Argento Alchemy Projects

On my work bench lately...

Working on a new pretty for the Argento Alchemy Esty site!

Kisses,

K

(All images and designs created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Back To School: Studio Work

My Fabrications course is going well so far and I'm really enjoying it!

I'm learning so much!

Both my teacher and my classmates are so awesome and inspirational!

Since a lot of the work we do is rather unglamorous (I smell like machinery and oil when I leave, lol) our studio is reflective of that. It's real, not aesthetically pleasing but not un-so either. We work at jeweler's benches and get to "play" with loads of awesome tools!

This rather blurry shot (sorry) shows our torch station where things get hot and also awesome.

Here's the sketches I did for my current project: an Art Deco inspired pendant.

In the baggy above is hematite cabochon that I'm going to bezel set on my piece and the square is actually sterling silver (my preferred material) in sheet metal form.

We trace the deign onto tracing paper and glue it down to the sheet metal.

Then we very slowly and patiently saw the design out.

P.S., this glue? Fantastic!

I don't want to fall behind in class (I'm pretty fresh to most of the techniques and everyone else is rather advanced.) so I had lots of homework to do.

I don't have a bench yet but an old Ikea table works for now.

Here are my parts all cut out. They still need a LOT of work!

Lots of filing and soldering yet do!

I love how as you work you end up covered in teeny tiny sparkling metal specs that glimmer and glitter!

Incidentally, you sweep that precious stuff up and save it! All "scrap" can be re-melted and re-used, it's still rather valuable. You save money and are environmentally responsible at the same time. I'm a big fan of both!

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Back To School

Last week I started taking a Jewelry Fabrication (i.e., metal smithing) course at the Maitland Art and Art History Society and so far I'm really enjoying it!

I'm also enjoying some of the beautiful grounds there. The society itself is a conglomeration of various historical buildings, art studios, and historical paraphernalia that have all come together to create one awesome group.

And I believe the gardens near the studios are quite lovely, so I thought I'd share one pics.

This particular garden is walled in and has buildings bordering the sides.

There's a lovely little lilly pond right next to the buildings.

And all the stucco and tile work is very intricate and so lovely.

I'm also a big fan of all the blue and turquoise accents amidst the white stucco, terracota, and green expanses.

So pretty.

It almost feels like you've stumbled upon a secret garden.

It's the perfect spot to relax with a cup of coffee before heading into the studio for some hard work and education.

It's also a great spot to read a book.

And it's definitely a little central Florida gem! If you're ever nearby I recommend popping in for a bit!

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission before using.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Friday Funny

I can really get behind Etsy artist Lenny Mud's sense of humor. Tea-hee ;)

Kisses,

K

(Available for purchase at and found via LennyMud on Etsy.)

 

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Saltabie

I first came across Saltabie on Instagram when I saw the #handsthatmake hashtag she started there. It's all about artisans and their wonderful, though often beat up, hands that create wonderful things. As a jewlery designer, artist, and crafter I found it really inspiring so I followed her feed.

Then when she did a contest for her new hand dyed and stitched minnow ties I knew I had to enter.

I was super excited when I won and I love the product so I wanted to share more with you:

"Saltabie is a one-woman creative endeavor powered by a fascination with Japanese textiles and copious amounts of salt-water taffy.

Saltabie items are hand-dyed and hand-stitched by yours truly (hi, I'm Shelby!) in the Pacific Northwest with materials imported from around the world.

My muses are Amelia Earhart, Anna Karina, and salty, tattooed sailors with dirty mouths and hearts of gold.

Visit me on Instagram and let's be Insta-Friends! Or send me an email at saltabie@outlook.com"

My minnow tie arrived in a pretty blue hand dyed cotton bag. When you pull the top thread it opens up. (Even Abigail was excited!)

Tucked inside was a lovely handwritten note, product tag, and a cute pink minnow.

I was trying to come up with creative ways to wear it that would keep it out of my pup's reach (She likes to bite my ponytails and long braids when we play... We're working on it...) so I did a Milkmaid-esque braid all around the crown of my head and tied it into the braid on the side.

I was pretty happy with the results.

I love cute hairstyles that keep my long hair managed and up out of the way and my minnow makes this one more fun.

I have to say that I'm definitely a fan. Cute and supporting an artisan is definitely a win win in my book!

Go check her out!

(All other accessories pictured were made by me for my Argento Alchemy line I'm working on.)

Kisses,

K

You can also contact Saltabie through her website at http://saltabie.bigcartel.com/contact

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson except for the Instagram image by Saltabie.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.