Custom Logo Jewelry Tag

Wow, can it be that I last posted five months ago?  That is far too long.  I've been working on another tutorial and it is very close to completion; just a bit of tweaking and soon it will be posted.  More on that later, but for now I'm so excited to share something that I have been wanting for a long time, but needed to work out the logistics.  This something is a jewelry tag with the Wired Lotus logo.  I had wanted to do this in the form of a stamp, but what I wanted was bigger than most jewelry stamps could handle.  This prompted me to contact Tracey from Rolling Mill Resource to see what she could do with her custom low relief patterns.  Tracey looked at some designs that I had for her and she offered her suggestions for a logo that would translate well in a low relief rolling mill pattern.  She then put my final design into a low relief pattern and sent me a sample to see how it would work for me.  See the below photo of two of the samples she sent to me. 

Low Relief Laser Paper Pattern 

The above is a photo of the actual rolling mill relief patterns.  Note that one is three dimensional and the other is sunken in relief.  So, not only did I get my choices with size, but I also was given two different looks to choose from.  For those that patina their work, this makes a huge difference, as when you "rub off" some of the patina to expose the high areas this is what stands out, while the rest of the piece looks more antiqued and dark.  So, the above pattern will sink into the metal and the words will be dark with patina and the below pattern will be three dimensional resulting in the letters and pattern being highlighted with buffing.  How cool is that? 

If I didn't own a rolling mill and I discovered this technique of personalizing all of the jewelry that I give as gifts, then I would surely want one right now!!  I mean, who knew that paper could imprint designs onto metal right in the convenience of my home?  If you are interested in learning more about rolling mills or this technique I have now posted my free rolling mill tutorial at JewelryLessons.com, which can be downloaded and printed from your computer.  See the link below:
http://www.jewelrylessons.com/tutorial/patterning-metals-compact-rolling-mill

Also, check out Tracey's Facebook page, but hold on to your hats, because this will really wow:
http://www.facebook.com/RollingMillResource

As always, thank you for taking time to visit my blog.  I'm excited to be back at it!!

~Susan

Day 2!!

Thanks to my husband, Mike, I now have a place to put my jewelry thoughts, photos and ideas to pen and paper (so to speak).  Last night we worked on the logistics for getting set up on blogger and Scribd.  Computers are a different language for me, so this was very helpful. 

If you click on the pdf link below you will have the opportunity to see my first posting, which is a pictorial lesson on how to use the rolling mill.  With the help of many people this lesson has come to fruition.  The lesson contains dozens of photos, instructions and tips for using the rolling mill.  I designed this lesson for the person starting off with a new rolling mill or for the artist interested in understanding the rolling mill before purchasing one.  I encourage anyone making this purchase a consideration to look at this free lesson and to ask me any questions that are left unanswered after looking at the lesson.  

Why did I create a rolling mill lesson plan?  A couple of years ago, I took a strong interest in wanting to learn about etching metal, as patterned metals appealed to me.  I found the etching process daunting, as I didn't care to have the acids required to etch silver in my house. All pathways, during my research to patterning metals, led to the rolling mill.  After perusing the Internet for a lengthy period I found very little on the process.  The few articles that I did find were helpful to me.  Once I had spent some time with the mill and through trial and error I finally became more comfortable with patterning metals with the rolling mill.  I use my rolling mill almost exclusively for patterning sterling silver and copper. I had vowed to myself that once I became more comfortable with using the rolling mill that I would share what I have learned with others in hope that they could follow an untapped creative muse. 

This lesson was a collaborative effort.  Thanks to Tela, Mike, Astraea, Bruce and Tracey for editing the tutorial and offering constructive suggestions; to Tela for helping me with computer and Photoshop logistics and her constant support; to Ronnie for his quick action to make sure that I had appropriate photo software; to Art and Julie for supporting me from day one by making sure that I have all the right tools and supplies; and a big thanks to Mike who has supported every thing about what I do creatively. 

Free Tutorial: Flat to Fab

Welcome to Wired Lotus. I'm excited to start my new blog featuring information and tutorials about wire-wrapped jewelry.

I'm getting started by sharing this free tutorial --

Flat to Fab: Patterning Metals with the Economy Compact Rolling Mill

(PDF download)

Check it out and let me know what you think.