How to Get Rid of Patina in Hard to Reach Spots Lynn has this lovely silver ring of her grandmother's that she wanted to wear, but she hated the patina that was inside of the swirls. So we decided to take a shot at removing it. The Ring The first thing we needed was a q-tip.  I cut off both ends and put it in a flex shaft.  Then, I tapered the end on a file, so it could really get in the hard to reach areas.  I charged up the tapered tip with compound.  Then used it as a tiny polishing tool.  And viola! It definitely could use a little more work inside with the q-tip and maybe some higher shine compound (We used tripoli.) but the ring is certainly on its way to being patina free everywhere! -Johanna...

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Some of the jewelry pieces made at our studio this week: Tube Set Pieces:  Lori learned how to tube set and these are her first two silver pieces doing it. I think the stone in the tube set ring is a garnet. The pendant wasn't quite finished when I took the picture, but I think it looks great!   Faceted Silver Ring: This is the top of a cast ring Michelle made. I like her idea of making the silver look like a faceted stone.     Copper and Turquoise Swirl Earrings: These are some simple earrings Ruth made by curving wire then hammering it flat. She then attached the beads by wrapping a thinner gauge wire around the curved shapes she made.   Silver Knot and Turquoise Rings:  Made by Mikako on a Saturday   Stamped initial ring: A partially finished stamped initial ring made by Deb for her husband.  Happy Saturday! -Johanna ...

Last weekend, I went up to Williams, Arizona to participate with a team in the Wild Canyon Games at Lost Canyon . It was their first ever year doing it, and so much fun! The goal of the games is to raise money for kids to go to camp. Lost Canyon was absolutely beautiful. I wish I had taken more pictures... but it was an incredible experience that I want to repeat next year! On Saturday morning, each of the members of our team had to compete in their own individual events. They were Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Running and Geo caching. I, of course, did the run. I was kind of nervous going into it too, because it was at a lot higher elevation than I am used to, and I hadn't run anything over 4 miles in the last month. The run was a 15K. Yikes! So, the Wednesday before, I made sure to run 7 miles and planned on just hoping for the best for the run. Well, it was definitely intense, with some crazy inclines and rocky areas! There was even someone on our run who saw ...

Michelle of Miki Design Shop cast a few silver rings at the studio this week. I love the swirls on this design, and that she decided to oxidize it. I think it brings out the stone more than it would if it was the white color of silver. Mara made this riveted heart in Jewelry I. She sawed, textured and heat patinaed the pieces, then used what she learned in this weeks class to join the two pieces of metal together.  Michelle made this Faith Peace & Love riveted cuff Mikako made this ring for a friend the other day. I just thought it was so pretty. Don't you? Hope you had a wonderful, long, and restful weekend! -Johanna...

Last weekend, I visited my Grandma for Mother's Day. She is the youngest of thirteen children and her last living sibling, Ellen, is in a hospice. So, I thought it was probably a good time to visit. Ruth (my grandma) is such an inspiration for me. She has an amazing and positive outlook on life that I KNOW takes work. She's never been the type to prolong any phone conversation (In fact, she's usually the one to end them with me!) because she always has something to rush off to, like a card game with her friends. We ended up going over to Pella, Iowa one day. It's an old Dutch town, and they have a tulip festival every year. Tulips are my absolute favorite! It was a shame we ended up going on a Sunday, because there were some amazing looking bakeries that were closed. Thankfully, the tulips were still out and looking good! It was a fun trip that consisted of a whole lot of card games, coffee shops and laughter. We spent our last af...

Michelle Startzman ran two amazing workshops at the studio last weekend: Drawing with enamel  It was a workshop where we drew a design onto metal, then fired enamel over it. I had a couple of ladies say that they were concerned about their drawing abilities in this workshop. As you can see, they all turned out really good! I especially like the yellow ones. There is just something about the color that does it for me I guess. Photo Decal Students had a photo to use or bring in, and transferred it over with enameling and a printer.  I absolutely love the results! Especially the bike. I'd like to do a vintagy one next time, something like a chair or an old timey side profile of a face. What would you use? ...

Mother's day is on Sunday and we want to help you make a special gift you can give your Mother! Below we've got some workshops you can take this weekend! Do you have any plans for Mother's day? Heart Earrings Overlay Set Charm Bracelet ...

Happy Friday! Hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend. Here are some things we've been working on at the studio this week. Smash Earrings By Leah. I've been working at the Arab Horse Show at WestWorld this week. It's been a lot of fun! Smash Necklace by Leah. First time tube setting by Melissa Cool necklace by Michelle First tube set project by Alejandra in Jewelry II Earrings made by Jan in Jewelry I for her Daughter ...