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Friday, August 29, 2008

Good News & Bad News

Well, the bad news is that I'm on a destructive streak, meaning that everything I touch in my workshop either breaks or gets otherwise f&#@ed up. I have ruined more rings in the last week than I care to remember. So last night, in extreme frustration, I decided to take a couple of days away from my torch and work on some other things I've been meaning to do for ages...

Today I wrote a brand-spankin'-new tutorial, which you can purchase for $5.00 in my bead shop if you are so inclined. I'm considering it a warm-up for the soldering and bezel setting tutorials that I am determined to eventually crank out.

Ornate Beaded Earring Tutorial - find it in my Etsy bead shop!

And because I am a nice person (oh, and maybe because I need your help!), I will send the tutorial for free to the first five people who leave a comment on this post asking for it. (Please either leave your email address in the post, or if you prefer to keep it private, email it to me so I will know where to send the tutorial.) All I ask in exchange is that you try it out sometime in the next couple of weeks and let me know if you find any problems or things that are unclear.

Please send healing vibes in the direction of my workbench! I feel like we are cursed lately.

10 comments:

Charity V said...

Hi Tamara,

I feel your pain! Seeing your beautiful work is part of what inspired me to try soldering, but with no silversmithing classes in my area, I've done things mostly "self taught". I've had some success, but also so much failure that sometimes I want to cry. Soldering and bezel setting is by far the most challenging jewelry technique I have ever tried.

I would love to try out your new tutorial (while waiting oh-so-patiently for those soldering/bezel setting tuts!) email is suliabryon at gmail dot com

Tamara said...

I'm sad to hear of your frustrations, but relieved to know I am not the only one who can be brought to tears by my stupid torch! :-) I'll go send you the tutorial now.

Vegan Girl (Roni Seabury) said...

Hey Those are the exact same pair I bought from you a while ago. I would like a tutorial if possible!

I know how you feel. I guess we all experience breakage every now and then. It especially sucks when your using expense sterling silver. I have also broken expensive and very nice beads. GRRR.

Vegan Girl (Roni Seabury) said...

Oh yeah, I forgot to leave me email address even though I know you have it. daisywares@msn.com

Anonymous said...

My take on the issues this week: you just need a little break from the bench. Think about how many rings you have made in the past year. I bet that in a couple of days you will be back in top form (and in sync with your tools).

I buy most of my cabs from you - usually for rings for me or for special orders (not my etsy shop). I will continue to buy exclusively from you because the stones are great and you seem to be a kind and considerate person.

Thanks so much for all that you do!

Marie

Tamara said...

Thanks Marie. :-) I'm sure it's totally natural, like you said. I'm trying to not get too frustrated, and instead use it as an opportunity to focus on some things I've neglected.

siina said...

Sorry to hear your bad news... Hope you get back on track asap :) Keep up the good work!

I would like to try out your new tutorial :) My address is: siina.kotala @ gmail.com (just take the spaces out).

SamIAm said...

I totally understand! When I read your post, I had to share it with my husband. I had a couple of bench days that nothing seemed to go right nor look right. I was so frustrated! I tried sharing my frustrations with my husband, but he just didn't get it.
It is nice to know that it is not just me that experiences these moments.
Wishing you fewer frustrating bench days to come:-)

lauren bacchus said...

I would LOVE a copy of your tutorial!
My email is laurenbacchus@hotmail.com

Thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tamara,

I'm sorry too to hear about your frustrations. I hope you'll find some comfort in knowing that, like all creative endeavors, this will be a fleeting episode and you'll soon be back to creating amazing work that so many people treasure. I agree with Marie, it's okay to take a break from the bench and from the work for a while. It is the Labor Day holiday, after all!

Here's wishing you as much joy in the process of creating your work as your customers (like me) have in wearing it!

Thanks again for being such a wonderful artist!

- Ellie