Helenes Dreams Etsy Christmas Blog Giveaway! and more...

Hello Everyone! Helenes Dreams Etsy Christmas Blog Giveaway! Lots of new things today, cabs and rings! Some new goodies for Helenes Dreams Shop Metal Smithing - Learning to Use the Jewelers Saw Brand New Cabochons for Metalsmithing! More Recent Articles Search Helenes Dreams

Hey Everyone...its that time. I have been meaning to post a giveaway. With life being so busy lately, I know I have been neglecting my blog a bit. But I would like to make it up to you! As you all know Christmas is around the corner and it is that time of the year again!

These earrings above are some of my newest additions to my Helene's Dreams shop. They are a lot of fun to make. A bit challenging trying to solder a bezel in the center and keeping it there as you heat up....but somehow I learned to pull it off. These have that rustic "worn" look. Really earthy and goes nicely with a pair of jeans and a warm sweater!

Take a look at one of my newest creations. This is my first chunky ring. A tree agate aka moss agate sits in my own handmade fine silver bezel. This ring was fun to make. It was nice especially because I had something of a real size to handle in my fingers. Its easy to see why some metalsmiths only like to make big pieces!

I am still learning to figure out the corners on square bezels. In some cases it appears that one would have to file down the corners so you don't get that pinched look. I did do this here. Just a tip for all you beginners. Hey any tips for me would be so kind of you, as well!

Okay and here is the next new ring...bling bling! A beautiful turquoise cabochon sized at 14 x 10mm sits in my very own handmade bezel as well. I have to say..this was fun too! I really like this size for myself. It is not a huge ring, but it isn't tiny either. Really a lot of deep color and pop to this sweetheart.

Both of these rings are on sale here in my Etsy shop ...Helenes Dreams.

Okay so I just recieved these yesterday and I do have them listed in the shop! These are beautiful lavender jade 10 mm cabochons. Just a gorgeous color. My supplier states they are dyed, but most colored jade are. They really have a royal purple to them. I can't wait to set one of these somewhere!

Okay, so I have a lot in mind with these absolutely beautiful sea foam chalcedony faceted cabochons. The lapidarist cut these very nicely. The facets are precise and catch much light, not to mention the color is mesmerizing. I can see one of these in a gorgeous sterling silver ring myself. I am going to get my "b" tank for my acetylene torch...where I can soon start to work with wider thicker sterling silver.
I will just post one more addition here today..not to bore you all to death! But these cherry quartz are fabulous! They measure a 10 x 8mm and have beautiful rich coloring to them. They have a peachy look to me..just pretty pretty. Yes, I can't wait to set these too! I wish I had more time.

Please vist 101 Best Beads and you can find all of these gorgeous cabochons and much more there! Thanks for taking a moment to leave a comment, to let me know you stopped by! Have a great day!

Yes, I am exploring the world of making my very own bezels now. It is a practice type of thing I would definitely say. But I am finding some hope and slowly but surely in its own unique way, something pretty shows up. Yes, I set this 8mm faceted peruvian pink opal, and well, I guess it has its own style! I think of this as a princess ring..so pink and pretty! I still need to work on my pinched corners, but I am finding that some of my customers actually like this style!

I really like making post earrings too. It is a great way to learn to use your torch because you don't want to melt the bezels when you solder the post and vice versa. It also is a good project to practice using the stick solder, and learning to hold tiny things when you polish..and all of this good stuff.

Even back in the days before I started beading and wire wrapping, I really only wore post earrings! Although I love dangles too, I missed wearing a good post earring. Now, I can make them and it is great. These blue chalcedony are super gorgeous. Just a fun all round glow of blue to lighten your day. At some point, I am going to get a bit more extensive with my designs. Now that I can use my saw more efficiently ...


Now that I am taking my community college course in precious metal fabrication, I am waiting to learn all kinds of new things that I too can also share here with you. So please keep tune to the beginners world of metalsmithing with me. One book that I just recently purchased to help me with setting stones is called " Creative Stonesetting" by John Cogswell. I can't wait to get the book. It has a 5 star rating and lends a lot of ideas and techniques on how to set certain stones and etc.

I know that most of what I will learn will be basic stuff in class. There is just so much to learn, it is really overwhelming. The key for me is to plug away on something new, but make sure that what I am learning ..I get right. So yes, I am still stuck on the fabrication of square bezels. Not perfect, but it is getting better. But I have the round smaller ones down..which I am happy to say. No glues, no adhesives. Just simple pressure metalsmithing techniques are used.

This 9 minute video is by "Susan Lenart Kazmer". She discusses how a jewelers saw can be used.

Okay, so I took my first class at my local community college. And today, I learned how to use my jeweler's saw. I will tell you that up until now, I have never used my saw. Why? Because I am not comfortable with it. But, I am now! So I thought I would scope out some other tutorials for my blogger friends here to share a few things I have learned as well. These several video's will give you a better perspective of how your jewelers saw can work for you.

A Few tips from my personal instructor which helped me out a lot:

1. The teeth of the blade need to face down towards the ground. The cutting action happens on the down stroke, so apply the most pressure during this movement.

2. As you are applying the sawing action, turn your piece of metal as needed if you are wanting to cut out a curved line or corner. This will be easier then turning the saw itself.

3. Don't cut yourself. Build good habits while your learning how to hold your pieces of metal and watch your fingers.



In this 5 minute video you get a more quick perspective of how to use the saw in curved lines when your cutting out your design. I think watching Susan's video first will put this into a better perspective.

Another great place to learn how to use a jewelers saw is this website called, Beaducation. Here you will find a free online video class that really walks you step by step in detail on how to set up your saw adequately. It really is worth it. While your there, check out their free class on how to use a micro torch. It is a very good video that also walks you through the basics of a micro torch.

Have fun making beautiful things. As always, there are some great quality and affordable gemstones at 101BestBeads on ETsy!

Green onyx also known as green chalcedony have arrived today! I can't wait to list them in the bead store. They are absolutely gorgeous. They reflect light with the many facets in their cut. They measure about 7mm if I remember correctly. I can see a few pretty designs made with these!
Smokey quartz always seem to be a Fall/ Winter favorite. These particular stones are very very pretty. They are not so dark and reflect light with a light warm brown. I can't wait to set a few of these myself. I have a few ideas just crawling to get out of my sleeve. If only I can find the time!
I actually will be carrying these in a 6mm and 7mm size cabochon.

Beautiful carnelian..what a hot color! Brings any design alive. These are some pretty faceted carnelian cabs. As if the color was not enough..we add facets and waaalaaah! They certainly catch light and remind me of a sunset every time. They are 7mm as well.

I finally broke down and ordered some AAA amethyst smooth round cabs. Aren't they just beautiful? They really capture purple royalty perfectly. The color is so lively and they are really a nice color. They are not overly too dark, so once you set them you will not see sort of a black purple..NOPE, not these. They are just the right tint. I think these are 6 mm's too!

In the next week I am expecting a lot of new cabs..like pink opal, whiskey quarts and lots of other beautiful cabs. Please check back for more goodies in my etsy bead shop 101 Best Beads!