Pouring resin

Just a few pictures to share with you as I pour resin into some of the sterling silver pieces.

You will have to use some imagination here too (hubby isn't the best photographer). :)

First, I have already formed and constructed the sterling silver pieces. That is a entire job onto itself.

Left: I'm mixing the resin. This pour happens to start with "crystal clear". It's a small amount and the measuring must be exact for it to cure properly.










Left: I'm adding the color pigments. I want just a "touch of pink" for this pour.












Left: I must stir again thoroughly to make sure the color gets mixed evenly.













Left: These are pieces that have been "set up" and are ready to receive the resin.












Left: I'm using a small syringe to place the resin EXACTLY where it needs to be.











The pieces need approximately 36 hours to cure. After that, they are all sanded by hand on both sides to get a nice neat and even appearance.

What happens when pumpkins can't hold their liquor

Just a warning this Halloween about letting your pumpkin have a few friends over and getting a little rowdy....




















*Polite disclaimer: This is not my house! It was a picture someone sent to my sister and I thought it was too cute not to share. :) *

Pouring some resin into the formed mold

It's hard for me to take pictures while I'm working on my jewelry. I try to set up my tripod and get some shots, but they tend to turn out just a bit blurry. Yesterday, I asked my husband to take a picture of me getting to ready to pour the resin into the mold I made in the previous posts.

Now, the disclaimer: My husband generally tries to stay as far away from all this as possible. He will help me set up and take down at shows, but doesn't necessarily want to get involved with anything else. Imagine his surprise when he came to the studio to see me like this!



Left: I'm getting ready to pour the resin. I have to wear a respirator, eye goggles, gloves, and something to keep my hair back. The individual components are not that bad in terms of smell and such, but when mixed, the fumes are very caustic. What you don't see is the "wind tunnel" I have also created using a fan to blow air straight past where I'm working an out the window behind me. Once I pour the resin, I can't re-enter the area for about two hours.

My husband's comment was "Are you dealing with nuclear stuff or something??? How dangerous is this stuff??" All of the sudden he thought he was going to have to run for cover or something like that.

For the next part, you will have to imagine me mixing and pouring. Since hubby didn't have a respirator, he couldn't stay to take pictures of that part.



Left: The finished pieces as they are coming out of the mold. See how they look like the original clay pieces I molded?










Now, the kicker in all this, I don't like the pieces. :( They aren't cleaning up evenly. (I still have to sand and polish past this point to get them nice and shiny.) It also looks like a strange shape when hanging from the ear.

Oh well, back to the drawing board..... Don't worry, I do have some other shapes I like and will have them at the show.

The next step in the resin jewelry making process

My last post showed how I made the pieces that I want the finished jewelry to look like. In this post, I will show how I make the mold.

Left: I'm pouring out equal amounts of silicone. It's a relatively safe substance. I just need to wear gloves and protect the surface I'm working on. This is the same stuff that the entertainment industry uses to make costumes, masks, prostheses, and the like. I have to get the measurement exact, otherwise it won't cure correctly.






Left: I'm pouring one of the resin measurements into the other. I'm stirring as I'm mixing and will stir for another couple of minutes to make sure it's thoroughly mixed.










Left: Remember those clay pieces from the last post? They are adhered to the lid of a recycled yogurt container (where the bottom has been cut off). I'm pouring the silicone mixture on top of the clay pieces.









Left: I mix enough silicone to complete cover the pieces. Once I've got my models covered, I need to wait two hours for the silicone to set up.











Next post: The finished mold

Creating the new resin jewelry

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes with making this new line of jewelry (or most anything I suppose for that matter). I want to share some pictures over the next few blog posts on how this jewelry happens.

To make this particular line of resin jewelry, I start with the end in mind. I will take modeling clay and make it into the shape I want my final pieces to look like.

Left: Modeling clay -- rather stiff, doesn't dry out quickly














Left: I'm making a "bullet" shape here. These pieces are done by hand. I've used wax too.















Left: A dish full of bullets. Next step is to bake in the oven for a few.












Next post: Using the clay pieces to make the mold.

Winner of the necklace from the Thornebrook Art Show

I am happy to announce that Vicki Griffith is the winner of the resin and purple recycled glass pendant from the Thornebrook Art Festival. Similar pieces will be available in just a few short weeks at the Downtown Festival and Art Show, November 14 and 15, in downtown Gainesville, Florida.

I thought it would be fun here to show how exactly the winner was chosen. Meet one of my cats, "Karma". I joke she has never heard the expression, "Curiosity killed the cat," but that actually works to my advantage in this case. I let her choose the winner since, it allows for any impartiality and it gives her a couple of minutes of entertainment and enrichment. Above left: I have called Karma to come investigate something. Remember the curiosity propensity??



Left: She considers her options. "Hmmm....a pile of paper, I must investigate, " she tells herself.








Left: "I must think about this for a moment. This is a tough decision."








Left: Alas, she picks a winner!








Karma sometimes joins me in the studio depending on what I'm working on. She won't be at the art shows, as much as she would like (she is quite friendly and unafraid of people), but she might be back on the blog from time to time.

Thornebrook Art Festival wrap up

I had a great time at the Thornebrook Art Festival in Gainesville this past weekend. I got a chance to catch up with customers and friends and enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people. I shared a preview of my new work with resin and recycled glass, (which was given away in a drawing --- watch for the next blog post to see the winner) and had some of my remaining sterling silver and 14k gold work on sale. For those of you who expressed sadness that I wouldn't be making the semi-precious stone jewelry again, don't despair! You never know when it might show up again. :)

I've included a few pictures from the Thornebrook Art Festival show.


In the meantime, I am working on my new line of resin jewelry in the studio. I will be posting pictures on this blog. I welcome comments and encourage everyone to ask questions. I am happy to share my processes. I am also redesigning the KMS Designs website to correspond with the new jewelry line. I hope everyone finds it a bit more user friendly.

The new resin and acrylic jewelry will be shown for the first time at the Downtown Festival and Art Show, downtown Gainesville, November 14 and 15, 2009. If you would like a reminder of the event, please register for my mailing list (link found at the right side of this page).

Thornebrook Festival this weekend

I will be at the Thornebrook Fine Art Festival in Thornebrook Village this coming weekend. All my work will be on sale to make room for my new line of jewelry. I will be in the green zone, booth 15 (the same spot I have always been in). For anyone who is interested in my jewelry, but can't make it this weekend, I will be happy to offer you sale prices and take your order over the phone. Email (kmsdesigns@hotmail.com) or call (352-335-4859) with your request and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.

So where have I been?

Friends, family and fans...alas I am here! For my customers, I have been busy with the birth of my latest son in January. It has not allowed me much time for production of new pieces. I will be at the Santa Fe Community College Spring Arts Festival this weekend in downtown Gainesville, Florida. Please come and support the arts and enjoy a beautiful weekend. (Oh yeah, I will also have some of my work on sale!!)

See you there!

Winner of the earrings from the Thornebrook Festival!

Congratulations to Lari McEdward of Gainesville, who won the 14K gold fill and smoky quartz earrings! Thanks to everyone who took a chance on winning them. I hope to see all of you in a few weeks at the downtown Gainesville show!

Hammered earrings with stones

Hammered sterling silver earrings on french wires. Assorted semi-precious stones available. Earrings hang 1 1/2 inches long by 3/4 inches wide., each disc 1/2 inch in diameter.

Far left picture (top, moving clockwise): black star diopside; red coral, green aventurine, rhodolite garnet

$50, limited edition

Mixed metal earrings

Hammered metal earrings on french wires, each disc 1/2 inch in diameter. Top is 14K gold fill, middle is sterling silver, bottom is copper.

$35, limited edition

Metal earrings

Hammered metal earrings on french wires, 1 1/4 inches in diameter.

Top: sterling silver; $30
Lower Left: 14K gold fill; $40
Lower right: Copper; $18

Rainbow calsilica and opal earrings

Rainbow calsilica (from Mexico) bezel set in sterling silver. Top of post earrings feature boulder opal doublets. The earrings are hinged with 14 K gold and measure 1 1/2 inches long by 5/8 inches wide
$200
one of a kind

I have had many beautiful pieces of rainbow calsilica, but this by far has been my most spectacular specimen as a matched pair.

Turquoise and jasper pendant

Kingman turquoise (from Kingman, Arizona) and poppy jasper (from Morgan Hill, California) bezel set in sterling silver. Pendant measures 2 inches long by 5/8 inches wide
$150
one of a kind

This is my most unusual color combination of poppy jasper. I have never had another piece with beige colored orbs on a red background

Mookaite jasper earrings

Mookaite jasper (from Australia) bezel set in sterling silver. Post earrings measure 1 1/4 inches long by 5/8 inches wide
$90
one of a kind

I was amazed at the colors and pattern of this matched pair. The mauve color is quite rare, as mookaite generally has more of a red color.

Tube onyx pendant

Tube onyx bezel set in sterling silver. Pendant measures 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 inch long
$200
one of a kind

Tube onyx has so many great patterns, but this is my most favorite. This piece has managed to capture everything I love about tube onyx.

Sodalite earrings

Sodalite bezel set in sterling silver hinged on patterned sterling silver post earrings. Measure 1 3/8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide
$100
one of a kind

The pattern in these is just fascinating and even more spectacular in a matched set.

Crazy lace agate pendant

Crazy lace agate (from Mexico) bezel set in sterling silver with a rough satin finish
$200
one of a kind

Crazy lace agate comes in many colors, but I have never seen a piece so pink before.

Bird's eye rhyolite and mabe pearl pin/pendant

Bird's eye rhyolite bezel set in sterling silver with a bezel set mabe pearl. Pin is hinged in the center and has a 14K gold fill arrow. May also be worn as a pendant. Measures 2 1/4 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide
$200
one of a kind

I have several pieces of the rhyolite, but this one "accidentally" got put next to the pearl one day. Instantly, the piece was born.

Confetti jasper earrings

Confetti jasper (from Mexico) bezel set in sterling silver with a pink and green tourmaline accent. French wire earrings are hinged in the center
$175
one of a kind

I have several pieces of the confetti jasper, but I loved how this pair came together with the tourmalines.

Blue pietersite pendant

Blue pietersite (from Africa) bezel set in sterling silver. Pendant measures 2 inches long by 1 inch wide
$150
one of a kind

Pietersite comes in several colors. Blue is the rarest and to find a blue piece this large is highly unusual.

Ruby and zoisite pin

Ruby in zoisite matrix bezel set on an abstract formation background. Pin measures 2 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide
$160
one of a kind

Usually the zoisite matrix is greener, but the black in this one really caught my attention.

Denim lapis earrings

Denim lapis (from Afghanistan) bezel set in sterling silver with rough patterned sterling silver with nu-gold accents on french wires. Measure 1 7/8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide
$115
one of a kind

The blue in these pieces of lapis is some of the most intense I have ever seen. The pictures really don't do them justice.

Rocky butte picture jasper

Rocky butte picture jasper (from the Owyhee Mountains in SE Oregon near the Idaho border) prong set in sterling silver with a matte finish. Pendant measures 2 1/2 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide
$200
one of a kind

I have collected many stones over the years and have never seen one that "tells a story" like this one.

Peanut wood earrings

Peanut wood (from Australia) bezel set in sterling silver; top is bezel set citrines. Post earrings are hinged in the center. Measure 1 1/2 inches long by 3/4 inches wide
$165
one of a kind

The peanut wood came from 3 brothers from Texas who travel around the world to mine the raw product themselves. I see them a few times a year and they always have great rocks and stories from their most recent adventure.

Tiffany stone pendant

Tiffany stone (also known as opalite) bezel set in sterling silver; shown here on a 16 inch sterling silver neck wire; measures 3 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide
as shown $360
pendant only $300
one of a kind

I purchased this piece of tiffany stone from a man in Utah that cuts very unique stones and only has a small clientele. This was one of his favorite pieces he had ever cut. He made me promise to "do it justice."

Tsavorite garnet pin

Tsavorite garnet with chrome ore inclusions bezel set in sterling silver with a black onyx. Pin measures 2 1/4 inches long by 3/4 inches wide
$150
one of a kind

Tsavorite garnet (green garnet) is rare enough in of itself. To find with the chrome ore inclusions was just too much to pass up.

Geometric pendants

More geometric pendants with different stones. Prices start at $50.

Snowflake obsidian necklace

Snowflake obsidian bezel set into a diamond-shaped sterling silver pendant. Pendant pictured here on a 16 inch rubber neoprene cord. $50

Red coral and sterling silver

Diamond shaped sterling silver pendants with semi-precious stone accents. Many colors and stones available, including garnet, opal, agate, chalcedony, moonstone, paua shell and jasper
$50 for pendant on a 16 inch rubber neoprene cord
$55 for pendant on a 16 inch sterling silver chain
Limited edition

Winner announced from Spring Arts Festival!

The winner of my earring drawing from the Santa Fe Community College Spring Arts Festival is Jane Mason of Gainesville! Jane gets a pair of earrings from y new line of geometric designed earrings. Congratulations!

A note about new work

I will be one of the artists featured in the show, "Colorworks: the full spectrum represented by glass, pottery, jewelry, and painting" at the Artisans' Guild Gallery in Gainesville, Florida during the month of May. I know many of you visit my page regularly to see new work. Please know that I am creating pieces that include some of my most colorful and unique stones. These pieces will be included in the show. I have decided to unveil them for the show, both on my website and in the gallery. I have other limited edition pieces I will add to the website, but the one of a kind pieces many of you have come to admire will be revealed in May. I hope everyone is excited as I am to see what new jewelry I have to offer!

The opening reception for the exhibition is Friday, May 9, from 7 to 9 PM at the Artisans' Guild Gallery. The public is invited; RSVP is not required. The gallery is located in the Millhopper Square Shopping Center at 4201 NW 16th Boulevard in Gainesville. Other artists in the exhibition include Harriet Huss, mixed media painting, guest artists Mike and Mary McIntyre, stained glass, and guest artist Marcia Scheeter, pottery. Please click here to find more information about the Artisans' Guild Gallery.

Brown goldstone and peridot earrings

Hammered sterling silver earrings with brown goldstone cabochons and peridot briollette accents. Earrings hang on french wires. $75; limited edition

Mookaite jasper earrings

Mookaite jasper and sterling silver french wire earrings. Mirror polish. Earrings hang 1 7/8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide.
$90; one of a kind

Blue hickoryite earrings

Blue hickoryite and sterling silver post earrings. Mirror polish. Earrings are 3/4 inch round
$100; one of a kind

Banded onyx and sterling silver earrings

Banded onyx post earrings on patterned sterling silver with jeweler's bronze accents. Earrings hang 1 3/8 inches long by 3/4 inches wide.
$100; one of a kind

Rutillated quartz pendant

Faceted rutillated quartz bezel set in sterling silver. Mirror polish. Stone is set for a "3-D" effect. Pendant is 7/8 inches round on an 18 inch sterling silver chain.
$160; one of a kind

Paua shell bracelet

Paua shell bracelet on patterned sterling silver with silver shot accents. Orange aventurine bead at end. Bracelet fits a 6 1/2 to 7 3/4 inch wrist. Toggle clasp closure.
$260; one of a kind

Viper jasper earrings

Viper jasper and sterling silver french wire earrings. Mirror polish. Earrings are 1 7/8 inches long by 5/8 inches wide.
$90; one of a kind

Matches viper jasper pin posted a few days ago

Vintage crystal necklace

Vintage faceted crystal bezel set in sterling silver with a mirror polish. Pendant measures 7/8 inches round and hangs on a 16 inch sterling silver snake chain.
$95; limited edition

Prehnite and sterling silver bracelet

Prehnite bracelet on patterned sterling silver with silver accents. Purple amethyst bead at end. Bracelet fits a 6 1/2 to 7 3/4 inch wrist. Toggle clasp closure.
$275; one of a kind

Viper jasper pin

Viper jasper, 5 mm cubic zirconia and sterling silver pin. Pin measures 1 1/2 inches wide by 1 3/8 inches tall.
$125; one of a kind
Matching earrings available

Mookaite jasper earrings

Mookaite jasper and sterling silver post earrings. Mirror polish. Earrings are 1 1/4 inches long by 5/8 inches wide.
$100; one of a kind

Smoky quartz, 14k gold and sterling silver pendant

Smoky quartz (approximately 12 carats), 14k gold and patterned sterling silver pendant. Pendant is 1 3/4 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide and hangs on an 18 inch sterling silver snake chain
$300; one of a kind