Kevin Potter's Purple Hydraulic Press

I have one in my studio!!! Thank you Kevin!!!!! 

"This new style is stronger and only has welds in the compression state - no welds in a tension state. The press is also powder-coated purple. Other colors soon to follow. It takes a 20 ton jack - either standard height or low profile. The 5 x 5 upper platen is magnetic. It still contains all the features that made the previous models so popular: anti-tip platen; nylon platen guides; efficient tool mounting system; elegant design as well as all US-made components in the frame."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhnEJIwiVFE&feature=player_embedded#!

YOJ Week 12 - The Knotted Cuff

Today I would like to introduce you to the "Knotted" cuff, the "Ugly" cuffs much prettier cousin.... :-)

 

Earlier this week I was experimenting with riveting wire patterns to a cuff. I went a little overboard and the piece became a perfect contestant for the "Show us your Ugliest" contest over at WWJArtists on Facebook. Scroll down if you're curious......

The Ugly Cuff

But it does present some interesting design opportunities, no?

New Video - Class Act Bangle

Check it out here....

I entered a "Show us your Ugliest" contest.....

oh, I so want to win!!!!

Admittedly, some are so ugly, they're almost interesting....what do you think?

April Showers bring...

oh wait....

oh what the heck, it's been one of the most beautiful spring weeks in the history of ever, so ...enjoy!

So this is me....

And yes, I have been know to wear my headgear to the grocery store.... :-)

YOJ Week 11 - The Fold Formed, Textured, Layered, Riveted and Flame Painted Cuff

AND......you just might be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound while wearing! :-)

Win a Custom Created Birds Nest Ring!

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YOJ Week 10 - Composite Opal Ring

I came across this piece of composite opal at the Tucson Gem Show and have been admiring it daily, while waiting for the muse to give me some direction. We have been in a ring making rut for quite some time now, she and I, she's a stubborn thing and feels we're no where near exhausting all the wire/stone ring design options.

But this one gave me fits! There's no hole in the stone, so getting it stabilized, centered and laying flat was somewhat of a challenge. I restarted it approx 5 times, getting 2 out of 3 cooperating, then realizing there was no way to get all 3. Flung it more than once...

It did finally come together and I am fairly pleased with the outcome. Photographing the piece to get a nice shot of it's "opal-ness" was yet another challenge. Proud of myself for resisting the urge to fling my camera.....

YOJ Week 9 - 5th Bead Soup Blog Party

Aaaack, the midnight deadline is almost here and I'm still tweaking! My creative muse seems to thrive on pressure; we fight about it all the time....sometimes I lock her in the basement but then I have to let her out cuz she has all the good idea's....

But I digress....

My bead soup partner Elizabeth Auld, who writes the blog Beads for Busy Gals, sent me some great beads, wire and THE most beautiful clasp! She seems to be aware of my penchant for putting metal on everything.  :-) The last time I participated in a blog hop, I was not aware that I was allowed to make more than one piece, but I have since been liberated of that misconception.

So here ya go....

 What I Started With

My Focal & Clasp Piece

Close up of Focal

My Lariat

My Bracelet

And you can check out the rest of the Bead Soup Blog Hoppers here.....