B Golden Jewelry School
View from my hotel in Austin, TX
This past Friday, I attended a Flush Setting Course at the B Golden Jewelry School in Austin, Texas. The course was amazing, and our instructor, Donnie Jarvis, was a fantastic instructor!
This was a one-day course designed to work on just one-skill. Flush setting is a skill I’ve done on several designs in the past, but not without a lot of difficulty. My goal for the course was to learn how to properly do the setting, but to also learn where I was making critical mistakes! I learned all of that and so much more!!!
Our tool kit
We were given a kit of 10 2.5mm cubic zirconia stones to set into a copper plate and then later, a brass ring as practice.
Along with lots of information on the mechanics of flush setting and why we take the steps we take to insure a proper stone fit. So much care needs to be taken in properly measuring not only your stones, but also your burs to ensure everything matches up. So many of my past mistakes have come from not having the proper size bur for the stone…along with also not getting my hole the correct size.
Our first step was to measure the stones. Both the height and width. it’s important to measure the height of the stone, so you are sure you have enough metal for the stone, and measuring the width, helps you know what the maximum sized hole you need to drill for the setting.
Once you have your stones measured, you need to drill a pilot hole. This hole allows the point of the faceted stone to have a place to sit. Next, you use incremental sizes of burs, to drill the hole out larger and larger until you get to just under the size of your stone.
It’s important to continually check your stone with the size of the hole, and this takes much longer than you would think! A hole that is too big, will allow the stone to wobble when you go to set. A hole that is too small, will not allow enough metal to be there to secure the stone in place.
As I wanted to really learn the technique, I practiced with half of my stones, and came up with this beautiful piece below. I think I may frame this one and hang it up in the shop! What do you think?
The course was so much fun, with so much knowledge shared! It was great to have a day filled with conversation from other metalsmiths, and to see everyone’s progress and work! I loved it! I am looking forward to really practicing this setting some more, and really perfecting the skill.
Looking Great for Your Next Virtual Meeting
Lately, I’ve had to attend a few more virtual meetings than I have in the past, and as COVID-19 is still here and still a part of our lives, I suspect virtual meetings will become a more normal way of doing business.
So, how do you dress and accessorize for your virtual meeting where you still want to look professional but yet, have a casual comfortable appearance?
The one thing I’ve noticed in particular when it comes to doing meetings online, is that our face and torso are front and center. Because of this, color, lighting and background are very important.
The type of call is also really important. Is this an interview for a new career or position? Board meeting for your favorite interest group? Meeting with your boss or business colleagues? All of these things are considerations when picking out what to wear for that next video call.
Here are a few things that I’ve noticed on my video chats that may help you standout and look your best on your next video chat.
Lighting is very important. Too dark, and you look hidden and unengaged. Too light, and you look washed out and pale. Most of the meetings I’ve attended where the lighting is too dark, it makes the participant appear uninterested or not engaged in the meeting. Too light, and the participant appears washed out and maybe a little sickly. It’s a subtle factor in how you appear to show up to your meeting.
I recently learned, that the best lighting is placed in front of you. For photographs, think standing in the doorway with the sun shining on you (not so bright that you squint), and you want to apply that same concept to your video meetings. For a reasonable fee, there are round LED lights that are perfect for this! Here is a great article on lighting for videos: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/best-led-video-light/. Natural lighting is definitely the best, but that is not always available.
Dressing for your virtual meeting is also really important, as it will convey the right message you are trying to send.
Pick out a color that is complementary to your background, and also flattering with your skin tone. For me, black is a great choice because my background is yellow and the black color usually absorbs some of the background color without making my skin tone appear too yellow. White makes me look too washed out. Dark navy is another one of my favorites, but go with what colors look best for you. If the meeting is a formal one, dress as if you were attending the meeting in person. That means a business suit, nice blouse or shirt, tie, etc.
For accessories, I’ve noticed that statement earrings are great because they bring attention up to your face and the eyes of the viewer in line with your eyes. You will notice that a lot of newscasters and talk show hosts wear bolder earrings during their interviews.
These beautiful handmade sterling silver hoop earrings are a great choice, because they are bold, light and easy to wear, but make a subtle statement:
A short statement necklace is also great, because it also brings the eyes of the viewer to the center of your face and neck. I would avoid anything too long, as it brings the focus down towards the end of the necklace and towards the bottom of the screen, which takes the focus away from you, and places it down below.
Do you use your hands a lot when you talk or for emphasis? Then think about a nice statement ring that will show up on video. The idea is to have your jewelry help enhance your virtual image, not detract from it.
Colorful jewelry is also great. Brightly colored gemstones such as turquoise, amazonite, amethyst, carnelian, to name a few, and bold statement pieces in silver or gold are great attention grabbers.
The idea is to look put together, confident, and your best!
Now go rock that next meeting!!!
All the best!
Chrissi
Happy Memorial Day!
I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of my friends and family a very Happy Memorial Day!
I know this year has felt so different, more revered, more quiet, more contemplative. I hope we can all take a moment to honor those that have worked so hard to protect our country both from enemies we can see, and enemies we can’t. it’s been a strange few months, but a time that has shown me how many people step up, work hard and protect us at the expense of their own health and safety.
THANK YOU to ALL! To those that serve our military, both past and present. To those that have been on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed and we salute you!
Memorial Day is a day I usually spend in contemplation and remembrance of my loved ones that have passed away. This year, I’ve been really remembering my Dad and Brian’s Dad. Both men made large impacts on my life. Both had wonderful entrepreneurial spirits, and both were wise and hard-working men. They taught me to follow my dreams and work hard. I have been really feeling their presence and guidance the past few months. I feel their guiding, loving spirits and hands. I hope I’m making them proud.
All the Best!
Chrissi
Transitions
Hello!
For those that don’t know, my Father-in-Law passed away suddenly on December 27th. It’s been a difficult time for transition, and were are still in shock.
It is times like these, that make you appreciate life, and what is most important. My Father-in-law taught me that when you do what you love the most, you never have to work. Every day is a joy. It has made me realize that I need to put more focus on the fun and joy in my life. I’m more committed than ever to honor this. I love making jewelry more than anything…and I will be committing this year to making bigger and better pieces. To focus more on my craft and skills and to improve and grow as a jeweler and artist.
My desire over this past year has been to make more statement pieces. To push the boundaries of my knowledge and skill. I feel like I’ve unintentionally been holding back. No more. Life is much too short.
I want to thank everyone for all of your thoughts, prayers, kind words through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It has meant so much!
All the best!
Chrissi
New Work!
I'm finally getting around to photographing the new work I've completed for the shop this summer! I'm looking forward to getting some new items up on the site by the end of this week.
I have been trying to branch out and do more multi-stone pendants and add in more beaded items. I started with beads, and they have always been my first love...and I feel like my vision is coming back to a place where the beads meet the metalwork.
This piece, is a stunning example of Congo Malachite! The stone was hand-cut by an artisan lapidary and she captured the fantastic natural pattern of the stone. I absolutely love this piece! I really wrestled with adding a beaded necklace to the pendant, but the stone is so stunning and beautiful all it's own, I didn't want to detract from it's natural appeal.
