Marketing Smarter Not Harder

Have you ever wondered how those cool soldered art glass pendants are made? You know, the ones with the black or silver stuff all around with the glob of glass or piece of stained glass in the middle.

I found a couple of cool links that show you how to make them.

Link #1

Stained Glass Cosmic Pendant Video tutorial by Artist Poppy Adams

(http://etsyglass.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/19/stained-glass-cosmic-pendant/ )

This is a cool video tutorial I found on the Etsy Glass Artists Blog.

Artist Poppy Adams of Groovy Glass Girl (http://www.groovyglassgirl.etsy.com) shows how she makes cool pendants like the one on the right.

The music playing during the tutorial is really soothing too. Sort of jazzy and lazy.

There are no words or instructions so if you are absolutely new to soldering and need some instruction, check out link #2 to learn how to make a similar pendant in a more detailed way.

Link #2

Step by Step Picture Book Earrings

http://www.lapidaryjournal.com/stepbystep/apr05.cfm

A neat step by step project on the old Lapidary Journal, now Jewelry Artist Magazine website.

For beginner level jewelry makers, this tutorial has detailed instructions and pictures.

How did you like this article? Do you want more like this? Let me know by commenting below!

Look at the color of that silver! Blackened to perfection. I neglected to take a picture of the before, but everyone knows what shiny white silver looks like right?

I am a bit of a jewelry magazine junkie so I know that wire wrapping has been a popular topic in the past couple of years. You have probably admired gorgeous patinated jewelry and wondered how that’s done. Well read on and I’ll tell you how I blacken silver and copper.

Liver of Sulphur is a chemical you can buy from a jewelry supply vendor (I get mine from Lacy and Co. in Canada). It’s a little stinky, like rotten eggs so make sure you use it in a well ventilated area.

When you open the jar, you will see sharp lumpy rocklike chunks. Before I knew what it looked like, I had always wondered so I took a picture for you, dear reader.

Here are the steps I use to oxidize silver and copper.

1. Put a pea-sized chunk in a glass bowl that is big enough to hold the item you wish to oxidize. Break up a bigger piece if necessary by smashing it with something hard. Read more…