18 April 2020

House and Home Blog Hop ~ We're All Ears :: April Reveal :: Safer At Home ~

I've been very busy learning how to be an online presence for my students, I mean so busy that I had forgotten about this blog hop at Earrings Everyday.  
As a online educator, I was working anywhere from 8-12 hours a day at first just to wrap my head around it, and be ready for lift off. 
Now that we are three weeks in, I average 7 hours a day, 5 days a week and about three on Sunday. 
Therefore, I was so glad to have time today to make this happen for me.
My husband's last name is House, so you can imagine everything he owns has a signature house label on it. A little peaked roof house, and a chimney with smoke escaping from it is his moniker. He draws it on all of his belongings and these are my rendition of his house, sans chimney and smoke. lol 
Not only did I make some cute little earrings~
but I documented the recycled enameling process as well.
I start with an old copper viga cover. Viga covers are pieces of metal that cover the parts of ceiling viags that protrude from a house. 
I scored some at the metal scrap yard, and think I have enough for years to come!
Then I chunk pieces off of them and treat them in a bath of hot vinegar to remove grease and glue. 
Then I shape, pierce, file and clean to get them ready for enameling.
After that, I fire the counter enameling. 
I use my left over enamel powders, so the backs can vary depending on the colors I have been using. 
I then sift on my front colors, using dried leaves to make designs and variegation.
Looking around, I find splashes of color to enhance my design. Today they are lamp-worked glass beads, flowery bead caps and some rhinestone rhondelles.
I add my own handmade ear wires and viola! The finished project as seen way up top of this post.
Enjoy the blog hop