DIY custom size your nose ring hoop

Custom Sizing your hoop-

want a slightly smaller nose ring hoop? there's no need to exchange/buy another one if you are ok with having me lead you through how to size it down yourself.....

Supplies Needed:
Nail clippers
Nail file
Pencil

1)trim a small (1/8” or less at a time) piece off of the un-balled end of your nose ring (use nail clipper- it should be strong enough to cut this thinness of silver)

2)once you have the perfect size use your nail file to sand the clipped end smooth

3) slip onto pencil point and bend your hoop closed again ( this will keep your round shape for you)

That should do the trick- I also have a little video on how to properly open and insert your nose ring - it's on YouTube at; http://youtu.be/Wk-z4JqOlhU


If you want a new sterling Nose ring hoop, I do have them always in stock in 22g and 20 g thicknesses- please visit my Etsy shop at: http://cosmosmoonjewelry.etsy.com to see what's in stock!

and if you want to keep up with my newest designs: 
Cosmo’s Moon Jewelry on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosmosmoon

Ciao- Maureen

aluminum, the other other white metal

red green textured triples
Originally uploaded by cosmosmoonjewelry

I love using Aluminum for earrings-

one of the big dilemmas we metalsmiths have when designing earrings is weight- How heavy to make an earring? Generally we want an earring to weigh no more than 7 - 9 grams, 9 being too heavy for most day wear, best kept to short "special occasion dress up" events.

Nobody wants to feel their lobes dragged down by heavy earrings (even if they are stunning) in fact- the only time I want to notice my earrings is when I get complimented on how cool they are!
Daytime? I prefer earrings that are pretty lightweight- under 6 grams is what I shoot for when designing my pieces...

(and then we get into the question of what metals....the heavier the metals are the engineering of their weigh becomes much more important..) you want to go BIG? better pick a light material!

The choice of aluminum in big bold earrings works not only because of the relative lightness of the metal- but also because it is really easy to add deep texture and the light color of the clean metal is a good base color for paint-
Aluminum- the other other... other white metal
with it's kissing cousins..
silver, pewter, white gold, platinum, nickel, palladium...........and so on..
:-)

Displays, Gardening, sign-age, metals finishing....

I am preparing for an open studio event this weekend- 

lots of extra work

I'm pretty excited- it will be the official "launch" of my studio 

(which had been delayed 1 year, due to my crazy work schedule last year)

Luckily, it looks like the weather is going to be perfect

(around 73 degrees) sometimes we get those crazy hot days here

(like in February , when it reached 90 degrees)

Here is the front of the postcard that I sent out...

if you happen to be in Tucson (or close by) please stop by!

I'll post images of the event next week-

ciao- M

Multiple Personalities

Metalmithing, one of a kind, handmade, etsy, wholesale, gallery.....

so many ways to describe what I do...and many ways to show it now as well!

now showing my work in three different ways-

1.  One, my newer work, designed exclusively  for online sales...(my steampunk and smaller artmetal line) from http://cosmosmoon.etsy.com
2. my one of a kind, older handmade pieces that are coming out of their show and gallery vaults                                        http://mbzap.etsy.com
3. and through galleries, like Obsidian gallery ( in Tucson) and Once in a Blue Moon (Edgartown, Mass..on the vineyard)I'm always looking for new galleries to show in, so if you have any suggestions I would be thankful

I am planning on putting my wholesale work online through my trunkt account (cosmosmoon) with a link to my personal website (which I am developing)

whew! It's a lot of work, and someday I will have some time in my studio again! But first I feel it is important to get my distribution and organization  worked out. so, that's what I am up to lately, (in case you were wondering)
ciao!

I'm Branching OUT!

Last week I started making ear Tunnels.

First in Mokume Gane, then in circus stripe copper and silver..I'm contemplating making a pair with 18 k yellow and sterling mixed metals.. and then there is etching.... I think I will be doing some plugs soon too...

I'm feeling my urban roots..listening to loud music (the CraMPS, Tom wAITS..nICK cAVE..)

thinking a lot about days of old when I was bold..Art School days..(SMFA Boston) those freezing walks behind the MFA to get to the school..slipping and sliding on the sheets of ice that often formed there. I am feeling nostalgic, a desire for those old grungy smoke filled days. Memory has got to be selective...I know I was 85% miserable for most of those years..(ask anyone, they will tell you)but still there remains the romance of the past.

OH the Joys of Metalsmithing! one thing leads to another..love it love it love it.