Links

Artists

Meredith Arnold- Teacher, artist and (a very funny) personality. I’ve been fooling around with polymer clay for almost ten years (don’t tell my husband) but had never taken a  class so, I signed up for Meredith’s beginning polymer clay class during the Santa Fe Interweave Fest.  Well, Meredith still managed to teach me a bunch of new stuff and managed to entertain me at the same time.  Hard to beat that.  Thanks Meredith.

Carol Decker - Friend, Jewelry Artist, Former Student (she doesn’t need me anymore).  This woman has taken off at a thousand miles per hour.  I’m honored to tan in her sun.

Margaux Lange - Barbielicious jewelry

 Märta Mattsson - Amazing jewelry using fossils, beetles and skin.

Hetty Herman Minsk - my other mother, friend, artist and crazy old woman.  I want to be like her when I grow up!  She makes aging look like a beautiful thing.

Michael deMeng - Amazing assemblage work.  Crazy, arty energy.  Love his work – a near worshipful respect – but not too much.  I ain’t a fan of hero worship. Two great books he wrote:  Dusty Diablos and Secrets of Rusty Things.

Dana Driver - Another (crazy) friend and probably one of the best craftswomen I know.  Her technique is enviable!

Kathleen Dustin-  Amazing Polymer Clay work.  Her purses are fabulous!

Ford/Forlano – Innovators in the medium of polymer clay.  These guys convinced me that polymer clay was a viable artistic medium.  They elevated a child’s toy into art with their very creative hands and minds.

Jane Garabaldi - My buddy and an old pro (jeweler that is!).  She does beautiful work and is way too humble.  She also doesn’t have a web site – which drives me crazy.

Sherri Haab - Friend, Artist, Insanely proficient book author (25 and counting), woman voted most likely to need a vacation.  Here’s Sherri’s Blog: sherrihaab.wordpress.com/

Mary Neuer Lee - Friend, jewelry artist and all around fab chick.

Susan Lenart Kasmer - Took a class with Susan at the Interweave Bead Festival in Santa Fe 3/2009.  Great class, lots of fun.  Very immediate, beautiful work. She has also put out a great book: Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed Media Artists.

Karen Lewis - The spirited Bead and Klew Expressions. Great jewelry and beads also a source for polymer clay, metal clay and more. klewexpressions.com

Charles Lewton-Brain - This guy is giving Leonardo Da Vinci a run for his money.  He INVENTED fold forming for God’s sake!  He pretty much knows everything about jewelry. Period. Don’t even think about competing with him – you’ll lose!

Keith Lo Blue - WOW!  I worship the ground he floats over.  Steampunk and assemblage are words that don’t cover his style adequately.

Maja - Maja and I were in the Interior Design class at the College of Marin, many years ago. Surprisingly, we both became jewelers and skipped the interior design path.  Her work is beautiful and sophisticated.

 

Cynthia Toops and Dan Adams - OMG.  Love their work!  Fabulous polymer clay art.

Wendy Wallin Malinow – More beautiful polymer clay work.  I should be so lucky to be this creative.

Art Supplies

Anchor Optics – supplier of lenses and other cool stuff.  I’ve ordered their lens grab bag of lenses.  The bag cost about $8.00 and you get 20 lenses in varying sizes.  Some small, others a little larger – all useful for assemblage art as well as jewelry. I used their lenses for my bottle:  Medicine for a Hypochondriac - on my home page.

Aves – Maker of a very cool two part paste called: Apoxie Paste – that is workable with water (for smoothing and thinning) for about 40 minutes, still flexible for about 1hr. Eventually, it hardens to rock hard.  Great for sculpting. It’s also an adhesive medium. Takes paint wet or dry.  Aves also carries other fabulous products.

Kroma Artist’s Acrylics - Nice paints, mediums (no not the spiritual kind silly) and a very cool product called (ta da): Kroma Crackle Medium.  Here’s some of what this product can produce: 

 

Books

The Art of Enameling – Techniques, Projects, Inspiration by, Linda Darty.  I love this book.  All the pages are gritty with enamel because I keep trying everything in the book. If you want to teach yourself enameling, start here.  My only complaint is that the section on torch firing is way too brief but, hey there’s a new book out devoted solely to that subject called Torch Fired Enamels – see my link below.

The Art of Jewelry Polymer Clay, by Katherine Duncan Aimone.  This book is a compilation of 14 EXCELLENT polymer clay artists, their work and 33 projects. While 19 of the 33 projects held no appeal for me, I am tempted to try 14 of them. This is a huge number for me.  Generally, I find that most of the projects in” project books” are lame and there might be 1 project that I’ll try. The best part of the book are the gallery shots.  Who can resist the work of Cynthia Toops, Kathleen Dustin, Steven Ford (Ford Forlano) or Wendy Wallin Malinow?

Chasing and Repoussé – Methods Ancient and Modern – by Nancy Megan Corwin.  I love Chasing and repoussé! I also love this book.  It’s a great book for a beginner and everyone else who loves this fabulous technique. The author discusses, in detail, the tools, how to make them, techniques and tips.  Hollowform construction, chasing without pitch and chasing and repousseé with the hydraulic press are also written about – subjects not often found in other books.   Another, “I can’t do without” book.

Creative Stonesetting – by John Cogswell (best site I could find for him).  This is a very good book on stonesetting.  The instructions are clear and easy to understand.  He covers not only how to set stones but how to make the settings.  A truly important skill for bench jewelers.  Topics include: Bezel settings, prong, graver, gypsy, beads, pearls, gems and tension settings.  A really wonderful book for the well rounded jeweler.

Dusty Diablos: Folklore, Iconography, Assemblage, Ole!, by Michael deMeng. Go on a road trip to Mexico with Michael and save on the airfare.

Faux surfaces in Polymer Clay by, Irene Semanchuk Dean.  Lots of very cool techniques to create very realistic imitations of materials like slate, bronze, malachite, raku, ivory, etc.  I had a great time making lots of different faux materials. I even used one of my “fauxs” (or is it fausse) in a piece.

Foldforming by, Charles Lewton-Brain.  You want to learn foldforming?  Buy this book and you will have a very good time indeed.  Love it.

Great Wire Jewelry: Projects & Techniques (Lark Jewelry), by Irene From Petersen (the only info on her is this bead shop in Denmark).  Easy to follow instruction for Viking Knit and Chain Mail(le) among others.  It is not a book on wire work or wrapping.  Some claim the wire sizes are wrong.  I just liked learning the Viking knit.

Jewelry Design – The Artisan’s Reference by, Elizabeth Olver (no info. on her).  This is not a how-to book, rather, it’s an inspiration book.  I really like how they set this book up.  There is a large (almost half the book) section called “Directory of Shape and Form”  that lists (for example) Earrings.  This is broken up into studs, clips, stone-set and complex.  There are drawings, illustrating the styles, on the left and on the right page are photos of different designs within each category – usually four photos. It’s a great little book to help nudge the brain. I’ve owned this book for years and still pull it out for new ideas.  It’s only 80 pages but, it feels like 200. Get yours before it goes out of print.  It was originally published in 2ooo.

Jewelry Making Manual  by, Sylvia Wicks (can’t find a thing on her).  Originally published in 1985, (my edition is a reprint from 1997) this book still works.  Most of the jewelry pictured is from the 1970′s and 80′s but the techniques really haven’t changed that much. This is one of my all time favorite jewelry how-to books.  I love the illustrations.  They are black and white drawings that illustrate the steps.  There’s something about the layout of this book that just “works”.  I use it all the time.  I mean, how many books tell you how to make an ear clip (she calls it a butterfly spring)? Or how to do jewelry illustration?  There are diagrams on making marquis settings, baguette, gypsy, etc.  Info. on French knitting, how to tie pearl knots, enamel, chasing and repouseé…okay, I’ll shut up.  I just love this book.

Making Metal Beads, by Pauline Warg. Very good book on bead making.  Make tube beads, wire-wrapped beads, notched, square, crescent, ya got it? Pauline teaches some very handy techniques for making beads.  Who knew there could be 159 pages worth of information on how to make beads? Published by Lark Books so, nice photos and page setup.

Metal Clay Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Book), by Barbara Becker Simon. One of the few (in my humble opinion) excellent books on metal clay.

Metal Corrugation – Surface Embellishment and Element Formation for the Metalsmith by, Patricia McAleer  another link here. I had so much fun playing with my tube ringer (that sat in my drawer for several years – until this book came out).  That sounds kinda dirty doesn’t it?  Any way, I had a great time with my ringer AND this book.  Can’t wait to make the beads.  The patterns you can make with this technique are amazing.  Thanks Trish. p.s. – if you own a tube ringer: check out Trish’s second link above – it’s to Ganoksin‘s site and there is a very cool tube ringer adaptation by Chris of Chris’s Cables.

Secrets of Rusty Things: Transforming Found Objects into Art, by Michael deMeng. An exciting journey into the mind of Mr. deMeng. Killer art.

Setting Stones in Metal Clay, by Jeanette Landewitch.  I believe that it is imperative for you to own this book if you’re going to set stones in metal clay.  The book is laid out well, the descriptions are clear, the instructions are thorough.  Great book Jeanette!

Soldering Made Simple: Easy techniques for the kitchen-table jeweler, by Joe Silvera. A really good soldering primer.

Torch-Fired Enamel:  A Workshop in Painting with Fire, by Barbara Lewis.  This is an excellent book on torch firing.  I love her technique of dunking a red-hot bead in containers of enamel.  So much more fun than using klyr-fire. (Although, that can be fun too).  These techniques make enameling fun,  easy and very accessible.

Woven Wire Jewelry (Beadwork How-To) , by Linda Chandler and Christine R. Ritchey.  Good instruction on wire weaving with metal.  Easy and beautiful projects.

European Suppliers

Beading Supplies and Materials:  Beads Direct - Incorporated in England and Wales but worldwide.

Jewelry Supplies: Cookson Gold  - All types of jewelry making supplies.

Torches: (also in the US) Sievert AB.  There is also a YouTube video on this torch by Andrew Berry.

Fun, Crazy and Interesting stuff that I’m attracted to (non-jewelry related)

Josten’s - yearbook yourself.  I had such fun there.  Here’s two of my results:                             Yep, that’s my face – kinda.

Paranormal Witness – My favorite paranormal show.  I get freaked out with every episode!

S.P.I.R.I.T – Our local ghost hunters.  They’ve done a bunch of great investigations. Someday, I’m going to go on a professional ghost hunt.  Right now, I go out hunting with my buddy Joanie.  We’re planning a trip this November.

Jewelry Sites

Ganoskin - Tons of information on every facet of jewelry making and metal working. Their archives are full of answers to all of your questions so, now you don’t need to reinvent the wheel!

Metal Clay Academy - You want to know about metal clay – go here!

Jewelry Tools and Materials

Gesswein - I like Gesswein’s products.  I always get what I ask for,  with no hassle and they offer products that Rio may not carry.  There are three big problems with them though: 1.  Their website stinks.  I can never find anything with their search engine.  It is also difficult to find things via their site in general.  2. They take a bit longer than Rio Grande in shipping out their merchandise.  3. Their site is very slow to load and their search engine is slow. Other than those three points, I stand behind them.

Koil Kutter - Dave Arens has created this great method for cutting jump rings. It will cut Silver, Sterling, Brass, Bronze, Gold and Copper.  He also has a few other products available.  You can only contact him via email which is: gemstonesetc@gainbroadband.com.

Metalliferous - Big metal supplier.  Lots of different shapes, sizes and thicknesses of sheet, wire, tubing, etc.  Copper and brass stampings, nuts and bolts and other strange things are available here.  Some of them I don’t get (like this) but, hey, it’s not my store!  Always get what I ask for and they are efficient.  Good PDF online catalog.

Otto Frei - Metal, Tools, Materials, Findings.  Otto Frei offers many different tools and materials that are not available at Rio Grande.  The people who work there are great

Reactive Metals - Get your Niobium, Titanium, Anodizers, Mokume Gane, Bi-Metal, Alloys, Patinas, Nuts and Bolts, Taps and Dies, Drill bits and these cool silver things they call Impressions (page 15) here and so much more.  It’s a fun place to shop and explore.  PDF online catalog.

Rio Grande - Sheet Metal, Gems, Tools, you name it. My main supplier because of their great prices, easily navigable website, great customer service and excellent shipping and turnaround times.  The only complaints that I have are that they have limited tubing and wire selections and not much of a choice in copper/brass or bronze metals.

Magazines

American Craft Magazine - The craft magazine for all mediums.  Lots of jewelry too.

American Style Magazine - A magazine for collectors, artists and “cultural travelers”.  Jewelry is always somewhere in there.  Great artist’s spaces/collector’s homes/art.

Art Jewelry Magazine - great magazine for the studio jeweler and crafts person.

Bench Magazine -I love this magazine.  It’s got a lot of technical tricks/tips/how-to’s that are aimed at the bench jeweler. Oh and it’s FREE! They only have an online version now – they’ve gone GREEN!

MetalClay Artists Magazine - A nice, new glossy metal clay magazines.  Replaces (and tops) the one we lost when the PMC guild stop producing Studio PMC. It also includes work, articles and information for all types of metal clay.

Metalsmith Magazine - put out by the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG).  Great NEW jewelry – get’s a bit too “just out of design schooly” for me.  But, the pictures are always intriguing.

Photographers

My one and only – besides myself Bruce Shippee Photography.  He took many of the photos on my site.  Location doesn’t matter  – just ship your work.  You’ll be very pleased with the results.

PMC, Silver Clay, Bronze and Copper Clays

Cool Tools – Metal clays, supplies, etc.

Sherri Haab – Author of 25 books (to date) and an innovator who along with her inventor husband have created a great etching tool – the E3 etch.  No mess etching.  See my work on her blog at:  http://sherrihaab.wordpress.com/. You can shop for your E3 Etch here:  http://sherrihaab-shop.com/craft-supplies/metal-etching/e3-etch.html.

Metal Clay Supply -  Metal clay, supplies, kilns.

New Mexico Clay- Metal clay, earthen clays, supplies, tools, classes.

Rio Grande- All types of Jewelry making supplies as well as PMC, BRONZclay and PMC supplies.

Textures Online Store – Metal Clay, Books, Jewelry, Classes

Whole Lotta Whimsy – PMC, Art Clay, Supplies and Tutorials.

Polymer Clay

Donna Kato – Kato Polymer Clay that she developed.  It’s a great polymer clay. /www.katopolyclay.com/

Polymer Clay Central – All things polymer. /www.polymerclaycentral.com/

Videos

My Videos – Nancy L. T. Hamilton!  Whoppee!  - These are the only videos on the internet.  Got that!  These are the only videos on the internet, (your eyes are getting heavy), these are the only videos on the internet, (the only thing you hear now is the sound of my voice)… These are the only videos on the internet. Okay, now squawk like a chicken.