Lisa, this bail is terrific - I love the way its shape looks like it conforms to the leather, almost like fabric. And you were right - keeping the setting simple lets both the bail and the stone shine. Really neat!
Francesca
http://francescawatson.artfire.com

Thanks Francesca!
This was a challenge, to curve the bail. I have to keep pushing myself and not be afraid to fail.
I am so glad you like it. Whew!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Failure is just an opportunity to learn something new, to improve, and to innovate. Treat every "failure" as a teaching moment - for yourself or someone else. Look at what Corinna did with her "failed" woven bezel! You rock, and your work is terrific. So there!

Francesca
http://francescawatson.artfire.com

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Thanks for the great laugh!
I'm still chuckling... You have an excellent point. he he he
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Lisa,

This is gorgeous! All the parts fit together so well -- the fabulous bail, the simple bezel and the gorgeous stone. You do glorious work and now that I have ordered my PMC supplies, I hope I can do half as well with my own PMC work. I hope I ordered the right things -- being new to PMC, it was really hard to decide what was necessary, what was not and all that. The stuff should arrive Tuesday (just before we leave town, so I STILL won't get to play with it for while) and I can't wait to dive in!

Dawn

Woow...this is look amazing Lisa, I love it..fabulous,yes...we have to keep practice all the times...good luck!!
Aida

Wonderful. No imperfections from my view point.

Hi Dawn,
Thank you for that wonderful compliment! I really wanted it to all go together and I worked quite hard on it so I truly appreciate what you said. I kind of held me breath when I opened the kiln and peered inside, afraid that something went terribly wrong. I have got to loosen up and let go of these stupid fears! I mean, so what if something went wrong. I would just learn to fix it and move on. What's the big deal? I have got to conquer my insecurity and plow forward toward the goal.
OK, that's the end of my own little pep talk. Breathe in, breathe out and it's onward we go...
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Oh Dawn,
By the way, if you'd like to talk about the tools and things that you need for metal clay, just email me and I'll be happy to help you. Especially when you get started, I'll be right here.
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Hi Aida!
You're right, we must keep practicing. It is the only way to really know what we're doing. I think I'm going to do another metal clay piece today, but this one is just for fun and not so serious as this one.
Thanks!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Hi Kit!
Thanks but the imperfections are mostly on the back were I pushed the bezel wire too deep into the metal clay. That made the silver tear when it shrank while firing. It is behind the stone on the back so you can't see it from the front. I know better than to do that but I was getting cheap with the clay and didn't roll it out thick enough (the metal clay is so darned expensive). Hmmm... Well, I won't be entering it into any contests (snicker) but at least I learned another lesson and it is good enough for me to wear. Live and learn.
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Ooops, hit the submit without writing yet. Sorry.
Lisa Barth
LBjewelrydesigns.com

Lisa, I am constantly amazed at your talent and versatility! You give the rest of us something to aspire to!
Beth Nelson

Beth, that is quite the extremely nice thing for you to say! I am learning just like everybody is, I just determinedly push myself and I don't give up. "Like a bull dog", my hubby says. Huh, he's right.
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Lisa you just amaze me
What a wonderful piece...
you are your worst critic... but I know when I do a project I want it to be the best!
http://fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5662002&ga_search_query=heartcreations&ga_search_type=seller usernames

Well thanks Deb!
I am very hard on myself because I am chasing after a little thing called excellence. I think it will be a life time chase!
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Yep, I have been working on a piece, I just can't put it down and stop messing with it!!!! some times I just have to put it down and come back later and take a different look at it.
Sometimes it works LOL
http://fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5662002&ga_search_query=heartcreations&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Hey Deb,
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.
You are so right about that! I just get too "wrapped up" in some of my pieces that I have to back away for a couple of days to clear my head and achieve some objectivity. I am glad I am not the only one!
thanks Deb!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Bail = star of the show. You always have your priorities straight and your focus just right. You go, girl!

Becky Campion
New Byzantium Designs

That is a tremendous compliment Becky! Wow!! Thank you so much. I have been working for years to develop a sense of proportion, balance and focus and how to prioritize all three cohesively, so that they harmonize, not fight with each other. I have so much more to learn. I hope I never stop learning.
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Great job! love how you did it and it turned out super nice
SL

FANTASTIC! I love this. Very professional!!!

Hey Thanks SL!
I appreciate your comment so much!!
:)
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com

Hey there Kim,
What a nice thing to say. I am striving for that very thing!!!!
Thanks!!!
Lisa Barth
http://www.LBjewelrydesigns.com