Holiday Sneak Peek!

Somehow my life never seems to slow down.  As I head to the "busy" season, I hope that I am able to manage all that is thrown my way.  I usually do, but not without a freak out or two.

As part of the Blog Carnival with my fellow EtsyMetal team mates, we are all showing off what we have "in store" (pun intended) for the holidays!  Here are a few things I have ready to list in my Etsy shop:

 Rings!!

 New Full Moon Hoops

 Moonstone 18K and Sterling Ring

Moonstone 18K & Sterling Silver Ring

Ruby 18K & Sterling Silver Ring

Diamond & 14K White Gold Ring

Clam Pearl Ring

Flower Saucer Slide Pendant

Cherry Creek Jasper Pendant

Zen Amethyst Branch Flower Pearl Necklace

Zen Pod Ring

 Zen Prehenite Ring

In addition to many more finished pieces that are awaiting to be photographed, I am working on some new things carved in wax.  I am enjoying utilizing the knowledge I gained at Kate Wolf's Workshop.  My mind swirls around with ideas constantly, but I am trying to focus on a few at once as to not scatter myself and lose focus on the complete idea.  I hope to develop more skill as I go to fully articulate these ideas that follow me wherever I go.  Current obsession is Mesoamerica symbols and developing my own system that reflects the language of these ancient civilizations.

Scallop Circle

Totem side 1

Totem side 2

Wing

Be sure to check out all our bloggers out there!

1. Michele Grady Designs: www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com
2. Erin Austin: www.metalmusing.blogspot.com
3. Cynthia Del Giudice: http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
4. 2Roses: http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
5. Nodeform: http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
6. Rebecca Bogan: http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
7. Kate Jones: http://katejonesdesign.blogspot.com
8. Evelyn Markasky http://markasky.blogspot.com/
9. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com

Be sure to visit our shops for your Holiday Shopping!!  Buy Handmade this year!

My shop: www.panicmama.etsy.com

Visit www.etsymetal.com for a complete list of the many talents of our team.

Wax Carving Workshop with Kate Wolf

 Carving from a tube of wax using layout techniques.  Pear shaped Green Beryl faceted gemstone.

 Carved detailing on side of wax for Green Beryl faceted gemstone.

 Lathe turned tiny vessel with matching lid for cabochon gemstone.

 All the projects worked on through Thursday of class.  Pear shaped ring is still looking like a block of wax tube.

The EtsyMetal crew with Kate Wolf. (l-r)Clare Stoker-Ring, Kate Wolf, Renee Ford (me,) Danielle Miller-Gilliam.

After a wonderful week spent in beautiful Portland, Maine, I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from my adventure.  I longed to take a class from Kate Wolf for several years.  I finally decided that the only way I was going to get any better at carving wax was to go learn technique versus hacking at a block and not accomplishing much.  

What an amazing experience it was to learn from Kate.  I was fortunate to have two great EtsyMetal companions, Danielle Miller-Gilliam  and Clare Stoker-Ring to share my wax carving experience.  Techniques were presented fast and furious, lots to try and use immediately.  Kate instructed with effortless ease, patience and attention to detail.  There were so many little tricks learned during the week that make daunting tasks happen with ease.   Kate has an ingenious and determined mind to finding solutions that make the process seem  so simple.  Tools are adapted on a regular basis to fit the needs of the project or the technique. In my opinion, there are no other wax carving tools on the market that even come close to comparing to Kate Wolf tools.

I feel so fortunate to have taken this class and had the opportunity to hang with some wonderfully talented people.  I know this class will lead me to push myself to new levels and bring my work to a more sculptural, three dimensional feel that I have longed for in my designs.  Keep watching to see what comes next!

Food! Food! Marvelous Food!

Very simply put, I love food.  Yea, I know, we all do.  The memories a certain meal can bring to mind is very powerful.  I read somewhere once that our sense of smell has the best recall memory.  I must have a pretty good sniffer.  I always associate smells to certain points in my life.  It often recalls a great family gathering, shared meal with close friends, or traveling somewhere exotic. Memories of cooking with my grandparents and mother all immediately surface with a whiff... Ahhhhhh....

I am often squeezed for time since I have my studio attached to my home and can't seem to pull myself away from the bench.  While I love to cook, I often find that there is not enough time to plan, prepare and make a 4 course meal every night.  I've come to love my pressure cooker and crock pot.  Both are able to serve up delicious meals that taste like I spent all day cooking. 

I'd like to share a recipe that has proven to be tried and true for a yummy home cooked meal (or two!)

Boeuf Bourguignonne (Beef Burgandy)
I make this in my pressure cooker, but it can be adapted to a dutch oven or crock pot. The name makes me giggle.  I go around saying "Boeuf" all day in funny voices. I do try to use my best Julia Child voice but it often comes out a bit like Betty Rubble instead.  Go ahead, say it out loud.  "BOOF."  It's funny, isn't it?


1 T olive oil
3 strips bacon, coarsely chopped
3 pounds beef bottom round, cut into 1 1/2" pieces square
1/2 t salt
1/4 t fresh ground pepper
1 pound button mushrooms, quartered
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch lengths
1/2 c chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves
1 c hearty red wine, I use Pinot Nior
2 c beef stock
2 T tomato paste
4 T butter
1/4 c all purpose flour

In 5-7 quart pressure cooker, heat oil. Add bacon, cook until browned, scoop out onto paper towels to drain, saving bacon fat. Reserve bacon fat in bowl.  Add 1T back to pan. Now brown the beef in batches in the pan, not overlapping as to evenly brown each cube on all four sides.  About 4-5 minutes, just to brown not cook through.  Transfer browned beef to plate or bowl.  Season beef with the salt and pepper.  Add 1T of reserved grease back into pan.  If all used up, just use more olive oil.  Reduce heat to medium add mushrooms, garlic, shallots and carrots.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are slightly soft and the shallots and garlic become slightly translucent. Add the wine.  Have a glass :)  Bring to boil, scraping any bits left on the bottom.  Stir in broth and tomato paste.  Return beef to cooker with any juices that have leached out.  Now you begin pressure cooking, high heat for 15-25 minutes.  My pressure cooker takes 20 minutes after it reaches full pressure.  It is a newer model (7 years old.)  I must admit, the thing scares me.  I always have visions of everything exploding.  After 20 minutes, I quick release the top and release pressure.  Add the bacon.  Stir.  Remove veggies, and meat from cooker leaving the liquid behind.  Skim any fat then bring to low boil.  In a medium bowl, using a rubber spatula, make a roux by combining the flour and room temperature butter together until smooth.  Gradually whisk 1 cup of the liquid into the flour mixture to make a paste.  Briskly whisk into the roux into the boiling liquid in the cooker.  Stir for about 5 min until it has not raw flour taste.  Season to taste with more salt and pepper.  Pour over meat and veggies. Serve with warm crusty bread and over noodles or rice if you like.  I usually do not use rice or noodles but my family often requests them to savor all the flavored gravy!  Enjoy!

Please visit my fellow metalsmiths with have blogged about their favorite food experiences today on our Blog Carnival*!
http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog  
http://vtakahashi.blogspot.com/
http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
http://www.katejonesdesign.blogspot.com
http://www.twigsandheather.blogspot.com
http://www.nova-designs.blogspot.com/
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
http://www.evelynmarkasky.com
http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
http://ridgeschool.blogspot.com/

* Blog Carnival is a group activity of EtsyMetal, an international collective of jewelry artists. Each month the group selects a topic and members link their writings on that topic, giving readers a broader range on the same topic.

Some Gortex Thread and silver beads...

The past few days have been spent with my adorable children while my hubby went off to play with some old navy buddies.  Since I have been participating in the Ring a Day Challenge, I have managed to get a ring made each day.  I knew I'd be away from the studio with the kiddos so I had a new challenge on my hands.  Making a ring without my precious tools.   I grabbed my gortex thread, some beads, pliers (only tool used besides my crochet hook) & went to work!

"Ring Around the Rosey" on right, "Pocket Full of Poseies" on left.

I kinda like this thinking outside the box.  I will revisit this later for further exploration (in all my spare time.)

I Love Playdates!

My precious daughter Ruby, I love with all my heart.  BUT, she is a handful.  Very curious, extremely creative.  She can make anything a toy.  We joke that she would be happy with a box of paperclips & rubber bands versus the money spent on the latest toy.  I needed to get into the studio for a bit to work on a custom cufflink & tuxedo stud set during my weekend alone with the kids.  I stocked up popcorn, movies, Kid Cuisine, chocolate, toys and got ready to go to the studio with the kiddies.  Hopeful that I would survive at least four hours, I got a phone call that Ruby's classmate would like her over for a playdate.  While I am not a great host for playdates, I am grateful that other parents like to have them.  Perfect timing!  Ruby off to her playdate, Max stocked up on movies & snacks, I was ready to go.  Between firings and drying time during enameling, I was able to create this ring.

 "Maltese Cross Relic," 14 karat gold, sterling silver, 17/365.

It's one of my favorites so far.  I keep making all of them in my size so I can photograph them on a finger.   At least that's what I keep telling myself.  I love the subtle texture of the band.  Wanna keep up on the rest of the participants? Check them out here on Flickr!

A Pretty One for the Masses

I tend to want to create jewelry rich with texture.  Ok, I don't tend, I make jewelry rich with texture.  I have a huge collection of hammers & I always am on the look out for more.  A girl can never have enough hammers!   One of my favorite ways to display these textures is to put an oxidation patina with brushed or matte surface on the piece.  While I am extremely attracted to things with this type of finish, I find that not everyone is.  People generally respond to shiny bright things more positively than the "dirty" looking (as my mom calls the look I strive to capture!)  So, for you magpies out there, here is one for the masses:

Ring a Day Challenge, "Sangria," 15/365, 14 karat yellow & white gold, 1.37ct oval Rubellite Tourmaline.

All of the amazing artists participating in the Ring a Day Challenge can be seen on Flickr.

Tiny Bubbles

Thinking creatively everyday is something I like to do.  Some days are more successful than others.  I have been enjoying the Ring a Day Challenge so far and have been able to keep up with the challenge.  It gets my brain moving in the right direction.  I wanted to devote only a portion of my day working on this project but today got the better of me and I had to finish ring #14.  I am glad I put forth the effort and got 'er done!  I really like how it turned out.

Even the back is fun!!

Ring A Day Project 2010

So blogging is something I always intend to do but never seem to have the time. During a gathering yesterday, a friend and fellow metalsmith, Tracey, actual said I was the busiest person she knows.  I suppose I am a wee bit busy these days but I decided to take on another project to add to the mix.

I am participating in a project called "Ring A Day" with several other metalsmiths and jewelers across the world.  The objective is to make a ring each day for a year out of whatever material you find interesting, appealing or intriguing.  Yes, that is right.  365 rings.  Some have created very elaborate detailed designs out of gemstones and precious metal while others have taken the simple found object approach using rubber bands, paper or twisted plastic. I look forward to exploring each member's  solution to the challenge.  The project just began Jan 1, 2010 with a little over 115 members posting images of their wonderful creations on Flickr.  It is not to late to jump on the horse and giddy up with us!  The group grows each day and welcomes new members to the group.

I find that an exercise like this teaches and reminds me the discipline needed in keeping focused. Making a ring a day also is challenging me to think creatively whether I want to or not. With 10 days under my belt, I am finding that I am looking forward to what I am going to do each day.   I also figure this is a good excuse to keep up with the blogging.   Here is the first 10 days of my rings on Flickr:
Ring A Day 2010~Renee Ford/Panicmama Jewelry.

Preparations...

Excitement is a brewing! I applied & got into my first major wholesale show. I have less than 20 days to get everything made, packed up & ready to go before we hit the road for Las Vegas! I am thrilled, excited, nervous, anxious all at the same time. It is a little daunting to try to prepare for a show of this size. My wonderful little craft shows are great but just a teeny shadow to what I need to do to prepare for ACRE. I want to do well & write TONS of orders however, I am walking into the unknown...

I have too many ideas flowing through my creative veins at the moment & need to focus. I am not so good at the focus. I like to flit around from idea to idea. Things have been coming together a little better & I am finally finishing new pieces.




I have many more hours at the bench to go before I feel prepared for the show. Numerous hours at the computer trying to figure out layout of the booth & lighting. The route there & back to plan, what shoes to bring. Thankfully, I like to keep busy. My brain doesn't like to turn off & currently it doesn't have time to shut down. Working hard to be prepared, wishing hard for a successful show. Wish me luck!

Addictions....

I have addictions that are bad for me... Thin crust pizza, french fries, soft caramels, Chicago style hot dogs, Newcastle beer, high heeled shoes, television, vanilla lattes. There is more, but no need to totally embarrass myself. I find that these things bring me comfort, moments of happiness, a sense of peace. Luckily, one addiction that I have doesn't have detrimental effects to my health is gemstones. I love them in all types, shapes, qualities & colors. Faceted, cabochons, beads, rough, crystals...you name it, I love 'em!



Over the years I've collected & sold thousands of gemstone treasures. I currently have over 5000 loose stones in my inventory. I always seem to make room for more. Just like shoes, you can always squeeze one more pair into the collection. They inspire me to create. They reveal new ideas & designs just by being beautiful. They call to me. I covet them, I desire them, I need them.

I like to visit them in their little packages. These visits help me remember what inspired me to possess them. Find that spark that bought a sparkle to my eye the first time I laid eyes on them. They motivate me to explore new techniques & processes. Gemstones are an addiction I don't ever want to be cured.




Gemstones are the "soul" of my process in creating jewelry. The metal speaks to me too, but differently. Gemstones tell me the story, make my jewelry have personality. Addicted? Yes, but it's a good addiction. Yeah, my accountant may disagree but they are assets to my creative soul. I need my assets.







Recent finds that feed my addiction are found here from fellow metalsmith & Etsy seller, Barney & over here.

I can make room for this one, can't I?

Sunday Explorations in Metalsmithing

My fellow metalsmiths, Tracey & Margarita along with myself have taken on exploring new or revisited metalsmithing techniques twice a month. One of the first things we decided to tackle was etching. We had all etched before but had not done it in awhile. We started with copper etching. We tried different methods of "resist"on the copper. The resists varyied from Sharpie markers, finger nail polish, & laser toner based transfers. We all came out with some interesting effects that we found were mostly successful.

Tracey & I decided to take it a step further & explore etching on sterling silver. Stronger acid & more dangerous. Eeek! This time around I used asphaltum as the resist on my silver. It held up pretty good after a very short etch time. The longer the etching the more it under cut into the edges of my designs. I find that using asphaltum is is much easier to carve out the area you want etched than to carve out around the area. Meaning carving the positive versus the negative space. It just how my brain works.

I have always admired the decorative patterns of Gustav Klimt. In particular, I have been drawn to his "Tree of Life" painting.



One of my silver etchings is a simplified homage to his tree. I finally got around to making it into a piece of jewelry. I wanted a gemstone to give the piece some color & some interesting visual dimension. I chose a natural Australian boulder opal. This one had an earthy, root feel to it. I thought it worked perfectly. Here's the finished result:

I recently completed a custom wedding set based on one of my bands but with modifications. The client wanted to add diamonds to a 2mm wide band. I nodded politely & said "no problem." I remember being taught how to flush set stones but MUCH larger ones. I didn't even have all the proper tools yet. I ordered three extra stones just in case I lost, broke or chipped one (or two.) The mans version was easy. 6mm by 2mm hand hammered, brushed & oxidized, done. Her band was simple but I decided to make three. One for practice, one for potential mistakes, one for real. Of course, I used all three.

It is always a wonder that if you plan for it, you almost make your own destiny. The first one was fine just one diamond got set a little lower than I wanted. I salvaged the first one for my shop with some minor adjustments. The second one I broke a drill bit in it. Not much fun to get out but not impossible to do (usually.) I decided to go ahead with the third one to save time. It came out great! I didn't even loose one of those tiny teeny diamonds. I think I might incorporate them into my regular line. The diamond band is just so darn cute!

The hammer that brought me zen...

I have a drawer full of hammers I've collected over my almost 20 years of metalsmithing. Not one of them have brought me to the groove I get into when using my newest beauty. It's a Fretz. Beautiful to look at, well crafted, feels like "butta" in your hand. I have had several riveting/goldsmithing hammers over the years I tried to shape like this, but I never quite got the right length or edge to it. Now the problem is I want to put it on everything. (Check out panicmama.etsy.com if you want to see the results.)

I just love how it brings me to such a calm & peaceful place when I get a hammerin'. I named the texture zen. Now, now, I know I haven't found the all encompassing meaning of life through tapping a piece of metal with my favorite hammer, but, man, it feels good to use it. It appeals to me on so many sensory levels: the little "tink" it makes when I hit the metal, the chiseled line it makes with each tap, the feel of it in my hand, mmmmmm. See, what'd I tell ya. Zen. It my answer to a little bit of happiness in my teeny tiny world.

Turtle is a Panicmama!

In the many hours I spend wandering the halls of Etsy, I ran across a forum topic on researching your "googleness." I decided to Goggle Panicmama to discover where I land in the rank & what is actually attached to Panicmama as a name. Low & behold in the image version of the search, a fluffy little black dog I've grown to love shows her face! How'd Turtle get to the first page of images for Panicmama? I never actually did get a picture of myself... or my jewelry for that matter, which was the purpose of the whole research. It just goes to show you that you never know what is attached to you in the internet world. In other words, Kevin Bacon would probably show up as well.

I've waited 17 years for you...

17 years wishing for a rolling mill. Much too long to wait for something you now can't live without! The stand came in a unbelievable beat up box & the rolling mill in a lightly battered box with "heavy" labels all over it. The UPS guy waited until I opened it to see if all was okay & to take a gander at what it was a was so giddy about!

Well, in a word, BEAUTIFUL! Just steel & some gears, but man, what a gorgeous sight! I am very excited to get it bolted to the floor & stand. I sent my dear hubby to the hardware store for a cement drill bit & bolts within 15 minutes of receiving the mill. It's his project for the next two days. (I hope that it will only take him a day to get me set up. I want to start rolling Fri!)





Here's the beauty herself...aren't you jealous? :) I know you are! I wonder what to name her...

THE FRONT PAGE!

I actually screamed when it happened. Needless to say, I was very excited that I made Etsy's front page! I was up a whopping 52 min! However, in that time the piece on the front page, my hand formed figurative cups, views almost quadrupled! I went from about 200+ to almost 750 in a matter of minutes!

I was just thinking about what goals to accomplish this morning with my Etsy shop & was going to try to promote some more & get my hearts (favorites) up to 200 by the end of the week. Thanks to the front page, I accomplished that & more today! Now to reach 25 sales in my shop by the end of the month...

I took a screen shot of the front page, but failed to get all of the page in my inept attempt.

Back to the beginning

I recently was presented with the challenge of creating a belt buckle for a client. I thought to myself, "I've never made a belt buckle..." But in fact, I had!

My very first "finished " piece of undergrad art jewelry was a metal belt with belt buckle! It was a tribute to the Berlin wall coming down. Boy, that dates me a little. I have no idea where that may have ended up. I am not sure I even have a picture of it. Very sad...I didn't realize at the time that the belt would start a life long career & love for all things metal.

As for the current project on hand, it came out pretty cool.

The client had purchased the Biggs Jasper cab at a gemstone event at my store & wanted a family piece for her husband. She let me "go at it with doing my thing" with two parameters:

1. The family symbol & the kids name had to be included.

2. Something copper as an accent.

A couple of roadblocks came up with drill bits breaking & logistics of setting a stone on a curved surface. Both were solved & the end result pleased the client & myself.

It took two acetylene torches from both sides & lots of patience in hammering to get to the finished result.

All in all, I really enjoyed making the piece. I may even make another belt buckle without a 17 year gap in between!