tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2015770722861708532024-02-07T11:41:30.373-08:00KIMBERLY BELL DESIGNSArtistic Adornments in Metal, Stone and Glassbeadsnbangleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732996486391404084noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201577072286170853.post-85468421854588694782013-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:002013-03-10T04:39:08.275-07:00How It All Started<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am using this post to launch my new blog. This blog will be dedicated to topics on jewelry design.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a member of the Etsy team, Aspiring Metalsmiths, I am writing this post about how I started as a metal smith. So here is my story...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have always loved artistic, creative projects. Since I was very young I have experimented with many processes such as sewing, painting, and needlework. I like learning a technique then figuring out how to "do my own thing" with it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Like many people I began stringing beads to design jewelry. My sister-in-law is an avid beader and she taught me how to string and finish off beading projects. I began exploring the variety of beads that were available and soon realized I could create my own fashion accessories. Before long I had created many more projects than I could wear. My hair stylist graciously offered to let me sell my designs in her salon. I was surprised to find that my designs were quite popular with her clients.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My friend told me about Etsy and suggested I open a shop there. My first Etsy shop was Beads 'N Bangles By Kim and opened in 2007. As my work changed, I wanted a business name that better reflected my designs. In 2010 I changed my name to Kimberly Bell Designs and opened my current Etsy shop.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I started taking classes to expand my knowledge and skill. I was intrigued by wire wrapping projects and took a class. I wanted to learn more about working with metals.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My First Wire Wrapping Project</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I took my first soldering class in 2007 from Kim St. Jean. She called it "Kitchen Table Soldering" and we used a Benzomatic torch from Home Depot. We made earrings with triple soldered hoops. That was it! I was hooked!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Later on, at home, I started creating more projects using my new soldering skills. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chandelier Earrings</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just soldering little rings wasn't enough for me. I wanted to work on bigger projects. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the projects I made in early silver classes.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In 2008, Kim's studio began offering classes by a silver smith who lived in Charlotte and also taught at William Holland Lapidary School. I signed up for classes as often as possible. After the first class, I knew that my little torch wasn't going to be hot enough, so I purchased a real torch and Acetylene tank. That was only the beginning of the equipment purchases! LOL</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">W<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">e progressed from simple soldering to bezels, prong settings, hinge connections, and clasp construction among other things.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Various stone setting techniques we learned</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Hinged Bracelet with Hidden Box Clasp</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am always looking to expand my knowledge and </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">bring more distinction and refinement to my work. I, also, love learning new processes.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVFhIXM4-VEbv2FwM4p9_1VjDSpmPrylIW5oUOoo8fUMRS-4YsEpzQU9Q9_fjnKuR_6o3opZfP7FJc9pV-f4SOGHHzK2zODXC4eDB8mNQ_r8fJPPT4CPCibgyvWC2aKNUt5Tchf1Izqg/s1600/Red+Salsa+Bracelet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVFhIXM4-VEbv2FwM4p9_1VjDSpmPrylIW5oUOoo8fUMRS-4YsEpzQU9Q9_fjnKuR_6o3opZfP7FJc9pV-f4SOGHHzK2zODXC4eDB8mNQ_r8fJPPT4CPCibgyvWC2aKNUt5Tchf1Izqg/s320/Red+Salsa+Bracelet+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Red Salsa Bracelet - Torch Fired Enamels</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recently I have taken classes in fold forming and torch fired enamels from Kim St. Jean. I am currently exploring the many possibilities with these techniques. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I hope to keep learning new techniques and improve my skills as a jewelry artisan.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This post is part of the Aspiring Metalsmith Etsy Team Blog Roll. Please check out the blog posts of our members.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">SilverBlueberry</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se/">http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.se</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">SerpentsDance</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.dancetothedoor.blogspot.com/">http://www.dancetothedoor.blogspot.com/</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Marcus Berkner Jewelry</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://berknerdesigns.blogspot.com/">http://berknerdesigns.blogspot.com/</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Valerie @ LilyEmme Jewelry</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://blog.lilyemmejewelry.com/">blog.lilyemmejewelry.com</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All Wired Up Jewelry Designs</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Kalicat Jewelry Designs</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://kalicatdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/">http://kalicatdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Kim Bell</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.kimberlybelldesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.kimberlybelldesigns.blogspot.com</a></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Beatriz Fortes</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.beatrizfortes.blogspot.com/">www.beatrizfortes.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
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beadsnbangleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10732996486391404084noreply@blogger.com4