22 Days and Four Years Later!

Wow, has it really been four years since I've had anything to share? Actually that's not true, I've just been way to busy! In the past four years I have been exploring various techniques in my jewelry making along with finding my own voice as an artist... It has been an incredible journey through glass, metal, paint and found objects. But now, February 5, 2012, it feels as though it's all coming together. The pieces I have been creating lately incorporate all of my passions with great results!

The true constant in my work has always been color and the need to use ALOT of it! I have been branching out a bit, toward painting functional home decor along with painting on mini wood panels.
Today I am going to share my step by step progress on my latest piece of work, and I'll update as I go.

Surface Prep

Adding Color

Starting Detail Work

Wishing everyone a great day!

 Coco Black



I'm Making Lampwork Glass Beads

"Making mistakes simply means you are learning faster." - Weston H. Agor

Finally! It has been a long road to get here but I am thrilled to say that I am finally making glass beads in my own home studio!

I was a newbie four years ago when I took my first classes in lampworking and then life happened. We moved away and I needed to put this dream on the backburner for awhile... But believe me, once "kissed by the flame" you never forget. Well, with much thanks to my DH (darling husband) Tim, I have been given the opportunity to pursue the dream of making my own lampwork glass for my jewelry designs. In many ways I'm starting from scratch. At the studio where I learned, they handled hooking up all the equipment, torch cleaning, ensuring the kiln was at the right temperature to anneal and refilling the propane and oxygen tanks, even cleaning the beads sometimes when you were in the studio for torch time... Ahhhhh, those were the days! Here's a brief recap of my first week along with pictures.

Day One - I consider this day to be a comical disaster! It is the day where I learned many of the lessons about what NOT to do and spent alot of time getting to know my torch. When you're melting glass around a mandrel it really needs to be in the right part of the flame so the glass can flow easily. The flame, glass, mandrel and your movement all become one and when it's right you can just feel it! I set out with a lofty goal to make 20 beads on my first day, hahahahahaha! Here is a picture of what I got! I know it's not perfectly round but I will cherish this one bead forever! I've nicknamed it Persistence as a reminder to just keep going and push through the mistakes. This was a lessons learned day that I had to go through to get to the next step. Glad it's over...

Day Two and Onward - After day one, I was over my fear of lighting the torch and stressing that my hoses were hooked up properly and was really ready to start practicing making beads. Now remember, I have had three hands - on classes and practice torch time, but that was four years ago and not my own equipment but a good basic foundation to work from. Here are some pics of my progress -

I've got alot of work to do but I'm pretty pleased with the results from my first week.

On a final note, I want to thank Corina Tettinger for writing the book Passing the Flame, I have read it cover to cover twice and have used it countless times as a reference for what I'm doing wrong, not to mention all of the inside tips and tricks she shares, and that's just in the first week! This book has been invaluable in helping me to ramp up quickly and will never be far from my side in the studio! Thanks again Corina and I hope that one day I will get the opportunity to thank you in person. Gotta run now, off for more torch time and practice, practice, practice!

Cheri aka, Coco Black

Calming Blues

Life can be hectic. This week I thought it would be nice to sit back, relax and check out these gorgeous finds in calming shades of blue. Maybe you'll even find something you just can't live without. I've also included a favorite photo of my calming spot taken by my husband, enjoy.

"Summertime Blues" Wallet or Card Holder by Stella Bean, Bristol, CT - $8

Visit Stella Bean: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5912261

"Blazing Spiral" 5 x 7 Art Card by Sandra McCall, Dewey, AZ - $3.50

Visit Sandra McCall: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5905266

"Garden Party" Hand Painted Pendant Necklace by Coco Black, Coco Beach, PR - $18

Visit Coco Black: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5885199

"Buddha" 16 x 16 Handmade Pillow by Pieces, Phoenix, AZ - $25

Visit Pieces: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5895585

Picture of where I go to get calm -

Quote-
"Always behave like a duck - keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath." - Lord Barbizon

Time

Time... No one ever seems to have enough! Each of the items I'm featuring this week represent a great deal of time, patience, attention to detail and skill. I picked the theme time, because last week one of my Pablo y Pucci Calavera trinket boxes was selected to be published in a book called "Slow Handicraft: 80 Handmade Creators and DIY Hot Tips", written by Affa Log and published in China by China Light Industry Press. It is due to be published sometime in June 2007. I'll keep you posted on the details and in the meantime, take a moment and enjoy this week's picks.

"Atlantis", Hand Crafted Charm Bracelet by Coco Black Designs, Coco Beach, PR - $80

Visit my shop: www.cocoblackdesigns.com

"Red Oak Leaf Trivet", by Convergence Designs, Chehalis, WA - $18

Visit Convergence Design: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5807374

"Masks", Original Abstract Art by Pinwheel, Trawsfynydd, UK - $200

Visit Pinwheel: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5820262

"Culebra Dreams", Hand Painted Trinket Box by Coco Black Designs, Coco Beach, PR - $32

Visit my shop: www.cocoblackdesigns.com

"Fern" Stained Glass Window by Neile, Sparta, NJ - $195

Visit Neile at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5072784

The Slow Food International Organization - Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member - supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world. Visit Slow Food International: http://www.slowfood.com/

Quote -

"The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time."

- Henry David Thoreau