Do WHAT with smelly eggs!?

I just couldn't believe this when I found out.  When sterling silver is tarnished on purpose, it has an "antique look" or "patina".  There are different ways to GET this look, the most common it seems is Liver of Sulfur.  This is something I'd LOVE to get in the near future!  In the mean time, I found out a very interesting way to obtain a "patina" without the chemical and for little $$ - use a hard boiled egg.  Yeah!  The sulfur in the egg will antique the metal for you!  Sounds crazy... but here's what you're supposed to do:

1.  Boil an egg completely.
2.  Place your items to be antiqued in a plastic ziplock baggie.
3.  Arrange them so they are not touching each other.
4.  Insert the egg in the bag and zip it up.
5.  Crush the egg and watch the steam fill the bag!
6.  Wait... and wait... until the desired level of "darkness" is reached.

Okay, simple enough!  Well, I tried it, and it didn't go so well the first time.  PERHAPS it was due to the fact that, Mom, I never learned to BOIL an egg.  Or I just don't have patience?  All I can say is "over-easy."  I'm going to try again in the near future though.  If you've tried it and had success, let me know!  Maybe also give some tips to us first-timers?  Thanks!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Cutting Wire

A family friend, Sue, recommended to me that I check out the Tronex Razor Flush Wire Cutter #7223 ($50). She says this is the way to go!  Here's the website to visit.  If you've tried it, please let me know what you think!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

WI & MN Bead Shows

I am thrilled that in a few weeks I will be going to my first wholesale bead show! If you are interested in going to a show, first you must check if they require a Tax License Number (shows you are a legal "seller" in your state). Here's a list of upcoming shows around the Midwest:

* Sept 15, 2009 - Rings and Things Bead Tour; Green Bay, WI
* Sept 27-28, 2009 - Mpls Bead Show; Bloomington, MN
* Oct 9-11, 2009 - Wausau Gem Show; Wausau, WI
* Oct 24-25, 2009 - Twin City Bead Bazaar; Hopkins, MN
* Jun 6-13, 2010 - Bead and Button Show; Milwaukee, MN

I will also keep my eye on this website to look for other shows in my area.  I specifcally appreciate the Rock & Gem Magazine Show List towards the bottom.

So that's that!  In a few weeks, I will let you know how it turns out!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Bored? Need to take a breather?

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and PLAY WITH FISH!  :D  It's fun for hours... Just hold your mouse in the box near the fish, and watch them all swim towards your mouse!  Then... move your mouse as they scramble to catch up!  Better yet, CLICK your mouse, and you will put FOOD in their tank!  Then they REALLY move to get there.  Hmm... shouldn't they really be CATS though!?

PS:  I think the blue one is the fastest!  He always seemed to win.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

The Art of Website Creation

Where to start, where to start!?  I want a website that looks professional and that won't break the bank... so I start my research.

FIRST, my sister recommends that I look at etsy.com, a site for any artist making handcrafted goods to sell their wares.  What a great site!  You can start an account, set up your site (very easy), and start posting jewelry right away.  It costs $0.20 to post one item for 4 months, then there is a 3.5% transaction fee when the item is sold.  What's good too is that it is a very popular website.  So?  I am trying my hand at it:  http://www.sliversofsilver.etsy.com/.  Enjoy if you so desire!

SECOND, I want to start my own independent website.  Man, though, it takes a lot of research to understand what's out there.  Do I need to HIRE someone?  Can I make the website MYSELF?  No and yes - that's what I found out.  Here's what I am about to do:

1.  Buy a Domain Name:  A domain name is the http://www.address.com/ at the top of any website.  You need to buy this before you can start this process.  How?  One way is to set one up with the company that hosts your website (more later).  Another way is to go to http://www.godaddy.com/ and buy one from one of the most trusted sites out there.  This is the route I'm going.  I've read that if you buy from your web hosting company (ex:  Prostores, Homestead), THEY may actually own your address.  That means that if you try to go to a new hosting company, you can't transfer your name!  Blah blah blah... to make it simple, I am buying my domain from GoDaddy.

2.  Find a Hosting Website:  This is the website that will SUPPORT your website.  That means that they give you the tools necessary to build your website, and they also can support an e-commerce site for you (an online store)!   Someone buying with a credit card?  They will take care of all that messy stuff, and you just get the "cash"!  ALSO, if you have a problem, they will help with technical support.  So... who do you choose?

I am going with http://www.prostores.com/ because they seem to have a great rate ($30/month, 0.5% transaction fee), and there is a one-month free trial.  I also like the sites that people make using the Prostores templates.  Yes - they provide a template so you don't have to start from square one.  Oh, and did I mention that you don't need to know how to write any code!?  Yeah - good news.  If you want to, though, you CAN edit the HTML code for the website.  You can also upload your website design from a web builder software like Frontpage if you'd like.

I will be using the Prostores template.  While I'm working on it, I will post some updates about progress - let you know how difficult the stuff actually is to use!  *crosses fingers*

Wish me luck!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

I can bend metal!

Want to learn how to wrap a neat wire link?  Check out this video that shows you how to make a scroll:

I like to use a nylon jaw pliers instead of the flat-nose pliers because you will leave no marks on the wire.  Also, I like to leave some space between the wire as you bend it for dramatic effect, but that does take a bit of practice.

Now the challenge! Start by figuring out how to make this one:

Then, but only if you're gutsy, try this one:

Can’t figure it out? Send me a message and I’ll help you out! Hehe. We all have to suffer just a little bit for great art! Plus, I felt great when I figured that last one out on my own. :)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hammering Wire Smooth

These are perhaps my favorite earrings that I've made so far.  My husband thought they were really cool too, which I considered a great feat!  :)

I've bent the wires with a round-nose pliers then hammered them with my trusty picture-hanging hammer.  This gives the metal a sort of rough look, which I appreciate.  I've since learned how to make the silver bright & sparkly - even after hammering.  This requires a perfectly smooth ball-pein hammer, which I purchased at our local bead shop for $8.50.  One artist suggested:

1.  Hammer with the ball side first.
2.  Flip the hammer over and use the flat side to finish off the job.

I tried it, and I approve.  More discovery ahead...

reade more... Résuméabuiyad