Again! Stackable Rings Workshop: An Introduction to the Basics of Soldering

My last workshop for stackable rings was so popular it over flowed with sign ups, so much so that we decided to go ahead and schedule another class for this month. Keep in mind that this class is already 75% full due to the overflow of the last class, so don’t dilly-dally about signing up. Claim your seat today by calling Patty at Danish Princess Beads and Jewelry at (850) 490-0310.

This is the perfect workshop for the aspiring jeweler who is ready to venture into the world of metalsmithing. This four hour workshop will introduce you to the basics of soldering which will open up a whole new world of design possibilities for you. In the workshop you learn a variety of skills designed to lead you into the world of metalsmithing.

Techniques Covered in this Class:
Using a torch
Cutting and filing metal in preparation for soldering
Annealing metal
Soldering metal
Stretching a ring band
Adding textures
using a flex shaft
adding embellishments

Be sure to reserve your seat because this is a class that is going to fill up FAST! Seats are limited and already going quickly.

Brag Post! I’m the Featured Artist in the February 2014 Issue of Downtown Pensacola Life!

If you follow me on Facebook you’ve already heard me talking about my excitement at being selected at the Featured Artist for the February 2014 Issue of Downtown Pensacola Life, a publication by Hibu. Well, it’s out! I expected maybe a half page with one or two photos but they far exceeded my hopes and expectations. I received a two page full color spread and I am over the moon! Thanks go out to Theresa Grillo for referring me for the February Artist. I’m going to have to celebrate with a few mojitos tonight! You can find my story on pages 24 and 25 if you’d like to take a peek!

Follow this link to open the digital magazine and go to pages 24 & 25.
http://emagazines.hibu.com/DTPENS

Affordable Valentines Gifts by: Delia Stone
$39 in my etsy store. http://www.freewebs.com/deliasstones/apps/etsystore/displayStore

Mixed Metal Pearl Necklace on sale for $48 Available in my shop: http://www.freewebs.com/deliasstones/apps/etsystore/displayStore

Make it easy on your lover! Send your valentine over to see your favorites in my shop and get something you have your heart set on: http://www.freewebs.com/deliasstones/apps/etsystore/displayStore

New Tutorial on the Way: Dragonfly Pendant

It’s a new year! I’ve been threatening for some time now to create some new tutorials so I’ve decided to follow up and make it happen for 2014. Having had many requests for a tutorial for my dragonfly pendant, which incidentally can be adapted to make darling earrings as well, I’ve decided to make that my first new tutorial of 2014. To thank my loyal followers, and new alike, I have decided to give away three copies of the finished tutorial. All that is required is that you follow my blog and leave a comment below. Over 1,000 of you are already halfway there! Thank you for following my blog and subjecting yourself to my ramblings and brag posts. 🙂

Of course it is my hope that I will garner a few new followers with this promotion, so I encourage you to share this post through any form of social media of your choice. Mind you, this is not a requirement to qualify for the give away. Just a polite request. Thank you in advance to all who take the time to do so. I’m hoping to have the tut finished by next week. I will have one of my children draw randomly from all the participants to determine the winner. The drawing will take place upon completion of the tutorial so get in before it gets done!

Upcoming Workshops for May

There are some exciting new developments in workshops this month.  Many of you may be aware of my new fascination with enameling – most especially cloisonné enamel.  I include a couple of pictures of some of my most recent favorite cloisonné pieces for your viewing pleasure:

Quantum Koi torch fired Cloisonné Enamel Pendant with matching torch fired beads in sterling silver.

                       

Dancing Mermaid and Dolphin Cloisonne Enamel Pendant with torch fired beads to match.

 

Having had so much fun in the studio playing in the torch I have decided that the only thing that could be more fun is to teach enameling – which I have decided to do!  My first enameling workshop will be presented at Danish Princess Beads and Gifts on May 31^st.  The workshop will be a day long intensive workshop with the morning being an introduction to the immersion method of creating torch fired enamel beads innovated by Barbra Lewis.  Barbara has authorized me to share this method with my students.  This is the first time this method will be taught in the area.  The second half of the workshop will involve using what we’ve learned in the immersion method to create a punched, domed and fired focal element in a no solder copper prong setting.  See pictures and more information listed below for the May 31^st workshop at Danish Princess Beads and Jewelry.  Seats are limited

 

May Workshops:

Border Wrap Pendant Workshop

 

May 16^th 1:00 -4:00
Location: A Bead and Crystal House 711 W Garden St. Pensacola, FL
Phone: 850-432-3400
COST: $40 materials not included
Tools:  Round Nose, Flush cutters/clippers, Flat Nose Pliers (tools available on loan)

Class Description: Learn the basics of wire wrapping gemstone cabochons in the border wrap setting.  Limited number of seats.  Reserve your seat today by calling 432-3400.

Metal Etching Workshop at Danish Princess Beads and Jewelry

 

May 23^rd 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Danish Princess Beads and Jewelry, 5212 Elmira St. Milton, FL
Phone: 850-490-0310
COST: $45 INCLUDES ALL MATERIALS
Learn to create a raised design in metal using the metal etching technique.  Transfer intricate designs or draw your own designs as you create a metal cuff bracelet.  Student project is a 6” x 1” copper cuff bracelet but students may utilize their metal portion as they see fit.

 

Enamel I :Torch Fired Enamel and No Solder Copper Setting Pendant

 

May 31^st 11:00- 5:00 (with a one hour lunch break from 1:00 to 2:00)
Location: A Danish Princess Beads and Jewelry, 5212 Elmira St. Milton, FL
Phone: 850-490-0310
COST: $75 plus materials and tools required.
This  class is a day long intensive that introduces the student to torch fired enameling using the Barbara Lewis immersion method.  Barbara is graciously allowing me to teach this technique to my students for the first time in our area.  This is the perfect introduction to those interested in enameling but who find themselves a little shy of the torch.  This class will be a prerequisite for future enameling classes; II Basics of Traditional Enameling and III Cloisonné Enameling.

Morning session 11:00 to 1:00
The morning will begin with an introduction to the method by creating numerous enameled beads.  This will give you the opportunity to get comfortable with the torch and the immersion method as you create colorful beads that you will treasure to use in your designs.  Learn the advantages of the immersion technique,  how to use the torch, learn about the pros and cons of over firing and how to find what Barbara calls the ‘sweet spot’ in the flame which is the best part of the flame to fire your beads in.  At 1:00 class will break for lunch.  Each student is responsible for providing his or her own lunch.

Example of torch fired enamel beads.

Afternoon session:
In the afternoon session we will apply what we have learned to an introduction to metal work.  We will create an enameled focal utilizing the Lewis Immersion method and combine that with an introduction to metal work.  We will learn to anneal (or soften) metal with the torch, punch, dome,  texture/forge metal as we create a customized no solder pronged pedant setting for your focal.   This setting is excellent for gemstone cabochons as well.  More information will be forthcoming regarding tools and materials for this workshop.

 

Pensacola Seafood Festival

Join me at the 34th annual Pensacola Seafood Festival September 23rd, 24th and 25th in historic Seville Square in downtown Pensacola, sponsored by the Fiesta of Five Flags.

With more than 130 arts and crafts vendors, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is also one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Northwest Florida. Live musical performances by local and regional acts will be held throughout the festival in Fountain Park adjacent to Seville Square. Click here to go to the entertainment page to see a listing of the 2011 bands.

The Pensacola Seafood Festival offers cooking demonstrations, a 5K run/walk, a cost-friendly children’s area, and other activities located in Bartram Park. For more information click here.

I will be working furiously all week to bring you even MORE new goodies.  Get your head start on holiday shopping.  I will be offering many early bird shopping incentives such as buy two get one free earring specials!  That’s a deal you just can’t beat!  Be sure to mention this blog post to cash in on the special savings.

Also, on Sunday, you can catch my Gemstone Diva at the show offering special stones for custom orders (or for magpie eye hoarding!).  See a wide selection of beautiful Australian Bolder Opals, Lapis Lazuli, Rhodocrosite, Mystic Topaz, Amethyst, Rainbow Moonstone and more.

 

Hope to see you there!

Angels Garden Art Show September 16th, 17th and 18th 2011

What: 16th Annual Angel’s Garden Art Show, a benefit for Favor House of Pensacola,  sponsored by Angels Garden.
Where:  Located in East Hill on the corner of 12th Avenue and Gonzalez in Pensacola, FL (across from the old Sacred Heart Hospital Building)
When: September 16th (4 p.m. to sunset), 17th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 18th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s been a while since I last posted so I thought I would pop in to share some of my latest creations that you can find at the 16th annual Angels Garden Arts Show this weekend.  I’ve been busy in the studio preparing for the fall show season and I have lots of new treasures to help you prepare for the holiday season ahead.  One thing you will see a lot of in my fall designs is beautiful, natural leather!  I have really enjoyed working in this medium and you’ll be seeing a lot more of it from me in the year ahead.  Here’s my first leather and pearl bracelet, which I call my cowgirl wrist-wrap!

Following that inspiration, more leather and pearl bracelets sprang from my workbench!  It was almost impossible to stop myself!

I became obsessed with the soft, supple leather and the sensual feel of the pearls.  Pearls warm to your own skin temperature as you work with or wear them.  They are absolutely the most sensual of all natural beads.

And still more leather and pearls poured from me as I slaved over my bench in August.  It was a lusty summer.  I procduced simple, no fuss leather and pearl bracelets;

Matching bracelet and earrings sets;

Leather and pearl earrings that did or did not match anything at all!

This was my favorite pair of leather and pearl earrings

I combined leather and pearls with fossils such as ammolite to create a lovely necklace;

And Crinoid fossil too!

I combined leather and pearl with some of my favorite metals, such as beautiful rosy bronze;

But don’t fret!  Wire wrap still remains my first love and I’ve created plenty of new items in my preferred medium as well.  There are hoop earrings;

And dangle earrings;

My favorite earring and cuff design ‘Solitude’ which is always a best seller;

Motivated by my featured artists gallery show entitiled ‘Jazzed: An Artistic Showing of Jewelry I created a few pieces with musical themes;

Beautiful green turquoise and oxidized copper are always a winning combination;

Amazing fiery labradorite herringbone earrings;

I’ve enjoyed experimenting with the ancient viking knit weave, and in this case even stuffed it with beads to match the amazing turquoise focal!  I have to say, it’ looks even better since I antiqued the bronze.

There is so much more than I haven’t even begun to photograph yet!  I have been and will be creating furiously at the bench to create wonderful new treasures to share with you.  Please come out and see me.  You know I am always happy to see a friendly face in the crowd!  Mention this blogpost and get 10% off of any purchase (not good on special BOGO offers).  I hope to see you there!

UWF Course: Introduction to Wire Wrap Jewelry Begins September 6th, 2011

I will be presenting Introduction to Wire Wrap Jewelry at the University of West Florida beginning Tuesday, September 6th. This course is designed to take a beginners skills to the next level.  No prior experience is required for this course.  Students will learn a variety of traditional wire wrapping techniques and enjoy a variety of beginners projects that will lead them on to more advanced intermediate projects.   Students will gain a foundation of basics that must be mastered before moving on to more advanced projects.  Learn stone setting, two styles of pendants, how to make your own findings (ear wires, head pins, jump rings, toggle clasps, various styles of hook clasps, etc.), five different rings, basic forging techniques, multiple bracelet/bangle styles and more in this four week course!  Students who advance quickly will receive bonus projects as time allows.  Individual expression will be encouraged and students will have the opportunity to incorporate beads, cabochons and found objects from their personal collection.  See some of the skills that students will master in this course below;

Herringbone weave, hammered toggles

Border Wrap Pendant with Sculpted Bail

Border Wrap with Dangles

Nested Ring

Forging Basics

Custom Toggles made to match your Focals

Forged Crosses

Bi-Metal Twist Ring

Fibula style pins/brooches

     These are just a few examples of what students can expect to learn.   I will be on hand and available by phone and private forum outside of class time for assistance.  The skills learned in this course are valued at over $350 if taken as individual classes, but are offered at the deeply discounted value of only $175 for a four week course that meets in eight two and a half hour sessions.  Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Questions?  Email: Instructor@DeliaStone.com

And the Winner is …. Moi! Brag Post!

Back in December I submitted two of my pieces from my Winged Things series to the Fire Mountain Gems ‘Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wire Work and Chain’ jewelry making contest.  The results are in.  I am thrilled to announce that I placed first in my category, Fashion Accessories, with my Madame Flutterbye Brooch!  I was very happy just to have made it to the finals round and really did not expect much more than that.  Even as a finalist I would have had the added bonus of having my work displayed in full color full page ads in jewelry making magazines nationwide, which alone carried quite a thrill for me.  I am just over the moon to with excitement to have won the gold medal.  True that I didn’t win the Grand Prize Gold Medal … but then there’s always next year. 😉

Feel free to take a peek at all of the wonderful designs that were submitted by so many talented artist to get your creative juices flowing. I am the seventh person listed in the winners at the top of the page.  Thanks to all of you for the kind words of encouragement over the years that gave me the courage to submit my work.

http://www.firemountaingems.com/galleryofdesigns/jewelry_design_gallery.asp?docid=BC2011METALWINNERS

UWF Introduction to Wire Wrapped Jewelry scheduled to begin in September

It’s official.   My Introduction to Wire Wrapped Jewelry at the University of West Florida is scheduled to begin September 6th.  Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I am presently developing a website to work as a virtual companion for students to aid in the distribution of information and serve as a guide when students are away from the classroom.  More details will be posted as soon as I have time to spend more than 10 minutes in front of the computer.  Stay Tuned!

New Workshops on the Horizon

   Many of my regular students have been requesting new workshops as they’ve taken about everything that I currently offer but they wish to continue their study with me.  I have taken the suggestions into consideration and am now offering three new workshops.  If anyone else out there would like to request a particular project for a future workshop, please let me know.  I am more than happy to accommodate where possible.   The most requested classes so far are; Bracelets, Findings and Earrings.

MOSAIC EARRINGS:  MAY 19th @ 1:00
   These little beauties have always been popular!   This workshop will teach you the basics of hand coiling without the use of special tools, creating a wire frame and sewing with wire, how to create custom matching earwires and how to add an antique finish.   Location: A Bead and Crystal House in Pensacola, FL (711 West Garden St).  Cost of the workshop is $40 plus materials.  Materials can be purchased on site. 

Materials required:  2′ 20 gauge wire, 3′ 26 gauge wire, 2′ 28 gauge wire (can substitute 26 gauge), a variety of 3mm to 4mm beads in your favorite colors.  Swarovski crystals make for lovely colorful earrings with plenty of sparkle!

FINDINGS 101:  JUNE 7th 1:00
    I would say that while other classes were requested, this class was demanded by students.  LOL  In this workshop you will learn the basics of making your own findings.  You can save a great deal of money by making your own findings, not to mention that by customizing your findings to your project the added detail will take your piece up a notch, artistically speaking.  When you have a toggle clasp with accent beads that match your piece your jewelry will impress!  There’s nothing like the headache of having a piece almost done, but then having to wait to order clasps or earwires to complete it.  As long as you have wire on hand, you will never be burdened with this problem again!  You will learn to make a variety of findings; hammered toggles, coiled toggles, S clasps, hook and eye clasps, various earwires, a varitey of headpins etc.  

   Available at A Bead and Crystal House, 711 West Garden St in Pensacola, FL.    Images to come.

VIKING KNIT BRACELET JUNE 23rd 1:00
     Look for my viking knit bracelet workshop to come in June.  This workshop will be offered at A Bead and Crystal House (711 West Garden St) on June 23rd @ 1:00.  This is an intermediate to advanced level class.  Cost is $65 plus materials.   If you have the required materials you are welcomed to bring them.  If not, you can purchase them from A Bead and Crystal House on site.  Bring basic hand tools for wire work.    Be prepared for this workshop to run up to 3 hours.

Materials required;  One 9mm clasp; 1′ 20 gauge wire,  1′ 18 gauge wire; 8′ to 10′ of 24 gauge wire (all wire dead soft temper) and a bead of your choice (size will vary depending on the length of your weave).  Two 5mm viking knit caps to finish off the end are optional.

    You can register for any of these classes by emailing Workshops@DeliaStone.com.  Please specify which class you wish to register for in your email.