Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

Join me in THREE GIVEAWAYS This week!

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:53:00 +0000

Just hop on over to my Facebook Page....I'm having 3 different giveaways!

The first one I mentioned earlier this week....

Leave me a funny note or joke..

(who doesn't need a laugh)

Click here to enter~

The second one is

to celebrate hitting 600 friends on my Melinda Orr Designs Facebook Page

Woo hoo!

Click here to enter

The third one is just for fun...

in just 24 hours yesterday,

50 new friends joined my Facebook page.

Welcome to all of my new friends!

So I'm thinking what are the chances I can build my group to 700 by Sunday...

hmmmm...

I think it's possible!

Click here

to enter to win a supply & tool grab bag from my newest findings, patina pieces, etc.

or earrings your choice!

All winners will be chosen Sunday ~

I'll hope you enter to win!

Good luck!

A GIVEAWAY...Turtle Earrings or Tube RIveted Glass Ring

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:58:00 +0000

I'm having a giveaway for

my new Dazzle Patina TURTLE Earrings

a New Glass Bead Tube Riveted Copper Ring....

You must visit my Facebook page & "LIKE" it if not already and leave me a funny comment or joke ~

CLICK HERE

to go to my page

I'm a bit behind and a bit stressed out....

just needed to laugh!

I just posted the inspiration behind the turtle earrings on

Earrings Everyday Blog

I hope you'll check it out and leave a comment!

BTW, you can purchase the turtle earrings in a variety of shapes and sizes

on my Etsy Site

Thanks for visiting!

Winner will be chosen Sunday!

Mel

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Welcome to the March 2012 Bead Soup Blog Party!

It's a Bead Soup Blog Party?

Each is paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending a focal and clasp.

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.

I was partnered with Molly Alexander ~ So funny that right after I received my pieces from here, I opened my BEAD TRENDS and saw she was the featured Artist last summer ~ It was nice to get to know her work a bit better. I hope you'll hop over to see what she created wit h my pieces ~ So excited I'm sure it will be truly amazing. Here's her post and blog ~ Click here

I received wonderful a hand beaded soul pendant and clasp which I totally love~

As well as Artisan glass beads and pretty little pink flower beads ~

I used a bit of everything in this design ~

I wanted to design around the Pendant..."soul" The first thing I thought of is "Hey Soul Sister by Train really liked the idea.

I created the "Hey" bail in copper as well as the the sister link ~

The clasp is so beautiful...I almost hated to use it in the back

I created wire wrapped florettes to add some interesting shapes ~ I'm excited to create more of these!

I dangled 3 little pink flower beads for each of my kids and one on top for my sister ~

This was a first.....tube riveting ~ Got it right on the first try....I love this and will wear it all the time ~

A GIVEAWAY!

I hope you comment to be entered to win this beautiful necklace ~

Share on your blog, facebook or tweet for extra entries

Winner will be chosen next weekend ~

Thanks Molly and Lori ~ Had fun creating!

Please take some time to check out Lori's blog, Pretty Things, as well as the other participants in this blog hop:

Hostess, Lori Anderson Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed(Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel(Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger(the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery

11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden(Canada)

16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman(Australia)

17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille(Canada)

25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26. Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian(Austria)

34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas(Hungary)

38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis(Hungary)

55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz(Austria)

56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville(Canada)

66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik(Canada)

79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander (you are here!)

82. Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer(Canada)

85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen(New Zealand)

99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Hey! How did I get here?

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:27:00 +0000

Today's design is visiting how my jewelry ideas begin ~

I've been playing with patina's this month.

Stop by my post on Earrings Everyday Blog ~ for these featured earrings!

I've been working towards new color combinations that will be unique to my designs ~

I had my husband put together some etching for me to practice on.

This is a blue patina with iridescent highlights ~

(sorry but the highlights are really hard to see here)

These were inspired by this piece I made the day before ~

When I put it out to some online friends, they thought this could be used as a hair clip or bracelet focal

Riveting this piece to a cuff base or adding fun beads and links would be fun!

I think I'll make one long piece to wire on each end of my comb~

with out the dangles...but I think they would work too!

Another friend thought it would be fun for for a book focal ~

I thought it would also make a terrific necklace for Spring!

Maybe with some sparkly beads too!

So for me this is how ideas are born....

I love suggestions and thinking out of the box~

My favorite question...where can I take this?

And making it happen....many times my ideas don't work out...

Very often those mistakes turn into my best pieces!

So don't put off trying out new things...

who knows where you'll end up!

Visit my Facebook Page

to join in the daily chat ~

My Bead Soup Partner...Molly Alexander

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:19:00 +0000

I am humbled to be partnered with

Molly Alexander

from

Miss Molly Designs

for this season's Bead Soup Party!

Please stop by her social sites and check out all of her wonderfulness!

www.missmollysdesigns.com

www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com

www.beautifullybrokenme-gratefulliving.blogspot.com

www.MollyJAlexander.etsy.com

I'm late getting this posted ...

so so busy with orders, shows etc..
I apologize Molly for the being so late!

Now to the eye candy ~

My package was so beautiful! So much time and warmth included!

Now...I just want to look at these forever...
this message focal and hand beaded toggle clasp
Honestly..I am in awe!

Gorgeous lampworked beads

So sweet ~ glass bell flowers

Yum....think I want to eat these..:-)

So pretty lampworked beads ~

Each was separately wrapped...just like Christmas!

I'm contemplating...haven't yet started....
but it's coming together in my mind

Visit Molly's Blog to see what I sent her!
Here's a peek

Look for the reveal on
MARCH 3rd

CAB 52 ~ Week 5

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Today's a little fun way to create a cabochon look with beads....

I always love pink with copper..

It always seems to push aside the orange

& pulls in the pink side for a perfect harmony

of color.

Add the blue/green patina on textured slivers

& it's a match made in heaven!

I could have circled the stone too...would have been pretty...

I kind of like the messy wrapping....

Hope you enjoyed this little peek in to my cab world!

Take a minute to see my post over at Earrings Everyday blog

for a wonderful new earring design....

Many of the items to create this design are available on my Etsy site...

Hope you'll stop by!

Melinda

Kristi Bowman Copper Component Reveal ~

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:03:00 +0000

Today is the reveal for the ammonite copper component from Kristi Bowman Designs ~

I have used many of her components in my finished jewelry designs last year.

This particular piece is slightly larger than a quarter.

It comes with a rainbow effect on the finish ~

I thought about this for a few weeks before I got started....

and thought it would make a wonderful bracelet...

Marti Conrad had sent me some little speckled clay links a few weeks back,

when she sent the focal I used for my CAB 52 Project...

and they were a perfect fit.

So I got to work and created the bracelet.....

I was thrilled with this piece....

but kept thinking this would also make a great necklace with a few additions ~

I received a message from Kristi. this week ..asking if we were all creating bracelets....

That's when I knew, I should go with my feelings and add the links, etc....

I'm so glad I did!

Some brown pearls wire wrapped with Copper beads,

some of my textured large ovals with handmade links

& assorted wire wrapped beads

Voila....a beautiful rustic necklace ~

Thank you Kristi....what a wonderful component to design with ~

Stop by Kristi's Etsy site and get a few of these beauties for yourself!

Kristi's Etsy

I hope you'll visit the other participants in this reveal ~

A wonderful group of designers &

so fun to see how we each decided to design around it.

Click on the links below...

Kristi Bowman Design http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/

Jean Wells http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/

Melinda Orr http://orrtec.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE!

Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Shannon Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

Melissa Cable http://createrecklessly.blogspot.com/

Cindy Wimmer http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/

Mary Harding http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/

Karen Totten http://starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/

Jan Molten Mayhem http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/molten-mayhem/

Linda Landig http://lindasbeadblog.com/

Kristi Harrison http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Sturrup http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/

Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com/

Thanks for joining us and I hope you enjoy checking out all the other creations!

Waiting for Spring ~ Filling the time...

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:27:00 +0000

I've been working hard on new designs &

just wanted to share a few of my favorites!

I'll be adding a new GREEN Athena Patina soon!

Oversized textured jumprings...now available on my site ~

An new idea in Patina....the butterfly was created by buffing off the layers of patina .
Permanent ink for the lines and detail...
I look forward to playing with this more!

Just a simple LOVE gesture...
The little copper beads on the chain, brass disc & copper heart
are available on my site too!

Cabbage Rose Bracelet...not much to say ...but....I LOVE!
Look for more designs to come ~

New Orange Blue Patina....just working out the bugs....but coming soon!

These are just a few blue Bell jars on my patio....
They are patiently waiting for Spring flowers ~
And so am I ~ but in the meantime...
I'll just keep designing :-)

What are you working on right now?

Would love to hear!

Tons of new components on my ETSY Site....

Click here to see!
Stay up to date with daily inspiration pictures on my Facebook page
Click here to see!

COPPER COMPONENT BLOG HOP ~ This Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000

This is my creation for Kristi Bowman Designs Blog Hop ~

It has a kaleidoscope effect to hide the finished design ~

Copper Component Blog Hop!!
The reveal is this Saturday February 4th.
Join Kristi Bowman, 15 other designers~

We're all using a copper design from Kristi...

so should be fun to see how everyone interprets the design!

Here is the piece I am designing around~

How would you use it?

If you'd like to see who is participating here is a list!
Please come back and join us on Saturday!

Kristi Bowman Design http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE

Jean Wells http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/

Melinda Orr http://orrtec.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Shannon Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

Pam Brisse http://bluebetween.blogspot.com/

Melissa Cable http://createrecklessly.blogspot.com/

Cindy Wimmer http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/

Mary Harding http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/

Karen Totten http://starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/

Jan Molten Mayhem http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/molten-mayhem/

Linda Landig http://lindasbeadblog.com/

Kristi Harrison http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Sturrup http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/

Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com/

Lana Kinney (will share on my blog)

And check out the other Bead Table Wednesday artists on Flickr

Kristi

New Riveted Heart Ring Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:43:00 +0000

Hi Everyone!
Finally getting my second tutorial finished.....

you don't want to know how many times I've recorded this...lol!

Fortunately the swear words have been cut!

So here you go ~

My apologies for the narrowness...I'm still working out the bugs...

So hang in there!

For this project you will need the following

Below you can click on the links to go to the specific item on my Etsy ~

Copper/Brass Polishing Pads

Patina Gel
Ring Looper Pliers
1/4" Rivets

All of these items are in stock and ready to ship....
will be mailed within a day!

Here's a pic of the finished product...I especially like the you & me ring!
Would love your feedback!

Look for more tutorials ....like I said working out the bugs!

I'll be posting the winner if the Hammered Pink Earrings tomorrow!

Happy Designing!

CAB 52 ~ Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:13:00 +0000

This week's CAB 52 Project...really just came to me in a flash...I've just posted new oval stampings on my Etsy site and have been incorporating them into my designs the last couple weeks. As I was looking at them...I thought I could use half of the oval for the prong setting and the other half could be flower petals coming out from each end...I actually made it originally this way and thought it looked a little flat....even though I textured the petals. (Next time I have to remember to photograph in stages) I really wanted to incorporate wire and added 14g annealed wire through the loops I ended up making from the petals. The base is a 1.5" brass round from my Etsy and I soldered 5 copper skinny ovals around the brass circle. This week I am using a new piece that I've been testing all week...a dome bisque ceramic cabochon with a copper polymer..it has been oxidized and bits of blue patina peek through....I've been working hard for weeks on trying to get unique results....I have some really cool pieces coming out...this particular one is subdued...but I really like it.

The bail was made from a scrap piece of copper.

Textured and formed it snugly tp fit the thick ivory leather bail bar.

I've been missing working my leather into designs and really wanted the softness of it here.

The clasp is hole punched and a copper hook completes the piece....

I used a chunky copper link for chain which matched the size of the pendant.

I hope this inspires you to think out of the box....

use common components to create a fun, original bezels

for Artisan Beads and Cabs!

I have so many ideas for the future cabs....and many component designers pieces are arriving everyday!

I hope you'll take a moment to visit my Etsy Site...

Ton's of components, tools and finished jewelry to choose from

www.orrtec.etsy.com

Sorry for the delay on tutorials...ran into a couple snags...

Tomorrow for sure!

Happy Designing ~ M

CAB 52 ~ Week 3

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:20:00 +0000

When is a cab really a cab.....
Who says a cabochon needs
to be in a pretty setting....
I say no!
I want it to be different!
Something just for me ~
~ A little Valentine gift to myself ~

Today's project really got me thinking of how to mix a truly pretty focal with my rustic organic look...

How can I bring down the metal to meet this pretty in pink mended heart pendant ...

An unlikely couple...but so many of us are attracted to the other kind...lol...

You know the story....bad boy meets nice girl....

Today I'm Featuring clay artist Marti Conrad

(Visit Marti's Etsy site and see all of her wonderful designs..Click here)

and her beautiful mended heart in a pastel watercolor glaze..

I chose this piece because it is totally different than what I normally work with...

I have formed a cyber friendship with Marti over the years...

My all time favorite design in clay is her mended heart... I had seen it years ago..

and was lucky enough to receive one from her in a clay swap.

My jewelry design history comes from clay component design, then slowly evolved to metal...

The base for this piece is aluminum textured and patina added to bring out the pattern.

I rounded the top to form a bail and hole punched exactly where the holes in the clay piece are.

Oxidized copper wire is used to "mend" the heart and connect it to the base...

This would have been cool with a pink braided leather too I think....

My idea door is open with this new piece....

look for more in this avenue to come..

I think it is perfectly acceptable as a cab setting....

Would love to hear what you think!

Visit my Etsy site for all of my components and finished jewelry

www.orrtec.etsy.com

Cab 52 ~ Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Today's cabochon setting is inspired by my love of rings....I've been really trying to simplify the process and will be sharing some of my ideas in the coming weeks in tutorials ~ If you've been following me, you know that I scored this amazing box of cabochons from a gentleman at a craft show....what he said were his imperfects....well that is exactly what I love...Imperfectly Perfect ~ I'll be using some of these along the way....I love them and really don't want to use them...I just want to look at them...funny huh!

I really love the way this ring feels on...really artsy and rustic.... It is an interesting setting...I think you all can do this too. It is totally cold connection...no soldering involved.....

I see it being set with polymer, glass or driftwood...

Please share any other ideas you have!

Just a brief over view....The shank is textured with stampings. The oval is bent to snugly wrap the long free form cabochon against the top of the shank. Then the ring shank and oval are hole punched on each side with a 1.5mm hole punch. Riveted the stone under the oval to the ring shank, then shaped on my ring mandrel tool....Finally weaving the wire under the oval and around the stone, flowing but snug....finished the wire off, by wrapping both ends around a few of the wires....Oxidized and shined up....

Would love to hear your comments or ideas for upcoming Cab 52 features ~

Also, if you design cabochons, feel free to submit a link or picture for consideration!

Here is a list of the items with links,

if you would like to try this:

Happy Designing!!

Hammered Pink...A Video Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Apologies for the delay of my weekly DIY Project....

I ran into some video problems...

so hang in there while I get it a little more together....

Without further ado.....

Hammered Pink ~ An Earring Tutorial and how to DIY!

Using a chasing hammer, bench block, hole punch, polish pads & working with metal blanks....

Hope you enjoy it!

Would really appreciate your feedback here since this is all new to me!

Please leave a comment & share this post with all your friends!

for entries to win a pair of these beauties or the metal kit w/hammer to DIY...

your choice!

Thanks for watching....look for more each week!
~Here is what you will need to get started for yourself ~

Earwires, bead caps, spacers, 18gauge wire, beads, & blanks

Below you can click on the links to go to the specific item on my Etsy ~

Square blanks

Earwires

Bead Caps

Wire...coming soon

(if you need it send me a convo)

Copper/Brass Polishing Padsf

Flush Cutters (to cut wire)

WINNERS!!!!

Barbara Bechtel, Louise Turner and Lisa Amato Staten are the

winners of the Last 3 Days of Countdown to Christmas

(sorry it took so long!)

Email/facebook your addresses to me please!

Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge Sponsors and Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Stop over to Art Bead Scene and join the monthly challenge! You could win 2 gift certificates from me and my favorite online ....Ornamentea!

Art Bead Scene Blog: January Monthly Challenge Sponsors and Prizes

Cab 52 ~ Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:15:00 +0000

This is the first of my new project

CAB 52

It is a challenge to myself to design a bezel set cabochon in an original piece of jewelry every week in 2012. I plan to explore rings, pendants, earrings, pins and bracelets.

I will be using handmade Artisan cabochons and beads.

If you have a handmade piece you would like to be considered or you have created a design with a bezel setting, I would love to share your work

Please email me HERE

I will be purchasing the cabs/beads once I decide on the pieces to use...if you would rather donate them, I'll place a month long ad with your link/picture on the side bar.

So this weeks cab setting has an interesting story... My daughter Angela saw a piece that I designed recently and wanted to do something similar...she took a 1.5" round disc cut a hole in the middle and stamped it with a cool sun motif ~ she etched the back side as well so it would be interesting to look at. We decided to put holes in the disc and wire wrap around the edges....but this turned out failing miserably....she was totally discouraged and left it on the bench....She went away for a few days...and there it sat...I just kept glancing at it. Finally I came up with a plan to surprise her....I cut the holes out to make sun rays....if you look closely you can see where they were...I bent the inside prongs up and down...... soldered the back to the front.....then set the glass cab inside the prongs and used my bezel tools to create a snug fit. Using 16g brass wire bent the whole length, I wrapped it around the piece weaving it in and out of itself. Made a loop from the end of the brass and added a simple copper bail and over-sized ball chain necklace ~

I was totally thrilled and wrapped it up.....

She about cried when she opened it up Christmas morning....

She knew immediately that it was her piece!

I thought this would be a fun story to share...I hope you like my collaboration design!

Goddess of the Sun Bezel Necklace

Stop back every Wednesday to follow my progress!

Many of the components I use are available on my Etsy page as well as the tools you'll need!

Stop over and take a peek! Melinda Orr Designs ~ Etsy

Every Friday I'll be posting a new tutorial or how to on metalworking and tools ...Come on back!

Hello 2012....The Fun Starts Tomorrow :-))

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Thank you 2011!

You have been an amazing year for me ~

Hello 2012!

I have so many ideas for this new year...

Look for my Wednesday posts right here...called

CAB 52

I'll be designing around Artisan cabochons and beads....

finding new & exciting ways to use them.

I'm looking for unique pieces to work with....more details tomorrow!

Every Friday, I'll be offering tutorials of fun projects

in riveting, metalwork, soldering,

wire work, patina/oxidizing and tool usage.

I'm excited to be involved in so many new group projects.

I'll be contributing over at the Everyday Earrings blog every other Tuesday...

I'm working with a truly talented group of component designers for a new blog coming soon.

More details as we move forward with it and a few more group projects in the works...

not much I can say yet, but I'm really excited about them!

I'll be offering lot's of

giveaways and good deals

this year on my blog ~

I'm excited to add lots of new components and jewelry designs as well as DIY kits &

collaborating with other designers along the way ~

So you don't want to miss a single post this year....

you can follow easily via email ...

just click on the email notice on the left of this post....

All of my blog posts connect with my facebook business page

www.facebook.com/melindaorrdesigns

I have a few winners to get designs to yet this week

(I'm behind a couple weeks) ~

A house full of family and kids....

family visiting from California & driving through a few states to visit even more family....

A wonderful holiday...just shorted my time in the studio.

So hang in there if you're waiting for something...

will be in your mailbox soon ~

Thank you all for your support ~

I hope you'll all join me this year!

It's going to be a really fun & inspirational year~

Melinda

Day 5 of Christmas Giveaway!!

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:24:00 +0000

To enter today's drawing, please leave a message to the left of this post in my new Chat Box ~

Let's see...

Tell me what color your Christmas tree lights are....

If you have them...if not...pick a favorite color :-)

You can log in to my chat box using your facebook acct or other options pop up. Good Luck!

I'll draw sometime late tomorrow and post the winner here....

but, you'll need to check back as I'm not sure if I can find you through the chat box

(this is a learning event for me & the chat box

lol...at your expense)

Congratulations

Linda Landig

you are my Day 5 winner!

You've won my Leather & Patina Bracelet

Day 6 & 7 of Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:58:00 +0000

I just want to let you know my Countdown to Christmas has taken a serious turn....

I've decided to have GIVEAWAYS instead!!!

A Mystery Giveaway..Til Christmas Eve

Day 5 of my Christmas Giving

Please tell me your favorite Christmas Song in a comment below

or on my facebook post...

Winner will be drawn Monday morning ~

You won't know til the next day what it is..

but I promise...It will be something I love and think is very cool!

LOL! this doesn't mean you will think it's cool...but I hope you will ~

I'll throw in some deals in along the way too...

(I know, I know I've missed a couple of days on my countdown and I'll be posting those deals soon)

~ I've also decided to offer the DEALS weekly through 2012...

Yesterday I posted on my facebook page...a comment to win the

Day 6 and 7 of my Christmas Giving

Congratulations!

Marti Conrad

Kari Alexander

Day 10 of my Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Here are 3 destash groups to choose from...Retail prices are approx ~ Also, picking up my daughter from college today, so these won't be mailed til tomorrow ~
The deals are going fast~ watch my facebook page to get the immediate notice ~ www.facebook.com/melindaorrdesigns

Item 1 ~ Assorted pendants and metal charm ~

comes as pictured ~Sun Pendant measures 2 1/2" tall

Approx Retail Value $48

Sale Price $24

50% off

Day 13, 12 & 11 of my Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:19:00 +0000

Here's a 3 day catch up....

My internet provider (Windstream) servers went down

early yesterday morning and couldn't get my deals posted!

I decided also to get the extra day in now instead of Christmas morning..lol ~
Sorry all deals are SOLD OUT!
Stop by tomorrow!

1st Deal

1 Turquoise set clasp on Nickle Silver w/double holes

1 Hawaiian Flower Oval Clasp in copper

Retail Price $25

Sale Price $16.00

35% off

2nd Item

Assorted Patina Destash..

As pictured 4 peices w/bead drop ~

largest measures 1.5"x1.38"

Retail $38

Sale $11

70% off

Please indicate on your order if you would like any additional holes :-)

Day 14 of My Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:33:00 +0000

Today's Deals are Stone Set Clasps ~

Set of 2 pieces

Regular Price $30

Sale Price $18

40% off

Blue Glass Cabochon and Serpentine

Day 15 of My Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:10:00 +0000

Today's Deal is one of my most popular items ~

Athena Patina Charms ~ 4 pieces
5/8" x 1.25"

Regular Price $17.25

Sale Price $14.00

25% off!
2 Sets Available

Charms have top and bottom holes and curve outward -perfect for a bracelet or earrings!

SORRY!

THESE ITEMS ARE NOW SOLD!!

These won't last long! Grab them quick~

Stop by tomorrow for ANOTHER great deal!

If you're missing the deals,

you can be notified of my posts via email...

Just enter your email in the

"follow by email" button

to the left of this post :-)

Day 16 of My Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:04:00 +0000

Is it really true...only 16 days til Christmas???

I have sooo much to do!

My kids will be home after finals next week,

my brother's coming in from LA ~

I love the holidays...

I love hanging out with my brother Ken...

and my husband, kids and my whole Harner family!

Today's deal is a good one!

These are all prototypes...never got on my website

Set of 3 Patina Clasps with Toggles

Regular price $36

Sale Price $18.00

50% off

Day 16 ~ Countdown to Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Melinda Orr) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:57:00 +0000

Today's deal is a big seller of mine....

Caribbean Port Hole Components

6 pieces as pictured~Qty 1 Available

Regular price $28
57% off

Sale Price $12

Large 1.25" & Small .75"

Great for earrings, necklaces or bracelet links~
SORRY!! THIS ITEM HAS SOLD!!!

Hurry...this won't last long! Sorry so late today...had a hectic day ;-)
Check back tomorrow for
ANOTHER GREAT DEAL!