How I Popped My Cherry

How I popped my cherry...I'm talking about jewelry here people geez!! My very first piece of jewelry actually wasn't so bad. I've made plenty of hideous things since then, but that's typical for me. I almost always have beginner's luck. My first piece was these earrings.

My photography skills definitely needed some work, but the earrings weren't half bad. I remember sawing them from sterling sheet, hammering them, cutting the chain, and putting it all together with jump rings. I was so incredibly proud that I made something that was actually wearable. Then my friend Jenn saw them and insisted that I make some for her. I couldn't believe someone wanted to pay me money for this! Everything I've done since then I owe to her. She convinced me that I had a talent and I had to pursue it. So, thank you Jennifer Barrett for all your love and support. If not for you I would still be making things and hiding them in my drawer.

Now for the really bad stuff that is still hiding in my drawer and should stay there forever.

And yes, there were headbands displayed on notebook paper.

If this wasn't enough terrible newbie work for you to laugh at check out some of my teamies earlier works too...

Jessica- www.abellablue.com/blog

Clarity- http://www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/

Claire- http://www.brighstar109.blogspot.com/

Stacy- http://www.formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/

Pennee- http://www.allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Brandy- http://www.thefrogspond.wordpress.com/

Gloria- http://www.gloria-hemlockhollow.blogspot.com/

Joy- http://www.joypeckjoy.blogspot.com/

Gayle- http://www.thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com/

Sylvia- http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/

Esmeralda- http://www.jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/

Oh to Dream...

One can never learn too much right? So, I've been thinking about what skill I want to learn next. I've decided it's wax carving/casting. I have so many design ideas and most of them would involve using this technique. So, if Santa or anyone out there feels like helping a starving artist I would make you a kick ass piece of jewelry using my newly learned technique :) from this studio

LILOEVE

And if you're feeling extra generous check out what skills my Aspiring Metalsmiths teammates are dying to learn and hook them up with some classes too...

Pennee http://allwiredupjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Gayle http://thisartistsjourney.blogspot.com/

Jessica http://www.abellablue.com/blog

Sylvia Anderson http://www.sylviaanderson.blogspot.com/

Scrollwork Designs http://www.thesquarepegnation.blogspot.com/

Claire http://brightstar109.blogspot.com/

Carole http://www.caroleaxiumdesigns.com/journal/

Heather http://mistyridgedesigns.blogspot.com/

Brandy http://thefrogspond.wordpress.com/

Esmeralda (Silver Blueberry) http://jewelry-by-silverblueberry.blogspot.com/

Stacy http://formandfunktionaccessories.blogspot.com/

Steph Stargell Designs http://stephstargell.com/

The Naughty List

Sometimes it's more fun to be naughty than nice. So remember that when you're checking off your list this holiday season and get the naughty people a gift too.





Maybe something from the Trash Metal Collection
















Or something from the Bad Seed Collection












Or maybe just be really naughty, say screw them and get something for yourself!

Happy shopping and may you have a blessed (and naughty) holiday season! xoxo

Trash Metal Collection

So what's been keeping me so busy the past few months that I couldn't find time to post anything new? My Trash Metal Collection! This collection consists of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, etc...in sterling silver and copper. Some are personalized with hand stamped names, dates, and sayings. Some have custom logos or designs soldered to the piece. But they are all Trashed. Trashed means that I do a number of sadistic mean things to the metal which may consist of stabbing, smashing, or filing...just to name a few. Whatever methods I use, the result is that the poor metal has literally been beaten to hell. This process is done entirely by hand which means that every piece is unique. They might not be perfect but that's the point. We are all originals with flaws, dents, and a few shiny spots. My jewelry is meant to celebrate that.

A big thanks goes out to all my Trashed friends! Without you I would never have the inspiration to create these pieces.

Erik Rudd of Bigg E Productions

Theresa Ciarlone of 13 Couture

Chad Mercurio of Live Image Assassins

Kristina Mecke of My NY Flair

Adrienne & Ariel Weber

Angie Adkins

Danielle Guidice

Deborah Pantano

Karen Huffman

and on and on and on...

Contact me at autumnbradleyinc@gmail.com for your own custom piece.

My Process

Ipod blaring, lucky hat on, I'm ready to roll...

Just a little peek inside my process. This is what I do. This is what I love.

My "studio". Saw, hammer, sewing machine, a bracelet mandrel peeking out of the plants. I definitely need more space!

I'm kind of a mess

Me and my dremel. Poor little guy is gonna be so jealous when my big macho flex shaft gets here!

Buffing off the oxidation and possibly robbing a stagecoach later. Shouldn't breathe in the dust. I learned that the hard way!

And now for the finishing touches...

Punk Island

I'm currently working on pieces for an upcoming punk festival at Governor's Island this summer.

Check it out...

http://www.punkisland.com/

The Westfalls

I recently spent a few days with my best friend, Valerie, in Arizona. We went camping & hiking with our guys and got to spend some real quality time together. Just us and the outdoors. Perfection.

Valerie and her husband Daniel have the kind of relationship that makes you want to be a better person. They're so considerate and loving to each other and when they take a moment to look in each other's eyes you might as well not even be there. That moment with each other is all that matters.

Their dedication to each other runs so deep that they got matching tattoo wedding bands. This inspired me to recreate the one on Valerie's hand. I sawed the design into a Sterling Silver disc, hammered, oxidized, and polished it. I added a Bali Silver bail and oxidized chain.

We're lucky girls, we have good men in our lives, amazing families, and we have each other.

Even though we're 2000 miles apart it doesn't matter. Every time we see each other it's like we didn't miss one day. Thanks for the inspiration my love...xoxo.