Valerie A Heck — My blog is about what inspires in art, jewelry, and business! I have been designing, making and selling jewelry for the past ten years.

Jewelry I’ve been working on…

by valerieaheck on March 21, 2010

This past week we learned how to bezel set an oval 8 by 10 mm stone. We haven’t done the cleanup yet, so I’ll show another picture once the bezel is clean.

We also did a channel set ring. This one is pretty good, my first one and it was my first one.

Here are some more of my projects we did a lot of stones setting this week and working with gravers. I was having a lot of trouble with the gravers so I’m crossing my fingers that this week I can successfully demonstrate the technique. I’m still loving the New Approach School.

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Day 2 of School

by valerieaheck on March 14, 2010

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I’m loving the New Approach School. The philosophy there seems to be to really learn serious skills so you can make anything. We worked on drilling and sawing out this beautiful piece shown above. I’ve learned a lot in the last two days! I love school!

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Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild Meeting

by valerieaheck on January 27, 2010

We had a wonderful meeting of the Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild in my Studio Today. Nineteen people attended the meeting.

Linda spoke about taxes, getting a business license and much more.

Melissa and I demonstrated patinas. I even broke out a small torch! It was a lot of fun, thanks for coming and we always welcome new members.

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Volunteering

by valerieaheck on November 25, 2009

The symbol above stands for, The Society of North American Goldsmiths. I’m a member of this group and am working on a volunteer project. The project is to build a jewelry/metalsmithing book resource list. I’m a book hog! I love love love books, that doesn’t mean I’ve read all the books I’ve bought (still working on that!).

Right now I’m also volunteering for another organization, The Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild. I’m working on the newsletter and it’s an exciting project for me! This guild is almost a year old and we’re working hard on having great topics and demos at every meeting. We also meet in different places so that we all learn where the art centers, bead shops and fun places are!

My point being, please volunteer and help an organization you love. I know many people are out of work and things are tough, but if we all volunteered just a little what a wonderful thing that would be. When you help others in some way it’s good for everyone! It gives you more to be Thankful for. Have a great time with family and friends!

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My Bench has arrived!

by valerieaheck on November 17, 2009

My Grandparents came up from Maryland and delivered my lovingly hand made bench! My Grandfather made if for me as my Birthday/Christmas present. This is the best present ever! I cannot wait to start working on it.
The bench came in many pieces due to the fact that it is very heavy and 7 feet long. So I got to help screw things together and level it.
Thank you so much for my bench and coming to visit!

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A sneak peak of my bench!

by valerieaheck on October 28, 2009

Last week I went down to Maryland for a visit and got a sneak peak of my jewelry bench; My wonderful Grandfather is building this for me! It’s solid as a rock and 7 feet long! Once it’s finished I’ll post more pictures of it in the studio. Thanks Grandad!

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Sketching Homework, Theme ‘Layers’

by valerieaheck on September 22, 2009

I wanted to share some of my sketches I’ve done this week. A friend of mine chose the theme, layers and we have to draw 50 sketches. Many of my jewelry sketches don’t look like jewelry yet, I’m just working on ideas.

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Cuttlefish Bone Casting

by valerieaheck on September 14, 2009

I made this piece back in 2006, it was a one day workshop on cuttlefish bone casting. You cut the cuttlefish bone in half length wise. Then in one side carve out your design. Well I wondered why not carve designs on both sides that don’t necessarily line up. I love how it turned out. Hopefully I can try this technique out more when the studio is all set up!

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Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild

by valerieaheck on September 13, 2009

I attended a meeting this week of the Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts Guild. It was a lot of fun. We had a destash and I bought a couple of neat tools. I gave away some books I no longer wanted. I wanted them to go to good homes.

We did this really cool assignment where we had to close our eyes and draw what we did yesterday. Well the day before the meeting I unpacked my books and put them on my books shelf so this is what I drew with my eyes closed. (image above) Before the next meeting we have to make a piece of jewelry from this drawing. I plan on playing with the drawing more to think of all my different options and ways I could make a piece. I’m really excited.

I’ve also made at least one really good friend in the group and we’re going to get together about once a week and push each other to try new things, teach each other, and give each other challenges! Yeah!

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Recent Jewelry Creation

by valerieaheck on June 14, 2009

This is the latest piece of jewelry I have made, they are fine and sterling silver lily of the valley earrings. I made these to go with my wedding dress. I had to create a flat template of the flower, pierce it out with a saw and then dome it to see if I made the petals the right width. I really love how the sheet metal is fine silver and has a white glow.