Metal Smithing Class

Hey everyone!
It has been a little while since my last post.  On June, 14th of 2013 I had my first metalsmithing work shop. I took the workshop from the Amazon Local deal, to the International School of jewelry and design.

So let's talk about what I learned in 3 hours I learned to Design, Saw, Pierce, File and Polish my design in that order to a wonderful set of earrings on a piece of brass sheet metal measured  2x2.

2x2 Brass plate with some examples of finished pieces

Brainstorming and finalizing design (created by me)

After Tracing the design I stick it on to the brass plate and begin!

This is what we call Piercing (and sawing) I cut the inside first then the outside

one piece out!

Both out (one side was out of proportion to the original design)

This is where I added texture, and some character to it.

This is where I started my polishing, Pre polish > high polish etc

fixing up the rotary

Finished pre polish, high gloss polish, and metalic polish (matte)

Final Products: work time 3hrs.

Also meet my classmate :D he kept me company as I was working!

Good thing was: I didn't break anything. I learned alot from such a short time, and it was alot of fun from being challenged of working with such a small space, to

Bad thing was: WELL to be honest, While learning how to do the sawing our body has to be completely parellel to the bench area.. My arms were SO tired afterwards that they ached all day! terrible but was well worth it.


To be honest, It is one of the most pleasant and MOST enjoyable times I had in my life alone. I made myself a pair of earrings. I am considering starting up a jewelry venture. But let's see how far my ambition will bring me.

Bella Lili: My story and Metal Smithing.

So for a long while now I have been meaning to post some review and tribute to a wonderful friend's jewelry line called Bella Lili! I have been a big fan of Bella Lili and my friend Autumn Phillips since her online store on Etsy in 2009 (my first purchase was 8/19/09) I first fell in love with my dear friends amazing quality work of a simple pendant called
Angel's Tear
the description was covered as "
This gorgeous crystal pendant has an other worldly look and feel. I don't know any other way to explain it. "

Angel's Tear: 2009

Since then I have been hooked on her living pieces of art (as I want to call them) for now... FIVE years :) This was first of many pieces I came to love from her line, I even managed to buy a few things for friends as gifts. In 2010, I had asked Autumn for a custom piece I named fondly "The Lion heart" it a tiny statement piece I had made from me from an inspiration of a friend who had joined the army.   What I told her was A lion to represent strength and courage, wings to symbolize freedom and whimsy, a heart to just make it look cute :) Now on the left photo under this, is how the original lion heart had looked. I had gotten into a severe argument one day with someone I cared about alot and hoped this piece would bring me the courage and the freedom I seeked by confronting the person. It did. Unfortunately after I got into this argument soon after I lost it. I was devastated.

Lion heart: 2012

 On the photo next to it is two years later. I had finally gathered enough time and money to reorder my piece again...close to how the original was but I wanted it fiercer, bolder and stronger. The old one showed a much more softer side and I affectionately had named it the laughing griffon. Now it was stronger, refined, elegant and with an added bonus. They are both one of a kind but the one on the right  can also be worn not only as a necklace but as a brooch as well. It is currently my most treasured item and kept safe. (the photo was it when it was in last stage of the heart being attached)  I wear this not every day but I carry this piece with me to guard me persay and to give me strength when my times are at its worst. Who can say that about their own pieces of art/jewelry?

The original Lion heart: 2010

 One of the few things her pieces she has always hoped for is for her pieces to empower us. I feel that this piece in particular did just that. It brings us close to showing our true self and Autumn's jewelry shows if we can say "raw emotion" at its finest. It brings creativity, inspiration and beauty to people such as like myself to do things more~!If I was to say I had any addiction its the addiction to buying her jewelry. Heres some shots of the most recent beauty I have acquired from her.

Tempest: Created from Tanazite Crystal, Gold Vermeil, and Brass pieces, And very rare Swarovski crystals

Lethal Earrings: Created with brass wings, metal needles , and awesome grey crystals

House of Lords: Foundation pen nibs and writer earring series 

Daphne: Long, beautiful, A classic

Orange Mariposa: cute butterflies with a hint of champange orange. Wonderful for summer.

Gosmancer: Butterfly and Keys whats more awesome than that.

Hermes Heart: it was a beautiful rainbow heart :3

Valiant heart and a Rebellious soul: Her calling card. And words to live by. I follow them closely as well.

Tyge Brimstone: a remake from the original and now in my possession (i got lucky!!!)

As i mentioned earlier, her pieces have inspired many with their bedazzeling uniqueness, its like having a keepsake you will never want to part with and pass on :) In fact what made me so amazed is that everything is handmade by Autumn and carefully cared for til they find their new homes.  Everything from finding the crystals, creating settings (from brass or other pieces)  are cared for so well and that now I have a strong interest in expanding on my knowledge on jewelry making as well. I had decided being inspired by such an extraordinary woman to find my own path and go into metal smithing! I hope one day I can be as amazing as her ^_^

This is how I rate her work

Quality: 10/10
Uniqueness: 10/10
Inspirational: 10/10
Please guys;if you have the time please make sure to check out her site, and enjoy the beauty she brings, her insights and most of all to create a better you even.BellaLili.com
Fb:Facebook Bella Lili

OH! and as a bonus she also HAS! TA-DA! a Swapping and Trade page! and a Pinterest

Last night

I saw a funny message on my way home from dinner
little ones.
"Lets get to know each other ok?"
"If we were face to face it wouldn't be this way"
All this all long the lines of a street called "Hope street"
and a little further down "You + Me"

While people always seem to walk pass graffiti as it was either art of even "trash" sometimes things are clearer when you look at many things at once.

As strangers we hoped to get to know each other, and if we take the path we always walk with uncertainty, but we always have that hope to find a better life and happiness. This alone, and with someone one day.

I understand why, people do and say the things they do now. The moment the liquid surges through your veins, it brings you back up.  It is to remind them of the sufferings, the invitation for cold death to come but him, refusing to find his peace. The warmth of summer on your skin to make you feel alive again. I feel the years of suffering, and I cry for you.
That day. You died.


 Your alive now. Thank you for being born.