EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC

Mom is working on making more lampwork earrings for the show this weekend.

She is using lampwork beads we made, little handstamped charms I made, and then accent beads. I love how they are turning out.

Of course, mom is swearing since they are so tedious to put together. Mom does an amazing job assembling the earrings!!!! I hate that part. I love making the beads and the charms, not so much the assembling part.

Mom and I are setup at Plainfield High School, Plainfield, IN. We are here from 8am to 3pm. If you are in the area, come check out the show.

Mom is making up more Viking Knit bracelets to take to our show next weekend.
The first photo is the double strand Viking Knit with one of the charms.
The second photo is a close up of the double strand bracelet.
The third photo is a comparison between a single strand bracelet and double strand bracelet.
The fourth photo is what mom is working on.
The fifth photo is a photo of the completed bracelets.
The last photo is the two bracelets we are adding charms to.
Both mom and I love how these bracelets are turning out.
What do you think?

Mom and I are setup for our art show today. This is the booth setup.

Mom has taken over the laundry room to work on making Viking Knit bracelets. Last week it got a little bit too cold to work in the garage.
It has been fun trying to do laundry 🙃
Makers gotta make!

Finishing Viking Knit bracelets with end caps and clasps. Beth and I start weaving wire around a dowel rod. Then I pull the woven wire through a draw plate to condense the diameter. I cut into various lengths and add end caps and clasps to finish the bracelet.

I love working with fire!
I use my lampworking torch to clean up the trivet marks left on the pendants when I enamel.
I am sure there are other ways to remove the trivet marks, but this works best for me.
In all the years I have done this, there is only once I wasn't paying attention and I got a little too close to the flame. I was lucky and just barely singed myself. I sure learned my lesson and to pay attention!

I must say these are the smallest pendants I have sawed. Each of the dragons will go on the Viking knit bracelet I made with end caps and clasp. This is a special order. Hopefully the young man will like one of the finished products. Next up Beth has to enamel the dragons. She will be a swearing up a blue streak😜 She will have to use a dental pick to make sure all the holes are clear of enamel before putting in the kiln.

Handweaving Viking Knit chain with 26 gauge non-tarnish wire for a special order. Young man wants a bracelet with an enameled copper dragon head attached. After done weaving, I will pull it threw a drawplate until I get the diameter I want. Then I will attach color matched end caps and lobster clasp. Next will be sawing out dragon heads.

Sanding copper is a messy task. After I saw the exterior and interior holes, I first file all the raw edges and then sand them all on both sides with two grades of sandpaper. Where’s Beth!!!! Oh yes, she is next up with enameling. Yes Vic, I have my mask on.

Exteriors of the copper have been sawed. Next up is drilling pilot holes with the flex shaft. Then I will saw out the interiors. The Liquid Wrench belonged to my dad but still works well as a lubricant for the drill bit.

Sleepy Creek Winery in Oakwood Illinois. Artists, live music and wine. Come see us. Open until 6 central time.

Evie is back on track sawing, filing and sanding. Beth will then go on an enameling spree.

Working on bracelet bars now. After Beth enamels them, they will be attached to leather adjustable size bands. I measure out the pieces from scrap copper, saw the perimeters and the leather strap holes, file the edges, then use two grades of sandpaper to prep the surfaces for enameling.

Finished sawing/filing/sanding pine trees and Thor’s Hammer. Next up I am sawing blanks for enameled copper decal earrings. I will file the edges and sand. I’ve drilled the pilot holes for the jump rings which will be attached to Sterling Silver ear wires. After I am finished, Beth will do her enameling magic, then apply the decals and reheat in the kiln to affix to surface. Then I will assemble the earrings, attach to earring stands, put rubber stoppers on the earwires and attach price tags.

Progress sawing a special order of Thor’s Hammer, Arizona and pine trees in Colorado. Customer only wants the pine tree in the lower left, but decided to go ahead and saw out the other two possibilities to put in our last show in November. I still have to file and sand, but I am done for today. Not sure if Beth plans on enameling this weekend.