Friday, November 5, 2010

The 2010 Etsy Metal Clay Team Charm Bracelet



The Etsy Metal Clay Team will be auctioning off this fantastic handcrafted sterling silver charm bracelet loaded with pure fine silver, bronze and copper charms individually handcrafted and donated by members of the Etsy Metal Clay Team. All proceeds -- that's 100% of the proceeds from the auction -- will benefit Autism Speaks. The charms are loaded with detail and some include colored resins, enamels, gemstone beads, etc. A unique and beautiful collector's item. I will post again when the auction goes live. Please help us help Autism Speaks!

Participate in this auction of a charm bracelet made by members of the Etsy MetalClay Team. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks.Thank You for helping us raise money for this wonderful organization.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ooh La La Christmas Home Tour - New Mexico





Ooh La La Christmas Home Tour in New Mexico, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, started by a group of New Mexicans who wanted to make a difference in the lives of severely injured service men and women. In 2009 and 2010 they chose to support the Wounded Warrior Project. On December 12, 2009 at the Army/Navy game, Ooh La La Christmas was proud to present a check to Wounded Warrior Project for $352,000.


Friday, November 12, 2010 is the date for this years Benefit Dinner & Dance. There will also be a live auction of items donated by local businesses and artists. I have donated two of my jewelry items.

For more information:

OOH LA LA CHRISTMAS
8500 SNAKEDANCE COURT NE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87111
505-856-8582
505-821-4351 FAX

info@oohlalachristmas.org

Monday, September 27, 2010

Water Etching


On Saturday, September 25 - I was fortunate enough to have the time to take a new Metal Clay Class. Water Etching is a technique traditionally used by potters, and is now used by metal clay artist.

I had seen some information on this technique on another artists blog, and thought it would be a intriguing new way to create texture to metal clay. So when I saw the class offered I was thrilled. Our group consisted of only eight artists in the class, all of which have been working with metal clay for several years.

The easiest way to describe this process is that you paint a design on to dry (unfired) clay; using a damp sponge, gently wipe the clay so that the unpainted section is slightly lower than the design; allow the piece to dry again, and then fire. After the piece is fired you can finish it in which ever style you desire.

For my bracelet, it was tumbled for 20 minutes, brass brushed, and a patina added using liver of sulfur. For more information on local classes visit the PMC Guild (www.pmcguild.com) or New Mexico Clay (www.nmclay.com)

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Road to Trinitiy






Earlier this summer we were fortunate enough to have some time available to partake in an exclusive tour of the Trinity Site. Hosted by the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (in Albuquerque, NM) the tour was limited to two bus loads of adventurers.

The Trinity Site is the place where the first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945 at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain Time. Located within the White Sands Missile Range the site was declared a historic landmark in 1975. The 51,500 acre area includes the spot where the bomb was exploded – Ground Zero, the Schmidt/McDonald House – where the plutonium core for the bomb was assembled, and Base Camp – where the scientists and support personnel lived.

Twice a year the site is open to the public – once in the spring and once in the fall.
But our tour took place on June 24, 2010 – and was very different in regards to the volume of people attending the event.

The advantages of going on the tour are that the museums docents provide great information along the way, you don’t have to do the driving, you’re in a comfortable air-conditioned environment, and lunch is included. Did I mention you don’t have to do the driving – you’ll really appreciate this on the way back home.

While there be on the look out for Trinitite – the name given to the green glass that formed on the desert floor from the explosion. Please do not remove any of the Trinitite you might find. Not only is it strictly prohibited, but so much of it has already been removed that there are only a few pieces left to be discovered and enjoyed by the next group of visitors. The piece in the photo was returned to the ground – maybe you can find it again on your adventure to Ground Zero.

BTW: The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will be hosting another Trinity Tour in October 2010. For more information you can visit the museum at 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, or call 505-245-2137. Plus don’t forget to check out their web site: http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/

Trinitite

Ground Zero

For a 360 view of Ground Zero go to:
http://www.uraniumcafe.com/video/Trinity%20Ground%20Zero.mov

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Beginning

This is the start of what will be a batch of 24 Fine Silver Hearts for the Etsy Metal Clay Teams Charm Swap.

Step Two

Allowing the heats to dry for a while with out the aid of a warming plate will give you time to stamp your initials on the back. Plus helps to keep them from warping from drying to fast.

Drying

Hearts need to be completely dry before they can be sanded and smoothed.

Assembly Line

While newer hearts are drying the first ones are being transformed into the mended heart theme.


While newer hearts are drying the first ones are being transformed into the mended heart theme.

Assembly Line (cont)


Bars are added first. Faux rivets are added last

Ready for the Kiln

These became the 24 Mended Hearts for the Etsy Metal Clay Team's Charm Swap. I made 25 - the one extra was a "just in case" one breaks thing.

New Spring Babies

Last year we had a couple of birds that took up residents under our back porch. One of their offspring returned this year to raise another family. From fuzzy babies to feathered fledglings - Just one of those circle of life things :)



Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Artful Mosaic Supplies


Creating the Route 66 Necklace was a long time in the making. I had spotted the Red & Black Ceramic Picasso Faces on Etsy about a year ago – and knew I had to get them – only I hadn’t figured out exactly why.

Dana Flemming a fellow New Mexico artist owns/runs a wonderful Etsy store, known as Artful Mosaic Supplies. Here you’ll find everything for your mosaic needs. She also specializes in MDF shapes for your creations. It was in her store that I found the ceramic Picasso Faces.

Having a love for all things vintage & retro, the faces reminded me of the art deco designs from this by gone era. After the pendant was made it had to be accented by just the right combination of beads. After deciding on the diamond shaped onyx & sterling silver beads, it was evident that only a hand made clasp, created in the cubist style would finish off the necklace.

If you are looking for unique and fun shapes at great prices this is the store to visit.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfulmosaicsupplies

It has been a honor and a privilege to share the success of the Route 66 Necklace with Dana – for if it wasn’t for her ceramic Picasso faces, the necklace may not be here today.

Please Visit Artful Mosaics at: http://artfulmosaicsupplies.blogspot.com/

Friday, May 21, 2010

Get Your Kicks on Route 66


Route 66 Necklace
As seen in Bead Trends Magazine - May 2010

Focal piece infomation:
The Ceramic "Picaso" Face is made by Dana Flemming
Artful Mosaic Supplies: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtfulMosaicSupplies

The Metal Clay (PMC3) work by Carrie Benvenuti
UraniumCafe
http://www.etsy.com/shop/UraniumCafe


Necklace design and fabrication by Carrie Benvenuti


Instrustion available on:
northridgemedia.net/blogs/beadtrends

Friday, March 26, 2010

Marvelous March


Spring has finally arrived, and the snow is starting to melt – visions of warmer weather fill my head. The daffodils leaves are about four inches tall and the trees are starting to bud – and soon the hummingbirds will return – and then the subdued landscape will once again be teaming with life.

And with the change of season, comes new creations designed to celebrate the rebirth of the world around us. The March issue of Bead Trends Magazine offers some wonderful ideas to jumpstart your spring/summer creative thoughts. Included in this issue is my Enchanted Forest Bracelet (pages 22 & 23). The bracelet features handmade bronze charms, a colorful array of 4mm glass beads, and glass leaves. Along with beautiful photos of artists work are tutorials on how each piece was made.

Enjoy your new creative adventure…

Enchanted Forest Bracelet


As seen in the March 2009 issue of Beads Trends Magazine

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Earthquake In Haiti

My heart & prayers go out to the people of Haiti.
The loss and devastation is truly unimaginable.
If you want to help please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Bronze Oak Goddess - Fall 2009

Bronze Elm Goddess - Fall 2009


Bronze Clay Musings

In the summer of 2008 the PMC brand of metal clay released the new and anticipated Bronze Clay. The unveiling took place during the PMC Conference that June. And the world of metal clay has never been the same since.

This revolutionary product offered the versatility of the already popular Silver PMC, but was less expensive, and allowed artists to add new dimensions to their creations.

Over this past summer I started experimenting with this material. I would have liked to participate in a class but the only one available was already full, and it would be several months before the new one would be available. During some online searches, I found a reliable firing schedule on CoolTool.us and decided it was time to give Bronze Clay a try.

Now, what to make… Hum - So many ideas - So little time…

I have a fascination with the steam-punk genre. A blend a fantasy and old world designs – think – Jules Verne. As one travels down “the path not taken” – dare to dream of an alternate future where all our modern day marvels are still powered by steam. And this is where the adventure begins…

The first couple pieces where disc shaped and an experiment in make something look old – they were fired in acid washed carbon which gave them the appearance of a bronze sculpture salvaged from the depths of a long forgotten shipwreck. Purposely distressed and repaired to reflect the way we humans have an innate ability to rise above our own shipwrecks and sail on…

The “Mended Heart” Series was born from this concept. I am not the only one who has created works of art which include the concept of the “mended heart” – and I certainly won’t be the last – just “Google” the name and you’ll understand what I am referring too. But each artist’s creation is different because everyone has their own story, and sees the world in their own way.

After the first successfully firings of the Steam-punk Discs and the Mended Hearts, I set my sights on something more complicated. For a while I had been trying figure out how to create my “Goddess” pendants in a less expensive material other than the fine silver .999 – and still keep them individually handmade. Bronze Clay turned out to be the answer.