Cross to Bair Creations

05/30/2021

Update on magic wand pendants for 2 of my daughter's teachers (I originally posted 5/25 @ what I'm trying to do - and have followed up a couple of times since then):

Wand #1 is coming along well! Still carving & sanding. It's a long, tedious process, but fun to see it beginning to shape up.

Also, I got the screen & beading supplies that I ordered. I can't thread any of the needles through the screen - the mesh is too fine. Drat! I didn't think of that. Back to the drawing board!

So...I called my favorite supplier, Art Clay World, for some advice. They are always SO helpful with any questions I have when using the clay that I buy from them (nope, I don't get any kickbacks for saying that - just honestly grateful for them!). She pointed me to a brass screen that might work. I just ordered it!

Now, I need to wait until that one comes in the mail. Looks like we won't be able to give these gifts before school lets out. That's okay. Her teachers will be in & out all summer - so we can take them once they're finished.

To check out my finished pieces, please visit me at my Etsy shop, CrossToBairCreations, or https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrossToBairCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect. (Link in bio)

05/27/2021

Update on magic wand pendants for 2 of my daughter's teachers (my last post on 5/25 explains what I'm trying to do):

My 1st challenge is to find the right kind of screen that will fire within the piece without oxidizing to the point that it turns to powder and poofs away! Since I fire my pieces at 1650F or higher...and because some metals (such as aluminum) change the chemical structure of silver, I am limited in what kind of screen I can use.

So...I'll try a stainless steel screen - since it can be fired at high temps, won't alter the makeup of the silver, and I found it on Amazon for cheap! In the book, the author used brass screen, but I can't find that in my simple internet search. I also like the size of the screen I found - only 1/2" - so it won't be too big for my piece. We'll see how it works. Fingers crossed!

I also purchased some beading thread and needles...and asked my daughter to find out her teachers' favorite colors. I think I might use those colors for the beads.

While I'm waiting on the screen, I'll start making the wands. 1st, I created a mold of a Harry Potter wand that my daughter has - just to get a very basic shape to start with.

Next, I smushed the fresh clay into the mold & let it dry completely. After that, I started the carving & sanding process. Here's how it's coming along.

To check out my finished pieces, please visit me at my Etsy shop, CrossToBairCreations, or https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrossToBairCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect. (Link in bio)

05/25/2021

It was so much fun sharing my design & creation process with my previous keychain piece that I'm going to do it again!

The inspiration: our daughter has AMAZING teachers at her school. We actually refer to 2 of them as her "fairy godmothers," because they will help her work through it just about any challenge - and make things happen like no other teachers we've ever met (in a mainstream school). It's crazy amazing!

So...I'm hand-sculpting each one a magic wand pendant (Shhhhh! Don't tell!!). And, since I can't seem to do anything the easy way, my plan is to embed some screen into the end of the wand (made of fine silver clay) before firing - similar to what is pictured in the book, “Metal Clay Rings”, by Irina Miech.

Then, I'll thread beads so that it looks like a burst of color shooting out. ALL of this is new to me. I've never: 1) hand-sculpted a magic wand, 2) embedded screen into a piece, 3) threaded beads through a screen, or 4) used thread to create a burst of beads. Think I can pull it off? Honestly, I'm about 50/50 right now, so let's see what happens!

To check out my finished pieces, please visit me at my Etsy shop, CrossToBairCreations, or https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrossToBairCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect.

05/21/2021

A couple of years ago, I created this keychain for one of the kindest, most thoughtful & beautiful people that I have ever had the privilege of knowing, Kelli Whitehead Moerschell - as she was fiercely battling breast cancer. A year ago today, she lost that battle and moved WAY up north - to heaven. I sure do miss the huge light that she brought into the world. She had this contagious smile and joy for life that lifted my spirits whenever I was with her. In my mind, most angels watch over their friends & point them in the right (and safe) direction. I still feel her doing just that...but also occasionally egging me on to let loose, embrace life, and test the boundaries. Just the kind of angel I loved to be around here on earth, and am happy that - one day - I’ll see that gorgeous smile again in heaven!

05/20/2021

For those who’ve asked about how the moonstone ring is coming...it’s finished! Here’s the final piece and a few photos along the way. The pics don’t quite capture the gorgeous flash of blue in the stone, but I’ll keep trying to catch it and post if I can do better than this one. Check out more of my creations at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrossToBairCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect.

05/18/2021

Finished!! Throughout this process, I have had the privilege to pray over the recipient - my dear friend’s daughter. This is one of the greatest joys of creating a piece such as this one! What an honor that she entrusted her child’s sweet 16 gift to me. !!

05/13/2021

All polished up & looking gorgeous!! Last step will be to assemble the connection to attach the piece to a sterling silver key ring. I will wrap the silver wire to create a link & add a beautiful 4mm Labradorite bead. Labradorite is one of my favorite stones - at first look, it looks glossy & stormy grey. When the light catches it just right, there’s a flash of blue iridescence. Additionally, Labradorite is known to promote harmony, intuition, clarity & creativity. Throughout this process, I have had the privilege to pray over the recipient - my dear friend’s daughter. This is one of the greatest joys of creating a piece such as this one! What an honor that she entrusted her child’s sweet 16 gift to me. Last step 1 step in becoming a monogrammed, sterling silver keychain. !!

05/11/2021

Brushed & tumbled ✔️! Next, patina & polish. Patina gives depth to the recessed areas - but it really is an “ugly duckling” phase. Isn’t that true of life? The ugly, painful parts give us depth, dimension, and a beauty that we could never achieve otherwise. After I’m done with polishing off the excess patina, the last step will be to assemble the connections to make it into a keychain. I feel so honored that my dear, sweet friend entrusted her child’s sweet 16 gift to me! 1 step closer to becoming a monogrammed, sterling silver keychain. !!

05/07/2021

Out of the kiln & on to brushing & tumbling! It’s looking gorgeous! I feel so honored that my dear, sweet friend entrusted her child’s sweet 16 gift to me! 1 step closer to becoming a monogrammed, sterling silver keychain. !!

05/06/2021

Into the kiln! I feel so honored that my dear, sweet friend entrusted her child’s sweet 16 gift to me! 1 step closer to becoming a sterling silver keychain. !!

05/04/2021

Perfect graduation or Sweet 16 gift! This gorgeous, handmade keychain includes the inspiring reminder to focus on the words included in Philippians 4:8. "Pure, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent, Praiseworthy." Any item in my Eben Ezer Collection can be made into a keychain or pendant and can even be personalized with a name or monogram! Just message me if you see a design that you like & I'll make it happen.

1.75 L x 1.4 W Custom keychain Sterling silver, including chain, keychain & ring. 2 labradorite beads included with chain. AS PICTURED: Front: Double Infinity Cross with Lacy Circular Design and Custom Monogram Initials (Pictured: LBD) Back: Pure, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent,