Wednesday, June 4, 2014

New contributor, tutorial and GIVEAWAY!

Hello there! My name is Carol Dekle-Foss. Some of you may remember an interview MaryAnn Carroll did with me in 2011. You can read the post here. Back then I had just transitioned from working full time as an interior designer to selling jewelry online. I look back and remember how overwhelmed I was. I first taught myself how to sandblast with our custom built equipment and then with no jewelry experience, I had to turn my pendants into some semblance of a necklace. Here is one of my first crude attempts.
                                      

Selling online and blogging presented it's own challenges as well. Lucky for me, I had time. With my son full grown and in the military I was able to research and study. I became like a sponge absorbing tons of information. I realized jewelry design was perfect for me because there are so many materials and techniques to explore and play with. So far sandblasting is my favorite, but I also love metalwork and have now incorporated both techniques in my designs.

Also, I realize I have been supported by so many designers and bloggers, including MaryAnn Carroll and Erin Prais-Hintz. I appreciate their support and encouragement to continue on my creative journey. It is now time for me to pay it forward.  As a contributor, you can count on me for tips on booth design and display, jewelry techniques, marketing tips, and laughable hair brain concoctions. Red-neck air conditioner anyone?? I also plan on showcasing some of my favorite handmade bead artists.

If you haven't already seen my tutorial on how I made these jewelry stands you can check it out here.


For my very first post I am going to share with you a new technique I discovered to surface texture metal. There are so many ways to do it, including but not limited to, etching, roll printing, stamping, and hammering. Etching is a wonderful because you can get very fine detail. The thing I hate about it though is the chemical ferric chloride. It can be expensive, it takes forever, and you have to dispose of it at a hazardous waste facility. I've tried other ways to etch like using a car battery with film, but was unhappy with the results.

I recently took a metalworking class where we learned how to roll print. I liked it so much I bought a rolling mill. I loved the idea of simply stamping out card stock with a pretty stamp and then roll printing. I then did some research and ran into this beast. It's a cutting machine called the Silhouette Cameo and is more for scrap booking.  The amazing thing about this machine is it cuts custom designs in FINE detail. Like crazy thin lines. I am in no way affiliated with the Silhouette America and am not getting any rewards for this post. I just simply LOVE it. Ok, so for the technique.

First, draw your design, or use a royalty-free graphic. Silhouette America has many images, and some you can buy a commercial licence, which is pretty cool. The below pic is a scanned image of a leaf I drew. 

Now upload the pic to the Silhouette Cameo program and trace the pattern. Here is a screenshot of the software after tracing the leaf. I love how the background has a graph for measurements.

Now send the traced image to the cutter and let the magic happen! Here are some pics of the cut out leaves in cardstock and me rolling the design. As you can see, the copper has been annealed to get a deep impression.


















Voila! Finished pieces with the leaf design.
 

So this is one of my crazy ideas that actually worked! I love this technique for many reasons and plan on using it more in the future with different applications. If you decide to give it a go, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.


Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!!

To win these earrings simply leave a comment and a random winner will be chosen! If you follow me on one or more of my social media sights, let me know in the comments for more chances of winning. All the links are here. I will announce the winner my next blog post which is scheduled for June 18th. If you are a designer feel free to take the ear wires off and use the discs in your designs. The discs were created with the above technique and my Tree of Life pattern.


Thank you for reading my very first post! 

43 comments:

anne dinan said...

informative tutorial
and very pretty earrings.

Deb Fortin said...

Welcome to the love my art jewelry blog. what a great first post. I love the look of etching and, like you, dislike the use of the etching fluid and all the environmental concerns. Unlike you, I don't possess a rolling mill. I do however have a Silhouette Cameo ( I just got it two weeks ago and am still learning ). Your post has sparked so many great ideas for metal embossing, You may have just inspired me to buy a rolling mill. thanks
Love those earrings BTW ( and the bracelet and the tree of life.......

baymoondesign said...

Your earring are beautiful. You make creating the metal disks sound like something it would love to do. Great tutorial!

Unknown said...

You make it look so easy! The magic is where you take a leave imprinted piece of metal and turn it into that fabulous bracelet! Loved reading your post.

Unknown said...

I'm now following you on Facebook, too

Unknown said...

And I subscribed to your blog via email :)

A Bit of Colour said...

Thanks for the technique tutorial! Would love to have the opportunity to win those lovelies!

Unknown said...

WOW I love being introduced to new designers! That leaf and tree of life pattern is gorgeous!!! Going to check out your links!!!

Unknown said...

Welcome and thanks for sharing about something totally new to me.

Sandra Pendragon said...

Interesting! Great earrings too. Thanks for the chance to win them.

Tammie T Everly said...

Great post, thanks for all the info. Love the display necks you created. Looking forward to seeing you more on LMAJ and your blog. Following you on Pinterest & Twitter too. :-D

stacilouise said...

Welcome Carol! Thank you for the great tips, and the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Amazing how a piece of cardstock can do that! I have a Silhouette machine too...they are great for all kinds of things! Your earrings and bracelet came out beautifully!

Mystic Indigo said...

Awesome tutorial and welcome to the great family of Love My Art Jewelry! :)

TesoriTrovati said...

Miss Carol, you are a mighty fine artist. What a nice thing to read that I have been an influence to you! I have been mulling the thought of getting a rolling mill for some time as I really want to work with metal. It is something I feel led to do! I will look more into this when I get back from the Bead & Button show. I love the earrings, and I don't wear bracelets, but that cuff is outstanding! So glad you will be sharing your talents with these lovely artists here. I look forward to reading more of your great ideas and tips! Enjoy the day. Erin

CMS Designs said...

Rolling mills, now this cutter. More tools that I want! So much for my idea of a spending freeze. :) Thank you for these cool ideas and the giveaway. Lovely earrings!

judyklarson said...

OOOOOOOOHHH! I am going to have to try your leaf etched earrings. I love them!!!

Honey from the Bee said...

Oh boy am I excited you've joined the team! This is awesome. I'm looking to purchase a rolling mill and this is giving me more motivation. Thanks!

Erin S said...

This is such a cool idea! I have always wanted a rolling mill, but the expense has kept me from buying one. Maybe I'll reconsider...

Leanne said...

Great first post! I enjoy learning new techniques from talented artists. I love everything you made!

Carol Dekle said...

Thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome! I have visited your sites and enjoyed checking out your creations! Carol

Lynn said...

I loved reading about your techniques and that wonderful leaf etching. Thanks for the chance to win your lovely copper earrings. I'm going to check out your other sites asap.

Lynn said...

I just visited your website and I am blown away by the beauty you create.

Lynn said...

I am now following you on Pinterest!

Lynn said...

I just also liked you on Facebook! Lynn Carling :)

Carol Dekle said...

Thank you for your compliments Lynn! Nice to meet you!

Ema Kilroy said...

Welcome and I look forward to reading your posts. This is a fantastic post. I've seen this machine and considered how it could be used exactly as you have described! I'm so glad to know it works! Thank you for posting and sharing.

Charis Designs said...

Wow- those designs are gorgeous. I have a Vintaj Big Kick- wonder if that would do the same thing. Hmm. I'm following your blog thru Atom and several of your Pinterest boards.

Christie

Carol Dekle said...

Thanks Ema! @Charis Designs, Thank you for your follows! I've never used the Big Kick, but the Silhouette Cameo has software that enables you to cut whatever you like including hand drawn images. Very versatile!

jtranho said...

very good tutorial! I followed your twitter: jtranho

Anonymous said...

I'm crazy for metalwork and I love your work! I don't know a thing about sandblasting or even about the silhouette cameo machine but you've opened up a whole new world to me. I dislike using ferric chloride as well. Thank you for this post. I'm following your blog as of right now.

Shai Williams said...

Welcome! I am looking forward to your articles especially if they contain such great tutorials.

Laurel said...

I LOVE your jewelry! I bought ferric chloride but have just been too afraid to use it yet. I'm the one who rushes into things with enthusiasm, then tips over the jar of acid and spills on her new shoes. I do have a Cuttlebug and tried it with a Vintaj embossing thingy, but it didn't like the thickness of my blanks. Seems like it might need harder plates than plastic. Really enjoyed your post; I'm now a follower!

Carolyn said...

Interesting technique. I love how the earrings came out.

Carolyn
Carolynscreations@live.com

Aislinn said...

Beautiful bracelet. Is there a way to do this without the machine?

Carol Dekle said...

Thank you Lynn! There are many different ways to Texture metal. I like the custom ability with the cameo, but you could also use decorative stamps to cut out cardstock and roll through a rolling mill. Hope this helps!

Unknown said...

These are so cool!

Warped Wire Studio said...

Great first blog post! Your jewelry is beautiful! Thank you for the idea and please tell your son thank you for his service.

Unknown said...

Carol, wonderful post and tutorial. Will definitely pursue this technique. Thank you for provisinfg this valuable information. Love the jewelry photos!

Unknown said...

I am interested with your design and application. Love your jewelry and feeling very inspired after reading your blog. Thank you for sharing.

Frozen Fire Glass said...

Love your jewelry and your techniques. Thanks for sharing. I'm following you on you blogs.

MissRia said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your tutorial and truly appreciate the knowledge you imparted. Your work is beautifully & tastefully done.

MissRia said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your tutorial and truly appreciate the knowledge you imparted. Your work is beautifully & tastefully done.

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