Faux Vintage Tin

Tin has become increasingly popular and recently I have discovered artists that are making their own! 

Faux tin cicada charms featuring original drawings by Heather Powers.  Heather has workshops where she teaches this craft.  I've been lucky to attend some and it's a fascinating process. It can be quite a labor intensive with all the cutting and filing but with the help of Jess, her husband, they make the most beautifully finished pieces which are smooth like butter.

 Teal lampwork glass with 24k gold leaf and very old ornate vintage chain dangling from the bottom.  Oh, this chain - can we all just pause and appreciate this for a moment - ahh.  I've never been able to get my hands on more, but I'm always searching!

♡

Charms made from salvaged tin embellished with vintage decals by Marina Rios.  Marina has a completely different approach which is partially done over a flame!  She has a wonderful tutorial you can purchase in her Etsy shop.  I've attached a link to name above.

I paired these lovely woodland charms with some roughed up connectors and added small touches of gold leafing to bring out the detail.  I added some long chain with crystals attached at the bottom for some weight, movement, and sparkle.

Oh, and I almost forgot to show you the backs!  Butterflies!  Beautiful on both sides!

So that's me for today.  I'll be back in two weeks with another pair of tin charms and perhaps some enamel :D  Try to contain yourselves...Hahaha!

Loralee xo

www.loraleekolton.etsy.com

Into The Forest; Mossy Green with Raw Copper

So many reasons to love copper as a jewelry maker and also as someone who enjoys wearing  jewelry. 

It's the perfect fall color metal and pairs well with most Autumn-like colors. Including Mossy Green and Olive. My go-to colors of late. 

The charms are mill rolled with a heavy fabric to create a deep texture on raw copper. Hand cut, filed, sanded smooth and finally hammered for a gentle curve. Intertwined tiny raw copper hoops are torched fused, danging below. 

Mossy green Swarovski crystals sparkle in contrast to the rustic antique finish copper. 

These earrings were created with a matching necklace in mind. A common way jewelry is born or ideas spring, a continuing thought or inspiration spanning several types of jewelry. 

Molly, Hiking McKenzie River Trail, OR 9/13/16

And my biggest inspiration is of course... the forest. We love hiking here in WA and OR. We have a lot of great forests to explore and enjoy. This photo was taken last month hiking the McKenzie River Trail in OR. I just wanted to soak in all the green around me! It's very lush and grounding.  
 

These earrings along with the matching necklace are available in the Art & Soul Jewelry store today. 

Forest Dew Drops

Forest Dew

by Thenevah

Sparkling nymphs play at dawn

With the fae laddies they find fair

To dance many a dance in airs

Above the ground or on lea's green lawns

Betwixt forests mystery where bluebells pair.

Beneath canopy even falls violet

Upon branch and nest lay its breast

Awaiting morns sweet suffuse wet

Cooling the heat of noon's bright protest

In honor of Summers sonata in ultraviolet.

Copper Leaf Shield Components, little Green Glass beads separated by tiny coppery seed beads with beautiful Headpins dangles by HavanaBeads.

Forest Dew Drops available HERE in my Etsy Shop

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Facebook

We're All Ears :: September Reveal

My color palette for this month was very earthy shades of moss green, brown and tan, with touches of a light aqua and copper and brass metals. I wanted to honor the spirit of the forest and the wonder that these tiny worlds hold, the forest that is teeming with life. There is a softness in these furry mosses, a curve to the landscape of these tree trunks, an organic patina to these miniature peaks and valleys.

A seed pod holds within it all the makings of a plant or a tree. What a marvel those tiny seeds are! There is so much potential within.

Seedling Springs Forth
polymer clay fractured beads - JKD Studio
pearl head pins, hand painted bead caps
Vintaj wire, brass ear wires

Like a seed bringing forth new life, these silken roots reach deep down as if seeking a place to take hold and push their way through the crowded forest floor.

Deep Roots 

polymer clay - Humblebeads
wood plank beads
silken Japanese knotting cords on Vintaj brass wires

 Once the seed takes root and beats the odds of growing tall and strong toward the light, the leaves provide the shelter and the wings to make this regal beauty flutter.

Breathe Out The Sky

 hand patinaed flower bead caps and leaves
glass peanut beads
copper ear wires

What inspired you about the Macro World photography? Do share!

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A Walk in the Woods

These earrings were inspired by one of my favorite places and times of year - a walk on a worn path in the woods during Autumn.  I love the change of seasons and the show that Mother Nature pulls out for us in the fall.  I found these yummy two-toned Czech glass beads on a trip last weekend, a little bead shopping makes any adventure better.

I paired up the glass with tiny nickel seed beads, a handcrafted disk bead inspired by birch trees and copper.

And speaking of adventures, I would totally wear these earrings on a walk down my favorite nature path and I would grab a beautiful handmade journal, like this one from Explosive Art, before I headed out the door.  What is a walk in the woods without some time for reflection and capturing those fleeting inspirations?