Tutorial: Create a Digital Silhouette Pendant

September 3rd, 2010 by Vintaj


Rose and Betsy designed these wonderfully adorable necklaces! The bezels contain a beautiful digital silhouette of their children. Below Rose demonstrates in a Scrapblog format on how you can create your own silhouettes in #### easy steps. This is a fun technique and a unique way to hold your loved ones close to your heart!

Designed by Betsy Kaage
{silhouettes are printed on Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas and sealed with ICE Resin}
First Born
Image preserved inside a 32mm Circle Bezel and wrapped with a Clover Petal Filigree.
Ray of Sunshine

Image preserved inside a 32mm Circle Bezel and wrapped with a 46mm Peony Filigree.
Childhood Charms
Images photo transferred inside a 28 x 25mm Rectangle Bezel.

Designed by Rose Noble
{silhouettes are printed on fabric paper and sealed with ICE Resin}
Wallflower

Image preserved inside a 30 x 24mm Oval Bezel.

Forever Young
Image preserved inside a 28 x 25mm Rectangle Bezel.

New Morning
Image preserved inside a 21mm Bamboo Bezel Small.

{Click the here to view this Scrapblog at full screen!}

Posted in Daily Dialogue, Digital Scrapblogs, Step-by-Steps, Tips & Techniques having no comments »

Featured Project: Family Tree, Sept ’10

September 2nd, 2010 by Vintaj

This necklace was inspired by our Family Tree theme. Learn how to distress and add a message to a hollow-back Tree embellishment. Hammer, imprint, paint, rivet and adorn it with beautiful beads & charms. The possibilities are endless!

Click here to restore original picture.

Materials:
Natural brass findings:
BC50- Etruscan Bead Cap 8mm
BC150- Hobnail Bead Cap 7mm
BD150- Trade Spacer Bead 3mm
BD170- Circle Spacer 4mm
CH110- Elongated Oval Chain – 6 x 11.5mm
DP270- Filigree Leaf Charm- 19 x 16mm
EM080- Tree – 55 x 48mm
EP1- 1 inch Eye Pin
HPF15- 1.5 inch Pearl Head Pin
HW0061- Pinwheel Washer 7.5mm
HW0062- Daisy Washer 9mm
JR20- 4.75mm Jump Ring
JR40- 7.25mm Jump Ring
JRD10- 9.5mm Etched Jump Ring
RV010- inch Nail Head Rivet
TSPW10- 20g Vintaj Bronze Wire
TSPW20- 24g Vintaj Bronze Wire

Tools & Supplies:
Rosary / round nose pliers
Chain nose pliers
Metal screw down hole punch
Side cutter
6mm Letter stamp set
1 lb brass hammer
Chasing hammer or riveting hammer
Steel block
Rubber block or sandbag

Other Materials:
Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers: Pitch Black – Rangerink.com

Citrine resin nugget bead – The Bead Goes On

Lucite maple leaves matte Autumn Gold topaz yellow 19mm Beadaholique.com

Czech cathedral glass 6mm topaz/gold foil bead- Beadaholique.com

Czech cathedral glass 10mm black diamond/gold foil bead- Beadaholique.com

Czech glass bead mix lot variety shapes yellow amber- Beadaholique.com

Smoky Quartz large hole rondelle 16mm- Rings & Things

Vintage glass pearls- recycled from an old necklace

STEP by STEPS

Step 1: Distress Tree.
A: Place steel block on rubber block or sandbag. Place tree on steel block. Flatten the hollow-back tree using a 1 lb brass hammer.
B: Use a 6mm letter stamp set to imprint the word FAMILY.
C. Apply black acrylic paint dabbers to the surface of the tree. Use a paper towel to remove the excess paint, leaving it only in the creases to accentuate the detail in the bark.
D. Use the metal screw down hole punch to create four holes in the tree. Make one hole at the top right corner, two at the top left corner (one above the other) and one above the curve of the branch near the bottom of the tree.

Step 2: Embellish Tree.
A. String the following to a inch nail head rivet; 1 pinwheel washer, 1 flattened Etruscan bead cap. Place the rivet through the second hole at the top left corner of tree and string a daisy washer on the back side of tree.
B. Place tree right side up on the steel block. Use the side cutter to trim rivet approximately 1/16 inch above the daisy washer. Flatten rivet using a chasing hammer.
C. String a yellow amber irregular round bead onto a pearl head pin. Form a wrapped loop. Repeat once for a total of two bead drops.
D. Attach the following to a 7.25mm jump ring; yellow amber bead drop, Lucite leaf, filigree leaf. Repeat once for a total of leaf clusters. Attach one of the leaf clusters to the bottom hole in the branch of the tree. Attach the other using 4.75mm jump rings to the top left hole of the tree.

Step 3: Create Bead Strands.
A. Use eye pins to create glass pearl bead links and a 10mm Czech glass bead link.
B. Use 20g wire to create a wire-wrapped resin nugget bead link and 24g wire to create a wire-wrapped smoky quartz bead link.
C. String a topaz/gold foil Czech glass bead onto a pearl head pin. Form a wrapped loop.
D. Use an assortment of 7.25mm and 9.5mm etched jump rings to connect bead links.
E. Attach a long length of chain to ends of bead links. No clasp necessary.

Happy Designing!

Posted in Daily Dialogue, Featured Project having 5 comments »

Weekly Giveaway Winner for August 23-27

September 2nd, 2010 by Vintaj

We randomly drew a name from all the comments posted each day last week and are posting a “Congratulations” to the lucky winner! This is the winning comment that will each be receiving the Bigger & Better Mystery prize.

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Lori Northon – 8/23/10 at 3:54pm – Feature Friday, Vintage Inspired Jewelry – “Love the branch! It’s a knockout combination with the branch and bird! Wow! I think I may have to get some of those branches. . .”

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We will randomly choose ONE lucky winner for the week and they will receive a bigger and better prize than the past daily prizes. To participate you comment on any of our blog posts throughout the week. The winner will be announced on the following week.

International winners will take 2-4 weeks.

*Please make sure to include a valid email at which you can be contacted if your comment is chosen.  We will email you to get a mailing address where you would like your giveaway sent, so make sure that you have allowed emails from Vintaj to reach your Inbox (instead of ending up in your Junk Mail!).

Posted in Blog Giveaways having no comments »

Vintaj News & Design Challenge Inspiration.

September 1st, 2010 by Vintaj

We love to create and share step-by-step project ideas, tips & techniques with you! This month’s Family Tree design challenge was inspired by our families. We created personalized keepsake jewelry and altered art with photo transfer techniques & digital silhouettes. We hope you are inspired to capture family moments that make the perfect gifts!

Jeanne created this beautiful Family Tree plaque with a variety of fun techniques! She spent a lot of time archiving generations of family photos and displayed them beautifully on a hand-painted & embellished wood plaque.

Click here to restore original picture.

  1. Paint a Walnut Hollow routered tree with Claudine Helmuth Studio Paints.
  2. Use a brayer to roll out a thin layer of paint on a non-stick craft sheet.
  3. Use the paint as an ink to rubber stamp the words family tree.
  4. Print out family photos and names on thin matte photo paper. Cut the photos into ovals.
  5. Age the names with Tim Holtz “Antique Photo” Distress ink.
  6. Use black pin striping to create the lines connecting the photos.
  7. Use Claudine Helmuth Studio Multi-Medium matte to decoupage the photos and names coating the entire surface. Allow to dry.
  8. Hammer letters into an arte metal Rounded 2-Hole Plate.
  9. Attach the plate using 1/4″ Nail Head Rivets and Pinwheel Washers (starting the hole in the wood with a nail.)
  10. Embellish each photo with a Fern Curving Left Fastenable using rivets to attach them. Use a nail to start each hole.
  11. Texture and attach Ambrosial Leaf Altered Blanks using the same method.Here’s a closer look….

Click here to restore original picture.

Take your interpretation of Family Tree and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass! Submissions are due by NOON Friday Sept. 10. Voting will be open from Sept. 11 – midnight Sept. 17, with the challenge winner posted on Monday September 20. Editor’s Pick will be posted by Wednesday Sept. 22. Click HERE for challenge rules. *Please note that a new email has been set up for all design challenge submissions. Email your inspiration & photo to challenge@vintaj.com - if you don not receive a response stating that we received your submission within 24 hours prior to the deadline, please email us again to confirm.

Posted in Altered Art, Featured Art Project, From the Girls at Vintaj, News, Tips & Techniques having 3 comments »

Family Tree Bracelet Giveaway

September 1st, 2010 by Vintaj

Place your order today! The first 20 orders placed in September over $500- will receive this beautiful bracelet *FREE! Designed by Jess, you can use as a store display or keep it for yourself!

PLUS: With your next $200- Vintaj purchase receive a *FREE order of 24 x 20mm Tree of Life (12 pieces total)

*Please enter promo code—SEPT101—in the promo field during checkout. Limited time offer while supplies last. One per customer. Offer expires 9/15/10. Substitutions will be made with other product when necessary.

Posted in Promos having 6 comments »

Butterfly Orchid Editor’s Choice: Sannie van Amerongen

September 1st, 2010 by Vintaj

Congratulations to Sannie van Amerongen, our Editor’s Choice for the August Design Challenge. Here is her inspiration in her own words.
“My design is called “VlinderOrchidee” in Dutch. In English it means “Butterfly Orchid”.
I love the design of Butterflies and the color of Orchids.
So I have taken fairy-silk and satin-ribbon for the necklace. The Vintaj butterfly has a little bit folded wings, so it looks like a flying butterfly.
The centerpiece of the necklace has several flowers and a orchid. Then I have attached some butterfly-charms and an “inspire” label to the necklace.
There is one glass-charm in yellow, and I have put it on the necklace because I love the text on it: “I’m like a butterfly, pretty to see, hard to catch”! In my opinion it was made for this necklace.
I hope you like my Dutch “VlinderOrchidee”.”

Posted in Challenges & Contests having 8 comments »

Cloth Paper Scissors Fall Issue

August 31st, 2010 by Vintaj

Jess and Betsy just returned from the Cloth Paper Scissors CREATE Retreat where Jess taught students how to make these mini metal journals! This article in the September/October issue features step-by-step instructions to make this textured altered blank canvas journal. Stay tuned for photos and details of the retreat!

To purchase a copy of this magazine click HERE

Posted in News, Publications having 3 comments »

Bead Trends September 2010

August 31st, 2010 by Vintaj

Look no further for Fall inspiration! The colors and designs in this issue instantly take you to a crisp autumn day. We were thrilled to see the designers featured with lots of Vintaj in their work.

**Click the images to enlarge**

Page 20: Hearts on Fire by Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp - Handcrafted heart charms and beads are surrounded in etched jump rings, bead caps and findings.

Page 24: Anastasia by Cindy Edwards – We love how the natural brass looks with the white, with layers of chain and linked strands.

Page 72-76: Frondescence Parure necklace, bracelet, earrings and ring by Denise Yezbek-Moore – This “matched set” in tones of green and earthy colors are the perfect complement to autumn. Denise used our Woodland Leaf as a focal in her necklace, our jump rings lay the ground work for her lovely earrings and our hobnail beadcaps help her beaded ring look like a lovely thistle!

Page 110: Shared Treasures by Sharon Misuraco – Hammered rings add a rustic charm to this piece “inspired” by nature.

For more info on this issue click HERE. To subscribe to this publication click HERE!

Posted in News, Publications having 6 comments »

Filigree & Botanicals Formed into Beautiful Rings

August 31st, 2010 by Vintaj


I know many of you don’t get the chance to read Australian Beading magazine! For those that haven’t seen the August 2010 issue, I wanted to share a part of a wonderful article that was written by Jean Yates – featuring some of my Filigree rings! Jean’s article was inspired by our friend Lisa Kan’s beautiful handmade glass Botanical Floral beads. She saw some of my ring designs and asked for me to share a few of them for the feature. On page 113 of the magazine Jean says, “In a wonderful collaboration, Lisa has offered some of her beads from this series to Jess Italia Lincoln of Vintaj Natural Brass Company, vintaj.com. What Jess has come up with, as you can see here in the photos of the rings, is enchanting. I would love to own one of these rings; I think they are exquisite.”

Thanks Jean for the shout out & Lisa for creating such inspiring components!
Below are three rings incorporating Lisa’s Botanicals. Each is set on a different filigree – turned into an adjustable ring base. Learn how you can create a variety of filigree rings in 6 easy steps…

Click here to restore original picture.

My Cute Buttercup

1. Form a Diamond Trellis Filigree on a ring mandrel.

2. Make a hole in the center of a Violet Petal Filigree.

3. String the following components onto a 2 inch head pin; 6mm Flower Spacer Bead, Botanical floral lampwork bead and Violet Petal Filigree.

4. String the head pin through the center opening of the filigree ring base.

5. While holding the pieces together, use your fingers to wrap the wire in a figure eight around two notches at the top of the filigree to secure beads.

6. Cut the remaining wire with a side cutter.

Click here to restore original picture.

Spring’s Ring

1. Form an Etruscan Swirl Filigree on a ring mandrel.

2. Flatten a 12mm Filigree Bead Cap using chain nose pliers.

3. String the following components onto a 2 inch head pin; Erinite 6mm rondelle crystal, 6mm Blossom Bead Cap, Botanical floral lampwork bead and flattened filigree bead cap.

4. String the head pin through the center opening of the filigree ring base.

5. While holding the pieces together, use your fingers to wrap the wire in a figure eight around two notches at the top of the filigree to secure beads.

6. Cut the remaining wire with a side cutter.

Click here to restore original picture.

Passion Flower

1. Form an Etruscan Drop Filigree on a ring mandrel.

2. Make a hole in the center of a Violet Petal Filigree.

3. String the following components onto a 2 inch head pin; 8mm Blossom Bead Cap, Botanical floral lampwork bead and Violet Petal Filigree.

4. String the head pin through the center opening of the filigree ring base.

5. While holding the pieces together, use your fingers to wrap the wire in a figure eight around two notches at the top of the filigree to secure beads.

6. Cut the remaining wire with a side cutter.

{You can order Australian Beading online or become a fan on Facebook}

Posted in Daily Dialogue, Publications, Step-by-Steps, Tips & Techniques having 6 comments »

Featured Publication: Country Living September 2010

August 30th, 2010 by Vintaj

{Our first time featured in Country Living magazine… that we know about!} This is super cool, check out the Fresh Picks section on page 34 of the September 2010 issue of Country Living.

Shelley White designed a collection of beautiful silhouette rings using Victorian-style cameos. The purple cameo ring above was set in a Vintaj 25x18mm Open Work Setting. She simply clipped off the top loop of the setting and the two arched sides to fit within the silver bezel she paired it with. To purchase this ring or similar styles using our Vintaj setting CLICK HERE!

For more ‘vintage made new’ designs made by Shelley visit her gorgeous website at GlitteryBlue.com.

Posted in Publications having 3 comments »

September Design Challenge: Family Tree

August 30th, 2010 by Vintaj

September Challenge: “Family Tree”
Take your interpretation of Family Tree and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass! Submissions are due by NOON Friday Sept. 10. Voting will be open from Sept. 11 – midnight Sept. 17, with the challenge winner posted on Monday September 20. Editor’s Pick will be posted by Wednesday Sept. 22.

Click HERE for challenge rules.

*Please note that a new email has been set up for all design challenge submissions. Email your inspiration & photo to challenge@vintaj.com - if you don not receive a response stating that we received your submission within 24 hours prior to the deadline, please email us again to confirm.

Posted in Challenges & Contests, News having 1 comment »

Misc. Monday: Where It All Begins

August 30th, 2010 by Vintaj


Did you know that every piece of Vintaj natural brass contains 80 – 85% copper? Wendy, Mackie & Sawyer recently took a trip to the beautiful Kennecott Copper Mines in Utah. Wendy archived their photos in a fun Scrapblog, with cool facts and trivia about copper and the mines. Mackie of course is sporting Vintaj jewelry that she made, it’s so cool to see our finished product next to its origin. Take a peek at where it all beings for Vintaj….

Posted in Daily Dialogue, Digital Scrapblogs having 6 comments »

Featured Publication: 101 Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings

August 30th, 2010 by Vintaj

 

Don’t miss this special issue from Beadwork, it is a great resource for materials and design inspiration! This issue features a project from our very own Jess Italia Lincoln on page 104-105! Our Woodland Leaf is a beautiful backdrop to the bead capped beads, chain and jump rings.

 

Page 14: Renaissance Charm by Danielle Fox – Daneille used our head pins and jump rings on her bracelet vine of brass and pearls.

Page 15: Sweet Honey by Melinda Barta – Melinda used our Etched Cable Chain to create this beautiful band of beads and chain.

Page 18: Sweet Swallow by Melinda Barta – This bracelet features our chain, bead caps and jump rings for this sweet, eclectic design.

Page 117: InstaBangle by Daneille Fox (above)- Our filigree bead makes a beautiful focal in this cluster of beads.

Page 86: Flower Bouquet by Derya Aksoy (above)- Derya created her lovely bouquet using our head pins and findings.

Page 106: Brave Yellow Belly by Melinda Barta – Our findings and Waterlily compliment Melinda’s polymer beads beautifully!

Page 114: Deep Forest Wishes by Lorelei Eurto – Our toggle clasp is the perfect end cap to Lorelei’s handcrafted wish necklace.

Page 116: Things That Matter by Danielle Fox (above) - We love this color combination and assymetrical design. Our chain, jump rings and hook are featured in this design.

Posted in Publications having 1 comment »

Featured Publication: Stringing Fall 2010

August 30th, 2010 by Vintaj

There is a lot of eye candy in this new Stringing issue, including the new format for the magazine! There is a wonderful feature on beadcaps (page 10) where our Foliage Bead Caps, Magnolia Leaf Bead Caps and our  12 mm Filigree Bead Caps are highlighted.

Melanie Brooks featured our Scarab and our Scarab Charm in her beautifully earthy filigree necklace on page 30. Her handmade pendants and charms are always a perfect fit for our natural brass filigree, findings and embellishments!

The #7 bracelet on page 37 by Denise Yezbak Moore is loaded with Vintaj! We love the dangle featuring our Ornate Long Etched Dangle Drop!

This lovely assymetrical necklace by Erin Prais-Hintz features our chain and Waterlily as the toggle clasp. We love the polymer clay wing link!

You’ll have to check our Lorelei Eurto’s whimsical earrings (#6, page 46). We love the wire wrapping!. You’ll also find a great article by Lorelei on page 96 with great tips for selling on Etsy. On page 47 (the #11 earrings),  Kelly Angeley created delightful dangles using crystals and our jumprings.

Posted in News, Publications having 5 comments »

Feature Friday: Designer Highlight – Carla Ekman

August 27th, 2010 by Vintaj

We love becoming friends with all of you through comments on our blog and on our Facebook page. One of our new friends has participated and won several challenges and you will frequently “see” her on our blog and Facebook page. She is a talented designer who is quickly becoming an expert in designing with Vintaj! We asked her a few questions and here are her answers…

How long have you been designing?

Nine years ago I left my career of 19 years as a software engineer and started running Cobweb Corner full time – reselling cross stitch books purchased from individuals or stores that have gone out of business. At the same time I taught myself the basics of beading. Over the last nine years I’ve continued to learn and develop my design techniques.

What is your design style…design process?

When designing I have a few goals I try to maintain. Since this is my business I need to make money, so  I normally stay away from pieces that are overly time-consuming. I also try very hard to do two things – keep my jewelry affordable and wearable. Often jewelry may be stunning, and complex, but not something the customer will actually wear. I want my customers to reach for Cobweb Corner jewelry day-after-day, so the majority of my pieces keep this in mind.

At the same time my jewelry has to be different. I love to hear that my customers were stopped on the street or at the mall and asked “Where did you get that necklace?”.  This makes me VERY happy!

I don’t think I have a particular design style and this has probably been a problem over the years. I don’t focus on one thing and instead am constantly trying new things, to the point that my store has a little bit of everything, and is somewhat unfocused. For personal shows this works well, but for online sales it has hindered my ability to ‘brand’ myself. So – something to work on over the next couple of years  (I would say months – but I know how that goes!)

What do you like about designing with Vintaj? What are your favorite pieces?

    Almost exactly two years ago I decided to take the plunge and invest fully in trying Vintaj Natural Brass for designing. At the time jewelry designs with Vintaj were newer and I wanted something completely different from the items I had been creating previously.

    I have never regretted my decision. Vintaj is so easy to work with and the pieces themselves are an inspiration. I truly enjoy working with all the Vintaj items and feel I’m much more able to distinguish myself as a designer.

    Plus, Vintaj customer support is wonderful. They’re commitment to the small designer and their ongoing education features really keep me going. They are such an inspiration to me. There are a lot of things I still need to learn and work at, and I think Vintaj will be with me every step of the way.

    Please stop by any of my MANY online sites and say hi, follow me, etc. Here are the places you can find me:

    Follow me on Facebook
    My Twitter ID is @CobwebCorner

    My Etsy store (with most of my jewelry)
    Buy Vintaj items in my de-stash store on Etsy
    My main store with some jewelry and my cross stitch books

    My blog

    We admire Carla’s diversity and enthusiasm to try new things! We can’t wait to see what comes next!

    Posted in Daily Dialogue, Designer Highlight having 6 comments »

    About Vintaj Home

    This valuable and inspiring site is a great way to keep up to date with Vintaj as our company grows. With weekly postings this blog extends a personal look inside Vintaj. Here you will find monthly featured projects and designers, publications featuring Vintaj, company updates, new products and inspiring links. Our Vintaj blog is available as a resource for public viewing but as always wholesale information is available only to registered wholesale users. Be inspired, ask questions and be the first to know what's new with Vintaj.