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In case you're wondering, I created it the hard way (but the only way I know how to):
1. I made a collage with Picasa
2. Erased the last two pictures and added a black background in Paint.
3. Sized and added my name in Picnik.
Could I have done it in a more complicated way???

Visit my Flickr to see more samples.

"Paper or Plastic?"

Project Runnway Challenge 6.5: Newspaper! "Safe News"

EtsyMetal is holding a fun freestyle Jewelry Challenge that is coinciding with Project Runway episodes. Every Friday we discuss the actual show's challenge and start working on ideas that need to be completed and photographed by the following Friday at no latter than 12 p.m. Pacific time. This weeks challenge was to work with newspaper:

"OK designers! This week is pretty straight forward.
This weeks challenge is "NEWSPAPER".
Please incorporate newspaper or pre-printed black and white book pages into a piece of jewelry.

Ideas: using the color from a pic in the paper, using the words from headlines, patterns, textures, paper mache', folding, decopauge, weaving, and whatever crazy creative things you can think of!
Oh and YES you can use glue, paints, dyes, etc.
Now make it work!"

I started drawing sketches and working on ideas, but didn't decide on the concept until after I grabbed a newspaper. As it usually happens, when I have a newspaper in my hand, no matter how old or outdated it is, I always find something to read I missed before. It never fails. The material got me thinking the state of our world media today, privately owned by just a few multi-national corporations.

I made this piece using a copper sheet I fold formed into a vessel shape. I created the mesh with sterling silver with the ends rolled up into balls placed into holes I pierced on the copper piece. I handmade the pin closure, and formed the pin out of surgical steel wire. I oxidized the piece and buffed with beeswax. I then crumpled newspaper and carefully placed inside its interior.

For more pieces created by other metalsmiths, visit etsymetal's blog: Blog:http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/2009/09/etsymetal-jewelry-challenge-project_18.html

Official show channel: http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway
Due: Friday 12pm PST

Etsy Metal Team Project Runaway Challenge

Every week, the Esymetal team organizes a challenge inspired on the Project Runaway Show. Last week's project was:
*Season 6 - Week 3:
"Surf Wear"
Blog
Official show channel
Due: Friday 12pm PST

"OK Designers this weeks challenge is a bout Surf Wear. The actual challenge is:
to create a fun and fashionable Surf Wear look".
Tim says, "it's critical to infuse your point of view and personal style into this challenge."
Also, if you are feeling super motivated, there was an extra added bit to their challenge,
it was to design a Avant Garde interpreted Surf Wear piece.
OR maybe you'd rather just make the Avant Garde piece,
make one OR perhaps both!?
It's all up to you designers!
So, here are some ideas that were thrown out to help design a piece around this weeks episode.
"sun, surf, beach, color, california surf icons, water, sand, bathing suits, surf culture,youth..."

"Carry on designers!"

I have many collections of random "stuff" I keep. I had collected, among other things, dry algae from the Southern California's coast while I lived there years ago. I took it out of a large jar, where I keep other beach treasures I've collected and was inspired to create this pin.

And of course, check the Etsymetal blog for more exiting interpretations where you can click through each individual participant for photos and detail.

My Introduction to Metals

This month's installation of EtsyMetal's Blog Carnival is: My First Metalsmithed Piece. My first introduction to metals was actually not a piece of jewelry. I was in my second year of a sculpture class and decided to try my hand at metal. Being a horse lover, I was inspired by Deborah Butterfield's bigger than life-size horses, and always found attracted to metals, especially the old rusted ones. I made a large horse (not quite life-size) with old, rusted metal scraps I found or bought at junk yards. I carefully selected each piece of metal, limiting the bending and cutting to a minimum, using what was already bend and broken just as I found it. I welded each piece, but left as much open space as possible, and without trying to give too much detail, but rather trying to catch the essence of the horse.

This was back in 1993 when I was living in Southern California. My instructor asked me if I was willing to donate it to the college for permanent display, and I happily agreed. It was displayed in the Art department garden, outdoors. I went back in 2003 to visit, and I found my horse still there standing proudly. A little more rusted, but looking good. It was a good feeling.

I just went searching and scanned some old photos I had, and although they aren't great, they give an idea of what I'm talking about. Looking at these also makes me realize that although not a work of art, I had such a great time making it! I still make small wire horse sculptures once in a while. It just goes to show you my fascination with horses, metals, art, and sculpture.

Make sure to check out my other EtsyMetal friends that are participating in this month's blog carnival:

1. Sara Westermark http://sarawestermark.blogspot.com/
2. Nina Gibson http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Danielle Miller-Gilliam http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
4. Beth Cyr http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com/
5. duckduckGoose http://duckduckgoosestuff.co.uk/duckduckBLOG
6. Caitlyn Davey http://discomedusa.typepad.com
7. Laura Crawford http://tangerinetreehouse.blogspot.com
8. Tamra Gentry http://gentrydesignco.typepad.com/
9. andes cruz - http://andescruz.wordpress.com/
10. Cynthia Del Giudice: http://cynthiadelgiudice.blogspot.com/
11. libby Rosas http://elizabethrosasjewelry.blogspot.com
12. Nina Dinoff http://ninadinoff.blogspot.com
13. Clare Stoker http://clarestoker.blogspot.com
14. kerin rose http://kerinrose.blogspot.com
15.Quercus SIlver http://quercussilver.blogspot.com
16. Delias Thompson http://deliasstudioinc.blogspot.com

Double Blossom Ring

Part of my Botanica Collection, I constructed this ring using foldforming techniques, except I didn't do the usual patterned folding, but a random one for a more natural and organic look. I also fused some silver into the copper center for contrast and texture. The blossoms were soldered to the ends of a sterling silver wire and then wrapped to form this unique ring.

This ring will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

"Joyas que Cuentan" Opening Reception

Joyas que Cuentan - Jewels that Tell

Exposición de Joyería Contemporánea Graciela Lescano y Fabiana Gadano tenemos el agrado de invitarlos a compartir la muestra de Joyería de Autor - Segunda edición, titulada "Joyas que cuentan", que realizaremos junto a los integrantes de nuestros talleres en el Museo Casa de Yrurtia. Este año la muestra expone trabajos elaborados a partir de textos literarios. La inauguración será el domingo 9 de agosto a las 18:00 hs, y permanecerá abierta al público hasta el 2 de septiembre. Museo Casa de Yrurtia, O'Higgins 2390, CABA, 4781 0385 Martes a viernes de 13 a 19 hs Domingos de 15 a 19 hs

Contemporary Jewelry Exhibit

Next Sunday, August 9, I will be part of a collective exhibit on art jewelry in the museum "Casa de Yrurtia" in Downtown Buenos Aires. The proposal is to create jewelry pieces which have been inspired by a literary text of our choice. I have chosen a book written by Sergio Bulat a Spanish author, journalist, and environmental lawyer titled "Planeta Frito" (Fried Planet).

Bulat wrote this book in conjunction with Greenpeace about simple ideas for everyone to better the quality of life and stop climate change. I chose this book as I am an environmentalist and recycling person. I am presenting two of my fused plastic pieces for this exhibit. A large neck piece and a ring. These pieces incorporate recycled plastic bags which have been fused to create organic shapes which I then assembled using sterling silver rivets and handmade links of substantial size.

I am very excited to be participating in this exhibit. The creativeness, originality, and quality of work of every participant has surpassed my expectations. Be sure to visit if you happen to be in Buenos Aires during this event:
Opening will be on Sunday August 9 at 6:00pm. The exhibit will run until September 2, 7:00pm.

Museo Casa de Yrurtia, O'Higgins 2390, CABA, 4781 0385



Lectura trabajada: Planeta Frito, de Sergio Bulat

"Es lógico que la gente al no saber lo que pasa opte por creer aquello que mas le conviene, o mejor dicho, que parece convenirle, lo que parece convenir a corto plazo normalmente no conviene a largo plazo. En temas de medio ambiente, el desconocimiento no evita el daño, sino al contrario, lo promueve."

Sergio Bulat

Oxidized copper and sterling earrings

Oxidized copper and sterling earrings
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Nothing too dramatic of a design, but I like it. It is simple, and the patina is just so...
lovely, dark and deep
but I have promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
and miles to go before I sleep

Pampero!

La comunidad de habla hispana esta básicamente desparramada por todo el mundo y tenemos, en general, diferentes costumbres, comidas, acentos, condiciones climáticas, etc. Hoy voy a hablar un poco sobre lo que me toca a mí en este rincón del planeta donde vivo: La llanura Pampeana, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Spanish speaking community is basically scattered geographically around the globe, and we have, in general, different customs, foods, accents, climatic conditions, etc. Today I am going to speak a little about what it is like in the corner of the planet where I live: The Pampas Plains, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"¡Pampero!" Todos por aquí saben lo que este grito significa: Correr como un endemoniado a un lugar seguro y resguardado. La primer cosa que lo delata es una calma chicha donde pareciera que el tiempo se paralizó. La segunda es el famoso “cigarro” en el cielo. El cigarro es una nube gigantesca y negra, en forma de cilindro que viaja con rapidez. Solo hay unos segundos para prepararse de lo que se aproxima. El Pampero es el nombre de un tipo de viento muy Argentino. Un viento feroz y repentino, capaz de levantar techos y tirar arboles gigantescos. Este viento viaja sin freno de sur a norte por la extensa llanura Argentina conocida como la Llanura Pampeana incrementando su velocidad. De allí viene su nombre: Pampero.

"Pampero!" Everyone around here would know what this shout signifies: Run like hell to a safe and protected shelter. The very first sign of its coming is a deafening calm where time seems to have been frozen. The second is the famous "cigar" in the sky. The cigar is a black and gigantic cloud, in the shape of cylinder that travels quickly. There are just a few seconds to prepare for what is approaching. Pampero is the name of this very typical Argentine storm. This wind is sudden and ferocious and capable of lifting roof tops and bringing down gigantic trees. This wind travels from south to north through the extensive grasslands of Argentina raising its speed due to the vastness of the land. These plains are known as the pampas, thus the name Pampero, which means “of the pampas”.

Se mencionó un viento violento en crónicas de las primeras expediciones que realizaron los españoles al Rio de la Plata, cuando las Pampas no se habían descubierto, y se sabe que estaban refiriéndose a nuestro viento Pampero. Este viento siempre fue conocido por tener un fuerte espíritu, a veces comparándolo con sus pobladores, y hoy en día es protagonista de más de una historia o leyenda.

A violent wind was mentioned in chronicles of the first expeditions that the Spaniards carried out to the Rio de la Plata, when the prairies had not yet been discovered. Today we know that they were referring to our Pampero winds. This wind has always been known to have a strong spirit, and at times it has been compared to its inhabitants. Nowadays is the protagonist of several stories and legends.

Esta es la letra y el motivo de este tema que he escogido. Un Tango: música y baile también muy Argentino, inspirada en este viento:

Pampero

Soplo de nuestro espíritu indomable,
viento bagual, aliento de salud,
alma de nuestra tierra inigualable,
¡respiración de América del Sud!

Grito de la llanura que reclama
su fiera y orgullosa soledad,
sos viento de una estirpe que proclama
la altivez de su ruda libertad.

¡Pampero!
¡Viento macho y altanero
que le enseñaste al gaucho
golpeándole en la cara
a levantarse el ala del sombrero!

¡Pampero!
¡Viento indómito y mañero,
de ti aprendió la raza
a corcovear furiosa
cuando quiso montarla un extranjero!


Pampero!

Life of our untamable spirit,
Furious wind, breath of health,
Soul of our unmatched land,
Respiration of South America!

The shout of the plains
which demands its wild and proud solitude,
you are wind of a lineage that proclaims
the pride of its rugged liberty.

Pampero! Proud and rough wind
you taught the gaucho
striking him in the face
to lift the flap of his hat!

Pampero! Restless and untamed wind,
From you the race has learned
to buck furiously
when attempted to be mounted by a foreigner!

Music: Osvaldo Fresedo
Lyrics: Edmundo Bianchi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIUaeqCDGgw

Cigarro sobre el Rio de la Plata. Creo que este debe ser el peor lugar para ver este fenomeno: Un velero! (foto tomada por un primo mio, el navegante)
"Cigar" over the "Rio de la Plata". Possibly the worst place to see this phenomenon: A sailboat! (picture taken by my cousin, the sailor)

Pampero! Como me hiciste llorar cuando me volteaste mi querido sauce de mas de 100 años!
Pamero! You made me cry when you brought down my beloved 100 year-old willow tree!

Mi jardin despues del Pampero

My garden after the Pampero struck.

Para ver mas fotos, visita mi flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiadelgiudice/
Check out my flickr account to see more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiadelgiudice/

Gracias por la visita, y mantente asalvo!
Thanks for reading, and keep safe!

http://cynthiadelgiudice.etsy.com

Wearable Art Blog

Today, Ann Jenkins let me know I was featured in this wonderful blog called Wearable Art. I feel honored and thankful for this feature. This is what she said of my work:

"She does some pretty incredible, one-of-a-kind metal pieces; my favorite ones are her mixed-metal work. The flower ring (left) is made with copper and sterling silver with a verdigris patina. The Plenilunio (or moon) Ring (below) is made with fused sterling silver and copper (fusing silver and copper into a brass creates this other-planet-like texture). Even though I love Del Giudice's metal work, I also admire her fused plastic pieces. Below (right) is a choker with plastic flower which features a cultured peacock pearl and some vintage velvet. Looking at this piece, you would never know that the flower is made from a plastic bag. Go to Etsy for more work by Cynthia Del Giudice".

June 14, 2009 in Jewelry Designers | Permalink ShareThis

Thank you Wearable Art! Check out her blog here!

Canyengue Demo

Canyengue Demo
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

No need to say much about this...no words can describe watching this with your own eyes. This was a demonstration at a local gathering where they also gave us a crash course on Canyengue Tango.

This style of tango originated in Buenos Aires in the 1920s and 30s. It is danced with a close embrace with knees slightly bent and if you look closely, the hips are joint as opposed to the milonga style, where the joint is more in the upper torso with a slightly leaning posture towards each dancer.

I must add that all this is always improvised by the dancer (not choreographed). The woman has to be very sensitive and intuitive to follow the man closely. It is a communication, and requires intense concentration...on my part at least!

Etsy Metal Blog Carnival - June 6

EtsyMetal Blog Carnival... So what is a blog carnival? I hear you ask.

A small group of Etsy Metal members with their own blogs write a short article on a given day subject. We will be doing this the first Friday of each month and our topic this fine June is how did your 'style' or signature style came to it? What inspired you to that signature style? And what inspires you to your favorite kinds of pieces?

I think that many artists and craftspeople don't see or realize they have a distinctive style when many times they do. I believe in order to create our own style we need to be true to ourselves and make what comes naturally to us. Most of the times it is something that lays very deep in our bones and souls. The important thing is to try to really see it and work with it, exploring and exploiting it as much as possible. This is when art happens.

For me, I am a spontaneous and unpredictable kind of person, and although I may admire different kinds of approaches, I would not try to attempt to recreate certain techniques and styles. I would not be true to myself if I did, and it would result in a forced piece were the character and soul would be lost. This is the reason why artists often exchange art between each other. It is not because they cannot duplicate something they've seen and appreciated, but because it would become a shallow, soulless object if it was not born within but just copied.

Fused Plastic Collection

My fused plastic collection was born by a desire to recycle and reuse. I found out about fusing plastic through an Etsy Virtual Lab I attended when I just started in Etsy. I thought it was a good idea to show fellow ecologists in my town (I am a member of a NGO) and perhaps teach the technique at our local schools to do book covers, re-usable grocery bags, and so on. I started experimenting and fusing different shapes, and was surprised by the beautiful results I was accomplishing during several tests. That is when I decided to put them to use in my jewelry designs as well.

Other EtsyMetal artists took part on this blog carnival. To read their entries, click on the following links:

http://andescruz.ganoksin.com/blogs
http://andescruz.wordpress.com
http://daniellemillerjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://sarawestermark.blogspot.com/
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://etsymetal.blogspot.com/
http://ashleyakers.blogspot.com
http://tangerinetreehouse.blogspot.com
http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
http://discomedusa.typepad.com/
http://kerinrose.blogspot.com

Multi use Fused plastic Necklace

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cynthiadelgiudice?section_id=5540780

Multi use Fused plastic Necklace
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

This necklace is a custom order for a bride-to-be. She wanted a necklace she could also wear after the wedding as a casual accessory. She said she liked the handmade organic links, but also loved my fused plastic pieces, and thought pearls were a nice touch for a bride.

With all this information I started drawing ideas, and decided to make a multi-function necklace with the option of taking the fused plastic pieces if desired. This necklace may be worn long, double as a choker, with the fused plastic pieces, without them, and the extension chain can even be worn as a bracelet with the plastic pieces.

Now available at my shop!

HOOP MANIA

Hoops - 2 and 3 inches in diameter
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Hoops are such a perfect accessory for the summer wardrobe. They look fantastic with any casual wear. From tank tops to shirts, jeans or skirts, with long or short hair, loose or tied up.

I make these hoops in brass and copper, with many kinds of patinas and finishes. From bright and shinny to brushed, and patinas in black or beautiful blue-green verdigris. I make two different sizes: 2 and 3 inches in diameter.

This weekend only (Saturday May 9 and Sunday May 10), all my copper and brass hoops are on sale! 20% off. Just write the code "weekend deal" in message to seller at the time of checkout and I will shortly issue a refund through PayPal.

Look for them in this section of my Etsy shop.

Inspiration

afternoon wisteria shadow on wall
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I've been asked what inspires me, and it is such a simple question to answer, but difficult at the same time. So many things: I love the randomness and organic shapes of nature, and am fascinated by the passage of time and its effects on things. I am not a perfectionist, and love to be surprised. Anything from art, design, architecture, to life experiences, textures and colors, lines and silhouettes. I am not good with expressing myself with words, so art is a very important form of expression to me. Not only important, but necessary.

Read other artists and their inspirations here:
http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/
http://ninagibsondesigns.blogspot.com/
http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com
http://deliasstudioinc.blogspot.com

Drought, Climate change and Globalization

Dead fish . dry lake
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

This is not in Death Valley, or drought stricken West Africa. I took this picture this afternoon at my local lake located in the bountiful Argentine Pampas. This is the result of a severe and unusual drought due to globalization, climate change, deforestation, and irresponsible farming practices...soy beans...oh, don't even get me started...

I am part of an N.G.O. We took advantage of this sad situation to clean up the trash inside the lagoon.

Plenilunio Ring

Plenilunio Ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I fabricated this ring using metalsmithing techniques I have learned in a class I've just started last month, and then coming home and doing my own thing experimenting and watching the results in awe. This is fusing silver and copper into a brass sheet. Brass and copper have a much higher temperature than sterling silver. This is what creates this texture. You can see copper "dust" on the lower right side, and the brass sheet peeking here and there. The molten silver creates the smoother upper surface. The result is a texture which reminds me of a full moon, thus the name: Plenilunio, which means full moon. You can find this ring and other handmade jewelry at my Etsy shop.

favorite fall winter items on the storque

Vote for my earrings!

Vote for my earrings!
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

My Nicotiana earrings have been selected for Etsy's Fall Fashion item poll on the Storque! (It's warming up in the US, but fall is just around the corner for us in the Southern Hemisphere.) You can check out the poll here: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=39

Thanks!

Amorphous Ring

free-form ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

I've created this ring with scrap copper I melted into an unpredictable, free-form shape, hammered flat, and then slightly domed it. The result is an environmentally friendly ring (because the copper didn't go to waste) with an organic shape. The band is a 14 gauge (1.5mm) sterling silver round wire.

This ring and other handmade organic jewelry can be found at my Etsy shop.

Foldformed ring

Foldformed ring
Originally uploaded by Cynthia Del Giudice

Part of my foldformed pieces. This ring is made with 0.5mm copper sheet which I've annealed, folded, hammered, annealed and unfolded many times to create this shape. The green you see is a verdigris patina. The band is sterling silver.

I'm having a great time experimenting with this technique.






This ring and earrings, along with my other handmade jewelry may be found at my Etsy shop.