Putting It Together- Cold Connections

Club Creative Studio has been a busy place.  I have had a great time working with my mixed metal recently.  Discovering how and what I want to create by meshing layered metals in a cold connection (rivet technique) is a fun challenge. Of course, I wish to also incorporate my hand-made beads as well.

I have been working with 24-guage sheet metals. I have found that to be the most beloved thickness to design and make my jewelry with.  My studio is quite noisy when I decide to texture my metal pieces because I am hammering and pounding.  I have a new textured hammer that is double-sided and has interchangeable ends for making interesting designs.  And I also use my chasing hammer as a multi-purpose hammer for smoothing and doming, shaping and riveting. The ball-peen hammer is my main punching tool and I love the surface texture I can pound using this type hammer.

Recently to incorporate my hand-rolled clay beads, I create a pendant using mixed metals and a cold connection, then add Club Creative Studio one-of-a-kind beads to the art.  What a great combination.  To see more, be sure to check on the Facebook page and online. I will be adding sneak peek photographs and items available for in those particular venues.

http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I will be taking photos of my metal working tools at some point and use them as a blog topic. Would that be of interest to you? Let me know what other tools of my trade you would like to learn more about.  Be creative every day!

 

 

 

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• How to make your own texturing hammer from the book The Complete Photo Guide to Making Metal Jewelry (craftside.typepad.com)

Lady In Red

Club Creative Studio. Samples in Red.

Are you seeing red lately?  The color red?  Are you finding the desire to dress or wear accessories that are red in color? Would you notice a lady in red when you see one? 

It seems that the color red is around us more during December and February.  You are probably seeing red hearts, roses, bows, candy wrappings, candy boxes, clothing and jewelry highlighting the color red now-a-days.

Club Creative Studio loves to create with the color red.

Does the color red invoke certain feelings for you? I recently asked Club Creative Studio Facebook friends this very question: What comes to mind when you see the color red?  Here are some of their responses in a word: power, passion. love, lipstick, hearts. blood, roses. I think that the color red is also fiery, hot and bright.  It awakens our imagination and stimulates our brain.  Have you heard of the “power tie”?  A power tie is a necktie that is red.  Red gives you strength and confidence.

Take a look at yourself the next time you are wearing the color red. Are you acting with extra spunk or attitude?  Are you happy and loving when you sport red? 

You don’t need to be covered from head to toe to get a taste of red in your life. If it is not your normal color to wear try an accessory or small pop of color from a necklace, bracelet or earrings.

I do not have items “color-coded” on the website but, you will find red integrated into hand-made art within the Club Creative Studio online storefront found at http://www.clubcreativestudio.com  I welcome you to browse and see if something catches your eye there.  Maybe it will be something created in the color red, maybe in an unexpected color combination. Happy Shopping!

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Rock’n Art

Natural stones can ROCK YOUR WORLD!

Club Creative Studio’s Blog today is called: Between A Rock.  I have  used stones, rocks and gems in several art creations.  I have never felt like I was”caught between a rock and a hard place” when designing with them because there are so many options to incorporate wire to create mixed media art.

Special meaning associated with art.

One recent and particular custom piece comes to mind to speak about because it had special significance to the person requesting that I design an item that incorporated her “fool’s gold”. This nugget was special because her husband was a truck driver and he had the idea to “do something with this” someday.  He did not get around to it but, she kept it close to her heart since he passed away.  Fast forward to 41 years later, his bride decided for him to do “something” with it she gave it to me to create something special.

She wore the necklace I created on the day that what would have been their 41st wedding anniversary.

It is a sweet story that I will never forget.

I love knowing that special meaning can be associated with art.  I love knowing that something that I created with love had more love associated with it for someone else.

If we take time to look around our world, you might find yourself appreciating the little things in life like rocks and pebbles.  The next time you find one, take time to admire the marbling effects, the texture, the shape and even the weight of nature.  A mere stone is special if it is a single stone or grouped into a functional or natural setting. Here are photos of a few man-made stone walls found in the Western part of North Carolina.  I could not resist taking photos of my views. I wonder if you appreciate them as well.

Let no stone be left unturned! This is a wall located in downtown Sylvia, North Carolina.

I love wire wrapping polished stones.

Many natural stones or dyed rocks have interesting patterns, as highlighted in my cuff bracelet design here. Enjoy, admire, own it.Historically, stones have important status.  Paleo archeologists have discovered evidence dating back 250 million years suggesting that pre historic man used warm clay, earth and stone in medicines. The use of clays for healing was also recorded around 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Some scholars also believe that other prehistoric ancestors used ochres made from naturally tinted clay and iron oxides were used not only to paint caves, but also to heal wounds. Interestingly, iron is a main element in the basalt stones used in modern-day stone massage therapy.

Lodestone, a magnetic rock, was discovered in China around 8th century BC. It is believed that needles made from these magnetic stones around this time replaced bone acupuncture needles.   And in Japan, warm stones were worn around the waist to aid digestion.  Stones also play an important role in Native American beliefs. Some tribal elders believe stones to be ancient beings that have souls.  Stones were also used in northern Europe as the original electric blankets without the electricity. People would put warm stones in bed. Warm stones were also used during childbirth to help reduce pain and spasms.

And, if you found yourself in the generation of the PET ROCK, or know of the WORRY STONE, rocks take on additional meanings. I have been working for the past few days creating bracelets that have wire and various stones. I like the feeling that there is a deeper connection to nature when I am creating with stone.  I’ll be highlighting those creations soon as I find ways to perfect my wrapping techniques further.

Rocks, pebbles, stones…oh my! my photo is from an old street in downtown Philadelphia.

What type of people like stone jewelry?  I think anyone can “rock” this look because it is natural and can be a very neutral accessory.  People are drawn to the earth themes of wearing a stone accessory.  It is quite opposite from the shiny bling of a diamond or gemstone.  Adding a rock item to your collection of accessories provides a variety in range from semi-precious stones or a common rock you can find on a curbside or natural forest path.  No matter if a stone is man-made or dyed, it can bring a look of nature, calmness and simplicity. Smooth or rugged, a stone piece can be a statement piece of wearable art or a simple highlight of what nature has to offer us.  Stones can be used in their natural state, carved, polished, combined with other elements, caged in wire, attached to a pendant and even made  as a faux clay bead.  There is no limit to the display of a real stone in jewelry except for its weight.  Many artists attempt to mimic qualities of stone in other mediums.  A common look is from turquoise, and marble.  And why not? The natural stones can be expensive and hard to find, not to mention heavy to wear in their real states.

Image Copyright: Club Creative Studio

 Please visit and revisit the Natural Stone section in the Club

 Creative Studio online storefront. Inventory changes often!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Find softness in a harsh rock setting like this one from a small north Carolina town called Sylva.

Are you attracted to rocks? Do you enjoy wearing jewelry that has rocks incorporated? Club Creative Studio has items that are unique and are inspired by nature.

Be sure to check out the website to view wire-wrapped stones. It is truly Art That Will Set You Apart!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Creative Thankfulness (3)

Club Creative Studio’s Handmade wire art necklace.

Yesterday’s post from Club Creative Studio shared a few challenges of the latest wire worked project.  Any single day can be filled with obstacles if you are trying a creative project for a first time or have been away from a technique for any duration of time.  Today’s Feature Friday post will share a few successes from the challenges of working with wire in a new way.

Wire art from Club Creative Studio.

Basicly, when I sat to create these necklaces, I wanted to have the feeling and look of the technique of chain maille but, not all of the complicated segments. That look combines individual loops in a maze-like pattern repeated over and over that link together.  This did the trick for me because for one, I did not get a headache or confused too often and for the second reason, I was able to duplicate the method using a variation of technique.

Colored wire art from Club Creative Studio.

Today, I am thankful for variety at the design table, especially the variety of wire.

Wire lends itself to change.  Wire has different levels of strength and durability, it has a range in gauge (thickness), presents itself in suitable qualities, and it  is offered in a variety of colors as well. It is a wonderful to experiment with. When I wrap in wire, it also looks wonderful to mix silver, gold or copper wires together. I love working with wire. Does it show?

Handmade art from http;//www.clubcreativestudio.com

Please “Like” our artistic expressions at the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/clubcreativestudio.com

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Sunny Side Up

Today’s Club Creative Studio Feature Friday post celebrates the color YELLOW

How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun. -Vincent Van Gogh

Yellow flowers help complete my table arrangement with the Club Creative Studio Keepsake Rim Trim beaded vase embellishment.

Do you want to grab a little attention?  Wear a piece of jewelry that is an eye-attracting yellow color, or an item with yellow accents.

Club Creative Studio hand-made necklace.

That may do the trick since yellow is considered the most visible color, it is also the most attention-getting color. Yellow can be used in small amount to draw notice, such as on traffic sign or advertisements.

Yellow is a great color to highlight.

In this Club Creative Studio Hand-made clay beads. Notice that “pop” of yellow really stands out!

While that same wonderful sunny yellow color stands out and makes you feel happy and warm, yellow also often tends to be the most fatiguing to the eye.  This is said to be reasoned out due to the high amount of light that is reflected.   So, in today’s extreme use on computer monitors, the background color yellow can lead to extreme eyestrain.

One thing is for sure, when you wear a Club Creative Studio art items heads will turn no matter what color is highlighted in the design, and that won’t be because of eye strain!

Club Creative Studio- Sunny yellow hand-rolled polymer clay beads.
http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

The studied flip-side of the psychological effects of happy yellow are frustration and anger, however.  It seems that studies have been done to also prove that people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.  This goes to show even for colors everything in MODERATION should keep us all at an even keel.  For me yellow has always brought to mind a sunny side up egg.  It is a pleasing color that also makes me have a hankering for eggs!

Club Creative Studio hand-torched glass beads.
http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Speaking of balance, yellow can also increase the metabolism. So, let’s keep a healthy dose of yellow in our wardrobes.  How does yellow make YOU feel?

Club Creative Studio- Wine Cork Necklace.

Black and White

Black and white “Tube Bead” from Club Creative Studio
http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Club Creative Studio is no doubt in love with creating art items using bright and vivid color combinations.  However, this does not mean that anything created in neutrals of black and white are tossed to the side.  NOOOOO, far from that idea.  I also create using black and white in polymer clay and glass.

Hand-made bracelet by Club Creative Studio. http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

I love creating in black and white because of the contrast it lends us visually.  Black happens to be my “favorite color” so, to combine black with any other color is always aesthetically pleasing  to me.  I use black to define and separate areas.  The outlines become just as important that the other elements in my clay bead designs.

Club Creative Studio creates one-of-a-kind art. This is a hand-made necklace featuring a hand-designed black and white crystal pendant with unique elements.

The stark contrast when using black and white draw our eyes into focus of the division of shape and that seems to attract and keep our attention.

Club Creative Studio creates black and white beads for high contrast focal beads.

I am blogging about black and white today because it is “Cow Appreciation Day” today.  Being from the midwest, cows are pretty important.  I will celebrate them today by creating more black and white beads to match the common milk cow, and the abilities of black and white in art to stand out from the ordinary.  Do you like black and white contrast colors together?  What do you like about black and white accessories?

Club Creative Studio Black and White hand-made cuff bracelet.

Club Creative Studio guitar pic earrings. The black and white contrast is what I love in this design.

The next time you see someone wearing items that are designed in black and white, try to determine why you are drawn to that combination.  They are striking for sure.

Plastic Painting Project Part l

Daughter’s contribution: acrylic painted background.

Club Creative Studio art has a main focus on bead-making, jewelry making and using hand-made clay and glass beads in interesting ways. But, because creativity is limited only to one’s imagination, it is natural that other materials take center stage from time to time.  This post informs you of a group project using mixed media on a painted canvas.

Exploring the uses of a variety of supplies opens your mind to new techniques and use of materials. Sometimes the most unconventional materials used, make a project extra interesting. There is a growth and a new-found appreciation to be found in using new materials. In our mother/daughter art project we used primed canvas, acrylic paint, permanent markers in black and metallic silver, heavy gel gloss medium, recycled plastic soda bottles, ink and hand-made polymer clay beads.

This post is part one of a two part explaination of what we created as our group project.

Many enjoy the challenges of recycling. There is also the thrill to know that you have not only helped develop a creative mode but, you have used throw-away objects in a new and exciting way.

Recently my daughter and I joined forces to create an inspirational painting for the new studio space of Club Creative Studio. I knew that I wanted to incorporate many texts within our canvas because I love being inspired by creative quotes. And my daughter knew that she could contribute by painting the background of the canvas for me to use as a colorful backdrop for whatever was developed on top.  To begin we set up the easel and let her go with the flow for the painted background portion.

acrylic painting swirls of color help create the feeling of movement.

Next, we added the quotes about creativity throughout the entire canvas, using permanent markers and varied the are thickness and font style of each quote applied.  Glossing over the entire surface, we added protection and a slight sheen to the canvas surface. Adding a gloss seems to also intensify the paint tints too so it is a double pleasure to use it.

Inspired by quotes about CREATIVITY.

Finally, we added some unexpected elements by adding recycled and melted plastic bottle flowers, with a hand-made polymer clay bead for each center bloom on the canvas.

Melted plastic bottle formed to be a flower bloom.

Follow this blog post on Two-Cent Tuesday for Part ll of this Plastic Painting Project. I’ll show the completed creation and explain how we made the recycled plastic bottle blooms.

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Celebrating 300 Posts

Club Creative Studio celebrates the 300 th post today!   Enjoy the fun video featuring the latest hand-made wire creations!

Sweet Tweet Bird Theme

Close-up bird theme pendant from Club Creative Studio.

Club Creative Studio highlights a creative item offered through the online storefront website on Feature Fridays.  Today’s post is a new item line and it captures the details of the new Nest Necklaces. Nest Necklaces are fun hand-made, mixed media pendants.  The mini bird nest theme pendants range in size but, average to be about one and one half inches wide in diameter.

Created to celebrate Spring and capture the symbolic images of Spring- nests, bird eggs, new life, and birds.  With a bird theme, each pendant is made to be one-of-a-kind and feature a bird charm along with mixed media elements in metal, clay and or glass findings.

Club Creative Studio’s bird theme hand-made pendant necklace.

Each nest form is hand-twisted from coated color wire.  Added to the theme pendants are metal charm birds and a variety of hand-rolled clay or hand-torched glass beads.

The necklace pendants are especially appreciated by “bird-lovers”, “nature-lovers”, and anyone who likes unique wire worked jewelry.  The pendants are light-weight and colorful.  There are two styles of strands that are featured in this series.  Pendants are designed with either a coordinating multi-strand ribbon strand with an adjustable lobster clasp or a leather-like black cording that has an easy snap closure on the end.  Both type strands compliment the pendant and are very light-weight when worn.

Celebrate nature with bird theme hand-made jewelry art.

Enjoy the new theme collection and find them online from the Club Creative Studio website under the category: Mixed Metals, along with other Art That Sest You Apart!

http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

HAnd-twisted colored wire and mixed-media pendants.

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Chunky and Funky

The chunky style.

 I am feeling chunky today.  Not because I ate too much, it’s because of the great style choice known as fun chunky jewelry.

It is not often that someone would actually appreciate being associated with the term of being called “chunky”. It is a negative counteraction for the most part, and can have health risks associated with the term as well.  Sporting and enjoying a “chunky look” when wearing  jewelry however, is a fun term.  It’s a way to slim down your need for layering or wearing many other jewelry items at once.  This Thursday TNT (This-N-That) post brings attention to the lasting trend in jewelry fashion.  Do you enjoy chunky and funky jewelry fashion?

Club Creative Studio. Hand-made beads incorporated in a chunky style necklace design.

When you wear chunky jewelry, it speaks for itself.  It is known and appreciated as being statement jewelry.  The chunky look is bold and substantial.

I have often shared photos of Club Creative Studio art that fits well into the chunky style category.  I enjoy creating jewelry and offering items with personality.  A festive and funky chunky necklace or bracelet generally contains more beads in its creation, so the chunky look can be achieved.  Adding more beads gives the wearer a deeper appreciation a love of the variety and over-all collection of beads that combine to form one piece of art.

Club Creative Studio Art. http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Chunky style jewelry does not necessarily have to be heavy in weight to wear because of the amount of beads it contains. Chunky yet light-weight beads can be made from clay, leucite, plastic, acrylic, shell and resins and still maintain their comfort associations while looking substantial.

Another fun chunky-style necklace by Club Creative Studio with hand-made clay beads.

Glass, ceramic and wood beads can sometimes add to the overall heaviness of a piece but can still be comfortable to wear.  The comfort you prefer when you chose to adorn a chunky neckline can be decided from the length and weight of the beads in your jewelry.

Although personal style sometimes will supersede how comfortable you really are, a statement piece does not need to weigh you down.  If you do not have many items that are chunky on their own you do have the option of wearing several necklaces or bracelets together at once.  This method is great to utilize your jewelry in different ways and mix up your won combinations.

Triple strand necklace designed by Club Creative Studio.

No matter what your method is for obtaining the chunky look, when you add more jewelry instead of added calories to your body frame, you get noticed for favorable reasons for the most part.  Chunky jewelry does not add calories to your life-style and your figure, the last time I checked.  Enjoy having fun wearing chunky jewelry.

You can happily view and purchase one-of-a-kind chunky style and other varieties of hand-made jewelry and beaded items at http://www.clubcreativestudio.com

Triple strand chunky bracelet by Club Creative Studio.

Join us on Facebook to follow the creativity and enjoy seeing occasional sneak peeks of designs before they hit the online storefront.

http://www.facebook.com/ClubCreativeStudio

Let’s hear it, why do you enjoy wearing, seeing or creating popular chunky style necklaces or bracelets?

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