Riveted-mixed-metal-cuff-with-lake-superior-cabochon

Hammered-brass-cuff-with-copper-peace sign

Texturing Metal

I was surfing around looking for some texture plates to either hammer on, or use with my new big kick, and I stumbled upon this blog by Jane Cather.
She has some wonder ideas on texturing metal sheet.
I will try the "paper plate" technique with my big kick. I think that soldering some wire designs onto some German Silver or brass sheet would work very well too!
Here is a sample of her "paper plate" technique....

Awesome YouTube Videos on Metalworking by Nancy Hamilton

I was looking through YouTube to add some instructional videos to the playlist on my website (still under construction), and I kept finding myself draw to Nancy Hamilton's videos. She is teaching things that I want to learn, new ways to do things I had already learned, and made me smile the whole way through!
Most of her videos feature metal working of some kind. Definitely check it out if you are interested in any kind of metal work!
Here's a little preview:
With that being said, let me know if you are interested in any certain skills, or tutorials I can make or find for you!
Happy Earth Day!

Copper Wire & Wine Bottles

Copper Wire and Wine Bottles...who knew

Came across this on facebook this morning. Copper wire and wine bottles turned peacock yard ornament.

I can do this!

Source: etsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

New Copper Bangle Bracelet on Etsy

Source: etsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Playing with my Food - Eye of Round Roast

Sometimes I have to put down my tools and play with my food. I picked up a nice 3 pound eye of round roast at the grocery store the other day. (A long day of waiting for the vet to pull out poor Penny's tooth)

Anywho, I was looking for a different way of cooking up this delicious looking chunk of meat. I came across this recipe on Allrecipes.  So Easy! So delicious!

I did a wet rub with kosher salt, garlic and onion granules and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Let the meat sit for a while to absorb all the goodness
.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.  Place the meat on a rack in a pan with some water and a little oil. (makes good Au jus!) Toss the meat, uncovered into the oven.

Turn the temp down to 475 and cook. I cooked the tasty bundle for 21 minutes as directed and didn't peek (as directed) for 4 hours.I poked at my warm little bundle and decided to repeat the process for another 14 minutes.

 So, only 21 minutes to cook for rare, or plan to heat the slices in Au jus.

 35 minutes if you want it medium and plan to whack some off immediately and toss it on a nice big toasted onion bun!

Up next on playing with my food...adventures in tamale making!

Bubble Wands

I came across the draft of this blog last night while I was giving my blog a long awaited update...

"Yesterday I was making some copper wire wrapped bubble wands to sell at my booth this summer.
I also heard yesterday that my brother had eloped, which must have lead to the strange dream that I had!
I had somehow created a bubble wand that blew giant tie-dyed bubbles, that when dry, became large pieces of tie-dyed cloth. Scarves, blankets, wraps and more! You name it! Now wouldn't THAT be a Magical Bubble wand? Maybe I should do some tie-dying?"

I love dreams!

Copper Wire Peace Sign Tutorial by UP Beads

Easy Breezy Cooper Wire Peace Signs

Before getting started, you will need to have a few things on hand

• Copper Wire- I used 14ga on these
• Copper wire solder and a torch, or soldering iron, solder and flux.
• Flat nose pliers or tongs
• Old metal bowl or pan with cold water
• Pickling solution (if desired) and a plastic pickling pot big enough to submerge your design in
• Soldering block
• Nice friends who will love all the Peace Signs you give them

Step One

Cut wire and form into circle

Step Two

Solder joint using your favortie soldering techinque

Step Three

Sit back and admire your progress

I said Sit Back

Straighten a length of wire and prepare for step 4

Step Four

Cut sections of wire to form the inner body of your peace sign.

Make sure joints fit together as snugly as possible.

Cut some solder and get your torch ready, 

or heat up your soldering iron and flux those joints.

 Ready Steady Solder time.

Step Five

Solder away. I like to solder the top joint first, then the bottom sides and finish with the middle. 

Less chance of your wires moving about this way.

Step Six

With your pliers or tweezers, dip this molten hot beast into a old metal pot of cold water.

Step Seven

 To pickle or not to pickle....
That is the question. Some pieces I like to keep this look. Others, not so much.

Step 8 (if desired)

 Dip your peace sign into some pickling solution. I like to use sparex.

 Make sure to use copper tongs, or your own fancy creation, such as the one I have devised.

Leave your peace sign in the pickle to chillax for several hours or overnight.

TADA!

Now you can tumble or antique your peace sign 

and make all kinds of purdy things for your friends

I made these for mine