Kalaya Steede

It first started with TinSkulls.  I then had this idea to make torch fired enameled calaveras (skulls).  It was an easy transition to make because Dia de los muertos was heavy on my mind.   And so the process begins... 1.  Design 2.  Modify design 3.  Saw out the skulls 3.  File 4.  Decide on the bail 5.  Execute My first go at it was using two colors with some steel.  I veered away from my original plan and did not like the results.  I cannot tell you exactly why but it just did not "feel" right. I fell back to my original plan and that was to design what I like to call my "Winter Calaveras".  My inspiration came from a book that I am currently reading ( The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern).  Well...a book that I have been reading for the last year!  Hahaha!!!  I am a slow reader!  Anyway, I wanted to make my calaveras black and white but for some reason I used red abo...

No...we did not torch anyone! However, I did teach three lovely gals how to torch fire enamel yesterday. The hardest part was deciding what color to use!  I seem to always want to use red. What is your favorite color?  Red...no wait...purple!!!  ( Monty Python and the Holy Grail ) We sanded, painted, sifted, laughed, screamed, and fired! Hannah taking control of the torch! Their mission was to make a pendant to wear out the door.  Were they able to complete said mission? YES!!! The finished pieces. Now for the close ups! Hannah's Sybil's Leslie's I was not able to photograph Leslie's piece well...booooo!!!  You have to see it in person.   It really looks fabulous!   They all did a wonderful job at picking out what colors went well together and Sybil did an excellent job at torching her piece.  That was not an easy feat because it was HUGE but she adjusted! Too bad I do not have ...

For some time now I've been struggling with taking pictures.  After all, I want you to experience the best pictures possible.  I originally purchased Photek Digital Lighthouse because the reviews were great but it was on backorder for FOREVER.  So...I bought this other brand of lighthouse because I'm impatient.   I was so disappointed AND it didn't take better pictures, at least not like I imagined.  It immediately went back.  Thank goodness they took it back. So when the Photek digital lighthouse became available (only one) I snatched that baby up in a heart beat.  I fantasized that I would be able to take wonderful pictures for you.  Here is my first shoot with the Photek digital lighthouse.   Shot with Photek Digital Lighthouse Shot outside in daylight What do you think?  Digital lighthouse or not? Digital lighthouse...Right? I think the colors came out beautiful with the lighthouse but I'm biased.  ...

Picture by Barbara Lewis Hurry time is running out!  I would love to win these beauties.  If you want to join in the fun and see how lucky you are, go to Barbara Lewis's blog  Painting With Fire  and follow the instruction. Deadline is May 31st.  Good luck!   On another note Barbara is coming out with a new book called Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop in Painting with Fire due out in September.  A must for your library of goodies!   Namaste Kalaya

I'm experimenting with torch firing enamel once again.  Last year I torched some small copper discs that weren't too shabby.  But that was ages ago.  So I decided to try again.   The discs started out as a sheet of raw copper, then was fold formed, and the circles were cut out with a disc cutter.  Here is the sequence of enamels (Thompson Enamels): 1.  Clear Flux #2015 on both sides.  Done in a kiln. 2.  White, opaque #1055.  Done with a torch, front side only. 3.  Raspberry, transparent #2836 on front side. Two times. The enamel was torched from below (enamel powder on top), although I did one from above but that was a disaster!  DISASTER!   It didn't come out like I expected because I expected a rich fantabulous raspberry, good enough to eat kind of color.  Instead I got a pastel color...oh pooh!   I asked my torch firing girlfriends for help.  I bet they will be able to rescue me.  Yay!  Wha...

0600 hrs.   Get Baby Cakes and his buddy out the door for their sweat test run around the city and beyond. First and only cup of coffee.  Get studio organized...kind of. Take a break. Make 50K leather bracelet...take a break, and 100K leather bracelet while nursing Youthberry & Wildorange Blossom herbal tea.  Take another break. Listen to PodCasts by Rice (like Lisa but with an R) interviews with Artist Suzi Blu and Judy Wise and Stephanie Lee while breaking.  Daydream about all the cool things to make and about wearing a tutu. Thinking about signing up for an online workshop.  Oh the things one can do with plaster.  Still on break.   Plaster Studio Workshop Thinking about keeping this Doll from Amber Leilani instead of giving it away. Torch fire enamel earrings.  Yum...Raspberry. Three wrap leather bracelet for fund raiser. Eat Crawfish Bisque. Now entering Nirvana.   Nurse my soul mate after his 100K (62mi) run. ...

My first "How To Video."  I never thought I would do this but here it is!  I wanted to share my findings with everyone.  Like I said earlier enameling head pins has never been easy for me.  Usually the enamel just bounces off the copper.  I guess it wasn't a love made to last.  However I think this time they may work things out and stick around.  LOL! After balling up the 18 gauge copper ends I dip them into Thompson Enamel. Once the copper is covered in enamel I torch them using the end of the flame. I call it the fluffy part of the flame but it is basically at the very end. I'm heating the enamel slowly until it becomes red and then dip in enamel again. I do this at least three times. So far the enamel is not bouncing off the copper! Yay! Have a great rest of the week.  Tomorrow is hump day so we are half way there! Namaste Kalaya

Happy Monday Everyone! I already wish it was Friday so I can experiment more.  But why rush the days?   I'm working on a series of "Dipped Dangles."  They are so much fun to make AND wear. Made with 18 gauge copper.   The price of silver is outrageous and forcing me to shift to other materials.  However, the ear wires are still silver.  Don't want our ears turning green.    I had torched enamel mocha on the balled ends.  The picture couldn't capture the color but trust me it is there. I think the reason it is so dark is because I burnt the color off.  The whole piece was then patinated and polished with a brass brush.   This is the prototype.  I would like to use heavier copper but I'm on the fence about that.  I don't like to wear heavy earrings.  Does anyone?   So...this weekend I'll be making more Dipped Dangles with lots of different colors. I also experimented with enameling different colors on bal...