April is nearly done, taking with it a quixotic mix of weather... I've seen snow, hail, sleet and sunshine in the last week alone.
For a few years now May has often seemed a little like an early summer, with sunshine-filled days and flower-filled vistas. I'm learning not to take this for granted, as we've also had some summers filled with rain and cool winds after a warmer spring. This year I'm hoping both spring and summer will be sunny and bright...
Here's what I've been reading and bookmarking for later reading. I hope you enjoy.
~jewellery links~
Amazing what you can do with some old coins, some copper and a large hammer.
A very handy tip about how to protect gemstones when soldering.
You can never know enough about annealing silver - a useful and succinct page.
If you fancy doing some forging then these earrings look a good place to start.
More forging here, along with other ways to move metal and some great ideas for bangles.
A wonderful guide to making a wire and gemstone pendant - no soldering required!
Tools for texturing metal, including household objects and a clever use for a wooden clothes peg... also has great images of the effects of each tool on the metal.
How to do you identify your different solders? I use a marker pen in a strategic spot (ie, in the middle of the strip) but this article contains an interesting idea if your solder comes in sheets.
~non-jewellery links~
Monsters dreamt up by children and interpreted by artists... (video)
An amazing artist who (legally) copies work by the masters.
Sweet illustrations of creatures from the natural world who also really enjoy a good cocktail. (More from the artist here.) And more wonderful illustrations here, this time from someone who also helps create The Simpsons.
Are you a fan of Instagram? Then you may have heard about the artist who used it as a platform for an elaborate project.
The effects of smog in Beijing via time-lapse footage...
and a fire rainbow cloud in Singapore.
An artist who paints on extraordinary canvases to wonderful effect.
~latest reads~
I've had a quiet time fiction-wise this last month and have been looking to factual books generally, and jewellery books particularly, more.
Wing Mun Devenny's The Complete Guide to Making Wire Jewellery has been reminding me of what I love about working with wire and inspiring me to try new things.
Stringing and Linking Jewelry Workshop by Sian Hamilton is full of projects by a wide variety of jewellers, always good ground for fascinating ideas, and lots of examples of great use of colour.
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Let's hope this May is sun-filled and gentle. Do enjoy your month
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Photo taken by me on the Saxon Shore Way, a surprise walk on a beautiful spring day.
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If you like more links to while some time away then check out my collection in the Jewelled Web from June 2014.
(this post includes affiliate links - please check details here for more info.)
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