Day 62 ring: Scalloped

I cannot believe I've made to 62!! It's been a long journey through, snow, rain, typos, hair-pulling, loan from the bank, tantrums and anything and everything you can think of. Noh, really it's nothing compare to a doctor's or nurse's day's work, I took on this challenge myself willingly with no one holding up a knife to my laptop so... I have only myself to blame if I ever hated it. It hasn't been too bad compare with the kind of frustration I have had to deal with at work with other people's Gr***h, gosh please don't remind me. Thank you to Etsy for allowing me to pay rent in Europe :)

Back to Day 62 ring ok so, made to go together with Day 61 as a stacking set. Hammered for texture, then oxidized, lastly light sanding for contrast. Voila!
Arrivederci
x

Marlene earrings

My boyfriend's mother came over to visit from Germany a while ago and went through my then small collection of "ring a day' on our mantel piece... picked up Day 1 ring and wondered what it was? She then thought it would look great as a pair of earrings instead of just a ring! So that is want she wanted and hope she'll like what she asked for:)

They're the biggest earrings I have ever ever made by the way. It was fun I must say.
x

Day 61 ring: Scribed

A slender and simple ring made with solid silver square wire – with little scribed marks reminiscent of the line drawings you'd do in sets of five when counting. It was oxidized and then polished for effects. Hmm... would look good as a stack too. Maybe I'd do that for tomorrow and day after:)

Until then :)
x

Bauble, Bauble, Toil and Trouble

No no no nothing witchery about this necklace at all as you can see right through it!

On a regular basis I have a batch of hand blown glass bead made for me by an Australian artist with 40 years experience. Ask me why I don't make them myself? Well, I did try with the artist himself but soon realized you'd really need to invest in a lot and be totally committed to glass bead making let alone blowing!. So, I got the master himself to make 'em for me :)

They are superbly well made, you'd see if you had them in your hands. They've been annealed which means after formation by blowing they went through a process of slowly cooling to relieve internal stresses after it was formed. The process is usually carried out in a temperature-controlled kiln. Glass which has not been annealed is liable to crack or shatter when subjected to a relatively small temperature change or mechanical shock. Annealing glass is critical to its durability.

x

Day 60 ring: Curvaceous 2 simple band

Hey this looks familiar ;) If you look closer you'll see it's a little different to the other Day 41 ring where I got the inspiration from – just a little extra curve has been added on one side. So soft and silky to wear I hate to take it off! Wear it with the feature to the front or hide it under your fingers, anyway you like.

Ciao, until tomorrahh! x

Day 58 and 59: Celestial rings

So here we are, the 2 missing weekend 'ring a day' (RAD) rings. They were meant to be a couple but if you wore them separately they'd still look just as spunky. The bigger one has a Onyx bead threaded through one of the holes representative of stars. Not sure if you can see but they are of actual star alignments... I'll get back to you on which is which as my planetary chart has gone awol.

Working on a long and elegant necklace with my star sign 'Cancer' so y'all come back now:)

Day 57 ring: Spring into action!

Spring away! So yes, it is getting warmer consistently... I am a happy woman. Even happier as I have just been emailing a friend from Australia about holidaying in one of Greece's beautiful islands in June during her 3 week visit to Europe tweeheeeheee. It would be my first trip out of France since we moved here to another European country(this doesn't include my partners home country Germany!), not to say my first real vacation where I'd get to read books, not stress and not work.

Back to the ring. Ok well this is made in solid silver by winding thinner wire around and around until the skin of your fingers fall right off... but it's worth it no really;)

Can't chat gotta go work 'cause I'm going to a craft night in Paris can you believe it AND it lasts right through 'til 11.30pm?! gosh.
A+

Celestial ribbon bracelet

I recently bought a starfinder (also known as a "planisphere"), a map of a portion of the celestial sphere with indications of the location of stars and constellations for a friend of mine for fun. And found the shapes and lines of each stars so appealing I had to use it for some of my collection. So you can see how this adjustable ribbon bracelet got it's inspiration from. But this is just one of the 6 pieces that were made from this idea.... I'm working on more as we speak. Well, not right at this moment unless I was possessed by Shiva. Actually that wouldn't be such a bad idea seeing I haven't made my 'ring a day' for today yet!

Off I go :)

P/S: Can anyone guess what the name of the shape on the bracelet is?

Day 56 ring: Faceted ring

Just a simple round faceted band, with a rough stone finish but still a little shiny, made of solid silver. I think it'll look nice on a man's finger too:)

Anyway, just discovered that there's an Etsy Paris craft night IN Paris! This thursday, you can check out their blog, linked here. I have to say that Europe Etsy organisers are not too good on advertising this info on Etsy... even though it's suppose to be Euro Etsy week, go figure. I came across it through a Paris friend. I guess you'd never know what is really going on behind disorganization; I've worked for at least 8 different design studios in my graphic career and there's always some reason unbeknown to others not involve to all the chaos and inefficiencies! Woah I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore... only myself to blame if nothing goes on. No more excuses I hate them, go away ;)

bla bla xx

Day 55 ring: Smiley?

Hehe this ring looks like a smiley face you'd use when texting or typing someone using the letter ' D'. Made with solid square sterling silver. I'll post some pics on my Flickr of some group pics of all the 2-D square wired rings I've made thus far!

The first picture is taken with a Spring inspired background, just as the weather is right now in Paris ahhh warmth.
;D

Day 54 ring: Big faceted stone

Wow, I got up bright and early at 7am this morning and jumped straight onto the work bench! No I lie actually, I had some coffee first and dreamt about devouring Chouquettes... many many of them. I imagine that's want my heaven would be like; Chouquettes for breakfast, lunch dinner and evening tea time hmmmm. Hello dentist here I come!

Day 54 ring: : Big faceted stone. Big ah yeah... this is indeed.
This is such a bling bling ring! I think more so because it's finished with a high polish, though I think I may go back and give it a rougher finish like Day 52 ring's rough stone finish - I'm not too keen on bling bling ring a ding ding at all.

Actually, the faceted head was previously a pendant which I made and didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to so, I think it's best that it sits on a square wired band like so as a ring. Nothing like recycling in a good way, just like how I use to shorten skirts or cut sleeves off shirts when I get bored of them to give it new life. If only I have a sewing machine... my clothes will be hiding out of terror! muahahahahah

ciao y'all x

Day 52 and 53 ring...

Day 52: Mini facets. This is such a small, mini, dainty little faceted fine silver ring. I left a some roughness to the finish to simulate a rough stone/rocks look as you can see from the picture. This is now a giveaway/gift for the next person who makes a purchase from my Etsy shop.

Day 53: Don't be square. Yes, another square ring... one of my favourite shapes. It's is surprisingly comfortable to wear, and you'd tend to spin it around and fiddle with it once it's on... so playful too. These are not easy to make as it takes a lot of precision in filling to get the joins to meet as these are made with Mitre joins.

Ah... spring is near I can feel it. I can't tell you how I'm looking forward to not wearing 5 layers of clothing at home even when the heater is on. Without a doubt I feel and look like the Michelin man hehe.

Day 51 ring: Open box

Wow... the temperature has certainly risen in the last day or so and quite dramatically! Remember I was only just complaining about how sick and tired I was of the cold not so long ago? Anyway, touch wood as it may drop again.

Day 51 ring... similar to Day 50, just has a base to it so you can't see through to your skin. The insides have been oxidized for a gunmetal color effect. Thought about gilding the insides with 23crt gold leaf but nehhh, maybe the next one.

My partner will be away for like 5 days as of tonight... while the cats away hehe;)
Ciao ciao until tomorrow

Day 50 ring: Contrast

This is a custom ring for a client of mine.... lovely idea isn't it :)
Anyway, I'm rushing to leave for lunch on time... so you'd just have to do with just a pic and some words ;)

Be back soon:)

Day 49 ring: Brassy tube

I've been out half of the day discovering secret places with a Parisienne jeweler(Florence) whom I met during my 2 day exhibition last weekend. I feel so lucky to have met someone so open about giving away information in Paris! She was so lovely she offered to show me where I could buy and get castings done etc. before I could even ask ... voila!
Check her funky stuff out Olfie.

We visited places to have castings done for precious metal, more jewelry supply stores, all hidden and tucked away behind ginormous closed doors with no signs, up 10 flights of stairs and buzzers to press after buzzers. It seems like only if you were serious about the trade you'd know of it and most likely through someone who is also in the trade. Forget about seaching on the net because most of them won't have a website! Hmm... secret schhhhhhhhhhh

Anyhow, I feel almost complete... just need to speak fluent french now and have a studio where I can hammer like crazy and not feel like I'm waking up the whole neighborhood.

Day 49 ring... tis familiar? that's 'cause I've made one days and days ago with a silver tube. This is one with Brass tube instead.

ciao

Day 48 ring: You're such a square

I love making square or rectangular objects, I don't know why but I do. That being said I also love making round soft curvy things... either extremes pleases me visually. Architecture was what I wanted to study at university but I had no interest in maths at all but I reckon if applied to a certain project I could get my head around easily... like with a lot of people.

Well, yesterday and today was suppose to be my recovery days from 3 weeks of work towards the market and keeping up with sales in all 2 of my online shops. But I gave myself a little time to make this to please myself and not have any constraints. You're such a square cynth! ah!

Well, I think I may even wear this as a necklace when it gets warmer. Let's see.

Some of my favourites...

Some of my favorites from the Hotel Boheme, last weekend's 30 creator's expo where I also had a stall there :)

I have a new found respect for stall holders after doing this 2 day expo, where we all had to set up stall on preparation for a 2 day sale; with all the talking, looking, bonjour, merci, packing, moving, unpacking, dealing etc etc. gosh it ain't as easy as it looks. One would never consider the weeks or months preparation prior to the sale, working up day and night for a good quantity for presentation. Anticipation and excitement leads to lack of sleep and minor stress. Well, I have to say it worked out fine for me overall in the end; it's been fun, hard-work, interesting and educational. I'll sure do it again.... oh the best part was that I didn't have to photograph or ship anything!! They see, they buy, I pack and they take it away :)

Below are some of my favorites from it and they are not in any particular order:

ESKIMEIT: Japanese/Franco husband and wife (ex architects) team makes Japanese charcoal into funky faceted jewelry which I LOVE furniture to http://www.eskimeit.com

ASHIBA: French-japanese lady makes little kimonos for your wee ones... oh so adorable! www.kimono-rikiki.com

PIED DE POULE (basically means chicken feet!): modern funky ceramic wares, though at the expo she had brooches as well which you won't find in her www.pieddepoule.com

Enjoy
x

Day 46 and 47 rings....

Day 46: On a rainy day,
This is a ring version of my raindrops necklace and studs which can be found in my shop. It's an interactive piece which means it dangles and moves ever so easily with you.

Day 47 ring: Bouquet of hello yello
I had remove one of my previous day's ring(the silver pod-like piece made of art clay silver) and pieced it together with other little yellow and white jade beads. Such a cute little bundle of mini floral-like interactive arrangements on your delicate finger.

I'll be posting another blog about some other artists which were with mw at the Hotel Boheme 30 creators expo as well with links to their fantastic handmade items, not just jewelry! So y'all come back now:)

Day 44 ring: Froggy green take 2!

Today was the first of my 2 days at the Hotel Bohome in Paris, don't forget to drop by and see me! Lots of other handmade french goodies there too from lingerie, funky placemats, cushions, leather bags etc.

Day 44 ring is addition to the last 3 days of lamp-work glass beads inspired rings.... all beads are made by either Studiorent or Pinocean once again. You can find them in Etsy too of course!
I will be listing lots of overflow goodies from the sale after this weekend on my shop, so keep an eye out.
ciao
x

Day 44 ring: Froggy green

Aren't these colors just lovely! The delicious green lamp work bead is handmade by Pinocean and the rest Studiorent both from Etsy. They both make the loveliest colored simple spacers beads(amongst other cutesy ones) and they are hard to come by lost among thousands of sellers out there... I count myself lucky to have found their shop.

I don't have much to say right at this moment because firstly, I have to go price all the stock I have made for my creator's market tomorrow, make giveaway cards, do a mock up display etc etc. and it's already 11pm... and I'm exhausted.

I'm off to do more, see you tomorrow night.
x

Day 43 ring: Egg shell green

Some more yes! of these wonderful delicious lamp work beaded rings, it is made just like Day 42 ring. As you can see I tend to go through phases, if you've been following this RAD journey you'd see that when I discover something new-ish to make I'll continue making some more but in slight various color or size etc. for a next couple of days.

Sunny day indeed, though the temperature does not reflect what the sky expresses. I can only be grateful for that as it does add a little vitamin C into one's system and makes one smile.

Hoping I can take the afternoon off tomorrow and finish up everything I need to do by the morning. My hands and shoulders are killing me from days and days of sitting down still for hrs non-stop, sawing, sanding, drilling....

Anyway, enjoy!
x

Day 42 ring: Amber delights

Yum yum handmade lamp work beads by Studiorent hmmm..... I love these delicious mix of colors set along aside each other on a simple ring as such held together by a silver tube riveted securely on each end. I hope to include these in the market this weekend for 2 days only so come visit me. Other colors to come :)

Hey, so yeah another sunny day what can I say. Hopefully it'll get warmer 'cause so far it feels like it ain't, damn it! So tired of wearing the same old layers upon layers of woolly tops and long johns to boot, yes I know it isn't sexy but comfort and warmth comes first with moi.

I'm filled with joy oh joy as I've managed to finish my own little earring stands for the market just on time, check them out in my flickr y'all.

ciao ciao mes amies x

Day 41 ring: Bert and Diana

Why Bert and Diana? That's 'cause I couldn't come up with anything else that starts with B and D; one shaped like the letter B(on the left) and D(on the right) on each end of the ring. But if you can think of anything better let me know. This ring is extend-able to a certain degree but best worn un-extended as it is as the picture shows.

I had such a wonderful lunch today with my old best buddy from way back in NZ Chris and his partner James who are here for the Paris fashion week turfing out stock for James' children of vision, a boutique with international designer wears nestled in the funky part of Auckland. I hadn't seen them for so long but things just fell into old habits in a matter of seconds!

... how time flies.

Day 38, 39 and 40!

Hello... do you miss me ;)
Well, it is decided that I don't post rings made on the weekends as I do not officially work on those days but I do make things oh trust me. But photography work will have to wait until Monday Hoorah :)

I definitely got what I wished for on the weekend in terms of weather, sun sun sun. Though it was as icy and windy as ever, and I just don't like it. Extreme weather can take it's toll on one's body cold or hot, as it effects one's ability to move hence do things!! I feel immobilize, grumpy and not to mention some parts of my body especially me toes and fingers are in constant pain from the icy sensation. Oh please let there be warmth... promise I'll be good.

Day 38 ring: Twinkies twinkle, lamp work bead hand made by Pinocean from Etsy once again:)
Day 39 ring: Designer dewdrop, made from square wire for that slight edgy look and feel.
Day 40 ring: Labradorite right?, yummy delicious triangular Labradorite stone claw setted.

Until tommorrahhh! x

Day 37 ring: Glassy aqua bubble

I have to say, today was again a lovely sunny day in Paris despite what happened but please please please let the weekend be the same for once!

At this stage I am utilising the 'ring a day' project for my upcoming market in Paris... as I simply don't have time to think up or make new ideas JUST for rings. So obviously there will be a set of lamp work beads rings for sale there, if you like 'em you know where to find them.

Day 37 is the simplest of all the glass beaded rings I've made as it's riveted just on it's own on a thinner band, without any other silver pieces under or above it. Tis the kind of ring which you can mix and match with other rings I've already made.

Let there be sun tomorrow pleassssssssssseeeee.

Day 36 ring: Galactical 2

Oops! The pic should say Day 36 ring not 35, pardon moi.

I had wanted make another similar and bigger ring to Day 12 so here is another with slight variation to it's shape and patina. I left this as silver and only treated the lines with oxidization. Those little silver balls you see are not soldered onto the ring but has a silver on the other end threaded through hole... so they jiggle when you move!

So happy about a bracelet version of these galactical/celestial collection which I've made today, as I will be presenting them the new collection for the up-coming Hotel Boheme artist show. There will be a total of 6-7 pieces comprising of necklaces, pendants, bracelet, rings, earrings etc based on the Celestial/Galactical concept(haven't decided which to call it yet). I tried to illustrate the true dot points of the chosen star sign on each piece from the Star finder/Celestial sphere I bought recently from FunktapusDesigns on Etsy.... I'll post some pics a few days before the show I promise!

Another sunny day in Paris :) Blisssss

Day 35: Moon crater

Lately I've been working a lot for the Hotel Boheme creator's market starting on the 13th March. So much so that I can even feel my heart bit at the tips of my three fingers from sawing, filling, sanding etc. Luckily I'm not a girly girl who gets too attached to her nails otherwise I'd scream and cry! Ah well, my pretty face is still as smooth as a baby's butt that's what counts. I've read a book on beauty once that the top 3 things that would classify one as beautiful was simply(this is apparently inate); smooth shiny hair, smooth flawless skin and symmetry. I can believe that completely! Oh, and cleanliness was also one of them... just not top 3 how unfortunate.

Oakly doak, Day 35 ring is made to match with the last 2 day's rings.... contrasting colors and texture. That is why I've photographed them together.

That's all I have to say for now ladies and gents.
ta ta
x