Cynthia Del Giudice Jewelry

Let's Talk About Food!

2011-10-04T01:36:00.001-03:00

This Month's EtsyMetal blog carnival topic is Food. So, what is a Blog Carnival? It is EtsyMetal members who write an article on the same topic on the first Monday of each month. This month's EtsyMetal blog carnival topic is: "Lets Talk About Food!"
"The weather is cooling, Fall cooking season is 'round the corner. Tell us about some of your eating habits, philosophies, favorite foods and share a seasonal recipe!"

Preparing stuffed Achojchas with different mixtures of vegetables, grains and cheeses.

Achojchas ready to be put in the fire oven. These are filled with my interpretation of pico de gallo salsa.

Achojchas filled with quinoa, vegetables and cheese.

Ready for the oven.

Always tasty. Never boring.

Zucchinis with olive oil, cheese and something else I had at the moment but can't remember what (looks like tomatoes?)

Tomatoes stuffed with rice and tuna.

Zucchinis topped with olive oil and cheese.

My vegetable garden

A crop from last summer.

Apple crop (I had to pick these before the parrots did).

Figs

Fig preserve.

Zucchini and peppers

I've had a serious vegetable garden for the past three years, so vegetables have been a large part of my diet lately. I eat a lot of salads, stir-fries and frittatas in the summer, and a lot of spicy one pot dishes in the winter. Since I live in the country, a few miles from the nearest market, I try to minimize trips to town for groceries. This means I should probably be more organized and structured and plan ahead when it comes to cooking, but I have a hard time with that, so I need to be resourceful and improvise for a tasty meal, which makes it so interesting and a lot more fun.

If you read this far, you're probably wondering what these "achojchas" are. So did I until just recently. My sister in law visited Bolivia last summer and brought me these really interesting looking seeds. We had no idea what they tasted like and how they grew. Well, at the end of summer the 2 plants had practically overtaken my vegetable garden, and I had achojchas to feed a nation. I hate to see things go to waste, so I came up with a lot of recipes and excuses to invite people for lunch :)

I owe you some recipes. Maybe next week, or when I have some extra time in my hands.

Thanks for reading!

For other metalsmith's food stories and recipes, be sure to click on the links below:

Inbar Bareket - http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog
kate jones - http://www.katejonesdesign.blogspot.com
nova of sweden - http://www.nova-designs.blogspot.com/
Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Bogan - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
Panicmama Jewelry - http://panicmama.blogspot.com
Evelyn Markasky http://markasky.blogspot.com/
2Roses: http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
Jenny Baughman (Gecko J): http://ridgeschool.blogspot.com/

Buying Handmade Jewelry

2011-09-05T20:05:00.000-03:00

This month's theme for EtsyMetal Blog Carnival is: "A Few Tips On Buying Handmade Jewelry"
Share a few of your personal tips when it comes to the purchase of handmade art jewelry.

First of all, let's think about why we buy handmade in general. A handmade item, whatever it is, is a product of love, inspiration, value and joy for the maker. There is a special connection between the maker and the item and later the wearer of the piece. However, this is not true for all handmade things. There is a difference between a handmade item that was created by a worker in bad conditions and for a lousy salary. These items are just like mass produced, the only difference is that they were made with human hands. Sometimes even children's hands. We need to be aware of the difference. Buying directly from the artisan ensures this is not the case. Nowadays with e-commerce, and especially with Etsy, we can buy directly from the craftsperson even when they are on the other side of the planet.

Some things to consider when buying handmade jewelry (or any handmade item for that matter) are design, uniqueness, and craftsmanship. Nowadays there is a trend in jewelry were the design on a piece is more valuable than the cost of the materials itself. This is because people are looking for uniqueness and personality and a handmade spirit that only creative hands can make. Time, lots of time go into this creative process. This usually begins with an inspiration from the artist, choosing materials for the piece, as well as a suitable technique, designing, and working for many hours, many times through experimentation, failure, trial and error to complete their vision. Sometimes this piece ends up being a one of a kind, and sometimes they become part of our "production" pieces, which means we will be making more (on a limited or small scale edition, after all, it's only our two hands). This means that the time it took to design and experiment will be divided among the various pieces we will be selling of the design in the future. This is why one of a kinds usually cost more. And very often the piece ends up in the scrap metal container. Some jewelry makers will decide to use more expensive materials and less time designing. These are usually more traditional pieces, where the design is not as unique and original. So, when we buy jewelry we are paying (or should be, in my opinion) for a combination of these, depending on the piece:

art/design (how much thought was put into the idea/piece?)
materials (how expensive are the materials used?)
time (how much time did it take to make the piece?)
knowledge/expertise (what is the level of difficulty on the techniques used?)
craftsmanship (How well is it made?)
overhead (we have to pay for/replace/buy new tools, etc. -and we need LOTS)

I've heard many sellers complaining about what Etsy calls handmade. They feel that their craft is being unfairly compared to assembled jewelry rather than handmade from sheet metal and wire (some metal smiths even go as far as making their own sheets and wires, or cutting their own stones). I think it is just different, and while some buyers might not be aware of the difference, or not care about it, I think most do. There is a niche market for everyone out there, we just have to find it or let it find us.

So when you see a piece of art jewelry made of found objects or recycled material, with simple techniques, don't think "Oh, I can do that" or "Oh, my kid could do that!", because you, or your kid DID'NT do that. The artist made it because he/she has the art background, the creative idea, the experience, the tools and the urge to make it. And that is why it is special.

There is this story where a guy takes his car to the mechanic, and the mechanic fixes the problem with a blow of a hammer. The car owner watches the whole thing. The mechanic hands over the keys to the car owner and says "that's it, you owe me 100 dollars". The car owner, in amazement says "you're going to charge me 100 dollars for a blow of a hammer?", the mechanic says: "no, it's 1 dollar for that, 99 dolars for knowing how and where to place the blow."

To read what other EtsyMetal members have to say about this topic, click on the following links:

1. Danielle Miller-Gilliam http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
2. Rebecca Bogan - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
3. Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
4. 2Roses - http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
5. Inbar Bareket - http://www.inbarbareket.info/blog
6. Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/

Blog Carnival "Roots"

2011-08-01T18:05:00.004-03:00

Today's Etsymetal blog carnival is about our creative roots.

"Etc" first band
Santi Navarro, Peter Del Giudice and Matias Del Giudice
(they were so young)

"Arbol, Manos, Tierra" by Florencia Del Giudice

"Caminito" Detail by Veronica Del Giudice

I have to admit I almost did not participate this time because I wasn't really immersed in a family of artists growing up. My father was a high school teacher, and my mother a housewife who couldn't draw a stick figure. I did, however have two aunts Marite Podesta, and Ines Podesta, who were painters, and I was fascinated by their talent. Especially Ines', whose main chosen subject was my favorite: horses. So I realized I was, and still am very much surrounded by artists in my family. Although my father was not an artist, he was an art appreciator. Now retired he has started exploring his artistic streak with pastels. My youngest sister Catalina Hannon is a wonderful actress, singer, bilingual Spanish/English Voice over Talent. She has recorded commercials, narrated documentaries, animations and various videos. She can basically imitate any English accent, as well as a neutral Spanish accent for a worldwide Spanish-speaking audience. My oldest sister Frances Hannon is also a teacher, but has been drawing and painting on and off. She recently won a mention in an art competition. My daughter Florencia is a very creative artist, she is a wonderful illustrator and painter. She started very early. And my two sons are fabulous musicians. Peter has a punk band called Licuado de Panchos, and Matias is the rhythm guitar on 42 Decibel, an AC/DC inspired band. And there is also other musicians nephews: Santi Navarro, and Fermin Aguirre. My Brother's little girls are actresses and video producers (they have filmed homemade films and act in our local theater). My husband is a woodworker whose work has been featured in magazines and books and has been called an artist by several of his customers, and I would have to agree with them. My sister in law Veronica Del Giudice is an accomplished and well known watercolorist here in Argentina. Virginia, my other sister in law is a photographer. She specializes in still life, interior design and food. Her husband Victor Wolf is a fashion photographer.

This box was a gift from my husband
"Jewelry box" by Lucas Del Giudice
Zebra wood, beech, cedar, oak
Inlaid

My U.S.A. side of the family:
My uncle Philip Hannon is a retired graphic designer, and a wonderful painter. So is my cousin David Holmes, who makes these hyper-realistic paintings of common urban scenes using acrylic paint. "I am fascinated by the urban landscape and how people exist within it. There's a lot of drama and tension involved in even the most common daily experiences." And my cousin Constance Baldwin who is also a wonderful illustrator. I also have to add my cousin Gregg Hannon to the list. We visited his family in the States a very, very long time ago. He had an electric guitar, and he introduced my siblings and I to Led Zeppelin. Fond memories!

Broadway Hustle, 2005
by David Holmes
Acrylic on wood
80" x 32"

And of course, I don't need to mention this because it is obvious, but I LOVE all these people! They have been an inspiration and support.

xoxo

To read about other EtsyMetal member's roots, check out their blog posts:

1. Beth Cyr - http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
2. Erin Austin - http://metalmusing.blogspot.com
3. Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
4. Elizabeth Scott - http://esdesignsjewelry.com/blog
5. Inbar Bareket - http://www.inbarbareket.net/
6. Cynthia Del Giudice - http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
7. 2Roses - http://jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
8. Evelyn Markasky - http://markasky.blogspot.com/
9. Twigs and Heather - http://twigsandheather.blogspot.com
10. http://www.artigianojewelbox.com/category/blog
11. Danielle Miller-Gilliam - http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/

Works in Progress

2011-07-22T10:38:00.000-03:00

I have been working and experimenting with my mini-rose design in sterling silver sheet. I have already designed a pair of earrings with a couple which will be available in my shop soon (Stay tuned!). I'm very excited with the result!

An Artist Work that has Influenced My Own

2011-07-11T05:34:00.015-03:00

One of the many artists that has influenced my work is Franz Kline.

Franz Kline was an American painter from my favorite Art Movement: Abstract Expressionism. Abstract Expressionism was born in New York in the 40's and 50'. It was the first art movement accepted world wide which later influenced other movements, which up until then was exclusively a role played by Paris.

Painting Number 2, 1954,

The Museum of Modern Art

I love Kline's use of black and white, with thick brushstrokes and texture. He used a lot of diagonal lines which make his paintings very dynamic, intense, yet soft and sensitive. They imply expression of ideas concerning the spiritual, the unconscious, and the mind.

Franz Kline
Untitled

Franz Kline at his studio

"You paint the way you have to in order to give.
That's life itself, and someone will look and say it is the product of knowing,
but it has nothing to do with knowing, it has to do with giving."Franz Kline

To find out what artists are influencing these other Etsymetal members, click on the following links to their blogs:

1. Theresa - http://tkmetalarts.blogspot.com
2. Kate Jones - http://www.katejonesdesign.blogspot.com
3. Fluxplay Jewellery (Maria Whetman) - http://www.fluxplay.blogspot.com
4. 2Roses - http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
5. Elizabeth Scott - http://esdesignsjewelry.com/blog
6.Andrea Ring- http://www.amuckdesign.blogspot.com
7. Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
8. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
9. Inbar Bareket http://www.inbarbareket.net
10. Cynthia Del Giudice: http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
11. Evelyn Markasky: http://markasky.blogspot.com/
12. AdobeSol - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
13. Quercus Silver http://quercussilver.blogspot.com/

Ganoskin Exhibition: "Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder"

2011-07-10T23:37:00.001-03:00

These tree pieces made it into the exhibit, along with some other wonderful work. It is worth browsing through.

Fused Plastic, Sterling Silver (on page 18)

Fused Plastic, Sterling Silver, Cultured Pearls (p. 18)

Copper, Sterling Silver, Newsprint, Stainless steel pin Fold formed, constructed (p. 38)

   The online exhibition titled "Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder"
   is now open to the public, The exhibition showcases 247 images
   chosen from entries from over 55 artists representing North America,
   South America, Europe, Australia, Central America, Africa and
   Eurasia.

   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/beb

----------------------------------------------------

   Online Exhibition: "Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder"
   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/beb

   "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" showcases 247 images chosen
   from entries from over 55 artists representing North America, South
   America, Europe, Australia, Central America, Africa and Eurasia.

   The drive to adorn the human body is surely as old as human kind.
   From pre-historic times this drive has led humans to use the
   materials at hand, combined with the technologies and tools
   available, to create objects to adorn the human body. The oldest
   jewelry found to date goes back to at least 75,000 years ago in
   Africa.

   Early jewelry was made of bones, shells, sticks, and whatever other
   materials the people could find and shape. Over time the ability to
   mine and shape metal developed, and jewelry was made from bronze,
   silver, gold, platinum and other metals. Gold has long been thought
   of as a "precious" metal, and today it is joined by silver and
   platinum as the three main materials modern jewelry is made from.

   While much jewelry today is made from these three main metals, a
   large body of jewelry world-wide is still made from a much wider
   range of materials. This exhibition, "Beauty is in the Eye of the
   Beholder", focuses on jewelry made primarily of materials other than
   gold, platinum and silver.

   Jewelers today are still using found objects such as shell and bone;
   they are using "green" materials - upcycled and recycled objects and
   materials; they are using cutting edge plastics and newly developed
   technology; and they are using older metals such as copper, brass
   and bronze.

   Some of the more unusual materials include vinyl LP's, velvet, VCR
   components, rattlesnake vertebrae, corian, canvas, paper, crab
  claws, magnets, synthetic rubber electrical insulation tubing, and
   aluminum grounding wire.

   More traditional materials used include copper, bronze, brass,
   glass, various types of wood, gemstones, pearls and seeds.

   Techniques range from traditional metalsmithing, through a range of
   beading techniques, textile techniques, photography techniques and
   cutting edge industrial fabrication.

   Participants range from professional jewelers with international
   reputations to students just learning their craft.

   Hosted on the Ganoksin website, the world's largest internet site
   devoted to jewelry- related topics, the exhibition is a snapshot of
   what jewelers around the world are exploring, and an inspiration to
   all. The exhibition was conceived Beth Wicker, an artist from South
   Carolina, in the USA, and curated by Beth and Hanuman Aspler, founder
   of the Ganoksin Project.

   Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder
   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/beb

   For more information about the Exhibition please contact: Beth Wicker
   onlineexhibition@earthlink.net or Dr. E. Aspler (Hanuman)
   service@ganoksin.com

Dr. E. Aspler (Hanuman)
Owner and founder

The Ganoksin Project
S i n c e 1 9 9 6
Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Techniques
http://www.ganoksin.com
____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop

Here are some fabulous pieces that caught my eye: "Devils Yoke" by Rebecca Barton from the USA , "Fabric Mechanics" by Su Trindle from the UK, "Infrastructure" by Sara West from USA, "Kotor" by Karin Roy Anderson from Sweden, "Necklace" by Katharina Moch from Germany, "Kotor2" by Karin Roy Anderson from Sweden, "Revolution Necklace" Sarah Kelly from the UK, "Tchaikovsky Ring" by Ian Henderson from the USA, and Maria Zolorzano Maldonado with "Des Oeufs" from Mexico and currently living in Buenos Aires.

Creativity, Inspiration, Motivation

2011-07-02T19:31:00.001-03:00

There is no specific thing that inspires me, but too many things to list. I think the key here is that I have to be in a certain place in my mind and soul to let these things inspire me. In other words, inspiration comes mostly within me, and not so much from outside sources.

As to how my design process works, sometimes inspiration and ideas come all of a sudden (many times in the middle of the night), and sometimes they come by chance while I'm experimenting with certain materials or techniques.

The hard part is to stay motivated. Motivation is hard to control. Recognition is certainly a boost to my motivation. It might be from running a successful business, from feedback from friends and colleagues, or from getting a piece accepted into a book, gallery, museum, or a special event.

I get frustrated when things don't go as I plan or ideas stop coming. I sometimes get a little panicky thinking I won't get good ideas to keep going. I try to stop and do something else I enjoy doing and enjoy life in general. Visiting museums, looking at art, reading books, enjoying the outdoors helps.

Doing other creative activities also helps. I like to explore and experiment, and be surprised. I like to paint and once in a while do small horse sculptures with soft steel wire. I also love gardening and improvised cooking.

This piece in particular came from experimenting with fold forming. I had bought a book on this technique, and tested many folds and shapes shown in the there. After I was done with the exercises I started to experiment and find my own thing. I usually take a material or technique and think "well, but what if...""what if I do this instead of this", "what would happen if I added this step/fold/shape, etc". And then when I end up with a cool shape I have to design around it to make it wearable (or somewhat wearable). More questions are asked "would this make a good ring?" "how do I present it?", etc.

Fold Formed Double Blossom Ring by Cynthia Del Giudice
Sterling silver - Fold formed, constructed

This other piece below was made by experimenting with recycled plastic bags. I had read how fusing bags was done, and I tried it, cut it, made a couple of things (I think I made a sturdy re-usable grocery bag), and then again I started with my own questions: "what if...?" "what if I use more heat?" "what if I use less heat?" "what if I...?" Once I was happy with the pieces I was making, I had to think and design how to use them. I have made many pieces of jewelry with this technique, here is a necklace I made for a show, and was latter exhibited at Luke & Eloy Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Fused Plastic Necklace by Cynthia Del Giudice
Plastic, sterling silver - Fused recycled plastic bags, Constructed

I made this ring with the same fused plastic pieces. It was recently published in a book of rings edited by Nicolas Estrada, and written in four languages. I can't wait to receive my own copy!

Fused Plastic Ring by Cynthia Del Giudice
Plastic, Sterling Silver - Fused plastic bags, constructed, riveted

Etsy Metal Studio Tour

2011-06-06T04:00:00.041-03:00

"EtsyMetal Blog Carnival"
Topic: "Etsy Metal Studio Tour"
Show us where you work!
Describe what you love about your work space and/or any changes you would like to make in the future.

I have a home studio. I live in the country, in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love where I live, and I love what I do. My studio is a wonderful place to work in. I think the best part is its location. I am surrounded by inspiring things outside. Anything from landscape, sky, plants, and animals. I often brings little treasures I find outside. Anything from a feather, to a seed-pod, to a dry branch.

My workbench is a long countertop my husband bought from an old general store in town which was being remodeled. It is beautiful solid wood with moldings. It is the perfect height for sawing, but too high for just about everything else. I usually end up doing most of my work standing, so I am planning on buying a tall chair right now, or I might add an extra table, standard height, to the side.

I have a bookcase filled with all sorts of books and magazines. Art, design, and jewelry technique books are what I have within easy reach for reference and inspiration. There is a desk with my computer and printer on the opposite wall of the workbench. There is also an Ikea modular piece of furniture where I keep all my boxes, tissue paper and envelopes for shipping and an amplifier with speakers for the computer.

I have a beautiful little shelf on top of my workbench that our friend Tom made while he was visiting us from the States. It's very convenient because I can put smaller things like jars and small containers so they are visible and within easy reach. He also made me a really nice bench pin and a wooden block to organize my pliers. My father in law made me a wooden organizer for my files which I keep inside my rolling toolbox. All these things are super important for me because I tend to be very unorganized. I can't imagine my workspace being more chaotic than it is, but I know it can!

So, besides the table or tall chair, I would love to own a rolling mill. Better overall lighting and a good heating system wouldn't hurt either. Of course, now I remember, because it's starting to get cold! (winter is coming here in the Southern Hemisphere).

For other EtsyMetal Studio Tour posts, please follow the links below:

1. Rebecca Bogan - http://www.AdobeSol.com/blog
2. Shirlee Grund - http://lichenandlychee.com/blog/
3. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
4. Elizabeth Scott http://esdesignsjewelry.com/blog
5. Cynthia Del Giudice http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com
6. Michele Grady http://www.michelegradydesigns.blogspot.com
7. Erin Austin - http://metalmusing.blogspot.com/
8. Nodeform - http://nodeform.blogspot.com/
9. Evelyn Markasky -- http://markasky.blogspot.com/
10. Kathryn Cole - http://www.kathryncolejewelry.blogspot.com
11. 2Roses - http://www.jewelrytutorial.blogspot.com
12. Lauren Anabela Beaudoin/Creative Dexterity - http://creativedexterity.com/Blog/main.html

RAW

2011-01-28T13:03:00.000-03:00

Ring A Week (RAW) is a challenge introduced by my friend and fellow metalsmith Thomasin Durgin. She is challenging other metalsmiths and jewelry makers to design and execute at least one ring a week for the entire year 2011. Photos are taken of the rings as they are completed and uploaded to a RAW Flickr group.

Here are my first 3 pieces, but hopefully there will be 49 more!

1. RAW52 3, 2. RAW52 3, 3. RAW52 3, 4. RAW2 of 52, 5. RAW2 of 52, 6. RAW2 of 52, 7. RAW (ring a week) number 1, 8. RAW (ring a week) number 1, 9. 100_0727

Working, Working, Working...

2010-10-26T00:58:00.001-03:00

Don't forget to check out the deals at my shop! I'm offering a 20% off section (about 37 items), with prices already marked down, plus free shipping for any item in my shop. This sale runs through Friday.

EtsyMetal 4th Year Anniversary Celebration

2010-10-22T12:51:00.006-03:00

The EtsyMetal Team was founded in 2006 and has grown rapidly since then. We are a group of metalsmiths who share ideas, experience, techniques and knowledge, and who support each other by advice, feedback, and encouragement. We meet daily at our forum and chat just about anything. We've been through good and rough times, but we always pull through because we care too much about what we do, and respect each other deeply. Being a metalsmith, or a craftperson, means many hours working alone at a workbench, without too much social life. This team has helped me to make this journey a not so lonely one, even if it is a virtual one.

This month is EtsyMetal's 4th year anniversary, and to celebrate this occasion we have decided to give away 4 $50 gift certificates the last 4 Fridays of October. You will have 4 chances to enter into the giveaways, but you only have to do any one of these:

#1 Sign up for our new email list! It is really easy - see that big button at the top of EtsyMetal's blog that says "Subscribe for our Newsletter" - click there!

#2 Blog about it! Write a blog post and leave a comment on EtsyMetal's Blog with a link to your post.

#3 Tweet about our anniversary linking to Etsymetal's blog post - then comment on this blog post with a link to your tweet or twitter acct to let us know!

#4 Facebook it! Post a link to EtsyMetal's blogpost on your facebook page and let us know by leaving a comment on this blog post.

Go to EtsyMetal's blog to subscribe for our Newsletter here, and to find out who is having a sale. I am having a 20% off section in my shop and free shipping on all items. This offer is good for one week only: from today, October 22 till the 29.

Sterling ilver 2" enEdless Hoops

3" Oxidized Copper Hoops

Organic Circles Copper Earrings

Friday Oct 22nd (giveaway)
1. Kathleen Bostick (will have a 20% off sale section)
2. Rachael Sudlow (will do a sale section)
3. Kira Ferrer (15% off, refunded through paypal)
4. mark kaplan (will do a sale section)
5. Iacua (20% off whole store)
6. LSueSzabo (20% off the whole store, refunded through paypal)
7. NinaGibsonDesigns (sale section & possibly free shipping)
8. Meg Auth (simplymega)
9. Cynthia Del Giudice (20% off Sale section and free shipping for any item)
10. Gecko J (will do a 20% off the whole shop)
11. Hartleystudio (15% off the shop, 10% off wedding bands, free shipping for FB fans)
12. Rebekah Meddles - Lunasa Designs (don't know terms yet - probably different every day/sale section?)
13. Quercus Silver - Sale Section
14. Danielle Miller (20% off, plus free shipping through FB)
15. Shannon (rubygirl) - sale section + 20% regularly priced items (refunded through Paypal)
16. Inbar Bareket - Sale section
17. Maria Goti - mariagotijoyas - 20% off refunded through paypal.

My Birthday

2010-08-18T13:03:00.002-03:00

Food for Thought

2010-08-02T23:00:00.001-03:00

Today's EtsyMetal blog carnival topic is about food.

Well this could be a very long post, but I promise to keep it as short as I can. I love food, and love to cook. I feel very fortunate to live in the country, where we grow most of our food. We have an organic vegetable garden, a dairy cow, chickens, and bees. I live in Argentina, the world's leading beef consumer, so we do eat a lot of red meat, but since we've had more time to work on our vegetable garden we have been making it bigger and bigger each season we are slowly weaning out of meat, and we feel great. I love to do stir fries and one pot dishes. I don't like deep frying anything, and I find it difficult and boring to follow step-by-step recipes. I usually look at recipe pictures and get inspired with my own ingredients, flavors, and tastes. I rarely measure anything. My cooking is very creative and I am usually very resourceful.

But today I want to talk about our latest project: an adobe oven. These ovens are very old, and part of our tradition. Gauchos have been making and cooking on these ovens for centuries. This construction was inspired by a native bird we have in the pampas called the "Oven Bird", of course. These birds construct their nests out of mud and grass, because that is what was available before Europeans brought trees to the grasslands.

Oven Bird Nest where the gauchos got the idea.

Using the string to measure the distance

As the wall gets taller, the string pulls the walls closer forming a dome

Mud is placed between half bricks.

Peter mixing the mud, straw and horse manure for stuccoing

There are different ways of constructing these, but in our case, my son, Peter was the architect and constructor. He decided to build it with bricks, mud, horse manure, and straw. He first bilt a wooden structure with wire mesh, to which he added the straw and mud. He then broke about 40 wine bottles to place on the bottom of the oven for better insulation. A brick floor was placed on top of the broken glass and a string was secured in the middle of this floor. The string was used during the laying of the briks to make it into a dome. As the oven got taller, it also got narrower. The bricks were layed with the mud, straw and manure mixture instead of mortar or cement. An old iron door and a vent (he used a clay pot with its bottom sawed off) was placed in the process. After the last brick was layed he smoothed out and gave it a little more volume to the walls with more of the mixture. The oven was left to dry for about a week, and then my husband cooked some homemade bread.

Before final stucco

Heating the oven with a fire

All fire must be extinguished, but bright coals must be hot.

Last week I made a homegrown pumpkin with a roast, potatoes and sweet potatoes. It was delicious!

For other food for thought stories, check out these Etsymetal member's blogs:
nina gibson
victoria takahashi
stacey hansen
thomasin durgin
inbar bareket
lauren anabela beaudoin
maria whetman
beth cyr
ann Hartley
caitlyn davey

Jewellery Scape Exhibition

2010-07-30T15:22:00.003-03:00

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

"Jewelleryscape Exhibition is a web exhibition gathering over 250 works made by goldsmiths and designers coming from all over the world.
Our purpose is to found a place for "jewellery's virtual community" and focus on its heterogeneity. An amazing variety of people, countries and projects.
Jewelleryscape exhibition is curated by Alba Cappellieri, Professor of Jewellery Design at Politecnico of Milan and Laura Santosuosso, Federico Stanzani, Livia Tenuta, Fashion Design' students at Politecnico of Milan.

Jewelleryscape Exhibiton è una mostra on line che raccoglie oltre 250 opere realizzate da orafi e designer provenienti da tutto il mondo.
Lo scopo è quello di dedicare uno spazio alla "comunità virtuale del gioiello" e di valorizzare l'eterogeneità che la caratterizza.

Eterogeneità biografica, geografica e soprattutto progettuale. Jewelleryscape Exhibition è a cura di Alba Cappellieri, professore di Design del Gioiello presso il Politecnico di Milano, e di Laura Santosuosso, Federico Stanzani, Livia Tenuta studenti di Design di Moda presso il Politecnico di Milano"

Quote from Laura Santosuosso from the Plastic section on the exhibit:

PLASTICS

"Plastic is everywhere and can be considered a deep-seated element in our everyday life. That's why there is still a lot of scepticism around plastic jewellery. What is that turns such a common material into a precious object, then? Obviously it is the project, which reduces the boundary between ornamentation and technology, decoration and functionality, ordinary and extraordinary. Desing, and most of all Kartell, has taught us how even the poorest and most ordinary material of all, can be transformed into a luxury object.
This tendency can be clearly seen in our Italian compilation of young female designers. In fact, it is evident how these young designers have discharged the materials from their functionality, with a cultural and aesthetic purpose.
Would you ever thought that a reflector could have been so smart, as the one recycled by Francesca Gabrielli? And what about Manuela Gandini using rubber to model her bracelets? Creative intelligence at its best. On the other side, Luisa Bruni chooses plexiglas and takes advantage of its transparency to represent the fall of a water drop.
Concerning new materials, Francesca Canapa finds softness and grace in Corian, a polymer which is traditionally used in architecture and furnishings. American designer Phil Renato deserves a special mention, because of his research which has created some scary shiny jewels, originated by a sense of manipolation and analysis of different shapes. This makes us aware of the vast potential that this material has and how little it has been explored in the goldsmith field.

La plastica è dappertutto. Si è insidiata in maniera così capillare nella nostra quotidianità da far risultare faticoso finanche riconoscere nell'oggetto polimerico lo status di gioiello.
Ed è qui che entra in gioco il progetto. E' in questa terra di confine tra ornamento e tecnologia, tra decorazione e funzione, tra ordinario e straordinario, che il progetto rende preziosa una materia popolare come la plastica.
Il design, e la Kartell soprattutto, ci hanno insegnato che un materiale ordinario, povero e comune puo’ invece liberarsi dai lacci della quotidianità e della funzionalità per diventare straordinario, prezioso e distintivo. Lo dimostrano con evidenza i lavori che presentiamo qui di un piccolo gruppo di giovani donne italiane. Emerge, dal loro lavoro, la volontà di sollevare la materia dalla sua funzionalità mediante un gesto che è al contempo sia estetico che culturale. Avreste mai scommesso sulla potenziale eleganza del catarifrangente? Francesca Gabrielli sì, realizzando un bell'esempio di design del riciclo. E la gomma che Manuela Gandini plasma i volumi audaci dei suoi bracciali?
Pura intelligenza creativa. Luisa Bruni sceglie il plexiglas, ne sfrutta la trasparenza e lo utilizza per immortalare la caduta di una goccia d'acqua. Per quanto riguarda i nuovi materiali, Francesca Canapa ottiene risultati di leggerezza e grazia attraverso il Corian, un polimero tradizionalmente destinato ad architettura e arredo. Una menzione speciale va allo statunitense Phil Renato, la cui ricerca dà vita a gioielli ludici, forse a tratti inquietanti, che invitano alla manipolazione, all'esplorazione delle forme e che fanno riflettere sulle infinite potenzialità di questo materiale ancora poco esplorato in ambito orafo."

Laura Santosuosso

Jewellery Scape Exhibition

I found some of my old favorite artists such as Angela Gerhard, Coleen Baran, Jimena Rios, Francesca Vitali, as well as some new discoveries such as Manuela Gandini, Phil Renato, Catherine Sheddy, Luisa Bruni, Glix Atelier, and Yanli Duan.

New Shop Banner

2009-11-23T11:29:00.004-03:00

In case you're wondering, I created it the hard way (but the only way I know how to):
1. I made a collage with Picasa
2. Erased the last two pictures and added a black background in Paint.
3. Sized and added my name in Picnik.
Could I have done it in a more complicated way???

Visit my Flickr to see more samples.

"Paper or Plastic?"

2009-10-27T15:07:00.003-03:00

Project Runnway Challenge 6.5: Newspaper! "Safe News"

2009-09-24T22:56:00.006-03:00

EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we discuss the actual show's challenge and start working on ideas that need to be completed and photographed by the following Friday at no latter than 12 p.m. Pacific time. This weeks challenge was to work with newspaper:

"OK designers! This week is pretty straight forward.
This weeks challenge is "NEWSPAPER".
Please incorporate newspaper or pre-printed black and white book pages into a piece of jewelry.

Ideas: using the color from a pic in the paper, using the words from headlines, patterns, textures, paper mache', folding, decopauge, weaving, and whatever crazy creative things you can think of!
Oh and YES you can use glue, paints, dyes, etc.
Now make it work!"

I started drawing sketches and working on ideas, but didn't decide on the concept until after I grabbed a newspaper. As it usually happens, when I have a newspaper in my hand, no matter how old or outdated it is, I always find something to read I missed before. It never fails. The material got me thinking the state of our world media today, privately owned by just a few multi-national corporations.

I made this piece using a copper sheet I fold formed into a vessel shape. I created the mesh with sterling silver with the ends rolled up into balls placed into holes I pierced on the copper piece. I handmade the pin closure, and formed the pin out of surgical steel wire. I oxidized the piece and buffed with beeswax. I then crumpled newspaper and carefully placed inside its interior.

For more pieces created by other metalsmiths, visit etsymetal's blog: Blog:http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2009/09/etsymetal-jewelry-challenge-project_18.html

Official show channel: http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway
Due: Friday 12pm PST

Etsy Metal Team Project Runaway Challenge

2009-09-11T16:31:00.008-03:00

Every week, the Esymetal team organizes a challenge inspired on the Project Runaway Show. Last week's project was:
*Season 6 - Week 3:
"Surf Wear"
Blog
Official show channel
Due: Friday 12pm PST

"OK Designers this weeks challenge is a bout Surf Wear. The actual challenge is:
to create a fun and fashionable Surf Wear look".
Tim says, "it's critical to infuse your point of view and personal style into this challenge."
Also, if you are feeling super motivated, there was an extra added bit to their challenge,
it was to design a Avant Garde interpreted Surf Wear piece.
OR maybe you'd rather just make the Avant Garde piece,
make one OR perhaps both!?
It's all up to you designers!
So, here are some ideas that were thrown out to help design a piece around this weeks episode.
"sun, surf, beach, color, california surf icons, water, sand, bathing suits, surf culture,youth..."

"Carry on designers!"

I have many collections of random "stuff" I keep. I had collected, among other things, dry algae from the Southern California's coast while I lived there years ago. I took it out of a large jar, where I keep other beach treasures I've collected and was inspired to create this pin.

And of course, check the Etsymetal blog for more exiting interpretations where you can click through each individual participant for photos and detail.

My Introduction to Metals

2009-09-07T13:57:00.008-03:00

This month's installation of EtsyMetal's Blog Carnival is: My First Metalsmithed Piece. My first introduction to metals was actually not a piece of jewelry. I was in my second year of a sculpture class and decided to try my hand at metal. Being a horse lover, I was inspired by Deborah Butterfield's bigger than life-size horses, and always found attracted to metals, especially the old rusted ones. I made a large horse (not quite life-size) with old, rusted metal scraps I found or bought at junk yards. I carefully selected each piece of metal, limiting the bending and cutting to a minimum, using what was already bend and broken just as I found it. I welded each piece, but left as much open space as possible, and without trying to give too much detail, but rather trying to catch the essence of the horse.

This was back in 1993 when I was living in Southern California. My instructor asked me if I was willing to donate it to the college for permanent display, and I happily agreed. It was displayed in the Art department garden, outdoors. I went back in 2003 to visit, and I found my horse still there standing proudly. A little more rusted, but looking good. It was a good feeling.

I just went searching and scanned some old photos I had, and although they aren't great, they give an idea of what I'm talking about. Looking at these also makes me realize that although not a work of art, I had such a great time making it! I still make small wire horse sculptures once in a while. It just goes to show you my fascination with horses, metals, art, and sculpture.

Make sure to check out my other EtsyMetal friends that are participating in this month's blog carnival:

1. Sara Westermark http://sarawestermark.blogspot.com/
2. Nina Gibson http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Danielle Miller-Gilliam http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
4. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
5. duckduckGoose http://duckduckgoosestuff.co.uk/duckduckBLOG
6. Caitlyn Davey http://discomedusa.typepad.com
7. Laura Crawford http://tangerinetreehouse.blogspot.com
8. Tamra Gentry http://gentrydesignco.typepad.com/
9. andes cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
10. Cynthia Del Giudice: http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com/
11. libby Rosas http://elizabethrosasjewelry.blogspot.com
12. Nina Dinoff http://ninadinoff.blogspot.com
13. Clare Stoker http://clarestoker.blogspot.com
14. kerin rose http://kerinrose.blogspot.com
15.Quercus SIlver http://quercussilver.blogspot.com
16. Delias Thompson http://deliasstudioinc.blogspot.com

Double Blossom Ring

2009-08-28T16:08:00.006-03:00

Part of my Botanica Collection, I constructed this ring using foldforming techniques, except I didn't do the usual patterned folding, but a random one for a more natural and organic look. I also fused some silver into the copper center for contrast and texture. The blossoms were soldered to the ends of a sterling silver wire and then wrapped to form this unique ring.

This ring will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

"Joyas que Cuentan" Opening Reception

2009-08-11T21:44:00.001-03:00

Joyas que Cuentan - Jewels that Tell

2009-07-30T23:09:00.001-03:00

Exposición de Joyería Contemporánea

Graciela Lescano y Fabiana Gadano tenemos el agrado de invitarlos a compartir la muestra de Joyería de Autor - Segunda edición, titulada "Joyas que cuentan", que realizaremos junto a los integrantes de nuestros talleres en el Museo Casa de Yrurtia. Este año la muestra expone trabajos elaborados a partir de textos literarios.

La inauguración será el domingo 9 de agosto a las 18:00 hs, y permanecerá abierta al público hasta el 2 de septiembre.

Museo Casa de Yrurtia, O'Higgins 2390, CABA, 4781 0385

Martes a viernes de 13 a 19 hs

Domingos de 15 a 19 hs

Contemporary Jewelry Exhibit

Next Sunday, August 9, I will be part of a collective exhibit on art jewelry in the museum "Casa de Yrurtia" in Downtown Buenos Aires. The proposal is to create jewelry pieces which have been inspired by a literary text of our choice. I have chosen a book written by Sergio Bulat a Spanish author, journalist, and environmental lawyer titled "Planeta Frito" (Fried Planet).

Bulat wrote this book in conjunction with Greenpeace about simple ideas for everyone to better the quality of life and stop climate change. I chose this book as I am an environmentalist and recycling person. I am presenting two of my fused plastic pieces for this exhibit. A large neck piece and a ring. These pieces incorporate recycled plastic bags which have been fused to create organic shapes which I then assembled using sterling silver rivets and handmade links of substantial size.

I am very excited to be participating in this exhibit. The creativeness, originality, and quality of work of every participant has surpassed my expectations. Be sure to visit if you happen to be in Buenos Aires during this event:
Opening will be on Sunday August 9 at 6:00pm. The exhibit will run until September 2, 7:00pm.

Museo Casa de Yrurtia, O'Higgins 2390, CABA, 4781 0385

Lectura trabajada: Planeta Frito, de Sergio Bulat

"Es lógico que la gente al no saber lo que pasa opte por creer aquello que mas le conviene, o mejor dicho, que parece convenirle, lo que parece convenir a corto plazo normalmente no conviene a largo plazo. En temas de medio ambiente, el desconocimiento no evita el daño, sino al contrario, lo promueve."

Sergio Bulat

Oxidized copper and sterling earrings

2009-07-21T23:54:00.001-03:00

Oxidized copper and sterling earrings
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Nothing too dramatic of a design, but I like it. It is simple, and the patina is just so...
lovely, dark and deep
but I have promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
and miles to go before I sleep

Pampero!

2009-07-08T10:24:00.001-03:00

La comunidad de habla hispana esta básicamente desparramada por todo el mundo y tenemos, en general, diferentes costumbres, comidas, acentos, condiciones climáticas, etc. Hoy voy a hablar un poco sobre lo que me toca a mí en este rincón del planeta donde vivo: La llanura Pampeana, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Spanish speaking community is basically scattered geographically around the globe, and we have, in general, different customs, foods, accents, climatic conditions, etc. Today I am going to speak a little about what it is like in the corner of the planet where I live: The Pampas Plains, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"¡Pampero!" Todos por aquí saben lo que este grito significa: Correr como un endemoniado a un lugar seguro y resguardado. La primer cosa que lo delata es una calma chicha donde pareciera que el tiempo se paralizó. La segunda es el famoso “cigarro” en el cielo. El cigarro es una nube gigantesca y negra, en forma de cilindro que viaja con rapidez. Solo hay unos segundos para prepararse de lo que se aproxima. El Pampero es el nombre de un tipo de viento muy Argentino. Un viento feroz y repentino, capaz de levantar techos y tirar arboles gigantescos. Este viento viaja sin freno de sur a norte por la extensa llanura Argentina conocida como la Llanura Pampeana incrementando su velocidad. De allí viene su nombre: Pampero.

"Pampero!" Everyone around here would know what this shout signifies: Run like hell to a safe and protected shelter. The very first sign of its coming is a deafening calm where time seems to have been frozen. The second is the famous "cigar" in the sky. The cigar is a black and gigantic cloud, in the shape of cylinder that travels quickly. There are just a few seconds to prepare for what is approaching. Pampero is the name of this very typical Argentine storm. This wind is sudden and ferocious and capable of lifting roof tops and bringing down gigantic trees. This wind travels from south to north through the extensive grasslands of Argentina raising its speed due to the vastness of the land. These plains are known as the pampas, thus the name Pampero, which means “of the pampas”.

Se mencionó un viento violento en crónicas de las primeras expediciones que realizaron los españoles al Rio de la Plata, cuando las Pampas no se habían descubierto, y se sabe que estaban refiriéndose a nuestro viento Pampero. Este viento siempre fue conocido por tener un fuerte espíritu, a veces comparándolo con sus pobladores, y hoy en día es protagonista de más de una historia o leyenda.

A violent wind was mentioned in chronicles of the first expeditions that the Spaniards carried out to the Rio de la Plata, when the prairies had not yet been discovered. Today we know that they were referring to our Pampero winds. This wind has always been known to have a strong spirit, and at times it has been compared to its inhabitants. Nowadays is the protagonist of several stories and legends.

Esta es la letra y el motivo de este tema que he escogido. Un Tango: música y baile también muy Argentino, inspirada en este viento:

Pampero

Soplo de nuestro espíritu indomable,
viento bagual, aliento de salud,
alma de nuestra tierra inigualable,
¡respiración de América del Sud!

Grito de la llanura que reclama
su fiera y orgullosa soledad,
sos viento de una estirpe que proclama
la altivez de su ruda libertad.

¡Pampero!
¡Viento macho y altanero
que le enseñaste al gaucho
golpeándole en la cara
a levantarse el ala del sombrero!

¡Pampero!
¡Viento indómito y mañero,
de ti aprendió la raza
a corcovear furiosa
cuando quiso montarla un extranjero!

Pampero!

Life of our untamable spirit,
Furious wind, breath of health,
Soul of our unmatched land,
Respiration of South America!

The shout of the plains
which demands its wild and proud solitude,
you are wind of a lineage that proclaims
the pride of its rugged liberty.

Pampero! Proud and rough wind
you taught the gaucho
striking him in the face
to lift the flap of his hat!

Pampero! Restless and untamed wind,
From you the race has learned
to buck furiously
when attempted to be mounted by a foreigner!

Music: Osvaldo Fresedo
Lyrics: Edmundo Bianchi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIUaeqCDGgw

Cigarro sobre el Rio de la Plata. Creo que este debe ser el peor lugar para ver este fenomeno: Un velero! (foto tomada por un primo mio, el navegante)
"Cigar" over the "Rio de la Plata". Possibly the worst place to see this phenomenon: A sailboat! (picture taken by my cousin, the sailor)

Pampero! Como me hiciste llorar cuando me volteaste mi querido sauce de mas de 100 años!
Pamero! You made me cry when you brought down my beloved 100 year-old willow tree!

Mi jardin despues del Pampero

My garden after the Pampero struck.

Para ver mas fotos, visita mi flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiadelgiudice/
Check out my flickr account to see more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiadelgiudice/

Gracias por la visita, y mantente asalvo!
Thanks for reading, and keep safe!

http://cynthiadelgiudice.etsy.com

Wearable Art Blog

2009-06-16T19:38:00.001-03:00

Today, Ann Jenkins let me know I was featured in this wonderful blog called Wearable Art. I feel honored and thankful for this feature. This is what she said of my work:

"She does some pretty incredible, one-of-a-kind metal pieces; my favorite ones are her mixed-metal work. The flower ring (left) is made with copper and sterling silver with a verdigris patina. The Plenilunio (or moon) Ring (below) is made with fused sterling silver and copper (fusing silver and copper into a brass creates this other-planet-like texture). Even though I love Del Giudice's metal work, I also admire her fused plastic pieces. Below (right) is a choker with plastic flower which features a cultured peacock pearl and some vintage velvet. Looking at this piece, you would never know that the flower is made from a plastic bag. Go to Etsy for more work by Cynthia Del Giudice".

June 14, 2009 in Jewelry Designers | Permalink ShareThis

Thank you Wearable Art! Check out her blog here!

Canyengue Demo

2009-06-06T23:52:00.003-03:00

Canyengue Demo
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

No need to say much about this...no words can describe watching this with your own eyes. This was a demonstration at a local gathering where they also gave us a crash course on Canyengue Tango.

This style of tango originated in Buenos Aires in the 1920s and 30s. It is danced with a close embrace with knees slightly bent and if you look closely, the hips are joint as opposed to the milonga style, where the joint is more in the upper torso with a slightly leaning posture towards each dancer.

I must add that all this is always improvised by the dancer (not choreographed). The woman has to be very sensitive and intuitive to follow the man closely. It is a communication, and requires intense concentration...on my part at least!

Etsy Metal Blog Carnival - June 6

2009-06-06T15:40:00.001-03:00

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival... So what is a blog carnival? I hear you ask.

A small group of Etsy Metal members with their own blogs write a short article on a given day subject. We will be doing this the first Friday of each month and our topic this fine June is how did your 'style' or signature style came to it? What inspired you to that signature style? And what inspires you to your favorite kinds of pieces?

I think that many artists and craftspeople don't see or realize they have a distinctive style when many times they do. I believe in order to create our own style we need to be true to ourselves and make what comes naturally to us. Most of the times it is something that lays very deep in our bones and souls. The important thing is to try to really see it and work with it, exploring and exploiting it as much as possible. This is when art happens.

For me, I am a spontaneous and unpredictable kind of person, and although I may admire different kinds of approaches, I would not try to attempt to recreate certain techniques and styles. I would not be true to myself if I did, and it would result in a forced piece were the character and soul would be lost. This is the reason why artists often exchange art between each other. It is not because they cannot duplicate something they've seen and appreciated, but because it would become a shallow, soulless object if it was not born within but just copied.

Fused Plastic Collection

My fused plastic collection was born by a desire to recycle and reuse. I found out about fusing plastic through an Etsy Virtual Lab I attended when I just started in Etsy. I thought it was a good idea to show fellow ecologists in my town (I am a member of a NGO) and perhaps teach the technique at our local schools to do book covers, re-usable grocery bags, and so on. I started experimenting and fusing different shapes, and was surprised by the beautiful results I was accomplishing during several tests. That is when I decided to put them to use in my jewelry designs as well.

Other EtsyMetal artists took part on this blog carnival. To read their entries, click on the following links:

http://andescruz.ganoksin.com/blogs
http://andescruz.wordpress.com
http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://sarawestermark.blogspot.com/
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/
http://ashleyakers.blogspot.com
http://tangerinetreehouse.blogspot.com
http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
http://discomedusa.typepad.com/
http://kerinrose.blogspot.com

Multi use Fused plastic Necklace

2009-06-03T10:43:00.003-03:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cynthiadelgiudice?section_id=5540780

Multi use Fused plastic Necklace
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

This necklace is a custom order for a bride-to-be. She wanted a necklace she could also wear after the wedding as a casual accessory. She said she liked the handmade organic links, but also loved my fused plastic pieces, and thought pearls were a nice touch for a bride.

With all this information I started drawing ideas, and decided to make a multi-function necklace with the option of taking the fused plastic pieces if desired. This necklace may be worn long, double as a choker, with the fused plastic pieces, without them, and the extension chain can even be worn as a bracelet with the plastic pieces.

Now available at my shop!

HOOP MANIA

2009-05-09T01:13:00.002-03:00

Hoops - 2 and 3 inches in diameter
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Hoops are such a perfect accessory for the summer wardrobe. They look fantastic with any casual wear. From tank tops to shirts, jeans or skirts, with long or short hair, loose or tied up.

I make these hoops in brass and copper, with many kinds of patinas and finishes. From bright and shinny to brushed, and patinas in black or beautiful blue-green verdigris. I make two different sizes: 2 and 3 inches in diameter.

This weekend only (Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10), all my copper and brass hoops are on sale! 20% off. Just write the code "weekend deal" in message to seller at the time of checkout and I will shortly issue a refund through PayPal.

Look for them in this section of my Etsy shop.

Inspiration

2009-05-08T09:40:00.002-03:00

afternoon wisteria shadow on wall
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I've been asked what inspires me, and it is such a simple question to answer, but difficult at the same time. So many things: I love the randomness and organic shapes of nature, and am fascinated by the passage of time and its effects on things. I am not a perfectionist, and love to be surprised. Anything from art, design, architecture, to life experiences, textures and colors, lines and silhouettes. I am not good with expressing myself with words, so art is a very important form of expression to me. Not only important, but necessary.

Read other artists and their inspirations here:
http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/
http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://deliasstudioinc.blogspot.com

Drought, Climate change and Globalization

2009-05-01T19:14:00.002-03:00

Dead fish . dry lake
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

This is not in Death Valley, or drought stricken West Africa. I took this picture this afternoon at my local lake located in the bountiful Argentine Pampas. This is the result of a severe and unusual drought due to globalization, climate change, deforestation, and irresponsible farming practices...soy beans...oh, don't even get me started...

I am part of an N.G.O. We took advantage of this sad situation to clean up the trash inside the lagoon.

Plenilunio Ring

2009-04-16T15:44:00.002-03:00

Plenilunio Ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I fabricated this ring using metalsmithing techniques I have learned in a class I've just started last month, and then coming home and doing my own thing experimenting and watching the results in awe. This is fusing silver and copper into a brass sheet. Brass and copper have a much higher temperature than sterling silver. This is what creates this texture. You can see copper "dust" on the lower right side, and the brass sheet peeking here and there. The molten silver creates the smoother upper surface. The result is a texture which reminds me of a full moon, thus the name: Plenilunio, which means full moon. You can find this ring and other handmade jewelry at my Etsy shop.

favorite fall winter items on the storque

2009-04-06T14:48:00.003-03:00

Vote for my earrings!

2009-04-03T16:48:00.002-03:00

Vote for my earrings!
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

My Nicotiana earrings have been selected for Etsy's Fall Fashion item poll on the Storque! (It's warming up in the US, but fall is just around the corner for us in the Southern Hemisphere.) You can check out the poll here: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=39

Thanks!

Amorphous Ring

2009-03-27T15:54:00.002-03:00

free-form ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I've created this ring with scrap copper I melted into an unpredictable, free-form shape, hammered flat, and then slightly domed it. The result is an environmentally friendly ring (because the copper didn't go to waste) with an organic shape. The band is a 14 gauge (1.5mm) sterling silver round wire.

This ring and other handmade organic jewelry can be found at my Etsy shop.

Foldformed ring

2009-03-23T17:09:00.002-03:00

Foldformed ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Part of my foldformed pieces. This ring is made with 0.5mm copper sheet which I've annealed, folded, hammered, annealed and unfolded many times to create this shape. The green you see is a verdigris patina. The band is sterling silver.

I'm having a great time experimenting with this technique.

This ring and earrings, along with my other handmade jewelry may be found at my Etsy shop.

Beer Bread - a recipe

2009-03-13T20:24:00.001-02:00

I just feel so excited about this recipe. It is one of Jacquie's secret recipe that she was nice enough to share with me during my vacation at her place. It is so easy to make and so delicious it is insane.

Ingredients:

3 cups self rising flour
1/2 cup of sugar
1 can of beer

Stir ingredients till lightly mixed
bake in muffin molds at 375º till almost golden
melt 1/4 cup butter and pour equal amounts on top of each
return to oven an extra 10 minutes till golden

Fused plastic Lariat - A new design

2009-03-12T23:29:00.001-02:00

Part of my Fused Plastic Jewelry Collection. Made with fused plastic grocery bags and sterling silver.

I love lariats. They are such beautiful necklaces. I designed one a while back using my fused plastic flowers, but was not completely satisfied with the results because necklaces, and especially lariats need to have a certain weight to them in order to feel right. Since fused plastic is very light, I was not getting the results I was looking for. I finally decided to add a few quartz beads, and I am quite pleased with the results. They not only give a little extra weight to the lariat, but also add sparkle and interest to the gaps in between the fused plastic flowers, and since they are transparent, they don't take attention away from the piece itself, but enhance it instead. You can find this lariat along with many other of my handmade jewelry pieces available for purchasing here.

Foldformed Leaves

2009-03-07T20:50:00.001-02:00

I am still pretty much playing around and experimenting on foldforming, and I am having a blast. I worked on quite a few leaves last night, and today I decided to make them into a lariat, and a pair of earrings. They are available at my shop as part of my Botanica handmade jewelry collection.

Foldformed Pin

2009-02-26T20:34:00.001-02:00

Brand new, and just listed foldformed pin.

Available at my shop.

Vacation

2009-02-25T16:07:00.002-02:00

I just got back from a wonderful vacation with my husband. This is what happens when you get married and have your children when you are very young. They are all grown up by now, and had other activities/plans to come along with us, so this was a little like a honeymoon, which was also nice.

We drove for 10 hours to a province in the middle of Argentina called Cordoba. There are small mountains and hills and rivers everywhere. The weather was wonderful even though it rained a few times. We stayed at a friend's country home (actually I had never met Jacquie before, but became friends quickly) www.lapuerta-casadecampo.blogspot.com

We gathered wild blackberries, rosas mosqueta (rosa rubiginosa, or rosehip), peaches, and all kinds of herbs. Jacquie makes the most delicious preserves from these and from her organic garden crops. We ate delicious food she cooked for us, swam in rivers, collected rocks, shared conversations, food, and mate with great company. We went for long rides on her horses and pleasant walks around the area.

We brought many preserves and a few pine trees and ferns back home. I also collected some wildflower seeds to try my luck at growing back here in the spring.

Nicotiana Earrings

2009-01-29T18:33:00.001-02:00

Some more foldforming.

These are tiny flower earrings. They come with a miniature glass vase for you to display after you're done wearing them. They're too cute to store away inside a jewelry box. ;)

Available for purchase at my Etsy shop.

New Foldformed Jewelry Pieces

2009-01-28T18:27:00.001-02:00

A few foldformed pieces I have been working these couple of days.

I have to say, I'm very, very happy with these. I love this technique.

I will be adding more pieces next few days. In the meantime you can find these little sculptures for the ears here.

Foldforming

2009-01-26T20:00:00.001-02:00

I ordered this book "Foldforming" by Charles Lewton-Brain through Amazon.com. It arrived pretty quickly, considering the distance. And just as quickly, I read it halfway, and immediately tried my hand at it.

I didn't have a suitable hammer in my jewelry toolbox, so I had to search my husband's shop. I found a hammer which was too big for this technique and tiny pieces I was experimenting, but since it was the only one I had at hand I went ahead and tried it. After I folded and hammered with much difficulty, I annealed and stared at the pieces of copper with a little disappointment at my lack of visible results. After the pieces were cool enough to handle, I started opening them, and to my amazement, revealed very unpredictable and beautiful shapes.

Here are my first attempts at foldforming. I think I am in love...

I didn't know this, but foldforming is a revolutionary and groundbreaking technique just recently "invented" by the author of this book. It is a "conceptual, physical, and intuitive approach to metalsmithing that is informed by the natural characteristics of metals." He acknowledges many people for its development, including his German teacher: Klaus Ullrich. I like how he describes this teacher taught him that "the marks of process are compositional design choices. Every Hammer or file mark is a design decision as well as part of a process." "In the case of fusing, for instance, this turns the mistake, "I melted it" into the discovery, "What a lovely surface.""

This approach to working with metals, or any medium for that matter, is what attracts me to this technique. I value unpredictability (I like surprises), and am not a perfectionist (far from it). This means I like to play with chance. I also value marks of time, wear, patinas of time, etc.

I've already incorporated these pieces into wearable jewelry. I'll post some photos this week.

I'm "IT"!

2009-01-24T16:58:00.001-02:00

I've been tagged by Danielle Embry, who is a fellow Artist, metalsmith, jewelry designer and educator residing in Tucson, Arizona.

This game consists on each person tagged writing seven random facts about themselves.

Here I go:

1. The only thing I press/iron are plastic bags.

2. I have been with the same boy/man since the age of 13 (he was 14).

3. As a child I wanted to be a horse.

4. I used to believe I could fly if I tried hard enough.

5. I love collections, but find it hard to collect myself because I'm not a very consistent person. I do have a lot of stuff I attempted to collect at some point. I guess 5 keys does not count as a collection?

6. I tend to loose stuff and then find it in the most unusual places. for example: my coffee mug (not quite finished drinking) inside a closet, a cell phone inside the clothes dryer (after going through the wash cycle), a ring inside a pot of soup, and a shoe inside the sleeve of a sweater.

7. I believe there are 1 footed aliens out there who steal 1 sock out of each pair of socks. Otherwise I can't explain where those socks are going. I think this is a sign I should start an unmatched sock collection.

And these are my "Tagees"

Coleen Baran
Catherine Chandler
Alisa Miller
Amy Tavern
Jimena Rios
Danielle Miller
Lunaticart

THE RULES AND REGS:
*Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.
* Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Verdigris Patinas

2008-11-03T17:22:00.001-02:00

I am attracted to all kinds of patinas and old, worn and torn objects in general. I love the effects time and erosion have on things: textures and crusty surfaces. Lately I've been experimenting with verdigris patinas. This turquoise patina has a color that I especially like. The issue about patinas is that they are unpredictable (which I believe is part of the charm). I guess weather, temperature, and humidity play a part on the end result, which may vary, but is always beautiful.

More Fused Plastic

2008-09-03T11:11:00.002-03:00

I found this really cool place in Buenos Aires that sold vintage and antique ribbons and buttons and bought some velvet ribbon. I love the color and texture. I think it is made out of rayon and not polyester as it is nowadays. I was stuck for some time on the kind of closure I should make for it. I wanted something adjustable and easy to put on and take off. I finally designed a simple closure that works really well and does not have the two ends hanging to the side as you can see on the first photo. I've just uploaded it to my Etsy shop.

I sold these earrings almost immediately. I will be making more soon.

Long organic necklace

2008-07-04T17:41:00.001-03:00

I made this sterling silver necklace after a customer saw a similar copper necklace. I made this one a little longer and lighter. I really like how it turned out because you can wrap it in different styles depending what your mood is and what you're wearing. I will be definitely be making more of these.

Armadillo

2008-06-03T12:35:00.001-03:00

There are many things that inspire me, but mostly my environment. I live in the country in the Argentine Pampas, which is flat grasslands, with wildlife and non wildlife animals. I came across this armadillo near an abandoned farmhouse. It turned out to be a pretty friendly creature. It let me get close enough to photograph, and even came close to smell my boots at one point. The next time I saw it I got a chance to touch it too. I love the little nose, hairs, and texture of this little creature.

Eco Necklace

2008-05-22T10:03:00.001-03:00

More fused plastic! I really like how this necklace turned out. It is the same fused plastic method I was experimenting before, but with a different design idea. This one is now available for sale at my Etsy shop. I will soon be making matching earrings.

2008-05-10T10:36:00.002-03:00

Fused plastic, vintage velvet, cultured pearl and sterling silver.