tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22518755178686133682024-03-05T15:39:22.924-05:00Michele Grady DesignsSterling Silver Jewelry With a Twist!Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-13974029166198439362014-08-06T19:57:00.002-04:002014-08-06T19:57:50.138-04:00my blog has moved!If you are here looking for my blog posts, I have closed this blog and moved here.Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-55616801564676321532014-05-16T14:07:00.002-04:002014-05-16T14:25:34.165-04:00Its been a while....and it's Charm Swap time again!I know its been a while since my last post....my blog has just gotten away from me! I am trying to get back into it again so I have offered to post weekly for Etsy Metal in hopes I can do multiple posts for multiple blogs....including mine!
I have been a member of Etsy Metal for quite a few years now and I am now co-curating the Etsy Metal Charm Swap again with Laney Clark of Silent Goddess. Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-10707801532441284442013-04-02T12:22:00.001-04:002013-04-02T12:29:14.744-04:00Etsy Metal Charm Swap 11This is my charm for the current Etsy Metal Charm Swap.... these charms are made from copper, brass and sterling silver and set with a blue glass cabochon. I use a lot of color, shape and texture in my jewelry so these fit in perfectly!
Here are some of my past charms from other swaps....
sterling silver, copper and brass.
copper and Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-32604098463585724402012-09-17T09:41:00.000-04:002013-04-02T12:28:00.471-04:00Etsy Metal Charm Swap 10This is my fourth charm swap since being a member of Etsy Metal. Etsy Metal is a juried group of metal artists from all around the world and every 6 months there is a sign up list for the charm swap. The way it works is the swap is limited to 20 members (there are approx 100-150 members of the team). We each make 22 charms. 20 to swap with the other 20 swappers, 1 to sell in the team shop asMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-28186334059368579672012-09-16T09:15:00.001-04:002012-09-16T09:15:49.428-04:00Magazine Cover Contest ResultsIf you have been reading my blog you know I entered into a magazine cover contest back in July. There were 249 entries and although I did not make it to the cover of the magazine I did make the final 4 which got me a half page write up inside the magazine which is out now (October issue). For those of you who do not have a subscription to "The Crafts Report Magazine" here's what the spread Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-72181525770167773572012-07-02T13:08:00.000-04:002012-07-02T13:08:16.389-04:00Magazine Cover ContestBack in June I entered a facebook photo competition to try to get my "patchwork necklace" onto the cover of The Crafts Report Magazine. There were 249 entries in the competition which were narrowed down to 64 by the magazine. The 64 finalists were grouped into groups of 4 and everyday for 24 hours on facebook people were able to vote for their favorite photo from each group. My image Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-14081226260520761482012-05-31T11:13:00.000-04:002012-05-31T11:25:24.192-04:00Tomi's Secret Sculpture Garden Project
Thomasin Durgin, a member of the Etsy Metal Team that I belong to, has purchased an abandoned and vacant lot in her hometown and decided to turn it into a Secret Sculpture Garden for the children in her area. To help her raise funds for her project members of the Etsy Metal Team have joined forces and are working on garden themed charms for a charm bracelet that will be sold in the team Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-91981151934010019402012-04-02T10:00:00.004-04:002012-04-02T10:00:00.804-04:00Etsy Metal Blog CarnivalEtsy Metal is a talented group of metal smiths from all around the world. Every month we hold a blog carnival where we all blog about the same thing and attach links to each others blogs so everyone who reads one can read and find everyone elses too.This month's Etsy Metal Blog Carnival is
Topic: "Nobody's Perfect!"Care to share a piece of your work that did not turn out quite as Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-8687549318084181812012-03-28T14:15:00.000-04:002012-03-28T14:15:51.450-04:00Etsy Metal Charm Swap 9This is my third charm swap since being a member of Etsy Metal. Etsy Metal is a juried group of metal artists from all around the world and every 6 months there is a sign up list for the charm swap. Last time around I curated the swap with Victoria Takahashi. I did all the blogging on the Etsy Metal Blog and Victoria received the charms, repackaged them and sentMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-31596625117969549272012-02-20T10:10:00.004-05:002012-02-20T10:10:00.791-05:00Etsy Metal in PhillyThis past weekend the BMAC show was held in Philadelphia. It's a wholesale show at the convention center that is only open to the trade. The show brought some of the Etsy Metal members to Philly and some of us had a chance to meet up and actually have some real face time instead of just chatting with each other online. Below is a photo of a few of us that met up for dinner on Saturday night. We Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-21932829956408943712012-02-15T12:58:00.000-05:002012-02-15T12:58:03.924-05:00Students workLast night 3 of my jewelry class students wore their finished pieces home. I am so proud of the wonderful work they are doing so I thought I would share them with you here!
Rachel finished her sterling silver ring that she set with a beautiful cameo.
Roxane wore 3 of her cute little copper and sterling cuffs. She stamped the copper then riveted the sterlingMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-44620763963037002312012-01-25T12:16:00.001-05:002012-01-25T12:16:00.652-05:00My studio - before and now (after)I found these photos of my studio from back in January of 2011. This is the cleanest my studio has EVER been so I thought I would share these photos again. You can see the first post with these photos here when I did a tour of my studio. I have to confess that the only reason it was so clean was so I could teach a class that night :)
And this is what my studio looks Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-29683534255086168622012-01-23T13:18:00.001-05:002012-01-23T13:18:00.754-05:00PinterestWell it seems that Pinterest has worked its way into my life and now I can't get enough! There are such great things to find on that site such as recipes, images of beautiful architecture, craft ideas, clothing, shoes and of course some really amazing jewelry! I recommend poking around if you get the chance. Are you on Pinterest? If you are you can follow me by clicking the "Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-13919846825025430082012-01-20T10:00:00.001-05:002012-01-20T10:00:09.878-05:00students workI have taught quite a few people how to make jewelry over the past 13 years. Actually there has been more than I can even count! But only recently (since 2008) have I been taking photos of their finished pieces ...when I remember to bring the camera to class. Below are some of the pieces my students have finished in my jewelry classes.
La' Lanya's earrings - 2008
Mirabel's cuff -Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-43337663015926653372012-01-19T14:04:00.000-05:002012-01-19T14:04:23.483-05:00New business workshop
I am teaming up with gallery owner Julie Basello-Holt and together we have come up with a new workshop that we will be teaching together called "Fine Crafts 101". This workshop is geared towards the creative person who would like to turn their creativity into a business of selling what they make, whether is it pottery, jewelry, photography, wood, etc. With my 13 years of experience Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-48169426485972027752012-01-16T20:36:00.000-05:002012-01-16T20:36:49.623-05:00more bucklesI have been so inspired lately to make belt buckles that I finished up a few more today! It also doesn't hurt that when I listed my first batch of buckles in My Etsy Shop I sold one the next day! So here are today's buckles:
"Sugar Skull" Buckle - remember my first attempt at photo etching? I finally used the skull I spent so much time sketching!
"Scribbles" Buckle - etched copper andMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-52934509354210332282012-01-05T22:51:00.000-05:002012-01-05T22:51:06.021-05:00Belt bucklesI have been wanting to make belt buckles for quite a few years now. I even went as far as to take a casting class many years ago where I carved a belt buckle in wax but then never sent it out to be cast. Since then I haven't had the time or the creative spark needed to design and create the buckles so needless to say the buckles had to wait....until today!
I Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-15854990094094245412012-01-03T14:34:00.002-05:002012-01-09T12:52:19.043-05:00My necklace in a dust jacket photoA few years ago I did a Christmas swap with artist Alana Bills. I traded her one of my rose necklaces for one of her hand painted scarves. I gave the scarf to my mother and Alana gave the necklace to her sister who is an author. Her sister loved it so much that she plans to incorporate it into a book for one of the characters to wear. I do not know if she has done so as Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-82778788834392668732011-12-19T12:19:00.001-05:002011-12-19T12:27:30.661-05:00Etsy Metal Secret Santa GiftEvery year Etsy Metal (a group of very talented metal artists from all over the world) does a "Secret Santa". Members who want to participate sign up and give their jewelry preferences (ring size, bracelet length, i don't like this or that, etc). Names are "pulled from a hat" and each member is given another member to send a gift to. You do not know where your gift is coming from and you areMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-7059173959327901652011-11-07T10:00:00.002-05:002011-11-07T12:45:03.571-05:00Etsy Metal Blog CarnivalEtsy Metal is a talented group of metal smiths from all around the world. Every month we hold a blog carnival where we all blog about the same thing and attach links to each others blogs so everyone who reads one can read and find everyone elses too.This month's Etsy Metal Blog Carnival is "Holiday Previews". The Holidays are fast approaching! Give us a preview of what you are working on for thisMichele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-31222338160977826982011-11-01T14:02:00.000-04:002011-11-01T14:02:43.091-04:0010th Annual Artist Holiday Trunk ShowThe postcards are printed and soon to be stamped and sent on their way. There are 12 artists participating so far and the planning for the show has long been underway for at least a month now. We have food, drink and lots of handcrafted holiday shopping! You can see more info on this event here. I can't believe this is the 10th year of doing this show! I remember the first show like it was Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-67444341457344861382011-10-15T16:30:00.003-04:002011-10-16T20:06:34.690-04:00Etsy Metal Anniversary SaleEtsy Metal is having a birthday! And to celebrate each of the following shops will be having a sale the week of Oct 16 thru Oct 22, 2011. Check out the shops below, including mine, and use the code "ETSYMETAL" or check the shop announcements for other codes when checking out to claim your discount! I am offering 20% off!
Michele Grady Designs
discomedusa
metalriot
Inbar Bareket
markaplan
Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-64715236472567653632011-09-27T10:51:00.001-04:002011-09-27T10:52:54.932-04:00Etsy Metal Charm SwapAs you may already know I am helping curate the Etsy Metal Charm Swap this time around. The way it works is there is a sign up list for the Etsy Metal members who want to participate (limited to 20). We each make 22 charms, 20 to swap with the other members on the list, 1 to sell in the team shop, and 1 will go on a charm bracelet along with 19 other charms and the bracelet is then Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-50617613106731788502011-09-27T10:41:00.000-04:002011-09-27T10:41:11.792-04:00Some new cuffs for the Wheaton Arts show...A new batch of cuffs right off the bench just in time for the Wheaton Arts Festival of Fine Craft this weekend! The show runs Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2. For more info and coupon for $2.00 off admission check out their website.
Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2251875517868613368.post-68676342423397894202011-09-06T16:35:00.000-04:002011-09-06T16:35:02.084-04:00Brandywine Festival of the ArtsI will be exhibiting at the Brandywine Festival of the Arts this coming weekend, Sept 9 & 10, in Wilmington, DE. This is the 51st year for this show and it is packed with talented artists and their creations! For more info and directions check out their website. Hope to see you this weekend!Michele Gradyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04525426707514472266noreply@blogger.com0