you are interested in purchasing one! Sylvia@SylviaAnderson.comI have two new pieces on The Primitive Gathering site this month pictured below......please take a peek!
I am working on my last Halloween piece of the year.....it will make it's debut on PFATT Marketplace on October 10th, so please stay tuned!

Here are a couple of pictures from A Cottage Boutique show. Kitty Forseth and her lovely table of folk art...And Jenny Hernandez with her table of fanciful creations! It was a pleasure meeting her for the first time, and seeing her work in person!

Here is a picture of the table that I shared with my good friend Elaine Thomas....I have more pictures to post from my family's summer activities, and more eye candy too! I will post again soon....thank you for your patience, and for all of the nice comments you have left the last couple of weeks! :)

Meanwhile....please take some time to visit a friend's new website....she is an incredible sculptor, and a wonderful person too! Her name is Katherine Webber and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed if you are a Halloween folk art lover!

Happy Fall Everyone!

New Collage Charm Necklaces!

I have several new collage charm necklaces available now for purchase. They are shown here below.....In the first picture, the two gals in costume on the far left, have had glass glitter accents added to the collage....
These are all original mini collages, not copies, and each contains layered images on papers that have been inked, placed between glass, and soldered using 100% lead free solder! They have been given a black patina finish for a wonderful antique look, and come with your choice of a black patina 24" ball chain or a black sheer ribbon. Either can easily be trimmed to suit your desired length. The square pendants measure 1.5" by 1.5" and the long pendants are 1" by 3". The backs are finished with a coordinating paper and have been signed and dated Sylvia Anderson 2007. Each charm pendant is $26 which includes first class shipping to anywhere in the continental US. Please email me for international shipping rates. If you would like to see additional close up pictures, or have any questions, please feel free to drop me a line at sylviaanderson@surewest.net

In addition to those pictured above, I have some charm pendants and two new baby shoe pin keeps available this month on The Primitive Gathering site. This is my first month on this site, and it is an amazing group of artists that do wonderful work, so please be sure to have a look around! Below are my offerings on The Primitive Gathering.....I am accepting a limited number of special orders for initial pendants, as represented by the letter "S" pendant pictured above. If you are interested in one, please email me for more information.

I will be back soon with pictures from the California State fair that we are headed to on Sunday! I wish you all a happy Labor Day weekend!

Show pics, hooked rugs and more!

I have been meaning to post some pictures of my first show of the year. It was on Sunday June 10th, and it was a beautiful day, perfect weather, and we all had a wonderful time! The turnout for the show was down from last year, but I believe it was due to it being such a fabulous day to spend outdoors with family and friends. Here is a picture of my table, and the items I had for sale. I wasn't able to finish as many things as I would have liked for the show due to some health issues, so my table this year was a bit "light" compared to previous shows.
Here are some pictures of my friend Kathy's hand hooked rugs. She does beautiful work, and most of the rugs are her own designs. We shared a space together at the show, and had such a fun time chatting the day away!

Here are a couple of pictures of some antique rugs available for sale at the show. Aren't these fabulous! My favorite is the sheep one....so detailed!



Here is a picture of a charm pendant that I made as a special order for one of my customers this week....I just love cats, and I wanted to give him a festive look by placing him on a background of polka dots, and wearing a paper music crown. I am working on some new charm pendant necklaces, in bird and everyday themes per several requests, and hope to have them posted here this weekend for you to see, so please check back soon if you are interested.
I leave you today with a picture of one of my kitties...her name is Samantha. Her favorite place to sleep is up on top of my antique hat boxes. She spends much of her time up there! Until next time, I hope you all have a wonderful week. :)

New Charm Necklaces!

I have recently finished a few new charm necklaces and thought I would share them with you! These are mini collages that I have mounted in old optical lens's and finished off with a clear resin on the back to protect them. If you are interested in purchasing any of these charm necklaces, please email me at sylvia@sylviaanderson.com for more information.
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend filled with laughter, family and friends! I am recuperating from surgery that I had two days ago to have my gall bladder removed, so I am taking it easy for a few days, and catching up with some old friends in the way of favorite movies, and magazines of inspiration! My three kitties are keeping me company, and my mom is here entertaining my son Simon. I'm on the road to feeling good again soon, and can't wait to be able to enjoy some of my favorite foods again. :)We are finalizing all of the details for the upcoming Angel's for Brianna benefit auction, and I want to personally thank all of you again that are participating and donating an angel! Those of you who were not able to donate, I hope that you will find an angel that you'd like to bid on, and help out a family who has suffered so much with the loss of their beautiful and talented daughter. Stop by Iva's blog and read her lovely eulogy to her daughter...it moved me to tears, and I'm sure it will you as well.That's it for now.....the couch is calling my name today! Thank you again, and please stop in again soon.