Erin Jane Designs » The Studio http://erinjanedesigns.com modern metalsmith jewelry Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:22:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 In the weeds! http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/12/in-the-weeds/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/12/in-the-weeds/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:30:54 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=1247 Oh gosh!  I’ve been in the weeds (in a good way), pumping out lots of jewelry Christmas gifties for everyone for the last couple weeks.  So, that’s my excuse for being absent lately.  Oh, and I had my handbag stolen…with my camera in it!  So devastating.  If you have ever had a wallet, etc stolen, you know what a giant pain it is.  Such a time suck, so violating.  Just generally yucky.  And not having a camera is just plain weird for me.  So, iPhone pictures will have to suffice for a while.  Actually, they are pretty fun, but I miss my camera desperately…

A few more things to pack up…but I will be back soon!

Hope you are enjoying the season so far!

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/12/in-the-weeds/feed/ 0 Problems in the studio http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/problems-in-the-studio/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/problems-in-the-studio/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:09:56 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=1127 I got a few new tools!  You know how I LOVE tools.  I finally got a polishing motor.  I’ve been doing all my polishing using my flexshaft, which is fine, but I finally upgraded!  I didn’t think I had room for such a big piece of equipment in my little studio, but then I found this little guy and it’s just perfect.

I also got an ultrasonic cleaner.  I CAN”T WAIT to use it!

The unfortunate part of this story is that I also had to replace a whole bunch of other things in my studio.  I’ve had some kind of strange contamination going on and I can’t for the life of me figure out what it is.  Help?

Long, long story short…

My solder is turning black after it’s been in the pickle.  I’m also having a horrible time getting my solder to flow.  I’ve changed my pickle 3 times now.  I don’t think it’s that.  I’ve cleaned all my picks and tweezers, got a new brush for flux and it’s still happening.  Here’s what it looks like – these are both after soldering (or unsoldering, in the case of the ring) and after being pickled.  And before I changed my pickle the last time, it wasn’t just the solder joins that were black – there were blotchy black spots all over the silver.  It happens on gold too – not as bad.  So gross.

My last guess is my flux?  So, I got new flux yesterday and will have to see if that solves it.  Cross your fingers for me and if you have any other ideas, please let me know!  It’s driving me crazy!

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/problems-in-the-studio/feed/ 10 Phew! http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/phew-2/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/phew-2/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:34:08 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=1121 I finished up an order for some Double Money Clips yesterday and thought I’d share a couple pictures with you.  Gosh that was a lot of silver.  Whoa.

Almost there…

We’ll just say a “while” later : )…DONE!

Today my fingers rest.  My hand is healing well and I can even take my splint off from time to time, which is so, so wonderful.  I’m almost back to 100%!  Hooray!  Looking forward to creating some new designs and getting ramped up for the holidays.  Yep, I said holidays.  Can you believe it?!


]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/09/phew-2/feed/ 2 Today in the studio http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/05/today-in-the-studio/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/05/today-in-the-studio/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 01:19:45 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=876 Hi there.  Just a short post today.  I’ve had some time in the last few days to work on some new things.  It feels like a long time since I’ve been able to do that.  It was nice.  So, I thought I’d share some of my works in progress AND a new tool (I love tools!) today…

I saw a tutorial on how to use these tweezers on the Etsy Metal Blog and knew instantly I had to have them.  Oh my gosh, they are so awesome.  No more trying to balance the shank on the setting before soldering and then bumping my block 1,000 times and have to start over with the tricky balancing.  Phew!  What a relief these guys are!

I have a few new things to set, finish and photograph.  I’m really excited about all of them.  The 14k gold tourmaline stacking rings are my favorite!  I can’t wait to finish them and share with you.  I have a few more things up my sleeve, but I’m planning to update my shop next week with some new and fun goodies for you!

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/05/today-in-the-studio/feed/ 4 Bench Organization http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/01/bench-organization/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/01/bench-organization/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:09:49 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=743 I am in organizational mode in my studio.  I keep (and will keep) getting more equipment and tools, but my studio stays the same size, so staying organized is super duper important.  Plus, the more little itty bitty things I have, the easier they get lost, especially on an insane bench like I have.  So, I got a new bench organizer for hammers, mandrels, etc.  No more beating up my poor hammers against one another.

And a nice row of drawers to stash more junk.  What a difference it makes!!  I can see things on my bench!  Yay for organizing!

And, I also got some new tools and equipment…ahhh.  Next to getting new gems, there’s nothing more exciting than some new things to play with in the studio.  It could become an illness if I’m not careful.  Here’s my new soldering pad.  The third hands on this thing will hold ANYTHING.  I was so happy to get this and say goodbye to my old, droopy, weak, third hand.  Love, love, love.

But, this little cutie might be my most favorite new addition.  It’s a knife edge Shofu Greenie and it’s a magical little polisher.  Perfect for those tight spots when you want a high shine.  Next, I might have to get the whole polishing kit.  I love it.

My good friend Dana showed my this while I was at her studio one day.  If any of you lovely readers are in the Seattle area and looking for jewelry classes, check out Danaca Design.  What an amazing studio and an amazing co-op of teachers.  It’s a wonderful community.

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2011/01/bench-organization/feed/ 2 My day… http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/my-day/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/my-day/#comments Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:27:17 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=545 Went to the gym.
Got a hair cut.
Contemplated the haircut.
Decided I love the haircut!
Took a picture of my new haircut.


Tried to figure out why I always look so mad when I take a photo of myself.
Got in the studio.
Got a gift from Lulu.


Threw the beloved pink elephant for Lulu…many times.

Tried to convince Kyra to come and hang out with us in the studio.
Failed to convince Kyra to come and hang out with us in the studio.

Finished my orders.
Made soup.
Will soon eat soup with hubby.


What did YOU do today? !

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/my-day/feed/ 2 Studio Song http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/studio-song-2/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/studio-song-2/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:06:49 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=535 I LOVE this song.  You will first have to get past the vulgarity in this song, then you will get it stuck in your head and want to hear it again and again.  It’s simply called Fuck You, by Cee Lo.

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/09/studio-song-2/feed/ 0 The beginnings of a shop update http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/08/the-beginnings-of-a-shop-update/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/08/the-beginnings-of-a-shop-update/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:52:52 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=486 Well, haven’t I been quiet?!  I’ve been keeping up with orders and working on some custom designs.  And, feeling pretty yucky physically, so my energy has been low and blogging sounded too hard.  Plus, when you hurt, it’s hard to sound happy and upbeat.  Not to worry – I have a Dr’s appointment on Monday and hope to get started on the path to recovery.

Yesterday I felt particularly good and decided to work on some new designs that have been waiting patiently for me in my sketchbook.  Next week I will be doing a big shop update and putting some things ON SALE!  I think if you have a SALE, it should be in all caps.  I think it’s actually a law.   Anyway, here are some items that are ready for the tumbler for some polishing before I set their lovely stones.  Lots more than just these guy coming too!

We will be having an absolutely gorgeous weekend here in Seattle and I plan on enjoying it as the summer dies down and it’s time to start thinking about fall.  Yikes!  But, in the meantime, lots of sun, swimming, gardening and enjoying summer.

]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/08/the-beginnings-of-a-shop-update/feed/ 0 Studio Tour http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/07/studio-tour/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/07/studio-tour/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:56:45 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/?p=456 I took some time to clean my frighteningly filthy, cluttered, unorganized studio a couple weeks ago.  After a lot of organizing, sorting, and scrubbing my studio shined!  It looked so nice I thought I had better document it.  It would be just days until it was back to being a big old mess.  Enjoy!

My studio…

Here is where I do wire work, keep all my chain, make bezels, and sketch…

Right behind is my Jeweler’s Bench – aka a desk from Ikea bolted to the wall.

Old pens without the ink make great saw blade holders!

My saving grace…Prip’s flux.  I no longer deal with fire scale!  You can also make your own.

My mirror that also doubles as my list of things I need (and want!).  If I don’t write things down as soon as I realize I’m about out of something – it’s gone from my brain.

My shelf of cabochons…so nicely organized!


]]> http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/07/studio-tour/feed/ 3 Show and Tell Time + Next Week’s News http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/05/show-and-tell-time-next-weeks-news/ http://erinjanedesigns.com/2010/05/show-and-tell-time-next-weeks-news/#comments Sat, 01 May 2010 14:56:00 +0000 Erin Jane http://erinjanedesigns.com/wp/2010/05/show-and-tell-time-next-weeks-news/ Well, finally! I can show you my new gift from myself to myself! She came the other day and I still haven’t attached the handle, but soon… It’s a bench shear! So excited! I can’t tell you how long my money clips take me…saw a crooked line, then sand and sand and sand…and sand some more to make it perfect. But, now, this little shear will help me make perfectly straight lines and cut down on my sanding time by 80%, at least. Obviously not just saving time on money clips, but so many other things. I have a hand shear and the serrated edge it makes, also takes tons of time to sand down, so YAY!

I also got this Key Holder as a free gift…..wow. Thanks. I will literally never use this – ever. How random.
And, last, but not least, here’s what I’ve been working on. Lots of these little guys are ready to list! So, I will be posting photos and links soon. I have some process photos that I will also share next week. Lots coming up! I am still waiting on my website completion, but I did update all my other branding (except on my blog…which will be moving anyway). So, check out my Facebook page and My Etsy Shop and let me know how they look!

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