Handmade Silver Jewelry by Jo

All the credit for this info goes to Beading Daily!

Trace the contour of the hammerhead for reference on a piece of paper. Make a tracing of both axes of the curve. Take measurements with a caliper if you desire total control over replicating the hammer face prior to the ding.

File down to the deepest depth of the offending mark with a #3 or #2 hand file. Preserve the contour of the hammer face prior to the ding by comparing it to the tracings and measurements you made.

When the mark is filed down and the face profile of the hammer is to your liking, proceed through several grades of sandpaper from coarse to fine until the steel is absolutely smooth and scratch free.

Buff the hammerhead on a polishing arbor with Fabulustre compound until it is polished to a mirror finish. Remove excess compound with a lint-free cloth. Hide the hammer, so no one will ever use it for home repair again.

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Stop by and join in the fun at a benefit for Packages from Home honoring our Servicemen and women! Entertainment, raffles, vendors, and friendly people!
Great coffee and atmosphere!
This Saturday Nov 14th 6-10 pm. 
Bring your friends and family to Downtown Glendale to
A Shot of Java
7003 N 58th Ave
Glendale, AZ 85301-2409
(623) 847-2423

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Come see my jewelry on April 18th, 10-4pm, at Angels Serenity Art Walk!!  Small show, great art, music, and fun! Greenway and Tatum, South-East Corner by Safeway!

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Come to the Art Fair at Katherine Metcalfs from 11-4 on Feb 8th.  This will be held at 1221 E. Winged Foot Rd., Phoenix 85022.  There will be other artists, including jewlery, paintings, crystals for sale, etc and you can also get a tarot reading!  Jewelry by Jo and Woodturned Bowls and pens by Barry will be available!  Come, relax, and have a great time!

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Come on down to the Flagg Gem and Mineral show at Mesa Community College-Southern and Dobson.

We’re set up on the Southwest corner of the show…look for the Big Gray Prevost Bus

and our OdorZout trailer.

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Went to the MacFest in downtown Mesa yesterday and set up our booth of jewelry.  Along came two people from the show and awarded me the first MacFest Blue Ribbon ever given to a jeweler in a show for excellence in my work and my booth!  They also wanted me to know that one of the “secret jurors’ was a jeweler himself and very picky about picking a fellow jeweler!  With over 50 artists there, from woodturners, painters, other jewelers, glass artists, etc, it was quite an honor to be chosen.

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Dichroic Glass was originated by NASA for the space program.  Dichroic glass has a fine film of metal fused to the surface of the glass which gives it amazing sparkle and pizazz.  There are many, many patterns and colors.  Dichroic glass is absolutely one of the most intriging mediums from which to make jewelry.

Although it may look like something easy to make, it takes a lot of practice and knowledge to put the pieces together.  Most of the Dichroic jewelry you see has anywhere from 2-4 layers of glass, but may have even more. 

You must pick the layers carefully; color, textures, surface of the glass, types of glass must be compatible, and chosen to co-exist to form a beautiful finished product.  Carefully cut by hand and then layered together, they await to be fused (melted) together in a kiln.

The glass is carefully fused together in a kiln brought up to over 1600 degrees for hours, and then left overnight to cool.  If done correctly, pendants made of fused glass may be made into stunning pendants, earrings, rings, etc.  It can also be made into larger plates, trays or dishes by designing pieces of Dichroic glass into other types of glass.  Once again, adding sparkle to a eye-catching piece of art.

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Well, it’s official…it’s finally written in Lapidary Journal’s (the bible of jewelry makers) newsletter, a ”Goldsmith” makes jewelry-size pieces; a “Silversmith” forms big pieces used for function, such as teapots, gravy boats, etc.  So, I’m officially a Goldsmith!

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Come show your support for a diverse group of talented local artists and their quality handcrafted items, on Sunday Dec. 14th from 9am until 2pm.  Great gifts for yourself, friends or family!!! Stop by for unique handmade gifts. . Phoenix, AZ 85022 7th ST to Coral Gables (between Greenway and Thunderbird-Circle K at the light)West on Coral Gables 4 blocks to Hana Maui and turn North Proceed to the end of the second block.

15626 N. Hana Maui Dr

 Lots to choose from-BUY LOCAL!  BUY DIRECT!

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First Friday is upon us, and I just wanted to fill you in on a few places you can view my work.

First, is the “Opening Reception” at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, Metals and Jewelry Exhibition at 1202 N. Third St in Phoenix from 6-8 p.m.  Best bet for parking is the parking lot just north of the bldg, which is a few blocks south of McDowell.

Secondly, Tilt Gallery at 919 W. Fillmore St.  Tilt is a very cool gallery for incredible contemporary photography and fine art.  Stop and and hang out for a while.  My jewelry and Barry’s wood bowls and pens have a permanent display there which will be ever changing so stop in often.

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