Graduate Jeweler

After 3 months of being away from my family and friends- I finally graduated!!

Alan Revere handing me The Diploma!

Theft is a nasty thing!

My apologies for being out of touch... I was the victim of hotel burglary! A few weeks ago, while I was in class, my hotel room was broken into and most of all my belongings were stolen (including my laptop).
I am just now getting the opportunity to finally blog again on my new laptop. So, get ready for many blog entries!!
xoxo-
alana

It's Bling'n TIme!!!!

When I visit my Dot-Dot (grandmother) she always says,

"It's Hug'n Time!!"

I love how she says it every time when we hug---

So, I am adapting the phrase to my jewelry...now when its time for me to show you some Jewels-I'm gonna say, "It's Bling'n Time!!

Here's my Bling for the week--------Rings and Earrings are always my favorite things to make!

This ring is Sterling Silver with a Druzy Quartz that has developed on a piece of petrified wood. I wanted to make the back fun so I added some squiggles. This ring is probably my most favorite so far. It is a show stopper for sure. Really different- but totally gorgeous!!

These are Sterling Silver Earrings that I made for myself. I am going to be making about 5-7 pairs of these (of course each pair will be different). Some will have stones set in them and some will have something dangling in the middle.... I am loving Ovals lately--- So you will just have to wait and see what I create :)

This is a hollow box ring that we were required to make in one of our Fabrication classes. I thought the ring was a bit masculine and perhaps a little boring- so I added this beautiful Druzy Quartz and textured the ring shank. I think the ring is very unique-

I do Crack

No no no- not the drug! My fingers crack! Can you see how nasty they are!!??

Jewelry can be very glamorous- but making jewelry is far from it! I always have charcoal on my face, cracks in my fingers, dirt on my hands-

But you know what?? - I love every minute of it!!

So repair class has not exactly been my favorite class- but I have learned a great deal! Below are the links to a Tennis Bracelet- I had to "prepare" the links, rivet the links together, and set the stones... The three links are about the size of my small fingernail.

This ring was the last project we worked on today. First we set the stone- and then when it was all nice and pretty, we had to file one of the prongs down so we could learn how to re-tip. The prong on the bottom left is the one I filed down. Since this picture, I have re-tipped the prong. (but forgot to take the final pic- you get the point though- right?)

Well now that I have shown you my dirty side- I am off to get some shut-eye!! I have one more day of repair class. Yay!!

One thing is for sure, I do not want to pursue a career in the jewelry repair industry!

But at least I am learning!

Night Night

Don't trust me with your diamonds just yet....

Ready and Eager to start stone setting....

I learned how to use a Graver. This tool helps with many aspects of stone setting.

Food for thought: This star that I carved is smaller than my pinkie nail

What I see through my optiviser:

Before:

After:

(Forgot to take the final picture- after the middle stone was set-ooops)

Doesn't take long for me to get unorganized!!!

Happy Me

Just a few of the projects I worked on in Stone Setting ....

The INCREDIBLY sweet delivery I received while in class on Valentines Day! My Hubby is the BEST!! Thank you sweety!!!!

Stone Setting was an Amazing experience. But the skill isn't learned overnight! I have a lot of practicing to do- and I can't wait to begin!

Foil, Doodles, and Smiles....

Jewelry Design has been my favorite class so far. It was such a different experience and pushed me to use my brain in a completely different way. When the class first began yesterday morning, Alan Revere gave us lots of foil and told us to start making jewelry. He kept telling us to never let our fingers stop moving. I found that my brain had no ideas for designs- but my fingers kept twisting, crunching, folding, and shaping the foil into shapes that eventually led to jewelry. It was a quick exercise but was filled with fun and laughter. After a few minutes he told us to wear our jewelry. What a HOOT!!! Regardless, there were actually quite a few wonderful creations.

Here are two of my foil creations:

1. a folded "ruffled" cuff bracelet

2. a pair of fan earrings

Another project we were given was creating a necklace inspired by something from nature. I chose a leaf- which I then traced:

I really liked the way the veins looked. So I re-traced just the veins 3 times side by side- and then added some circles at the bottom to illustrate where stones could be places:

From here, I created a necklace... Not exactly my taste- But a nice concept nonetheless:

Another exercise we were given involved quite a bit of evolving doodles. These next two renderings of earrings began as "blind" doodles of a house, the golden gate bridge, the inside of a clock, and my portrait. I know, I know- sounds weird and hard to believe.... But after following the steps he gave us- this is what I created:

I can't wait to make the earrings below! These were my favorite by far. :)

Thin sheets of aluminum were used next. We were told to make shapes that could become links to a bracelet. After coming up with several designs, I ended up with the following three bracelets:

After 16 hours of design class - I received my certificate:

Here is a picture of the World Renowned Master Jeweler, Alan Revere, and the "Can't Wait to be world renown master jeweler,"ME!:

I am so thrilled I was able to share my experience with you! And I can't wait to start designing in this new light! Until next time.....

Jewelry School Update

Just wanted to update everyone on my status...I am still in San Francisco attending Jewelry School-and I have to say that this has been the time of my life!! I am learning so much and I cannot wait to buy some more batteries for my camera so I can share some pics of my latest designs with you.

I am so excited for this upcoming week. I am taking Design class this weekend with Alan Revere (the "Brad Pitt" of the Jewelry industry) And starting on Monday, I will be taking Stone Setting for 11 days straight. In addition, I will be featured in a local magazine showcasing my jewelry journey and designs. The 380Guide Magazines will be mailed out this week - so I am thrilled to hear what my friends and family think!