Silhouette Charm Bracelet

This project was featured in Handcrafted Jewelry Magazine. It features brass charms you can use to apply your own images . I chose B&W but you could use color. This would make a perfect gift for the holidays, we have the supplies on our site for the blanks and the image transfer medium. check out Vintaj for the chain and other jewelry findings.

Electroforming Adventures

Dan and I have been running as fast as we can to keep up with the tasks associated with supporting our metal etching and electroforming products. We have been updating techniques and supplies as we find new and improved ways of doing things. For the past year we have taught people how to etch and electroform in classes around the country so they will understand the finer points of how these processes work and how to implement the techniques for jewelry design. In our etching classes, we used to say “oh and by the way, you can electroform using similar technology”. Well, as soon as people heard the word electroforming it’s like you just asked them to take a physics test or something. When a few open minded event organizers posted electroforming classes, adventurous students who were not easily intimidated signed up. No one was more enlightened than me about the awesome results. People copper coated everything imaginable from old jewelry pieces to sea shells. Some of the more unusual pieces included leather, a small animal jawbone and a gecko lizard! I call it the Rumpelstiltskin effect because once a common thing is turned into shiny metal it becomes something precious. And then to top it off you can plate copper with whatever metal you choose. With gold and silver being at ridiculous prices, plating is definitely an appealing choice for jewelry making. I’m pretty excited about the buzz and enthusiasm our electroforming classes are generating. We’ve even been mentioned on Polymer Clay Daily!
http://polymerclaydaily.com/2010/11/05/electroforming-and-polymer/

Thank you Cynthia

I have been receiving quite a few email inquiries about electroforming for polymer clay. You can electroform copper over almost anything as long as it won’t dissolve or change the ph of the copper electroforming solution, so polymer clay is an excellent core material. Or if you prefer to simply embellish or surround with a copper bezel allowing the polymer to show through that is another application. Polymer does not require sealing like organic materials and it can be formed or molded into any shape you wish. It is fairly inexpensive and easy to obtain. I am very excited about the artists who are using our E3 Etch/Eform controller with polymer clay. Check out work by Cassy Muronaka http://cassymuronaka.wordpress.com/

Cassy Muronaka has a multi-part series posted all about her adventures with electroforming. She shares her “happy accidents” that we can all learn from. I am grateful for her tireless experimentation because it has led to many new ideas

and Janice Abarbanel http://janiceabarbanel.blogspot.com/

Janice Abarbanel’s blog is a visual and informational treat. If you scroll down the past few posts she shares various designs and also etched silver pieces. She is amazing!

I love the work they have been producing and the information they freely share is worth pouring over.

Halloween Crafts

Fall is my favorite season and the best time to get out the craft supplies. Here's a Halloween project from my book "Jewelry Inspirations". These simple creatures are made using air dry clay and then painted with acrylics. Make them into pins, magnets or bulletin board tacks.

This week we are gearing up to teach classes at Bead Fest in Texas Oct 1st. Dan and I are teaching etching, electroforming and enameling on silver. I'm looking forward to the show, the classes are nearly full which is great. I'm so excited to show everyone the new things we are working on-so many I can't keep them straight-stay tuned.

Summer Classes and Art Saves

This week I will be the featured artist on Art Saves by Jenny Doh. You can read a bit about why I love to create and visit a few of my favorite links. She has a great blog with lots of inspiring stories.

This summer has been flying by with lots of travel, classes and just hard work in general. We attended the Bead and Button Show in WI, here we are at the booth (Rachel Haab, Rachel Wright, myself and Michelle Haab-with baby Adeline on the way). We worked so hard, we often missed 2 out of 3 meals and lived on 4-6 hours of sleep all week but had fun meeting people and working together.

One of the classes I taught at the show combined metal clay, fine silver and images transferred to faux bone. It was A LOT to master in one class but I think the end results were stunning. This is a piece made by Erin Prais-Hintz. She transferred images to both sides and then set the piece in the metal clay so that the back is as pretty as the front.

Another hot technique we are teaching this summer is electroforming. I think I have more fun than the students. They bring interesting objects to form into copper to class. This piece was made at Art and Soul in VA by Judy Harris. She finished it with pearls and wore the finished piece as a pin. It is lovely and she also made matching earrings. I am hoping to teach this class again soon. We are really happy with the new electroform controller and the use of graphite paint for this technique. Electroforming and plating is surprisingly easy.

This week I am headed to the PMC conference in Purdue, and then off to Phoenix for Art Unraveled the following week to teach classes using copper clay, resin clay and fine silver clay.

Book Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing for my new book, “Jewelry Inspirations”. I was so excited to see so many responses that I decided to choose 2 winners. We did it the old fashioned way with slips of paper drawn from a hat and the winners are Lynn #63 and Morgan #15. Congratulations! and I think I will do another give away next month, this was fun. And a big thank you for the kind words about my work, so nice to read after a rough week.

Sherri

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

I was slammed with a bad cold this week that set me back quite a few days. The cold combined with the fact that it is still winter here (lots of snow) in Utah, left me craving comfort food like hot tea and muffins. Here is my favorite muffin recipe, adapted from a Pumpkin Apple Streusel version. I leave off the topping (too messy and extra work). The muffins are rich enough without it.



Pumpkin Apple Muffins

» 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
» 2 cups granulated sugar
» 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
» 1 teaspoon baking soda
» 1/2 teaspoon salt
» 1 1/4 cups Libby’s canned pumpkin (not pie mix)
» 2 large eggs
» 1/2 cup vegetable oil
» 2 cups apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
Chocolate Chip Variation:

» Instead of apples use 1 cup chocolate chips
Low Fat Variation:

» Substitute 1/2 cup applesauce for the oil.
PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Grease or paper-line 24 muffin cups.

COMBINE flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine pumpkin, eggs and oil in medium bowl; mix well. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Stir in apples or chocolate chips. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling three-fourths full.

BAKE for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool slightly.

Easter Nest Treats

Every year my girls make easter nest treats filled with favorite egg shaped candies. I’ve adapted this recipe from one I found almost 2o years ago in a magazine. The recipe is super easy using only one pan and takes about 20 minutes to make- they are yumtastic! Here is the recipe:

Easter Nests

» 1/4 cup butter
» 4 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
» 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
» 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
» 4 cups chow mein noodles
» candy eggs (mini Cadbury eggs, M&Ms or jelly beans)
In heavy saucepan over med. heat melt butter and marshmallows until smooth. Stir in peanut butter and chocolate chips until melted. Remove from heat and stir in chow mein noodles. Work on wax paper and form 18-24 mounds. Dip fingers into cold water as you work to prevent the mixture from sticking and shape each mound into a nest. Fill with 2 or 3 candies each. Cool and store in airtight container if they last that long.

Jewelry Inspirations - Giveaway

My new book “Jewelry Inspirations” was released on March 9. This book contains everything I love about life and jewelry making. Projects include resin clay flowers, personalized jewelry with images, etching metal, metal clay, polymer clay, wire and beaded designs. The book includes stories from my past and thoughts on developing creativity. Remember Dawn Dolls from the 70′s? These were my favorite and I kept them after all of these years in pristine condition. Read the book to find out what they have to do with my designs.



I am grateful for all of the dedicated bloggers who reviewed the book. Here are just a few reviews from bloggers who took the time to share kind words about the book:

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2010/03/craft-book-review-sherri-haabs-jewelry.html

http://crafternews.crownpublishing.com/2010/03/01/a-chat-with-jewelry-superstar-sherri-haab/

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/03/book_review_giveaway_sherri_ha.html

http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-jewelry-inspirations-by.html

http://peculiarforest.blogspot.com/2010/03/sherri-haab-jewelry-techniques.html

http://beadweaver.blogspot.com/2010/03/sherri-haab-jewelry-inspirations.html

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2010/03/sherri-haab-jewelry-inspirations.html

http://organicodysseys.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-review-jewelry-inspirations-sherri.html

http://z-llyynn.blogspot.com/2010/03/when-folks-ask-me-from-time-to-time.html

I would love to send a signed copy to a fellow jewelry enthusiast. Post a comment and I will put the names in a hat and then we will draw a name on Mon April 12 for one lucky winner to receive a book in the mail. Make sure I can reach you by email for shipping.