Wire wrapped beaded braclet

Playing with wire!

Not sure I am in love with this piece. First attempt at a wire frame and bead wrapped crystals. It has potential. My critique is this is too chaotic for my taste. Maybe others have an opinion I could consider? Let me know!

It has been too long!

Well today I put my school work aside and made time to craft! I have been a little overwhelmed with school and have not made time to work in the studio and I have missed it! I am on vacation from work so today I put everything else on hold!!! I finished the earrings that someone requested to purchase! They seemed to take more time the second time I made them, I am not sure why I struggled so much with the loops this time. I guess I need to keep practicing! 

This time I made the ear wire and added a bead to the wire.

I also made a new project of spiral earrings! I really like this one. 

 

The next time I can make time in the shop I will have to make a necklace to go with it! 

Sea glass & copper spiral earrings

Today I was introduced to Pinterest and saw a cool necklace with a square bead hung from a spiral finding. Yesterday I taught myself how to make ear wires that included spirals. Today I made these! Love sea glass! Blue sea glass beads with 24g copper wire spiral finding. Simple loop 20g ear wire made from silver plated nickel free wire!

Starting The requested tranquility earrings

Oh, learned how to use my dremel today! My brother gave it to me about 10 years ago!!!

Basic ear wire!

Taught myself how to make basic ear wires! Used copper, wish I used silver, they came out great!

Spiral charm and tigers eye bead to match tigers eye braclet

Tigers eye braclet

Rain cloud inspired earrings

Layered necklace

Unfortunately school and work have taken up much of my time lately. I was able to work in the shop today and make this necklace. It was made using copper, brass, wire and beads. The techniques practiced today were cutting, cold connections and wrapping. 

Tree and leaf/moon and stone

I used embossing, dapping and sawing on this charm. 

2nd pair of tranquility earrings made!

I am so very excited! The first pair (silver) are pretty and made with small wooden dapping block. I wanted the disks to have a deeper dome. Here is my new dapping set along with the copper tranquility earrings! I am learning how to put together the pieces better and have to give a shout out to my dear friend Shakira  who offered some awesome advice and made this set go together a great deal smoother! 

First attempt tranquility earring

Kiln bricks have arrived!!

My kiln bricks for torch work have arrived! So excited. A few new supplies purchased! Working on tranquility earrings today! I hope they turn out good! A few special people in mind who have been amazing on my team at work! 

Circles cut, hand sanding in progress, update when done!!!

Friday

Hello, busy week at work and no time for the shop. However it is Friday and I am only working a few hours. I am going to purchase a few more tools and practice my sawing and filing skills.

Gained more tools and practicing technique

Hello!

I hope your weekend was as good as mine! I bought a few more tools. I amid now the owner of a power punch kit (40% off might I add!), a rind mandrel, jewelers mini file, sand bag for hammering, and my first chasing hammer (15% off) love sales! The more I save the quicker I can get tools.

I bought a copper pipe so I can practice some ring techniques. I have practiced straight line cutting, jagged line, and wavy line. It is going well for my first time using a jewelers saw. The blade broke when I was almost done with the third cut. From what I have been reading, this is standard. I tried out the power punch and it works great! I will be trying some etching later too!

 Here are the new tools to add to the workshop.

Also just so I can track my progress here are my first attempts at cutting!

Now to practice sawing out negative spaces with an actual goal, not just free hand! 

Look!!!! I am so happy, it came out good!

First attempt at etching not bad!

3 brass bangles ready to etch!!!

setting up for an etching project!

I have an hour and a half before I head out so I am going to get everything set up and ready for the brass bangle bracelets tomorrow. I plan to prepare 3 tonight in the studio so I will be ready to etch them tomorrow.

We will see how they turn out and I will know if I need to try and change my technique or designs!

I am going to use two different rubber stamps and a free hand design. I will post pictures once I get them inked!

Getting started!

When I bought my house there was a basement with one finished room in it. It happened to be a small kitchen. I knew right then I had the perfect craft studio, little did I know it was going to start to fill up with metal smith tools!

So far I have my butane torch,

a metal disc cutter

a 1 pound brass hammer

Blank brass bangles to etch once I get tools

 Third hand, which we all need from time to time...

 And my new jewelers saw tool kit that just came in the mail!!! A little excited if you can't tell!

There are other tools I have already owned and am still working on putting together the assorted tool boxes for the different processes I am looking forward to learning!!!

Welcome

Hello,

My name is Audrey and I am on a journey. I invite you to follow along if you would like. I am going to teach myself how to metal smith and create fantastic pieces of jewelry. You may be curious how this began and maybe why I want to share this journey!

I have always been a crafter and artist at heart. It was never considered important enough in my past family to pursue this as a career or life goal, however, as time passes the calling becomes stronger and more intense. I really can't ignore this desire within to create! I stumbled across an apple application called Craftsy and watched my first how to video on metal work and how to use a torch. Can you say hook, line and sinker??? I was in love. I have seen beautiful hand made jewelry in the past, but never the process and I guess I just assumed it was way out of my league. This tutorial made me realize I CAN make metal pieces into the shapes and styles I wish.

I want to share this journey because I am absolutely excited to venture out on this path to find the fire within to wield its magick upon metal! Imagine a flat shapeless piece of metal turned into a beautiful work of art you can wear!

This is the reason I am calling this blog Brigid's Fire. Brigid is the Goddess of smith's, poet's, and healer's. I am a registered nurse and have been practicing the art of healing at work and on a personal journey for some time. I have written poetry, songs, and spiritual ceremonies as long as I can remember. I have always crafted with as many medium's as I can get my hands on. Now it is time to explore the smith-craft side of things. Brigid, also known as Bride is thought to inspire the smith to create things of beauty, elegance and strength. I consider it poetry in metal.

I desire to create pieces of jewelry that the wearer not only desires the look, but feels drawn to and helps to create a feeling of love, peace, and healing when worn. I look forward to sharing my journey with anyone who wishes to come along for the ride!