WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

It has been a long time since I have written anything on the BLOG!

Where have I been? What have I been up to?

Well I have been designing of course and getting caught up in the world of creating with polymer clay an addiction in itself.

I even attended a class with the world famous Christie Friessen.

An absolute hoot and a fun experience. 

I shall put up links to the place to where I took Christie class and of course to Christie's website.

Where you can find tutorials to down load and free tips and hints as well as SHOP!!!.

I attended he workshop with Christie through The Whimisical Bead up in Healesville, Victoria

http://www.thewhimsicalbead.com.au/

Christie's site is 

http://www.cforiginals.net/

THE VERY CHEEKY CHRISTIE

The other thing which I find so valuable and enjoyable is PINTEREST

I am totally hooked.

A fabulous place to present your work to the world as well as find inspiration

You can follow me on PINTEREST

http://pinterest.com/teena_germano/

I endeavour to no longer get distracted by things and be a slacker and to BLOG more often from this day forth

FOOTNOTE 23.06.2014
What a fib I was telling :-) I have been as slack as ever trying to be a better Blogger 

The Humble Jumpring

It has been some time since I have created an entry for the Blog. Reason being that I did not want to write just anything, it had to be relevant and of some use to you all. I finally decided on a topic, that being the JUMP RING ;')

One of the most versatile and undervalued component in jewellery making!

I always have a huge stock pile of jump rings available to me in all sizes as you never know when one will be the right answer to a problem.

I use them to attach chain to my pieces and also to end chain and attach a clasp, I feel it gives a much more finished feel.

Used here to cover crimp bead

I also use them to hide crimps at the base of a horseshoe protector, not only does it add interest it covers the scratchy crimp and wears better( I find) than crimp cover balls.



Connecting two beaded sections together



I also love to use them to connect two beaded sections together in necklaces & bracelets, I have found it adds strength to the piece but also allows the piece to move better and prevents it from becoming all kinked up. Another favourite way is two cross to jump rings over into one another this again adds strength. They can also add length in a piece where you need just a fraction to get the size right.



Large Etched jump rings make a feature of these earrings



There are many decorative jump rings available also, they make great focal pionts in a piece such as earrings.





Used in this piece to form a Spiral chainmaille detail

My favourtie way to use them is to create simple chainmaille sections in any piece I feel needs it, I find normal jump rings from my suppliers work well in chainmaille styles such as spiral weave and byazante weave.

Creating simple chainmaille sections in a piece replaces the need for chain and can also add depth and character to your item.

1000 FAN GIVEAWAY

WOW

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT, 1000 FANS SO FABULOUS ;')

I am extremely happy and honoured to have so many people interested in my Jewels

i love to wake everyday and interact with you all, the feedback it what keep me going, the urge and desire to create and bring you that WOW factor.

So in honour of you all i am having a few giveaway to suit both the buyers and the creators

1) YOU MUST BE A FAN OF THE PAGE

2) MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT GERMANO ARTS

3) A NAME WILL BE RANDOMLY DRAWN
4) MAKE SURE YOU WRITE WHAT ITEM YOU ARE COMMENTING ON ;')



GIVEAWAY NUMBER 2 PERUZI OLIVE GLASS FRIT STAMP CAB NAME DRAWN MIDDAY 21.07.2011



WON BY LOUISE ANNE OF TASMANIA



PHOTOGRAPHING JEWELLERY

Photographing Jewellery! This has been on my mind to share for a while, these are my experiences on the best way to photograph Jewellery. I am by no means a photographer nor am I am saying this is the correct way. I do find this works for me & sharing what I have learnt may help others.

STEP 1: Use a plain white base ( I use a ceramic serving plate) or alternatively I have since discovered taking photo's outside in natural light against a gray background such as an old fence paling works even better.

STEP 2: Use a prop to position on or near the item ( I use flat garden stones)

I have seen people use fresh flowers and clear crystal bowls

STEP 3: Use natural light, a bright clear sunny day, position the items with the sun coming from behind you. 

STEP 4: Use the Macro setting on your Camera this picks up fine detail & ensure the non shake setting is on( I don't know the tech term for that one)

STEP 5: Position your piece to show the best aspects of the piece with no shadows being cast across the item,as above.

NOTE: Avoid early morning sun & late afternoon sun as I have discovered it emits a very yellowish hue over the entire photo: see example

DESIGNING WITH PERUZI

A Long time ago in the world of Facebook I kept seeing this name appear in my Home News feed from other Facebook Friends"Peruzi", well naturally curiosity got the better of me and I had to check it out.

I became a fan but still didn't make any moves to purchase something, until one day a FB friend who lives way across the other side of the world posted a necklace she had made with a "Peruzi" piece. My eyes were opened *'* BIG AND WIDE.

"Wow" I thought I must look into this and see what I can do with this person's product. I made my first purchase through her little shop on http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=4921 a sweet bird Pendant.

 The necklace sold very fast and the response was incrediable."That's it" I though to myself I must buy more & now. From there an obession had started. I have bought several pieces and turned them into so many different little works of art, taking care to ensure each piece is as different as possible to the last. I find they tend to sell themselves as they exude such personality and are so delightful to work with. Made with so much care and love.

So here I am today sharing with you all my love of "Peruzi". I asked the creator of "Peruzi" Natalie Fletcher - Jones to share with us some  details about her fast growing business.                                    

Natalie is from the U.K.originally where she attended an Art school, however before finishing her degree she moved to Australia with her other half settling in South Burnett in QLD, where she comfortably lives with her chooks, cats and goats. Natalie has been a hobby Potter now for around 15 years, with the past four being dedicated to creating her own unique line of Pendants, Cabochons and Bead sets. 

 The name " PERUZI" Natalie says " Is totally invented. I wanted some thing that sounded kinda sophisticated/classy (in my mind anyway) and some thing European sounding (me being a european and all!) and I also really like play on words thingies, so it kinda worked in a 'to peruse' kinda way!"

Every piece of work that comes out of Natalie's studio is custom made all done by hand using a variety of clay types and fired using a variety of glazing techiniques. Natalie states" She LOVES what she does and adores breaking the rules & experimenting with things that are not supposed to go together". Natalies loves the effects of colour & texture with a mix of contempary & vintage. This I feel has become "Peruzi's" distinctive signature. Natalie has recently been creating an exiciting line of Pendants & Cabochons using real vintage decals, these have been an amazing addition to her already extensive line of product.

 Natalie also says that"Most of her sales and clients have come through her website but with the popularity of Facebook she now has quite few sales through her page". Natalie also supplies her goods to three or four different Galleries and Bead stores within Australia and is always looking for interested parties to stock her goods.

Natalie recently enjoyed the lime light of a feature article on her in Australia's top Beading Magazine Australian Beading, Vol 5 No 2 pages 21 & 22
If you would love to purchase a "Peruzi" original you can contact Natalie via her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Peruzi.net or via her webpagehttp://www.peruzi.net/
                                      

GIVE AWAY TIME

MY FIRST BLOG GIVEAWAY ;')...... YAH!!

This giveaway is to mark the occassion of reaching 800 fans on FACEBOOK.

My number 1 Social media outlet.

So a HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported me from the beginning, you all know who you are;').

You have been here all the way and through the ups and downs and these been a few.

I have acquired some amazing friends through Facebook, I appreciate their input, feedback, support and love.

Everyone of you on Facebook that openly support me you are all amazing people and this is my way of saying THANKYOU xxxxx

Okay so I have two items to choose from,

1) You must be a fan on FACEBOOK

2) Leave a comment about which item you would like to possibly win

3)Have fun with it



HANDMADE POLYMER CLAY PENDANT



PALE PINK NIGHTSHADE EARRINGS



A SIMPLE WAY TO PATINA

One of the reason's I started this Blog was to share things that I have learnt since my obession with Jewellery Design started. So slowly I will upload some photo's and a general technique for you to use to your advantage.

 I while back I started seeing all these Patinaed Brass findings on Etsy & had to know how to do it, so the search began and I came across this product Rub & Buff and I love it;').

So, how to Patina the easy way(without ammonia).

STEP 1 :

APPLY TO BRASS WITH A SOFT CLOTH/LEAVE TO DRY AS PER INSTRUCTIONS.

STEP 2: REMOVE EXCESS WITH SAME SOFT CLOTH BY GENTLY RUBBING.

STEP 3 :APPLY A THIN COAT OF SEALANT TO PREVENT PATINA WEARING OFF.