K. Berlin Metalsmith

PEEP SHOW: Update, July 5, 2011

2011-07-05T22:29:00.006-04:00

The scent bottle pendant is finished. And I'm very happy with it!

There are four tiny gem stones: ruby, amethyst, blue topaz and green onyx.

The j-hook bail goes all the way through the bottle so it spins around on the balled end,
there is no front or back, and the hook makes it easy to attach to any necklace.

This one is my prototype and it's mine. But I already have another one in
production and it will be for sale on Etsy shortly. So, stay tuned!

PEEP SHOW: Bench work, June 21, 2011

2011-06-21T10:18:00.021-04:00

I've been blessed with "down-time!" And that means time to experiment and create some of the design ideas I've been carrying around in my head for months. There are several wonderfully creative artist that I follow on Etsy and I constantly draw a steady flow of inspiration from their work. 6shadowsjewelry is one of those artists and her Secret Bottle necklace has driven me to the bench this week.

I'm making my own version, a scent bottle pendant using my flower garden motif. Here's the progress so far:

The larger flowers will all have tiny little gem stones in the middle to add a bit of color. And the finished bottle will have holes to release the scent of dried lavender or chamomile hidden inside.

Stay tuned!!! I'll post images of the finished product shortly.

Thanks!
Berlin

The Tuesday Travel Report - June 7, 2011

2011-06-07T13:17:00.006-04:00

A Twiddle Stoned, oxidized with Rainbow Moonstone, Peridot
and Amethyst now lives in Delano, MN with D.A.

*********************

B. D. in Charlotte, N.C. has a special 50th Birthday present from her three sisters.

*********************

And M.D. in Newnan, GA. has a custom made Twiddle ring
with the "fruits of spirit" hand stamped along the edges.

*********************

The Tuesday Travel Report - May 24, 2011

2011-05-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Just around the corner in Canton, Georgia
A.D. has a custom Twiddle ring.

*********************

On it's way to M.B. in Genoa City, Wi. is a
Twiddle Gold ring, with a special message written
inside the band as a gift for her mother

*********************

This sweet "Baby Doll" pinkie ring should have already
"found the way" to D.W. in San Jose, CA.

*********************

L.R. in Dunwoody, GA should already have her new
Twiddle Gold & Stoned ring.

*********************

And in Ingleside, TX. L.G. should have her new
Endearment Pinkie Ring
with the words "YOUR SINGER" in Italian.

*********************

The Tuesday Travel Report - May 10, 2011

2011-05-10T16:48:00.006-04:00

This sweet little initial pinky ring is on the way to J.B. in Lavonia, MI.

*********************

Someone special is going to get a Lil' Twiddle ring with three
peridot gem stones from J.Y. in East Hanover, NJ!

*********************

This tiny size 3 Endearment Pinkie Ring with
Ta' gra' go le'ir, a Gaelic expression meaning "Love is all"
is on its way to D.L.K. in Killingworth, CT.

*********************

A shiny new Twiddle Gold is on the way to G.Q. in Richmond, VA.

*********************

The Tuesday Travel Report - April 19, 2011

2011-04-19T11:55:00.004-04:00

This one-of-a-kind labradorite pendant on a hammered choker made a quick escape to Roswell, Ga this weekend just minutes after I opened my booth at the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest on Saturday April 16th. And was later reported making a guest appearance at Arum Lounge in Midtown. :)

*********************

Stay tuned for more roaming jewelry reports next week!

Alpharetta (Georgia) Arts Streetfest

2011-04-14T17:30:00.003-04:00

Sat & Sun, April 16-17, 2011
10am – 6pm
2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

For more info: http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=283

The Tuesday Travel Report - April 12, 2011

2011-04-12T10:54:00.006-04:00

A bright and shiny Twiddle Gold is on the way to
V.R. in Kalamazoo, Michigan.*********************

A POWER/CONTROL Endearment Pinkie Ring is on the way to
T.B. in Amherst, New York.
*********************

A sweet little KISS/YOU 14k Endearment Pinkie Ring is on the way to
S.K. in Paris, France.
*********************

New Show on Nov. 15th 2009

2009-11-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

Upcoming show
Artisans @ The Etz
On
Sunday, Nov. 15th, 2009
11am - 5pm
at
Congregation Etz Chaim
1190 Indian Hills Parkway
Marietta, Ga 30068

Attendance is FREE and open to the public

For more details:
http://www.artisansattheetz.com

I encourage everyone to come by and check out this show.
There will be lots of great artists showing their work.
I will have lots of inventory available and gift boxes.
And now is the time to place special orders for holiday gifts.

Appreciation and sweet satisfaction

2009-09-28T11:33:00.000-04:00

I'm still amazed by how well my jewelry has been received by the outside world because I make jewelry that I enjoy wearing. And my best work happens when I just let my creativity flow and form. Feelings, emotions and imagery strongly influence my designs, and I gravitate towards rich textures, illusion and movement. I imagine the piece and how it feels to wear it. And it's a wonderful feeling when my work is purchased, worn and adored by others. But an even greater feeling of accomplishment comes from collaboration, where my design has inspired another.

I recently had a custom project that I particularly enjoyed making for a special couple. They found me on Etsy and ask if I would customize a set of "Twiddle Rings" as promise rings. His was simple with only one spinning band, hers was more ornate with three spinners and stones, but both rings have a stamped message that reads "Married to the sea."

I just had to share this sweet note of appreciation and the photo they sent to me.

Berlin,

Josh and I wanted to let you know that we're so delighted with our rings- they are above and beyond what we'd hoped to find. It's been a joy working with you. The design process was a blast (and we appreciate your patience with all the questions!) and having such unique, completely perfect representations of who we are is pretty much the best thing ever.

The photo fails to do them justice but hopefully you can tell that they are truly treasured. Thank you.

Marie & Josh

Successful experiments...

2009-09-16T19:52:00.001-04:00

Getting it right is not always easy but it's my rule of thumb when it comes to my jewelry. My last blog post was about my latest experiment with a new spinning band "Twiddle Ring" that I call the "Jeweled Twiddle." The idea stemmed from a request to have faceted stones on a Twiddle Ring. Well, faceted stones just aren't practical for spinning band rings because the stones could be subjected to some pretty harsh treatment. And generally faceted stones are more expensive and can be more fragile. But I got to thinking....what if I mount a stone on the top of the ring and the spinners sit opposite?

As luck would have it, I was approached by a client that loved my "Twiddle Rings" and she wanted to use a 3mm blue sapphire that was very special to her. I discussed the design with her and worked up a quote. Then I "experimented" with the idea and showed her the first "Jeweled Twiddle." She loved it and I got started. I melted her gold for the 14k spinning band and the balls. I purchased a 14K tube set bezel for her blue sapphire and mounted it on the ring after she came in for the fitting. After finishing the ring I set the stone and gave the ring a final polish. Then I snapped a picture and TAAAA DAAAAAAAAA! Here it is...

Experimenting!

2009-09-05T15:22:00.000-04:00

I love making my spinning band Twiddle Rings and it's a good thing because I've been selling a lot of them. Which is soooo wonderful! Being busy filling orders is wonderful but I don't get a lot of time to experiment with new ideas... so, with a bit of extra time on my hands this week I finally got to try out a new idea. It's called the "Jeweled" Twiddle Ring!

Magazine Feature

2009-07-12T09:46:00.000-04:00

Today the VivaLaModa Issue #04 is ONLINE!
And my Niche III Peridot Pendant
is featured on page 29!

http://www.vivalamoda.co.cc/
You have to signup free in order to view the magazine.

Etsy PEACHY DEALS from Georgia!

2009-06-19T11:43:00.000-04:00

From Sunday June 21st thru Sunday June 28th
I'm participating in the Georgia Etsy Street Team
PEACHY DEALS Sale!

Visit these participating Etsy shops to find your Peachy Deal

or Search for "GAETSYTEAM" at Etsy.com:

Amber's Aromatherapy

http://ambersaromatherapy.etsy.com/
Bath products, specifically soaps and lip balm, custom blended teas, and jewelry.Free shipping and free custom blended tea

Amelia's Soap Co.

http://amelias.etsy.com/

Handmade soap products
15% off all individual soaps

Berd & Bee
http://berdandbee.etsy.com/
20% off handmade housewares

Bijouterie by Nipurna's Creation
http://www.nipurnascreation.etsy.com/
Unique and modern Handmade jewelry, one of a kind and excellent prices
All item 15% off.

Birds and Cherries
http://birdsandcherries.etsy.com/
Photography with a somewhat quirky point of view!
Free surprise bonus print with all orders during the sale

Crafters Crossing
http://crafterscrossing.etsy.com/
Handmade Swarovski crystal and wire jewelry.
10% off merchandise orders totaling up to $99.99.
15% off merchandise orders totaling $100 or over

Deb's Pane In The Glass

http://sunnya.etsy.com/

Stained Glass items from Lamps, Suncatchers to Window Panels & Business Card Holders, Note pad Holders.

Free Shipping in the USA & discount internationally: $5.00 and $2.50 for a second item.

Deuce Goods
http://panash.etsy.com/
One of a kind handmade accessories.
All items 20% off.

Echo d'Amour
http://www.echodamour.etsy.com/
Custom jewelry designs - monograms and more!
20% off all orders during the sale

FavorsRUs

http://favorsrus.etsy.com/

Handmade bath products

15 percent off store wide

Fine Art by Rachel M Cotton

http://rmcotton.etsy.com/

Free Shipping on Original Artwork

Surprise orginal ACEO with each order over $20

Fluffy Flowers

http://fluffyflowers.etsy.com/

cute creatures & pretty pouches

HALF off on select Zipper Pouches

Growin Like A Weed
http://growinlikeaweed.etsy.com/
Specializing in hand- painted children's growth charts, step stools and room accessories.
All items 15% off.

Inky Illustrations by Tamara Garvey

http://tamaragarvey.etsy.com/

Lovely, whimsical pen-and-ink illustrations made into prints and stationary.

All Prints 15% off, please use coupon code Peach15 and either wait for yourdiscounted invoice, or pay and I will refund your 15%.

JoyAnna.etsy.com
http://joyanna.etsy.com/
Handmade one of a kind pillows, purses, diaper/travel bags, scrapbook covers, tissue box covers
15% off everything in shop

K. Berlin Metalsmith

http://kberlin.etsy.com/

Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry - Precious Metals and gems

Free Shipping on All items

Lydia's Spa Collections

http://lydiasspacollections.etsy.com/

Natural Bath and Body Products With Fabulous Fragrances

10% off everything in the shop with free shipping

Maria Luna and Kartu
http://marialuna.etsy.com/
http://kartu.etsy.com/
handcrafted artisan jewelries and fine art nature photography

15% off excluding sale items

Miss Molly Cottage
http://missmollycottage.etsy.com/
All items 20% off

Nanty's Naturals
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=96348
Natural, Handcrafted Soaps
15% off all soaps and a free mini sample soap with any purchase

no flying in the house

http://noflyinginthehouse.etsy.com/

handmade original artwork and vintage items

free shipping on all items

Painted Paws Folk Art
http://artisticpaws23.etsy.com/
Dog Folk Art
prints 15% off and free shipping of prints

Princess Ciarra Raye's Designs

http://princessciarrapaye.etsy.com/

For the Little Girl Inside You

Free Shipping and a Free Gift to with every Purchase.

Buy 1 get one free gift, Buy 2 get 2 free gifts and so on. You won't be disappointed with the gifts. Valued at $10 or more

Sheboygen

http://sheboygen.etsy.com/

Vintage and handcrafted jewelry and accessories

1/2 off all vintage

Smelly Rhino Studio
http://smellyrhino.etsy.com/
Original paintings, prints and cards
10% off storewide (excl. PIF and Charity items). Free shipping on all orders over $10! Surprise Summer treat with every purchase!

SweetPea Boutique
http://happygrandma402905.etsy.com/
Colorful hairbows and clips for girls of all ages
Buy one hairbow or clip set and get one of equal or lesser value for half price!

Whisper Wing Studio

http://whisperwingstudio.etsy.com/

Handcrafted Jewelry
All items in sale 15% off

Worthy Soy Candles & Crochet

http://worthysoycandles.etsy.com/

Soy Candles & Unique Crochet!

Buy One Get One 50% Off on Specially Marked Items! Over 30 to choose from!!!

Georgia Etsy Street Team

2009-06-17T20:58:00.000-04:00

I'm so happy to be included in a beautiful new treasury today, created by Sue of www.growinlikeaweed.etsy.com.

Enjoying FREE Press!

2009-06-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

My web designer, Lindsey Mitchell, has been featured in an article about Wix.com!
http://mytest.naldzgraphics.net/uncategorized/wix-a-free-flash-website-builder/

This is a great opportunity for me because when you view Lindsey's business card on the web designers page my site is listed as one of her design examples.

Here is a little background info about all of this...

I created my web site about 2 months ago. http://kberlin.com
I decided to use an web based site builder tool called Wix.com. With Wix you can build a web site for free, then when you are ready to go live you pay very reasonable fees to have your new site pointed to your domain name. You can do all of this yourself if you know what you are doing. And I understand most of it. But I decided to have a web designer build the site for me and I chose a Wix Web Designer named "Lindsey Mitchell." I began by sending her a list of web sites that I liked and explained what I liked about each site and how I might see the idea/design working for me. From there Lindsey was able to create a mock up for me and we worked together to finalize the outcome. Now I can add, edit and maintain the web site on my own. And I don't have to pay a web designer every time I want to change or add text and images to my web site.

Lindsey Mitchell is a Freelance Graphic Designer so she can design any marketing, advertising, and promotional materials that you might need and I highly recommend her. She is very professional and efficient, and her fees are extremely reasonable. http://www.lindseymitchelldesign.com/

A Birthday Present

2009-06-08T11:23:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone when I tell you that a few of the stones that I purchase as a jeweler are never meant to be sold. I buy them for ME! Some I just keep to look at and to hold. Others I envision in a piece of jewelry that I've already designed in my mind. And the rest are acquired under the notion "I have no idea what I will do with this, but I have to have it."
For my upcoming birthday on June 13th, I decided it was time to make something that I've been wanting for myself with some of my very favorite stones.

I chose the follow stones:

Fossil wood from the red wood forest - small square w/colors range from brown, yellow, green to blue green.
Turquoise doughnut - bright blue green color with brown web matrix
Spectrolite - an oblong triangle shaped stone with flashes of greens and blues
Chrysocolla, I think? - large square w/blue greens in dark brown
Variscite from Australia - light green triangle shaped stone

How I got here!

2009-06-04T18:13:00.000-04:00

I've been ask lately, to relay the story of how I came to be a metalsmith, making jewelry as I do. First, I need to begin by saying that with the recent creation of my new web site (www.kberlin.com) and my Etsy shop (http://kberlin.etsy.com), I have accomplished a long time goal. T he jobs I've held over the past 20 years have prepared me very well for all of this. I began as an administrative assistant in advertising and design. For ten years I worked for small graphic design firms where I learned the ins and outs of print production, media placement and project management. I jumped on the dot com bubble for a three year ride down the IT path that led from web design project manager through technical support team supervisor to Program Manager. As the bubble deflated, I found myself safely on the ground in December of 2003.

I've always enjoyed making things and I've always been attracted to jewelry. For many years I was a single mother, raising my only daughter alone. We enjoyed our time together, going to the park, hiking, watching movies, baking, or making crafts for fun. One rainy day in the fall of 1997, I sat with my daughter at the dining room table in our brand new home. She'd been given a beading kit and we spent the afternoon making bracelets and necklaces. It really sparked an interest for me, and I wound up spending more time playing with the beads than she did. Later that year, we made polymer clay beads and necklaces for every one of her classmates for Christmas. Soon after that, I met my husband-to-be, we got engaged a year later, we got married the year after that, I had a new job working downtown... it was a very different life for me and my daughter.

With my passion for beads and making jewelry still going strong, I heard about a local bead show and I just had to check it out. Let me tell you, if you have never been to a bead show, it's overwhelming for the first timer. Where do you start with so many vendors to choose from? I spent the day just taking it all in and didn't spend much money. The second day I went back with a purpose. There was a woman doing demonstrations at her booth and she was making her own enamel beads. I just had to try it, so I bought her enameling kit. For the next few years I made my own enamel beads in my basement with a propane torch and copper tubing. I even made enough jewelry that I had an open house show in December of 2003.

In January 2004, after leaving my stressful corporate job (POP goes the dot com bubble!), I enrolled in a beginner metalsmith class at a local community arts center. I was hooked, and over the next two and half years I enrolled in one or two classes each quarter. During that time I met a local gem stone dealer and rock hound. He needed someone to assist him for an upcoming rock and gem show, and I volunteered to get experience exhibiting at shows. I spent a lot of time helping him sort through his stones, pricing, labeling, and preparing his displays, and I made a great new friend. By this time it was spring of 2006 and I was looking for a part time job. While my friend the stone dealer paid me for helping him, I needed something more regular. He told me that I should go talk to a friend of his, because she was looking for help. Little did I know, this would be my dream job. In June of 2006 I was hired by Judie Raiford as her studio assistant, two days a week. Making another artists jewelry, with their equipment and supplies for 16 hours a week is a great education, and I get paid to do it. I am not only welcome to, but enthusiastically encouraged to work on my own designs in Judie’s well equipped studio. That studio just so happens to be in the basement of her well known art gallery in Roswell, Georgia. (www.RaifordGallery.com)

My personal studio!

When I'm not working for Judie, I'm working for myself. The encouragement that I receive from Judie and her staff ("the Gallery Girls") has been incredible. I am now one of the 400+ artists represented in the gallery and my work is displayed in one of the 26 jewelry cases. It has been three years since I began working for Judie and I am so grateful for the life and the career I have today. It's not easy, but I really enjoy what I get to do.

Featured in the Serenity Art Blog...

2009-06-02T17:03:00.000-04:00

Serenity Art

Creating hype? Can I do with my hands?

2009-06-01T15:40:00.000-04:00

Advertising and promotion has been the bane of my existence lately. So, today is the beginning of some ad spots for my shop: http://kberlin.etsy.com.

I have a virtual craft show that started today on Cafehandmade.com - http://cafehandmade.blogspot.com/2009/03/virtual-craft-show-aisle-1.html

Also, I've rented a virtual craft booth on http://handmadecraftshow.com that should begin shortly.

And to my delight, my Nouveau Turquoise Ring has been chosen for a treasury today -
http://bit.ly/19PEM9

It's a good day! The sun is shining and the day has been productive.

Loving life! And thankful for all that I have been blessed with.

Daddy's Tools

2009-05-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

My daddy was always using his hands, he was a craftsman, skilled and detailed. He always kept his things very organized and clean. Our home was small but he made sure that it never fell into disrepair. In the summer he would meticulously mow the lawn, keeping the grass soft like carpet under my bare feet. He is still one of my greatest hero's though he's no longer with us. In 1994, at the age of 54, he passed away, one of the most challenging years of my life.

As a metalsmith, now I'm a craftsman and I love having that in common with my daddy. My husband and I took on the task of cleaning out daddy's tool shed for my mother about 10 years ago. And I feel that my daddy is always with me when I use his tools. I've been looking for hammers that can produce unusual textures and just last night my husband was reviving one of daddy's old hammers. It was perfect! A drywall hammer with round and checkered head, wedge shape polished steel blade and a hickory handle. There was a bit of rust on it so I cleaned it up and polished the checkered face. Daddy always marked his tools with an engraver and you can still faintly make out his name in the metal of the steel blade. I can't wait to make something new with my daddy's hammer!

Studio Bunnies

2009-05-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

You may have heard of house rabbits...well, I have studio bunnies. Their names are Heidi and Gretchen. Two sisters that we brought home when they were just 8 weeks old. Now they are 2-1/2 years old and very loving companions.

Most people don't know that bunnies can be very curious and social. My two girls are kept safe and secure in a very large 4' x 8' comfy cage. So, when they are out of the cage for some social interaction they want to be involved. As you can see by this picture, Gretchen enjoys working at the jewelry bench.

But usually while Gretchen is distracting the "up-rights" Heidi is getting into trouble. And inevitably, she will be a disapproving rabbit, which she has been since she was just a baby. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Heidi as a tiny disapproving bunny girl (about 7 to 8 weeks old.)

Argentium Sterling

2009-04-30T17:11:00.000-04:00

I'd really like to see more jewelers using Argentium Sterling Silver (A.925) and stop being so afraid, reluctant & critical. Not sure what A.925 is? Well, here it is per Wikipedia:
_____________

Argentium Sterling Silver is a modern sterling silver alloy which modifies the traditional alloy (92.5% silver + 7.5% copper) by replacing some of the copper with the metalloid germanium. As it retains the same 92.5% silver content, it is still sterling silver, just as the traditional alloy.

Argentium Silver is the result of research by Peter Johns at the School of Art & Design, Middlesex University. The project began in 1990 with research on the effects of germanium additions to silver alloys. Germanium was discovered to impart the following properties to sterling silver:

Firescale elimination
High tarnish resistance
Precipitation hardening and simple heat-hardening properties
Increased ductility
Increased thermal and electrical resistance (making alloys suitable for welding and laser forming)
Environmental advantages (associated with not having to remove or plate over firescale)

_____________

When I began working as a bench assistant to Judie Raiford in June of 2006 she had been using A.925 for well over a year. To my advantage, my first experience with this new medium was with her metal and on her dime. Immediately, the two very important things I learned about working A.925 were, 1) don't pinch/push/press on the metal while you are heating it and 2) wait just a few extra seconds before you pickup/quinch/pickle your piece because it will crack. There are a few other noticible nuances between the two metals, traditional .925 and A.925. For one, A.925 becomes rather flexible when it's red hot, therefore you can't heat it too long because it will lose some of it's structure. However, it's not usually necesary to push down on the metal when you are trying to get a good solder flow because it will relax on it's own. This can take some time to learn / master.

The most common reason I hear from other jewelers for not trying A.925 is because "you have to switch out half of your studio tools in order to change over to using A.925." NOT REALLY! Yes, there will be some contamination. So, change out your polishing buffs, your pickle and maybe a new file or two. But once you begin using A.925 you won't see any fire scale...and this property alone is so worth the switch. "No fire scale" has allowed me to make jewelry designs that would have been impossible with traditional .925. since the fire scale would have been impossible to get to for clean up.

Stay tuned metal fans, for more on the subject of Argentium Sterling Silver. Later....!!!

Exposed

2009-04-20T21:12:00.001-04:00

So, I finally received my business license but now I feel completely exposed to the world. My phone is ringing off the hook with calls from accounting services, merchant services, security system services, etc. Everyday my mailbox is filled with garbage addressed to K. Berlin, with more of the same. This is what I dreaded and why it took me so long to actually pursue my own business venture. Now that I'm in it I have to remind myself everyday not to get cynical and negative.

On a more positive note, I'm working on my new web site. It's going to be fabulous but first it's going to be frustrating. As someone that has worked in the web design industry I know how hard it can be to launch a successful web site. And this very knowledge has kept me from building one until now. Now I must do it for my business to succeed. So, I'm excited and hopeful. When I get it going I will post and update and would love to hear some feedback.

Taking exposure to another level: I will have a spot on the Etsy Jewelry Showcase all day tomorrow beginning at midnight tonight! Constructive criticism encouraged! I plan to focus on my rings for this showcase.

Kicking and screaming...

2009-04-07T16:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the first blog of: K. Berlin Metalsmith
Normally I go with the flow and flow right into the next wave of the future. But I've put off blogging for a long time and now I'm trying to embrace it.

I'm still waiting for my official business license to arrive. It's been several weeks now. And everyday I'm berated with phone calls from the vultures that now have my name and number and somehow think that they have great services to offer me as a new business owner. The truth is I'm an ARTIST and all I want to do is my work/play.

Why K. Berlin? If you know me then you know that my name is Kimberly Lynn. But I'm so tired of Kim and I could go by Berlin if my name was Kimberlin Leigh. However, after researching a legal name change I decided to stay away from that paperwork nightmare. So, I just use Berlin as my nickname and K. Berlin as my artist name.