AdornmentCraft

Something called “Ponoko” announced its first annual jewelry design contest recently, but I had the hardest time trying to determine exactly what Ponoko was. According to the announcements I read, it sounded like this was a contest for people who own special laser-cutting equipment - which isn’t me. So I let it go until the other day when the winners were announced. I was more curious and - finally - I figured out what was going on.

It turns out that Ponoko is a service where you can design your own laser cut components on your computer and then hire Ponoko to cut them out for you. So essentially, you submit a drawing, and they send you the matching laser cuts.

photo credit: reedwade

photo credit: reedwade

photo credit: reedwade

This is a really interesting idea, and early users have come up with some pretty imaginative designs.

To get started, you need to download a “starter kit,” which includes design software with templates that you can modify into your own designs. You can then order laser cuts of your creations in a limited, but decent, variety of materials, including acrylic and veneer.

This process can be used to make modern-themed jewelry components, wall art, and even furniture. Here’s a look at the $1,000 Grand Prize winner of the aforementioned jewelry design contest:

They are colorful translucent beads that can be rearranged on jewelry cord to suit the wearer’s mood.

I’m certainly interested in giving Ponoko a try - although I’m disappointed that I can’t find any pricing information on the site without signing up. If decide to move forward, I’ll post an update here.

Jewelry by Jessica is offering a new free video and pdf tutorial for making this vibrant plastic flower pin:

This is a really cool design that you could use for all kinds of things, with a little imagination.

The pdf includes a template, step by step instructions, and photos. (And all for free!)

Thanks, Jessica!

(If you like the looks of this project, also check out Planet June’s Shrink Plastic Ring Tutorial.)

de Cor’s Handmades on Etsy is offering detailed tutorials for making two styles of elaborate wirework earrings. The pair above - Love Knot PIPA Earrings - combines Chinese knotting techniques with wirework for a truly unique look.

The design below - Layer-coiled CrystalPearls Earrings - uses wire binding knot and multi-layer coil techniques. (It’s really interesting to see the results you can achieve combining knots with wire.)

Each tutorial is available for $9.95 and includes lots of photos (58 in one and 69 in the other!). Consider giving one a try if you’re looking to improve your wire-weaving skills this year.

If you subscribe to Art Jewelry Magazine, don’t forget that you have access to “user downloads” on its website. (I had forgotten, which is why I’m posting about them now.)

This week, the download is a project - specifically, this sweet little metal clay envelope pendant by Elaine Luther:

If you’re not a subscriber and would like to subscribe, click here. To access the download page, with all available subscriber downloads, click here instead.

(Hm . . . I just realized that I haven’t written a review of Art Jewelry Magazine yet, even though I’ve been a subscriber for quite a while. I’ll put that on my calendar for BellaOnline.com Jewelry Making, and update this post with a link soon.)

Cut Out & Keep, a nifty social-crafting site, has done a great job with this succinct tutorial on carving rubber to make stamps.

There’s a lot of room for experimentation with these. Start out using those soft little white erasers and see what you can come up with. Then you can upgrade to more professional stamp-making tools and materials, as described in the tutorial.